明代  (1500年～1582年)

字：	汝忠
網筆號：	射陽山人
籍貫：	淮安府山陽縣
 中國經典 Chinese classic： 《西遊記》 《匯評證道西遊記》 閱讀吳承恩 Wu Chengen在小说之家的作品!!!

　　字汝忠，號射陽山人，淮安府山陽縣（今江蘇省淮安市楚州區）人。明代小說傢。出生於一個由下級官吏淪落為小商人的家庭，他的父親吳銳性格樂觀曠達，奉行常樂哲學，為兒子取名承恩，字汝忠，意思希望他能讀書做官，上承皇恩，下澤黎民，做一個青史留名的忠臣。吳承恩小時候勤奮好學，一目十行，過目成誦。他精於繪畫，擅長書法，愛好填詞度麯，對圍棋也很精通，還喜歡收藏名人的書畫法貼。少年時代他就因為文才出衆而在故鄉出了名，受到人們的賞識，認為他科舉及第，“如拾一芥”。《淮安府志》載他“性敏而多慧，博極群書，為詩文下筆立成。”他除奮好學外，特別喜歡搜奇獵怪，愛看神仙鬼怪，狐妖猴精之類的書籍。如《百怪錄》、《酉陽雜俎》之類的小說野史，這類五光十色的神話世界，潛默化中養成了搜奇獵怪的嗜好，隨着年齡的增大，這種愛好有增無減，這對他創作《西遊記》有着重大的影響。30歲後，他搜求的奇聞已“貯滿胸中”了，並且有了創作的打算。50歲左右，他寫了《西遊記》的前十幾回，後來因故中斷了多年，直到晚年辭官離任回到故裏，他纔得以最後完成《西遊記》的創作，歷時7年。步入青年時代的吳承恩是狂放不羈、輕世傲物的年青人。社會地位的低下，貧窮困苦的處境，使這位大才子狂放不羈，招來了紛至沓來的笑聲，被人交口稱譽的日子一去不復返了。吳承恩約二十歲時，與同鄉一位姓葉的姑娘結婚，婚後感情甚篤。吳承恩雖然狂放不羈，但他品行端正，忠於自己的妻室。嘉靖十年，吳承恩在府學歲考和科考中獲得了優異成績，取得了科舉生員的資格，與朋友結伴去南京應鄉試。然而才華不如他的同伴考取了，他這位譽滿鄉裏的才子竟名落孫山。第二年春天，他的父親懷着遺憾去世了。接受初次失敗的教訓，吳承恩在以後三年內，專心致意地在時文上下了一番苦功，在嘉靖十三年秋的考試中卻仍然沒有考中。吳承恩羞恨交加，這年鼕天，竟病倒了。兩次鄉試的失利，再加上父親的去世，對吳承恩的打係是沉重的。在他看來，考不取舉人，不僅付資無由，而且愧對父母，有負先人。但他並不以為自己沒考取是沒本事，而衹是命運不濟，他認為“功名富貴自有命，必須得之無乃癡？”吳承恩一生不同流俗，剛直不阿。他之所以才高而屢試不第，很可能與他不願作違心之論以討好上官有關。他厭惡腐敗的官場，不願違背本心，對黑暗的現實持否定態度。他在《二郎搜山圖歌》一詩中寫道：“民災翻出衣冠中，不為猿鶴為沙蟲。坐觀宋室用五鬼，不見虞廷誅四兇。野夫有懷多感激，撫事臨風三嘆惜。胸中磨損斬邪刀，欲起平之恨無力。救月有矢救日弓，世間豈謂無英雄？誰能為我緻麟鳳，長令萬年保合清寧功。”認為“民災”的形成，社會現實的醜惡，原因就在於統治者用人不善，讓“五鬼”“四兇”那樣的壞人當道。他想“緻麟鳳”，行“王道”，扭轉乾坤，但是懷才不遇，壯志未酬，衹能空懷慷慨，撫事臨風嘆息。生活睏頓給吳承恩帶來的壓力並不小於科考的失利。父親去世以後，他需要操持全家的所有開支，但他卻沒有支撐門戶的能力，更沒有養傢活口的手段。傢中生活來源，除了每月從學府裏領回六鬥米外，衹能坐食父親所留遺産了。品嚐了社會人生酸甜苦辣的吳承恩，開始更加清醒地、深沉地考慮社會人生的問題，並且用自己的詩文嚮不合理的社會進行抗爭。
　　
　　吳承恩傢世考
　　
　　《西遊記》的作者吳承恩（1506—1582），字汝忠，一字以忠，明代中葉淮安人。淮安在漢代曾叫射陽縣，縣的東南有一湖泊叫射陽湖，所以吳承恩以“射陽”為號，經常自署為“射陽居士”。後代亦有人稱他為“射陽山人”，這大約不是他當年的自號。淮安地處淮水之南，秦漢時期為淮陰縣。唐代為楚州，一度時期也曾改稱過淮陰郡，故他在署名時，前面往往冠以“淮陰”二字。這是明清時代兩淮文人的普通風氣。
　　關於吳承恩的傢世，目前人們瞭解的還是很少。因為資料太少了，迄今為止，可供查考的資料主要的衹有《先府賓墓志銘》一種。現在，我就根據這篇墓志銘和其他一些材料，作如下一些推測。
　　吳承思先世漣水人，是後來遷到淮安的。是什麽時間遷居淮安的呢？他自己沒有講，我猜想最遲不應晚於明初。其理由有二：
　　第一， 從時間上推算，應在明初之前。《先府賓墓志銘》雲：
　　先世漣水人，然不如何時徙山陽。遭傢窮孤，失譜牒，故三世以上莫能詳也。曾祖諱鼎；祖諱銘，余姚訓導；皇考諱貞，仁和教諭。
　　這裏所說的曾祖、祖、皇考，均是以吳承恩的父親吳銳的身份來說的。所謂“三世以上”，就是指的這三世，並不包括吳承恩父子，若連他們父子計算，當為五世。這五代吳承恩是清楚的，從他父親的曾祖吳鼎嚮上便“莫能詳也”。吳承恩生於十六世紀初，距明代開國 130餘年。按通常 3 0年為一世的說法來計算，吳承恩嚮上四代為 12 0年，時間正好是明初。“三世以上莫能詳也”的意思，明顯是說吳鼎並非遷淮始祖，遷淮是他以前的一世、二位甚至幾世的事，衹不過是因為沒有譜牒，吳承恩說不清楚罷了。所以，吳氏遷淮不當晚於明初。
　　第二，元朝末年戰爭頻仍，淮安所遭戰禍尤為嚴重，土著居民死散殆盡，人口銳減。據黃梨洲為淮安楊士傑作的傳記，以及曹鑣《淮城信今錄》、楊慶之《春宵囈剩》等記載，“明初誰人存者止七傢”。“淮人”大概指的是城內居民，“七傢”可能是指七個姓。據說這七姓是一“節孝徐（積）、槐樹李、梅花劉、切面張、面合王、裱背王、南門潘（塤）”等幾傢。此外，還有人說七姓中有姓吳的，但那是指的是後來中進士做過御史的吳節、吳那一傢，與吳承恩並無瓜葛。吳承恩的祖先不是淮安元代遺民，而是元末明初從漣水遷入的。明初，明太祖針對江北居民稀少的狀況實行移民政策。來誰的移民多遷自江南，而且多為富戶或軍官。至今淮安許多人還世代相傳說自己老傢是江南蘇州或其他什麽地方。吳承恩傢由北嚮南，自然不屬於這個潮流，應該是元末明初破産農民的流遷。
　　吳承恩祖先遷淮後是從事什麽職業的呢？《先府賓墓志銘》中沒有談及。當時遷淮的人中有的是軍籍，隸戎於淮安衛、大河衛、寬河衛等衛所；有的是商籍，從事商業活動；也有一些人是先人在淮做官而定居下來的；有些人傢從事醫業，如潘傢、盧傢；還有很多人傢從事儒業，依靠讀書做官吃飯，等等。吳承恩傢不是軍籍，也不是做大官人傢的後裔，也不象一開始就是業儒的。據《先府賓墓志銘》記載，吳承恩傢出過兩代學官：曾祖吳銘做過浙江余姚縣的訓導，祖父吳貞由例貢做過浙江仁和縣（今杭州市）的教諭（同治《山陽縣志》捲九、光緒《杭州府志）捲一0二的記載均為訓導）。訓導與教諭都是官微俸薄的冷官，遠離家乡，顛沛流離，妻兒往往不能團聚在一起。當吳承恩的父親吳銳四歲時，其母梁氏，帶着他一起去仁和，夫妻父子團聚以享天倫之樂。團圓的日子還未過數月，不幸的事情發生了：吳銳的父親即吳承恩的祖父吳貞競病逝任所。梁氏無奈，衹有帶着四歲的孤兒吳銳回淮。由於他傢兩代經營的是“九儒十丐”的“窮儒”，既無什麽積蓄，更無其他收入，所以傢境越來越窮。因為窮，又無親友接濟，吳銳到了上學的年齡也不能上學，比別人傢孩子遲了好幾年，纔開始進入社學讀書。因為無錢給社學先生送禮，先生就不怎麽教吳銳。但是，吳銳很聰明，在旁邊專心聽先生給別人講，居然學到了所有的課業，並且學得很好。吳銳的聰慧感動了社學先生，得到了先生的贊賞，推薦他到鄉學去繼續讀書。但終因吳傢傢計睏難而沒有去成。梁夫人痛心疾首地說：“吳氏修文二世矣，若此耳，斯孤弱奈何！”先是梁夫人哭泣，接着吳銳也跟着哭，母子抱頭痛哭一場了事。吳銳失學以後幹些什麽我們無法知道，但他到二十歲的時候，便娶了小商人徐傢的女兒成了傢。佛傢世代賣花邊花綫一類小商品，吳說便承襲了他傢的行業，坐在店堂裏成了一個小商人。從這一段記載中，我們可以看出吳承思傢的一些老底。所謂“修文二世”，大概就是指的承恩的曾祖吳銘和祖父吳貞。再進一步細細琢磨這句話，似乎吳傢業儒的也僅此兩代，其先世並不是讀書人傢。吳傢先世既非業儒，又非軍籍，更非官宦，此外要麽就是從事農業，要麽就是經營商業。兩相比較，我認為他傢初遷淮時經營的是小商業可能更象些。這裏有兩條理由。
　　一、吳承恩傢並無地産收入。有人說，吳傢遷淮後原住在二鋪灌溝，從事的是農業。他們的根據是因為吳承恩死後葬在那裏，並稱那兒為“先壠”。這個證據是不足為憑的。“壠”就是墓地，“先壠”是先人墓地的意思，並不說明他傢在那兒有多少土地。城裏人死了總不能埋在城裏，葬到鄉下去是必然的，在鄉下買一塊土地作為墓地是正常的事情。當然，吳傢一開始就置下這塊地産，自然用不着再去買的。但我想那樣是不大可能的。吳傢由漣水遷來，如果原來就是地主富戶，那他就不會放棄原有的土地，拋開傢園到這兒來重置田産，如果是破産農民遷來，那他更不會有錢到淮安鄉下買田。明初從江南嚮江北移民，是因為江北地多人稀，動員江南富戶到江北墾荒，是有開發江北的目的的。當時是用行政手段“趕”來的，淮安至今農民中仍有“洪武趕散”的說法。明初漣水的經濟狀況不會比淮安好，吳傢遷淮决不是因為是富戶而被“趕”來的。
　　從另一個方面來講，如果吳傢擁有一定的地産，當做教諭的吳貞死後，吳傢不至於窮到那種地步，吳承恩的父親連個社學都上不起，遲了幾年纔上；上了社學又無錢給先生送禮，以致受人歧視；到了最後還是輟學了事。依我的推測，他傢簡直沒有什麽地産，他傢先輩遷淮後根本不是農民。
　　二、我認為吳傢來淮後就住在河下。當時河下在淮河（當時也叫黃河，黃河奪淮後，這一帶淮河下遊也是黃河的下遊。），西邊則是運河，河下處在兩河之間，是一個商埠。當時從各地來的商人和各種職業的人很多，大都聚居在這裏。這些人後米都逐漸入了山陽籍。他傢遷淮後落腳於河下，處在一個傢傢經商的街市之中，從而受其影響，從事某種小商業來謀生是很自然的事情。從現在他傢在河下的周圍環境來看，正是這樣的情況：打銅巷、釘鐵巷、粉章巷、估衣街包圍在他傢的四周。這些巷子裏的居民基本上經營着巷名中所列的行當。當經商有了餘利，生活狀況有所改善，就嚮讀書做官的方向進取，並且有了一些成效，出現了兩代學宮（儘管吳貞是例貢生出身，可能要出一點錢，但正好證明他傢既有讀書子，經濟上又小有富餘）。這時，他傢便拋棄了原來所經營的與現在做官（雖然是不入流的小官）身份不相稱的商業，生活來源就靠做學官的微薄俸祿來維持。一旦這條道路出了問題就會出現麻煩。果然，吳貞死了，沒有官俸了，全家生活立即出現危機，連吳說上社學讀書都睏難。如果是官僚兼地主的家庭，是不會出現這樣的問題的。吳傢沒有地産，生活艱難，是可以想見的。這時為生活所逼，“修文二世”的書香子弟，中途輟學，弄到店堂做起小生意來，一下子又退回到了小商人的地位。這對於吳傢來說，祖上經營過的職業，後人重新拾起，輕車熟道，一般情況下是很自然而不突兀的。
　　吳承恩說他傢的境況“窮孤”。“窮孤”是他傢世的主要特徵。所謂“窮”，主要是指經濟上睏難。如前所述，他傢確實不富裕，有時比較艱難。另外，也可能兼有指命運不太好的意思，幾代以來麯麯折折不發達，沒有交上當大官、發大財的好運。已經做了兩代小官了，結果不但沒有上升，反而又回到了原來的地位，陷入艱難睏境。所謂“孤”，大概指人丁不興旺，幾代單傳，勢單力薄，人口不多。吳傢睏難了，無人資助，受人欺侮了，也沒有人為他撐腰；吳承恩的父親受盡了官府胥吏的敲詐勒索，也沒人為他說句公道話。這些明顯看出他的傢族是多麽“窮孤”、寒微。傢族內既沒有做大官賺大錢的人可以作為他傢政治上或經濟上的靠山，恐怕本族中的兄弟叔伯都很少，現在還沒發現他的傢族中其他人的記載。種種跡象表明他傢可能幾代單傳。
　　吳承恩的親戚關係中，也沒有什麽值得炫耀的。祖上的親，吳承恩沒有談到過，大概無足稱道。祖母梁氏娘傢何處不清楚，八成是淮安人。當時淮安梁傢也不顯耀，舅祖的情況也不知道。未見有祖姑母的記載，無從談起。嫡母徐氏是個商人的女兒，生母張氏何許人也更一無所知。關於舅傢及姑母傢，竟連片言衹語也未見，或者幹脆就沒有姑母。吳承恩的父輩以上親屬情況，簡直是個謎。
　　有人樂於稱道吳承恩自己這一代中的兩門親戚：一是姐夫瀋傢，另一是妻舅葉傢。他們分別是瀋翼和葉淇的後裔。瀋翼和葉淇二人，分別在景泰年間和弘治年間任過南、北戶部尚書，這兩傢在淮安都很有地位。但是，吳承恩的姐夫和妻子大概衹是這兩傢的族人，並非這兩位尚書大人的嫡傳裔孫。然而總算是沾親帶故，有一點親戚關係。現在我們就來看看這兩門親戚的情況。
　　先說姐夫瀋傢。《先府賓墓志銘》雲：“徐夫人生一女承嘉，適同郡瀋山。”據此可知，吳承恩的姐夫叫瀋山。怎麽知道瀋山與瀋翼是本傢的呢？這是瀋山的女兒的兒子即外孫，也就是吳承恩的表外孫丘度，為他的父母撰寫的墓志銘中反映出來的。該墓志銘雲。“嚮淮郡稱大姓者，先尚書瀋公之族也；吾母乃公之族，同知公之孫女也。”此墓志銘又云，其外祖母是“吳太夫人”，“射陽吳公，母舅也”。由此可知，丘度的母親瀋氏是吳承恩的外甥女，即“吳太夫人”吳承嘉的女兒。那麽，吳承恩的姐夫瀋山當即為“先尚書瀋公之族也”。淮安當時姓瀋的尚書衹有瀋翼一人，所以，瀋山是瀋翼的族人。此外，丘度的中表兄弟在瀋翼的族譜中均有明確記載，而且瀋氏族譜中還把丘度作為重要親戚記載進去。這些都是確證。
　　據丘度《平涯公墓志銘》，瀋氏“先世傢東魯，國初始祖七一公避兵徙山陽，遂傢焉。後嗣以科目顯，其占甲第有諱翼者，纍宮南京戶部尚書，正統間有禦虜功。諱珤者，官吏科都給事中，升太僕寺少卿，直聲於臺剩諱純者，纍官至四川右布政，功在生民……綸音赫奕，科名蟬聯，吾淮數巨姓宦族，指首屈則及瀋。”這確實是一個顯赫的傢族。然而，此瀋氏族譜中竟然沒有瀋山的名字，更沒娶吳氏的記載。按照丘度與瀋氏傢族的關係，瀋山應是瀋 。瀋 或者就是瀋山的譜名、後改名。這有如下根據：
　　一、丘度撰《平涯公墓志銘》雲：“夫瀋族乃淮之喬木一舊傢，吾母敕封贈恭人毓秀之門，而平涯公與餘有表兄弟之雅者也。”平涯公名瀋樸，字質夫，別號平涯，長丘度三歲。
　　二、瀋倩《上林苑監署丞丕顯府君行略》雲：“丘公震岡（丘度字震岡），先祖中表昆弟也。”瀋倩的先祖即瀋樸。
　　三、瀋培寬《府君行述》雲：“曾王父見背時，王父完白公年十二，托孤於表兄震岡丘公。”瀋培寬的曾祖父也還是瀋樸。
　　以上這些記載均見瀋翼的族譜。
　　按：瀋樸的父親叫瀋天資，祖父叫瀋 ，曾祖叫瀋瑄，高漢名瀋詡，詡為瀋翼之二兄。既然瀋樸與丘度為中表兄弟，那麽，瀋天資應為丘度之母舅，與丘度母親瀋氏為親兄妹或親姐弟，天資之父瀋 當為丘度的外祖父，即吳承嘉所嫁之夫名瀋山者。我想這是不可改易的推論。瀋氏族譜中不名瀋山而叫瀋5盈，可能瀋山是初用名，後來改作瀋！盈的緣故。據瀋氏族譜記載，瀋 字朝用，配寧氏、王氏，但是沒有吳氏的記載。這大概因為吳傢“窮孤”，吳承嘉嫁到瀋傢僅僅是側室，甚或是妾，而且可能沒有生男孩子的緣故。瀋山的年齡可能比吳承嘉大得多。瀋翼行三，生於 1392年，其二兄瀋詡的生年當更早一些。瀋山為瀋詡四子瀋瑄之獨子，是瀋詡之第三代，生年當晚二世。如果以30年為一世，一二世為60年，當為1450年頃。如果再加上可能有的其他一些特殊情況，再加長一些時間，至近應為1460年或1470年頃。而他的長子瀋天資生於 1500年，兩者差距比較大，所以，瀋山的生年可能較早，甚至與吳承恩的父親吳銳的生年接近（吳銳生於1461年）。根據上述情況分析，瀋山僅是瀋尚書的侄孫，承恩的姐姐承嘉又非瀋山的原配夫人，僅是族譜上無名的配偶，所以這門親戚無足稱道。加之瀋氏到了瀋山這一代沒有出達官貴人，更沒有什麽可以值得炫耀的。因此，吳承恩僅在其父墓志銘中，按通常慣例提了一下瀋山的名字，並未作進一步的介紹，在其他地方也絶未提及。後來丘度中了進士做了官，丘度的血管裏流有瀋氏的血液，所以瀋氏與丘傢的關係纔得以增強，而連帶的瀋傢與吳傢的關係纔被看重。從這裏，我們也可看出、吳承恩傢當初的社會地位是如何的低下。
　　吳承恩的嶽父葉傢的情況也有點相類似。葉氏先祖為南宋初年宰相葉衡，世居浙江之金華。葉淇曾祖葉顒，在元代以詩名世，著有《樵雲獨唱》，祖父葉土廉，洪武初戍淮，遂為淮安衛人。《明史》捲一八五有葉淇傳。據傳，淇字本清，景泰五年進土，授御史，成化中纍官至大同巡撫，弘治四年為戶部尚書，尋加太子太保。墓志銘為李東陽撰。據墓志，葉淇生於1426年，卒於1501年。他“長身修髯，見者知為偉器，”“配何氏，贈夫人，繼闕裏孔氏，封夫人，皆有內行”。何氏事不詳，孔氏，即吳承恩為之撰《壽葉太老夫人八十頌》和《葉太母輓詩序》（見《射陽先生存稿》捲一、捲二）的“葉大老夫人”和“葉太母”。承恩在這兩篇文章中說：“先尚書國柱臣，康乂海內，震宮保翊”，“太夫人秀鍾闕裏，為先師四十五代之真裔”。又說；“承恩叨忝婚姻，班太母曾孫之末”。雖然吳承恩在《先府賓墓志銘》中僅言他“娶葉氏”，未明言是出於哪一個葉傢，但我們從這兩篇文章便可知道葉氏是葉淇的後裔，是葉淇曾孫一輩的族人。葉太母孔氏生於1468年，比她丈夫葉淇小四十二歲，葉淇去世時她年僅三十四歲。從時間上推算，承恩妻葉氏根本不可能是孔氏親曾孫女，僅在曾孫這一“班”中，而且又是“末”。看來承恩妻葉氏並非葉淇的嫡傳子孫。李東陽所撰的葉淇墓志中關於孔氏的記載，僅在明刻本《懷麓堂文後稿》捲二十四中有之，到了此書的清刻本中，“繼闕裏孔氏，封夫人，皆有內行”幾個字被刪去了。這就使我想起吳承恩的姐姐吳承嘉來。大概婦女嫁作繼室、側室，或者未生兒子的，就是這樣的命運。被封為夫人的孔氏尚且如此，平民百姓的女子吳承嘉不入瀋氏族譜還有什麽的可說呢？葉淇弟兄二人，其弟名葉洋。洋子葉贄，宇崇禮，天順庚辰進土。據天啓《淮安府志》捲十六記載，他“當官外和內嚴，庶獄緣請定法，人不敢幹以私。歷守三大郡，孜孜盡職，不拂情以招怨，不立異以邀名。纍工、刑二部侍郎”。此叔侄二人是當時葉氏的重要人物。葉贄子葉筌，號笛溪，為承恩的叔丈人。《射陽先生存稿》捲一詩《寄笛溪葉太文》、捲四《賀笛翁太丈七帙障詞》，即為他所作。葉筌家庭條件十分優越，父親為朝廷大吏，自己承其蔭為光祿寺典簿（同治《山陽縣志》捲九）。叔叔葉寶很有錢，據說葉贄入官至歸隱四十餘年，出入供費皆出於他。障詞中說，葉筌“處則為貴公子，出則為賢士夫，倦而歸也則為鄉耆勘。少年時喜歡交結各種人，“江湖遊俠，時候於其門；異端方伎，日列於其前”。既而改變生活方式，結交皆海內名士：“懸箔而有琴棋，揮金以收書畫。橫長笛，撰小詞，尋奇春雨之亭，避俗水西之館”。但他終身輕財重義，“方其乏，則朝儲忘乎午餐；時其豐，則食客倍於傢衆”。吳承恩雖然是他的侄倩，但因為是當時的名士，仍然被他“禮之為上客”。他們的友情是很好的。當葉筌在京城時，承恩作詩《寄笛溪葉太丈》，發出“物情懸舊賞，離夢繞滄波”的感概，要葉筌“應念故山蘿”。其實，葉筌比吳承恩大不了幾歲。障詞說，隆慶四年（1570年）是葉筌的七十壽辰，那麽，他當生於1501年，與吳承恩的年齡相仿佛。障詞還說，“承恩締姻門下餘四十年”。這句話需要作些斟酌。“餘”當為“餘”之誤植，但字書說“餘”、“餘”相通，古人喜歡用通假字，這可姑且置之勿論。“餘四十年”在古漢語中意為“垂四十年”、“接近四十年”，因此這句話很成問題。我們將“餘四十年”盡量說得大一些，為三十八、九年，到1570年吳承思纔結婚三十八、九年，那麽他結婚的時間當為1532年頃。這一年吳承恩父親剛剛去世，他為他父親撰寫墓志中剛好趕上與上“娶葉氏”，這未免過於玄了些。而且，吳承恩此年已將近三十歲了，對於一個幾代單傳、四十多歲方得獨生子的家庭來說，恐怕决不會讓孩子到了三十歲，自己到了七十多接近死期纔讓孩子結婚成傢。因此，我認為這“餘四十年”當為“四十餘年”之誤。這樣的話，承恩的結婚年齡在二十來歲，方可說得過去。
　　葉筌的兒子葉恩，為嘉清二十九年進土，官御史，孫子葉允武，中萬歷二十年武會試第一。這已是吳承恩身後的事了。總之，吳承恩的這門親戚就是這樣的狀況，似乎要比瀋氏傢族好一些。
　　吳承恩有幾個子女？也沒有記載。他有過兒子，名叫鳳毛，但很早就去世了。有沒有其他子女無法知道。陳文燭為他作的《花草新編序》中說，吳承恩去世以後，吳傢已“傢無炊火乏矣”。根據這句話來看，吳承恩是他傢最後一個去世的人，大概是沒有其他子女，他死了以後，煙囪子就不冒煙了，從此便斷了煙火。即使有女兒的話，那大概早已出嫁了。但是沒有材料證明這一點。
　　吳鳳毛的情況衹有兩處提到過，一是《介社頒》中說：“承 恩令子之平生肺腑交也，又重以婚姻之誼”。另一處是為瀋坤父母作的墓志銘中說：“彼我既羈，貫友通傢。我亡子鳳毛，祭酒又嘗許昏以女”。前一篇文章是嘉靖二十三年（1544）瀋坤中狀元滿三年考，皇帝贈封其父母，適逢瀋母六十四歲壽辰，作此為之慶賀的。嘉靖二十三年對於瀋坤來說，是喜事連連的時期。嘉靖二十年他自己中了狀元，這一年皇上誥命贈封父母及妻子，妹婿張侃此年也中了進土，他的傢族正處在上升時期。此時能與吳承恩訂兒女親傢，確實是瀋坤不忘友情很看得起吳承恩的事情。但如果說訂親是前幾年即瀋坤中狀元以前的事，也許更有一定的合理性。那麽，鳳毛生年當在嘉靖十一年至嘉靖二十年之間。第二篇文章作於嘉靖三十五年鼕（1556），文章中已稱鳳毛為“亡子”，說明他已經死了，而且可能已經有了一段時間了。因為墓志中說瀋坤父母的三個孫女，一個嫁了周學禮，另兩個也許聘了人傢。這三人當中，當然包括那個曾經許聘吳鳳毛的瀋坤的女兒在內，因為鳳毛死了，便又另許了別人。但此事過去的時間似乎又不會太長，因為在承思的印象中還記憶猶新，並把這件事寫到瀋坤父母的墓志銘中去。也許鳳毛就在此前一二年纔去世。但這些都是推測，究竟吳鳳毛生於何年，卒於何年，活了多大，還難以說清楚。
　　以上是對吳承恩的傢世及有關情況所作的簡單考述，目的是供研究《西遊記》和吳承恩的學人們參考。許多地方是大膽的推測，還有待於發現新的資料來糾正和充實。

　　Word Ru Zhong, No. Sheyang Shanren, Huai House Shanyang County (now Huaian Chuzhou district) people. Ming novelist. Born in a lower-level officials reduced to a small business family, his father, Wu Rui optimistic personality help one pursue the regular music philosophy, named for his son Cheng'en, Ru Zhong word meaning hope that he can read official, deck mercy next Zeli people, to be a legacy of unnamed loyal. Wu Cheng-en studious child, Yimushihang, Guomuchengsong. He specializes in painting, good at calligraphy, love song lyrics degree, on the Go is also very proficient, but also collections of famous paintings like the paste method. Youth because of his outstanding literary talent made a name in the home, appreciated by people, that his third examination, "who finds a mustard." "Huai House" carries his "sexual sensitivity and multi-Hui, Po-polar group of books for poetry write into legislation." Excited than he was studious, the particular strange hunting like the strange, supernatural like to watch, like Fox Spirit Houjing books. Such as "Weirdo recorded", "Exposition of" unofficial history of the novel class of such bright lights of the mythological world, had formed the potential Mohua strange the strange habit of hunting, increased with age, this hobby increase, which he created "Journey to the West" has a major impact. After 30 years of age, Hunting for the anecdote that he had been "in storage Manxiong", and how has creative plans. 50 years old, he wrote "Journey to the West" back to the first dozen, and later interruptions for many years, until his resignation on the departure of old age back to hometown, he was able to finally complete the "Journey to the West," the creation, last 7 years. Wu Cheng-en into the youth, is unrestrained, light the world Aowu young people. The low social status, the situation of poverty, so that the large unrestrained wit, elicited an avalanche of laughter, be gone are the days Jiaokou reputation. Wu Cheng-en about 20 years of age, and hometown girl surnamed Ye married, marriage, very deep feelings. Although unrestrained Wu Cheng-en, but he behaved, loyal to his wife. Jiajing years in the House of Wu-year-old test and the expedition in the school received excellent results, students gained the qualification examination, and a group of friends to be examinations held in Nanjing. However, talented as his companion who has passed, the world-famous village of wit he actually Mingluosunshan. The following spring, his father died with regret. Initial failure to accept the lessons of Wu in the next three years to concentrate on the text up and down in time to pay tribute to the painstaking efforts Jiajing 10 years in the autumn is still not sitting the exam. Cross shame hate Wu Cheng-en, this winter, actually ill. Two examinations held in the defeat, coupled with his father's death, and Wu Cheng's crackdown is heavy. In his view, the test does not take lifts, not only without the payment of capital, and unworthy of their parents, have a negative ancestor. But he did not think they did not qualify is not capable, but only fate of the poor, he believes that "fame rich own life, we must have the free is crazy?" Life of Wu different prevalent custom and outspoken. Reason he was not high and repeated the first test, it may not want to make against one of his to please Shangguan of the. He was sick of corrupt officialdom, unwilling to go against the original mind, the reality of the dark negative attitude. In his "search Erlang Mountain Map Song" in a poem, wrote: "China pulls out dressed in the disaster, not to ape crane to the trouble. Sitting Song Imperial Households with Goki but not punish Si Xiong Yu Ting. Wild husband are pregnant with more grateful, honestly do lament the Wind 3. wear the chest cut the evil sword, want to hate from the level of weakness. save the day on a vector to save the bow, but does that saying no hero world? who for me To Lin Feng, long years to make security cooperation Qing Ning Gong. "that" people disaster, "the formation of the ugly social reality, reason is that the rulers of poor employment, so that" Goki "" Si Xiong, "as the bad guys in power. He wanted to "To Lin Feng," OK "kingly", to turn things around, but underappreciated, cut down, only left with generous, ask things Rinpu sigh. Live in poverty to not less than the pressure of Wu's lost expedition. After his father died, he needs to manage all the family expenses, but he did not support the portal's capabilities, nor the means to raise a family. Family life, apart from the university in a month fighting to reclaim six meters away, can only sit eating father left a legacy. Enjoy the ups and downs of the social life of Wu began to more clearly, consider the deep questions of social life, and his own poetry to the unreasonable social struggle.
　　Family history of Wu
　　"Journey to the West" author Wu Cheng (1506-1582), the word Yu Zhong, word to loyalty, in the mid Huai'an people. Huai had told Sheyang County in the Han Dynasty, the county has a lake called the South East Sheyang Lake, so as to Wu Cheng-en "Sheyang" as the number, often from the Department "Sheyang lay." Generations have called it the "Hermit Sheyang" This is not about numbers in his old self. Located south of Huai Huai Shui, the Qin and Han period Huaiyin County. Tang is Chuzhou, once the period has been renamed Huaiyin County, so he signed, the front is often dubbed "Huaiyin" word. This is the era of Ming literati general atmosphere of Salt.
　　On Wu Cheng's family background, or very few people knew about the present. Because too little information to date information available to examine the main only the "first government guest epitaph" A. Now, I am under this epitaph, and other materials, as follows some speculation.
　　Wu Chengsi Lianshui bloods who was later moved to Huai'an. What time is moved to Huai'an for? He did not say, I guess no later than not later than the early Ming. The reasons:
　　First, from the time the projections should be before the early Ming. "First the government guest epitaph," says:
　　Lianshui bloods who, however not as good as when the resettlement Sanyo. Isolated by poor families, loss of genealogy, it admitted of III above details are. Ancestor taboo Ding; ancestral taboo Ming, Yuyao discipline; August Ones taboo Chen, Ren didactic.
　　Second, the Yuan Dynasty fighting frequently, Huaian the war was particularly serious, indigenous peoples scattered dead and exhausted, the population plummeted. Pineapple Island for the Huai Yang Shijie, according to the biography, and Cao darts "Huai City recorded a letter today," Yang of "Spring Night Dreamer left" and other records, "who kept the early Ming were only seven." "Huai" and probably refers to the city residents, "seven" could refer to seven names. It is said that seven names is a "Piety Xu (product), Ash Lee, plum Liu, cut sheets, comprehensive cooperation king, mounted back the king, South Gate Pan (Xun)," and so few. In addition, there were seven names have surnamed Wu said, but that must mean that the Censor was done in the chin-shih, Wu Festival, Miss that one, and there is no connection Wu Cheng-en. The ancestors of Wu Huai Yuan Dynasty was not, but Lianshui moved in from the Yuan and Ming. Early Ming-tsu Jiangbei residents for scarce state in immigration policy. To many immigrants who move from the south, and mostly well-off or officers. Huai many generations has also said that he was born in Suzhou, or any other places south. Wu Cheng-en home from north to south, nature does not belong to this trend, Yuan and Ming bankruptcy should be the migration of farmers.
　　Huai-Wu Cheng-en ancestors moved to after it is engaged in what occupations? "First the government guest epitaph" is not mentioned. Some of those who were dishonorably discharged move Huai, attached at the Huai Wei Rong, Ho Wei, Wei Wei, wide river; Some business membership, engaged in commercial activities; also have some official and the ancestors settled in the Huai River; some people in Medical industry, such as Pan, Lu home; there are many people in Confucian industry, relying on official school meals, and so on. Wu Cheng-en home, not a military status, nor do Tai Guanren family descendants, not as the start sector and Confucianism. According to "First House guest epitaph," recorded over two generations of a family of Wu School official: Yuyao County, Zhejiang Province has Zuwu Ming did the discipline, his grandfather from the case of Gong Wu Chen did Zhejiang Renhe County (now Hangzhou) of didactic (Tongzhi "Sanyo County" Book Nine, Guang Xu, "Hangzhou government records) are recorded in Volume 0 2 discipline). Discipline and the didactic are the official micro-thin cold pension officials, far from home, displaced, his wife and children often can not join you. When the father of Wu Wu Rui-year-old, the mother Liang, took him to Ren, the couple father and son reunion with families. Happy days not several months, the unfortunate happened: Wu Rui's father or grandfather of Wu Jing Wu Chen died either by. Liang helpless, only with a sharp back-year-old orphan Wu Huai. As the two generations of his family business is "9 Ru 10" Basically the "poor Confucianism", neither have any savings, but no other income, so his family getting poorer. Because of the poor, nor friends, philanthropic, Wu Rui to school age can not go to school than children of someone's home a few years later, began to enter the social science study. Mr. money to community schools as a gift, not how to teach, Mr. Wu Rui. However, Wu Rui very smart, in the next President to concentrate on listening to others speak, actually learned all the lessons, and learn well. Wu Rui's intelligence agency moved Mr. Science, has been President of appreciation, recommended him to the village school to continue studying. But the end result of the Wu family did not go into his family difficulties. Ms. Liang said bitterly: "Wu Xiuwen II men, and if this ear, Sri defencelessness do nothing!" First, Ms. Liang cry, then cry Wu Rui also followed, mother cried a trouble. Wu Rui doing after school we can not know, but when he went to 2 years old, they married the daughter of Alex became a small business family. Buddhist generation selling lace flowers line a class of small commodities, Wu said that his family would inherit the industry, sitting in stores, became a small businessman. From this record, we can see that Wu Chengsi some tell your family. The so-called "Revised text of II", probably referring to Cheng'en and grandfather had worked Zuwu Ming Wu Zhen. Further refinement of this statement, it seems the Wu family business has only the two generations of Confucianism, his bloods are not reading people. Wu Ru-bloods neither industry, but also non-military status, more non-elite government officials, in addition to or is engaged in agriculture, or is carrying on business. Comparing the two, I think that when his family first moved to Huai business is a small business may be more like these. There are two reasons.
　　First, there is no property of Wu family income. Some say that the Wu family moved to after the origin of Huai irrigation ditch in the second shop, engaged in agriculture. They are based because of Wu's death was buried there, saying there was "the first ridge." This evidence is relied upon to. "Ridge" is the cemetery, "the first ridge," meaning the ancestors graveyard, does not mean his home, where the number of sites. The city can not bury dead in the city, buried into the country is inevitable, in the countryside to buy a piece of land as a cemetery is a normal thing. Of course, the Wu family home under the outset, this piece of property, have no need then to buy the. But I think that would be unlikely. Wu moved to the Lianshui, if the original is the well-off landlord, he will not give up their land, put aside their homes here to reset the land, if the bankrupt farmers to move to, he will not have money Tian Huai country to buy. Jiangbei from the south to the early Ming immigrants, because many rare Jiangbei to mobilize the Jiangnan Fu households to Jiangbei reclamation, is the purpose of developing Jiangbei. At that time, by administrative means "drive" to the, so far the farmers are still Huai'an "Hongwu forced out" argument. The economic situation of the early Ming Lianshui no better than the Huai, Wu Huai not move because of well-off was a "rush" to the.
　　From another perspective, it has a certain property if the Wu family, as a didactic after the death of Wu Zhen, Wu Bu Zhiyu poor to that stage, of Wu's father with a social science are not afford to go, a few years behind Only on; on the Social Studies has no money to Mr. gift, so that the subject of discrimination; to eventually drop out of school trouble. In my guess, just not what his family estate, after his family ancestors moved to the Huai is not farmers.
　　Second, I think the Wu family after living in the Huai River to the next. At that time, under the Huaihe River (then also known as the Yellow, Huai-Yellow wins after this with the Huaihe River is downstream of the Yellow River.), The west is the canal, the river under the river in between the two is a commercial port. At that time merchants from all over the many and various occupations, most live in here. After the meters are moving these people into the Sanyo membership. After moving his family settled in the Huai River, the markets are in a family was among the business, which affected, in a small business to make a living is very natural. From now on, under his home in the river around the environment, it is this: The fight copper Lane, nail iron Lane, Powder Chapter Lane, Gu Yi Street, surrounded by his family around. Basically, these residents of the alley runs Lane were listed in the line of business. When doing business with Yuli, living conditions improved, the school official to the direction of progress, and with some success, there have been two generations of science Palace (although Gong Wu Ching is the case of students origin, may be out of money, but shows that his son home to study both economically small, have surplus). At this time, he would abandon the original family business and is now an official (although it is not a small inflow official) status does not match the commercial, sources of livelihood by doing science officer on the meager Salary to maintain. Once a problem with this road there will be trouble. Sure enough, Wu Zhen dead, no official salary, and family life, a crisis immediately, Wu said that the community schools even have difficulty reading. If the landlord's family and the bureaucracy is not such a problem. Wu is not real estate, life is hard, one might guess. Then for the life force, "Revised text of II", sophisticated children, dropped out of school, start a small business to get entrance hall, once a throwback to the small business status. This is the Wu family, the ancestors ran a professional, later generations to reconstruct it, LRT familiar road, in general, is natural and not unexpected.
　　Wu Cheng-en's relative relationship, there is not much to show off. Ancestors of the pro, Wu Cheng-en is not talked about, probably not enough praise. Liang grandmother where her family is not clear Eighty per cent of people are Huai'an. Huai Ka was renowned not, uncle did not know the situation of the motherland. There was no record of ancestral aunt, out of the question. Di Mu Xu is a businessman's daughter, mother Zhang sort of person is more ignorant. About Jiu Jia and aunt's house to notice a word is observed, or simply no aunt. Of Wu's father over family situation, is simply a mystery.
　　Wu Cheng-en was happy to praise his generation in the two relatives: one brother Sim, and the other is the brother-leaf family. They are the Shen Qi's descendants wing and leaves. Ye Qi Shen wing and two, respectively, and Hongzhi Jingtai between years than any of North and South Book of the Ministry, the two are standing in the Huai. However, the husband and wife, Wu Cheng-en, only about two of the tribe, not two lineal Yi Sun Shang adults. Finally, however, is related to him, it is related. Now let's look at the situation of two relatives.
　　A, Qiu degree Piece "level career public epitaph," saying: "Fu Shen Huai family is one of the old family tree, Wumuchifeng gift Gongren Yuk Sau door, and level career public and I have cousins who are also the elegant." Ya Ping Shen Pu public name, the word quality husband, alias Ya Ping, Qiu degrees year-old.
　　Second, Shen Qian, "Pi-Cheng Shanglin Parkland Supervisor Department was Fujunxinglue" saying: "Kang Qiu public shock (Chen Gang Qiu degree word), table Kundi ancestors also." Shen Qian ancestors that Shen Pu.
　　3, Shen Pei Kuan, "Fu Jun-line state," saying: "has been Wang Fu see the back, the Wang Fu completed 12 years of white public, Tuogu cousin Chen Gang Qiu in public." Shen Pei Shen wide or great-grandfather also Park.
　　These records are see Shen wing of genealogy.
　　By: Shen Shen Pu's father called talent, his grandfather called the sink, ancestor called Shen Xuan, high Chinese name Shen Xu, Xu Shen wings for the Second Brother. Since Shen Qiu degree in Park and cousins, then Shen degree of talent should be the mother of Confucius, and Confucius degree Shen's mother, brother and sister for the pro-or pro-siblings, the father of talent Shen Qiu degrees when the grandfather, that Wu Chengjia are married to husbands who were Shen mountains. I think this is not Gaiyi inference. Shen's family tree does not name the name of Shen Shan Ying Shen 5, may be used Shen Shan is the beginning of the name was later used as Shen! The sake of profit. According to Shen's genealogical records, the Journal of the DPRK to use the word, with Ning's, Wang, but no record of Wu. This is probably because of the Wu family, "poor orphans" simply Ce Shi Shen Wu Chengjia married, or even a concubine, and may not have birth to the male's sake. Shen Shan Wu Chengjia much larger than the age. Shen-wing line of three, was born in 1392, and the second brother Shen Xu's date of birth as earlier. Shen shan Shen Xuan Shen Xu fourth son of an only child, is the third generation Shen Xu, date of birth that night II. If the 30 years I, a II 60, when the 1450 hectares. Possible if coupled with some other special circumstances, coupled with longer time to close should be in 1460 or 1470 hectares. Shen and his eldest son, was born in 1500 and talent, the gap between the two relatively large, so may be an earlier date of birth Shen Shan, and even the father of Wu Rui Wu date of birth close to the (Wu Ruisheng in 1461). Based on the above analysis, only Shen Shen Shan Shang's grandniece, Cheng'en's sister Shen Shan Cheng Ka nor the first wife, only the genealogy of the de facto spouse, so that the door was no less commendable relatives. In addition to Shen Shan Shen's not the VIPs of this generation, but nothing worth showing off. Thus, the epitaph of his father, Wu Cheng-en only by the usual practice to mention the name of a mountain sinking, not further introduction, must not mentioned elsewhere. Later, in the highest imperial examination degree hill made official, Qiu degree Shen's veins are the blood flow, so Shen's relationship with the Hill family was able to increase, while the associated relationship between Shen and Wu Cai Bei value. From here, we can see that the original home of Wu is how low social status.
　　Of Wu's father leaves home situation is somewhat similar. Yip ancestral value for the Southern Song Dynasty prime minister leaves, native of Jinhua, Zhejiang. Ye Ye Yong Ki Fifth-and Sixth, in the Yuan dynasty poetry shi, author of "Qiao Yun solo" grandfather leaves earth honest, the early Hongwu Shu Huai Huai Wei were therefore abandoned. "Ming Dynasty" with Ye Qi Chuan Volume 5 August. Reportedly, the word of the Qing Qi, Jingtai five years into the soil, Professor defying Chenghua tired rose to the rank of governor of Datong, Hongzhi four years the Ministry of Shang, Canada Prince Edward Taibao search. Li Dongyang epitaph as essays. According to epitaphs, Ye Qi, born in 1426 and died in 1501. He "long body repair bearded, see who knows the Wei device," "with Ho, gift wife, following confucius his charm, sealing his wife, there are experts." Ho matter is unknown, his charm, that of Wu whom Piece "Ode to Life Ms. Ye Tailao 80" and "Mrs Ip mother elegy sequence" (see "Sheyang first draft of survival," Volume, Volume II) of the "leaf Tate's Lady "and" Mrs Ip mother. " Cheng'en In two articles, said: "First Shangshu Guo-chu Chen, Kang Yi in at home and, shock Kung Pao Yi," "Que Chung Tai Furen show, the first division 40 Five of the true origin." Said; "Cheng'en hundred honor of the marriage ban is too great-grandson of the late mother." Although Wu Cheng-en, "the first House guest epitaph," only the words he was "Yip married", which is not explicitly a leaf out of home, but we can know from articles Ye Qi Ye is the seed, leaf Ki-great-grandchildren of a generation of Serbs. Mrs Ip said she was born in 1468 Mother his charm, than her husband, a small 40-year-old Ye Qi, Ye Qi's death, she was only 30-year-old. Calculated from the time Cheng'en wife Yip simply can not be pro-Confucianism and great granddaughter, great-grandson of this only in the "class", but also is "at the end." It seems Cheng'en wife leaves Qi Ye is not lineal descendants. Ye Qi Li Dongyang epitaph written by the records on his charm, only Ming dynasty "after the draft text of Huai Tong Lu," Volume II 14 in the, to the Qing edition of the book, "Following the palace where his charm, Mrs. closure, there are experts, "the words were deleted. This reminds me of Wu's sister Wu Chengjia to. About women married to second wife, Ce Shi, son or not there is such a fate. Been called the Kong wife like this, ordinary people would not join the women's Wucheng Jia Shen's family tree, what's to say? Ye Qi two brothers, his brother name Ye Yang. Yoko Ye Zhi, Yu Chongli, Tianshun the Dragon into the soil. According to revelation, "Huai Fu Zhi" volume 16 records, he was "an official external and internal Yan, Shu prison edge please titration, were not dried to private. Li Shou-three counties, diligently due diligence, do not whisk love to innocuous neither to stand in order to invite name. tired workers, criminal two vice-presidents. " The nephew and uncle duo Yip was an important figure. Cotyledon leaf Zhi Quan, whistle River, as Cheng'en tert wife's father. "Sheyang first draft of survival," Volume poem "Send flute River Yetai Wen", volume IV, "He Divone too Joshichi Zhi impaired word", that is, that he made. Ye Quan Family conditions are favorable, father towards Ting Dali, bearing his own shadow to guanglu Temple Code Book (chih "Sanyo County" Book Nine). Very rich uncle Ip, said that Ye Zhi into the official to return home to more than four decades, access for all expenses out of him. Impaired word said, Ye Quan "Office was your son, the Yin Kotoo was, was too tired and go Rural Society survey. A young man like a knot in all kinds of people," Wild Ranger, when its doors; heresy party trick Japan out of its front. "subsequently change the way of life, make all Haineimingshi:" hanging foil while chess, calligraphy and painting command payment to income. Transverse flute, essays and small words, look for odd spring of booths, to avoid the water west of the Museum of Folk. "Financial re-light his life meaning," side of its lack, in the direction of Chu almost forgot lunch; when their abundance, are patrons times at home the public. "Wu Cheng Qian, though his nephew, but because of the celebrities was still by his" gift of the pick-up. "Their friendship is very good. When Ye Quan in Beijing, the Cheng'en poem" Send Di River Habuto husband, "issued" material conditions reward the old hanging from a dream around the T.-P. "deep feeling, to leaf bamboo fish trap" should be read so Son La. "In fact, the leaf Quan Wu Cheng-en big deal than the old. impairment that says Khanh four years (1570) Ye Quan's 70 birthday, then he was born in 1501 when, with the age-Wu Cheng-en if. impaired word said, "I studied under Cheng'en marriage ban four years." phrase it needs to be some discretion. "I" as the "other" in misspelled, but the book says the word "I", "remaining" connected, like the ancients with interchangeable characters, which can be ignored or not throw. "More than four decades "In ancient Chinese means" hanging four years "," close to four decades, "so this sentence is problematic. we will," more than four decades, "Try to be larger for the 38, nine to marry until 1570 Wucheng Si 38, nine, he married the time when the 1532 hectares. This year, the father of Wu had just died, he wrote epitaphs for his father in just to catch up with the "married Yip" This is a bit too mysterious. Moreover, nearly three-year-old Wu Cheng-en the years has had, for a several generations of single-pass, more than 40 years of age in families may only son, I am afraid not to let the kids go to three-year-old, to their own more than 70 close to the day of his death before the child got married. So I think that "more than four years" as the "40 years" mistake. In this case, Cheng'en of marriage age in their twenties before they can justify.
　　En Ye Quan's son leaves for Ka Ching 20 hours into the soil, the official censor, grandson Yeyun Wu, Wanli twenty years in the military would try first. This is the behind of Wu things. In short, this door relatives of Wu is such a situation, it seems better than Shen's family.
　　Wu Cheng-en have several children? Not recorded. He has a son, named Feng Mao, but it is already dead. There are no other children do not know. Chen candle for him as the "New Order flowers", said since the death of Wu, Wu has been "home cooking fire no lack carry on." According to this statement of view of Wu is his family who died last is probably no other children after his death, the chimney does not smoke the child will never be off the fireworks. Even her daughter, then it probably already married. But no material proof of this.
　　Wu Feng Mao's case only the two mentioned first, "Introduction Agency awarded," said: "Cheng'en son of his life that cross the heart also, then re-marriage of friendship." The other is for parents to make the epitaph Shen Kun said: "He is my only restrain, consistent DFI home. I killed son Feng Mao, Ji Jiu You Chang Hsu faint to women." Jiajing 20 before an article is three years (1544) Shen Kun champion three years in the test, the Emperor donated letters to their parents, the mother 60-year-old birthday falls Shen, for whom this celebration. Jia Jing Shen Kun for twenty-three years, the period is the wedding again and again. Jiajing two decades a champion of his own in this year ordered the emperor Patent grant letters to parents and wife, Mei Xu Zhang Kan into this years is still in the soil, his family is in the rising. Wu Cheng-en at this time to provide their children with relatives by marriage, friendship is indeed very highly of Shen Kun Wu Cheng forget things. But if the pro is set several years ago that the former champion Shen Kun in the matter, and perhaps more certain rationality. Then, Feng Mao Birth When Jiajing 10 between one to two decades Jiajing. The second article for the winter in thirty-five years Jiajing (1556), the article has said Feng Mao as a "dead child", shows that he is dead, and may already have for some time. Shen Kun as Tablet, said the parents of three granddaughters, a married Zhouxue Li, the other two may engage the people. The three of them, including of course the man who appointed Wu Feng Xu Shen Kun Mao's daughter, because Feng Mao died, in turn another promise to others. But this past time seems not too long, because commitments also remember the impression of thinking, and this thing Shen Kun wrote the epitaph of the parents to go. Perhaps Feng Mao in 2012 had only just died. But these are all speculation, whether the Wu Feng Mao was born in what year, died in what year, live a little, it is difficult to clear.
　　Above is of Wu's family background and the circumstances described by the simple test, is intended for research, "Journey to the West" and the people of Wu's study reference. Many places are bold speculation, has yet to be discovered new information to correct and full.