Merchant Zhang was known as the wealthiest man in town.
张员外是城中出了名的富商。
He always wore luxurious clothes with a jade pendant at his waist.
他总是穿着华丽的衣服，腰间挂着玉佩。
Every day, he rode in an extravagant carriage, looking grand.
每天，他乘坐华贵的马车出入，气派非凡。
Many people admired him, saying, “Zhang is so rich, he rivals the kingdom!”
许多人羡慕地说：“张员外家财万贯，富可敌国。”
One day, a merchant from another town, Wang Cheng, heard of Zhang’s wealth.
一天，外地商人王诚听说张员外富有，想来合作。
He brought a large sum of silver and came to visit Zhang’s mansion.
他带着大笔银两，来到张府拜访。
Zhang welcomed him warmly, boasting about his prosperous business.
张员外热情接待，大谈自己的生意多么兴旺。
Wang Cheng asked to see the account books to ensure a secure partnership.
王诚提出查看账本，以确保合作稳妥。
Zhang hesitated, stammering and refusing to show them.
张员外支支吾吾，迟迟不肯拿出来。
Suspicious, Wang Cheng secretly investigated Zhang’s finances.
王诚起了疑心，暗中派人调查张员外的家底。
To his shock, he discovered that Zhang’s shops were deep in debt.
结果发现，他的商铺早已亏空，府中欠债无数。
All the luxury was maintained by borrowed silver.
所谓的富贵生活，全是借来的银两撑起来的。
Wang Cheng exclaimed, “So you are just a false name with no real wealth!”
王诚大惊，说：“原来你只是名不副实！”
Zhang turned pale, realizing he could no longer deceive anyone.
张员外脸色苍白，低头不语，知道再也骗不了人了。
Soon, creditors swarmed his mansion, and his fortune collapsed.
不久后，债主纷纷上门，张府很快破败。
People in the city whispered, “Outwardly rich but hollow inside—it couldn’t last.”
城里的人们议论道：“表面风光，实则空虚，终究骗不了多久。”
A false reputation cannot hide the truth forever.
名不副实，指的是名声与实际情况不相符，外表光鲜但内里不真实。
