This is the story of Liu Ping from Bozhai County in Binzhou, whose military records indicate his name.
His wife, Hu Shi, has always been by his side through thick and thin. Together, they set out for Lingyang to serve as garrison troops, carrying their two children in a cart. While lodging on the banks of the Shahe River at night, they suddenly heard the sound of wind whistling.
Amidst the wind, they saw a tiger squatting there. It looked at Liu Ping as if he were a child. The tiger then swallowed Liu Ping's arm and dragged him away. Hu Shi leaped up in surprise and ran after the tiger for more than ten steps. She pulled at its paw, trying to stop it from dragging her husband away.
Hu Shi urgently called out for their children to bring knives so they could slaughter the tiger and release Liu Ping. With its liver and intestines spilling out, the tiger collapsed, and Liu Ping was able to speak again. They then returned to Jiyang City.
Liu Ping's injuries were severe; he had a broken bone and his eyes remained closed for three days. The loss of his husband sent Hu Shi into a deep sorrow, her crying echoing in the heavens. The military officials took note of their heroic deed and reported it to the provincial authorities.
The story was then recounted in detail, with the authorities commending their bravery and valor. As a result, Hu Shi was recognized by the government as an exemplar of virtue and courage, a fitting symbol of national policy aimed at motivating and encouraging people to emulate her brave deeds.
The story of their love is immense, surpassing even life and death. They faced danger together, dying in the belly of the tiger or sharing a meal of tiger meat. Who would have thought that a woman with a simple荆钗 (a simple hairpin) could be so brave and formidable? This brave woman is a worthy successor to the ancient women listed in history books, leaving behind an enduring legacy of heroic deeds that should be recorded in every household's screen as an inspiration for generations.
《胡氏杀虎歌》是一首生动描绘古代平民夫妇英勇事迹的叙事诗，它不仅展现了人性的光辉，还深刻反映了古代社会对忠贞与勇气的颂扬。故事发生在滨州浡海县，主人公刘平与妻子胡氏，一对平凡夫妻，在生活的风雨中携手同行，共同面对艰难险阻。
诗中，刘平夫妇因戍边之需，携两子踏上征途，夜宿沙河岸边时，突如其来的虎啸打破了夜的宁静。面对猛虎的威胁，刘平不幸被虎叼走，生死瞬间，胡氏展现出超乎常人的勇气与母爱，她毫不犹豫地跃起，与虎争锋，试图挽救丈夫的生命。这一幕，紧张而悲壮，胡氏的勇敢与决绝跃然纸上。
紧急关头，胡氏急中生智，呼唤儿子取刀前来，最终合力将虎屠戮，救回了几乎命悬一线的刘平。然而，这场生死搏斗也让刘平身受重伤，三日后方才咽下最后一口气，而胡氏的悲痛欲绝，天地为之动容，风云为之变色，连禽鸟都发出悲鸣，营造出一种深沉而哀伤的氛围。
官府得知此事后，不仅表彰了胡氏的英勇行为，还给予她家免税复户的优待，以此作为典范，激励世人。这不仅是对胡氏个人英雄主义的肯定，也是国家政令在民间树立正面典型，弘扬正气的一种体现。
诗中“大哉夫妇恩，直与生死并。死同葬虎腹，生同食虎羹。”这几句，深情地赞颂了刘平夫妇之间深厚的情感，他们虽未能在生时共享安宁，却在生死边缘共同书写了一段传奇。胡氏的形象，超越了传统女性柔弱的标签，成为了一位英勇无畏、情深义重的英雄女性，与古代列女图中那些被铭记的巾帼英雄相映成辉。
最后，诗人呼吁将这段杀虎救夫的故事传遍千家万户，让胡氏的英勇事迹成为激励人心的力量，这不仅是对个人英勇行为的纪念，更是对社会正气的弘扬，体现了古代社会对于忠贞、勇敢与牺牲精神的崇高敬意。整首诗情感真挚，叙事流畅，既是对一段历史事件的记录，也是对人性光辉的深情颂歌。
