63. Zuofu 作福 (create good fortune) is rendered by Robert Campany as “perform acts for [the generation of] fortune.” See his Signs from the Unseen Realm, 137.
64. This tale describes a Buddhist nun’s magic art, the ability to recover from the extraction of five organs and the amputation of her body parts, including the head.
65. Huan Wen 桓溫 was the son-in-law of Emperor Ming of the Jin. At first he was the Governor of Jingzhou, later he wielded power arbitrarily as the Commander-in-Chief. He schemed to replace the Jin himself, but died before he succeeded. See note 18 in chapter 3.
66. Huan Xuan, see footnote 26 in chapter 5.
67. Nanzhou 南州, another name of Gushu 姑孰, modern Dangtu 當塗 County, Anhui.
68. Yuan Zhen 袁真, a native of Chen 陳 Commandery (seat in modern Huaiyang 淮陽 County in Henan), was Governor of Yuzhou 豫州 (seat in Shouchun 壽春) of Eastern Jin.
69. Xie An 謝安, styled Anshi 安石, accepted the position of Sergeant-at-Arms under Huan Wen at the age of forty, yet refused to cooperate with him when Huan intended to usurp the throne of Jin. Later Xie An became the Governor-General of Military Affairs in five regions and Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs of Jin. In the year of 383, under his direction his brother Xie Shi 謝石 (327–388) and nephew Xie Xuan 謝玄 (343–388) defeated the invasion of the Former Qin in the battle of Fei River. He was posthumously entitled Grand Tutor. His biography is in Jin shu, 79. 2072–77.
70. Yao Xiang 姚襄 was once the Governor of Bingzhou 幷州 of the Jin, and he later declared himself Da Chanyu 大單于. In 356 he was defeated by Huan Wen, and he was killed during the following year by the army of Former Qin (351–394) (see Jin shu, 116). His younger brother Yao Chang 姚萇 (330–393) was the founder of the Later Qin 後秦 (384–417).
The Yi 伊 River starts from Luanchuan 欒川 County and enters the Luo 洛 River at Yanshi 偃師 County, Henan.
71. Wang Dun 王敦, see note 12 in chapter 4. Wu Meng 吴猛, styled Shiyun 世云, a native of Fengning and a noted Daoist priest. He was also known as one of the twenty-four filial sons. Cf. tale 169, “Gan Qing” (p. 123).
72. Luo Han 羅含, styled Junzhang 君章, was Lieutenant Governor under Huan Wen. His Gengsheng lun 更生論 (On reincarnation) is included in the Hongming ji (Taisho 52. 27bc). His biography is found in Jin shu, 92. 2403–04.
73. Ya 雅 was mistaken as Xiong 雄 in TPGJ (276. 2185) as well as in GSSGC # 238. Here I follow Zheng Wanqing’s correction (YML, 2. 45) based on Xu Xianzhi’s biography in Song shu.
74. Zuozhi 祚之 is mistaken as Zuo 作 in TPGJ and GXSGC.
75. Er qiaozhe 而橋折, “and the bridge was broken,” were added based on the block-printed edition of Huang Pilie (1763–1825). See Zheng Wanqing, YML, 2. 45.
76. Xu Xianzhi’s biography is found in Song shu, 43. 1329–35; and Li Yanshou, Nan shi, 35. 432–35.
77. Yao Hong 姚泓 (388–417) was the last emperor of the Qiang 羌 state Later Qin. After Later Qin was conquered by the Jin general Liu Yu, he was delivered to the Jin capital Jiankang and executed. See his biography in Jin shu, 119. 3007. Yao Shao was the brother of Yao Hong’s father, Yao Xing 姚興 (366–416).
78. Yang Sheng 楊盛 (r. 395–425) was the Lord of Qiuchi 仇池, a state in modern Gansu. Qingshui 清水 was a city northwest of modern Qingshui in Gansu. See Tan Qixiang, Zhongguo lishi dituji, 3. 43–44.
79. The Ying 穎 River rises southwest of Mount Song in Henan and enters the sea at Shouyang 壽陽, Anhui; the Luo River originates at Mount Hua 華 and flows through Luoyang (Tan Qixiang, Zhongguo lishi dituji, 4. 9–10). Ying and Luo here refer to the area of central China south of the Yellow River.
80. Both the Feng 豐 River and the Gao 鎬 River are branches of the Wei 渭水 River, west of the modern city of Xi’an. See Tan Qixiang, Zhongguo lishi dituji, 4. 54–55. Feng and Gao refer to the area around modern Xi’an, Shanxi.
8
LOCAL LEGENDS
235. THE HUSBAND-WATCHING STONE
On the mountain north of Yangxin County,1 Wuchang Commandery, there is a “Husband-Watching Stone.” Its shape resembles a standing person.
According to folklore, there was a chaste woman whose husband joined the army and went to a place far away because of a national calamity. His wife, carrying their little son, gave a farewell dinner for him on this mountain. She stood watching her husband until she became a piece of standing stone.2
Therefore “Husband-Watching Stone” was given as its name.
(GXSGC, #12. 355; CXJ, 5. 108; and SLFZ, 7. 146, credits to SSXY)
236. PENG E
During the rebellion of Yongjia (311) of the Jin,3 the commanderies and counties had no constant lords, and the powerful bullied the weak.
In Yiyang County there was a girl by the name of Peng E.4 Her parents and brothers, more than ten in total, were attacked by the rebels from Changsha.
At that time Peng E carried a bucket on her back and went out to fetch water from a river. Hearing that the rebels had arrived, she ran back. Seeing that the blockhouse was broken, she could not endure the sadness and fought against the rebels barehanded. The rebels tied her up, drove her to the side of the river, and were about to kill her.
By the side of the river there was a big mountain, and the height of the cliff was several dozen zhang high. Peng E looked up at the sky and shouted, “How could there not be a spirit in heaven? What crime have I committed that I deserve to be treated like this?” She then ran toward the mountain. The mountain opened several zhang wide immediately, with an even road leading inside as smooth as a whetstone.
Running after Peng E, the rebels entered the mountain too. Then the mountain was closed as it had been before and the rebels’ bodies were all crushed to death inside while their heads were exposed outside.
The water bucket that Peng E had discarded became a stone with a shape resembling a rooster. Thus the local people named the mountain Stone Rooster Mountain, and the river E Pool.5
(GXSGC, #69. 372; FYZL, 32. 1012; TPYL, 888. 3946b)
237. LOCAL INSPECTORS STRIVE FOR TERRITORY AT THE BORDER
At the border of the Yidu and Jianping commanderies,6 there are five to six mountain peaks that are uneven and intertwined with one another. Above the peaks are two stones leaning against each other, resembling statues of two people who are pushing up their sleeves and confronting each other. As the saying goes, they are the local inspectors of the two commanderies striving for territory there.
(GXSGC, #11. 355; CXJ, 5. 107; YWLJ, 6. 109; SLFZ, 7. 149)
238. THE STATE OF KING GAO
In Shixing County (in Guangdong) was the State of King Gao.7 It stretched up and down along the mountain for more than ten li. Pits and moats were set up in several layers, and footpaths connected with each other. Inside the city, in the ruins of ancient halls shattered tiles and crumbling posts still exist.
To the east, there is a tomb for King Gao. As for King Gao, he has never been heard of.
(GXSGC, #4. 353; TPYL, 193. 931a)
239. THE TOMB OF KING GAO
In Shixing County there is a city called King Gao. To the east of the city there is a tomb. In the past someone excavated the tomb and fell into it, but the resonant sound of horns could be heard coming from inside. The grave robber was afraid and refilled it with earth.
(GXSGC, #5. 354; BTSC, 121. 151a)
240. HOT WATER SPRING AT SHIXING
At the Divine Water Source of Shixing, there is a hot water spring. Whenever there is frost or snow, the steam above it, as high as several zhang, can be seen. When raw stuff is thrown into the water, it becomes cooked in a second. In the spring small red fish often swim, yet nobody has ever caught one.
(GXSGC, #6. 354; TPYL, 940. 4178 & 71. 334b)
241. WARM AND COLD WATER SPRINGS
At Fushan of Ai County there are two springs,8 a warm water spring and a cold water spring. Both come out from the foot of one mountain, and the origins of the two springs are only several feet apart. The hot water spring can boil chicken and pigs, and the cold water spring often appears to be made of ice. After flowing several zhang, the two streams merge as one.
(GXSGC, #7. 354; CXJ, 7. 145; TPYL, 71. 334b)
242. WELLS IN THE TEMPLE OF LAOZI
Nanlai Village of Xiangyi County is Laozi’s hometown.9 In the village there is a temple of Laozi in which there are nine wells. For the people who can fast and bathe before entering the temple, the water in the wells will become warm or cool according to their wishes.
(GXSGC, #8. 354; CXJ, 7. 154; TPYL, 189. 916b)
243. OLD WELL BY THE DIVINE ALTAR
On the Mountain of Nine Marquis Deities in Shanyin County, there is a divine altar. In front of the altar there is an old well, in which there is never any water. When people offer sacrifices to the deities and pray for it, water will pour out. After providing enough water for use, it will then gradually stop.
(GXSGC, #18. 356; TPYL, 189. 916b)
244. TIDE POND
To the east of Xiping County,10 Shi’an Commandery, there is a mountain. The shape of the western part of the mountain is long and narrow, under which water pours into a pond. Every day the water fluctuates twice. Therefore, it was named the Tide Pond.
(GXSGC, #9. 354; TPYL, 74. 346a quotes from a note in Sheng Hongzhi, Jingzhou ji)
245. REED POND
To the northeast of Leiyang County (in Hunan) there is a reed pond covering 800 acres of land, its depth unfathomable. In the pond is a big fish that vigorously jumps out of the water every five days. Its length is around three arm spans, and its shape is abnormal. Each time it jumps out of the water, small fish swim ashore with the waves; their number is seemingly infinite.
(GXSGC, #10. 354; TPYL, 74. 346a–b)
246. ROOSTER MOUNTAIN
More than ten li south of Mount Lu, there is a mountain called Rooster Mountain. On the mountain there is a stone cock. Its crest and spurs are lifelike.
Daoist priest Li Zhen resided there, treasuring and enjoying the stone cock from time to time. One day the stone cock was suddenly broken. Zhen told others, “It happened so suddenly to the cock. Is my life going to end?”
Thereupon he bid his old friends farewell, and more than a month later he passed away.
(GXSGC, #15. 355; TPGJ, 142. 1018)
247. THREE PEAKS OF MOUNT HENG
The three peaks of Mount Heng are the most towering and prominent peaks. One is not able to see them until there is a clear sky after morning rain.
Under the peaks there is a spring that resembles an unrolled bolt of white silk. While separating and casting light onto the green forest, its waters swiftly fall to the bottom of the mountain. Though not a speck of dust moves, a free, clear wind constantly flows above it.
(GXSGC, #16. 355; TPYL, 71. 334a)
248. GOLDEN TERRACE IN THE SEA
In the sea there is a golden terrace, sitting a hundred zhang above the water. Its structure is artful and pretty, exhaustive superlative craftsmanship. It casts light onto mountains and islets along the horizon and shines alongside the Milky Way in the heavens above.
Inside the terrace there is a golden stool with a variety of engraved patterns, on which there are a hundred tastes of food. The four deities with great strength constantly stand there to protect it. Once, an immortal who mastered the five supernatural powers came, intending to enjoy the food.11 The four deities hit him, and he withdrew gradually.
(GXSGC, #2. 353; TPYL, 849. 3796b; YWLJ, 62. 1119; BTSC, 133. 226a)
249. A PHOENIX HEAD FLIES INTO THE ZHANG RIVER
Fengyang Gate of Yecheng was a five-story building,12 twenty zhang above the ground, forty zhang long, and twenty zhang wide. Two golden phoenix heads were built onto it. When Shi Jilong was about to decline,13 a phoenix head flew into the Zhang River and was seen clearly at its bottom. The other phoenix head still exists.
(GXSGC, #3. 353; YWLJ, 63. 1130; CXJ, 24. 573)
250. THE TERRACE OF QIAO COUNTY
To the east of Qiao County,14 a terrace was built next to the city wall. It was twenty square zhang and eight feet tall. Some say that it was a grave in the old times. Emperor Wu of Wei built a terrace there.15
Once the eastern wall was broken, and gold and jade leaked out. Many people who tried to pick up the treasure died. Accordingly, the broken wall was built again.
(GXSGC, #19. 356; TPYL, 811. 3604b)
251. BATHING IN WARM ORCHID WATER
The temple had an area of four square zhang, with no walls built around it. The path to the temple was five feet wide, and orchids were planted on both sides. Those who practice fasting would boil the orchids to bathe, then offer sacrifices in person. This is called “bathing in warm orchid water.”
(GXSGC, #1. 353; YWLJ, 38. 677; CXJ, 13. 318)
252. DONGLAI WINE
The people of Donglai are clever by nature.16 The wine they make is mostly pure, changing from turbid to clear. Two people said, “Because of this it is aromatic.”
(GXSGC, #25. 357; BTSC, 148. 322a)
253. GHOST HOWLING
The old town of Le’an County has experienced famine and turmoil.17 Its people died of starvation, and dry skeletons sprawl across the ground. Each time it is overcast and about to rain, the sounds of howling and sighing grate on people’s ears.
(GXSGC, #20. 356; TPYL, 486. 2228a)
254. THE GHOST WRESTS A FISH
To the south of Pingdu County,18 there was a tomb on the bank of a river. A traveler caught a carp by the bank. On his way he met a man from the tomb who said to him, “How dare you fetch my fish?” Then he grabbed it, put it on his cart, and left.
(GXSGC, #21. 356; TPYL, 936. 4160b)
255. THE PRINCE OF JIANGDU’S TOMB
In Guangling there is a tomb said to be that of the Prince of Jiangdu of the Han, [Liu] Jian.19
Once when a villager passed by the tomb, he saw several dozen sets of millstones on the ground, and he took one and brought it home. It was just dusk when someone knocked on his door urgently, requesting him to return the millstone.
The next morning, the villager sent the millstone back and placed it at the same spot.
(GXSGC, #22. 356; TPYL, 762. 3385b)
256. THE QUEEN MOTHER
The Queen Mother once descended into the Sweet Spring Palace.
(GXSGC, #30. 358; BTSC, 12. 61b)
257. LAMP IN THE RAIN
Emperor Wu of Han ground green tin filings with black leopard white phoenix ointment, and then mixed them in butter to make lamps. The lamps would not extinguish even in the rain.
(GXSGC, #32. 360; LLZS, 13. 351a)
258. CAO E
Cao E’s (130–143) father drowned. After seeing a floating watermelon, E obtained his corpse.20
(GXSGC, #39. 362; YWLJ, 87. 1503)
259. CRANE GATE
Duke Tao once caught fish at a border path southwest of Xunyang.21 He called his pond “Crane Gate.”
(GXSGC, #113. 385; annotation in “Xianyuan” of SSXY,)
260. CHENG JI
Cheng Ji, a native of Wuxuan,22 was born of a concubine, so he was not recommended [to be an official]. His family often asked him to plant onions. Later, two trees grew in his garden with their branches intertwined.
(GXSGC, #174. 403; TPYL, 824. 3673b)
261. MALE AND FEMALE TREE
In Hu Wan’s home there is a miraculous honey locust tree. On the other side of the road is a big elm tree. A saying passed down from old times says that they are a pair of male and female trees. One night the elm tree was cut down, and subsequently the honey locust tree withered and died.23
(GXSGC, #200. 409; YWLJ, 88. 1525)
262. A GOLDEN BULL (1)
Twenty li up from the Gold Hill in Baqiu County is the Golden Pond;24 its depth is unfathomable. A rapi
d called Golden Rapid is there as well.
In the ancient time, someone was fishing on the pond and obtained a golden chain. When he pulled the chain, it came out continuously and filled the whole boat; then out came a golden bull, its body strong and its bellow wild. While the fisherman was shocked, the bull jumped desperately back into the pond. Before the chain completely vanished, the fisherman cut it with a knife and thus got several feet of it.
The names of the pond and rapid were given according to this story.
(GXSGC, #13. 355; YWLJ, 83. 1424–25)
263. A GOLDEN BULL (2)
The Bull Islet Ford of Huainan is extremely deep and unfathomable. Once, someone saw a golden bull there, its shape extremely splendid and strong, with a golden chain.
(GXSGC, #14. 355; YWLJ, 83. 1424)
264. THE DIZZYING POOL
In the lower reaches of the river in Shuo County there is a Dizzying Pool,25 so named because it dizzies those who look at it. By its side there is a dam.
Hidden and Visible Realms Page 25