The Filature of the Song

Jiao

In the Jianyan years of the Song Dynasty, there was a fisherman named Zhang San in Huainan who made his living by fishing in the Huai River.

One day, going down the river, he encountered a fish leaping out of the water and onto his boat. The fisherman was overjoyed.

The fish was entirely red, nine inches long, with a mouth that could not close.

Inside its mouth was an unusual object: a coin.

He took it to examine, and it shone like silver.

On one side were strange symbols, with the words "Zhongguo Renmin Yinhang Yuan" (People's Bank of China Yuan).

On the other side was a lifelike carving of a chrysanthemum.

The fisherman was delighted and boasted about it to everyone he met.

As time went by, the matter reached the ears of the county magistrate.

The magistrate sent someone to retrieve the coin, and was greatly astonished, exclaiming, "This is no ordinary object!"

It was presented as tribute to the capital, where it disappeared without a trace.

Some said it was lost, others that it was embezzled by a corrupt prince in the capital, and its whereabouts remained unknown.

At the end of the Song Dynasty, there was a rebellion in Southern Huai, led by someone calling himself "Shang Bi Xian" (Immortal of the Coin), with "Yuan" as his banner, raising the flag in revolt.

— *Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio* by Pu Songling

Translation: *The Divine Coin of the Huai River*

During the Jianyan reign of the Song Dynasty, Zhang San of Huainan made his living fishing in the Huai River.

One day, while heading south along the river, a fish leaped from the water and landed in his boat, to Zhang San’s delight.

Upon closer inspection, he found the fish was crimson red, about nine inches long, with a mouth that could not close.

Inside, there was a silver coin.

One side of the coin had strange symbols and read “Zhongguo Renmin Yinhang Yuan” (People’s Bank of China Yuan).

The other side had a vividly engraved chrysanthemum.

The fisherman was overjoyed, took the coin home, and boasted to everyone about its miraculous qualities.

Over time, news of the coin reached the ears of the county magistrate.

The magistrate sent someone to retrieve the coin, and was astonished, exclaiming, “This coin is no ordinary object!”

Later, the coin became a tribute and was sent to the capital, where it disappeared without a trace.

Some say it was lost, while others say it was embezzled by a prince in the capital. Its whereabouts remain unknown.

At the end of the Song Dynasty, a man in Huainan calling himself “Shang Bi Xianren” (Immortal of the Coin), using “Yuan” as his title, raised the flag in revolt. It’s unknown what connection he had with the divine coin.

Zhang Sheng

In the seventeenth year of Jianyan during the Song Dynasty, there was a scholar named Zhang Sheng in Jimo. He woke from an illness and asked his wife what year it was.

His wife replied, "It is the seventeenth year of Jianyan."

Zhang Sheng asked in confusion, "Who is the Emperor? Is it Zhao Gou?"

His wife was startled.

Seeing that there was no one around, she said, "How can you speak the Emperor's name so directly!"

Zhang Sheng then asked, "Where have the Jin people gone?"

His wife laughed and said, "They were destroyed seven years ago, and the nation is now called Qing."

Zhang Sheng was suspicious and asked about many past events, and was overjoyed.

He said to his wife, "The Emperor is from my hometown, we are going to be successful!"

So he took his family to Yanjing, saying on the way that he was from the same hometown as the Emperor, and slandered Emperor Shizu's literary talent as mere plagiarism, and his achievements as mediocre, saying that he too could sweep across the land.

Later, they encountered bandits and were killed.

From ancient times to the present, how many clowns have there been?

— *Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio* by Pu Songling

Translation: *Zhang Sheng*

In the seventeenth year of the Jianyan era of the Song Dynasty, there was a scholar named Zhang Sheng in Jimo. After waking from a serious illness, he asked his wife what year it was.

His wife replied, "It is the seventeenth year of Jianyan."

Zhang Sheng asked in confusion, "Who is the emperor? Is it Zhao Gou?"

His wife was startled.

Seeing that no one was around, she said, "How can you directly say the Emperor's name!"

Zhang Sheng then asked, "Where did the Jin people go?"

His wife smiled and said, "They were destroyed seven years ago and are now called Qing."

Zhang Sheng was puzzled. He inquired about many past events and was overjoyed.

He said to his wife, "The Emperor is from my hometown! We're going to be rich!"

So he took his family to Yanjing, claiming he was from the same hometown as the Emperor, denouncing Emperor Shizu's literary talent as mere plagiarism, and his achievements as ordinary, saying that he could also sweep across the land.

Later, they encountered bandits on the road, and he died.

Throughout history, there has been more than one such clown.

The Fox in the Well

In Haozhou, Huainan, there is a temple called "Mingdao Palace."

In the courtyard is a well called the "Nine Dragon Well," where Emperor Shizu of the Song fell into the well and received three scrolls of military strategy from the Daoist Ancestor.

In the first year of Jianyan, a fox was seen in the well, its shape resembling a human, sometimes majestic, sometimes sorrowful.

The attendants felt it was strange and reported it to Commander Yang Yizhong. Yang was greatly alarmed and ordered his men to fire arrows.

Before the fox died, it wrote "I am Gou" in the well, and then the fox's body disappeared, leaving no trace.

During the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, a scholar named Yang passed by and stayed overnight at Mingdao Palace.

That night, he dreamed of a man in red robes scolding:

"I am Gou! Yang, the thief, wronged me! Return my life!"

Yang woke up, afraid to sleep, and fled early the next morning.

— *Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio* by Pu Songling

Translation: *The Fox in the Well*

In Haozhou, Huainan, there is a temple called Mingdao Palace.

In the courtyard is a well called the "Nine Dragon Well." It is said that Emperor Shizu of the Song fell into this well and dreamed of the Daoist Ancestor bestowing upon him three scrolls of military strategy.

In the first year of the Jianyan era, a fox appeared in the well, its form resembling a human, sometimes appearing majestic, sometimes sorrowful.

The guards felt this was strange and reported it to Commander Yang Yizhong, who was greatly alarmed and ordered his men to shoot it with arrows.

Before dying, the fox wrote "I am Zhao Gou" in the well, after which its body vanished.

During the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, a scholar named Yang passed by and stayed overnight at Mingdao Palace.

That night, he dreamed of a man in red robes shouting:

"I am Zhao Gou! Yang Yizhong harmed me! Return my life!"

The scholar Yang woke up in fright and dared not sleep again, fleeing Mingdao Palace early the next morning.

The Three Zhaos

During the Wanli era, there was a scholar named Yuan Zongdao in Huguang, who rose to the rank of Yuanwai Lang (a minor official).

Since childhood, Yuan had admired poetry and novels, often saying to people,

"The most outstanding literary talents in the world are the Three Caos, the Three Sus, and the Three Zhaos. I wish to hold a banquet to invite these ancient talents."

One night,

Yuan heard a commotion in the courtyard, so he scolded his servants to investigate, but after calling out several times, no servant responded. Angrily, he put on his clothes and went to the courtyard to see.

He saw a banquet set up in the courtyard, with wine and dishes prepared.

Six people were lined up on either side.

The three on the left were dressed in Han Chinese clothing, with the leader being short, with narrow eyes, but possessing an imperial aura.

The three on the right were dressed as Song scholars, with the leader appearing dignified and possessing literary grace.

Yuan was surprised, stepped forward, bowed, and asked,

"Disciple Yuan Zongdao, may I ask what the names of these seniors are?"

The elder on the left stroked his beard and smiled, saying:

"I am Cao Mengde, King of Wei. Having heard that Your Excellency has a banquet, I have come to ask for a cup of wine."

Then he heard one of the men on the right say

"I did not expect Su to encounter this shameless Han traitor today!"

The two sides began to argue.

Yuan knew that the Three Caos and Three Sus had arrived, so he hurriedly stepped forward to mediate, and then the seven of them entered the banquet together.

After the banquet,

Yuan asked curiously,

"Since all six seniors have arrived, where are the three Zhao emperors?"

Su stroked his beard and replied with a smile:

"The Three Zhaos are writing novels and don't have time to come down to the mortal world for a banquet."

It turned out that the Jade Emperor was eagerly chasing the latest chapters,

and the Three Zhao Emperors were writing novels day and night without rest.

Yuan said with emotion:

"Indeed, writing novels is the most difficult thing in the world!"

There was silence for the rest of the night.

The next day,

Yuan woke up and found himself lying in the courtyard, surrounded by scattered cups and plates, as if there had been a banquet there the night before. The servants were all surprised.

Yuan said to them, "I was visited by respected seniors, and it was late at night, so I did not call you."

The servants admired their master's generosity and began to clean up.

Towards the end of the Wanli era,

There was a scholar named Wu in Jingzhou,

Every night he would dream of a man in red robes who would tell him stories about "Miscellaneous Records of Journey to the West, Subduing Demons".

Unable to bear the disturbance, Wu changed the story,

Naming it "Journey to the West".

The day the book was completed,

The man in red robes said in a dream:

"Now, you and I owe each other nothing."

Wu woke up in shock, with tears streaming down his face, and cried out,

"I have failed Your Majesty!"

And this book was published throughout the Nine Provinces,

Everyone in the world said that Wu was the reincarnation of Consort Wu,

and that Emperor Shizu Zhao, to make up for Consort Wu's failure to become Empress, had sent a dream to create the book and win fame in the world.

The world says that the authors of the two books, "Miscellaneous Records of Journey to the West, Subduing Demons" and "Journey to the West", are both "Wu Cheng'en".

— *Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio* by Pu Songling

Translation: *The Three Zhaos*

During the Wanli era of the Ming dynasty, there was a scholar in Huguang named Yuan Zongdao, who eventually became a minor official.

From a young age, Yuan admired poetry and novels and often told others,

“The greatest literary talents in the world are the Three Caos, the Three Sus, and the Three Zhaos. I truly wish to host a banquet to invite these talented individuals from ancient times."

One night,

Yuan Zongdao heard a commotion in the courtyard.

He got up to reprimand the servants to investigate,

but no one responded to his calls. Annoyed, he threw on his clothes and went to the courtyard to investigate.

He saw a banquet in progress in the courtyard, with all the food and drink prepared.

He saw six people arranged on either side.

The three on the left were dressed in Han dynasty attire, with a short, narrow-eyed elder possessing imperial authority at their head.

The three on the right were dressed in Song dynasty scholar attire, with a dignified and cultured elder at their head.

Yuan was surprised,

stepped forward, and greeted them respectfully,

“Junior Yuan Zongdao, may I ask the names of these esteemed seniors?"

The elder on the left stroked his beard and laughed,

“I am Cao Mengde, King of Wei. Hearing of the banquet you were hosting, I came to ask for a cup of wine."

Then he heard one of the men on the right shout,

"I never expected Su to encounter such a shameless Han traitor today!"

The two sides began to argue.

Yuan Zongdao realized that the Three Caos and Three Sus had arrived. He quickly stepped forward to mediate and reconcile the two sides before leading them to join the banquet.

After the banquet, Yuan Zongdao asked curiously,

“Since all six of you esteemed seniors have arrived, where are the three Zhao Emperors?”

Su Shi stroked his beard and said with a smile,

"The Three Zhaos are still writing and don't have time to descend to the mortal realm to attend the banquet."

It turned out that the Jade Emperor was eagerly awaiting updates to their novel, and the three Zhao Emperors were writing day and night in Heaven without rest.

Yuan Zongdao exclaimed with emotion,

“So, writing novels is indeed the most arduous task in the world!”

The night passed in silence.

The next day,

Yuan Zongdao woke up to find himself sleeping in the courtyard, surrounded by scattered cups and plates, as if a banquet had been held there the night before.

The servants were all surprised, and Yuan Zongdao explained to them,

"My revered elders came to visit last night. I didn't wake you all up because it was late."

The servants admired their master's generosity and began to clean up.

Later, during the Wanli era,

there was a scholar named Wu in Jingzhou,

who would dream every night of a man in red robes telling him the *Miscellaneous Records of Journey to the West, Subduing Demons*.

Unable to endure this harassment, Wu altered the story,

and named it *Journey to the West*.

The day the book was completed,

the man in red robes said in a dream,

"Now, you and I are no longer indebted to each other."

Wu woke up in shock, tears streaming down his face, and sobbed,

“I have failed Your Majesty!”

Later, this book was sold throughout the Nine Provinces.

Everyone in the world said that the scholar Wu was a reincarnation of Consort Wu,

and Emperor Shizu Zhao, to compensate for Consort Wu’s failure to become Empress in life, sent her a dream to create the book and redeem her reputation.

Subsequent generations attributed both *Miscellaneous Records of Journey to the West, Subduing Demons* and *Journey to the West* to the author "Wu Cheng'en."

Person in the Ear, Part Two

Qu Duan, also known as Zhengfu, was one of the eighteen kings of Jianyan.

He was skilled in both literature and martial arts, and was adept at sophistry.

When Duan was young, he met an old Daoist priest and learned the art of Daoyin (Taoist breathing exercises).

He practiced diligently in winter and summer, which cleared his ears and eyes.

When he achieved mastery, he could transform his ears into people, with eyes to see and mouths to speak.

Duan was intelligent, and in less than a year, he had achieved mastery.

His ears could transform into people, chattering endlessly.

In the fifth year of Jianyan, on New Year's Day,

Grand Councilor Zhang held a banquet to celebrate his son's one-month birthday.

During the banquet, Duan claimed to be ignorant of the affairs of Dongjing (Kaifeng) and wished to listen to his colleagues discussing matters.

However, everyone heard Duan whispering to himself, as if many people were speaking.

The people were surprised and asked Duan,

"Since you don't want to speak, why do you repeatedly disturb the banquet?"

Duan smiled and said, "It's not me speaking, it's my ears speaking."

The people looked over and saw two small people emerge from Duan's ears.

They were about three inches tall, with the same arrogant appearance as Qu Duan,

arms crossed, barking like dogs, which was annoying.

The banquet ended unhappily.

— *Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio* by Pu Songling

Translation: *Person in the Ear, Part Two*

Qu Duan, courtesy name Zhengfu, was one of the eighteen kings during the Jianyan era.

He excelled in both literary and military arts and was known for his sophistry.

When Qu Duan was young, he met an old Daoist priest

and learned a form of qigong. He practiced without fail, winter and summer,

which enhanced his hearing and vision.

Upon reaching mastery, he could transform his ears into human figures, giving them eyes to see and mouths to speak.

Qu Duan was intelligent and achieved mastery in less than a year. His ears could transform into people, chattering incessantly.

On New Year's Day in the fifth year of the Jianyan era, Grand Councilor Zhang hosted a one-month celebration for his eldest son, inviting civil and military officials of the court.

During the feast, Qu Duan claimed he was unfamiliar with events in Dongjing (Kaifeng) and preferred to listen to his colleagues discuss matters of state.

However, everyone heard incessant chatter coming from Qu Duan, as if many people were speaking at once.

The guests were puzzled and asked Qu Duan,

“If you don’t wish to speak, why do you repeatedly disrupt the feast?”

Qu Duan replied with a smile,

“It’s not I who speak, but my ears that do.”

The guests looked closer

and saw two tiny figures emerge from Qu Duan’s ears.

They were about three inches tall, with the same haughty demeanor as Qu Duan himself, arms crossed, yapping incessantly like dogs, causing annoyance.

The banquet ended on an unpleasant note.