Complete Song Dynasty Notes - (Second Edition) (Part 2)

Author: Zhu Yian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features:
Li Sheng Baiyin, a native of Liangzhou, was poor and ran a small school teaching young children, with only ten students at a time. His daily provisions were often insufficient. One day, he suddenly fell ill and died. Two days later, he revived and said to his wife, "I saw Yao, the top scholar, in the underworld. He oversees the ledger of human livelihood and food, and he and I were classmates in the past. He said to me, 'You are very poor, you should return early. Providing for others is my duty, I dare not take private action, but I will secretly add ten students for you and give you a silver rod—this is my private envy.' Afterward, people suddenly sent children to study, and indeed there were ten more students than before. Li Sheng repaired his house and indeed received a silver rod. Alas! The number of students is also predetermined by the underworld. How much more so the rank of official, the length of life, and the richness of one's stipend—is there anything that is not predestined?
New Compendium of Classified Stories from Antiquity to Modern Times
Four: Mutual Destruction of Temples by Officials
Kou Xiangjun, nineteen years old, was the top scholar under Su Yijian and became the magistrate of Batong County. The county had an old temple, but its name was unknown. The former magistrate once dreamed that the temple's spirit wept and said, "A prime minister will come, I dare not stay here. Even if you force me to stay, I will not accept it." The magistrate asked, "Who is the prime minister?" The spirit replied, "You will know in the future. I dare not reveal it now." Upon waking, he told his colleagues about the dream. A few days later, a messenger arrived with a notice, announcing that Kou had been appointed in his place. Indeed, because the temple had no name and was not recorded in official documents, it was destroyed. Alas! The temple's destruction was known to the spirit, but Kou's appointment as prime minister was already a sign of it! The spirit said that if he stayed, he would not be accepted, which was also an indication of Kou's integrity.
New Compendium of Classified Stories from Antiquity to Modern Times
Five: Zhang Yi and the Red Lights
Zhang Yi, an official candidate from Ezhou, came to take the imperial examination in the southern capital. After the exam, before the results were announced, he went out with his companions to drink in the market. Suddenly, a man bowed to him and said, "You will pass the exam, but you should protect the two red lights on your head. As long as they are there, you will be safe. If they are gone, you may not be so lucky. Be careful." Then the man vanished. Later, Zhang indeed passed the exam. After receiving his appointment and taking office, his superior was Helian Li, who turned out to be the two red lights. Soon after, Helian Li died, and Zhang was also dismissed from office. He then realized that everything was predestined and could not be avoided by his own efforts.
Same Source
Chen Gong of Jingnan during the Qianxing era, when Zhang Junfang served as the magistrate of Jiangling, the prefect Li Tan contracted wind sickness and could not carry out his duties. He was dismissed by the transport commission, and the news of the new prefect had not yet reached them. At that time, Chen Congyi, head of the transport commission in the southern route of Jingnan, was traveling from Heng to Shao, examining suspicious cases. Between Shao and two stations, he stayed overnight at a Buddhist temple on the riverbank. He had a female attendant who suddenly choked in the middle of the night. She woke up and said, "I just saw a white-clad man wearing a hat, with a solemn demeanor, pressing his chest with his hand. He said, 'You will take over Jingnan. I am the fifth son of Jingnan, come to inform you. When you arrive, please take care of things.'" Chen found it very strange. After arriving in the prefecture, he indeed received an imperial decree as dreamed.
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