A Plain Talk of Strange Stories

Author: Pu Songling (Qing Dynasty) / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: A scholar named Song Tao, who lived in the county town, was known for his integrity, upright conduct, and generous nature, and was respectfully called "Mr. Song." One day, when Mr. Song fell ill and lay in bed deliriously, he suddenly saw a man dressed as an official leading a horse into the room. The man approached his bedside and said, "Mr. Song, please get up. I have come specifically to escort you to the capital for the imperial examination." Mr. Song, finding the situation unusual, asked, "If the examiner hasn’t arrived, why is the examination suddenly being held?" The official didn’t answer but repeatedly urged him to leave immediately. With no choice, Mr. Song reluctantly struggled to mount the horse and followed the official.
The official led Mr. Song down an unfamiliar road and soon arrived at a grand city that looked like the residence of an emperor. Further on, they entered a magnificent and imposing government office. Looking up, Mr. Song saw a dozen or so officials in fine attire and stern appearances seated on the main hall, none of whom he recognized—except for the red-faced, long-bearded Guan Yu, whose statue he had seen in a temple and found somewhat familiar. Below the hall, two writing desks and two embroidered stools were arranged side by side, with pens, ink, paper, and inkstones ready. A scholar, who had been sitting there for some time, looked as though he had been waiting for a long time. Mr. Song hurried over and sat down beside him at the other desk.
A short while later, someone handed papers to Mr. Song and the scholar, which read: "One person, two people— (with intention) or (without intention)." Mr. Song and the scholar frowned in thought at times and wrote frantically at others. After a while, they submitted their essays. The officials on the hall noticed that Mr. Song’s essay contained the brilliant line, "To do good with intention is not rewarded even though it is good; to do evil without intention is not punished even though it is evil." They passed the essay around, marveling at its wisdom.
An official resembling an emperor then summoned Mr. Song to the hall and said with great pleasure, "There is still an empty position for a City God in Henan Province. With your talent and virtue, you are more than worthy of the title." Upon hearing that he was to be appointed as a City God, Mr. Song suddenly realized that this was his soul in the underworld after death. Thinking of his elderly mother who had no one to care for her, he couldn’t help but tear up and pleaded with the officials, "I am too unworthy of such an honor. Though I am grateful for this appointment, I must first care for my mother until she passes. After that, I will serve at your command."
Seeing his sincerity, the emperor-like official ordered his subordinates to check the lifespan of Mr. Song’s mother. A short-bearded official took a roster, looked it over, and reported, "Madam Song has nine more years of life in the mortal world." The officials exchanged glances, unsure what to do. Just then, Guan Yu stood up and said, "How about this: Let the scholar take over her duties for nine years, and after that, he can replace the scholar." The emperor-like official nodded and turned to Mr. Song, saying, "Normally, you would be expected to take office immediately. However, considering your filial piety, I grant you a leave of nine years." He then encouraged the scholar to govern honestly and incorruptibly.
Mr. Song and the scholar kowtowed in gratitude and left the hall together. As Mr. Song prepared to return, the scholar held his hand and walked him all the way to the outskirts. The scholar introduced himself as Zhang from Changshan and presented a poem as a parting gift. The poem included the lines: "With flowers and wine, spring is always present; Without candles or lamps, the night shines on its own."
When Mr. Song returned home on horseback, he felt as though he had had a dream and suddenly woke up. His mother, hearing his groans from the coffin, was overcome with joy and quickly helped him out. Mr. Song didn’t regain consciousness for another half-day. After recovering, he still remembered his dream and sent someone to investigate Changshan. To his surprise, they found a scholar named Zhang who had died on the very day he had.
Nine years later, Mr. Song’s mother passed away. After burying her, Mr. Song took a thorough bath and lay down in the coffin he had prepared, closing his eyes and dying.
Mr. Song’s in-laws lived in the western part of the county town. One day, they suddenly saw Mr. Song in official attire, followed by many carriages and attendants. He went to the hall, bowed to his father-in-law, and then left. The family was greatly astonished, not realizing that Mr. Song had become a deity. They sent someone to his village to investigate and learned that he had died.
Mr. Song had written a self-account, but it was later lost to war. What remains here is only a brief summary. P6-7