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PROLOGUE

Heavenly Teacher Zhang Prays for Cessation of a Pestilence; Marshal Hong Makes a Blunder in Releasing Demons

Amid chaos of dynasties five,

Peaceful days at last revive;

Mountains and rivers are of yore,

Benevolence of hundred years and more.

Orioles sang in forest trees,

Entrancing music filled the air;

The people dressed in gorgeous silks,

Contentment reigned everywhere.

This poetry was written in the reign of Emperor Shenzong of the Song Dynasty by a famous scholar named Shao Yaofu. At the close of the Tang Dynasty, and during the succeeding Five Dynasties there was continual civil warfare. In the morning one General would be supreme, but by evening another General would be in power. Generals Zhu Quanzhong, Li Cunxu, Shi Jingtang, Liu Zhiyuan, and Guo Wei established respectively the Five Dynasties of the Later Liang, Later Tang, Later Jin, Later Han, and Later Zhou (A.D. 907–960). There were fifteen Emperors within fifty years. These frequent changes followed one after another until Zhao Kuangyin founded the Song Dynasty, and ascended the throne as Emperor Taizu. When this great man was born the sky was all red, and in the bedroom there was a fragrant smell. This was because the God of Thunder descended among the mortals.

Taizu was a brave hero, and very intelligent. No Emperor from ancient times to the present can be compared to him. He was a well-made man, and conquered four hundred prefectures and regions. He swept the floor of the whole empire, and left it clean. He established his capital at Bianliang in modern Kaifeng, and laid the foundations for the succeeding eighteen Emperors of the Song Dynasty which lasted for three hundred years. Because of this illustrious feat of arms the scholar states that “the clouds were dispersed, and heaven seen again.”

At that time there was a very virtuous and learned man named Chen Tuan living on the Western Sacred Mountain, Mount Hua, and he could foreknow the weather. One day as he was riding on his donkey down the mountain he heard a rumor that Chai Shizong41 had withdrawn in favor of Marshal Zhao Kuangyin who had ascended the throne. When he heard this he laughed so much that he rolled off the donkey. When his informer asked for an explanation he replied, “The empire will now be settled, and heaven, earth, and mankind will all be in harmony.”

The Emperor Taizu ascended the throne A.D. 960, and for the following seventeen years there was general peace. He was succeeded by his descendant Emperors Taizong, Zhenzong, and Renzong. Now Renzong was the incarnation of the Barefoot Immortal,42 and when he was born he cried continuously, day and night. His father, Emperor Zhenzong issued an edict offering a reward to anyone who could cure the crying infant. When this became known in Heaven, the Great White Gold Star was sent down to earth, and metamorphosed into an old man. He tore down the Imperial edict, and said that he could effect a cure. An official took him to the court, where the Emperor gave him permission to see the sick baby. Upon entering the palace he picked up the royal infant in his arms, and whispered eight words into his ear. Immediately the royal infant stopped crying and the old man vanished in a gust of wind. The words he whispered were:

For civil affairs there is a civil star,

For military affairs a military star.

As a matter of fact the Jade Emperor of Heaven, the great Taoist god had already sent two stars to assist this newborn infant in those affairs when he became Emperor.

The Civil Star was incarnated in Bao Zheng who later became a scholar of the Longtu Academy, and also Prefect of Kaifeng. The Military Star was incarnated in Di Qing who became commander-in-chief of the expedition to the Western Xia Kingdom in modern Gansu. These two worthy ministers assisted the Emperor Renzong for forty-two years. During the first twenty-seven years the crops were abundant, and there was general peace and prosperity. Robbery was rare, and the people could always leave their doors open even at night. In fact the people enjoyed abundant happiness in those years. But who could know that great happiness would be culminated in sorrow? In the 28th year a grave pestilence afflicted the Empire, and a flood of petitions inundated the capital like a heavy snowstorm.

In the Eastern Capital half of the people died. The Grand Secretary Bao Zheng offered a special medicine free, but with no effect. The pestilence spread, and increased its virility. The officials discussed the situation in the Council Chamber and when the Emperor gave audience they all entered the Grand Audience Hall where they all kowtowed together. The appointed minister asked what business there was to bring before the Emperor, and the Prime Minister Zhao Zhe, and the official Wen Yanbo stepped forward. The former spoke, “Just now there is a serious pestilence in this Capital, and a great many people have died. I request that in your benevolence an edict be issued pardoning all criminals, reducing all sentences for future crimes, and lessening all taxes. We also beg Your Majesty to offer prayers to Heaven to save the lives of your people.”

The Emperor at once agreed to this, and added to the edict that in all temples there should be special prayers to Heaven to stop this great calamity. Although this was done the pestilence still increased its ravages. When the Emperor was informed of this he summoned all ministers to discuss the matter, and during the meeting of the Grand Council Fan Zhongyan spoke, “This great calamity is inflicting the people who are on the verge of despair. I suggest that we send for the Taoist, Heavenly Teacher Zhang at Mount Longhu, Jiangxi province, to offer special prayers here for the cessation of the pestilence.”

The Emperor Renzong agreed, and ordered a Hanlin scholar to write the edict. He signed it with the vermilion brush, and handed it to Marshal Hong Xin to deliver it as the Imperial Envoy. Hong Xin fastened the edict on his back, held the Imperial incense in his hand, took about ten assistants, traveled by relays of horses, and soon reached Guixi County in Jiangxi province. He was met and welcomed outside the various towns he passed through by the local officials. A messenger had been sent in advance to advise Heavenly Teacher Zhang of the approaching envoy.

Upon reaching Mount Longhu he was received by a big crowd of Taoist priests, with much beating of drums and gongs, much burning of incense, fluttering banners, and music. The temple abbot conducted the envoy into the Hall of Three Purities where the Imperial edict was respectfully received. When the envoy, Marshal Hong Xin, asked for Heavenly Teacher Zhang the superintendent replied, “The Heavenly Teacher is known as “Xu Jing” who has a pure and lofty nature. He is averse to soliciting favor, and has retired to a straw hut on the summit of the mountain where he cultivates his spirit.”

“Then how can I see him about this important matter?” asked Hong Xin.

“We can leave the Imperial edict here unopened while we discuss that matter in another room,” replied the superintendent.

This was done, and the envoy took the seat of honor while attendants brought in tea and vegetarian food for all. After the meal the superintendent explained that the Heavenly Teacher had acquired the Tao and since he traveled on clouds, they never knew where he might be.43 They very seldom saw him at the temple so they thought it hardly worth while to advise him of the approach of the Imperial Envoy.

Hong Xin explained what the edict was about, and asked how he could meet the Heavenly Teacher.

The superintendent replied, “As the Emperor wishes to save the people you must carry out his orders. You must therefore purify yourself by fasting, dress in plain rough clothes, then go by yourself with the Imperial edict on your back, step by step up the mountain, and then you may have the chance of seeing the Heavenly Teacher. But if your heart is not truly sincere, that may spoil your chance of meeting him.”

“Since I left the capital,” said Hong Xin, “I have been a strict vegetarian so how could my intentions be other than absolutely sincere? Such being the case I will follow your advice and go up the mountain tomorrow.”

The following morning about 4 A.M. the priests prepared the fragrant water and invited the envoy to bathe. After bathing he put on new rough clothes and straw sandals; wrapped the Imperial edict in yellow silk and fastened it on his back; took a silver bowl with burning incense in his hands. He took leave of the priests and set off saying prayers as he walked. After some time the path became steeper, and he had to take hold of bushes and trees to pull himself up. He had traversed several summits, and began to feel extremely fatigued. It was now very hard walking, and he became hesitant as to whether to go forward or not. He thought of the pleasant, easy times he used to have in the Capital with rich varied food and comfortable beds. There he never wore rough clothes, and straw sandals, and was never tired like this. Why did they send him to experience such bitterness of soul? How could he find the Heavenly Teacher?

He struggled on for about fifty paces more, but was now panting for breath. A strong gust of wind blew down the ravine, and roared through the pines. Just then he saw a tiger rush out from the trees, and was so afraid and startled that he fell down. The tiger examined the envoy, walked round him, but after roaring returned to the forest. Hong Xin lay there, his teeth grinding and his heart beating like “a chain of buckets raising water from a well.” His sensation became numb, and he seemed paralyzed. His legs could not move, and seemed like a defeated cock after a fight. He began to whine about his fate.

But after a short time his spirits gradually revived, and he continued his walk. He was, however, still short of breath, and began again to complain of the hardness of the way. He muttered, “The Emperor gave me a very hard task,” but before he had finished this a very noxious wind burst forth. He stared round, and saw an enormous speckled snake rattling among some bamboos. He was startled and throwing away his bowl, fell down near a large stone, exclaiming, “I shall certainly die this time!” The snake glided towards him, and coiled up at his side. It showed a yellow light in its eyes, opened wide its mouth, and blew a poisonous vapor in his face. This so frightened him that he fainted, but the snake soon left him.

When he regained consciousness he saw that his body was as chilly as having been thrown into an icy river. He soliloquized, “I was almost frightened to death! I never suspected that priest of deceiving me. What a shock I had! If I don’t find the Heavenly Teacher, I shall have something to say to that priest when I get back.” He, however, picked up his incense bowl, put on his headdress, straightened his garments, and prepared to try again. He had taken only a few steps when he heard the sound of a flute which was being played somewhere among the trees. Looking round he saw an acolyte riding on a yellow ox playing a flute, with a smiling countenance.

Hong spoke to him, “Where do you come from? Do you recognize me?”

The boy did not reply, but continued playing the flute.

Hong asked the same questions several times, and at last the boy laughed and pointing his flute at him replied, “Have you come here to see the Heavenly Teacher?”

“As you are only a cowherd how is it that you know my affairs?”

“Early this morning I waited upon the Heavenly Teacher, and he told me that you had been commissioned by the Emperor to bring an edict here inviting him to go to the Capital to offer prayers to Heaven to stop the pestilence. He said that he was going to mount his stork, and fly off to the Capital at once. So I think he may have gone, and may not be at the temple. You need not go up the mountain as there are many poisonous snakes and fierce beasts on this mountain, which might endanger your life.”

“You cannot lie to me,” said Hong, but the acolyte did not reply to this, and went on his way playing his flute.

The envoy thought, “How can the boy know as much as he says, it may be that the Heavenly Teacher has told him to say this so as to test my perseverance. But as I have already met so many frightful things perhaps it would be better if I now get back.” So he retraced his steps.

Upon reaching the temple at the foot of the mountain he was asked by the priests whether he had seen the Heavenly Teacher. He told them what frightful experiences he had had, and said he suspected them of merely trifling with an Imperial Envoy.

“How dare we poor Taoists treat you disrespectfully?” replied the abbot. “These trials might have been arranged by the Heavenly Teacher to test your perseverance. The snakes and tigers on this mountain do not injure people.”

“As I was going to struggle up the mountain, I saw a cowherd coming out of a pine forest on a yellow cow, playing a flute who told me that the Heavenly Teacher had flown away on a crane this morning to the Eastern Capital, and so I returned.”

“What a pity that you missed such a fine opportunity! That cowherd was the Heavenly Teacher himself!”

“In that case why did he appear in such a strange way?”

“Because he is not an ordinary man. He is only young, but his supernatural power is unbounded. He is not a common person. His power is omnipotent. The people all praise him as the Master of the Tao.”

“I am so ignorant that I have failed to deliver the edict.”

“Never mind! As the Heavenly Teacher meant to go, I think the prayers may have been over and the pestilence already vanished when you get back to the Eastern Capital.”

The Imperial edict was replaced in the cover, and put in the Hall of Three Purities. A feast was then prepared for the envoy.

After breakfast the following morning the abbot suggested that they should stroll round the monastery for a sight-seeing. They did so, and spent some time going round all the temple buildings. One of these attracted Marshal Hong Xin’s attention. It was surrounded by a red mud wall; the entrance had a large red door with two leaves which were fastened by a very big lock. There were about ten strips of paper sealing the door, and these were all stamped with red seals; above the door was a board with four gilt characters, “The Subdued Demons Hall.” The envoy asked what the Hall was used for, and was informed that a previous Heavenly Teacher had subdued many demons, and imprisoned them there.

“But why are there so many seals on the door?”

“During the Tang dynasty the Heavenly Teacher Dong Xuan subdued the king of the demons, and locked him up inside this Hall. The succeeding generations have each added another seal so that is may never be opened. If those devils ever got out there would be a great calamity. Now about nine generations have passed, and no one ever attempted to tamper with this arrangement. Molten copper has been poured into the lock so that it is impossible to unlock the door. I have lived here for thirty years, and this is all that I have heard of but nobody knows what is inside.

Marshal Hong Xin felt very curious at this, and had a desire to investigate so he said to the superintendent, “Please open the door, and I will see what this king of the demons is like.”

“We dare not do that. Our former masters enjoined us not to open it and we cannot presume to disobey the order.”

The Imperial Envoy laughed, and said, “Nonsense! You only falsely declare there is something strange, in order to deceive the innocent people. You purposedly arrange such places and tell people that demons are locked up inside so as to show off your spiritual powers. I have read hundreds of volumes of books, and yet have never read of the king of the demons being imprisoned here. There is no way by which man can know about the supernatural. I do not believe that the king of the demons is inside here. Quickly open the door, and I want see what this demon is.”

The abbot still declined to do this, as he was afraid that somebody would be injured.

Marshal Hong became angry, and pointing at the Taoists, said, “As you will not open the door I shall first report that you refused to obey the Imperial orders, and not allow me to see the Heavenly Teacher. Also I will say that you are falsely declaring that the king of the demons is imprisoned here, in order to deceive decent people. Your license will be canceled, and you will all be banished to some distant places.”

The priests were all afraid of his great influence, and therefore they summoned servants to tear off the seals, and break the big lock. This was done, and when the door was opened they all went inside, but could not see anything because it was pitch dark there. So Marshal Hong ordered the servants to light about ten torches, and with these he made a close examination. There was not a single thing except a stone tablet in the center of the hall. It was about six feet in height, and was resting on a stone tortoise which was almost half in the soil. On the tablet were characters of the very ancient style, and they could not make out any of them. But upon examining the other side of the tablet they found four characters which read, “Open when Hong comes.” The Imperial Envoy Marshal Hong Xin was much pleased at this, and turning to the Taoists said, “You tried to obstruct me, but many hundred years ago they wrote my name here, and predicted that I would come here, and open the door. The fiends, I see, are imprisoned under this tortoise. Dig out the stone tortoise for me!”

The Taoists were terrified at the order, and said that it was not safe to do such a thing.

Marshal Hong was angry at this continuous obstruction, and abused them as ignorant. He insisted upon the excavation being begun immediately. As on the stone tablet it was stated that he would open the place so although the Taoists still objected they at last gave way, and told the workmen to dig. The men removed the soil and the tortoise. After digging about three feet down they unearthed a square slab of stone. Marshal Hong told them to lift it out, and in spite of objections from the Taoists, the stone was raised, and carried out of the hole.

It was evident that the slab was the cover of a very deep well. Now that the cover was removed a loud strange noise was heard far down in the cavity, and instantly a black cloud shot out from below, breaking a corner of the roof of the hall, and escaped through the aperture. The cloud ascended very high in the sky, and then burst forth into more than a hundred rays of light and disappeared in all directions.

All the spectators were astounded and rushed away from the hall. Even Marshal Hong was thunderstruck, and his countenance changed to a pale yellow color. He went out to the veranda where he met the abbot who lamented the result. Upon his asking what the demon was which had escaped the superintendent replied, “You do not understand. The fact is that our former Master Dong Xuan imprisoned here the thirty-six heavenly spirits, and seventy-two baneful stars which make a total of 108 fiends. The names of these fiends are inscribed on the stone in ancient writing. As they have now all been released they will bring calamity to the people. What are you going to do in the matter?”

Upon hearing this Marshal Hong was covered with cold perspiration and trembled with fear. Without saying a word he went to pack his baggage and calling together his retinue he quickly departed down the mountain on his way back to the Capital.

On the way Marshal Hong told his suite that they must not mention to anybody what had happened as he was afraid that if the Emperor heard of it he would be punished. They traveled both night and day, and soon reached the Capital, Bianliang, in modern Kaifeng. There he found that the Taoist Heavenly Teacher had arrived, and had held seven days’ service against the pestilence and had written magical spells for the sick people and as the pestilence had abated the Heavenly Teacher had flown back on his stork to the mountain.

The following morning Marshal Hong attended the early audience, and addressed the Emperor, “The Heavenly Teacher traveled by crane, and as I could only travel by horse relays he had been here and returned before I could arrive.”

The Emperor did not reply, but rewarded him for his work.

After this the Emperor reigned for forty-two years, and upon his death as he had no children the son of an illustrious Prince succeeded to the throne with the title Yingzong. This Emperor reigned for four years, and was followed by his son who reigned as Emperor Shenzong for eighteen years. Then after this Emperor Zhezong reigned, and during his reign there was peace in the empire. But if there had been nothing but peace, what in this book are we going to relate? My good reader, rest assured that this is merely a prelude; and in the following chapters we have:

Footnote

41 Emperor Shizong of the Later Zhou Dynasty.

42 An “immortal” is one who has achieved Taoist enlightenment.

43 The Dao (Tao) or “The Way” (also path, route, doctrine, or principle). It is the fundamental unifying and holistic truth of the nature of the universe, of which its understanding is what Taoists seek to attain.