OriginChapter 11
The poem says:
A hundred years of time flow on like water; a lifetime’s achievements are no more than foam upon the stream.
Yesterday, peach-blossom color adorned the face; today, flakes of snow float beside the temples.
When the white-ant battle is over, only then is it known to be an illusion; when the cuckoo’s cry grows urgent, turn back early.
Since ancient times, hidden virtue can prolong one’s years; when goodness seeks no pity, Heaven itself will complete its reward.
It is said that Taizong, hazy and indistinct, had his soul emerge directly before the Five-Phoenix Tower. He saw only the imperial guards and their horses, who requested that His Majesty leave the court to go hunting. Taizong gladly followed them and drifted away. After traveling for a long while, both men and horses had all vanished. He alone wandered among the desolate outskirts and wilderness. Just as he was frightened and unable to find the road, he saw someone on one side shouting loudly: “Emperor of the Great Tang, come this way, come this way.” Taizong heard this and raised his head to look. He saw that the man:
Wore a black gauze cap upon his head and a rhinoceros-horn girdle around his waist. A black gauze cap topped his head, its soft ribbons fluttering; a rhinoceros-horn girdle encircled his waist, displaying golden fittings. In his hand he held an ivory court tablet, condensing auspicious mists; upon his body he wore a gauze robe, concealing auspicious radiance. His feet were planted in a pair of pink-soled boots, ascending clouds and hastening through mist; tucked within his bosom was a register of life and death, recording the appointed survival and demise. His hair at the temples was disheveled, floating above his ears; his beard flew and danced around his cheeks. In former days he had served as chancellor of the Tang state; now he held the case records and attended Yama.
Taizong came to that place and saw him kneeling by the roadside, saying: “Your Majesty, forgive your servant the offense of having failed to come far enough to receive you.” Taizong asked: “Who are you? For what reason have you come forward to receive and bow to me?” The man said: “Half a month ago, in the Palace of Senluo, I saw the Jing River ghost-dragon report that Your Majesty had promised to save him but instead had him executed. For this reason, the Great King Qin Guang of the First Hall immediately sent a ghost messenger to urge Your Majesty’s summons, so that the Three Courts might confront the case. Your servant already knew of this, and therefore came here to await and receive you. I did not expect to arrive late today. I beg you to forgive the offense, forgive the offense.” Taizong said: “What are your surname and name? What office do you hold?” The man said: “When your servant was alive, I attended before the carriage of your late father in the Offices of the Living Realm, serving as magistrate of this prefecture. Later I was appointed Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites. My surname is Cui, my name Jue. Now in the Offices of the Dead, I have been permitted to serve as the case-record judge of Fengdu.” Taizong was greatly delighted. He immediately approached and hurriedly helped him up with his imperial hand, saying: “先生, you have taken such pains to come from afar. Wei Zheng, who serves before my throne, has a letter for you, which he entrusted to me. It happens that we have met.” The Judge expressed his thanks and asked where the letter was. Taizong at once took it from his sleeve and handed it over. Cui Jue bowed and received it, then opened the seal and read it. The letter said:
Your younger brother Wei Zheng respectfully bows and submits this letter before the dais of my elder sworn brother, the Great Case-Office Judge, Old 先生 Cui:
I recall our former friendship; your voice and countenance seem still present. In a sudden moment, several years have passed without hearing your pure instruction. I have only, whenever the festivals came, arranged vegetables and other offerings for sacrifice, yet I do not know whether you have enjoyed them. Then I received your favor in not abandoning me, when you appeared to me in a dream; only then did I learn that my elder brother, the great lord, had been promoted to a lofty station. Alas, yin and yang are separated, Heaven places each of us at an opposite end, and we cannot meet face to face. Now, because my Emperor Taizong, the Civil Emperor, has suddenly passed away, I expect that the Three Courts will confront his case, and surely I shall be able to meet with my elder brother. I earnestly beg you to consider the affection of our friendship from the days of our birth, and to make some convenience in the matter, so that you may send my sovereign back to the world of light. This would be a particular favor. I shall offer further thanks when I can. I cannot express everything.
When the Judge had read the letter, his heart was filled with joy. He said: “As for the matter of the Wei human-official’s slaying the old dragon in a dream the other day, your servant already knew of it long ago; it is most worthy of praise, beyond all words. Moreover, he has looked after your servant’s descendants from morning to night. Now that he has sent this letter, Your Majesty may set your heart at ease. Your servant will take charge of sending Your Majesty back to the world of light, so that you may once more ascend the Jade Portal.” Taizong expressed his thanks.
As the two were speaking, they saw on the far side a pair of blue-robed youths holding pennants and jeweled canopies, calling loudly: “Yama invites you, invites you.” Taizong therefore proceeded together with Judge Cui and the two youths. Suddenly they saw a city. Hanging above its gate was a great plaque, upon which were written seven large golden characters: “Ghost Gate Pass of the Netherworld Government of Ghosts.” The blue-robed youths shook their pennants, leading Taizong directly into the city, and proceeded along the street. They saw beside the street the Former Lord Li Yuan, the late Crown Prince Jiancheng, and his deceased younger brother Yuanji, who came forward saying: “Shimin has come, Shimin has come.” Jiancheng and Yuanji then came to seize and beat him, demanding his life. Taizong could not dodge in time and was caught by them. Fortunately, Judge Cui summoned a blue-faced, fanged ghost messenger, who shouted Jiancheng and Yuanji back. Only then was Taizong able to free himself and continue on. After traveling several li, he saw a towered pavilion of jade-green tiles, truly magnificent. It was:
Drifting, ten thousand layers of colored clouds piled high;
Faintly, a thousand bands of red mist appeared.
Brightly, strange beasts flew from the eaves;
Radiantly, five tiers of mandarin-duck tiles gleamed.
Several rows of red-gold nails studded the gates;
A single length of white jade formed the balustrade.
The windows drew near the light and released dawn-colored smoke;
The curtained lattices shone and pierced through with red lightning.
The towered pavilions rose high to touch the blue empyrean;
The covered corridors stood in even ranks, joined to the jeweled court.
The beast tripod’s fragrant clouds brushed the imperial robes;
Crimson-gauze lamps illumined the palace fans.
On the left, fierce Ox-Heads were arranged;
Below on the right, imposing Horse-Faces were arrayed.
They received the dead and sent off ghosts, turning golden plaques;
They summoned souls and called spirits, lowering white silk streamers.
It was called the General Assembly Gate of the Offices of Yin,
Below which stood the Palace of Senluo of the Ten Kings of Yama.
While Taizong was observing from outside, he saw jade pendants and girdle ornaments tinkling on the far side, and heard extraordinary, celestial fragrances. Outside were two pairs bearing candles. Behind them came the Ten Kings of Yama descending the steps. They were the Ten Kings of Yama: King Qin Guang, King Chu Jiang, King Songdi, King Wuguan, King Yama, King Pingdeng, King Taishan, King Dushi, King Biancheng, and King Zhuanlun. The Ten Kings emerged into the Treasure Hall of Senluo, bending their backs and inclining their bodies as they welcomed Taizong. Taizong humbled himself and did not dare proceed ahead. The Ten Kings said: “Your Majesty is the human king of the world of light, while we are the ghost kings of the world of darkness. This distinction is only proper. Why must you yield so excessively?” Taizong said: “Having offended those beneath your command, how would I dare speak of the distinction between the ways of yin and yang, humans and ghosts?” He continued to defer without end. Taizong proceeded forward, entered directly into the Palace of Senluo, completed the rites with the Ten Kings, and sat down with host and guests arranged according to rank.
After a short while, King Qin Guang advanced with clasped hands and said: “The Jing River ghost-dragon reported that Your Majesty had promised to save him, yet instead had him killed. Why was this?” Taizong said: “I once dreamed at night that the old dragon begged for rescue, and indeed I granted him safety. I did not expect that he would commit a crime and deserve punishment, and that my human-realm official Wei Zheng would be the one to execute him. I summoned Wei Zheng to the hall to play chess; I did not know that he would slay him in a dream. This was because the human-realm official entered and emerged through divine mysteries, and because that Dragon King had committed a crime and deserved death. How could it have been my fault?” Hearing this, the Ten Kings bowed in salute and said: “Before that dragon had even been born, the death register of the Southern Dipper Star had already recorded that he was fated to be killed by the hand of a human-realm official. We had long known this. It was only because he argued his case here and insisted that Your Majesty come here, so that the Three Courts might confront the case. We sent him into the Wheel Repository, and he has gone on to be reborn. Now we have again troubled Your Majesty by causing you to descend here. We beg you to forgive the offense of our urging you to come.” Having finished speaking, they ordered the Judge who kept the register of life and death to hasten and bring the register, so that they might see how many years of life and heavenly emolument Your Majesty was allotted.
Judge Cui hurriedly turned toward the office chamber and brought out the general register of the heavenly emoluments of the kings of all the nations under Heaven. He first examined it one by one, and saw that for Taizong, Emperor of the Great Tang in the Southern Jambudvipa Continent, it was recorded that he was fated to have thirteen years of the Zhenguan era. Judge Cui was startled. He quickly took a heavy-inked brush and added two strokes to the character “one,” then presented the register. The Ten Kings looked through it from the beginning and saw that beneath Taizong’s name it now recorded thirty-three years. The Kings of Yama asked in astonishment: “How many years has Your Majesty been on the throne?” Taizong said: “I ascended the throne, and now it has been thirteen years.” The King of Yama said: “Your Majesty may set your heart at ease and have no concern. You still have twenty years of life in the world of light. This visit has now made the case clear. Please return to your original body and come back to life.” Hearing this, Taizong bent his body and expressed his thanks.
The Ten Kings of Yama assigned Judge Cui and Grand Commandant Zhu to escort Taizong back to his soul. Taizong left the Palace of Senluo, then raised his hands and asked the Ten Kings: “Are the old and young in my palace safe and well?” The Ten Kings said: “All are safe, but we fear that the Imperial Younger Sister’s life may not be long.” Taizong again bowed and said his thanks: “When I return to the world of light, I shall have nothing with which to repay you, and can only offer fruits in return.” The Ten Kings happily said: “We have winter melons and watermelons here, but lack only southern melons.” Taizong said: “Once I return, I shall send them over, send them over.” From this they exchanged bows and took their leave.
Then the Grand Commandant took up a soul-guiding banner and led the way in front. Judge Cui followed behind, protecting Taizong, and went straight out of the Nether Office. Taizong raised his eyes and looked; it was not the old road. He asked Judge Cui, “Is this road mistaken?” The Judge said, “It is not mistaken. In the Office of Yin it is like this: there are roads for going, but no roads for coming. Now we are sending Your Majesty out from the Revolving-Wheel Repository: first, to invite Your Majesty to tour and observe the underworld; second, to have Your Majesty turn over and entrust yourself to rebirth.” Taizong had no choice but to follow the two of them as they led the way.
They went straight on for several *li*, when suddenly they saw a lofty mountain. Dark clouds hung down to the earth, and black mists obscured the sky. Taizong said, “Master Cui, what mountain is that over there?” The Judge said, “It is the Netherworld’s Back-Yin Mountain.” Taizong said in dread, “How can I go there?” The Judge said, “Your Majesty, put your mind at ease. We servants will lead you.” Taizong trembled with fear and followed the two men up onto the mountain crags. Raising his head to look, he saw only:
Its form was full of hollows and protuberances, its aspect even more rugged and precipitous.
Steep as the ridges of Shu, high as the cliffs of Lu.
It was no famous mountain of the mortal world, but truly a perilous land of the Office of Yin.
Thickets of thorns hid hosts of ghosts and monsters; glittering stone cliffs concealed demons and fiends.
Beside the ears, no cries of beasts or birds were heard; before the eyes, only ghosts and goblins moved.
The yin wind rustled and sighed; the black mist spread without end.
The yin wind rustled and sighed: it was the smoke whistled forth from the mouths of divine soldiers;
the black mist spread without end: it was the breath secretly sprayed forth by ghosts and evil spirits.
At a glance, high and low held no scenery; looking to either side, all was wild ruin.
There were mountains, peaks, ridges, caves, and ravines there;
only, the mountains bore no grass, the peaks did not pierce the heavens,
the ridges bore no travelers, the caves received no clouds, and the ravines held no flowing water.
Before the banks were all *wangliang* demons; beneath the ridges were nothing but gods and fiends;
within the caves wild ghosts were gathered; at the bottoms of the ravines evil souls lay hidden.
Before and behind the mountains, ox-heads and horse-faces clamored in confusion;
half concealed and half hidden, hungry ghosts and destitute souls wept facing one another.
The Judge who hurried on the doomed delivered summonses in haste;
the Grand Commandant who pursued souls shouted and hustled the official documents along.
The swift-footed messengers came rolling like whirlwind;
the clerks who hooked and summoned were surrounded by swirling black mist.
Taizong relied entirely on the Judge’s protection and crossed Yin Mountain.
Advancing onward, they passed through many more offices. In every place, mournful cries shook the ears, and evil monsters chilled the heart. Taizong again said, “What place is this?” The Judge said, “This is the eighteen levels of hell behind Yin Mountain.” Taizong said, “Which eighteen levels?” The Judge said, “Listen to me:
The Hanging-Tendon Hell, the Wronged-and-Secret Hell, and the Fire-Pit Hell—silent, lonely, vexing, and anguished—all are the countless kinds of karma committed while alive, for which one comes after death to receive punishment.
The Fengdu Hell, the Tongue-Pulling Hell, and the Skin-Peeling Hell—sobbing and wailing, miserable and tragic—are entered only because one is disloyal and unfilial, violating Heaven’s principles, with a Buddha’s mouth and a serpent’s heart.
The Grinding-and-Rubbing Hell, the Pestle-Pounding Hell, and the Cart-Crushing Hell—skin split and flesh torn, lips wiped and teeth bared—are for concealing one’s heart, deceiving oneself, and acting without justice, while using clever words and flowery speech to harm others in secret.
The Cold-Ice Hell, the Shell-Shedding Hell, and the Intestine-Pulling Hell—filthy-faced and disheveled, brows knit and eyes sorrowful—are all for cheating the foolish and ignorant with large measures and small scales, bringing calamities and misfortunes upon oneself.
The Oil-Cauldron Hell, the Darkness Hell, and the Blade-Mountain Hell—trembling in fear, grieving bitterly—are all because of using force to oppress the good and kind, hiding one’s head and shrinking one’s neck in lonely misery.
The Blood-Pool Hell, the Avīci Hell, and the Balance-Beam Hell—skin stripped and bones exposed, arms broken and sinews severed—are all merely for plotting wealth and taking life, slaughtering livestock and killing living creatures. Fallen there for a thousand years, one finds no explanation; sunk in ruin for all ages, one never turns back.
Every one is tightly fettered and firmly shackled, bound with ropes and cords.
They are assigned red-haired ghosts and black-faced ghosts, with long spears and short swords;
ox-headed ghosts and horse-faced ghosts, with iron tablets and bronze hammers:
they beat them until their brows are furrowed, their faces are pained, and blood streams down,
while they cry to earth and cry to Heaven, with no help or response.
It is indeed said:
In life, one must never deceive one’s own heart;
When gods and ghosts make all manifest, whom do they let pass?
Good and evil in the end will surely receive their recompense;
The only dispute is whether it comes early or late.”
Hearing this, Taizong was shocked and distressed in his heart.
They went forward and had not walked long when they saw a group of ghost soldiers, each holding a banner and pennant. They knelt beside the road and said, “The bridge messengers have come to receive you.” The Judge shouted an order for them to rise and go away, then went ahead and led Taizong across the Golden Bridge. Taizong then saw that on the other side there was a Silver Bridge. Upon the bridge walked several loyal, filial, worthy, and virtuous people, as well as upright and impartial persons; there were also banners and pennants to receive and guide them. Beyond that was another bridge, with cold winds rolling and blood waves surging, while cries and wails continued without end. Taizong asked, “What is the name of that bridge?” The Judge said, “Your Majesty, it is called the Bridge of Nai River. When you reach the mortal world, you must be sure to record this. Beneath that bridge are all:
The waters flow vast and mighty; the road is perilous and narrow.
It is like a bolt of silk stretched across the Yangtze, yet like a fire pit floating up into the upper realm.
The yin air presses upon people, chilling through to the bones; the stench of wind strikes the nose, its odor boring into the heart.
Waves overturn and billows roll, yet in all the comings and goings there is no boat to ferry anyone;
barefoot and disheveled, all who enter and leave are ghosts suffering for their deeds.
The bridge is several *li* long, only three *zha* wide, a hundred *chi* high, yet a thousand layers deep.
Above there are no handrails or balustrades; below are evil monsters that seize people.
With cangues and fetters wrapped around the body, they are beaten onto Nai River’s perilous road.
Look at how fierce and obstinate the divine generals beside the bridge are;
the sinful souls within the river are truly miserable.
Upon the forked trees hang garments of blue, red, yellow, and purple silk;
before the steep cliff walls crouch the lewd and violent women who destroy and curse their fathers- and mothers-in-law.
Bronze snakes and iron dogs contend for their meals;
forever fallen into Nai River, they have no road of escape.”
The poem says:
At times one hears ghosts weeping and gods crying out;
The blood-filled waters churn, their ten-thousand-*zhang* waves rising high.
Countless ox-heads together with horse-faces,
Ferociously guard Nai River Bridge.
As they were speaking, those several bridge messengers had already gone back. Taizong’s heart was again alarmed; he nodded and sighed inwardly, silently grieving. Accompanied by the Judge and the Grand Commandant, he soon crossed the evil waters of Nai River and the bitter realm of the Blood Basin. Ahead they came again to the City of Wrongful Deaths. They heard only a great clamor of people shouting, distinctly saying, “Li Shimin has come! Li Shimin has come!”
Hearing them call out, Taizong was terrified to the core. He saw a group of ghosts with dragged waists, broken arms, and feet but no heads, who came forward to block the way. All cried, “Give me back my life! Give me back my life!” Taizong was so frightened that he hid and dodged, crying only, “Master Cui, save me! Master Cui, save me!”
The Judge said, “Your Majesty, those people are all the ghost souls of the sixty-four regions of smoke and dust and the seventy-two bands of bandit kings, princes, and chieftains. All died wrongful deaths and suffered injustice; they have no one to receive or govern them and cannot attain rebirth. They also have no money or traveling expenses, and are all solitary, cold, hungry ghosts. If Your Majesty would give them some money, only then can I save you.”
Taizong said, “I came here empty-handed; where could I get money?” The Judge said, “Your Majesty, in the mortal world there is a person who has a certain amount of gold and silver deposited here in my Office of Yin. Your Majesty may write your name and establish a bond; this petty Judge can stand surety. For now, borrow one treasury from him and distribute it among these hungry ghosts. Only then will you be able to pass.”
Taizong asked, “Who is this person?” The Judge said, “He is a native of Kaifeng Prefecture in Henan. His surname is Xiang and his given name is Liang. He has thirteen treasuries of gold and silver here. If Your Majesty borrows and uses one of them, you can repay him after reaching the mortal world.”
Taizong was greatly pleased and willingly agreed to lend it under his name. He therefore drew up a document with the Judge, borrowed one treasury of his gold and silver, and had the Grand Commandant distribute it all. The Judge again instructed them, saying, “You all may divide this gold and silver equally for your use, and let your Great Tang lord pass. His allotted years in the mortal world are still many. I have received the Ten Kings’ decree and will send him back to restore his soul. Have him hold a Water-and-Land Assembly in the mortal world, so that you may attain rebirth. Do not cause trouble again.”
When the ghosts heard this, they obtained the gold and silver, all assented obediently, and withdrew. The Judge ordered the Grand Commandant to shake the soul-guiding banner and lead Taizong out of the City of Wrongful Deaths. They hurried up onto the level road of Pingyang and went off, drifting and floating.
After proceeding for a long while, they came to the place of the Six Paths of Reincarnation. There they again saw those who rode upon clouds, clad in rosy-cloud capes; those who had received registers, with golden fish hanging from their waists. Monks and nuns, Daoists and laypeople, beasts that walked and birds that flew, demons and monsters—all surged and hurried beneath that Reincarnation, each entering its own path. The Tang King asked, “What does this mean?” The Judge said, “Your Majesty has a clear mind and sees your nature; you must remember this and convey it to the people of the mortal realm. This is called the Six Paths of Reincarnation: those who practice good ascend and transform into the immortal path; those who are wholly loyal are reborn into the noble path; those who practice filial piety are reborn into the blessed path; those who are fair are reborn again into the human path; those who accumulate virtue are reborn into the wealthy path; those who are vicious and poisonous sink into the ghost path.” Hearing this, the Tang King nodded and sighed:
Good indeed, truly good indeed;
Do good, and no calamity bears fruit.
Let the good heart be ever earnest;
The good path opens wide and wide.
Do not let evil thoughts arise;
Then surely there will be little deceit or perversity.
Do not say that retribution never comes;
The gods and ghosts have made their arrangements.
The Judge escorted the Tang King straight to the gate of the noble path of rebirth, bowed, and called to the Tang King, “Your Majesty, this is the place where one emerges. This humble Judge will return; have Grand Commandant Zhu escort you one more stage.” The Tang King thanked him, saying, “You have gone to such trouble to travel so far, sir.” The Judge said, “When Your Majesty reaches the mortal realm, be sure to hold a great Water-and-Land Assembly to deliver those wronged souls who have no one to claim them; do not forget this. If there are no voices of grievance and retribution in the underworld, then in the world of the living there may be enjoyment of the blessings of peace. In every place where there has been wrongdoing, all may be corrected one by one. Widely instruct the people of the world to do good, and I guarantee that your descendants will continue without end and your realm will remain firm forever.”
The Tang King approved each matter as requested, took leave of Judge Cui, and followed Grand Commandant Zhu through the gate. The Grand Commandant saw inside the gate a sea-liu horse, with saddle and bridle fully prepared. He hurriedly invited the Tang King to mount, while the Grand Commandant supported him on either side. The horse traveled like an arrow and soon reached the banks of the Wei River. They saw upon the surface of the water a pair of golden carp, tumbling and leaping as they struggled in the river. The Tang King was delighted at the sight, turned his horse around, and gazed at them greedily, unwilling to leave. The Grand Commandant said, “Your Majesty, urge it on a little. Let us hurry and reach the city before the appointed hour.” But the Tang King continued greedily watching and refused to go forward. The Grand Commandant seized him by the foot and shouted, “Still not going? What are you waiting for?” With a thump, he pushed him from the horse toward the Wei River. Thus he escaped the underworld and returned directly to the realm of the living.
Now, at the court of the Tang dynasty, Xu Maogong, Qin Shubao, Hu Jingde, Duan Zhixuan, Ma Sanbao, Cheng Yaojin, Gao Shilian, Li Shiji, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Xiao Yu, Fu Yi, Zhang Daoyuan, Zhang Shiheng, Wang Gui, and the other two ranks of civil and military officials were all protecting the Crown Prince, the Empress, the consorts, the palace women, and the attendants, who were raising lamentations in the White Tiger Hall. On one side they discussed transmitting an edict of mourning to announce the news throughout the realm, intending to support the Crown Prince in ascending the throne. At that time Wei Zheng stood nearby and said, “Gentlemen, wait a moment. No, no. If we alarm the commanderies and counties, I fear unforeseen trouble may arise. Let us wait one more day; surely our lord will return to life.” From below, Xu Jingzong stepped forward and said, “Prime Minister Wei’s words are utterly mistaken. As the ancients said: ‘Spilled water is hard to gather; once a man has departed, he does not return.’ How can you still speak such empty words, confusing the hearts of men? What is the meaning of this?” Wei Zheng said, “I will not conceal it from you, Master Xu: since childhood I have been taught immortal arts. My calculations are most accurate, and I guarantee that Your Majesty will not die.”
Just as they were speaking, they heard a continuous cry from within the coffin: “I am being drowned to death! I am being drowned to death!” The civil and military officials were terrified, while the Empress and consorts trembled with fear. Every one of them:
Their faces were like yellow mulberry leaves after autumn;
Their waists like tender willow branches before spring.
The Heir Apparent’s legs went weak, unable to support the mourning staff and complete the rites of grief;
The palace attendants’ souls flew away—how could they don their beam crowns and observe the rites of filial piety?
The consorts stumbled and fell, the palace women leaned and swayed.
The consorts stumbled and fell, like withered lotus flowers toppled by a wild wind;
The palace women leaned and swayed, like delicate lotus blossoms bent by a sudden downpour.
The assembled ministers were terrified, their bones weak and their sinews numb.
Trembling and fearful, foolish and speechless.
The entire White Tiger Hall seemed like a bridge with its beams broken;
The mourning platform was just like a collapsed temple.
At this time all the palace attendants had fled completely; who would dare approach the coffin to support it? Fortunately, the upright Xu Maogong, the sternly righteous Prime Minister Wei, the courageous Qin Qiong, and the exceedingly rash Jingde stepped forward, supported the coffin, and called out, “Your Majesty, what matter is there that you cannot set aside? Tell us. Do not play tricks and frighten your family.” Wei Zheng said, “This is not a trick. His Majesty has returned to life. Quickly fetch the implements.” They opened the lid of the coffin, and indeed saw Taizong sitting inside, still crying, “I have been drowned to death! Who will rescue and haul me out?” Maogong and the others stepped forward and helped him up, saying, “Your Majesty has awakened. Do not be afraid; we are all here guarding Your Majesty.” Only then did the Tang King open his eyes and say, “Just now I suffered terribly: I escaped the hardship of the evil ghosts of the underworld, only to encounter the disaster of losing my life upon the water.” The assembled ministers said, “Your Majesty, set your mind at ease and do not fear. What water disaster could there have been?” The Tang King said, “I was riding my horse and had just reached the banks of the Wei River when I saw a pair of fish playing. Grand Commandant Zhu, acting with a deceitful heart, pushed me from my horse. I fell into the river and nearly drowned to death.” Wei Zheng said, “Your Majesty’s ghostly affliction has not yet dispersed.” He quickly summoned the Imperial Medical Academy to bring calming-the-spirit and stabilizing-the-soul medicines, and also arranged congee and food. After taking them once or twice, he finally returned to his original condition and recovered awareness of human affairs. By the reckoning, the Tang King had died for three days and three nights, then returned to the mortal realm as ruler. A poem provides proof:
For countless ages rivers and mountains have changed;
Through the generations, some have failed and some have prospered.
The Zhou, Qin, Han, and Jin held many strange affairs;
Who was like the Tang King, who died and came back to life?
That day the sky had already grown dark. The assembled ministers invited the King to return to his sleeping quarters, and each went his own way.
The next morning, they removed their mourning garments and changed into colored robes. One by one they wore red robes and black hats; one by one they bore purple ribbons and golden seals, waiting outside the court gate for the summons.
Now, after Taizong had taken the medicine for calming the spirit and stabilizing the soul, and had consumed several servings of congee and broth, the assembled ministers supported him into his sleeping chamber. He slept soundly through the night, nourishing his spirit, and did not rise until dawn. Then he composed his majestic bearing. Look how he dressed:
He wore a Crown That Reaches Heaven;
He donned a robe of ochre yellow.
He fastened a belt of Biyu jade from Lantian;
He stepped into a pair of Founding-Enterprise Worry-Free shoes.
His appearance was stately, surpassing all in the court;
His might was blazing, reviving the present age.
What a Pure and Peaceful Great Tang King with the Way—
the resurrected Li Majesty.
The Tang King ascended the Golden Luan Treasure Hall, gathered the civil and military officials of both ranks, and, after the mountain-shaking acclamation had ended, took their places according to rank. He then heard the imperial decree announced: “Those who have business, step forth and present it; those who have no business, withdraw from court.” From the eastern side stepped forth Xu Maogong, Wei Zheng, Wang Gui, Du Ruhui, Fang Xuanling, Yuan Tiangang, Li Chunfeng, Xu Jingzong, and others; from the western side stepped forth Yin Kaishan, Liu Hongji, Ma Sanbao, Duan Zhixuan, Cheng Yaojin, Qin Shubao, Hu Jingde, Xue Rengui, and others. They all came forward and prostrated themselves before the white-jade steps, presenting their memorial: “Your Majesty, how was it that you were in your previous dream for so long before awakening?” Taizong said: “Some days ago I received Wei Zheng’s letter. I felt my soul leave the palace, and saw only the Yulin Army inviting me to go hunting. While we were traveling, both men and horses vanished without a trace. Then I saw my late father the King and my late brothers quarreling. Just as I was unable to make sense of it, I saw a man in a black cap and black robe. He was the Judge Cui Jue, and he shouted for my late brothers to withdraw. I handed Wei Zheng’s letter to him. Just as he was reading it, I again saw a man in blue holding a pennant and banners, leading me inside. He brought me to the Senluo Hall, where I was seated with the Ten Yama Kings. He said that the Dragon King of Jing River had falsely accused me of promising to save him and then having him killed. I recounted the whole matter from beginning to end. He said that the case had already been examined before the Three Offices, and urgently ordered the records of life and death to be brought out so that my allotment of years in the world of light might be checked. At that time Judge Cui presented the register. The Yama King looked at it and said that I had thirty-three years of heavenly emolument, but only thirteen had passed, so I still had twenty years of life remaining. He then ordered Zhu Taiwei and Judge Cui to send me back. I took my leave of the Ten Kings and promised to send them melons and fruits in thanks. After I left the Senluo Hall, I saw in the underworld those who had been disloyal and unfilial, who had violated propriety and righteousness, trampled the Five Grains, deceived openly and secretly, used large measures for receiving and small scales for giving, and committed fornication, theft, fraud, falsehood, lust, and deception. They suffered the torments of grinding, burning, pounding, and cutting, and the punishments of boiling, roasting, hanging, and flaying. There were tens of thousands upon tens of thousands of them, more than the eye could behold. I then passed through the City of Wrongful Death, where there were countless aggrieved souls. They were all the spirits of the bandit leaders from the sixty-four regions of smoke and dust and the rebel thieves from the seventy-two regions, and they blocked my road. Fortunately, Judge Cui vouched for me and borrowed a treasury of gold and silver from the old man Xiang Liang of Henan. He bought off the ghosts and induced them to let me pass, and only then could I continue onward. Judge Cui instructed me to return to the world of light and, without fail, hold a great Water-and-Land Assembly to deliver those solitary souls who had no master. He repeatedly impressed these words upon me. After we parted beneath the Six Paths of Reincarnation, Zhu Taiwei invited me onto a horse. We traveled as though flying and reached the bank of the Wei River. I saw a two-headed fish playing upon the surface of the water. Just as I was delighted, he seized me by the feet and pushed me into the water. Only then did I return to my soul.” When the assembled ministers heard these words, none failed to offer congratulations. Thereupon this account was compiled and transmitted throughout the realm; as for the officials of every prefecture and county presenting memorials to celebrate, that need not be discussed.
It is said that Taizong next issued an imperial decree pardoning the criminals throughout the realm. He also ordered the serious offenders in the prisons to be investigated. At that time an examining official presented the names of more than four hundred prisoners sentenced to hanging or decapitation by the Ministry of Punishments. Taizong released them to return home, bid farewell to their parents and brothers, entrusted their property to relatives, children, and nephews, and ordered them to report to the tribunal on this day the following year, when they would still receive the punishments they deserved. All the prisoners gave thanks for the imperial grace and withdrew. He also issued a proclamation expressing concern for orphans. He then investigated the old and young palace ladies within the palace, who numbered three thousand in all, and issued an edict assigning them to the army. From that time, both within and without, all was good. A poem bears witness. The poem says:
The Tang King’s grace and virtue are vast throughout the great realm;
His way surpasses Yao and Shun, and the ten thousand people prosper.
Four hundred condemned prisoners all left their jails;
Three thousand wronged women were released from the palace.
The many officials throughout the realm praised him and wished him long life;
The assembled ministers at court congratulated Yuanlong.
For one thought of a good heart, Heaven responds with protection;
The shade of his blessings should be transmitted through seventeen generations.
After Taizong had released the palace women and finished sending out the condemned prisoners, he also issued a proclamation written by his own hand and had it transmitted throughout the realm. The proclamation said:
Heaven and Earth are vast, and the sun and moon illuminate and distinguish all things clearly; the universe is broad and magnanimous, yet Heaven and Earth do not tolerate treacherous factions. If one employs schemes and arts, the fruit of retribution comes only in this present life; if one spreads kindness while seeking little, one shall gain blessings—do not say that they belong only to future generations. A thousand ingenious plans are not as good as being a person who keeps to his proper duties; ten thousand kinds of violent men are nothing like one who follows circumstances and practices frugality. If the heart acts with benevolence and kindness, why must one labor to read the scriptures? If the intent desires to harm others, then reading the entire canon of the Tathagata is useless!
From that time onward, it seemed that there was not a single person in the realm who did not practice goodness. On one side, a recruitment-of-worthies proclamation was issued, inviting someone to take melons and fruits into the underworld; on the other side, a treasury of gold and silver was taken from the treasure vault, and Yuchi Gong and Hu Jingde were dispatched to Kaifeng Prefecture in Henan to seek out Xiang Liang and repay the debt.
After the proclamation had been posted for several days, there was a worthy man who came forward to accept the command to take melons and fruits there. He was originally a native of Junzhou, surnamed Liu and named Quan, and his household possessed wealth of ten thousand strings of cash. Only because his wife, Li Cuilian, had pulled out a gold hairpin at the gate to give alms to a monk, Liu Quan scolded her several times, saying that she did not observe a wife’s proper conduct and had presumptuously left the women’s quarters. Lady Li could not endure the humiliation and hanged herself. She left behind a pair of young children, who wailed in sorrow day and night. Liu Quan could not bear to see them either. Helpless, he therefore abandoned his life, cast away his household, left his children, and willingly offered his life to carry melons as an offering. He took down the imperial proclamation and came to see the Tang King. The King issued an order instructing him to go to the Golden Pavilion Lodge, place a pair of pumpkins upon his head, carry spirit money in his sleeves, and hold poison in his mouth.
Liu Quan indeed swallowed the poison and died. His single point of soul, carrying the melons and fruits upon his head, soon reached the Gate of Ghosts. The ghost official guarding the gate shouted: “Who are you, that you dare come here?” Liu Quan said: “I have been sent by imperial command of the Taizong Emperor of Great Tang, specially to bring melons and fruits for the Ten Yama Kings to enjoy.” The ghost official happily led him in. Liu Quan went straight to the Senluo Treasure Hall, saw the Yama Kings, and presented the melons and fruits, saying: “I have carried out the order of the Tang King and brought melons and fruits from afar, in thanks for the grace with which the Ten Kings forgave him.” The Yama King was delighted and said: “What a Taizong Emperor, possessing faith and virtue!” He then accepted the melons and fruits. He asked the name of the man who had brought them and where he was from. Liu Quan said: “Your humble servant is registered as a resident of Junzhou City. My surname is Liu and my name is Quan. Because my wife, Lady Li, hanged herself, leaving children behind with no one to care for them, your humble servant willingly abandoned his household and his child, sacrificed his body in repayment to the state, and specially brought tribute of melons and fruits to my king, to thank all the great kings for their profound grace.” When the Ten Kings heard this, they immediately ordered an investigation of Liu Quan’s wife, Lady Li. The ghost official quickly brought her to the Senluo Hall, where she reunited with Liu Quan as husband and wife. After they had recounted what had happened, they turned and thanked the Ten Kings for their grace and pardon. But when the Yama King checked the records of life and death, he saw that both husband and wife had lifespans destined for ascension to immortality, and he urgently dispatched a ghost official to send them back. The ghost official reported upward: “Li Cuilian has been dead for a long time, and her corpse no longer exists. To what body can her soul attach itself?” The Yama King said: “The Imperial Sister of Tang, Li Yuying, is now due to die prematurely. You may borrow her corpse and have her return to life.” The ghost official received the command and immediately restored Liu Quan and his wife to life, and the two departed together from the underworld.
As for how the husband and wife were restored to life, it ultimately remains unknown; listen to the explanation in the next installment.
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Chapter Ten: The Old Dragon King’s Clumsy Scheme Violates the Heavenly Statutes; Chancellor Wei’s Letter Entrusts Its Message to an Underworld Official
Journey to the West / Chapter 011