Footnote
40 The Water Margin.
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 One day as he was riding on his donkey down the mountain he heard a rumor that Chai Shizong41 had withdrawn in favor of Marshal Zhao Kuangyin who had ascended the throne.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
