高僧傳 9.7

9.7

When Le returned to the north of the Yellow River from Gebei, he passed through Fangtou. The people of Fangtou intended to raid the camp by night. Deng said to Heilüe: 'The bandits will arrive in a moment; you may inform the Duke.' It turned out just as he had said; being prepared, they were not defeated. Le wished to test Deng; at night, wearing helmet and armor and holding a sword, he sat down and sent someone to tell Deng: 'Night has come, and we do not know where the Senior General is.' When the messenger had just arrived and had not yet spoken, Deng asked him in anticipation: 'In ordinary times without bandits, why are you on guard at night?' Le respected him all the more. Later, due to anger, Le wished to harm the Daoist masters and also wished to persecute Deng. Deng thereupon avoided him by going to Heilüe's residence, telling his disciples: 'If the general's messenger comes to ask where I am, report that you do not know where I have gone.' The messenger soon arrived and could not find Deng. The messenger returned and reported to Le. Le said in alarm: 'I harbored ill intentions toward the holy man, and the holy man has abandoned me and left.' He did not sleep all night, longing to see Deng. Deng knew that Le was remorseful, and the next morning he visited Le. Le asked: 'Where did you go last night?' Deng said: 'You had anger in your heart, so yesterday I temporarily avoided you. Today your intention has changed, and that is why I dared to come.' Le laughed heartily and said: 'The man of the Way is mistaken!'