神僧傳 2.40

2.40

The Shu monk Wuquan was styled Juehai. He possessed an insightful nature. Cheng Yibo, a wealthy man of Xia Prefecture, was twenty-nine years old. One night, he dreamed of his father, who said, “You are destined to die this year; you may inquire of Juehai.” Cheng was completely baffled and did not understand. One day, there was a monk telling fortunes by physiognomy, carrying the characters ‘Juehai’. Cheng requested a reading and asked, “How long is my lifespan?” Juehai said, “This old monk seeks nothing, but only asks for a cup of water.” He blew his breath into the water and told Cheng to drink it, saying, “Tonight you will have an auspicious dream; you can report it to me.” That very night, [Cheng] dreamed that he arrived below the corridors of an official pavilion. In the left corridor, men and women were dressed neatly in formal robes and caps, all rejoicing with one another. In the right corridor, it was filled with people bound in chains and fetters, wailing and shedding tears. Someone beside him said, “Those in the left corridor are people who built and donated bridges and roads; those in the right corridor are people who destroyed bridges and roads. If you desire blessings and longevity, you may choose for yourself.” Cheng then awakened from his dream and brought forth the resolve: within an area of a hundred li, he repaired every single bridge and road. When the work was completed, Juehai came again and said, “Since you performed these deeds, how could your life not be extended by ten years?” From then on, Cheng worked tirelessly on the roads. He reached the age of ninety-two, and his family prospered for five generations.