冥報記 2.10

2.10

Attendant Court Physician Sun Huipu was a man of Jiyin. In the thirteenth year of the Zhenguan reign, he accompanied the imperial cortege to Jiucheng Palace. San Shanfu's household was neighboring that of Grand Tutor Wei. Once, during the second watch of the night, he heard someone outside the door calling the name of Attendant Physician Sun. Pu went out to look, thinking it was an order from the Grand Tutor. Once outside, he saw two men, who said to Pu, "An official summons [you]." Pu said, "I cannot go on foot." He then took his own horse and mounted it, following the two men. He then perceived heaven and earth to be as bright as daytime. Pu felt astonished but dared not speak. The two men led Pu out of the mouth of the valley, passed east of the court halls, and proceeded another six or seven li northeast until they reached Muxu Valley. In the distance they saw two men leading Han Fengfang along. They said to the two men who were leading Pu, "You have made a mistake. The one I have obtained is the right one. You should release that man." So they released Pu. Pu followed the road back, yet going back and forth, he did not recognize the places of ordinary life. When he arrived home, he tied up his horse and saw a maidservant sleeping across the doorway. He called her, but she did not respond. Stepping over her, he entered the door and saw his own body sleeping side by side with his wife. He wished to approach it but could not, and could only stand against the south wall, calling loudly to his wife, who never responded. The inside of the room was extremely bright. In the corner of the wall he saw a spiderweb with two flies in it, one large and one small; he also saw the medicines placed on the rafters, none of which were not clearly distinguishable. Only, he could not approach the bed. Knowing that he was dead, he felt deeply sorrowful and distressed, lamenting that he could not bid farewell to his wife. Leaning against the south wall, after a long time he dozed off slightly. Suddenly he woke with a start and realized his body was already lying on the bed, while the room was dark and nothing could be seen. Calling out, he told his wife and had her light a fire, while he was sweating profusely. He rose and looked at the spiderweb; it was clearly just as he had seen it, without any difference. He saw that his horse was also sweating profusely. Fengfang died suddenly that night. Later, in the seventeenth year, Pu rode by post courier upon imperial command to visit the Prince of Qi, [Li] You, in his illness, and was returning. When he reached Xiaoyi Post Station east of Luozhou, he suddenly saw a man come and ask, "Are you Sun Huipu?" He replied, "I am. Why do you ask, sir?" He answered, "I am only a ghost. Grand Tutor Wei has an official document summoning you to serve as a secretarial clerk." He then produced the document and showed it to Pu. Pu looked at it, and it was signed by Wei Zheng, the Duke of Zheng. Pu was startled and said, "Duke Zheng is not dead; why would he send you to deliver a document?" The ghost said, "He has already died. He is now Grand Overseer of the General Registry of the Sun (Taiyang dulu dajian), and thus commanded me to summon you." Huipu invited him to eat together, and the ghost was very pleased and thanked Pu. Pu requested, saying, "I have undertaken an imperial mission and have not yet returned; Duke Zheng should not summon me. May I return to the capital, complete my memorial on affairs, and only then submit to his command?" The ghost agreed. Thereupon they traveled together by day and lodged together by night, eventually reaching Wenxiang. The ghost took leave, saying, "I will obtain a transit pass to cross the barrier and await you." Pu crossed the barrier and went out the west gate, where he saw the ghost already outside the gate. They traveled together again until they reached Zishui Post Station. The ghost parted with Pu again, saying, "I will meet you after you finish submitting your memorial on affairs. You must not consume pungent herbs." Pu agreed. When he had finished submitting his memorial on affairs, he inquired about Duke Zheng and found he had already passed away. Reckoning the date of his demise, it was the day before [the meeting at] Xiaoyi Post Station. Pu thought he would certainly die, so he bid farewell to his family, invited monks to perform the rites of the Way, and had images made and sūtras copied. After about six or seven days, he dreamed at night that the previous ghost came to summon him and led Pu up a high mountain. On the mountain ridge was a grand palace. Having entered, he saw many noble gentlemen who came to meet him and said, "This man has cultivated merit; he must not be detained. He may be released." Then they pushed Pu off the mountain. Thereupon he awoke with a start and has remained unharmed to this day. Huipu related this in person to [Tang] Lin.