法苑珠林 46.49

46.49

Li Yi of Xiangcheng under the Song had a father who did not believe in demonic sorcery. There was a residence that had long been considered inauspicious and uninhabitable; whoever dwelt there invariably died. The father bought it and dwelt there for many years in safety and auspiciousness; his descendants flourished, and he reached the rank of a two-thousand-bushel official. When he was about to move his household to take up his post, on the eve of departure he invited his kin and relatives from near and far to a feast. When the food and wine had been served, the father said, 'Are there really good and bad omens in the world? This residence was always said to be inauspicious, yet since I dwelt in it, for many years it has been safe and auspicious, and I have even attained promotion. Where are the ghosts? From now on, let it be an auspicious residence; those who live here need only keep an upright mind and have no doubts.' Having finished speaking, he went to the privy. In a short while, he saw an object emerging from the wall, as large as a rolled mat, about five feet high, and pure white. He returned to fetch a knife and struck it, cutting it in two, whereupon it transformed into two men. Striking horizontally again, they became four men. They then seized the knife and struck back, killing Li. Holding the knife, they came to the banquet and killed his sons and younger brothers; everyone surnamed Li invariably died, while only those of other surnames were unharmed. Yi was still an infant in arms; the household recognized the disaster, and his wet-nurse carried him out through the back door and hid in another house, so he alone was spared. Yi, courtesy name Jingzhen, attained the position of Grand Administrator of Xiangdong. (The one proof above is from the Xu soushen ji.)