法苑珠林 62.80

62.80

Emperor Wen of the Han dreamt that he was about to ascend to heaven but was unable to do so. There was a yellow-headed boatman who pushed him upward. Looking back, he saw that the back of the boatman's clothing was torn. When he awoke, he went to the Jian Terrace and saw the yellow-headed boatman Deng Tong, the back of whose clothing was torn—exactly what he had seen in his dream. Consequently, Deng Tong received imperial favor and high rank. Xu Fu read his fortune and said that he was destined to die of poverty and starvation. The Emperor then bestowed upon him a copper mountain in Shu, permitting him to cast coins himself to support his fortune, so that his wealth equaled half of the capital. Emperor Wen suffered from an ulcer, and Tong constantly sucked the pus from it. The Emperor asked, 'Who loves me most?' Tong replied, 'None loves you more than the Crown Prince.' The Emperor made the Crown Prince suck the ulcer, but the Crown Prince showed a reluctant countenance. Because of this, the Crown Prince harbored resentment. When Emperor Wen passed away, Emperor Jing ascended the throne. He ordered that Tong be investigated for unauthorized minting of coins, and all his family property was confiscated. In the end, he died in poverty and starvation.