法苑珠林 67.58

67.58

During the Yuanjia era of the Song, Li Long and others engaged in robbery at night. At that time, Tao Jizhi of Danyang was Magistrate of Moling County; he secretly tracked and arrested them, and ultimately captured Long and his accomplices. One person whom Long implicated was a performer of the Great Music, whose name is forgotten. On the night the robbery broke out, this performer had accompanied his peers to stay at someone's home, where they played music together. Tao did not investigate thoroughly and had confessions drawn up for them, loading them onto carts according to precedent. Both the host with whom he had stayed and the distinguished gentleman guests gave clear testimony on his behalf. Tao knew it was a miscarriage of justice, but because the documents had already been processed, he did not wish to reverse the outcome himself; thereupon, together with the ten robbers, he had him beheaded before the commandery gate. This performer was exquisitely skilled in musical arts and also exceptionally eloquent and wise. On the day he was to die, his relatives, neighbours, and acquaintances who came to watch were very numerous. The performer said, 'Although I am of lowly status, since youth I have cherished and admired goodness; I have never done wrong, and in truth I did not commit the robbery. Magistrate Tao should fully know that I am falsely put to death. If there are no ghosts in death, then so be it; if there are ghosts, I will certainly present my complaint myself!' Thereupon he played the pipa, sang songs, and went to his death. The crowd knew he was wronged, and none did not shed tears. After a month or more, Tao dreamt at night that the performer came before his desk and said, 'Formerly I was unjustly killed, which was truly unendurable. I appealed to Heaven and obtained justice; now I have come purposely to take you.' He then entered Tao's mouth and fell straight into his belly. Tao immediately awoke in fright; shortly afterward he collapsed unconscious, appearing as if struck by mad wind. Only after a long while did he come to. It flared up periodically; whenever it flared up, he convulsed with his head turned backwards against his spine. He died in four days. After his death, his household became impoverished and withered: one son died young, and the remaining grandson was destitute and cold along the road.