法苑珠林 70.65

70.65

In the fourth year of the Jianxing era of the Han dynasty, the Western Capital collapsed, and Emperor Yuan first became the King of Jin, with the hearts of the four seas turning to him. On the twenty-second day of the tenth month of that year, Lady Hu, the twenty-five-year-old wife of Ren Qiao, an official of Xincai County, gave birth to two daughters. They faced each other with their bellies and hearts joined, but separated from the chest upward and from the navel downward. This was indeed an anomaly presaging that the realm was not yet unified. At the time, Lü Hui, the Internal Scribe, submitted a memorial stating: 'According to the Ruiying tu, "Different roots sharing the same trunk are called entwined branches; different furrows sharing the same ear of grain are called auspicious grain." Even species of grass and trees are regarded as auspicious. Now, two people share the same heart, and Heaven displays a miraculous image. Thus the Book of Changes states: "When two people are of the same mind, their sharpness can cut metal." This glorious manifestation has appeared in the land east of Chen; it is an auspicious sign that the four seas share a single mind. Overjoyed beyond measure, I respectfully present a painted illustration.' Discerning individuals at the time laughed at this. A gentleman would say: 'How difficult wisdom is! Even with the talent of Zang Wenzhong, he still offered sacrifices to the sea bird Yuanchu, an event recorded in the official annals and not forgotten for a thousand years. Therefore, an educated gentleman must not neglect learning. An ancient saying goes: "A tree without branches is called a gnarl; a person who does not study is called blind." When one's understanding is obscured, deficiencies surely arise. How could one not strive?'