法苑珠林 75.53

75.53

In the Song period, there was a man of Yangshouli in Tongxiang of Huayin in Hongnong. He consumed the eight minerals and attained the transcendence of water paths, becoming the River Earl. The Youming lu states: South of Yuhang County there is the Upper Xiang. In the middle of the Xiang, an embankment was built. A man rode a horse to look at it, jokingly taking three or four people to Cen Village to drink wine. Becoming slightly intoxicated, he returned at dusk. It was hot at the time, so he dismounted, went into the water, and slept pillowing on a rock. The horse broke loose and galloped home, and his attendants all chased after the horse and did not return by nightfall. When he awoke from sleep, the sun had already inclined toward late afternoon, and he saw neither his people nor the horse. He saw a maiden arrive, about sixteen or seventeen years of age, who said, 'This young lady offers two bows. Dusk has already come, and this place is terribly frightening. What are you planning, sir?' He asked, 'What is the young lady's surname? How is it you suddenly ask about me?' Again, there was a youth, about thirteen or fourteen years of age, who was quite sharp and rode in a new carriage. Twenty men followed behind the carriage. Calling him to board the carriage, the youth said, 'The elder wishes to see you briefly.' Thereupon, the carriage turned around and departed. On the path, the traffic was continuous; men carried torches to patrol the city walls and settlements. When the carriage arrived, they entered the city and advanced to the administrative hall. Above hung a communication pennant inscribed 'Dispatch of the River Earl.' He saw a man around thirty years of age whose countenance was like a painting, with numerous attendants and guards. Meeting face to face, they rejoiced. He ordered wine and roast meat to be served, saying, 'I have a young daughter who is quite intelligent. I wish to provide her to hold your broom and dustpan.' This man knew he was a spirit, and out of respect and fear, he did not dare defy him. [The River Earl] then ordered preparations to be made to have him conclude the marriage as son-in-law. When it was reported that preparations were complete, they sent silk-fabric unlined garments, lined gauze robes, silk skirts, gauze shirts, trousers, shoes, and sandals, all exquisitely fine. They also provided ten junior clerks and dozens of maids dressed in green. The woman was about eighteen or nineteen, graceful and charming, and the marriage was concluded. Three days later, there was a great gathering of guests to pay respects at the hall. On the fourth day, [the Earl] said, 'Since ritual limits this, you must now be dispatched to leave.' The woman gave him a golden bowl and a musk scent pouch; weeping tears, they parted from each other. She also gave him one hundred thousand cash and three scrolls of medical recipes, saying, 'With these you can bestow merit and spread virtue.' She also said, 'In ten years, I will welcome you.' When this man returned home, he refused to marry anyone else. He took leave of his parents, left the household, and became a Daoist practitioner. Of the three scrolls of recipes he had received, one scroll was the Pulse Classic, one was decoction formulas, and one was pill formulas. He traveled around treating and curing, all producing miraculous efficacy. Later, because his mother grew old and his elder brother died, he returned to lay life, marriage, and an official career. (This one verification is from the Soushen ji.)