法苑珠林 78.54

78.54

When the Lord of Chen first enthroned the Prince of Jin'an, the ninth son of Emperor Yuan of the Liang, as ruler, he supported him [as regent]. Yu Zhi of Kuaiji had originally served as Palace Cadet in the Secretariat and Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs under Emperor Wu of the Liang. At that time, [Zhi] dreamed that Emperor Wu of the Liang said to him, 'You are an old attendant of mine. You may tell Duke Chen not to kill my grandson. If he kills him, it will not go well for the Duke. The matter is very clear.' Since Zhi had not yet seen any sign of usurpation or murder, he did not dare speak. A few days later, he dreamed the same thing again, and [the emperor] further said to Zhi, 'If you do not convey my will, things will not go well for you either.' Although Zhi sighed with lamentation, he resolved that there was no justification to speak out. Shortly thereafter, the Grand Astrologer submitted a memorial stating, 'There will be an urgent armed uprising within the palace.' The Lord of Chen said, 'The urgent armed uprising is none other than myself!' In haste, he sent mutinous soldiers to murder the young ruler and enthroned himself. Thereafter, Zhi fell ill, and once again dreamed that Emperor Wu of the Liang said, 'You were unable to speak to the Lord of Chen on my behalf, thereby bringing disaster upon yourself and Chen; you shall soon know it.' Only then did Zhi seal a memorial recounting this. By nature, the Lord of Chen placed great faith in ghosts and spirits. Upon hearing this, he was greatly alarmed and dispatched a carriage to welcome Zhi to interrogate him face to face; he then reproached Zhi, saying, 'Why did you not say so? Strange, how strange!' Within six or seven days Zhi died, and soon after occurred the strange portent of Wei Zai.