法苑珠林 91.83

91.83

After Emperor Wu of the Chen dynasty, Chen Baxian, had killed Wang Sengbian, Grand Minister of War of Liang, he next attacked the other generals. Wei Zai, Grand Administrator of Yixing and the fourth son of Gentleman of the Yellow Gates Wei Fang, held out firmly on behalf of Lord Wang. The Chen ruler repeatedly sent troops to besiege the city without success. Later, he campaigned against it again and tried to persuade Zai, saying: 'Lord Wang's relatives and partisans have all been destroyed; what hope do you have in this solitary city, holding out to no purpose? If you surrender, you will not lose your wealth and rank.' Zai replied: 'A gentleman responds to the one who recognizes his worth; originally, it was on Lord Wang's account that I resisted the great army and became your adversary. Now I have also heard that Your Bright Duke has pacified all of Jiangzuo; defending a besieged city alone surely leaves no road to life. However, blades have repeatedly crossed and casualties are heavy; the soldiers are enraged, and I fear I will not be spared. My elderly mother is at home, and I fear all the more that disaster will reach her; this is why I have merely prolonged the days and could not tie my hands in surrender. If there is a sworn covenant, I dare not keep Your Divine Valour toiling for long.' The Chen ruler then sent someone to sacrifice a white horse to make the oath, and Zai thereupon opened the gates. The Chen ruler also displayed leniency and good faith. After returning to Yangdu, the Chen ruler ascended the throne. He dispatched Zai on an expedition; because Zai was slightly delayed, the emperor had him beheaded based on an old grudge. Soon after, as the emperor was attending to affairs in the main hall, he saw Zai coming. Startled, he arose and went into the interior quarters; when he moved his seat to Guangyan Hall, Zai pursued him there as well. When he looked around and questioned his attendants, none of them saw anything. Because of this, he fell ill and died. (The above four testaments are drawn from the *Mingxiang ji* [Signs from the Unseen Realm]).