第一回
第一回 张天师祈禳瘟疫 洪太尉误走妖魔
诗曰：
绛帻鸡人报晓筹，尚衣方进翠云裘。
九天阊阖开宫殿，万国衣冠拜冕旒。
日色才临仙掌动，香烟欲傍衮龙浮。
朝罢须裁五色诏，佩声归到凤池头。
话说大宋仁宗天子在位，嘉祐三年三月三日五更三点，天子驾坐紫宸殿，受百官朝贺。但见：
祥云迷凤阁，瑞气罩龙楼。含烟御柳拂旌旗，带露宫花迎剑戟。天香影里，玉簪珠履聚丹墀；仙乐声中，绣袄锦衣扶御驾。珍珠帘卷，黄金殿上现金舆；凤尾扇开，白玉阶前停宝辇。隐隐净鞭三下响，层层文武两班齐。
当有殿头官喝道：“有事出班早奏，无事卷帘退朝。”只见班部丛中，宰相赵哲、参政文彦博出班奏曰：“目今京师瘟疫盛行，民不聊生，伤损军民多矣。伏望陛下释罪宽恩，省刑薄税，以禳天灾，救济万民。”天子听奏，急敕翰林院随即草诏：一面降赦天下罪囚，应有民间税赋悉皆赦免；一面命在京宫观寺院，修设好事禳灾。不料其年瘟疫转盛。仁宗天子闻知，龙体不安，复会百官，众皆计议。向那班部中，有一大臣越班启奏。天子看时，乃是参知政事范仲淹。拜罢起居，奏曰：“目今天灾盛行，军民涂炭，日夕不能聊生，人遭缧绁之厄。以臣愚意，要禳此灾，可宣嗣汉天师星夜临朝，就京师禁院修设三千六百分罗天大醮，奏闻上帝，可以禳保民间瘟疫。”仁宗天子准奏。急令翰林学士草诏一道，天子御笔亲书，并降御香一炷，钦差内外提点殿前太尉洪信为天使，前往江西信州龙虎山，宣请嗣汉天师张真人星夜临朝，祈禳瘟疫。就金殿上焚起御香，亲将丹诏[1]付与洪太尉为使，即便登程前去。
洪信领了圣敕，辞别天子，不敢久停。从人背了诏书，金盒子盛了御香，带了数十人，上了铺马[2]，一行部从，离了东京，取路径投信州贵溪县来。于路上但见：
遥山叠翠，远水澄清。奇花绽锦绣铺林，嫩柳舞金丝拂地。风和日暖，时过野店山村；路直沙平，夜宿邮亭驿馆。罗衣荡漾红尘内，骏马驱驰紫陌中。
且说太尉洪信赍擎御书丹诏，一行人从上了路途，夜宿邮亭，朝行驿站，远程近接，渴饮饥餐，不止一日，来到江西信州。大小官员出郭迎接，随即差人报知龙虎山上清宫住持[3]道众，准备接诏。次日，众位官同送太尉到于龙虎山下，只见上清宫许多道众，鸣钟击鼓，香花灯烛，幢幡宝盖，一派仙乐，都下山来迎接丹诏，直至上清宫前下马。太尉看那宫殿时，端的是好座上清宫。但见：
青松屈曲，翠柏阴森。门悬敕额金书，户列灵符玉篆。虚皇坛畔，依稀垂柳名花；炼药炉边，掩映苍松老桧。左壁厢天丁力士，参随着太乙真君；右势下玉女金童，簇捧定紫微大帝。披发仗剑，北方真武踏龟蛇；靸履顶冠，南极老人伏龙虎。前排二十八宿星君，后列三十二帝天子。阶砌下流水潺湲，墙院后好山环绕。鹤生丹顶，龟长绿毛。树梢头献果苍猿，莎草内衔芝白鹿。三清殿上鸣金钟，道士步虚；四圣堂前敲玉磬，真人礼斗。献香台砌，彩霞光射碧琉璃；召将瑶坛，赤日影摇红玛瑙。早来门外祥云现，疑是天师送老君。
当下上至住持真人，下及道童侍从，前迎后引，接至三清殿上，请将诏书，居中供养着。洪太尉便问监宫真人道：“天师今在何处？”住持真人向前禀道：“好教太尉得知：这代祖师号曰‘虚靖天师’，性好清高，倦于迎送，自向龙虎山顶结一茅庵，修真养性，因此不住本宫。”太尉道：“目今天子宣诏，如何得见？”真人答道：“容禀：诏敕权供在殿上，贫道等亦不敢开读。且请太尉到方丈[4]献茶，再烦计议。”当时将丹诏供养在三清殿上，与众官都到方丈。太尉居中坐下，执事人等献茶，就进斋供，水陆俱备。斋罢，太尉再问真人道：“既然天师在山顶庵中，何不着人请将下来相见，开宣丹诏？”真人禀道：“太尉，这代祖师虽在山顶，其实道行非常，清高自在，倦惹凡尘，能驾雾兴云，踪迹不定，未尝下山。贫道等如常亦难得见，怎生[5]教人请得下来！”太尉道：“似此如何得见！目今京师瘟疫盛行，今上天子特遣下官为使，赍捧御书丹诏，亲奉龙香，来请天师，要做三千六百分罗天大醮，以禳天灾，救济万民。似此怎生奈何？”真人禀道：“朝廷天子要救万民，只除是太尉办一点志诚心，斋戒沐浴，更换布衣，休带从人，自背诏书，焚烧御香，步行上山礼拜，叩请天师，方许得见。如若心不志诚，空走一遭，亦难得见。”太尉听说便道：“俺从京师食素到此，如何心不志诚！既然恁地[6]，依着你说，明日绝早上山。”当晚各自权歇。
次日五更时分，众道士起来，备下香汤斋供。请太尉起来，香汤沐浴，换了一身新鲜布衣，脚下穿上麻鞋草履，吃了素斋，取过丹诏，用黄罗包袱背在脊梁上，手里提着银手炉，降降地烧着御香。许多道众人等，送到后山，指与路径。真人又禀道：“太尉要救万民，休生退悔之心，只顾志诚上去。”太尉别了众人，口诵天尊[7]宝号，纵步上山来。将至半山，望见大顶直侵霄汉，果然好座大山。正是：
根盘地角，顶接天心。远观磨断乱云痕，近看平吞明月魄。高低不等谓之山，侧石通道谓之岫，孤岭崎岖谓之路，上面极平谓之顶，头圆下壮谓之峦，隐虎藏豹谓之穴，隐风隐云谓之岩，高人隐居谓之洞，有境有界谓之府，樵人出没谓之径，能通车马谓之道，流水有声谓之涧，古渡源头谓之溪，岩崖滴水谓之泉。左壁为掩，右壁为映。出的是云，纳的是雾。锥尖像小，崎峻似峭，悬空似险，削如平。千峰竞秀，万壑争流。瀑布斜飞，藤萝倒挂。虎啸时风生谷口，猿啼时月坠山腰。恰似青黛染成千块玉，碧纱笼罩万堆烟。
这洪太尉独自一个，行了一回，盘坡转径，揽葛攀藤，约莫走过了数个山头，三二里多路，看看脚酸腿软，正走不动，口里不说，肚里踌躇，心中想道：“我是朝廷贵官公子，在京师时重茵而卧，列鼎而食，尚兀自[8]倦怠，何曾穿草鞋，走这般山路！知他天师在那里，却教下官受这般苦！”又行不到三五十步，掇[9]着肩气喘。只见山凹里起一阵风，风过处，向那松树背后奔雷也似吼一声，扑地跳出一个吊睛白额锦毛大虫[10]来。洪太尉吃了一惊，叫声：“阿呀！”扑地望后便倒。偷眼看那大虫时，但见：
毛披一带黄金色，爪露银钩十八只。
睛如闪电尾如鞭，口似血盆牙似戟。
伸腰展臂势狰狞，摆尾摇头声霹雳。
山中狐兔尽潜藏，涧下獐狍皆敛迹。
那大虫望着洪太尉，左盘右旋，咆哮了一回，托地[11]望后山坡下跳了去。洪太尉倒在树根底下，唬的三十六个牙齿捉对儿厮[12]打，那心头一似十五个吊桶，七上八落的响，浑身却如重风麻木，两腿一似斗败公鸡，口里连声叫苦。大虫去了一盏茶时，方才爬将起来，再收拾地上香炉，还把龙香烧着，再上山来，务要寻见天师。又行过三五十步，口里叹了数口气，怨道：“皇帝御限，差俺来这里，教我受这场惊恐。”说犹未了，只觉得那里又一阵风，吹得毒气直冲将来。太尉定睛看时，山边竹藤里簌簌地响，抢出一条吊桶大小、雪花也似蛇来。太尉见了，又吃一惊，撇了手炉，叫一声：“我今番死也！”望后便倒在盘砣石[13]边。微闪开眼来看那蛇时，但见：
昂首惊飙起，掣目电光生。动荡则折峡倒冈，呼吸则吹云吐雾。鳞甲乱分千片玉，尾梢斜卷一堆银。
那条大蛇径抢到盘砣石边，朝着洪太尉盘做一堆，两只眼迸出金光，张开巨口，吐出舌头，喷那毒气在洪太尉脸上，惊得太尉三魂荡荡，七魄悠悠。那蛇看了洪太尉一回，望山下一溜，却早不见了。太尉方才爬得起来，说道：“惭愧[14]！惊杀下官！”看身上时，寒粟子比馉饳儿[15]大小，口里骂那道士：“叵耐[16]无礼，戏弄下官，教俺受这般惊恐！若山上寻不见天师，下去和他别有话说。”再拿了银提炉，整顿身上诏敕并衣服巾帻，却待再要上山去。正欲移步，只听得松树背后隐隐地笛声吹响，渐渐近来。太尉定睛看时，只见那一个道童，倒骑着一头黄牛，横吹着一管铁笛，转出山凹来。太尉看那道童时，但见：
头绾两枚丫髻，身穿一领青衣；腰间绦结草来编，脚下芒鞋麻间隔。明眸皓齿，飘飘并不染尘埃；绿鬓朱颜，耿耿全然无俗态。
昔日吕洞宾有首牧童诗道得好：
草铺横野六七里，笛弄晚风三四声。
归来饱饭黄昏后，不脱蓑衣卧月明。
只见那个道童，笑吟吟地骑着黄牛，横吹着那管铁笛，正过山来。洪太尉见了，便唤那个道童：“你从那里来？认得我么？”道童不采，只顾吹笛。太尉连问数声，道童呵呵大笑，拿着铁笛，指着洪太尉说道：“你来此间，莫非要见天师么？”太尉大惊，便道：“你是牧童，如何得知？”道童笑说：“我早间在草庵中伏侍天师，听得天师说道：‘朝中今上仁宗天子，差个洪太尉赍擎丹诏御香，到来山中，宣我往东京做三千六百分罗天大醮，祈禳天下瘟疫。我如今乘鹤驾云去也。’这早晚想是去了，不在庵中。你休上去，山内毒虫猛兽极多，恐伤害了你性命。”太尉再问道：“你不要说谎？”道童笑了一声，也不回应，又吹着铁笛转过山坡去了。太尉寻思道：“这小的如何尽知此事？想是天师分付他，已定是了。”欲待再上山去，方才惊唬的苦，争些儿[17]送了性命，不如下山去罢。
太尉拿着提炉，再寻旧路，奔下山来。众道士接着，请至方丈坐下。真人便问太尉道：“曾见天师么？”太尉说道：“我是朝廷中贵官，如何教俺走得山路，吃了这般辛苦，争些儿送了性命！为头上至半山里，跳出一只吊睛白额大虫，惊得下官魂魄都没了。又行不过一个山嘴，竹藤里抢出一条雪花大蛇来，盘做一堆，拦住去路。若不是俺福分大，如何得性命回京。尽是你这道众戏弄下官！”真人复道：“贫道等怎敢轻慢大臣，这是祖师试探太尉之心。本山虽有蛇虎，并不伤人。”太尉又道：“我正走不动，方欲再上山坡，只见松树傍边转出一个道童，骑着一头黄牛，吹着管铁笛，正过山来。我便问他：‘那里来？识得俺么？’他道：‘已都知了。’说天师分付，早晨乘鹤驾云望东京去了。下官因此回来。”真人道：“太尉可惜错过，这个牧童正是天师。”太尉道：“他既是天师，如何这等猥？”真人答道：“这代天师非同小可，虽然年幼，其实道行非常。他是额外之人，四方显化，极是灵验，世人皆称为道通祖师。”洪太尉道：“我直如此有眼不识真师，当面错过！”真人道：“太尉但请放心，既然祖师法旨道是去了，比及太尉回京之日，这场醮事祖师已都完了。”太尉见说，方才放心。真人一面教安排筵宴，管待太尉；请将丹诏收藏于御书匣内放了，留在上清宫中，龙香就三清殿上烧了。当日方丈内大排斋供，设宴饮酌。至晚席罢，止宿到晓。
次日早膳已后，真人道众并提点执事人等请太尉游山。太尉大喜。许多人从跟随着，步行出方丈，前面两个道童引路，行至宫前宫后，看玩许多景致。三清殿上，富贵不可尽言。左廊下，九天殿、紫微殿、北极殿；右廊下，太乙殿、三官殿、驱邪殿。诸宫看遍，行到右廊后一所去处。洪太尉看时，另外一所殿宇：一遭都是捣椒红泥墙；正面两扇朱红槅子；门上使着胳膊大锁锁着，交叉上面贴着十数道封皮，封皮上又是重重叠叠使着朱印；檐前一面朱红漆金字牌额，上书四个金字，写道：“伏魔之殿”。太尉指着门道：“此殿是甚么去处？”真人答道：“此乃是前代老祖天师锁镇魔王之殿。”太尉又问道：“如何上面重重叠叠贴着许多封皮？”真人答道：“此是祖老大唐洞玄国师封锁魔王在此。但是经传一代天师，亲手便添一道封皮，使其子子孙孙不敢妄开。走了魔君，非常利害。今经八九代祖师，誓不敢开。锁用铜汁灌铸，谁知里面的事。小道自来住持本宫三十馀年，也只听闻。”洪太尉听了，心中惊怪，想道：“我且试看魔王一看。”便对真人说道：“你且开门来，我看魔王甚么模样。”真人告道：“太尉，此殿决不敢开。先祖天师叮咛告戒：今后诸人不许擅开。”太尉笑道：“胡说！你等要妄生怪事，煽惑百姓良民，故意安排这等去处，假称锁镇魔王，显耀你们道术。我读一鉴之书[18]，何曾见锁魔之法。神鬼之道，处隔幽冥，我不信有魔王在内。快疾与我打开，我看魔王如何！”真人三回五次禀说：“此殿开不得，恐惹利害，有伤于人。”太尉大怒，指着道众说道：“你等不开与我看，回到朝廷，先奏你们众道士阻当[19]宣诏，违别[20]圣旨，不令我见天师的罪犯；后奏你等私设此殿，假称锁镇魔王，煽惑军民百姓。把你都追了度牒[21]，刺配[22]远恶军州受苦。”真人等惧怕太尉权势，只得唤几个火工道人来，先把封皮揭了，将铁锤打开大锁。众人把门推开，看里面时，黑洞洞地，但见：
昏昏默默，杳杳冥冥。数百年不见太阳光，亿万载难瞻明月影。不分南北，怎辨东西。黑烟霭霭扑人寒，冷气阴阴侵体颤。人迹不到之处，妖精往来之乡。闪开双目有如盲，伸出两手不见掌。常如三十夜，却似五更时。
众人一齐都到殿内，黑暗暗不见一物。太尉教从人取十数个火把点着，将[23]来打一照时，四边并无别物，只中央一个石碑，约高五六尺，下面石龟趺坐，太半陷在泥里。照那碑碣上时，前面都是龙章凤篆，天书符箓，人皆不识；照那碑后时，却有四个真字大书，凿着“遇洪而开”。却不是一来天罡星合当出世，二来宋朝必显忠良，三来凑巧遇着洪信，岂不是天数！洪太尉看了这四个字，大喜，便对真人说道：“你等阻当我，却怎地数百年前已注我姓字在此？‘遇洪而开’，分明是教我开看，却何妨！我想这个魔王，都只在石碑底下。汝等从人与我多唤几个火工人等，将锄头铁锹来掘开。”真人慌忙谏道：“太尉，不可掘动！恐有利害，伤犯于人，不当稳便[24]。”太尉大怒，喝道：“你等道众，省得甚么！碑上分明凿着遇我教开，你如何阻当！快与我唤人来开。”真人又三回五次禀道：“恐有不好。”太尉那里肯听。只得聚集众人，先把石碑放倒，一齐并力掘那石龟，半日方才掘得起。又掘下去，约有三四尺深，见一片大青石板，可方丈围。洪太尉叫再掘起来，真人又苦禀道：“不可掘动！”太尉那里肯听。众人只得把石板一齐扛起，看时，石板底下却是一个万丈深浅地穴。只见穴内刮剌剌一声响亮，那响非同小可，恰似：
天摧地塌，岳撼山崩。钱塘江上，潮头浪拥出海门来；泰华山头，巨灵神一劈山峰碎。共工奋怒，去盔撞倒了不周山；力士施威，飞锤击碎了始皇辇。一风撼折千竿竹，十万军中半夜雷。
那一声响亮过处，只见一道黑气，从穴里滚将起来，掀塌了半个殿角。那道黑气直冲上半天里，空中散作百十道金光，望四面八方去了。众人吃了一惊，发声喊，都走了，撇下锄头铁锹，尽从殿内奔将出来，推倒翻无数。惊得洪太尉目睁痴呆，罔知所措，面色如土，奔到廊下，只见真人向前叫苦不迭。太尉问道：“走了的却是甚么妖魔？”那真人言不过数句，话不过一席，说出这个缘由。有分教：一朝皇帝，夜眠不稳，昼食忘餐。直使宛子城中藏猛虎，蓼儿洼内聚飞龙。毕竟龙虎山真人说出甚言语来，且听下回分解。
[1] 丹诏——诏，皇帝发出的文书；丹诏，皇帝用朱笔亲写的诏。
[2] 铺马——铺，驿站，古代供传递政府文书的人休息、住宿或换马的地方；铺马，驿站所备的马。
[3] 住持——主持的意思。也可用作对僧寺、道院主持人的称呼。
[4] 方丈——僧寺、道院主持人住用的房间。也可用作对僧寺、道院主持人的称呼。
[5] 怎生——怎么、怎么地的意思。有时也写作“怎地”、“怎生地”。
[6] 恁（nèn）地——这样的意思。
[7] 天尊——道教尊奉的最高的天神。
[8] 兀自——径自、公然的意思。
[9] 掇（duō）——耸动。后文有时作拿或者挖、撬解释。
[10] 大虫——老虎。古时鸟兽虫鱼等动物都叫虫。
[11] 托地——突然、很快的意思。
[12] 厮——这里作相互解释。本书内厮打、厮杀、厮熟、厮见，就是相打、相杀、相熟、相见。
[13] 盘砣石——盘砣，螺旋形。盘砣石，螺旋形石头。盘砣路（后文第四十八回），螺旋形道路。
[14] 惭愧——惊喜之词，含有侥幸的意思，不单作羞惭解释。
[15] 馉饳（ɡǔ duò）儿——一种小型的面果。
[16] 叵（pǒ）耐——叵是“不可”二字说快了的变音。叵耐，就是不可耐。这里有可恨的意思。有时也写作“叵奈”。
[17] 争些儿——这里的“争”字是相差的意思。争些儿，就是几乎、差一点儿。
[18] 一鉴之书——国子监所藏的全部书籍。鉴，同“监”，指国子监，封建时代的教育管理机关和最高学府。
[19] 当——这里同“挡”。
[20] 违别——违背的意思。
[21] 度牒——官厅发给和尚、道士的出家执照。“追了度牒”，就是收回出家执照。参看第四回“买度牒”注。
[22] 刺配——配是流放、充军。刺配是在流放、充军罪犯的脸上刺字，刺出应该配往的地名，涂上黑色，以防止逃亡。
[23] 将——这里是取、拿的意思。后文第七回“将娘子下楼”的将字，是陪同的意思。
[24] 不当稳便——这里的不当，是“不大很”的变音。不当稳便，就是不太妥当。
PROLOGUE. Heavenly Teacher Zhang Prays for Cessation of a Pestilence; Marshal Hong Makes a Blunder in Releasing Demons
Amid chaos of dynasties five,
Peaceful days at last revive;
Mountains and rivers are of yore,
Benevolence of hundred years and more.
Orioles sang in forest trees,
Entrancing music filled the air;
The people dressed in gorgeous silks,
Contentment reigned everywhere.
This poetry was written in the reign of Emperor Shenzong of the Song Dynasty by a famous scholar named Shao Yaofu. At the close of the Tang Dynasty, and during the succeeding Five Dynasties there was continual civil warfare. In the morning one General would be supreme, but by evening another General would be in power. Generals Zhu Quanzhong, Li Cunxu, Shi Jingtang, Liu Zhiyuan, and Guo Wei established respectively the Five Dynasties of the Later Liang, Later Tang, Later Jin, Later Han, and Later Zhou (A.D. 907–960). There were fifteen Emperors within fifty years. These frequent changes followed one after another until Zhao Kuangyin founded the Song Dynasty, and ascended the throne as Emperor Taizu. When this great man was born the sky was all red, and in the bedroom there was a fragrant smell. This was because the God of Thunder descended among the mortals.
Taizu was a brave hero, and very intelligent. No Emperor from ancient times to the present can be compared to him. He was a well-made man, and conquered four hundred prefectures and regions. He swept the floor of the whole empire, and left it clean. He established his capital at Bianliang in modern Kaifeng, and laid the foundations for the succeeding eighteen Emperors of the Song Dynasty which lasted for three hundred years. Because of this illustrious feat of arms the scholar states that “the clouds were dispersed, and heaven seen again.”
At that time there was a very virtuous and learned man named Chen Tuan living on the Western Sacred Mountain, Mount Hua, and he could foreknow the weather. One day as he was riding on his donkey down the mountain he heard a rumor that Chai Shizong41 had withdrawn in favor of Marshal Zhao Kuangyin who had ascended the throne. When he heard this he laughed so much that he rolled off the donkey. When his informer asked for an explanation he replied, “The empire will now be settled, and heaven, earth, and mankind will all be in harmony.”
The Emperor Taizu ascended the throne A.D. 960, and for the following seventeen years there was general peace. He was succeeded by his descendant Emperors Taizong, Zhenzong, and Renzong. Now Renzong was the incarnation of the Barefoot Immortal,42 and when he was born he cried continuously, day and night. His father, Emperor Zhenzong issued an edict offering a reward to anyone who could cure the crying infant. When this became known in Heaven, the Great White Gold Star was sent down to earth, and metamorphosed into an old man. He tore down the Imperial edict, and said that he could effect a cure. An official took him to the court, where the Emperor gave him permission to see the sick baby. Upon entering the palace he picked up the royal infant in his arms, and whispered eight words into his ear. Immediately the royal infant stopped crying and the old man vanished in a gust of wind. The words he whispered were:
For civil affairs there is a civil star,
For military affairs a military star.
As a matter of fact the Jade Emperor of Heaven, the great Taoist god had already sent two stars to assist this newborn infant in those affairs when he became Emperor.
The Civil Star was incarnated in Bao Zheng who later became a scholar of the Longtu Academy, and also Prefect of Kaifeng. The Military Star was incarnated in Di Qing who became commander-in-chief of the expedition to the Western Xia Kingdom in modern Gansu. These two worthy ministers assisted the Emperor Renzong for forty-two years. During the first twenty-seven years the crops were abundant, and there was general peace and prosperity. Robbery was rare, and the people could always leave their doors open even at night. In fact the people enjoyed abundant happiness in those years. But who could know that great happiness would be culminated in sorrow? In the 28th year a grave pestilence afflicted the Empire, and a flood of petitions inundated the capital like a heavy snowstorm.
In the Eastern Capital half of the people died. The Grand Secretary Bao Zheng offered a special medicine free, but with no effect. The pestilence spread, and increased its virility. The officials discussed the situation in the Council Chamber and when the Emperor gave audience they all entered the Grand Audience Hall where they all kowtowed together. The appointed minister asked what business there was to bring before the Emperor, and the Prime Minister Zhao Zhe, and the official Wen Yanbo stepped forward. The former spoke, “Just now there is a serious pestilence in this Capital, and a great many people have died. I request that in your benevolence an edict be issued pardoning all criminals, reducing all sentences for future crimes, and lessening all taxes. We also beg Your Majesty to offer prayers to Heaven to save the lives of your people.”
The Emperor at once agreed to this, and added to the edict that in all temples there should be special prayers to Heaven to stop this great calamity. Although this was done the pestilence still increased its ravages. When the Emperor was informed of this he summoned all ministers to discuss the matter, and during the meeting of the Grand Council Fan Zhongyan spoke, “This great calamity is inflicting the people who are on the verge of despair. I suggest that we send for the Taoist, Heavenly Teacher Zhang at Mount Longhu, Jiangxi province, to offer special prayers here for the cessation of the pestilence.”
The Emperor Renzong agreed, and ordered a Hanlin scholar to write the edict. He signed it with the vermilion brush, and handed it to Marshal Hong Xin to deliver it as the Imperial Envoy. Hong Xin fastened the edict on his back, held the Imperial incense in his hand, took about ten assistants, traveled by relays of horses, and soon reached Guixi County in Jiangxi province. He was met and welcomed outside the various towns he passed through by the local officials. A messenger had been sent in advance to advise Heavenly Teacher Zhang of the approaching envoy.
Upon reaching Mount Longhu he was received by a big crowd of Taoist priests, with much beating of drums and gongs, much burning of incense, fluttering banners, and music. The temple abbot conducted the envoy into the Hall of Three Purities where the Imperial edict was respectfully received. When the envoy, Marshal Hong Xin, asked for Heavenly Teacher Zhang the superintendent replied, “The Heavenly Teacher is known as “Xu Jing” who has a pure and lofty nature. He is averse to soliciting favor, and has retired to a straw hut on the summit of the mountain where he cultivates his spirit.”
“Then how can I see him about this important matter?” asked Hong Xin.
“We can leave the Imperial edict here unopened while we discuss that matter in another room,” replied the superintendent.
This was done, and the envoy took the seat of honor while attendants brought in tea and vegetarian food for all. After the meal the superintendent explained that the Heavenly Teacher had acquired the Tao and since he traveled on clouds, they never knew where he might be.43 They very seldom saw him at the temple so they thought it hardly worth while to advise him of the approach of the Imperial Envoy.
Hong Xin explained what the edict was about, and asked how he could meet the Heavenly Teacher.
The superintendent replied, “As the Emperor wishes to save the people you must carry out his orders. You must therefore purify yourself by fasting, dress in plain rough clothes, then go by yourself with the Imperial edict on your back, step by step up the mountain, and then you may have the chance of seeing the Heavenly Teacher. But if your heart is not truly sincere, that may spoil your chance of meeting him.”
“Since I left the capital,” said Hong Xin, “I have been a strict vegetarian so how could my intentions be other than absolutely sincere? Such being the case I will follow your advice and go up the mountain tomorrow.”
The following morning about 4 A.M. the priests prepared the fragrant water and invited the envoy to bathe. After bathing he put on new rough clothes and straw sandals; wrapped the Imperial edict in yellow silk and fastened it on his back; took a silver bowl with burning incense in his hands. He took leave of the priests and set off saying prayers as he walked. After some time the path became steeper, and he had to take hold of bushes and trees to pull himself up. He had traversed several summits, and began to feel extremely fatigued. It was now very hard walking, and he became hesitant as to whether to go forward or not. He thought of the pleasant, easy times he used to have in the Capital with rich varied food and comfortable beds. There he never wore rough clothes, and straw sandals, and was never tired like this. Why did they send him to experience such bitterness of soul? How could he find the Heavenly Teacher?
He struggled on for about fifty paces more, but was now panting for breath. A strong gust of wind blew down the ravine, and roared through the pines. Just then he saw a tiger rush out from the trees, and was so afraid and startled that he fell down. The tiger examined the envoy, walked round him, but after roaring returned to the forest. Hong Xin lay there, his teeth grinding and his heart beating like “a chain of buckets raising water from a well.” His sensation became numb, and he seemed paralyzed. His legs could not move, and seemed like a defeated cock after a fight. He began to whine about his fate.
But after a short time his spirits gradually revived, and he continued his walk. He was, however, still short of breath, and began again to complain of the hardness of the way. He muttered, “The Emperor gave me a very hard task,” but before he had finished this a very noxious wind burst forth. He stared round, and saw an enormous speckled snake rattling among some bamboos. He was startled and throwing away his bowl, fell down near a large stone, exclaiming, “I shall certainly die this time!” The snake glided towards him, and coiled up at his side. It showed a yellow light in its eyes, opened wide its mouth, and blew a poisonous vapor in his face. This so frightened him that he fainted, but the snake soon left him.
When he regained consciousness he saw that his body was as chilly as having been thrown into an icy river. He soliloquized, “I was almost frightened to death! I never suspected that priest of deceiving me. What a shock I had! If I don’t find the Heavenly Teacher, I shall have something to say to that priest when I get back.” He, however, picked up his incense bowl, put on his headdress, straightened his garments, and prepared to try again. He had taken only a few steps when he heard the sound of a flute which was being played somewhere among the trees. Looking round he saw an acolyte riding on a yellow ox playing a flute, with a smiling countenance.
Hong spoke to him, “Where do you come from? Do you recognize me?”
The boy did not reply, but continued playing the flute.
Hong asked the same questions several times, and at last the boy laughed and pointing his flute at him replied, “Have you come here to see the Heavenly Teacher?”
“As you are only a cowherd how is it that you know my affairs?”
“Early this morning I waited upon the Heavenly Teacher, and he told me that you had been commissioned by the Emperor to bring an edict here inviting him to go to the Capital to offer prayers to Heaven to stop the pestilence. He said that he was going to mount his stork, and fly off to the Capital at once. So I think he may have gone, and may not be at the temple. You need not go up the mountain as there are many poisonous snakes and fierce beasts on this mountain, which might endanger your life.”
“You cannot lie to me,” said Hong, but the acolyte did not reply to this, and went on his way playing his flute.
The envoy thought, “How can the boy know as much as he says, it may be that the Heavenly Teacher has told him to say this so as to test my perseverance. But as I have already met so many frightful things perhaps it would be better if I now get back.” So he retraced his steps.
Upon reaching the temple at the foot of the mountain he was asked by the priests whether he had seen the Heavenly Teacher. He told them what frightful experiences he had had, and said he suspected them of merely trifling with an Imperial Envoy.
“How dare we poor Taoists treat you disrespectfully?” replied the abbot. “These trials might have been arranged by the Heavenly Teacher to test your perseverance. The snakes and tigers on this mountain do not injure people.”
“As I was going to struggle up the mountain, I saw a cowherd coming out of a pine forest on a yellow cow, playing a flute who told me that the Heavenly Teacher had flown away on a crane this morning to the Eastern Capital, and so I returned.”
“What a pity that you missed such a fine opportunity! That cowherd was the Heavenly Teacher himself!”
“In that case why did he appear in such a strange way?”
“Because he is not an ordinary man. He is only young, but his supernatural power is unbounded. He is not a common person. His power is omnipotent. The people all praise him as the Master of the Tao.”
“I am so ignorant that I have failed to deliver the edict.”
“Never mind! As the Heavenly Teacher meant to go, I think the prayers may have been over and the pestilence already vanished when you get back to the Eastern Capital.”
The Imperial edict was replaced in the cover, and put in the Hall of Three Purities. A feast was then prepared for the envoy.
After breakfast the following morning the abbot suggested that they should stroll round the monastery for a sight-seeing. They did so, and spent some time going round all the temple buildings. One of these attracted Marshal Hong Xin’s attention. It was surrounded by a red mud wall; the entrance had a large red door with two leaves which were fastened by a very big lock. There were about ten strips of paper sealing the door, and these were all stamped with red seals; above the door was a board with four gilt characters, “The Subdued Demons Hall.” The envoy asked what the Hall was used for, and was informed that a previous Heavenly Teacher had subdued many demons, and imprisoned them there.
“But why are there so many seals on the door?”
“During the Tang dynasty the Heavenly Teacher Dong Xuan subdued the king of the demons, and locked him up inside this Hall. The succeeding generations have each added another seal so that is may never be opened. If those devils ever got out there would be a great calamity. Now about nine generations have passed, and no one ever attempted to tamper with this arrangement. Molten copper has been poured into the lock so that it is impossible to unlock the door. I have lived here for thirty years, and this is all that I have heard of but nobody knows what is inside.
Marshal Hong Xin felt very curious at this, and had a desire to investigate so he said to the superintendent, “Please open the door, and I will see what this king of the demons is like.”
“We dare not do that. Our former masters enjoined us not to open it and we cannot presume to disobey the order.”
The Imperial Envoy laughed, and said, “Nonsense! You only falsely declare there is something strange, in order to deceive the innocent people. You purposedly arrange such places and tell people that demons are locked up inside so as to show off your spiritual powers. I have read hundreds of volumes of books, and yet have never read of the king of the demons being imprisoned here. There is no way by which man can know about the supernatural. I do not believe that the king of the demons is inside here. Quickly open the door, and I want see what this demon is.”
The abbot still declined to do this, as he was afraid that somebody would be injured.
Marshal Hong became angry, and pointing at the Taoists, said, “As you will not open the door I shall first report that you refused to obey the Imperial orders, and not allow me to see the Heavenly Teacher. Also I will say that you are falsely declaring that the king of the demons is imprisoned here, in order to deceive decent people. Your license will be canceled, and you will all be banished to some distant places.”
The priests were all afraid of his great influence, and therefore they summoned servants to tear off the seals, and break the big lock. This was done, and when the door was opened they all went inside, but could not see anything because it was pitch dark there. So Marshal Hong ordered the servants to light about ten torches, and with these he made a close examination. There was not a single thing except a stone tablet in the center of the hall. It was about six feet in height, and was resting on a stone tortoise which was almost half in the soil. On the tablet were characters of the very ancient style, and they could not make out any of them. But upon examining the other side of the tablet they found four characters which read, “Open when Hong comes.” The Imperial Envoy Marshal Hong Xin was much pleased at this, and turning to the Taoists said, “You tried to obstruct me, but many hundred years ago they wrote my name here, and predicted that I would come here, and open the door. The fiends, I see, are imprisoned under this tortoise. Dig out the stone tortoise for me!”
The Taoists were terrified at the order, and said that it was not safe to do such a thing.
Marshal Hong was angry at this continuous obstruction, and abused them as ignorant. He insisted upon the excavation being begun immediately. As on the stone tablet it was stated that he would open the place so although the Taoists still objected they at last gave way, and told the workmen to dig. The men removed the soil and the tortoise. After digging about three feet down they unearthed a square slab of stone. Marshal Hong told them to lift it out, and in spite of objections from the Taoists, the stone was raised, and carried out of the hole.
It was evident that the slab was the cover of a very deep well. Now that the cover was removed a loud strange noise was heard far down in the cavity, and instantly a black cloud shot out from below, breaking a corner of the roof of the hall, and escaped through the aperture. The cloud ascended very high in the sky, and then burst forth into more than a hundred rays of light and disappeared in all directions.
All the spectators were astounded and rushed away from the hall. Even Marshal Hong was thunderstruck, and his countenance changed to a pale yellow color. He went out to the veranda where he met the abbot who lamented the result. Upon his asking what the demon was which had escaped the superintendent replied, “You do not understand. The fact is that our former Master Dong Xuan imprisoned here the thirty-six heavenly spirits, and seventy-two baneful stars which make a total of 108 fiends. The names of these fiends are inscribed on the stone in ancient writing. As they have now all been released they will bring calamity to the people. What are you going to do in the matter?”
Upon hearing this Marshal Hong was covered with cold perspiration and trembled with fear. Without saying a word he went to pack his baggage and calling together his retinue he quickly departed down the mountain on his way back to the Capital.
On the way Marshal Hong told his suite that they must not mention to anybody what had happened as he was afraid that if the Emperor heard of it he would be punished. They traveled both night and day, and soon reached the Capital, Bianliang, in modern Kaifeng. There he found that the Taoist Heavenly Teacher had arrived, and had held seven days’ service against the pestilence and had written magical spells for the sick people and as the pestilence had abated the Heavenly Teacher had flown back on his stork to the mountain.
The following morning Marshal Hong attended the early audience, and addressed the Emperor, “The Heavenly Teacher traveled by crane, and as I could only travel by horse relays he had been here and returned before I could arrive.”
The Emperor did not reply, but rewarded him for his work.
After this the Emperor reigned for forty-two years, and upon his death as he had no children the son of an illustrious Prince succeeded to the throne with the title Yingzong. This Emperor reigned for four years, and was followed by his son who reigned as Emperor Shenzong for eighteen years. Then after this Emperor Zhezong reigned, and during his reign there was peace in the empire. But if there had been nothing but peace, what in this book are we going to relate? My good reader, rest assured that this is merely a prelude; and in the following chapters we have:
Footnote
41 Emperor Shizong of the Later Zhou Dynasty.
42 An “immortal” is one who has achieved Taoist enlightenment.
43 The Dao (Tao) or “The Way” (also path, route, doctrine, or principle). It is the fundamental unifying and holistic truth of the nature of the universe, of which its understanding is what Taoists seek to attain.