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by Pu Songling |
| Jia Zilong, a scholar in Xian, one day came across a smart-looking
man in a small lane. He learned that the man’s name was Zhen Sheng and
that he was a native of Xianang. Out of respect for the man, Jia went to
meet him at his residence the next day, but Zhen Sheng was not in. Jia
went three times and each time he failed to see Zhen Sheng.
Jia decided to secretly send someone out to keep watch on the house and go to see Zhen as soon as he was found to be in the house. Each time, however, Zhen Sheng managed to slip out before Jia arrived. After many trials, Jia finally managed to meet Zhen Sheng. They chatted and found that they really enjoyed each other’s company and regretted they had not got together sooner. That evening, Jia stayed in Zhen Sheng’s house and sent for wine. Zhen Sheng was a big drinker and good at telling jokes. Soon all the wine Jia had ordered was gone. Zhen Sheng searched his cupboard and brought out a bottomless jade cup. He filled it to the brim with wine. He then poured the wine into several small cups but the jade cup remained full. Jia was thrilled by the cup and wanted to learn its magic from Zhen Sheng, who said: “The reason I tried to avoid meeting you was that you’re a little greedy. My trick is a skill of immortals and I cannot pass it to you.” Jia Zilong said: “What makes you think I’m greedy? Sometimes I wish I had something simply because I’m too poor.” And they laughed the subject off. After that, they became very close and saw each other frequently. Whenever they were short of money, Zhen Sheng would bring out a piece of black stone, blow over it, and recite a spell. Then any pebbles or brick tiles he rubbed the stone against would turn into silver. Zhen Sheng would give the silver to Jia. However, the silver was always just enough to get by, there was never any extra to squander or save. Jia always wanted a little more, but Zhen Sheng would say: “You’re being greedy again.” Jia thought that since he could not get what he wanted this way, he would steal the black stone when Zhen Sheng was drunk. One day, after Zhen Sheng fell asleep at the end of a round of dinking, Jia quietly got up and searched Zhen Sheng’s pocket. Zhen Sheng noticed what was going on and said: “You ungracious man. I’ve had enough of you!” He rose and left. A year went by. While taking a walk on the bank of the Yellow River one day, Jia Zilong saw on the ground a stone just like the one Zhen Sheng has used. He picked it up and put it aside like a treasure. A few days later, Zhen Sheng suddenly appeared with a worried look. Jia consoled him and asked him what the problem was. Zhen Sheng said: “You saw it before. It is the stone that can turn things into gold and silver. It was a gift from an immortal called Bao Zhenzi who gave it to me because he liked my honest. I lost it one day when I was drunk. I used my divination skills and learned you have it. If you’re virtuous enough to give it back to me, I won’t fail to repay your kindness. “ Jia smiled and said: “You’re right. I do have it. How do you want to thank me?” Zhen Sheng promised to give him one hundred taels of silver. Jia told him: “One hundred taels of silver is indeed a great amount. Instead, if you tell me the spell and I can make a try, there will be nothing to regret in the world.” Zhen Sheng was afraid that Jia would renege on the deal, so Jia said: “You’re an immortal, can’t you tell that I never fail any friends?” So Zhen Sheng told him the spell. Jia saw a huge rock on the ground and decided to try his skill on it. Zhen Sheng pulled at his arm, trying to stop him from walking near the rock. Jia then picked up a broken brick, put it on a stone used to wash clothes and said: “This piece is not too large, is it?” Zhen Sheng gave his consent. Jia did not rub the black stone on the brick. Instead he rubbed it on the rock bearing the brick. Enraged, Zhen Sheng wanted to stop him, but it was too late as he had already turned the rock into silver. Jia gave the black stone back to Zhen Sheng who sighed and said: “You’ve already done it. What can I say? The heavens will punish anyone who gives away a huge fortune without good reason. If you want to help rid me of my criminal responsibility, please give away one hundred coffins and one hundred cotton-padded jackets as charity. Can you do this?” Jia replied: “I wanted to have money, but not because IO wanted to save it for myself. Do you think I’m a mean person?” Happy with the reply, Zhen Sheng left. Jia Zilong, now armed with the huge piece of gold, began to give away coffins and clothes to the needy while doing business. In less than three years, he gave away enough coffins and clothes. Zhen Sheng suddenly arrived. Holding Jia’s hand, he said: “You’re truly an honest person. When I left you last time, the Jade Emperor stripped me of my immortality after he received a report on me from the God of Fortune. Now that you’ve given enough things away, your virtue has offset my offence. I hope you will continue to do more good for the people.” Jia asked Zhen Sheng to which department of the heavens he belonged. Zhen Sheng said: “I’m a fox who has achieved the virtues of Taoism. Since my background is humble, I dare not make any mistakes.” Jia threw a banquet in his honor and they drank happily as they had done before. Jia lived into his nineties and the fox spirit often visited him. |
