Chapter 9
Chang'an City is truly a metropolis, worth seeing. Eight rivers flow around four mountains. Since ancient times, many emperors have risen here, and people all over the world talk about Chang'an. This refers to the great Chang'an City in Shaanxi, where emperors of successive dynasties have established their capitals. Since the Zhou, Qin, and Han dynasties, it has been a place of great prosperity, with eight rivers flowing around the city. Inside the city, there are thirty-six flower-laden alleys and seventy-two music pavilions. From the Huayi Map, there is no place more prosperous than here; it is truly a wonderful place. Now it is the reign of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, who changed the era name to Zhenguan. He has been enthroned for thirteen years, and this year is the Year of the Snake (Ji-Si).
On the banks of the Jing River outside Chang'an City, there are two wise men: one is a fisherman named Zhang Shao, and the other is a woodcutter named Li Ding. Both of them are scholars who failed to pass the imperial examinations and are also literate country folk. One day, after selling the firewood on their shoulders and the fish in their baskets in Chang'an City, they went to a tavern together, drank some wine, each took a bottle, and slowly walked home along the banks of the Jing River. Zhang Shao said:
"Brother Li, I think those who strive for fame and fortune often lose their bodies for fame and their lives for profit. Those who receive titles are like sleeping with tigers; those who receive favors are as dangerous as having snakes in their sleeves. In the end, it is not as good as living in a picturesque place like ours, carefree and content with simplicity, letting things go with the flow." Li Ding said, "Brother Zhang makes a good point. But it's just that the water in your place is not as beautiful as the mountains in mine."
Zhang Shao said, "Your mountains are not as beautiful as my water. There is a poem from 'Butterfly Loves Flower' as evidence: A small boat on the vast expanse of misty waves, quietly leaning against a lonely sail, with a voice as beautiful as Xi Shi's echoing in the ears. Cleansing the soul, with little fame and fortune, picking reeds and grasses in leisure time. A few sandbirds are worth mentioning, by the willow shore and reeds, with wives and children laughing together. Sleeping peacefully amidst the storm, without honor, disgrace, or worries."
Li Ding said, "Your water is not as beautiful as my mountains. There is also a poem from 'Butterfly Loves Flower' as evidence: A section of pine flowers scattered on the cloud forest floor, silently listening to the warbling of nightingales, with a clever tongue as melodious as a flute. Red fades and green thrives as spring warms, and summer solstice passes in the blink of an eye. Autumn comes easily with the changing seasons, and the fragrance of chrysanthemums is available for appreciation. Winter comes swiftly like picking up a finger, enjoying the four seasons freely without anyone to supervise."
The fisherman said, "Your mountains are not as beautiful as my water, enjoying some fine things. There is a poem from 'Partridge Sky' as evidence: The fairyland with clouds and water is sufficient for living, with oars and boats forming a home. Fresh fish are cooked with green turtles, and purple crabs and red shrimp are steamed. Green asparagus, water chestnut sprouts, water caltrops, and chicken heads are even more praiseworthy. Tender lotus root, old lotus seeds, and celery leaves, with arrowhead tubers, wild rice, and osmanthus flowers."
The woodcutter said, "Your water is not as beautiful as my mountains, enjoying some fine things. There is also a poem from 'Partridge Sky' as evidence: Lofty mountains stretch to the horizon, with thatched cottages as my home. Preserved chicken and geese are better than crabs and turtles, and deer, rabbits, and hares are better than fish and shrimp. Chinese toon leaves, yellow camphor sprouts, bamboo shoots, and mountain tea are even more praiseworthy. Purple plums, red peaches, plums, and apricots are ripe, with sweet pears, sour jujubes, and osmanthus flowers."
Such was their dialogue, with each using poetry to prove that their way of life was better. Finally, they reached the place where the paths diverged and bowed to bid farewell. Zhang Shao said, "Brother Li, take care on your journey! Be careful of tigers in the mountains. If there is any danger, it means there will be fewer old friends on the streets tomorrow!" Li Ding flew into a rage upon hearing this: "You lazy scoundrel! Good friends share life and death, how dare you curse me? If I encounter a tiger and suffer harm, you will surely meet waves and be overturned in the river!" Zhang Shao said, "I will never be overturned in the river in my entire life." And so they parted ways.
It turned out that a water patrol yaksha in the Jing River Water Mansion heard Zhang Shao's words and hurriedly reported to the Dragon King. The Dragon King was furious and wanted to go to Chang'an City to eliminate the fortune-teller. But his dragon sons and grandsons and other aquatic creatures dissuaded him, advising him to first transform into a scholar and visit the place.
The Dragon King followed their advice, transformed into a scholar dressed in white, and came to Chang'an City to find the fortune-teller Yuan Shoucheng. The Dragon King asked Yuan Shoucheng to divine the weather, and Yuan Shoucheng predicted that it would rain the next day, specifying the exact time and amount of rainfall. The Dragon King made a bet with Yuan Shoucheng that if the time and amount of rainfall the next day did not match his prediction, he would break his signboard and drive him away.
However, the emperor of heaven issued an edict commanding the Dragon King to send rain the next day, at the exact time and amount predicted by Yuan Shoucheng. The Dragon King was startled, but Advisor Shi gave him an idea to make Yuan Shoucheng's divination ineffective by sending rain at the wrong time and in the wrong amount. The Dragon King followed his plan and indeed violated heavenly laws.
After returning from sending the rain, the Dragon King broke Yuan Shoucheng's signboard, but Yuan Shoucheng pointed out that he had violated heavenly laws. The Dragon King begged Yuan Shoucheng for his life, and Yuan Shoucheng told him that he would be beheaded by Wei Zheng at the third watch of the noon hour the next day. If he wanted to save his life, he needed to seek help from Emperor Taizong of Tang.
So the Dragon King transformed into a human and sought help from Emperor Taizong of Tang. Emperor Taizong promised to save him but kept thinking about it. The next day when court was in session, Emperor Taizong summoned Wei Zheng and kept him in the palace to play chess, hoping to delay Wei Zheng and save the Dragon King. However, Wei Zheng suddenly leaned over the table and fell asleep during the chess game, beheading the Jing River Dragon King in his dream.
Listen to the explanation in the next chapter.
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