Chapter 11

Chapter 11

The poem says:

A hundred years of life flow like water,

A lifetime's work is but a floating bubble.

Yesterday peach-blossom bloomed upon the face,

Today snow-white flakes drift at the temples.

When the white-ant battle ends, all is illusion;

The cuckoo cries urgently—turn back early.

From ancient times, hidden virtue can prolong life;

Do not seek Heaven's pity—Heaven will provide of its own.

Now it is told that Emperor Taizong wandered in a vast, hazy blur, his soul drifting out before the Tower of Five Phoenixes. He saw only the Imperial Forest Army requesting His Majesty to go out on a hunting expedition. The Emperor gladly followed and vanished into the mist. After traveling a long while, both men and horses had disappeared. He walked alone, wandering through the wilds of the desolate countryside. Just as he was in distress, unable to find the road, he heard a man on one side cry out in a loud voice: "Great Tang Emperor, come this way, come this way!" The Emperor heard this and looked up. He saw the man:

A black gauze cap upon his head, a rhinoceros-horn belt around his waist. The black gauze cap bore soft ribbons that fluttered; the rhinoceros-horn belt displayed golden fittings. He held a ivory tablet, gathering auspicious mist; his silk robe concealed auspicious light. His feet wore a pair of boots with white soles, ascending through clouds and hastening through mist; in his bosom he carried a register of life and death, determining survival and doom. His hair was disheveled, floating over his ears; his whiskers flew about, circling his cheeks. In former days he had served as chancellor of the Tang kingdom; now he served as a clerk attending the King of Hell.

The Emperor approached and saw the man kneeling by the roadside, saying: "Your Majesty, forgive my offense of failing to greet you from afar." The Emperor asked: "Who are you? For what matter have you come to meet and bow to me?" The man said: "Your humble minister, half a month ago in the Hall of the Nether Court, saw the ghost dragon of the Jing River accuse Your Majesty of promising to save him but instead executing him. The First King, King Qin Guang, immediately sent ghost emissaries to summon Your Majesty for a joint hearing before the three tribunals. I already knew of this, and so came here to wait and meet you. I did not expect to be late today. I beg you to forgive my offense, forgive my offense." The Emperor said: "What is your surname and given name? What office do you hold?" The man said: "When I lived in the world of light, I served before my late father's carriage as magistrate of Zizhou, and later was appointed Minister of Rites. My surname is Cui, my given name is Jue. Now in the underworld, I have received the post of Clerk of the Register in Fengdu." The Emperor was overjoyed. He stepped forward at once and raised him with his imperial hands, saying: "Sir, you have come from far away. I have a letter from Wei Zheng, my minister, addressed to you—what a fortunate meeting!" The clerk thanked him and asked where the letter was. The Emperor took it from his sleeve and handed it to him. Cui Jue received it with a bow, broke the seal, and read it. The letter said:

Your unworthy younger brother Wei Zheng bows his head in writing to the Great Master of the Register, my esteemed elder brother Cui, sir: I recall our past friendship—your voice and face are as if before me. Suddenly several years have passed, and I have not heard your pure instruction. I have only been able, on festival days, to set out vegetables and offerings in sacrifice—I do not know whether you have received them. Moreover, I received the honor of your not despising me, appearing to me in a dream, and only then did I know that my elder brother and great man had risen to high office. But alas—the two realms of yin and yang are separated, and we are in different quarters of heaven, unable to meet face to face. Now because my Emperor Taizong, the Wen Emperor, has suddenly passed away, I presume that for the joint hearing before the three tribunals, he will certainly be able to meet with you. I earnestly implore you to remember the friendship of our former days, and to make it convenient in some way to send my Emperor back to the world of the living. This would be a great kindness. I will express further thanks later. With deepest respect.

When the clerk had read the letter, he was filled with joy and said: "The matter of Wei Ren Cao cutting down the old dragon in a dream the other day, I already knew of long ago, and I praised it exceedingly. Moreover, he has looked after my descendants morning and evening. Now that he has sent this letter, let Your Majesty set his mind at ease. Your humble minister will escort Your Emperor back to the world of the living, to ascend once more to the Jade Palace." The Emperor thanked him.

As the two were speaking, they saw a pair of youths in blue robes holding banners and a jeweled canopy, who cried out loudly: "The King of Hell invites you, invites you!" The Emperor then went forward with Cui Jue and the two youths. Suddenly they saw a city, and on the city gate hung a large placard bearing seven great golden characters: "The Ghost Gate Pass of the Dark Underworld." The youths in blue shook the banners and led the Emperor straight into the city, walking along the street. By the side of the street he saw his former lord Li Yuan, his elder brother Jiancheng, and his deceased brother Yuanji, who came forward and said: "Shimin has come, Shimin has come!" Jiancheng and Yuanji came to seize him and demand his life. The Emperor could not dodge in time and was grabbed by them. Fortunately, Cui Jue summoned a blue-faced, fanged ghost emissary, who drove Jiancheng and Yuanji away with a shout. Only then was the Emperor able to escape. After walking not many li, he saw a jade-green tiled tower—truly magnificent. He saw:

Layer upon layer of colorful clouds piled in drifting mist,

Faintly visible, a thousand streaks of crimson fog.

The eaves soared sharply, carved with the heads of strange beasts;

Glittering, five-tiered panels of mandarin ducks.

The door was studded with rows of crimson gold nails;

The threshold was set with a single crossbar of white jade.

The windows and lattice let in the smoke of dawn;

The curtains and blinds shone bright, piercing like red lightning.

The tower rose high, touching the blue sky;

The corridors stretched in rows, connecting to precious courtyards.

From bronze beast-shaped censers, fragrant clouds drifted toward royal robes;

Lamp gauze of crimson silk shone bright upon palace fans.

On the left, fierce ox-heads were arrayed;

On the right, imposing horse-faces stood in rows.

Golden tablets turned to escort the dead and send off ghosts;

White silk streamers hung to summon souls and call back spirits.

It was called the General Gate of the Underworld,

Below which stood old Yan's Hall of the Nether Court.

As the Emperor was gazing outside, he heard the tinkling of jade pendants and sachets, and a strange celestial fragrance. Outside were two pairs of candle-bearers, and behind them came the Ten Kings of Hell descending the steps. These were the Ten Kings: King Qin Guang, King Chu Jiang, King Song Di, King Wu Guan, King Yan Luo, King Ping Deng, King Tai Shan, King Du Shi, King Bian Cheng, and King Zhuan Lun. The Ten Kings emerged from the Precious Hall of the Nether Court, bowed with their hands behind their backs, and came to greet the Emperor. The Emperor was modest and dared not go forward. The Ten Kings said: "Your Majesty is the human king of the world of light; we are the ghost kings of the world of darkness. This is only proper—why must you be so deferential?" The Emperor said: "I have offended you—how dare I discuss the way of yin and yang, of human and ghost?" He declined again and again. The Emperor then went forward, entered the Hall of the Nether Court, and after exchanging courtesies with the Ten Kings, they took their seats as host and guest.

After some time, King Qin Guang stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "The ghost dragon of the Jing River accuses Your Majesty of promising to save him and then killing him instead. Why is this?"

The Emperor replied, "I once dreamed of an old dragon begging for help, and I truly promised him that nothing would happen to him. I did not expect that he would commit a crime deserving of execution, and that my human-official Wei Zheng would be the one to behead him. I summoned Wei Zheng to the palace to play chess with me, not knowing that he would carry out the execution in a dream. This was due to the unfathomable divine workings of that human-official, and besides, the dragon king had committed a crime deserving death. How could this be my fault?"

Upon hearing this, the Ten Kings bowed and said, "Before that dragon was even born, the Southern Dipper Star's register of the dead had already recorded that he was felled to be slain by a human-official. We have long known this. But he insisted on arguing his case here and demanded that Your Majesty come to face the three tribunals for a joint hearing. We have already sent him into the Wheel of Rebirth to be reincarnated. Now we have again troubled Your Majesty to descend here. We hope you will forgive the offense of having hastened your arrival." Having spoken, he ordered the judge in charge of the Book of Life and Death to quickly bring the register and examine how many years of life and fortune remained to His Majesty.

Judge Cui hurried to the registry office and examined the general register of the life spans of all the kings of the world. He saw that for the Tang Emperor Taizong of the Southern Continent of Jambudvipa, the register had fixed the thirteenth year of the Zhenguan reign. Judge Cui was greatly startled. He quickly took up a brush loaded with thick ink and added two strokes to the character "one," then presented the register. The Ten Kings looked it over from the beginning and saw that under Emperor Taizong's name, thirty-three years had been recorded. Startled, the King of Hell asked, "How many years has Your Majesty been on the throne?"

The Emperor replied, "I have reigned for thirteen years now."

The King of Hell said, "Let Your Majesty set his mind at ease and not worry. You still have twenty years of life remaining. Now that the case has been clearly heard, please return to the world of the living."

Hearing this, the Emperor bowed and gave thanks. The Ten Kings assigned Judge Cui and Commander Zhu to escort the Emperor back to life. As the Emperor departed the Hall of the Shade-Royal, he raised his hand again and asked the Ten Kings, "How are all the old and young in my palace?"

The Ten Kings said, "They are all well, but we fear your younger sister's life may not be long."

The Emperor bowed again and said gratefully, "When I return to the world of the living, I have nothing to offer in return for your kindness—only fruits and melons."

The Ten Kings said happily, "We have plenty of eastern melons and western melons here, but we are only lacking southern melons."

The Emperor said, "I will send them as soon as I return—I will send them at once." With this, they bowed to each other and parted.

Commander Zhu held a soul-guiding banner and led the way from the front. Judge Cui followed behind, protecting the Emperor, and they proceeded straight out of the dark offices. The Emperor looked up and saw that it was not the road by which he had come. He asked the judge, "Is this road wrong?"

The judge said, "It is not wrong. In the underworld, it is like this—there is a road for going, but no road for returning. Now we are sending Your Majesty out through the Wheel of Rebirth. On the one hand, we invite Your Majesty to tour the underworld; on the other, we are enabling you to be reborn and transcend."

The Emperor had no choice but to follow the two of them as they led the way forward.

After traveling several miles, they suddenly came upon a great mountain. Dark clouds hung to the ground, and black mist obscured the sky. The Emperor said, "Master Cui, what mountain is that?"

The judge said, "It is the Dark Yin Mountain of the Underworld."

The Emperor said in alarm, "How am I to get through?"

The judge said, "Let Your Majesty set his mind at ease. We will lead the way."

Trembling with fear, the Emperor followed the two of them up onto the mountain rocks. He raised his head and looked, and saw:

Its shapes were full of bumps and hollows; its terrain was rugged and steep. It was as towering as the Shu ridges, as lofty as the Lu cliffs. It was no famous mountain of the world of light—it was truly a perilous place of the dark offices. Thickets of brambles concealed ghosts and goblins; jagged stone cliffs hid evil demons. On the ear, no sound of beasts or birds could be heard; before the eyes, only ghosts and fiends moved about. The yin wind whistled and hissed; the black mist spread endlessly. The yin wind whistled and hissed—it was smoke whistled from the mouths of divine soldiers; the black mist spread endlessly—it was vapor breathed out in the dark by specters and sprites. Gazing in all directions, there was no scenery to be seen; looking left and right, all was rampant destruction. There were mountains indeed, and peaks indeed, and ridges indeed, and caves indeed, and streams indeed—but the mountains grew no grass, the peaks did not pierce the sky, the ridges bore no travelers, the caves admitted no clouds, and the streams carried no flowing water. Before the banks were only goblins and wraiths; below the ridges were only gods and demons. The caves gathered wild ghosts; the streambeds concealed wicked spirits. Before and behind the mountain, ox-heads and horse-faces clamored in confusion; half-hidden and half-revealed, starving ghosts and destitute souls wept to each other from time to time. The judges of death pressed on in haste, urgently delivering their summonses; the commanders of the soul chased and shouted, hastening official documents. The swift-footed runners—whirlwinds rolled and roared; the agents of the underworld—black mist swirled and surged.

The Emperor relied entirely on the judge's protection and passed through the Yin Mountain.

Advancing further, they passed many offices, each one filled with sounds of grief that shook the heart and hideous specters that terrified the soul. The Emperor again asked, "What place is this?"

The judge said, "These are the eighteen layers of hell behind the Yin Mountain."

The Emperor asked, "What are the eighteen layers?"

The judge said, "Listen to me:

The Hanging Sinews Prison, the Wrongful Imprisonment Prison, the Fire Pit Prison—silent and desolate, vexed and troubled, all are for those who in life committed a thousand deeds of evil and after death come to receive their punishment. The Fengdu Prison, the Tongue-Ripping Prison, the Skin-Flaying Prison—weeping and wailing, miserable and wretched, all are for those who were unfilial and disloyal, violating Heaven's principle, with the mouth of a Buddha but the heart of a serpent, who have fallen into this gate. The Grinding Prison, the Pounding Prison, the Cart-Crushing Prison—skin torn and flesh split, mouths twisted and teeth bared, all are for those who deceived their hearts and obscured their conscience, who were unjust and used clever words and flowery speech to secretly harm others. the Ice Prison, the Shell-Shedding Prison, the Intestine-Pulling Prison—faces grimaced and hair disheveled, brows knitted and eyes creased, all are for those who used large measures and small scales to cheat the foolish, bringing disaster and calamity upon themselves. The Oil Cauldron Prison, the Darkness Prison, the Knife Mountain Prison—trembling and shaking, grieving and weeping, all are for those who used violence to oppress the good, who hid their heads and cowered in misery. The Blood Pool Prison, the Avici Prison, the Balance Beam Prison—skin peeled and bones exposed, arms broken and sinews severed, all are for those who schemed for wealth and murdered, who slaughtered livestock and killed living creatures, falling for a thousand years without release, sinking forever without rising again. Each one was tightly bound and firmly tied, roped and corded. Some had red-haired ghosts and black-faced ghosts with long swords and short swords; ox-head ghosts and horse-face ghosts with iron tablets and copper hammers—beating them until their brows were creased and their faces bitter, blood streaming down, crying out to earth and heaven but receiving no rescue.

Truly it is said:

In life, do not deceive your own heart—

The spirits and ghosts are clear-sighted; who do they ever let pass?

"Good and evil, in the end, will always find their recompense; it is only a question of whether it comes early or late."

When Taizong heard this, his heart was stricken with alarm and grief.

He advanced further and had not gone far before he saw a group of ghostly attendants, each holding banners and pennants, kneeling by the roadside and saying, "The bridge guardians have come to greet you." The Judge ordered them to rise, then led the way forward, guiding Taizong across the Golden Bridge. Taizong then saw on the other side a Silver Bridge, upon which walked several men of loyalty, filial piety, virtue, and integrity—upright and impartial souls—who likewise had banners and pennants to escort them. On yet another side there was a bridge where bitter winds howled and bloody waves surged, and the sounds of wailing never ceased. Taizong asked, "What is the name of that bridge?" The Judge said, "Your Majesty, that is called the Bridge of Helplessness. If you return to the mortal world, you must be sure to record and spread word of it. Beneath that bridge are all manner of things:

Surging, mighty waters; perilous, narrow paths. It stretches like a bolt of white silk across the Yangtze, yet resembles a pit of fire floating up from the netherworld. The yin aura presses upon one, chilling to the bone; the foul, bloody wind assaults the nostrils and pierces the heart. Waves churn and billows roll—back and forth, yet there is no ferryman's boat. Barefoot and disheveled, all who pass in and out are ghosts burdened by their karma. The bridge is several *li* long, only three spans wide, a hundred feet high, yet a thousand fathoms deep. Above, there are no railings or balustrades; below, evil monsters lie in wait to seize the living. Canes and shackles bind the body as they are driven onto the treacherous road of the Helpless River. Look at the fierce and savage divine generals at the bridge's edge; look at the truly miserable sinful souls in the river below. From the forked branches of trees hang silk garments of blue, red, yellow, purple, and green; crouching before the cliff walls are wanton women who reviled their in-laws. Copper snakes and iron dogs vie to devour them, and forever they sink in the Helpless River with no way out."

A poem says:

Ever one hears the weeping of ghosts and the crying of gods,

As bloody waters surge in waves ten thousand feet high.

Countless ox-headed and horse-faced demons,

Ferociously guard the Bridge of Helplessness.

Even as they spoke, the bridge guardians had already departed. Taizong's heart was once more filled with alarm and dread. He nodded, sighed silently, and grieved in silence. Following the Judge and the Grand Commandant, he soon crossed the evil waters of the Helpless River and the bitter realm of the Blood Basin. Ahead he came to the City of Wrongful Death, where he heard a great clamor of voices clearly declaring, "Li Shimin has come! Li Shimin has come!" When Taizong heard the cries, his heart trembled with fear. He saw a host of ghostly fiends—dragging their waists, with broken arms, some with feet but no heads—step forward to block his path, all crying out, "Give us back our lives! Give us back our lives!" In his panic, Taizong hid and dodged this way and that, calling out, "Master Cui, save me! Master Cui, save me!" The Judge said, "Your Majesty, those are the spirits of the princes and chieftains from the sixty-four uprisings and the seventy-two rebel bands—all wronged souls who died unjustly, with no one to receive or tend to them, unable to be reborn, and with no money for their journey. They are all destitute, starving ghosts. If Your Majesty could give them some money and provisions, only then could I get you through." Taizong said, "I came here with nothing—where would I obtain money and provisions?" The Judge said, "Your Majesty, there is a man in the mortal world who has deposited a certain amount of gold and silver with me here in the underworld. Your Majesty can put your name to a contract; I, the lesser judge, will act as guarantor, and we will borrow one treasury's worth from him to distribute among these hungry ghosts. Only then will you be able to pass." Taizong asked, "Who is this man?" The Judge said, "He is from Bianliang in Henan, surnamed Xiang, given name Liang. He has thirteen treasuries of gold and silver here. If Your Majesty will borrow from him, you can repay him when you return to the mortal world." Taizong was greatly pleased and gladly agreed to put his name to the loan. He thereupon drew up the document with the Judge, borrowed one treasury of gold and silver, and ordered the Grand Commandant to distribute it all. The Judge then instructed the ghosts, "You may divide this gold and silver equally among yourselves for your needs. Let your Great Tang Emperor pass through, for his allotted lifespan on earth is not yet spent. I carry the decree of the Ten Kings to escort him back to life and send him to the mortal world to hold a Water and Land Assembly, so as to deliver you all from your suffering and enable you to be reborn. Cause no more trouble." Upon hearing this, the ghosts received the gold and silver and withdrew, assenting one and all. The Judge ordered the Grand Commandant to wave the soul-guiding banner and led Taizong out of the City of Wrongeous Death, setting forth upon the broad, level road, drifting and floating as they went.

After traveling for some time, they arrived at the place of the Six Paths of Reincarnation. Again he saw those who soared upon the clouds, their bodies draped in raiment of rosy light; those who received the registers, with golden fish pendants at their waists. Monks and nuns, Daoist priests and laypeople, beasts of burden and birds of the air, goblins and sprites—all pressed in a great torrent beneath the Wheel of Reincarnation, each entering its proper path. The Tang King asked, "What does this mean?" The Judge said, "Your Majesty, with a clear heart and an enlightened nature, you must remember this and convey it to the people of the mortal world. This is called the Six Paths of Reincarnation: those who do good deeds ascend to the Way of Immortality; those who are loyal are reborn into the Way of Nobility; those who practice filial piety are reborn into the Way of Blessing; those who are fair and just return to the Way of Humanity; those who accumulate virtue are reborn into the Way of Wealth; and those who are malicious and venomous sink into the Way of Ghosts." When the Tang King heard this, he nodded and sighed, saying,

"Truly good, truly good—doing good brings no calamity.

Let the good heart be ever earnest,

And the good path be ever wide open.

Do not let evil thoughts arise,

And surely there will be little trouble and strife.

Do not say there is no retribution—

The spirits and ghosts have their arrangements."

The Judge escorted the Tang King all the way to the Gate of the Way of Nobility. He bowed and called out to the Tang King, "Your Majesty, this is the place of emergence. I, the lesser judge, take my leave here, and will have Grand Commandant Zhu escort you the rest of the way." The Tang King said gratefully, "I am indebted to you for traveling so far, Master." The Judge said, "When Your Majesty returns to the mortal world, you must by all means hold a Water and Land Assembly to deliver the masterless wronged souls. Do not forget this. If there are no sounds of grievance in the underworld, then the mortal world may enjoy the blessings of peace. All manner of wrongdoing can be amended one by one. Teach all people to do good, and your descendants shall endure forever, and your realm shall remain secure forever."

The Tang Emperor granted every petition, took leave of Judge Cui, and followed Marshal Zhu through the gate. Inside, the Marshal spotted a fine sea-maze horse fully saddled and bridled, and hastily invited the Tang Emperor to mount, supporting him on either side. The horse flew like an arrow, and soon they reached the banks of the Wei River. On the water, a pair of golden carp were leaping and tumbling in the waves. The Tang Emperor was delighted and reined in his horse, gazing at them with reluctance to leave. The Marshal said, "Your Majesty, hasten a little—it is best to reach the city in good time." But the Tang Emperor kept watching and would not go on. The Marshal grabbed his foot and shouted, "Will you not move? What are you waiting for?" With a splash, he pushed the Emperor from his horse into the Wei River. And so the Tang Emperor left the realm of the dead and returned straight to the world of the living.

Now among the Tang Emperor's court were Xu Maogong, Qin Chubao, Hu Jingde, Duan Zhixuan, Ma Sanbao, Cheng Yaojin, Gao Shilian, Li Shiji, Fang Xuanling, Duhua, Xiao Yu, Fu Yi, Zhang Daoyuan, Zhang Shiheng, Wang Gui, and the other civil and military officials of both courts, all attending the crown prince, the empress, the concubines, the palace maids, and the attendants in the White Tiger Hall, where they were holding mourning rites. On one side, they were drafting an edict of bereavement to proclaim throughout the realm, intending to support the crown prince's accession to the throne. At this time Wei Zheng, standing nearby, said, "My lords, wait—this must not be done, must not. If the prefectures and counties are alarmed, unforeseen troubles may arise. Let us wait one more day; His Majesty will surely return to life." From below, Xu Jingzong stepped forward and said, "Prime Minister Wei speaks utter nonsense. Since ancient times it has been said: 'Spilled water cannot be gathered up, and the dead do not return.' How can you speak such empty words to confuse the people? What sense is this?" Wei Zheng said, "I will not deceive Master Xu—since youth I have been taught the arts of immortality, and my divinations are most clear. I guarantee His Majesty will not die."

Even as they debated, there came a loud cry from inside the coffin: "I am drowning! I am drowning!" The civil officials and military officers were panic-stricken; the empress and concubines trembled with fright. Every one of them:

Their faces were like yellow mulberry leaves after autumn; their waists were like tender willow branches before spring. The heir's legs went weak—he could not hold the mourning staff to complete the rites of grief. The attendants' souls flew away—how could they wear the ceremonial cap and observe the rituals of filial piety? The concubines stumbled and fell; the palace maids staggered and swayed. The concubines stumbling were like withered hibiscus beaten down by a fierce wind; the palace maids swaying were like tender lotus blossoms battered by a sudden rain. The ministers were terrified, their bones soft and sinews numb. Trembling and quaking, dazed and mute. The White Tiger Hall became like a bridge with broken beams; the mourning platform became like a temple collapsed.

By now every palace servant had fled—who dared approach the bier to steady the coffin? It was only thanks to the upright Xu Maogong, the stern Prime Minister Wei, the bold Qin Qiong, and the ferociously fierce Jingde, who came forward, supporting the coffin and calling out: "Your Majesty, what troubles your heart? Tell us—do not play ghostly tricks and terrify your kin." Wei Zheng said, "These are no ghostly tricks; this is His Majesty returning to life. Quickly bring instruments." They opened the coffin lid, and indeed the Tang Emperor was sitting inside, still crying: "I've nearly drowned! Who will pull me out?" Maogong and the others helped him up and said, "Your Majesty, awaken—fear not. We are all here to protect you." Only then did the Tang Emperor open his eyes and say: "How I have suffered! I escaped the fierce ghosts of the underworld, only to meet disaster by drowning in the water." The ministers said, "Your Majesty, set your mind at ease and fear not—what drowning disaster was there?" The Tang Emperor said: "I was riding my horse and had just reached the banks of the Wei River, where I saw a pair of fish sporting. The treacherous Marshal Zhu pushed me from my horse; I fell into the river and nearly drowned." Wei Zheng said, "Your Majesty's ghostly aura has not yet dissipated." He at once ordered the Imperial Medical Bureau to prepare medicine to calm the spirit and settle the soul, and also arranged congee and nourishing food. After taking the medicine and food once or twice, the Emperor at last returned to his original state and regained his senses. In all, the Tang Emperor had been dead for three days and nights before returning to rule in the living world. A poem attests to this:

For ages the rivers and mountains have changed,

Through countless generations, ruin and glory have alternated.

The Zhou, Qin, Han, and Jin had many wondrous tales,

But who has seen a Tang Emperor die and live again?

That day, the sky was already dark. The ministers asked the King to retire to his chambers, and each departed.

The next morning, they put off their mourning garments and donned colorful robes. One and all wore red gowns and black caps; one and all bore purple ribbons and golden seals, waiting outside the palace gate to be summoned.

Now after the Tang Emperor had taken the medicine to calm his spirit and settle his soul, and had consumed several servings of congee, the ministers helped him into his bedchamber. He slept peacefully through the night, nourishing his spirit, and did not rise until dawn. He roused himself with majestic bearing—observe how he was attired:

He wore a crown that pierced the heavens, and a robe of deep reddish brown. At his waist was a belt of Lantian jade; on his feet, a pair of shoes for founding a dynasty free of sorrow. His countenance was majestic, surpassing any in the court; his awesome presence renewed this very day. What a Tang Emperor of peace and enlightened rule—His Majesty Li, who rose from the dead!

The Tang Emperor ascended the golden throne and assembled his civil and military officials in two columns. After the ritual prostrations, they took their places according to rank. Then the imperial edict was announced: "Let those with matters to report step forward from the ranks; if there is none, the court is dismissed."

From the eastern side stepped forward Xu Maogong, Wei Zheng, Wang Gui, Du Ruhai, Fang Xuanling, Yuan Tiangang, Li Chunfeng, Xu Jingzong, and others; from the western side stepped forward Yin Kaishan, Liu Hongji, Ma Sanbao, Duan Zhixuan, Cheng Yaojin, Qin Shubao, Hu Jingde, Xue Rengui, and others. Together they advanced and prostrated themselves before the white jade steps, reporting: "Your Majesty, you had a dream during the previous court session—why did you only awaken after so long?"

Emperor Taizong said: "Some days ago I received a letter from Wei Zheng. I felt my spirit leave the palace, and I saw the Imperial Guard requesting me to go hunting. As we proceeded, the men and horses vanished without a trace, and then I saw my late father and my late brothers quarreling. Just as I was at a loss, I saw a man in a black hat and dark robes—the Cui Jue, the Judge of the Underworld—who drove my brothers away. I handed Wei Zheng's letter to him. As he was reading it, a figure in blue robes appeared, bearing a banner, and led me inside. We arrived at the Hall of the Netherworld, where I sat with the Ten Kings of Hell. They said the Dragon King of the Jing River had falsely accused me of promising to save him but then allowing him to be executed. I recounted the whole matter to them. They said the case had already been examined by the Three Tribunals, and they urgently ordered the Book of Life and Death to be brought out to check my allotted lifespan. At that time, Judge Cui presented the register. The Kings examined it and said that I was destined for thirty-three years of heavenly fortune, but had only lived thirteen; I still had twenty years of earthly life remaining. They then ordered Marshal Zhu and Judge Cui to escort me back. I took leave of the Ten Kings and promised to send them fruits in gratitude. After leaving the Hall of the Netherworld, I saw in the underworld those who were unfilial and disloyal, who violated propriety and righteousness, who wasted grain, who deceived openly and secretly, who used false measures, who committed robbery and fraud, who were licentious and deceitful—suffering the torments of grinding, burning, pounding, and crushing, the punishments of boiling, hanging, and flaying—thousands upon tens of thousands, more than one could see. Then I passed through the City of Wrongful Death, where countless wronged souls were all the spirits of bandits from the sixty-four uprisings and rebels from the seventy-two insurrections, blocking my path. Fortunately, Judge Cui acted as my guarantor and borrowed a whole treasury of gold and silver from the old man Xiang Liang of Henan to buy off the ghosts, and only then could I proceed. Judge Cui instructed me that upon returning to the living world, I must hold a great Water and Land Assembly to deliver the orphaned souls with no one to tend them, and he repeated this admonition earnestly. After departing from beneath the Six Paths of Reincarnation, Marshal Zhu invited me to mount a horse, and we flew swiftly until we reached the banks of the Wei River. I saw a two-headed fish playing on the water. Just as I was rejoicing, he seized my foot and pushed me into the water, and only then did my soul return to my body."

Upon hearing this, all the officials offered their congratulations. An edict was then circulated and reported throughout the realm, and the officials of every prefecture and county submitted memorials of celebration—but of this, no more.

Now it must be told that Emperor Taizong further issued an edict pardoning all criminals under heaven. He also reviewed the cases of those imprisoned for serious offenses. At that time, the reviewing officials presented over four hundred criminals from the Ministry of Justice who were sentenced to strangulation or beheading. The Emperor released them to return home, to take leave of their parents, brothers, and relatives, and to entrust their property to their kin, with the instruction that they would return to the authorities the following year to receive their due punishment. The criminals thanked the imperial favor and withdrew. He also issued a proclamation to care for orphans. He then reviewed the palace women, both old and young, numbering three thousand in all, and issued an edict to have them married to soldiers. From this time on, all was good both within and without. There is a poem as proof, which says:

The great Tang Emperor's grace and virtue surpass all,

His way exceeds that of Yao and Shun, bringing abundance to the people.

Four hundred condemned prisoners left the jail,

Three thousand wronged women were released from the palace.

Officials throughout the realm wished him long life,

All ministers in court congratulated the Dragon of Fortune.

A single thought of goodness is answered by Heaven's protection,

His blessed fortune shall be passed to seventeen generations.

Having released the palace women and pardoned the condemned prisoners, Emperor Taizong further issued an imperial proclamation to be circulated throughout the realm. The proclamation read:

Vast is the universe, the sun and moon illuminate all with clarity; boundless is the cosmos, heaven and earth tolerate no treachery. Those who scheme and plot shall see their retribution in this very life; those who do good, even in small measure, need not speak of blessings in the next world. A thousand clever schemes are no match for living honestly; ten thousand acts of force cannot compare to following one's lot and practicing frugality. If the heart is kind and charitable, why labor to read the sutras? If the mind wishes to harm others, reading the entire Buddhist canon in vain will avail nothing!

From this time on, there was not a single person under heaven who did not practice goodness. On one side, a proclamation was issued seeking worthy men to offer fruits to the underworld; on the other side, a treasury of gold and silver was dispatched, and Chi Jingde and Hu Jingde were sent to Kaifeng Prefecture in Henan to seek out Xiang Liang and repay the debt.

After the proclamation had been posted for several days, there came a worthy man who answered the call to offer fruits. He was from Junzhou, surnamed Liu, given name Quan, and possessed a fortune of ten thousand strings of cash. It happened that his wife, Li Cuilian, had taken a golden hairpin to the door to give as alms to a monk. Liu Quan scolded her, saying she did not observe proper womanly conduct and had left the women's quarters without permission. Madam Li could bear the indignation no more and hanged herself. She left behind a pair of young children, who wept day and night. Liu Quan could not bear to see them, and having no other recourse, he gave up his life, abandoned his home and family, forsook his children, and resolved to die offering the fruits. He took down the imperial proclamation and came before the Tang Emperor. The Emperor issued orders that he be taken to the Golden Pavilion Hall, where he was to carry a pair of pumpkins on his head, carry yellow paper money in his sleeves, and hold medicine in his mouth.

Liu Quan indeed died from the poison, and a single wisp of his soul, bearing the fruits and melons, quickly arrived at the Gate of Ghosts. The demon guard at the gate shouted, "Who are you, that you dare come here?" Liu Quan replied, "I am an envoy of the Tang Emperor Taizong of the Great Tang, sent specifically to present fruits and melons for the enjoyment of the Ten Kings of the Underworld." The demon guard gladly escorted him in. Liu Quan proceeded straight to the Hall of the Lofty Tribunal, where he saw the Kings of the Underworld. He presented the fruits and melons, saying, "By the decree of the King of Tang, I have come from afar to present these fruits and melons, in gratitude for the Ten Kings' clemency and mercy." The Kings of the Underworld were greatly pleased and said, "What a faithful and virtuous Emperor Taizong!" They then accepted the fruits and melons. The Kings asked the man who had brought them his name and where he was from. Liu Quan said, "Your humble subject is a commoner of Junzhou. My surname is Liu, and my given name is Quan. Because my wife, Li, hanged herself, she left behind children with no one to care for them. I am willing to abandon my home and forsake my children, sacrificing myself to serve my king, and I have specially come to present these fruits and melons to Your Majesty, in gratitude for the great kindness of the all the Kings." Upon hearing this, the Ten Kings immediately ordered an investigation into Liu Quan's wife, Li Cailian. The demon guard quickly brought her to the Hall of the Lofty Tribunal, where husband and wife were reunited. After recounting what had happened, they expressed their gratitude to the Ten Kings for their mercy. The King of the Underworld then consulted the Book of Life and Death and discovered that both husband and wife were destined for the lifespan of immortals. He quickly dispatched the demon guards to send them back to the world of the living. The demon guards reported, "Li Cailian has been in the underworld for a long time; her body no longer exists. To what can her soul be attached?" The King of the Underworld said, "Princess Li Yuying of the Tang Emperor is destined to die soon. You may borrow her body and allow Li Cailian's soul to return to life through it." The demon guard received the orders and immediately restored the souls of both Liu Quan and his wife, and they departed the realm of the underworld together.

How exactly the husband and wife returned to life will be told in the next chapter.