Chinese Mythology and Tales
choid
DragonsSnakes.pdf
1
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“Dongting lingyin zhuan” 洞庭靈姻傳
(The Tale of the Supernatural Marriage
at Dongting)1
by Li Chaowei 李朝威
translated by Meghan Cai
During the Yifeng 儀鳳 reign (676–679),2 there was a scholar,
Liu Yi 柳毅,3 who failed the imperial examination4 and was going
to return to the shores of the Xiang [River] 湘.5 He remembered
that there was a native of his township who was sojourning in
Jingyang [County] 涇陽,6 and so he went there to bid him farewell.
When he had gone six or seven li [two or three miles]7 a bird flew
up and frightened his horse,8 which galloped off to the left of the
road.9 Only after another six or seven li did it stop.
[Yi] saw that there was a woman herding sheep at the side of
the road.10 Yi thought it was strange and looked [more closely] at
her; she was an unrivalled beauty. Yet,
Her moth‐like brows and face were furrowed,
Her headscarf and sleeves lacked luster;
She stood, listening intently, arms in a respectful pose,
As if she were waiting for someone.11
Yi questioned her, “What hardship has caused you to
disgrace yourself like this?”12
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The woman was at first pained,13 then apologized, and finally
wept and replied, “I am unfortunate, yet today I have been asked
[about my situation] by someone superior.14 Even so, resentment
has penetrated my muscles and bones. How can I hide myself out
of shame? I hope you will listen to my whole story. I am the
youngest daughter of the Dragon Lord of [Lake] Dongting 洞庭.15
My parents matched and married me to the second son of the Jing
River 涇川.16 But my husband took pleasure in depravity, became
bewitched by his maids and servants, and detested and scorned
me more daily. Subsequently I was about to complain to my
parents‐in‐law, but my parents‐in‐law dote on their son and are
not able to control him.17 When my complaints grew more
frequent and urgent, I further offended my parents‐in‐law. My
parents‐in‐law have slandered and dismissed me so that I have
come to this place.” She finished speaking. Choking on her sobs,
tears flowing18; she was inconsolable.19
She further said, “Who knows how far away Dongting is
from here? How vast, the endless skies; messages and news
cannot reach [my home]. My heart and eyes are completely cut off.
I am without any way to make my sorrow known. I hear that you
are going to return to your township20 and will be near Dongting.
If perhaps I were to entrust a letter to your servant, I do not know
if you would allow it?”
Yi said, “I am a man of righteousness.
I have heard your story,
My qi [vital force] and blood are both stirred;
I regret that I do not have tufted feathers,
[And am] unable to take flight.21
As such, how could there be talk of yes or no? Yet Dongting is a
body of deep water, and I walk in the dusty world. How can I
bring about your intention? I only fear that the roads of the light
and dark [realms] do not connect with each other, and this will
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“The Supernatural Marriage at Dongting” 3
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bring about failure in that which you have sincerely entrusted me
and go against my earnest wish. What method do you have that
can guide me?”
The girl sadly wept and apologized saying, “What you carry
is precious and important,22 I will not say any more. If I am
rewarded a response, although I might die, I will certainly repay
you. If you had not agreed, then how could I dare say anything?
But since you agreed and asked me about it, then there is no
significant difference between Dongting and the capital.”
Yi requested to hear about it. The girl said, “There is a large
tangerine tree23 on Dongting’s southern shore that the local people
call the Tangerine Soil Altar 橘社.24 You should take off your
corded belt,25 and girdle your waist with something else.26 After
that, strike the tree three times, and there should be someone who
answers. Then follow him and you will not have any obstacles. I
hope that besides what is related in my letter, you will also tell my
whole sincere story [to my parents]. Whatever you do, do not
change these things.”
Yi said, “I will respectfully heed your command.”
The girl then untied a letter from between the sash of her
padded jacket,27 bowed twice, and presented it. She gazed east28
and sadly wept, as if she could not restrain herself.
Yi was deeply saddened for her, and so he placed the letter in
his sack. He then asked, “I do not know what use your herding
sheep has. Is it that divine beings slaughter them?”
The girl said, “They are not sheep, they are rain makers.”
“What is a ‘rain maker’?”
She said, “Of the category of thunder and lightning.”29
Yi looked back to scrutinize them several times, and they all
lifted their heads to look back [at him] and took vigorous steps.
They drank and chewed very strangely, yet their size, wool, and
horns were no different from other sheep. Yi said, “I am acting as
your emissary. On the day you return home to Dongting, I hope
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you will not avoid me.” The girl smiled30 and said, “Not only will
I not avoid you, but I will treat you like family.”
When their conversation had finished, he bid her farewell,
and departed for the east. He had not taken several tens of steps,
but when he turned to look back at the girl and the sheep, they
had completely vanished from sight.
That night, Yi reached [Jingyang] City and took leave of his
friend. More than a month later he reached his township and
returned home. Only then did he visit Dongting. On the southern
shore of Dongting there was indeed a Tangerine Soil Altar. He
thus changed his belt, faced the tree, struck it thrice with
something,31 and stopped. Presently a warrior came out from
amidst the waves, bowed twice, and asked, “Honorable guest,
from whence have you come?” Yi did not tell him the truth, but
said, “I have come to have an audience with the Great King.”
The warrior parted the water, pointed out a road, and led Yi
into it. He said to Yi, “You should close your eyes and in several
breaths you will be able to reach [the palace].”32
Yi did as he said and arrived at their palace. He first saw
Terraces and pavilions facing each other,
Tens of thousands of gates and doorways,
Extraordinary plants and precious trees;
There was nothing that they did not have.
The warrior thus stopped Yi and made him remain in the corner
of a large room, saying, “Our guest should stay here to wait for
Our Lord.”
Yi said, “What place is this?” The warrior said, “This is the
Hall of Numinous Void 靈虛殿.”33
Yi scrutinized it, and all of the treasures of the world of
people were here.
Pillars of white jade; steps of green jade;
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Beds of coral;34 blinds of crystal;35
Colored glass36 carved and set in kingfisher green lintels;
Amber37 decorated and set in rainbow‐colored ridgepoles.
Its extraordinary beauty and profound serenity cannot be fully
described.
However, the King did not arrive for a long time. Yi said to
the warrior, “Where is the Lord of Dongting?”
The warrior said, “Our Lord is just now favoring the Dark
Pearl Pavilion 玄珠閣 with his presence, and is discussing the Huo
jing 火經 (Fire Scripture) with Daoist Priest Taiyang 太陽道士.38
They should finish momentarily.”
Yi said, “What is the Fire Scripture?”
The warrior said, “Our Lord is a dragon. Dragons consider
water to be divine. By taking one drop, they can cover ridges and
valleys. The Daoist Priest is a man. Men consider fire to be sacred.
By sending out one flame, they can burn down the Epang [Palace]
阿房.39 But the divine effectiveness [of water and fire] is not the
same; their mysterious permutations each have differences. Daoist
Priest Taiyang is well‐versed in the principles of men, and Our
Lord has invited him to listen to him speak about them.”
Their conversation had just finished when the palace doors
opened, and, [with attendants] following like a shadow and
gathering like clouds, Yi saw a person draped in purple garments
and grasping a green jade tablet.40 The warrior leapt up and said,
“This is Our Lord.” Then he went forward to report to him.
The Lord gazed at Yi and asked, “Are you not a man from the
mortal world?” Yi replied, “It is so.”
Yi immediately made a bow, and the Lord also bowed and
bade him to sit under the Numinous Void. He said to Yi, “My
watery palace is remote and deep, and I am dim and dull. You
‘did not consider one thousand li distant, do you have something
to do [for us]’?”41
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Yi said, “I am a native of the township of Your Great Majesty.
I grew up in Chu 楚 and traveled to study in Qin 秦.42 I recently
failed the examinations and by chance rode by the western edge of
the Jing River, where I saw Your Great Majesty’s beloved
daughter herding sheep in the pastures. Her wind‐tossed bun and
rain‐dampened hair were such that I could not bear to see [them].
So I questioned her and she said to me, ‘I have been scorned by
my husband, and my parents‐in‐law do not care. Thus I have
arrived here.’ Her mournful tears and snivel streamed down, truly
wrenching my heart.43 Thus she entrusted a letter to me. I
promised her and now I have arrived here.”
Then Yi took out the letter and presented it to him. When the
Lord of Dongting finished reading it, he covered his face with his
sleeve and wept saying, “This is the fault of an old father. I did not
investigate and discern, leading me to become deaf and blind,44
and allowing my feeble youngster of the women’s chambers to
suffer harm in a faraway place. You were but a passerby, yet were
able to discern her situation as grave.45 Since I am lucky to be
blessed with teeth and hair,46 how could I dare turn my back on
your virtue?”
When he was finished speaking, he again cried out in grief for
a long time, and his attendants all shed tears. At that time, there
was a eunuch who closely served the Lord. The Lord took the
letter, gave it to him, and ordered him to bring it into the palace.
Moments later, everyone in the palace was painfully crying. The
Lord was alarmed and told his attendants, “Quickly tell those
within the palace not to let there be any sound, for fear that it
might be found out by Qiantang 錢塘.”47
Yi said, “What sort of man is Qiantang?”
The Dragon Lord said, “He is my beloved younger brother. In
the past he was the Head48 of Qiantang, but now he has given up
his post.”49
Yi said, “Why can you not let him know?”
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The Dragon Lord said, “Simply because his bravery surpasses
that of men. In the past, [the Sage Ruler] Yao 堯 suffered from
nine years of flooding; this was because of one of this fellow’s
rages.50 Recently he fell out with a heavenly general and clogged
the five mountains [with water].51 Because of my past and present
meager virtue, the Supreme Thearch has been lenient with the
crimes of the one who shares my qi. Still, he has been fettered and
tied up here. Thus, Qiantang’s people wait for him day after day.”
He had not yet finished speaking when
A loud sound suddenly burst forth;
The heavens split; the ground cracked;
The palace and hall rocked and bucked;
Clouds and mist rolled in.
A moment later, there was a crimson dragon, more than one‐
thousand chi long.
With flashing eyes and bloodied tongue;
Vermilion scales and fiery mane.
Its neck was fastened with a metal lock;
The lock dragged a jade pillar.
One‐thousand thunder claps and ten‐thousand lightning
bolts
Violently whirled about its body.
Sleet, snow, rain, and hail
All came down at once.
Then it broke through the azure sky and flew away.
Yi, frightened, had collapsed and fallen prostrate to the
ground. The Lord personally arose and pulled him up, saying,
“Do not be afraid! Do not be afraid!52 There is really no danger.”
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It was a long time before Yi calmed a little, and only then was
he able to steady himself. Then he took leave saying, “I wish to
return with my life, so as to avoid his return.”
The Lord said, “It will certainly not be like that. His departure
was so, but his return will not be so. I hope that we may try a little
more to exhaust our goodwill.”53
Thereupon he bade [wine] to be poured. They raised [their
cups] to each other, in the manner that men are hospitable [to each
other].
Momentarily,
A propitious breeze and lucky clouds;
So cheerful! So gay!
Windsocked staffs54 jingle jangle;
Shaoxiao 韶簫 [music] followed along. 55
[Girls] red with makeup in myriad numbers;
Their laughter and talking, so merry!
Behind was one person
With natural moth‐like brows.
Her entire body [embellished] with pearls;56
[Swathed in layers of] raw silk and crepe of varying lengths.
Yi neared and looked at her57—she was the one who had
formerly entrusted her words [to him]. Yet, as if both joyful and
mournful, her tears streamed like silken threads. A moment later,
Red mist covered her left,
Purple vapors spread over her right,
Fragrant vapors curled and swirled,
And she entered the palace.
The Lord smiled and said to Yi, “The prisoner of Jing River
has arrived.” Then he took leave and returned into the palace. A
moment later, Yi further heard bitter complaints that went on for a
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long time without end. After a while the Lord again came out and
drank and ate with Yi. There was another man, draped in purple
garments and grasping a green jade tablet. His appearance was
stately; his spirit was exuberant. He stood to the left of the Lord.
The Lord said to Yi, “This is Qiantang.”
Yi rose and hurriedly bowed to him. Qiantang also exhausted
the formalities and received Yi.58 He said to Yi, “My niece was
unfortunate to be disgraced by a lout. We have relied on you,
Bright Gentleman, whose faith and righteousness are evident, to
make her distant injustice reach us. If it had not been so, she
would be the earth of a Jing [River] burial mound.59 We have
received favor and feel gratitude; words cannot fully express
[what is in] our hearts.”
Yi unassumedly drew back and declined [this praise], bowing
and scraping and yes‐yessing. After that Qiantang turned and
reported to his elder brother, “Earlier,
At the chen hour (7–9 a.m.), I set out from [the Hall of]
Divine Void;
At the si hour (9–11 a.m.) I reached Jingyang;
At the wu hour (11 a.m.–1 p.m.) I battled there;
And at the wei hour (1–3 p.m.) I returned here.
In between, I sped to the nine heavens to report to the
Supreme Thearch. The Thearch, knowing of her injustice, forgave
my offense. I have thus received a pardon for that which I had
been previously banished and denounced. Since my firm will had
been aroused, I did not have time to take leave. I have startled and
disturbed those in the palace. Moreover, I have insulted our guest.
I am ashamed and fearful, now knowing what offenses [I have
made].” Then he drew back and bowed twice.
The Lord said, “How many did you kill?”
[Qiantang] said, “Six‐hundred thousand.”
“Did you harm any farmland?”
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[Qiantang] said, “Eight‐hundred li [250 miles].”
The Lord said,60 “Where is that unfeeling man?”
Qiantang said, “I ate him.”
The Lord disappointedly said, “That that lout could be of this
mind is truly unbearable. Yet, you were still too rash. We owe it to
the Supreme Thearch’s display of sagaciousness to have forgiven
[you on account of] her extreme injustice. If it had not been so,
what could I have said to Him? From here on out, do not do this
again.” Qiantang again bowed twice.
That evening, they, in the end, lodged Yi in the Hall of
Congealed Rays 凝光殿. The next day, they again feasted Yi in the
Palace of Congealed Green Jade 凝碧宮.61
Friends and relatives gathered,
A wide sampling of music was played,
Sweet wine was set out,
Delicate and pure [foods] were arranged.
At the beginning, the jia 笳 and the jiao 角 [were played] and
the pi 鼙 and the gu 鼓 [were struck].62 [Carrying] flags and
banners and [wielding] swords and halberds, ten‐thousand men
danced to his right. In the middle, one came forward and said,
“This is ‘The Tune of Qiantang Breaks the Ranks’ 錢塘破陳樂.”63
Banners and weapons had outstanding airs,
Looking upon them one suddenly feels terror and trembles.
As the seated guests watch them
Their hair stands on end.
There further were [instruments of] metal, stone, string, and
bamboo; and [costumes of] gauze, damask, pearl, and kingfisher
feathers. One‐thousand women danced on his left. In the middle,
one woman came forward and said, “This is the ‘Tune of the
Noble Princess Returns to the Palace’ 貴主還宮樂.”
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Clear notes, spinning and twirling,
As if deploring, as if longing.
As the seated guests hear them
Unknowingly, their tears fall.
When the two dancers had just finished, the Dragon Lord was
greatly pleased, and granted them with silk and damask,
distributing them among the dancers. After doing so, sitting with
mats close together64 in lines, they indulged in drink and enjoyed
themselves to the utmost. When the Lord of Dongting was warm
with wine, he then beat [a rhythm on] his mat and sang:
How cobalt, the great sky––
How vast, the great earth.
Men each have ambitions––
How can one think to measure them?
Fox‐spirits and rat‐saints––
Approach the Earth Spirit altars and rely on their walls.65
Once lightning and thunder are emitted––
Who would dare to confront them?
[We are] indebted to a True Man––
Whose faith and righteousness are long lasting.
[He] made [my] flesh and bones––
Return home.
Together we proclaim our gratitude––
How could we ever forget?66
When the Lord of Dongting finished singing, the Lord of
Qiantang bowed twice and sang:
Supreme Heaven makes matches––
Life and death have [separate] roads.67
This one should not have been wife––
That one should not have been husband.
[My] stomach and heart68 have suffered––
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At the edge of the Jing River.
Wind and frost covered her head––
Rain and snow netted her padded jacket.
[She] relied on a Bright Lord––
To deliver a letter.
Causing my flesh and bones––
To rejoin her family as before.
We will express our gratitude forever––
Never will we not.
When the Lord of Qiantang reached the end of his song, he
rose together with the Lord of Dongting and presented a cup of
wine for Yi. Yi, showing respectful uneasiness,69 accepted the
goblet. When Yi finished drinking he offered two wine cups to the
lords in return. Only then did he sing:
How distant, the blue‐green jade clouds––
The Jing River flows east.
[We] grieve and sigh70 for the beauty––
The rain weeps, the flowers are gloomy.
A letter from afar arrives––
Thereby assuaging Our Lord’s anxiety.
Sorrow and injustice have been redressed as expected––[The
beauty] returns to reside in ease.
[I have been] treated to harmonious and elegant
[entertainment]––
[I have] been moved by delicate morsels.
[Yet my] mountain home is lonely––
It is difficult to remain [here] long.
I will soon take leave and depart––
Sadness entwines me.
When Yi’s singing was done, everyone cried out, “[May you
live] ten‐thousand years!” The Lord of Dongting thus pulled out a
blue‐green jade box that stored a Parting‐the‐Waters Rhinoceros
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Horn 開水犀.71 The Lord of Qiantang also pulled out a red amber
platter that stored an Illuminating‐the‐Night Flat Pearl.72 They
both stood up and presented them to Yi. Yi declined, but [finally]
accepted them. Afterwards, all the people of the palace lay raw
and dyed silks, pearls, and jade disks at Yi’s sides. Layer upon
layer, brilliant and glowing; in a moment he was buried in front
and back. Yi smiled and spoke [his thanks] to all around him.
Modestly clasping his hands, he bowed without rest. When it
came to the time when the wine was almost gone [and all were]
joyous to the utmost, Yi took leave and rose, [and] again stayed in
the Hall of Congealed Rays.
The next day they again feasted Yi in the Pavilion of Pure
Rays 清光閣. Qiantang, taking advantage of the wine, changed his
expression, and splaying his legs, said to Yi, “Have you not heard
that ‘a hard stone can be split but cannot be bent; a righteous man
can be killed but cannot be humiliated’? I have an idea that I
would like to lay out for you. If it is acceptable [to you], then we
will all be in the73 clouds and empyrean.74 If it is not acceptable,
then we will all disappear into muck and soil.75 What do you
think?”
Yi said, “I request to hear it.”
Qiantang said, “The wife76 of Jingyang is the beloved
daughter of the Lord of Dongting. Her kind nature and fine
character are esteemed by her whole family.77 Unfortunately she
was disgraced by an immoral man, but now this [relationship] is
broken off. I would wish to entreat you to entrust her to you of
great righteousness and for generations be your relative. Allow
the one who received your favor to know who she is to marry,
and those who hold her dear know to whom she is to be
entrusted.78 Is this not the gentleman’s way of finishing what he
started?”
Yi gravely stood up, suddenly laughed, and said, “I honestly
did not know that the Lord of Qiantang was as lowly and vulgar
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as this! When I first heard that you crossed the Nine Lands and
encircled the Five Marchmounts to release your pent‐up anger,
and again when I saw you break that metal lock and pull that jade
pillar to go to her who was in distress, I thought that in your firm
resoluteness and bright uprightness none could compare with
you. That for those who offended you, you would not avoid
death; and for those who care for you, you would not cherish your
life. These are the ideals of a true man. How can it be that when
the flutes and pipes had just become harmonious, and relatives
and guests had just become peaceful, without thinking about the
proper way you imposed your might on a man? How could this
be what I originally expected?!
“If I were to have met you in the big waves [of the sea] or
among the dark mountains, bristling with scales and whiskers and
draped with clouds and rain; and were you to have threatened me
with death, I would have then looked upon you as a beast and
would not have resented you. But now your body is draped in
clothes and [official] hat, and you sit and talk of rites and of
righteousness, completely in line with the aim and nature of the
Five Norms,79 and bearing the subtle meaning of the Hundred
[Types of] Conduct. Even among the worthies and outstanding
men of the world there are those who do not compare to you, let
alone among the numinous kind of the rivers and streams. Yet
you want, with a clumsy body and boorish nature, to take
advantage of the wine and rely on your [drunken] qi to force
[demands] upon a man. How could this be proximate to
uprightness?80 Moreover, my body is not sufficient to fit under
one of Your Majesty’s scales, yet I dare, with an unyielding heart,
to triumph over your unkingly manner. Then even if I were to die,
it would be like not dying.81 Your Majesty, consider this.”
Qiantang thus shrank back and expressed his apologies
saying, “I was born and raised in the rooms of the palace, and
never heard correct discourse. Earlier my words were spoken
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sharply and wildly, and I carelessly affronted you. I have looked
into myself and reflected; my offense cannot be spared from
reproach. I hope, Sir, that you do not let this come between us.”
That night, they again happily feasted and their joy was as
before. Yi and Qiantang consequently became bosom friends.
The next day Yi took leave to return [home]. The Lord of
Dongting’s wife held a separate feast for Yi in the Hall of
Submerged Light 潛景殿. Male and female servants, maids, and
the like all came out and attended the gathering. The wife wept
and said to Yi, “Our bones and flesh has received your deep
kindness and regrets that she was unable to show her gratitude to
you. Now we have arrived at [the moment of] separation.” She
had the girl formerly of Jingyang face [Yi’s] mat and bow in order
to express her thanks. The wife further said, “[After] this parting
will we ever meet again?”
Even though Yi, from the beginning, did not agree to
Qiantang’s request, yet at this party he had such an expression of
lamenting and regret. When the feast was done, they bid farewell,
and the entire palace was grief stricken. They presented pearls
and jewels so remarkable, they cannot be described. Yi then
retraced the path and came out at the river’s bank. He saw more
than ten men who followed him, carrying sacks and
accompanying him. When they reached his home they took leave
and departed.
Yi, accordingly, went to a jewel shop in Guangling
[Prefecture] 廣陵, 82 and sold that which he had obtained. He had
not yet revealed one‐hundreth [of his treasures], yet his wealth
was already a full million cash. On this account, the wealthy
aristocrats of Huaiyou 淮右 83 all thought that none of [their
wealth] could compare. Consequently, he married [a woman]
from the Zhang clan 張氏; she died after more than a year.84 He
then married a woman from the Han clan 韓氏, but after several
months she also died.
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Yi moved his home to Jinling 金陵.85 He was often, because he
was a widow, filled with emotions, and some people planned for
a new mate. There was a matchmaker who reported to him
saying, “There is a daughter of the Lu clan 盧氏 who is a native of
Fanyang 范陽.86 Her father, named Hao 浩, was formerly the
Steward 宰 of Qingliu 清流.87 In his later years, he delighted in the
dao and alone wandered the clouds and springs. Now, however,
his whereabouts are unknown. Her mother is called Neé Zheng 鄭
氏. In previous years [the daughter] was married to one of the
Zhang clan of Qinghe 清河,88 but unfortunately her husband,
Zhang, died early. Her mother pities her youth, cherishes her
cleverness and beauty, and wants to select a man of virtue to
make a match with her. I do not know what you think.”
Yi then had divined [an auspicious] day and completed the
ceremony. Since the couple’s two surnames were both powerful
clans, the ceremonial objects used were extremely abundant and
sumptuous. Of the elite of Jinling, there were none who were not
envious of Yi.
After more than a month, because Yi got home late one night,
he saw his wife and had a strong impression that she resembled
the dragon daughter, yet in her voluptuousness and plumpness
[his wife] further surpassed her. He took advantage of this time to
speak with her about past events. His wife said to Yi, “How can
the world of men have ways like this?”
After more than a month there was a son. He was dignified,
handsome, and peculiar.89 Yi valued her even more. When she had
finished birthing, and her month of isolation had passed, she put
on heavy makeup and sumptuous clothing, and called for Yi from
the curtained room.90 She smiled and said to Yi, “Do you not
remember me from the past?”
Yi said, “Earlier we were not married, how could I
remember?”91
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His wife said, “I am the daughter of the Lord of Dongting.
You caused the injustice of the Jing River be redressed. When I
accepted your favor, I vowed [in my] heart to seek [a way] to
repay you. At the time when Uncle Qiantang discussed becoming
relatives, you did not concede. Consequently [the time] arrived for
us to part; each of us in one area of the heavens, unable to ask
about the other.92 It went against what was lodged in my heart;
my sadness and longing turned into illness. During this time, my
parents wanted to match and marry me to Zhuojin’s 濯錦 93
youngest son. Consequently, I shut myself in my room and cut my
hair in order to show that I was not interested. Even though you
had discarded and broken away from me, and we parted with no
appointed date to meet again, yet my original heart could not be
replaced even in death.
“On another day my parents pitied my will, and I again
desired to quickly make it known to you, but encountered you
repeatedly taking wives. You had just taken a wife from the
Zhangs, then it was over and you took another wife from the
Hans. Once Zhang and Han died in succession, you divined to
reside here. On this account, my parents were then glad that I got
to finally repay your kindness. Today I have [the chance] to serve
you, and we can harmoniously finish our lives [together]. I can die
without regret.”
Thus she sobbed, weeping tears that crossed below. She faced
Yi and said, “The reason I did not say this in the beginning was
that I know you do not have a heart that values women’s beauty.
The reason I am now saying it is that I now know you have the
intention to love your son. I am trifling and not enough thereby to
affirm and solidify your heart of eternal love. On this account,
because you cherish your son I will forever be your wife. I do not
know what you think? Gloom and fear are both in my heart, and I
cannot assuage myself of them. That day that you took my letter,
you smiled and said to me, ‘On the day you return home to
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Dongting, I hope you will not avoid me.’ I honestly do not know if
at that juncture you could have had your mind on the present
situation? Afterwards, my uncle made a request of you, but you
resolutely would not allow it. Did you honestly think it was not
agreeable or was it out of anger? Will you tell me about it?”
Yi said, “It seems that we are fated. When I first saw you at
the edge of the long Jing [River], haggard from oppression, I
honestly had conflicted feelings. Yet the reason I restrained myself
from what was in my heart, was to make [news of] your injustice,
other than that, I did not attempt anything. That, in the beginning,
I said ‘be careful not to avoid me’ is coincidental, and that is all.
How could I have had this in mind?! When Qiantang tried to force
me [to marry you], only in principle was that something that
could not be upright, and so it stirred up my anger, and that is all.
Now, I started with the intention of doing a righteous deed, so
how could I then kill someone’s husband and take his wife? This
is the first [reason] it was not acceptable. I have always taken
upholding sincerity as my aspiration. How could I have had the
idea to bring dishonor on myself and yield to my heart? This is the
second [reason] it was not acceptable. Moreover, with forthright
expression of the feelings in my breast, in the excitement of
toasting each other with wine, I thought only of uprightness and
was not concerned with avoiding harm. Yet on the day I was to
part, I saw that you had an appearance of reluctance, and my
heart really regretted it. In the end it was because I was fettered by
matters of men that you had no way to repay your thanks. Ah,
now you are of the Lu clan and have also made your home among
men. Then my original heart had not been misled. From now on, I
will always give you joy and happiness, and your heart will be
without the tiniest worry.”
His wife was thus deeply moved and tenderly wept; for a
long time she did not stop. Before long she said to Yi, “Do not
think that because I am a different kind I have no heart. I certainly
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understand retribution. Dragons have longevity of ten‐thousand
years; now I give you the same. On water or on land, there will be
nowhere you cannot go. Do not consider this to be preposterous.”
Yi praised her saying, “I did not know that the beauty of the
state would also be the drug of immortality.”
So they went to have an audience at Dongting. They arrived
and, the sumptuous and decorous rites of guest and host cannot
be fully recorded. Later they resided in Nanhai 南海.94 In only
forty years, even if their residences, carriages, horses, rare
delicacies, accoutrements, and playthings had come from the
households of marquises and earls, nothing could have been
added. Yi’s lineage was all consequently showered with bounty.
Because his springs and autumns accumulated in succession, yet
his appearance did not deteriorate, everyone in Nanhai was
surprised and thought it odd.
During the Kaiyuan reign period 開 元 (713–741), the
Sovereign had just fixed his mind to the matter of immortals and
diligently searched for Daoist techniques.95 Yi was not at ease so
they returned home to Dongting. For more than ten years, no one
knew of his whereabouts.
At the end of the Kaiyuan period, Xue Gu 薛嘏, Yi’s cousin,
was the Prefect 令 of Jingji [Circuit] 京畿, but was demoted to
serve in the southeast.96 While passing through Dongting, on a
clear day he gazed far off, and suddenly saw a jade‐green
mountain emerge from the distant waves. The skiffmen all stood
by the side of the boat and said, “Here there was originally no
mountain. We’re afraid that there are water spirits [at work].”
When they were pointing and looking, the mountain and the
skiff gradually neared each other. Then there was a colorful boat
that sped over from the mountain, greeting and asking for Gu. In
it there was a man who called him saying, “Master Liu has come
to see after you.”
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Gu remembered him with a start. Only then did he hasten to
the foot of the mountain, hitch up his clothes, and hurry to the
top. The mountain had palaces and watchtowers like the world of
men. He saw Yi standing in a room of the palace.
In front of him were laid out silk and bamboo;
Behind him were arrayed pearls and kingfisher feathers.97
The opulence of his curios and playthings
Were many times more than those among men.
Yi’s discourse was even more mysterious,
His appearance was even more youthful.
When he first welcomed Gu at the steps, he grasped Gu’s
hand and said, “[Between] our parting and your arrival it has
been but a twinkling [of an eye], yet your hair has already
yellowed.”
Gu laughed and said, “That you should be an immortal and I,
withered bones, is fate.”
Yi thus took out fifty boluses of drugs and gave them to Gu
saying, “One bolus of this drug can add one year. When your
years are full, come back again. Do not reside long in the world of
men and thereby bring bitterness on to yourself.”
When their merry feast was finished, Gu took leave and went.
From this [time] after, there was no sight or sound [of Liu Yi]. Gu
often tells this tale to the world of men. It has been nearly four
generations yet Gu still does not know [Liu’s] whereabouts.
Chaowei of the Longxi 隴西 Li clan having written [this
account] sighed and said:98 “The leaders of the five creatures99
must exhibit perspicacity, and their differences here are made
evident. Men are naked [creatures] yet can place their trust in the
scaly creatures. Dongting contained great uprightness and
Qiantang was decisive and forthright. These [events] should be
passed down here. [Xue] Gu sang [of this story] but did not record
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“The Supernatural Marriage at Dongting” 21
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his songs. He alone was able to near that [immortal] region. I
wrote this piece considering it to be a righteous tale.
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