Chapter 9: Yuan Shoucheng's Brilliant and Impartial Calculation The Old Dragon King's Clumsy Scheme Violates Heavenly Rules

The poem says:A capital, a great nation, truly worth beholding;Eight rivers flow around it, encircling four mountains.How many emperors rose here,From ancient times, the world speaks of Chang'an.

This passage specifically describes Chang'an City, a grand city in Shaanxi, which served as the capital for successive emperors. Since the Zhou, Qin, and Han dynasties, its three provinces were like embroidered brocade, and eight rivers flowed around the city. There were thirty-six flower-and-willow alleys and seventy-two musical pavilions. On maps of China, it was considered the foremost city under Heaven, truly a place of extraordinary beauty and prosperity. Now, Emperor Taizong of the Great Tang has ascended the throne, and the era name has been changed to Zhenguan. He had been on the throne for thirteen years, and it was the Jisi year. Not to mention the valiant heroes who stabilized the nation and secured its borders, or the exceptional figures who founded the dynasty and fought for territory, who served before him.

Outside Chang'an City, by the banks of the Jing River, there were two wise men: one was a fisherman named Zhang Shao, and the other a woodcutter named Li Ding. They were like scholars who hadn't passed the imperial examinations, learned men of the mountains.

One day, after selling their firewood and carp in Chang'an City, they went together to a wine shop. After drinking until they were half-tipsy, each carrying a bottle, they slowly walked back along the Jing River. Zhang Shao said, "Brother Li, I think those who strive for fame lose their lives because of it; those who chase profit perish for it. Those who receive titles sleep with tigers, and those who receive favor leave with snakes. All things considered, it's better to live like us, amidst beautiful waters and green mountains, free and unburdened, content with simplicity, letting things happen as they may." Li Ding replied, "Brother Zhang, what you said makes sense. However, your beautiful waters are not as good as my green mountains." Zhang Shao said, "Your green mountains are not as good as my beautiful waters. I have a 'Butterfly Love Flowers' poem as proof, which goes:

A small boat on a thousand miles of misty waves,Quietly resting beneath a single canopy,Sounds like Xi Shi surround it.Cleansing thoughts and washing the heart,With little desire for fame or profit,Idly plucking smartweed blossoms and reeds.A few gulls on the sand are a joy to behold;On the willow banks and reed-filled bays,My wife and I laugh together.A peaceful sleep, with fair winds and waves,Free from honor or disgrace, and no worries."

Li Ding said, "Your beautiful waters are not as good as my green mountains. I also have a 'Butterfly Love Flowers' poem as proof, which goes:

A stretch of cloudy forest, full of pine blossoms,Quietly listening to orioles singing,Their clever tongues like flutes.Red flowers fading, green leaves thriving,Spring is at its warmest,Then suddenly summer solstice arrives, time turns.Autumn comes easily,With the fragrance of yellow flowers, delightful to enjoy.Swiftly, harsh winter arrives, like a snap of fingers,Carefree through all four seasons, with no one to bother."

The fisherman said, "Your green mountains are not as good as my beautiful waters, where I enjoy many fine things. I have a 'Partridge Sky' poem as proof:

In this immortal land of clouds and water, my life is complete,Rowing and mooring my boat is my home.I gut fresh fish and cook green turtles,Steam purple crabs and boil red shrimp.Green reed shoots, water caltrop sprouts,Water chestnuts and foxnuts are even more praiseworthy.Tender lotus roots, mature lotus seeds, young celery leaves,Arrowheads, wild rice, and bird's-eye primrose flowers."

The woodcutter said, "Your beautiful waters are not as good as my green mountains, where I enjoy many fine things. I also have a 'Partridge Sky' poem as proof:

Towering peaks reach the horizon,And a thatched hut is my home.Cured and preserved chicken and geese are better than crabs and turtles;Musk deer, rabbits, and deer surpass fish and shrimp.Fragrant toon leaves, yellow chinaberry sprouts,Bamboo shoots, and camellia flowers are even more praiseworthy.Purple plums, red peaches, ripe apricots,Sweet pears, sour dates, and osmanthus flowers."

The fisherman said, "Your green mountains are truly not as good as my beautiful waters, and I have another 'Heavenly Immortal' poem:

A small boat goes wherever it wishes,Fearlessly amidst countless misty waves.Casting hooks and nets to catch fresh fish,Without rich sauces, it still tastes delicious;My old wife and young children gather in reunion.When there's plenty of fish, I sell them in Chang'an market,Exchanging them for fragrant wine to drink until drunk.My straw cloak serves as a quilt as I lie on the autumn river,Snoring, without worries,Not longing for human honor or wealth."

The woodcutter said, "Your beautiful waters are still not as good as my green mountains, and I also have a 'Heavenly Immortal' poem:

A few thatched huts are built at the foot of the mountain,Where pines, bamboos, plums, and orchids are truly lovely.I traverse forests and cross ridges to find dry firewood,No one blames me, I sell it as I please,Whether little or much, depending on the world.I use the money to buy wine, as my heart desires,Drinking from clay bowls and porcelain cups, feeling truly free.When tipsy from mountain herbs, I lie in the shade of pines,Free from worries, free from harm,Indifferent to the rise and fall of the human world."

The fisherman said, "Brother Li, your business in the mountains is not as pleasant as my business on the water. I have a 'Moon Over West River' poem as proof:

Red smartweed flowers bloom abundantly, reflecting the moonlight;Yellow reed leaves sway wildly in the wind.The clear blue sky stretches far, the Chu River is empty,But stirring the pond sets the stars in motion.Large fish enter the net in schools,Small mandarin fish gather in clusters, biting the hook.What I catch, when cooked, tastes especially rich;I laugh and joke, carefree in the rivers and lakes."

The woodcutter said, "Brother Zhang, your business on the water is still not as pleasant as my business in the mountains. I also have a 'Moon Over West River' poem as proof:

Fallen leaves and dry vines cover the path,Broken branches and old bamboos fill the mountain.Spanish moss and kudzu vines intertwine,Which I break off to make ropes and secure my load.Worm-eaten hollow elms and willows,Wind-blown broken pines and nanmu trees.I collect them, pile them up for winter cold,And exchange them for wine and money as I please."

The fisherman said, "Although your mountains are comparable, they are still not as elegant as my beautiful waters. I have a 'River Immortal' poem as proof:

When the tide recedes, I turn and leave in my solitary boat;Deep in the night, I stop rowing and sing.My straw cloak under the crescent moon is truly serene;Sleeping gulls are not startled,And colorful clouds open up on the horizon.I lie weary on a reed island, without a care,Enduring until the sun is three poles high.I arrange my life as I please, with complete satisfaction.How can court officials, shivering as they wait for the dawn,Compare to my carefree heart?"

The woodcutter said, "The elegance of your beautiful waters is still not as elegant as my green mountains. I also have a 'River Immortal' poem as proof:

Along the green path in high autumn, I drag my axe to work;In the cool evening, I carry my load back.Wildflowers tucked into my hair are even more wondrous;I part the clouds to find my way out,And wait for the moon to call the door open.My young child and mountain wife joyfully greet me with smiles,And I still endure on a straw bed with a wooden pillow.Steamed pears and cooked millet are quickly prepared,New brew in the jar is ready; truly it strengthens my quiet spirit!"

The fisherman said, "These are all about our businesses, our means of livelihood. But you don't have the advantages of my leisure time. I have a poem as proof, which goes:

Idly watching white cranes fly across the sky,Mooring my boat by the stream and closing the green door.Leaning on the canopy, I teach my son to twist fishing lines;Stopping the oars, I dry the nets with my wife.With a calm mind, I truly know when the waves are still;With a peaceful body, I naturally feel the gentle breeze.I wear my green straw cloak and bamboo hat as I please,Which is better than hanging purple official robes at court."

The woodcutter said, "Your leisure time is still not as good as mine. I also have a poem as proof, which goes:

Idly watching ethereal white clouds fly,Sitting alone in my thatched hut, closing the bamboo door.When there's nothing to do, I teach my son to open books and read;Sometimes, I play chess with guests.When joy comes, I take my staff and sing on the fragrant path;When inspiration strikes, I carry my zither to the green hill.Grass sandals, hemp ropes, and coarse cloth quilts,A broad mind is better than wearing silk robes."

Zhang Shao said, "Li Ding, we two are truly comfortable with our humble verses, no need for clappers or golden goblets. But merely reciting scattered poems is nothing rare. Let's each contribute a few linked verses and see how our fisherman and woodcutter banter goes?" Li Ding said, "Brother Zhang's idea is wonderful. Please, brother, you start."

Boat rests in green waters amidst misty waves,Home stands in deep mountains, wild and vast.Especially love the stream bridge when spring waters swell,Most cherish the mountain caves veiled by morning clouds.Fresh carp from Dragon Gate often cooked,Worm-eaten dry firewood burned daily.Various fishing nets can support old age,Carrying pole and rope can serve till the end.Lie on my back in a small boat, watching wild geese fly,On the grassy path, still hear the cry of swans.No share for me in the arena of gossip,Few traces of me in the sea of right and wrong.Nets hung by the stream to dry, like brocade,Axe sharpened on stone, keen as a blade.In the bright autumn moon, often fish alone,In the silent spring mountains, meet no one.Plenty of fish exchanged for wine, drunk with wife,Surplus firewood buys wine, shared with children.Singing and pouring freely, indulging as I please,Long songs, long sighs, letting the mad wind blow.Calling brothers and friends, inviting boatmen,Bringing comrades and companions, gathering with old men of the wild.Playing drinking games, often passing cups,Playing card games, idly passing the bell for time.Cooking shrimp and boiling crabs, joyful every morning,Frying ducks and stewing chickens, plentiful every day.My simple wife brews tea with casual affection,My mountain wife prepares meals with calm composure.At dawn, raising my staff to stir the gentle waves,At sunrise, carrying firewood across the great ravine.After rain, donning a straw cloak to catch live carp,Before the wind, wielding my axe to cut down withered pines.Hiding my tracks, shunning the world, feigning foolishness,Concealing my name, living like a deaf-mute.

Zhang Shao said, "Brother Li, I just took the liberty to start a line first. Now it's your turn, brother. Please start a couplet, and I will follow."

In wind and moon, feigning madness, a man of the mountains and wilds,In rivers and lakes, finding pride, an old fisherman.Leisure is my lot, I live with ease,No gossip reaches my ears, I rejoice in peace.On moonlit nights, sleep soundly in a thatched hut,At dusk, my body covered lightly by a rush cape.Forget passions, befriending pines and plums,Gladly associating with gulls and egrets.No schemes for fame or profit in my mind,No sound of conflict reaches my ears.At any time, a sip of fragrant wine,Three meals a day, wild vegetable soup.Two bundles of firewood for a livelihood,A fishing rod and line for a living.Idly calling my young son to sharpen the steel axe,Quietly calling my simple boy to mend old nets.When spring arrives, I love watching willows turn green,When weather warms, I happily see reeds grow green.In summer, I escape the heat by tending new bamboo,In June, I enjoy the cool shade and pick young water chestnuts.When frost descends, fat chickens are often butchered,During Double Ninth Festival, strong crabs are cooked in season.When winter comes, I still deeply sleep even after sunrise,In the coldest days, the sky is high, and I feel no heat.Through eight seasons, I freely indulge my nature in the mountains,Through four seasons, I let my spirits roam in the lake.Gathering firewood brings a kind of immortal joy,Fishing reveals no worldly form.Outside my door, wild flowers bloom fragrantly,At the boat's bow, green water, calm waves.With a peaceful body, I speak not of prime ministerial ranks,A calm disposition is stronger than a ten-mile city wall.A ten-mile high wall guards against military commands,The prominent prime minister listens to imperial decrees.To love mountains and waters is truly rare,Thanking Heaven, thanking Earth, thanking the deities.

After they had each recited poems and linked verses, they reached the crossroads and bowed to bid farewell. Zhang Shao said, "Brother Li, take care on your journey! Be careful of tigers in the mountains. If there's any danger, tomorrow there'll be one less old friend on the street!" Hearing this, Li Ding grew furious and said, "You rascal, you're so wicked! Good friends would even face death for each other, yet you curse me? If I encounter a tiger and come to harm, you'll surely meet a wave and overturn in the river!" Zhang Shao replied, "I'll never overturn in the river, not in this lifetime." Li Ding said, "The heavens have unpredictable winds and clouds, and people experience temporary fortunes and misfortunes. How can you guarantee nothing will happen to you?" Zhang Shao said, "Brother Li, though you say that, you have no certainty. Unlike my business, which has certainty, I will definitely not encounter such things." Li Ding said, "Your livelihood on the water is extremely dangerous and perilous, hidden and obscure. What certainty can it possibly have?" Zhang Shao said, "You don't know. In Chang'an City, on West Gate Street, there's a fortune-teller. Every day I give him a golden carp, and he gives me a secret divination, telling me the precise location, and I always succeed one hundred percent. Today I went again to consult him, and he told me to cast my net on the east side of the Jing River bend and fish from the west bank; I'm sure to return with a full load of fish and shrimp. Tomorrow, I'll go to the city, sell them for money, buy some wine, and meet up with you again, old brother." With that, the two parted ways.

As they were talking on the road, someone was lurking in the bushes. It turned out that a water-patrolling yaksha from the Jing River Water Mansion overheard the words "one hundred percent success." He immediately hurried back to the Crystal Palace and frantically reported to the Dragon King, "Disaster! Disaster!" The Dragon King asked, "What disaster?" The yaksha replied, "Your servant was patrolling by the river and overheard two men, a fisherman and a woodcutter, conversing. As they parted, their words were very concerning. The fisherman said that on West Gate Street in Chang'an City, there's a fortune-teller who makes the most accurate predictions. Every day, the fisherman gives him a carp, and the fortune-teller gives him a secret divination, telling him where to go to guarantee a hundred percent catch. If his predictions are so accurate, won't all the aquatic creatures be caught? How then can the Water Mansion maintain its grandeur, and how can we stir waves and turn tides to assist Your Majesty's might?" The Dragon King was furious. He immediately grabbed his sword, intending to go to Chang'an City to kill the fortune-teller. From the side, the Dragon Prince, Dragon Grandson, Shrimp Minister, Crab Scholar, Shad Advisor, Mandarin Fish Assistant Minister, and Carp Grand Councilor all stepped forth and jointly pleaded, "Your Majesty, please calm your wrath. As the saying goes, do not readily believe words heard by chance. If Your Majesty goes, clouds will surely follow, and rain will assist, which might alarm the common people of Chang'an and incur blame from Heaven. Your Majesty's manifestations are unpredictable, and your transformations limitless. Why not simply transform into a scholar, go into Chang'an City, and investigate? If such a person truly exists, it won't be too late to kill him; if not, wouldn't Your Majesty be unjustly harming an innocent person?"

The Dragon King agreed to their suggestion. He put down his precious sword, did not stir up clouds or rain, and stepping ashore, transformed himself into a white-robed scholar. Truly he was—

Of noble and imposing bearing, soaring high like a cliff reaching the clouds. His steps were dignified and orderly, following proper norms. His speech adhered to Confucius and Mencius, and his manners embodied the civility of Zhou Wen. He wore a jade-colored silk robe adorned with bats and a carefree, straight scholar's cap.

He set off, striding with cloud-like steps, and went directly to West Gate Street in Chang'an City. There he saw a crowd of people, jostling and bustling, making a commotion. Among them, someone was speaking loudly, saying, "Those born under the Dragon sign are in their natal year, while those born under the Tiger sign are in conflict. Though the signs Yin, Chen, Si, and Hai are considered compatible, one must only fear the day conflicting with the year god." Hearing this, the Dragon King knew it was the fortune-teller's place. He walked forward, parted the crowd, and looked inside, where he saw—

The four walls sparkled with pearls and jade, the hall was filled with splendid embroidery. The precious incense burner constantly emitted fragrance, and the porcelain vase held crystal clear water. On both sides hung paintings by Wang Wei, and above the seat was a portrait of Guiguzi. A Duanxi inkstone, gold-smoke ink, complementing frost-white large brushes; books like *Huozhulin* and *Guopu's Numerology*, carefully aligned with the new classics of the celestial bureau. He was skilled in the six lines of divination, and proficient in the Eight Trigrams. He could understand the principles of Heaven and Earth, and was adept at discerning the emotions of ghosts and spirits. Everything was meticulously arranged, and his mind was clearly filled with constellations (knowledge of astrology). Truly, future events and past events were seen as in a moon mirror; the rise and fall of families were discerned like by a deity. He knew misfortune and determined good fortune, predicted death and spoke of life. When he began to speak, winds and rains raged; when he put pen to paper, ghosts and spirits were startled. His signboard bore his name: Divine Diviner Master Yuan Shoucheng.

Who was this person? He was Yuan Shoucheng, the uncle of Master Yuan Tiangang, the Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau of the current dynasty. The master indeed had a remarkable appearance, a handsome demeanor, his fame spread throughout the great nation, and his skills were unmatched in Chang'an. The Dragon King entered and met the master. After exchanging courtesies, the Dragon King was invited to sit, and a boy offered tea. The master asked, "What brings you here, sir?" The Dragon King replied, "I wish for a divination concerning the weather in the heavens, whether it will be cloudy or clear." The master immediately performed a divination in his sleeve and declared, "Clouds will obscure the mountain peaks, mist will shroud the treetops. If you seek rain, it will surely fall tomorrow morning." The Dragon King asked, "At what time tomorrow will it rain? And how much rain will there be?" The master said, "Tomorrow, clouds will gather at Chen hour (7-9 AM), thunder will strike at Si hour (9-11 AM), rain will fall at Wu hour (11 AM-1 PM), and the rain will cease at Wei hour (1-3 PM), with a total of three feet, three inches, and forty-eight drops of water." The Dragon King laughed, saying, "These words must not be a joke. If it indeed rains tomorrow, and according to the time and amount you predicted, I will give you fifty taels of divination fee as thanks. But if there is no rain, or if it doesn't match the time and amount, I tell you frankly, I will surely smash your storefront, tear down your signboard, and immediately drive you out of Chang'an, forbidding you to deceive the public here!" The master cheerfully replied, "That is certainly up to you. Please, please, we shall meet again after the rain tomorrow."

The Dragon King took his leave, exited Chang'an, and returned to his water mansion. The greater and lesser water deities met him, asking, "How was Your Majesty's visit to the fortune-teller?" The Dragon King said, "Yes, yes, yes! But he's just a glib-tongued master seeking praise. I asked him when it would rain, and he said tomorrow. I asked him what time and how much rain, and he said clouds at Chen hour, thunder at Si hour, rain at Wu hour, and rain ceasing at Wei hour, with three feet, three inches, and forty-eight drops of water. I made a wager with him: if it turns out as he said, I'll give him fifty taels as thanks; if it's even slightly off, I'll smash his storefront and drive him out, not allowing him to deceive the public in Chang'an." The aquatic creatures laughed, saying, "Your Majesty is the Supreme Commander of the Eight Rivers, the Great Dragon God who controls rain. Whether there's rain or not, only Your Majesty knows. How dare he speak such nonsense? That fortune-teller is certainly going to lose, certainly going to lose!"

As the Dragon Prince, Dragon Grandson, and the fish, carp, and crab warriors were still laughing and discussing this matter, they suddenly heard a voice from mid-air calling, "Jing River Dragon King, receive the imperial edict!" They all looked up and saw a golden-robed warrior, holding an imperial edict from the Jade Emperor, flying directly towards the Water Mansion. In a panic, the Dragon King straightened his robes, stood solemnly, burned incense, and received the edict. The golden-robed warrior returned to the sky. The Dragon King offered thanks, broke the seal, and read: "By imperial command to the General of the Eight Rivers: Go forth, commanding thunder and lightning; bestow rain and blessings tomorrow morning; universally aid Chang'an City." The time and amount specified in the edict matched the master's prediction exactly, terrifying the Dragon King to his very core. After a moment, he recovered and said to his aquatic subjects, "There truly is such a spiritual person in the mortal world, one who can connect with Heaven and Earth. I shouldn't have wagered with him!" The Shad Advisor reported, "Your Majesty, don't worry. What's so difficult about winning against him? Your servant has a small plan that will surely silence that fellow." The Dragon King asked for the plan. The advisor said, "If you deliver the rain at a slightly different time and with a little less volume, then his prediction will be inaccurate. Won't you win against him? Then, smashing his signboard and making him flee will be no problem at all!" The Dragon King agreed with his suggestion and indeed felt no more worry.

The next day, he summoned the Earl of Wind, Duke of Thunder, Cloud Child, and Mother of Lightning, and proceeded to the sky above Chang'an City. He waited until Si hour (9-11 AM) to gather the clouds, Wu hour (11 AM-1 PM) to unleash thunder, Wei hour (1-3 PM) for the rain to fall, and Shen hour (3-5 PM) for the rain to stop. He only delivered three feet and forty drops of water, changing the time by one hour and reducing the amount by three inches and eight drops. After the rain, he dismissed his generals, sending them back to their posts. Then he lowered his cloud, transformed back into the white-robed scholar, went to West Gate Street, burst into Yuan Shoucheng's divination shop, and without a word, smashed his signboard, brushes, inkstone, and other items. The master sat in his chair, completely unmoving. The Dragon King then picked up a door plank and began to hit him, cursing, "You demon who dares to speak falsely of fortune and misfortune, you scoundrel who dares to deceive the masses! Your divination is inaccurate, and your words are utterly absurd! You said the time and amount of rain today would be precisely so, but they didn't match! Yet you still sit here, imperiously? Get out now, and I'll spare your life!" Yuan Shoucheng, still utterly fearless, looked up at the sky and sneered, "I'm not afraid, I'm not afraid! I have no death penalty; I'm afraid you are the one who has a death penalty! Others are easy to deceive, but it's hard to deceive me. I know you; you are not a scholar, but the Jing River Dragon King. You violated the Jade Emperor's imperial edict, altered the time, reduced the amount, and broke celestial laws. On the Dragon-Slaying Platform, I fear you will not escape the blade. Yet you still dare to curse me here?" Hearing this, the Dragon King was terrified and his hair stood on end. He quickly dropped the door plank, straightened his clothes, prostrated himself respectfully, and knelt before the master, saying, "Master, please don't be angry. My previous words were merely a jest; who knew that what I pretended would become true? I have indeed violated celestial laws. What can I do? I beg you, Master, please save me! Otherwise, even in death, I will not let you go." Yuan Shoucheng said, "I cannot save you, but I can point out a path for you to escape death and be reborn." The Dragon King said, "I wish for your guidance." The master said, "Tomorrow, at a quarter past noon, you are destined to be executed by Wei Zheng, the human official of the Celestial Bureau. If you truly wish to save your life, you must immediately go and appeal to the current Emperor Taizong of Tang. That Wei Zheng is the Chancellor under the Tang Emperor. If you can ask him for a favor, then you will be safe." Hearing this, the Dragon King bowed in farewell, shedding tears as he left. Unconsciously, the red sun set in the west, and the lunar star rose, revealing—

Mist condensed, mountains turned purple, homeward crows weary;Travelers on distant roads sought inns.New geese at the ferry slept on sandbanks, the Milky Way appeared.Night watches were announced, the lone village lights flickered without flame.Wind curled incense smoke in the quiet monastery,People vanished into butterfly dreams.Moonlight shifted, casting flower shadows on the railing,Starlight was scattered.The clepsydra's sound changed,And unknowingly, deep night was already half-past.

The Jing River Dragon King did not return to his water mansion. He stayed in the sky, waiting until around Zi hour (11 PM-1 AM). He withdrew his cloud head, dispersed the misty corners, and went directly to the Imperial Palace gates. At that moment, the Tang Emperor was dreaming, having stepped outside the palace gates, strolling under the moonlit flowers. Suddenly, the Dragon King, transformed into human form, knelt before him. He cried out, "Your Majesty, save me, save me!" Taizong said, "Who are you? I shall save you." The Dragon King said, "Your Majesty is a true dragon; I am a karmic dragon. Because I violated celestial laws, I am destined to be executed by Your Majesty's virtuous minister, Wei Zheng, the human official of the Celestial Bureau. Therefore, I come to beg, hoping Your Majesty will save me!" Taizong said, "Since it is Wei Zheng who is to execute you, I can save you. You may go now, rest assured." The Dragon King was overjoyed, bowed in thanks, and departed.

After Taizong awoke from his dream, it weighed heavily on his mind. It was already the third point of the fifth watch (around 3 AM). Taizong held court, gathering both civil and military officials. There he saw—

Mist enshrouded the Phoenix Gate, fragrance filled the Dragon Tower.Light shimmered, moving the cinnabar-red palace,Clouds brushed past verdant banners.Emperor and ministers were in harmony like Yao and Shun,Their rituals and music as solemn as in Han and Zhou times.Attendant lanterns and palace maid's fans reflected light in pairs;Peacock screens and Qilin Hall shimmered everywhere."Long live the Emperor!" resounded from the mountains,"A thousand autumns of glory!" was wished.Three cracks of the silent whip echoed,And officials in their robes bowed before the crown.Palace flowers shone brilliantly, their heavenly fragrance permeating;Willows by the dike swayed gently to imperial music.Pearl screens and jade screens hung high on golden hooks;Dragon-phoenix fans and landscape fans stood by imperial carriages.Civil officials were distinguished and elegant,Military generals were spirited.The imperial path was divided by rank,The vermillion steps arranged by official grades.Gold seals and purple ribbons rode three majestic carriages,For a rule as enduring as Heaven and Earth, for ten thousand autumns.

After the officials had finished their morning greetings, they each took their places. The Tang Emperor, with his phoenix eyes and dragon gaze, looked carefully from beginning to end. Among the civil officials were Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Xu Shibian, Xu Jingzong, Wang Gui, etc.; among the military officials were Ma Sanbao, Duan Zhixian, Yin Kaishan, Cheng Yaojin, Liu Hongji, Hu Jingde, Qin Shubao, etc. Each one was dignified and solemn, but Chancellor Wei Zheng was nowhere to be seen. The Tang Emperor summoned Xu Shiji to the hall and said, "Last night I had a strange dream. I dreamt a man came to me, knelt, and claimed to be the Jing River Dragon King. He said he had violated celestial laws and was destined to be executed by Wei Zheng, the human official of the Celestial Bureau. He begged me to save him, and I promised to do so. But today, among the officials, only Wei Zheng is absent. Why is that?" Shiji replied, "This dream is a warning; soon Wei Zheng will come to court. Your Majesty must not let him leave the palace. If he stays within for this one day, you can save the dragon from your dream." The Tang Emperor was greatly pleased. He immediately issued an imperial decree, instructing the attendant official to summon Wei Zheng to court.

Meanwhile, Chancellor Wei Zheng was in his residence. The previous night, he had observed the celestial phenomena and was burning precious incense when he heard the cry of cranes from the highest heavens. It was a celestial envoy, bearing a golden edict from the Jade Emperor, instructing him to execute the old Jing River Dragon in a dream at a quarter past noon. The Chancellor thanked Heaven for its grace, performed fasting and ritual bathing, and in his residence, tested his wisdom sword and invoked his primal spirit. That was why he had not yet come to court. As soon as he saw the attendant official bearing the imperial decree to summon him, he was filled with immense trepidation. Yet, daring not to delay the imperial command, he quickly adjusted his robes and belt, and accompanied the official to court, where he prostrated himself before the Emperor and pleaded for forgiveness. The Tang Emperor issued a decree saying, "You are forgiven of any offense." At that time, the other ministers had not yet left court. Thereupon, the Emperor ordered the screens to be rolled up, dismissing the court, but kept Wei Zheng alone. He summoned him to the Golden Throne Hall, then called him into the private chambers, first discussing strategies for pacifying the nation and plans for stabilizing the state. As it approached the end of Si hour and the beginning of Wu hour (around 11 AM), he ordered palace attendants to bring a large chess set. "I shall play a game of chess with you, worthy minister." The imperial concubines then fetched the chessboard and laid it out on the imperial desk. Wei Zheng thanked the Emperor for his grace and immediately began to play chess with him. After all, we do not know the outcome; let us hear it explained in the next chapter.