12 WHEN TUIZHI PRAYS FOR SNOW, XIANGZI ASCENDS THE SOUTHERN SHRINE

Yellow sprouts and white snow are not hard to find;

The adept must rely upon profoundly virtuous conduct.

The four signs and the five phases completely rely upon Earth;

The three primes and the eight trigrams cannot be separated from water.

Purifying the numinous substance is hard to understand;

It dissolves all yin spirits and then demons can no longer attack.

I wish to pass on to others these secret formulae,

But have not yet encountered a single soul mate.¹

Ever since Xianzong had ascended the throne, the harvests had been abundant and the people at peace. However, in the last two years a terrible drought had reigned. No rain or snow had fallen, the wells were empty, the trees withered and prone to burning, and the people had nothing to live on. Eventually the emperor promulgated a decree to all his high officials:

For four years after Our ascension to the throne the harvests were plentiful, but for the last two years We must have been lacking in virtue and Heaven has therefore sent warning signs. As a result the trees have withered, the wells and springs are dry, no green grass grows in the meadows, and the cooking fires in the households have been extinguished. Who among you military and civil officials agrees to accept Our command to go to the Southern Shrine and pray for rain and snow? If within half a month your prayers are successful, you will be promoted. If you fail, then it is because Heaven refuses Our command. We will have a pyre built and will immolate Ourselves as an apology to the people and a response to Heaven’s punishment.

Tuizhi said, “I, Han Yu, am willing to accept the commission to go to the Southern Shrine and pray for snow. If I cannot bring snow, I shall gladly immolate myself to apologize to Your Majesty.”

The scholar Lin said, “I, Lin Gui, am willing to accept the commission and supervise the altar. If Han Yu’s prayers do not bring rain, I shall immolate myself with him to repay Your Majesty.”

When Xianzong heard them, he was overjoyed and said, “Give your best effort to assist Our concerns.”

When Tuizhi and Lin Gui had left the court, they sent Zhang Qian to the Chang’an county authorities, ordering them to prepare the flags of the five directions and appoint functionaries to attend at the Southern Shrine. All the lower officials and the common people were to burn incense, light candles, and pray to Heaven.

When Xiangzi heard this up in the clouds, he said, “So my uncle and my father-in-law want to go to the Southern Shrine to pray for rain and snow. With the present weather situation, how could they succeed? Tomorrow I’ll go there and make an effort to deliver Han Yu. Let’s see what happens.” After a pause he added, “Ordinary mortals have no idea of the marvelous means at the disposal of divine immortals.”

And forthwith he transformed his shape and changed his garments. Hanging a flower basket from his wrist and grasping fisher drum and clapper in his hands he proceeded to the Southern Shrine, singing Daoist songs all along the way. From afar he already saw the multicolored flags on the Tower of the Five Phoenixes, as well as the majestic altars. In front of every house tablets with the dragon king’s name were set up for worship, alongside small jars filled with water. All around, willow branches and leaves were attached; incense sticks and candles were well arranged in orderly rows. In the streets old and young all faced Heaven and prayed.

Xiangzi went forward and called mockingly, “My dear sirs, I knock my head in greeting. Could it be that you set up these altars to welcome me, the great immortal?”

The people raised their heads, and seeing that Xiangzi was sallow, emaciated, and ugly beyond words, they said, “Shut up! You know the saying ‘improper words can destroy luck for a whole lifetime,’ don’t you? We currently have a drought and the people have nothing to live on. The emperor sent Master Han to ascend the shrine and pray for rain and snow. That’s why we’ve set up altars and are praying to Heaven and Earth—isn’t that Master Han coming now?”

When Xiangzi moved aside and looked, he saw Tuizhi in his court robes, holding the ivory tablet, sitting very solemnly on a horse, preceded by heralds shouting to clear the way. It was very orderly and impressive. The scholar Lin followed behind, also in court robes and with an ivory tablet.

Having watched them for a while, Xiangzi went into a tavern and bought a pot of good wine. Pouring wine and drinking it by himself, he sang a Daoist song to the tune “Wild Geese Descending”:

“Look how deep the blue mountains and the green waters are.

See the pines and cypresses standing unchanged forever.

Shi Chong possessed wealth of ten thousand strings of cash,

Patriarch Peng longevity of a thousand years.

When they went to their deaths, what was left to them?

I am happy every day,

Free all the time,

Joyful and without worries;

Everything I do succeeds.

To expand this freedom,

I drink a few cups of immortality wine.”

As Xiangzi was drinking his wine, he laughed and said, “Uncle, uncle, you are a very ordinary fellow. How could your prayers bring about snow? But so as not to waste the court’s money and grain, and the people’s efforts, I shall go in a few days and pray on your behalf for a day’s worth of snowfall. Manifesting my abilities to you should make you amenable to being delivered.”

True enough, Han Tuizhi and Scholar Lin prayed earnestly at the Southern Shrine day and night without interruption, but after twelve days there was not even half a cloud in the sky, let alone any snow. Their worry and distress increased greatly, but they could do nothing except post a placard with the following general announcement:

Concerning the prayers of the Vice Minister of Justice Han and the Hanlin Academician Lin:

A drought prevails and the springs and watercourses are dried up. The sedentary population and traveling merchants all flee for their lives and cannot follow their calling. Because the present prayers have not elicited a response, the following announcement is made:

No matter whether he is a civil or military official, traveling or resident merchant, itinerant Buddhist or Daoist, recluse or mountain hermit—anyone with true merit and magical abilities who can pray for rain and snow shall lead the assembled officials and be courteously asked to ascend the shrine. If he receives an efficacious response, a memorial for his reward shall be submitted.

This notice is made known to everyone concerned.

Just after the placard was posted, outside the eastern gate an old man named Wang Fu stood and read it. Once he understood what it was about, he turned around to return home.

Just at this moment Xiangzi came ambling along, holding his drum and singing a song. On his clapper was written: “Auspicious Snow for Sale.”

Wang Fu was walking along without paying attention to his surroundings, but when he raised his head and saw Xiangzi’s clapper, he stopped him and said, “Master, if you have snow for sale, then sell me some.”

Xiangzi said, “If you really want to buy, come up with some money and I’ll order it to come flying down to be sold to you.”

“You must be mad,” Wang Fu said. “It’s such a bad drought the emperor has ordered two officials to pray at the Southern Shrine. After more than ten days, they still haven’t brought down a single snowflake. And you dare to tell me that you’ll just order it to flow down to be sold to me. Truly mad!”

“I am not mad,” Xiangzi said. “The wind, clouds, snow, and moon are all in my sleeves. I am afraid those officials won’t be successful with their prayers and the Tang emperor will be very angry.”

Wang Fu said, “If you really have such a skill, then go to the Southern Shrine and bring about a big snowfall by your prayers. Then Master Han will memorialize the court to have you appointed a Preceptor of State and a Daoist temple will be built for you to live in. That way you would earn riches and status.”

“I don’t want such honors. I only want Master Han to pay me ten million ounces of gold and a thousand pecks of bright pearls. Then I’ll get him his great snowfall.”

“Master, even bottles and jars have ears, yet you haven’t heard that Master Han is as pure as water, completely honest and incorrupt. Where would he get so much gold and pearls to give you?”

“If he really is incorruptible and therefore without money, I’ll be generous,” Xiangzi said. “If he will come to me leading the assembled officials and bowing at every step, and in this manner invite me to ascend the shrine, I guarantee that there will be wind as soon as I raise my hands, and snow as soon as I bring them together.”

“Master Han has received an imperial command and acts in compassion for the people. He will agree to your demands, but I am afraid you have no such powers,” said Wang Fu.

“I have the powers,” Xiangzi said. “But no one goes to tell Master Han about them and call on him to come and invite me in the most respectful manner.”

“Where did you come from? What is your name? If you explain yourself, I will gladly go and report it to Master Han.”

“I have come from the Zhongnan Mountains, and I am the Daoist Zhuo Wei.”

“How far are the Zhongnan Mountains from the capital?” Wang Fu asked.

“More than 100,000 miles,” he answered.

“If you have made your way here while begging for alms, it must have taken you several months.”

“If I start out early, I arrive early,” Xiangzi said. “If I start out late, I arrive late. Why would I need several months?”

“I have heard people speak of immortals who ride the clouds and mists, but have never seen one with my own eyes. You are so young, you wouldn’t be able to ride clouds, would you?” Wang Fu wondered.

“Clouds I cannot ride, but I can produce clouds under my feet,” Xiangzi said.

“Don’t make me the butt of your jokes,” Wang Fu said. “I am an old man who has eaten more salt in his lifetime than you have tasted soy sauce in yours. Why cheat me with this baseless talk?”

“Since childhood, I have always been honest and never told a lie,” Xiangzi told him.

Then Wang Fu ordered some people in the street, “Watch this master carefully. Get some wine and food for him and keep him here. Don’t let him leave. I am running to report to Master Han so that he may come and invite him.”

The people in the street said, “As you wish, but hurry up and don’t strike roots anywhere gossiping with people.”

Wang Fu took to his heels and ran straight to the gate of the Southern Shrine. Truly,

When one is all in a hurry like an arrow,

The feet run as if taking flight.

Wang Fu ran until he was red in the face and out of breath. He could no longer stand firmly on his feet and so squatted in a heap on the ground. When the official who guarded the gate saw him in this state, he stepped in front of him and asked, “What lawsuit do you want to lodge, with which official, that you come running here in such a hurry? Right now the two officials are fasting in seclusion and are not allowed to deal with any suits. You have exhausted yourself in vain.”

Panting, Wang Fu replied, “I don’t want to lodge a lawsuit and have no accusations. The court’s vast blessings fill Heaven and the assembled civil and military officials produce so much good fortune that the present star of calamity besetting the people will surely withdraw. This has moved Heaven and it has sent down a young Daoist from the Zhongnan Mountains, his hair bound into two knots, his body dressed in coarse cloth. In his hands he holds a fisher drum and a clapper on which is written “Snow for Sale.” He is not more than twenty or thirty years old. He says that when he ascends the shrine, wind will arise as soon as he raises his hands, and snow will fall as soon as he brings his hands together. I did not dare hide this information and came running especially to report it to the two officials so that they may quickly go and invite him to perform his rituals.”

“What’s your name?” the guard asked him.

“I am called Wang Fu.”

The guard then led Wang Fu straight to the foot of the audience hall, knelt and said, “I report that just after we posted the placards, this old man came to say that in the streets of Chang’an there is a young Daoist who has written on his clapper that he is selling wind and clouds, rain and snow. The old man asked him whether he really had such powers. The young Daoist said, ‘If you invite me to ascend the shrine, I guarantee that snow will fall.’ Therefore this old man came here to see you.”

When Tuizhi heard this, he was very pleased and asked Wang Fu, “Where is the young Daoist now?”

Wang Fu came forward and replied, “He is at my home.”

Tuizhi then ordered a guardsman to go with an imperial agent to invite Xiangzi to the shrine. They left the Southern Shrine with Wang Fu and arrived outside the eastern gate only to see a hundred or so people surrounding Xiangzi. Pushing their way through the crowd, they caught a glimpse of him.

Startled, they seized Wang Fu and said, “There are many ritual officials at the Southern Shrine, among them one of powerful spirit and high Daoist cultivation, yet even he does not have the magical techniques to bring about snow. How could this young Daoist, who looks as if he didn’t have long to live, have such powers? Do you vouch for him?”

When Xiangzi heard the guardsman’s words, he laughed out loud and said, “Stop looking down on people! It is in vain that you have so many ritual officials at the Southern Shrine. If you gave them to me as disciples, I’d have no use for them.”

Changing his tone, the guardsman replied, “The officials ordered us to invite you to ascend the shrine and pray for snow to relieve the suffering of the people. Please move a little quicker, so as not to keep them waiting.”

“As you have invited me, how could I not go?” Xiangzi said. “Please go ahead and I will follow behind.”

“This is a trick. You are trying to get away,” the guardsman said. He hadn’t finished speaking when Xiangzi vanished into thin air.

The guardsman went gray with fright. He pulled Wang Fu along and said, “I am not going to take the blame for this. You go yourself and explain this mess to Master Han. We will not shoulder this trouble for you.”

Unable to close his mouth, Wang Fu had no choice but to go with the two. The whole way they led him like a sheep to the marketplace, he unwilling to walk on, they pulling and dragging, until they arrived at the Southern Shrine. And who should they find there but Xiangzi already sitting at the great gate.

When the guardsman saw him sitting there, he pointed him out to Wang Fu and said, “The one sitting there—isn’t that the young Daoist? That’s really strange.”

Wang Fu rubbed his eyes, stepped forward, and said, “How did you arrive here first? You scared me out of my wits.”

“You need not be worried,” Xiangzi said. “We ascetics move like the wind. How could you keep up, with your shaking and swaying pace? When I say something, then it is so. I never lie. Guardsman, release this old man and let him go home.”

As he was bid, the guardsman released Wang Fu, who hurried off home like a fish that has escaped from the net, or a bird that has gotten out of its cage, paying no attention to where he was stepping or whether he lived or died.

Xiangzi asked the guardsman, “Why is one of the three gates high and the other two low? And what about that little side door?”

The imperial agent said, “The high gate in the middle is the Dragon-and-Phoenix Gate. Only the emperor enters through it, and it is only opened once a year. The other two are the chief gates, through which the civil and military officials pass.”

“Through which gate am I to enter today?” Xiangzi asked.

“None of these three gates is for you to go through,” the agent said. “We’ll take you in by the side door.”

Xiangzi said, “As an ascetic I have a green dragon on my left shoulder, a white tiger on my right shoulder, a red bird in front of me, and a dark warrior behind me. How could I enter through the side door? No, I’ll only go in if you open the central gate.”

The guardsman went pale with fright. “The vice minister of Rites has specifically regulated that Buddhist and Daoist clerics are not to use the central gate. You are just a young Daoist. Who would dare open the central gate and let you enter through it?”

“Among Buddhist and Daoist clerics there are also differences in rank,” Xiangzi said. “Don’t lump them all together. If you don’t open the central gate, I will turn back, and who will dare stop me?”

The guardsman said to himself, “Whatever his powers may be, if he can’t produce snow, we’ll have the authorities deal with him. No fear that he may fly off to Heaven.” Then he ordered the agent, “You watch him closely. I’ll go in to report to the officials, and then we’ll decide what to do.”

The guardsman went straight inside and reported, “The young Daoist from the Zhongnan Mountains is already outside the gate. However, he has made such an impudent demand that I dare not speak of it.”

“Tell me what this impudent demand is,” Tuizhi said.

The guardsman said, “When he came to the gate, he stopped and asked why the middle one of the three gates was higher than the others, and why there was a little side door. I explained to him that the central gate was for the use of the emperor and was therefore higher. The two other gates were used by officials, the eastern one for the civil and the western one for the military officials. The little side door was used by all kinds of ordinary people. He was to enter by the side door to meet with you. The young Daoist said he would only go in and ascend the shrine if I opened the central gate. If I did not open it, he would on no account come in and I was to tell you to ask someone else to pray for rain. I did not dare act on my own authority, but have to rely on your decision.”

When Tuizhi heard this, he became very angry and resentful. He ordered his attendants to bring the young Daoist in and give him forty serious blows with the big stick. His priest’s diploma was to be withdrawn and he himself returned to lay status.

With his hands clasped in salute, Scholar Lin said, “Don’t be upset. If the young Daoist dares talk so big, he must be of big use to us. At this point we are in urgent need of talent. Why haggle with him over petty issues? A saying puts it well: ‘He is accomplished who can slaughter oxen and sell wine illegally without getting caught.’ You and I have received an imperial commission to act for the benefit of the common people. If today we violate the law by opening the forbidden gate and inviting him in, and if he then brings about a good snowfall, the emperor is welcome to blame us for our action. Furthermore, the civil and military officials are all observing, so we aren’t deceiving anyone. Who will dare oppose us in front of the emperor? However, if the emperor should get to know about it and fault us, I will take the blame.”

In accordance with Scholar Lin’s suggestion, Tuizhi ordered Zhang Qian to tear off the seals and open the central gate to let the young Daoist in.

When Zhang Qian walked out the gate to invite Xiangzi in, he saw that he was extremely ugly, not at all like a divine immortal. “Today we are in urgent need of a talented person, sir,” Zhang Qian said. “Your luck is in and the two lords have specially opened the central gate and are waiting for you to clamber in.”

“I am not a turtle,” Xiangzi said. “Why do you say I should ‘clamber’ in?”

“You are young and short of stature,” Zhang Qian said. “The threshold of this central gate is very high. I feared you might not be able to step over it. Therefore I spoke of ‘clambering.’ I meant no offense.”

“In the mountains I see mostly trees, but few people, sir,” Xiangzi said. “Now that I have the good fortune to enter through the forbidden gate, could I bother you to go and ask the two lords to come out and welcome me?”

“If one gives you ascetics one thing, you want two. They have agreed to open the central gate and allowed you to come and leave through it. That already is way beyond your station. Now in addition you want the two lords to come out and welcome you. Aren’t you just asking for your own death?” Zhang Qian said.

Xiangzi laughed and said, “Your master came and wanted something from me, not I something from him. If he welcomes me, I shall enter the gate and cause snow to fall. That will be your master’s good fortune. How can you say I’m looking for my own death?”

Zhang Qian had no choice but to go back inside and report to Tuizhi, “That hapless Daoist is not content to be allowed in through the great gate, but wants you gentlemen to go welcome him and lead him in.”

Enraged again, Tuizhi said, “What uncouth Daoist dares give himself such airs? Quickly, clap him in irons and bring him before me.”

Scholar Lin said, “Don’t upset yourself. We’ve already opened the central gate for him. If we welcome him, it is only for the sake of the state and the people. It won’t break the wings off our black silk caps. Can it be that you don’t know the story of Han Xin in the Han period? He was a shameful fellow, yet Gaozu built a shrine and asked him to be a general. Later he forced Xiang Yu to commit suicide at the Black River and chased Tian Heng out to die on the ocean isles. Thereby he laid the foundation for over three hundred years of Han reign. Although this young Daoist does not compare to Han Xin, we should still follow the example of the Duke of Zhou, who would spit out his food three times during a meal, or twist up his wet hair three times during a bath, to go out and receive guests, treating worthies with consummate courtesy. What harm is there in humbling ourselves to welcome the fellow this time?”

Following Lin’s advice, Tuizhi walked out of the shrine with him to welcome Xiangzi. In the side corridors about a hundred civil and military officials were lined up; in the courtyard more than a thousand ritual specialists, Buddhist monks, and Daoist priests stood in orderly rows.

The imperial agent ran up and called to Xiangzi, “You are lucky, master. Master Han is coming out to welcome you. Quickly come forward.”

Xiangzi paid him no attention whatsoever. He waited until Tuizhi and the other officials had come right up in front of him. Only then did he get up and say, “My lords, I knock my head.”

Scholar Lin and the other officials returned the greeting, but Tuizhi just pretended not to notice and did not follow suit.

Xiangzi pointed at the courtyard and asked, “What are all these Buddhists and Daoists doing here?”

“They are all ritual officials praying for snow. Don’t treat them with contempt,” Scholar Lin said.

Xiangzi clapped his hands and laughed, “That lot doesn’t even know how to lie down when they sleep. When they eat they don’t know if they’re still hungry or already full. How could they pray for snow?”

“It’s because they weren’t successful that we’re asking you to ascend the shrine,” Scholar Lin said.

“When do you want the snow?” asked Xiangzi.

Scholar Lin said, “The emperor has given us half a month. We have already prayed for thirteen days, so it would have to snow by tomorrow.”

“Daoists have twenty-four different approaches to prayer. To which school of ritual do you belong?” Tuizhi asked Xiangzi.

“I belong to the Celestial Heart Orthodox Method of the Five Thunder Spirits,” he replied.

“What paraphernalia do you need prepared?” Tuizhi asked.

Xiangzi said, “All I need, sir, is ten new tables, ten yellow flags, ten flag-bearers, ten earthen jars, and ten rush mats, all arranged in front of the shrine. In addition I need a pig’s head, a pot of wine, and ten steamed buns which I will use when I ascend the shrine.”

“How can you sacrifice a single pig’s head to all the divine generals of the whole shrine?” Tuizhi said.

“Don’t concern yourself with what to sacrifice and what not, so long as it snows,” Xiangzi told him.

“If you really cause snow to fall, I’ll memorialize the court to give you a banquet and a noble title. You definitely won’t be neglected,” Tuizhi said.

“I have long lived in the mountains and am only used to eating yellow leeks and thin rice,” Xiangzi replied. “I couldn’t eat the dregs from an imperial banquet. I only know how to raise my hands in salutation, not how to flatter and fawn.”

Half angry, half laughing, Tuizhi said, “This young Daoist utters nothing but insults.” Then he left Xiangzi behind and went to rest in the shrine’s fasting room.

The next day all the different paraphernalia were ready. Tuizhi and Scholar Lin, at the head of a hundred officials, courteously asked Xiangzi to ascend the shrine.

Xiangzi ordered that the tables be set up at the points of the five directions, two tables stacked on top of each other at each point. Both on the upper and the lower table an earthen jar should be placed, filled with clear water. The rush mats were to be placed on the upper tables. Two servants holding flags with the appropriate colors were to stand beside each set of tables and attend while Xiangzi performed the rituals.

Xiangzi ascended the shrine with solemn, dignified steps, rolled up his sleeves, and drank a cup of wine. He ripped the pig’s head and the big steamed buns to shreds and wolfed them down until everything was gone. The officials and the Buddhist and Daoist clerics said he was just eating these things for himself, not knowing that secretly he was rewarding the celestial generals.

Xiangzi called out, “I am drunk and full. I want a new mat, a pillow, and a blanket. Wait until I have taken a nap. When I wake up, I will get you your snow.”

“Just look at that young Daoist,” Tuizhi said. “The only ability he has is to get wine and food by cheating. How could he obtain snow?”

“Don’t rush to judgment, just ask when the snow will arrive,” Scholar Lin said.

So Tuizhi asked him, “When you have slept, at what time will the snow fall?”

“At the sixth watch a wind will start to blow, and at the noon hour it will snow until exactly three feet and three inches have accumulated. Then it will stop,” Xiangzi said.

“In that case, please sleep well,” Tuizhi said.

Everybody was laughing secretly, unaware that Xiangzi did not intend to sleep, but was performing a sleeping prayer. While he was asleep on the mat, snoring loudly, his sweat pouring like rain, his yang spirit went straight to the gate of Southern Heaven.

The celestial general guarding the gate asked, “Immortal Han, how are you getting on with the deliverance of Chonghezi?”

“It is still early days!” Xiangzi said.

“What are you here for?” asked the celestial general.

“I need to see the Jade Emperor about an urgent official document,” Xiangzi replied.

The celestial general led Xiangzi straight up to the Precious Palace of the Numinous Empyrean for an audience with the Jade Emperor. Xiangzi reported in detail on Tuizhi praying for snow at the Southern Shrine. The Jade Emperor quickly transmitted a decree commanding the dragon kings of the four seas, as well as the Rain Master and Wind Count, all to obey Xiangzi. When he raised his hand, without fail there was to be wind, and when he brought his hands together, snow was to fall. Xiangzi led all the deities to the Southern Shrine, where they were to await his signal.

Tuizhi, the officials, and the ritual specialists were all waiting for a wind to blow at the sixth watch and snow to fall at noon. When they saw that the sun was already approaching the noon hour, while Xiangzi was still snoring and no wind stirred, everyone started to chatter and make jokes. The ritual officials said, “We have studied and practiced the Celestial Heart Orthodox Method of the Five Thunder Spirits since we were young, but couldn’t bring about a bit of snow. That fellow hasn’t even looked at books or charms or chanted invocations. You would need to find a great roc or a golden-winged bird to cover that bright red sun. Otherwise, even if he were an immortal, there would be no chance of snow by noon.”

As they were joking, suddenly Xiangzi awoke. Standing on the shrine he called to Tuizhi, “My lord Han, you and the others should withdraw to the corridors below, kneel facing northeast, and wait for the dragon king of the Eastern Ocean to send snow.”

Tuizhi said, “Since ancient times snow could only fall if red clouds covered the sky and a north wind blew. How can there be snow when the sun is shining brightly, the sky is clear, and no wind is blowing?”

“Sir, you say there is no wind and you want wind. Why the haste?” Then Xiangzi took a flag from the hands of the attendant in the west, waved it toward the northwestern corner, and called, “Dragon King Ao Ying of the Western Ocean, why is there no wind?”

He had not yet finished speaking when red clouds gathered halfway up the sky and the wind soughed. In the southeast the clouds grew tall and the trees swayed. In the northwest mists developed and dust swirled up, forcing people to shield their faces. The dragon king Ao Ying of the Western Ocean bowed and said, “Immortal Han, is this not wind?” A howling gust grew into a strong wind. Here is a poem to illustrate it:

Blowing the dust about,

Soughing over the forests.

On the ocean silver waves are churned up;

In the mountains boulders roll down the slopes.

Noble steeds are neighing on the highways;

Beautiful women drop their bronze needles.

Flying ducks lower their wings;

In the ponds fish struggle against the restless water.

Yellow leaves swirl, dancing in the air.

Mountain forests are swept clear, exposing the roots.

Clay images of the gods are blown against the temple walls,

Suspended bells ring in golden palaces.

Walking on the road, it is hard to turn one’s head,

It is impossible to let down screens.

When such a wind produces snow,

One needn’t fear that it won’t be plentiful.

In a gust of western wind ten thousand leaves swirl,

Tree branches in the gardens are broken off.

Above, the wind blows over the saha tree,

Below, it topples the bridge of Zhaozhou.

When the wind had passed, Xiangzi asked, “Sirs, where did that wind come from?”

“It was due to the vast blessings of the emperor, the numinous responsiveness of Heaven and Earth, and the good fortune of the people,” Tuizhi said.

Xiangzi laughed and said, “I haven’t yet made it snow, and you are already denying me all credit.”

“The sun is about to cross its zenith and we have wind, but no snow,” Scholar Lin said. “What are you going to do about it?” Xiangzi took a blue flag from the hands of the attendant in the eastern corner, waved it toward the southeast, and called, “Dragon King Ao Run of the Eastern Ocean, why haven’t you sent snow?”

As soon as that blue flag unfurled, snow started to fall like a vast mass of white butterflies, like clouds of egret feathers scattered in profusion. The dragon king of the Eastern Ocean came forward and said, “Divine Immortal Han, isn’t this snow?” And indeed it was a great snowfall, as displayed in this rhapsody:

Like willow catkins spreading,

Like innumerable pear blossoms,

Everywhere goose feathers seemed to be fanned about chaotically,

And the ground was covered with broken snippets of white silk.

Seeking refuge in the forest, birds lose their way,

Their eyes covered by the snow’s white jade.

Dragons coming out of their grottoes don’t recognize the landscape

As the Five Lakes appear to have become narrow and shallow.

Jade ground to powder,

White it covers buildings and terraces.

Silver made into make-up,

As silver silk it lies on kiosks and pavilions.

It presses down the plum blossoms without releasing them,

It buries innumerable nameless plants.

If it were shaped like a lion,

It would be of fierce and majestic aspect.

If it were formed like Maitreya,

He would laugh with open mouth.

Truly it was

A cold pneuma arising in the absence of sun or moonlight,

Lead and mercury scattered to cover the red dust.

Cold rivers freeze up the paths of fishing boats;

Covering houses, it casts out spring.

And a poem adds to this:

The flakes are dancing far and wide,

Falling from the sky ceaselessly.

Horses neigh on the lightly powdered ground;

Wagons roll over the gullies filled with white mud.

Nobles in their high houses watch it with appreciation,

But traveling merchants are worried in their lodging houses.

The sun’s light is glittering on the silver sea;

The frozen mass causes concern.²

The snow fell for half a day, though it seemed like several days as it piled up high and wide, blocking up wells and obstructing rivers. All who saw it were overjoyed and sang Xiangzi’s praises.

Xiangzi said, “There are now three feet and three inches. That should be enough.”

Scholar Lin called Zhang Qian to take a yardstick and measure how much there was.

Laughing, Zhang Qian said to Xiangzi, “If it is too little, all your efforts will have been in vain.” Zhang Qian inserted the yardstick into the snow at an elevated place—it was not a bit too much. He tried it in lower places—it was not a bit too little. Everywhere it was exactly three feet and three inches.

The officials said, “Who made this snow fall?”

“It was the emperor’s virtue and the people’s piety that moved Heaven to send down this great snowfall,” Tuizhi said.

“I called upon the dragon kings to send this snow. Why don’t you say a word in my favor?” Xiangzi asked.

“Where are the dragon kings? Stop telling lies!” Tuizhi told him.

“The dragon kings are in the sky above us right now,” Xiangzi said. “If you do not believe me, I’ll call upon them to manifest themselves so you can see them. I am just concerned that it might frighten you.”

“What is there to be afraid of?” Tuizhi said. “If the dragon kings do not manifest themselves, we shall burn you alive on a pyre so as to counter heresies and demonic practices which confuse the world and lead people astray.”

Thereupon Xiangzi waved a yellow flag toward the sky and shouted, “Dragon kings of the Four Oceans, quickly manifest your true appearance!” Before he had finished, the four dragon kings could be seen in the sky, writhing and dancing, flanked by innumerable prawn spirits and turtle generals, crab masters and fish earls. The people inside and outside the city, old and young, all saw them and were so frightened that they fled in screaming confusion. The civil and military officials were all struck dumb and stood rooted to the ground.

Xiangzi said, “My lord Han! Are these dragon kings or aren’t they?”

“If these dragon kings were to raise wind and waves in this manner, they would certainly harm the people,” Scholar Lin said. “You are a great immortal from the upper realm. Why should you pick a quarrel with ordinary mortals? Quickly, ask the dragon kings to withdraw.”

Accordingly, Xiangzi again waved the yellow flag and shouted, “Leave!” The next moment the sky was clear, and for ten thousand miles around the wind abated.

Remorseful, Tuizhi ordered Zhang Qian to fetch ten rolls of cloth and present them to Xiangzi.

Xiangzi said, “I have no use for these. Please keep them and give them as rewards to the generals guarding the borders.”

“Take them and make some clothes to cover yourself,” Tuizhi recommended. “That would be better than to bedeck yourself with sheep skins and leaves.”

“Though my clothes are torn, my person is not,” Xiangzi said. “When I am hungry, I eat. When I am full, I work. When I have little firewood and no rice, I don’t have to bother with cooking. Wide robes and long sleeves are just impractical.”

“If you don’t want the cloth, let me submit a memorial to the court and have you richly rewarded.”

“I do not desire rewards either. The only thing I want is for you to abandon your office and follow me to cultivate yourself and study the Dao. Then my heart’s wish would be fulfilled.”

Tuizhi became very angry and called people to seize and beat Xiangzi.

“Don’t waste your time beating me,” Xiangzi said. “If you don’t agree to cultivate yourself, then that’s that. I just fear that the snow you encounter as a calamity on another day will be greater than today’s. Remember this well. Later, on your birthday, I will come to congratulate you. On no account refuse me again then.”

“Our ways are different, but we shouldn’t scheme against each other,” Tuizhi said. “I won’t celebrate my birthday, and you can save yourself the trouble of attending.”

Xiangzi clapped his hands, laughed, and walked away across the great expanse of snow. Truly,

This morning his prayers caused snow to cover the sky,

Manifesting the abundant blessings of ruler and subjects.

If you don’t know whether Xiangzi went to congratulate Tuizhi on his birthday, please listen to the next chapter.