This story took place in Chang'an, the capital of Shaanxi province, which has been the capital of various dynasties since ancient times. Renowned for its breathtaking scenery, the city boasts three provinces that resemble colorful brocades and eight rivers that flow around it. It's a place filled with famous attractions that are sure to captivate visitors. During this time, Emperor Taizong of the great Tang Dynasty had been ruling for thirteen years since his accession to the throne. In his era, known as Zhenguan, the country was experiencing peace and prosperity. Various regions were paying tribute, and all corners of the empire recognized his sovereignty.
One day, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty held a court audience and invited all the officials.
After the formal greetings, Wei Zheng, the Prime Minister, stepped forward and said, "Currently, the world is peaceful, and all directions are calm. It is appropriate to follow the ancient practice of establishing an examination field to recruit and select talents, using them to contribute to the governance of the state."
"The minister's suggestion is reasonable." Emperor Taizong responded. Then he issued a decree to summon talents through an official announcement, spreading it throughout the realm.
Regardless of their backgrounds, whether they were military personnel or civilians, anyone who excelled in scholarship and possessed clear and eloquent writing skills could participate in three rounds of examinations in Chang'an. The realm was abuzz with excitement as scholars and writers from all over the empire prepared to showcase their skills and compete for a chance to serve their country.
Upon receiving the list of candidates in Haizhou, Chen E, also known by his courtesy name Guangrui, wasted no time informing his mother of his intentions to compete in the imperial examination. "The imperial court has opened the southern province to recruit talented individuals through a yellow list, Mother. I plan on taking the exam in hopes of obtaining a position or partial official position to bring honor to our family and fulfill my aspirations."
"My son, as a scholar, 'learning in youth and acting in manhood' is the right path. It's good that you go for the exam, but be cautious on the journey, and if you succeed in obtaining an official position, come back early."
Chen Guangrui immediately instructed his servants to pack his luggage and bid farewell to his mother before setting off on the journey.
When Guangrui arrived in Chang'an during the grand selection event, he joined the competition. Despite facing stiff competition, he was able to pass the initial test and secure a spot in the final imperial examination. With his hard work and dedication, he excelled in all three subjects, Literary, Martial, and Policy.
The Emperor himself awarded him the coveted title of top scholar. To celebrate Guangrui’s success, they organized a three-day horseback parade through the streets.
While parading, Chen Guangrui passed by the front gate of Minister Yin Kaishan's residence.
The minister had a daughter named Wenjiao, also known as Mantangjiao. She was not yet married and was playing the game of throwing a silk ball to divine her future husband. Just as she was doing this, Chen Guangrui passed by below. When she saw Guangrui, who was exceptionally handsome, she recognized him as the newly appointed top scholar. She felt overjoyed in her heart. So she threw the silk ball, and it “happened to”[1] hit Guangrui's black gauze hat.
Hearing the music of flutes and pipes, several maidservants descended the stairs and stopped Guangrui's horse. They welcomed the top scholar into the Prime Minister's residence for the wedding.
The minister and his wife came out to greet the guests, and they immediately arranged the ceremony and married the young lady to Guangrui.
They paid their respects to heaven and earth, exchanged vows as husband and wife, and paid respects to the bride's parents.
Because the minister ordered the banquet to be prepared, they had a joyful feast throughout the night. The couple then entered the bridal chamber hand in hand.
On the next day, at three o'clock in the morning, Emperor Taizong sat on the Golden Luohan Throne, and the civil and military officials attended the court.
The Emperor asked, "What official position should be conferred upon the new top scholar, Chen Guangrui?"
Prime Minister Wei Zheng reported, "After checking the positions in various provinces and prefectures, I found a vacancy in Jiangzhou. I request Your Majesty to appoint him to this position."
The Emperor then ordered Chen Guangrui to be the governor of Jiangzhou and urged him not to delay his departure.
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Guangrui expressed his gratitude and left the court. He discussed this with his wife. Then they bid farewell to his father-in-law and mother-in-law, setting out for his post in Jiangzhou.
They left Chang'an and began their journey.
It was late spring, with a gentle breeze swaying the green willows and drizzling rain dotting the red flowers.
Chen Guangrui decided to return home and went to pay respects to his mother, Madame Zhang.
"Congratulations, my son, on marrying and returning home." Madame Zhang applauded her son.
"I am grateful for my mother's blessings. I am honored to have achieved the top position in the imperial examination and received the Emperor's recognition with a triumphant parade. Passing by Prime Minister Yin's residence, I was coincidentally hit by a thrown embroidered ball. As a result, the Prime Minister chose me as his son-in-law. The court has appointed me as the governor of Jiangzhou, and now I have come to take my mother with me to accompany me to my new post."
Madame Zhang was overjoyed and prepared for the journey.
After traveling for several days, they arrived at Ten Thousand Flowers Inn and rested at Liu Xiao Er’s place.
Unexpectantly, Madame Zhang fell ill and said to Guangrui, "I don't feel well. Let's stay in the inn for a few days before continuing our journey."
Guangrui complied with her request.
The next morning, they saw a man selling a golden carp in front of the inn. Guangrui bought it with a coin and planned to cook it for his mother. However, he noticed that the carp had shining eyes, which surprised him. He thought, "They say fish with shining eyes are extraordinary creatures." So he asked the fisherman, "Where did you catch this fish?"
"I caught it in the Hong River, fifteen miles from the city." The fisherman replied.
Guangrui released the fish back into the Hong River, thinking it must be an auspicious sign. After he returned to the inn, he shared the incident with his mother.
"Releasing the fish is a good deed, and I am delighted by your action." Madame Zhang said.
"We have stayed in this inn for three days already, and the urgency of my new post requires me to depart. How is your health, Mother?" Guangrui asked.
"I am not feeling well, and the hot weather on the road may worsen my condition. You can rent a room here for me to stay temporarily. If it’s possible, leave some money for my expenses. You and your wife can go to your post first, and when autumn comes, and the weather cools down, you can come back to fetch me."
Guangrui and his wife discussed the situation. Then, they rented a room and provided money for Madame Zhang's expenses. After bidding farewell, they proceeded with their journey.
The voyage was challenging, traveling day and night. Sooner than expected, they arrived at Hong River's ferry crossing. They saw two men, Liu Hong and Li Biao, operating the boat to greet them.
Little did Guangrui know that he would encounter this disaster, crossing paths with these villains. He ordered the servants to load their belongings onto the boat.
As the couple was about to board, Liu Hong glanced at Lady Yin. Her beauty captivated him – her face resembling a full moon, eyes like autumn waves, cherry-like lips, and willow-like slender waist. She had a charm that could bewitch fish and birds and outshine flowers and the moon. Greed arose in Liu Hong's heart, and he conspired with Li Biao.
They steered the boat to a desolate place and waited until the third watch of the night when everything was silent. First, they killed the servants and then beat Guangrui to death. Afterward, they disposed of the corpses in the water.
Seeing her husband killed, Lady Yin was desperate and decided to throw herself into the water.
However, Liu Hong caught her and said, "If you obey me, everything will be fine. But if you resist, I will end it all with one stroke."
With no other choice, Lady Yin reluctantly complied and followed Liu Hong's scheme.
The criminal then took the boat to the south bank, handing it over to Li Biao to handle, and he disguised himself as Guangrui by wearing his clothes and taking his official documents. Together with Lady Yin, he headed to Jiangzhou for Guangrui's new appointment.
After Liu Hong had killed the servants, their corpses floated downstream. However, Chen Guangrui's body remained motionless at the bottom of the water.
The sea patrol yaksha of the Hong River noticed it and reported to the Dragon Palace, where the Dragon King held court. The Yaksha reported, "Someone killed a scholar near the Hong River's mouth and left the body at the bottom of the water."
The Dragon King ordered the body to be brought before him and, upon closer inspection, recognized him as the person who had saved him. He couldn't understand how this benefactor had been killed and decided to repay the kindness. He immediately wrote a letter and sent the yaksha to the City God and Land Deity of Hongzhou to retrieve the scholar's soul and save his life.
The City God and Land Deity entrusted the soul of Chen Guangrui to the yaksha, who brought it to the Crystal Palace and presented it to the Dragon King.
The Dragon King asked, "What is your name, and where are you from? Why did you come here and get killed by someone?"
Chen Guangrui respectfully replied, "I am Chen E, with the courtesy name Guangrui, a native of Hongnong County in Haizhou. I was honored to be the top scholar in the recent imperial examination and was appointed as the Governor of Jiangzhou. I was traveling with my wife to take up my new position when we reached the riverside to board a boat. Unexpectedly, a man named Liu Hong coveted my wife and killed me, then threw my body into the water. I beg the great King to save me."
"The golden carp you released into the river, well, that carp happened to be me. You are the one who saved my life, and now that you are in trouble, how could I not help you?" The Dragon King then carefully placed Chen Guangrui's body aside and put a soul-preserving pearl in his mouth. Ensuring the soul remained intact to facilitate his future rebirth and seek revenge. "For now, your true soul will reside in my water palace and serve as my subordinate."
Chen Guangrui thanked the Dragon King for his kindness, and the Dragon King hosted a banquet to entertain him.
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[1] The Quotation marks are the curtesy of the translator. If I would play with a divination ball and a guy “happened” to ride by and he “happened” to be handsome and he “happened” to be the top scholar and he “happened” to be slotted to get one of the top jobs of the country, then sure as hell, would my divination ball “happen” to hit him. Any other opinions, ladies?