Every drink and every peck has its own destiny

Monk Puman

During the Dali period of Emperor Dezong of the Tang Dynasty, there was a monk named Pu Man in Zelu. He sang and laughed at times, and no one could understand his intentions. The things he said were often proved.

In the early year of Jianzhong, he died after inscribing several poems in the Buddhist temple in Luzhou. The poem he wrote down says: “This water is even Jing water, and the two pearls fill the river with blood. The green ox will be the red tiger, and the year of peace will be called.” People do not know what this means. It was only when the thief Bright took military action that everyone understood the meaning of the poem.

This water is the word “bright”, Jing Shui refers to the military rebellion from Jing Zhou, the two pearls are bright and Tao, Qing Niu refers to the second year of Xing Yuan, which is the year of E Chou, B is the meaning of wood, U is the meaning of cattle, the next year was changed to Yuan Zhen Yuan, that year is the year of C Yin, and C is the meaning of fire, Yin is the meaning of tiger. By this Time, the rebels had been pacified, so it was said that the green ox would be the red tiger, and the year of peace was also called. (compiled by Tianyi)

(from “Guangde Shenzhi Lu”)

Every drink and every peck has its own Destiny

Li Gong, a thief catcher in Wannian County, was ready to drink and eat fish with his friends in the official pavilion on the west side of the street one spring during the period of Zhengyuan of Emperor Dezong of Tang Dynasty. By chance, a man came and stayed in the pavilion, and looked very arrogant. Everyone asked him what he could do. He said, “I can know what people eat every day.” Li Gong said, “Look at the fish today, is there anyone in the seats who can’t eat?” The man smiled and said, “You are the only one who cannot eat.” Li Gong said angrily, “I am the host, I arranged the Food and wine, how can I not eat it! If you are right, I will give you 5,000 yuan. If it is nonsense, beware of the retribution, and ask everyone to testify.”

So Li Gong urged to cook the food quickly, and just when it was ready, suddenly someone came on horseback to report, “The King’s Minister has summoned you.” Li Gong had to get on his horse and go quickly. Because he had business, Li Gong was afraid of coming back late, so he told the guests to eat now, otherwise the food would get cold. He also told the cook to leave him two plates of food to break the man’s prophecy. Everyone was very surprised and it was a long time before Li Gong rode back. Everyone had already finished eating, only the two dishes left behind, Li Gong took off his coat and sat down, picked up chopsticks and cursed. But the man did not move and said, “What I said should not be wrong, I wonder what is the reason for being scolded?” Li Gong said, “The fish is right in front of me, and you dare to talk big. Can have agreed beforehand, how do you know I can not punish you?” Before the words were finished, the several feet square of mud smeared on top of the pavilion suddenly fell down, and the eating utensils were smashed to pieces, and the remaining two plates of fish were mixed in the mud.

Li Gong was amazed and asked the chef if there was still fish. The answer was, “No more.” So Li Gong thanked the man heavily and gave him 5,000 wen.

What man eats is determined by heaven, not to mention our fate. Between heaven and earth, man is really very weak.

(Source: Yat-Shi)