Strange Stories from the Liao Studio - Examination for the Post of Guardian God

My eldest sister's husband's grandfather, the late Mr. Sung-Tao, was a salaried licentiate in (our) city.

One day while lying ill, he saw an official servant with a document, leading a horse with a white forehead, approach him with a message that he was summoned to the examination.

Sung said, “The provincial examiner has not yet arrived. Why should I hurry to be examined?”

The messenger did not reply, but pressed him (to go).

Sung overcame his sickness, got on the horse, and followed after. The road was quite strange. They reached a city resembling the capital of a prince.

They shortly entered a palace, the buildings of which were very beautiful and imposing. Ten or more officials were seated at the upper end, all strangers to him, except Kuan-Chuang-mu whom he recognized.

Below, under the eaves, were put two tables and two chairs. There was a graduate already seated at the end. Sung then sat down shoulder to shoulder with him.

Writing materials were prepared on the tables, and a piece of paper with a theme on it fluttered down from above. Looking at it, they saw the eight following words.

“One man; two men. With intention; without intention.”

When they both finished their essays, they passed them up. In Sung's essay, there was the following passage.

“For intended good, although it is good, there is no reward. For unintended wrong, although it is wrong, there is no punishment.”

It was unanimously praised as it was circulated among the deities, and Sung was summoned into their presence and thus ordered. “Honan lacks a Guardian God. You are designated to this post.”

(to be continued)