Classical Fiction · LT601

Tales of the Strange

Anecdotal sketches and supernatural tales of the Han, Wei, and Jin periods.

12works

2dynasties

5authors

Jin

265–4204 works
  1. In Search of the Supernatural · Gan Jiang and Mo YeGan BaoGan Jiang and Mo Ye forged swords for the King of Chu, taking three years to complete. The侠客 said: 'I hear the King offers a thousand gold for your head. Give me your head and the sword, and I will avenge your father for you.' Chi Bi cut his own throat, holding up his head and sword with both hands to present to the knight.
  2. In Search of the Supernatural · Dong Yong and the Heavenly WeaverGan BaoDong Yong sold himself into servitude to bury his father. On the road he met a woman who wished to be his wife; going together to the creditor's house, she wove a hundred bolts of fine silk to redeem Dong Yong. Stepping out the door she told him: 'I am the Heavenly Weaver Maiden. Because of your supreme filial piety, the Celestial Emperor sent me to help you repay your debt.' Speaking thus, she soared into the sky.
  3. In Search of the Supernatural · Song Dingbo Sells a GhostGan BaoDingbo hoisted the ghost onto his shoulder and rushed swiftly to the Nanyang market. Placing it upon the earth it turned into a sheep; he sold it on the spot for fifteen hundred coins and went on his way. As the old proverb says: 'Song Dingbo sold a ghost and made fifteen hundred cash.'
  4. Miscellaneous Records of the Western Capital: Kuang Heng Bores Through the WallGe HongHe bored through the wall to draw in the light and read his books by its glow.

Northern and Southern

420–5898 works
  1. A New Account of Tales of the World: Chanting of SnowLiu YiqingWhat does this swirling white snow resemble? Scattering salt in the air is a rough comparison. Better to say willow catkins soaring upon the wind.
  2. A New Account of Tales of the World: Supreme and Exquisite WordsLiu YiqingYellow silk, young woman, daughter's child, dried-leek mortar—it means 'exquisite and supreme words'. My wit falls short of yours by thirty leagues.
  3. A New Account of Tales of the World: Guan Ning Severing the MatLiu YiqingGuan Ning cut the sitting mat in two and sat apart, saying: 'You are no friend of mine.'
  4. A New Account of Tales of the World: Zhou Chu Eliminating the Three EvilsLiu YiqingThe ancients valued understanding truth in the morning even if dying at dusk; how much brighter is your future! One need only worry whether one's noble will is established—why fret over failing to achieve a glorious name!
  5. A New Account of Tales of the World: Wang Ziyou's Snowy Night Visit to DaiLiu YiqingI set out upon a sudden wave of inspiration and return when that inspiration is spent—why must I see Dai!
  6. A New Account of Tales of the World: Shi Chong and Wang Kai Vying in ExtravaganceLiu YiqingAfter inspecting it, Shi Chong struck the coral tree with an iron ruyi wand, shattering it instantly. When Wang Kai grieved, Chong laughed: 'Nothing to lament, I shall repay you!' Ordering six or seven coral trees three to four feet tall brought forth, Wang Kai stood utterly dumbfounded.
  7. Sequel to Qi Xie · The Scholar in the Goose CageWu JunThe scholar spewed a lovely maiden from his mouth to drink wine with. When the scholar fell asleep drunk, the maiden vomited a young man in brocade robes to lie with; when she stepped away, the youth spewed yet another maiden to embrace. In moments they swallowed each other back in reverse succession, leaving only the solitary scholar who stepped back into the goose cage.
  8. A New Account of the Tales of the World · Speech and Conversation (Excerpt)Liu YiqingThe mountains and rivers light each other up, so that one cannot take it all in.