The Story of Han Xiangzi

In this seventeenth-century Chinese novel, Han Xiangzi, best known as one of the Eight Immortals, seeks and achieves immortality and then devotes himself to converting his materialistic, politically ambitious Confucian uncle—Han Yu, a real historical figure—to Daoism. Written in lively vernacular prose interspersed with poems and songs, the novel takes its readers across China, to the heavens, and into the underworld. Readers listen to debates among Confucians, Daoists, and Buddhists and witness trials of faith and the performance of magical feats. In the mode of the famous religious novel Journey to the West, The Story of Han Xiangzi uses colorful characters, twists of plot, witty dialogue, and action suitable for a superhero comic book to convey its religious message—that worldly life is ephemeral and that true contentment can be found only through Daoist cultivation.

This is the first translation into any Western language of Han Xiangzi quanzhuan (literally, The Complete Story of Han Xiangzi). On one level, the novel is a delightful adventure; on another, it is serious theology. Although The Story of Han Xiangzi’s irreverent attitude toward the Confucian establishment prevented its acceptance by literary critics in imperial China, it has remained popular among Chinese readers for four centuries.

Philip Clart’s introduction outlines the Han Xiangzi story cycle, presents Yang Erzeng in his social context, assesses the literary merits and religious significance of the text, and explores the theory and practice of inner alchemy. This unabridged translation will appeal to students of Chinese literature and to general readers who enjoy international fiction, as well as to readers with an interest in Daoism.

The open access publication of this book was made possible by a grant from the James P. Geiss and Margaret Y. Hsu Foundation.

Yang Erzeng (fl. 1590-1602) was a writer and publisher from the city of Hangzhou in southeastern China. Philip Clart is professor of Chinese culture and history at Leipzig University.

Preface & Acknowledgments

Translator's Introduction

The Story of Han Xiangzi

Preface

Prologue

1. At Mount Pleasant Yike, a Crane Refines Himself / At the Banks of the River Xiang, a Musk Deer Receives His Punishment

2. Seeking Escape from Samsara, the Crane Boy Is Reborn / Discussing Astrology and Physiognomy, Zhong and Lu Conceal Their Names

3. Han Yu Inscribes His Name on the Tiger Placard / Xiangzi Drinks the Wedding Cup in the Nuptial Chamber

4. Zhong and Lu Appear on Gold Sprinkle Bridge / Han Xiang Studies the Dao on Sleeping Tiger Mountain

5. By Cutting Down the Hibiscus, Mme. Dou Criticizes Luying / While Waiting at the City Gate, the Crowds Tease Xiangzi

6. Abondoning His Family Bonds, Xiangzi Cultivates Himself / A Transformed Beauty Tempts Xiangzi for the First TIme

7. Tiger and Snake Block the Road to Test Han Xiang / Monsters and Demons Flee from Perfect Fire

8. A Bodhisattva Manifests a Numinous Sign as He Ascends to the Upper Realm / Han Xiangzi Guards the Elixir Cauldron with Firm Concentration

9. Han Xiangzi's Name Is Recorded at the Purple Office / Two Shepherds Recognize a Divine Immortal

10. Bragging and Boasting, Turtle and Egret Bring Calamity upon Themselves / Singing Daoist Songs, Han Ziangzi Moves the Crowd

11. In Disguise, Xiangzi Transmits a Message / A Stone Lion Is Transformed into Gold

12. When Tuizhi Prays for Snow, Xiangzi Ascends the Southern Shrine / The Dragon King Bows and Follows Orders

13. Riding an Auspicious Cloud, Xiangzi Is Saluted by Emperor Xianzong / Discoursing on Complete Perfection, Xiangzi Chants a Poem

14. Rushing in at a Birthday Banquet, Xiangzi Engages the Guests in Conversation / Hearing of Nourishing Primordial Yang, Tuizhi Does Not Become Enlightened

15. Manifesting His Divine Powers, Xiangzi Lies Snoring on the Ground / A False Daoist Drinks Merrily before the Assembled Guests

16. Xiangzi Enters the Underworld to Examine the Registers of Live and Death / He Summons Immortal Maidens to Deliver Birthday Greetings

17. By His Divine Powers, Han Xiangzi Manifests Transformations / Lin Luying Is Entagled in Love

18. Emperor Xianzong of the Tang Respectfully Welcomes the Buddha Bone / Han Tuizhi's Indignant Protest Gets Him Banished

19. Banished to Chaozhou, Tuizhi Travels to His Post / Crossing the River of Love, Xiangzi Rows the Boat

20. At the Village of Beautiful Women, a Fisherman and a Woodcutter Open Tuizhi's Mind / On a Snowy Mountain, a Herdboy Awakens Tuizhi from His Confusion

21. Inquiring into His Fortunes, Tuizhi Seeks an Oracle in a Temple / Seeking to Assuage His Hunger and Thirst, Tuizhi Stays in a Thatched Hut

22. Sitting in a Thatched Hut, Tuizhi Sighs to Himself / Expelling a Crocodile, the Celestial Generals Bestow Blessings on the People

23. Arduous Cultivation Leads Tuizhi to an Awakening / Willingly Guarding Her Chastity, Luying Remains Steadfast and Virtuous

24. Returning Home, Han Xiang Manifests His Transformative Powers / Shooting a Parrot, Mme. Dou Remains Attached to Her Illusions

25. Master Lu Sends a Dream to the Cui Family / Mother Zhang Two Makes a Marriage Proposal at the Han Mansion

26. Minister Cui Pretends to Act in the Public Interest while Taking Revenge for a Private Grudge / Two Fishermen Sit Together as They Cast Their Lines

27. At the Zhuowei Hermitage, Master and Servants Meet Again / Caring for an Ox, Han Yu Awakens to the Dao

28. On Cheating Mountain, a Woodcutter Shows the Way / Mother and Daughter-in-Law Cultivate Themselves in Magu's Hermitage

29. A Bear-Man Carries Han Qing across the Mountain Ranges / An Immortal Transmits Mysterious Secrets to Mme. Dou

30. The Musk Deer Is Freed from His Water Prison / The Han and Lin Families Together Realize the Sacred and Transcend the World

Notes