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