In the vicinity of Qiantang, there resided a skilled healer named Xu Qiufu, known for his expertise in treating ailments. His abode was situated east of the Hugou Bridge, overlooking the serene waters of West Lake. One night, Qiufu heard a plaintive moaning in the air, the sound laden with intense suffering. Intrigued, he rose and followed the sound to its origin.
Addressing the ethereal presence, Qiufu inquired, “Are you a malevolent spirit? Why do you suffer so? Do you hunger for sustenance or shiver in cold? Or is it the affliction of illness that burdens you?” The apparition identified itself as Si Mengping, a former official from Dongyang. In life, Mengping had succumbed to excruciating back pain and now lingered as a tormented spirit in the northern regions of West Lake.
Expressing gratitude for Qiufu’s reputation as a skilled healer, Mengping revealed a remedy. Qiufu fashioned a straw effigy resembling a human, strategically inserted needles into the designated acupoints, and, after a solemn ritual, cast the effigy into the flowing waters of the lake. As night fell, Mengping appeared in Qiufu’s dream, conveying the success of the treatment and expressing gratitude for the generous offerings.
This mystical encounter and healing event became part of Xu Qiufu’s legacy, eventually leading him to serve in the imperial court during the sixth year of the Song Dynasty’s Yuanjia era.
Original story in 《齊諧記》
錢塘徐秋夫，善治病。宅在湖溝橋東。夜，聞空中呻吟，聲甚苦，秋夫起，至呻吟處，問曰：「汝是鬼邪？何為如此？饑寒須衣食邪？抱病須治療邪？」鬼曰：「我是東陽人，姓斯，名僧平。昔為樂游吏，患腰痛死，今在湖北。雖為鬼，苦亦如生。為君善醫，故來相告。」秋夫曰：「但汝無形，何由治？」鬼曰：「但縛茅作人，按穴鍼之，訖，棄流水中，可也。」秋夫作茅人，為針腰目二處，並復薄祭，遣人送後湖中。及暝，夢鬼曰：「已差。并承惠食，感君厚意。」秋夫宋元嘉六年為奉朝請。