Weird Tales

The Learned Lurker and the Elusive Fox Spirit

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hang Hua, appointed as the Minister of Works, found himself facing an unusual challenge during the time of Yan Zhao, the King of Yan. Near the king’s tomb, there was a spotted fox spirit that transformed into a scholar, eager to visit Minister Zhang. Approaching the minister’s residence, it inquired of the tombstone, “Given my talents and appearance, would I be deemed worthy to meet Minister Zhang?” The stone replied, “Your extraordinary understanding renders all things possible. 

The Enchanted Otters of Luo River

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During the reign of Emperor Ming of Wei, while he was strolling along the banks of Luo River, he noticed several white otters in the water, exquisite and pitiable, swiftly disappearing at the sight of people. The Emperor, intrigued, desired to see them up close but repeatedly failed in his attempts. Grand Preceptor Xu Jingshan (徐景山) suggested, “Otters are fond of loach, even at the risk of death.” He then painted two lifelike loaches on a board and hung it by the riverbank. 

The Grateful Yellow Sparrow

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In the land of Hongnong, there lived a kind-hearted man named Yang Bao. At the age of nine, he ventured to Hua Yin Mountain. There, he witnessed a yellow sparrow being attacked by a chimera. Driven by compassion, he rescued the bird, which was covered in wounds from the encounter and later harassed by ants. Yang Bao, caring deeply, took the injured sparrow home and placed it on a beam. In the quiet of the night, he heard the bird’s sorrowful cries, discovering it was now preyed upon by mosquitoes. 

The Vanishing Golden Phoenix

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In the time of Emperor Xuan of Han, a black-covered carriage with a phoenix design was bestowed upon the Grand General Huo Guang, complete with golden fittings. One night, the golden phoenix on the carriage’s shafts would often fly away, its whereabouts unknown, only to return at dawn. This occurrence was not a singular event, as the carriage attendants had also witnessed it. Later, a nobleman from NanJun named Huang Junzhong captured a wild phoenix on North Mountain.