考城隍

The grandfather of my brother-in-law was a man named Song Tao, a stipendary scholar廪生 lǐn shēngIn Ming-Qing times, top-performing licensed scholars received government stipends for food. These "stipendary scholars" ranked highest among students — a mark of distinction. of the district. One day, as he lay ill in bed, he saw an official approach holding a document, leading a white-foreheaded horse. The official said: "You are summoned to the examination." Song said: "The examiner has not arrived — what examination?" The official merely urged him on.

Song mounted the horse with difficulty and followed. The road was utterly unfamiliar. They arrived at a walled city, grand as an imperial capital王者都 wáng zhě dūA royal capital — the phrase signals that Song Tao has entered a realm of supreme authority, far beyond any earthly city.. After a time, they entered a government compound with magnificent halls. Seated above were a dozen officials, none of whom Song recognized — save for Lord Guan, whom he could identify.

Beneath the eaves were set stools墩 dūnRound, low stools. In imperial examinations, these supported small desks at which candidates wrote their answers. The underworld exam replicates the earthly testing hall exactly. and desks, one pair per person. A scholar was already seated at the far end, and Song sat beside him连肩 lián jiānShoulder to shoulder — as in an earthly examination hall where candidates sit side by side at adjacent desks.. On each desk lay brush and paper.

Presently an examination paper fluttered down. On it were eight characters: "One man, two men一人二人 yī rén èr rénLiterally "one person, two persons" — a philosophical riddle about the nature of humanity. Does one cultivate oneself alone, or serve all? This is a classic examination topic requiring moral exposition.; with intention, without intention." Both men completed their essays and presented them above. In Song's essay was written: "When good is done with deliberate intent有心为善 yǒu xīn wéi shànPerforming good deeds purposefully. Song argues that calculated kindness should not be rewarded, as it is tainted by self-interest., though it be good, it shall not be rewarded; when evil is done without intent, though it be evil, it shall not be punished."

The gods passed it around and praised it without end. Song was summoned above, and they said: "Henan Province lacks a City God — you are worthy of the post." Song suddenly understood. He prostrated himself稽颡 qǐ sǎngThe most solemn form of kowtow — forehead pressed to the ground and held still. Even more reverential than 稽首, expressing overwhelming gratitude or grief. and wept: "I dare not refuse so gracious an appointment! But my aged mother is seventy, with no one to care for her. Grant me to serve out her natural lifespan — then I shall submit to your command."

A figure resembling an emperor ordered the registers of her lifespan checked. A long-bearded clerk髯吏 rán lìAn official with a flowing beard — in Chinese culture, long whiskers symbolize authority and wisdom. This clerk consults the Book of Life and Death as a civil servant would check personnel files. brought forth a ledger and leafed through it. He said: "She has nine years of life remaining in the world of the living."

When the essays were complete, they were presented to the assembly. Song's essay contained the lines: "When good is done with deliberate intent, though it be good, it shall not be rewarded; when evil is done without intent, though it be evil, it shall not be punished." The gods passed it around and praised it endlessly. They summoned Song forward and declared: "Henan lacks a City God — you are fit for the post."

Song then understood he had died. He prostrated himself稽颡 qǐ sǎngThe deepest form of kowtow — forehead touching the ground, expressing absolute sincerity. and wept: "I dare not refuse so gracious an appointment! But my aged mother is seventy, with no one to care for her. Grant me to see out her natural years, and then I shall obey your command." A figure like an emperor ordered her lifespan checked. The bearded clerk consulted the registers and said: "She has nine years remaining阳算 yáng suànRemaining years of life in the mortal world. "算" refers to the calculus of fate; the registers record exactly how long each person has yet to live.."

Song wept: "My mother is aged, with no one to serve her. Grant me a leave of nine years, that I may fulfill a son's devotion. When her lifespan ends, I shall take up my post." The gods looked at one another and sighed: "A filial son!" They ordered him returned to the living. They added: "In these nine years, strive to cultivate virtue and learning勉修德业 miǎn xiū dé yèTo diligently nurture moral character and scholarly achievement. The leave comes with a condition — reflecting the principle that official appointment must be grounded in personal virtue. — do not辜负 this charge."

Song took his leave and returned. When he reached his gate, he awoke苏 sūTo revive, to come back to life. Returning from the netherworld to the living is called "苏" — the soul re-entering the body. Song awakes on his sickbed at home. with a gasp. He had been dead for three days. His mother heard groaning from the coffin and helped him out. It was half a day before he could speak. He recounted everything he had witnessed. When they visited the City God's temple, it was exactly as he had described.

Nine years later, his mother indeed passed away. Song arranged the funeral, then bathed and changed沐浴 mù yùBathing and purifying oneself. Before sacred rites, the ancients bathed and fasted to show reverence. Song bathes and calmly goes to his death — as dignified as going to take office. his garments and died. In the City God's temple of his father-in-law's district, Song's statue suddenly began to sound on its own, the noise heard for miles. All who heard it were amazed.

The Historian of the Strange remarks: "When good is done with deliberate intent, though it be good, it shall not be rewarded; when evil is done without intent, though it be evil, it shall not be punished." Those who hear these words should strive together共勉 gòng miǎnTo encourage one another. Pu Songling, calling himself "The Historian of the Strange," closes by distilling the tale's moral essence, inviting readers to hold themselves to this standard. to uphold them. This is why the courts of the dead so esteem the learned.

Literary Merit

As the opening tale of Strange Tales, "The Examination for City God" establishes the collection's moral foundation. Pu Songling declares from the first page that this is not a book of cheap thrills but of ethics. "When good is done with deliberate intent, though it be good, it shall not be rewarded" — this proposition is among the most subtle distinctions in Chinese moral philosophy, comparable to Kant's categorical imperative.

The tale's other great theme is filial piety. Song Tao would rather surrender his divine appointment than abandon his aged mother — and the underworld, far from punishing this refusal, commends his devotion. In Pu Songling's moral hierarchy, filial piety transcends all worldly power, even the mandates of heaven.

Comparative Study

Unlike Dante, who opens the Divine Comedy in a "dark wood" of personal spiritual crisis, Pu Songling begins with an underworld examination. Dante's hell-journey is one individual's salvation; Song Tao's exam is a public declaration of moral standards. Pu cares not about one man's afterlife but about society's ethical foundation. "Selecting officials by virtue" critiques the real examination system (which prized talent over character) while envisioning an ideal world.