Chapter 417 Liu Quan

Hou, a cattle doctor in Zouping County, went to the field to cultivate on this day, with soup and rice around him. Suddenly, a strong wind blew on his face and circled and refused to leave. Hou knew that he had met a ghost and god, and immediately sprinkled rice on the ground to pay tribute to the gods. Several bowls of soup were poured in a row, and the whirlwind began to leave.

Another day, Hou passed by the City God Temple and walked leisurely under the corridor. He saw the statue of "Liu Quan Xiangua" in the temple, which was stained by bird manure and blinded. Hou said, "How can Brother Liu be defiled by this!" Stretch out your nails and sweep away the bird droppings.

A few years later, Hou was sick in bed and was arrested by two ghosts. When he came to an official office, the ghosts asked him for bribes and urged him hard. Hou had nothing to do and was worried about himself. A man in green came out of the government. At first sight of Hou, he was surprised and said, "How did Hou Weng get here?" Hou said the whole story one by one.

The man in green blamed the two ghosts and said, "This is your marquis. How dare you be rude!" The ghost was submissive and apologized, "I'm clumsy. I don't know that Uncle Hou is an adult friend. I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

While talking, the drums in the hall sounded like thunder, and the green man said, "It's risen to the hall." He took Hou's palm and walked into the government office together. The two stood under the steps and said in green: "Hou Weng, wait a moment. I'll ask the situation for you." He took a few steps forward and waved to an official. The two whispered and said a few words. The official walked to Hou and arched his hand and said, "Brother Hou is here! It's not a big deal. A horse accuses you of killing it. You can go back after facing it.

Suddenly, the hall called Hou's name. Hou came forward and knelt down. In addition to him, there was also a horse kneeling under the hall. Pluto asked, "This horse sued you for poisoning and poisoning it. Is there such a problem?" Hou said, "It has a plague, and I will cook medicine for him. But his condition is too serious. Even if he took medicine, it is difficult to recover. He dies the next day. What does it matter to me? The horse was very unconvinced. One person and one horse try their best to defend each other, and each has its own reason.

Pluto ordered the judge to investigate the life and death book. The book indicates the geometry of the horse's birthday, which day to be born and which day to die, all of them are clear, the number is the same, and there is no mistake. Pluto looked at the horse and scolded, "Your life is over. How can you falsely blame good people? Withdraw quickly!" The man ordered his men to drive the horse away, and then said to Hou, "You wanted to save it, but there was no fault. You can't die. Go ahead." With a wave of their hands, the two ghosts got the order and escorted Hou back to the sun. The man in green and the officials also got up to see each other off, telling the two ghosts, "On the way, treat Uncle Hou well, don't neglect."

Hou was very grateful and asked, "Thank you for your protection today, but I don't know your name. Can you tell me?" The man in green said: "Three years ago, I came back from Mount Tai, and I was thirsty. On the way, I passed through the field. Thanks to Hou Weng's gift of soup, I still haven't forgotten it. The official said, "I am Liu Quan. In the past, my eyes were covered by bird droppings, and my chest was stuffy. Brother Hou cleaned up the dirt for me. This kind of affection will always be in my heart. The wine and vegetables in the underworld are cold and difficult to pay for customers, so I'll say goodbye.

Hou suddenly realized that he returned home and held a banquet to entertain two ghosts, but the people and ghosts were different. The food in the world was not comparable to that of hell. The two ghosts did not dare to move their chopsticks and hurried away. Hou woke up and inquired with his family. It turned out that he had been dead for two days.

Since then, Hou has been doing good deeds and accumulating virtue. Every festival, he must prepare wine and food and go to the Chenghuang Temple to pay tribute to Liu Quan. Hou lived to his eighties, and his health was still strong. He rode and galloped.

On this day, Hou had something to do and met Liu Quan on the way. He was riding a steed and seemed to go far away. At present, he arched his hand to salute and greeted each other. Liu Quan said, "Brother Hou's life is over, and the underworld has issued an ultimatum to seduce your soul. I pleaded with the ghost and asked him to give him a three-day grace. Brother, go back and prepare for the afterth. I'll pick you up in three days. I have bought it for you in hell. After the official position comes down, you won't suffer. After saying that, he left.

Hou returned home, said goodbye to his wife, said goodbye to his relatives and friends, and then bought a coffin and waited quietly to die. At dusk on the fourth day, Hou said, "Brother Liu came to pick me up." Take the initiative to walk into the coffin and die with your eyes closed.

(The story of Liu Quan's melon is recorded in the Journey to the West, and those who have an impression should remember it.)