☯The Flood in Xiezhou
It is said that in the second year of Chongning in the Northern Song Dynasty (1103), Emperor Huizong of Song received an urgent report from local officials in Shanxi, stating that a major flood had occurred in the salt lake in Xiezhou (now part of Yuncheng, Shanxi), making salt production impossible and thus delaying the collection of salt taxes. At this time, Emperor Huizong was extremely anxious and summoned the Taoist priest Xu Shenweng to discuss the matter. After some divination, Xu Shenweng said, "Your Majesty, do not worry. It is just an evil dragon causing trouble. We must invite the Celestial Master from Longhu Mountain in Jiangxi to subdue the demon." Upon hearing this, Emperor Huizong immediately sent people to Longhu Mountain in Jiangxi to respectfully invite the Celestial Master.
✨Zhang Jixian's Arrival
This Celestial Master was named Zhang Jixian, the 30th successor of Taoism, and he was only thirteen years old. He was called a true immortal in his childhood and inherited the position of Celestial Master at the age of nine, with profound Taoist skills and extraordinary wisdom. Zhang Jixian was summoned to the capital. As soon as they met, Emperor Huizong asked him, "You live on Longhu Mountain. Have you ever seen dragons and tigers?" Zhang Jixian replied without hesitation, "In the mountains, tigers can be seen often, but I have only seen the dragon today." Emperor Huizong was overjoyed when he heard this and ordered him to draw a talisman. As Emperor Huizong examined the talisman, he suddenly asked, "This talisman seems quite ordinary. Where does its effectiveness come from?" Zhang Jixian replied, "When the spirit of the gods resides in it, it will naturally be effective." Emperor Huizong then asked if he knew the technique of cultivating the golden elixir. He said, "Cultivating the golden elixir is only a matter for people in the mountains. Your Majesty shoulders the responsibility of the country and the people. You should be quiet and inactive, achieve merits comparable to Yao and Shun, and seek the well-being of all people." Emperor Huizong was very pleased, and held a banquet in his honor.
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📜Subduing the Demon
It was not until the next day that Emperor Huizong told Zhang Jixian about subduing the demon. After hearing this, Zhang Jixian immediately drew a talisman on an iron slip. After drawing it, he ordered his disciple Zhu Yongyou to carry the iron slip and go to Xiezhou with the palace eunuch, then throw the talisman into the cracked gap of the salt lake. There was a burst of thunder, and instantly lightning flashed, dark clouds rolled, and day turned into night. When the sky cleared again, the evil dragon had been killed in the water, and the flood gradually receded.
⚔️Summoning Guan Yu
Zhu Yongyou and the eunuch returned to the palace to report to Emperor Huizong. Emperor Huizong, half-believing, asked Zhang Jixian, "Celestial Master, you killed the evil dragon. Which divine general did you invite? Can you let me see him in person?"
Zhang Jixian said, "The divine general I invited is Guan Yu. I will summon him immediately." Then he held a seal and a sword, performed magic to summon Guan Yu, and soon Guan Yu came slowly and appeared in front of everyone. Emperor Huizong was greatly shocked, fearing that he would offend the divine general, and immediately said, "Divine general, you have made great contributions in subduing the demon. I specially confer a title on you with the money name of our dynasty." Since then, Guan Yu has also been known as "Chongning Zhenjun (True Lord of Chongning)".
☯Zhang Jixian's Departure
Emperor Huizong highly appreciated Zhang Jixian's profound Taoist skills. In order to make him serve himself, he invited him to stay in the palace for a long time. But Zhang Jixian was not moved by glory and wealth, and insisted on returning to Longhu Mountain.
