He Zhizhang, from "Alchemists, Mediums, and Magicians: Stories of Taoist Mystics"

Из Alchemists, Mediums, and Magicians: Stories of Taoist Mystics, перевод Thomas Cleary.
Это сборник жизнеописаний 144 исторических лиц, связанных с даосизмом. Был составлен под названием "Сюаньпин лу" 玄品錄 даосом Чжан Тяньюем 張天雨 (1279-1350).

He Zhizhang was a man of Yongxing in Huiji. He was already famous for his writing in youth, nominated for advanced scholar, and with the recommendation of Lu Xiangxian(88) he was promoted from doctor of the National Academy to doctor of court ceremonial, then through successive posts up to vice director of the Ministry of Rites, plus scholar of the Institute for Assembling Savants; and he also served as attendant reader to the crown prince.

In 725, when Emperor Xuanzong was going to perform rites dedicated to heaven on Mount Tai, he ordered Zhizhang to explain the ritual. So he reported, “The sky god, the Lord on High, is in the position of the ruler; the Five Lords of the five directions are in the position of subjects. While the designations of the lords vary, ruler and subjects still differ in rank. Your Majesty sacrifices in the position of the ruler on the altar, while the ministers sacrifice in the position of subjects below the altar. In truth this is enough to send a message to future generations; it is an important, exceptional rite. Now the ritual is consummated with three offerings, and the ranks ultimately join in one place.”

The emperor said, “That’s just how I want to do it; I only asked you as a formality.” Now he commanded that the three offerings be performed on a higher stage, while services for the lords of the five directions and the assembly of spirits were performed on a lower stage.

Later he was assigned to be imperial advisory attaché to the crown prince and director of the palace library.

Zhizhang was naturally free-spirited, good at conversation and humor, admired by all the savants of the time. In 744, while he was sick he had a dream that he traveled to the abode of the gods; then he petitioned the emperor to be ordained a Taoist priest. Requesting permission to return to his native place, he converted his original house into a monastery. Earlier he had petitioned that an area of Yongzhou Lake be made into a wildlife preserve, and this was granted. By imperial decree the monastery was named Thousand Autumns. His son Zeng, manager of interior maintenance, was appointed minister of war for Huiji prefecture in order to make it convenient for him to provide support.

The emperor composed poetry as a present for the journey, with a preface that said, “In 744 He Zhizhang, attaché to the crown prince, reflecting the wisdom of stopping at sufficiency, has announced his retirement, leaving office and renouncing prosperity, aiming to go into the mountains. Considering that he has long been so inclined and now he is getting old, we therefore approve his resignation and allow him to go free. On the fifth day of the first month he is going to return to the mountains of Huiji, so we present him with a parting gift for the road east and hereby order the six ministers, department chiefs, and three administrative grand masters to set up a tent camp at the southeast gate of Chang-an, in consideration of the distance of his journey. This is not only in honor of his virtue and out of respect for his age but also to inspire ordinary society and encourage people and not let the two Su [brothers, exemplars of timely retirement] be the only lights of Chinese history. Now we present poetry as a parting gift; those present at this party should all chime in:

Abandoning prosperity to go into the mountains,

Leaving in old age, finally he pulls out his hatpin.

Not that we don’t value savants,

But what about their lofty minds?

Within the realm he got the secret keys;

Beyond convention he releases his hidden heart.

There is only parting at the gate

Where the nobles gaze sadly into the distance.

Everyone from the crown prince on down gave him parting gifts.

Now he called himself the Crazy Stranger of Siming. He was also called Outside Supervisor of the Secretariat. His behavior became most eccentric in the evening of his life, when he would wander about village and town, always getting drunk and leaving poetry behind, without punctuation. He was particularly good at cursive and clerical scripts, as famous as Zhang Xu of Wujun.(89)

He returned to his native place to take care of his health in old age and died in his eighty-sixth year.

Emperor Xiaozong [should be "Suzong": apparently, the translator mixed 肃  with 萧], because of their relationship in the past when he was attendant reader, issued a proclamation in 758 stating, “The late Taoist priest He Zhizhang of the Monastery of a Thousand Autumns was calm and serene, with a gentle and refined heart; his spirit was pure, his will independent, his learning rich, and his capacities strong. Outstanding among the fine bamboo of Huiji, embosoming the fine jade of the Kunlun, he thus caused his name to fly to the province of immortals while lecturer in attendance at the Dragon Tower. Usually quiet and silent to cultivate relaxation, he used conversation and humor to satirize and criticize. Retiring from office on account of advanced age, he showed his sincerity a second time, wishing to follow in the footsteps of the two elders,(90) finally becoming a traveler in Siming. Permitted to fulfill his original aspiration, he shed his court costume and rode off on a dark ox, never to return, going away forever like the white seagull. He never came out of seclusion, but relics renew memories of him; the feeling of old friendship is imbued with a deep sense of mourning. A lavish ceremony should be given in his honor, to show sorrow and respect. He is to be granted the title of Minister of Rites.”

88. Lu served as manager of affairs in the Imperial Secretariat.
89. Zhang Xu lived during the Tang dynasty. Famous for his cursive calligraphy, he was also known for heavy drinking and eccentric behavior. It is said that he used to write with a lock of his own hair dipped in ink. In his time he was called Crazy Zhang and also the Wizard of the Cursive Script. During the reign of Emperor Wenzong of Tang, 827–840, the cursive calligraphy of Zhang Xu was classed with the poetry of Li Bo (subject of the next story) and the sword dance of Pei Min, the three artists being collectively referred to as the Three Incomparables.

90. This may refer either to Bo Yi and Shu Qi or to Laozi (Lao-tzu) and Lao Lai.