Daoist immortal An Qisheng sold herbs by the sea and never took office. He rejected Emperor Qin’s lavish treasures, leaving red jade shoes and an invitation to meet at Penglai. Later he also turned down noble rank offered by Xiang Yu.
–Mao Zedong, September 9, 1961 Amid dusk’s haze stands the strong pine,Through wild cloud surges, calm it doth shine.A cave of immortals by nature’s design –All grandest sights on perilous peak align.
–Mao Zedong, May 11, 1957 I lost proud Yang; you lost brave Liu,Their souls like willow-catkins soar to heaven’s height anew.We ask Wu Gang: “What have you?”He brings sweet osmanthus wine, pure and true.
By Su Shi (Song Dynasty) In the autumn of the Renxu year, on the sixteenth day of the seventh month, I sailed with my guests beneath the Red Cliff. A gentle breeze blew softly; the river lay calm without a ripple. Raising my cup to toast my companions, I recited poems of the bright…
Wu Qing’an, also known as Wu Yun, distinguished himself when he was still a boy. A taishi (court historian) by the name of Ge was impressed by his writing and asked a friend to invite Wu to his residence.
Strange Tales from Liaozhai: Wang Lan recounts the supernatural journey of Wang Lan from Licheng County, Shandong.