“What is the meaning of these verses?” asked Han Yue.  “You will see,” replied Han Hsiang Tzu.

Some time afterward Han Yue was sent in disgrace to the prefecture of Ch’ao-chou Fu in Kuangtung.  When he reached the foot of Lan Kuan the snow was so deep that he could not go on.  Han Hsiang Tzu appeared, and, sweeping away the snow, made a path for him.  Han Yue then understood the prophecy in his pupil’s verses.

When Han Hsiang Tzu was leaving his uncle, he gave him the following in verse: 

Many indeed are the eminent men who have served their country, but which of them surpasses you in his knowledge of literature?  When you have reached a high position, you will be buried in a damp and foggy land.

Han Yue also gave his pupil a farewell verse: 

How many here below allow themselves to be inebriated by the love of honours and pelf!  Alone and watchful you persevere in the right path.  But a time will come when, taking your flight to the sky, you will open in the ethereal blue a luminous roadway.

Han Yue was depressed at the thought of the damp climate of his place of exile.  “I fear there is no doubt,” he said, “that I shall die without seeing my family again.”

Han Hsiang Tzu consoled him, gave him a prescription, and said:  “Not only will you return in perfect health to the bosom of your family, but you will be reinstated in your former offices.”  All this took place exactly as he had predicted.

Another account states that he became the disciple of Lue Tung-pin, and, having been carried up to the supernatural peach-tree of the genii, fell from its branches, but during his descent attained to the state of immortality.  Still another version says that he was killed by the fall, was transformed, and then underwent the various experiences with Han Yue already related.

Ts’ao Kuo-chiu

Ts’ao Kuo-chiu was connected with the imperial family of the Sungs, and is shown with the tablet of admission to Court in his hand.  He became one of the Eight Immortals because the other seven, who occupied seven of the eight grottos of the Upper Spheres, wished to see the eighth inhabited, and nominated him because “his disposition resembled that of a genie.”  The legend relates that the Empress Ts’ao, wife of the Emperor Jen Tsung (A.D. 1023-64), had two younger brothers.  The elder of the two, Ching-hsiu, did not concern himself with the affairs of State; the younger, Ching-chih, was notorious for his misbehaviour.  In spite of all warnings he refused to reform, and being at last guilty of homicide was condemned to death.  His brother, ashamed at what had occurred, went and hid in the mountains, where he clothed his head and body with wild plants, resolved to lead the life of a hermit.  One day Han Chung-li and Lue Tung-pin found him in his retreat, and asked him what he was doing.  “I am engaged in studying the Way,”