The following story has been repeated for hundreds of years, to deliver a cultural message among the Chinese: that the engagement of parties in marriage is unalterable by fate.

In the time of the Tang dynasty, Ui-ko was once a guest in the city of Sung. He observed an old man by the light of the moon reading a book, who addressed him thus: "this is the register of the engagements in marriage for all the places under the heavens." He also said to him, "In my pocket I have red cords, with which I tie the feet of those who are to become husband and wife. When this cord had been tied, though the parties are of unfriendly families, or of different nations, it is impossible to change their destiny. Your future wife," said the old man, "is the child of...