The Judge of the Underworld and the Prefect of the mortal realm.

During the early years of the Tang Dynasty in the Zhenguan era, the county magistrate of Changju County was named Liu Zhigan. This man was known for his integrity, uprightness, fair enforcement of laws, and compassionate treatment of the people, which earned him the love and respect of the populace.

One day, Liu Zhigan had a dream where he was suddenly seized by underworld attendants and taken to a dark and terrifying hall. Seated in the hall was an official who spoke to him upon his arrival, saying, "Liu Zhigan, there is a position vacant in the underworld, and we know of your integrity, which is why we have invited you to assume this role; we hope you will not refuse."

Liu Zhigan hurriedly stepped forward to bow and pleaded, "I have elderly parents at home and young children who need my care."

The official dispatched guards to check the records and found that Liu Zhigan's lifespan was not over, so he said, "Liu Zhigan, you should not die yet. How about temporarily serving as a judge here and returning to the mortal realm during the day?" Liu Zhigan agreed to this arrangement.

He was then taken to another hall where judgments were passed on people's sins. There were already five judges, and Liu Zhigan became the sixth one. The central seat in the hall was reserved for the chief judge, and the place bustled with activity as cases were handled tirelessly.

At daybreak, attendants escorted Liu Zhigan back to his home in the mortal realm, bringing him back to life. Each night, after he fell asleep, they would return to take him to the underworld to serve as a judge until dawn.

Because the underworld and the mortal realm operated opposite day and night schedules, Liu Zhigan handled county affairs during the day and served as an underworld judge at night, a routine that became his norm.

Towards the end of the year, one night while serving as a judge in the underworld, Liu Zhigan noticed a woman standing sadly outside the hall. She was around thirty years old, dressed beautifully, and appeared to be deeply distressed.

"Who are you, and why are you crying here?" Liu Zhigan asked as he approached her.

"I am Yao, the wife of Li Jinyu, a military officer from Xingzhou County. I feel deeply sad being apart from my husband," she replied tearfully. Liu Zhigan inquired further with the attendants for details.

The attendants suggested, "Judge, you could ask her if she is willing to have her husband brought here."

So Liu Zhigan asked the woman, who replied, "I do not want my husband to die; I fear coercion from the attendants here."

"Fear not, the attendants here will not coerce you," Liu Zhigan reassured her. Upon hearing this, the woman felt relieved.

After daybreak, Liu Zhigan returned to the mortal realm and immediately summoned Li Jinyu, the military officer, informing him of what he had witnessed concerning his wife in the underworld and advising him to do more good deeds to accumulate merit.

Initially skeptical, Li Jinyu returned home to find his wife alive and well, working at her loom, showing no signs of distress. After a short while, she suddenly passed away. This event made Li Jinyu realize the truth in Liu Zhigan's words, prompting him to start doing good deeds and accumulating merit.

In the days that Liu Zhigan served as an underworld judge, he once presided over a unique case in Zhejiang's Hangzhou area involving a man named Zhang Yi, an elderly man in his sixties known for his apparent honesty and diligence in farming. Despite his seemingly upright character, Zhang Yi acknowledged his past mistakes and practiced repentance earnestly, seeking to mend his ways.

During a period of illness, Zhang Yi was escorted by underworld messengers to the realm of the dead, where the judge presented him with a detailed account of his past wrongdoings. Although many of his sins were forgiven due to his sincere repentance, one offense remained unabsolved—the disrespect he showed his father in his youth.

His disrespectful behavior towards his father stemmed from his youth when, during a particularly hot autumn harvest season, his refusal to assist with the farm work caused his father great distress and physical pain. This act of disobedience left a deep stain on his conscience, manifesting as a significant mark of wrongdoing in the underworld record.

Despite his repentance and the forgiveness of many sins, this specific act of disrespect towards his father remained unexpunged, illustrating the gravity of filial piety's importance in the eyes of judgment. This incident served as a lesson for Zhang Yi and highlighted the significance of honoring and respecting one's parents.

Another tale involved a respected official in Mianyang, Sichuan, named Ouyang Yu, who served as a renowned district magistrate during the flourishing days of the Tang Dynasty. One night, he dreamed of being escorted by two men riding yellow horses, leading him swiftly towards a formidable city in the underworld. Upon arrival, he realized he was in Hell, witnessing the suffering and punishment endured by souls for their earthly deeds.

He encountered various torments and tortures inflicted on damned souls, realizing the consequences of their actions. With guidance from the judge, Ouyang Yu learned about the transformation of sinful souls into different entities based on their past misdeeds, understanding the intricacies of karmic retribution and the importance of virtuous deeds in shaping one's afterlife.

His encounter in the underworld left a profound impact on Ouyang Yu, prompting him to share his experiences with his family and urging them to act virtuously to avoid similar fates in the afterlife.

These experiences in the underworld transformed the lives of the officials involved, emphasizing the importance of integrity, repentance, and virtuous conduct in shaping one's fate in this world and beyond.

Originally posted 2024-04-09 13:45:45.