Yi Shi [a pseudonymous commentator] wrote:
“Attaining high office yet not forgetting humble friendships—this is the essence of why Wang Liulang was elevated to divinity. Now, look at the prominent officials who ride in carriages today. How many would still acknowledge their poor old friends wearing straw hats?
In my hometown, there was once a local scholar whose family was very poor. He had a childhood friend who later obtained a lucrative official position. The scholar decided to seek out this friend, confident that he would receive support. He spent all his savings on travel expenses and made a long journey of over a thousand miles. But upon arrival, he was sorely disappointed. Left without funds, he was forced to sell his horse and belongings to make the journey home.
One of his younger cousins, known for his humor, composed a satirical verse about the incident:
‘In this month, my brother arrived.
His mink hat undone,
The parasol folded.
His horse became a donkey,
And his boots fell silent.’
Hearing this could bring a chuckle.”
Analysis
The story of Wang Liulang recounts how a fisherman surnamed Xu befriended the ghost of Wang Liulang after years of pouring wine as offerings to spirits while fishing. Their friendship transcended the barriers of life and death, defied suspicion of differences, and endured through physical distance and shifts in social status. The tale celebrates Wang Liulang’s loyalty to friendship, even as he rose to divine rank, embodying the principle of “remaining humble amidst success.”
However, for modern readers, the more captivating aspect of the story lies in the dramatic element of “capturing a substitute ghost.” Wang Liulang’s resolute refusal to allow another to die in his place, even at the cost of prolonging his suffering, strikes a powerful emotional chord.
For a ghost to willingly forego substitution is as extraordinary as a person sacrificing their life—it demands the courage to place moral values above personal survival. This courage requires a foundational belief. What belief? The fisherman described it as “the heart of a benevolent person.” In modern terms, we might call it “humanitarianism.”
Humanitarianism permeates all aspects of human life, ranging from the subtle to the extraordinary, yet it always tests the boundaries of one’s moral integrity. In the face of life and death, to choose self-sacrifice over harming another—even if such harm is sanctioned by “tradition” or “law”—is not something most people could do. Wang Liulang’s “heart of a benevolent person” is rare not only among ghosts but also among humans, making him truly worthy of admiration.
In comparison, the narrative focus on “remaining humble amidst success” seems rather trivial.
The Process of Wang Liulang’s Decision
Wang Liulang’s internal struggle over whether to capture a substitute is also significant. Initially, he was prepared to follow fate’s arrangement by seizing the young woman as his replacement. However, when he saw the infant crying on the riverbank, flailing its arms and legs, he abandoned his plan. Similarly, the fisherman Xu, witnessing the woman repeatedly sinking and rising in the water, “could not bear it in his heart.”
This revelation of their inner conflict adds a layer of authenticity and depth to the story, further enhancing the reader’s respect for both characters. It is the genuine depiction of this struggle that elevates the narrative and brings its moral weight to life.
0 Comments