In the bingyin year of the Song Xianchun era (1266), the Administrative Inspector for Linchuan, Nuan Weidao, a scholar of Shu, reported that his region had two stony paths separated by a river whose waters ran fast and wild through all four seasons. Further down there was a deep abyss, and only at that place was it possible to cross, although year in and year out those who drowned there were very numerous, as their small boats struck rocks and sank. A person called Xu Zongren decided to build a large vessel, bound with iron plates at both ends, personally hiring punt-hands who were dedicated to serving passing travellers and committed to performing virtuous works in order to accrue merit. It happened that a Person of the Way called at his gate and praised this order, addressing Xu: “The gentleman’s lifespan is restricted to [112] thirty-two, and ends this year.” On the evening of his birthday, he dreamed that he arrived at a government office, seeing a prince seated high in the hall, with three or four hundred spirits before the gates in wet robes, who presented a scroll to the prince: “Xu Zongren has saved many lives from death, with the utmost merit; we beg that husband and wife should enjoy long life, their descendants receive glory and high rank. The multitude wait only for the Zhongyuan festival; they will then cross the worldly bounds.” The prince gestured to his retinue, and with the following words instructed Zongren: “Special Extension by three ages.” He awoke and marvelled at this. From then on he found wholehearted joy in doing good works. Two of his sons and three of his grandsons served as officials. When Zongren died, people erected a hall for offerings by the side of the crossing, and it stands to this day.
Anon., Huhai xinwen yijian xuzhi, 前2.111-12 (Tale 194):
修船增壽
宋咸淳丙寅，臨川錄參暖昧道，蜀士也，嘗言其鄉有兩石嶠夾出一江，四時皆湍急，下則深淵，惟此處可以立渡，常年溺死者甚衆，蓋船小觸石即碎。有徐宗仁發心造一巨舟，兩頭裹以鐵葉，自僱篙手，專一撐過客人，且建善緣以薦亡者。忽有道人登門稱善命，謂徐曰：「公壽止得三 [112] 十二，止在今年。」生日之夕，夢至官府，見王者坐於堂上，而門首溼衣之鬼約三四百人，執一卷投於王前：「徐宗仁濟生拔死，功德莫大，乞與夫妻壽考，子孫榮貴，衆等只俟中元，即超淨界。」 王者指左右，以此詞示宗仁，云：「特延三紀。」覺而異之。自此一心好善樂施。二子、三孫，後有為官者。宗仁死，人為立祠於渡側，至今尚存。
Yuan Haowen 元好問, Chang Zhenguo 常振國 (ed), Xu Yijian zhi 續夷堅志 (Continued Records of the Listener), and Anon., Jin Xin 金心 (ed.) Huhai xinwen yijian xuzhi 湖海新聞夷堅續志 (Continuation of Records of the Listener with New Items from the Lakes and Seas) (Beijing: Zhonghua shuju, 1986)
Zhiguai Translations 