1
吳范字文則，會稽上虞人也。 以治歷數知風氣聞於郡中。 舉有道，詣京都，世亂不行。 會孫權起於東南，范委身服事，每有災祥，輒推數言狀。 其術多效，遂以顯名。
Wu Fan, whose courtesy name was Wenze, came from Shangyu in Kuaiji Commandery. He earned local renown for calendar science, numerology, and interpreting weather signs. Recommended for the “Abundant in the Way” candidacy and called to the capital, he stayed home because the realm was in chaos. After Sun Quan rose in the southeast Wu Fan entered his service—whenever heaven sent prodigies he cast figures and explained what they meant. Again and again his calculations held, and his name spread.
2
初，權在吳，欲討黃祖。 范曰：“今茲少利，不如明年。 明年戊子，荊州劉表亦身死國亡。” 權遂征祖，卒不能克。 明年，軍出，行及尋陽，范見風氣，因詣船賀，催兵急行，至即破祖，祖得夜亡。 權恐失之，范曰：“未遠，必生禽祖。” 至五更中，果得之。 劉表竟死，荊州分割。 及壬辰歲，范又白言：“歲在甲午，劉備當得益州。” 後呂岱從蜀還，遇之白帝，說備部眾離落，死亡且半，事必不克。 權以難范，范曰：“臣所言者天道也，而岱所見者人事耳。” 備卒得蜀。
Early on, while Sun Quan held Wu and planned to attack Huang Zu, Wu Fan warned, Victory this round would be small—wait until next year. The next year falls under wuzi—Liu Biao of Jingzhou will die and his domain collapse. Sun Quan attacked anyway and failed to break Huang Zu. The following year the fleet advanced; at Xunyang Wu Fan read the omens, boarded Sun Quan’s ship to offer congratulations, and pressed for speed—they smashed Huang Zu, who fled under cover of night. Sun Quan feared losing the prey; Wu Fan said, “Huang Zu cannot have gone far—you will take him alive.” Before dawn broke they had him in hand. Liu Biao died on schedule and Jingzhou was partitioned. In the renchen year Wu Fan added: “When the cycle reaches jiawu, Liu Bei will win Yizhou.” Later Lü Dai came back from Shu and told Sun Quan at Baidi that Liu Bei’s army was shattered and half gone—the conquest would fail. Sun Quan challenged him with Lü Dai’s report; Wu Fan replied, “I speak heaven’s pattern—Lü Dai saw only human circumstance.” Liu Bei took Shu just as predicted.
3
權與呂蒙謀襲關羽，議之近臣，多曰不可。 權以問范曰：“得之。” 後羽在麥城，使使請降。 權問范曰：“競當降否？” 范曰：“彼有走氣，言降詐話耳。” 權使潘璋邀其徑路，覘候者還，自羽已去。 范曰：“雖去不免。” 問其期，曰：“明日日中。” 權立表下漏以待之。 及中不至，權問其故，范曰：“時尚未正中也。” 頃之，有風動帷，范拊手曰：“羽至矣。” 須臾，外稱萬歲，傳言得羽。 後權與魏為好，范曰：“以風氣言之，彼以貌來，其實有謀，宜為之備。” 劉備盛兵西陵，范曰：“後當和親。” 終皆如言。 其占驗明審如此。 權以范為騎都尉，領太史令，數從訪問，欲知其決。 范秘惜其術，不以至要語權。 權由是恨之。 〈《吴录》曰：范独心计，所以见重者术，术亡则身弃矣，故终不言。〉
Sun Quan and Lü Meng planned to ambush Guan Yu; most of his inner circle said no. Sun Quan asked Wu Fan, “Will we take him?” Later Guan Yu holed up in Wheat Castle and offered submission. Sun Quan pressed, “Is the surrender genuine?” Wu Fan answered, “His aura shows flight—the surrender talk is a lie.” Sun Quan sent Pan Zhang to cut his retreat; scouts reported Guan Yu had slipped away. Wu Fan insisted, “Even gone he cannot escape.” Asked when, he said, “Tomorrow at midday.” Sun Quan set a water-clock under a sundial and waited. Midday came and went; Sun Quan demanded why—Wu Fan said, “True solar noon has not arrived.” Soon a breeze rattled the drapes; Wu Fan cried, “Guan Yu is here.” Moments later cheers rang outside—Guan Yu had been captured. When Sun Quan befriended Wei, Wu Fan warned, “Their winds bear smiles yet hide knives—brace yourself.” When Liu Bei stacked armies at Xiling, Wu Fan said, “Peace through marriage will follow.” Every prediction landed. His forecasts proved this precise. Sun Quan named him Colonel of Cavalry and Superintendent of Astrology, questioning him often and pressing for his inner formulas. Wu Fan hoarded his secrets and never revealed the core techniques. Sun Quan grew to resent him. 〈The Record of Wu notes Wu Fan hoarded his craft because patrons valued only the magic—lose that and they discard you—so he stayed silent.〉
4
初，權為將軍時，范嘗白言“江南有王氣，亥子之間有大福慶。” 權曰：“若終如言，以君為候。” 及立為吳王，范時侍宴。 曰：“昔在吳中，嘗言此事，大王識之邪？” 權曰：“有之。” 因呼左右，以侯綬帶范。 范權知權欲以厭當前言，輒手推不受。 及後論功行封，以范為都亭侯，詔臨當出，權恚其愛道於己也，削除其名。
While Sun Quan still held the rank of general Wu Fan once said, “South of the river carries imperial vapors—between the hai and zi hours supreme fortune awaits.” Sun Quan replied, “If it comes true I will make you a marquis.” When Sun Quan became King of Wu, Wu Fan waited on him at a feast. He asked, “Do you recall what I said back in Wu?” Sun Quan answered, “I remember.” He ordered servants to present the marquis cords. Wu Fan saw Sun Quan meant only to paper over an old promise and thrust the cords back untouched. When rewards were handed out Wu Fan received a village marquisate; just before the edict Sun Quan, enraged that Wu Fan prized arcana above loyalty to him, erased his name.
5
范為人剛直，頗好自稱，然與親故交接有終始。 素與魏滕同邑相善。 滕嘗有罪，權責怒甚嚴，敢有諫者死，范謂滕曰：“與汝偕死。” 滕曰：“死而無益，何用死為？” 范曰：“安能慮此坐觀汝邪？” 乃髡頭自縛詣門下，使鈴下以聞。 鈴下不敢，曰：“必死，不敢白。” 范曰：“汝有子邪？” 曰：“有。” 曰：“使汝為吳范死，子以屬我。” 鈴下曰：“諾。” 乃排閣入。 言未卒，權大怒，欲便投以戟。 逡巡走出，范因突入，叩頭流血，言與涕並。 良久，權釋，乃免滕。 滕見范謝曰：“父母能生長我，不能免我於死。 丈夫相知，如汝足矣，何用多為！” 〈《会稽典录》曰：滕字周林，祖父河内太守朗，字少英，列在八俊。 滕性刚直，行不苟合，虽遭困偪，终不回挠。 初亦迕策，几殆，赖太妃救得免，语见《妃嫔传》。 历 （历山） 〔历阳〕、 （潘阳） 〔鄱阳〕、山阴三县令，鄱阳太守。〉
Wu Fan was rigid and self-promoting, yet friendships with intimates lasted lifelong. He had long been close to Wei Teng from his home county. Wei Teng once broke the law; Sun Quan’s rage terrified the court—death awaited any advisor—Wu Fan told him, “I perish at your side.” Wei Teng answered, “Useless death helps nothing.” Wu Fan shot back, “Could I sit idle while you hang?” He shaved his head, tied his own bonds, and appeared at the palace gate, telling the usher to announce him. The usher refused: “Reporting means death—I cannot.” Wu Fan asked, “Do you have children?” “I do.” Wu Fan said, “Die for me and I will raise your boy.” The usher said, “Done.” He burst through the gate. Sun Quan roared mid-sentence and reached for a halberd. Attendants wavered and withdrew; Wu Fan darted in, beating his brow bloody, words lost in sobs. After long moments Sun Quan relented and spared Wei Teng. Wei Teng told Wu Fan, Parents give life but cannot spare me from execution. A friend like you satisfies a man—what more could I want? 〈The Kuaiji Canon records: Wei Teng, style Zhoulin—his grandfather Lang governed Henei as Shaoying, counted among the Eight Talents. Wei Teng was stubborn and principled; hardship never broke him. He once defied Sun Ce and nearly died—Lady Wu saved him; see the concubine chapter. Continues the office list. Editors note the alternate placename Lishan. The variant reading Liyang heads the remaining appointments. Scribes supply the alternate form Panyang for the county. The gloss concludes his offices in Poyang, three counties with Shanyin, then prefect of Poyang.〉
6
黃武五年，范病卒。 長子先死，少子尚幼，於是業絕。 權追思之，募三州有能舉知術數如吳范、趙達者，封千戶侯，卒無所得。 〈《吴录》曰：范先知其死日，谓权曰：“陛下某日当丧军师。” 权曰：“吾无军师，焉得丧之？” 范曰：“陛下出军临敌，须臣言而后行，臣乃陛下之军师也。” 至其日果卒。 臣松之案，范死时，权未称帝，此云陛下，非也。〉
Huangwu 5 Wu Fan died of illness. His firstborn had died; the youngest was a child—his lineage of arts died with him. Sun Quan mourned him and promised a thousand-household marquisate to anyone who matched Wu Fan or Zhao Da’s skill—no one qualified. 〈The Record of Wu adds: Wu Fan predicted his death and told Sun Quan, “You will lose your strategist on a set day.” Sun Quan replied, “I employ no strategist—what loss is there?” Wu Fan answered, “When you march you wait on my counsel—I am your strategist.” He died exactly then. Pei Songzhi observes Sun Quan was not yet emperor when Wu Fan died—“Your Majesty” is anachronistic.〉
7
劉惇字子仁，平原人也。 遭亂避地，客游廬陵，事孫輔。 以明天官達占數顯於南土。 每有水旱寇賊，皆先時處期，無不中者。 輔異焉，以為軍師，軍中鹹敬事之，號曰神明。
Liu Dun, courtesy Ziren, hailed from Pingyuan. He escaped chaos, lodged in Luling, and served Sun Fu. Southern patrons esteemed him for astrology and divination math. Floods, droughts, raids—he dated each before it arrived. Sun Fu named him strategist; the camp hailed him as a spirit.
8
建安中，孫權在豫章，時有星變，以問惇。 惇曰："災在丹楊。 "權曰："何如？ "曰："客勝主人，到某日當得問。 "是時邊鴻作亂，卒如惇言。 惇於諸術皆善，尤明太一，皆能推演其事，窮盡要妙，著書百餘篇，名儒刁玄稱以為奇。 惇亦寶愛其術，不以告人，故世莫得而明也。
In Jian’an Sun Quan camped at Yuzhang; strange stars appeared and he consulted Liu Dun. Liu Dun said, “Calamity will strike Danyang.” Sun Quan asked, “What form will it take?” He answered, “The outsider bests the insider—you will hear by a set date.” Then Bian Hong rose in revolt—exactly as Liu Dun foretold. Liu Dun mastered many disciplines, especially Taiyi divination, unfolding cases to their subtle roots in over a hundred scrolls—scholar Diao Xuan called them extraordinary. Yet Liu Dun hoarded his secrets, so posterity never fully grasped them.
9
趙達，河南人也。 少從漢侍中單甫受學，用思精密。 謂東南有王者氣，可以避難，故脫身渡江。 治九宮一算之術，究其微旨，是以能應機立成。 對問若神，至計飛蝗，射隱伏，無不中效。 或難達曰：飛者固不可校，誰知其然，此殆妄耳。 "達使其人取小豆數鬥，播之席上，立處其數，驗覆果信。 嘗過知故，知故為之具食。 食畢，謂曰："倉卒乏酒，又無佳看，無以敘意，如何?"達因取盤中只箸，再三從橫之，乃言："卿東壁下有美酒一斛，又有鹿肉三斤，何以辭無?"時坐有他賓，內得主人情。 主有慚曰："以卿善射有無，欲相試耳，竟效如此。 "遂出酒酣飲。 又有書簡上作千萬數，著空倉中封之，令達算之。 達處如數，云："但有名無實。 "其精微若是。
Zhao Da came from Henan. Youth brought tutelage under Han Attendant Shan Fu; his reasoning ran fine-toothed. He read kingly qi in the southeast and crossed the river to escape turmoil. He perfected nine-palace calculation, grasped its marrow, and answered riddles instantly. Whether counting flying locusts mid-flight or guessing concealed totals, he never missed. Skeptics said airborne swarms cannot be tallied—his claims had to be fraud. Zhao Da poured beans across a mat, announced the total at once, and a recount proved him right. Once he dropped on an old friend who laid out a meal. After eating Zhao Da said they had no wine or delicacies—then took one chopstick, crossed it repeatedly, and declared a hu of wine and three jin of deer meat hid east of the east wall—though guests sat nearby and knew the host felt exposed. The host admitted embarrassment: “I meant only to test your gift for sensing what was hidden—it worked exactly as you claimed.” They broke out the wine and drank freely. Another test wrote a huge figure on a slip, locked it in an empty granary, and told Zhao Da to divine the number. Zhao Da named the total and added, “The tally exists on paper—the granary stays empty.” His precision ran that deep.
10
達寶惜其術，自闞澤、殷禮皆名儒善士，親屈節就學，達秘而不告，太史丞公孫滕少師事達，勤勞累年，達許教之者有年數矣，臨當喻語而輒復止。 滕他日□酒具，侯顏色，拜跪而請。 達曰："吾先人得此術，欲圖為帝王師，至仕來三世，不過太史郎，誠不欲復傳之。 且此術微妙，頭乘尾除，一算之法，父子不相語。 然以子篤好不倦，今真以相授矣。 "飲酒數行，達起取素書兩眷，大如手指，達曰："當寫讀此，由自解也。 吾久廢，不復省之。 今欲思論一過，數日當以相與。 "滕如期往，至乃陽求索書，驚言失之，云："女婿昨來，必是渠所竊。 "遂從此絕。
Zhao Da hoarded his methods: Kan Ze and Yin Li came as humble pupils yet learned nothing; Gongsun Teng toiled years as his disciple—each time Zhao Da neared disclosure he pulled back. Another day Gongsun Teng laid out food and wine, read Zhao Da’s temper, and begged on his knees. Zhao Da answered, “Our ancestors meant this lore for dynastic tutors—three generations stalled at petty astrology posts—I hate passing it down.” The method is delicate—operations compound and reduce—and families guard even one formula from kin. Because you never slackened in zeal, I will actually teach you. He rose after a few cups and produced two finger-sized booklets: “Copy these out—understanding will follow.” He claimed he had neglected the texts and barely remembered them. He asked for days to review before handing them over. When Gongsun Teng returned, Zhao Da feigned panic—the manuals were gone—blaming the son-in-law. The lessons ended there.
11
初，孫權行師征伐，每令達有所推步，皆如其言。 權問其法，達終不語，由此見薄，祿位不至。 〈吴书曰：初，权即尊号，令达算作天子之后，当复几年？ 达曰：“高祖建元十二年，陛下倍之。” 权大喜，左右称万岁。 果如达言。〉 達常笑謂諸星氣風術者曰："當回算帷幕，不出戶牖以知天道，而反晝夜暴露以望氣樣，不亦難乎!"閒居無為，引算自校，乃歎曰："吾算訖盡某年月日，其終矣。 "達妻數見達效，聞而哭泣。 達欲弭妻意，乃更步算，言："向者謬誤耳，尚未也。 "後如期死。 權聞達有書，求之不得，乃錄問其女，及發棺無所得，法術絕焉。 〈吴录曰：皇象字休明，广陵江都人。 幼工书。 时有张子并、陈梁甫能书。 甫恨逋，并恨峻，象斟酌其间，甚得其妙，中国善书者不能及也。 严武字子卿，卫尉畯再从子也，围釭莫与为辈。 宋寿占梦，十不失一。 曹不兴善画，权使画屏风，误落笔点素，因就以作蝇。 既进御，权以为生蝇，举手弹之。 孤城郑妪能相人，及范、惇、达八人，世皆称妙，谓之八绝云。 《晋阳秋曰：吴有葛衡字思真，明达天官，能为几巧，作浑天，使地居于中，以机动之，天转而地止，以上应晷度。〉
Whenever Sun Quan marched he made Zhao Da cast ahead—and each forecast hit. Sun Quan demanded the technique; Zhao Da stayed mute—so courtiers snubbed him and promotions stopped. 〈The Book of Wu adds that after Sun Quan took the throne he asked Zhao Da how long his mandate would run. Zhao Da answered, “Han Gaozu began his era in the twelfth cycle—you will double that span.” Sun Quan cheered; the hall cried long life. Events matched Zhao Da’s reckoning.〉 Zhao Da mocked outdoor astrologers—true skill needed no sky-gazing—then computed his own death date and sighed it aloud. His wife had seen his arts work—she wept at the sentence. To calm her he recast the figures: “I miscalculated—the hour has not come.” He died exactly when first predicted. Sun Quan hunted Zhao Da’s manuscripts—questioned his daughter—opened the tomb—found nothing—the lineage of lore died. 〈The Record of Wu names calligrapher Huang Xiang (style Xiuming) from Jiangdu. He practiced brushwork from boyhood. Zhang Zibing and Chen Liangfu were rivals in script. Huang Xiang balanced their styles and surpassed both—northern masters fell short. Yan Wu (Ziqing), great-grandson of Wei officer Yan Jun, stood alone in bronze-seal carving. Song Shuo dream-divined with ninety-percent accuracy. Ordered to paint a screen Cao Buxing smeared ink—turned the blot into a fly. Sun Quan tried to swat the painted fly. Physiognomist Mother Zheng of lone-walled Gucheng joined Wu Fan, Liu Dun, Zhao Da, and five talents hailed as the Eight Wonders. The Jin Yang Qiu credits Ge Heng with a geared cosmos-model matching celestial arcs.〉
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【評】
Section heading: Appraisal.
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評曰：三子各於其術精矣，其用思妙矣，然君子等役心神，宜於大者遠者，是以有識之士，捨彼而取此也。 〈孙盛曰：夫玄览未然，逆鉴来事，虽裨灶、梓慎其犹病诸，况术之下此者乎？ 吴史书达知东南当有王气，故轻举济江。 魏承汉绪，受命中畿，达不能豫睹兆萌，而流窜吴越。 又不知吝术之鄙，见薄於时，安在其能逆睹天道而审帝王之符瑞哉？ 昔圣王观天地之文，以画八卦之象，故亹亹成於蓍策，变化形乎六爻，是以三易虽殊，卦繇理一，安有回转一筹，可以钩深测隐，意对逆占，而能遂知来物者乎？ 流俗好异，妄设神奇，不幸之中，仲尼所弃，是以君子志其大者，无所取诸。 臣松之以为盛云“君子志其大者，无所取诸”，故评家之旨，非新声也。 其餘所讥，则皆为非理。 自中原酷乱，至于建安，数十年间，生民殆尽，比至小康，皆百死之餘耳。 江左虽有兵革，不能如中国之甚也，焉知达不算其安危，知祸有多少，利在东南，以全其身乎？ 而责不知魏氏将兴，流播吴越，在京房之筹，犹不能自免刑戮，况达但以秘术见薄，在悔吝之间乎！ 古之道术，盖非一方，探赜之功，岂惟六爻，苟得其要，则可以易而知之矣，回转一筹，胡足怪哉？ 达之推算，穷其要妙以知幽测隐，何愧于古！ 而以裨、梓限之，谓达为妄，非笃论也。 《抱朴子》曰：时有葛仙公者，每饮酒醉，常入人家门前陂水中卧，竟日乃出。 曾从吴主别，到洌州，还遇大风，百官船多没，仙公船亦沉沦，吴主甚怅恨。 明日使人钩求公船，而登高以望焉。 久之，见公步从水上来，衣履不沾，而有酒色。 既见而言曰：“臣昨侍从而伍子胥见请，暂过设酒，忽忽不得，即委之。” 又有姚光者，有火术。 吴主身临试之，积荻数千束，使光坐其上，又以数千束荻裹之，因猛风而燔之。 荻了尽，谓光当以化为烬，而光端坐灰中，振衣而起，把一卷书。 吴主取其书视之，不能解也。 又曰：吴景帝有疾，求觋视者，得一人。 景帝欲试之，乃杀鹅而埋於苑中，架小屋，施床几，以妇人屐履服物著其上，乃使觋视之。 告曰：“若能说此冢中鬼妇人形状者，当加赏而即信矣。” 竟日尽夕无言，帝推问之急，乃曰：“实不见有鬼，但见一头白鹅立墓上，所以不即白之，疑是鬼神变化作此相，当候其真形而定。 无复移易，不知何故，不敢不以实上闻。” 景帝乃厚赐之。 然则鹅死亦有鬼也。 葛洪《神仙传》曰：仙人介象，字元则，会稽人，有诸方术。 吴主闻之，徵象到武昌，甚敬贵之，称为介君，为起宅，以御帐给之，赐遗前后累千金，从象学蔽形之术。 试还后宫，及出殿门，莫有见者。 又使象作变化，种瓜菜百果，皆立生可食。 吴主共论鲙鱼何者最美，象曰：“鯔鱼为上。” 吴主曰：“论近道鱼耳，此出海中，安可得邪？” 象曰：“可得耳。” 乃令人於殿庭中作方埳，汲水满之，并求钩。 象起饵之，垂纶於埳中。 须臾，果得鯔鱼。 吴主惊喜，问象曰：“可食不？” 象曰：“故为陛下取以作生鲙，安敢取不可食之物！” 乃使厨下切之。 吴主曰：“闻蜀使来，得蜀姜作赍甚好，恨尔时无此。” 象曰：“蜀姜岂不易得，原差所使者，并付直。” 吴主指左右一人，以钱五十付之。 象书一符，以著青竹杖中，使行人闭目骑杖，杖止，便买姜讫，复闭目。 此人承其言骑杖，须臾止，已至成都，不知是何处，问人，人言是蜀市中，乃买姜。 于时吴使张温先在蜀，既於市中相识，甚惊，便作书寄其家。 此人买姜毕，捉书负姜，骑杖闭目，须臾已还到吴，厨下切鲙適了。 臣松之以为葛洪所记，近为惑众，其书文颇行世，故撮取数事，载之篇末也。 神仙之术，讵可测量，臣之臆断，以为惑众，所谓夏虫不知冷冰耳。〉
The historian concludes: technical genius tempts petty wonders; thoughtful men aim higher. 〈Sun Sheng notes even canonical astrologers stumbled—lesser tricks merit doubt. Wu records say Zhao Da crossed south chasing imperial vapors. Wei held the Central Plain—yet Zhao Da missed Wei’s rise and wandered eastern marshes. Sun Sheng asks how a stingy technician could read dynastic fate. The classics unified oracle logic—no single abacus replaces the Changes. Fashion craves miracles—Confucius spurned fortune-telling—the gentleman thinks bigger. Pei Songzhi notes Sun Sheng echoes the official appraisal. Pei rejects Sun Sheng’s other barbs. Decades of northern slaughter left few survivors—peace meant beating overwhelming odds. The south suffered less—Zhao Da may simply have sought safer ground. Pinning prophets for politics ignores worse failures—even masters died under suspicion. Many roads led to insight—the Changes were broader than one chip. Zhao Da plumbed secrets as well as ancients. Equating him with Pi Zao sells Zhao Da short. Ge Hong tells how Immortal Ge dozed in roadside ponds. Returning from court Ge Hong’s boat sank in a gale—Sun Quan mourned. Next day crews dragged for wreckage from the heights. He walked ashore dry and tipsy. He blamed a banquet with Wu Zixu’s ghost for his delay. Yao Guang commanded flame. Sun Quan piled reeds, seated Yao Guang, torched the heap. Ash fell away—Yao Guang stood untouched with a book. Sun Quan could not read the script. Emperor Jing of Wu sought healers—found a medium. He staged a fake tomb with goose remains and women’s gear. Success meant reward—describe the ghost woman. The medium stalled—then admitted seeing only a goose—feared spirits mimicking women. He feared deceiving the throne. The emperor paid him well. Pei wonders whether geese have ghosts. Ge Hong’s hagiography introduces Jie Xiang of Kuaiji. Sun Quan housed him in luxury and studied concealment. He vanished crossing palace gates. He sprouted melons and fruits on command. Asked about sashimi, Jie Xiang praised zi fish. Sun Quan called sea fish unattainable inland. Jie Xiang promised delivery. Servants dug a pool and fetched tackle. He angled in the courtyard pool. He landed a zi fish. Sun Quan asked if it was safe to eat. Jie Xiang swore it suited sashimi. Chefs carved the fish. Sun Quan craved Shu ginger with the meal. Jie Xiang promised instant ginger. Sun Quan picked a runner and fifty coins. He charmed a bamboo rod for blind teleport shopping. The courier opened his eyes in Chengdu’s market. He met Zhang Wen and sent mail east. He returned before the cooks finished—ginger in hand. Pei cites Ge Hong to show wonder-tales entertained readers—not sober history. Pei dismisses miracle lore as summer worms denying winter—closing the gloss.