| | 卷第一: |
漢武帝未誕之時，景帝夢一赤彘從雲中直下，入崇蘭閣。帝覺而坐於閣上，果見赤氣如煙霧來蔽戶牖。望上，有丹霞蓊鬱而起，乃改崇蘭閣為猗蘭殿。後王夫人誕武帝於此殿。有青雀群飛於霸城門，乃改為青雀門。乃更修飾，刻木為綺橑。雀去，因名青綺門。 |
| | Before Emperor Wu of Han was born, Emperor Jing had a dream in which a red pig descended directly from the clouds and entered Chonglan Pavilion. After waking up, the emperor sat on the pavilion and indeed saw red vapor like smoke and mist coming to obscure the doors and windows. Looking upward, he saw crimson clouds rising thickly, so he changed the name of Chonglan Pavilion to Yilan Palace. Later, Lady Wang gave birth to Emperor Wu in this palace. A flock of blue magpies flew over Bacheng Gate; thus it was renamed Qingque Gate. They then renovated and decorated it, carving the wood into ornate eaves. After the magpies left, it was renamed Qingqi Gate.
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| | 卷第一: |
東方朔，字曼倩。父張夷，字少平，妻田氏女。夷年二百歲，顏如童子。朔生三日，而田氏死，時景帝三年也。鄰母拾而養之。年三歲，天下秘讖，一覽闇誦於口，常指撝天下，空中獨語。鄰母忽失朔，累月方歸，母笞之。後復去，經年乃歸。母忽見，大驚曰：「汝行經年一歸，何以慰我耶？」朔曰：「兒至紫泥海，有紫水污衣，仍過虞淵湔浣，朝發中返，何云經年乎？」母問之：「汝悉是何處行？」朔曰：「兒湔衣竟，暫息都崇堂。王公飴之以丹霞漿，兒食之太飽，悶幾死，乃飲玄天黃露半合，即醒。既而還。路遇一蒼虎，息於路傍。兒騎虎還，打捶過痛，虎嚙兒腳傷。」母悲嗟，乃裂青布裳裹之。朔復去家萬里，見一枯樹，脫布挂於樹。布化為龍，因名其地為布龍澤。朔以元封中遊蒙鴻之澤，忽見王母採桑於白海之濱。俄有黃眉翁指阿母以告朔曰：「昔為吾妻，托形為太白之精，今汝此星精也。吾卻食吞氣，已九千餘歲，目中瞳子，色皆青光，能見幽隱之物，三千歲一反骨洗髓，二千歲一刻肉伐毛。自吾生，已三洗髓五伐毛矣。」 |
| | Dongfang 朔, courtesy name Manqian. His father was Zhang Yi, courtesy name Shaoping, and his wife was the daughter of the Tianshi family. Zhang Yi was 200 years old, yet his face looked like that of a child. Three days after Shuo was born, Lady Tian died; this was in the third year of Emperor Jing's reign. A neighborly mother picked him up and raised him. At the age of three, he read all the secret prophecies in the world and could recite them from memory; he often pointed at the world and spoke alone to himself in the air. One day, the neighborly mother suddenly lost sight of Shuo, who returned only after several months; his mother then beat him. Later he went away again and did not return until a whole year had passed. When the mother suddenly saw him, she was greatly surprised and said, "You have been away for a whole year before returning once; how can you comfort me?" Shuo said, "I went to Zini Sea, where purple water stained my clothes. I then passed through Yuyuan to wash them clean. I left in the morning and returned at noon; how can it be called a whole year?" The mother asked, "Where exactly did you go?" Shuo said, "After I finished washing my clothes, I briefly rested at Douchong Hall. The Wang Gong gave me Danxia juice, and I ate so much that I became suffocated and nearly died. Then I drank half a gē of Xuantian Huanglu and immediately woke up." Afterward, he returned. On the way, he encountered a gray tiger resting by the roadside. The child rode on the tiger back and beat it too hard; the tiger bit the child's foot and injured him." His mother was sad and sighed, then tore a piece of blue cloth from her skirt to wrap his wound. Shuo left home again for ten thousand li and saw a dead tree; he took off the cloth and hung it on the tree. The cloth turned into a dragon, so the place was named Bulong Ze. During Yuanshou period, Shuo traveled to Menghong Lake and suddenly saw Queen Mother picking mulberry leaves by the shore of Baihai. Soon, an old man with yellow eyebrows pointed at the Queen Mother and told Shuo, "In the past she was my wife, who transformed her form into the essence of Tai Bai; now you are the star's essence. I have been abstaining from food and swallowing breath, already over 9,000 years. The pupils of my eyes emit blue light; I can see hidden things. Every 3,000 years I shed bones and cleanse marrow, and every 2,000 years a moment passes in which flesh is renewed and hair is shaved off. Since my birth, I have already cleansed marrow three times and renewed flesh five times."
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| | 卷第一: |
建元二年，帝起騰光臺，以望四遠。於臺上撞碧玉之鐘，掛懸黎之磬，吹霜條之篪，唱來雲依日之曲。方朔再拜於帝前，曰：「臣東遊萬林之野，獲九色鳳雛，涔源丹獺之水赤色。西過洞壑，得滄淵虬子靜海遊珠。洞壑在虞淵西，虬泉池在五柞宮北，中有追雲舟、起風舟、侍仙舟、含煙舟。或以杪棠為杝楫，或以木蘭文柘為櫓棹，又起五層臺於月下。」 |
| | In the second year of Jianyuan, the emperor built Tengguang Terrace to look out in all directions. On the terrace, they struck a green jade bell, hung Xuanli stone chimes, played the shuangtiao flute, and sang the tune Laiyun Yiri. Shuo bowed twice before the emperor and said, "I traveled east to Wanlin Field and obtained a young phoenix with nine colors; the water from Censuan Dan Ta is red in color. Traveling west past deep ravines, I obtained a pearl of the calm sea, a young dragon from Cangyuan. The deep ravine is west of Yuyuan; Qiuquan Pool lies north of Wuzuo Palace, and within it are the Chuiyun Boat, Qifeng Boat, Shixian Boat, and Hanyan Boat. Some used miaotang wood for oars, others used mulberry and zhe wood for paddles; they also built a five-story terrace under the moon."
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| | 卷第一: |
釣影山去昭河三萬里，有雲氣，望之如山影。丹藿生於影中，葉浮水上。有紫河萬里，深十丈，中有寒荷，霜下方香盛。有降靈壇、養靈池、分光殿五間、奔雷室七間、望蟾閣十二丈，上有金鏡，廣四尺。元封中，有祇國獻此鏡，照見魑魅，不獲隱形。 |
| | Diao Ying Shan is 30,000 li away from Zhao He; there are clouds and vapor, which look like the shadow of a mountain when viewed. Danhuo grows within the shadow, with leaves floating on the water's surface. There is a purple river ten thousand li long and ten zhang deep; within it grows cold lotus, which emits its strongest fragrance only after frost. There is the Jiangling Altar, Yangling Pool, Wujian Fenguang Hall, Qijian Bunle Shi, and Shanglei Room; the 12 zhang high Wangchan Pavilion has a golden mirror on top measuring four chi in width. During Yuanshou, the country of Zhi presented this mirror; it could illuminate ghosts and monsters, who could not remain invisible.
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| | 卷第一: |
都夷香如棗核，食一片，則歷月不饑。以粒如粟米許，投水中，俄而滿大盂也。 |
| | Duyi fragrance is like jujube kernels; eating one piece would make a person not hungry for months. A grain the size of millet was thrown into water, and soon it filled a large basin.
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| | 卷第一: |
甘泉宮南昆明池中，有靈波殿七間。皆以桂為柱，風來自香。帝既耽於靈怪，常得丹豹之髓、白鳳之骨，磨青錫為屑，以蘇油和之，照於神壇，夜暴雨光不滅。有霜蛾，如蜂赴火，侍者舉麟鬚拂拂之。 |
| | In the southern Kunming Pool of Ganzhuang Palace, there is a seven-room Lingbo Pavilion. All columns are made of cassia wood; when the wind blows, fragrance naturally comes. The emperor, having become deeply interested in the supernatural and strange, often obtained red leopard marrow and white phoenix bones. He ground green tin into powder, mixed it with sesame oil, and used it on the sacred altar; even during a rainy night, its light did not fade. There were frost moths, like bees rushing toward fire; the attendants raised qilin whiskers to gently brush them away.
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| | 卷第一: |
元光中，帝起寿靈壇。壇上列植垂龍之木，似青梧，高十丈，有朱露，色如丹汁，灑其葉，落地皆成珠。其枝似龍之倒垂，亦曰珍枝樹。此壇高八丈，帝使董謁乘雲霞之輦以昇壇。至夜三更，聞野鷄鳴，忽如曙，西王母駕玄鵉，歌春歸樂，謁乃聞王母歌聲而不見其形。歌聲繞梁三匝乃止，壇傍草樹枝葉或翻或動，歌之感也。四面列種軟棗，條如青桂。風至，自拂階上遊塵。 |
| | During Yuanguang period, the emperor built Shouling Altar. On the altar, they planted Chuilong trees in rows; these resembled green ginkgo trees and were ten zhang tall. They produced red dew with a color like cinnabar juice; when it sprinkled on their leaves and fell to the ground, it all turned into pearls. Their branches resembled dragons hanging downward, hence also called Zhenzhi Tree. This altar was eight zhang high; the emperor ordered Dong Ye to ride a palanquin borne by clouds and rosy mists to ascend the altar. At the third watch of the night, they heard a wild rooster crow; suddenly it was as if dawn had come. Queen Mother from the West rode on a black crane and sang Chongui Yue (Spring Return Music). Dong Ye then heard the Queen Mother's singing but could not see her form. The song circled around the beams three times before stopping; trees and grass near the altar either flipped or moved, all affected by the singing. Soft 枣 trees were planted in rows on all four sides, with branches resembling green cassia. When the wind blew, it naturally brushed away dust from the steps.
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| | 卷第一: |
董謁，字仲玄，武都郁邑人也。少好學，嘗遊山澤，負挾圖書，患其繁重。家貧，拾樹葉以代書簡，言其易卷懷也。編荊為床，聚鳥獸毛以寢其上。 |
| | Dong Ye, courtesy name Zhongxuan, was a native of Yuyi, Wudu. From a young age he loved learning; he once traveled through mountains and marshes, carrying books on his back, but was troubled by their bulk and weight. Being poor at home, he picked leaves to use as substitutes for bamboo slips, saying they were easy to roll up and carry. ❧ He wove thorny branches into a bed and collected bird and beast feathers to sleep on.
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| | 卷第一: |
波祗國，亦名波弋國。獻神精香草，亦名荃蘼，亦名春芜。一根百條，其間如竹節，柔軟，其皮如弦，可為布，所謂春芜布，亦名香荃布，堅密如紈冰也。握一片，滿室皆香，婦人帶之，彌有芬馥。 |
| | The country of Bozhi, also known as Boyi Guo. They presented the sacred Jingxiang herb, also called Quanmi, and also called Chunwu. One root produces a hundred stalks, with joints like bamboo. It is soft and pliable; its bark resembles strings and can be made into cloth—called Chunwu fabric, also known as Xiangquan fabric—which is firm and dense like fine ice. Holding a piece of it filled the room with fragrance; women wearing it would be especially fragrant.
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| | 卷第一: |
翕韓國獻飛骸獸，狀如鹿，青色。以寒青之絲為繩繫之。及死，帝惜之而不瘞，掛於苑閂。皮毛皆爛朽，惟骨色猶青。時人咸知其神異，更以繩繫其足。往視之，唯見所繫處存，而頭尾及骨皆飛去。 |
| | The country of Xihan presented Fei Hai Shou, an animal resembling a deer and colored green. It was tied with cold blue silk rope. When it died, the emperor regretted its loss and did not bury it but instead hung it on a gate in the garden. Its skin and fur all rotted away, yet only its bones remained greenish in color. At that time, people generally knew of its supernatural nature; they tied ropes to its feet again. When they went to look at it, they only saw the place where it had been tied remained, while its head, tail, and bones had all flown away.
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| | 卷第一: |
旦露池西有靈池，方四百步。有連錢荇、浮根菱、倒枝藻。連錢荇，荇如錢文；浮根菱，根出水上，葉沉波下，實細薄，皮甘香，葉半青半白，霜降彌美，因名青冰菱也；倒枝藻者，枝橫倒水中，長九尺餘，如結網，有野鴨、秋鳧及鷗鷖來翔水上，入此草中，皆不得出，如繒網也。亦名水網藻。中有轉羽舫、逐龍舫、凌波舫，帝嘗遊宴於此。 |
| | To the west of Danlu Chi is a sacred pool covering an area of four hundred bu. It contains Lianqian Xing, Fugen Ling, and Daozhi Zao. Lianqian Xing: the water shield resembles coin patterns; Fugen Ling: its roots grow above the water, leaves sink beneath the waves; its fruit is small and thin-skinned, sweet and fragrant. Its leaves are half green and half white; it becomes even more delicious after frost falls, hence named Qingbing Ling; Daozhi Zao: its branches lie horizontally and upside down in the water, over nine chi long, resembling a woven net. Wild ducks, autumn geese, and gulls fly onto the water surface and enter this grass; they cannot escape, as if caught in a silk net. It is also called Shuowang Zao. Within it are Zhuyu Fang, Zhu long Fang, and Lingbo Fang; the emperor once held banquets and tours here.
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| | 卷第二: |
元鼎元年，起招仙閣於甘泉宮西。編翠羽麟毫為簾，青琉璃為扇，懸黎火齊為床，其上懸浮金輕玉之磬。浮金者，色如金，自浮於水上；輕玉者，其質貞明而輕。有霞光綉，有藻龍綉，有連煙綉，有走龍錦，有雲鳳錦，翻鴻錦。閣上燒荃靡香屑，燒粟許，其氣三月不絕。進𡸰嵻細棗，出𡸰嵻山，山臨碧海上，萬年一實，如今之軟棗。咋之有膏，膏可燃燈，西王母握以獻帝。燃芳苡燈，光色紫，有白鳳、黑龍、馵足來，戲於閣邊。有青鳥，赤頭，道路而下，以迎神女。神女留玉釵以贈帝，帝以賜趙婕妤。至昭帝元鳳中，宮人猶見此釵。黃諃欲之，明日示之，既發匣，有白燕飛昇天。後宮人學作此釵，因名玉燕釵，言吉祥也。 |
| | In Yuanding 1st year, a Zhaoxian Pavilion was built to the west of Ganhuan Palace. Cuiyu linhao feathers were woven into curtains, blue lishi was made into fans, hualu and huoji stones were used as bed materials, and above them were suspended floating golden light and light jade chimes. Floating gold refers to an object whose color resembles gold, naturally floating on the water's surface; Light jade refers to a material that is pure and clear in quality yet light. There were xianguang embroidery, zaolong embroidery, lianyan embroidery, zoulong brocade, yunfeng brocade, and fanhong brocade. Incense shavings of quanmi were burned on the pavilion, as well as suxu; its fragrance lasted for three months without fading. They presented Qiankeng xi zao, which came from the Qiankeng Mountain. The mountain was located by the green sea; it bore fruit once every ten thousand years, similar to today's soft dates. Its pulp contained fat, which could be used to light lamps; the Queen Mother of Heaven held it and presented it to the emperor. They lit ranfang yi lamps, whose light was purple in color; white phoenixes, black dragons, and zhu feet creatures came to play by the pavilion's side. There were green birds with red heads flying down along the roads to welcome the goddess. The goddess left a jade hairpin as a gift for the emperor, who in turn bestowed it upon Zhao Jieyu. By the middle of Yuangfeng reign period of Emperor Zhao, palace attendants still saw this hairpin. Huang Xin desired it; the next day he showed it to others. When the casket was opened, a white swallow flew up into the sky. Later palace attendants imitated its making and thus named it Yuyan hairpin, saying that it signified good fortune.
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| | 卷第二: |
元鼎五年，郅支國貢馬肝石百斤。常以水銀養之，內玉櫃中，金泥封其上。國人長四尺，惟餌此石而已。半青半白，如今之馬肝。舂碎以和九轉之丹，服之，彌年不饑渴也。以之拂髮，白者皆黑。帝坐群臣於甘泉殿，有髮白者，以石拂之，應手皆黑。是時公卿語曰：「不用作方伯，惟須馬肝石。」此石酷烈，不和丹砂，不可近髮。帝寢靈莊殿，召東方朔於青綺，窗不隔綈紈，重幕，問朔曰：「漢承庚運，火德，以何精瑞為祥應？」朔跪而對曰：「臣常至吳明之墟，是長安東過扶桑七萬里，有及雲山。山頂有井，雲起井中，若土德王黃雲出，火德王赤雲出，水德王黑雲出，金德王白雲出，木德王青雲出。此皆應瑞德也。」帝曰：「善」。 |
| | In Yuanding 5th year, the Zhizhi Kingdom presented one hundred catties of maligan stone as tribute. It was usually nourished with mercury and placed inside a jade cabinet, sealed on top with gold paste. The people of the country were four chi tall, and they only consumed this stone. Half green and half white, like today's maligan. When ground into powder to mix with the nine transformations of cinnabar pills, consuming it would make one not feel hungry or thirsty for many years. Using it to brush hair, white hairs all turned black. The emperor seated his ministers in Ganhuan Hall; those among them with white hair brushed it with the stone, and their hair turned black immediately. At that time, the high officials remarked: "One need not become a fangbo; one only needs maligan stone." This stone is extremely strong; if it is not mixed with cinnabar, it cannot be used near the hair. The emperor slept in Lingzhuang Hall and summoned Dongfang 朔 to Qingqi. The window was not separated by silk or gauze, nor by multiple curtains. He asked Dongfang 朔: "Han dynasty inherits the Geng cycle, fire virtue; what kind of refined auspicious signs should be considered as omens?" Shuo knelt and replied, "I have often visited the ruins of Wuming, which is seven ten-thousands of li east of Chang'an beyond Fusang. There is a Jiyun Mountain there. Atop the mountain there is a well; clouds arise from within it. If yellow clouds emerge, it signifies the Earth virtue reigns; if red clouds emerge, Fire virtue reigns; black clouds indicate Water virtue reigns; white clouds mean Metal virtue reigns; and green clouds signify Wood virtue reigns. These are all auspicious signs corresponding to the virtues." The emperor said, "Well done."
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| | 卷第二: |
元封中，起方山像，招諸靈異，召東方朔言其秘奧。乃燒天下異香，有沉光香、精祗香、明庭香、金磾香、塗魂香，外國所貢青楂之燈。青楂木有膏，如淳漆，削置器中，以蠟和之塗布，燃照數里。 |
| | In the middle of Yuanfeng period, a statue of Fangshan was built to summon various spirits and anomalies; Dongfang 朔 was summoned to explain its mysteries. They burned rare fragrances from all over the world, including chenguang incense, jingzhi incense, mingting incense, jindi incense, and tuhun incense. Foreign countries presented green zha lamps as tribute. The Qingzha tree contains fat, similar to pure lacquer; when shaved and placed in a vessel, mixed with wax and applied on cloth, it could burn and illuminate for several li.
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| | 卷第二: |
起神明臺，上有九天道金床、象席，虎珀鎮雜玉為簟。帝坐良久，設甜水之冰，以備洪濯酌。瑤琨碧酒，炮青豹之脯。果則有塗陰紫梨、琳國碧李，仙眾與食之。 |
| | They built the Shenming Terrace, which had a nine-heaven golden bed and elephant skin mat; tiger hu po stones mixed with various jades were used as floor mats. The emperor sat there for a long time, ice made from sweet water was prepared to provide for large-scale washing and pouring. Yao kun green wine was served, along with roasted pheasant meat of the qingbao. As for fruits, there were Tuyin purple pears and Linguo green plums; immortals and the crowd shared them.
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| | 卷第二: |
吠勒國貢文犀四頭，狀如水兕。角表有光，因名明犀。置闇中，有光影，亦曰影犀。織以為簟，如錦綺之文。此國去長安九千里，在日南。人長七尺，被髮至踵，乘犀象之車。乘象入海底取寶，宿於蛟人之舍，得淚珠。則蛟所泣之珠也，亦曰泣珠。 |
| | The Fulei Kingdom presented four head of wenshi, which resembled shuisi in appearance. Their horns had a lustrous glow; thus they were named Mingxi. Placed in the dark, their horns still cast light and shadows; hence they were also called Yingxi. They wove them into floor mats with patterns resembling brocade and silk. This country was nine thousand li south of Chang'an, located in the southern part of the sun's path. The people were seven chi tall, with hair hanging down to their heels, and they rode in vehicles drawn by rhinoceroses and elephants. They rode on elephants into the sea bottom to retrieve treasures, stayed at the dwellings of jiaoren, and obtained teardrop pearls. These were tears shed by the jiao; they were also called qizhu.
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| | 卷第二: |
甜水去虞淵八十里，有甜溪，水味如蜜。東方朔遊此水，得數斛以獻帝。投水於井，井水常甜而寒，洗沭則肌理柔滑。 |
| | Tianshui is eighty li away from Yuyuan, where there is a Tianxi stream whose water tastes like honey. Dongfang 朔 traveled to this stream and obtained several hu of the water to present to the emperor. When poured into a well, the well's water remained sweet and cold; washing with it made one's skin soft and smooth.
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| | 卷第二: |
瑤琨，去玉門九萬里，有碧草如麥，割之以釀酒，則味如醇酎，飲一合，三旬不醒。但飲甜水，隨飲而醒。 |
| | Yaokun is ninety thousand li away from Yumen. There, green grass grows like wheat; when harvested and used to brew wine, its flavor resembles pure strong liquor. Drinking one ge of it would leave a person unconscious for thirty days without waking up. However, drinking Tianshui water would cause immediate awakening after consumption.
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| | 卷第二: |
塗山之背，梨大如升，或雲斗。紫色，千年一花，亦曰紫輕梨。 |
| | On the back of Tushan Mountain, pears were as large as a sheng, or even a dou in size. They were purple in color and bloomed once every thousand years; they were also called Ziqing pear.
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| | 卷第二: |
琳國去長安九千里，生玉葉李，色如碧玉，數十年一熟，味酸。昔韓終常餌此李，因名韓終李。 |
| | Linguo is nine thousand li away from Chang'an, where Yuyeli grows; its color resembles green jade. It ripens once every several decades and has an acidic taste. In the past, Hanzhong often consumed this plum; thus it was named Hanzhong Li.
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| | 卷第二: |
元封三年，大秦國貢花蹄牛。其色駁，高六尺，尾環繞其身，角端有肉，蹄如蓮花，善走，多力。帝使輦銅石，以起望仙宮，迹在石上，皆如花形，故陽關之外花牛津，時得異石。長十丈，高三丈，立於望仙宮，因名龍鐘石。武帝末，此石自陷入地，唯尾出土上，今人謂龍尾墩也。 |
| | In the third year of Yuanfeng, the Daqin Kingdom presented huati cattle as tribute. Their color was mottled; they were six chi tall, with tails that coiled around their bodies. Their horns had fleshy ends, and their hooves resembled lotus flowers. They were fast runners and very strong. The emperor ordered the transportation of copper and stone to build Wangxian Palace. The tracks left on the stones were all in the shape of flowers, hence why Huaniuqin beyond Yangguan occasionally yielded unusual stones. They were ten zhang long and three zhang high, erected in Wangxian Palace; thus they were named Longzhong Stone. At the end of Emperor Wu's reign, this stone sank into the ground by itself; only its tail remained above the soil. People today call it Longweidun.
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| | 卷第二: |
帝好微行，於長安城西，夜見一螭遊於路。董竭曰：「昔傑媚末喜於膝上，以金簪貫玉褵腹為戲。今螭腹餘金簪穿痕，安非此耶？」曰：「白龍魚麟，網者食之。」帝曰：「試我也。」 |
| | The emperor enjoyed incognito travels; one night west of Chang'an City, he saw a chi creature swimming along the road. Dong Jie said: "In ancient times, Jiemei and Muxi played a game on their knees, piercing the abdomen of jade li with a golden hairpin for amusement. Now there are traces of gold hairpins passing through this chi's belly; how can it not be the same?" He said, "White dragon fish with scales like those of a kirin, whoever catches them may eat them." The emperor said, "You are testing me."
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| | 卷第二: |
元封四年，脩彌國獻駁騾，高十尺，毛色赤斑，皆有日月之象。帝以金埏為鎖絆，以寶器盛芻以飼之。 |
| | In the fourth year of Yuanfeng, Xiumi Kingdom presented a mottled donkey. It was ten chi tall with red-spotted fur, and its body bore patterns resembling the sun and moon. The emperor used gold to make a shackle for it and placed precious vessels filled with fodder to feed it.
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| | 卷第二: |
元封五年，勒畢國貢細鳥，以方尺之玉籠盛數百頭，形如大蠅，狀似鸚鵡，聲聞數里之間，如黃鵠之音也。國人常以此鳥候時，亦名曰候日蟲。帝置之於宮內，旬日而飛盡，帝惜，求之不復得。明年，見細鳥集帷幕，或入衣袖，因名蟬。宮內嬪妃皆悅之，有鳥集其衣者，輒蒙愛幸。至武帝末，稍稍自死，人猶愛其皮。服其皮者，多為丈夫所媚。 |
| | In the fifth year of Yuanfeng, Lebi Kingdom presented tiny birds. Hundreds were kept in a jade cage one chi square; they resembled large flies in shape and parrots in appearance, their voices could be heard for several li, like the sound of a yellow crane. The people of this country often used these birds to mark time; they were also named Houri chong. The emperor placed them inside the palace, but after ten days, all of them had flown away. The emperor regretted it and searched for them, yet could not find them again. The next year, tiny birds were seen gathering on the curtains or flying into sleeves; thus they were named chuan. Palace concubines and ladies all delighted in them; if a bird perched on one's clothing, that person would often receive the emperor's favor. By the end of Emperor Wu's reign, they gradually died off by themselves, yet people still cherished their skins. Those who wore their skins were often favored by men.
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| | 卷第二: |
勒畢國，人長三寸，有翼，善言語戲笑，因名善語國。常群飛往日下自曝，身熱乃歸。飲丹露為漿。丹露者，日初出有露汁如珠也。 |
| | The Lebi Kingdom had people three cun tall, with wings and skilled in speaking and joking; thus the country was named Shanyu Guo. They often flew together toward the sun to bask in its heat, returning only when their bodies were warm. They drank danlu as a drink. Danlu refers to dew that appears at the beginning of sunrise, resembling pearls in form.
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| | 卷第二: |
太初二年，東方朔從西那汗國歸，得聲風木十枝獻帝。長九尺，大如指。此木臨因桓之水，則《禹貢》所謂因桓是也。其源出甜波。樹上有紫燕黃鵠集其間，實如油麻風，吹枝如玉聲，因以為名。帝以枝遍賜尊臣，臣有凶者，枝則汗，臣有死者，枝則折。昔老聃在於周世，年七百歲，枝竟未汗。偓佺生於堯時，年三千歲，枝竟未一折。帝乃以枝問朔，朔曰：「臣已見此枝三過枯死而復生，豈汗折而已哉！里語曰：年未半，枝不汗。此木五千年一濕，萬歲不枯。」 |
| | In the second year of Taichu, Dongfang 朔 returned from Xina Khan Kingdom and presented ten branches of Shengfeng wood to the emperor. They were nine chi long and as thick as a finger. This wood grows by the Yinhuan River, which is what the "Yu Gong" text refers to as Yinhuan. Its source originates from Tianbo. Purple swallows and yellow cranes gathered among the trees; its fruits resembled oil sesame, and when the wind blew through the branches, they made a sound like jade. Hence it was given this name. The emperor distributed the branches to his most esteemed ministers; if a minister encountered misfortune, the branch would sweat. If a minister died, the branch would break. In ancient times, Lao Dan lived during the Zhou dynasty and was seven hundred years old; yet the branches never sweated. Woquan was born in Yao's time, living for three thousand years; yet not once did a branch break. The emperor then asked Shuo about the branches, and Shuo said: "I have already seen these branches wither and die three times yet revive again. How could it be merely sweating or breaking!" A local saying goes: "Before half a life, the branch does not sweat." "This tree becomes moist once every five thousand years and remains unwithered for ten thousand years."
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| | 卷第二: |
太初三年，起甘泉望風臺。臺上得白珠如花一枝，帝以錦蓋覆之，如照月矣。因名照月珠，以賜董偃，盛以琉璃之筐。 |
| | In the third year of Taichu, they built the Ganhuan Wangfeng Terrace. A branch with white pearls like flowers was found on the terrace; the emperor covered it with brocade, as if illuminating the moon. It was thus named Zhaoyue zhu and bestowed upon Dong Yan, placed in a lishi basket for storage.
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| | 卷第二: |
太初四年，東方朔從支提國來。國人長三丈二尺，三手三足，各三指，多力，善走，國內小山能移之，有澗泉，飲能盡。結海苔為衣，其戲笑，取犀象相投擲為樂。 |
| | In the fourth year of Taichu, dongfang 朔 came from Zhiti Kingdom. The people of this country were three zhang and two chi tall, with three hands and three feet, each having three fingers. They were very strong and fast runners; they could move small mountains within their country. There were gullies and springs there, which one could drink until empty. They wove seaweed into clothing; for amusement, they played by throwing rhinoceroses and elephants at each other as a form of entertainment.
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| | 卷第二: |
東方朔遊吉雲之地，得神馬一匹，高九尺。帝問朔：「是何獸也？」朔曰：「昔西王母乘靈光輦以適東王公之舍，稅此馬遊於芝田，乃食芝田之草。東王公怒，棄馬于清津天岸。臣至王公之壇，因騎馬返，繞日三匝，然入漢關，關猶未掩。臣於馬上睡，不覺而玉至。」帝曰：「其名云何？」對曰：「因疾，為名步景。」朔當乘之時，如駑蹇之驢耳。東方朔曰：「臣有吉雲草十頃，種於九景山東。二千歲一花，明年應生，臣走請刈之。得以秣馬，馬終不飢也。」朔曰：「臣至東極，過吉雲之澤，多生此草，移於九景之山，全不如吉雲之地。」帝曰：「何謂吉雲？」朔曰：「其國俗以雲氣占吉凶，若樂事，則滿室雲起，五色照人，著於草樹，皆成五色露珠，甚甘。」帝曰：「吉雲露可得乎？」朔乃東走，至夕而返，得玄露、青露，盛青琉璃，各受五合，跪以獻帝。遍賜群臣，群臣得嘗者，老者皆少，疾者皆愈。凡五官嘗露：董謁、李充、孟岐、郭瓊、黃安也。 |
| | Dongfang 朔 traveled through Jiyun territory and obtained one divine horse, nine chi tall. The emperor asked Shuo: "What kind of beast is this?" Shuo said: "In the past, the Queen Mother of Heaven rode a Lingguang palanquin to visit the residence of the Eastern King Gong. She left this horse to roam in the zhi field, where it fed on the grass there. The Eastern King Gong became angry and abandoned the horse at Qingjin Tian'an. I reached the altar of King Gong, rode this horse back, circled the sun three times, yet when I entered Han's pass, it was still not closed. "I fell asleep on the horse and woke up to find jade had arrived." The emperor asked, "What is its name?" He replied: "Because of its speed, it is named Bu Jing." When Shuo rode it at that time, it was like a slow and clumsy donkey. Dongfang Shuo said: "I have ten qing of Jiyun grass, planted to the east of Jiuying Mountain. It produces one flower every two thousand years; it should sprout next year. I will go and harvest it." "With this, we can feed the horse; the horse will never be hungry again." Shuo said: "When I reached the easternmost point, I passed through Jiyun Marsh where this grass grows abundantly. I transplanted it to Jiuying Mountain, but nothing compares to its growth in Jiyun land." The emperor asked: "What is meant by 'Jiyun'?" Shuo said: "In that country, the people use cloud formations to predict auspicious or ominous events. When something joyful occurs, clouds fill the room and five-colored lights illuminate people; they appear on grasses and trees as colorful dewdrops, which are very sweet." The emperor asked: "Can Jiyun dew be obtained?" Shuo then went eastward, and returned by evening with black dew and green dew. He carried them in a blue glass vessel, each holding five ge, and knelt to present it to the emperor. The emperor distributed them widely among his ministers; those who tasted it, the old became young again and the sick were all cured. All five officials who tasted the dew were: Dong Ye, Li Chong, Meng Qi, Guo Qiong, and Huang An.
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| | 卷第二: |
李充，馮翊人也。自言三百歲，荷草畚，負《五岳真圖》而至。帝禮待之，亦號負圖先生也。 |
| | Li Chong was a native of Fengyi. He claimed to be 300 years old, carrying a bamboo basket and the "Wuyue Zhen Tu" on his back when he arrived. The emperor treated him with courtesy and also gave him the title Fu Tu Xiansheng (Mr. Map-Bearer).
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| | 卷第二: |
孟岐，河清之逸人也。年可七百歲。語及周初事，了然如目前。岐侍周公昇壇上，岐以手摩成王足。周公以玉笏與之，岐嘗寶執，每以衣袂拂拭，笏厚七分，今銳斷，恒切桂葉食之。聞帝好仙，披草蓋而來謁帝焉。 |
| | Meng Qi was a recluse from Heqing. He was about 700 years old. When he spoke of events from the early Zhou dynasty, he described them clearly as if they were happening right before one's eyes. Qi served when Duke of Zhou ascended the altar; Qi touched King Cheng's foot with his hand. Duke of Zhou gave him a jade tablet, which Qi cherished and often wiped with his sleeve. The tablet was seven fen thick; now it is sharp and broken, and he constantly cuts leaves from cinnamon trees to eat them. Having heard that the emperor favored immortals, he came to pay homage wearing a grass cloak.
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| | 卷第二: |
郭瓊，東郡人也。形貌醜劣，而意度過人。曾宿人家，輒乞薪自照讀書。晝眠，眼不閉，行地无迹。帝聞其異，徵焉。 |
| | Guo Qiong was a native of Dong Jun. He had an ugly appearance, but his mind and demeanor surpassed ordinary people. Once staying at a commoner's house, he would often ask for firewood to light himself while reading books. He slept during the day with his eyes open and walked on the ground without leaving footprints. The emperor, hearing of his unusual traits, summoned him.
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| | 卷第二: |
黃安，代郡人也。為代郡卒。自云卑猥不獲處人間，執鞭懷荊而讀書。畫地以記數者，夕地成池矣。時人謂黃安年可八十餘，視如童子。常服朱砂，舉体皆赤，冬不著裘。坐一神龜，廣二尺，人問：「子坐此龜幾年矣？」對曰：「昔伏羲始造網罟，獲此龜以授吾。吾坐龜背已平矣。此蟲畏日月之光，二千歲即一出頭，吾坐此龜，已見五出頭矣。」行即負龜以趋，世人謂黃安萬歲矣。 |
| | Huang An was a native of Dai Jun. He served as a soldier in Dai Jun. He claimed that he was lowly and unworthy of living among people, so he held a whip and carried hawthorn while reading books. When he drew on the ground to record numbers, by evening the drawn lines had turned into pools. At that time, people said Huang An was about eighty years old, but he looked like a child. He often wore cinnabar and his whole body appeared red; even in winter, he did not wear fur clothing. He sat on a divine turtle two chi wide. Someone asked him: "How many years have you been sitting on this turtle?" He replied: "In the past, when Fu Xi first made nets and traps, he caught this turtle and gave it to me." "The shell of the turtle has already been flattened from my sitting on it." "This creature fears the light of the sun and moon; once every two thousand years, it emerges from its shell. I have been sitting on this turtle long enough to witness five such emergences." When he walked, he carried the turtle with him; people in the world said Huang An must be ten thousand years old.
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| | 卷第三: |
天漢二年，帝昇蒼龍閣，思仙術，召諸方士言遠國遐方之事。唯東方朔下席，操筆跪而進，帝曰：「大夫為朕言乎？」朔曰：「臣遊北極，至鐘火之山，日月所不照，有青龍銜燭火以照。山之四極，亦有園圃池苑，皆植異木異草。有明莖草，夜如金燈，折枝為炬，照見鬼物之形。仙人寧封常服此草，於夜暝時，輒見腹光通外，亦名洞冥草。」帝令剉此草為泥，以塗雲明之館。夜坐此館，不加燈燭。亦名照魅草。採以藉足，履水不沉。 |
| | In the second year of Tianhan (185 AD), the emperor ascended the Canglong Pavilion, pondered immortality techniques, and summoned various Daoist alchemists to speak about distant countries and remote regions. Only Dongfang 朔 lowered his mat, took up a brush, knelt, and presented it; the emperor said, "Minister, are you speaking to me?" Shuo said, "I traveled to the North Pole, reaching Zhonghuo Mountain, a place not illuminated by sun or moon. There, a green dragon holds a candle flame to provide light." At the four extremes of this mountain, there are also gardens and ponds, all planted with strange trees and unusual herbs. There is a plant called Mingjingcao; at night it shines like a golden lamp, and if one breaks its branch to make a torch, it can illuminate the forms of ghosts. The immortal Ningfeng often consumes this herb; during the night, its light shines through his abdomen and is visible from outside. It is also called Dongmingcao." The emperor ordered this herb to be ground into paste, which was used to paint the Yunming Pavilion. Sitting in this pavilion at night required no additional lamps or candles. It is also called Zhaomei Cao. If one gathers it and uses it to wrap the feet, walking on water will not cause one to sink.
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| | 卷第三: |
有夢草，似蒲，色紅。晝縮入地，夜則出，亦名懷莫。懷其葉，則知夢之吉凶，立驗也。帝思李夫人之容，不可得，朔乃獻一枝，帝懷之，夜果夢夫人。因改曰懷夢草。 |
| | There is a herb called Mengcao; it resembles caltrops (pu) in appearance and has a red color. It shrinks into the ground during the day, but emerges at night. It is also known as Huimo. Carrying its leaves allows one to know whether a dream will be auspicious or ominous; the result appears immediately. The emperor longed for the image of Lady Li, but could not obtain it; Shuo then presented a branch. The emperor carried it, and that night he indeed dreamed of his lady. Therefore, it was renamed Huimengcao.
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| | 卷第三: |
有鳳葵草，色丹，葉長四寸，味甘，久食令人身輕肌滑。赤松子餌之三歲，乘黃蛇入水，得黃珠一枚，色如真金，或言是黃蛇之卵，故名蛇珠，亦曰銷疾珠。語曰：寧失千里駒，不失黃蛇珠。 |
| | There is a herb called Fengkui Cao; it has a crimson color, its leaves are four cun long, and it tastes sweet. Long-term consumption makes one's body light and skin smooth. Chisongzi consumed it for three years, then rode a yellow snake into the water and obtained one yellow pearl. Its color resembled genuine gold; some say it is an egg of the yellow snake, hence named Shezhu, also called Xiaojizhu. A saying goes: Better to lose a thousand-li foal than to lose the yellow snake pearl.
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| | 卷第三: |
有五味草，初生味甘，花時味酸，食之使人不眠，名曰卻睡草。末多國獻此草。此國人長四寸，織麟毛為布，以文石為床，人形雖小，而屋宇崇曠，織鳳毛錦，以錦為帷幕也。 |
| | There is a herb called Wwei Cao; when it first sprouts, its taste is sweet, but when in bloom, it becomes sour. Eating it prevents sleep and is named Queshui Cao. This herb was presented by the state of Mueduo. The people of this country are four cun tall. They weave kirin hair into cloth and use patterned stones as beds. Though their bodies are small, their houses are lofty and spacious; they weave phoenix feather brocade and hang the brocade as curtains.
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| | 卷第三: |
鳥哀國，有龍爪薤，長九尺，色如玉。煎之有膏，以和紫桂為丸，服一粒，千歲不饑，故語曰：薤和膏，身生毛。 |
| | The state of Niai has a plant called Longzhuaixie, which grows nine chi tall and is white like jade in color. Boiling it produces a paste, which is mixed with purple cassia to make pills. Taking one pill ensures no hunger for a thousand years; hence the saying: "Xiehe Gao, hair grows on the body."
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| | 卷第三: |
有掌中芥，葉如松子。取其子置掌中，吹之而生，一吹長一尺，至三尺而止，然後可移於地上。若不經掌中吹者，則不生也。食之能空中孤立，足不躡地。亦名躡空草。 |
| | There is also Zhongzhongjie, whose leaves resemble pine seeds. Take its seeds and place them in the palm of your hand; blow on them to make them grow. One blow makes it grow one chi, until it reaches three chi, after which it can be transplanted onto the ground. If not blown on in the palm first, it will not grow at all. Eating it allows one to stand alone in midair, with feet not touching the ground. lando It is also called Niekongcao.
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| | 卷第三: |
帝常見彗星，東方朔折指星之木以授帝。帝以木指彗星，星尋則沒也。星出之夜，野獸皆鳴。別說謂之獸鳴星。 |
| | The emperor often saw comets, and Dongfang Shuo broke off a branch of Starwood to present to the emperor. The emperor pointed at the comet with this wood; soon after, the star disappeared. On nights when stars appear, wild beasts all cry out. Some say it is called Shouming Xing.
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| | 卷第三: |
有紫柰，大如斗，甜如蜜。核紫，花青，研之有汁如漆，可染衣。其汁著衣，不可湔浣。亦名闇衣柰。 |
| | There is a fruit called Zinai, as large as a dou and sweet as honey. Its seeds are purple, its flowers blue; grinding it produces juice like lacquer, which can be used to dye clothes. Once this juice stains the clothing, it cannot be washed out. It is also called Anyi Nai.
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| | 卷第三: |
有龍肝瓜，長一尺，花紅葉素，生於冰谷。所謂冰谷素葉之瓜。仙人瑕丘仲採藥，得此瓜，食之，千歲不渴。瓜上恒如霜雪，刮嘗，如蜜滓。及帝封泰山，從者皆賜冰谷素葉之瓜。 |
| | There is a melon called Longgan Gua, one chi long, with red flowers and pale green leaves; it grows in icy valleys. It is known as the Binggu Suye Gua. The immortal Xiaqiu Zhong collected herbs and obtained this melon; eating it ensured one would not feel thirsty for a thousand years. There is always frost-like snow on the surface of the melon. Scraping and tasting it feels like sweet residue. When the emperor conducted a sacrifice at Mount Tai, all those who followed were granted Binggu Suye Gua melons as gifts.
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| | 卷第三: |
帝解鳴鴻之刀，以賜朔。刀長三尺，朔曰：「此刀黃帝採首山之金鋳之，雄已飛去，雌者猶存。」帝臨崩，舉刀以示朔，恐人得此刀，欲銷之。刀於手中化為鵲，赤色，飛去雲中。 |
| | The emperor unfastened his Minghong Dao and presented it to Shuo. The sword was three chi long; Shuo said, "This blade was cast by the Yellow Emperor using gold from Shoushan Mountain. The male half has already flown away, but the female half still remains." On his deathbed, the emperor raised the sword to show Shuo and feared that someone might obtain it, so he wanted to melt it down. In his hand, the blade transformed into a magpie of red color and flew away into the clouds.
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| | 卷第三: |
有鵲銜火於清溪之上，鵲化成龍。 |
| | There was a magpie carrying fire above the clear stream, and the magpie transformed into a dragon.
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| | 卷第三: |
西域獻虎龍，高七尺，映日看之，光如聚炬火。有童子遙見有黃鵠，白首，鼓翅於帝前，即方朔。著黃綾單衣，頭已斑白。漢朝皆異其神化而不測其年矣。 |
| | The Western Regions presented a tiger-dragon, seven chi tall; when viewed in sunlight, its radiance resembled concentrated torchlight. A child saw from afar a yellow crane with white head flapping its wings before the emperor; it was Fangshuo. He wore a single yellow silk robe, and his hair had already turned gray at the temples. The Han dynasty all regarded him as miraculous and supernatural, unable to determine his age.
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| | 卷第三: |
善苑國嘗貢一蟹，長九尺，有百足四螯，因名百足蟹。煮其殼，勝於黃膠，亦謂之螯膠，勝於鳳喙之膠也。 |
| | The state of Shanyuan once presented a crab nine chi long with one hundred legs and four claws, hence named Baiwu Xie. Boiling its shell produces a glue superior to huangjiao; it is also called Chaojiao, and said to surpass Fenghui Jiao.
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| | 卷第三: |
帝常夕望，東邊有青雲起，俄而，見雙白鵠集臺之上，倏忽変為二神女，舞於臺，握鳳管之簫，撫落霞之琴，歌青吳春波之曲。帝舒闇海玄落之席，散明天發日之香，香出胥池寒國。地有發日樹，言日從雲出，雲來掩日，風吹樹枝，拂雲開日光也。亦名開日樹。樹有汁，滴如松脂也。 |
| | The emperor often gazed westward in the evening, and once saw a bank of green clouds rising from the east. Soon after, two white cranes landed on the terrace; suddenly they transformed into two fairy maidens who danced there, holding phoenix-pipe flutes, caressing the Luoxia Qin zither, singing the tune "Qingwu Chunbo." The emperor spread out a dark sea black lotus mat and scattered the bright morning hair-sun fragrance, which originated from the cold state of Xuchi. There is a tree called Fari Shu in this land; it is said that the sun emerges from behind clouds. When clouds come to obscure the sun, the wind blows through its branches and brushes away the clouds, revealing sunlight. It is also called Kai Ri Shu. The tree exudes a sap that drips like pine resin.
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| | 卷第三: |
有玄都翠水，水中有菱，碧色，狀如鷄飛，亦名翔鷄菱。仙人鳧伯子常遊翠水之涯，採菱而食之，令骨輕，兼身生毛羽也。 |
| | There is Heandu Cui Shui, a green water; in this water there are lotus roots with a blue-green color and a shape resembling a flying chicken. It is also called Xiangji Ling. The immortal Fubozi often strolled along the banks of Cui Shui, picking and eating these lotus roots, which made his bones light and caused hair and feathers to grow on his body.
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| | 卷第三: |
有遠飛鷄，夕則還依人，曉則絕飛四海，朝往夕還，常銜桂枝之實，歸於南山，或落地而生。高七八尺，眾仙奇愛之。剉以釀酒，名曰桂醪。嘗一滴，舉體如金色。陸通嘗餌黃桂之酒。祝鷄公善養鷄，得遠飛鷄之卵，伏之名曰翻明鷄如鵠大，色紫，有翼，翼下有目，亦曰目羽鷄。 |
| | There is a bird called Yuanfeiji; at dusk, it returns to stay with people, but at dawn, it flies far across the four seas. It departs in the morning and returns by evening, often carrying the fruit of cassia branches back to Mount Nanshan, where they may fall to the ground and grow. It is seven or eight chi tall; many immortals find it extraordinary and love it dearly. Grind it to brew wine, named Guilao. Tasting a single drop turns the whole body golden in color. Lu Tong once consumed yellow cassia wine. Zhu Jigong was skilled at raising chickens and obtained the egg of a Yuanfeiji. Hatching it, he named it Fanmingji; as large as a crane, with purple color and wings, each wing had an eye beneath it. It is also called Muyu Ji.
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| | 卷第三: |
帝於望鵠臺西起俯月臺，臺下穿池，廣千尺，登臺以眺月，影入池中，使仙人乘舟弄月影，因名影娥池，亦曰眺蟾臺。酌雲菹酒，菹以玄草。黑蕨、金蒲、甜蓼，果以青櫻、龍瓜、白芋。紫莖、寒蕨、地花、氣葛，此葛於地下生花，入地十丈，乃得此葛。其根倒出，亦名金虎鬚，草因名紫鬚葛也。 |
| | The emperor built the Fuyue Pavilion to the west of Wanghu Tai. Beneath this pavilion, a pond was excavated, one thousand chi wide. Standing on the pavilion and gazing at the moon, its reflection fell into the pool; he had immortals ride boats to play with the moon's shadow. Thus it was named Ying'e Chi, also called Diaochan Tai. Cloud Zū wine was poured; zū was made from xuancao (mysterious herb). Black fern, golden caltrop, sweet knotweed—fruits included green cherry, dragon melon, and white yu. 藟 Purple stem, cold fern, ground flower, and qi ge—this Ge grows flowers underground. One must dig ten zhang into the earth to obtain it. Its roots grow upward, also called Jinhu Xu; thus the plant is named Zixu Ge.
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| | 卷第三: |
影娥池中有遊月船、觸月船、鴻毛船、遠見船，載數百人。或以青桂之枝為棹，或以木蘭之心為楫，練實之竹為篙，紉石脈之為繩纜也。石脉出晡東國，細如絲，可縋萬斤。生石裏，破石而後得。此脈縈緒如麻紵也，名曰石麻，亦可為布也。 |
| | In Ying'e Chi there are Yueyue Chuan, Chuyue Chuan, Hongmao Chuan, and Yuanjian Chuan—each can carry hundreds of people. Some use branches of green cassia as paddles, others the core of magnolia wood as oars; bamboo with Lianshi fruit is used for poles, and stone veins are braided into ropes to serve as mooring lines. Shimai originates from the state of Budong; it is fine like a thread and can bear ten thousand jin in weight. It grows inside stone, and must be obtained by breaking open the rock. This vein is entwined like hemp fibers; it is called Shimasha, and can also be woven into cloth.
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| | 卷第三: |
影娥池中有鼊龜，望其群出岸上，如連璧弄於沙岸也。故語曰：夜未央，待龜黃。 |
| | In Ying'e Chi there were Xieguis; when they emerged from the shore in groups, they looked like linked jade pendants playing along the sandy beach. Hence the saying: "The night is not yet over; wait for the yellow turtle."
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| | 卷第三: |
影娥池北作鳴禽之苑，有生金樹，破之，皮間有屑如金，而色青，亦名青金樹。 |
| | To the north of Ying'e Chi was built a bird garden called Mingqin Yuan, where there were Shengjin Shu. When broken open, flakes resembling gold appeared between its bark; they had a greenish color and it is also named Qingjin Shu.
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| | 卷第三: |
有司夜鷄，隨鼓節而鳴不息，從夜至曉，一更為一聲，五更為五聲，亦曰五時鷄。 |
| | There was a bird called Siyeji, which kept calling in rhythm with the drum beats without ceasing—from night to dawn. It made one call per geng (watch), and five calls during the fifth watch; it is also known as Wushi Ji.
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| | 卷第三: |
有喜日鵝，至日出時銜翅而舞，又名曰舞日鵝。 |
| | There was a goose called Xiri E, which flapped its wings and danced when the sun rose; it is also named Wuri E.
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| | 卷第三: |
有升蕖鴨，赤色，每止於芙蕖上，不食五穀，唯咂葉上垂露，因名垂露鴨，亦曰丹毛鳧。 |
| | There was a duck called Shengqu Ya, red in color; it would always rest on lotus flowers and did not eat the five grains. It only lapped up dew hanging from leaves, hence named Chuilu Ya, also known as Danmao Fu.
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| | 卷第三: |
有女香樹，細枝葉，婦人帶之，香終年不減。 |
| | There was a tree called Nuxiang Shu with slender branches and leaves; if women wore it, the fragrance would last all year without diminishing.
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| | 卷第四: |
武帝暮年，彌好仙術，與東方朔狎昵，帝曰：「朕所好甚者不老，其可得乎？」朔曰：「臣能使少者不老。」帝曰：「服何藥耶？」朔曰：「東北有地日之草，西南有春生之魚。」帝曰：「何以知之？」朔曰：「三足鳥數下地食此草，羲和欲馭，以手掩烏目，不聽下也，長其食此草。蓋鳥獸食此草，美悶不能動矣。」帝曰：「子何以知乎？」朔曰：「臣小時掘井，陷落地下數十年，无所托寄。有人引臣欲往此草，中隔紅泉，不得渡，其人以一隻屐與臣，臣泛紅泉，得至此草之處，臣采而食之。其國人皆織珠玉為業，邀臣入雲煓之幕，設玄珉雕枕，刻黑玉，銅鏤為日月雲雷之狀，亦曰縷雲枕。又薦蛟毫之白縟，以蛟毫織為縟也。此毫柔而冷，常以夏日舒之，因名柔毫縟。又有水藻之屏，臣舉手拭之，恐水流濕其席，乃其光也。」 |
| | In his later years, Emperor Wu became increasingly fond of Daoist alchemy and was very close to Dongfang 朔. The emperor said: "What I like most is immortality; can it be obtained?" Shuo replied, "I am able to make the young not grow old." The emperor asked, "What medicine should one take?" Shuo said, "In the northeast there is a plant called Rizhi, and in the southwest there is fish called Chunsheng." The emperor asked, "How do you know this?" Shuo said, "The three-legged bird often descends to the earth to eat this plant. Xihe wanted to drive it and covered the crow's eyes with her hands, not allowing it to descend, thus prolonging its consumption of this plant." "When birds and beasts eat this plant, they become so drowsy that they cannot move." The emperor asked, "How do you know all this?" Shuo said, "When I was young, I dug a well and fell underground for several decades, with nowhere to rely or take refuge." "Some people led me toward this plant, but we were separated by a red spring and could not cross. That person gave me one clog, and I floated across the red spring to reach the place where this plant grows; I picked it and ate it." The people of that land all made a living weaving pearls and jade. They invited me into the tent of Yuntuan, where they set up an ornate pillow carved from Xuanmin stone, engraved black jade, and cast copper in patterns resembling the sun, moon, clouds, and thunder; this was also called the Luyun Pillow." They also recommended white Ru made from dragon hair, which is woven using dragon hair. "This brush hair is soft and cool; it is commonly used in summer for writing, hence its name Ru Háo Rù." "There was also a screen made of waterweeds. When I raised my hand to wipe it, fearing that the water might dampen the mat, it turned out to be only its luster."
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| | 卷第四: |
帝所幸宮人，名麗娟，年十四，玉膚柔軟，吹氣勝蘭。不欲衣纓拂之，恐體痕也。每歌，李延年和之，於芝生殿唱回風之曲，庭中花皆翻落。置麗娟於明離之帳，恐塵垢污其体也。帝常以衣帶繫麗娟之袂，閉於重幕之中，恐隨風而去也。麗娟以琥珀為佩，置衣裾裏，不使人知，乃言骨節自鳴，相與為神怪也。 |
| | The emperor's favorite concubine was named Lijuan. She was fourteen years old, with jade-like soft skin and a breath as fragrant as orchids. He did not want the tassels of her clothes to brush against her, fearing they might leave marks on her body. Whenever she sang, Li Yanyan would harmonize with her; at the Zhisheng Palace they sang the "Huifeng" melody, and all the flowers in the courtyard fell over. They placed Lijuan inside a bright pavilion tent, fearing that dust might soil her body. The emperor often tied Lijuan's sleeve with his sash and enclosed her within layers of curtains, fearing she might be carried away by the wind. Lijuan wore an amber pendant, placing it inside her robe without letting others know. She claimed that the sound of her joints naturally resonated, creating a supernatural phenomenon together.
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| | 卷第四: |
有丹蝦，長十丈，鬚長八尺，有兩翅，其鼻如鋸。載紫桂之林，以鬚纏身急流，以為棲息之處。馬丹嘗折蝦鬚為杖，後棄杖而飛，鬚化為丹，亦在海傍。 |
| | There was a red shrimp, ten zhang long, with whiskers eight chi in length and two wings; its nose resembled a saw. It carried itself through groves of purple cassia, using its whiskers to wrap around its body in fast currents as a place for rest. Ma Dan once broke off the shrimp's whisker to make into a staff; later, when he discarded the staff and flew away, the whisker turned into cinnabar and remained by the sea.
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| | 卷第四: |
帝昇望月臺，時暝，望南端有三青鴨群飛，俄而止於臺上，帝悅之。至夕，鴨宿於台端，日色已闇，帝求海肺之膏以為燈焉，取靈𣿢布為纏，火光甚微，而光色無幽不入。青鴨化為三小童，皆著青綺文繻，各握鯨文大錢五枚，置帝几前。身止影動，因名輕影錢。 |
| | The emperor ascended the Wangyue Pavilion; at dusk, he saw a flock of three green ducks flying toward the southern end and soon landing on the pavilion. The emperor was delighted. łoż By nightfall, the ducks had roosted at the pavilion's end. The daylight had already faded; the emperor sought sea-lung fat to make into lamps and took spiritual silk cloth as wicks. Though the flame was very faint, its light penetrated every shadow without exception. The green ducks transformed into three small boys, each wearing blue brocade sashes with patterns. Each boy held five large coins engraved with whale motifs and placed them before the emperor's desk. Their bodies remained still while their shadows moved, hence they were named Qingying Coins.
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| | 卷第四: |
元封三年，數過國獻能言龜一頭，長一尺二寸，盛以青玉匣，廣一尺九寸，匣上豁一孔以通氣。東方朔曰：「唯承桂露以飲之，置於通風之臺上。」欲往卜，命朔而問焉，言無不中。 |
| | In the third year of Yuanyou (July 14, 120 AD), a neighboring state presented an articulate turtle. The turtle was one chi and two cun long, placed in a blue jade box measuring one chi and nine cun wide; there was an opening on top of the box to allow ventilation. Dongfang Shuo said, "Only by offering it cassia dew for drinking and placing it on a well-ventilated pavilion will it thrive." When the emperor wanted to consult an oracle, he ordered Shuo to ask questions, and every prediction was accurate.
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| | 卷第四: |
唯有一女人愛悅於帝，名曰巨靈。帝傍有青珉唾壺，巨靈乍出入其中，或戲笑帝前。東方朔望見巨靈，乃目之，巨靈因而飛去。望見化成青雀，因其飛去，帝乃起青雀台，時見青雀來，則不見巨靈也。 |
| | There was only one woman who loved the emperor deeply; her name was Juling. Beside the emperor stood a blue 珉 spitting basin, and Juling would suddenly appear or disappear within it, sometimes playing and laughing before the emperor. Dongfang Shuo once saw Juling from a distance and looked at her directly; as a result, Juling flew away. When he saw her transform into a blue sparrow and fly away, the emperor built the Qingque Pavilion. From then on, whenever they saw the blue sparrow come, Juling was no longer seen.
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