Original Text
In Taiyuan there was a family named Geng, originally a prominent official clan with a grand and spacious estate. As their fortunes gradually declined, most of the vast halls and chambers stood empty and uninhabited. Then strange and eerie occurrences began to arise: the main hall doors would often open and close of their own accord, and the household servants would often be startled into clamor in the dead of night. The old master, vexed and troubled by this, moved to a country villa, leaving only an old man to guard the gate. From then on, the place grew even more desolate and dilapidated, yet sometimes bursts of merry singing and laughter could be heard from within.
The old master had a nephew named Geng Qubing, whose nature was bold and unrestrained. He instructed the gatekeeper that if any strange occurrences were discovered again, he should immediately come and inform him. One night, the gatekeeper saw candlelight flickering in the upper story and hurriedly went to tell Geng. Geng wished to enter and investigate the anomaly, but the gatekeeper strongly advised against it, though he would not listen. Geng was already quite familiar with the courtyards and passageways of the estate, so he pushed aside the overgrown wormwood and, winding left and right, made his way into the building. As he first ascended the stairs, he saw nothing particularly strange. But when he passed through to the other side, he heard the sound of hushed voices. Geng crept forward to peep, and there he saw two large candles burning, bright as daylight. An old man in a scholar's cap sat facing south, an old woman sat opposite him, both around forty years of age. To the east sat a young man of about twenty, and to his right a maiden of perhaps fifteen. The table was laden with wine and meat, and the four sat around it, chatting and laughing. Geng suddenly burst in, laughing loudly, saying, "An uninvited guest has arrived!" The company was greatly startled, and all rose and fled in haste. Only the old man came out to rebuke him, asking, "Who are you, to intrude into another's private chambers?" Geng replied, "This was originally my family's private chamber, and it is you, sir, who have taken possession of it. You sit here feasting on fine wine without inviting the host—is this not too miserly?" The old man scrutinized him carefully and said, "You are not the master of the Geng family." Geng answered, "I am the mad scholar Geng Qubing, the master's nephew." The old man bowed in salute and said, "I have long admired your name!" He then invited Geng to take a seat. He ordered fresh dishes and wine to be brought, but Geng stopped him. The old man poured wine for Geng and urged him to drink. Geng said, "We are as one family; there is no need for those who were just seated to hide. Please invite them out to drink together." The old man then called out, "Xiao'er!" Shortly, the young man entered from outside. The old man introduced him, saying, "This is my son." The youth made a bow and sat down. They briefly exchanged details of their lineage. The old man said of himself, "My surname is Hu, and my given name is Yijun." Geng, always bold and free-spirited, talked and laughed with ease, while Xiao'er was also refined and elegant; in their conversation, they could not help but admire and respect each other. Geng was twenty-one, two years older than Xiao'er, and so he addressed him as his younger brother.
The old man asked, "I have heard that your ancestors once compiled a work called 'The Outer Records of Mount Tu.' Do you know of it?" Geng Sheng replied, "I do." The old man said, "I am a descendant of the Tu Shan clan. After the time of Emperor Yao, I can still recall the branches of our family tree, but from the Five Dynasties onward, the records have been lost. I beg you, Master Geng, to enlighten us." Geng Sheng then broadly recounted the merits of the fox maiden of Tu Shan in assisting Yu the Great in controlling the floods, embellishing and polishing his words with such eloquence that they flowed like a spring. The old man was greatly pleased and said to his son, "Today we have been fortunate to hear many things never known before. Master Geng is no outsider; you may call your mother and Qing Feng to come and listen, so that they too may know the virtues of our ancestors." Xiao Er rose and lifted the curtain to enter the inner chamber. Shortly, the old woman led a young lady out. Geng Sheng looked closely and saw that the young lady was delicate in form, with a gleam of intelligence in her eyes, truly a rare beauty seldom seen in the mortal world. The old man pointed to the old woman and said, "This is my wife." Then pointing to the young lady, he said, "This is Qing Feng, my niece. She is very clever; whatever she hears or sees, she remembers forever, so I have called her to listen as well." After Geng Sheng finished speaking on the lineage of the Hu family, they began to drink, and his gaze fixed upon the young lady without wavering. When the young lady noticed, she lowered her head. Geng Sheng then stealthily touched Qing Feng's small foot under the table with his own. The young lady quickly withdrew her foot, but her face showed no anger. Geng Sheng's heart grew even more unsteady, unable to contain himself, and he slapped the table, exclaiming, "To marry such a wife would be worth more than being a king facing south!" When the old woman saw that Geng Sheng was growing drunk and more unrestrained, she rose with the young lady and hastily lifted the curtain to enter the inner chamber. Geng Sheng was instantly filled with great disappointment and took his leave from the old man to return home. Once back in his house, his heart remained entangled with longing for Qing Feng, as if his soul were tethered to her.
On the second night, he went there again, and though the fragrant scent of orchids and musk still lingered in the room, he waited intently through the whole night in silence, with no figure appearing. Returning home, he discussed with his wife the idea of moving the entire household into that mansion, hoping to encounter Qingfeng once more. His wife disagreed, so Gengsheng moved in alone and took up reading in the lower hall. As night fell, he was leaning by the table when suddenly a ghost burst in, disheveled and with a jet-black face, glaring at Gengsheng. Gengsheng smiled, dipped his finger in the inkstone, smeared the ink on his own face, and stared back with gleaming eyes. The ghost, feeling embarrassed, slunk away.
On the second night, when it was already very late, Geng Sheng had just extinguished the candle and was about to sleep when he suddenly heard the sound of a bolt being drawn behind the building, followed by a loud bang as the door was thrown open. He quickly rose to peer out and saw the door half-open. After a moment, he heard light, hurried footsteps, and a candlelight shone from within the room. Looking more closely, he saw that it was Qingfeng herself. Qingfeng, startled at the sudden sight of Geng Sheng, stepped back in alarm and swiftly closed both doors. Geng Sheng knelt outside the door for a long time, refusing to rise, and said to Qingfeng, "I, this humble scholar, have waited here in spite of all danger, all for your sake. Now, fortunately, there is no one else about; if we could but clasp hands and share a moment of joy, I would die without regret." The maiden, from within the room, replied from a distance, "How could I not know the depth of your sincere affection? But my uncle's household rules are very strict, and I truly dare not yield to your request." Geng Sheng pleaded bitterly again, saying, "I dare not hope for intimate union with you; only open the door and let me see your face, and I shall be content." The maiden seemed to silently consent to his plea; she opened the door, reached out, and taking his arm, pulled him inside. Geng Sheng was wild with joy; they supported each other as they descended to the lower floor, where he lifted her onto his lap and nestled close. The maiden said, "It is fortunate that we are bound by a predestined bond from a former life. After this night, even longing will be in vain." Geng Sheng asked, "What is the reason for that?" Qingfeng replied, "My uncle feared your wildness, so he transformed into a vengeful ghost to frighten you, but you were not moved in the least. Now he has already found another house, and the whole family is moving their belongings there; only I remain here to keep watch, and tomorrow we must depart." Having said this, she made to leave, adding, "I fear my uncle may soon return." Geng Sheng forcibly detained her, wishing to take her to bed and seek the pleasures of love. As they were struggling and arguing, the old man suddenly entered unexpectedly. The maiden, overcome with shame and fear, felt she had no place to hide; she lowered her head and leaned against the bed, twisting her sash in her fingers, silent. The old man cursed her angrily, saying, "You worthless girl, you have disgraced our family's name! If you do not leave at once, I will soon take a whip to you!" The maiden, head bowed, hurried away, and the old man followed her out. Geng Sheng quickly followed to listen, and heard the old man's endless stream of abuse, mingled with Qingfeng's soft sobbing. His heart felt as if cut by a knife, and he cried out loudly, "The fault is mine alone; what has Qingfeng to do with it? If you will but forgive her, I am willing to bear even the sword or the axe alone!" After a long silence in the building, Geng Sheng finally returned to sleep. From that night on, no unusual sounds were ever heard again in that mansion.
When Geng Sheng's uncle heard of this matter, he found it quite novel and was willing to sell the house to him without haggling over the price. Geng Sheng was overjoyed and moved his family in. After living there for a year, he felt quite at ease, yet his heart never ceased to yearn for Qing Feng.
On the day of the Qingming Festival, Geng Sheng returned from sweeping his ancestors' graves and saw two small foxes being fiercely pursued by a dog. One fled in panic, while the other, flustered and frantic on the road, caught sight of Geng Sheng and clung to him with pitiful cries, its ears drooping and head tucked in, as if begging for his rescue. Taking pity on it, Geng Sheng lifted his robe, scooped it up, and carried it home in his arms. Once inside, he closed the door and placed it on the bed, whereupon the fox transformed into Qingfeng. Overjoyed, Geng Sheng hastened to console her. The maiden said, "I was playing with my maid when suddenly I encountered this great calamity. Had it not been for you, I would surely have perished in the dog's belly. I hope you will not despise me for being of a different kind." Geng Sheng replied, "I have yearned for you day and night, dreaming of you even in my sleep. Now that I see you, it is like obtaining a priceless treasure—how could I speak of despising you?" The maiden said, "This too is the decree of heaven. Had I not met with this disaster, how could I have come to be with you? Yet it is fortunate that my maid must think me dead, and from now on I can be with you forever." Geng Sheng was overjoyed and prepared a separate dwelling for her to reside in.
After more than two years had passed, Geng Sheng was reading by lamplight one night when Xiao'er suddenly burst in. Geng Sheng set down his book and asked in astonishment where he had come from. Xiao'er prostrated himself on the ground and said sorrowfully, "My father has suddenly encountered a calamity from the blue, and no one but you can save him. He intended to come and beg you in person, but feared you would not receive him, so he sent me to implore you." Geng Sheng asked, "What is the matter?" Xiao'er replied, "Do you know Mo Sanlang, young master?" Geng Sheng answered, "He is the son of my fellow examination candidate." Xiao'er said, "Tomorrow he will pass by here. If he carries any hunted foxes, I beg you to keep them." Geng Sheng said, "The humiliation I suffered beneath that tower that day still rankles in my heart, and I care not to meddle in other matters. If this matter requires my help, it must be through Qing Feng's intercession." Xiao'er wept and said, "My sister Qing Feng has been dead in the wilds for three years now." Geng Sheng shook his sleeves indignantly and said, "If that is so, my hatred is doubled." With that, he took up his book and read aloud in a loud voice, paying no further heed to Xiao'er. Xiao'er rose, sobbed bitterly, covered his face, and fled. Geng Sheng immediately went to Qing Feng's chamber and told her what had happened. Qing Feng was greatly alarmed and asked, "Will you save him or not?" Geng Sheng said, "I will save him, but I did not agree at once, merely to repay his former overbearing arrogance." Qing Feng then rejoiced and said, "I was orphaned as a child and relied on my uncle's care to grow up. Though I was punished by him before, it was because the family rules demanded it." Geng Sheng said, "That is true, yet it still leaves a lingering resentment in one's heart. If you had truly died, I would certainly not save him." Qing Feng smiled and said, "How hard-hearted you are!"
The next day, Mo Sanlang indeed came hunting by that place, riding a horse adorned with golden breast straps and carrying a tiger-skin quiver, followed by a throng of attendants. Geng Sheng stood at the gate to welcome him and saw that he had caught many birds and beasts, among which was a black fox whose blood had already stained its fur a dark red; when he touched it, the flesh was still warm. Geng Sheng pretended that his fur robe was torn and asked for the fox's skin to mend it. Mo Sanlang readily untied the fox and gave it to him. Geng Sheng immediately handed it to Qing Feng and then accompanied the guest in drinking. After the guest left, Qing Feng held the fox in her arms, and after three days it revived, stirred, and turned back into the old man. The old man opened his eyes, saw Qing Feng, and suspected he was not in the world of the living. Qing Feng then recounted the whole story in detail. The old man immediately bowed to Geng Sheng, blushing with shame as he apologized for his past faults. Then he looked at Qing Feng with joy and said, "I always said you were not dead, and now it is indeed so." Qing Feng said to Geng Sheng, "If you have me in your heart, I beg you to lend us that tower dwelling, so that I may repay my uncle's nurturing kindness." Geng Sheng agreed. The old man, red-faced, thanked him and took his leave. That very night, the whole family indeed moved in. From then on, the two families were like father and son, with no more suspicion or disdain. Geng Sheng lived in his study, and Xiao'er often came to drink and chat with him. When Geng Sheng's son by his lawful wife grew up, he made Xiao'er his tutor. Xiao'er guided him step by step, showing the demeanor of a fine teacher.
Commentary
The gentle tenderness of the fox maiden Qingfeng and the romantic elegance of the scholar Geng Qubing leave a deep impression, naturally allowing this to be seen as a rather romantic tale of love between a human and a fox spirit. Yet it may also be regarded as a white paper on how to interact with the legendary fox clan.
In the eyes of those who are timid and cautious, the fox family in this tale is a demonic anomaly to be shunned and kept at a distance; but to the broad-minded and unrestrained, they are no different from human beings. The relationship between the wild scholar Geng Qubing and the fox family in this story, from a certain perspective, precisely expresses Pu Songling's concept. Some might ask, did Geng Qubing not have a wife? Why then does he pursue Qingfeng and is portrayed positively by the author? The reason is simple: in Pu Songling's era, a man could have multiple wives, and a married man was not necessarily forbidden from continuing his amorous pursuits.
In the tale, the fox family is portrayed with great humanity: they value their family lineage, uphold strict family teachings, are refined and courteous, and maintain harmonious rituals. The story specifically describes the seating arrangement in their home: "An old man in a scholar's cap sat facing south, an old woman opposite him, both in their forties. To the east sat a youth of about twenty, and to his right a young lady who had just reached the age of fifteen. The table was laden with wine and meat, and they sat together laughing and talking." Not only do they "possess much human feeling, making one forget they are of a different species," but they are indeed paragons among humans.
The position of "Green Phoenix" within "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio" is quite unique. In the fifth volume of "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio," the story "Fox Dream" recounts that Pu Songling's friend Bi Yian, "whenever he read 'The Tale of Green Phoenix,' his heart would yearn for it, regretting that he could never encounter such a being," and later he indeed met a fox maiden. At the end of the story, there is this dialogue: "'How do you compare me to Green Phoenix?' He replied, 'You are almost superior to her.' She said, 'I am ashamed that I am not her equal. Yet, since Liaozhai is a friend of yours through letters, I beg you to trouble him to write a short biography; perhaps a thousand years hence, there will be one who loves and remembers me as you do.'" From this, we can see the esteemed place that the tale of "Green Phoenix" held in the hearts of Pu Songling and his friends.