Original Text
Zhang Taihua, a native of Tai'an, was a wealthy official. A fox spirit had been causing disturbances in his household, and all his attempts to drive it away or subdue it had failed. He reported the fox's mischief to the prefect, who was also powerless to help. At that time, another fox spirit lived in a villager's home east of the town, and everyone had seen it as a white-haired old man. The old man interacted with the villagers with proper etiquette, just like a human being. He called himself Second Brother, and people referred to him as Master Hu the Second. It happened that a scholar came to visit the prefect and mentioned this strange matter in passing. The prefect advised Zhang Taihua to go and consult Master Hu the Second. Learning that a man from the eastern village served as a runner in the yamen, Zhang Taihua went to ask him and confirmed the story, then went to the eastern village with the runner. Upon arrival, they set up a feast at the runner's home and invited Master Hu the Second. When he came, he bowed and exchanged pleasantries, behaving no differently from an ordinary person. Zhang Taihua explained his request, and Master Hu said, "I certainly know of this matter, but I cannot help you. My friend Zhou San resides temporarily in the Temple of the Sacred Mountain, and he can subdue it. I can intercede with him on your behalf." Overjoyed, Zhang Taihua expressed his gratitude. As they parted, Master Hu arranged to meet the next day at the eastern side of the Temple of the Sacred Mountain for a grand feast, and Zhang Taihua followed his instructions. Master Hu indeed brought Zhou San along. Zhou San had curly whiskers on his cheeks, a dark, iron-like face, and wore riding attire. After several rounds of wine, he said to Zhang Taihua, "Just now, Second Brother Hu conveyed your intentions, and I know all about the matter. But such creatures have many followers; gentle persuasion will not work, and force is inevitable. Allow me to move into your residence immediately. This trivial matter is not something I dare refuse." Zhang Taihua hesitated, thinking that driving away one fox spirit only to bring in another was merely replacing one evil with another, and he dared not agree at once. Zhou San, reading his mind, said, "Do not fear. I am not like them, and I have a good karmic connection with you. Please have no doubts." Zhang Taihua then consented. Zhou San also instructed that the next day, the whole family should stay indoors with the doors closed and make no noise. Zhang Taihua returned home and did exactly as Zhou San had said. After a while, they heard sounds of fighting and clashing in the courtyard, which lasted a long time before quieting down. When they opened the door and came out, they saw the steps covered with spots of blood. On the open ground of the steps lay several small fox heads, as large as bowls and cups. Then they saw Zhou San sitting upright in the room that had been prepared for him. He smiled at Zhang Taihua with clasped hands and said, "Thanks to your great trust, the evil creatures have been completely wiped out." From then on, Zhou San lived in Zhang's house, and they treated each other like host and guest.
Commentary
Zhang Taihua employed the strategy of using one fox to subdue another, driving away the original fox residents and welcoming new fox tenants. The strife among foxes reminds us of the brawls between urban ruffians and hooligans vying for territory.
In the towns and cities of the hilly regions of northern China, due to the limited scale and intensity of urbanization in ancient times, foxes often borrowed human dwellings to live in, mingling with people. This is the geographical factor behind many fox tales in Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio. Among them, stories depicting conflicts between humans and foxes arising from living space are quite numerous. For instance, The Nine-Mountain King, The Locust Demon, The Fox of Zunhua Office, The Fox of Weishui, and The Small Hairpin are examples. Wednesday is also one of them.