Original Text
When Marquis Zhang Yong, the Pacifier of Rebellion, was stationed in Lanzhou, he often went out hunting and caught many rabbits. Among these rabbits, some had half their bodies or both hind legs still made of earth. For a time, throughout the region of Qinzhong, people vied to spread the tale that earth could transform into rabbits. This, too, is a matter beyond the explanation of ordinary principles.
Commentary
In recording local customs and folklore, "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio" generally follows two patterns: one is the author's endorsed naturalistic folklore, stated with certainty, often with named sources or contemporary witnesses, such as in Volume Five's "Dragon Meat," Volume Nine's "Stone Grinding" and "Yuan Customs"; the other is the author's ambiguous treatment, also regarded as hearsay, usually without naming sources, as seen in Volume Two's "Sea Giant Fish" and "Animal Shaping," Volume Four's "Dragon Without Eyes," and Volume Nine's "Cheng Customs," "Silver Ingot," "Mount Wu Yi," and "Red Wool Felt," with this tale belonging to the latter category.