《無上祕要》Vol. 54

The Register of Persons Who Attained Ghost-Office Ranks, from Wushang Biyao, Scroll 83 (Plain-Language Commentary)

This passage records the names and ranks of Daoist adepts, or of the dead, who held office in the netherworld within the ghost departments. The phrase de guan (obtaining ghost office) means that after death a person was appointed to an official post in the underworld, administering prisons, inspecting conduct, guarding gates, and similar duties. The entries below follow the order of the original text.

Several entries give only a name, with little or no information about office. Deng You was a vice-chancellor (puye) of the Eastern Jin dynasty, roughly a deputy prime minister. Wang Xizhi, whose courtesy name was Yishao, was a celebrated calligrapher. Liu Qingsun's official post is not recorded in the text, and neither is that of Du Qiong or Xiang Liangcheng. Ma Rong was a classicist of the Eastern Han. Zhao Jianzi and Chu Yan Gong are listed without any further detail.

The next group gives courtesy names, enfeoffments, or ghost offices. He Zeng, courtesy name Yingkao, was enfeoffed as Marquis of Nanba and served as minister of works (situ) under the Wei. Liu Tao, courtesy name Zhengyu, held the title General of the East Yue and served as Governor of Yangzhou during the Jin. Cao Ren, courtesy name Zizhi, was enfeoffed as Duke of Lulong, was a cousin of Cao Cao, and served as Grand General. Gu Zhong, courtesy name Changshi, was a general and Vice-Chancellor of Danyang under the Jin. Huan Fan, courtesy name Yunze, served as a chief secretary (zhangshi). Cao Hong, courtesy name Zilian, was Grand Marshal and another cousin of Cao Cao. Xun Yi, courtesy name Jingji, was enfeoffed as Lord of Mount Tai (Taishan Jun) and served as Grand Commandant of the Jin. Jiang Ji, courtesy name Zitong, was enfeoffed as Lord of the South Mountain (Nanshan Bo) and served as Grand Commandant of the Wei. Wei Zhao was enfeoffed as Marquis of Mount Lu and served as a Secretary of the Left in the Jin. Tao Kan, courtesy name Shixing, was enfeoffed as Marquis of the Western River (Xihe Hou) and served as Grand Commandant of the Jin. Cai Mo, courtesy name Daoming, served as a chief secretary and as Minister of Works of Yangzhou during the Jin. Bao Xun, courtesy name Shuye, was enfeoffed as Marquis of the Northern Bullet-Guide (Beitan Fangheng) and served as a Censor under the Wei. Wei Zun was a Marshal and Governor of Jiangzhou under the Jin. Xu Fu was enfeoffed as Marquis of the Southern Bullet-Guide (Nantan Fanghou). Liu Zan was a Marshal and a general of the state of Wu. Yan Baihu was given the office of Envoy for Right and Wrong (zhufei shizhe), an underworld post charged with managing questions of right and wrong and with inspection.

The third group consists of nameless ghost officials. The Killing Ghost (shagui), the Earth Calamity (diyang), and the Three Ghosts of the Daily Roamings (riyou san gui) regularly accompanied the Northern Emperor (Beidi) in his affairs. The Northern Emperor also had an attendant whose duty was to kill: a ghost specialized in slaughter and punishment, who had neither surname nor personal name.

The fourth group relates to the Northern Dipper (Beidou) and the Heavenly Gates (tianmen). Wang Lian, courtesy name Shijiang, held the title General of the Ghost Division (bugui jiangjun) and served as Governor of Jingzhou under the Jin. Gu He, courtesy name Junxiao, served as Attendant with the Parasol for the Northern Emperor (Beidi zhigai lang), meaning the official who held the parasol for the Northern Emperor, and rose to Minister of Personnel and Commander of the Guards under the Jin. Zhou Pang, courtesy name Ziyu, held the office of Marquis of the Balance (dianbing hou) and served as Governor of Poyang under the Wu. Wang Yunzhi, a secretary in the Jin Imperial Secretariat, and Wang Dun, Wang Yunzhi's cousin, held the post of Gentleman of the Gate (qimen lang). Zang Hong, courtesy name Ziyuan, was Governor of Dong Commandery at the end of the Eastern Han. Wang Bo, a secretary in the Jin Imperial Secretariat, and Zang Hong are both listed as Gatekeepers of the Pavilion at the Northern Dipper's Heavenly Gate (Beidou tianmen tingzhang). Zhou Fu, courtesy name Daohe, was Governor of Yizhou under the Jin. Tian Yin, also written Tian Yinxian, was Governor of Hejian under the Wei. Yu Tan, courtesy name Siao, was a General of the Guards under the Jin. Ji Zhan, courtesy name Siyuan, was a General of the Cavalry under the Jin. These four men, Ji Zhan among them, are all listed as Gatekeepers of the Pavilion at the Southern Gate of the Northern Dipper (Beidou nanmen tingzhang).

The fifth group holds ghost posts of the stables. Dai Yuan, courtesy name Ruosi, was a General of the Cavalry under the Jin. Gongsun Du, courtesy name Shengji, was a late-Jin usurper who claimed the throne. Liu Feng was the adopted son of Liu Bei. Guo Jia, courtesy name Fengxiao, was a counselor to Cao Cao. These four are listed as Duty Officers of the Central Stables (zhongjiu zhishi). The Central Stables are a stable of the ghost bureaucracy or an inner court office, and a duty officer was a ghost clerk on duty.

The last entry is Liu Bei, courtesy name Xuande, founding emperor of Shu Han. He is included among the ghost officials, which the text presents as a special record within the Daoist register of the netherworld.

Note: The passage is a roster of netherworld officials. It assigns historical ministers, generals, counselors, and rulers to ranks in the Daoist underworld system, such as Lord of Mount Tai, Lord of the South Mountain, Marquis of the Western River, gatekeepers of the Northern Dipper, Attendants of the Northern Emperor, and Ghost Division generals. It also lists unnamed spirits, namely the Killing Ghost, the Earth Calamity, the Three Ghosts of the Daily Roamings, and the Northern Emperor's executioner. A reader can take it as evidence that Daoist belief held that the dead were judged for their deeds and that some of them took up official duties in the netherworld. This scroll is best read as the register of those ranks.

This entry comes from the Wushang Miyao (Esoteric Essentials of the Most High) in the Daoist Canon (Daozang). It takes the form of a register that records historical figures alongside their offices in the spirit hierarchy of the Northern Emperor (Beidi), also called the Great Northern Yin Emperor of Fengdu. Under the Northern Emperor, ranks are divided into attendants, Imperial Dawn Attendants (dichen), companions and guests, Illustrious Lords (mingong), Directors of Fate (siming), and others. These ranks are matched with earthly offices and star titles, and they serve as references for ritual procedures such as the purification ritual (zhaijiao), summoning of generals (zhaojiang), and examination of summoned spirits (kaozhao). The entries below follow the order of the original.

Attendants of the Northern Emperor (eight persons)

Yin Hao, courtesy name Yuanyuan, served as Governor of Jingzhou and Yangzhou in the Eastern Jin. Seven others are listed with him as Attendants of the Northern Emperor: Han Sui, courtesy name Wenyue, a general of Liangzhou who was attacked by the Cao Wei; Xu Shu, courtesy name Yuanzhi, an advisor who recommended Zhuge Liang to Liu Bei; Pang De, courtesy name Lingming, a military officer of Cao Wei; Xia Yu, courtesy name Shidu, Minister of the Central Secretariat under Emperor Wu of Jin; Wang Jia, a man from Shu who refused to submit to Gongsun Shu; He Yan, courtesy name Pingshu, a Minister of Cao Wei who was expert in the Laozi and the Classic of Changes (Yijing); Li Guang, a famous general under Emperor Wu of Han; and Jie Jie, courtesy name Zhonglian, a Minister in the Jin.

Dichen (Imperial Dawn Attendant)

Wen Qiao, known as Wen Taizhen, was the Duke of Jianhai Kaiguo and General of the Eastern Jin Cavalry. The title signified authority to open a government office, command troops, and guard a region.

Attendant of the Right Imperial Guard at Dichen

Yu Liang, courtesy name Yuangui, served as Grand Commandant of Jin and concurrently held the post of Right Imperial Guard Attendant at Dichen.

Middle Dawn Attendant

Yan Huai, courtesy name Sijian.

Great Dawn Attendant

Liu Xiu, namely Emperor Guangwu of Han.

Left Imperial Guard Supervisor

Xie Kun, courtesy name Yu (also written Xie Hu, personal name Kun), served as Grand Minister of Ceremonies of Jin.

Right Master Attendant

Xu Zhao.

Middle Capital Protector

Zhou Yi, courtesy name Boren, served as Jin Minister of Personnel (puye).

Teacher of the Northern Emperor and Lord Brightness of the West

King Wen of Zhou, Ji Chang, held the post of Teacher of the Northern Emperor and was also Lord Brightness of the West.

Companions and Guests

Xun Yu, courtesy name Wenruo, was Chancellor of the Han. Liu Bang, Emperor Gaozu of Han. Sun Ce, courtesy name Bofu, elder brother of Sun Quan. Sima Yi, Emperor Xuan of Jin. Cao Cao, Grand Tutor of the Northern Emperor and Emperor Wu of Wei.

Eastern Lord Brightness, Teacher of the Lord of the Dipper

Xia Qi, son of Yu, served as Eastern Lord Brightness and as Teacher of the Lord of the Dipper.

Northern Lord Brightness

Ji Zha of Wu, son of King Shumeng of Wu and uncle of King Helü.

Southern Lord Brightness (some say Eastern Lord Brightness)

Shao, whose name is partly lost in the text.

Director of Destiny over Water

Ji Chonger, Duke Wen of Jin.

Gentleman of the Three Offices' Central Guard

Jiang Xiaobai, Duke Huan of Qi.

Ghost Official and Lord of the Dipper

Ji Fa, King Wu of Zhou, son of King Wen.

Upright Director of Brightness

Xi Jian, originally Marquis Lingguan, Southern Vermilion Gate Guardian of the Northern Emperor. Here he is listed as Upright Director of Brightness, and he was Minister of Works of Jin.

Grand Minister of the Northern Emperor

Qin Shi Huang.

Chief Secretaries, Generals, and Others (figures from the Wu, Han, Wei, and Jin)

Du Yu, Chief Secretary and General of Annan in the Jin. Kong Rong, courtesy name Wenju, a man of Lu who served as Grand General of the Later Han. Tang Gu, Chief Secretary of Wu. Zhang Xiu, General of the Later Han and Grand General (a position as Sima). Guo Changxiang, a man of Wuchang who served as Chief Secretary. Hua Xin, Minister of Works, Grand Commandant, and Sima of Wei. Feng Huai, courtesy name Zuen, served as Jin Minister of Ceremonies.

These names are mostly drawn from historical biographies of loyal officials, famous generals, distinguished ministers, and founding rulers. The Wushang Miyao incorporates them into the offices of the Northern Emperor's court. The titles do not record their actual offices during life. They are divine names and ranks used in the visualization (cunxiang) and register-sealing (shulu) practices of the purification rites and summoning ceremonies. Readers who compare these entries with historical records should treat the Wushang Miyao as a ritual catalogue and the dynastic histories as the source for biographical facts. The two should not be conflated.

The seventy-eight persons listed below all hold posts as ghost officials (guǐguān).

The following is the roster of persons who attained the Way as Earth Immortals (dìxiān). Wang Yan, Fan Qiang, Fu Huang, and Xu Wei attained the Way through martial release (wǔjiě). Bao Jing, courtesy name Taixuan, was a native of Langye. During the reign of Emperor Yuan Ming of the Jin dynasty, he served as Grand Administrator of Nanhai, and the Lord Yin transmitted to him the method of explication, by which he attained the Way. Li Dong, of Quyi, served as Libationer (jìjiǔ) under the same emperor. He was very diligent and upright, and he attained the Way. These two attained the Way through literary release (wénjiě).

Feng Yi, of Huayin, is described by the Southern Immortal as having attained the Way and roamed the great rivers. Qin Gao is described by the Perfected of Supreme Clarity as riding a vermilion carp in the deep abyss. These two were Immortals of the Abyssal Grotto (Dongyuan) who attained the Way.

He Chong, courtesy name Cidao, served as Director of the Secretariat under the Jin. He had accumulated hidden virtue, and in the Chengxiang Terrace of the Southern Palace he received the Way and a scripture. While traveling, he reached the middle of the Southern Marchmount. Li Guangli, General Ershi of the Han, had accumulated hidden virtue and practiced loyalty and filial piety. He attained the Way and was transformed in the Southern Palace.

Xin Xuan, courtesy name Yanqi, was a native of Dinggu in Longxi. He was the son of Xin Yin and the seventh-generation ancestor of Xin Pi, and he was also devoted to the Way. While crossing the Qin Plain, he drowned. The Western Queen Mother and the Northern Emperor of Fengdu took pity on him and ordered the Three Offices to gather his remains and restore him to human form. He was named a Nangong practitioner and now serves as Assistant Marquis of the Eastern Sea and General of the Gate of Prohibition, overseeing the spirits of Wu and Yue. Bi Gan, uncle of King Zhou, cut out his own heart in remonstrance and died at Rong Mountain. Li Shan, a guest of the Later Han household, carried the lord's child while fleeing calamity and remained at Shaoshi. Wu Guang, who refused Tang's offer to yield the throne, drowned himself. Song Jin, a laundress, offered food to Wu Zixu and then drowned herself. These seven were practitioners transformed in the Southern Palace.

Xie Zhijian, Wang Boliao, and Ziyangzi, who served as Colonel of the Yue Cavalry under the Han, are also listed here, as are He Miao, courtesy name Shuda and younger brother of He Jin, and Feng Liang, of Guanjun in Nanyang, who began studying the Way at the age of sixty. Lang Zong, courtesy name Zhongsui, was a native of Anqiu in Beihai and served as magistrate of Wu. The list further includes Wang Shuming, Bao Yuanzhi, and the wife of Yin Gai. These nine were the masters of the sealed grotto on the deer trail of Mount Hua.

Zhang Zuchang was a native of Pengcheng. Liu Pinghe, of Jiujiang at the end of the Han, practiced medicine for a long time and saved many people. Lü Zi, of Huayang on Mount Hua, was a disciple of the Lord Yin and studied under Dongqing.

This section is a register of Earth Immortals, ghost officials, practitioners transformed in the Southern Palace, and masters of the Mount Hua grottoes, drawn from the Wushang Biyao (Secret Essentials of the Supreme). For each person it records the era, native place, deeds, and manner of attaining the Way, such as martial release, literary release, or the Abyssal Grotto, for the reference of cultivators.

An Explanatory Reading of the Wushang Biyao

The Lineage of the Master of Fangshan Cavern (Five Persons)

Cai Tiansheng was a native of Shanggu. In his youth he took Yu Fu as his teacher, and later, while by a river, he received the Dao (the Way) from the Earl of the River (Hebo). Long Bogao was a man of the Later Han who began as a recluse and then became a disciple of Dinglu Zhenren (True Person Dinglu). The text states that these five persons together form the lineage of the Master of Fangshan Cavern.

Figures Who Came and Went Beyond the Mountain (Six Persons)

Du Qi, courtesy name Guangping, was a native of Duling in Jingzhao. He crossed the river during the Jian'an era, received the Xingxuan Bai method (xingxuan bai fa), could make himself invisible, and lived east of Mount Damao. Sun Hanhua was the daughter of Sun Ben and Du Qi's female disciple. Chen Shijing, a gentleman attendant under Sun Xiu, was Du Qi's male disciple. Xu Zongdu was a native of Jinling. Lü Ti, an official of the Sima office, was skilled in the arts of qi restraint (qi jin). Yan Xian was the nephew of Bu Zhi. Zhao Xi, Han Governor of Youzhou, is identified as Su Fu. The text states that these six persons are the figures who came and went beyond the mountain.

Those Who Attained Through High Vocation and Merit (Twelve Persons)

Dou Qiongying was the younger sister of Dou Wu. Han Taihua was the elder sister of Han Anguo and the wife of Li Guangli. Liu Chunlong was the daughter of Liu Fengxian, Han Zongzheng (Imperial Clan Chief). Li Xizi was the grandmother of Li Zhong, Governor of Dongping under the Jin. Wang Jinxian was the daughter of Wang Heng, Director of the Secretariat under the Jin, and consort of Crown Prince Min. Guo Shuxiang was the mother of Wang Xiu. Zhao Sutai was the daughter of Zhao Xi, Han Governor of Youzhou. Zheng Tiansheng was the mother of Bo Deng. Xu Kedou was the wife of a Chief Clerk surnamed Xu and the daughter of Tao Cheng. Li Huigu was a native of Qi and the wife of Xiahou Xuan. Zhang Jiangzi was a native of Xizhou and the younger sister of Zhang Ji. Shi Shunü was a native of Shanyang and the daughter of Shi Xu. The text states that these twelve persons are those who attained through high vocation and merit.

Nine Palaces: Zhenren Xiechen Furen as Teacher (One Person)

Huang Jinghua was the daughter of Huang Qiong, Sikong (Minister of Works) under the Han. She received a mandate to teach the Dao to women. The text states that she took the Nine Palaces Zhenren, Lady Xiechen, as her teacher.

Yiqian Hall and Hantai Terrace: Nüzhen as Masters (Two Persons)

Zhang Weizi was the daughter of Zhang Qing, Grand Artisan under Emperor Zhao of the Han. Fu Lihe was a nephew of Emperor Huan and the daughter of Fu Jian, Gentleman of the Palace. The text states that these two persons are the masters of the Nüzhen (Female Perfected) of Yiqian Hall and Hantai Terrace.

Students at the Xiaoxian Hall of Tongchu Mansion (Three Persons)

Wang Shaodao was the son of Wang Sui, Governor of Shanyang under the Han. Fan Shusheng was a native of Beidi and a Yellow Gate Gentleman under Emperor Wen of the Wei. Li Boshan was the father of Li Chong, Magistrate of Baima under the Han. The text states that these three persons studied the Dao at the Xiaoxian Hall of Tongchu Mansion.

Overseers (Two Persons)

Fan Youchong was a native of Liaoxi and a Shangshu Lang (Secretariat Gentleman) of the Han, and he was well versed in geography. Li Zheng, courtesy name Changdao Qing, was a native of Hanei at the end of the Wei. He was first in Luoyang and later went to Fangshan to quarry the "stone brain" (shinao), a mineral material. The text states that these two persons were overseers.

A Disciple of the Tongbo Zhenren (One Person)

Xia Fu, courtesy name Ziye, was a native of Chenliu and a disciple of Tongbo Zhenren (True Person Tongbo).

Others

Zhou Aiyou was a native of Ancheng in Runan and the daughter of Zhou Chang, Governor of Henan.

Note: This text is a register of persons from the Daoist canon. It is organized by lineage, residence, and office. It records female adepts, recluses, and those who managed halls and terraces around Fangshan and Mount Damao. Most entries include Han, Wei, or Jin official titles and kinship ties, which allowed later readers to trace genealogies and cultivation traditions.

Zhang Taozhi and Three Others

Zhang Taozhi (Zhāng Táozhī), a native of Peixian, was the mother of Zhu Yu, Director of the Sili office. These three (Zhang Taozhi and the others) attend in service at dawn the following morning.

Gentleman Attendant Zhao Weibo (Zhào Wēibó) was a native of Dongjun.

Le Changzhi (Yuè Chángzhì) was a native of Xianyang.

Zheng Zhizheng (Zhèng Zhìzhèng) was a disciple of Dai Meng.

Tang Gongfang (Táng Gōngfáng), a man of the western mountains of Shu, was a disciple of Li Bai'er. These four men held the post of Assistant Administrator.

Liu Kuan

Liu Kuan (Liú Kuān), courtesy name Wenrao, was a native of Hongnong. During the Later Han period he served as Grand Administrator of Nanyang and then as Minister of Works and Grand Commandant. He was benevolent in character and governed with good policies. At the age of seventy-three he entered Mount Taihua and took elixirs, and later became the Master-Rectifier Marquis of the Palace of Childlike Innocence.

Zhang Xuanbin

Zhang Xuanbin (Zhāng Xuánbīn) was a native of Dingxiang. In the time of Emperor Wu of Wei he was recommended as a Flourishing Talent, and he was skilled in expounding on "emptiness and non-being" (a concept of Daoist philosophy). After entering Mount Tianzhu, he held the post of Elder of Ritual Prohibition.

Chunyu Zhen

Chunyu Zhen (Chúnyú Zhēn), courtesy name Shuxian, was a native of Shangyu in Kuaiji. In the reign of Emperor Huan he served as a county magistrate. Later he withdrew into the mountains, took elixirs, and held the post of Director of the Handle and Lawful Gentleman of Enforcement.

Liu Yi

Liu Yi (Liú Yì), courtesy name Zixiang. The History of the Later Han records that Zixiang was a native of Yingchuan, a family of wealth for generations who regarded relieving the poor as their own duty. He served as Grand Administrator of Chenliu, and after leaving office he withdrew into the mountains to cultivate the Way. He received a Daoist renaming rite (duming), taking the name Donghua, and held the post of Right Master of the Center.

Han Chong

Han Chong (Hán Chóng), courtesy name Changji, was a native of Piling in Wu Commandery. In the reign of Emperor Ming of Han he served as magistrate of Wanling County and then as Grand Administrator of Runan. At the age of seventy-four he underwent quiet transcendence (yinjie) and entered Mount Dahuo, and later he again held the post of Left Master of the Center.

Tao Jun

Tao Jun (Táo Jùn), courtesy name Gongzhong, was a native of Qiantang. In his youth he served as an assistant in the commandery government, and later became Grand Administrator of Jiaozhi. He renounced the mundane world, entered Mount Zengcheng, and attained the Way, holding this post concurrently. Beneath Mount Julu Maoshan, to the north of the river at the Huayang Cavern Palace, he served as Marquis Protector of the Life Registry.

Chi Lu

Chi Lu (Chì Lǔ), originally surnamed Huang and named Chuping, was the Red Lord of the Southern Peak. He changed his surname and name after entering Mount Jinhua in search of his younger brother.

Liu Anzhi

Liu Anzhi (Liú Ānzhī) served as Special Attendant (biejia) in Jizhou alongside Lord Pei. He abandoned his official post and followed him, devoting himself to cultivation.

Shutian Gong

Shutian Gong (Shūtián Gōng) originally lived to the north of Liuqi below Mount Leiping. The place is now called Tiangong Spring.

Lei

Lei (Léi) raised a dragon east of Mount Leiping during the Zhou period.

The Second Younger Brother of Lord Zhou

The second younger brother of Lord Zhou recited the seven chapters of the Sushu (Plain Book), reading each of them ten thousand times. Before he had finished, he rose to look at a white deer, and when he returned he found the book lost. Having then received the remaining teachings, he attained immortality.

Zhang Zhaoqi

Zhang Zhaoqi (Zhāng Zhàoqī) jointly refined an elixir with another person and succeeded, but did not dare to take it, and left the mountains. Later he took poria (fuling) and became an earth immortal (dixian, an immortal dwelling among humans).

Liu Fenglin

Liu Fenglin (Liú Fènglín) was a man of the Zhou period. He attempted to jointly refine elixirs three times without success, and then cultivated the Way on Mount Weiyu.

Shi Cun

Shi Cun (Shī Cún), also known as Hu Gong (the Gourd Old Man) and as Wanwengzi, was one of the three thousand disciples of Confucius.

Fulu and Famous Mountains

This class of methods centers on receiving the practice (shouxing), circulating the fire (yunhuo), and fulu (talismans and registers). Practitioners mostly cultivated in the area of the Central Peak (Mount Song) and Mount Shaoshi.

The Lineage of Fei Changfang

Xie Yun was a native of Liyang and a disciple of Fei Changfang.

Dai Meng (Yan Ji)

Dai Meng, whose family name was originally Yan, personal name Ji, and courtesy name Zhongwei, entered Mount Hua and Mount Wudang at the end of the reign of Emperor Ming of the Eastern Han. From Lord Pei he received the Scripture of the Jade Pendant and Golden Bell and was also given the Talisman of Stone Essence and Golden Light. He also had the Yellow Book of the Grand Tenuity, by which he could travel among famous mountains. His attainment stopped at not dying (long life and enduring vision), and he was still not counted among the ranks of the Immortals (liexian).

Jiang Bozi and Zheng Siyuan

Jiang Bozi is recorded without further detail.

Zheng Siyuan, a disciple of Ge Xuan, entered Mount Kuocang in the first year of the Yongkang era of the Jin and departed from the world.

Ge Xuan

Ge Xuan, courtesy name Xiaoxian, was a native of Jurong in Danyang. He first lived on Mount Chang and later entered Mount Gaizhu. He was skilled at transformations, could ride a tiger and command ghosts, and went everywhere. He was nearly granted a post among the immortal offices.

Xie Zhijian

Of Xie Zhijian, one account says he served as a cave lord on Mount Lujі. Another says he joined Mao Bodao in compounding elixirs but did not dare to take them. A third says he often pursued Ge Xuan.

Guo Shengzi and Huang Ziyang

Of Guo Shengzi and Huang Ziyang, one account says they were natives of Wei who ate peach bark and served Sima Jizhu. Another says they often accompanied Ge Xuan.

Weng Daoyuan and Jiang Bozhen

Of Weng Daoyuan and Jiang Bozhen, one account says they studied the Way and gathered herbs on Mount Meng, where an immortal instructed them to face the sun and rectify their minds. Another says they took stone marrow from the north side of Mount Fang and used it as food. A third says they were disciples of Xu Yuanyou.

Xu Mai (Xu Yuanyou)

Xu Mai, courtesy name Shuxuan, childhood name Ying, later renamed Yuanyou, was the third brother of the same birth as the Lord of Immortals. He loved the Way from youth and abandoned his family to roam the mountains. He first went to West Mountain of Lin'an, then entered Mount Chi, where he passed three trials. He then moved to Mount Gaizhu, where his name was registered as Dongshu Xuan, and he became an earth immortal (dixi an), a class of immortals who dwell in famous mountains and do not ascend to the heavenly realms.

Companions of Xu Yuanyou

Long Youjie and Li Kailin were both friends of Xu Yuanyou.

Zhao Daoxuan and Fu Taichu crossed the river into Chi Mountain in Linhai, and Xu Yuanyou later followed them.

Wang Shilong was Xu Yuanyou's teacher.

Chen Zhonglin, Xu Dao, Juling Zi, and Zhao Shudao are four figures who, in the late Han, entered Bamboo Leaf Mountain.

Summoning Spirits and Qi-Prohibition

The wife of Liu Gang was skilled in qi-prohibition (qijin) and in impeaching and summoning spirits (hesmon), that is, restraining and summoning gods and ghosts through qi.

Yan Qing was skilled in summoning and impeaching spirits.

Jie Yan

Jie Yan was a disciple of Lord White Goat who was put to death by Sun Quan. He underwent corpse-liberation (shijie), leaving his physical form behind as a shed skin, and went to Fang Mountain in Jian'an. He was also able to use prohibitions and impeachments.

Lord White Goat

Lord White Goat was a disciple of Lord of the West Peak.

Note: The above is a typical catalogue of immortal biographies found in the Daoist Canon. It records the teacher-disciple lineages, famous mountains, and methods (talismans, elixir compounding, corpse-liberation, spirit summoning, and so on) of Daoist practitioners from the late Han to the Eastern Jin, along with whether each was counted among the immortals. It may be read alongside the Biographies of Divine Immortals (Shenxian zhuan) and the Declarations of the Perfected (Zhen gao).

This roster from the Wushang Biyao (Essential Secrets of the Highest) lists historically recorded earthly immortals (dixian), figures who practiced in the human world and are credited with spiritual powers or long life. For each, it notes the era, specialty, or line of transmission, so that practitioners can compare the entries and study them.

Jie Xiang, a native of the Wu state of the Three Kingdoms, was skilled in qi-restraint (qijin), the use of qi to control illness or external things, and he took licorice pills (gancao wan) for health. Liu Gen excelled at summoning and exorcism (hejiao), a set of techniques for subduing spirit-afflicted demons and ghosts, and he also took licorice pills. Cui Wenzi saved people with medicine. Shangqiu Zi, a native of Gaoyi, herded pigs in his youth and, by taking calamus (changpu), lived long without aging. Jiqiu Zi was active at the foot of Mount Tai during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han. Lord Xiu Yang transformed into a white stone on a terrace during the reign of Emperor Jing of the Han, a marvel associated with his attainment of immortality. Liang Bolan (personal name Hong) lived in seclusion by the sea at the end of the Han.

Liu Shaoweng entered Mount Taihua, paid homage there, and attained the Way. Fan Qiulin was the wife of Wei Xingdao, a general of the Han's lou chuan (towered-ship) forces, and she once saved the life of Assistant Zhao. Her teacher belonged to the Six Jia (liujia) lineage. Tang Gongcheng was active at Mount Heming, an important sacred site of Daoism. Zhang Jilian, Zhao Shuda, and Guo Zihua were three men who once sought to become disciples of the Lord of Destiny (Siming Jun), the deity who governs human lifespan, while on Mount Huo. Diao Daolin was the teacher of Long Bogao of Mount Fang. Zhou Zhengshi was the teacher of Liu Pingo of Mount Fang.

Deng Yunshan and Tang Lan were disciples of a certain gentleman of the Western River (the text likely means Zixun), and both were also teachers of Zhang Lijin (lijin, a method of regulating and restraining through technique). Zheng Zizhen was said to be a grandson of Yun Kangcheng and lived on Mount Yangzhuo. Dongguo Youping, a man of the Qin period, lived in seclusion on Mount Cheng for a long time and attained the Way; he was the teacher of Taobei He. Hui Che Zi was the teacher of Chunyu Dianbing. Qinggu Xiansheng was the teacher of Master Liu Shang, that is, the teacher of the teacher of the generation before. Shi Changsheng was the teacher of Zhou Mingchen, and Chixu Xiansheng was the teacher of Xia Mingchen.

Shantu Gongzi was a grand master of the late Zhou period, King Ai's reign, and the teacher of Zhang Jinbao. The Immortal Wang Weixuan of the Linwu Cave served as an attendant under King Zhuang of Chu and inherited the arts of Lord Wang; he was also the teacher of Han Zuojian. Longwei Zhangren was sent by King Helü of Wu into the Baoshan caves, where he obtained the Five Talismans (wufu). Lu Sheng, Hou Gong, and Shi Sheng were three men whom the First Emperor of Qin sent to sea to seek immortality. Zhi Ziyuan practiced the Way and was the teacher of Pei Jun in his youth. Master Jiang was the teacher of Zhi Ziyuan.

Zi Rong, Zi Ming, Zi Yi, Zi Xi, and Zi You, five men, were disciples of the same lineage. Master Li of the Central Peak was the teacher of Assistant Le. Song Laizi, Immortal of the Central Peak, had first served as market overseer of Chu before he encountered Feng Yanshou and gained an immortal connection.

The closing note states that these one hundred and thirty-nine named earthly immortals all belong to the Inner Transmissions (neizhuan) and can therefore be verified, in contrast to the Outer Transmissions (waizhuan) and unofficial anecdotes. The compilation uses them to mark orthodox lines of transmission and to offer the ancients as models worthy of emulation.

Wushang Miyao (Supreme Secret Essentials): A Plain-Language Reading

Yin De and the Earth Immortals

Some people do good deeds in secret, accumulate merit, and are loyal to their rulers and filial to their parents. But if their worldly accomplishments are not yet complete, they cannot ascend to the Three Realms (sanjing, the immortal realms above). They may serve for a time as Earth Immortals (dixian), and rules set a further period before they can rise higher.

Register of Those Who Attained the Rank of Earth Perfected (Dizhen)

• Perfected Fan Ziming: teacher of Zhang Lijin.
• Zhu Jiaofu of the Baishui Immortal Capital
• Lady Zhu of Duling and Song Ji of Yi'an: both received the Qingjing Formula (qingjing fang, a method of herbal ingestion and cultivation) from Perfected Xiliang. The scripture does not record their immortal titles or ranks, so it is unclear which immortal class they belong to, and they are provisionally listed among the Earth Perfected.
• Luo Yu, the Female Perfected of Jiuyi Mountain: descended into the world during the Shengping era and entered the body of Yang Quan. She called herself E Lühua, now dwells in the mountains of eastern Xiang, and is nine hundred years old.
• Zuo Yuanfang, personal name Ci, a figure of the Han and Wei periods and a disciple of Li Zhongfu. He took the Furnace-Fire Nine-Flower Elixir (lu huo jiu hua dan). He lived for a long time in Huayang Cave at the beginning of the Jin dynasty, later left the mountains, and has now received an immortal office.
• Yuzhen (of Shangdang), Meng Jun (of Jingzhao), and Lu Nü (born on Mount Zhong): all three practiced the Way of the Five Pecks and Single Unity (Wudou Zhiyi dao).
• Xu Huya, personal name Cong, courtesy name Yuanhui, second son of an immortal marquis, who dwelt in Xinxiang. He served as magistrate of Yongkang County, Assistant Commandant of the Guards, and Military Adviser to the State. He received the Way of Guarding the One (shouyi dao) from Lord Yang.
• Fu Daoliu, a native of Beidi, a Palace Attendant General under Emperor Ling of the Han. Yan Cheng, a native of Wu, born in the reign of Liu Shenggong, who once served as Commandant of Wudang.
• Li Shusheng, a native of Zhuojun, born in the reign of Emperor Yuan of the Han.
• Jia Xuandao, a native of Hedong, born in the reign of King Wei of Zhou.

These four all attained the rank of Earth Perfected. They dwell in Xiaozi Yang, a branch of Mount Tai, are subject to the direction of the Eastern Lord of Destiny (Dongqing Siming), and oversee the examinations of those who study the Way.

Fan Anyuan

Xun Zhonghou (personal name unknown)

Wang Fuzi: Guardian of the Great Court of the Three Offices, a post equivalent to a judicial inspector of the Court of Justice today.

Li Feng: Grand Court Official of the Three Offices. Under the Wei, he served as Secretariat Director and Sima. Together with Xun, Wang, and Li, he jointly administered the Prisons of the Three Offices, a post equivalent to the Minister of Justice today.

Bao Yuanjie, a native of Donghai, enfeoffed as Marquis of Daishen. He governs the Right Prohibitory Office of Luofeng, directs spirits and ghosts, manages the affairs of the Two Offices, and also tests those who teach and those who are true adepts.

Mao Zhong, courtesy name Sihe, the younger brother of the Lord of Destiny, practiced the same method as Zhongjun. He received a charge as Office of Life Preservation of the Three Offices, governing the cave entrance north of Liangchang Mountain, guarding the gate of the yin palace, supervising the Dai Peak, keeping the registers of death and life, and guiding the young and uninstructed.

Explanatory Notes (to aid reading of the scripture)

• Earth Perfected / Earth Immortal: perfected beings who dwell among humans or in the lower realms and have not yet ascended to the Three Realms, forming a rank below them.
• Three Offices (sanguan): in Daoism usually refers to the Offices of Heaven, Earth, and Water. Here it also seems to refer to the underworld bureaucracy of immortal officials who judge the dead and record merit, such as the Great Court of the Three Offices and the Office of Life Preservation.
• Siming (Lord of Destiny) and Dongqing (Eastern Lord): celestial immortal officials with titles for governing lifespans and examining those who study the Way.
• The names and places in this text largely belong to the genealogies of immortal transmission. The scripture focuses on who attained the rank of Earth Perfected, where they dwell, and what offices they hold, and these details need not be matched one-to-one with the official histories.

Wushang Miyao (Secret Essentials of the Most High): A Plain-Language Reading

Register of Those Subjected to the Methods

The Lord of Fixed Registers (Dinglu Jun) has already been delivered and ascended to heaven, and now resides in Taiqing (Grand Clarity), one of the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing). Mao Zhong and one other person are in charge of examining and recording.

The Three Officials (Heaven, Earth, and Water) receive the teachings, and male and female practitioners may obtain a place in the roster and rank of the Daoists of the Nine Palaces (Jiugong).

The Xu Lineage

Xu Zhao, courtesy name A'xian, was the seventh-generation ancestor of the Immortal Marquis (Xian Hou, Xu Yi). He first served in Fengdu (the netherworld) as the Duke of Dongming (Dongming Gong). Xu Fu, courtesy name Zhongxian, was the father of the Immortal Marquis, and first served in Fengdu as the Marquis of Tanfang (Tanfang Hou). Because the Immortal Marquis had cultivated the Great Cavern (Dadong, the methods of the Dadong Zhenjing, or Scripture of the Great Cavern, a class of the Three Caverns, Dongzhen), both men have now been elevated to the ranks of the Immortals of the Nine Palaces.

Shao Gong Shi

Shao Gong Shi was the Grand Protector under King Cheng of Zhou, enfeoffed in Yan, and the younger brother of the Duke of Zhou (Zhou Gong). He first served in Fengdu as the Duke of Nanming (Nanming Gong). Although his term of service was not yet complete, his accumulated hidden merit was very great, so he was granted early elevation to this position.

Sun Deng and Mi Changsheng

These two were disciples of the Grand Coachman of the Zhou dynasty.

Huang Luzi, Duke of the Western Peak

Huang Luzi, the Duke of the Western Peak, whose surname was Ge and personal name Yue, was a native of Kuaiji. He was skilled in Qi restraint (qijin, the use of vital energy to control external things), could summon dragon envoys and tigers, and later ascended to heaven on a dragon. He transmitted his talismanic methods to his disciples.

Zhu Ruzi, Duke of the White Ram

Zhu Ruzi, the Duke of the White Ram, entered Chishui Mountain at the end of the Wu dynasty. He consumed chrysanthemum and atractylodes preparations, a regimen akin to abstaining from grains. From Xiguizi he received the method of entering the chamber and visualizing the Mud Pellet (cun Shen Niwan fa), which means concentrating Shen in the Niwan palace. The Queen Mother of the West sent for him, and he now resides on Jishi Platform.

Yu Wengsheng

Yu Wengsheng was a native of Kuaiji. During the Wu period he entered the sea at Langwu Mountain, and received from Lord Jie the Method of Ingesting Sun Essence (shi ri Jing fa). He practiced the way of moving Qi like clouds and of returning the form (huixing). The Lord of Heaven sent for him, and he now resides on Yanggu Mountain.

Zhao Guangxin

Zhao Guangxin was a native of Yangcheng. At the end of the Wei dynasty he went to Xiaobai Mountain, received the method of ingesting Qi, and kept to the Way of the Mysterious Center (xuanzhong zhi dao). After seventy or eighty years he refined one dose of the Jiuhua Elixir. Lord Taiyi, the Ruler of the Dao, sent for him, and he now resides in Donghua.

Ping Zhongjie

Ping Zhongjie was a native of Hedong. He came to Kuocang Mountain and practiced Mind Mystery (xinxuan), embodying the hundred Shen (ju bai Shen), and practicing Inner Chamber visualization (cun Shen Dongfang, concentrating Shen in the inner chamber). After forty-five years, the central Lord Huang-Lao sent for him, and he now resides on the Terrace of Spirit at Canglang.

Zheng Jingshi and Zhang Chonghua

These two were men of the early Jin dynasty. Both practiced in seclusion at Qian Mountain, guarding the five viscera and practicing the method of swallowing the sun (tun ri fa). They took sesame and mysterious elixirs. The Lord of the Northern Mystery and Lord Taiyi sent for them, and they now reside on Xuan Island.

Zhang Lizheng and Zhi Mingqi

Zhang Lizheng lived at the end of the Eastern Han, and Zhi Mingqi lived at the end of the Wei. Both practiced in seclusion on Heng Mountain, receiving and taking the Rainbow Radiance Elixir (hong jing dan) of Lord Wang. After forty-three years, and then thirty years of guarding the One, Donghua sent for them to Fangzhu Biaoshi, where they became superior immortals (shang xian).

Note: Phrases such as "first served in Fengdu as a duke or marquis," "elevated to the Nine Palaces," and "sent for and assigned to a mountain or terrace" reflect traditional Daoist accounts of immortal ranks, netherworld registration, and assigned posts after ascension. The names mostly appear in Daoist Canon biographies and do not always correspond one-to-one with the official histories.

Yin Qianzi, Zhang Shisheng, and Li Fanghui These three lived during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Jin dynasty (Jin Wu). Together they practiced the "Steaming Elixir and Taking Edibles" method (zhengdan erfa) and followed the Way of Crimson Dawn (Danxia zhi dao) on Mount Hua for fifty years. Afterward, envoys sent by Taiyi (Tàiyī, one of the venerated deities of Daoism) escorted them up to Xuanzhou (Xuánzhōu, the Mysterious Isle), where they were ranked as High Immortals (gāoxiān). Zhang Shisheng was granted the title Lord Yuan (Yuán bó), an immortal office title.

Deng Boyuan and Wu Wangxuanfu Both men were natives of Pei. They received the teachings together on Mount Huo, taking Qingjing Stone Rice (qīngjīng shí fàn) and swallowing Danjing (dānjǐng, "Elixir Radiance"). For twenty-four years they advanced diligently in the Inner Chamber (dòngfáng, a realm and place of inner cultivation). When the Supreme Emperor sent envoys to fetch them, they entered the Northern Xuanpu Terrace (Běi Xuánpǔ Táí) to receive the scriptures and were given the title Central Perfected (zhōngzhēn).

Guan Chengzi, Master Sumen, and Zhou Shouling These three were the teachers of Yin Qianzi and his companions.

The teacher of Meng Derან and Zheng Jingshi was the Lord of Song (Sòng jūn). Ping Zhongjie belonged to another lineage of teachers. Li Facheng and Zhao Guangxin were teachers of the next generation after that. These six figures either dwell in the Taiqing Heaven (Tàiqīng tiān) or are ranked as Earthly Perfected (dìzhēn) or Earth Immortals (dìxiān). Their ranks cannot be uniformly determined. Although each was the teacher of later disciples, their attainments were not necessarily higher than those of their students.

Zhu Lingji, Ding Shuying, and the Wife of Xi Zong These three are noted for secret accumulation of merit (yīndé, "hidden virtue").

Lady Xiechen and Huang Jinghua These two reside at Yiqian (Yìqiān), a place of transformation where immortals move on.

Zhang Shuyin, Right Immortal Supervisor of Wende He received the Qingjing Formula (qīngjīng fāng), the method of taking Qingjing as an elixir.

Immortal Elder Xin Yanyun He was a man of the Hu surname, named An, and a disciple of Perfected Fatan Chi (Fǎtán Chìjūn).

Duke Shi Immortal Wang Yao He was a man of the Hu surname, named Zhu, also called Shi Bin, and likewise a disciple of Perfected Fatan Chi.

Left Duke of Immortals Guo Sichao He was a native of Yan. Four brothers all attained the Way, and Sichao was the eldest. He first governed Jiuqu (Jiùqū) and presided over the Three Officials (sānguān), commanding the marshal of Luofeng (Luófēng) and the Chenhou (Chénhóu). He held this post for six hundred years. When his term ended, he was promoted to the Left Duke of Immortals of the Nine Palaces (jiǔgōng), commanding the Jade Terrace Attendant Gentlemen Holding Canopies (Yùtái zhígàilán).

Perfected Yu Yinzhang He was a native of Shangluo and was also a recipient of the Qingjing Formula.

Right Duke of the Perfected Guo Shaojin He composed the method of Licorice Pills (gāncǎo wán).

Right Protector Zhan Shanggong He was a man of the age of Emperor Gaoxin and planted plums at Fulong Ground (Fúlóng dì), a place said to be marked by extraordinary traces of his cultivation.

In addition, there is one Secretary (shāngshū) whose rank is in Taiji (Tàijí, the Supreme Ultimate), and two Chancellors of the Nine Palaces whose rank is in Shangqing (Shàngqīng, the Highest Clarity).

Summary

In all, these are forty-one persons who attained the immortality of the Central Perfected of the Nine Palaces. Among them, some must have ascended to Taiqing or Taiji, and some may still remain in the rank of the Earthly Perfected. Their ranks are not uniform.

Note: This passage is a catalogue of immortal perfected figures. Its sentences are often abbreviated, so the vernacular rendering links the phrases according to their punctuation. Personal names and the names of celestial realms and places, such as Taiqing, Shangqing, Nine Palaces, and Xuanzhou, are retained in their traditional forms, following the conventions of Daoist literature.