During the reign of Emperor Xianzong of the Tang Dynasty, there was a famous official family in Nanyang, Henan Province (now Mengxian County, Henan Province, west of China), named Han Gui. Because of his high official position, honesty and integrity, he was a good and upright person, and was loved by the people.
This day, is Han Gong seventy-one years old birthday, the main hall hangs a big bucket "birthday" character, there is a pair of red paper on both sides of the couplet written:
Blessed as the East China Sea, long flowing water.
Longevity is like the immortal pine of South Mountain.
Mansion red candles, lights and colors, joyful. Not long after, many civil and military officials, carried by subordinates birthday gift, birthday cake, have come to wish birthday, Han Gong frequently nodded his head to say thank you.
At this time, suddenly heard a clamor outside the door, and then saw a small Taoist priest came straight to the second hall. Zhang Qian, Li Wan followed closely behind. While chasing, while shouting: "Little master, you go slowly, until we reported to the master, you then go in!" The little Taoist priest did not pay any attention to it and continued to walk inside, coming straight to Duke Han. Lord Han rebuked Li Wan and Zhang Qian, "Why didn't you report the visitor?" The Taoist boy hurriedly took over and said, "Your Honor, don't blame them; it was the poor Taoist himself who didn't report his own entry, and they couldn't stop him."
Han Yu asked: What is it that you want to see me?"
The Taoist boy respectfully replied: "Today is the great birthday of the lord, the small Taoist specially come to wish the lord a happy birthday!"
Han Yu thought to himself, "I have never known this Taoist boy, why did he come to celebrate his birthday? And why did he know that today is my seventy-first birthday? That's strange! --Could it be that he is Xiangzi? --No. Look at his attire, how does he look like Xiangzi? But at a closer look, I feel a sense of déjà vu. Look at him, he has dragon eyebrows and phoenix eyes, a tiger's back and a bear's waist, and he has a full heavenly court, and he is very skillful. He looks like Xiangzi again. Is he really Xiangzi? If he was Xiangzi, why didn't he recognize me?
After thinking about it, Han Yu missed Xiangzi even more, and he couldn't help but cry. When the old lady saw the master shed tears, she knew that he was thinking of his nephew again, so she couldn't help shedding tears with him.
It turned out that Han Yu's brothers were both officials in the imperial court. Although they were rich and honorable, they had no children and were very lonely. Later, his elder brother Han Huo got a son, named Han Xiang, became the jewel of Han's family; unfortunately, Xiang Zi lost his father at the age of three and his mother at the age of seven, so his brother and sister-in-law entrusted Xiang Zi to him to raise before his death. Mr. and Mrs. Han had no children in their old age, so they naturally treated their nephew as if he were their own, and doubled their love and care, teaching him poetry, books, etiquette and music, hoping that his son would become a dragon. At the beginning, Xiangzi also listened to the teachings, concentrated on reading the Four Books and Five Classics, learning the way of Confucius and Mencius, and aspired to be promoted to seek honor and glory, wanting to be a pillar of the material; but unexpectedly, the two Taoist teachers were invited to persuade him to learn the Way, and he finally left his wife and left home, and disappeared into a mysterious door. Mr. and Mrs. Han Yu missed him day and night and were very sad. Today, the Taoist boy looked like his nephew, which aroused Han Yu's sadness.
Seeing the sadness of Mr. Han, the Taoist boy immediately smiled and said, "Please don't blame me, my lord! The poor Taoist was reckless and made your honor angry; now I have a treasure to offer, please your honor and the old lady to view it, to relieve the boredom how?"
The crowd also said, "Yes, too. Today is your birthday, life is seventy years old, your lord has passed the age of old age, can enjoy this high life, blessing is not shallow, can be congratulated, should be happy."
Han Yu turn bloom smile, make the Taoist boy take treasure to watch.
The Taoist boy took out a flower basket and put it on the table. In an instant, an ink painting appeared from the basket. Han Yu was unimpressed and laughed: "This kind of ink painting, I have a mountain of them in my house, what's so strange about it?"
The Taoist boy said, "Although there are many paintings in my house, they are not worth half a penny. Can't talk and don't eat, that kind of dead paintings are not enough to see?"
Han Gong heard, could not help but laugh: "Is it possible that you are talking crazy? That there are paintings of people talking things?"
The Taoist boy did not argue, just unfolded the painting. At this time, I saw a qin-playing beauty come out from the ink painting. She came and stood in front of Mr. and Mrs. Han Yu, and sang while playing the qin: "My daughter came to the front of the crowd, and congratulated the great man on his longevity (more than) Nanshan. I would like to advise you to turn to the good, learn the way of cultivation and prolong your life. If you are successful, you will be able to go to the Peach Banquet and live a long life as a living god." The resounding sound of the zither and the melodious, melodious song delighted Mr. and Mrs. Han Yu and the civil and military officials in the hall, who all sang in admiration, "Beautiful, beautiful! Really is the immortal painting extraordinary!"
Han Yu loved it and wanted to buy it. The Taoist boy said, "This painting will be given to your honor and the old lady for viewing as a birthday gift. But I want to ask you for some birthday wine to take back and drink with all my friends, I wonder if you are willing to reward me?"
Han Yu nodded his head and cheerfully replied, "Yes, yes. Naturally. I don't know if there is a wine vessel, if not, I will order my subordinates to send the wine."
The Taoist boy said, "That is, please order someone to carry the wine."
Han Yu thought that if he wanted his subordinates to follow him to deliver the wine, he was afraid that there would be too many people and too little wine to enjoy the party, so he ordered the people to carry out ten jars of wine and prepared to go with the little Taoist priest.
The Taoist boy did not move, just bowed and said, "Thank you for your kindness, the little Taoist will accept the wine!" Said, from the body to take out a three inches three size gourd to, people lifted up a altar of wine, and poured into the gourd. Pouring one altar after another, he poured ten altars of wine into it, and had yet to see the wine overflow. Zhang Qian curiously look into the gourd, hey, load down the wine, only to the gourd half center! More so that Zhang Qian surprised: the gourd both the sun, moon and stars appear, seawater surging, big waves in the sky. Dragon in the water to invite swimming, tiger lying in the deep pool, turtle and snake on the water meeting, and colorful lotus boat. An ape stood at the bow of the boat, and a white horse was tied at the stern. The Taoist priest of Cihang was at the helm, and five hundred spiritual officials were pulling the fiber. This kind of scene is rarely seen in the world. Zhang Qian hurriedly invited Mr. Han to come up to see it.
Mr. and Mrs. Han had seen the gourd, and they were very happy to see it. The old lady wanted to ask the master to buy this treasure, when boredom good cheer; Han Gong asked the boy is willing to sell, how much silver?
The Taoist boy replied: "This gourd is not for sale gold, not for sale silver, only to give to the sincere cultivation of people. I am afraid that Mr. Han lacks the destiny to keep this treasure. If you can resign from the government and go back to your hometown, and enter the Xuanmen to realize and cultivate the Way, it will not be difficult to get this treasure."
Han Yu had already been left with a hidden pain because his nephew had been persuaded by Taoist priests to cultivate the Tao. Now he heard that he was asked to resign from his post and go into seclusion, so he immediately became furious and pointed at the Taoist boy and rebuked him, "Don't play with magic here, you are talking nonsense. I am an official of the imperial court, how can I be a monk? Zhang Qian, Li Wan, quickly send the Taoist out the door!"
When the Taoist boy saw Lord Han's order to expel him, he knelt down and said, "Uncle, don't be angry. Children return to the house today, is to celebrate the birthday of uncle, to uncle, aunt to enjoy the fun and excitement; from the matter of the road, the future from the long discussion. The world is unpredictable, in the future, if your aunt and uncle are in danger, you can call my son to come, I will definitely help. I'll be sure to help. I'll be leaving now!" With these words, he left in the air.
Mr. and Mrs. Han Yu realized that the boy was really Xiangzi, who had not seen him for many years, but had already become an immortal. When they wanted to stay, they were already far away. It was too late for them to regret that they had not been able to express their feelings of parting. Seeing Xiang Zi flying away in the clouds, Mr. and Mrs. Han couldn't help but blur their eyes with tears, sighing ......
话说唐宪宗时，河南南阳 (今河南孟县西)有一赫赫有名的官宦人家，姓韩名愈。因官居高位，清正廉明，为人正直好善，颇受黎民爱戴。
这一天，是韩公七十一岁大寿，正堂上挂着一个斗大的“寿”字，两边还有一副红纸书写的对联：
福如东海长流水，
寿比南山不老松。
府内红烛高照，张灯结彩，喜气洋洋。不一会，众多文武官员，由下人抬着寿礼、寿糕，纷纷前来祝寿，韩公频频点首称谢。
正在这时，忽听门外一阵喧嚣，接着就见一小道士直奔二堂而来。张千、李万紧随其后。一边追赶，一边叫喊：“小师傅，你慢点走，待我们禀过老爷，你再进去！”小道士并不理睬，继续往里走，径直来到韩愈面前。韩公责备李万、张千道：“来人为何不报?”道童赶紧接过话头言道：“大人莫要怪罪他们；是贫道自己不报自进的，他们拦截不住也。”
韩愈问道： 尔有何事要来见我?”
道童恭敬地答道：“今天是大人古稀大寿，小道特来给大人祝寿！”
韩愈心想，我和此道童素不相识，他为何要来祝寿?又为何得知今天是老夫七十一岁寿诞?怪哉!——莫非他是湘子?——不对。看他这副装束打扮，那像湘子模样?可是，细一看，又觉似曾相识。你看他龙眉凤目，虎背熊腰，天庭饱满，相貌高超。又有些儿像湘子模样。难道他真的是湘子?他若是湘子，为何又不与我相认?
韩愈思前想后，更加思念湘子，不禁喑然泪下。老夫人见老爷落泪，知道他又是思念侄儿，也不禁随着掉下泪来。
原来，韩愈兄弟二人都在朝为官。虽然官居高位，富贵荣华，但膝下无子，好不寂寥。后来他大哥韩休得了一子，取名韩湘，成了韩门的掌上明珠；不幸湘子三岁丧父，七岁丧母，哥嫂临终前就把湘子托付于他抚养。韩愈夫妇老来无子，自然视侄儿如亲生，加倍爱抚，教以诗书礼乐，望“子”成龙。开始，湘子倒也听从教诲，专心致志攻读四书五经，学习孔孟之道，立志升官求荣，欲做栋梁材；不料请来的两位道人教师，竟暗地劝他学道，他终于别妻离家，遁入玄门。致使韩愈夫妇日夜思念，不胜悲伤。今天见道童似侄儿模样，又勾起韩愈的一番伤感。
道童见韩公悲伤，立即陪笑道：“请大人莫要怪罪!贫道莽撞，惹大人生气；现我有一宝物献出，请大人和老夫人观赏，以解烦闷如何?”众人亦说道：“是也。今乃大人寿诞之日，人生七十古来稀，大人已过古稀之年，能享此高寿，洪福不浅，可喜可贺，应当高兴才是。”
韩愈转绽笑颜，令道童取宝观看。
道童取出一花篮，放在桌案上。刹那间，从篮中现出一幅水墨画。韩愈不以为然地笑道：“这种水墨画，老夫府中堆积如山，有何稀奇?”
道童言道：“府上画虽多，不值半文钱。不会说话不吃饭，那种死画何足观?”
韩公一听，不禁呵呵大笑道：“莫非你在说疯话不成?那有画中人说话之事?”
道童并不争辩，只管把画展开。这时，果见一弹琴美人从水墨画中走出。她来在韩愈夫妇面前站定，边弹琴边唱道：“小女来至众人前，贺声大人寿(比)南山。奉劝大人早向善，学道修炼益延年。功成得赴蟠桃宴，长生不老活神仙。”琴声铿锵，歌声悠扬，娓娓动听，喜坏了韩愈夫妇和满堂文武公卿，齐声赞叹道：“美哉，美哉！果然是仙画不凡!”
韩愈爱不释手，意欲买下仙画。道童言道：“这幅画条就送给大人和老夫人观看，以充寿礼。但要向大人讨点寿酒，带回去和众道友同饮，不知肯赏赐否?”
韩愈连连点头，乐呵呵地答道：“可以，可以。自然可以。不知有无酒器，如无酒器，当命下人将酒送去。”
道童说：“即请大人命人将酒抬来。”
韩愈以为要下人跟着他去送酒，恐人多酒少，难以尽兴，便命人抬出十坛美酒，准备随小道士同往。
道童并未挪步，只是打揖道：“多谢大人美意，小道将酒收下了！”说着，从身上取出一个 三寸三大小的葫芦来，令人抬起一坛酒，就往葫芦里倒。倒了一坛又一坛，将十坛酒都倒了进去，尚未见酒溢出。张千好奇地往葫芦里一看，嘿，装下去的酒，才到葫芦半中间！更使张千惊奇的是：葫芦里既有日月星光出现，海水汹涌，大浪涛天。蛟龙在水中邀游，猛虎卧在深潭，龟蛇在水上会面，还有五彩莲船。一个猿猴船头站，一匹白马船尾拴。慈航道人把舵掌，五百灵官在扯纤。这般景致世上少见，张千赶紧请韩老爷上前观看。
韩公夫妇看过葫芦，果然仙景般般，十分高兴。老夫人想叫老爷将此宝物买下，闲闷时好助兴；韩公问道童是否愿卖，需要多少银钱?
道童答道：“此葫芦不卖金，不卖银，只相赠诚心修行之人。只怕韩大人缺少缘分，难以留下此宝。若大人能辞官归隐，进玄门悟道修行，得此宝物不难也。”
韩愈因侄儿被道士劝去修了道，已留下隐痛。如今又听说要他弃官归隐，出家修道，立刻火冒三丈，指着道童训斥道：“你不要在此耍弄妖术，胡言乱语。我乃朝庭命官，怎有从道之理。张千，李万，快送道人出门！”
道童见韩公下了逐客令，便跪下曰：“叔父息怒。孩儿今日归府，是来向叔父祝寿，给叔父、婶母取乐添兴的；从道之事，以后从长计议。世事沉浮，变化莫测，日后叔父婶母如遇危难之事，可唤孩儿前来，孩儿必定相助。孩儿就此告辞了！”言毕，即升空而去。
韩愈夫妇至此方知，这个道童果然是湘子，多年未见，既已成仙。待想挽留，已经走远。未能畅叙离别之情，追悔莫及。眼看湘子腾云驾雾冉冉而去，韩公夫妇不禁泪眼模糊，唉声高叹 …