Chen Tuan practiced Taoism on Mount Hua from the Five Dynasties to the early Song Dynasty. Because he was talented and was often consulted by the emperors of the time, his stories were widely circulated among the people. There are also many records in historical novels. Here are a few poems and legends about Chen Tuan from the records to give a glimpse of his story.
According to the legend of Chen Tuan's sleep, Shantang Sikao says that he slept for 36 years and took short naps for 18 springs.
“Chen Tuan sleeps a lot” is a common saying passed down by the people. In Jianluo Ji Xu, there is a story about him: it is said that he practiced Taoism at Yuntai Temple on Mount Hua, and every day he would sleep alone with the door closed, sleeping for months on end. When Emperor Zhou Shizong heard that he was very knowledgeable and could sleep, he was curious and wanted to see for himself. He sent someone to summon Chen Tuan to his palace and lock him in a room. After locking him up for more than a month, he opened the door and saw that Chen Tuan was still sound asleep. Knowing that Chen Tuan was a man of virtue, Emperor Zhou Shizong summoned him for a conversation. Chen Tuan sang a song to him: “I love to sleep, I love to sleep. I don't sleep on a mat, I don't cover myself with a quilt. A stone pillow, a straw raincoat spread on the ground. Thunder and lightning, gods and spirits are startled, but I am sound asleep. Idly thinking about Zhang Liang, bored thinking about Fan Li, talking about Mengde, not to mention Liu Bei, the three or four gentlemen are just arguing about trifles. How is it like when I am on top of the green hill, among the white clouds, spreading my eyebrows, liberating my belly, and sleeping soundly. Never mind the rising of the jade rabbit in the east and the setting of the red sun in the west.”
Chen Xiyi retired to the foot of Mount Hua. One spring day, he was strolling idly on the stone by the water when he happened to divine a hexagram that said “meet needs on the upper line”. He then said to his disciple Jia Desheng: “Three unexpected guests will come here.” Soon after, indeed, Huju, Chisongzi and Lü Dongbin arrived one after the other. The local god hurriedly offered a tray of fruit and a jug of wine. When they were half drunk, the four of them each composed a poem to entertain the others. Chen Tuan's poem said, “Spring is warm, the flowers are half in bloom, I wander carefree on the rocks, I once held the reins of jade and rode to the Golden Palace, I leisurely tread the green mountains and blue moss; I have slept in the cave for many years, I drink alone a thousand cups of wine, I meet people and don't talk about people's affairs, I just smile and point at the white clouds as they come and go.” The poem of the pot says: “There are pavilions in the pot, and flowers bloom in all seasons. In my free time, I drink the nectar, and after getting drunk, I lie on the moss. I am carefree and not concerned with fame or fortune. I am uninhibited and unstained by the dust of the world. To everyone I meet, I say nothing about personal matters, and I just laugh as I point at the white clouds coming and going.” Chi Songzi's poem says: “I have just left the bamboo retreat in the South Mountain and am returning to the secluded Tiantai. The wine in the cave is just ripe, and the flowers on the road are half in bloom. My bones are not ordinary bones, and you are also a talented immortal. Don't tell anyone about your personal matters, and just laugh as you point at the white clouds as you return.” Lu Dongbin's poem says: “My soul has been wandering until now, and it has blossomed many times. When I'm bored, I buy wine and drink as much as I like, thousands of cups. I roam the sky for 28 days, drunk on the altar of Mao Jun. Don't tell anyone about my affairs, just smile and point at the white clouds as they come and go.” After the four men had finished reciting, they looked at each other and laughed, then dispersed. (This story is found in “Zhu Shu”.)
During the Song Dynasty, Zhang Cida, a prefectural official from Huazhou, came to Huashan from the prefectural governor to pay his respects to Chen Xiyi. After the host and guest sat down, a seat was set up at the head of the table, as if someone was waiting. The prefectural governor did not know who Chen Tuan was waiting for at this vacant seat. He thought to himself, “I am the prefectural governor here, who else would sit at the head of my table? He felt a little displeased. After waiting for a while, a Taoist priest in a blue robe and a straw hat arrived, his manner quite solemn. Chen Tuan bowed and offered him a seat. The Taoist priest came in and sat unceremoniously on the top seat. The prefect saw that although the Taoist priest looked carefree and elegant, he was arrogant and insolent, and he was even more displeased. He found the Taoist priest's rudeness strange. However, Chen Tuan was very respectful towards this Taoist priest. Chen Tuan asked the Taoist, “What is in your sleeve? May I have the honor?” The Taoist reached into his sleeve and took out three dates, one white, one red and one green. He gave the white one to Chen Tuan, the red one to himself and the green one to the prefect. The prefect was even more displeased and gave it to Zhang Cida. Zhang Cida ate it. After the Taoist left, the governor asked Chen Tuan: Who was this Taoist who just came? Chen Tuan said: This is the true immortal of the pure yang. The governor regretted it too late and could do nothing about it. Zhang Cida has since also attained immortality and often travels the world, performing miracles. (This story is found in “Yilin” (Strange Forest).
In the year Taiping Xingguo, Emperor Taizong of the Song Dynasty summoned Chen Tuan to the palace. Taizong composed the poem “Summoning the Scholar Chen Tuan of Mount Hua” himself: “Hua Yue Duwen said, knowing that your surname is Chen, guest of the three islands in the clouds, a recluse outside of things; the alchemy cauldron is your livelihood, and the green mountains are your close neighbors. I long to see you and go to you, but the country needs me here.” Emperor Taizong of the Song Dynasty also composed a poem entitled “A Gift for Chen Tuan”:
“You once appeared in white clouds in the previous dynasty, but since then there has been no news of you. If you are willing to follow the summons now, I will always give you the Three Peaks.” Chen Tuan was very troubled when he read these imperial edicts, but he had to respond with a polite refusal. Song Taizong sent the emissary Ge Shouzong to Chen, who wrote the poem “Reply to Chen Chuan”: “Guest of the three peaks of Huayue, living in seclusion regardless of the years, making a living from the smoke and mist, and writing from the clouds and water; planting medicinal herbs by the thatched pavilion, planting pines by the ravine, leaving the immortal cave for a while, you may answer the emperor's call.” Song Taizong was a strange person. When people didn't want to be his official, he would shamelessly beg them to go. He also composed a poem called “Recalling Chen Chuan”: “Three times you were summoned but did not go to court, thousands of miles of border crossings, no need to complain about the trouble. Chiseling the mountain to select jade will eventually pay off, tempering iron into gold is not a waste of effort. The purple robe is more than enough to cover your body, the golden seal can be hung around your waist. I rely on you, Mr. Chen, to assist and advise me, so why worry about the people singing and dancing?” Chen Tuan was disgusted by these words, which used threats of power and gold seals as bait, and said he would not go to the summons no matter what. He composed a poem in reply to the messenger's refusal to go to the summons: “The purple robe was bestowed from the nine-tiered palace, but my talent is mediocre and I prefer to enjoying the quiet; the mountain colors fill the courtyard and provide the backdrop for paintings, and the sound of the pines is like that of a zither being played in ten thousand valleys; I have no desire to enjoy the rewards of office and ascend the stage and tripod, but rather I intend to learn from the immortals and go to the heavenly cave. I have no thoughts about the clouds above the palace, and I have no desire to be a nobleman. I only want to sleep for a thousand years on the Three Peaks.” Later, he hid in a cave on the southern peak, which is now known as the “Escape from the Imperial Edict Cave”. However, the imperial envoys could not bear this, and since Chen Tuan would not come down from the mountain, they could not hand in their report to Emperor Taizong. After the envoys begged him, Chen Tuan thought: If I don't go, the Song king will come with the banner of “chiseling the mountain to select jade”, and that would be a problem. So he wrote a poem called “Answering the Call to Serve Ge Shouzong”: “The crane-feathered robe of the wandering immortal flutters away, The rush of the lotus wheel endures the lure of fame, A heartbroken farewell to the Hua Yue mountains, Looking back, my eyes are strained from gazing at the Cloud Terrace; The vicissitudes of the world are truly treacherous, The gulls and terns are carefree, oblivious to the storm, Just as I was about to fall backwards in my clothes, I was summoned by the heavenly book to the edge of the sun.” Chen Tuan arrived in Bianjing, where Emperor Taizong treated him very well. When Taizong talked with Chen Tuan, he found Chen's words very agreeable, and he sent an eunuch to escort Chen Tuan to the Zhongshu Ministry. The prime minister Song Qi and others asked calmly: “Sir, you have mastered the way of cultivation, can you teach others?” Chen Tuan said, “A person from the countryside is useless at the moment, and I don't know about immortals, wealth and power, or the principles of breathing to maintain health. There is no magic to pass on. Even if I were to soar into the sky in broad daylight, what good would it do in the world? Your Majesty has a handsome and extraordinary face, the appearance of a heavenly being, and you are knowledgeable about the past and present, and you have thoroughly studied the causes of chaos. You are truly a ruler with the benevolence and wisdom of the Dao. It is the autumn of the rise of virtue and the rule of justice, and the time for the ruler and his officials to work together with one heart and one mind to bring about reform and governance. There is no better way than to diligently cultivate oneself. Qi and others praised him as a good man. He told the emperor about this, and the emperor valued him even more. Chen Tuan was bestowed the title “Master Xiyi”. Chen Tuan stayed in the capital for several months and composed the poem “Leaving the Court for Mount Hua”: “Ten years of footsteps in the red dust, I dream of green mountains often. The purple streets are full of strife and contention, but I prefer poverty to riches. I am sad to hear the sound of swords and spears as the ruler is rescued from danger, and I am bored by the sound of singing and dancing that intoxicates people. I will take my old books and go into seclusion, where I will be like the wild flowers and singing birds in spring.” Although Song Taizong treated Chen Tuan very well, Chen Tuan was reluctant to stay in the court as he missed Mount Hua. So, Song Taizong had to let him go back to the mountain. However, thanks to Chen Tuan's acceptance of the imperial summons, Song Taizong had already achieved his reputation as a ruler who respects and values talent. Sending Chen Tuan back to the mountain with courtesy showed his magnanimity in respecting talent. As his reputation had been enhanced, he was happy to help Chen Tuan achieve his goal.
陈抟自五代至宋初一直是在华山修道，因他负经纶之才，又多次奉当时帝王之诏问，他的故事在民间流传颇广。稗史小说也有不少记载。兹从记载中摘出几则有关陈抟的诗歌传说，以见其故事之一斑。
关于陈抟睡觉的传说,《山堂肆考》说他大睡三十六载，小睡一十八春。
“陈抟大睡觉”是句民间流传颇广的俗话，《坚瓠集续》中有个故事：说他在华山云台观修道，每日总闭门独睡，一睡就是累月不起。周世宗听说他很有学问，又能睡觉，一时好奇，想看个究竟，就派人把陈抟召到他的禁中，锁在一间房子里。锁了一月多，开门看时，陈抟依然在酣睡。周世宗知他是个有道之士，召见他谈话，他对周世宗作歌道：“臣爱睡，臣爱睡。不卧毡，不盖被。片石枕头，蓑衣铺地。震雷掣电鬼神惊，臣当其时正鼾睡。闲思张良，闷想范蠡，说甚孟德，休言刘备，三四君子只是争些闲气。怎如臣向青山顶上、白云堆里、展开眉头、解放肚皮、且一觉睡。管甚玉兔东升，红日西坠”。
陈希夷隐居华山下，有一年春日，在水边石上闲游玩，偶然卜得一个“遇需上爻”的卦。便对他的弟子贾得升说：当有三位不速之客来此。少顷，果然见壶公、赤松子、吕洞宾相继到来。土地神赶忙捧出一盘果，一壶酒献上。他们四个饮酌到半酣之际便各自赋诗一首助兴。陈抟诗曰：“春暖群花半开，逍遥石上徘徊，曾垂玉勒金阙，闲踏青山碧苔；洞中睡来几载，流霞独饮千杯，逢人莫说人事，笑指白云去来。”壶公诗曰：“壶中自有楼台，四季鲜花竟开，闲时则饮琼液，醉后或卧青苔；逍遥非关利名，落魄不染尘埃，逢人莫说人事，笑指白云去来。”赤松子诗曰：“乍离南山竹斋，因过归隐天台，洞中美酒才熟，路上鲜花半开；我骨非是凡骨，君才亦是仙才，逢人莫说人事，笑指白云归来。”吕洞宾诗曰：“落魂直至此来，曾经几度花开，闷便着钱沽酒，恣意千杯万杯；闲游二十八天，醉上茅君醮台，逢人莫说人事，笑指白云去来。”四人咏罢相视而笑，遂各散去。（此故事见于《筮述》）
宋时华州掾张刺达从太守来华山拜谒陈希夷先生。宾主叙坐后，又设一座位于上首，如有所等候似的。这位太守大人，也不知陈抟设此虚位等谁。心想，我是此地太守，谁还能坐在我的上首?心中就有些不乐之意。等了一阵，来了个兰袍葛巾道人，态度颇端肃。陈抟拱揖让坐。这来的道人竞毫不客气的坐在上位座上。太守见这位道人虽则神气闲雅，却是傲无逊容，心中更加不悦，很怪这位道人无礼。然而陈抟却对这位道人甚恭。陈抟向这位道人请道：先生袖中何物?幸以相贶?道人从袖中摸出枣子三枚，其颜色各不一样，一白一红一青。白者授与陈抟，红者道人自食，青者授与太守。太守越加心中不高兴，就随手给了张刺达。张刺达就把它吃了。这道人去后，太守问陈抟：适才来这位道人是谁?陈抟说：此即纯阳真人也。太守悔恨不及，已无可奈何。张刺达自此亦得道成仙，往往游于人间，每显异迹。 (此故事见于《异林》)
宋太宗于太平兴国年问诏陈抟赴阙。太宗自作《诏华山处士陈抟》诗云： “华岳多闻说，知君是姓陈，云间三岛客，物外一闲人；丹鼎为活计，青山作近邻，朕思亲欲往，社稷去无因”。宋太宗还有一首《赠陈抟》诗：
“曾向前朝出白云，后来消息杳无闻，如今若肯随徵召，总把三峰乞与君”。陈抟见到这些诏书，烦恼非常，但又不得不作婉词谢诏。宋太宗派业的使臣葛守忠有《答陈传》诗云：“华岳三峰客，幽居不计年，烟霞为活计，云水作家缘；种药茅亭畔，栽松涧壑边，暂离仙洞去，可应帝王选”。宋太宗这个人说来也怪，人家不愿去做他的官，他偏要死皮赖脸地叫人家去。他又作了一首《复召陈传》诗：“三度宣卿不赴朝，关河千里莫辞劳，凿山选玉终须得，点铁成金未是烧；紫袍绰绰宜披体，金印累累可挂腰，朕赖先生相辅佐，何忧万姓辍歌谣”。陈抟见这些以势欺人，金印作饵的语句，真要作呕，说什么也不去赴召，作了一首《答使者辞不赴诏》：“九重特降紫袍宣，才拙深居乐静缘，山色满庭供画幛，松声万壑即琴弦；无心享禄登台鼎，有意学仙到洞天，轩冕浮云绝念虑，三峰只乞睡千年”。后来他藏到南峰一处崖壁洞里，这洞就是现在的“避诏崖”。可是他这么以来，受命的使臣却受不了啦，陈抟不下山，他们便无法在太宗交差。在使臣们的哀哀恳求下，陈抟想：如果坚持不下去，那宋王挑着那“凿山选玉”的旗子来就不好办了，只得勉强走一遭。于是写了一首《赴召答葛守忠》的诗：“鹤氅翩翩即散仙，蒲轮争忍利名牵，留连华岳伤心别，回顾云台望眼穿；涉世风波真险恶，忘机鸥鸟自悠然，三峰才欲和衣倒，又被天书下日边”。陈抟到了汴京，太宗待之甚厚，太宗与陈抟谈话，觉得陈抟的话很可听，即遣太监将陈抟送至中书省。宰相宋琪等从容问道：先生得玄默修养之道可以教人乎？陈抟说：“山野之人于时无用，亦不知神仙黄白之事、吐纳养生之理，非有法术可传。假令白日冲天，于世何益？今圣上龙颜秀异，有天人之表，博达古今，深究治乱，真有道仁圣之主也。正君臣同心协德兴化致治之秋，勤行修炼无出于此”。琪等称善。以其语白上，上益重之。诏赐陈抟号“希夷先生”。陈抟留京数月作《辞朝归华山》诗云：“十年踪迹蹈红尘，为忆青山入梦频，紫陌纵荣争及睡，朱门虽贵不如贫；愁闻剑戟扶危主，闷听笙歌聒醉人，携取旧书归旧隐，野花啼鸟一般春。”宋太宗虽非常厚待陈抟，怎奈陈抟留恋华山，不肯在朝，太宗只好放他还山。不过宋太宗由于陈抟的赴诏，已达到他“凿山选玉”礼贤下士的美誉，再以礼送陈抟归山，更显他礼贤的宽宏大量，钓誉已遂，也就乐于成人之美了。