Mladenič, ki je ubežal prezgodnji smrti

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Mladenič, ki je ubežal prezgodnji smrti

When Guan Lu came to Pingyuan, he saw from Yan Chao’s features that the young man was destined for an early death. Yan’s father begged Guan Lu to prolong his son’s life. Guan Lu said, “Go home and procure some clear wine and a jin of dried venison. On the day of the Hare, beneath the great mulberry tree south of the field where the wheat is being cut, you will find two men playing go. Simply pour out the wine and set the venison before them. Whenever they drain their cups, fill them again, until the wine is gone. If they question you, bow to them and say nothing. One of them is sure to save you.” Yan went as instructed and indeed found two men playing go. He repeatedly set venison before them and poured them wine. Absorbed in their game, they ate and drank without looking up. After several rounds, the man seated to the north suddenly noticed Yan and demanded, “What are you doing here?” Yan merely bowed. The man seated to the south said, “We have just enjoyed his wine and venison. Can we show him no kindness?” The northern player replied, “The record has already been settled.” The southern player said, “Let me see the record.” Finding that Yan Chao was allotted only nineteen years of life, he took up a brush and altered the entry. “I have saved you,” he said. “You shall live to ninety.” Yan bowed and returned home. Guan Lu told him, “You have been greatly favored. Rejoice that your allotted years have been increased. The man seated to the north was the Northern Dipper; the one seated to the south was the Southern Dipper. The Southern Dipper records births, while the Northern Dipper governs death. From the moment of conception, every mortal passes from the Southern Dipper to the Northern Dipper. Thus all petitions are addressed to the Northern Dipper.”