Prevod

Ruan Zhan, courtesy name Qianli, had always maintained that ghosts did not exist, and no one could refute him. He often declared that this view was sufficient to settle the truth about the realms of the living and the dead. One day, a visitor unexpectedly sent in his name and asked to see him. After exchanging greetings, they fell to discussing philosophical principles. The visitor was eloquent and a gifted debater. They spoke for a long time, and when the subject turned to ghosts and spirits, argued back and forth with great intensity. At last, the visitor was bested. His expression darkened, and he said, “The existence of ghosts and spirits has been affirmed by sages and worthies, ancient and modern alike. How can you alone claim there are none? I myself am a ghost.” He then assumed a strange form and vanished in an instant. Zhan fell silent, deeply shaken and looking very ill. A little over a year later, he fell sick and died.