In the quiet village of Hanmutou Gou, nestled in Damao Township, Chaoyang City, Liaoning Province, about 40 households thrived, mostly bearing the surname Li. Among them was Li Cheng, the respected head of a household whose family’s fortunes rose through the transportation of cloth and grains from Inner Mongolia to Chifeng. Their journey from being human porters to using donkeys and horses, and finally to large iron carts, mirrored their path to prosperity. The Li family was a beacon of honesty and kindness, virtues that flourished ever since Li’s grandmother joined their lineage.
The generous relative
Li’s grandmother had a brother named Zhang Qing, who was from a less fortunate background. Despite his best efforts to assist in transporting fabrics, Zhang Qing’s life was marked by continuous financial losses. Li Cheng, ever the benevolent nephew, took it upon himself to support Zhang Qing until his eventual death, and with great respect, he saw to his uncle’s burial.
A midnight revelation and the birth of a foal
Approximately a month after Zhang Qing’s passing, a peculiar incident shook Li Cheng’s world. One night, deeply asleep, he was startled by a voice calling out: “Li Cheng, Li Cheng, it’s me, Zhang Qing. I’ve come to repay your debt.” This mysterious event occurred three times, leaving Li Cheng in a state of bewilderment. The following morning, his steward brought unexpected news: their mare had given birth to a lively and charming foal. Li Cheng, recalling his nocturnal encounters, had an epiphany — his uncle Zhang Qing had reincarnated as this foal.
The obedient foal named Zhang Qing
This revelation marked a new beginning for the young horse. Li Cheng found that whenever he addressed the foal as “Zhang Qing” or “uncle,” it responded with remarkable obedience. The foal became a valued helper in the village, eagerly participating in tasks and labor when summoned by either name.
A year of respect and recognition
As the foal matured into a strong horse capable of pulling carts, Li Cheng’s reverence for it deepened. He reserved the horse for only the most challenging tasks, like navigating steep slopes and deep ravines, sparing it from everyday labor. The story of the horse’s mystical origin spread among the innkeepers along the Chaoyang-Chifeng route.
A debt settled in an unexpected way
A notable incident occurred when Li Cheng, with his horse and cart, stopped at a large cart shop in Beisijiazi. The following day, coinciding with the local market, the horse wandered into the bustling scene, unintentionally causing havoc by trampling a vendor’s pottery, sparing only five large pots. When the vendor, who was agitated, confronted Li Cheng, a surprising revelation came to light. The vendor had known Zhang Qing in life and owed him money. The value of the destroyed pottery exactly matched the debt, leading to an unintentional but fitting settlement of accounts.
A life-saving act and a celebratory return
In a dramatic turn of events, Li Cheng once found himself in peril, falling under his cart on a steep slope. In a heroic act, the horse, now fondly known as Zhang Qing, swiftly rescued Li Cheng, preventing a tragic accident. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Li Cheng and his family celebrated for three days, and from that moment on, he relieved the horse of all labor duties.
The final resting place of the loyal horse
After fulfilling its purpose and repaying its debt, the horse passed away. Li Cheng, in a gesture of deep respect, buried the horse in a grove at the village’s eastern end, commemorating it with offerings at every festival. In honor of these extraordinary events, the village of Hanmutou Gou was renamed Li Cheng Zhangzi, a name that proudly endures to this day.
Translated by Joseph Wu
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