The charm that even the emperor was curious about

In the third year of Chongning (1104), Emperor Huizong of Song summoned Zhang Jixian, who was only thirteen years old, for the first time. By then, Zhang Jixian had already been the successor to the sect for four years, and his reputation had long since reached the palace. Curious about this "young Celestial Master," Huizong wanted to see for himself what extraordinary talents he possessed.

Upon first meeting Zhang Jixian, the Emperor saw a young man with a slender, fair face and a calm, reticent demeanor, yet with an ethereal quality between his brows. Huizong wondered to himself: as the Celestial Master of Mount Longhu, did he truly possess superhuman powers? He decided to get straight to the point and test him directly.

"I hear you live on Mount Longhu; have you ever seen a dragon or a tiger?"

This was a tricky question. To answer "I have seen a dragon" might seem like deceiving the Emperor, while saying "I have not" would diminish the dignity of the Celestial Master. The court officials and the accompanying Taoists all broke into a cold sweat for Zhang Jixian. Little did they expect the boy to react with agility and grace, answering:

"Your Majesty, Mount Longhu is home to many tigers, which I see often. As for the dragon, seeing Your Majesty, the True Dragon and Son of Heaven, today is the first time I have truly beheld one."

Huizong laughed at the reply, and the courtiers breathed a sigh of relief. But this was merely the beginning of the tests.

Shortly after, Huizong asked again, "Celestial Master, why does the gourd hanging from your waist have no opening?"

Zhang Jixian replied, "The gourd is a tradition of our Taoist school. Taoists view the gourd as 'Pu' (unhewn wood), symbolizing uncorrupted authenticity, reminding us to always return to our original, simple state. The sealed gourd signifies a return to the purity of an infant. Furthermore, as Taoists hold the motto of 'hanging a gourd to save the world,' I carry it to remind myself never to forget the heart of serving the world."

After speaking, he improvised and composed a poem in the style of "Dian Jiang Chun" to chant about the gourd. The handwriting was vigorous and impressive; Huizong was visibly delighted after reading it.

Subsequently, Huizong ordered him to draw a talisman on the spot. Zhang Jixian burned incense, washed his hands, performed the ritual steps of the Big Dipper, chanted incantations, and with a few strokes of his brush, a Taoist talisman was formed. Its brushwork was sharp and extraordinary, radiating an imposing power. The entire hall was stunned, and Huizong was left wide-eyed, yet he forced himself to remain calm and followed up: "Why must talismans be drawn with yellow paper and cinnabar?"

Zhang Jixian replied, "Yellow belongs to the element of Earth, which occupies the center of the Five Elements, symbolizing nobility and governance. Cinnabar is the essence of pure Yang, capable of warding off evil and calming the spirit. Supplemented by incantations, the talisman can then move spirits and deities to pray for blessings and ward off disasters." Huizong repeatedly praised the answer as brilliant.

However, he still had doubts: "Why is it that when you draw a talisman, it works, yet when others draw it, it has no effect at all?"

This question went straight to the core of the Taoist arts; a single misstep would risk revealing sacred secrets. Zhang Jixian pondered for a moment and answered astutely: "The logic of talismans lies in the resonance between Heaven and man. The human body is a microcosm, connected to the macrocosm of the universe. If the talisman-maker can mobilize their own 'Qi' to align with the mechanisms of Heaven and Earth, they can summon spirits and command ghosts to manifest their power. Ordinary people, unaware of this secret, are merely doodling, so naturally, it has no effect."

These words pointed out the fundamentals of the Great Tao while remaining tactful and measured. Upon hearing this, Huizong found it deeply extraordinary and could not stop praising him.