The legends of Yao governing the world, Shun ceding the throne, and Yu controlling the floods are all household tales.
It is said that during the times of Yao, Shun, and Yu, there was another famous legend: Chang'e flying to the moon.
As early as the Warring States period, there were legends about Chang'e, with many different versions circulating. By the Han Dynasty, the stories of Chang'e were known to everyone.
As for the era in which Chang'e lived, all records and legends placed her before the Three Dynasties.
Among these were the legends of Shaohao's mother and Di Ku's concubine, and the widely known story of her being the wife of Hou Yi, the ruler of the Qiong Shi kingdom.
Chang'e's name also had many variations, with appellations such as Changyi, Changxi, Chang'e, and Heng'e.
The appellation Changyi is recorded in texts like the "Shan Hai Jing," "Shi Ben," "Di Wang Ji," and "Lu Li Zhi."
The most famous record among these is: "The Yellow Emperor sent Xi He to observe the sun and Chang Yi to observe the moon."
In ancient times, the pronunciation of the character "Yi" in Changyi was "E." The "Shi" states: "Jing jing zhe E, zai bi zhong E. Ji jian jun zi, le qie you Yi." And again: "Qin jie qi li, jiu shi qi Yi. Qi xin kong jia, qi jiu ru zhi he?"
"E" and "E," and "He" and "E" rhyme perfectly. Therefore, through oral tradition, Changyi became Chang'e.
The tale of Chang'e consuming an elixir and ascending to the moon to become a moon fairy is clearly an unfounded legend.
However, in mythology, the moon is referred to as the "Guang Han Palace." If interpreted literally, it suggests that the moon is extremely cold. How did ancient people know that the moon was cold?
Modern science has confirmed that the temperature on the moon is only minus one hundred degrees Celsius.
The "You Yang Za Zu" also contains records about the moon, stating that its surface is pockmarked and its interior is hollow.
This conclusion has now also been confirmed by science; indeed, it is so.
Then how did ancient people know about the conditions on the moon?
...
I didn't understand why Elder Zhang was telling me about the legend of Chang'e, so I couldn't help but ask, "What do you mean by all this?"
He glanced at me, did not answer my question, but continued, "From the time of Yao, Shun, and Yu, our ancestors were cursed... This curse continued until the Tang Dynasty when there was a turning point..."
...
In the Tang Dynasty, there was a reclusive family in the deep mountains, severely persecuted by a curse, and they were constantly seeking a way to break it.
In this year, a child was born, and the family placed their hopes on this child.
This child, surnamed Wu and named Gang, carried the heavy responsibility of his family from the moment of his birth, aiming to find a way to break the curse.
He was exceptionally intelligent from childhood, diligently studying ancient scriptures from a young age. At thirteen, he ventured out to learn the Tao, hoping to save his clan through its practices.
He dedicated himself to studying Taoist methods, searching for a way to break the curse, but found no success.
Until this year, he met a female fellow practitioner of the Tao.
This female practitioner was young and exceptionally beautiful, and her knowledge was no less than Wu Gang's.
They hit it off immediately, quickly becoming close friends, and often discussed Taoist methods together.
Having been troubled by the curse for many years without anyone to confide in, Wu Gang felt suffocated. Now, meeting such a close friend, he naturally poured out his pent-up frustrations.
He expected that even if he spoke, the other person might not believe him. But to his surprise, not only did the female practitioner believe him, but she also joined him in seeking a way to break the curse.
They scoured ancient texts, diligently searching, and finally found some clues.
In an unnamed book, they learned of the Suihou Pearl.
This Suihou Pearl was so similar to the Heavenly Pearl that Wu Gang's family guarded, they felt the Suihou Pearl and the Heavenly Pearl must be related.
After they discovered this important clue, Wu Gang embarked on a journey to find the Suihou Pearl.
He traveled alone across the vast lands, north and south, but never found the Suihou Pearl.
Years later, he returned to the Taoist temple. To his surprise, the female practitioner he knew had become a noble consort, enjoying immense glory.
Due to the difference in their statuses, Wu Gang never had the opportunity to meet his close friend again, until one day, when his friend returned to the Taoist temple to pray, they finally met.
"You've returned?"
Looking at his friend dressed in magnificent attire, Wu Gang felt a bit lost, frozen in place.
"Did you find the Suihou Pearl?" the woman inquired.
Wu Gang shook his head, "No, I haven't. Perhaps the Suihou Pearl doesn't exist in this world."
The woman smiled, "Perhaps I can find it."
Hearing this, Wu Gang was taken aback, looking at her with disbelief.
"There is only one person in this world who can find the Suihou Pearl," the woman said slowly.
Although she did not mention the person's name, Wu Gang had already guessed, "You mean the current Emperor?"
"Indeed," the woman said. "Whatever the Emperor desires, he can find."
"You became a noble consort for..."
The woman nodded, "To help you find the Suihou Pearl."
Learning the whole story, Wu Gang was stunned, unable to express his gratitude in words.
"However, if the Suihou Pearl is found, I cannot give it to you."
"Why?"
"The reason, I can only tell you another day."
This meeting was brief, and the woman soon returned to the palace. It was from this day that Wu Gang learned she was the current "Yang Guifei."
Although Wu Gang had studied the Tao for years and stayed away from worldly affairs, he was well aware that it would be problematic if others knew about his relationship with the noble consort.
So, he stayed at the Taoist temple, waiting for news. But he waited for several years.
Their next meeting was when Wu Gang was summoned to the palace to pray for Yang Guifei. This conversation deeply shocked Wu Gang.
"In fact, I've been searching for the Suihou Pearl for many years, and I only recently discovered this matter," Yang Guifei said slowly, reclining on a couch.
Wu Gang listened, feeling somewhat confused, and asked, "What do you mean? I don't quite understand..."
She looked up and asked, "Do you believe that some people in this world can achieve immortality?"
"Immortality? Are you talking about the art of the immortals?" Wu Gang laughed. "The talk of immortal arts is just nonsense. How can anyone achieve immortality?"
"Then how do you explain the curse within your family?" Yang Guifei's question left Wu Gang speechless. "There are many things in this world that cannot be explained or answered... Just like me, in fact, I am not Yang Yuhuan at all."
"Then who are you?" Wu Gang couldn't help but ask.
"Chang Yi, the Chang Yi from the folk legends who stole the elixir and ascended to the moon..."
Wu Gang was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, then he laughed, thinking she was joking with him, and asked, "If you are truly Chang Yi, then aren't you a celestial being?"
"Who says Chang Yi must be a celestial being?" Yang Yuhuan asked.