In Search of the Supernatural (Soushen Ji)

...ous Moonlight saw a radiance shine through all the palaces. It transformed into banners and standards of a hundred-jeweled colors, which floated through the air and approached her. At that moment, the Queen felt great joy in her heart. She respectfully received them with a ritual greeting, kneeling for a long time before the Lord of the Way original: "Daojun." A high-ranking Daoist deity, often identified in this context as the Primordial Heavenly Worthy or Lingbao Tianzun.. She spoke to the Lord of the Way, saying: "Currently, the King has no heir. I pray and beg for this child to become the master of our state Altars of Soil and Grain; original: "Sheji." These altars symbolized the foundations of the kingdom and the right to rule.. I humbly pray that your compassion and pity will grant this request."

At that time, the Lord of the Way answered the Queen, saying: "It is my special wish to bestow him upon you." The Queen then bowed in thanks to the Lord of the Way and received the child. After the Queen had received him, she returned from her dream and awoke to find herself pregnant.

She carried the child for one full year, and he was born in the Royal Palace at the hour of the Horse 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on the ninth day of the first lunar month in the Bingwu year The 43rd year of the traditional sixty-year cycle.. At the moment of his birth, a majestic and sacred light radiated from his body, filling the "three worlds." His appearance was so wondrous and beautiful that those who looked upon him never grew weary of the sight.

As a youth, the Crown Prince was exceptionally bright and wise; as he grew older, he was compassionate and benevolent. He took all the treasures and wealth kept within the kingdom’s storehouses and distributed them entirely to the impoverished, the suffering, the widowed, the orphaned, and those without any family to rely on. To all living beings—including the starving, the infirm, and the disabled—he showed kindness, love, harmony, and humility. Songs were sung of his virtuous rule, and his civilizing influence reached even the most distant lands. The entire world looked up to him and followed his path. This "Benevolent Crown Prince" brought great joy to his father, the King. Some time after this, the King suddenly passed away, and the Crown Prince took over the administration of the government...