中国上下五千年历史表明朝时期山东淄川廪生宋焘与一件珍贵物品的故事
在中国上下五千年的历史长河中，山东淄川有位廪生宋焘，他以仁善著称，也是一位深得人称赞的孝子。母亲去世时，宋焘并未过度悲痛，而是料理完了丧事后，便安静地躺在床上慢慢入睡。他的岳父居住在城西的城隍庙附近，那天他目睹了宋焘骑着红缨大马、头戴滚珠官帽、身着蟒袍玉带，还有许多车马随从热闹地前往城隍庙。路过家门时，宋焘专程登堂拜访。他随后一路跟随，一直到看见他进入城隍庙正殿，然后“嗖”地不见了。岳父感到十分惊奇，对街上的行人询问，有没有看到宋焘车驾，但人们都说没有见到。
岳父赶紧跑回宋焘家，发现他衣冠整齐地死在床上。这才明白，宋焘已经成了城隍神。但他一直想不明白的是，在九年前，宋焘已经死过一次，而且尸身还是他亲自装殓的。那时候，身体冰冷僵直，他清清楚楚记得当时断气的情况，可是在三天后，却不可思议地复活了。当时，他只说：“家慈尚在，不忍弃之，所以还魂。”关于此事，他一个字也没多说。
复活后的九年里，Song Flawlessly devotes himself to his mother, treats his in-laws with great respect, and is kind to the neighbors. In fact, Song's father-in-law knew nothing about this. Nine years ago, Song had indeed died. However, he was sent back by the Lord of Hell.
The truth behind the story is that nine years ago, when Song died, his spirit was taken by a white-clad officer to the underworld for an examination. He saw many officials at the exam hall; only Guan Yu and Yan Wang were familiar to him. There were two tables and benches outside with a candidate already seated; Song sat down too. He saw that there were questions on "one person or another" - some with good intentions and some without any intention at all - which he felt very confident about answering quickly.
The examiners praised his answers greatly, especially one question where he wrote: "One who acts out of kindness may not receive reward; one who acts out of malice may not incur punishment." The Lord of Hell then called him up onto the stage saying: "You are renowned for your virtue in life; after reviewing your test paper today as well as your character we have decided you shall take over as City God."
Song was both joyous and sorrowful upon hearing this decision from above but immediately knelt down crying while saying: "I am honored beyond measure for such an appointment but I beg permission first to care for my aged mother until she passes away before taking up my duties." The examiner ordered someone bring forth Song's birth-death record book from home which showed that his mother still had nine more years left on earth.
Thus it happened that instead of appointing Zhang Shi (another examinee) directly as City God temporarily till completion of Yang Xian’s term they made Yang Xian act provisionally under supervision by Zhang Shi during those 9 remaining years so long as Yang Xian lived in seclusion within town limits without engaging into worldly affairs nor indulging into luxury while serving under Zhang Shi’s watchful eye till time came when Yang Xian would pass away after completing his appointed term thus paving way for permanent appointment of Yongshi (Zhang Shi) in place thereupon since Yongshi also won high marks & got favorably reviewed by officials during city godship competition held at heaven gate .
