宋朝历史成就淄川廪生宋焘的文物珍藏

我记得明朝时期，山东淄川有一位廪生叫宋焘，他以仁善著称，也是一位出了名的孝子。母亲去世后，他并未过度悲痛，而是料理了丧事后，静静地躺在床上睡着了。他的岳父住在城西的城隍庙附近，那天他看见宋焘骑着红缨大马、头戴滚珠官帽、身着蟒袍玉带，还有好多车马随从热闹地朝城隍庙而去，并专门登堂拜别。

随后，他一路跟随，亲眼看见宋焘进入城隍庙正殿，“嗖”地一下就不见了。他感到十分惊奇，问大街上的人有没有见过宋焘车驾，但路人们都说没有见到。岳父赶紧跑到宋焘家里，发现宋焘衣冠整齐地死在床上。这才明白，宋焘已经成了城隍神。

然而，有一事一直让他想不明白：九年前，Song had already died once, and his body was cold and stiff when he was put in the coffin. But three days later, he miraculously revived. His father-in-law had asked him about this, but Song only said: "My mother is still alive, I cannot bear to leave her, so I have returned from the dead." He didn't say anything else.

In the nine years after his revival, Song served his mother with all his heart and was very respectful to his father-in-law and their family. He was also very friendly and generous to the neighbors.

Actually, Song's father-in-law didn't know that nine years earlier, Song had indeed died. However, he was sent back by the Lord of Hell. The reason for this is as follows: nine years earlier, when Song died, his spirit was taken by a white-robed official to the underworld to take an exam. He saw many officials sitting at a large table there; he only recognized Guan Gong and Yan Wang; others were unknown to him.

Two tables with benches were set up outside; one candidate had already sat down there; Song also sat down; he saw that the exam question was "One person per person has good intentions or no intentions," which made him feel confident in answering it quickly.

The examiners praised his answer sheet highly because of its integrity of character - even though one does good without expecting reward or avoids evil without punishment - which they admired greatly.

Song was summoned before a judge who looked like an emperor on a throne who ordered: "You are renowned for your virtues in life; today we have seen your answersheet - you truly deserve your name! Now that Henan Province lacks a City God official position", appointing him as such.

Song knelt on both knees while crying out loudly: "I am honored beyond measure! But please excuse me from accepting my appointment now since my mother is over 70 years old with nobody caring for her." Then someone fetched Mother's death certificate booklet from home & showed it around asking if anyone knew how long she would live based on her age & health condition (9 more yrs).

The judges hesitated until finally agreed upon Zhang’s suggestion that Zhang should be given permission first as proxy City God officer for 9 yrs instead of giving posthumous promotion immediately as requested under divine law:

“Your mortal life has ended but your virtue remains unblemished”, “as per divine regulations”, “you shall be granted 9 more years’ reprieve”

and return home disguised as ordinary man,

with promise not reveal himself till end

Zhang then handed over Zhang’s own poem written during funeral ceremony expressing condolences

to help burying soul back into coffin whereupon soul woke up

the next day found deceased son sitting at edge of grave

then told story about getting sent away after passing test;

he received praise from below

but failed.

Afterward,

his friend

helped burying body again.