"Chang'e must regret stealing the elixir; endless nights beneath the azure sky and vast sea." These two lines are from the poem "Chang'e" by the Tang Dynasty poet Li Shangyin. The story of Chang'e flying to the moon has been widely circulated in our country since ancient times.
It is said that Chang'e was the niece of the Heavenly Emperor. She was beautiful, and the Heavenly Emperor doted on her, granting her every desire. She lived a life of luxury in the celestial palace.
Hou Yi was a great general under the Heavenly Emperor, a master of martial arts with exceptional archery skills, able to hit the bullseye every time from a hundred paces.
Once, a celestial wolf wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Court. The Heavenly Emperor was terrified and sent several generals, but none could subdue it. The celestial soldiers and generals were all terrified, afraid to venture out. Hou Yi volunteered to shoot the wolf. Carrying a long sword on his back, an arrow quiver at his waist, and holding a red bow, he drove a fiery chariot forward, battling the wolf for several days and nights. Finally, with one arrow, he killed the wolf. From then on, the Heavenly Court was peaceful. The Heavenly Emperor enfeoffed Hou Yi as the Grand Protector General, granting him supreme command of the protective forces.
Chang'e saw that Hou Yi had earned the Heavenly Emperor's trust and was both majestic and handsome, so she resolved to marry him.
Chang'e knew that to achieve this marriage, the Heavenly Emperor must consent. She had her attendants fetch a thousand pearls from the Milky Way and inlaid them into a crown. She personally took this crown as a gift to present to the Heavenly Emperor, requesting him to approve her marriage to Hou Yi.
The Heavenly Emperor knew Hou Yi was in love with Luo Shen, daughter of Fu Xi, and initially didn't want to interfere. But pressured by Chang'e's persistent requests and having accepted such a precious gift, he found it difficult to refuse. He also thought, "Chang'e is my own niece; if she marries Hou Yi, we'll have an additional familial bond, and Hou Yi will become even more loyal to me." Considering this, he said to Chang'e, "I'll think of a way for this matter slowly."
After some days, the Heavenly Emperor made an excuse to transfer Luo Shen away from the celestial palace, assigning her to govern the Luo River and forbidding her from returning to the Heavenly Court.
A few days later, the Heavenly Emperor ordered a banquet and invited Hou Yi to drink. Secretly, he had someone add a herb called "Forget-Emotion Grass" to Hou Yi's wine. After drinking it, Hou Yi completely forgot his previous love for Luo Shen. When Hou Yi was slightly drunk, the Heavenly Emperor ordered Chang'e to come out and toast him. Chang'e was already considered a beauty in the celestial palace, and with her dazzling attire and makeup, her beauty was enhanced even further. The Heavenly Emperor pointed to Chang'e and said to Hou Yi, "This is my niece. People say she is beautiful and extremely skilled. This crown was made by her own hands. I wish to marry her to you. What do you think, General?"
Hou Yi, having drunk the forgetful wine and now quite intoxicated, looked at Chang'e and dazedly nodded his head towards the Heavenly Emperor.
Thus, Chang'e became Hou Yi's wife.
Once, the Heavenly Emperor received a report from Emperor Yao of the mortal realm, stating that many evil beasts were plaguing humanity. These beasts included the Ya Yu, Zao Chi, Jiu Ying, Da Feng, and Feng Shi, all extremely fierce. The Ya Yu was particularly terrifying: it had a dragon's head, four claws like a fierce tiger, and roared like a wild leopard. This ferocious beast had devoured countless people. Zao Chi was also a monster, with the head of a beast and the body of a venomous snake, its teeth like sharp saws. Jiu Ying was a nine-headed water demon; when it caused havoc, its four left heads could spew fire, and its four right heads could spout water; the fire could burn crops to death, and the flood could submerge villages. These evil beasts simultaneously wreaked havoc across various regions, preventing the common people from farming and living normally.
Receiving Emperor Yao's report, the Heavenly Emperor sent celestial soldiers and generals to the mortal world to eliminate the pests. Several batches were sent, but all were devoured by the beasts. The Heavenly Emperor became extremely fearful and ordered Hou Yi to properly defend him and the safety of the Heavenly Court.
Hou Yi said, "If the evil beasts are not eliminated, the mortal world cannot be at peace, and the Heavenly Court will also be hard to protect." Hou Yi voluntarily requested to eliminate these harmful beasts. Fearing the beasts might threaten the Heavenly Court, the Heavenly Emperor approved Hou Yi's request.
Hou Yi slung his red bow over his back, carried his quiver, and came to the mortal world. Using his divine arrows, he killed Zao Chi in the fields of Chouhua, eliminated Jiu Ying on the凶Water, and shot dead Da Feng Ma in the marshes of Qingqiu. He tracked the Ya Yu's footprints, fighting across the north and south, finally killing it. He captured Feng Shi in the Sanglin forest and eliminated the giant venomous snake by Dongting Lake.
Hou Yi eliminated a great calamity for the people, who were deeply grateful for his merits. The Heavenly Emperor further promoted Hou Yi's official rank.
Hou Yi, respected and beloved by the people and further enfeoffed by the Heavenly Emperor, naturally brought joy to Chang'e. But she felt deeply unsatisfied because Hou Yi often went out to help others and rarely stayed in the palace to accompany her.
At that time, there were ten suns in the sky, all sons of the Heavenly Emperor. Initially, the ten suns were all proper, taking turns appearing one by one each day. The people's lives and production were normal. Later, some suns, relying on their father's power, gradually became arrogant and domineering. Sometimes eight or nine would go out together, acting recklessly. The waters of rivers, lakes, and seas dried up; the Dragon King both feared and hated them. The crops on the ground withered, and the common people hated them intensely. But the Heavenly Emperor was their father, so where could people voice their grievances?
Among these ten suns, only the youngest had a kind heart. He often advised his nine elder brothers to restrain themselves and not go out together causing trouble. But his brothers wouldn't listen, and he was helpless.
The ten suns went out in groups causing chaos, and the people complained bitterly. Reports from Emperor Yao of the lower realm, sent to the Heavenly Emperor, were intercepted and suppressed along the way.
Somehow, Hou Yi learned of this.
One day, Hou Yi walked out of the celestial palace to attend to business and happened to encounter a group of suns riding fiery chariots, wandering around everywhere, pointing fingers and making a noisy ruckus. They had the youngest sun trapped in the center. The youngest sun hung his head, looking like a captured prisoner.
Hou Yi saw these suns acting tyrannically, bringing disaster to the mortal world, and felt very distressed. He knew they were the Heavenly Emperor's favored sons, and as merely a general under the Heavenly Emperor, he had no authority to intervene. But looking again at the suffering of the common people, he felt he couldn't just ignore it. He also thought that if he intervened, it would involve Chang'e's relationship, presenting another difficulty. Ignoring it would be easier, but after just eliminating various ferocious beasts, the people had only enjoyed a few good days before encountering the suns' brutality again—how could they bear it? He decided to try to persuade them kindly.
But as soon as Hou Yi opened his mouth, he was mocked and cursed by several suns. Hou Yi, restraining his temper, continued to persuade them: "I advise you young masters to go back and rest. Look, the common people are about to die from the heat." Before his words finished, a chorus of shouts and curses rang out: "Get lost, get lost! We want it this way. What do the people's heat and cold have to do with you!"
Hou Yi wanted to take out his bow to scare them: "Young masters, go back, don't cause trouble anymore. If you continue, I won't be polite." "How dare you! What are you! If you meddle again, I'll tell my father, who will strip your tendons and skin you alive!"
This enraged Hou Yi. But he still restrained himself and pleaded, "Young masters, don't be so willful! If you don't listen to advice, I really will shoot my arrows."
The youngest sun also quietly advised his brothers: "Let's go back. General Hou Yi speaks reasonably. Besides, if he hadn't killed the celestial wolf back then, we wouldn't be alive today." The nine elder brothers not only ignored their younger brother's advice but also lined up side by side, directing intense light towards the earth. They even focused part of their heat into a small white spot, like a silver needle, stabbing towards Hou Yi.
Seeing his brothers ignore advice and act recklessly, and the relationship with Hou Yi becoming extremely tense, the youngest sun quietly slipped away when no one was paying attention.
Hou Yi could no longer endure. He raised his divine bow, nocked an arrow, aimed at the eldest sun, and with a "whoosh," shot. The arrow flew straight and true, piercing the eldest sun's heart. Instantly, a fiery ball in the sky exploded, sending sparks flying and golden feathers scattering. Then a bright red object fell to the ground.
People approached and saw it was a golden three-legged crow.
At this moment, eight suns remained in the sky. They still refused to restrain themselves and continued causing havoc. Hou Yi thought, to eliminate harm for the people, he couldn't afford to hesitate. Besides, the disaster had already begun; better to act decisively. So he continued drawing his bow and shooting. He fired eight consecutive arrows, and the eight suns fell from the sky one by one.
Soon, the ground gradually cooled down. Emperor Yao and the common people of the lower realm knelt on the ground, bowing in gratitude for Hou Yi's life-saving grace. Some worried, "One sun wasn't shot. Will he come back for revenge?"
Hou Yi explained, "Everyone, rest assured. The youngest sun has a kind heart. He often advised his brothers not to harm the people and has done some beneficial things himself. He has merits towards the people; don't suspect him."
From then on, there was only one sun in the sky. Unable to illuminate the entire earth simultaneously, he arranged his schedule: every day, he set out from the Fusang tree in the Eastern Sea, journeyed across the long path of the day, and set beyond the Kunlun Mountains in the west; then he returned to the Fusang tree, slept for a while, and rose again from the east. Thus, day after day, he delivered light and warmth to humanity. He became the most beloved solar deity in the mortal world.
When the Heavenly Emperor learned that Hou Yi had killed nine of his sons, he was extremely furious. In a rage, he expelled Hou Yi from the Heavenly Court, banishing him to the mortal world to suffer.
Hou Yi thought, "You, as the Heavenly Emperor, should uphold justice. I never expected you to be so biased. Your sons cause evil and harm outside every day—could you really not know?" Hou Yi was very sad, not only because of his own demotion, but also because he never imagined the Heavenly Emperor could have such selfishness.
Chang'e married Hou Yi, originally hoping to enjoy a lifetime of wealth and honor, but没想到 Hou Yi lost the Heavenly Emperor's favor, was banished to the mortal world, and she was also expelled from the celestial palace along with him. She vented all her unhappiness on Hou Yi every day.
Hou Yi knew Chang'e had never suffered hardship before and now, due to his involvement, was banished from the celestial palace. He felt somewhat guilty towards her. No matter how Chang'e complained, he didn't hold it against her and tried his best to comfort her.
But Chang'e's temper grew worse and worse. She scolded Hou Yi: "The Heavenly Emperor esteemed you, made you a celestial official, but you didn't understand his intentions, showed off your abilities, got banished from the Heavenly Court, and made me suffer with you!"
Hou Yi carefully explained to her: "It's not that I intentionally showed off. It's just that they were tormenting the people. How could I see people suffering and do nothing? Besides..." Before Hou Yi could continue, Chang'e started crying and screaming, quarreling fiercely with him.
Hou Yi, already distressed from being demoted for eliminating harm for the people, now faced Chang'e's daily complaints, feeling extremely troubled. Fortunately, he had a broad mind and disliked staying idle at home. So every day, he slung his bow, mounted his horse, and went to the mountains and forests to hunt. He often temporarily forgot his unhappiness through battles with wild beasts.
Chang'e, however, sat at home every day, crying for a while, then throwing a tantrum. When Hou Yi returned to comfort her, she only vented her anger and grievances on him. Hou Yi said, "Although our current life isn't as good as in the celestial palace, it's not bad either. Look, the people, to take care of us, give us the melons, vegetables, and fruits they themselves can't bear to eat." Chang'e, with a frown, said, "What good is the people's kindness to us? Having lost the Heavenly Emperor's favor, we can never return to the celestial palace again. Isn't that the end of everything?"
"There's hardship and joy here. Isn't it good to be with the people?"
"What's good about it! In the mortal world, after a few years, one grows old. Without youth and beauty, what's the point?"
"We can help the people here, which is better than idling in the celestial palace. What's there to fear about growing old?"
"You're not afraid, but I am! You have the ability, so think of a way to achieve immortality!"
Thus, Chang'e nagged incessantly in Hou Yi's ear every day, and Hou Yi was truly annoyed.
That day, after Hou Yi returned from hunting, Chang'e chattered on, saying, "I've just thought of it. Back in the celestial palace, I heard that the Queen Mother of the West can concoct an elixir of immortality. You should go ask her for some to take."
"Where is the Queen Mother of the West?" Hou Yi asked absentmindedly.
"On Kunlun Mountain. Although it's far, running this errand for you won't take much effort."
"Alright, if the Queen Mother of the West has such a miraculous elixir, I'll go get some tomorrow to take with you."
Chang'e was delighted. That day, besides repeatedly urging Hou Yi to set out early, she didn't say any other complaints.
Kunlun Mountain is a great mountain in the west, traditionally said to be the imperial capital of Emperor Yan and Emperor Huang, and the Queen Mother of the West also lives here. Deep, weak waters surround the base of Kunlun Mountain. The weak water is so deep it has no bottom; even a single feather dropped into it would sink, and boats carrying people could not float on its surface. Outside the weak water, there is also a ring of volcanoes, with fires burning day and night. Anything touching this fire immediately turns to ashes. Although the Queen Mother of the West has the elixir of eternal life, because ordinary people cannot enter, no one has ever obtained this medicine. The scenery of Kunlun Mountain is beautiful, with a pleasant climate, warm like spring all year round. The short green trees on the mountain are evergreen throughout the year, and all over the mountain, various bright flowers bloom. The birds in the forest sing melodiously, very pleasant to the ear.
Hou Yi came to the foot of the mountain. Relying on his divine power and indomitable will, he overcame numerous difficulties, finally passing through the encirclement of water and fire, ascending to the peak, entering the Queen Mother of the West's palace gate, and meeting the Queen Mother of the West.
The Queen Mother of the West was dressed splendidly, with three blue birds flying back and forth around her. She had long heard that Hou Yi had eliminated great harm for the mortal world, greatly admired his bravery and spirit of sacrifice, and sympathized with his unfortunate fate. Learning of Hou Yi's purpose, she took out a packet of medicine and said, "This medicine is made from fruits picked from the Immortal Tree, refined after harvesting. The Immortal Tree blooms once every three thousand years, bears fruit once every three thousand years, and ripens only after another three thousand years. These fruits are very rare, so this medicine is also scarce. Take it. If one person eats it, they can ascend to heaven. If two people share it, although they cannot ascend to heaven, both can achieve immortality."
Hou Yi obtained the elixir of eternal life, happily setting off on his return journey, preparing to go home and consume it with Chang'e.
As soon as Hou Yi arrived home, he took out the elixir for Chang'e to see, saying, "Now you should be satisfied, right? Tomorrow is an auspicious day; we'll eat it together." He also detailed to Chang'e the words that if one person ate it, they could ascend to heaven, and if two people shared it, both could achieve immortality.
Chang'e looked at the packet of medicine, feeling very happy. Then she looked at Hou Yi; his face was dark and thin. Seeing his weary appearance, she knew he had endured great hardship and exhaustion on this journey.
Hou Yi was indeed extremely exhausted. As soon as he arrived home, he didn't even have time to eat or drink, sat down, and soon fell asleep.
Chang'e, seeing her husband so exhausted, couldn't help but think of the days after Hou Yi left for Kunlun Mountain: since Hou Yi left, Emperor Yao and the local people often came to see her, frequently bringing rice, flour, melons, fruits, vegetables, and other delicious things. Life was much better than before. But Chang'e always felt the mortal world was far inferior to the celestial palace. She was determined to return to the celestial palace.
"If two people eat it, they can achieve immortality; if one person eats it, they can ascend to heaven." Hou Yi's words echoed in her ears, and scenes of celestial maidens dancing, musicians playing, and chefs serving meals in the celestial palace simultaneously floated into her mind. She sighed deeply and said, "Although life in the mortal world is good, how can it compare to the celestial palace?"
Chang'e's hand involuntarily reached towards the packet of medicine. As soon as her hand touched it, her heart couldn't help but pound. She looked at Hou Yi again; he was sleeping soundly, deeply and heavily.
"What should I do? Return to the celestial palace or stay in the mortal world?" Chang'e kept muttering to herself. She couldn't make up her mind for a moment. Looking at Hou Yi again, he was sleeping soundly, a smile appearing on his face. For a moment, Chang'e felt her own face grow hot. Her hand trembled and she withdrew it.
Chang'e calmed herself, reached
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