A fisherman surnamed Xu lived north of Linchuan County. He was fond of drinking, and every time he went out fishing at night, he would bring a flask of wine. Because the deep night was silent, drinking alone was tedious, so he would sprinkle some wine on the ground, inviting the water ghosts from the river to drink with him, saying aloud, "Brother Ghost, please have a drink." This continued night after night, becoming his habit. Perhaps it was because Fisherman Xu was kind-hearted that he moved the spirits, for every time he went out to fish, he returned laden with his catch, while his companions caught nothing at all.

One night, Fisherman Xu was drinking by the river as usual. While his eyes were hazy with drink, a young man in white suddenly appeared before him, lingering nearby, rubbing his hands and smacking his lips, staring at the wine flask and chuckling, "Fine wine."

Fisherman Xu was generous and hospitable by nature. He nodded and greeted the youth, "Judging by your tone, friend, you must be a kindred spirit. If you don't mind, please come and share a cup. How about it?"

The youth readily agreed, sat down beside the fisherman, took the flask, and gulped down a mouthful of wine, praising, "Aged Erguotou, both strong and pungent—excellent liquor." Fisherman Xu smiled faintly, "My friend truly knows good things."

The two exchanged cups, drinking heavily. Occasionally, they chatted about interesting anecdotes. The youth spoke with refined elegance, unlike common folk. Before long, the wine in the flask was depleted. Fisherman Xu stood up and said, "It's getting late; time to get down to business." He picked up his net and went to the riverbank to fish. He cast his net seven or eight times in a row, each time empty, failing to see even a shadow of a fish, which inevitably caused him great annoyance.

The youth said, "The fish are all downstream; allow me to drive them for you." With that, he drifted away.

Not long after, the youth returned leisurely. He pointed at the river water and declared, "The fish are coming now." The fisherman followed the youth's gesture and saw the river water churning violently. Countless large and small fish converged, swimming against the current, packed tightly together—who knew if there were hundreds or thousands of them.

The fisherman was overjoyed. He quickly cast his net. This time, pulling the net back was heavy. He hauled in four or five large fish, each over two feet long and weighing no less than ten catties.

The fisherman grinned from ear to ear. He personally selected the largest and longest fish and offered it to the youth to thank him for driving the fish. The youth shook his head and refused, saying, "A trivial matter, hardly worth mentioning. I have repeatedly enjoyed your generous gift of fine wine, and I have nothing else to repay you with. If you don't mind, I will help you catch fish every day from now on."

The fisherman said, "We have just met today and only shared one drink; why mention repeatedly?" The youth merely smiled without explanation.

The fisherman grew more puzzled and asked, "May I inquire about your name, friend? Could you tell me?"

The youth replied, "My surname is Wang. I am the sixth among my siblings; just call me Wang Liulang." Having said this, he cupped his hands in a bow, bid farewell, and departed.

The next evening at dusk, the fisherman bought a full flask of wine from a small shop. As soon as darkness fell, he went to the riverbank to meet the youth. The youth was already waiting. Upon meeting, they exchanged pleasantries and immediately started drinking cup for cup. After finishing the wine, the youth proceeded to drive the fish downstream as usual. This continued for half a year, every single day.

One day, the youth suddenly took the fisherman's hand, his face showing sorrow, and said, "Brother, since we became acquainted, our bond is like flesh and blood, but regrettably, we must part ways now."

The fisherman was startled and asked, "What is going on?"

The youth said, "Since things have come to this, your younger brother dares not deceive you further. Truthfully, I am not human, but a water ghost. Because I was addicted to alcohol in life, several years ago, I fell into the water and drowned while drunk near the riverbank. After becoming a ghost, I was frequently remembered by you with offerings of wine, for which I am deeply grateful. Thus, I secretly helped you catch fish. Do you remember: every night you used to return loaded with catches? That was all my doing. Now, my sins are complete, someone will serve as my substitute soon, and I will be reincarnated. I am reluctant to leave, filled with sadness."

Fisherman Xu had spent a long time with the youth, and they were very close. Even hearing him confess to being a ghost, the fisherman wasn't overly frightened. With a sigh, he poured a cup of wine and urged him, "Liulang, do not grieve. Drink this wine to the fullest. Your karma is fulfilled, and you are escaping tribulation; this is cause for celebration. Why are you weeping?"

The youth was comforted by the fisherman's words, his sorrow turning to joy, "Brother speaks rightly. Come, let us drink. Today we drink today; we won't go home until we are drunk."

The two clinked cups and drank heartily. As the wine took effect, the fisherman asked, "Liulang, who will be your substitute?"

The youth replied, "Brother can come to the riverbank tomorrow to watch. Around noon, a woman will drown while crossing the river; that will be my substitute." As he spoke, the cocks crowed, and dawn broke. The youth sighed once, turned, and departed.

At noon the next day, the fisherman arrived at the riverbank punctually. Indeed, a woman carrying an infant fell into the water near the bank. Before dying, the woman exerted all her strength to throw the infant onto the shore, saving the child's life. She herself could not escape, bobbing up and down in the water, on the verge of death.

The child, having lost its mother, was crying on the bank. Seeing this, the fisherman felt unbearable pity and wanted to jump in to save the woman, but remembering the youth's words, he hesitated, "If I save the woman, Liulang will lose his substitute, and how can he reincarnate?" His mind was in turmoil, filled with regret.

While he was fretting restlessly, the drenched woman somehow managed to crawl out of the river onto the bank. She bent down, picked up the child, and simply left.

Seeing the woman safe and sound, the fisherman was puzzled. "What Liulang said did not come true; this woman didn't die. Is he deceiving me?"

That night, the fisherman went to the riverbank to find Wang Liulang to inquire about the matter. The youth arrived as promised and said, "Brother, we gather again today; from now on, we shall never be parted."

The fisherman asked the reason. The youth explained, "The woman I saw during the day was indeed my substitute, but when I saw her holding her infant, I truly couldn't bear to harm two lives for my own sake."

The fisherman suddenly understood and laughed, "So you saved the woman when she fell into the water?"

The youth nodded in admission, "Perhaps our fate together is not yet finished."

The fisherman said, "Liulang, you are kind-hearted. Believe me, good deeds are rewarded. Come, for your compassionate rescue, let us have a toast." The two looked at each other, smiled, and drank the strong liquor deeply.

Several days later, the youth came to bid farewell again. The fisherman was delighted, "Liulang, have you found a new substitute?"

The youth shook his head and smiled, "Not so. My moment of mercy the other day, my compassionate heart, moved the Heavenly Emperor. His Majesty issued a decree: I am appointed as the Earth God of Wuzhen in Zhaoyuan County, taking office immediately. If Brother does not forget our friendship, you can visit Wuzhen to see me. Do not decline because the journey is far."

The fisherman said, "Liulang, your promotion to divinity is cause for great joy. However, gods and mortals walk different paths; how can I find you?"

The youth replied, "Don't worry, just come to Wuzhen." After repeated earnest advice, he took his leave.

Fisherman Xu returned home, packed his luggage and travel funds, and told his wife, "I am going on a long journey to visit an old friend."

His wife asked, "Where to? Who is your friend?"

The fisherman replied, "Wuzhen in Zhaoyuan County. My friend is none other than Wang Liulang, the Earth God of Wuzhen."

His wife laughed, "Wuzhen is a hundred li from here. I have seen many Earth God statues in temples; they are nothing more than clay idols. How can you converse with one?"

The fisherman said, "You don't need to worry about that." With that, he strode out the door and was soon far away.

The fisherman traveled overnight and soon arrived at Wuzhen in Zhaoyuan County. He stopped at an inn and asked the proprietor, "Shopkeeper, is there an Earth God temple nearby?"

The shopkeeper’s expression immediately changed upon hearing this, showing both surprise and joy. He laughed, "Could the esteemed guest be surnamed Xu?"

The fisherman nodded, "Indeed. How did you know?"

The shopkeeper did not answer but asked, "Is the esteemed guest a resident of Linchuan County?"

The fisherman replied, "That's right. How did you know that too?"

The shopkeeper smiled, turned, and went out. Not long after, he returned leading many men and women into the room. The fisherman, full of doubt, looked around. He saw husbands holding children and women peeking from doorways. Inside and out, they formed a human wall, crowding the inn so tightly that there was no room left. He quickly asked the proprietor, "What is going on?"

The proprietor laughed, "Please do not be afraid, esteemed guest. All of us here received a dream from the Earth God, and we have come to welcome and honor Mr. Xu."

The fisherman asked, "The Earth God? Could that be my sworn brother Liulang?"

The proprietor replied, "Yes. Esteemed guest, please follow me. the Earth God is waiting in the temple." Saying this, he led the way.

The fisherman arrived at the Earth God Temple and knelt before the statue in the main hall, praying, "My dear brother, since our separation, I have missed you daily. I came as promised this time, and I am deeply touched by your diligent hospitality. I have nothing else to offer but this small flask of wine to express my sincerity. If you do not scorn it, let us drink as we did by the river." With that, he burned paper money and poured wine onto the ground.

Instantly, a whirlwind rose from the ground and lingered for a long time. That night, the youth appeared to the fisherman in a dream, dressed impeccably in official attire, thanking him, "Big Brother, I am overjoyed and tearful that you traveled so far to visit me. However, as I am now an Earth God, there is a distinction between humans and gods. Even though we are close, it is improper for us to meet face to face. The people of Wuzhen are simple and honest; please stay a few more days. These local people have benefited from my grace; if they offer you gifts, please accept them. When you wish to depart, I will come to see you off."

The fisherman agreed to everything. He then stayed in Wuzhen for several days, enjoying the scenery. When he bade farewell to the townspeople, they all vied to show their respect, filling bag after bag with gold, silver, and local specialties, and many came with their children to see him off to the edge of the village.

As soon as he left the village, a whirlwind rose in the air. Wang Liulang personally came to see him off, the whirlwind accompanying him for dozens of li. The fisherman was moved and said, "Liulang, take care. A farewell after a thousand-li journey is inevitable. Your kind and benevolent heart will surely bring fortune to this region. We shall meet again."

The whirlwind seemed reluctant to part, lingering for a long time before finally dissipating.