The ancient official, Wang Jun-cang, was dispatched to the land of Chu to take up his post. Upon arrival, he resolved to visit Celestial Master Zhang on Mount Longhu. One day, arriving by the lakeside and preparing to board a small vessel, a man approached in a skiff upon the water, specifically asking to see Elder Wang.

Wang Gong dared not delay and received him personally. He observed a man of dignified appearance and extraordinary bearing, who drew forth a formal summons from his robes and stated, "On the command of the Celestial Master Zhang, having heard of the esteemed elder's arrival, I have been sent to escort you."

Wang Gong was astonished, pondering, This trip was kept secret, yet the Celestial Master divined my coming—truly a man of the divine. Filled with boundless admiration, he sincerely followed the envoy up Mount Longhu.

The Celestial Master Zhang hosted a banquet for Wang Gong, attended by numerous servants. Each servant was vibrant and energetic, their attire and demeanor strikingly unlike ordinary mortals, the envoy included. After some time, Wang Gong quietly inquired of the Celestial Master about the envoy's background. The Master smiled, "This is your fellow townsman; do you not recognize him?"

Wang Gong shook his head. The Master declared, "He is none other than General Li Zuo-che, the revered Spirit of Hail from local legends." Upon hearing this, Wang Gong’s expression shifted, and a degree of reverence involuntarily deepened.

The Master continued, "General Li has just informed me that he is departing to fulfill an edict from the Jade Emperor to distribute rain and hail, and has come to bid farewell."

Wang Gong inquired, "Where are you bound?"

The Master replied, "To Zhangqiu."

Wang Gong's face changed color. "The territory of Zhangqiu borders my jurisdiction. I implore the Celestial Master to show mercy and refrain from sending down the hailstorm."

The Master responded, "This is the sacred decree of the Jade Emperor; the precise measure of the hail has already been set. How can it be altered?"

Wang Gong pleaded, "Please, Celestial Master, take pity."

The Master pondered for a long moment, then addressed Li Zuo-che, "Descend the hail into the valleys; ensure no crops are damaged." General Li assented, rose to leave, and the Master cautioned him, "We have an honored guest present; please depart with grace."

General Li nodded, paced to the courtyard, where smoke rose beneath his feet, and ascended on a cloud. Initially, he flew quite low, only as high as the tallest trees, but gradually he climbed higher and higher, eventually reaching the pinnacle of the pavilion. Suddenly, there was a thunderous clap that shook the building, causing the bowls and utensils on the table to clatter to the floor. When they looked again, General Li had already journeyed north, vanished from sight. Wang Gong was horrified: "His departure was like thunder; the majesty of the immortals is indeed this profound."

The Master laughed, "This slowness was only because I admonished him. If I hadn't, he would have vanished with a single clap, already a hundred li away in the space of a breath."

Wang Gong bowed in complete submission, took his leave, and returned home. He dispatched men to Zhangqiu to inquire. Indeed, on that very day, torrents of hail poured down, filling the ditches and swelling the valleys, yet in the fields, only a scattered few stones fell, and not a single blade of grain was harmed.

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