The scholar, Zhan Mou, possessed a free-spirited nature, carrying himself with the air of a true man of letters. He loved to drink, and when intoxicated, he indulged his wild side, abandoning all propriety. On this particular day, Zhan Mou returned home drunk, riding his swift horse at a terrifying speed past the courtyard. The yard was dense with pines and cypresses, and through some carelessness, Zhan Mou’s head struck a pine tree. By midnight, he was dead.

A certain merchant from the county seat was traveling to Zhan Mou’s hometown on business, and that night he lodged in an ancient temple. Late in the dead of night, suddenly, four or five scholars emerged, carrying wine gourds, Zhan Mou among them. The group sat down beside the stone steps, drinking deeply and engaging in a round of drinking games. One of them began: “The character Tian lets no wind through; the character Shi is in the center. Push the Shi upwards, and the character Gu wins a cup.”

Another responded: “The character Hui lets no wind through; the character Kou is in the center. Push the Kou upwards, and the character Lü wins a cup.”

A third declared: “The character Ling lets no wind through; the character Ling is in the center. Push the Ling upwards, and the character Han wins a cup.”

Yet another chimed in: “The character Kun lets no wind through; the character Mu is in the center. Push the Mu upwards, and the character Xing wins a cup.”

Finally, it was Zhan Mou’s turn. He concentrated deeply, utterly stumped. The others laughed: “If you cannot complete the rhyme, you must accept the penalty.” Zhan Mou picked up a cup of wine and announced: “I have it. The character Ri lets no wind through; the character Yi is in the center…” The others laughed: “And the next two lines?” Zhan Mou downed the contents of his cup in one gulp and declared: “Push the Yi upwards, and take a great, huge cup!” Hearing this, everyone erupted in laughter.