English Original
One day, deities from various places came to pay homage to the Emperor of Heaven.
The emperor ordered his minister in charge of wine: "First, register the names of all deities, then bestow wine upon them."
The minister began inscribing the names on bamboo slips. After three thousand years, the registration was still incomplete.
The emperor inquired, "Why is the registration not yet finished?"
The minister reported, "All the deities have brought their sedan-chair carriers."
"Then register the carriers as well," ordered the emperor.
Another seven thousand years passed, and the task remained unfinished.
Upon the emperor's next inquiry, the minister had no choice but to explain, "The sedan-chair carriers have also brought their own carriers."
Thus, the wine was never bestowed.
The Emperor of Heaven remained silent for a long time and then heaved a deep sigh.
中文翻译
一日，各路神仙前来朝拜天帝。
天帝命令司酒大臣：“先登记所有神仙的姓名，再赐予他们美酒。”
大臣开始在竹简上刻写名字。三千年过去了，登记仍未完成。
天帝查问：“为何登记尚未完成？”
大臣禀报：“所有神仙都带着轿夫。”
“那就把轿夫也登记上。”天帝下令。
又过了七千年，任务依然没有完成。
当天帝再次查问时，大臣无奈地解释道：“那些轿夫也带着他们自己的轿夫。”
因此，赐酒一事终究未能实现。
天帝沉默了许久，最后发出一声长叹。