A Dream in a Dream of Millet

Han Dan Ancient View: A Dream of Millet in Lu Xian's View A Dream in a Dream of Millet: From the Pillow Notes by Tang Shen Ji Ji In the 7th year of the Tang Kaiyuan era, Lu Sheng passed through Handan and stayed at an inn where he happened to meet the Taoist Lu Weng. He spoke of his poverty and desire for glory and wealth, just as the innkeeper was steaming millet. Lu Weng gave Lu Sheng a pillow, telling him to sleep on it and realize his wishes. Lu Sheng fell asleep on the pillow and dreamed that he got married, passed the imperial examinations as a successful candidate, and his official rank rose higher and higher, until he became a prime minister; he had a house full of children and grandchildren, and a multitude of wives and concubines, living to the ripe old age of eighty before he died. In the dream, Lu Sheng breathed his last, but in reality, Lu Sheng woke up from his dream. At this time, the innkeeper's millet rice was not yet cooked. Lu Sheng had dreamed for half an hour, but in the dream, 60 years had passed.