This is the first chapter of the book. The author himself says: After experiencing a dream, he hid the real events and used the theory of "spiritual communication" to write this book called "The Story of the Stone". Hence the name "Zhen Shiyin" and so on. But what events and people are recorded in the book? He also said: "Now, in the midst of the dust and bustle, I have achieved nothing and suddenly think of all the women I had at that time. Upon careful examination, I find that their behavior and insights are all superior to mine. Why am I, a man with a mustache, really inferior to them? I am really ashamed and regretful, but it is too late to be helpless! At this time, I want to compile a collection of the past, relying on the grace of heaven and the virtue of my ancestors, when I was dressed in fine clothes and full of delicacies, and the grace of my brothers' education, and the virtue of my teachers' training, to this day, I have no skills and my life is in a mess. I want to tell the world: my sin is inevitable, but there are people in the boudoir who have always been there, and we must not let them be obliterated because of my unworthiness. Although today's thatched cottage and window, tile stove and rope bed, its morning and evening wind and dew, step willow and courtyard flowers, have not hindered my heart and pen. Although I have not learned, I have no writing, why not use false words and village words to perform a story, which can also make the boudoir known and can please the world's eyes, and break people's worries, is it not appropriate?" Therefore, it is said that "Jia Yucun and so on.

In this chapter, the use of the words "dream" and "illusion" is to remind readers to pay attention, and it is also the original intention of the book.

Dear readers: where does this book come from? Although the origin is absurd, it is of great interest when examined carefully. Wait for me to specify the origin, so that readers can understand without confusion.

It turns out that when Nuwa mended the sky, she refined 36,500 pieces of stone, each 12 feet high and 24 feet wide, at the foot of the Wuji Cliff in the Da Huang Mountain. Nuwa only used 36,500 pieces of stone, leaving only one piece unused, which was abandoned at the foot of the Qinggen Peak in the mountain. Who knew that this stone, after being refined, had already gained spirituality. Seeing that all the stones were used to mend the sky, it alone was not good enough to be selected, so it complained and sighed day and night.

One day, when he was lamenting, he saw a monk and a Taoist priest coming from afar, with extraordinary bones and different spirits, talking and laughing to the foot of the peak, sitting by the stone and talking. First, they talked about some clouds, mountains, mists, seas, and immortals, and then they talked about the glory and wealth in the world. The stone listened and couldn't help but be moved. He also wanted to go to the world to enjoy the glory and wealth, but he hated himself for being stupid and had no choice but to speak like a person, saying to the monk and Taoist priest: "Master, I am a stupid thing and can't see the etiquette. I just heard the two of you talking about the glory and prosperity of the world, and I am eager to admire it. Although my nature is stupid, my nature is a bit intelligent; moreover, seeing the two teachers' immortal shape and Taoist body, they must be extraordinary, and they must have the talent to make up for the sky and the world, and the virtue to benefit things and help people. If you can give a little compassion and take me into the world, let me enjoy a few years in the rich and gentle village, I will always remember the great grace and never forget it." The two immortals listened and laughed together: "Good, good! There are some happy things in the world of mortals, but they cannot always rely on them. Moreover, there are eight words 'beauty is not enough, good things are more difficult' closely connected. In an instant, it turns from joy to sorrow, people are no longer things, and in the end, it is a dream, and all things return to emptiness. It is better not to go."

The stone's secular heart is already hot, how can he listen to this? He begged again and again. The two immortals knew they couldn't force it, so they sighed: "This is also a static extreme thinking, nothing comes from nothing. Since it is like this, we will take you to enjoy it, but when you are not satisfied, don't regret it." The stone said, "Naturally, naturally." The monk then said, "If you say you are spiritual, you are so stupid and have no extraordinary place. In this way, it's better to stand on tiptoe. Well, I will help you with the Dharma now, and when the robbery ends, I will return to my essence and settle this case. How do you think?" The stone was very grateful after listening. The monk then recited a spell, wrote a talisman, and performed a great illusion, turning a large stone into a bright and clean jade, and shr