He knew that Tang Gongfang 唐公房of Hanzhong had determination [to study the Way] but had not found an enlightened teacher. Li wished to teach Tang and transmit texts to him, so he first went to test him. He pretended to be a hired servant, and Tang Gongfang did not realize [who he really was]. Li hustled about his work and was diligent, quite different from other hired personnel; Tang was fond of him and wondered at him. Li then pretended to fall ill and to be near death. Tang hired a physician to compound drugs for him, spending several hundred thousand pieces of cash but not considering it a loss. Tang's concern for Li showed on his face. Li then manifested ugly ulcers on every part of his body; these disgusting sores oozed blood and pus, and no one could bear to go near him. Tang shed tears for him and said, "You have worked diligently as a messenger for my household for many years; you were always speedy. I hired the doctor to try to cure you, and I have no regrets about having done so, but still you are not well. What else can I do for you?" Li responded, "ulcers will not be cured unless someone licks them. That should work." So Tang sent in three maidservants to lick his sores. Li then said, "The maidservants' licking has not cured me. But I can be cured if you will do it yourself." So Tang licked him, but again to no effect. Li then said that it would be most beneficial to have Tang's wife lick him. Tang ordered his wife to do it. Afterward, Li declared, "My ulcers will heal if I can obtain thirty hu of fine liquor to bathe in." Tang prepared the liquor for him, pouring it into a large vessel, and Li bathed in it; and now his sores were finally healed. His body resembled congealed fat, and he bore no trace of illness (tr. Campany 2002: 215).
