牛侍长 Bull Sergeant
罗衣行火阵，金刀守翠门。
半身俗世里，枯荣皆眼尘。
'Neath fiery peaks in robes so fine,
Guarding jade doors with gold's radiant shine.
Tangled in those worldly gains,
All splendor fades, like dust, it wanes.
历来，想寻铁扇仙求雨的人，总会供上一些花红表里。
作为御前带刀侍卫的牛侍长，专司盘收交来的贡品。
贡品的好坏，关系到山中群妖们这年的受用，所以，他总思如何能让贡品里多有些自己喜好的东西。
一日，他靠在门槛上唉声叹气，发现自己鼻子喷出来的烟，特别像自己最爱吃的鸡，便立刻有了计策。
他告诉所有上贡的人，每日酉初之时，火焰山冒出的烟雾像什么，就是贡品要交什么。
大家真的以为这是铁扇仙给的预兆，便不顾生活艰苦，每次都按照烟雾的形状，老实进贡。
牛侍长收到了许多自己想要的各种物件，生活非常幸福。
可时间一久，民怨四起，大家纷纷对铁扇仙的雨表示不满。
这日，铁扇公主受天庭之邀要去听老君说法，将有些时日无法回来，自然也无法下雨。
牛侍长赶紧跪到公主面前讨起饶来，原来公主根本就不需要任何贡品，每到春耕夏种的时节，自会为周边的村民施法。
贡品之说，全属乌有。
铁扇公主并没有贵罚牛侍长，只是命令他赶紧将东西退回去，并向村民解释清楚。
可村民都不肯收，反倒又推给牛侍长，让他劝诚铁扇仙多下些雨来。
最终，牛侍长夹在村民和铁扇公主中间两头挨骂，里外不是人。
Through the ages, those seeking rain from the Plantain Fan often presented gifts and tributes. As the chief guard in Rakshasi's court, the Bull Sergeant was in charge of collecting these offerings.
The quality of the tributes greatly affected the well-being of the mountains' yaoguais throughout the year. Thus, the Bull Sergeant always schemed to influence the tributes towards his own preferences. One day, leaning on the doorframe and sighing deeply, he noticed the smoke from his nose resembled his beloved chicken and devised a plan.
He told all the tribute bearers that the shape of the smoke rising from Flaming Mountains at dusk indicated what the Plantain Fan desired as offerings. Believing this to be a divine sign, the people, despite their hardships, started contributing exactly as the smoke suggested. The Bull Sergeant received many of his desired items and reveled in a contented life. However, over time, this led to growing discontent among the villagers toward Rakshasi and her rains.
One day, Lady Rakshasi had to leave for a lecture by Lord Lao in the Celestial Court and was unable to bring rain for the people. In panic, the Bull Sergeant confessed his wrongdoings and begged for her forgiveness. It turned out she never required any tributes; she naturally provided rain for the villagers through the seasons for planting and growing. The whole tribute scheme was a fabrication.
Lady Rakshasi didn't punish the Bull Sergeant but ordered him to return the goods and tell the truth to the villagers. But they refused to take back their offerings; instead, they urged the Sergeant to convince the Plantain Fan for more rain. Caught between the villagers and the Lady, the Sergeant ended up berated by both sides: the bull scorned by all.
