The ancient Chinese text “I Ching” states: “A family that accumulates good deeds will have a surplus of good fortune.” This principle holds that individuals who consistently do good deeds and cultivate moral virtues will not only overcome difficulties, but will also bring blessings to their descendants. The following story is a true reflection of this cause-and-effect principle.
Thinking of others before oneself
During the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty in China, there was a man named Shi Fu in Shengze of Wujiang County, Suzhou Province. He and his wife Yu were a humble couple, rearing silkworms and operating a silk loom.
One day, Shi Fu found a purse containing two silver ingots on his way home after selling silk. He was initially delighted, thinking of investing the silver in his business. However, he soon pondered the anxiety of the person who lost it. If the silver was their livelihood, its loss could lead to dire consequences for their family. Moved by these thoughts, Shi Fu decided to wait for the rightful owner to claim it.
After a half-day’s wait, a young man arrived searching for the purse. He offered Shi Fu half of the silver as a reward, but Shi Fu declined, even refusing a smaller sum offered to buy fruits. He left without leaving his name.
Shi Fu shared this incident with his wife, who praised his actions. The couple found peace not in keeping the silver but in returning it. Subsequently, their silk business flourished annually, bringing continuous blessings.
Kindness brings blessings
One year, Shi Fu faced difficulty in procuring mulberry leaves for his silkworms. He was so anxious that he took a boat across the lake to buy some. Since it was getting dark, the boat had to pause its journey. It pulled into a small harbor and anchored there for the night. When he came ashore, Shi Fu happened to meet Zhu En, the young man who had years before lost the silver ingots. As it turned out, the two of them got along very well.
Shi Fu said he was on his way to Dongting Mountain to buy mulberry leaves. Zhu En replied: “In my garden, the mulberry trees are plentiful. Not only do they suffice for my needs, but there’s also an abundance left. It seems as if these leaves were destined for you. Isn’t this a matter of fate?” Shi Fu, touched by Zhu En’s offer, agreed, noting that their meeting too seemed like destiny. The two men formed a bond and swore brotherhood.
That evening, just as Zhu En and his wife were about to kill a chicken to make a dish to honor their guest, Shi Fu quickly stopped them. “The hospitality you’ve already shown is more than enough. And now, to take a life for my sake — I couldn’t bear it.” Thus, the chicken’s life was spared.
Zhu En took down a doorboard and made a bed for Shi Fu to sleep on. That night, as they all slept soundly, there was a sudden commotion among the chickens. Shi Fu quickly got up to investigate. He had taken just a few steps when suddenly, a loud noise came from behind him. Something had hit the bed.
Zhu En rushed to light a candle to see what had happened. They discovered that somehow an axle had fallen, hitting the doorboard Shi Fu had been sleeping on, and smashing it to pieces. It appeared that the chicken, spared earlier, had returned the favor by saving Shi Fu’s life. Seeing what had happened, the two men swore that they would never kill again.
The next day, Zhu En provided Shi Fu with the needed mulberry leaves and safely escorted him back to Shengze. Upon his return, Shi Fu learned of a tragic boat accident that claimed several lives among those who were traveling to Dongting Mountain to buy mulberry leaves. Zhu En remarked: “Having the good fortune to avoid that tragedy is surely the reward for your consistent kindness.”
A heart unchanged by wealth
That year, Shi Fu received several times more money from silkworms than in previous years. He decided to acquire one more loom for spinning silk, and to fund the expansion, he arranged the purchase of two small houses from his neighbor. Even though the neighbor later raised the price, Shi Fu didn’t mind and readily agreed to the new price.
While setting up the new loom, he unearthed a treasure trove of silver ingots, further adding to his fortune. As Shi Fu’s good luck continued over the years, he became kinder and kinder. He tried his best to help with whatever good things he could, while he and his wife continued to be frugal and hardworking. In less than 10 years, they had accumulated a good-sized fortune.
When Shi Fu’s son grew up, he married Zhu En’s daughter. The couple was filial to their parents. By then, Shi Fu’s wealth was the largest in town. Both he and his wife lived to be over 80 years old and died without illness.
Lao Zi said: “Heaven has no bias and is always on the side of good people.” Those who do good deeds will be blessed by Heaven. Shi Fu, known for his honesty in returning lost silver, his compassionate refusal to kill, and his generous treatment of others, was thus blessed with five fortunes: longevity, wealth, peace, a good end to life, and a house full of descendants.
Translated by cecilia
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