During the reign of Emperor Wen of Han, Deng Tong was a highly favored courtier due to his high character. The Emperor was especially fond of Deng, who often accompanied him in his carriage and was even permitted to share the same sleeping quarters with him.
At this time, a famous diviner named Xu Fu made a startling prediction upon examining Deng’s facial features: he observed the “lines of hunger entering the mouth,” signifying a destiny marked by starvation and death. This prophecy enraged Emperor Wen, who proclaimed he had control over the fortunes and well-being of all under heaven. He declared that Deng couldn’t die of hunger under his rule. To ensure this, Emperor Wen bestowed upon Deng the lucrative treasure cave along the Shu Road, granting him the exclusive right to mint copper coins. Consequently, Deng’s coins became widespread, amassing him a fortune that spanned the entire empire.
Deng Tong’s high character
One day, Emperor Wen suffered from a severe and agonizing ulcer, which was leaking pus and blood. Sensing the emperor’s unspoken wish, Deng Tong knelt and bravely sucked out the infection. This act brought immediate relief to the emperor, who then inquired of Deng: “In your opinion, who is the most beloved person in the world?” Deng answered: “There is no greater bond than that between a father and son.”
As it happened, the Crown Prince arrived at the palace to visit Emperor Wen at that moment. The emperor, seeking to test the prince, asked him to perform the same act. However, the Crown Prince hesitated, claiming he had recently consumed fresh fish and worried it would be improper to come too close to the emperor in such a state. After his son departed, Emperor Wen reflected sadly: “Even the deepest love between a father and son did not compel him to alleviate my pain. Deng’s devotion to me clearly exceeds that of my own child.” Consequently, Deng’s standing in the emperor’s eyes grew even higher. This incident, however, seeded a deep resentment in the Crown Prince towards Deng.
Following the death of Emperor Wen, the Crown Prince succeeded him, taking the throne as Emperor Jing of Han. Once in power, Emperor Jing leveled serious accusations against Deng Tong. He charged Deng with sycophancy, alleging that his act of sucking the ulcer was merely a ploy to curry favor, and further accused him of disrupting the empire’s monetary system. As a consequence, Deng’s vast properties were seized, and he was imprisoned in a barren room, denied both food and drink. Tragically, just as the diviner had foretold, Deng met his end through starvation.
In another era, during the reign of Emperor Xianzong of Tang, there lived a man named Pei Du, who experienced poverty and hardship in his early years. A fortune teller once warned him that he bore the “lines of hunger entering the mouth,” suggesting a possible fate of starvation. Later, during a visit to Xiangshan Temple, Pei encountered a plainly dressed woman deeply engrossed in her prayers. In her haste to depart, she accidentally left behind a package.
Initially, Pei did not grasp its importance, but upon realizing it belonged to the woman, he attempted to return it to her, only to lose sight of her. Resolute in his decision, Pei chose to safeguard the package and wait for her return. However, the woman did not reappear that evening, prompting Pei to return home. The next morning, he went back to the temple to wait for her. Soon after, a woman, visibly distraught and weeping, arrived, frantically searching for something.
When Pei inquired about her distress, she shared her plight: “My father, innocent of any wrongdoing, has been imprisoned. In desperation to secure his release, I borrowed three jade belts from a person named Zhu Zi. Losing them here at the temple spells doom for my father.” As she recounted her story, tears flowed unrestrainedly. Pei then opened the package, confirming its contents matched her description. Touched by her situation, he returned the belts. The woman, overwhelmed with gratitude, offered one of the belts as a gift, but Pei refused, remarking: “If I were to covet this, how would it reflect on my past deeds?” She thanked him profoundly and then departed.
On a different occasion, Pei Du again crossed paths with the same fortune teller, who was astounded to notice a remarkable transformation in Pei’s appearance. His countenance no longer bore the marks of a man destined for starvation. The fortune teller marveled at this change, proclaiming that Pei must have accrued substantial virtue through his actions toward others.
Pei recounted the episode with the jade belts, explaining how he had returned them to their rightful owner. Impressed, the fortune teller lauded Pei’s deed as a significant accumulation of virtue, predicting that such noble actions would undoubtedly lead him to wealth and high status. True to this prophecy, Pei Du eventually rose to the esteemed position of prime minister, enjoying a long life that spanned over 80years.
The story of Deng Tong, a man of extreme wealth and privilege who met a tragic end, and Pei Du, who transformed his fate through virtue, illustrates an ancient Chinese belief: external appearances and fortunes are less significant than the inner virtue and goodness of a person. True fortune is created by one’s actions and character. These narratives reveal how fate is not a fixed path but a journey shaped by one’s moral choices and actions, underscoring the profound influence of personal character in steering one’s destiny.
Translated by Joseph Wu
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