In a world where the line between good and evil can be as thin as a single thought, the story of Wei Yu, an eccentric figure from the late Qing Dynasty to the early Republic of China era, stands as a testament to the profound impact a single moment of kindness can have on one’s destiny.
A life of legend
In the late Qing Dynasty, there was a talent named Wei Yu, who passed the imperial examination in the 11th year of the Qing Guangxu reign (1885). Wei Yu’s life was quite a legend. He was not only knowledgeable about history, but could also write poems of the Tang Dynasty style, essays of the Song and Ming Dynasty style, as well as the official style essays for the imperial examination. He was also good at calligraphy, being especially famous for the Wei Tablet style work.
Wei Yu was known for his love of wine and conversation. He enjoyed talking about various interesting topics such as fortune telling and acrobatics. He was also good at playing the zither, pipa, huqin (a two-stringed instrument), and flute, and singing Kunqu opera.
In his youth, Wei learned martial arts from a mysterious figure during his travels in Guangdong and Guangxi with his father. He became famous for his martial skills, especially his expertise with the seven-section whip and Gecko Kung Fu, earning him a reputation for bravery.
However, Wei Yu’s life took a significant turn after an incident in Guangdong. Known for his martial prowess, he became the leader of a local group. Following a fight he helped in, his father’s severe reprimand led Wei Yu to vow to change his ways, breaking one of his fingers as a symbol of his sincerity. He then dedicated himself to studying, preparing for the imperial examinations.
Wei Yu’s change of heart
After a visit to his father-in-law in Huzhou, where a face reader predicted his lack of success, Wei Yu indeed failed the autumn exams of 1882 despite his efforts. Disheartened, he moved to Guilin, where he indulged in drinking to ease his sorrows. An elderly woman surnamed Qi did not like Wei Yu and repeatedly told others about his shortcomings, which made Wei Yu very angry. One day, he took gunpowder and went to the elderly woman’s house in the dark, intending to blow it up.
The elderly woman’s house was located by the river, and her neighbors were all poor people whose houses were built from wooden planks. After seeing this, Wei Yu sighed and said: “Though the old woman is so hateful, what have her neighbors ever done to me? I can’t bear the thought of them dying just so I can get back at her.” However, despite making such a decision, he still decided to tell the elderly woman face to face.
He knocked on the door of the elderly woman’s house, showed her the gunpowder in his hand, and told her his original intention and his present decision. The elderly woman was deeply ashamed and apologized to him. The incident ended there, marking a pivotal moment in Wei Yu’s life.
A destiny transformed
In 1885, Wei Yu returned to Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, with renewed hope to take the imperial examination. During this time, he encountered Guang Wen, the face reader he had met previously through his father-in-law. Guang Wen, who had come to Hangzhou with several students, offered to read Wei Yu’s face once more. To his surprise, Guang Wen noticed a significant change in Wei Yu’s countenance. “Your face has changed,” he exclaimed, “not only have you warded off misfortune, but success in the imperial examination now seems assured. Have you performed any notable good deeds recently?”
Wei Yu shared the story of how he refrained from setting fire to the house of an elderly woman and her neighbors in a moment of anger, choosing kindness over vengeance. Guang Wen nodded thoughtfully and said: “That single moment of compassion has not only saved many lives but also altered your fate.”
True to Guang Wen’s words, Wei Yu succeeded in the imperial examination that year. This achievement marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life, where he embraced a more subdued demeanor. Wei Yu’s life, rich in both adventure and reflection, continued on for more than 60 years.
Wei Yu’s story illustrates the transformative power of a single good deed and the importance of harboring respect for the divine. It reminds us that our destiny is not fixed and that a moment of kindness can lead to a lifetime of change.
Translated by Audrey Wang
