The concept of moral retribution is fundamental in traditional Chinese culture. The saying “People act, Heaven watches” implies that every choice between good and evil shapes your future. Regardless of modern belief, this principle continues to influence actions and events. The Song Dynasty scholar Hong Mai documented various actual events of karmic retribution in his work Yi Jian Zhi, and here, two stories are shared with our readers.
Greed invites retribution
In the first year of Emperor Gaozong’s reign of the Song Dynasty (A.D. 1127), Fu Guohua, the minister of state affairs, served as the governor of Shuzhou. It was a time of war and chaos, and Fu Guohua heard that bandits were rampant in Wuchang.
He was distraught as he considered the proximity of Wuchang to Shuzhou and thought to himself: “Wuchang is dangerously close. If the bandits attack, they could easily rob me of the wealth I’ve accumulated over the years. The precious and exotic treasures I acquired as a diplomat to Gao Lai, which I secretly kept for my own, are particularly irreplaceable. I cannot afford to lose them!” So he took his family and all their belongings and went to Jiangning (present-day Nanjing) by boat to escape the disaster, neglecting his responsibilities in Shuzhou.
When the boat arrived at Jiangning, the boatman said: “There are many thieves and robbers outside the city. Why don’t we take the boat inside the city’s watergate?” The official who guarded Jiangning at that time was Yuwen Zhongda, who had a deep personal relationship with Fu Guohua. After being contacted, Yuwen Zhongda opened the gate and let the boat into the city. Fu Guohua thought: “With so many layers of protection, I can put my mind at ease. Our lives and property are both secure.”
Unexpectedly, a crew member, Zhou De, led a mutiny that night. He hijacked Fu Guohua’s boat, killing his entire family except for an elderly maid. However, Shuzhou, which was under Fu Guohua’s jurisdiction, remained safe and sound. Moral retribution cannot be escaped from.
Pious ones are spared
In the Song Dynasty, a man named Gu Yancheng lived in Hangzhou and worked as a water transport officer in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. He was a diligent official and had great respect for gods and Buddhas. He had an enemy named Chen Tong, who wanted to take advantage of the chaotic situation at that time to stage a rebellion. However, since Gu Yancheng was away on an inspection visit to Zhejiang, Chen Tong decided to wait for his return to launch the uprising.
After several days, Chen Tong saw that many local officials and people went out to greet Gu Yancheng, who had finally returned to Hangzhou, so he decided to start the rebellion that night.
Upon his return, Gu Yancheng took his family to a temple outside the city to worship Buddha. His action was so simple and low-key that many people did not know about it. Therefore, when Chen Tong led his soldiers to search his house that night, they came up empty-handed.
After completing their prayers at the temple and learning about the unrest, Gu Yancheng hastily fled the city, thus narrowly escaping the intended capture. Gu Yancheng’s family firmly believed that gods and Buddhas had protected them from the disaster. After hearing about this incident, their friends and relatives also began to worship gods and Buddhas.
These historical narratives underscore the enduring Chinese belief in cosmic justice and the moral scrutiny of the heavens, themes that resonate deeply in China’s philosophy and cultural heritage.
Translated by cecilia
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