What goes around comes around. This is a universal belief in Chinese culture. In the Book of Changes (Kun Gua Wen), Yan says: “A family that accumulates good deeds will have a surplus of blessings, whereas a family that accumulates bad deeds will have a surplus of calamities.”
The writings of the ancients have left many historical records of “good and evil retribution,” leaving later generations a map that stands to guide them toward a brighter future. Some families have done good deeds for many lifetimes and have received extraordinary blessings, while others have done evil deeds and have been rewarded instantly in their present lives.
Good blessings of 5 generations
In the 26th year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign of the Qing Dynasty (1761), the Yellow River was flooded. From the 15th to the 19th day of the 7th month of the Yellow Calendar, heavy rains hit the tributaries of the Yellow River, namely the Yi, Luo, and Qin rivers, as well as the primary channel between Tongguan and Mengjin.
The heaviest rainfall was experienced in Xin’an County of Henan Province, where the waters overflowed into the Yi and Luo Rivers. The Wuzhi, Xingze, Yangwu, Xiangfu, and Lanyang riverbanks were breached then. A total of 26 breaches appeared in the lower reaches of the Yellow River, flooding dozens of prefectures and counties in the three provinces of Henan, Shandong, and Anhui.
The depth of the water reached from five to six feet in some places and to a staggering height of 30 to 40 feet in other areas. The houses of many inhabitants were almost completely submerged in the water.
Chenliu County, presently known as Chenliu Town, Kaifeng County, Henan Province, was located on the South bank of the Yellow River. This area suffered a great disaster when the flood waters reached 10 feet high. A local family surnamed Cao was struck. The flood completely submerged their house.
After three days and three nights, the water gradually receded. At this time, a strange scene unfolded before everyone’s eyes. The Cao family’s house had been completely submerged underwater, but was found to be completely intact — it didn’t collapse! Even more astonishing was that the Cao family members were all safe. Local survivors came to console the family.
Everyone asked: “How did you survive being covered with water?” The Cao family replied: “For the past few days, we all felt a thick fog hanging around us. We couldn’t see the sunlight and had no idea we were in the water!”
The local County Magistrate learned about this incredible situation and came to inspect the area. He asked the Cao family: “Have you done any good deeds in your life?” The Cao family replied: “The rent we receive each year from leasing out our fields goes toward paying our taxes and family’s expenses, and the rest we use to help the poor in the nearby neighborhoods.
“This family tradition has been going for five generations and more than a hundred years since our ancestors and great-grandfathers’ time.” The County Magistrate immediately reported the incident to the court and issued a plaque commending the Cao family for their good deeds.
The old saying that good deeds are rewarded is so true. The Cao family had persisted in doing good deeds for five generations. When disaster struck, the Gods protected them. Although their house was flooded for three days and three nights, the family remained unscathed.
Translated by Cecilia and edited by Maria
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