In the book Unfounded Rumors, penned by Ming Dynasty historian Wang Tonggui, a sobering narrative unfolds, brimming with betrayal and intrigue. At the heart of this gripping tale is Lin Guang’er, whose life descends into chaos as he becomes embroiled in a chilling crime — the murder of his wife. But as he narrowly escapes the grasp of earthly justice, the divine realm prepares its own divine retribution.
A plan of deceit
Lin Guang’er was blessed with a kind-hearted and beautiful wife named Chen, hailing from a respected scholarly family. Despite his good fortune, Lin’s heart harbored discontent, leading him to take two concubines. As he showered them with affection, he neglected and mistreated Chen, much to the distress of her esteemed brothers. Chen’s family voiced their concerns repeatedly, but to no avail; Lin’s bitterness only grew until one day he began to plot a sinister way to rid himself of Chen forever.
As part of his plan, Lin Guang’er pretended to be attentive and happy on the surface. He frequently apologized to Chen, saying he had done wrong in the past and would change and treat her better from now on. The relationship between husband and wife became harmonious again, and Chen became very happy. After some days like this, the neighbors thought Lin Guang’er had indeed changed his ways and was back together with Chen as before. It was then that Lin Guang’er made up an excuse to leave home on a long trip.
The breaking of peace
However, the peace was shattered when Lin Guang’er returned unexpectedly, claiming to have caught Chen and their ailing male servant in a compromising situation. In a purported fit of jealous rage, he brutally ended their lives. After committing the gruesome act, Lin Guang’er turned himself in to the local authorities, claiming uncontrollable emotional turmoil.
The authorities, swayed by societal biases toward adultery, hastily acquitted him, even lauding his actions. However, the community was skeptical; the frail condition of the manservant made the accusation suspicious.
The village was abuzz with whispers and speculations. Chen’s family, backed by several locals, demanded justice, but no concrete evidence surfaced. Despite the lingering doubts, the official verdict of “not guilty” stood firm, leaving the truth shrouded in mystery.
Lin Guang’er’s attempt to escape justice
With the scandal tarnishing his name, Lin Guang’er and his concubines fled the village. Years later, they daringly returned, only for Lin Guang’er to meet an extraordinary demise. One fateful day in March, during the 26th year of Emperor Shenzong’s reign (A.D. 1598), a bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, accompanied by a deafening clap of thunder. The thunderclap was so intense that it startled even those who happened to be holding chopsticks at the moment, causing them to drop the utensils in surprise.
As it turned out, it was no regular bolt of lighting. News emerged that Lin Guang’er, in a manner both horrifying and sad, met a tragic end as the bolt of lightning struck him down. His body lay scorched and blackened, resembling charcoal in its charred state.
Word of his sudden death spread rapidly, with many villagers seeing it as divine retribution — a celestial judgment affirming that justice, though delayed, is inevitable.
The moral of the story
The tale of Lin Guang’er serves as a poignant reminder of an age-old adage: “Good and evil will be repaid in kind, if not by man, then surely by the heavens.” His dramatic end by a bolt from the blue reinforces the belief that moral balance will ultimately be restored, asserting that divine justice is always watching, ever powerful.
Translated by Cecilia
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