The concept of divine intervention and miracles often intertwines with stories of integrity, honesty, and unwavering moral principles. Throughout history, there have been tales of individuals whose steadfast commitment to their principles appears to draw extraordinary assistance from the divine. Such narratives demonstrate how honest and upright behavior can lead to unexpected blessings, both from human and supernatural sources.
These stories are timeless reminders of the profound connections between our actions, our integrity, and the miraculous ways in which help can appear in our lives.
A man of integrity experiences divine intervention
During the Song Dynasty, a man named Shen Chiyao lived in Anji, Huzhou (now part of Zhejiang), who was renowned for his integrity and honesty.
In the 14th year of Shaoxing (A.D. 1144), Shen Chiyao ventured to Lin’an, the capital city, to visit his relative Fan Yanhui, the imperial examiner at the time. Knowing that Shen Chiyao was honest and talented, his relatives wanted to help him and asked him to participate in that year’s autumn examination.
Shen Chiyao, known for his indifference to fame and wealth, had never considered participating in the examination. However, his relatives insisted on helping him, handling the necessary formalities behind his back, and paying the fees. Still, Shen Chiyao remained reluctant. He said: “I really don’t want to take the examination. Moreover, the examination will be held on August 15, and only two days remain. Even if I am willing to return to Huzhou to take it, it will be too late.” His relatives found themselves unable to sway his decision.
Shortly after Shen Chiyao fell asleep that night, he dreamed that several tall and powerful divine beings came and scolded him, saying: “This is not the place for you to live. Go home quickly, or you will be in danger!” As Shen Chiyao awoke from the dream, he immediately felt that his body was suffering from a severe illness. Feeling the gravity of the divine message, Shen Chiyao acted swiftly. He sent a servant to fetch a boat, eager to hasten his journey home.
There were very few boats at that time, and finding one to hire was very difficult. Fortunately, a boatman agreed to transport him since he was also from Anji. They departed immediately. As soon as the boat set sail, Shen Chiyao immediately recovered from his illness.
A fortuitous turn of events
On the morning of the 16th, as the boat was passing by Wu Xing pier, which was the halfway point of the voyage, Shen Chiyao saw scholars in white robes bustling along the shore. Upon inquiry, he learned that the examination had been rescheduled to the 17th. When the scholars entered the examination hall, they were informed that their examination papers had been damaged by a rainstorm and needed to be replaced. As it turned out, this examination center, located in Wuxing County, was under the jurisdiction of Huzhou.
Upon hearing this, Shen Chiyao’s relatives congratulated him, saying: “The gods specially changed the examination date for you. You will surely succeed in the examination!” Encouraged by his relatives, Shen Chiyao took the examination, and, to his surprise, he achieved first place. Shen Chiyao then boarded a boat to return to his hometown, Anji, to take care of his household business before going to the capital city, Lin’an, to continue his next level of examination.
When he arrived in the capital, Shen Chiyao learned that Fan Yanhui was in charge of one of the examination centers. So he asked that it be arranged for him to take the examination in a different center in order to avoid suspicion, which the officials approved.
This time, the examination would last for several days. When Shen Chiyao entered the examination hall, he saw that the invigilators were all very strict. But one invigilator was very kind to him and reminded him: “The examination is held once every three years, so you should write carefully and thoughtfully.” The words warmed his heart and relaxed his nerves.
Shen Chiyao wrote his paper carefully and diligently. As he was about to hand in his paper, the man came to him again and said: “Read it again!” Shen Chiyao sat down again and carefully reviewed his paper. Sure enough, he found two mistakes and corrected them immediately before handing it in. After the examination, Shen Chiyao was ranked on the golden list and passed the Jinshi level as a scholar.
Shen Chiyao felt immense gratitude toward the examiner for his kindness and assistance, prompting him to visit and express his thanks. However, upon inquiry, he was met with a puzzling response: “We don’t have anyone here who fits that description at all.” At that moment, Shen Chiyao realized that the examiner was not an ordinary person, but a divine being who had intervened to aid him. Reflecting on the experience, he felt that Heaven had indeed helped him!
Reflecting on his extraordinary journey, Shen Chiyao couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude for the remarkable series of events that had unfolded. From the unwavering support of his relatives to the timely guidance from divine beings in his dreams, every encounter seemed orchestrated by a higher power. The boatman’s willingness to ferry him home, the unexpected postponement of the examination, and the invigilator’s sage advice all reinforced the belief that divine intervention had played a pivotal role in his success.
Shen Chiyao’s remarkable journey is a poignant reminder of the profound connection between integrity and divine assistance. His unwavering commitment to honesty and righteousness was met with a series of interventions that were nothing short of miraculous. Shen Chiyao’s story is a testament to the age-old adage that goodness begets goodness, and that those who strive to do right in life are never alone in their journey.
Translated by Cecilia
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