During the Ming Dynasty, a scholar named Zhang Sheng lived in Jingkou, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu. Despite his impoverished background and poor character, Zhang Sheng was known for his generosity. He often extorted money from the wealthy and distributed it to the needy in his village, resulting in his own family frequently lacking food.
Zhang Sheng’s difficult life
One New Year’s Eve, Zhang Sheng once again found himself without food. Knowing that his relatives and friends held grudges and would not help, he took a piece of old fabric to a pawnshop, forcefully pawned it for a thousand coins, and bought some rice, food, and candles, packing them into a basket to take home.
As he walked home in the snow, he slipped and dropped everything into the muddy street just before he reached his house. Zhang hurried home to fetch a lamp and returned to search for the items in the snow. To his surprise, he stumbled upon a heavy pouch filled with silver and money, along with a ledger and account books.
An act of honesty
Initially delighted at his newfound wealth, Zhang Sheng soon realized that these items likely belonged to a shop clerk, lost on their way back to the shopkeeper. Concerned for the clerk’s predicament if the items were not returned, Zhang decided against keeping them. Instead, he tucked the bag away, grabbed his lamp, sat outside his door in the biting wind and snow, and waited patiently for the rightful owner to arrive and claim the belongings.
Soon, an old man and two young men carrying lanterns approached, looking anxious. Zhang Sheng called out to them, asking if they were searching for something. The old man hesitated, recognizing Zhang Sheng’s reputation, but eventually admitted they were looking for a lost pouch. Zhang Sheng invited them to his home and returned the pouch, reassuring them that he had no intention of keeping it. The old man was overwhelmed with gratitude, offering Zhang Sheng a reward, which he declined. Instead, Zhang Sheng asked for two silver coins to buy a meal for New Year’s.
Kindness leads to a change in fate
After receiving the silver coins, Zhang hurried to buy food and fruits for New Year’s Eve dinner. That night, he had a vivid dream where he found himself before a kingly figure, who admonished him for his past wrongdoings. The figure warned Zhang of a bleak future unless he changed his ways. Suddenly, another person appeared with a document, which softened the king’s stance. Recognizing Zhang’s recent act of returning the lost items, the king praised his kindness and promised him success in the upcoming imperial examinations. The king advised Zhang to continue on this path of virtue.
Upon waking, Zhang felt blessed by the gods. He vowed to repent for his past actions and focus on doing good. At dawn, the now neatly dressed old man again visited to express his heartfelt gratitude, explaining how Zhang’s honesty had saved his family from ruin. He assured Zhang that his employer would reward him for his noble deed. Zhang accepted the thanks humbly, while committing himself to a life dedicated to virtuous deeds.
Passing the exam
In mid-autumn, scholars gathered in Jinling for the autumn examination. Zhang, penniless and struggling to afford daily meals, had given up on attending. Unexpectedly, he encountered the old man again, who inquired why Zhang hadn’t set off for the exam. Zhang explained his financial plight. Moved by Zhang’s righteousness, the old man promised to help.
Soon after, the old man returned with his employer, who was also deeply touched by Zhang’s integrity. They presented Zhang with 20 gold coins along with some food for his journey, urging him to pursue the exam. Overwhelmed but grateful, Zhang accepted the gift and embarked for Jinling.
After the examination results were announced, Zhang was overjoyed to discover he had passed. The old man and his employer then generously provided Zhang with travel expenses to the capital for the final imperial exam. Zhang surpassed all expectations, achieving a high rank, and later becoming a government official.
Conclusion
Good thoughts are the most precious. Zhang’s rise to imperial rank was sparked by a single act of kindness. Swiftly, without succumbing to greed in the face of great opportunity, his compassion for the impoverished became the foundation of his virtue. It exemplifies that destiny isn’t fixed, but shaped by our choices.
Heaven upholds justice, rewarding good deeds and punishing evil. Remember, in life, it’s important to align with celestial principles and cultivate kind thoughts. You will thereby attract blessings from Heaven, which fosters enduring fulfillment.
Translated by Joseph Wu
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