During the Ming Dynasty, in Xincheng County of Jianchang Prefecture, Jiangxi Province, a devoted son named Wu Shaozong resided in Meixi Village. Wu was naturally intelligent and excelled in writing from a young age. In 1606, during the provincial examination by Luo Risheng, Wu was selected as the top student at the age of 20. He later participated in several imperial examinations, consistently achieving excellent results.
A father’s illness and a son’s desperate plan
Wu’s father, Wu Daolong, was frail and suffered from chronic illnesses. After years of illness, his entire body became paralyzed, and he bled from various parts of his body. Despite over a decade of medical treatment, there was no improvement. In the first month of 1618, Wu Daolong’s condition worsened. Wu Shaozong, deeply worried, could not find a solution. He decided to fast, bathe, and pray to the heavens, writing a letter in his own blood, intending to go to Mount Taihua and jump off the “Self-Sacrifice Cliff” to die in place of his father.
Mount Taihua, located in Chongren County of Fuzhou, was a famous mountain about 150 kilometers from Xincheng. It was believed that the deities there were exceptionally responsive. Those who came to worship and had committed sins would be punished and unable to ascend the mountain, sometimes even struck down by divine beings, with their companions hearing the sound of iron whips. Some would suddenly go mad and confess their hidden misdeeds. On the left side of the temple, there was an extremely steep cliff where people facing unbearable situations would jump, resulting in broken limbs and death.
A leap of faith
After writing his prayer, Wu Shaozong set off alone the next morning. He traveled for two days and, upon reaching Mount Taihua, stayed in a small hut with a Taoist priest. Among his fellow lodgers were two people from Nanchang and three scholars from his hometown. On the 18th day, Wu entered the main hall, silently prayed, and burned his prayer letter. His companions invited him to tour Zheqi Peak. When they passed by the Self-Sacrifice Cliff, Wu suddenly jumped off the cliff, leaving everyone in shock and unsure of what to do. The news spread, drawing a crowd of over a thousand people.
The Taoist priest bought a coffin to prepare for Wu’s burial. The path from the mountain top to the cliff bottom was a winding 20 kilometers. Suddenly, a Taoist priest hurriedly ran to the cliff and shouted to the crowd: “Who said Scholar Wu jumped to his death? He is now kneeling under the deity’s seat, wearing the same clothes as before.” The crowd went to the hall and saw it was true.
Divine intervention
It turned out that after Wu jumped, he remained suspended in mid-air. Opening his eyes, he saw white clouds rising beneath his feet and a stone gate in the distance inscribed with the large character “孝” (filial piety). Soon, three deities appeared and said: “Filial son, on the stone to my left, is a divine talisman with 92 strokes. Remember it, and write it on paper for your father to consume when you return. It will not only cure his illness, but also extend his life.” They also taught him spells and talismans for inducing childbirth, treating malaria, and warding off plagues. After bowing in gratitude, Wu found himself back in the main hall. He said: “The entire experience felt like a dream.”
After completing his mission, Wu hurried home, taking a day and a half to return. When he arrived, his father was on the verge of death and unable to speak. Wu quickly wrote the 92-stroke talisman, burned it, and had his father consume the ashes. Everyone in the room smelled a fragrant aroma. As soon as the talisman entered his mouth, Wu’s father could speak, asking: “What medicine is this?” The next day, he could sit up and drink porridge, and within 10 days, he was fully recovered. His father became healthier, increased his appetite, and spent his days enjoying poetry and wine. He lived to 92, remaining sharp and healthy until his peaceful death.
Legacy of a filial son
Wu Shaozong became famous far and wide. The former Minister of Personnel and other scholars sought him as their teacher. When the Ming Dynasty fell in 1644, Wu fled to Taining to escape the chaos and died of illness at the home of scholar Liao Yuda. Liao Yuda said: “Wu Shaozong valued reputation over wealth, often spending money to help others with legal disputes. Having witnessed divine beings, he became even more diligent in cultivating his virtues. If anyone around him fell ill, Wu would use talismans to treat them.”
Wei Xi commented: “It is said that Wu often visited Mount Taihua, conversed with deities, and prayed for others, which some might find unbelievable. However, the county gentlemen could often recount his deeds in detail.”
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