Life in this world is an enigma. Although “good and evil have their rewards” isn’t just a saying, but a true heavenly principle, sometimes, the consequences of one’s actions are not so obvious. They may not appear immediately, or even within the same generation. Misfortunes may extend to one’s spouse and offspring, causing discerning individuals to lament injustices. This leads some to believe that “good people don’t live long, while scoundrels leave their mark for a thousand years.”
When someone commits morally corrupt acts, people may still see them flourishing, climbing the ladder of success, and enjoying wealth and status. However, these people are exhausting the last of their good fortune from previous lives. They are often unprepared for the resulting hardships when this fortune runs out.
However, Heaven is merciful. If a person still has a shred of conscience left, they will be offered chances for redemption before the consequences of their actions manifest. If they can repent and make amends, they may still offset the bad karma. Failing to make up for these misdeeds leads to inevitable and severe karmic reactions.
A wealthy man’s generosity
During the Yuan Dynasty, there was a man named Shi Ji from Changzhou County in Wu. He was wealthy, generous, and always ready to help others. Despite being over 40, he had no children and loved to travel and explore beautiful landscapes, often visiting places like Tiger Hill, Tianchi, and Tianping.
One summer, while visiting Suzhou, Shi Ji found himself at a picturesque spot, enjoying the gentle breeze and the chirping of cicadas. As he relaxed under the shade of pine trees, he suddenly heard a sorrowful sigh coming from the woods. Intrigued, he sent someone to investigate and discovered that it was his old schoolmate, Gui Qian. Inviting him over, Shi Ji inquired about the cause of his distress.
Gui Qian hesitated at first, reluctant to share his troubles. Sensing his discomfort, Shi Ji gently prompted: “Are your parents in good health?” Gui Qian sighed deeply, replying: “My parents passed away many years ago.” Shi Ji continued: “Then, is something troubling you at home?” Encouraged by Shi Ji’s sincere concern, Gui Qian slowly revealed his hidden sorrow.
A tale of loss and despair
Gui Qian confessed: “My family used to own several acres of farmland, which provided enough to sustain us. But I was tempted by someone who told me that trading goods was far more profitable than farming. Driven by greed, I mortgaged our land for 20 gold ingots and set off to the capital for business. However, disaster struck when my boat was destroyed in a flood, and I lost everything except my life. Upon returning home, I was discovered by creditors demanding repayment. With no other option, I was considering selling my wife and two children into slavery to pay off my debt. The thought fills me with unbearable sorrow.” Tears streamed down his face as he spoke.
Moved by his plight, Shi Ji responded: “Do not worry; I will help you repay this debt.” Thinking it was just a comforting gesture, Gui Qian was surprised when Shi Ji continued: “Although we have not been close friends, I understand the love you have for your family. I am fortunate to be wealthy enough to help you. I have always regretted having no children of my own, so how can I stand by and watch you sell yours? I am willing to save you from this suffering, and this is my sincere promise.”
Overwhelmed with relief and gratitude, Gui Qian knelt and bowed deeply, saying: “If you truly mean what you say, you are like a god to me! If my fortunes ever change, I will repay your great kindness. If I remain poor, I will serve you loyally for the rest of my life.” The next day, as promised, Shi Ji gave him 20 gold ingots without asking for any written acknowledgment of debt. Gui Qian was deeply grateful.
A second act of generosity
Not long afterward, Shi Ji happened to pass by Gui Qian’s house and decided to pay a visit. He was welcomed by Gui Qian’s children, who seemed cheerful, but Gui Qian himself appeared dejected, and sounds of weeping could be heard from inside. Perplexed, Shi Ji asked what had happened. Gui Qian reluctantly explained: “Thanks to your generosity, my family has been spared, but our land and house now belong to my creditor. We are on the brink of being evicted, with nowhere to go.”
Upon hearing this, Shi Ji sighed: “I saved you once, but I failed to secure your future. Do not worry; I have 10 acres of land in a nearby village, along with some mulberry trees. You can move there and live without fear of hunger or displacement.” Gui Qian gratefully accepted the offer, but when he suggested offering his youngest child as a bondservant in return, Shi Ji refused, saying he sought nothing in return for his help.
The next day, Shi Ji took Gui Qian’s family to their new home, where they settled under the shade of a tall mulberry tree rumored to house a spirit. Gui Qian and his family toiled on the land and lived off its produce for a year. However, something strange about the place made them uneasy.
A discovery with dire consequences
One day, after returning home from working the fields, Gui Qian saw a white rat dart into the house and disappear. Curious, he asked his wife, “Could something be buried here?” That night, they dug where the rat had vanished and found a cache of silver. Overjoyed, Gui Qian exclaimed: “Now I can repay Shi Ji’s kindness!”
But his wife quickly cautioned him: “Don’t shout! This is Shi Ji’s land. How do we know he didn’t bury the silver himself? He could claim it belonged to him even if he didn’t since it was found on his property. And if you give it all to him, he might not be grateful; he might even suspect you kept some of it for yourself. Wouldn’t it be better to secretly buy land elsewhere and slowly repay his kindness from there? Only we know about this; it’s a gift from Heaven! If you don’t take it, you might end up with nothing but trouble.”
Gui Qian, swayed by his wife’s words, buried his conscience and decided to deceive Shi Ji.
Translated by Audrey Wang
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