Throughout history, humans have observed natural phenomena with awe and wonder, often interpreting them as signs from the heavens. One such instance occurred during the Ming Dynasty when Zhou Zhixin, a renowned official known for his integrity and sense of justice, experienced a mysterious event that changed the course of an investigation.
A leaf in the wind reveals a hidden truth
In the early 15th century, Zhou Zhixin was appointed Inspector General in Yunnan. However, before he could take up his post, he was reassigned to Zhejiang, where the local population rejoiced upon hearing the news. They believed that Zhou’s arrival would finally bring justice and relieve them of their grievances. True to their hopes, Zhou swiftly addressed various wrongful accusations and freed the innocent.
One day, as he was working, a sudden gust of wind blew a single leaf into his office. His attendants noted that the tree from which the leaf came didn’t grow anywhere near the city but could only be found in a distant temple. Zhou intuitively sensed something was amiss and concluded that a crime must have been committed at the temple. He immediately ordered an investigation, and sure enough, a woman’s body was discovered buried within the temple grounds. The murderer confessed, and justice was served. This event earned Zhou Zhixin a reputation for possessing supernatural insight.
Thunder and justice in Quzhou
During the Chenghua reign of the Ming Dynasty, Lu Zongshan, a man falsely accused by a notorious bandit, was miraculously exonerated through divine intervention. Lu had captured Wang Tai, an infamous thief who had terrorized the region. After his arrest, however, Wang Tai accused Lu of having stolen part of the loot, and both men were imprisoned.
Desperate, Lu cried out to the heavens, pleading for justice. At that very moment, a thunderstorm erupted, and a deity appeared, breaking Lu’s shackles. Lu was released, while Wang Tai was executed for his crimes. The dramatic turn of events solidified the belief that higher powers were at work to ensure justice prevailed.
A miracle restores stolen land
In the second year of the Hongzhi reign, a wealthy family in Jishui Town constructed a grand building that encroached upon the land of a widow and her orphaned son. Despite their grievances, the widow could do nothing but pray for divine intervention.
One night, during a violent thunderstorm, the newly built mansion was mysteriously moved from its original location. The next morning, the widow and her son were astonished to find that the portion of their land that had been taken was miraculously returned to them. The mansion remained intact, but the encroached land was freed. This incident was regarded as a miraculous act of divine justice.
Thunder’s warning of impending doom
In another instance from the Ming Dynasty, a scholar named Zhu Fu heard thunderous crashes one night in his hometown of Yin County. The next morning, he discovered that several structures, including parts of his home, had been damaged by lightning. Though no one was hurt, the event seemed ominous.
Curiously, Zhu Fu’s house, along with his neighbors’ homes, had been partially destroyed by the strike. The beams and pillars were cracked, and white ash covered the ground. A large tree nearby was split down the middle, and some houses in the vicinity had their walls crumbled. Less than a year later, Zhu Fu was convicted of a crime, sentenced to exile, and died shortly after. Many believed the lightning strike had been a warning from the heavens, signaling his downfall.
These stories illustrate the ancient belief that the forces of nature reflect divine justice and that those who wrong others cannot escape the watchful eyes of the heavens. The universe reveals its mysterious connection to human fate through thunder, wind, and even a simple leaf, constantly reminding us of the ever-present balance between good and evil.
Translated by Eva
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