Yan Weng of Yinwenyuan, Zhejiang, was a grand academician during the Ming Dynasty, residing in Fucheng. Once, when he was a young man, he traveled to Xiaoxi Mountain, located about 80 li (approximately 24 miles) away from the city, to meet with friends. After spending the night there, he began his journey back home the next morning.
On his return trip, a mountain villager also arranged with the boatman to ride on the same boat as Yan Weng. When he reached his home, the streetlights were already lit. The villager, who had no relatives in the city, hoped to stay on the boat overnight, but the boatman refused. Seeing the man’s plight, Yan Weng took pity on him, knowing that he had come from a remote area, and offered him a place to stay and a meal.
An act of gratitude gone wrong
At dawn, while the city was still asleep, the villager woke up and wanted to thank his host before leaving. However, after waiting some time, he decided it would be improper to disturb his kind host so early in the morning. He left quietly and planned to come back later to express his gratitude.
When he returned after breakfast, he couldn’t remember which door Yan Weng’s was. He wandered the streets in confusion, failing to locate the house he had stayed in. Meanwhile, Yan Weng woke up and asked his servant to ensure the guest had a proper meal before his long journey home. The servant found the room empty and reported that the guest had already left.
To Yan Weng’s surprise, he discovered a bundle left behind by the villager, containing a hundred taels of silver and a receipt for grain tax payment. He deduced that the man must be a local tax collector from Xiaoxi Mountain, who had come to the city to submit the taxes, but accidentally left the money behind. Fearing the severe consequences the villager might face, Yan Weng decided to deliver the money to him personally.
Going the extra mile to help
When his servant questioned how to find the villager without knowing his name, Yan Weng pointed out that the receipt contained detailed information about the village’s location. Without delay, he went to the county office, paid the taxes on behalf of the villager, and secured the necessary documents. Then, he set off to Xiaoxi Mountain to return the bundle.
Upon arrival, Yan Weng inquired about the villager’s name and home. He was directed to the house, where he heard the sounds of weeping. The villager’s wife explained that her husband had attempted to hang himself in despair over the lost money, but thankfully, he was rescued just in time. Hearing this, Yan Weng presented the bundle and explained that he had come to return the silver and the tax documents.
The villager was overwhelmed with gratitude and invited Yan Weng to his home. As they conversed, he introduced his wife and son, and they all expressed their heartfelt thanks. From that day on, whenever the villager came to the city, he would visit Yan Weng and bring gifts from his mountain home.
The surprising turn of fate
Years later, Yan Weng began looking for a burial site when he grew older. A feng shui master guided him to a mountain near Xiaoxi, deeming it a place of good fortune. While inspecting the area, he met a farmer tending to his land. The farmer recognized him and said: “Are you not the Yan Weng who once showed me such kindness?”
The farmer turned out to be the same villager who had once left the silver behind in Yan Weng’s home. Overjoyed to see his old benefactor, the villager insisted he rest at his house. He then revealed that he had recently acquired the land Yan Weng was interested in. Out of gratitude, he offered to gift the plot of land to him.
Despite the villager’s generosity, Yan Weng insisted on paying a fair price for the land, understanding that accepting it for free might seem inappropriate. He arranged for the transaction and secured the site as his future burial ground, grateful for the turn of events that led him to this favorable place.
The power of selfless kindness
This remarkable act of kindness resulted in future generations of Yan Weng’s family thriving, with one descendant, Yan Wen Yuan, rising to prominence during the Jiajing period. The family’s good fortune was attributed to the auspicious land and the selfless deeds of their ancestor.
Moral of the story
Genuine kindness lies in helping others without expecting anything in return. Yan Weng’s actions not only saved a life but also brought him blessings he never anticipated. His story is a powerful reminder that genuine goodness is often rewarded in unexpected ways, encouraging others to lead a life of virtue.
Translated by Audrey Wang
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