During the Qing Dynasty, a man named Sheng Sheng lived in the county of Xiushui. Never one to argue or hold grudges, Sheng was, by nature, gentle, and he had a heart of kindness. His cousin, serving as the county magistrate in Guangdong, appointed Sheng as a clerk under his administration. In his role, Sheng also developed a close friendship with the county vice magistrate.
A plea for mercy
One day, the vice magistrate hosted a banquet and invited Sheng to attend. A servant carrying a dish accidentally dropped it during the meal, spilling soup onto Sheng’s clothes. The vice magistrate became furious and ordered the servant chained and dragged to the court, intending to flog him after the feast.
Sheng, however, remained calm and unperturbed. He gently reasoned: “The servant’s mistake was unintentional and, by law, could be forgiven. While my clothes are stained, they can be washed, causing no real harm. Besides, this feast was held in my honor, yet it has brought trouble to another. How could I feel at peace? Please, let this go and spare him.”
Despite Sheng’s heartfelt pleas, the vice magistrate’s anger persisted. The magistrate’s fury finally subsided only after Sheng repeatedly interceded, and the servant was unchained and released.
A year later, Sheng accompanied his cousin to another county, traveling with carts full of belongings. On the third day of their journey, they arrived at a remote, rugged mountain pass. As night fell, they stopped at a small, isolated inn. The place was eerily quiet, its desolate atmosphere raising Sheng’s suspicions. His unease deepened when a group of fierce-looking men appeared briefly, peered inside, and then disappeared into the night.
Protected by a thief
Later that night, while the others slept, Sheng remained awake by candlelight. Suddenly, a man entered the room and intently scrutinized Sheng’s face. Alarmed, Sheng asked the man what he wanted, but he left abruptly and joined the others outside. Sheng overheard their hushed murmurs of agreement before they dispersed into the night.
The next morning, as the party prepared to leave, a man appeared and followed Sheng closely. Sheng asked who he was and why he was following him. The man replied: “Do you remember the servant who spilled soup on your clothes? That was me.”
The man explained that he had left the government job and joined a band of robbers. He confessed: “Last night, we planned to raid your group, but when I saw you, I stopped them. I guarded you through the night to ensure your safety, but you’ll likely encounter more danger tonight. I’ll escort you for a while to keep you safe.”
True to his word, the man accompanied them to safety before disappearing. The following day, he reappeared briefly, saying: “The road ahead is secure now. Farewell.” Sheng offered him silver as a thanks, but the man declined and left swiftly. Sheng’s companions marveled at how there were men of honor even among thieves, and they admired Sheng’s virtue and character.
Kindness repaid by a robber
Sheng often traveled to the countryside to collect rent. Unlike others, he treated tenants kindly, forgiving those in financial difficulty. One day, during a journey to Shandong, Sheng’s boat was anchored at a river dock when a gang of robbers stormed aboard. Hearing the commotion, Sheng looked out from his bed. To his surprise, one of the robbers recognized him and immediately signaled the others to stop.
“Had we known it was you, we wouldn’t have intruded,” the leader said. “Though I am a thief, I cannot harm a virtuous elder.”
Sheng asked: “How do you know me?”
The man replied from outside the cabin: “If all landlords were as compassionate as you, the poor would never starve.” It turned out one of the robbers was Sheng’s former tenant. The robbers withdrew, and everyone aboard was spared harm.
These events illustrate the profound power of kindness and integrity. Humankind is innately good, endowed with conscience and compassion. Yet life is unpredictable, and calamities often come without warning. Those who pride themselves on harshness and cruelty should reflect deeply, for the safety of their souls depends on their repentance and reform.
Translated by Katy Liu and edited by Tatiana Denning
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