Animals or plants, once they reach a certain age, may develop a spiritual essence, and with this essence comes specific abilities. Much like other forms of life, some of these spiritual beings understand the concept of gratitude, such as the following story of a large turtle.
During the Tang Dynasty, Wei Dan, the governor of Jiangxi, was nearing forty years old and had not yet passed the imperial examinations. One day, while riding a lame donkey to Zhongqiao in Luoyang, he witnessed a fisherman catching a large turtle several feet long and placing it on the bridge. The turtle was weakly gasping for breath and was on the brink of death. Many people gathered around, eager to buy and cook it, but only Wei Dan felt compassion.
Wei Dan asked the fisherman how much the turtle was worth. The fisherman replied: “Give me two thousand coins, and it’s yours.” The weather was cold then, and Wei Dan had nothing to pawn except his clothes. So he exchanged his donkey for the turtle and immediately released it into the water. Wei Dan then left on foot.
Nearby, a peculiar man known as Mr. Hulu moved slowly, and no one knew where he came from. However, he was very skilled at divination and could predict events with uncanny accuracy. A few days after the turtle release incident, Wei Dan went to have his fortune told.
Mr. Hulu, wearing his shoes backward, greeted Wei Dan at the door with great joy, saying: “I’ve been eagerly waiting for you for days. Why did you come so late?” Mr. Hulu replied: “I came to see you this time to ask for a fortune reading.” Mr. Hulu said: “My friend Yuan Changshi mentioned your virtue so highly that I couldn’t interrupt him. He sincerely asked me to meet you, so let’s go together.”
Wei Dan pondered for a while, realizing he had never heard of such an official among those he knew. So he said: “Sir, you must be mistaken. Just give me a fortune reading.” Mr. Hulu replied: “How would I know? Your fortune and longevity are beyond my knowledge. Master Yuan is my teacher; if you go, you’ll surely learn the details.”
While leaning on walking sticks, Wei Dan and Mr. Hulu went to Tongli Lane. After walking a few dozen steps, they entered a wooden door and walked another 10 steps to see a grand entrance. The architecture was magnificent, modeled after the residences of dukes and marquises. Several maidservants, all extraordinarily beautiful, came out to greet them. The guest hall was lavishly decorated, filled with exotic fragrances. Soon, an elderly man with a silver-white beard and eyebrows, standing seven feet tall, wearing coarse cloth and a peculiar belt, came out with two attendants in blue attire. He introduced himself as Yuan Junzhi.
Wei Dan realizes he was the turtle
He bowed deeply to Wei Dan, who was startled and hurriedly returned the bow, saying: “I am a humble scholar of low status, and I am surprised by your high regard. I still don’t understand.” The old man said: “I was destined to die, but you saved me. Such a great kindness, isn’t it only right to repay it? Those who speak of righteousness don’t dwell on such matters, but those who receive kindness wish to repay it even with their lives.” Wei Dan suddenly understood that he was the turtle, but he never explicitly said it.
The old man prepared a meal, and they spent the entire day together. In the evening, when Wei Dan was about to leave, the old man took out a scroll of writing and gave it to Wei Dan, saying: “I know you want to know your destiny, so I went to the celestial office to record your lifetime’s official positions and places. Consider it my repayment. What is here and not is determined by your fate, but knowing in advance is valuable.”
The old man also told Mr. Hulu: “It’s best to lend me five thousand coins to get Wei a new mount. My wish is for him to decide to head west soon.” Wei Dan bowed twice and left. The next day, Mr. Hulu brought 50 strings of coins to the inn as a contribution. The scroll detailed that Wei Dan would pass the examinations in May of the following year, enter the ranks of officials, and serve as the magistrate of Xianyang County.
A year later, he would join the court, holding various positions 17 times, with specific years and months, eventually becoming the governor of Jiangxi and reaching the rank of Grand Censor. When the soapberry tree in front of the hall bloomed in the last three years, he would be reassigned and return north. After that, nothing more was written.
Wei Dan cherished the scroll like a treasure. From the time he passed the examinations until he became the governor of Jiangxi, every appointment was accurate. In front of the Hongzhou prefecture hall was a soapberry tree, which had grown for many years. Folklore said that the landowner would be greatly troubled when this tree bloomed. In the eighth year of the Yuanhe era, while Wei Dan was in office, the soapberry tree suddenly bloomed one morning. Wei Dan then resigned from his position and died on his way home.
Everything in a person’s life seems predetermined and cannot be forced.
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