During the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, in Qixian County, Huizhou, there lived an elderly scholar named Huang Yu. Renowned for his kindness, moral integrity, and upright character, Huang Yu was highly respected by his community.
Flattery turns a grateful student into an arrogant official
Among those in Huang Yu’s town was a young scholar named Wang Fei, who longed to take the provincial examination. At that time, candidates needed a guarantor — usually an accomplished scholar — to vouch for their eligibility. However, Wang Fei was too poor to offer an attractive payment, and no one was willing to sponsor him.
Moved by Wang Fei’s difficult situation, Huang Yu volunteered to act as his guarantor without accepting any compensation. Despite Huang Yu’s generosity, Wang Fei failed the exam. Huang continued to support Wang, offering him guidance in essay writing and occasionally helping with food and firewood expenses.
A year later, both men traveled to Nanjing for another examination. This time, Wang passed and earned a prestigious academic title. Seeing his success, the wealthy people of Huizhou flattered him endlessly, feeding his ego. Wang’s attitude soon changed — he began distancing himself from Huang, belittling him in public and forgetting the kindness that had once helped him succeed.
A rise to power and a fateful meeting
Using his newfound status, Wang wielded his influence with arrogance in his hometown, acting recklessly and earning a reputation for misusing his power. He eventually secured a position as the magistrate of De’an County in Jiangxi. Over three years, he amassed a fortune in bribes and ill-gotten wealth, which he brought to the capital in hopes of securing a higher office.
On his way to Beijing, Wang encountered Huang again. By this time, Huang had passed the imperial examination and been appointed by the emperor to a position in Jiujiang. Recognizing his former benefactor’s success, Wang regretted his earlier ungratefulness and tried to bribe Huang with gold and silver. Huang, true to his principles, firmly declined the offer.
A warning ignored
Upon reaching the capital, Wang used his wealth to grease the bureaucratic wheels and was told by the Ministry of Personnel: “As long as the new inspector gives you a letter of recommendation, your position will be secure.” Wang hurried to arrange more bribes, leaving the capital overnight with his entourage.
In Nanjing, Wang hired a boat to continue to Jiangxi. When the boatman refused to go due to the low payment offered, Wang’s subordinates beat the man. A passerby, dressed in a plain robe and tall cap, intervened. He calmed the situation and offered to pay the difference in fare if the boatman would allow him to travel with them.
During the journey, Wang, bored in his cabin, learned that the man was a fortune teller and invited him to do a reading. The fortune teller studied Wang and said: “Your current complexion is stagnant and dull. Trouble lies ahead — someone will report you, and you may even face imprisonment.”
Wang was enraged. “You’re talking nonsense! The new inspector hasn’t even arrived yet. Even if he does, I’ll give him some silver — who would dare report me then?” Furious, Wang ordered the boatman to dock and had his men push the fortune teller off the boat.
Justice catches up
Soon after arriving in Jiangxi, Wang and other local officials went to greet the newly appointed inspector. To his shock, the inspector stepping off the platform was none other than the fortune teller he had thrown off the boat.
The inspector had already gathered evidence of Wang’s corruption and cruelty and ordered his immediate arrest. News of Wang’s imprisonment spread quickly, and over a thousand villagers filed formal complaints against him. The investigation revealed that Wang had stolen over 50,000 taels of silver during his tenure as magistrate.
Compassion and consequences
When Huang heard that Wang was in prison enduring daily beatings, he felt no resentment for Wang’s earlier mistreatment. Instead, he petitioned on Wang’s behalf, pleading for leniency. Thanks to Huang’s efforts, Wang was released from prison and sent back home.
However, Wang’s arrogance and lack of integrity left him disgraced and isolated. Ashamed and unable to face the world, he fell gravely ill and died in despair.
Meanwhile, Huang continued his career as a virtuous and principled official, earning the respect of both merchants and commoners. His reputation for fairness and integrity brought him widespread praise, and he was eventually promoted to a higher position, leaving a legacy of honor and virtue.
Translated by Joseph Wu
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