This story took place in central Taiwan and is based on true events. A young couple was struggling financially and often found themselves bickering over money. Despite the tension, they managed to live peacefully and maintained a solid relationship through their modest, day-to-day life.
One night, the husband had a strange dream. In it, the Earth God (known as Tudi Gong, a deity widely worshipped in Chinese folk religion) appeared and told him to buy a house at a specific address. The man awoke puzzled, and assumed it was just a product of exhaustion from a long day’s work. He brushed it off and didn’t give it much thought.
But the next night, the same dream came again. The Earth God returned and repeated the exact address and instruction — to purchase the house. This time, the man was struck by how vividly he remembered every detail, including the house number. He mentioned it to his wife, who jokingly said: “You must be thinking about money so much that it’s seeping into your dreams.”
Curiosity leads to discovery
Still unsettled by the recurring dream, the man decided to ride his bicycle and check out the address. To his surprise, there really was an old, weathered house standing at the location. It looked abandoned, and while it wasn’t far from their home, he didn’t dwell on it long — after all, they had no money to buy it. He cycled back and pushed the thought aside.
But on the third night, the Earth God returned once again in his dream — this time with more to say.
The deity explained that many years ago, the Earth God’s temple had been small and in disrepair, unable to withstand wind and rain. During that difficult time, the man’s grandfather had stepped in to help. Not only did he repair the temple, but he also expanded it, giving the Earth God a proper place to rest and be worshipped. Now, the Earth God wished to repay this old kindness.
“You must buy that house,” the deity said. “Even if you don’t have the money, borrow it if you must. But you must follow my instructions carefully — this is your reward for your grandfather’s good deed. Remember this well!”
Following divine guidance
When the man woke up, he asked his father if there had ever been such a story about rebuilding a local temple. His father thought for a moment and said he vaguely remembered hearing something about it from his own childhood.
With his mind made up, the man gathered his courage and reached out to several close friends, borrowing enough money to purchase the old house. Once the deal was finalized, he hired workers to tear it down and begin rebuilding.
A forgotten treasure buried in the beams
During demolition, something astonishing happened. The workers found a stash of silver coins hidden inside the beams of the house. They were Japanese Meiji Dragon silver dollars from the year 1875, made of 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper alloy. These coins featured a carved dragon in the center, with Japanese characters that read “Meiji Year 8” and the words “Trade Silver” on the back. Historical experts later confirmed the coins were genuine and quite valuable.
Taiwan had once been under Japanese rule, and many Japanese families had lived there. It’s believed that when some residents hastily returned to Japan, they left behind valuables — perhaps hoping to return one day. These silver coins were one such forgotten treasure.
A life transformed by gratitude and faith
The silver coins were enough to cover all the expenses for the house renovation, with money left over. The couple’s life improved significantly, and happiness soon followed. Their story became a local legend — one that spoke of karma, hidden blessings, and divine gratitude.
In Chinese folk belief, the Earth God is not only a guardian spirit of the land, but is also revered as a god of wealth and fortune. As the saying goes: “Where there is land, there is wealth.” This is why many businesses and families honor Tudi Gong as a protector and bringer of prosperity.
Translated by Patty Zhang
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