During the Tang Dynasty, Wei Dan, who had failed the imperial examinations, rode his lame donkey all the way to a particular bridge in Luoyang. There, he happened to see someone selling a large soft‑shelled turtle several feet long. The animal was in a terrible condition and looked as if it would die at any moment. Many people had gathered around it, wanting to buy and cook it. Wei Dan felt pity, approached the seller out of kindness, and agreed to exchange his donkey for the turtle. He picked it up and immediately took it to a nearby body of water to release it, giving it a new chance at life.
A few days later, he sought out a fortune‑teller. He found a mysterious man known as Master Hulu, whose background was unknown, but whose divinations were said to be extraordinarily accurate. When he arrived at Master Hulu’s home, he saw him at the door waiting and wearing his shoes backward.
Wei Dan explained that he wished to have his fortune told. Master Hulu replied that he had a friend named Yuan, a senior official who wanted to meet him. Wei Dan, who only wanted to know his fate, was about to decline, but the fortune-teller explained that he was unable to help him, and only Yuan — his teacher — could provide some answers. Hearing this, Wei Dan reluctantly agreed to meet Yuan and followed Master Hulu into a quiet alley.
In the little lane, Master Hulu knocked on a small door, and they were let in. Unexpectedly, a few dozen steps ahead was another door, and further ahead a large gate. Behind the gate stood a magnificent building. Several beautiful maidservants emerged to greet Master Hulu and Wei Dan, leading them to a reception hall filled with a strange fragrance.
Soon, an elderly white‑haired man in formal robes appeared. He introduced himself to Wei Dan as Yuan Junzhi and bowed deeply. The gesture left Wei Dan flustered, and he hurried to return the bow, not understanding why the elder would treat him with such respect. When the old man explained that Wei Dan had saved his life, he immediately realized that Yuan was the turtle he had rescued, who had reincarnated. He thus accepted the old man’s generous hospitality for a day.
At dusk, Wei Dan was ready to leave. Yuan presented him with a scroll that he had obtained from the celestial offices, which contained Wei Dan’s fate. The old man also borrowed 5,000 coins from Master Hulu to help Wei Dan purchase a new mount. Overwhelmed by these unexpected gifts, Wei Dan bowed again before departing. The next day, he received more money from Master Hulu.
When Wei Dan read the scroll, he learned that he would pass the examinations the following year, rise through the ranks, become the county officer of Xianyang, and then enter the imperial court. He would receive a total of 17 appointments and eventually serve as the Surveillance Commissioner of Jiangxi. The scroll listed each of his future positions in detail, up until his final three years, when he would be reassigned northward, during the season when the honey locust trees bloom. After that, nothing else was recorded.
From that moment on, Wei Dan carried the scroll with him and treasured it. After he passed the examinations, every official appointment he received matched the predictions.
In the 8th year of the Yuanhe era, one morning, Wei Dan saw the honey locust tree in front of his hall suddenly bloom. He immediately resigned from office and retired. On his journey home, he passed away. His life unfolded exactly as the scroll had foretold.
Translated by Cecilia and edited by Laura Cozzolino
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