Lü Yu and his son packed their belongings, gave thanks, and took their leave, hiring a small boat to row out beyond the sluice. After traveling a few miles, they suddenly heard a great commotion along the riverbank — shouts and cries filling the air. Curious, Lü Yu stepped out of the cabin to ask the boatman what had happened. It turned out that a boat had capsized, and all aboard had fallen into the water.
A good deed brings unexpected reward
Lü Yu thought to himself: “To save a single life is greater than building a seven-tiered pagoda. I have here twenty taels of silver given by my in-laws — why not offer it as a reward for rescuing those people? That would be true merit.” He called out loudly: “Do not panic! I will provide a reward. Quickly rescue them! If you save everyone on that boat, twenty taels of silver are yours.” Hearing this, many small boats rushed forward to help, and even strong swimmers from the shore leaped into the water. In no time, all those on the capsized boat were saved. Lü Yu handed over the silver for them to divide, and the rescued passengers expressed endless gratitude.
Among them, one man suddenly looked at Lü Yu and cried out: “Brother, where have you come from?” Lü Yu looked closely — and saw that it was none other than his younger brother, Lü Zhen. Lü Yu clasped his hands and exclaimed: “Thank goodness! Heaven has allowed me to save my own brother’s life!” He quickly helped him aboard, gave him dry clothes, and introduced him to his son. Lü Yu then recounted the entire story of returning the silver and finding his lost child, leaving Lü Zhen astonished.
When asked how he had come to be there, Lü Zhen explained: “After you left and three years passed, rumors spread that you had died of illness in Shanxi. Second Brother investigated and confirmed the report. He returned home and told his sister-in-law, who then put on mourning clothes and observed the rites.
But I did not believe it. Recently, Second Brother even tried to force her into remarriage, but she refused. So I set out alone for Shanxi to seek news of you. On the way, my boat overturned and I nearly drowned. By Heaven’s mercy, you saved me, and we are reunited! Brother, you must hurry home and reassure Sister-in-law before it is too late.” Lü Yu was greatly alarmed upon hearing this and immediately ordered the boatman to set off. They traveled through the night without rest, rushing all the way back toward home.
A marriage arranged for profit
Meanwhile, at home, Lady Wang had reluctantly accepted the news of her husband’s death, persuaded by Lü Bao. She put on mourning clothes and set up a memorial tablet. But Lü Bao harbored evil intentions. Seeing that his elder brother was gone and his sister-in-law had no children, he began to scheme against her. He first tried to force her into remarriage so he could take the bride price and seize the family property, and had his wife, Lady Yang, press her to agree. But Lady Wang refused firmly. She instead insisted that Lü Zhen go to Shanxi to confirm whether Lü Yu was truly dead, and, if so, to bring back his remains for burial.
While Lü Zhen was away, Lü Bao grew increasingly reckless. Deep in debt due to gambling, he learned that a widowed merchant from Jiangxi was seeking a wife. He secretly agreed to sell Lady Wang for 30 taels of silver and arranged the matter in advance. He instructed the merchant to come at dusk with a sedan chair, saying only: “She is in mourning — take her directly without a word.”
Lady Yang, who was fond of her sister-in-law, felt pity in her heart, but since her husband had the final word, there was nothing she could do. She held her tongue until evening, and when night had fallen, she quietly said to Lady Wang: “My husband has already arranged to marry you off to a Jiangxi merchant. He will soon come to take you away as his bride. I was ordered not to speak of it, but because of our closeness, I cannot keep it from you. Gather whatever valuables you have and pack them in advance, so you will not be caught unprepared in the rush.”
Lady Wang wept bitterly. Lady Yang tried to comfort her for some time, and only after repeated persuasion did Lady Wang gradually stop crying. She said: “If I must be married off, so be it. But how can I go out wearing mourning attire? Please find me a black hairpiece to replace it.”
Seeing a chance to resolve the matter, Lady Yang quickly searched for one, but despite her efforts, she could not find a black hairpiece anywhere in the house. Lady Wang then said: “Since you are at home, lend me the one you are wearing for now. Tomorrow you may buy another from the shop.” Lady Yang agreed. Lady Wang then exchanged hairpieces with her and changed into colored clothing.
You reap what you sow
As dusk fell, the Jiangxi merchant and his men arrived with lanterns and torches, carrying a brightly decorated sedan chair. Though a band of musicians accompanied them, none dared play. They hurried straight to the Lü household. The group forced open the door and seized the woman wearing the mourning hairpiece — Lady Yang. She cried out: “It is not me! Not me!” But her protests were ignored. She was bundled into the sedan, and only then did the musicians strike up a tune as the bearers hurried away. Meanwhile, Lady Wang quietly gave thanks to Heaven, closed the door, and went to rest.
The next morning, Lü Bao swaggered home, only to find his sister-in-law still there and his wife missing. Shocked, he realized he had sold his own wife by mistake. Worse still, he had already squandered most of the 30 taels of silver at the gambling tables. Furious and humiliated, he considered selling Lady Wang again — but at that moment, Lü Yu, Lü Zhen, and Xi’er returned home, accompanied by porters carrying their goods. The family was reunited in joy, while Lü Bao fled in disgrace.
Lü Yu told Lady Wang the full story of returning the silver and finding their son. She, in turn, recounted how she had been nearly sold off in marriage and how her sister-in-law had been mistakenly taken away in her place. Lü Yu reflected: “Had I kept that ill-gotten silver, I would never have found my son. Had I not given away the twenty taels, I would not have saved my brother. Without saving my brother, I would not have uncovered the truth at home. Now husband and wife are reunited, and the family made whole — this is Heaven’s decree. As for Lü Bao, his own misdeeds have brought consequences. Heaven’s justice is clear.”
From then on, the family lived in harmony, devoted to virtue and good deeds, and their fortunes prospered. Xi’er later married Chen’s daughter, and their descendants flourished, many rising to high office.
Reflection
After reading this story, does it not strike one as truly amazing? In truth, there is no deed that does not return. Good and evil are recorded without fail, though men may not see the results at once. Wealth gained by honesty brings good fortune in turn; harm done in selfishness and greed brings its own undoing.
Therefore, when one is about to act, one must be careful about the root of one’s intentions. A single thought of kindness may preserve one’s descendants for generations, while a single act of wrongdoing may bring ruin upon oneself and one’s house. Heaven’s retribution is certain — what is sown will surely be reaped in due time.
See Part 1 here
Translated by Cecilia and edited by Tatiana Denning
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