In traditional Chinese culture, the bond between brothers is highly valued, and it is considered to be one of the most important relationships a person can have. Some people treat their brothers like strangers, refusing to help them when they are in need. However, those who treat their brothers with love and affection will be blessed with good fortune.
The outcome of not helping a brother in need
During the Qing Dynasty, in a certain township, there lived two scholars – Zhu Si and Liu Che. Zhu Si came from a poor family. He made a living by teaching in the local school.
At the end of the year, Zhu Si traveled back home with the money he had earned. On his journey, he encountered a farmer who was bound and crying. When Zhu Si asked why he was crying, the farmer told him that he was unable to repay the money he borrowed from the government to buy seedlings. Moved by the farmer’s plight, Zhu Si used his money from teaching to help the farmer pay off his debt and regain his freedom.
Meanwhile, Liu Che came from a wealthy family and had a good reputation for his knowledge. But despite trying numerous times, Liu Che never passed the imperial exams. He implored the gods for guidance on his future prospects.
In a dream, the gods told him that he lacked the virtue required to obtain what he desired. When he asked what he lacked, the gods reminded him of how his brother had been in debt to the government and Liu Che had done nothing to help him. By way of comparison, they expressed how the poor scholar, Zhu Si, had provided help to a complete stranger, paying for his seedlings, which earned him great virtue in return.
After Liu Che woke up, he went to visit Zhu Si and found out about his act of kindness in helping the farmer – it was just as the gods had told him. He let out a sigh and felt lost. Later, Zhu Si married and had three sons, all of whom were given noble titles, while Liu Che never succeeded in his lifetime.
Xu Wu is blessed for his selfless love for his brothers
Xu Wu lost his father at an early age. As the eldest son, Xu Wu took over the farming duties of the family, providing for and teaching his two younger brothers.
When they were so small that they could not lift the hoe to dig the soil in the field, Xu Wu let them learn by watching him work. At night, after spending all day working on the farm, he would light a lamp and pick up a book. He had his two brothers sit on the side of the mat so he could teach them to read, explaining the meaning of what was in the books in great detail. Through this process, Xu Wu taught his two brothers morality, righteousness, and the correct way to behave in the world.
If his brothers ignored his teachings, he would kneel in front of the family temple and pray to his ancestors: “I am not virtuous enough to teach my brothers. May the spirits of my parents in heaven inspire and guide my two younger brothers!” He remained on his knees until his two younger brothers cried loudly and asked him to give them a chance to change their ways before standing up again. He never treated his siblings badly or with harsh words.
In their home, there was only one sleeping pallet, and the three brothers slept together. When Xu Wu reached the age to get married, someone advised him to take a wife. But Xu Wu said: “After marrying, there may be conflicts between my wife and my brothers, which may harm our family bonds.”
Due to his friendly and amicable nature, Xu Wu was recommended by the local people to join the imperial court, where he was appointed as a government official. Later, he helped his two younger brothers find marriage partners and arranged marriages for them before he himself got married. Both of his younger brothers also achieved success in their studies and were recommended for government positions by their local communities.
The classic text “Yan Family Instructions” says: “When both parents are gone, brothers should take care of each other, being as close as a shape and its shadow or a sound and its echo.” The love of the parents should be extended, with siblings cherishing their family relationship. If an elder sibling can be both a stern father and a loving mother for younger siblings when both parents are gone, this kind of sibling relationship demonstrates a high level of human morality.
Translated by Eva
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