In ancient Chinese history, many people emphasized righteousness and filial piety and inspired the people around them to cultivate themselves and practice righteousness. Here are two stories about filial piety that changed people’s destinies.
Zhao Zi’s filial piety transformed a group of robbers
During the Han Dynasty (202 B.C. – A.D. 8), a man named Zhao Zi was Dunhuang’s governor and the county’s highest military official. Later, due to his advancing years, he resigned from his post and returned to his hometown. After he returned home, he led his children and grandchildren in plowing the fields and supporting his mother.
One night, a gang of robbers came to his house. Fearing that his mother would be frightened, Zhao Zi took the initiative to go to the door to greet the robbers. Then he asked his family to cook a good meal for them. During the meal, Zhao Zi bowed to them and said: “Gentlemen, I have an old mother who is over eighty years old and very ill. I beg you to leave me some food and clothes to support her. As for the rest of the belongings, I dare not ask you to leave them behind. For the sake of my mother, please fulfill my request!”
When the bandits heard Zhao Zi’s words, they were all impressed by his filial piety and kindness of heart and suddenly felt ashamed. They all knelt, saying, “We are so outrageous! We have offended your family and disturbed such a virtuous man as you. We are very sorry!” After saying this, they quickly ran away. Zhao Zi rushed after them to give them some money, but he could not catch up with them.
Most people share the same mentality and values; whatever moves us will also move others. That is why Zhao Zi’s filial piety touched those robbers, who felt ashamed of their actions.
Liu Ping was so righteous and filial that the bandits could not bear to harm him
Liu Ping, a native of Pengcheng in the early years of the Eastern Han Dynasty (A.D. 25-220), was a virtuous man who practiced righteousness and filial piety. He transformed everyone around him to cultivate their moral character and righteously conduct themselves.
Liu Ping was a county official. During the Gengshi Rebellion, Liu Ping’s younger brother, Liu Zhong, was killed by bandits. When the bandits came to invade again, Liu Ping brought his mother and his late brother’s 1-year-old baby girl with him to flee, but he left his child behind.
His mother wanted to return for his child, but Liu Ping said: “I can’t support two children with my ability, and Liu Zhong can’t lose his child too.” Liu Ping took his mother and hid her and the child in a wild lake swamp.
One morning, Liu Ping went out to look for food for his mother and met a group of hungry thieves who grabbed him. Liu Ping cried bitterly and said: “I went out to look for wild vegetables for my mother. She cannot live without me. Please let me go first to feed her a meal. I will come back later.” The bandits took pity on him and let him go because he was very sincere.
He returned to where his mother was hiding and served her a meal. Afterward, he told her: “I have made an agreement with the thieves, and I will not deceive them.” So he went back to the place where the thieves were. These men were astonished and said to each other: “We have often heard of a righteous man, and today we have met him at last; go back to your place! We can’t bear to harm you!” In this way, Liu Ping, his mother’s, and his niece’s lives were saved.
Translated by Audrey Wang
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