During the Qing Dynasty, Wu Sheng was a deaf and mute filial son living in En County, Shandong. He relied on his mother primarily, and they helped each other with daily tasks while living in poverty. Wu worked in the city as a water carrier to sustain their livelihood. His earnings were saved to support his mother, and he never used them to satisfy his desires.
Despite his hearing and speech impairments, Wu was not hindered in his actions; instead, he was sharp and intelligent. He could understand his mother’s thoughts and feelings through her expressions and movements. His mother learned over time that she could communicate smoothly with him through gestures.
As time passed, Wu’s mother grew old and weak, suffering from various illnesses and a decreased appetite, often choking while eating. This situation saddened Wu deeply. What made his mother happy was when she expressed to him that she was hungry, he would then dance and make a singing-like sound joyfully. Even in his fifties, Wu prioritized his mother, warming her bed first during the cold winter nights and only going to sleep on his grass bed after seeing that she was sound asleep.
Every midsummer, he would hang reed curtains at the door to ensure his mother slept comfortably on the bamboo bed while he undressed and slept outside. He tolerated many hardships, including attracting many mosquitoes that bit him constantly. Wu’s consistent filial piety earned him the title of “Filial Son Wu” in the village, and he truly lived up to this name, showing daily respect and care for the mother who gave birth to him.
Wu’s sincere filial piety never changed
One day, as Wu was carrying water and about to enter a pawnshop, he accidentally bumped into young Mei, the son of the county magistrate. The splashing water onto young Mei’s luxurious attire caused him to rebuke him angrily. The pawnshop supervisor quickly apologized, saying: “Please don’t be angry. He is the deaf and mute son of the Wu family.” This statement made Young Mei stop and inquire about Wu’s background.
After learning about Wu’s filial piety, young Mei let go of his anger and was deeply moved. He borrowed five strings of coins from the pawnshop to give to Wu. Wu was initially hesitant to accept the money, but after understanding the kind intentions toward him, he smiled. Then he saw the supervisor’s approval with his raised ring finger, symbolizing “mother” in mute language. He suddenly realized that the person sympathized with his mother, so he immediately knelt and expressed gratitude.
Upon returning home, Wu’s mother was astonished by the large sum of money and asked about its source. Wu tried to explain with shouts and gestures, but his mother couldn’t understand. Worried that her son might have gone astray and stolen the money, she inquired with the neighbors, but no one knew the origin of the money. This led Wu’s mother to make him kneel as punishment. Later, she learned from the pawnshop supervisor that the money was a gift from young Mei.
Half a day later, Wu’s mother returned home, but she saw her son still kneeling on the ground. She quickly comforted him with a smile, and they danced together joyfully. Seeing his mother’s worn-out clothes and bedding, Wu thought it best for her to have a new wardrobe of clothing and bed linens. Many people admired his unwavering and sincere filial piety, which never changed.
Filial son’s plaque moved the army
Wu’s filial piety also moved the county magistrate Mei, who presented him with a plaque to reward his filial virtue. Wu still hesitated to accept such generous gifts from others. Eventually, the villagers hung this plaque on the village gate surrounding the earth market, and it became the glory of all the villagers.
During the anti-Qing rebellion, the “Nian Army” rebelled and wreaked havoc in the countryside. It is said that when they came to the village and saw the plaque, they immediately showed respect with folded hands. “This is the land of the filial son; let’s not disturb them.”
Later, someone voiced a desire to see the filial son’s demeanor and told the guards protecting the area, “If filial son Wu is willing to come out and let us see his true face, we will retreat immediately!” Upon hearing this, Wu waved his hand and refused. He had always stayed by his mother’s side, and the army, moved by his filial virtue, withdrew and spared the villagers from a catastrophe. Everyone was grateful to Wu.
Translated by Joseph Wu and edited by Trisha Haddock
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