In a person’s life, achievements, wealth, and honor all come from virtue. The amount of virtue accumulated in previous lives determines the quality of future ones. Some may also receive compensation in this life for their good deeds, reflected in prosperity, status, and career advancements; this is a manifestation of present rewards. “Spending a fortune will still bring it back,” reads the profound work of Li Bai, yet few can truly grasp its essence. The following stories of several individuals from the Qing Dynasty, who harbored good intentions and showed generosity in their giving, can inspire.
A scholar’s generosity alleviated hardship, leading to success in the imperial examination
In the area of Siming (the ancient name for Ningbo), a scholar surnamed Zhang studied hard at an official school for over 20 years, yet he never passed the imperial examination or showed any sign of success in the civil service. One day, he traveled to Jiangxi and, unexpectedly, acquired a fortune of 1,000 taels of silver. At that time, he planned to use the money to buy an official position and returned to his hometown.
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