Yu's Reincarnation Stories: Scholar Li Honors His Promise and Repays a Kindness

At the time, widespread uprisings had sparked conflict between the people and the imperial court. Upon hearing the news, many wealthy families packed up and fled overnight.

Having lost his work, Scholar Li was left homeless and wandered from place to place in search of employment. Yet he steadfastly refused to beg, unwilling to compromise the dignity and integrity of a scholar.

One day, a man named Xie Zhen was returning home after conducting business when he noticed the dejected Scholar Li among the crowd.

Sensing that there was something extraordinary about him, Xie Zhen invited him to stay at his home and offered him food and lodging. Scholar Li, however, declined the offer.

He explained that he was unwilling to live off others without contributing anything in return and offered instead to work in exchange for meals and a place to stay. Xie Zhen and his wife agreed and entrusted him with tending the small bamboo grove in their backyard.

Beyond the bamboo grove was a path leading to the courtyard of their daughter, Wan'er. This was also a test of Scholar Li's character. If he harbored improper intentions toward Wan'er and entered her private quarters without permission, the Xie family would no longer allow him to remain in their household.