ExclusiveTraditional Chinese Tales: The Noble Beggar

The Noble Beggar During the Qing Dynasty, outside the southern gate of Yongqing County, there was a beggar known as Beggar Xiang. Since his father passed away, he relied on begging to support his mother. They had no house to live in and made a shelter by digging a cave. One day, while it was snowing heavily, Wei Qiqi, the head of Yongqing County, passed by his cave and heard singing coming from within. Although the melody was not particularly beautiful, the lyrics and emotions were deeply touching. Wei found it strange. His attendants said, That's Beggar Xiang singing. The head called him out and asked why he was singing. Xiang replied, Today is my mother's birthday. I am singing a song to congratulate her and encourage her to eat more. Wei ordered his attendants to bring the mother and son to his official residence. Wei's mother gifted Xiang's mother some coarse cloth and food. Wei also gave Xiang ten strings of coins. Xiang knelt down and bowed, singing, We dare not refuse the gifts from your mother. As for the money you have given me, I cannot accept it. Wei asked, Isn't this much better than your daily begging for leftover scraps? Xiang responded, No. My mother has been eating leftover scraps for a long time, and we have been content with the leftovers. They are not dirty to us. I am an ignorant commoner and do not know where you obtained these ten strings of coins. My mother is already 80 years old. I am 61. We hope that officials are all honest and uncorrupt. Then the common people will be at ease. Hearing these words, Wei was deeply moved and felt ashamed, sweating with embarrassment. He no longer insisted on giving him money, but built a house for him and his mother within the city so they could live there. Upon hearing this, Xiang carried his mother and quietly left Yongqing County. No one knew where they had moved. The Book of Rites states, This means that the poor also have dignity, and those who value integrity should not casually accept goods of uncertain origin. The beggar in this story not only had dignity, but was also a noble person, refusing to accept the county head's money and house of uncertain origin. If even a beggar can uphold such principles, then each of us should cherish our own integrity even more, shouldn't we?