Li Mian was a person from the Tang Xuanzong period. He liked reading since he was a child and paid attention to doing it according to the requirements in the book. Over time, we develop habits and cultivate an honest and elegant gentlemanly demeanor. Although his family is poor, he never greedy for ill-gotten gains.
When taking the exam, Li Mian stayed in a hotel with a scholar named Chen Sheng. The two were very close to each other and fell in love with each other. They often talked about the past and the present, discussed knowledge, and became good friends. Unexpectedly, Chen fell ill. Li Mian quickly invited a doctor for him, and helped him decoct medicine according to the doctor's instructions and took the medicine on time.
For many days, Li Mian took good care of Chen Sheng's daily life and diet. However, the scholar's illness not only did not improve, but instead worsened day by day. Seeing his weaker friend, Li Mian was very anxious and often went to the homes of nearby people to find folk prescriptions, and often ran to the mountains alone to dig out herbs that could not be bought in the pharmacy.
One evening, Li Mian came back from digging medicine and went to his friend's room first. When he saw Chen Sheng's complexion seemed to be better. He was delighted and went to the bed with concern and asked, "Brother, do you feel better?" Chen Sheng said, "I think I don't have much time left. Brothers have something to ask for before their death." Li Mian hurriedly comforted, "Brother, don't think too much. Haven't your complexion much better today? As long as you calm down, you will get better soon. Brother, don't be polite, please tell me if you have anything." Chen Sheng said, "Pick out the small wooden box under my bed and help me open it." Li Mian did as he told me. The scholar pointed to a burden inside and said, "Thanks to your meticulous care these days. This is one hundred taels of silver. It was used to take the exam, but now it is no longer necessary.
After I die, please use some of the silver to prepare a coffin for me and bury me. The rest will be given to you. I think my wish is my best. Please accept it, otherwise I will not be at peace in my heart."
In order to make Chen Sheng feel at ease, Li Mian had to agree to accept the silver.
The next morning, Chen Sheng really passed away. Li Mian followed his last wishes and bought a coffin and carefully handled his funeral. A lot of silver was left, and Li Mian did not use it at all, but carefully wrapped it and placed it quietly in the coffin.
Tang Xuanzong During the Tianbao period, Li Mian became a military officer. He is still honest and self-disciplined, deeply loved by the people, and is also highly respected among all civil and military officials. One day, a big man broke into Li Mian's mansion. Before Li Mian could speak, the big man scolded him and said, "Good you Li Mian! You are greedy for my brother's money, which makes my sister-in-law's family miserable!" Li Mian said, "You are Chen Sheng's younger brother Chen Xing, right? Please be careful, brothers, please be careful. I will give you an explanation."
Li Mian took Chen Xing to a tomb in the outskirts of Kaifeng City . The tombstone clearly read: Chen Sheng's Tomb.
When Chen Xing saw it, he couldn't help but feel sad. Li Mian showed sadness and asked his men to dig up the grave, pick up the remains, and put them in a black pot to move back to Chen Sheng's hometown. Suddenly, everyone dug out a rotten rag package, which was actually covered with white silver. After learning about the origin of the money, everyone was moved by Li Mian's noble character of not being greedy for money. Chen Xing felt deeply ashamed and insisted on giving the money to Li Mian, but Li Mian politely declined. So Chen Xing took his brother's remains back to his hometown, and praised Li Mian for being honest when he met everyone on the way.
■ Text/Adapted from "The Three Dao of the Analects of Confucius" (Written by Lin Qiuyun Xiong Lan and published by Hebei Fine Arts Publishing House)
■The pictures are all pictures except the cover of the book
■Editor/Wang Huili
■ All rights reserved, and no reprinting of
may be allowed without permission
