In the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China, an official named Shao Xiaohuang was sent to Nangantang Island (Matsu Island) in Fujian to collect taxes. After finishing business, I went back to my hometown in Nantai to visit relatives. Because I was a good friend with Chen, the local salt affairs director in Nantai, I went to a local restaurant with Chen and his son to have a happy party.
While drinking in a restaurant, they met a fortune teller Zheng who was reading fortune tellers in the restaurant, so Chen and his son asked Master Zheng to have a fortune teller.
After looking at it carefully, Mr. Zheng told Chen: "Mr. Mr. will be a local official within two years, and the son's fortune is also very good. "
Chen was originally from Xiaolian. He had been waiting for the county magistrate in Wuzhong for many years, but could not do so. He himself often regretted this. Hearing what the fortune teller said, he was naturally overjoyed.
About a year later, Shao Xiaohuang and Chen and his son were drinking in that restaurant again. Shao Xiaohuang jokingly said to Chen: " It turns out that the date for promotion mentioned by the fortune teller is coming soon. If you become famous in the future, don't forget me! "
Chen and his son were both pleased with themselves and just smiled at each other. It happened that the fortune teller Zheng was also in the restaurant, so they invited the fortune teller to sit down with them, intending to ask about the official fortune again.
After Prime Minister Zheng sat down, he looked at Chen and his son, and suddenly asked Chen in surprise: "Has Mr. hurt the lives of two people in the bureau recently? Why do you and your son have water marks on their faces? "
Chen said that he did not harm anyone's life. Shao Xiaohuang He also reminded him to think carefully. After a long time, Chen said slowly: " There has never been any harm to human life in the Salt Bureau. Recently, a mother and son in my family died because of me. You shouldn't retaliate against me! My hometown is on the street in Changle. Because I am an official outside, there is a boy in the clan who does not do his job and often steals. One time he stole from my house. When I returned home some time ago, my second son told me about the man who had come to steal the house. The eldest son was so angry that he gathered some people and kidnapped the thief to see me. I scolded him: You dare to steal my things, let alone other people's. If I don't beat you to death, I'm afraid there will be endless troubles. Because I said this, the villagers tied up the man at night and used two bamboo tubes to press his eyes out. This was also a common lynching method used in the local area to punish bad guys. The man died of pain, his The mother could not bear the pain of losing her son and committed suicide. It's all because I made a blunder in anger, and I regret it now. I didn’t intend to kill that person at first, so why should retribution come to me and my son? ”
Prime Minister Zheng sighed after hearing this, and could only offer some words of comfort. At this point, not to mention his official career, even his life was in danger. Some time later, Chen and his son really died due to accidental drowning.
This incident is recorded in "Dongling Xiaozhi". The authors Guo Zeyu and Shao Xiaohuang are fellow townsmen in Fujian. Shao Xiaohuang personally told Guo Zeyu about this matter. Guo Zeyu also emphasized in the book that Shao Xiaohuang was a believer in Buddhism and refrained from lying.
China has had a tradition of reading palms and faces since ancient times, especially among the people. Many photo books are even publicly issued and sold. But what is the principle that can reflect blessings and misfortunes on the face? Disasters caused by sins can even appear in advance. What is the mechanism behind this? The world we live in is really mysterious!
Source: "Dongling Xiaozhi" by Guo Zeyu
