It is said that in the city of Guangling in Yangzhou, Jiangnan, there was a rich man named Miao Tianxiu who had great wealth and loved to compose poetry and prose. At the age of forty, he had only one unmarried daughter, while his wife, Li, was bedridden, leaving all household affairs to his concubine, Diao Qier. Diao Qier was originally a courtesan whom Miao Tianxiu had purchased for three hundred taels of silver to be his concubine, showing her great affection.
One day, an old monk came to beg for alms, claiming to be from the Bao'en Temple in Tokyo, which needed a gilt bronze Arhat statue, so he was begging everywhere. Miao Tianxiu generously gave him fifty taels of silver. The old monk said that half was enough, but Miao Tianxiu replied that the rest could go towards vegetarian meals. After thanking him, the old monk said before leaving, "Sir, there is a dark omen under your left eye; it foretells a great disaster this year. You have done a good deed, so I must remind you not to go out easily in the future; be careful!" With that, he left.
Half a month later, Miao Tianxiu saw his servant Miao Qing talking privately with Diao Qier in the backyard, which infuriated him. He beat Miao Qing severely and wanted to throw him out. Miao Qing, fearing for his safety, sought help from relatives and friends to keep his job, but he nursed a deep grudge against Miao Tianxiu.
At this time, Miao Tianxiu's cousin Huang Mei, who was a judge in Tokyo, wrote inviting him to Tokyo to help him find a better future. Miao Tianxiu was overjoyed and told his wife and concubine, "Tokyo is bustling, and I have long wanted to see it. Now that my cousin has invited me, that's wonderful!" His wife, Li, advised, "That monk warned you just a few days ago about impending disaster and told you not to go out. Going to Tokyo is so far away, with a daughter and a sick person at home; if you go, who knows what might happen?" Miao Tianxiu did not listen at all and angrily scolded her, "A real man is born between heaven and earth; how can he stay at home? I have money; why would I be afraid of having no future? My cousin will definitely arrange everything for me, cut it out!" So he instructed Miao Qing to pack his luggage, packed a wealth of gold, silver, and other valuables, and even brought a young servant along, ready to go to Tokyo.
Late autumn and early winter, they set off by boat from Yangzhou and after several days arrived at Hongze Lake in Xuzhou. They saw:
The vast floodwaters surged like a torrent, the eastern currents roared like thunder against the islands, the crashing waves were terrifying; who wouldn't be startled upon encountering them?
When they reached Shanwan, it was late, and Miao Tianxiu had the boatman dock for a rest. Little did they know, this boat was actually a pirate ship! Two boatmen, one named Chen San and the other Weng Ba, were both desperate outlaws. As the saying goes: it's hard to guard against an insider. Miao Qing had always harbored a grudge against Miao Tianxiu for hitting him and was secretly plotting, "Why not join these two boatmen, kill the master, divide the loot, and then go back to finish off my sick wife? All the family property will be mine!"
Under the flowers and leaves, hidden thorns remain; how can one ensure that the heart does not harbor poison?
Miao Qing secretly discussed with the two boatmen: "My master's trunk has a thousand taels of silver, two thousand taels of silk, and a lot of clothes. If you help me get them, we can split them." Upon hearing this, Chen San and Weng Ba were delighted: "We have been wanting to do this for a long time!"
At night, it was very dark. Miao Tianxiu and the young attendant slept in the cabin, while Miao Qing was at the stern of the boat. Close to midnight, Miao Qing deliberately shouted that thieves were aboard. Miao Tianxiu woke up, peered out to see, and was stabbed in the neck by Chen San, then pushed into Hongze Lake. The young attendant was about to run but was knocked unconscious by Weng Ba with a club and also thrown into the water. The three of them rummaged through the cabin, sorting the gold, silver, and silk garments. The two boatmen said, "There's too much loot; it could attract attention. You take it to sell; no one will suspect you." They handed Miao Qing the thousand taels of silver and the clothes before rowing the boat back. Miao Qing changed to another boat, arrived at Linqing, passed the checkpoint, and unloaded the goods at an inn outside Qinghe County, telling an old friend from Yangzhou: "The master is behind; he will arrive shortly." Miao Qing sold the goods at the inn, but that's a tale for another day.
Man plans, but heaven decides. Miao Tianxiu was a good person in daily life, but tragically became a victim of his family servants and died inexplicably. It truly fulfilled the saying, "Not listening to the advice of the elderly will lead to loss." Although the servant was beaten unconscious and thrown into the water, he miraculously survived and drifted to a reed marsh. A fishing boat passed by, with an old fisherman on board who heard his cries and rescued him. After learning his story, the fisherman gave him new clothes, food, and drink, and asked him, "Do you want to go back, or live with me?" The servant cried, "My master was murdered; I can't face going back. I want to stay with you." The fisherman said, "Alright, you can stay with me; I will help you find those thieves!" The servant was grateful and started living with the fisherman.
One day, the fisherman took the young servant to the river mouth to sell fish, and coincidentally encountered Chen San and Weng Ba coming ashore to buy fish in their master's clothes. The young servant spotted them and whispered to the fisherman, "My master's injustice can be avenged!" The fisherman asked, "Then why don't we go report to the authorities?" So, the young servant detailed the incident to the river patrol officer Zhou. However, Zhou said there was no evidence and dismissed the case. They went to the judicial court to file a complaint. Judge Xia saw that it was a major case of robbery and murder, so he accepted the case. Starting from the 14th day of the first month, people were sent to arrest Chen San and Weng Ba.
When they arrived at the new river mouth, Chen San and Weng Ba were quickly captured. During questioning, seeing the young servant testify beside them, the two were scared into confessing honestly. They admitted that Miao Qing was also involved in the crime, and together they killed the master and fled with the loot. So, the three suspects were detained, and officials were sent to arrest Miao Qing. However, since the case fell during a holiday, the judge was absent from the yamen for two days in a row, and the news leaked out. Someone secretly informed Miao Qing about this. Upon hearing this, Miao Qing quickly locked the door and hid at the agent Le San's house.
Le San lives next door to Han Daoguo on Lion Street. Le San's wife is very close with Wang Liuer and often visits her. Wang Liuer also often goes to Le San's house when she’s free, and they have a close relationship. When Le San saw that Miao Qing looked worried, he asked what was wrong. Le San said, "Don't worry, the Han family next door is connected to Judge Ximen Qing, who has a concubine there, and they are his associates. They're always willing to help us. As long as you want things to be alright, it doesn’t matter how much it costs. I can send my wife to talk to the Han family." Miao Qing quickly knelt and said, "If I can be alright, I’ll make sure to repay you and never forget your kindness." So, Miao Qing wrote a letter and gave Le San fifty taels of silver along with two sets of beautiful silk clothes for Le San's wife to deliver to Wang Liuer. Without a word, Wang Liuer accepted the silver, clothes, and letter, and waited for Ximen Qing to come back.
But after waiting and waiting, Ximen Qing never showed up. It wasn't until the evening of the seventeenth day that Ximen Qing's son, Daian, returned on horseback carrying a bundle. Wang Liuer stopped him at the door and inquired where he had been. Daian said, "I followed my father to Dongping Prefecture to deliver gifts." Wang Liuer asked, "Has your father come back?" Daian said, "My father and Ben Si have already returned." Wang Liuer called Daian into the house, told him the whole story, and showed him the letter. Daian said, "Aunt Han, don't take this matter lightly. The yamen is currently holding the two boatmen, and their testimonies are pointing to Miao Qing. This amount of silver isn't enough to bribe the officials! I don't care about anything else, Aunt Han. Just tell him to give me twenty taels of silver. When I bring my father here, you can talk to him." Wang Liuer smiled and said, "You little rascal, you really know how to ask for a favor! When this is done, you won't miss out on your share." Daian said, "Aunt Han, you can't say that. A gentleman doesn't feel ashamed to ask for things directly. Give the money first, then we can negotiate." Wang Liuer prepared some food and drinks and invited Daian to stay for a meal. Daian said, "If I go home looking flushed, how am I supposed to explain it to my father?" Wang Liuer said, "Don't worry. Just tell him you were with me!" Daian only drank a bowl of wine and left. Wang Liuer said, "Thanks for your hard work. Just let him know I’m waiting for you."
Dai An returned home and put down his baggage, waiting for Ximen Qing to wake up. After Ximen Qing woke up, he sat in the wing room. Dai An approached him and said, "Han Dasao asks father to hurry over; there is an urgent matter to discuss." Ximen Qing replied, "What’s going on? I’m aware." Just then, Liu Xueguan came to borrow money. After dismissing Liu Xueguan, Ximen Qing put on his eye mask and hat and took Dai An and Qintong to Wang Liuma's house. After dismounting and entering the house, Wang Liuma came out to welcome him. Han Daoguo was at the shop that day and not home. Wang Liuma had prepared a feast and instructed the cook to prepare a meal. Seeing Ximen Qing arrive, she quickly brought tea. Ximen Qing instructed Qintong to take the horse around back and shut the door. Before Wang Liuma could get to the main point, she first said, "Father, you have been working hard these days. I heard your son is engaged; that must make you happy!" Ximen Qing said, "Wu Dajin mentioned this. The engagement is with the Qiao family. The Qiao family only has one daughter, and it’s not a perfect match, but it will do." Wang Liuma said, "Even if it’s just an engagement, living together might not be convenient for you as a high-ranking official." Ximen Qing said, "What are you saying?" After chatting for a while, Wang Liuma said, "Father, you must be cold; come inside and sit down." Wang Liuma presented Miao Qing's letter to Ximen Qing and said, "He had Le San's wife next door relay a message to me that Miao Qing is a customer in his shop, wrongly accused by those two boatmen, hoping you can help him clear his name. He has prepared a gift to thank me. Please help him." After reading the letter, Ximen Qing asked, "How much did he give you as a thank you?" Wang Liuma took out fifty taels of silver from the box and showed it to Ximen Qing, saying, "After the matter is resolved, he's also promised two sets of clothes." Ximen Qing looked at it and laughed, "Why do you want these things from him for free? Don't you know, Miao Qing is a relative of Yangzhou Miao, who, along with those two boatmen, killed the master on the boat, threw him into the river, and tried to steal his money. Now that the body cannot be found, the servant he was with originally, Antong, and the two boatmen are all willing to testify against him. Once this is reported, he will definitely be executed. The two boatmen confessed that Miao Qing had two thousand taels of silver on him. What do you plan to do with this silver? Quickly give it back to him!" Wang Liuma quickly asked a maid to fetch Le San's wife, returned the items, explaining the whole situation to her.
Miao Qing heard this, as if he had received a sudden insight, and was terrified. His heart raced, and he felt a chill in his bones. Le San and Miao Qing discussed, saying, "We must spend all two thousand taels of silver if necessary to protect our lives and return home." Le San said, "Since the official has said so, it won't be easy to placate him. The two officials over there need to gather enough goods worth one thousand taels. The other minor officials and the enforcers will need to add another half to make it sufficient." Miao Qing said, "But I haven't sold my goods yet, how am I supposed to get the silver?" So Miao Qing asked Le San's wife to find Wang Luer and said, "First, send goods worth a thousand taels to the official. If it's not enough, I hope the official can grant me an extension of two or three days to sell the goods, and then I will visit in person." Wang Luer returned to Ximen Qing with the message. Ximen Qing replied, "In that case, I'll tell the enforcers to give him a few more days." Le San's wife relayed this to Miao Qing, who was overjoyed. Seeing someone next door, Ximen Qing didn’t want to overstay his welcome, so he drank a few cups of wine, sat with his wife for a while, and when his horse arrived, he got up to leave.
The next day, the government office opened early in the morning but did not mention this matter. Miao Qing asked Le San for help and sold the goods overnight. Three days later, all the goods were sold, totaling 1,700 taels of silver. In addition to the portion originally owed to Wang Liu'er, an additional fifty taels of silver and four sets of fine clothes were added. On the nineteenth day, Miao Qing prepared one thousand taels of silver, packed into four jars of wine, and also killed a pig. By evening, it was carried to Ximen Qing's doorstep. Ximen Qing's servants, Daian, Ping'an, Shutong, and Qintong, all knew about this, and Miao Qing gave them ten taels of silver each to send them off. Daian also asked for ten taels of silver from Wang Liu'er. After a while, Ximen Qing came out, sat in the porch without lighting a lamp, and only saw clearly what was being carried over by the moonlight. Miao Qing, wearing a blue robe, continued to bow deeply to Ximen Qing, saying, "I am deeply grateful for your kindness, my lord; even if I shatter my body, it is difficult to repay." Ximen Qing said, "I still need to investigate this matter carefully. Those two boatmen are accusing you persistently. If you are really caught by the government, it would be a grave offense. Since someone is pleading for you, I will spare your life. If I don't accept this gift, you will not be at ease. I must send half of it to Master Xia, the chief executioner, to share it together. You must not linger; return home at once." Ximen Qing asked again, "Where do you live in Yangzhou?" Miao Qing bowed again and replied, "I live in the city of Yangzhou." Ximen Qing had tea brought in, and Miao Qing stood under a pine tree and drank the tea, bowed, and bid farewell to go back. Ximen Qing stopped him and asked, "Have you taken care of the people responsible for chasing you?" Miao Qing replied, "I have taken care of them all." Ximen Qing said, "Since everything is taken care of, you can go home." Once Miao Qing departed, he returned to Le San's house, packed his luggage, and was left with 150 taels of silver. Miao Qing took out fifty taels, added the remaining few pieces of silk, and thanked Le San and his wife. At dawn, he hired a cart and oxen and set off for Yangzhou City.
It is true:
Busy as a dog in mourning, anxious as a fish out of water.
Miao Qing escaped a disaster. Just the next day, Ximen Qing and Xia Tiexing came out of the yamen together, riding horses. When they reached the main street, Xia Tiexing wanted to bid farewell and go their separate ways. Ximen Qing held up his horse whip and said, "If the official doesn't mind, come to my humble abode for a visit." He invited Xia Tiexing back to his home. They went into the hall to pay respects and invited him to rest in the veranda, take a rest, and drink tea. Shu Tong and Dai An quickly set up a banquet. Xia Tiexing said, "I shouldn't disturb the official." Ximen Qing said, "Not at all." After a while, the two servants brought out boxes with various chicken, duck, fish, and meat dishes. After finishing the meal, they cleared the dishes and brought out more food and wine. With delicate wine glasses and silver plates, they slowly urged each other to drink. After three rounds of wine, Ximen Qing then broached the topic of Miao Qing, saying, "This young man entrusted a scholar yesterday, begged me repeatedly, and even sent a gift. I dare not make decisions on my own, so I invited the official here today to discuss." Then, he handed the invitation letter to Xia Tiexing. Xia Tiexing finished reading it and said, "It's up to the official." Ximen Qing said, "In my opinion, we should just send those two criminals and the stolen goods over tomorrow, without worrying about Miao Qing. The plaintiff's servant, Antong, can wait until we find Miaotianshuo's body. I'll send the gift your way, sir." Xia Tiexing said, "Official, this is unacceptable. You have gone to so much trouble, how can I take advantage of you? Absolutely not." After a lengthy exchange of refusals, Ximen Qing had no choice but to split the gift, putting five hundred taels in a gift box and sending it to Xia Tiexing's home. Xia Tiexing personally accepted it at the door, returned a thank-you note, and rewarded Dai An with two taels of silver and two yamen runners with four qian; these were just small gestures.
As the saying goes: when the fire gets to the pig's head, money gets things done. Ximen Qing and Xia Tiexing had already discussed it. The next day in the yamen, those responsible for questioning and pursuing were all handled by Le San. The torture instruments were laid out, and Chen San and Weng Ba were brought out of the prison for questioning. They only admitted, "We conspired with Miao Qing." Ximen Qing was furious and ordered his men: "Torture them! You two thieves have been pretending to transport goods on the river for many years, but in pursuit of wealth and bloodshed, you have actually been robbing passing ships. With this servant as a witness against you, you killed Miao Tianshu, injured him and threw him into the water. Also, his master's clothes serve as evidence. How can you deny it?" So An Tong was brought up and asked: "Who killed your master? Who pushed you into the water?" An Tong said: "At the third watch that day, Miao Qing first shouted that there were thieves. My master came out to see, but was killed by Chen San with one blow and thrown into the water. Weng Ba hit me with a stick, and I fell into the water, barely escaping with my life. Miao Qing disappeared; I don't know where he went." Ximen Qing said: "What this servant said is the truth. Do you have anything else to say?" So each person was beaten with a stick thirty times, shattering their leg bones, screaming like pigs being slaughtered. Most of the one thousand two hundred taels of stolen money had been recovered; the rest was spent. The magistrate made a written report, along with the stolen money, to Dongping Prefecture. Hu Shiwen, the magistrate of Dongping Prefecture, was on good terms with Ximen Qing, and according to the original document, he sentenced Chen San and Weng Ba to death for robbery and murder. An Tong was waiting outside the yamen. One day, when he arrived in the capital, he went to the yamen of Huang Tong, the magistrate of Kaifeng Prefecture, crying out in distress, "Miao Qing took away my family's business and spent money at the yamen of the prefect, removing my name. When will this grievance of my family be avenged?" Upon hearing this, Huang Tong wrote a letter that very night, sealed An Tong's complaint, and gave him some travel money, asking him to go to the Inspectorate in Shandong to file a complaint. With this move, Miao Qing's luck ran out, and Ximen Qing's past misdeeds were finally coming back to haunt him. There is a poem as evidence:
In life, good and evil always meet their due consequences; blessings and calamities walk hand in hand. Live without guilt, and you won't flinch at a midnight knock.
