During the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, there was a scholar named Li Wenbo, because he had to rush for the exam, regardless of the gloomy weather, he rode a horse alone and walked along the official road. He had planned to stay in a small town, but was delayed by some mud and standing water on the way, and by the time he arrived in the town, it was already dark and it was raining heavily.
Li Wenbo hurriedly looked for the inn, but found that the inns in the town were all full and there were no empty rooms. He had no choice but to keep going, hoping to find a kind family and let him spend the night. He walked along the street for a while and saw a large mansion with a red lantern hanging in front of the door, on which were written the words "House of Wealth". Li Wenbo thought to himself that the family must be very rich, and maybe they would be willing to take him in. So, he dismounted and knocked on the door.
However, there was no response from the gate, only the sound of rain and wind. Li Wenbo knocked a few more times, but no one answered the door. He thought it was very strange, so he shouted loudly: "People inside, open the door, I am a scholar who is rushing to take the exam, I just want to spend the night, and I will leave early tomorrow morning, and I will not cause you trouble." As soon as he finished speaking, he heard a burst of laughter from the lantern, and said, "You better go, this family won't open the door, they are all misers, and they won't help anyone." ”
Li Wenbo was startled, he looked up at the lantern and found that there was a human face on the lantern, smiling at him. He asked in horror, "Who are you?" How can you speak? The lantern said, "I am the lantern of this family, and I have been hanging here for a long time, so I know who they are." Although they are rich, they are petty, they never give alms to the poor, they do not worship gods and Buddhas, they only know how to enjoy their wealth. If you don't believe me, you can knock on the door next door again and see if they will open it. ”
Li Wenbo thought it was incredible, but he had no other way but to knock on the door next door according to the words of the lantern. There is also a lantern hanging on the door next door, and the words "Fu Lu House" are written on the lantern. Li Wenbo knocked on the door, but no one answered.
He shouted loudly again: "People inside, open the door, I am a scholar rushing to take the exam, I just want to spend the night, and I will leave early tomorrow morning, and I will not cause you trouble." As soon as he finished speaking, he heard a burst of ridicule from the lantern, and said, "You better go, this family will not open the door, they are all greedy ghosts, they will not be satisfied with their own happiness, and always want to take advantage of others." If you don't believe me, you can knock on the opposite door again and see if they will open it. ”
Li Wenbo was even more surprised, he turned around and saw a lantern hanging on the door opposite, and the words "Mighty House" were written on the lantern. Li Wenbo walked over and knocked on the door, but there was still no response. He shouted loudly again: "People inside, open the door, I am a scholar rushing to take the exam, I just want to spend the night, and I will leave early tomorrow morning, and I will not cause you trouble." As soon as he finished speaking, he heard a sneer from the lantern, and said, "You better go, this family will not open the door, they are all tyrannical ghosts, they will not respect the lives of others, and they always want to use force to oppress the weak." If you don't believe me, you can knock on the door next to it again and see if they will open it. ”
Li Wenbo was speechless, he turned around and saw a lantern hanging on the door next to him, and the words "House of Benevolence and Righteousness" were written on the lantern. Li Wenbo thought to himself, the name of this family sounds good, maybe it will be different. So, he walked over and knocked on the door, and sure enough, there was a sound of footsteps in the door, and then, a middle-aged man opened the door, saw Li Wenbo, and asked, "Who are you?" Who are you looking for? Li Wenbo hurriedly saluted and said: "Under Li Wenbo, he is a scholar who is rushing to take the exam, because it is late and there is nowhere to stay, so I am here to ask for a night, I don't know if it is convenient for you?" ”
The middle-aged man listened to Li Wenbo's words, smiled slightly, and said: "It turned out to be a scholar, it is rare that you can insist on taking the exam in such weather, I admire you very much." My name is Wang Renyi, and I am a small businessman here, although my family is not rich, but there is still a vacant room, you can live in it, but the conditions are very simple, don't dislike it. ”
Li Wenbo hurriedly thanked: "Mr. Wang, you are really my great benefactor, I dare not dislike it, as long as there is a place to shelter from the wind and rain, it is enough." Wang Renyi said, "That's good, you come with me, I'll help you lead the horse to the backyard first, and then bring you some hot water for you to wash." With that, he took Li Wenbo's hand and led him into the house.
Li Wenbo followed Wang Renyi into the house and found that it was a very ordinary house, without any luxurious decorations, but it was very neat and well-furnished. Wang Renyi led Li Wenbo's horse to the backyard, and then brought him a basin of hot water for him to wash in the guest room. Li Wenbo gratefully took the hot water and walked into the guest room. The rooms are small but clean, with a quilt on the bed, an oil lamp on the table, and a landscape painting on the wall. Li Wenbo felt very warm, so he put his luggage next to the bed, and then washed away the muddy water and exhaustion with hot water.
After washing, Li Wenbo walked out of the guest room and saw Wang Renyi already waiting for him in the living room, with some simple dishes on the table and a pot of hot tea. When Wang Renyi saw him come out, he smiled and said, "Scholar, have you washed it?" Come get something to eat, don't go hungry. Li Wenbo said: "Mr. Wang, you are too polite, are you making these dishes yourself?" It's so fragrant. Wang Renyi said: "Yes, although I am a businessman, I also like to cook, these are my usual specialty dishes, you can taste it, you are welcome." As he spoke, he sandwiched some dishes for Li Wenbo and poured a cup of tea. Li Wenbo didn't shirk, so he ate with Wang Renyi.
The two chatted while eating, Li Wenbo told Wang Renyi his origin, saying that he was a scholarly family in Jiangnan, and he had been determined to be a junior since he was a child, serving the country and the people, but because of his family's downfall, he could only rely on his own efforts and work hard all the way to catch the exam. When Wang Renyi heard this, he was very admired, saying that he was also a person from a poor background, relying on diligence and integrity, he was able to do a little business in this town, although he was not rich, but he could live a stable life.
He said that although he has not read many books, he also respects them very much, and feels that they are the pillars of the country and the conscience of society. He said that although he has no ability, as long as he can help people in need, it is his happiness. He also said that his wife died of illness last year, leaving behind a 10-year-old son, and he is now living for his son, hoping to give him a good education so that he can grow up to be a useful person.
Li Wenbo listened to Wang Renyi's words and was very moved, and felt that he was a person with a very benevolent heart, unlike those people from rich and noble families, who only knew selfishness and did not care about the life and death of others. He said to Wang Renyi: "Mr. Wang, you are really a rare good person, and I admire you very much. Your son is sure to be a wonderful person, and you will definitely be proud of him. Wang Renyi said: "Thank you for the compliment, in fact, I didn't do anything, I just did a little favor." Your exam will definitely go well, you will definitely get into the Jinshi, and you will definitely serve the country and the people. The two encouraged each other and talked happily, and before they knew it, they had finished their meal and talked for a long time.
Wang Renyi looked at the sky and said: "Scholar, it's not early, you have to hurry tomorrow, it's better to rest early, I won't bother you, if you have any needs, just tell me." Li Wenbo said: "Mr. Wang, you have also worked hard, you should rest early, I don't need anything, as long as there is a quiet place, it's fine." ”
Wang Renyi said: "That's good, then I'll leave first, I wish you a good dream." With that, he got up, said goodbye to Li Wenbo, and then walked out of the living room and returned to his room. Li Wenbo also got up, said goodnight to Wang Renyi, and then walked back to the guest room, closed the door, and lay down on the bed, ready to sleep.
Just when Li Wenbo was about to fall asleep, he suddenly heard a commotion outside, as if there were many people talking, and some horses' hooves and bells. He thought it was strange, so he got up, went to the window, lifted the curtains, and looked out.
He saw a group of men and horses walking down the street, dressed in black clothes and hats, armed with torches and swords. He also saw that in front of those men and horses, there was another person, wearing a red robe, a red hat, and holding a golden whip, which was exactly the costume of the city god. Li Wenbo asked in surprise, "What's going on?" Why did Lord Chenghuang bring so many people here? ”
Just as he was thinking about it, he heard the sound of a lantern and said, "Scholar, you hurry up and hide, don't let them see you, this is the city god patrolling the streets, he wants to punish those who are unkind and unjust, don't make him angry!" ”
Li Wenbo listened to the lantern's words, and was so frightened that he quickly hid under the bed, not daring to make a sound. He looked out the window and saw that Lord Chenghuang came to the door of the rich house with a group of people and horses, knocked on the door with a golden whip, and said loudly: "Master of the rich house, come out quickly and accept the punishment of heaven!" You are stingy and selfish in your daily life, you refuse to give alms to the poor, you do not worship the gods and Buddhas, you only know how to enjoy your own wealth, your sins have been full, and tonight is your death! With that, he waved his men and let his men rush through the gate, snatching out all the people and belongings inside, and then set a fire that burned the whole house to ashes. The lantern was also engulfed in flames and never spoke again.
Lord Chenghuang came to the door of Fulu's house with his men and horses, knocked on the door with a golden whip, and said loudly: "Master of Fulu's house, come out quickly and accept the punishment of heaven!" You are greedy and insatiable, unwilling to be satisfied with your own blessings, always thinking of taking advantage of others, your sins are full, and tonight is your time of death! With that, he waved his hand and let his men rush through the gate, snatching out all the people and belongings inside, and then set a fire and burned the entire house to ashes. The lantern was also engulfed in flames and never spoke again.
Lord Chenghuang once again led the men and horses to the door of the mighty house, knocked on the door with a golden whip, and said loudly: "Master of the mighty house, come out quickly and accept the punishment of heaven!" Thou hast been tyrannical and unscrupulous in your daily life, thou hast refused to respect the lives of others, thou hast always thought of oppressing the weak by force, thy sins have been filled, and tonight is thy time of death! With that, he waved his hand and let his men rush through the gate, snatching out all the people and belongings inside, and then set a fire to the ashes of the entire house. The lantern was also engulfed in flames and never spoke again.
The city god finally led the men and horses to the door of the House of Benevolence and Righteousness, knocked on the door with a golden whip, and said loudly: "Master of the House of Benevolence and Righteousness, come out quickly and accept the heavenly reward!" Your benevolence and righteousness on weekdays, do not forget to give alms to the poor, worship the gods and Buddhas, do not covet wealth and wealth, your merits have been completed, and tonight is your auspicious day! After saying that, he dismounted, walked to the door, knocked on the door himself, and said politely: "Mr. Wang, are you at home?" I'm Lord Chenghuang, I'm here to bring you some good news, you can open the door quickly. ”
Wang Renyi heard the voice of the city god, and was also startled, he didn't know what was going on, so he got up, walked to the door, opened the door, saw the face of the city god, and a group of people behind him, he couldn't help but ask in horror: "City God, why did you come to my house?" Am I guilty of anything? ”
Lord Chenghuang smiled and said, "Mr. Wang, don't be afraid, I'm not here to punish you, I'm here to reward you." You are a very benevolent person, and it is a great good deed that you have just taken in a scholar who is rushing to take the exam and let him have a warm place to live on a rainy night, and I appreciate you very much. I'm here today to bring you some good luck and make your life happier. ”
Wang Renyi listened to it, he couldn't believe his ears, and he said, "Lord Chenghuang, are you joking? I just did a very ordinary thing, how can I get your reward? Don't make fun of me. ”
Lord Chenghuang said: "Mr. Wang, I'm not joking, I'm sincere. You see, your neighbors, the houses of the rich, the families of the rich, the houses of the mighty, they are all unkind and unrighteous people, they know only selfishness in their daily lives, they don't care about the lives of others, their sins are full, I have just burned down their homes, I have killed all their people, their souls have been taken away by me, and they will be tormented in hell.
And you, you are a very benevolent person, you do not forget to give alms to the poor on weekdays, worship the gods and Buddhas, do not covet wealth and wealth, your merits have been completed, I have just blessed your home, protected your people, your soul has been praised by me, you will enjoy happiness in heaven. You see, here are some of the gifts I have brought you, you take them, these are what you deserve. ”
As he spoke, Lord Chenghuang took out something from his sleeve and handed it to Wang Renyi. Wang Renyi took it and took a look, and found that it was some gold and silver jewelry, some silk and satin, some calligraphy, painting, calligraphy and painting, and some medicinal pearls, which were awarded to Wang Renyi. Then the city god disappeared without a trace with a wave of his sleeves, ending tonight's street patrol.
After the Chenghuang patrol came to an end, Li Wenbo climbed out of bed to congratulate Wang Renyi on getting the approval of the Chenghuang Lord. Wang Renyi himself is a good person who is willing to give money, and when he saw Li Wenbo sincerely wishing himself, he made a generous move, giving Li Wenbo enough money to go to Beijing to take the exam, and wishing him good results. In the end, Li Wenbo was a high school jinshi, and when he returned to his hometown, he came to thank Wang Renyi, and the two formed a deep friendship, and they often contacted each other since then, and they both lived a happy life.