During the Dazhong Xiangfu era of Emperor Zhenzong's reign in the Northern Song Dynasty, candidates from across the empire gathered in the capital for the imperial examinations. At a small inn in Bianjing, two scholars shared a room upstairs: Teng Zongliang from Henan and Wang Gongchen from Hubei.
Autumn wind rolled up dark clouds, a few blue lightning bolts split the sky, thunder rumbled, and then rain poured down with a loud "whoosh."
A scholar, wearing a straw hat, carrying a bundle on his shoulder and a basket in his hand, burst into the inn through the rain.
"I'm terribly sorry, sir, but our humble inn is full—all five rooms upstairs and downstairs are taken," the innkeeper said helplessly. "It's getting dark, the rain is heavy, and there's no other lodging nearby. How about letting this gentleman share our room tonight, and we'll sort things out once the rain stops," Teng Zongliang suggested. "That's rather inconvenient—three of us crammed together, unable to study properly or sleep peacefully," Wang Gongchen expressed his reluctance. Teng Zongliang retorted, "The man is soaked through, without even a servant accompanying him—clearly a poor scholar like us. A man of learning cannot lack compassion!" Chastened, Wang Gongchen frowned and said, "Innkeeper, quickly hire me a carriage. I'll find lodging elsewhere, so others can play the Good Samaritan and help the needy!"
The second scholar to arrive was Fan Zhongyan from Wu County
When the examination results were posted, it so happened that Fan Zhongyan, Teng Zongliang, and Wang Gongchen all passed the imperial exams and became jinshi. Later, the eloquent Wang Gongchen rose to become the Censor-in-Chief, while Teng Zongliang served as the prefect of Huzhou. Fan Zhongyan first held the post of magistrate of Kaifeng, then was stationed in northern Shaanxi, guarding the border for several years, and due to his merits, was appointed Vice Commissioner of the Privy Council and Counselor-in-Chief (equivalent to Vice Chancellor).
The esteemed official Fan Zhongyan held Teng Zongliang in high regard and promoted him to the position of Tianzhang Pavilion imperial advisor. When Fan was reassigned as Pacification Commissioner for Hedong and Shaanxi, the jealous Wang Gongchen falsely accused Teng of overstepping his authority in court discussions, leading to Teng's demotion as prefect of Yuezhou.
Teng Zongliang was a man who grew stronger in adversity. As governor of Yuezhou, he reduced taxes, built roads, and reclaimed wasteland, doing much good for the people. Noticing the Yueyang Tower in the city's northwest had fallen into disrepair, he mobilized laborers to restore the famous structure overlooking Lake Dongting. He specially invited Fan Zhongyan to write an essay commemorating the event. Fan Zhongyan composed the timeless masterpiece, *Record of Yueyang Tower*.
The opening lines of *Record of Yueyang Tower* read: "In the spring of the fourth year of Qingli, Teng Zijing (Teng Zongliang, styled Zijing) was demoted to govern Baling Commandery. The following year, governance was smooth, the people were harmonious, and all neglected tasks were revived." "All Neglected Tasks Revived" originally meant that previously overlooked matters were now all undertaken. Today, it is often used to describe various undertakings flourishing.
Source: *Record of Yueyang Tower*
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "百废俱兴" came to describe how various undertakings flourish.