Original Text
Qiu Zhong was a man from Shanxi, though his exact county and district have been forgotten. One year, amidst a great upheaval, he was captured by bandits. His two sons, Qiu Fu and Qiu Lu, were still young, and his second wife, née Shao, raised the two orphans in his stead. Fortunately, the estate he left behind was enough to sustain them. However, successive years of famine, compounded by bullying from powerful local families, reduced them to such destitution that they could barely secure food and clothing. Qiu Zhong's uncle, Qiu Shanglian, wishing to profit from the situation, repeatedly urged Shao to remarry, but she remained steadfast in her vow of widowhood, unmoved. Qiu Shanglian secretly sold her to a wealthy household, intending to force her into the marriage; the scheme was already settled, though unknown to outsiders. In the village, there was a man named Wei Ming, by nature cunning and malicious, who bore a grudge against Qiu Zhong's family and thus sought every opportunity to harm them. Seeing Shao widowed, he spread slanderous rumors to defame her character. The wealthy household, disgusted by Shao's supposed lack of virtue, called off the agreement with Qiu Shanglian. Over time, Qiu Shanglian's plot and the outside gossip gradually reached Shao's ears, filling her heart with bitter resentment. She wept from dawn to dusk, her health steadily declined, and she took to her sickbed. Qiu Fu, then just sixteen, with no one to manage the household, hastily took a wife. His bride was the daughter of Jiang Qizhan, a scholar, and she was both virtuous and capable, handling all domestic affairs on her own. From then on, the family gradually grew more prosperous, and Qiu Fu was sent to study under a tutor.
Wei Ming, resentful that his enemy's fortunes were daily improving, pretended to befriend him and often invited Qiu Fu to drink, so Qiu Fu took him into his confidence. Seizing the opportunity, Wei Ming said, "Your mother lies ill in bed, unable to manage the household; your younger brother sits idle and does nothing—why should you and your worthy wife toil like oxen and horses? Moreover, when your brother marries, it will cost a great sum. For your sake, I think it best to divide the family property early, so that your brother will be impoverished and you can grow rich." Qiu Fu returned home and discussed the division with his wife, but she scolded him. Unable to resist Wei Ming's daily instigations and malicious slander, Qiu Fu became obsessed and directly told his mother his thoughts. Shao Shi was furious and berated him severely. Qiu Fu grew even more resentful, treating the family's possessions as if they were another's, squandering them freely. Wei Ming then lured him into gambling, and gradually the grain stores emptied; his wife dared not speak of it. When the grain ran out, Shao Shi was alarmed and questioned her daughter-in-law, who then told her the truth. Shao Shi was enraged but helpless, so she agreed to divide the property. Fortunately, the wife was virtuous, daily cooking for her mother-in-law and serving her as before. After the division, Qiu Fu became even more reckless, gambling extravagantly. Within a few months, his fields and house were all used to pay gambling debts, while Shao Shi and his wife remained ignorant. With no money left and no schemes in mind, Qiu Fu planned to pawn his wife for a loan, but found no takers. In the county there was a man named Zhao Yanluo, a former bandit who had escaped the law and now tyrannized the countryside; he feared no default and generously lent Qiu Fu money. Qiu Fu gambled it away in a few days. Anxious and fearful, he tried to break the contract, but Zhao Yanluo glared at him fiercely, and in terror, Qiu Fu tricked his wife into going to Zhao's house. Wei Ming, hearing this, rejoiced secretly and rushed to tell Scholar Jiang, hoping to ruin the enemy family completely. Scholar Jiang, enraged, reported the matter to the authorities. Qiu Fu, terrified, fled. When Jiang Shi arrived at Zhao's house and realized she had been sold by her husband, she wept bitterly and sought only death. Zhao Yanluo first tried to soothe her, but she would not listen; then he threatened her, and she cursed him loudly. Enraged, he whipped her, but she remained unyielding. Finally, she pulled out her hairpin and stabbed her own throat. The crowd rushed to save her, but the pin had pierced her windpipe, and blood gushed forth. Zhao Yanluo hastily wrapped her neck with silk, hoping to gradually break her will. The next day, the magistrate issued a summons for Zhao Yanluo, who appeared defiant and indifferent. When the magistrate examined Jiang Shi's wounds and found them severe, he ordered Zhao beaten; the constables exchanged glances, none daring to strike him. The magistrate, long aware of Zhao's ferocity, was now even more convinced. In great anger, he called his own servants and had Zhao beaten to death on the spot. Scholar Jiang then carried his daughter back home.
Since the Jiang family filed a lawsuit at the yamen, Shao Shi learned of all the unfilial misdeeds of Qiu Fu, wailing bitterly and nearly dying of rage, falling into a deep, worsening illness. Qiu Lu was then only fifteen, weak and unable to act on his own. Previously, Qiu Zhong had a daughter from his first wife, named Qiu Da Niang, who had married into a distant prefecture. She was fierce by nature; whenever she visited her parents, if gifts displeased her, she would quarrel with them and often storm off in anger. Thus, Qiu Zhong disliked her greatly, and with the distance, they had not corresponded for years. As Shao Shi lay critically ill, Wei Ming sought to summon Qiu Da Niang back to stir up internal strife in the Qiu household. By chance, a merchant lived near Qiu Da Niang, and Wei Ming entrusted him with a letter to her, inciting her to return for profit. After a few days, Qiu Da Niang indeed arrived with her young son. Entering the home, she saw her younger brother Qiu Lu tending to their dying mother, the scene bleak and sorrowful, and she felt a pang of anguish. She asked where Qiu Fu had gone, and Qiu Lu told her everything. Hearing this, Qiu Da Niang’s anger flared, saying, “With no elder in the house, we let others bully us to this extent! How can our family’s lands be swindled away by those villains!” She then went to the kitchen, lit a fire, cooked porridge, first fed Shao Shi, then called her brother and son to eat. After the meal, she stormed out, filed a complaint at the yamen against the gamblers. The gamblers, terrified, pooled money to bribe her, but she accepted it and still pressed the case. The magistrate ordered the gamblers arrested and flogged, but did not investigate the land fraud. Furious, Qiu Da Niang took her son to the prefectural court. The prefect detested gamblers. Qiu Da Niang passionately recounted the orphan and widow’s suffering and the villains’ schemes, speaking with righteous indignation. Moved by her words, the prefect ordered the magistrate to recover the swindled lands and return them to the original owners, and punished Qiu Fu as a warning. Returning home, Qiu Da Niang saw the magistrate severely torture the gamblers under order, forcing restitution, and thus all the Qiu family’s lands were reclaimed. By then, Qiu Da Niang had long been widowed; she sent her younger son back first, instructing him to manage the family estate with his elder brother and not return. From then on, she lived at her natal home, supporting her mother and educating her brothers, managing all affairs inside and out with order. Shao Shi felt greatly comforted, her health gradually improved, and she entrusted all household matters to Qiu Da Niang. Whenever local powerful families slighted the Qiu household, she would take a knife and confront them, arguing with such force that none dared resist. Over a year, the Qiu family’s lands grew increasingly. Qiu Da Niang also often bought medicines and delicacies for Jiang Shi. Seeing Qiu Lu grow to adulthood, she repeatedly urged matchmakers to arrange a marriage for him. Wei Ming told others, “The Qiu family’s wealth has all gone to Qiu Da Niang; she will likely never share it with her brothers.” People believed this, so no one was willing to betroth a daughter to Qiu Lu.
In that region there lived a young master named Fan Ziwen, whose famed garden was considered the finest in all of Shanxi. Within the garden, a path lined with rare and precious flowers led directly to the inner chambers. Once, a man who unknowingly strayed onto this path and entered the inner quarters happened upon Master Fan hosting a private banquet; in his fury, Fan mistook him for a thief and nearly beat him to death. One day, it chanced to be the Qingming Festival, and Qiu Lu was returning home from his private school when Wei Ming lured him out for a stroll, and thus they came to the Fan family garden. Wei Ming had long been acquainted with the gardener, who allowed them entry, and they roamed through every pavilion and terrace. They arrived at a place where a rushing stream flowed, crossed by a painted bridge with red railings on both sides, leading to a lacquered gate; through the gate, they could see in the distance a profusion of blossoms, which they took to be Master Fan's private study. Wei Ming deceived Qiu Lu, saying, "You go in first; I need to relieve myself." Qiu Lu believed him and, following the bridge, entered through the gate into a courtyard, where he heard the sound of women's laughter. Qiu Lu halted, and a maidservant emerged; catching sight of him, she turned and ran back inside. Only then did Qiu Lu, terrified, retreat. In a moment, Master Fan came out and ordered his servants to pursue him with whips. Hard pressed, Qiu Lu leaped into the stream. Master Fan's anger turned to amusement, and he commanded the servants to pull him out. Seeing that Qiu Lu's appearance and attire were quite refined, Fan had him change into dry clothes and shoes, led him to a pavilion, and asked his name and surname. His manner was cordial, his words gentle, and he seemed most amiable. Shortly, Fan went into the courtyard, soon returned, and, laughing, took Qiu Lu by the hand, guiding him across the bridge until they gradually reached the place Qiu Lu had earlier visited. Qiu Lu, not understanding his intent, hesitated and dared not enter, but Fan forcibly pulled him inside. There, behind a hedge of flowering shrubs, a beautiful woman was faintly peeping out. They sat down, and a group of maidservants came to set out a feast. Qiu Lu declined, saying, "I, a student, in my ignorance, mistakenly trespassed into your noble inner quarters; to have received your forgiveness already exceeds my hopes. I only beg you to release me early, and I shall be deeply grateful for your kindness." Master Fan paid no heed. In a short while, the table was laden with fine wines and exquisite dishes. Qiu Lu rose again, pleading that he was already full and drunk. Fan pressed him back into his seat and said with a smile, "I have a tune name; if you can match it, I will let you go." Qiu Lu respectfully asked what it was. Fan said, "The tune is called 'Not in the Least Alike.'" Qiu Lu pondered silently for a long time, then replied, "Silver made into 'No Help for It.'" Master Fan burst into loud laughter and said, "Truly, you are Shi Chong come again!" Qiu Lu heard this but was utterly perplexed.
It turned out that Scholar Fan had a daughter named Huiniang, who was exceedingly beautiful and well-versed in the classics and propriety. Scholar Fan daily pondered selecting a worthy son-in-law for her. The previous night, Huiniang dreamed that someone told her, "Shi Chong is your husband." Huiniang asked, "Where is he?" The person replied, "Tomorrow he will fall into the water." Upon waking, Huiniang told her parents of this dream, and all found it strange. Qiu Lu happened to match the omen revealed in the dream, so Scholar Fan invited him into the inner chambers, allowing his wife and daughters to see him. When Scholar Fan heard Qiu Lu's matching couplet, he was overjoyed and said, "This line was composed by my daughter, but she could not find a response despite much thought. That you can match it today is surely a heaven-sent fate. I intend to give my daughter to you in marriage; my household lacks no rooms, so there is no need for you to trouble yourself with fetching the bride." Qiu Lu, startled and uneasy, hastily declined, pleading that his mother was ill and bedridden, and he could not enter the family as a live-in son-in-law. Scholar Fan then let him return first to discuss the matter with his family, sending a groom to carry his wet clothes and a horse to escort him home. Upon returning, Qiu Lu reported this to his mother, Lady Shao, who was alarmed and deemed it inauspicious. From then on, Lady Shao realized that Wei Ming was a malicious man, but since misfortune had turned to fortune, she did not pursue the matter, merely cautioning her son to keep his distance. A few days later, Scholar Fan sent someone again to propose the match to Lady Shao, but she remained hesitant. Ultimately, Qiu Danian made the decision to accept, and immediately invited a matchmaker to deliver betrothal gifts to the Fan family. Soon after, Qiu Lu entered the Fan household as a live-in son-in-law. Over a year later, Qiu Lu was admitted to the county school, and his literary fame spread far and wide. Later, when his brother-in-law came of age, the Fans' courtesy toward Qiu Lu gradually waned. Angered, Qiu Lu took Huiniang and returned home. By then, Lady Shao could walk with a cane. Thanks to Qiu Danian's management of household affairs over the years, the family home remained in good repair. With the new bride bringing many servants, the Qiu household now displayed the air of a great family.
Since Wei Ming was cut off by Qiu Lu, his jealousy toward the Qiu family deepened, and he could only lament that no opportunity presented itself for him to exploit. He colluded with a runaway slave from a Manchu household, falsely accusing the Qiu family of concealing wealth. In the early years of the Qing dynasty, the laws were most severe, and according to the statutes, Qiu Lu was sentenced to exile beyond the passes. Fan Gongzi bribed and pleaded everywhere, managing only to spare Huiniang from accompanying Qiu Lu into exile, while all the Qiu family's fields and properties were confiscated by the authorities. Fortunately, Qiu Danian, holding the original deed of family division, went boldly to the officials and argued on the basis of reason, thereby securing that the newly added several hundred acres of fertile land were registered under Qiu Fu's name, allowing Mother Shao and her daughter to live in peace. Qiu Lu, believing he would never return, wrote a letter of divorce and sent it to his father-in-law's family, then set off alone, desolate and forlorn. After traveling for several days, he reached a place north of the capital and stopped at an inn to eat. There he saw a beggar standing timidly outside the door, whose appearance greatly resembled his elder brother Qiu Fu. Approaching and inquiring, he found it was indeed his brother. Qiu Lu then recounted the events that had occurred at home, and the two brothers grieved together. Qiu Lu took off a lined garment and gave him a few taels of silver, urging his brother to return home. Qiu Fu, weeping, accepted the gifts and departed. Qiu Lu arrived beyond the passes and became a servant in the camp of a general. The general, seeing that he was a frail scholar, assigned him to clerical duties, and he lodged with the other servants. When the servants asked about his family background, Qiu Lu told them everything in detail. One of them suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "You are my son!" It turned out that Qiu Zhong, after being captured by bandits years ago, had been made to tend horses. Later, when the bandits surrendered, he was sold into a Manchu household, and now he was following his master stationed beyond the passes. Just now, Qiu Lu's detailed account of his family history revealed that Qiu Zhong was his father. Father and son embraced and wept bitterly, and everyone in the room was moved to sorrow. After their tears subsided, Qiu Zhong said indignantly, "Which runaway cur dares to deceive my son!" He then went to the general and tearfully pleaded his case. The general immediately appointed Qiu Lu as acting secretary in the army and wrote a letter to a prince, entrusting it to Qiu Zhong to take to the capital for appeal. Qiu Zhong arrived in the capital, waited for the prince's carriage to emerge, and presented the petition for redress along with the general's letter. The prince interceded on his behalf, and Qiu Lu's grievance was finally cleared. An order was issued for the local officials to redeem the confiscated Qiu family properties and return them. Qiu Zhong returned to the general's camp, and father and son were overjoyed. Qiu Lu asked in detail about his father's current household and intended to redeem him from servitude, only to learn that after being sold to the general's household, Qiu Zhong had married twice but had no children, and was now alone. Qiu Lu then packed his belongings and set off for home first.
After parting with his younger brother, Qiu Fu returned home and prostrated himself before his mother, confessing his faults. Qiu Da Niang, seated in the hall beside her mother Shao Shi, brandished a staff and demanded, "If you are willing to accept punishment by beating, you may stay for now; if not, your fields have already been gambled away, and there is no place for you here to eat—so be gone with you." Qiu Fu, tears streaming, knelt on the ground and declared his willingness to receive the rod. Qiu Da Niang cast aside the staff and said, "Even a man who sells his own wife is not sufficiently punished by a beating. But the previous case is not yet closed; if you offend again, I will deliver you to the authorities for strict judgment." She then sent word to the Jiang family. Jiang Shi cursed, "What relation am I to the Qiu family, that they should inform me!" Qiu Da Niang repeatedly used Jiang Shi's words to taunt Qiu Fu, who felt such shame that he dared not even breathe loudly. Thus, Qiu Fu lived at home for half a year. Though Qiu Da Niang provided him with ample food and clothing, she made him work like a servant. Qiu Fu toiled without complaint, and when entrusted with matters involving money, he handled them meticulously without error. Seeing that he had truly reformed, Qiu Da Niang informed her mother and sought to persuade Jiang Shi to return. Shao Shi deemed the matter hopeless, but Qiu Da Niang said, "Not necessarily. If she wished to remarry, why would she have slit her own throat and endured such suffering? Had Qiu Fu not treated her so cruelly, she would not have harbored such anger!" With that, she took her brother and personally went to the Jiang household to apologize. Upon seeing Qiu Fu, his father-in-law and mother-in-law berated him harshly. Qiu Da Niang ordered Qiu Fu to kneel upright, then requested that Jiang Shi come out to meet them. But despite repeated pleas, Jiang Shi stubbornly hid herself. Qiu Da Niang then went inside, found Jiang Shi, and forcibly pulled her out. As soon as Jiang Shi appeared, she pointed at Qiu Fu and cursed him repeatedly. Qiu Fu, overwhelmed with shame, sweat pouring down his face, wished the ground would swallow him. Jiang Shi's mother then helped him to his feet. Qiu Da Niang asked Jiang Shi when she might return. Jiang Shi replied, "I have long been indebted to you, elder sister, for many kindnesses. Since it is you who now bid me go home, what more can I say? I only fear that I cannot guarantee he will not sell me again in the future! Moreover, the bond between us has long been severed; what face have I to live with such a black-hearted scoundrel? I beg you, elder sister, to prepare a separate room for me, where I may serve my mother-in-law. If only it is slightly better than becoming a nun, I shall be content." Qiu Da Niang again expressed Qiu Fu's remorse on his behalf, arranged to fetch Jiang Shi the next day, and took her leave. The following morning, Qiu Da Niang sent a sedan chair to bring Jiang Shi back. Shao Shi knelt at the gate to welcome her, and Jiang Shi prostrated herself on the ground, weeping loudly. Qiu Da Niang calmed them, set out a feast to celebrate the reunion of Qiu Fu and his wife, and seated Qiu Fu at the side of the table. Raising her wine cup, she said, "All these years, I have struggled to reclaim this family property, not for my own gain. Now that my brother has repented and my virtuous sister-in-law has returned, let me hand over all the household accounts and ledgers to you. I came empty-handed, and I shall leave empty-handed." Qiu Fu and his wife both rose from the table, deeply moved, and knelt before Qiu Da Niang, weeping and begging her not to leave. Only then did she remain.
Not long after, the document exonerating Qiu Lu from his wrongful conviction arrived, and within a few days, all the confiscated fields and houses were returned to their original owners. Wei Ming was greatly alarmed, not knowing what had transpired, and only regretted that he had no further means to harm the Qiu family. Just then, a fire broke out at the neighbor's house to the west of the Qiu residence. Wei Ming pretended to go and help extinguish the blaze, but secretly set fire to Qiu Lu's house with a straw mat. At that moment, a strong wind arose, nearly burning down the entire Qiu household; only the two or three rooms where Qiu Fu lived remained, and the whole family crowded into them. Soon after, Qiu Lu returned, and the family reunion was filled with mingled sorrow and joy. Earlier, when Mr. Fan received the letter of divorce written by Qiu Lu, he took it to discuss with Huiniang. Huiniang wept bitterly, tore the letter into pieces, and threw them on the ground. Mr. Fan respected her wishes and did not force her to remarry. After Qiu Lu returned and heard that Huiniang had not remarried, he joyfully went to his father-in-law's house. Mr. Fan, knowing that the Qiu family had suffered a fire, wanted to keep him there, but Qiu Lu declined and took his leave to go home. Although the Qiu family had suffered the fire, fortunately Qiu Daniang still had some silver hidden away, which she brought out to repair the house. Qiu Fu, wielding a shovel to dig the foundation, suddenly uncovered a cellar filled with silver. That night, he and his brother opened it together, revealing a stone pool one zhang square, brimming with silver. Thus, the Qiu family hired craftsmen and undertook grand construction, building towers and halls that were magnificent and grand, rivaling those of noble families. Qiu Lu, grateful for the general's kindness, prepared a thousand taels of silver to ransom his father. Qiu Fu volunteered to go and fetch their father, so capable servants were sent with him. Meanwhile, Qiu Lu brought Huiniang back. Soon, their father and elder brother returned together, and the whole family was reunited, filled with joy and celebration. After Qiu Daniang had returned to her natal home, she forbade her own son from visiting, fearing others would accuse her of seeking personal gain. Now that her father had returned, she insisted on leaving, but Qiu Fu and Qiu Lu could not bear to let her go. Qiu Zhong then divided the family property into three shares: two for his sons and one for his daughter. Qiu Daniang firmly declined. The two brothers wept and said, "If it were not for our elder sister, how could we have come this far?" Only then did Qiu Daniang feel at ease, and she sent for her son to move his family and live with them. Someone asked Qiu Daniang, "You and Qiu Fu and Qiu Lu are half-siblings by different mothers; why are you so devoted to them?" Qiu Daniang replied, "To know only one's mother and not one's father—only beasts do that in this world. How can a human imitate a beast?" When Qiu Fu and Qiu Lu heard this, they were moved to tears. They had craftsmen build a residence for their sister, exactly like their own.
Wei Ming reflected to himself that over the past ten-odd years, the more he schemed to harm his enemy, the more fortune he brought to that household, and he felt deep shame and regret in his heart. He also admired his enemy's wealth and wished to mend relations. Using the pretext of congratulating Qiu Zhong's return home, he prepared gifts and went to the Qiu residence to pay a visit. Qiu Fu wished to refuse him, but Qiu Zhong could not bear to spurn the goodwill, so he accepted the chicken and wine that Wei Ming had brought. The chicken, its feet bound with a strip of cloth, escaped into the kitchen, where the stove fire ignited the cloth; the chicken leaped onto a pile of firewood, and though the household servants and maids saw the chicken, they did not notice it was carrying fire. Soon the firewood caught flame, which also spread to the house; the family was thrown into panic, but fortunately there were many hands, and the fire was quickly extinguished, though everything in the kitchen was burned to ashes. The Qiu brothers all deemed Wei Ming's gifts unlucky. Later, on Qiu Zhong's birthday, Wei Ming again brought a sheep as a birthday offering. Unable to refuse, they tied it to a tree in the courtyard. That night, a young servant boy, beaten by a servant, came angrily to the tree, untied the sheep's rope, and hanged himself. The Qiu brothers sighed and said, "His friendship is worse than his enmity." From then on, though Wei Ming sent gifts with great diligence, the Qiu family dared not accept even a thread from him, preferring instead to give him generous recompense. Later, when Wei Ming grew old and fell into poverty, reduced to begging, the Qiu family often gave him food and clothing, repaying his past deeds with kindness.
The Chronicler of Strange Tales remarks: Alas! Truly fate is beyond human control! The more one plots harm, the more fortune one brings to others; Wei Ming's cunning and treachery were utterly futile. Yet to receive his goodwill and instead suffer calamity—is that not even stranger? From this we see that water from the Thief's Spring, even a single handful, is tainted.
Commentary
Although this piece is a short story, it possesses the grandeur of a long novel. Compared to other tales in Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, this one features a multitude of characters and a complex plot. Apart from the two main figures, Qiu Daniang and Wei Ming, the Qiu Zhong clan alone includes Qiu Zhong himself, his second wife Shao, his eldest son Qiu Fu, his eldest daughter-in-law Jiang, his second son Qiu Lu, his second daughter-in-law Huiniang, and Qiu Zhong's uncle—none of whom are mere namesakes, each playing a significant and dramatic role. The temporal span is also extensive, reflecting an exceptionally rich array of social events, covering everything from the peasant uprisings at the end of the Ming dynasty to the "most stringent laws of the early Qing" concerning "escaped bondservants under the banner," offering a true depiction of the harsh rural environment in northern China at the time. It is precisely within such an environment that Qiu Daniang, like a pillar holding up a collapsing house, steers the Qiu family from the brink of ruin toward revival.
Qiu Daniang was bold and sharp-tongued, upright and capable, so that "whenever local bullies or powerful men dared to slight or oppress her family, she would seize a blade, stride to their door, and argue with righteous eloquence," yet her mind was also exceedingly meticulous, "nurturing her mother and instructing her younger brothers, keeping all affairs in order both within and without." Especially in handling the matters of her younger brother Qiu Fu and his wife's return home, she displayed strategy and means, behaving almost like a statesman! Though she was upright and incorruptible, she did not shrink from pursuing her own interests. Earlier, "whenever she returned to her natal home, if the gifts she received did not satisfy her expectations, she would quarrel with her parents and often leave in anger." Later, "the father divided the property into three parts: the sons received two shares, and the daughter one. Daniang firmly declined, but her brothers wept and said, 'Without you, sister, how could we have come to this day!' So Daniang accepted it peacefully." According to modern inheritance law, it is only natural that women and men share equal rights to property, but in the Ming and Qing dynasties, this was as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. This outcome was indeed a reward for Daniang's support of the family, and she accepted it without hesitation!
Standing in stark opposition to them was Wei Ming, who schemed relentlessly to harm his enemy, yet contrary to his wishes, his treacherous plots either directly aided his foe or provided opportunities for their growth. Dan Minglun summarized this tale, saying: "The one who could restore the fortunes of the enemy's household relied entirely on the eldest daughter. But the one who enabled the eldest daughter to achieve her renown relied entirely on Wei Ming."
"The Fanyan Rang" from Pu Songling's "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio" is adapted from this very story.