Original Text
He Qiongqing was a native of Pingyin County in Shandong. In his early years, when serving as a magistrate in Qinzhong, a petty oil peddler committed a minor offense but spoke insolently; in a fit of rage, He Qiongqing beat him to death. Later, He Qiongqing took up a post in the Ministry of Personnel's Bureau of Appointments, and his family amassed great wealth. When he built a new mansion, on the day the ridgepole was raised, relatives and friends gathered to drink and offer congratulations. Suddenly, he saw the oil peddler walk in, and his heart was filled with secret suspicion. Shortly after, someone came to report that his concubine had given birth to a son. He Qiongqing said gloomily, "The new building is not yet finished, but the one who will tear it down has already arrived!" Everyone thought he was joking, not knowing that he truly saw the apparition. Later, when his son grew up, he was utterly unruly and squandered the entire family fortune. He went to work as a servant for others, and whenever he earned a few coins, he would buy sesame oil to drink.
The Chronicler of the Strange remarks: One often sees the grand mansions of wealthy families stretching endlessly, yet after their deaths, upon passing by again, one finds nothing but a heap of ruins. Surely, there must be someone born into their household who dismantles the very beams and rafters. Those who stand above others—how can they not take heed and be vigilant in good time!
Commentary
The Chinese place great importance on progeny and the transmission of family culture, as the saying goes, "Loyalty and honesty sustain a family for generations; poetry and books ensure a lasting legacy." If a family's estate falls into decline and unworthy descendants emerge, it is a grave matter. He Jiongqing's descendants "squandered the family fortune and became servants to others," which Pu Songling believed was the result of cruel and oppressive official conduct.
According to traditional folk customs, a good son comes to the family to repay kindness, while a bad son comes to collect debts. Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio contains many works reflecting this theme, such as Forty Thousand Coins in Volume One and The Son of the Liu Family in Volume Five. However, these all reflect economic disputes among ordinary people, whereas this tale reflects matters of criminal governance, warning those who hold positions of authority over others, which is the distinctive feature of this piece.