Emperor Can Long was a ruler who loved to travel and explore the beautiful scenery of China, so during his reign, he went on six trips to the South. One night, while drinking with Can Long, a beggar did something that made the emperor invite him to become an official?
The beggar drank with Can Long one night and was immediately invited to become an official by the emperor
According to legend, during Emperor Can Long’s second trip to the South, he heard his accompanying officials say: “The prosperity of Shih Li Tan Hoai in Nanjing is thanks to the two culverts of Dong Quan and Tay Quan of the Tan Hoai River.” Can Long immediately wanted to go and experience something new.
Hearing this, Can Long disguised himself, dressed in ordinary clothes, and went to the Dong Quan gate. He saw that the three-layered gate on the river was majestic, with 11 arches on each layer. The arches on the lower layer were clearly visible under the transparent water. The arches on the middle and upper layers faced west, overlooking the Tan Hoai River. While admiring the view, Can Long suddenly noticed a cave near the gate with a couplet posted on both sides that read:
“Living freely in the Fairyland House
The wealthiest person in the world”
After reading this, Can Long felt it was strange that the meanings of the two lines did not contradict each other. Curious, the emperor approached the cave and noticed that inside the cave, on the east side of the gate, there was a group of beggars living there. Can Long entered the cave and asked the beggars what the couplet meant. The beggars’ leader smiled and explained: “Living in this cave, we are shielded from wind and rain. It is warm in winter and cool in summer. In front of us is the beautiful scenery of the Tan Hoai River. Isn’t this what ‘Living freely and happily like a Fairyland House’ means?”.
“And what about the second line?” – Can Long asked again. The beggar leader shook his head and laughed: “Sir, please look, I am covered in fleas and have no money. Where I live, wind sweeps, and the moon shines. Everyone in the world sees us as poor. Isn’t this ‘Being the wealthiest person in the world’?” Hearing this, Emperor Can Long nodded repeatedly, greatly appreciating him, and sat down to chat with the beggar.
By the way, the beggar leader asked Emperor Can Long: “Sir, what is your name and occupation?”. Can Long said his name was Thien Tu Cao, and he owned a jade hat store in Beijing, specializing in selling hats to officials. Hearing that Can Long was a businessman from afar, the beggar leader felt relieved and shared his life experiences. It turned out that the beggar leader was a talented scholar from Tu Xuyen, who had extensive knowledge. However, he was poor and could not establish relationships with the examining officials. He had failed the exams several times and had to rely on his wife’s modest income to survive. After his wife passed away, they ran out of rice, so he had to go to Jiangnan to beg for food along the way.
Hearing the poor scholar’s background, Emperor Can Long wanted to test him and said: “Since you are a learned man, you must have a deep insight. I have a couplet and hope to have the second line.” The beggar agreed, and Can Long used the names Thong Chau in Jiangsu and Thong Chau in Hebei as the subject, and composed the following couplet:
“Southern Thong Chau, Northern Thong Chau, Southern and Northern Thong Chau connecting South and North.” The scholar thought about his experiences begging for food and seeing many pawnshops on the streets. Suddenly, he had an inspiration and immediately replied: “Eastern pawnshops, Western pawnshops, Eastern and Western pawnshops, worthy of the East and West”.
Can Long praised him and invited the scholar to a riverside wine shop. As they enjoyed the delicious wine, Can Long said: “There is a wine shop in Beijing called ‘Nature Residence.’ I will use this name for the second line: ‘Guests at Nature Residence, suddenly become guests in Heaven’.” The scholar immediately responded: “In my hometown in Thuc, there are many great Buddhas. May I use this to respond? ‘People entering the Great Buddha temple, earnestly seeking Buddha’.”
Can Long was impressed with the response and immediately appointed the scholar as the Director of the Imperial Academy in Tho Chau. It is true that in life, one cannot predict what will happen. By living and working wholeheartedly, with a pure and peaceful mind, one will surely encounter bright future.
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