Li Linfu (who died in 752 A.D.) was Prime Minister for Emperor Tang Xuan Zong (713-756 A.D.) of the Tang Dynasty. He lived on the east side of Luoyang City. When he was 20 years old he had yet to take up serious studies, though he enjoyed swimming, hunting, and was fond of falcons and dogs. He often stood upside down on his hands and leaned against a wall to rest. One day he met a Taoist who told him, "Although you are very good at this, you may one day fall suddenly into a calamity, and then it will be too late!" Li Linfu immediately stood up normally and said that he would cultivate himself and practice morality from then on, learn to be respectful and prudent, and give up his bad behavior. The Taoist said, "I've traveled the world for 500 years and you're the only one I've met who has a predestined relationship with the divine. After you've completed your cultivation and consummated you can rise up in broad daylight and become an immortal. If you don't wish to cultivate you can be Prime Minister for twenty peaceful years and wield great power. Now go home and think about what you want, and return with your answer in three days."
 
When the day arrived, Li Linfu told the Taoist, "I'm a young member of the Emperor's clan and have been chivalrous since childhood. I'd rather be a Prime Minister for twenty years and have great power than become an immortal. That's my decision."
 
Upon hearing Li Linfu's words the Taoist said sadly, "I've only met one predestined person in 500 years, and he'd rather cling to power in the human world and miss his opportunity to cultivate. What a pity!"
 
Li Linfu was very regretful and wanted to change his mind, but the Taoist said, "A person's first thought is most important. The Gods have already heard your wish, and it's too late to change it now."
 
The Taoist cautioned him, "When you serve as an official you should do good deeds and help people as much as you can. Don't kill innocent people. Don't become vicious and never commit crimes. In 300 years I'll teach you how to cultivate and you can still become an immortal." Li Linfu agreed to obey, while falling to his knees and crying, and said goodbye to the Taoist.
 
Not long after, Li Linfu became very successful in his career, made steady progress and soon became the Prime Minister. However, he was shrewd and calculating, with ulterior motives and a silver tongue, and Emperor Tang Xuan Zong liked him very much. He established a big prison and killed many dissidents. Many people were falsely accused, and the common people led miserable lives.
 
One day the Taoist suddenly showed up at the Prime Minister's office at midday. Li Linfu saw him and recognized him as the same old man who'd taught him so many years before. He was extremely ashamed and fearful, and was at a loss for words. He remembered that the Taoist had told him he'd be "Prime Minister for twenty years." He realized his time was up, yet he hadn't fulfilled any of the teachings. He felt sick to the stomach and immediately knelt before the Taoist.
 
The Taoist said, "Many years ago you promised to do what I asked you, but you haven't done any of it. I asked you to do good deeds, yet you are sly and vicious and have killed many innocent people. The Heavenly Gods know every single detail of your crimes and your punishment is horrifying!" Li Linfu kowtowed continuously when he heard that.
 
Li Linfu asked the Taoist, "I remember you said in 300 years I'd have the opportunity to become an immortal. Is it still possible?" The Taoist replied, "What you've done is against the laws of Heaven. There will be negative consequences and we'll have to add another 300 years, so you won't get another chance until 600 years have past."
 
Li Linfu was extremely regretful.
 
一念之差，误六百年
 
唐玄宗时期的宰相李林甫（？--752），在二十岁时，还没有认真读书。他住在东都洛阳，好游猎，喜鹰犬。常用双手倒立，两脚朝上靠墙歇息。某日忽遇一道人，对他讲：“郎君虽善此，然忽有颠坠之祸，则后悔不可及！”李林甫立刻恢复正常身姿，表示从此以后修身恭谨，不再干这些不上进的事。道人对他讲：“我游历人世五百年，才看到你一个人有仙缘，修炼圆满后，可白日飞升而去。如果不愿修炼，可做二十年太平宰相，大权在握。你回去考虑，愿意选择什么？三天后，来见我。”
到了那天，李林甫来告诉道人：“我是皇帝宗族的青年，自幼豪侠。如能做二十年宰相，大权在握，不愿用白日升天去换啊。主意就这么定了。”
 
道人听他这样讲，非常难过的说：“五百年才见到一个人，就这样贪恋人间权贵，把机会错过了，可惜呀可惜！”
 
李林甫后悔了，想改过来。道人讲：“人的第一个念头最重要，你先说出的这个愿望，众神尽已听到，不能改了。”
 
道人嘱咐他：“你做官期间，应该多积阴德，广泛救助他人，不要枉杀好人，千万不可行阴贼之事。如此，三百年后，我再教你修炼，还可白日飞升。”李林甫答应了，匍匐泣拜，与道人告别。
 
李林甫不久以后，果然官运亨通，步步高升，当上了宰相。他为人机巧多谋，口蜜腹剑，深得唐玄宗的宠爱。他兴起大狱，诛除异己，冤案连连，百姓苦不堪言。
 
忽然有一天中午，道人到了他的宰相府中。李林甫一见，恍然大悟，这不是当年教导我的前辈吗？他惭惧至极，手足失措。再想起“二十年宰相”的话，时限现已来到，可是自己应承下来的教诲，却丝毫没有实行，心中好像得了一块病，急忙向道人跪了下来。
 
道人说：“当年我要求你做的，你口说依从，行动上并未做到。我让你多行阴德，你却甚为阴贼，枉杀好人。天帝明察秋毫，谴惩令人可畏呀！”李林甫听了叩头不止。
 
李林甫问道人：“当年听您讲，我三百年后，还有升天的希望，这以后还能行么？”道人回答：“你的所作所为，违背天道，会有所贬抑。需要再加三百年，总共六百年后，那时才有可能。”
 
李林甫后悔莫及。