Taking Bribes and Perverting the Law Ruined a Promising Future
 
In ancient times, there lived a man surnamed Xu from Quzhou County (now Quzhou City, Zhejiang Province). He held the position of assistant magistrate in Xinyu County (currently Xinyu County in Jiangxi Province). His superior ordered him to go to Luling County (currently Jian County in Jiangxi Province) to adjudicate a case. It was nightfall when he arrived at a place about ten miles away from Jian County. As he was preparing to stay the night at a nearby inn, a wealthy elderly man who happened to have the same surname of Xu, invited him to his house. The traveler received an abundance of hospitality from the man, who cooked mutton and served wine graciously. The assistant magistrate thought that the old man's enthusiastic kindness towards him was because they shared the same surname and common ancestry.
 
As the evening wore on, the old man told him quietly, "Ever since I lived here, I have never associated with the local authorities. Last night I saw in a dream that a high-ranking official passed by my door. The man who was clearing the way for the official held up a banner with the characters "Xu Shilang" (a person of official rank at the level of deputy minister) on it. Today here you are and your surname is Xu. You will undoubtedly be promoted to Shilang in the future and come to possess wealth and power. I hope to someday commit my descendants to your care."
 
Assistant Magistrate Xu had passed the imperial examination at a young age. He was self-assured with outstanding talent and had many official prospects. After the old man expressed his request, Xu gladly agreed to do what the man requested. He also made an appointment to visit the old man after he finished his official duties in Luling County. The next day he set out on his travels.
 
One month later, he finished his duties in Luling County. On his way home he went directly to the old man's house. Old man Xu still welcomed him but the courtesy and respect he had shown before was missing. Just before the assistant left, the old man said solemnly, "Is it possible that you did something wrong when you were in Luling County? The day before yesterday I had a dream in which a deity told me that you took the bribe of 500 thousand silver coins, broke the law and then fabricated a lie to frame someone. As a result of this, your rank will be cut and your life-span will not be long. Why didn't you conduct yourself with dignity. Why didn't you live up to my expectation?"
 
Hearing this, Assistant Magistrate Xu was apprehensive and too ashamed to say anything. After he returned home, he was notified to go to Lin'an County (now Lin'an City, Zhejiang Province) to take a position there. Not long after took his new position, he died at an inn while traveling.
 
Xu's father was a broker of rice dealers. He followed his son to wherever he was stationed and often taught his son to commit unrighteous acts. The case in Luling County involved a rich man who killed another man. Xu took a bribe from the rich man and framed his servant to be charged for the crime. The servant was not only wronged but was killed for a crime he did not commit. Xu was therefore punished by the king of hell. Xu's father was still living when Xu died. Xu's father's ill-gotten wealth quickly disappeared, and he became as poor as he was in his early years. He was also despised by everyone.
 
Officials should be honest and upright. Assistant Magistrate Xu took a bribe and an innocent person was killed. His father taught him to commit evil deeds. Both of them ended up with bad fates. The heavenly principles are obvious; it is hard to evade one's responsibility for an offense. Sooner or later a person who commits an evil act will receive retribution.
 
贪赃枉法　吉命变凶
 
有个衢州人徐生，官任新喻（今江西新余）县丞。上司命他前往庐陵（今江西吉安）审断一个案子。当他行至离吉水还有三十里的地方，天色已晚，准备到附近的旅舍歇息。这时，本地的一个富户老人，也姓徐，十分诚恳的把他迎接到家中，烹羊置酒，招待得十分殷勤周到。徐县丞以为老人这般热情，是看在同姓同宗的缘故。
 
等到夜深人静的时候，老人悄悄的对他讲：“我住在这里，从来未与官府结交。昨天夜晚，我梦见有一大官，从门口经过。前面开道的人，举著写有‘徐侍郎’的牌子。今天您就来了，正是姓徐。您今后可任侍郎，富贵无疑。我愿将子孙托付给您，请多关照。”
 
徐县丞原是少年登科，自恃才能卓越，官运不错。听老人这么一说，就高兴的应承下来。并约定，等他到庐陵办完公事，返程时，再登门拜访。第二天，徐县丞就告辞上路。
 
一个月以后，徐县丞在庐陵办完公事，返程东归时，就直接来到徐老人家中。老人仍然款待了他，但礼节与敬重的感情却很冷淡。临别时，老人十分严肃的说：“徐县丞这次庐陵之行，莫非做了亏心之事吗？前日夜晚，梦见神人告诉我，您收受他人五百千银钱，贪赃枉法，制造冤狱。您的官职将被削降，寿命也不长了。您为何不守节自重，辜负我对您的期望呢？”
 
徐县丞听了，大惊失色，惭愧得无言以对。回家后，接到上司通知，要他前往临安改任。不久便死在途中的旅舍。
 
再讲徐县丞的父亲，这人是米贩子的经纪人，跟随其子到任所，经常教儿子多行不义。庐陵之案，是一富户打死了人，徐县丞收了这富户的贿赂，就枉屈富户的家仆承担罪名。仆人被冤枉坐罪而死。所以，阎罗罚罪于徐县丞。他死后，其父还活在人世。但所获取的不义之财，很快便随手散尽，仍然像当初一样的贫困，被众人所鄙视。（事据《夷坚志》第六卷）
 
做官的人，应该廉洁奉公。徐县丞贪财害命，还有他父亲教子行恶，都没有好下场。可见：天理昭昭，罪责难逃。邪恶遭报，只是迟早！