Wang Zhongcheng was a native of Yangzhou in the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1912 AD). His father died when he was a child, and his family was poor. Wang took on writing litigation papers in order to support his mother and himself. At age 20, he was ranked highly in the county examination that was the first step to becoming an imperial scholar.But he then failed the examination held in the fall several times.

On New Year's Eve, he had a dream in which two men in black called him into a magnificent, official hall. In the center of the hall, a king sat in a chair and two officials dressed in red stood by his sides, holding a long paper with many names on it. The king was writing his decisions on the list with a brush pen. After he was done writing, one of the red-robed officials called Wang by name to enter.

Wang entered the hall and knelt on the floor. He noticed that the king had a grave facial expression. The king threw a book at him and told him to read it. Wang saw his name in the book and, following his name, it said that Wang was supposed to have passed one level of the imperial examination, then gain entry into the Hanlin Academy (an imperial institute for top scholars), and eventually become a governor. But because he wrote fraudulent litigations on behalf of other people against his own conscience, all of his future achievements had been erased.

After he finished reading his verdict, the king banged on his long table and asked, "Have you read it clearly?" Wang kowtowed repeatedly, asking for forgiveness. The king said, "Considering that you serve your mother with much filial piety, if you correct your behavior immediately, I will return your fame and fortune to you. If you continue doing bad deeds, I will take away your life!" The king then told the two people in black to show Wang Zhongcheng to the door.

One of the men said to Wang, "The king's verdict is about next year's examination in the fall. If you correct your mistakes and focus on doing good deeds, you will pass the exam with high grades. Do not forget the king's earnest advice." He then gave Wang a push, and Wang suddenly woke up.

Everything in the dream was so vivid that he could not forget it. He thought, "I am a poor man with little resources to help others. If I give up my practice of writing litigations, what else can I do to correct my sins?" After a sleepless night, he suddenly enlightened, "Fraudulent writing can kill, but can’t writing for justice save lives? If I apply my knowledge in the opposite way, then the divine beings will take care of me."

From that day on, whenever he saw a client with a case, he would try to resolve the conflict out of court. For those without a good reason, he would offer his opinion and ask them to withdraw their case. For those with good reason but were unable to state their arguments strongly, he would skillfully write good arguments on their behalf and help them to receive justice.

After nearly one year of putting forth this kind of effort, Wang placed first in the highest level of county examination in the following fall. The result earned him a monthly government stipend. This greatly encouraged him and he worked even harder for others.

A young widow who lived in Mr. Wang's neighborhood was pregnant with her late husband's child. Her husband had left a decent amount of wealth upon death. 
Relatives of her late husband's family wrongfully accused her, saying that her pregnancy was the result of an extramarital affair and they did not want the family lineage to be spoiled. The relatives wanted the court to send her back to her parents' home and refused to give her any of her husband's property. The widow’s family was weak and afraid of getting involved, so they would not argue on her behalf. In these shameful circumstances, the woman found no one sympathetic. She cried day and night and vowed to commit suicide.

A neighbor told Wang about the woman's plight. After a thorough investigation, Wang was convinced that the woman was a loyal wife. He visited her parents and helped them to write an appeal. He then encouraged the woman's mother to go to court. The woman's brothers were very reluctant to do this, but Wang encouraged them to do the right thing for the sake of morality and justice. Finally, they were all moved by Wang's pure heart and they gathered enough strength to deliver the appeal to the judge.

Wang Zhongcheng then called for a meeting, inviting his classmates and other influential elders in town. He told them that the county magistrate would openly read the Emperor’s statement on the first day of the month at Wenmiao Temple, and he suggested the group should bring the woman's case to the county magistrate’s attention at that time. One man said that this case had nothing to do with him and he was unwilling to handle it. Mr. Wang said: "This case involves protecting a women's reputation and a child's interests. It deals with principles of virtue and justice. Everyone who reads a book and understands the principles should take this as his own business. We are not taking the case forward because of self-interest. This is not defiance of the authorities. If the magistrate blames us, I will take full responsibility." Everyone was touched by his righteousness and agreed to support him.

When the county magistrate arrived at Wenmiao Temple, the group turned in their letter and asked him to review it. The magistrate was a good official with a clear mind. After he read it, he said: "This is a matter of people's honor and dignity. I invite everyone here to carefully investigate the facts. If her husband's family intentionally framed her, then we must punish them according to the law. But I suggest that your investigation must be based on facts, so that you do not bring more trouble to yourselves." Mr. Wang stood up and explained his investigation. He presented the case with clear logic and facts. The magistrate was impressed by his presentation and praised him.

Several days later, the court had a hearing on the case. Under intense questioning, the husband's family members were speechless and finally admitted that they had falsely framed the woman. The case was closed and the woman's reputation was restored. The woman asked her parents to offer 100 gold coins to Mr. Wang, but he refused to take the money. When the family insisted, Mr. Wang became angry and said, "Do you think I did this for money?" He was very adamant about not accepting the money. Finally the woman's family packed up the money and left.

On the next New Year's Eve, Mr. Wang saw the same two men in black again in his dream. They took him to the same place as the year before. The king said to him in a pleasant voice, "I compliment your quick action correcting your sins. I have returned your scholarly achievements to you already. Originally, you were supposed to score very high in the next imperial examination. But your efforts to save the woman and child moved the gods in heaven, so you will pass the examination a year ahead of time. You should continue doing good deeds and not slack off. You will have a very bright future." Wang kowtowed again to thank the king.

After Wang woke up from the dream, he told his mother and wife all about it. From then on, he did his utmost to perform kind deeds. The next year, he scored first place in the provincial examination and entered the Hanlin Academy. Later, Wang became a governor, exactly as stated in his dream.

刀笔善用　 济人救人

清朝扬州的王中丞，少年时死了父亲，家境贫寒，靠给人写诉状赚钱以养母。二十岁时经考试得补弟子员，秋试几场考下来，都不中。

这年除夕，他梦见两个穿青衣的人把他叫去，带到一座官署，极其宏大壮丽。正堂上端坐一位帝君，旁边有两位红衣吏，手拿长榜，王者用笔标判。标判完了，吏使传呼王生进见。

王生上殿，匍匐在地上，看到帝君脸色十分严厉，扔下一本册子，让他看，见到册子上有自己的名字，下面标明他应当由某次科考得中，并联捷而入翰林，官至总督，但以昧心替人写诬状之孽，已被削除殆尽。

他刚看完，王者拍著长案问道：「看清楚了吗？」王生叩头乞哀，王者说：「姑且念你侍奉母亲孝顺，应当立即改过，还可以还你功名。如恶行不改，就要追索你的性命！」又命青衣人将王生带出去。

青衣人对王生说：「刚才帝君标判的是来年秋榜。你如能改行为善，还可以在这一榜上登名。不要忘了帝君谆谆训诫的苦心！」说完伸手推了王生一掌，王生一下子就醒了。

王生回想梦中情景，历历在目。想到改过，觉的自己家境贫寒，没有力量去做善事，如果放弃刀笔写状生涯，又用甚么办法弥补前罪。沉思通宵，恍然有悟：刀笔可以杀人，难道就不能用来救人吗？就用此道反而行之，一定可以得到神明庇佑。

自此以后，凡是遇诤讼之人前来，他都想尽办法劝说调解。那些没有道理而要诤讼的，他加以申斥说理。对于那些有理而不能自己申说清楚的人，他才运用自己的文才为他们写状子，而且全力给以帮助。

这样做了近一年，他考中补廪生第一名，能每月受到官府的定额资助，因此更加努力为善。

邻里中有一新寡之少妇，家属小康，怀有身孕，是遗腹子。族中之人诬陷她不贞洁，告官说她腹中之子不是真骨血，怕乱了宗族血脉，求官府判她大归（把她休回娘家，不准继承产业）。她的娘家软弱怕事，不敢说一句话。她受了大冤，无法辩白，整天哭泣，发誓要寻死。

有位邻居知道了，来告诉了王生。王生作了调查，知道少妇实是贞洁之人，就访问来到她娘家，写了上诉状，让她母亲去告官府。这妇人的兄弟显出很为难的样子，王生就用道义激励，他们很受感动，于是把状子递了上去。

同时王生又召集同学和本地有德望的老者，告诉他们知县将于初一要到文庙宣讲圣谕，到那时把这桩案子公开提出来。有人认为，此事与己无关，不愿出面，王生说：「保护贞节，维护遗孤，这是有关道德仁义的大事，都是读书明理之人应该做的，并不是为一己之私利包揽诉讼，不能把这件事等同于违法犯禁来看。如果怪罪下来，我一人承担！」大家都很赞赏他的大义之心，都愿意支持他。

到了初一，知县来到文庙学舍，大家呈上禀文请他阅览。知县也很明理，看完以后说：「这是件牵涉名节的事，请在座诸君认真了解落实，如果确属于族人诬陷，一定按律例严惩。但各位查访一定要确实，不要自取其罪。」王生向前，尽力申述族人诬告的详情，言辞刚直，条理分明。知县见他词理正直，慰勉了几句，让他下去了。

没有几天，即开庭讯问，族人都被问的理屈词穷，承认自己诬告。少妇之冤才大白，结了此案。少妇嘱咐娘家拿出一百金答谢王生，王生不受。他们坚持要给，王生生气说：「我难道是想要你们的酬金才这样做的吗！」声色俱厉，严加拒绝，妇家人惭愧而去。

当年除夕，王生又梦见以前的那两位青衣使者，前来召他，走到以前的地方，见那位帝君和颜悦色对他说：「我很赞赏你改行之快，已经还你科名。原应在下一科中试，因你保节全孤一事，善行感动上天，本年就能考取。你应当更加多修善德，不要懈怠，前程远大不可限量！」王生叩谢。

王生醒来就把他所经历的事告诉了他母亲和妻子。从此，他竭尽全力行善。第二年就中了解元，联捷入了翰林，官至大中丞（巡抚）。