Heaven Will Reward the Virtuous
 
Hong Mai (1123 – 1202 AD) was a well-known writer in China's Song Dynasty (960 – 1279 AD). He once recorded a story about Huang Cong, courtesy name Zifang. In the story, Huang respected Heaven, did good deeds and was thus protected from disaster.
 
In the year 1119, during the time of Emperor Huizong, Huang Cong was appointed as the head of Minqing County in what today is Fujian Province. He worshiped gods during his daily life. Although a vegetarian himself, every day he bought a serving of meat for his mother out of filial piety. He was a righteous person with dignity, and was not afraid of power. He did not accept gifts from lower officials, nor did he bribe higher officials to please them. Corrupt officers thus hated him.
 
Taoism was very popular during that time in China's history, and many virtuous Taoists did many good deeds. People thus welcomed and respected them. A high official, Huang Mianzhong, was appointed the governor of Fujian Province. After hearing about donations to Taoists for the memorial services they performed, he was jealous and asked all twelve counties under his jurisdiction to collect taxes from the Taoists. It was political persecution in the form of economic extortion. All the county heads, except Huang Cong, followed the order and collected large amounts of money from the Taoists.
 
Huang Cong thought that the Taoists were practicing truthfulness and promoting compassion, which was good for society and should not be persecuted. Plus, there was no law from the royal court that allowed collecting taxes from Taoists, so he did not follow Governor Huang's order. However, Governor Huang pressed him about it, so Huang Cong handed over 4 months of his own salary to pay on behalf of the Taoists' tax. Governor Huang accepted the money but was still unhappy with Huang Cong even though he had no means to deal with Huang Cong since everything he did was in accordance with the law.
 
Later, an opportunity arose for Governor Huang to have his revenge. The emperor sent an ethics officer to each area to evaluate the performance of local officials. The emissary to Fuzhou, like Governor Huang, was corrupt and hated Huang Cong.
 
After the inspection, the emissary went back to the capital and gave an extremely negative report about Huang Cong to officials that served in the capital. They all thought that a terrible fate awaits Huang Cong.
 
One day, the emissary was accompanying the emperor in the palace. Emperor Huizong suddenly asked him, "Among the 12 county heads you have met in Fujian Province, who is truly virtuous?" The emissary did not expect the emperor to ask this question, and his mind went blank in panic. The emperor asked again, and the emissary could only remember one name – Huang Cong. Thus he hurriedly replied, "Huang Cong is virtuous! Huang Cong is virtuous!"
 
That same day, the emperor gave an order to promote Huang Cong one level higher to head of Zhangzhou.
 
After the emissary returned from the palace, his mind cleared and he was able to speak easily. He regretted having said a good word for Huang Cong.
 
The emissary later told his family what happened. His family said, "That is strange. You did something just the opposite of what you wanted to." Soon afterwards, officials in the royal court also heard about this and discussed it. They concluded that Huang Cong was rewarded by heaven for his virtuousness. Even the emissary himself admitted it.
 
吉人天相，确有神助
 
宋代的著名学术家洪迈，在他的著作中，写了一则关于黄琮敬神护道，“吉人天相，确有神助；遇难呈祥，转祸为福”的事。现译述如下：
 
黄琮，字子方，在宋徽宗宣和初年（公元1119年），担任福州闽清县（今属福建）的县令。他平时敬信神明，自己喜欢吃素，但却每天给母亲买四两肉做菜，孝敬老人。为人正直而且威严，不畏强暴。既不对下级纳礼，也不向长官行贿。更不事周旋，奉迎。那些贪婪的长官们，早就对他恨得咬牙切齿。
 
当时道教盛行，确有不少道高德重，为百姓做好事的道士，受到人们的欢迎与接待。当时的朝廷尚书黄冕仲，现在出任福州太守，听说道士们为百姓做法事，得了些布施，便心生妒忌与恶念。他命令自己下属的十二个县的县令：征收道士的赋税。用经济勒索的手段，实行政治上的打压。福州有十一个县都执行了黄冕仲太守的命令，向道士们征收了几百万的钱款，唯独黄琮不予执行。
 
黄琮认为：道家信徒，宣善求真，倡导德行，有益于社会和人心。不可在经济上搜刮、打压他们。再者，朝廷也没有颁布过征收道士的法令，不可任意行事。硬顶著不办。但太守还是急催。黄琮就把自己四个月的薪俸拿出来，作为征收道士税款的抵代，缴纳给了太守。太守收下了钱款，心中仍然不满。但是，也拿黄琮没有办法，因为黄琮的所作所为，都合于理法，所以只好暗恨于心。
 
后来，整人的机会来了。朝廷要派一个廉访使，到各地去明察暗访，考察吏员们的政绩。这一回就被安排去福州，廉访使和黄太守都是贪赃枉法之徒，都痛恨黄琮。
 
廉访使在福州察访完毕，回京后，见到朝中官员，大讲黄琮的坏话。大家都以为：这一下，黄琮要倒霉了！
 
有一天，廉访使进宫陪侍皇上，宋徽宗忽然问他：“你去福州视察，知道福州下属的十二个县里，谁是贤德的县令吗？”廉访使没料到皇上会问这样的问题，吓得惊慌失措，脑子里一片空白，不知如何回答才好。皇上再次追问，他只想起了一个人名：黄琮，便连声称说：“黄琮贤德！黄琮贤德！”
 
就这样，皇上当天便下达圣旨：提升黄琮为漳州（今属福建）通判！
 
廉访使从朝中出来后，脑子才清醒过来，舌头也好使了。他十分后悔：不该替黄琮讲好话。
 
他回到家中，向家人们诉说了此事。家人说：“这真是鬼使神差！你不愿做的事，你竟然做了。”不久，朝中官员们也知道了这事，互相议论说：“黄琮是吉人天相，转祸为福。”廉访使本人也感叹道：“黄琮真是吉人天助！”