Two Stories of Virtue from Chinese History
Chinese culture has a long history of valuing virtuous behavior, and there are many stories and legends which illustrate the importance of virtue in people's lives. Below are two such stories.
An Incorruptible Official
Zhen Bin, a talented and virtuous man, lived in the Southern Qi dynasty. He pawned some ramie cloth for money at a local shop. But when he went back to redeem the ramie, he found that there were seven ounces of gold wrapped in it.
He returned the gold to the shop.
The shop manager was shocked and said to him, “Someone just pawned this gold for money. I forgot where I had hastily put it away. I wouldn't have expected you to bring the gold back.”
He then offered half of the gold as a reward to Zhen Bin, but he refused. The story became widely spread.
Later, Zhen Bin was appointed the head of Pi County. At the send-off ceremony for several government officials including Zhen, the emperor of the Southern Qi dynasty admonished all but Zhen Bin to keep their probity while on their posts.
The emperor told Zhen, “You are well known for your integrity and honesty because of your past deeds. I am confident that you don't need any reminder from me.”
Reference: Tan Sou, by Pang Yuanying of Song dynasty
Emperor Jinggong Extends His Life
In the Spring and Autumn Period, a special astrological sign was observed when Jinggong was the emperor of the Song dynasty. Out of respect for the heavenly illumination, he summoned an astrology expert, Zi Wei, to the palace and asked, “What is the meaning of this sign?”
Zi Wei replied, “The sign is a curse from Heaven on your life. However, it can be transferred to the prime minister.”
Jinggong said, “The prime minister is a talented executive who helps me manage the country. I'd rather die myself and spare him for the sake of the country.”
“The curse can also be transferred to the common people,” said Zi Wei.
Jinggong responded, “What is the point of being an emperor if my people are dead? I'd rather sacrifice my own life.”
Zi Wei said, “It can also be transferred onto the harvest.”
Jingsong said, “If the harvest is lacking, my people will starve to death. If I kill my people in order to save my own life, what kind of emperor am I? It must be that my life is destined to end. Say no more to persuade me.”
Zi Wei knelt down and congratulated the emperor.
“Your Majesty, Heaven heard your kind words three times and will reward you three times. Tonight, the signs will change, and your life will be extended by twenty-one years.”
The sign did change as Zi Wei predicted. The emperor's life was prolonged.
Astrological signs may give hints to the future, but one's choices often determine one's own fate.
Reference: Miscellany Vol. 4 of Xin Xu, by Liu Xiang of Han Dynasty

小事上不贪婪　当官必定清廉
南北朝时的南朝齐，有个叫甄彬的人，有德有才。他曾用一束苎麻到荆州长沙西库作抵押换了一些钱用，后来拿钱去赎苎麻，回来后在麻里发现用一条手巾包著的五两金子。甄彬将金子送还西库。
管理西库的和尚大惊，说：“近来有人用金子抵押换钱。因为匆忙，没有记清放到什么地方了。施主拾到后，还能送还，这恐怕是从古到今都没有的事情。”和尚特意将一半金子给他作为酬谢。两个人推辞往复了十多次，甄彬坚决不肯接受。和尚称赞他是拾金不昧的君子。
后来甄彬被任命为郫县县令，将要去上任之前，去向皇帝辞行，同时去辞行的一共有五位官员。皇帝告诫一定要注意保持廉洁，唯独对甄彬说：“你昔日有还金的美名，所以对你就不用嘱咐这些话了。”
参考资料：《谈薮》宋 庞元英

宋景公延寿
延寿添福，是每个人的愿望。这个愿望可以实现吗？古人是怎样延长寿命的呢？
春秋时期，宋国的宋景公当国王时，出现了荧惑在心的星象变化。宋景公敬畏上天，心内惧怕，召来“子韦”（人名）问：“荧惑在心的星象，是代表什么呢？”
子韦说：“荧惑，是代表天谴。灾祸会应在宋国君主身上。虽然是这样，可以把灾祸转移到宰相身上。”
宋景公说：“宰相，是治国的人才，转移到他身上，他就会死掉。不行。寡人我请求自己担当。”
子韦说：“可以转移到百姓身上。”
宋景公说：“百姓都死光了，我做国王有什么用？宁愿我自己一个人死掉算了。”
子韦说：“可以转移到来年庄稼的收成上。”
宋景公说：“来年庄稼收成不好，百姓必然饿死。为了君主的私欲，而杀掉自己的百姓，而自保苟活，谁会把我当君主看待呢？寡人的命固然要走到尽头了。你不要再说了。”
子韦下拜说：“微臣我斗胆祝贺大王您。上天处于高处，而能听到下面的声音。大王您有三次仁慈的言论，上天必定赏赐您三次。今夜星象必定会迁移三次，大王您的寿命会延长二十一岁。”
当夜，星象果然迁移了三次，就象子韦说的那样。
星象代表著天象变化，对应著人的祸福。然而，人的祸福又是自己选择的。如果一个人选择善，就会导致自己的命运向好的方向变化，延长寿命也就不是不可能的事了。
参考资料：《新序　杂事四》汉 刘向