Mr. Li of Weixian owned a fine residence. One day, an old man arrived, seeking to rent it, offering fifty taels of gold. Mr. Li agreed. After a long silence with no word from the old man, Mr. Li instructed his household to put the house up for rent again. The next day, the old man reappeared, protesting, “We had already settled the rental agreement; how dare you offer it to another?”

Mr. Li replied, “I hadn’t seen you for so long, I assumed you weren’t coming after all.” The old man countered, “I intend to reside here permanently, how could I not appear? The delay in my arrival is solely because the day set for moving is ten days hence.” With that, he prepaid a year's deposit and instructed, “For this entire year, do not trouble yourself with the property, even if it sits vacant.”

Mr. Li questioned, “Will you truly arrive in ten days? Do not deceive me.” The old man assured him, “Rest easy, I will certainly be here.”

Ten days slipped by, yet the old man remained unseen. Mr. Li decided to pay a personal visit. Upon reaching the old man’s dwelling, he found the main doors tightly shut. However, smoke curled from the kitchen chimney, and inside the main hall, the murmur of voices could be faintly discerned.

Mr. Li presented his visiting card. Hearing the summons, the old man emerged to greet him personally, his manner affable and warm. After sharing a meal, Mr. Li took his leave. Upon returning home, he sent gifts to the old man, who in turn dispatched servants bearing return presents—lavish and grand, far surpassing what Mr. Li had offered.

Several days later, Mr. Li hosted a banquet in the old man’s honor, treating him with the utmost hospitality. During the feast, Mr. Li inquired, “Venerable sir, from whence do you hail?” The old man replied, “I am from Shaanxi.” Mr. Li remarked, “Shaanxi is a long distance from here. Why choose to settle in Weixian?”

The old man stated, “Your local region is blessed. Shaanxi is no longer fit for habitation; a great calamity approaches.” At that time, the realm was at peace, and Mr. Li paid little mind to the old man’s words, though he did not press the matter further.

The very next day, the old man reciprocated with a feast for Mr. Li, the provisions supplied being exceedingly luxurious. Mr. Li was inwardly astonished, suspecting the old man held some illustrious status, perhaps a high-ranking official retired from the Imperial Court. Because of their growing camaraderie, the old man confessed his true nature, proclaiming himself a fox spirit.

Mr. Li was further aghast and began recounting this tale to everyone he met. The gentry and magistrates of the county, upon hearing this, hastened to ride out and cultivate acquaintance with the old man. He received them all warmly, his courtesies impeccable, yet he pointedly refused to associate with the County Magistrate. When Mr. Li asked the reason, the old man explained, “You do not know this fellow; the Magistrate was a donkey in his previous life. Though he rules the populace now, he is, at heart, a grasping wretch obsessed with coin. Though I may be humble, I would never stoop to consort with such a creature.”

This incident occurred in the eleventh year of the Kangxi reign. Not long thereafter, Shaanxi was indeed engulfed in military strife, confirming the rumor that the fox spirit possessed the gift of prophecy.