Liu Fanghua was a native of Baoding. He was immensely wealthy in his township, known for his generosity and hospitality, often hosting a hundred guests at a time. He was quick to aid those in distress, sparing no expense. His friends and associates frequently borrowed money and rarely repaid it. Yet, there was one guest, Gong Mengbi, from Shaanxi, who sought nothing from him throughout his life. Whenever he visited, he would linger for months. His conversation was refined and elegant, deeply endearing him to Liu Fanghua, and the two were inseparable.

Liu He, the son, was young and treated Gong Mengbi as an uncle, often playing with him. Every time Liu He returned from his private tutoring, the uncle and nephew would dig up the blue bricks, burying stones underground, pretending to bury gold, deriving great amusement from this game. All five courtyards of the Liu mansion were subjected to this treatment, filled with buried stones.

Others often mocked Gong Mengbi for his childish behavior, but Liu He alone adored him. More than a decade passed. The family fortune declined, unable to sustain the continuous stream of guests, and so visitors gradually thinned out. However, a dozen or so close friends still gathered for all-night drinking sessions, frequently seen. In his later years, Liu Fanghua grew increasingly impoverished, forced to sell his land to finance entertaining. Liu He inherited his father’s spendthrift nature, cultivating friendships like his father, and Liu Fanghua never discouraged him.

Before long, Liu Fanghua fell ill and died. The family was too poor to afford a coffin. Gong Mengbi personally covered the funeral expenses, settling his friend’s affairs. Liu He, filled with gratitude, entrusted all matters, large and small, to his uncle’s handling. Whenever Gong Mengbi prepared to return home, he would invariably conceal shards of rubble in his sleeves, tossing them into the corners of dark rooms upon his arrival. No one understood the meaning behind this. Liu He often complained to his uncle about their poverty. Gong Mengbi replied, "You have not yet learned the taste of suffering. Never mind having no money; even if I gave you a thousand taels of gold, you would squander it in an instant. A man’s fault lies not in poverty, but in his failure to stand on his own. Why worry about want?"

One day, Gong Mengbi took his leave, promising to return soon. Liu He tearfully saw him off, urging him to come back quickly. Gong Mengbi agreed with murmurs and departed. Liu He, too poor to support himself, gradually pawned off his estates until nothing remained. He perpetually awaited his uncle’s return, but Gong Mengbi vanished like a yellow crane, leaving no trace and never reappearing.

During his lifetime, Liu Fanghua had arranged a marriage for his son. The bride’s family surname was Huang, residing in Wuji County, a prominent gentry household. When Master Huang heard of Liu He’s poverty, he secretly considered breaking the engagement. Upon the elder Liu’s death, Master Huang did not even come to offer condolences.

Obeying his mother’s instructions, Liu He went to the Huang residence to set the wedding date. Master Huang, seeing his ragged clothes and worn-out shoes, refused him entry. He sent a messenger saying, "If you wish to marry my daughter, bring one hundred taels of gold first, or do not bother coming again."

Hearing this, Liu He wept bitterly. Old Lady Liu from across the street pitied his humiliation, offering him a meal and three hundred coins, urging him to return home. His mother was equally sorrowful and furious, but helpless. She recalled the many former guests who owed money and suggested asking them for help. Liu He replied, "All those who befriended me were only after wealth. If your son rode in a fine carriage and had abundant gold, borrowing a thousand pieces would be no trouble. In this state, who would recall old affection or past kindness? Furthermore, when Father borrowed money, he never wrote receipts; it was all verbal promises. How can one collect debts?" His mother insisted repeatedly, and Liu He finally agreed to try.

After more than twenty days, he could not borrow a single coin. Only Li Si, an actor who had once received a kindness from the Liu family, heard of his plight and generously gifted him one gold piece. Mother and son wept in despair. By this time, Miss Huang was of marriageable age. Hearing her father’s intent to break the match, she was displeased. Master Huang pressed his daughter to marry another, but Miss Huang wept, "Young Master Liu was not born poor; his future fortune remains unknown. To abandon him now for his poverty is unkind." Master Huang was displeased and tried every persuasion, but the young lady remained unmoved. The couple grew furious, cursing her day and night, yet Miss Huang remained placid, entirely unconcerned.

Soon after, a band of robbers raided the Huang residence at night. The couple suffered terrible torture and were nearly beaten to death; all the household’s silver and gold were swept away. Three years passed swiftly, and the family fortune dwindled. A wealthy merchant from the Western Regions, hearing of the daughter’s beauty, offered fifty gold pieces as a betrothal gift. Master Huang, coveting the profit, secretly agreed without consulting his daughter and forced her into the arrangement.

Miss Huang learned of this, tore her clothes, smeared her face, and fled under the cover of night. She begged along the roads, enduring two months of hardship before reaching Baoding. She made her way to the Liu residence to seek refuge with her intended husband. Liu’s mother mistook her for a beggar and scolded her loudly. Miss Huang tearfully explained her identity, and Liu’s mother wept upon hearing it, "Good child, how did you fall to such a state?"

Miss Huang sadly recounted the whole truth, and mother and daughter both wept. Liu’s mother prepared warm water for her prospective daughter-in-law to bathe. After washing, Miss Huang emerged radiant, unmatched in beauty. Mother and son were overjoyed. Yet, the family of three ate only one meal a day. Liu’s mother wept, "My son and I were poor housekeepers, hence this retribution. To think my poor daughter-in-law suffers alongside us—how unbearable!" Miss Huang laughed, "As a beggar, I endured every hardship. Looking back now, it feels like the difference between heaven and hell." Hearing this, Liu’s mother smiled.

One day, Miss Huang entered an unused wing. Seeing overgrown weeds, she ventured deeper into the inner room. The floor was covered in dust, and in a corner, she noticed a pile of objects. Kicking lightly, she scattered debris everywhere—revealing jewels. She quickly reported this to her husband. Liu He came to inspect and discovered that the rubble Gong Mengbi had thrown around were all transformed into gold and silver. He thought, "When I was a child, I buried many stones with Uncle Gong in the ground; did those also turn into gold?" But the old mansion had already been mortgaged to the new owner, so he quickly redeemed it. Seeing the broken bricks, he found stones exposed, feeling a surge of disappointment. With a testing mindset, he dug into another brick and found it shone brilliantly with pure silver. In an instant, the family’s wealth was immense. Liu He rejoiced, redeemed his estates, purchased servants, and his household became prosperous, surpassing their former glory.

Subsequently, Liu He resolved to strive for self-improvement, motivating himself: "If I do not stand on my own, I betray Uncle Gong’s teaching." He applied himself diligently to his studies, achieving the juren degree within three years. Elevated in status, he never forgot the kindness of one meal. He personally traveled with a large sum of money to reward Old Lady Liu. His silks were dazzling, and his retinue vast, his carriage moving like a dragon. Old Lady Liu occupied only a single room, yet Liu He sat upon her low couch, his entourage and horses creating clamor that filled the alleyway.

After Miss Huang fled, Master Huang had to return most of the fifty gold pieces the Western Regions merchant had advanced, as he had already spent most of it. He was forced to sell his house to compensate. From then on, he lived in straitened circumstances, utterly destitute. Upon hearing of Liu He’s success, he was filled with bitter regret, but with things as they were, he could only close his doors and sigh. Old Lady Liu bought wine to treat Liu He and said, "Miss Huang is a virtuous woman, but alas, her whereabouts are unknown. Has the young master taken a wife yet?" Liu He replied, "I am married."

After the meal, Liu He eagerly invited Old Lady Liu to return with him to see his new wife. Upon arriving at the mansion, Miss Huang greeted them richly dressed, surrounded by maids, looking like an immortal maiden. The reunion was one of shock, and they recounted past events. Miss Huang inquired about her parents’ well-being, and Old Lady Liu detailed everything. After several days of lavish entertainment, they prepared new clothes for the elderly woman, fitting her out from head to toe, before sending her home.

After returning, the old lady visited Master Huang and related her daughter's current situation, conveying greetings on her behalf. The couple were greatly astonished. The old lady urged them to go and live with their daughter. Master Huang looked troubled, but soon, cold and hunger made life unbearable, and they reluctantly journeyed to Baoding. Upon reaching their son-in-law’s grand house, they faced the stern, cold eyes of the guards and were denied entry all day. Coincidentally, a woman stepped outside. Master Huang offered polite, humble words, stating his name and asking for her help. After a short while, the woman returned, leading Master Huang into a side room. She said, "The mistress is extremely eager to see you, but fearing the master might find out, she is waiting for the right moment. When did you arrive, elderly sir? Are you hungry?" Master Huang burst into tears, recounting his suffering.

The woman listened patiently, then placed a flask of wine and two plates of food on a table, also gifting him five gold pieces. She said, "The master is dining in his room with the mistress keeping him company, so she likely cannot come now. You must leave quickly tomorrow morning to avoid being discovered by the young master." Master Huang agreed meekly. The next morning, he rose early, prepared his ceremonial gifts, but the main gate was locked, and he had no key, so he waited nearby. Suddenly, there was a loud commotion as the master was leaving. Master Huang tried to hide, but Liu He had already spotted him and asked, "Who is this old man?" The servants all shook their heads, unable to answer. Liu He roared, "This person must be a villain! Seize him and hand him over to the yamen for trial!"

The servants loudly obeyed, fetched a rope, and bound Master Huang to a tree. Master Huang was overwhelmed with shame, unsure how to speak. Soon after, the woman came out and knelt, pleading, "This is my maternal uncle. I arrived too late yesterday and did not have time to inform the master; please spare him this once." Liu He ordered his bonds untied. The woman escorted Master Huang out, saying, "I forgot to instruct the gatekeepers, which caused you suffering. The mistress suggests: when you miss her, have the old lady pretend to be a flower seller and come together with Old Lady Liu." Master Huang took this to heart and discussed it with his wife. His wife, longing to see her daughter as if starving, immediately sought out Old Lady Liu to conspire. Under the guise of selling flowers, the two arrived together at the Liu residence. Passing through more than ten gates, they reached their daughter's room. Miss Huang was clad in brocade, wearing bright pearls in her ears, emitting a captivating fragrance; with a soft sigh, maids surrounded her, serving tea and water with meticulous care. A maid presented fragrant tea, and mother and daughter exchanged greetings in veiled language, their eyes glistening with tears. That evening, Miss Huang arranged lavish sleeping quarters with soft quilts for the two old ladies.

After staying for five or six days, the mother felt an overwhelming rush of emotion, deeply regretting her past actions, and could not help but weep sadly. Miss Huang comforted her, "Between my mother and me, there is no hatred that cannot be forgotten; but it is difficult where my husband is concerned. We must prevent him from becoming suspicious." Every time Liu He entered the room, his mother would retreat to a distance. One day, mother and daughter were conversing intimately when Liu He suddenly entered unannounced. Seeing the old woman, he angrily rebuked her, "What village woman dares sit alongside my wife? Be careful or I will pluck every hair from your temples." Old Lady Liu quickly intervened, "This is an old woman from my village, Granny Wang, who sells flowers. Young master, please do not be angry."

Hearing this, Liu He’s anger subsided. He took Old Lady Liu’s hand and smiled, "Granny has been here for several days; I have been too busy and haven't had a chance to catch up with you. Is that old brute from the Huang family still alive?" Old Lady Liu replied, "They are both alive. But their poverty is unbearable. Now that the young master is wealthy and honored, why not consider the relationship of in-laws?" Liu He slammed the table, "If not for Granny’s kindness of one meal, how could I have returned home alive? As for that old villain Huang, I wish I could eat his flesh and wear his skin—never mention him again." As he spoke with rising anger, he stamped his foot and cursed. Miss Huang was displeased, "Even if the old couple were unkind, they are still my parents. I traveled a thousand li with cracked hands and worn-out feet, believing I was doing no wrong to my husband. Why curse my father and make me lose face?" Only then did Liu He check his fury, rise, and leave. His mother felt awkward and embarrassed, took her leave, and prepared to return. Miss Huang gave her twenty taels of her private savings.

After returning home, the parents had no news for a long time, causing Miss Huang deep concern. Liu He, cherishing his wife, sent people to invite the elderly couple. When they arrived, husband and wife were overwhelmed with shame. Liu He apologized, "When you visited last time, you did not inform me clearly, leading to much offense. Please forgive us, please forgive us." Master Huang replied meekly. Liu He had new clothes made for the elderly couple and kept them for over a month. Master Huang remained uneasy and repeatedly requested to return. Liu He presented them with one hundred gold taels, saying, "When giving my daughter in marriage, the Western Regions merchant offered fifty taels. Now, I give double that amount." Master Huang accepted the gold notes, his face burning with shame, and returned to his village by carriage. From then on, he focused on virtue, and his family enjoyed modest comfort in their later years.