A scholar in Binzhou was reading at home when he suddenly heard a knock. Upon opening the door, he found an old man with an ancient, weathered appearance standing before him. He invited the elder inside, and after exchanging names, the old man introduced himself: "My surname is Hu, my given name is Yangzhen. I am, in fact, a Fox Immortal. I have long heard of the young master's refinement and wish to spend time in your company."

The scholar, being broad-minded, took no offense. The two bonded over poetry and literature, discussing the past and present, finding their companionship harmonious. The old man possessed a river of words, his wit sharp and his articulation dazzling; at times, he delved into profound discussions on history and philosophy, offering insights that were both deep and utterly unexpected. The scholar admired him greatly and begged him to stay for an extended period.

One day, the scholar pleaded with the elder, "Our friendship is deep, and I am endlessly grateful for your favor. However, I am utterly destitute. I have heard that a Fox Immortal can summon wealth from a thousand li away—could you possibly procure some silver for me to spend?" The old man remained silent, then chuckled after a long pause, "That is an easy matter, but it requires a few copper coins as a catalyst." The scholar pulled out ten or so copper pieces from his own pocket. The two entered a small, concealed chamber. The old man stepped forward, chanted an incantation, and in an instant, thousands upon thousands of copper coins rained down from the ceiling, dense as a sudden shower, striking the ground with a resounding, metallic clang.

The copper coins piled up like a mountain on the floor, submerging their knees. As they stood up to move, the hoard swiftly rose again, soon covering their ankles. The small chamber, spanning several yards, was filled with coins three to four feet deep. The old man looked at the scholar and asked, "Are you satisfied?" The scholar replied, "That is enough." With a sweep of his large sleeve, the old man ceased the downpour; no more coins fell.

The two walked out of the room hand in hand, securing the door and windows. The scholar inwardly rejoiced, "Riches overnight! I am finally set for life." Moments later, the scholar re-entered the chamber to collect his fortune, only to find the vast wealth vanished without a trace, leaving only the original dozen or so copper coins behind.

The scholar was utterly crestfallen and exploded in anger at the old man, cursing, "You old scoundrel, why did you play such a trick on me?" The old man retorted furiously, "We connected over literature and shared our thoughts; I never intended to be a thief. Your heart is clearly obsessed with money, fitting only for companionship with gentlemen of the roof beam [bandits]. I cannot accommodate such a request. I bid you farewell." With a flick of his sleeve, he departed.