A certain man from Changqing earned his living selling cloth. By chance, he was passing through Tai'an and heard tell of a certain sorcerer in the area whose divinations were remarkably accurate. He sought the sorcerer out and asked for a reading. The sorcerer told him, "Your fortunes are exceedingly poor; you must return home immediately." The man was greatly alarmed and continued north with his goods. On the road, he encountered a short-clothed man, who appeared to be a bailiff. They fell into conversation and found each other agreeable. Every time they stopped to eat, the cloth seller insisted on treating his companion, buying wine and food for the bailiff to share, for which the bailiff was profoundly grateful.

When the cloth seller asked about the bailiff’s purpose for traveling, the bailiff explained, "I have been ordered to proceed to Changqing to apprehend souls." The seller inquired, "Who is on the list?" The bailiff presented an official document and said, "The list is all there; look for yourself." The seller looked intently and saw his own name listed first on the writ. His heart seized with terror, and he demanded, "Why are you arresting me?"

The bailiff replied, "I am a ghost official, attached to the Fourth Department of Shandong. It seems your appointed span of life has concluded." The man wept, "Is there no hope of salvation?" The bailiff said, "Fate is decreed by Heaven and cannot be altered. However, the list contains many names; it will take several days to apprehend them all. You should hurry home, sir, and make your final arrangements. I shall apprehend you last, as repayment for your hospitality."

Before long, the two arrived at a riverbank where the bridge spanning the water was broken, making passage impossible for travelers. The bailiff said, "Since you are going to die anyway, keeping your wealth is useless. It would be better to finance the rebuilding of the bridge. Though the expense will be considerable, it is still an act of merit that will bring good fortune in the next life." The man was deeply moved by this advice. Upon returning, he settled his affairs with his wife, immediately hired craftsmen to repair the bridge, and waited. As time passed, the bailiff did not appear.

Doubt began to stir in the man’s heart. One day, the bailiff suddenly paid him a visit and said, "Sir, in building that bridge, you accumulated great virtue. I have reported this matter to the King of the Underworld. Because you performed this good deed, the King has specially extended your lifespan. The names on the warrant have been struck out; I came specifically to inform you." The man was overjoyed and offered profuse thanks.

Later, the man returned to Tai'an. Unable to forget the bailiff’s kindness, he prepared incense paper and ritual offerings, burning them while calling out the bailiff's name. In an instant, the bailiff rushed over, complaining petulantly, "Sir, you nearly caused my demise. I was just processing official business with the King of the Underworld when I suddenly heard you calling. Luckily, the King did not hear. Otherwise, the consequences would have been dire." He watched the cloth seller depart, saying, "Do not come here again. If I have official business in Changqing, I will certainly call upon you myself." With that, he bid farewell and vanished.