Zhou Sheng, a native of Shuntian Prefecture, hailed from an official family. His friend, Liu Sheng, having received instruction from an eccentric master, was gifted in physiognomy. Liu Sheng once told Zhou Sheng, "Your entire life holds no hope for official success, but your fortune in wealth will be immense; you will eventually become a millionaire. However, your wife's fate is fragile and she will not be able to support your grand ambitions." Not long after, his wife indeed passed away.

Zhou Sheng's family situation had deteriorated, and living alone, bored to distraction, he visited Liu Sheng to ask him to divine his marriage prospects. Liu Sheng stated, "These past few days, I have been diligently seeking a suitable match for you, Brother Zhou. Just now, I performed a small rite within my house, petitioning the Matchmaker God on your behalf; the red string has already been tied." Zhou Sheng was overjoyed and asked, "Who is the woman?" Liu Sheng replied, "As you were entering just now, did you happen upon someone carrying a bundle?" Zhou Sheng answered, "I did. The person was clad in rags, looking like a beggar." Liu Sheng declared, "That is your future father-in-law." Zhou Sheng scoffed, "Are you jesting? Even in my reduced state, I am of a scholarly family. How could I possibly agree to marry into a beggar's household?"

Liu Sheng countered, "It is not so. Even barren land can yield blossoms; what matter a beggar?" Zhou Sheng then asked, "Have you met the beggar's daughter?" Liu Sheng said, "No, I am unacquainted with him. It was the first time I saw him just now, and I do not even know his name." Zhou Sheng pressed, "Since you do not know the beggar, how can you be sure he has a daughter?"

Liu Sheng explained, "I divined it from his features. That man's countenance is fierce, and his lifespan will surely not be long. However, his daughter has auspicious fortune, possessing the signs of a husband-assisting destiny. But the time is not yet right for marriage; let me plan this slowly."

Several days later, Liu Sheng personally came to Zhou Sheng's door, saying, "Hurry to the kitchen and prepare a feast; we have a distinguished guest arriving. This man is your destined savior; you must treat him well." Zhou Sheng was filled with suspicion, yet he followed instructions and began cooking. Before long, the banquet was laid out, and a soldier strode in. He was of medium height and plain appearance. Zhou Sheng took one look and immediately knew the man's station was low, feeling a pang of displeasure.

The soldier cupped his hands in salute and introduced himself as Fu. He sat down casually at the table. Liu Sheng pointed to Zhou Sheng and introduced, "This is my friend, Brother Zhou. I have long admired Brother Fu's reputation. I also heard that Brother Fu is soon to depart on a military campaign, so I specially prepared this feast to bid you farewell. My household is poor and cannot offer grand entertainment; please forgive any shortcomings in our hospitality."

The soldier smiled faintly, "That is kind of you, very kind." He picked up his wine cup, drinking deeply, and said, "Since Brother Zhou is such a good friend, I shall not stand on ceremony. To be honest, for this expedition, I lack a proper mount; I only have an old horse, which is useless for battle. Therefore, I wish to ask Brother Zhou for a fine steed. Is that possible?"

Just as Zhou Sheng was about to refuse outright, Liu Sheng interjected, "No problem at all. Coincidentally, Brother Zhou's ancestor left behind a magnificent Ferghana horse. If Brother Fu does not mind, please take it." The soldier laughed, "In that case, I thank you greatly." After a few more cups, the soldier rose to take his leave, leading the horse away and departing grandly.

Zhou Sheng was displeased. "Brother Liu, that Ferghana horse of mine is a peerless steed. Why did you simply give it away?" Liu Sheng replied, "Do not be angry. The fine horse is not given for naught. Brother Fu is a friend whose favor is worth more than gold. By accepting your kindness now, he will certainly repay you in the future."

A year later, Zhou Sheng traveled to Jiangxi to seek his fortune. Before leaving, he asked Liu Sheng about his prospects. Liu Sheng declared, "This journey will bring great luck, and moreover, great wealth." Zhou Sheng chuckled, "I do not aspire to be extremely wealthy. If I could earn a few pieces of silver and marry a young wife, I would be perfectly content. Do you think this wish can be realized?" Liu Sheng affirmed, "Your heart's desire will be achieved; it will surely come true."

Arriving in Jiangxi, Zhou Sheng found the region engulfed in turmoil due to rampant banditry. The instability lasted for three full years, making it impossible to return home. When the chaos finally subsided, Zhou Sheng journeyed back with a friend. Halfway there, they encountered robbers. The group of seven or eight travelers had all their possessions looted. Zhou Sheng suffered worse; not only were his silver and gold taken, but he himself was dragged off to the bandits' lair.

The leader of the bandits was an old man with a fierce appearance. Zhou Sheng scrutinized him closely and found him somewhat familiar, though he could not place him immediately. The old man inquired, "I have a daughter whom I wish to marry to you, young master. You had best agree. If not, you will face the blade." Zhou Sheng replied, "I possess no strength to even tie a chicken. Keeping me in the lord's company would only be a burden. I can agree to the marriage, but I have one condition: after the wedding, I do not wish to remain in the stockade. The bride must return home with me." The old man said, "I was just worrying that my young daughter would be an encumbrance remaining in the stockade. If you are willing to take her away, I could not ask for more. This request is not excessive; it is granted."

A wedding was then celebrated in the stockade with gongs and drums. The bride was eighteen or nineteen, exquisitely beautiful. Zhou Sheng was overjoyed and spent time intimately with his wife, feeling as happy as a fish in water. Afterwards, Zhou Sheng asked his wife's name and finally learned that her father was none other than that beggar from before. Zhou Sheng marvelled, thinking, "No wonder my father-in-law looked familiar; it turns out he was an old acquaintance. Ah, Liu Sheng was spot on when he said I would marry the beggar's daughter."

Three or four days after the wedding, Zhou Sheng and his wife set off for home. The old man came out to see them off. At that very moment, imperial troops suddenly descended upon the area, capturing all the bandits. Zhou Sheng and his wife were not spared. Three commanders emerged from the ranks, ordered to execute the thieves. The executioners swung their blades like the wind, dispatching the old man and woman in moments. Then, one of them grabbed Zhou Sheng by the collar, his knife poised to strike.

One commander called out, "Wait a moment." He stepped forward, looked intently at Zhou Sheng, and exclaimed in surprise, "Is this not Brother Zhou?" Zhou Sheng looked up and saw that the commander was none other than that soldier, Fu. Due to accumulated military merit, he had now risen to the rank of Brigadier General—a truly unexpected delight. General Fu smiled faintly and said to his companions, "This Brother Zhou is a famous scholar from Shuntian Prefecture. How could he be a bandit? Guards, quickly untie him!"

He reached out to help Zhou Sheng up and asked, "How did you end up here?" Zhou Sheng improvised a story, "I came to Jiangxi to marry, and was returning home with my wife when we were captured by bandits on the road. Fortunately, the General intervened, saving our lives—a kindness I cannot repay. However, my wife has now been apprehended by the imperial forces. I beg the General to show mercy so that we two may be reunited."

General Fu nodded. He immediately ordered the release of Zhou Sheng's wife and personally saw them off, saying, "I have never forgotten the kindness of Brother Zhou gifting me that fine horse in the past. Such a debt is hard to repay, so for now, please accept two mounts and fifty taels of gold, as a small token of my gratitude."

Zhou Sheng thanked him repeatedly, waved farewell, and rode off with his wife atop the fine horses. Along the way, his wife remarked, "Father refused to heed warnings and insisted on being a thief, bringing calamity upon Mother, who was executed alongside him—this was predestined. There is a large cache of gold hidden in the stockade's cellar; let us sneak back and retrieve it. We will never have to worry about food or clothing again."

Zhou Sheng agreed, and the two secretly returned to the stockade, only to find the ground covered in black ash; the buildings had already been burned down by the soldiers, leaving only a pile of rubble. They felt around in the ashes and found a saber, which they used to pry open the entrance to the cellar. They took all the gold and packed it into their bundles.

His wife then took out one hundred taels of gold to bribe the soldiers, redeeming the bodies of her parents for a proper burial. The couple returned to their ancestral home in Shuntian Prefecture, used the gold and silver to purchase property and invest in commerce. Within a few years, their wealth multiplied significantly, reaching sums in the hundreds of thousands.