Jin Heshang, a native of Zhucheng. His father, a scoundrel of a man, sold him for a few hundred copper coins to the Wulianshan Temple. Jin Heshang was inherently unruly, never dedicating himself to chanting sutras or meditation; his days were spent tending pigs and running errands, a position of utter lowliness. Soon after, his master died, and in his final moments, gifted the monk several dozen taels of silver scraps. Jin Heshang took this silver and left the monastery, setting out to make his way in the world. He engaged in trade, speculation, and crooked dealings, accumulating vast wealth in just a few years.

Having suddenly become rich, Jin Heshang purchased thousands of acres of prime land and amassed a large following of disciples. He built grand houses, cultivated connections in official circles, and achieved considerable prestige. Yet, Jin Heshang remained utterly coarse, devoid of any refined sensibility. He indulged daily in the finest delicacies, living a life of extravagant luxury, and moreover, kept company with young men. Within his residence, he maintained over a dozen beautiful youths for his pleasure, day in and day out.

Later, the monk adopted an heir, paying for his education. The adopted son proved exceptionally clever and soon passed the provincial examination, causing Jin Heshang’s status to soar, making him even more revered.

Not long after, the monk passed away from illness. His disciples arranged a magnificent funeral, complete with blaring gongs and drums. The burial site covered scores of acres, a grand spectacle of monumental scale. Countless commoners, officials, and merchants arrived to pay respects, forming such a dense crowd that not a needle could drop. The old, the young, men, women, those holding infants, and those heavily pregnant—all jostled forward just to witness the spectacle. Amidst the throng, a pregnant woman was suddenly seized by labor pains, clearly on the verge of giving birth. Her companions panicked, quickly using their skirts to screen the area and form a makeshift wall of cloth. Under the shelter of the fabric, the woman delivered her child. Before long, the sharp cry of an infant cut through the noise, though no one could discern if it was a boy or a girl.

The birth of a child in such a public, scrutinized moment was truly a marvel to behold.

Upon his death, the monk divided his fortune in two: half was bequeathed to his adopted son, and the other half to his disciples. All the disciples were monks, living closely with the heir, treating each other as brothers, their bonds tightly interwoven.