During the Shunzhi era, and were overrun by bandits; seven out of every ten men were rebels, their ranks so vast and powerful that even the local magistrates dared not make arrests.

Eventually, the bandits accepted amnesty, and the authorities formally registered them, collectively designating them as "Dao Hu" (Bandit Households).

The Dao Hu enjoyed considerable prestige. Should a dispute arise between them and the common folk, the officials invariably favored the Dao Hu.

Subsequently, whenever a lawsuit arose, many ordinary citizens began falsely claiming to be Dao Hu. When adjudicating cases, officials would first check the household registers, before even considering right or wrong, to verify whether the claimant was truly a Dao Hu or not.

At that time, a fox spirit haunted the county yamen. The magistrate's daughter fell deeply under its spell. Frustrated and beside herself with anxiety, the magistrate hired a sorcerer to capture the creature.

Once apprehended, the fox spirit was sealed inside a jar and subjected to boiling fire.

Unable to bear the excruciating pain, the fox spirit screamed wildly from within the jar, "I am a Dao Hu!"

Everyone who heard it could not help but smile, stifling suppressed laughter under their breath.