In the final years of the Ming Dynasty, across several prefectures and counties north of Jinan, a virulent sickness raged, sparing not a single household.

A farmer named Han Fang, known for his deep filial piety, saw his parents struck down by the illness. He prepared joss paper and offerings and set out to the Temple of the Lone Stone Physician to pray. On his way back, tears of sorrow streamed down his face.

At that moment, a man approached him, impeccably dressed, and asked, "Why do you weep?" Han Fang truthfully recounted his distress.

The man replied, "The deity of the Lone Stone is not in this place; what use is praying to him? I possess a remedy for this strange sickness, one you might try."

Han Fang was overjoyed. "Sir, may I ask your name?" The man merely stated, "I seek no reward; why do you ask my name?" Han Fang nodded, saying, "In that case, I must trouble you, sir, to grace my humble home with your presence for a brief consultation."

The man said, "There is no need. When I treat an illness, I require neither physical presence nor the traditional methods of observation, listening, inquiry, and pulse-taking. Return home, take a sheet of yellow paper, place it where it can be clearly seen, and shout loudly, 'Tomorrow I shall travel to Mount Tai to lodge a complaint against the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak!' Your parents' affliction will naturally heal."

Han Fang worried the method might fail. The man then confessed, "To be frank: I am not human. I was recommended by the Circuit Inspector to serve as the local Earth God of Nanxiang due to my integrity and honesty. Moved by your son's piety, I impart this cure to you. Currently, the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak is selecting officials from among those who died unjustly. Ghosts who have performed meritorious service for the people, those who have proven themselves upright, all have a chance to be appointed as City Gods or local Earth Gods. Within the jurisdiction of Jinan Prefecture, there are countless spirits, most of whom perished by the blades of the Qing soldiers, harboring deep resentment. Taking advantage of the Emperor's selection process, these wicked ghosts are causing havoc and accumulating wealth. The reason the nearby populace is falling ill is that they have been deluded by these malevolent spirits. After falling sick, many have resorted to praying and burning immense amounts of joss paper, all of which falls directly into the hands of the wicked ghosts. If you report this matter to the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak, the ghosts will surely be terrified and will naturally cease to harm the people."

Han Fang listened, his demeanor immediately becoming respectful. He knelt and kowtowed his thanks. When he rose, the man had vanished without a trace. Following the instructions upon returning, he tested the method, and his parents indeed recovered.