92

Cai Repays a Kindness

Auspicious

The poem

From childhood he was a merchant, laying his plans,wealth and salary in plenty, without asking for them;and if the two of you hope for something together,the scholar goes out and comes back top of the list.

Original: 自幼为商任设谋 / 财禄盈丰不用求 / 若是双身谋望事 / 秀才出去状元回

The story

Cai Boji went to the capital for the examinations. His wife Zhao Wuniang stayed behind eating chaff, kept alive only by the neighbour Zhang Guangcai, who helped her again and again. When Cai returned as first scholar and learned what she had endured and what the old man had done, the couple went together to Zhang's house to thank him and repay him.

What it means

The image is a merchant from childhood, and thrift keeps trouble away. Wealth is ample without being begged for, and if husband and wife hope for something together, the scholar comes home at the head of the list. The blessing has two sources: habits of economy formed early, and a memory for kindness that insists on repaying it. From small to great there is no obstruction, so plan deliberately and both office and reputation come easily. Go and thank whoever helped you.

By area of life

Wealth

Money comes in steadily and ventures go smoothly. Expand if you wish, but from a stable base rather than recklessly.

Love

The match is harmonious and the two of you are of one mind; joint undertakings succeed more easily because of it.

Work

Promotion comes step by step, reputation follows, and most of what you set out to accomplish comes about as planned.

Health

Health returns quickly and there is really nothing in this reading that is worth worrying about at any great length.

Travel

Travel goes as you wish, and business conducted far away from home also comes back satisfactorily concluded in the end.

Advice

When the fortune comes, go and thank the hands that held you up.