(Minghui.org) Sima Qian, renowned as one of the greatest historians in Chinese history, wrote in Shi Ji (Records of the Grand Historian) the story of Han Jue, whose virtuous actions brought blessings to his offspring for ten generations.
During the Spring and Autumn periods, the high official Tu Angu wanted to seize more power, and planned to exterminate the entire family of another high official, Zhao Shuo. Intimidated by Tu, most officials either remained silent or became complicit.
Han Jue, who had previously benefited Zhao’s family, stepped forward at this critical moment to defend them. When his efforts failed, Han urged Zhao Shuo to flee, but Zhao refused and instead asked Han to protect his family line. Han agreed.
When Tu and the other generals slaughtered the Zhao family, Han feigned illness and did not participate. Instead, he worked with Cheng Ying and Gongsun Chujiu, two friends of Zhao Shuo, and successfully saved Zhao Shuo’s newborn son.
Cheng took the baby, Zhao Wu, with him and hid in the mountains. Han kept their secret from other officials and helped Cheng from time to time during those years.
When Tu exterminated the Zhao family, the king (Duke Jing of Jin) was not informed. Although hearing about this crime at a later time, he acquiesced to it and did not punish Tu.
After fifteen years had passed, the king fell gravely ill. A fortune teller claimed this was due to the mistreatment of Daye’s offspring—the ancestor of the Qin Dynasty emperors. Concerned, the king asked Han about this. Knowing Zhao Wu had grown into a teenager, Han replied, “Daye’s descendants had made great achievements in history. Yet, after the lineage reached Zhao Shuo, his entire family was exterminated. Wasn’t it sad?”
The king regretted it and asked if the Zhao family still had any descendants left. Han then shared the secret of Zhao Wu.
With the king’s support, Han and Zhao joined forces with other generals. They not only killed Tu, but also returned the original fiefs of the Zhao family to Zhao Wu.
The story did not end there. Han’s good deeds continued to be rewarded. Two hundreds years later, the descendants of both Han Jue and Zhao Wu established the Han and Zhao kingdoms, respectively. Both were among the top kingdoms in the Warring States period.
In the Records of the Grand Historian (Shi Ji), Sima Qian suggested that these were blessings Han had received for secretly protecting the innocent and successfully helping to restore his family’s honor. “This (Han’s act) had immense, hidden virtue… the goodness was rewarded for over ten generations,” he wrote.
The history mentioned above was adapted into The Orphan of Zhao, a well-known play in the Yuan Dynasty. It was also the first Chinese play translated into any European language, which is often known as The Chinese Orphan: An Historical Tragedy.
The popularity of this play reflects the Chinese saying of “good is rewarded with good, evil meets evil.” It is also consistent with the Western proverb of “you reap what you sow.” This underlying principle was evident in Shakespeare’s writings, including Macbeth, Hamlet, and others.
Such wisdom is also important in modern society. When the totalitarian Chinese Communist Party (CCP) suppressed various groups during numerous political campaigns marked by brutality and lies, few dared to stand up and protect the innocent.
These tragedies have persisted today, with tens of millions of Falun Gong practitioners persecuted for their belief in Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Even worse, the CCP has expanded the persecution overseas, undermining free societies beyond its borders.
It is important to follow our conscience, helping the innocent as Han did, and upholding the universal values. These actions lead to blessings and long-term prosperity.