Stories from Ancient China: A Story about Du Xian

Du Xian was a prime minister during the Xuanzong period of the Tang dynasty. One day, a youthful Du Xian was trying to cross the river at Pu Jin at a point where the current was very fast with heavy under currents. Many people had boarded the boat, and the person who untied the boat had already untied the cable and was ready to leave.

At that time, an elderly man on the bank called out to the boat: “Mr. Du, please stay for a moment!” The old man’s manner was very sincere, so Du Xian had no choice but to depart the boat and go and see the old man. He talked with him for a long time. The people on board waited for Du Xian impatiently. After a period of time there was stil no sign of Du Xian returning to the boat, so they threw his bag onto the bank and left without him.

Du Xian was still talking with the old man when he turned around and noticed that the boat had already left. He was very unhappy with the old man because he had made him miss his boat.

That day, the wind was swift and the waves were high. The people on the boat suddenly noticed that several dozen of hands grabbed the boat from the water. The boat capsized and everyone on board drowned. Only Du Xian survived.

The old man said to Du Xian: “Your future career is extremely noble, so I came to help you.” Upon finishing his words, the old man disappeared. In his later years, Du Xian was promoted many times and eventually became the prime minister.

(From Records of Guang Yi)