Xiong Zhiyi Altruistically Passed the Opportunity of Attending the Imperial Exam to A Man in Need

Xiong Zhiyi was a man from the Great Tang Dynasty in China. On his way to Chang’an, the Imperial City, to take the Imperial Examination for Government Officials, he was stuck in a hotel in Tongguan for over a month because of the incessant rains. One day he heard a man sighing in the adjacent hotel room. He knocked on the man’s door to inquire after him. The man told Xiong Zhiyi his misery. “My name is Fan Ze. I was Magistrate of Yaoshan County. I was planning to attend the Imperial Exam in Chang’an. However, my horse died when I arrived here. Moreover, I have spent every penny I had. I have no idea what to do.”
Upon hearing the man’s terrible misfortune, he gave his money and horse to Fan Ze so that he could go to Chang’an. Fan Ze made it to Chang’an and passed the Imperial Exam with flying colours. Xiong Zhiyi, however, lost the opportunity to attend the exam.

Xiong Zhiyi was ultimately rewarded for his altruism. He did achieve success later on and finished his distinguished governmental service as the Right Buque, a member of the Imperial Cabinet.