Ming Shanbin was known as an honest man in the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-589 A.D.). He once ran into financial difficulties, and decided to sell a bull from his bull carriage in order to make ends meet. After he sold the bull at the market and collected the money, Ming immediately told the buyer, “This bull once developed abscesses in its legs. But it has never recurred after they were healed. However, there is no telling whether it will develop abscesses again. I feel I am obliged to tell you its medical history.”
Lu Yuanfang was a man from the Great Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.). He tried to sell a house in Luoyang City. He found a buyer and had all the legal documents ready. When the buyer came to sign the sales contract, Lu Yuanfang told him, “This is a wonderful house. The only drawback is that there is no underground water source to make a well.” The buyer immediately changed his mind and decided not to buy the house. After the prospective buyer left, Lu’s sons and nephews complained to him. Lu replied, “I don’t understand you at all. How could you conceal the flaw of the house and deceive the man for money?”
Chen Yaozi was a man from the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127 A.D.). He had a horse that was wild and did not get along with humans. No one was able to ride the horse. Finally, Chen Yaozi decided to sell the horse. When Chen’s father knew about the sale, he reprimanded him, “How could you sell the horse because no one can tame it? Do you not know that the buyer won’t be able to tame the horse either? How could you pass your own trouble to another man?” Chen Yaozi immediately had his servants buy the horse back. The horse lived the rest of its natural life at Chen’s household.
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