PureInsight | December 1, 2003
[PureInsight.org] Du Xian was a prime minister in the time of Xuanzong of the Tang dynasty. One day, a youthful Du Xian was trying to cross the river at Pu Jin, where the current was rapid and rushing. Many people had boarded the boat, and the person who was responsible for untying the boat had already untied the cable and was ready to leave.
At that moment, 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 get off the boat to see the old man. He talked with him for a long time. The people on board impatiently waited for Du Xian and, when they didn't see him returning even after a long time, 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 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 hands came out of the water and grabbed the boat. 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 later years, Du Xian was promoted many times and eventually became the prime minister.
(From Records of Guang Yi)
Translated from: http://www.zhengjian.org/zj/articles/2003/11/10/23764.html
