A Story of Disrupted Feng Shui

### A Story of Disrupted Feng Shui

In a village in the remote region of Shandong Province in ancient times, there was a family surnamed Bao. Across three generations, the family struggled to make ends meet, owning only a few acres of barren land and living in poverty. Bao Dong's father was nearing seventy years old and suffering from illness. His greatest wish in life was to see his descendants prosper, but he lacked the means to make it happen. One day, an old friend came to visit him, knowing that this friend was knowledgeable about feng shui, he hoped to seek guidance. However, the friend just smiled and avoided answering questions about feng shui. As he was leaving, he pointed to a distant depression near a large willow tree and whispered to Bao's father, "See that depression next to the big willow tree? It's a Feng Shui treasure. If your ancestors are buried there, your descendants will surely thrive. Since you're not feeling well, there's no need to see me off. You should go back." With that, the old friend left.

A year later, Bao's father's condition worsened, and he called Bao Dong to his side, telling him about the Feng Shui treasure land near the big willow tree and hoping he would continue to take care of the family's affairs. Soon after, Bao's father passed away, and Bao Dong, in accordance with his father's wishes, buried his father's coffin in the depression near the big willow tree. Bao Dong kept vigil for three years, during which he borrowed money to send his son to school. His son was intelligent and diligent, and he achieved the top score in the township examination.

The teacher at the school predicted that in the future, this son would go to the capital for the imperial examination and would surely pass with flying colors. Another wealthy family in the village had two sons, but they were dull and had repeatedly failed in the township examination. Seeing how outstanding Bao's son was, the wealthy family became jealous. Later, they realized that the burial site chosen by the Bao family might have some mystery to it, so they sought to lure a Feng Shui master. This wealthy family spent a large sum of money to invite a Feng Shui master to come and give advice in the village. As soon as the Feng Shui master arrived at the village entrance, he immediately spotted the depression where Bao's father was buried and nodded repeatedly, saying, "This is indeed a Feng Shui treasure. If a house were built there, fortunes would be made."

Continued:

Not long after, the wealthy family personally approached Bao's family and proposed building a courtyard on the depression. Bao Dong was initially hesitant, but the wealthy family persisted, offering more and more land in exchange for the Feng Shui treasure. Eventually, Bao Dong reluctantly agreed, and the burial site of his father was relocated, with Bao Dong receiving thirty acres of fertile land in return.

However, within a year, Bao Dong's son fell seriously ill just as he was preparing to go to the capital for the imperial examination. Despite Bao's family spending all their savings on medical treatment, they could not cure their son completely. Bao Dong regretted his decision to exchange the Feng Shui treasure for the land. As for the wealthy family, despite relocating their ancestors' graves to the Feng Shui treasure site, both of their sons continued to fail in their endeavors. How could this have happened? The wealthy family sought advice from the Feng Shui master again.

After consulting his calculations, the Feng Shui master regretfully said, "That depression near the big willow tree used to have a lotus pond with two pythons coiled around it. It was undoubtedly a rare Feng Shui treasure. But why did things turn out this way? It must be because when Bao's family moved the tomb, they inadvertently damaged the geomantic tool, causing all the Feng Shui energy of the treasure land to dissipate." The wealthy family lamented the loss of the thirty acres of land they had acquired in exchange for the treasure, feeling deeply regretful.