法苑珠林 91.78

91.78

During the Jin dynasty, Kong Ji of Kuaiji was diligent in study and had moral integrity. Relying on kinship ties, he affiliated with his kinsman Kong Bi. Bi had his two sons take Ji as their teacher, but Bi's sons were both violent and vulgar, having different inclinations. Ji repeatedly spoke of this to Bi, and these boys harbored resentment. Soon Bi died. When the mourning period was concluded, Ji, out of long-standing family ties, brought mutton and wine to visit Bi's sons. The sons still held their old grudge and secretly dispatched a servant to kill Ji by the roadside. Before the servant had even returned, they saw Ji come: opening his eyes wide and rolling up his sleeves, he said in a stern voice: 'You wicked and ugly youngsters, with human faces and the hearts of beasts! I received your father's regard in the past and maintained lifelong affection; what grudge or malice did you have that you ambushed me on the road and killed me? Despising Heaven and forgetting your father, neither gods nor men can tolerate you! I shall certainly sever your family line!' From then on he repeatedly manifested his form. Not long after, the elder son suddenly collapsed unconscious while going to the latrine; when people rushed to see, he was already dead on the ground. The next son also soon fell ill and died; the brothers had no descendants.