Ancient values still hold true today

NANJING－Confucius believed that honoring one's word, recognizing one's faults, and keeping one's promise are necessary for everyone to develop.

In the Yanling Town of Danyang, Jiangsu province, there is a temple built to honor Jizi, whose given name is Zha, the youngest son of Mengshou, the emperor of Wu during the Spring and Autumn period (770-476 BC).

Jizi was a man of great moral integrity. In 544 BC, he was sent to the state of Lu as an envoy, passing through Xucheng, the capital of the state of Xu, and was warmly welcomed by the Lord of Xu. Jizi made a promise to himself that after he finished his diplomatic mission in the north, he would give his sword to the lord who admired it.

By the time he got back, the lord had passed away. Jizi went to his tomb to worship and hung the sword on a nearby willow tree as a way to honor his vow.

For more than 2,000 years, the story of Jizi has been passed down orally by the local people. People in Danyang built temple to honor him and have practiced his virtues from generation to generation.

Yin Siqi, a senior high school student in Danyang, was abandoned by her parents when she was a little girl due to her tuberculosis. Her grandfather, Yin Guohua, raised her and took her many times to hospitals for treatment.

Yin Siqi eventually recovered, but she needed spinal correction surgery as a result of complications with the illness. The treatment cost approximately 200,000 yuan ($31,400), putting a significant financial burden on the family.

The local government and people helped raise more than 130,000 yuan. Through two joint consultations with experts and 11 days in hospital, doctors said the operation was quite risky with a cure rate of less than 10 percent.

After much deliberation, Yin and her grandfather decided to give up the surgery, returning the money to those who donated.

"We didn't expect to raise such a large sum in such a short period of time, and we were so grateful," says Yin Guohua.

"The good deeds of others will live on in our hearts forever."

Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is looking. Yin Guohua and Yin Siqi chose to do the right thing, following in the footsteps of Jizi.

Xinhua