Qian Meixi recorded the story of Xue Qingguan, the goat butcher. He ran a small shop selling mutton and mutton soup. The fame of his delicious soup spread far and wide, attracting many customers. Some traveled for days to taste it, and all left satisfied. With such success, Xue quickly became wealthy.
Some of his Buddhist friends advised him to stop killing goats. "You've earned enough. Don't be greedy. We are not beasts in the jungle. Killing animals is a grave sin against the universe. You cannot escape the consequences. Sooner or later, your misdeeds will catch up with you, and then all your money will be useless."
"Xue," they continued, "why not invest your money in another business? You can still prosper while repenting and doing good deeds to atone for your sins. Otherwise, you will face great trouble, and even your descendants may suffer."
Xue dismissed their advice with a snort and a sneer. "I'm too clever to believe such old wives' tales. Don't try to spook me with fairy tales! Crimes against the universe? What nonsense!"
Around the age of forty, Xue contracted a strange illness. His mouth began to jut out, his jaw elongated, and his eyes took on a vacant look. In fact, he came to resemble a goat.
Soon, the locals all knew about Xue's transformation. Crowds came daily to stare, whispering and nodding among themselves. Xue grew weary of the spectacle. Doctors could offer no cure, though they agreed he looked remarkably like a goat.
Frustrated nearly to madness, Xue remained too stubborn to admit any wrongdoing or reconsider his trade.
Finally, on a business trip to Anhui, he fell into a river and drowned. His body was never recovered.
The tragedy is that Xue need not have suffered such humiliation and a sudden end. Had he been less greedy and more heedful of his conscience, he could have lived a long, happy life. But to him, money, stupidity, and stubbornness held greater value than happiness, health, and wisdom.