James and John were close friends for many years, and James placed complete trust in John.
Initially, James hired John to manage his household affairs. Later, when James served as a provincial governor, he enlisted John's help with official business. Trusting John implicitly, James kept no secrets from him.
James only realized John's true, despicable nature after John usurped all his property. Fearful that John knew of his own past misdeeds, James dared not expose him. Depressed and with no other recourse, James went to the Cheng Huang Temple to vent his anger and accuse John of wrongdoing.
That night, James dreamed that the City God asked him why he had trusted John so completely. After long thought, James replied, "Because he could make everything go exactly as I wished." The City God said, "Such a person is the most dangerous! You did not fear him but liked him. Who else would be a better target for his deception?"