English Original
During the 1850s, amidst unrest in Taiwan, Tang Yian accompanied an imperial envoy to restore order. Anxious for news of his brother Tang Shengan, who was leading troops in Xiamen across the strait, Tang found communication nearly impossible due to the war.
One day, four laborers brought a gigantic sea turtle for sale at a high price. Tang's subordinate considered buying it but hesitated. When the laborers approached Mrs. Tang, she also thought the price too high. As they were about to leave, Mrs. Tang saw the turtle looking at her with sad, tearful eyes. Moved by pity, she purchased it despite the cost. After discussing with her husband, they decided to release it into the ocean the next day.
Though four men had carried the turtle in, Tang found it surprisingly light the next morning. "This is no ordinary turtle," he thought. Silently, he addressed it: "I believe you must be a supernatural being. Whether you are or not, I will set you free today, September 8th. If you possess powers, I would greatly appreciate it if you could have my brother in Xiamen write to me."
He then released the turtle. It frolicked happily in the waves and, as it swam away, looked back and nodded three times as if in thanks.
A month later, a letter arrived from Tang Shengan, reporting his safety. The letter was dated September 8th.
Was it mere coincidence, or had the turtle understood Tang's telepathic message? Perhaps this was its way of expressing gratitude. The Tang brothers later retired from military service and often shared this story with neighbors, reminding people that animals cherish life and that helping them can sometimes bring unexpected rewards.
中文翻译
19世纪50年代，台湾动荡不安，唐怡安随钦差大臣前往平乱。他十分挂念在厦门带兵的弟弟唐慎安，但因战事阻隔，通信几乎中断。
一日，四名苦力带来一只巨大的海龟出售，索价甚高。唐的下属想买却犹豫了。苦力转而询问唐夫人，她也觉得价格太高。正当苦力准备离开时，唐夫人看见海龟用悲伤的眼神望着她，眼中含泪。她心生怜悯，尽管价格高昂，还是买下了它。与丈夫商议后，他们决定次日将龟放归大海。
海龟体型庞大，需四人才能抬动，但次日清晨唐怡安移动它时，却发现它轻得可以独自抱起。"这绝非寻常之龟，"他心想。他默默对龟说道："我相信你定是神物。无论你是否神通，我将于今日——九月八日——放你归海。若你真具法力，恳请你让我在厦门的弟弟给我写一封信。你可明白？"
随后，他将海龟放生。海龟重回水中，欢快嬉戏。游远之际，它回首向唐怡安点头三次，似在道谢。
一月后，唐慎安的来信送达，报说一切安好。信件的日期正是九月八日。
这仅是巧合，还是海龟领会了唐的心念并传递了信息？或许这正是它表达救命之恩的方式。唐氏兄弟后来卸甲归田，常向邻里讲述此事，以提醒人们动物亦珍爱生命，善待它们，有时也会为自己带来福报。