The Historical Context of Filial Piety in Jin Dynasty China

During the tumultuous Jin Dynasty (266–420 CE), Confucian values of filial piety (xiao) dominated Chinese social ethics. The story of Sheng Yan, a scholar-official from Guangling (modern Jiangsu), exemplifies this cultural ideal. Born with exceptional intellect—legend claims he composed poetry at age eight—Sheng rose to become a Zhongshu Shilang (Secretarial Court Gentleman) in the Wu administration. Yet his historical legacy rests not on bureaucratic achievements, but on an extraordinary act of devotion to his blind mother, Wang Shi.

This period saw heightened emphasis on xiao as political instability made family bonds crucial. The Jin Shu (Book of Jin) records over 50 “exemplary filial sons,” reflecting how the state promoted these narratives to reinforce social order. Sheng’s story stands out even among these accounts for its dramatic emotional climax and alleged miraculous healing.

A Son’s Devotion and a Servant’s Revenge

When Wang Shi lost her eyesight to illness, Sheng abandoned career advancement to personally care for her. Historical accounts emphasize his ritualized care: “He always fed her himself,” refusing to delegate even basic tasks. This meticulous attention mirrored Confucian classics like the Classic of Filial Piety, which instructed sons to serve parents with “reverence in feeding.”

However, Wang’s prolonged illness bred resentment. The Jin Shu notes she frequently beat household servants—a socially accepted but ethically contested practice. One maidservant, harboring secret fury, seized her moment when Sheng briefly traveled. She collected qicao (grub worms), roasted them with malt sugar, and served them to the blind woman. Wang found the dish delicious but suspicious, secretly saving samples for her son.

The Crisis and the Miracle

Sheng’s return unveiled the traumatic discovery. Recognizing the insects—considered filthy pests in traditional Chinese medicine—he collapsed in grief, embracing his mother while weeping uncontrollably. The text vividly describes him fainting before reviving. At this emotional peak, the miracle occurred: Wang’s vision suddenly restored “as if lids were lifted.”

Scholars offer rational explanations: perhaps psychosomatic factors or accumulated tears cleared ocular blockages. Yet contemporaries saw divine reward for filial virtue. The Jin Shu’s inclusion legitimized it as official history, though such healings were rare even in hagiographies. Notably, the narrative doesn’t condemn the maidservant—a subtle acknowledgment of systemic servant abuse.

Cultural Echoes Through Chinese History

Sheng’s tale became paradigmatic. Later dynasties referenced it in xiao instruction manuals, while Ming physician Li Shizhen cited the qicao incident in his Ben Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica)—noting insects’ medicinal risks. The story also influenced Tang chuanqi tales of supernatural filial rewards.

Modern readers might critique Wang’s violence or the maid’s cruelty, but the core tension remains relatable: caregiver burnout, class resentment, and the limits of devotion. Hong Kong’s 2005 “bleach milk” case involving an abused domestic worker mirrors these ancient dynamics, proving the tale’s unsettling timelessness.

Legacy: Between Ethics and Exploitation

Sheng Yan’s story ultimately transcends its miraculous veneer. It encapsulates Jin society’s contradictions—glorifying self-sacrifice while ignoring systemic inequities. Today, it serves as both inspiration and caution: a reminder that genuine care requires mutual dignity, not just ritualized duty. As China revisits its filial traditions amidst aging populations, Sheng’s tears still invite reflection on what ethical care truly means.

The tale endures not because worms healed blindness, but because it exposes universal truths about power, resentment, and the transformative power of love—even in Earth’s humblest creatures.