A Dream That Changed Destiny

In the annals of Chinese history, few tales blend fortune and folly as strikingly as that of Deng Tong, a humble boatman catapulted to unimaginable wealth—only to die in poverty. His story begins during the reign of Emperor Wen of Han (202–157 BCE), a ruler celebrated for ushering in the prosperous “Rule of Wen and Jing.” Known for his frugality—mending worn robes rather than discarding them—the emperor made a startling exception for Deng Tong, lavishing him with riches beyond measure. But why?

The answer lies in a dream. Like many monarchs of his era, Emperor Wen sought immortality and divine favor. One night, he dreamed of ascending to heaven but found himself unable to reach it—until a man in a yellow headscarf pushed him upward. Upon waking, the emperor ordered a search for this mysterious figure. The description matched Deng Tong, a lowly “Yellow-Head” boatman from Shu Commandery, whose name (邓通, Dèng Tōng) serendipitously echoed “ascending and passing through” (登通). Convinced of a cosmic sign, Emperor Wen showered Deng with gifts, promoted him to Shangdafu (Senior Grand Master), and even visited his home—an unthinkable honor for a commoner.

The Copper Mountain and the Power to Mint Money

Deng Tong’s ascent took a surreal turn when a court physiognomist predicted he would “die poor and starving.” Offended, Emperor Wen retorted, “I alone control Deng’s wealth!” To prove his point, he granted Deng Tong ownership of Yandao Copper Mountain in Shu, empowering him to mint coins. Overnight, “Deng’s Money” flooded the empire, making him one of the richest men in history.

Yet Deng Tong was no statesman. The Records of the Grand Historian paints him as a sycophant who “knew only to flatter.” He avoided politics, eschewed socializing, and devoted himself entirely to the emperor—even refusing leave to stay by his side. His most infamous act? When Emperor Wen developed a pustulant abscess, Deng Tong reportedly sucked the wound clean, a gesture that later sealed his doom.

The Downfall: From Riches to Ruin

The turning point came when Crown Prince Liu Qi (later Emperor Jing) visited his ailing father. Ordered to mimic Deng’s act, the prince recoiled in disgust. Humiliated, he grew to resent Deng Tong. Upon ascending the throne, Emperor Jing confiscated Deng’s wealth under corruption charges. Stripped of his copper mountain and coins, Deng Tong died destitute—fulfilling the physiognomist’s prophecy. His legacy birthed the idiom bù míng yī qián (“not a penny to his name”).

Cultural Echoes: Sycophancy and Its Discontents

Deng’s story transcended his lifetime, becoming a cautionary tale about the perils of blind favoritism. Historian Sima Qian noted wryly: “Hard farming cannot match a bumper year; skilled service cannot match a ruler’s favor.” The phrase “sucking abscesses and licking hemorrhoids” (吮痈舐痔), coined by philosopher Zhuangzi to mock servility, became synonymous with Deng’s grotesque loyalty.

Even stranger parallels emerged. The Book of Song records Liu Yu, a 5th-century official who allegedly ate scabs, comparing their taste to abalone. His obsession led to flogging subordinates to harvest fresh痂—a grotesque twist on Deng’s narrative.

Legacy: A Mirror to Power’s Fickleness

Deng Tong’s life underscores Confucius’ adage: “Wealth and rank attained through immoral means are as fleeting as clouds.” His rise—fueled by a dream and a copper mountain—reveals the Han Dynasty’s patronage system’s capriciousness. Modern readers might see reflections in corporate nepotism or political favoritism, where fleeting alliances breed spectacular downfalls.

Ultimately, Deng Tong’s tale endures not just as history, but as a timeless parable about the dangers of trading dignity for gold—and the fleeting nature of imperial whims.