在遥远的明朝时期，山东淄川有一位出色的廪生，他便是宋焘。这个青年不仅才华横溢，更以其仁心和孝行闻名于世。当他失去了慈母，他并未沉浸于悲伤，而是静静地处理了丧事后，便安然入睡。他的岳父居住在城西的城隍庙附近，那天，他目睹宋焘身着官服，仪表堂堂，带着众多随从热闹地前往城隍庙。路过家门时，宋焘还专门拜访了岳父。在城隍庙内，“嗖”地一声，不见踪影。岳父感到惊奇，并询问大街上的民众是否曾见到宋焘车驾，但人们都否认有此景象。他赶紧来到宋焘家中，只见宋焘衣冠整齐地躺在床上。
岳父这才明白过来：他的女婿已经成为了城市守护神。但他一直迷惑不解的是，这不是九年前一次类似的经历吗？当时，宋焘确实离世，并由他亲手装殓。但三天后，发生了一件令人难以置信的事：宋焘复活了。他对此事没有多说，只回应说：“母亲尚在，我不能离开她。”自那以后，在复活后的九年里，Song Flandevoted himself to serving his mother, treating his father-in-law and their family with great respect, and being kind and generous to the neighbors.
然而，没有人知道真相：九年前，当Song Flawas deceased, his spirit was taken by a white-robed officer to the underworld for an examination. He saw numerous officials in the hall of judgment, but only recognized Guan Gong and Yan Wang. After answering questions on the topic "one person has heart or no heart," he was praised by examiners for his answer: "Even if one has good intentions but does not receive rewards; even if one has bad intentions but does not receive punishment." Song Flwas appointed as a City God due to his outstanding performance.
But before taking up this position, he was given a nine-year reprieve to return home and care for his elderly mother. When Song's mother passed away after nine years, he returned to take up the role of City God. This story is from Pu Songling's Chat Tales (聊斋志异), revealing that while authors may face failure repeatedly in life they still pursue their dreams with passion and perseverance. The tale also highlights moral standards such as filial piety and benevolence shared among people during that time period.
