As time went by, Zhou realized that his fellow countrymen detested him, and he desired to mend his ways. He saw that most of the villagers were depressed and had a worried look. He was puzzled, and asked: "Now that there is peace throughout the country, favorable weather, an abundant harvest, and everything is what could be wished for; so why so glum?" The elders replied: "There are three terrors here at present yet to be dealt with - how can anybody be joyous?" Zhou asked: "Which three terrors?" The elders said: "The random assault on people by the white tiger in the Southern Mountains is one of the terrors; the flood dragon in the river under the Long Bridge often injures people and livestock is another; as for the third ..." the elders hesitated for a moment, "I am afraid, it has to be you."
After hearing this, Zhou was quiet for a long time. Finally, he said resolutely: “I can get rid of all three terrors!”
With sharp weapons in hand, Zhou single-handedly went to the mountains in search of the ferocious white tiger. He fought hard and finally killed the beast. He then proceeded to the river, and vigorously wrestled with the flood dragon for three days and nights, finally beheading it.
During those three days, when Zhou had not returned, the villagers thought he must have been dead. Believing that all three terrors were now gone at once - and thereupon all would be well - the villagers were ecstatic. They congratulated each other, reveled, and jumped for joy. At that moment, Zhou returned and witnessed the jubilation. He then understood that everyone truly hated him, and was deeply saddened and ashamed. He firmly made up his mind to make amends, and be born anew.
Having now made up his mind and formed his will, Zhou wasted no time. He found out that the grandsons of the great General Lu Sun in Wu - Lu Ji and Lu Yun - were learned scholars, and paid them a special visit to ask them to be his teachers. After only meeting with Lu Yun, he told him about his situation, saying, “I truly want to make amends and start over, but because of my advanced age, I don’t know if there is still time.” Lu Yun encouraged Zhou. “The ancients held in high regards people who are willing to change,” he said. “Your future, sir, is quite bright. Besides, one should be more concerned about one’s resolve than one’s reputation.”
Lu Yun's remarks were instructive and encouraging. It was then Zhou realized a profound truth: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Zhou worked hard and assiduously, determined to improve his ways, and paid great attention to self-cultivation and refining his moral character. Within the course of one year, his reputation became drastically different, such that local government officials all recommended he serve office.
Over the next 30 years Zhou held various positions, and served as a diligent and accomplished official. During his terms in office, he performed his duty competently and responsibly.
The achievements in his official capacity were noteworthy, such as when he as prefect in Xinping, he established a very good relationship with the minority groups there. In Guanghan he proved incorruptible, cleaning up many of the backlogged cases that were decades old. When serving as imperial administrative officer, he administered the law impartially without pandering to the bigwigs, and his rectitude naturally was not very accommodating to various vice groups.
Later, when minority group leader Chi Won Nien rebelled, some officials in the imperial court who wanted to hurt Zhou recommended him for the crusade. Those who knew the royal courtiers’ sinister intentions advised Zhou to decline the commission, but Zhou firmly said: "How can both loyalty and filial duty be fulfilled? Having bid farewell to my loved ones to serve the imperial court, today is the day for me to dedicate myself to the country!" In the end, Zhou fell to the villains’ entrapment, died in the battlefield, and sacrificed his life for country.
Zhou proved courageous enough to make fundamental changes in his character, transforming from a wicked terror to a loyal, commendable officer, and a source of inspiration for future generations. His story shows that a person can make mistakes, but so long as he is willing and determined to mend his ways, he can live an upright life, and a bright future awaits him.
