Refers to money spent that eventually returns, or financial gains that come back to you, often implying a belief that kindness or good deeds will be reciprocated with financial benefits.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
Legend has it that in ancient times, some unscrupulous merchants exploited the inseparable bond between the mother and offspring of the Qingfu (a legendary insect).
They would catch a large number of Qingfu, separate the mother and its young, and apply their respective blood to different coins. Coins smeared with the mother Qingfu's blood were kept at home, while those with the young Qingfu's blood were used for purchases.
It was believed that by nightfall, the coins bearing the young Qingfu's blood would automatically fly back to where the mother Qingfu's blood-smeared coins were kept.