“Tribulations” of this kind truly exist.

There is a man in the village who, when he was young, made a huge fortune doing business. He built a grand mansion, and his home was always filled with distinguished guests—such a lively scene. But because he was too young, in the end he couldn’t control his wealth. He failed his tribulation, and now he is almost the poorest person in the village. Every day he goes around borrowing money to gamble, while his friends and relatives all avoid him.

There is also a man in the village who is extremely good at finding ways to get ahead. He started out as a delivery person, and after only a few years he became the director of the postal bureau. But before he had even warmed the seat, he was lured into a gambling scheme by others. He embezzled public funds, lost everything, and nearly ended up in jail. This is also a failed tribulation.