Bad Times, The Treasure Jar Keeps You Fed
Just as his father was buried, his eldest uncle seized his house and grain, driving him and his ailing mother into a dilapidated earthen hut in the village. When pushed to desperation, a talking crow dropped half a steamed bun into the old pickled vegetable jar left by his father—the next day, the jar was completely full! Only then did he realize that this broken jar could replicate anything. Relying on it, he saved his mother, the village chief's daughter, and helped the fellow villagers. Just as life was getting better, his eldest uncle stole the jar to get rich, only for it to be snatched by wicked people who intercepted poverty-alleviation grain. At a birthday banquet, the villains greedily tried to replicate a puppy, causing the jar to crack, and stack after stack of criminal evidence spewed from its mouth. In the end, the treasure jar lost its magic, but with a pair of hands, he still lived a prosperous and vibrant life.
Main characters: Zhou Zhengyang
Also known as: 年景不好，宝坛管饱
Tahun Buruk, Balang Harta Tetap Kenyang (76 episod)
Sebaik sahaja bapanya dikebumikan, bapa saudara sulung merampas rumah dan makanannya, lalu menghalau dia dan ibunya yang sakit ke sebuah pondok tanah yang…
Sebaik sahaja bapanya dikebumikan, bapa saudara sulung merampas rumah dan makanannya, lalu menghalau dia dan ibunya yang sakit ke sebuah pondok tanah yang bobrok di kampung. Ketika dalam kesempitan, seekor gagak yang boleh bercakap telah menggigit separuh manau ke dalam balang jeruk lama peninggalan bapanya—keesokan harinya, balang itu penuh menggelegak! Barulah dia tahu bahawa balang rosak ini boleh menyalin segala benda. Dia bergantung padanya untuk menyelamatkan ibunya, anak perempuan ketua kampung, dan menolong penduduk kampung. Apabila hidupnya mula baik, bapa saudaranya pula mencuri balang itu untuk menjadi kaya, malah dirampas oleh orang jahat yang menyelewengkan makanan bantuan kemiskinan. Pada majlis hari jadi, orang jahat yang tamak mencuba menyalin anak anjing, balang itu retak, dan mulut balang menyembur timbunan bukti jenayah. Akhirnya balang harta itu tidak berfungsi, tetapi dengan sepasang tangannya, dia tetap meneruskan kehidupan yang makmur dan meriah.
年景不好，宝坛管饱 · Bad Times, The Treasure Jar Keeps You Fed