Kawai translated classical Chinese by himself.

In the Song Dynasty, there was a family named Ding. There was no well at home, so they had to go out to fetch water to water the distant fields. One of them was sent to fetch water. I often stay outside alone. When his family dug a well, Shi Ding told others, "My family dug a well and got a man."

The listener sent a message: "Shi Ding dug a well and dug a man." People in the capital are talking about this matter, so that the monarch of Song State can know about it. Song Guojun sent someone to ask Shi Ding about the situation. Shi Ding replied: "Saving the labor of an idle person is not digging a living person in a well." It's better not to listen to such rumors.

It means that after digging a well, you can have an extra manpower, so you don't have to send someone to fetch water from a distance.

Extended data:

"One person opens a well" means that after digging a well, you can get one person's manpower, so you don't have to send someone to fetch water from the well outside. Outsiders misunderstood the meaning and thought it was "crossing the well to get the living" and spread rumors everywhere.

Enlightenment of a person crossing a well:

Everything must be investigated and carefully identified before we can find out the truth. Hearing is empty, seeing is believing. Rumors are often untrue, and only by careful observation, research and reasoning can we get the real answer.

Don't believe in rumors and blindly follow others, otherwise you will make jokes and the truth will be spread beyond recognition.

References:

Baidu Encyclopedia-Crossing a Well Alone