The recent pandemic is, without a doubt, one of the greatest catastrophes we have experienced in our lifetimes. Yet, in the long annals of Chinese history, numerous accounts exist of plagues and other calamities of similar scale. These instances from antiquity provide us with invaluable insights into how emperors and common folk alike managed to quell disasters and cure diseases time and again.
The emperor’s burden
In ancient China, when the nation was struck by a significant calamity, the ultimate responsibility typically fell upon the emperor’s shoulders. The concept of the divine right of kings was prevalent, and an emperor was often referred to as the “Son of Heaven,” symbolizing their role as God’s children, entrusted with the duty of governing the people on His behalf.
Sacrifice in the face of drought
During the Shang Dynasty, the kingdom suffered from persistent drought for several consecutive years, leaving the people in destitution. King Tang of Shang set up sacrificial altars annually, praying for rain to no avail.
By the seventh year, a soothsayer prophesied that a living human sacrifice was necessary for the rain to come. Upon hearing this, King Tang declared: “I pray for rain for the sake of the people. If a life must be taken for the rains to come, then let me be that sacrifice!”
He then observed religious purification, cut off his nails, shaved his head, knelt in a wild mulberry forest, and earnestly prayed to the heavens. He acknowledged six areas where he had failed in his duties, engaging in introspection for each. Before he had even finished speaking, his sincerity had touched the heavens, and a torrential downpour began, ending the seven-year drought.
Empathy and sacrifice during the Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty historical record The Essentials of Governance (Zhenguan Zhengyao) recounts a year of severe drought and locust infestation in Chang’an in A.D. 628. During an inspection of the disaster-stricken areas, Emperor Taizong of Tang saw many locusts and, catching a few in his hands, said to them: “Humans rely on crops to survive; your consumption of these crops harms the people. If the people suffer, it is my fault. If you have consciousness, eat my heart instead, and harm the people no more.”
He was about to swallow the locusts when his attendants intervened, warning that the insects could make him sick. Yet Taizong replied: “That is precisely the effect I desire. May Heaven transfer the people’s disasters onto me alone; why should I fear falling ill?” He then swallowed the locusts, and as if in response, the locust plague was indeed eradicated.
The repercussions of breaking a vow in the Ming Dynasty
A story from the Ming Dynasty recounts a plague outbreak in the Suzhou region during the summer of A.D. 1511. A local named Gu Zhen and his entire family contracted the disease. In desperation, Gu Zhen led his family in making a solemn vow to the gods, promising to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle, perform good deeds, and refrain from killing living beings. Miraculously, the entire family recovered from the plague.
Around this time, the local prefecture was distributing grain to the disaster-stricken populace. Gu Zhen went into the city to collect his share. On his way home, he saw fish for sale and impulsively broke his vow. He purchased three fish and a jug of wine, feasting heartily upon his return home without confessing his transgression to his family. However, his plague symptoms returned that very day, and he swiftly succumbed to the disease. This tale serves as a divine warning to mankind, reminding us of the consequences of breaking our solemn vows.
From these historical anecdotes, it is clear that the Chinese people, from emperors to commoners, have always faced calamities with a spirit of sacrifice, introspection, and adherence to their commitments. They believed in divine intervention and that their actions could influence the course of natural events. Despite the cultural and historical differences, these stories may still resonate with us today, reminding us of our shared humanity and our capacity to endure and overcome adversity.
