In the past decade or so, different disasters have been occurring in mainland China one after another, and with increasing frequency. The wrath and warnings of Heaven are signaled by the recent floods, earthquakes, blood-red sky, and strange natural phenomena that have happened in northern and northeastern China. Why is it put this way? It’s because ancient Chinese believed in the unity of Heaven and man, where any unusual phenomenon carries a message.
According to the Book of Changes: “The vision shown in the sky reveals the good or bad fortune to come.” Dong Zhongshu of the Western Han Dynasty also stated in his doctrine of “Interactions between Heaven and Mankind” that human actions, good or bad, influence Heaven’s rewards or punishments. Heaven uses auspicious signs and disasters to express approval or disapproval to rulers, thus guiding the activities of the human world. He particularly emphasized the warning function of disasters, believing that natural disasters and changes are caused by the mistakes of rulers.
So how did the emperors respond to disasters? Today, we will discuss the methods of three monarchs from the pre-Qin period.
Emperor Tang of Shang eradicated disasters by promoting virtue
The founder of the Shang Dynasty was Emperor Tang, also known as Cheng Tang. His ancestor, Qi, was granted land in the Shang territory and given the surname “Zi” for his meritorious service in helping Yu the Great control the floods. Qi did many good deeds for the people in Shang, making their lives stable. When Cheng Tang ascended the throne, he not only revered Heaven and sacrificed to the gods and spirits, but also appointed virtuous ministers like Yi Yin.
Cheng Tang was a very virtuous man. The Chinese idiom “open the net on one side” is related to him. One day when he was out hunting, he saw a net spread out in the wilderness. The person who set up the net prayed: “May all the birds and beasts from all directions enter into my net!” When Cheng Tang heard this, he said: “If you do this, you will exterminate all the birds and beasts!”
So he ordered three sides of the net to be removed and told the person to pray: “Those who want to go left, go left; those who want to escape right, escape right. Those who do not obey, enter my net.” The feudal lords heard about this and said: “Tang’s benevolence and virtue have reached the utmost, even the birds and beasts can benefit from his kindness.” At that time, 36 states submitted to him.
The Shang Dynasty came about by Heaven’s will
Later, with the assistance of Yi Yin, Cheng Tang defeated the army of the Xia Dynasty. The Xia Dynasty perished, and the Shang Dynasty was established in accordance with Heaven’s will. Cheng Tang, then known as “Emperor Tang of Shang,” after becoming the Son of Heaven, admonished the feudal lords to revere Heaven, practice virtuous governance, and seek benefits for the people.
One day, a strange grain suddenly grew in the court of the imperial palace. It sprouted at dusk and grew as thick as two closed hands by dawn the next day. The courtiers thought it was an ominous sign, so they asked for a divination to find out the reason for the appearance of the grain.
Emperor Tang ordered the divination official to step down and said to the other important ministers: “I have heard that the appearance of auspicious things is a harbinger of good fortune, but if one encounters such a good omen and does evil, the good fortune will not come. On the other hand, the appearance of strange things is a sign that disaster is imminent, but if one encounters such a bad omen and does good deeds, the disaster will not come.”
Therefore, Emperor Tang paid even more attention to cultivating virtue. He went to court early every morning and retired late every night, diligently handling government affairs. He also personally visited the sick, mourned the dead, listened to the voices of the people, and tried to pacify them.
After doing this for just three days, the strange grain in the palace disappeared. Hence, it is said: “Misfortune is where blessings rest, and blessings are where misfortune hides.” Such a truth can only be understood by a sage.
Translated by Cecilia
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