In the Warring States period, around 400 B.C., Ximen Bao was appointed as the magistrate of Ye County. Upon taking office, he called a meeting with the elders to understand the struggles of the local people. The elders explained that the populace was impoverished due to an annual tradition of marrying off a bride to the River God. This costly ritual demanded significant taxes from the people, totaling millions, with a large portion siphoned off by corrupt officials and shamans.
The elders further revealed that the ritual involved selecting beautiful young women as brides. The shamans would visit households, and if they deemed a girl attractive, she would be forcibly taken. These girls were dressed in fine silk, placed in a ceremonial tent by the river, and offered food and drink for several days. Eventually, they would be placed on a makeshift raft and sent down the river, where they would sink and drown.
This tradition not only led to the deaths of countless young women, but also caused families with daughters to flee Ye County, leaving the area increasingly desolate. The shamans perpetuated fear, claiming that if the River God was not appeased, floods would destroy the villagers’ crops and lives.
Ximen Bao witnesses the ritual
After hearing the accounts, Ximen Bao told the elders to inform him when the next bride was to be sent so he could participate. On the appointed day, Ximen Bao arrived at the riverside, where thousands of people, including local officials, wealthy landowners, and curious onlookers, had gathered. The lead shaman, an elderly woman in her seventies, stood at the center, flanked by her disciples dressed in fine silk.
Ximen Bao asked to see the bride, who was brought before him. After inspecting her, he declared: “This girl is not beautiful enough for the River God. We must find someone more suitable. Madam Shaman, please inform the River God of this decision.”
With that, Ximen Bao ordered his soldiers to throw the lead shaman into the river. After some time, he turned to the crowd and remarked: “The shaman has been gone a long time. Perhaps she needs assistance.” He then commanded one of her disciples to follow her into the river. This process repeated until three disciples had been sent after the shaman.
Fear spreads among the officials
Ximen Bao then turned to the local officials and said: “Perhaps the shamans are unable to explain the situation to the River God. Let us send one of you instead.” He ordered a village official to be thrown into the river.
As the crowd watched in terror, Ximen Bao bent over the riverbank, pretending to wait for a response. The onlookers, including elders and landowners, grew increasingly fearful. When Ximen Bao suggested sending a wealthy landowner next, the landowners fell to their knees, begging for mercy and promising to end the tradition.
A lasting change
Satisfied, Ximen Bao told the crowd: “Very well, I will wait a little longer. You may all return home.” From that day forward, the people of Ye County no longer dared to mention marrying off brides to the River God. Ximen Bao’s decisive actions not only ended a cruel and exploitative tradition, but also restored peace and stability to the region.
Translated by Katy Liu
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