"Is this locust plague really unstoppable? If more people are sent to cull it, the locust plague will spread more slowly, and the people will be able to recover some of the food they have cultivated for a year."
Zhao Junchen's words were originally just a casual remark to show his concern for the locust plague. After all, in Zhao Junchen's view, Liu Changan, as the prefect, must have already done such things as organizing manpower to cull locusts. It's too urgent, too fast, and it won't be very effective.
However, the reality was completely different from Zhao Junchen's imagination.
Hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Liu Changan looked inexplicably horrified, and said stuttering: "Sir, how can locusts be culled? The locust plague is a natural punishment sent by the Locust God. Once culled, the Locust God will be offended. But what should we do?”
On the other side, Xu Qingyan also had the same expression and said repeatedly: "Master, you cannot cull the locusts, otherwise you will be disobeying the destiny and will be punished by the gods!!"
Seeing the performance of Liu Changan and Xu Qingyan, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but be stunned.
Is the locust plague a natural punishment? Locusts can't be killed? Otherwise, will it offend the Locust God?
The view that natural disasters such as locust plagues are regarded as natural punishments is quite ridiculous in the eyes of later generations. However, seeing the serious faces of Liu Changan and Xu Qingyan at this time, Zhao Junchen realized that in this era, this argument has long been It is deeply rooted in people's hearts.
Zhao Junchen read a lot in his last life, and he also had some understanding of ancient people's views on natural disasters. He knew that most ancient people regarded natural disasters as a kind of "natural punishment" and were extremely in awe of this kind of "natural punishment". It is important to note that a large-scale natural disaster may even force the emperor to issue a "sinful edict". No matter whether he is a wise emperor or a foolish ruler, he must admit his shortcomings in virtue in the "sinful edict" to pray for God's forgiveness.
Although he understood this, Zhao Junchen never expected that this view would be so deeply rooted in the hearts of the people in ancient times. Just because the locust plague was regarded as a kind of natural punishment, officials could let themselves be Under the rule, locusts were raging, all vegetation was gone, and famine spread across the fields. The people could only watch helplessly as the locusts all over the fields ate up the food they had worked hard to cultivate for a year - which was their survival food for the next year! !
Then, Zhao Junchen suddenly remembered Yao Chong, the famous prime minister of the Tang Dynasty.
Yao Chong was probably the first official in ancient times to oppose the "theory of divine punishment". Around the fourth year of Kaiyuan of the Tang Dynasty, locust plagues spread in Shandong. When everyone was counting on "sacrifice to heaven to pray for blessings and eliminate disasters", only Yao Chong He advocated culling locusts and burning their corpses. The emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty was quite enlightened and finally agreed with Yao Chong's idea. According to Yao Chong's suggestion, the locust plague was quickly extinguished and countless people were saved. For a time, Yao Chong was regarded by the people of Shandong as a Buddha and was grateful.
But not long after, the situation took a turn for the worse. A large-scale locust plague occurred again in Shandong the next year. For a time, the "natural punishment theory" became very noisy. Almost everyone believed that the recurrence of the locust plague was because Yao Chong disobeyed the law of heaven and offended the gods. The people of Shandong, who had previously regarded Yao Chong as the Buddha of every family, suddenly changed their view of Yao Chong. They believed that Yao Chong had caused them trouble. People's resentment boiled over for a while. Everyone in the court impeached Yao Chong, but they had always regarded Yao Chong. Although Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty, who was regarded as his right-hand man, once again followed Yao Chong's advice to cull the locusts, he had to denounce Yao Chong in order to comfort the world.
Yao Chong's official career was stable throughout his life, but there were ups and downs in those few years. Although it was caused by various reasons, the locust plague in Shandong was undoubtedly the most direct cause, and it was also the most powerful excuse and reason for his political opponents to attack him.
Since Yao Chong, although hundreds of years have passed and society has continued to develop, the world's view of natural disasters has not changed much.
Even because of Yao Chong's experience, few people dare to blatantly advocate culling locusts during locust plagues.
In fact, it is not just locust plague, whether it is drought, flood, fire or earthquake, at this time, the first thing people think of is not to save themselves, but to seek help from those illusory locust gods, city gods, dragon kings, kitchen kings and the land. Gods.
…
While Zhao Junchen was thinking deeply, on the other side, Liu Changan felt that he needed to teach Zhao Junchen some "common sense." In Liu Changan's view, Zhao Junchen's suggestion of "culling locusts" was entirely due to ignorance of worldly affairs and young and naive.
After all, in the eyes of the world, the reason why Zhao Junchen is in a high position is not because of his virtues and talents, but simply because of the favor of the current Emperor Deqing. Liu Changan undoubtedly has the same view.
Therefore, Liu Changan slowly explained to Zhao Junchen with a helpless tone: "Sir, you don't know something. Although the sage Zeng said, 'The son did not say anything about strange power and confused the gods', but the people are ignorant, how can they understand the way of the sage?" ?Mr. There is no turning back, and only cultivating virtues and avoiding disasters is the right way. Under such circumstances, if we rush to organize manpower to cull locusts, I am afraid that not only will we not be able to get the understanding and help of these people, but it will also cause panic and shock among the people. There will still be trouble. Because of this, local officials like us rarely organize manpower to cull locusts when a locust plague occurs. Of course, if people voluntarily cull locusts, the government will not stop them. "
Looking at Liu Changan's expression of regret that he was "angry at the people for not fighting", Zhao Junchen suddenly felt that there were many similarities between locusts and corrupt officials.
They are all submissive to the ordinary, all originate from chaos, all are greedy, all are extremely destructive, but they make the people inexplicably awe.
Perhaps, the only difference is that the locusts are backed by the illusory "Locust God", dressed in the guise of "heavenly punishment", while the corrupt officials are backed by the court and the emperor, dressed in the guise of "herdsmen acting as emperors" Just official clothes.
In fact, Zhao Junchen is not qualified to comment on this. After all, he is now an out-and-out corrupt official.
However, after hearing Liu Changan's explanation, Zhao Junchen felt that the ignorance of the world might be an opportunity for him.
A chance to improve his tarnished reputation between government and opposition parties.
If this opportunity is grasped well, the effect will undoubtedly be much better than simply hosting disaster relief.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen not only failed to accept the teaching, but also had a serious face, no longer as warm as before. He just stared at Liu Changan coldly and said slowly: "You can't blame the gods if you don't say anything. This sage's words, it turns out that Liu Changan Magistrate, do you still remember? Judging from your reaction just now, you said "God's punishment" on the left and "Locust God" on the right, I thought you were the magic stick of the Locust Temple. In my opinion, although you are incompetent as a magistrate, if It’s just right to go to the Locust Temple to do some work.”
Seeing Zhao Junchen's unkind expression, Liu Changan couldn't help but feel confused. Regardless of the narrow space in the carriage, he hurriedly knelt down in front of Zhao Junchen, kowtowed and said: "My lord, I will forgive you, I will lower my rank..."
Without waiting for Liu Changan to explain, Zhao Junchen continued: "Prefect Liu, let me ask you, do you really believe in this talk of heavenly punishment and the theory of the locust god?"
Hearing Zhao Junchen's question, Liu Changan didn't know how to answer for a while.
Judging from Liu Changan's previous reaction, even if he didn't believe deeply in the claims about the Locust God and Heaven's Punishment, at least he would rather believe it.
But at this time, he was afraid of getting into trouble with Zhao Junchen, so he didn't dare to tell the truth. Although he wanted to lie to deal with it, he was afraid of making Zhao Junchen even more angry.
Finally, after hesitating for a long time, Liu Changan still said: "Sir, the theory of heaven's punishment and the theory of the locust god have been circulating for a long time and have far-reaching influence. In my opinion, this kind of thing should be trusted or not, and should be treated with caution. …”
Zhao Junchen smiled and asked: "Okay, since you believe and feel that this locust plague is God's punishment for our Ming Dynasty, then I ask you, why did God send a punishment on your Lu'an Mansion? Is it you? Did the prefect do anything treacherous? Or is the current His Majesty's moral character lacking?"
Hearing Zhao Junchen's heart-wrenching words, Liu Changan was so frightened that he trembled all over, but he no longer dared to answer casually.
…
Note 1: Xu Guangqi, courtesy name Xuanhu, wrote "The Complete Book of Nongzheng", which was the first work in the history of our country to conduct statistics and research on locust plagues. It was also from the "Complete Book of Nongzheng" that the feudal rulers Gradually, I began to have a correct understanding of the locust plague.
