In the Warring States Period (475 BC-221 BC), Ximen Bao was posted to the city of Yedu (present-day Linzhang County in Henan Province) as an administrative offi cer. When he took up residency in the city, he was surprised by the low population density of the city and its outskirts. He asked for the reason why there were so few people living there.
An old man with a white beard replied, “It was because Hebo, the god of the Zhanghe River, wanted to marry. Every year he wanted a beautiful bride. If the citizens refused his demand he would cause the river to swell and inundate their farm lands and houses. ”
Ximen Bao asked, “Who was the one who first started to believe in this?”
The old man said, “according to the local witch they have to oblige. The local district officer and the gentry took the opportunity of the wedding ceremony to force the common people to donate money. Every year they asked them to donate over a million tales of gold but only 20 or 30 percent of this amount was actually spent on the celebration of the river god’s wedding. The rest of the money they divided among themselves.”
“Where was the bride obtained from?” asked Ximen Bao.
The old man answered, “The witch would lead some persons to go to those families who had a young and beautiful daughter. The family of the girl would be frightened into paying a large sum of money to have their girl spared. They would then go around searching for another girl. If the family of any girl so found could not aff ord to pay them they would marry her off to the river god. When the auspicious day for the wedding arrived, the girl who was made up would be placed on a mat made of reeds. The girl and the mat would be pushed and allowed to drift off in the running water. After drifting for a while, the mat would sink. Therefore, those families who have a daughter have moved away from this district and gone to live elsewhere. That is why there are not many people living here and why they are so poor. ”
Ximen Bao asked whether their lands had ever been flooded after Zhanghe River god found a new wife.
The old man replied, “They are still flooded. The witch said that it was very fortunate to send a bride for the river god, otherwise flooded even more.”
Ximen Bao said, “The river god shows its presence or power! I ask to be informed when the next wedding is due so that I can see off the new bride. ”
On the day of the next wedding, there were many people gathered along the riverside. Ximen Bao, as the officer in charge of the city, arrived with a contingent of soldiers. The witch, gentry and district officers hurried to receive him. The witch, aged over 70, was followed by a dozen pretty and coquettish female disciples.
Ximen Bao said, “Bring the bride here and let me see whether she is beautiful.” After a little time, the girl was brought out. Ximen Bao saw the girl shedding tears, turned around and said to the witch: “No. The girl is not beautiful enough. Witch, would you please go to the river and inform the river god that another beautiful girl will be found and sent out in a few days.” Without any delay the soldiers threw the witch into the river. After waiting for some time Ximen Bao complained, “Why has the witch not come back? Let one of her disciples hasten her.” The soldiers grabbed one of her disciples and tossed her into the river; a few time later, he ordered that another disciple be thrown. Then, he said, “We have found that these women cannot do what we desire. Gentry and district offi cers, would you please beg the river god for leniency.” He was going to order his soldiers to throw them into the river. These gentry and district officers were so frightened as to kneel down and beg for mercy. Some of them even bowed so low as to break their heads. Ximen Bao said, “Okay. Let us wait for a while.” Then, he simply said, “Stand up. It seems that the river god will keep them. You can all go back home. ”
The common people took a tumble. It turned out that the witch and the district officer had a dirty trick going and had swindled the money. From then on, no one dared to mention the idea of “having a new bride for the river god.”
Ximen Bao mobilized the common people to cut 12 dykes, thus introducing the water of the Zhanghe River onto the land. From then on, bumper harvests were gathered on both banks of the Zhanghe River every
year.
