Who succeeded in asking for rain in history?

Wang Yangming

According to the Records of Huichang County in the 11th year of Tongzhi in Qing Dynasty, in the 12th year of Zhengde in Ming Dynasty (1517), Wang Yangming, then the imperial governor of Tingzhang and other places in Nan 'an, and the imperial adviser in Zuo 'an Capital of Ducha Academy, moved to Hangzhou after commanding the officers and men of eight provinces and one state in Fujian, Guangdong and Jiangxi to level off the rebellion in Nan 'an. In May, Wang Yangming moved from Shanghang to Ganzhou, the base camp, passing through Huichang. At that time, when there was a drought, there was no rain for several months. As we saw along the way, the fields were dry, and the people were worried and miserable.

when Wang Yangming arrived in Huichang, he prepared incense, silks and sacrifices, led his generals, disciples and Huichang squire, and went to the Cuizhu Temple in the west of the city to pray for rain. In the main hall of Cuizhu Temple, Wang Yangming led the generals to bow down and kneel in front of the statue of Lai Gong. After three ceremonies, Si Li announced the words of praying for rain written by him personally:

Wei Zhengde was twelve years old in Ding Chou's May, and he was sent to the governor of Nangan Tingzhang and the left capital of Duchayuan, Wang Shouren, to tell Huichang that he was the god of Lai Gong and was a citizen of Huichang. The word says: Alas, it doesn't rain for ten days, and there is no grain in the fields, and it doesn't rain for months, and there is no wave in Sichuan. It doesn't rain in January, and the people are in ruins. If it doesn't rain again, what will the people do! Wang is innocent, and God blames the people. The governor neglected his duty, and the crime lay with the minister. Whoo! Thieves serve the people, and heaven or sin will make them angry. What's my crime, crash and burn? Whoo! What is the sin of the people, and what is the anger of the sky? It seems that the clouds are rising, and the rain is falling. He is guilty of sin and laments this poverty. "

the rain was successful.

There are quite a few famous people who have prayed for rain in history, such as Su Shi, who not only participated in praying for rain, but also handed down the poem "Pray for Rain in Xuzhou". There is also a legend that Lin Zexu begged for rain.

in Xu Zhou Qing Ci for Rain, Su Shi conveyed the core meaning: "If he endowed the government with more powers, it would be seen in Yin and Yang; If I do something disrespectful to God, I will be punished for daring to speak. Xiaomin is ignorant, and his life is near. "

It means that if God is really unhappy, it is our officials who make mistakes, and ordinary people have no problem. I hope you will spare them. Look, is this for God? In fact, it is more for officials and ordinary people. I told officials that I hope they will be more compassionate and love the people, and use their power with caution, so as not to cause widespread indignation and resentment. To tell the people is to give them hope, and not to live because of drought.

The same meaning was expressed by Wang Yangming in the article Answering the Governor's Letter for Rain several years later.

Probably because of the miracle of Wang Yangming's success in asking for rain last time, many people believe that he has the ability to attract wind and call for rain. When there was a drought in the local area, an official sent a short message to Wang Yangming for help. Wang Yangming wrote back a letter, first affirming the other party's attitude of being anxious for the people, and then expressing his true attitude towards asking for rain:

Deacon him but be careful for the people, don't be confused by heresy, don't be eager to get close to fame, though heaven is far away, those who are sincere and motionless have nothing.

It means that an official should have a heart for the people. If you have a heart for the people, you usually have the behavior of putting people's livelihood first, and it is no problem to ask for rain in times of drought. God may even be moved. However, it is impossible to cram for the last minute and believe those myths that can change the weather with different techniques.

so it's also asking for rain, but the difference is your heart. Later generations must not be smart enough to reject rain as superstition.