Explore the intriguing tale of Willow Scholar Liu, who appeared in a dream with a solution to a locust plague during the late Ming Dynasty. Discover how divine intervention spared the crops in this captivating folklore.
In the late Ming Dynasty, a locust infestation occurred between Qingzhou and Yanzhou, gradually spreading to Yishui County. The county magistrate was deeply worried. After returning to the yamen, he lay down and dreamt of a scholar coming to seek an audience. The scholar wore a tall green hat, stood tall, and claimed to have a solution to the locust plague.
The county magistrate hurriedly sought advice, and the scholar replied, “Tomorrow, on the southwest road outside the county town, there will be a woman riding a pregnant mother donkey; she is the locust deity. Plead with her, and the locust disaster can be averted.”
The county magistrate considered this dream unusual and prepared food and wine before heading to the south of the city. After waiting for a while, a woman with a high hair bun and a brown shawl, riding a slow and old gray donkey, approached from the north. The county magistrate immediately lit incense, offered wine, knelt by the road to welcome her, and held onto the donkey to prevent her from leaving.
The woman asked, “What does the official want to do?” The county magistrate earnestly begged, saying, “In this humble county, I earnestly implore for mercy to spare it from the locust plague.” The woman said, “It’s a pity that Scholar Liu was too talkative and revealed my secret! I will let him bear the consequences with his body, as long as it doesn’t harm the crops.”
She then drank three cups of wine and disappeared in the blink of an eye. Later, the locusts swarmed, darkening the sky, but they did not land in the fields. Instead, they settled on willow trees, leaving the leaves untouched wherever they passed. The county magistrate finally understood that the scholar was actually the willow deity. Some say this was the result of the magistrate’s concern for the people, moving heaven to protect them, and it was indeed so!
《柳秀才》
明季，蝗生青兖间，渐集于沂，沂令忧之。退卧署幕，梦一秀才来谒，峨冠绿衣，状貌修伟，自言御蝗有策。询之，答云：“明日西南道上，有妇跨硕腹牝驴子，蝗神也。哀之，可免。”令异之，治具出邑南。伺良久，果有妇高髻褐帔，独控老苍卫，缓蹇北度。即爇香，捧卮酒，迎拜道左，捉驴不令去。妇问：“大夫将何为？”令便哀恳：“区区小治，幸悯脱蝗口！”妇曰：“可恨柳秀才饶舌，泄吾密机！当即以其身受，不损禾稼可耳。”乃尽三卮，瞥不复见。后蝗来，飞蔽天日，然不落禾田，但集杨柳，过处柳叶都尽。方悟秀才柳神也。或云是宰官忧民所感，诚然哉！