Chapter 6: The Locust Exorcism Ritual

Chapter 6: The Locust Invitation Ceremony

Li Tai had yet to conquer the technique of artificial egg incubation, but Dou Jing was far from idle. The Locust God Temple was now being built with great fervor.

With strong support from the imperial court and the Ministry of Agriculture, the temple was completed within just half a month.

The design of the Locust God Temple was exquisite; at the very least, the locust head of the deity was carved with lifelike precision, evoking awe and fear.

But merely constructing the temple was far from enough. Next, Dou Jing sent out invitations to numerous officials, inviting them to attend the Locust God invitation ceremony—a ritual intended to drive away locusts and ensure that Chang’an would never again suffer locust plagues.

Li Tai, who was still engrossed in solving the artificial incubation technique, naturally received one of these invitations.

“Prince of Yue, Prince of Yue! Dou Jing is taking advantage of us!” Zhao Yuan Kai complained angrily as he approached Li Tai’s chambers, waving the invitation in hand.

Stopping at the door, Zhao Yuan Kai asked Bai He to notify Li Tai while he waited outside.

Bai He shook his head. “The prince is studying inside. He has instructed that no one is to disturb him unless it is the emperor himself.”

“I have urgent business!” Zhao Yuan Kai insisted, his voice tinged with urgency.

“Nothing is more important than the prince’s studies. Master Yan is teaching inside,” Bai He said firmly. “And keep your voice down—if you disturb the prince, the empress won’t let it slide.”

Hearing this, Zhao Yuan Kai opened his mouth but finally settled down quietly to wait.

Restless, Zhao Yuan Kai wanted to peek inside, but seeing Bai He standing guard, he dared not speak further.

Since Li Tai had arrived, Master Yan Qinli had also come along to teach. Though Li Tai was focused on artificial incubation, he still made time to study. Master Yan basically held lessons for Li Tai throughout the day.

Half an hour later, a refined middle-aged scholar holding a scroll of the Spring and Autumn Annals emerged from the room. The two exchanged glances. Yan Qinli bowed to Zhao Yuan Kai but said nothing, then left.

“Minister Zhao, the prince requests your presence,” Bai He said, somewhat surprised.

Zhao Yuan Kai wasted no time. He entered the room and handed Li Tai the invitation.

“Prince of Yue, Dou Jing has sent us an invitation to witness the Locust God invitation ceremony,” he said.

“Oh?” Li Tai took the invitation and glanced at it. It indeed invited him and Zhao Yuan Kai to the ceremony.

Li Tai smiled calmly. “In three days, then. We shall attend.”

“Really going?” Zhao Yuan Kai looked uneasy.

Li Tai glanced at him, puzzled by his fear.

Then he recalled that although Zhao Yuan Kai was capable, he was known for corruption and bribery, a man with a tainted reputation. In his past, to satisfy Yang Guang’s desires, he had engaged in extortion and flattery to thrive in the Sui dynasty.

If he had a thick skin and a ruthless heart, it would be one thing, but Zhao Yuan Kai was thin-skinned and easily shaken by criticism. Facing an upright official like Dou Jing, he often felt insecure and conflicted.

Under Emperor Li Yuan, things were tolerable, not much different from the Sui. But under Emperor Li Shimin, who was a wise ruler, Zhao Yuan Kai found himself at a loss, unsure how to be a good official.

“A gentleman harmonizes without uniformity. Though Dou Jing and I take different paths, we both must contribute to the fight against the locust plague. In that spirit, how could we refuse Dou Jing’s invitation?” Li Tai said confidently.

Zhao Yuan Kai admired the boy’s composure and orderliness in handling matters despite his youth.

Collecting himself, he said earnestly, “Then we shall attend the banquet in three days.”

“Let’s not worry about how Dou Jing will conduct the ritual. How is the progress on the incubation?” Li Tai asked.

“There has been considerable progress over the past days. Not only are more blood-spotted eggs appearing, but some duck eggs even show double images through the shells. Officials at the Ministry of Agriculture say that with continued efforts, hatching could occur within one or two days at the earliest, or four or five days at the latest,” Zhao Yuan Kai said excitedly, knowing his career depended on this success.

Li Tai nodded, unsurprised by the progress. With the right direction and continuous trials, success was inevitable. The craftsmen’s skill far exceeded Li Tai’s expectations.

In an era without thermometers, they discerned the proper incubation temperature through skin contact with the incubators. Once determined, they could consistently reproduce incubators within a narrow temperature range, enabling mass production—a truly astonishing feat that made Li Tai’s plans feasible.

Frankly, Li Tai was patient, methodically advancing step by step. As for the Locust God ceremony, he regarded it as little more than a festival. If such rituals could truly solve locust disasters, such plagues would not have remained one of the greatest natural calamities in China.

“Now we wait patiently for the duck eggs to hatch, for artificial incubation to be realized,” Li Tai said confidently.

Time passed quickly. On the third day, some eggs showed signs of movement inside, though not yet cracked. The life stirring within filled everyone with hope.

Li Tai and Zhao Yuan Kai went to the Locust God Temple as arranged.

Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture were already seated. Zhao Yuan Kai greeted his colleagues while Li Tai approached Dou Jing directly.

“Greetings, Dou Jing!” Li Tai said openly.

“Greetings, Prince of Yue! Your presence is truly unexpected,” Dou Jing said.

“Why so?” Li Tai asked, curious.

“Young men are often proud; I feared you might take offense. But you truly have a good nature,” Dou Jing replied.

“I, too, enjoy lively occasions. Perhaps this is the last time I witness such an invitation ceremony, so I must come see it,” Li Tai responded boldly.

Though he had warned Dou Jing of a locust plague arriving in May, Dou Jing never approached him proactively. Evidently, he did not believe the words of an eight-year-old boy. Li Tai had no intention of ingratiating himself. If Dou Jing would not trust a child's locust diary, giving it to him would achieve nothing. Only when disaster struck severely would Dou Jing recognize his error, granting Li Tai a voice and status.

Dou Jing hesitated, about to speak, when the door announced:

“Li Gang, the Grand Minister; Kong Yingda, Lord of Kong County, have arrived!”

The Ministry officials stood in respect.

Kong Yingda was of little concern, their paths diverged. But Li Gang was different: a famed minister of the Sui dynasty and renowned tutor of crown princes, having educated Yang Yong and Li Jiancheng. Twice, he distanced himself before the princes fell, escaping unscathed.

Now in his eighties, Li Gang’s prestige remained high among ministers.

“Li Gang is here? Prince of Yue, please be seated. I will return shortly,” Dou Jing said, startled but resolute, excusing himself to greet Li Gang. Having him at the ceremony was a great honor.

Li Tai smiled, glancing toward Li Gang.

He knew a little about Li Gang, having come across a Tang dynasty figure of the same name in research—nicknamed the “Prince Slayer,” as all princes he tutored met tragic ends.

Currently, he oversaw Yang Yong and Li Jiancheng; later he would tutor Li Chengqian, though too old to see through Li Chengqian’s deposition, which was ultimately due to rebellion.

Li Tai mused, “Li Gang always seems to bring misfortune. Best to sit quietly and avoid bad luck.”

But Li Tai’s hope to avoid Li Gang was futile. Though just a child, as Prince of Yue he held the highest rank present. Both Li Gang and Kong Yingda, men of etiquette, would naturally come to pay respects.

In many gatherings, higher-ranked attendees arrived late to avoid the tedious greetings that early arrivals must endure.

Neither Li Gang nor Kong Yingda expected Dou Jing to invite Li Tai. To most, Dou Jing and Li Tai were not exactly adversaries, but their political views differed.

Thus, this invitation ceremony would not normally include Li Tai. But since he was here, they naturally approached him.

Li Gang saw Li Tai.

Li Tai crossed his hands with palms inward and bowed. “Greetings, Grand Minister Li.”

“You truly are a youthful prodigy,” Li Gang responded with a bow.

“Locust plagues ravage the land, but I have heard of your generosity in donating funds. With a wise emperor and benevolent prince, we shall surely overcome this disaster and bring peace to the people,” Li Gang said.

“Grand Minister Li is too kind,” Li Tai smiled.

“Prince of Yue is still young and may not yet deserve the title of ‘benevolent prince,’” Kong Yingda frowned.

“Indeed he does!” Li Gang said slowly. “A benevolent prince is one in the heart, not merely in name. Prince of Yue has donated 160 gold taels for the locust disaster. Who else has shown such concrete commitment? This is genuine goodwill!”

Kong Yingda frowned further. Though uneasy with Li Tai and somewhat resistant, he dismissed the eight-year-old with cold indifference.

Yet Li Gang’s praise unsettled him. Could an eight-year-old truly bear the title of benevolent prince? More importantly, if Li Tai became known as such, he would stand out among Emperor Li Shimin’s sons, especially against Crown Prince Li Chengqian. This might risk a repeat of the bloody Xuanwu Gate incident.

Kong Yingda was unsure if Li Gang meant this intentionally or inadvertently, but regardless, accepting this title could sow future discord.

Li Tai, hearing Li Gang’s words, boldly licked his lips. “I only wish to ease Father’s burdens. It is not worth mentioning. But since Grand Minister Li so praises me... Minister Zhao, does the Ministry have paper and ink? Let Grand Minister Li leave a calligraphy of ‘Benevolent Prince!’”

“Yes, yes!” Zhao Yuan Kai, expecting only to watch, suddenly found himself called upon. He hastened to prepare ink and paper, placing them before Li Gang with earnestness. “Please, Grand Minister Li, grant us your calligraphy!”

“Minister Zhao is quick to act!” Li Gang twitched, thinking he had only complimented Li Tai, not expected to produce calligraphy. He feared becoming, like Zhao Yuan Kai, a sycophant.

But faced with Li Tai’s shamelessness, he could not escape.

At that moment, Dou Jing intervened. Though he disapproved of Li Gang’s praise of Li Tai as benevolent prince, allowing the calligraphy might create future hazards for the Tang court.

“Everyone, please wait. The auspicious hour has arrived. Let us begin the Locust God invitation,” Dou Jing said.

Li Gang took the cue to decline. Li Tai felt regretful, thinking the calligraphy must be made up for later.

Though he found Li Gang unlucky, if he joined his side, Li Tai would be pleased. After all, it’s good fortune in disguise.

Everyone took their seats, and the ceremony formally began.

The ritual resembled a city god festival: villagers carried the Locust God statue along a set route. There were music and performances, culminating with the piercing notes of suona horns. The lively sounds stirred hope that the Locust God’s blessing would protect the land and keep locusts at bay.

Dou Jing observed the bustling ceremony, hoping the plague would cease.

No one expected, at that moment, the sky to grow a murky yellow, as if a great hand poured down from above.

With it came the unmistakable drone of locusts.

As Li Tai had predicted, the May locust plague arrived on schedule, cruelly coinciding with the invitation ceremony, ravaging the outskirts of Chang’an once again.

At that instant, Dou Jing stared at the yellowed sky, collapsing to the ground, his composure shattered, his face a mask of despair.

(End of chapter)