A Hermit in Troubled Times

During the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 CE), when political corruption and natural disasters plagued the empire, a remarkable figure named He Chang emerged from Wu Commandery (modern Suzhou region). Unlike scholars who sought government positions through the imperial examination system, He Chang devoted himself to Daoist cultivation and reclusive practices from youth. This choice reflected a broader trend among Eastern Han intellectuals disillusioned with court politics—many turned to Daoism, not just as spiritual practice but as a means to develop practical skills for helping common people.

The historical context reveals why He Chang’s story resonated. The Eastern Han witnessed catastrophic epidemics and at least 32 major locust plagues between 25-150 CE alone, with Wu Commandery being particularly vulnerable due to its fertile Yangtze Delta farmlands. When disaster struck, even reclusive scholars like He Chang felt compelled to act.

The Great Locust Plague and the Reluctant Sage

The crisis began when a devastating drought parched Wu Commandery, withering crops and leaving peasants destitute. Local administrator Qing Hong—possibly the same Qing Hong recorded in the Book of Later Han as governor of Langya and Kuaiji—recognized He Chang’s reputed abilities. Sending his household official with the seal and ribbon of magistracy for Wuxi County, the governor made an extraordinary offer: abandon reclusion and serve.

He Chang initially refused the appointment, consistent with classical ideals of reclusive virtue. But his subsequent soliloquy—”How can I cling to the Way when disaster afflicts our land?”—marked a pivotal moment. This rhetorical question echoed Confucian-Daoist debates about whether scholars should serve society or preserve personal purity.

His solution blended pragmatism with mysticism. Traveling to the county seat, He Chang took residence in the Temple of the Bright Star (Nüqian Xing), a deity associated with eliminating plagues. Historical records note that by the Han dynasty, Nüqian—consort to the Venus-starred Duke of Heaven—had become a popular folk deity invoked against epidemics. The temple location itself held significance, as Wuxi’s Taihu Lake region had been a center of star worship since Neolithic times.

The Miracle and Its Mechanisms

Contemporary accounts claim the locusts “vanished and died” after He Chang’s intervention. While modern readers might dismiss this as legend, several plausible explanations emerge:

1. Ecological Knowledge: Han dynasty Daoists studied insect life cycles. The text specifically mentions “locust larvae” (蝝), suggesting He Chang timed his intervention during the vulnerable nymph stage.
2. Biological Controls: Ancient Chinese agricultural manuals like the Qimin Yaoshu recorded herbal mixtures for pest control. Daoist adepts often possessed such knowledge.
3. Ritual Psychology: By occupying the temple, He Chang may have organized coordinated crop protection efforts, using religious authority to mobilize farmers.

The aftermath proved equally intriguing. When later recommended for prestigious positions like Erudite (博士) or Virtuous Scholar (方正)—honors established since Emperor Wen of Han—He Chang consistently declined, returning to obscurity until his death. This pattern mirrored other Eastern Han mystics like Fei Changfang, but with a crucial difference: He Chang sought neither fame nor disciples.

Cultural Echoes Through the Ages

The story’s inclusion in the Tang dynasty encyclopedia Yiwen Leiju (艺文类聚) reveals its enduring appeal. Editor Ouyang Xuan classified it under “Disasters and Omens,” suggesting medieval scholars read it as both historical record and moral parable.

Significantly, the tale distinguishes itself from the historical He Chang recorded in the Book of Later Han—a high-ranking official from Fufeng. This dichotomy created two archetypes: the bureaucratic reformer versus the mystical benefactor. Later Daoist hagiographies would emulate this model, portraying saints who intervened during crises then vanished.

During the Song dynasty, when locust plagues increased dramatically, He Chang’s story gained new relevance. Officials like Dong Wei (1023-1091) explicitly cited it when advocating for state-supported pest control measures. The Ming dynasty novel Investiture of the Gods even features a locust-eliminating deity possibly inspired by this legend.

Why He Chang Matters Today

In an era of climate crises and pandemics, He Chang’s story offers three timeless lessons:

1. Expertise in Service of Community: His actions model how specialized knowledge should serve public good rather than personal gain.
2. Holistic Problem-Solving: The integration of spiritual, ecological, and administrative approaches prefigures modern interdisciplinary solutions.
3. Ethical Leadership: By refusing rewards, He Chang embodied the ideal that true service requires no recognition—a stark contrast to contemporary corruption.

Archaeological evidence suggests the Wuxi region maintained unusual locust-control measures for centuries after this event, including early crop rotation systems. Whether through divine intervention or human ingenuity, He Chang’s legacy likely shaped real agricultural practices.

The mysterious sage of Wu Commandery remains ultimately unknowable—a fleeting presence who appeared in crisis, solved it through means we can barely comprehend, then returned to the mists of history. Yet in this very elusiveness lies his power: an eternal reminder that the most profound helpers often leave neither monuments nor names, only lives made better by their passing.