Wong Tai Sin Sign 69 · The Magistrate and the Crocodiles

This story comes from Tang dynasty China and tells of Han Yu, a scholar-official known for his moral integrity. When he was appointed magistrate to Chaozhou in southern China, the region was plagued by man-eating crocodiles in the Han River. The local people lived in terror, unable to fish or farm safely near the water. Instead of sending soldiers or hiring hunters, Han Yu took an unusual approach. He wrote a formal proclamation to the crocodiles themselves, reading it aloud at the riverbank. In this document, he politely but firmly ordered them to leave within seven days, threatening divine punishment if they refused. Remarkably, the crocodiles disappeared. Whether through coincidence, seasonal migration, or the power of sincere leadership, Han Yu's moral authority seemed to tame even nature's dangers. This became a legendary example of how righteous governance and genuine care for people can overcome seemingly impossible challenges.