Calamity or misfortune strikes unexpectedly; an unforeseen disaster or adversity.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Antonym:
Story:
During the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Yizong's beloved daughter, Princess Tongchang, passed away after failing to recover from an illness despite extensive medical treatment.
In his grief and anger, the emperor blamed the imperial physicians, particularly Han Zongzhao and Kang Zhongyin. He accused them of 'ineffective medication' and had them, along with over 300 members of their two families, imprisoned.
Liu Zhan, who served as both prime minister and vice minister of the Ministry of Justice, courageously submitted a memorial advising the emperor against such harsh punishment. He argued that the physicians had done their utmost.
The court and the public widely viewed this incident as a calamity striking from the heavens, punishing innocent people for no fault of their own. As a consequence of his remonstrance, Liu Zhan was demoted and exiled to serve as the prefect of Kangzhou.