<p>When Mazu was twenty - one years old, there was a severe drought in Putian. The mountains were parched and the rivers dried up, leaving the farmers in a difficult situation. All the elders in the county said, "No one but Mazu can relieve this disaster!" So the county magistrate visited Mazu and asked her to pray for rain. Mazu went to pray and predicted that it would rain at the Shen hour (3 - 5 p.m.) on the Renzi day. When the appointed time came, it was already noon. The sun was blazing in the sky, and there was not a single cloud. The county magistrate said, "Mazu may not be worthy of being called a deity!" Before long, dark clouds gathered from all directions, and the sweet rain began to fall. The water on the ground was three feet deep, and in autumn, there was a good harvest instead. On the days when the various village communities held sacrificial ceremonies to thank the gods, people cheered and prostrated themselves in worship, praising Mazu's incredible merits and virtues.</p>