Abstract: The policy of Tuntian was a serious burden for people in Xiangxi in late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China,and impacted deeply on local people’s daily life in their praying for rain and good harvest.After the launch of the policy,the worship for White Heavenly Kings and the stories about them gradually shifted from judgment to praying for rain,which reflected a desire of the officer and local people for good harvest under the serious pressure of the policy.

Key words: Xiangxi, the policy of the Tuntian, White Heavenly Kings, praying for rain, story