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卷十三 志第三 天文下

Volume 13 Treatises 3: Astronomy Part Three

Chapter 13 of 晉書 · Book of Jin
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The Moon and the Five Planets Transgressing the Lodges and Classical Stars, with Supplementary Notes on Celestial Portents.
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On guimao in the third month of Huangchu 4 under Emperor Wen of Wei (Cao Pi), the moon occulted Antares, the bright star of the Heart mansion. The prognostication reads: “The Heart asterism marks Heaven’s throne—sovereigns dread such a sign.” In the sixth month, on jiashen, Venus appeared in broad daylight. Examining Liu Xiang’s Treatise on the Five Regulators, it says, "Venus is Lesser Yin; being weak, it cannot travel independently. Therefore it takes jiwei as the boundary and may not cross the sky in its course. If it crosses the sky, then it appears by day; its prognostication is war and mourning, disloyal ministers, and a changed king; strong states become weak, and small states become strong." Sun Quan had accepted Wei’s patent of nobility yet still mobilized armies and stood on the defensive. In the twelfth month, on bingzi, the moon again crossed Antares in the Heart. The diviners cited the same gloss as above. In the tenth month of Huangchu 5, on yimao, Venus appeared in daylight. The prognostication matched the foregoing. Jupiter also entered the Supreme Palace and traced a retrograde arc, lingering one hundred forty-nine days before departing. The gloss runs: “If the five planets enter the Supreme Palace from the right and remain upward of thirty days, the sovereign faces grave distress.” A variant reading adds: “A general amnesty is coming.” In the fifth month of the seventh year the emperor died; Emperor Ming took the throne and issued an empire-wide amnesty. On renxu in the fifth month of the sixth year Mars entered the Supreme Palace; by renshen it had closed with Jupiter, both crossing the Right Enforcer asterism, and they exited on guiyou. The interpretation states: “Remaining from the right beyond thirty days brings great sorrow to the sovereign.” It also said, "When the moon or the five planets trespass against the Left or Right Enforcer, great ministers will have anxiety." A further gloss adds that “execution reaches the officials who ‘enforce the law,’ worst when Venus or Mars is involved.” That November Prince Jian of Dongwuyang passed away. The following first month General of Agile Cavalry Cao Hong was stripped of rank and reduced to common status. In the fourth month Xiahou Shang, general who conquered the south, died. In the fifth month the emperor died. The Records of Shu says that Emperor Ming asked Huang Quan, "With the realm standing like a tripod, which land is legitimate?" Quan replied, "It should be verified by celestial patterns. Formerly Mars guarded Heart and Emperor Wen collapsed, while Wu and Shu had no incident; this is the proof." Scrutiny shows none of the Three Kingdoms annals records Mars ‘stationing at the Heart’; the event was probably entry into the Supreme Palace. That August Wu besieged Jiangxia and struck Xiangyang; Grand Marshal Xuandi (Sima Yi) rescued Xiangyang and slew Wu generals such as Zhang Ba, matching the omens of war, mourning, and shifting sovereignty.
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In Taihe 5 under Emperor Ming, the fifth month, Mars crossed the Room mansion. The prognostication said, "The four stars of Room are the positions of the arm-and-leg ministers, generals, and chancellors; when the moon or the five planets trespass against or guard them, generals and chancellors will have anxiety." In the seventh month General of Chariots and Cavalry Zhang He pursued Zhuge Liang and fell to Shu’s army. That December Grand Commandant Hua Xin died. On yiyou in the eleventh month the moon crossed Regulus, the great star of the Chariot Shaft. The prognostication said, "The female ruler will have anxiety." On yihai in the third month of the sixth year the moon repeated its transit across Regulus. On the yin day of the eleventh month Venus blazed by day within the Southern Dipper and remained visible more than eighty days running. The prognostication said, "Wu will have war." The following year Sun Quan dispatched Zhang Mi and others with ten thousand men to seal Gongsun Yuan as King of Yan; Yuan slew the envoys and impressed their troops. In Qinglong 3’s first month Empress Dowager Guo passed away.
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輿 輿 殿 使西
On xinmao in the third month of Qinglong 3 the moon crossed the Ghosts mansion. Astrologers assign executions and slaughter to the Ghosts asterism. The prognostication said, "Many people will be ill, and the state will have anxiety." It also said, "Great ministers will have anxiety." Pestilence swept that summer and winter. In the fifth month of the fourth year Minister of Education Dong Zhao died. On dinghai that fifth month Venus stayed visible in daylight for over thirty days. Shadow-measurement placed the sign either with Qin-Wei or with the old Chu domain. Zhuge Liang was entrenched south of the Wei as Xuandi faced him in stalemate; Sun Quan struck at Hefei and dispatched Bi Yi, Sun Shao, and others along the Huai and Han; the emperor personally led the eastern expedition. Because Shu occupied the heartland of ancient Qin, the portent manifested as simultaneous campaigning across the Qin, Wei, and Chu theaters. On jisi in the seventh month the moon crossed the Key-and-Bolt asterism. The prognostication said, "There will be fire disaster." In the seventh month of the third year Chonghua Hall caught fire. On dingwei in the sixth month of the third year Saturn crossed the battle-axe stars attached to the Well. On wuxu Venus likewise crossed those stars. The prognostication said, "Whenever the moon or five planets trespass against the Well Axe, all of it means military disaster." One reading said, "Axes of punishment will be used, and great ministers will be executed." On jichou in the seventh month Saturn crossed the separator stars of the Eastern Well. The prognostication said, "When Saturn enters Well, great men will have anxiety." Passing near the separator stars is termed moving along the yin track. Its prognostication said, "There will be great flood, and the five grains will not ripen." The summer of Jingchu 1 brought floods that ruined the harvest. On renshen in the tenth month Venus shone by day in the Tail for over two hundred successive daylight apparitions. The prognostication said, "Tail is Yan; there will be war." On wuchen in the twelfth month the moon crossed Hook-and-Hasp by the Heart. The prognostication said, "The king will have anxiety." On jisi in the intercalary first month of the fourth year Saturn again crossed the Well’s axe. On guimao in the third month Saturn entered the Eastern Well. On jisi Venus and the Moon shone with compounded brilliance and were visible in daylight. On renyin in the fifth month Venus crossed the first star on the Net’s left leg. The prognostication said, "Net means frontier troops, and it also governs punishments." That autumn tribes beyond Liangzhou sent the envoy Abi Shi to raid the oasis kingdoms; Western Regions commandant Zhang Jiu crushed them, taking tens of thousands of heads and captives. On jiayin in the seventh month Venus crossed Regulus. The prognostication said, "The female ruler will have anxiety." In Jingchu 1 Empress Mao passed away.
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On yiyou in the second month of Jingchu 1 the moon crossed the second star of Room. The prognostication said, "The general will have anxiety." That seventh month Minister of Education Chen Jiao died. In the fourth month of the second year Minister of Education Han Ji died. On xinmao in the seventh month Venus stayed up by daylight for more than two hundred eighty days. Gongsun Yuan had enthroned himself in Yan, set up an entire court, and armed the borders until Xuandi’s expedition annihilated him. On jichou in the second month the moon crossed both the Heart’s separator stars and its central luminary. On yihai in the fifth month the moon repeated those transits. Examining the prognostication, it said, "The king hates it. If it trespasses against the front star, the crown prince will have anxiety." The emperor died in the third year’s first month. The new sovereign was enthroned yet promptly cast aside. On wuwu in the tenth month the moon crossed the Winnowing Basket. The prognostication said, "The general will die." General of Chariots and Cavalry Huang Quan died in the fourth month of Zhengshi 1. On guichou in the intercalary eleventh month the moon crossed the Heart’s central star.
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西 輿西 西 滿 殿 宿
On wuwu in the fourth month of Zhengshi 1 the moon clipped the easternmost star of the Hairy Head. On gengyin in the tenth month the moon transited both the Hairy Head and four stars of the Northern Dipper. The prognostication said, "When the moon trespasses against Mao, the Hu will be unsettled." In the second year’s sixth month Xianbei bands led by Amiao’er struck the western marches; Dunhuang prefect Wang Yan routed them, claiming over twenty thousand heads. The third year saw another victory that took the Xianbei commander’s head plus more than a thousand others. On guiyou in the second year’s ninth month the moon crossed the Ghosts’ northwest star. On dingwei in the third year’s second month it struck the Ghosts’ southwest star. The prognostication said, "There will be a money ordinance." A variant gloss adds: “High ministers face peril.” Grand Commandant Man Chong died in the third month of the third year. The fourth year’s first month saw the emperor’s capping ceremony and graded cash gifts to his officials. During the fourth year’s tenth and eleventh months the moon crossed the Well’s axe twice. That month Xuandi attacked Zhuge Ke, who deserted his walls and ran. Cao Shuang led a Shu expedition in the fifth year’s second month. On guisi in the fifth year’s eleventh month Saturn crossed the Neck’s separator stars. The prognostication said, "Among the feudal lords there will be one who loses his state." On dingchou in the seventh year’s seventh month the moon crossed the Horn’s left horn-star. The prognostication said, "There will be war under Heaven, and the Left General will die." On yihai in the seventh month Mars crossed the Net’s separator star. The prognostication reads: "There will be frontier troops." One reading said, "Punishments will be used." On xinhai in the ninth year’s first month the moon crossed the Neck’s southern star. The prognostication said, "War will arise." One reading said, "The general will die." On guichou in the seventh month Saturn crossed Key-and-Bolt. The prognostication said, "The king should not leave the palace or descend from the hall." Jiaping 1 saw the emperor tend the tombs while Xuandi procured orders to purge Cao Shuang’s faction. Forced to camp outside the capital, the emperor forfeited real power.
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輿
On renxu in Jiaping 1’s sixth month Venus crossed the Eastern Well’s separator stars. The prognostication said, "The state loses its government, and great ministers make disorder." On xinsi in the fourth month Venus entered the Ghosts. The prognostication said, "Great ministers will be executed." One reading said, "War will arise." On jiwei in the second year’s third month Venus repeated its crossing of the Well’s separator stars. In the third year’s third month Wang Ling and Prince Biao of Chu were exposed and killed for plotting, humbling the throne.
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During Wu’s Chiwu 13, fifth summer month, at the summer solstice Mars retrograded into the Southern Dipper. That autumn, seventh month, it crossed the Dipper’s third “handle” star and continued east. The Han-Jin Chunqiu says, "It moved retrograde." Examining the prognostication, it said, "When Mars enters Southern Dipper, within three months the king of Wu will die." One reading said, "When Mars moves retrograde, the land beneath it will have a dead ruler." Sun Quan died in Taiyuan 2, matching the omen, which is why the Wu annals preserve the entry. At this time Wang Ling, plotting to establish Prince Biao of Chu, said, "There is a star in the Dipper; there should be one who suddenly becomes noble," and asked the star-knower Hao Xiang about it. Xiang suspected there was a reason, and wishing to please him, did not say that Wu would have death and mourning, but said, "Huainan is the allotment of Chu; Wu and Chu share the same prognostication, so there should be a king who rises." Thus Ling’s plan was settled.
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輿 輿 西 西
On bingshen in Jiaping 2’s twelfth month the moon crossed the Ghosts. On wuyin in the third year’s fourth month the moon entered the Eastern Well. On jiayin in the fifth month the moon crossed the Neck’s separator stars. The prognostication said, "The general will die." One reading said, "It means war." That month Wang Ling, Prince Biao, and associates were put to death. Empress Dowager Zhen died in the seventh month. Wu raiders struck in the fourth year’s third month until Zhuge Dan, general who guards the east, drove them off. On jisi that seventh month the moon crossed the Ghosts again. On yisi in the ninth month it repeated the transit. On guiwei in the tenth month Mars crossed the Neck’s southern star. The prognostication said, "The ministers will have disorder." On dingwei in the fourth year’s eleventh month the moon crossed the Ghosts’ ‘piled corpses’ stars. On wuwu in the fifth year’s sixth month Venus crossed the Horn. The prognostication said, "The assembled ministers have a plot, but it does not succeed." On gengchen the moon crossed the Winnowing Basket. The prognostication said, "The general will die." That seventh month the moon crossed the Well’s axe. On bingwu the moon repeated its strike on the Ghosts’ northwest star. The prognostication said, "The state will have anxiety." On guiyou in the eleventh month the moon crossed the Eastern Well’s separator stars. The prognostication said, "The general will die." Zhengyuan 1 opened with Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin’s rebellion—both forces were destroyed and the generals slain. The second month exposed Li Feng, Li Yi, Zhang Ji, and fellow conspirators, who were killed, and Empress Zhang was cast down. The ninth month reduced the emperor to Prince of Qi. Jiang Wei’s Longxi offensive failed against Guo Huai, general of chariots and cavalry.
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西
On wuwu in Zhengyuan 2’s second month Mars crossed the westernmost star on the Well’s northern pole. On yimao in the first year of Ganlu’s seventh month Mars crossed the Eastern Well’s axe star. On renxu the moon repeated the axe transit. On xinhai in the eighth month the moon crossed the Winnowing Basket.
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The Wu Treatise entry for Taiping 1, ninth month renchen under Sun Liang records Venus crossing the Southern Dipper. The prognostication said, "When Venus trespasses against Dipper, the state will have war, and among the great ministers there will be one who rebels." Zhuge Dan rose in rebellion the following year. Sun Lin removed Sun Liang the year after. Both Wu and Wei knew martial crises.
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輿 輿
On dingsi in the first year of Ganlu’s ninth month the moon entered the Eastern Well. On jiyou in the second year’s sixth month the moon crossed the Heart’s central star. On renzi in the eighth month Jupiter crossed the Well’s axe. Jupiter then retrograded onto the battle-axe stars. On bingyin in the tenth month Venus crossed the Neck’s separator stars. The prognostication said, "A rebellious minister will make disorder, and the ruler of men will have anxiety." Jingyuan 1’s fifth month brought the Chen Ji incident and Zhuge Dan’s destruction, matching the signs. On gengzi in the second year’s third month Venus entered the Eastern Well. The prognostication said, "The state loses its government, and great ministers make disorder." That same night Jupiter repeated its entry into the Eastern Well. The prognostication said, "War will arise." By Jingyuan 1 the reign of the Duke of Gaoguixiang ended in ruin. On renchen in the third year’s eighth month Jupiter crossed the Ghosts’ execution stars. The prognostication said, "The axe and execution block will be used, and great ministers will be executed." On jiashen in the fourth year’s fourth month Jupiter struck the Ghosts’ southeast star. The prognostication said, "The southeast star of Ghosts governs war; when Jupiter enters Ghosts, great ministers will be executed." Jingyuan 1 saw Minister Secretary Wang Jing executed.
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Emperor Yuan’s Jingyuan 1, second month, the moon crossed the Establishment asterism. Examining the prognostication, it said, "When the moon or five planets trespass against the Establishment Stars, great ministers slander one another." Zhong Hui and Deng Ai then destroyed Shu, after which Hui framed Deng Ai. The second year’s fourth month brought Mars into the Supreme Palace across the Right Enforcer. The prognostication said, "The ruler of men will have great anxiety." One version said, "Great ministers will have anxiety." The fourth year’s tenth month saw Jupiter station in the Room. The prognostication said, "Generals and chancellors will have anxiety." One version said, "There will be a great amnesty." The following year Deng Ai and Zhong Hui’s lineages were wiped out while conquered Shu received clemency. The fifth year witnessed the emperor’s abdication.
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西
Emperor Wu’s Xianning 4 ninth month should have shown Venus at dawn yet the planet stayed hidden. The gloss calls it ‘abandoning its station’: expect either a shattered army or a fallen dynasty. Yang Hu tabled a plan to invade Wu and the throne gave its assent. That November the armies advanced while Venus made its first evening appearance in the west. Taikang 1’s third month shattered Wu’s forces; Sun Hao came bound in surrender and Wu collapsed.
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Taikang 8’s third month saw Mars lodge upon Antares. The prognostication said, "The king hates it." The emperor died on yiyou in Tixi 1’s fourth month.
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Emperor Hui’s Yuan-kang 3 fourth month held Mars sixty days inside the Supreme Palace. The prognostication said, "Feudal lords and the Three Dukes plot against their superior; there will certainly be ministers who are beheaded." One reading said, "The Son of Heaven loses the state." The same spring Venus lodged in the Net for over a hundred days. The prognostication said, "There will be anxiety from urgent ordinances." One reading said, "The chancellor will die." It further signals disturbed borders. Empress Jia later destroyed the crown prince by false accusation. On yiwei in the ninth year’s sixth month Venus appeared by daylight. The ninth year’s sixth month again placed Mars on the Heart. The prognostication said, "The king hates it." That August Mars entered the imperial guard stars. The prognostication said, "The palace troops will greatly rise." The emperor was soon reduced to Retired Emperor; then the three princes rose against Sima Lun, who threw the central corps against them for months.
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西
Yongkang 1’s third month saw the asterism of the high ministers fracture while Venus shone in daylight. The prognostication said, "When the Terrace Stars lose their norm, the Three Dukes will have anxiety. When Venus appears by day, it means disloyal ministers." That month Empress Jia slew the heir; Sima Lun rapidly ousted and killed her and executed Zhang Hua. The fifth month brought Mars into the Southern Dipper. The prognostication said, "The chancellor will die, and war will greatly arise. Dipper is also Wu’s allotment." Sima Lun held the premiership, seized the throne the following year, then fell to princely coalitions. Tai’an 2 saw Shi Bing overrun Yangzhou. That August Mars entered the Winnowing Basket. The prognostication said, "The ruler of men loses his position, and war arises." The following year Sima Lun seized the throne and altered the reign title. The second year’s second month brought Venus out in the west, retrograding into the Eastern Well. The prognostication said, "The state loses its government, and great ministers make disorder." Prince Qi’s coalition destroyed Lun, yet Jiong quartered troops outside the capital, ruled tyrannically, and was killed the next year.
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輿
From New Year through the leap month of Yongning 1 every planet transited the zenith by day, zigzagging without pattern. The Star Canon said, "The sun is yang and is the ruler’s way; stars are yin and are the minister’s way. When the sun comes out, the stars disappear; ministers may not act independently. When stars are visible above noon in daytime, this is crossing the sky; its prognostication is disloyal ministers and a changed king." Never had all five planets simultaneously transited the daytime sky. Shi’s explanation said, "When Mercury appears by day, that state, if it does not perish, will be in great disorder." Later Three Dukes and provincial governors wrested authority; two sovereigns fled; six successive alien regimes partitioned China—again without precedent in the records. The fourth month showed Jupiter in daylight. May brought Venus out at noon. The gloss matched earlier entries. July stationed Jupiter over Emptiness and Rooftop. The prognostication said, "When Jupiter guards Emptiness and Rooftop, there will be anxiety over war. Emptiness and Rooftop are the allotment of Qi." One reading said, "Guarding Emptiness means famine; guarding Rooftop means corvee labor is troublesome and excessive, and those below are bent and exhausted." When Mercury entered the Supreme Palace, the prognostication said, "It means internal disorder"; one reading said, "The assembled ministers kill one another." When Venus guarded the Right Gate of the Palace Wing, the prognostication said, "It means war, disorder, and banditry." In the eighth month, wuwu, Saturn trespassed against the Left Enforcer and also against the Upper Minister; the prognostication said, "The Upper Minister will have anxiety." Mars guarded Mao; the prognostication said, "Zhao and Wei will have disaster." Mercury guarded Carriage Ghosts; the prognostication said, "Qin will have disaster." September dingwei brought a lunar transit of the Horn’s left spike. The prognostication said, "The ruler of men will have anxiety." One reading said, "The Left Guard General will die, and there will be war under Heaven." Second year fourth month guiyou showed Jupiter by daylight. The prognostication said, "It means ministers are strong." After securing Luoyang Prince Qi remained as regent and slid into heedless arrogance. Chengdu and Hejian called on Prince Changsha to attack Qi; their forces fought through the palace, torched the halls, and annihilated Jiong. More than twenty were put to death with Jiong’s elder brother, General of the Upper Army Shi. Tai’an 2’s Chengdu–Changsha war emptied granaries and broke the commoners.
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輿
Tai’an 2’s second month saw Venus enter the Hairy Head. The prognostication said, "All under Heaven will be disturbed, and war will greatly arise." July brought Mars into the Eastern Well. The prognostication said, "War will arise, and the state will be in disorder." That autumn Venus stationed on the Upper First Minister star. The prognostication said, "The supreme general will perish through war." Winter saw Chengdu and Hejian strike the capital. Prince Changsha escorted the emperor out to face the allied armies. Third year’s first month Sima Yue arrested Prince Changsha; Zhang Fang killed him. Third year’s first month Mars entered the Dipper with the same gloss recorded under Yongkang. July saw Chen Zhen march the emperor west against Chengdu; the imperial hosts collapsed and threatened the sovereign’s train. Rebels erupted empire-wide, Zhang Chang foremost.
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西
Yongxing 1’s seventh month gengshen placed Venus across Horn through Tail. September brought it into the Southern Dipper. The prognostication said, "If it trespasses against Horn, there will be great battle under Heaven; if it trespasses against Neck, there will be great war, and the ruler of men will have anxiety; if it enters Room and Heart, it means war and mourning; if it trespasses against Tail and Winnowing Basket, the female ruler will have anxiety." One reading said, "All under Heaven will be in great disorder. If it enters Southern Dipper, there will be war and mourning." One reading said, "The general will make disorder. The places it trespasses against or guards are also the allotments of Yan, Yu, You, Ji, and Yang provinces." July brought the Dangyin slaughter. September Wang Jun slew He Yan, stormed Ye, and turned Yan-Yu into battle highways. Chen Min next seized the southeast. Liu Yuan, Shi Le, Li Xiong, and peers climbed from obscurity to hold regional sway. Empress Yang suffered repeated deposition and house arrest. Each event answered the omens. Second year fourth month bingzi saw Venus cross the Wolf. The prognostication said, "Great war will arise." September stationed Jupiter on the Eastern Well. The prognostication said, "There will be war, and Well is also Qin’s allotment." That year Gou Xi broke Gongshi Fan, Zhang Fang routed Prince Fanyang, western columns trapped Prince Hejian until he fled and Sima Yue killed him.
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Guangxi 1’s fourth month showed Venus erratic, sliding from Wings down to Tail. The prognostication said, "When Venus loses its course and goes north, this is called reverse generation. If there is not an army destroyed, there will certainly be a city slaughtered." May brought Ji Sang’s assault on Ye—Feng Song met disaster, Sima Teng died, ten thousand fell, and Wei’s old palaces burned bare. On dingwei in the ninth month Mars lodged on Antares. The prognostication said, "The king hates it." On jihai Saturn stationed across Room and Heart. The prognostication said, "When Saturn guards Room, there will be many calamities and mournings; when it guards Heart, the state will have internal disorder, and all under Heaven will receive amnesty." Sima Yue’s tyranny ended in destruction, matching the inner turmoil reading. November brought the emperor’s death; Emperor Huai mounted the throne with a universal amnesty.
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宿 輿
Yongjia 1’s twelfth month dinghai saw meteors streak as if lightning shattered. Liu Xiang teaches that stellar officers mirror titled ministers; countless faint stars stand for commoners. Thus the sky foretells bureaucrats and masses fleeing. Empire-wide collapse followed—nobles and peasants alike were uprooted and slain. January gengwu Venus vanished until February gengzi dawn brought its eastern return—the ‘failed apparition’ omen cited earlier. Armies fell endlessly; the sovereign perished among barbarians and north China sank. Third year New Year’s gengzi placed Mars across the Purple Palace. The prognostication said, "There should be a king who dies in the wild, and it also means fire burning the palace." Court astronomer Gao Tang Chong urged removing the court or losing Luoyang forever. Yongjia 5’s sixth month saw Liu Yao and Wang Mi sack Luoyang, torch the halls, and drag the emperor to Pingyang. Year three kept Saturn moored in the Dipper. The prognostication said, "The state corresponding to the place where Saturn dwells for a long time will have blessing." Then Sima Rui of Langye secured the southeast. November’s tremor—Chen Zhuo read it as heaven’s aftershock. October of the fifth year lodged Mars on Antares. Sixth year sixth month dingmao brought Venus through the Supreme Palace. The prognostication said, "Troops enter the Son of Heaven’s court, and the king hates it." July brought the emperor’s death in captivity and empire-wide mourning.
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Emperor Yuan’s Taixing 1 seventh month saw Venus cross the Dipper. The prognostication said, "Wu-Yue will have war, and great men will have anxiety." Second year second month jiashen placed Mars in the Eastern Well. The prognostication said, "War will arise, and noble ministers will slaughter one another." Eighth month jimao saw Venus cross Regulus. The prognostication said, "The rear palace will have anxiety." Third year fifth month wuzi sent Venus into the Supreme Palace across the Upper First Minister. The prognostication said, "The Son of Heaven personally commands, and the supreme general is executed." September repeated Venus’ Dipper crossing. October jihai found Mars in the Well south of the Five Feudatories, tarrying a full month. The prognostication said, "If Mars guards Well for more than twenty days, great men will have anxiety. If it guards the Five Feudatories, among the feudal lords there will be those who are executed." Yongchang 1’s third month Wang Dun struck Jiankang with river armies; imperial troops collapsed leaving only contrition. Zhou Yi, Diao Xie, and Dai Ruosi died in the purge. Liu Wei escaped north. April added Prince Cheng of Qiao and Gan Zhuo to the slaughter. The intercalary December ended with the emperor’s death.
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Emperor Ming’s Taining 3 first month retrograded Mars through the Supreme Palace. The prognostication said, "It means war and mourning, and the king hates it." The intercalary eighth month killed the emperor. Two years on Su Jun torched the palace, the empress dowager died of shock, the emperor languished at Stone City, and turmoil raged until year four.
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退 輿 西
Emperor Cheng’s Xianhe 6 first month bingchen placed the moon in the Dipper. The prognostication said, "There will be war." That month Shi Le ravaged Lou and Wujin. The following year his riders looted Nansha and Haiyu. November stationed Mars on Stomach and the Hairy Head. The gloss assigns warfare to Zhao and Wei. Eighth year’s eighth month ended Shi Le; Shi Hu usurped authority. Even as both Shis claimed thrones, fate was divined from Mao, not from the palace enclosures. Eighth year third month jisi repeated the lunar Dipper entry. The gloss matched Xianhe 6. July saw Shi Le’s death while Peng Biao, Shi Sheng, and Guo Quan offered allegiance from Qiao, Chang’an, and Qinzhou. Superintendent Qiao Qiu marched to aid Peng Biao but retreated after defeat. Shi Hu and Shi Bin next crushed Sheng and Quan. July brought Mars into the Hairy Head. The prognostication said, "The Hu king will die." One reading said, "Zhao territory will have war." That month Shi Le passed and Shi Hu seized cities far and wide. August repeated the lunar transit of the Hairy Head. The prognostication said, "The Hu will be unsettled." Ninth year third month jihai brought Mars through the Ghosts’ corpse heap. The prognostication said, "War is in the northwest; there will be a lost army and a dead general." June and August repeated lunar strikes on the Hairy Head. Shi Hong nominally succeeded but Shi Hu tyrannized; November saw Hu usurp the throne and kill Hong.
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西 輿 西 輿 輿
Xiankang 1 second month jihai crossed Venus over the Hairy Head. The prognostication said, "War will arise, and in the middle of the year there will be drought." April brought Shi Hu’s thrust to Liyang, Wang Dao’s marshal baton, and garrisons on all passes. Shi Hu meanwhile tightened his siege of Xiangyang. June baked under drought. Third month bingxu placed the moon on the Hairy Head. The prognostication said, "The Hu king will die." Eighth month wuxu sent Mars into the Eastern Well. The prognostication said, "When there is no war, war arises; when there is war, war stops." November repeated a lunar Hairy Head crossing. Second year first month xinhai crossed the moon over Room’s second star. August repeated the lunar Hairy Head transit. September gengyin made Venus cross the Dipper and blaze in daylight. The prognostication said, "Dipper is the chancellor and also the allotment of Yangzhou; when Metal trespasses against it, it is the image of death and mourning. Appearing by day means disloyal ministers, and also war and mourning." Shi Hu then styled himself Heavenly King and levied seventy thousand troops. Fourth year second month Hu marched from Longxi, slew Duan Liao at Ji, failed against Murong Huang at Jicheng, lost Ma Qiu, and watched Huang execute Duan Liao. Third year seventh month jiyou crossed the moon over Room’s upper star. August brought Mars through the Ghosts’ corpse stars. Jiaxu saw a lunar Eastern Well transit. September wuzi crossed the Establishment asterism. Fourth year fourth month jisi showed Venus by daylight in the Willow. The prognostication said, "It means war and disloyal ministers." Next year Shi Hu stormed south of the Han, triggering universal mobilization. Fifth month wuxu placed Mars on the Right Enforcer. The prognostication said, "Great ministers die, and those in charge of government have anxiety." September brought another Venus transit of the Right Enforcer. Examining the prognostication, it said, "When the five planets make disasters, they are the same; Metal and Fire are especially severe." November wuzi placed Venus on Room’s upper star. The prognostication said, "The Upper Minister will have anxiety." Fifth year fourth month yiwei crossed the moon over the Net’s separator. The prognostication said, "War will arise." Seventh month jiyou repeated the lunar strike on Room’s upper star. The prognostication said, "Generals and chancellors will have anxiety." Gengshen that month ended Wang Dao; Yu Bing took regency. Grand Commandant Xi Jian died in the eighth month. Defeat at Zhu city south of the Han sent over ten thousand families fleeing. Sixth year’s first month saw Yu Liang’s death. Third month jiachen brought Mars across the Supreme Palace’s outer general. The prognostication said, "The supreme general will have anxiety." Fourth month dingchou placed Mars on the Right Enforcer. The prognostication said, "Those in charge of government will have anxiety." Sixth month yihai crossed the moon over the Herdsman’s middle star. The prognostication said, "The great general will have anxiety." Minister Secretary He Chong, holding the Enforcer portfolio and under criticism, sought transfer to Palace Secretary the next year to dodge fault. Fourth month bingwu saw Venus cross the Net’s separator. The prognostication said, "War and arms will arise." One reading said, "The female ruler will have anxiety." Sixth month yimao placed Venus on Regulus. The prognostication said, "The female ruler will have anxiety." Empress Du died in the seventh year’s third month. Seventh year third month renwu brought the moon across Room. Fourth month jichou sent Venus into the Ghosts. May showed Venus by daylight. Eighth month xinchou repeated a lunar Ghosts transit. Eighth year sixth month Mars crossed Room’s second upper star. The prognostication said, "The secondary minister will have anxiety." Eighth month renyin brought the moon across the Net. The prognostication said, "Those below trespass against those above, and war and arms arise." October the moon occulted the Net’s chief star. The gloss matched earlier entries. the second year of Jianyuan saw Yu Bing’s death. Yu Yi massed troops against Shi Hu, controlling the middle Yangzi and intimidating Jiankang.
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Emperor Kang’s first year of Jianyuan New Year renwu placed Venus in the Hairy Head. The prognostication said, "Zhao territory will have war." It also said, "War will arise under Heaven." Fourth month yiyou showed Venus by daylight. That year Shi Hu murdered Shi Sui, raided Didao, stacked troops east of Ji, and eyed Murong Huang. Year two Jupiter crossed Celestial Pass. General Who Pacifies the West Yu Yi wrote to his elder brother Bing, saying, "Jupiter trespassed against Celestial Pass; the prognostication says that passes and bridges should be divided. Recently east of the Yangzi there has been no other incident, and the river route is also not difficult, yet Shi Jilong repeatedly closed the passes for successive years and did not communicate by envoys. This is again a sign that Heaven is muddled and has no black or white." Intercalary yiyou saw Venus cross the Dipper. The prognostication said, "It means mourning, and all under Heaven receives titles and salaries." September brought the emperor’s death, the heir’s accession, amnesty, and ennoblements.
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Emperor Mu’s Yonghe 1 dingchou placed the moon in the Net. The prognostication said, "War will greatly arise." Wuyin saw a lunar transit of Celestial Pass. The prognostication said, "There will be disorderly ministers who change the Son of Heaven’s laws." Fifth month xinsi showed Venus by daylight within the Eastern Well. The prognostication said, "It means ministers are strong, and Qin will have war." Sixth month xinchou brought the moon into the Supreme Palace across the screen’s southwest star. The prognostication said, "Among the assistant ministers there will be those dismissed from office." July and August each saw lunar Net transits. The gloss matched earlier readings. Jiwei crossing of the Ghosts by the moon. The prognostication said, "Great ministers will be executed." September gengxu repeated the lunar Net crossing. Early that year Yu Yi held Xiangyang. July brought Yi’s deathbed order installing Yuanzhi at Jingzhou. Yuanzhi quickly lost his post. The following year Huan Wen invaded Shu, captured Li Shi, and shipped him east. Shu lay in ancient Qin’s heartland. Second year second month renzi crossed Room’s upper star. Fourth month bingxu repeated the lunar strike on Room’s upper star. Eighth month renshen placed Venus on the Left Enforcer. Third year New Year renwu crossed the Dipper’s fifth star. The prognostication said, "The general will die, and close ministers will leave." Fifth month renshen crossed the Dipper’s fourth star into the bowl. The prognostication said, "There will be war." One reading said, "There will be a great amnesty." June crossed the Eastern Well’s separators. The prognostication said, "The general will die, and the state will have anxiety." Wuxu brought the moon across the Five Feudatories. The prognostication said, "Feudal lords will be executed." September gengyin placed Venus on the Dipper’s fifth star. The prognostication said, "It means mourning and war." Fourth year seventh month bingshen crossed Venus over the Left Enforcer. Jiayin saw the moon cross Room. Dingsi placed the moon in the Dipper on its second star. Yichou repeated Venus on the Left Enforcer. Every gloss matched earlier ones. October jiachen crossed the Neck. The prognostication said, "War will arise, and the general will die." November wuxu crossed the Upper General star. Third year’s sixth month proclaimed sweeping pardon. Chen Kui’s Shouchun expedition failed that month. July saw Di and Shu holdouts ravage the southwest. September Shi Hu marched on Liangzhou. Year five buried Chu Pou, general who conquered the north. Fourth year fourth month Venus entered Mao as barbarians and Jin skirmished and Zhao burned with fighting. July Venus crossed the Chariot Shaft. The prognostication said, "It lies in Zhao, and also means war and mourning." Jiayin repeated the moon on Room. Tenth month jiaxu crossed the Neck. The prognostication said, "War will arise, and the general will die." August saw Shi Hu’s heir Xuan murder Shi Tao before Xuan himself perished. November wuxu crossed the Upper General star. Shi Hu crowned himself emperor that fifth-year New Year but died almost immediately. Fourth month dingwei sent Venus through the Eastern Well. The prognostication said, "Qin will have war." September wuxu crossed Venus over the Horn’s left spike. The prognostication said, "It means war." October brought a lunar Hairy Head crossing. The prognostication said, "The Hu will have anxiety, and the general will die." August saw Chu Pou’s northern campaign fail. October brought twenty-plus interior commanderies shifting allegiance. Shi Zun seized Nanyang. November Ran Min slew Shi Zun and massacred Hu north of a hundred thousand, plunging Zhao and Wei into turmoil. December buried Chu Pou. Year eight saw Liu Xian, Fu Jian, and Murong Jun proclaim kingship. Yin Hao’s northern march collapsed and cost him office. Sixth year second month xinyou crossed the moon over Antares. The prognostication said, "Great men will have anxiety, and it is also the allotment of Yuzhou." Dingchou saw the moon cross Room. The prognostication said, "Generals and chancellors will have anxiety." Sixth month jichou crossed the moon over the Hairy Head. Same gloss as above. Yiwei crossed the Five Feudatories. Again the earlier reading. July renyin showed the moon rising westward onto the Horn’s left spike. The prognostication said, "The Great General will die." One reading said, "There will be war under Heaven." Dingwei crossed the Winnowing Basket. The prognostication said, "The general will die." Bingyin Mars crossed the axe. The prognostication said, "Great ministers will be executed." August xinmao repeated the lunar left horn. Daylight Venus shone inside the Dipper. The moon crossed the Right Enforcer. Each gloss matched earlier entries. Cai Mo lost his noble rank that year. Seventh year second month Venus crossed Mao. Same reading as before. March yimao brought Mars through the Ghosts’ corpse heap. The prognostication said, "Noble men will have anxiety." May yiwei crossed Mars over Regulus. The prognostication said, "The female ruler will have anxiety." Venus slid into the Net’s gap and struck its left leg. The prognostication said, "Generals and chancellors will bear it." June yihai crossed the Winnowing Basket. The prognostication said, "The state will have war." Bingzi crossed the Dipper. Dingchou Mars entered the Supreme Palace on the Right Enforcer. August gengwu Venus crossed the Chariot Shaft. Wuzi repeated Venus on the Right Enforcer. Every gloss matched earlier ones. Year seven Liu Xian slew Shi Zhi and generals, Shanxi erupted in turmoil and plague. Eighth year third month wuxu crossed Regulus. Guichou placed the moon in the Dipper on its second star. May crossed lunar Heart stars. June guiyou crossed Room. July renzi Jupiter crossed the Eastern Well’s separators. The prognostication said, "There will be internal disorder, and war will arise." August wuxu Mars entered the Ghosts. Loyal ministers suffer execution. Bingchen Venus entered the Dipper on its fourth star. The prognostication said, "The general will make disorder." One reading said, "The Chancellor will be dismissed." Ninth year second month yisi crossed the Dipper’s third star. March wuchen crossed Room. August Jupiter struck the Ghosts’ southeast star. The prognostication said, "War will arise." The boy emperor and regent mother split the court; warlords feuded; Murong Jun crowned himself Yan king and fought endlessly. Tenth year New Year yimao saw the moon occult Mao stars. The prognostication said, "Zhao and Wei will have war." Guiyou Saturn occulted the axe. The prognostication said, "Axes of punishment will be used." February jiashen crossed Antares. The prognostication said, "The king hates it." July gengwu Venus appeared by day. Gnomon reckoning placed disaster in Qin and Zheng. September xinyou Venus crossed the Left Enforcer. Huan Wen dictated policy while ministers lived under duress. April’s campaign crushed Fu Jian’s Yaoliu corps. December Murong Ke struck Qi. Eleventh year third month xinhai saw a lunar occultation of the Chariot Shaft. Same gloss as above. April gengyin crossed the Ox’s southern star. The prognostication said, "The state will have anxiety." August jiwei Venus crossed Celestial River. The prognostication said, "River crossings will not be passable." Twelfth year sixth month gengzi showed Venus by day in the Well. Same reading as above. Jiwei crossed the axe star. August guiyou occulted the Establishment asterism. September wuyin Mars crossed the Supreme Palace’s western Upper General. November dingchou Mars struck the eastern bastion’s Upper Minister. Twelfth year’s twelfth month saw Qi fall, Duan Kan captured, and three thousand slain. Yonghe 3 brought Xianbei strikes on Hebei. Shengping 1 placed Linzhang in Murong Jun’s hands across You, Bing, Qing, and Ji. River commanders collapsed and fords closed. Power sat with governors as every province fought.
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Shengping 1 fourth month renzi Venus entered the Ghosts. Dinghai occulted the Well’s southern carriage star. The prognostication said, "Qin territory will have war." One reading said, "The general will die." June wuxu showed daylight Venus in the Wings. Same gloss as above. The Wings lodge governs Chu. Renzi saw the moon cross the Net. The prognostication said, "It means frontier war." July xinsi placed Mars on Celestial River. The prognostication said, "River crossings will not be passable." November Jupiter crossed Room. The prognostication said, "Yuzhou will have disaster." May saw Fu Jian slay Fu Sheng and usurp power. December Murong Jun massed at Ye. Second year eighth month Xie Yi died in office. Second year second month xinmao Saturn crossed Regulus. The prognostication said, "The ruler of men hates it." Jiawu crossed the Eastern Well. June xinyou crossed Room. October jiwei Venus crossed the Weeping asterism. The prognostication said, "There will be great weeping." Third year New Year renchen Mars crossed Key-and-Bolt. Examining the prognostication, it said, "The ruler of men will have anxiety." March yiyou retrograde Mars struck Hook-and-Hasp. Examining the prognostication, it said, "The king hates it." June Venus crossed the Eastern Well. July yiyou Mars crossed Celestial River. Bingxu Venus entered the Ghosts. Every gloss matched earlier entries. Wuzi crossed the Herdsman’s central star. The prognostication said, "Herdsman is Heaven’s general. If it trespasses against the central great star, the general will die." August dingwei Venus crossed Regulus. Jiazi crossed the Net’s chief star. The prognostication said, "It means frontier war." Subjects rebel against lords. October Zhuge Hui’s boats sailed up the river and met disaster. Xie Wan’s Ying expedition collapsed and cost him his title. Prince of Kuaiji asked thrice to lower his rank three steps after Xi Tan and Xie Wan’s losses. Fourth year’s New Year buried Murong Jun; Murong Wei succeeded. Murong Ke killed Yang Wu and colleagues. Fourth month yihai crossed the Herdsman’s central star. June xinhai Mercury crossed Regulus. The prognostication said, "The female ruler will have anxiety." Jiwei Venus slipped through the Supreme Palace’s right gate out the Vermilion Portal. The prognostication said, "The noble will lose power." One reading said, "There will be war." It also said, "When it exits the Portal Gate, ministers are not ministers." August wushen Venus crossed the Base. The prognostication said, "The state will have anxiety." Bingchen Mars struck the western Upper General. September renwu Venus entered the Dipper mouth on its fourth star. The prognostication said, "It means mourning, there will be amnesty, and all under Heaven will receive titles and salaries." December jiayin brought Mars across Room. Bingyin Venus shone by day. On gengyin, the moon trespassed against Key-and-Bolt; the prognostication said, "The ruler of men hates it." Fifth year New Year yisi Saturn retrograded into the Supreme Palace. May renyin crossed the Supreme Palace. Gengxu crossed the Establishment asterism. The prognostication said, "Great ministers plot against one another." Yin Hao’s defeat brought banishment. Month’s xinhai crossed the Ox. The prognostication said, "The state will have anxiety." June guihai crossed the Base’s northeast star. The prognostication said, "The great general bears it." Fifth year’s first month buried Xi Tan. May’s imperial death enthroned Emperor Ai with amnesty while Empress Chu fell from power. July Murong Ke trapped Lu Hu at Yewang until Lu bolted to Xingyang. Huan Wen camped at Wan but retired on Lu’s rout. Fifth year sixth month guiyou occulted the Base’s northeast star. The prognostication said, "The Great General bears it." September yiyou occulted the Net. The prognostication said, "There will be frontier war." October dingwei crossed the Net’s chief star. The prognostication said, "Those below trespass against those above." It also said, "There will be frontier war." Fan Wang lost office in August. Longhe 1 Murong Wei struck Heyin.
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Emperor Ai’s Xingning 3 seventh month gengxu crossed the Dipper. The prognostication said, "The female ruler will have anxiety." Jupiter crossed the Ghosts. The prognostication said, "The ruler of men will have anxiety." October daylight Venus shone in the Neck. The prognostication said, "Neck is the court; there will be war and mourning, and ministers will be strong." The following May Empress Yu passed away.
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Emperor Hai’s Taihe 2 New Year Venus entered Mao. Year five Fu Jian destroyed Murong Wei and seized four northern provinces. Sixth year’s leap month stationed Mars on the Portal Gate. The prognostication said, "The Son of Heaven will lose the state." It also said, "Feudal lords and the Three Dukes plot against their superior." One reading said, "There will be beheaded ministers." Xinmao crossed Antares. The prognostication said, "The king hates it." November Huan Wen’s deposition and attempted purge of Prince Wuling illustrated ministerial dominance.
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Xian’an 1 December xinmao began Mars’ retrograde Supreme Palace stay lasting into year two. The prognostication said, "The state will not be at peace, and there will be anxiety." The emperor lived under Huan Wen’s thumb. Year two fifth month dingwei Venus crossed Celestial Pass. The prognostication said, "War will arise." Jupiter looked like Venus in hue. The prognostication said, "When advance and retreat follow measure, treachery and evil cease; erratic color and course deny the sovereign fortune. Midsummer Jupiter should be dim—its brilliance broke the rule. it also means ministers are strong." June daylight Venus shone in the Seven Stars. Yiyou Venus crossed the Ghosts. The prognostication said, "The state will have anxiety." July’s imperial death let Huan Wen terrorize the realm and threaten Wang Tanzhi. Yu Xi and Lu Song’s palace intrigues ended in slaughter.
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Emperor Xiaowu’s Ningkang 1 New Year wushen occulted Antares. Examining the above, it said, "If the disaster is not in the king, then it is in Yuzhou." One reading said, "The ruler’s fate hates it." March bingwu occulted the Dipper’s fifth star. The prognostication said, "Great ministers will have anxiety, and there will be death." One reading said, "The general will die." July buried Huan Wen. September guisi Mars entered the Supreme Palace. The regent empress ruled imperfectly. Year two leap month jiwei occulted the Herdsman’s south star. The prognostication said, "The Left General will die." December jiashen daylight Venus shone in the Base. The Base governs Yanzhou. Third year fifth month Wang Tanzhi died. Third year sixth month xinmao Venus crossed the Eastern Well. The prognostication said, "Qin territory will have war." September wushen Mars occulted the Left Enforcer. The prognostication said, "Those who enforce the law will die." Taixuan 1 Fu Jian took Liangzhou. Second year October Wang Biaozhi died. Taixuan 1 fourth month bingxu Mars crossed the Dipper’s third star. Bingshen occulted the fourth star. The prognostication said, "War will greatly arise, and the central states will have famine." One reading said, "There will be amnesty." August guiyou daylight Venus shone in the Base. That lodge marks Yanzhou. September Mars crossed the Weepers and entered the imperial guards. The prognostication said, "The Son of Heaven will have an occasion of weeping, and the central army will arise." November jiwei occulted the Base’s horn. The prognostication said, "There will be war under Heaven." One reading said, "The state will have anxiety." Year two February Mars stationed in the palace guard stars. The prognostication said, "The palace troops will greatly arise." September renwu daylight Venus shone in the Horn. The Horn maps Yanzhou. Shengping 1 May proclaimed sweeping pardon. Third year eighth month Former Qin hit strategic towns. Fourth year February Xiangyang collapsed with Zhu Xu taken. April Weixing fell while rebels gathered fifty thousand plus. Hosts guarded passes as the capital prefect defended Jiankang. June Xie Xuan routed the rebels. Empire-wide war met year-on-year dearth. Fourth year November dingsi Venus crossed the Weepers. The prognostication said, "The Son of Heaven will have an occasion of weeping." Seventh year fifth month bingzi Mercury crossed Regulus. The prognostication said, "The female ruler bears it." September guiwei buried Empress Wang. Sixth year ninth month bingzi. Venus appeared by daylight. Seventh year November daylight Venus returned in the Dipper. The prognostication said, "Wu will have war and mourning." Eighth year fourth month jiazi daylight Venus shone in Orion’s belt. The prognostication said, "Wei will have war and mourning." That month Huan Chong and Yang Liang advanced on multiple fronts. August Fu Jian marched; September Shouchun fell. October Liu Laozhi slew Liang Cheng and claimed myriad captives. Feishui saw Fu Jian shattered—Rong died and the horde routed. Ninth year ninth month buried Empress Dowager Chu. August Xie Xuan encamped at Pengcheng to reclaim the north. Ninth month bingxu daylight Venus. November dingsi repeated daylight Venus. Tenth year April yihai daylight Venus in Mao. The prognostication said, "The state of Wei will have war and mourning." Fu Jian’s collapse unleashed northern warfare until Yao Chang killed him. Eleventh year March wushen daylight Venus in the Well. The prognostication said, "Qin will have war, and ministers will be strong." June jiashen daylight Venus in the Ghosts. The prognostication said, "Qin will have war." Wei, Yao Chang, and Fu Deng traded blows without respite. Jiawu daylight Jupiter in the Stomach. The prognostication said, "Lu will have war, and ministers will be strong." Twelfth year saw Murong Chui, Zhai Liao, Yao Chang, Fu Deng, and Lü Guang carve independent realms. Twelfth year June guimao daylight Venus in the Willow. October gengwu daylight Venus in the Dipper. Thirteenth year New Year bingxu daylight Venus. December Mars glared in Horn and Neck. The prognostication said, "When Mars loses its norm, clerks will abandon their laws, and the feudal lords will disorder their governments." Those warlords then contested without pause. Fourteenth year New Year bandits at Huangqiu fell to Liu Laozhi. March Zhang Dao raided until Xiang Qinzhi repulsed him. Zhai Liao repeated strikes on the Central Plain. Government rotted and royal virtue sank. Fourteenth year April yisi daylight Willow Venus. June xinmao daylight Venus in Wings. September bingyin daylight Venus in Wings. December Mars entered the palace guard stars. Every gloss matched earlier readings. Year fifteen Zhai Liao ravaged the east even as Murong Chui swallowed Bing-Ji. July baked under drought. August floods and Yanzhou locusts compounded misery. Fifteenth year September guiwei Mars entered the Supreme Palace. October Venus entered the Forbidden Guards. Sixteenth year fourth month new moon guimao daylight Venus. November guisi occulted the Heart’s leading star. The prognostication said, "The crown prince will have anxiety." The heir lay chronically ill. Seventeenth year July dingchou daylight Venus. October dingyou repeated daylight Venus. Eighteenth year June daylight Venus returned. Nineteenth year May daylight Venus in the Willow. June xinyou daylight Venus in the Ghosts. September repeated Venus in Wings. Twentieth year sixth month Mars entered Celestial Granary. The prognostication said, "There will be great famine." July dinghai daylight Venus inside the Supreme Palace. The prognostication said, "When Venus enters the Supreme Palace, the state will have anxiety. Appearing by day means war and mourning." December jisi crossed Key-and-Bolt and the Harm stars. The prognostication said, "Key-and-Bolt oversees the heart, belly, throat, and tongue; east and west both govern hidden plots." Twenty-first year February renshen daylight Venus. March guimao prolonged daylight Venus in the Forbidden Guards. The prognostication said, "There will be strong ministers, war and mourning, and the central army will arise." March daylight Venus in the Stomach. The prognostication said, "The central army will arise." April renwu Venus entered Celestial Granary. The prognostication said, "It means famine." June Jupiter crossed the Weepers. The prognostication said, "There will be an occasion of weeping." The emperor died that September. Long’an 1 Wang Gong’s coercion forced executions including Wang Guobao. Successive disasters and famine convulsed the realm.
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Emperor An’s Long’an 1 New Year guihai Mars crossed the Weepers. The prognostication said, "There will be an occasion of weeping." April dingchou daylight Venus in the Well. The prognostication said, "Qin will have war and mourning." June Yao Xing besieged Luoyang; Xi Hui sent aid. Winter buried Yao Chang; his heir Yao Xing ascended the throne. Tuoba Gui enthroned Wei at Zhongshan. August Mars stationed on the Well axe. The prognostication said, "Great ministers will be executed." Second year June wuchen saw Sheti astride unusual motion. Daylight Jupiter in Stomach matched Yanzhou. Xi Hui’s Huatai expedition against Murong Bao failed. Leap month daylight Venus in palace guards. Dingchou crossed the eastern Upper Minister. Third year fifth month xinyou occulted the eastern Upper Minister. Xinwei Mercury crossed Regulus. Same glosses as above. Yu Kai demanded Wang Yu’s head and triggered mobilization. Luoyang collapsed to raiders in June year three. Huan Xuan broke Jingzhou; Yin Zhongkan died in Yongzhou. Sun En took Kuaiji and slew its governor. Fourth year June xinyou lunar Weepers transit. Fifth year New Year daylight Venus. Daylight Venus lingered in the Dipper from last December through this yimao. Examining the prognostication, it said, "The disaster is in Wu-Yue." July guihai saw Arcturus flare in five hues. The prognostication said, "The king will scatter and go into exile." Dingmao crossed Celestial Pass. The prognostication said, "The king will have anxiety." September gengzi Mars hit and camped on Lesser Office. The prognostication said, "Unappointed scholars will be executed." October jiazi crossed the eastern Secondary Minister. July buried Grand Empress Dowager Li. October bandits annihilated Gao Yazhi at Yuyao. Sun En’s fifth-year raids threatened Jiankang. Sun En’s detachments failed against Liu Yu. September Huan Xuan’s arrogant memorial insulted the throne. October Yuanxian readied fleets against Huan Xuan. Yuanxing 1 Lu Xun claimed generalship over Sun En’s followers and carved out the Zhejiang coast. The emperor donned armor for western expedition. March Huan Xuan seized Jiankang and killed Yuanxian.
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Yuanxing 1 March wuzi Venus crossed Five Feudatories by daylight. The prognostication said, "Feudal lords will be executed." July wuyin Mars stood in the Well. Mars crossed Ghosts and corpse-stars. Same gloss as earlier. August bingyin occulted Venus on Right Enforcer. September guiwei Venus crossed Advancing Worthies. The prognostication said, "Those who advance worthies will be executed." Year two February Jupiter crossed western Upper First Minister. June jiachen occulted fourth Dipper star. The prognostication said, "Great ministers will be executed within no more than three years." August guichou Venus crossed Room’s second northern star. September jichou Jupiter and Mars struck ministerial stars. October jiaxu Venus crossed the Weeper. November dingyou Mars crossed eastern Upper Minister. December yisi occulted Regulus’ companion. All glosses matched prior entries. Winter saw Wei rout Yao Xing. Huan Xuan seized the throne and exiled the imperial couple. Liu Yu wiped out the Huans. The third year’s New Year wuxu brought retrograde Mars across the western Upper First Minister. The prognostication said, "The Son of Heaven battles in the wilds, and the Upper Minister dies." February bingchen retrograde Mars lingered by Left Enforcer. The prognostication said, "Those who enforce the law will be executed." April jiawu occulted Regulus’ second. May renshen moon occulted Dipper while Saturn entered palace guards. Same readings as above. Bingchen that February Liu Yu slew Huan Xiu. March jiwei defeated Xuan and opened western campaign. Xinsi killed Wang Yu even as Xuan dragged the emperor west. May Zhengrong Isle destroyed Xuan. Huan Zhen retook Jiangling and held the emperor hostage. July buried Empress Dowager He.
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Yixi 1 March renchen occulted the Left Enforcer. Same gloss as above. Dingyou occulted the Heart’s front star. The prognostication said, "Yuzhou will have disaster." Venus crossed the Eastern Well. The prognostication said, "Qin will have war." July gengchen daylight Venus in Wings and Chariot. The prognostication said, "It means ministers are strong, and Jingzhou will have war and mourning." August dingsi crossed the Dipper’s first star. The prognostication said, "There will be war under Heaven." One reading said, "Great ministers will have anxiety." September jiazi Mars crossed Lesser Office. The prognostication said, "Unappointed scholars will be executed." Gengyin Mars hit the Right Enforcer. Guimao Mars hit the Left Enforcer. Same readings as earlier. November bingxu Venus crossed Hook-and-Hasp. The prognostication said, "The throat and tongue will have anxiety." December jimao Jupiter crossed Celestial River. The prognostication said, "There will be war and disorder, and river crossings will not be passable." November Wei Yongzhi died in Jingzhou. Year two February Yiyang fell to rebels. April Yao Xing struck Yang Sheng at Qiuchi. September Rongqi died to Yang Chengzu’s hand. Third year December Wang Mi died. Fourth year New Year Prince Zun of Wuling died. March Kong Anguo passed away. Liu Yu ruled; the emperor was a figurehead. Second year February Venus crossed the Dipper. The prognostication said, "War will arise." Jichou crossed the Heart’s rear star. The prognostication said, "Yuzhou will have disaster." April guichou crossed western Upper First Minister. Jiwei crossed Room’s second southern star. Yichou Jupiter crossed Celestial River. The prognostication said, "There will be war and disorder, and river crossings will not be passable." May guiwei crossed the Horn’s left spike. The prognostication said, "The Left General will die, and there will be war under Heaven." Renyin Mars crossed the Base. The prognostication said, "Base is the lodging palace; the ruler of men will have anxiety." June gengwu Mars crossed Room’s second northern star. August guihai Mars crossed the Dipper’s fifth star. Dingsi crossed Establishment. The prognostication said, "It means war." September renwu Mars crossed Weeper and Tear. Jiaxu that February saw another Yiyang coup. Murong Chao harassed the Huai north. December Wang Mi died. Fourth year New Year Prince Zun died. Year five Murong Chao struck Huainan. April Liu Yu seized Linqu. Guanggu fell after siege. Third year New Year bingzi daylight Venus in Striding Legs. February gengshen occulted the Heart’s rear star. Same gloss. May guiwei crossed left Horn. Jichou daylight Venus in Orion. The prognostication said, "Yizhou will have war and mourning, and ministers will be strong." August jimao Venus crossed Left Enforcer. Xinmao Mars crossed Left Enforcer. September renzi Mars crossed Advancing Worthies. Liu Jingxuan’s Shu expedition failed. Fourth year April Kong Anguo died. July bandits took Zoushan until Xu Yin repulsed them. Yao Xing’s strike on Bobo collapsed. Year five Liu Yu extinguished Murong Chao. Fourth year New Year gengzi Mars crossed Celestial Pass. May dingwei occulted second Dipper star. Renzi Saturn crossed Celestial Granary. The prognostication said, "All under Heaven will have famine, and granary grain will be scarce." June jichou Venus crossed western Upper First Minister. Yimao repeated strike on Left Enforcer. October wuzi Mars entered Forbidden Guards. Same readings. Year five Liu Yu’s war kept supply lines endless. Fifth year February jiazi crossed Mao. The prognostication said, "The Hu will be unsettled, and the Son of Heaven will defeat the Xiongnu." May wuxu Jupiter entered Forbidden Guards. September renyin crossed Mao. October Mars crossed Base. Leap month dingyou crossed Mao. Xinhai Mars crossed Hook-and-Hasp. Jisi occulted Antares. The prognostication said, "The king hates it." April Liu Yu marched on Murong Chao. October Tuoba Gui died by assassination. Lu Xun threatened the capital fringe in year six. Sixth year March dingmao occulted Room’s second southern star. The omen impinges on the second minister, not the chief. Jisi occulted fifth Dipper star. The prognostication said, "Dipper governs Wu, and war will arise in Wu territory." Venus crossed Five Feudatories. The prognostication said, "Feudal lords will be executed." May jiazi occulted fifth Dipper. Jihai occulted Mao’s third star. The prognostication said, "The state will have anxiety." One reading said, "There will be a gathering in white garments." June jichou crossed Room. Jiawu daylight Venus. July jihai crossed the Ghosts. The prognostication said, "The state will have anxiety." One reading said, "Qin will have war." August renwu Venus crossed Regulus. Jiashen crossed the Heart’s forward star. The sign centers on Yu Province. Bingxu crossed fifth Dipper. Same gloss. Dinghai occulted Ox’s south star. The prognostication said, "There will be great execution under Heaven." Yiwei Venus crossed Lesser Office. Bingwu Venus lingered in Lesser Office by daylight. September jiayin Venus crossed Left Enforcer. Dingchou Saturn crossed the Net. The prognostication said, "There will be frontier war." March Xu Daofu rose at Shixing. April Lu Xun threatened Jiankang. Meng Chang committed suicide. Year seven Liu Fan and Du Huidu ended the rebellion. June year eight Liu Daogui died as Yuzhou inspector. August buried Empress Wang. September Liu Fan and Xie Hun died. Liu Yu crushed Liu Yi. December Zhu Lingshi marched on Shu. Seventh year fourth month xinchou Mars entered Ghosts. The prognostication said, "Qin will have war." One reading said, "Yongzhou will have disaster." June daylight Venus in Wings. Jihai Saturn crossed Celestial Pass. The prognostication said, "A minister plots against the ruler." August Venus crossed Room. November bingzi Venus crossed Weepers. July Zhu Lingshi took Shu. Shu rose once more and fell. Eighth year July guihai occulted Room. Jiwei crossed Well axe. August wushen crossed Weepers. October xinhai occulted Celestial Pass. The prognostication said, "There will be war." November dingchou Saturn entered Well. The prognostication said, "Great men will have anxiety." December guimao Saturn crossed axe. August Empress Wang passed. September purges continued. December Shu collapsed. Year nine February Mars entered Ghosts. The prognostication said, "There will be war and mourning." Venus crossed South River. The prognostication said, "War will arise." May renchen Venus crossed Right Enforcer by daylight. July gengwu occulted Hook-and-Hasp. The prognostication said, "Throat-and-tongue ministers will have anxiety." September gengwu Jupiter crossed Regulus. Jichou crossed left Horn. Liu Yu dictated policy amid endless campaigns. Year ten Liu Yu attacked Sima Xiuzhi. Royal troops lost; Xiuzhi ran to Chang’an. Tenth year New Year dingmao crossed Net. The prognostication said, "Generals and chancellors will have those who are convicted according to their images." February jiyou crossed Room’s north star. May renyin crossed Herdsman south. Yichou Jupiter crossed Regulus. Same glosses. June bingshen occulted Base. The prognostication said, "Generals will die from it, and the state will have those who are executed." July gengchen crossed Celestial Pass. The prognostication said, "War will arise." Mars crossed Well axe. Saturn entered Ghosts and stationed. The prognostication said, "Great men will have anxiety, and the ancestral temple will be changed." August dingyou occulted Herdsman south. Same reading. September Saturn crossed Ghosts. The prognostication said, "The ruler of men will have anxiety." Dingsi Venus entered Forbidden Guards. December jiyou crossed Western Harm. The prognostication said, "There will be hidden plots." Year eleven Linyi struck Jiazhou. Eleventh year March dingsi moon entered Net. The prognostication said, "War will arise under Heaven." One reading said, "There will be frontier war." Jimao Mars entered Ghosts. Leap month bingwu Saturn re-entered Ghosts. The prognostication said, "It means drought, great epidemic, and disorderly ministers." May guimao Mars entered Supreme Palace. Jiachen crossed Right Enforcer. June jiwei Venus crossed Eastern Well. The prognostication said, "Qin will have war." Wuyin crossed Ghosts. The prognostication said, "The state will have anxiety." July xinchou crossed Net. Same gloss. August renzi crossed Base. Same gloss. Gengshen Venus entered Supreme Palace right gate. Dingmao occulted Left Enforcer. November guihai moon entered Net. Same gloss. Yiwei moon entered Ghosts veiled. Twelfth year May Jupiter stalled between Room and Heart—Song’s domain. Liu Yu was enfeoffed Duke of Song. June renzi Venus entered right gate. Jisi crossed Net. Same gloss. July moon crossed Ox. October bingxu moon entered Net. Thirteenth year May bingzi crossed Chariot Shaft. Dinghai crossed Herdsman. Guisi Mars crossed Right Enforcer. August jiyou crossed Herdsman. Dingmao crossed Supreme Palace. The prognostication said, "The ruler of men will have anxiety." September renchen Mars crossed Chariot Shaft. October wushen crossed Net. Same readings. Moon crossed Winnowing Basket. The prognostication said, "The state will have anxiety." Jiayin crossed Net. Same gloss. Yimao Saturn tarried in Supreme Palace. The prognostication said, "It is a warning of a lost ruler." Renxu crossed Supreme Palace. Fourteenth year March guisi Venus crossed Five Feudatories. May gengzi crossed Supreme Palace. July jiachen Mars crossed Ghosts. The prognostication said, "Qin will have war, and it also means drought, war, and mourning." It also said, "Great men will have anxiety, the ancestral temple will change, and it also means disorderly ministers." Liu Yu’s dictatorship, endless wars, and dearth ended Jin. Dingsi crossed Eastern Well. The prognostication said, "Army generals will die." August jiazi Venus crossed Chariot Shaft. Guiyou Saturn toured Supreme Palace two hundred days. The prognostication said, "When Saturn guards the Supreme Palace, it is a warning of a lost ruler, and there will be a shifted king." September yiwei Venus struck Left Enforcer. Dingsi moon entered Supreme Palace. The prognostication said, "Great men will have anxiety." October jiashen moon entered Supreme Palace. Guisi Mars toured Supreme Palace gates. Yixi 12 July Liu Yu attacked Later Qin. Year thirteen August Hong fell—northwest subdued. Year fourteen Liu Yu accepted Song dukedom. November Liu Muzhi died. Barbarians took Chang’an; Jin armies retreated east. December the emperor died.
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Three lunar Supreme Palace transits that year echoed earlier glosses. Yimao Mercury crossed Regulus. June gengchen Venus crossed Supreme Palace. July jimao moon and daylight Venus. Nine Venus sky-spanning events and four eclipses marked usurpation. That night Venus crossed Weepers. December dingsi moon and Venus in Forbidden Guards. Year two February gengwu Saturn crossed Supreme Palace. Same readings. Year one July Liu Yu became Prince of Song. June witnessed abdication to Liu Song.
38
Anomalous and guest stars.
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Wei Huangchu 3 ninth month jiachen guest star inside Supreme Palace. The prognostication said, "When a guest star emerges from the Supreme Palace, the state will have war and mourning." October Wei marched against Sun Quan. Endless warfare followed. In the sixth year, tenth month, yiwei, there was a comet at Lesser Office, passing through Xuanyuan; the prognostication said, "It means war and mourning, the image of removing the old and spreading the new." Guangling review followed the comet. He died the following May.
40
Wei Taihe 6 November comet in Wings. The prognostication said, "It means war and mourning." Gan’s text said, "The state against which a comet or broom star is directed receives its calamity. Wings is also the allotment of Chu and the territory enfeoffed to Sun Quan." Following year Wu lost in Liaodong. Next Zhuge Liang marched Qinchuan. Wu and Wei’s campaigns answered the comet.
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宿宿
Qinglong 4 jiashen comet at Great Chronogram. Yiyou eastern comet. November comet crossed court asterisms. The prognostication said, "Great Chen is the Heavenly King, and all under Heaven will have mourning." Liu Xiang’s Treatise on the Five Regulators said, "In the Spring and Autumn, when a star became a comet in the east and no lodge is named, it is because it did not attach to a lodge. The Eunuch stars are in the Celestial Market and mean war within and without. The Celestial Discipline means earthquakes; comets and broom stars govern war and mourning." Jingchu 1 June earthquake. September Zhu Ran besieged Jiangxia. Empress Mao passed. Year two February Yuan expedition. Third year New Year Ming died.
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西
August comet in Zhang. Same gloss. Zhang equals Zhou. October guest star by Rest Palace. Jiachen crossed lineage stars. Jiuyou it disappeared. The prognostication said, "Where a guest star emerges there will be war and mourning. Emptiness and Rooftop are ancestral temples and also graves. When a guest star approaches the Detached Palace, the palace will have great mourning; it is the image of going to the former lord in the ancestral temple." Third year New Year emperor died.
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西 滿 西
Wei Zhengshi comet in Tail. November comet entered Forbidden Guards. The prognostication said, "Tail is Yan and also Wu, and Ox is also the allotment of Wu-Yue. Venus is the supreme general, and the Feathered Forest is the central army. It means Wu-Yue will have mourning, and the central army will move." Year two May Wu raided borders. Wu heir Deng died. June Sima Yi attacked Zhuge Ke. Man Chong, Grand Commandant, passed away. Qinglong 6 August comet in Seven Stars. Seventh year November comet in Chariot. Ninth year third month comet in Mao. July comet Wings to Chariot. Examining the prognostication, it said, "Seven Stars and Extended Net are the allotment of Zhou; Wings and Chariot are Chu; Mao is Zhao and Wei. Comets are how the old is removed and the new spread; they govern war and mourning." Jiaping 1 Sima Yi purged Cao Shuang. Year three killed Cao Biao and crushed Wang Ling. Huainan matches Chu. Wei imperial kin were caged at Ye.
44
西 西 西
Jiaping 3 November comet in Encampment. The prognostication said, "There will be war and mourning. Encampment is the rear palace, and the rear palace will have disorder." Fourth year February western comet. Fifth year November long comet by Supreme Palace. Examining the prognostication, it said, "Stomach is the allotment of Yanzhou. Triaster governs war. The Supreme Palace is the Son of Heaven’s court. The Enforcer is those who hold government. Comets and broom stars are the image of war and mourning, removing the old and spreading the new." Zhengyuan 1 Li Feng conspiracy died. Emperor demoted to Prince of Qi.
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西 西
White aura by Dipper. Wang Su said, "It is Chiyou’s banner. Will there be disorder in the southeast?" Year two comet over Wu-Chu. Guanqiu Jian’s Huainan revolt fell. Examining the prognostication, it said, "When Chiyou’s banner appears, the king campaigns against the four quarters." Further Huainan and Shu expeditions. It matched Wu’s fifth Phoenix year. Dipper-Ox govern Wu-Yue. Examining the prognostication, it said, "Wu will have war and mourning; it is the image of removing the old and spreading the new." Sun Lin deposed Sun Liang. Huainan and Wu share Yangzhou omens. Huainan echoed Wu. Jian misread the comet and lost. the second year of Ganlu Zhuge Dan revolted. Siege deaths fulfilled the comet.
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宿
the second year of Ganlu November comet in Horn. The prognostication said, "When a comet appears between the two Horn stars and is white, armies arise but do not fight, and the state has great mourning." Cao Mao died at Cheng Ji’s hands. Guest star crossed Supreme Palace. The prognostication said, "When a guest star emerges from the Supreme Palace, there will be war and mourning." Jingyuan 1 regicide.
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Wei Jingyuan 3 comet in Horn. The prognostication said, "It means war and mourning." One reading said, "When a comet appears at Neck, the Son of Heaven has lost virtue." Year four Shu fell. Both met execution.
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宿
Xianxi 2 May comet at Wangliang. The prognostication said, "Wangliang is the Son of Heaven’s four-horse team. Comet sweep means abdication omen. White comets signal mourning. Wangliang is in the lodge Eastern Wall, and is also the allotment of Bingzhou." August Emperor Wen (Cao Pi) died. December Sima Yan accepted Wei abdication.
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西
Jin the fourth year of Taishi comet in Chariot. The prognostication said, "It means war and mourning, and Chariot is also the allotment of Chu." March buried Empress Dowager Wang. October Wu struck Jiangxia. Fifth year ninth month comet in Purple Palace. Same gloss. Purple Palace equals throne enclosure. Tenth year Yang empress died. Tenth year December comet in Chariot. The prognostication said, "War arises under Heaven, and Chariot is also the allotment of Chu."
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西
Xianning 2 June comet at Base. The prognostication said, "The Son of Heaven loses virtue and government changes. Base is also the allotment of Yanzhou." July comet at Great Horn. Great Horn is regnal seat. August comet through palace asterisms. The prognostication said, "The Supreme Palace is the Son of Heaven’s court, and great men hate it." One reading said, "There will be a changed king. Wings is Chu. Northern Dipper governs killing and punishment, and the Three Terraces are the Three Dukes." Third year New Year western comet. March comet in Stomach. Stomach matches Xuzhou. April comet at Maid. Maid is harem. May eastern comet. July Purple Palace comet. The above said, "All under Heaven changes rulers." Fourth year Chiyou banner in Well. Later Wu conquest matched omen. Fifth year March Willow comet. April Maid comet. July Purple Palace comet. The prognostication said, "Outer ministers overbear the ruler. Willow equals Three Rivers. Great Horn, the Supreme Palace, the Purple Palace, and the Female Attendants all stand for the king." Next year Wu fell. Comets mean war deaths. Conquest carnage matched every comet.
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西 祿
Taikang 2 August Zhang comet. The prognostication said, "It means war and mourning." November comet at execution cart. The prognostication said, "The rear palace bears it." Fourth year March southwest comet. Prince Sima You of Qi, Sima Ling of Rencheng, Sima Zhou of Langye, and Sima Gai of Xindu all died that year. Eighth year ninth month Dipper comet. The prognostication said, "Dipper governs titles and salaries, and the state will have great anxiety." One reading said, "When there is a comet at Dipper, the king becomes ill, all under Heaven changes government, and great disorder and war arise."
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駿
Taixi 1 April guest star in Purple Palace. The prognostication said, "It means war and mourning." Late Taikang Wu feasted into illness. Jiyou that month ended Emperor Wu. Yongping purge slew Yang clan. Further kin slaughter followed.
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西
Yuan-kang 5 comet crossed capital stars. The prognostication said, "Legs is Lu and also arsenal troops; Xuanyuan is the rear palace; the Supreme Palace is the Son of Heaven’s court; the Three Terraces are the Three Offices; Great Mound has affairs of piled corpses, death, and mourning." Armory fire and Qiang revolt. Later Zhang Hua and Jia clan fell. Next year Sima Lun seized throne. Princely coalition slaughtered tens of thousands.
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西
Yongkang 1 March southern astral demon. The prognostication said, "When a baleful star emerges, great war under Heaven is about to arise." Jia killed heir; Lun purged court. Princes vied for power. December comet Herdsman to market. The prognostication said, "Ox is the beginning of the seven regulators; when a comet emerges from it, it is the image of changing the era and altering the title. The Celestial Market is also called the Celestial Treasury and also the Son of Heaven’s Banner; the imperial seat is within it." Lun’s coup collapsed. Year two April Qi comet. The prognostication said, "Qi will have war and mourning." Qi prince attacked Lun. Jiong tyrannized Luoyang. Jiong executed next year.
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Tai’an 1 April daytime comet. Tai’an 2 March eastern comet. The prognostication said, "It is the image of war and mourning. The Three Terraces are the Three Dukes." Yue arrested Yi; Fang killed him.
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Yongxing 1 May guest star at Net. The prognostication said, "The Son of Heaven’s line of heirs will be cut off." One reading said, "Great ministers will be executed." Princely armies left Hui without heir. Year two August Mao-Net comet. The prognostication said, "It means war and mourning. Mao and Net are also the allotment of Zhao and Wei." October Dingchou Dipper comet. The prognostication said, "The rotating mechanism is handed over anew, and the Son of Heaven flees." It also said, "Strong states send out armies, and feudal lords contend for power." Each prince war answered sky. Hui died next year.
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西
Xianhe 4 July northwest comet. The prognostication said, "It means war and disorder." Guo Mo fell to Tao Kan. Shi Le claimed kingship.
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西 退
Xiankang 2 New Year evening comet in Legs. The prognostication said, "It means war and mourning. Legs also means frontier troops." Shi Hu crowned Heavenly King. Shi Hu failed vs Murong Huang. Murong Huang routed Ma Qiu. Submission matched border omen. Sixth year February Supreme Palace comet. March Empress Du died.
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the first year of Jianyuan November Horn comet. The prognostication said, "Neck is the court and governs war and mourning." Emperor Kang died year two.
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西
Yonghe 5 November Horn comet. Tail west, white, one zhang. Year six January Horn comet. The prognostication said, "It means war, mourning, and epidemic disease." Chu Pou lost north. Ran Min’s purge devastated north. December Chu Pou died. Plague swept the year.
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Shengping 2 May comet from Boat. The prognostication said, "It means war and mourning, removing the old and spreading the new. If it emerges at Celestial Boat, outer barbarians invade." One reading said, "It means great flood." Year five May floods. Emperor Mu died.
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Xingning 1 August comet Horn to Market. Examining the prognostication, it said, "It means war and mourning." Year three January empress died. February emperor died. Murong Ke took Luoyang.
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西西 西
Haixi Taihe 4 guest star western palace. The prognostication said, "When a guest star guards the Purple Palace, ministers assassinate the ruler." Huan Wen demoted emperor.
64
Ningkang 2 sweeping comet. March comet at Base. September market comet. The prognostication said, "It means war and mourning." Fu Jian took Former Liang.
65
Taixuan 11 Dipper guest star. The prognostication said, "There will be war and amnesty." Heartland wars persisted. Two amnesties year twelve. Massive comet crossed court. August entered Purple Palace. The prognostication said, "Northern River Guard is also called the Hu Gate; the Hu will have war and mourning. Comet threatens sovereign. Ministers endangered. If it enters Northern Dipper, feudal lords will be killed." One reading said, "If it sweeps Northern Dipper, strong states send out armies, feudal lords contend for power, and great men have anxiety." The emperor died in year twenty-one. Long’an 1 coalition demanded Wang Guobao’s head. Imperial compliance killed Guobao; chaos followed. Year eighteen guest star in Tail. The prognostication said, "Yan will have war and mourning." Murong Bao’s Wei campaign failed. Chui’s death ended Yan. Broom star crossed north sky. The prognostication said, "When a broom star appears, within no more than three years there will certainly be disorderly ministers killed in the marketplace." Wang Guobao subverted court. Emperor died year twenty-one September. Long’an opened with executions.
66
西
Long’an 4 comet through palace stars. The prognostication said, "A comet sweeping the Son of Heaven’s court and Gallery Road is the image of changing rulers." Comet crossed Three Steps and Dipper. Same as prior entry. December comet in market stars. The prognostication said, "Noble ministers die in prison, and within and without there is war and mourning. The Celestial Ford is cut by bandits, and the king’s road under Heaven is not passable." Examining the prognostication, it said, "The disaster is in Wu-Yue." Year five Sun En uprising. Mobilization blocked Huai crossings. Huan Xuan’s arrogant memorial. Xuan’s usurpation brought famine and flight.
67
西
Yuanxing guest star into Supreme Palace. The prognostication said, "Troops enter the Son of Heaven’s court." Huan Xuan exiled court. Liu Yu wiped out Huans.
68
西
Two comets swept throne stars. Room-Heart govern Liu Song. Examining the prognostication, it said, "Who obtains the comet’s handle rises; removing the old and spreading the new is the image of Song rising." Fourteenth year May comet in Dipper. July comet swept throne. The prognostication said, "When a comet emerges from the Supreme Palace, the altars of state perish and all under Heaven changes kings; if it enters Northern Dipper and Purple Tenuity, the imperial palace is empty." Liu Yu accepted Song dukedom. Emperor died December.
69
西
Gongdi New Year comet. The prognostication said, "It is a sign of revolution." Song seized empire.
70
Meteoric showers and falls.
71
西 退
In the thirteenth year of Jianxing under the Later Lord of Shu, Zhuge Liang led a major campaign against Wei and camped south of the Wei River. Long red meteor struck Shu camp. The prognostication said, "When two armies face one another, if a great meteor comes and runs above an army or falls within the army, all are signs of defeat." Liang died; Shu retreat chaotic.
72
In the second year of Jingchu under Emperor Ming of Wei, Sima Yi besieged Gongsun Yuan at Xiangping. Meteor fell toward Xiangping. The prognostication said, "When a city is besieged and a meteor comes and runs above the city or falls within the city, it is broken." It also said, "When a star falls, beneath it there will be a battlefield." It also said, "Wherever a star falls, the state changes surnames." Yuan died at meteor site.
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西 使使
In the sixth month of the fourth year of Jingyuan under Emperor Yuan, two great meteors like dippers appeared in the west, split north and south, lit the ground, and rumbled loudly. Examining the prognostication, it said, "A meteor is a noble envoy; when the star is large, the envoy is great." Twin meteors matched two generals. Split flow matched rivalry. Thunder echoed mutiny.
74
西 西
In the seventh month of the fourth year of Taishi under Emperor Wu, stars fell like rain, all streaming westward. The prognostication said, "Falling stars mean the common people rebel. Flowing west is the image of the people of Wu returning to Jin." Sun Xiu defected to Jin.
75
In the ninth year of Taikang, August meteor shower. The Biography of Liu Xiang says, "It is the image of those below removing those above." Hui’s accession opened turmoil.
76
On jiawu in the ninth month of the fourth year of Yuankang under Emperor Hui, Crooked Arrow crossed the sky to the northeast. Sixth year Crooked Arrow from Dipper. Examining the prognostication, it said, "Using disorder to attack disorder. Northern Dipper governs holding and killing; when it emerges from the bowl of Dipper and the one who holds and kills occupies the center, it is the image of injustice." Sima Lun’s purge mirrored omen. Alternate gloss: Qi Wannian.
77
In the second year of Tai'an, Day bolide with thunder. Examining the prognostication, it said, "Its name is Camp Head. Where Camp Head is located, below there will be great war and flowing blood." Yuan and Le butchered Bing. Wang Jun’s raid devastated Hebei. Thunder signified rage.
78
In the first year of Yongxing, July noisy meteor falls. October repeat. Same gloss. Heartland fell.
79
西 西
In the first year of Guangxi, May southwest Crooked Arrow. Sima Yue’s arrogance matched omen. Shi Le burned Yue’s corpse.
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西 使使 西 鹿 忿 忿 西
On xinmao in the ninth month of the first year of Yongjia under Emperor Huai, a giant bolide crossed from southwest to northeast, followed by smaller dipper-sized stars, with the whole sky red and thunderous. The prognostication said, "A meteor is a noble envoy; when the star is large, the envoy is great." Ji Sang killed Sima Teng. Court posted He Yu north. Tian Zhen slew Ji Sang. Zhen brothers rewarded. Small meteors minor leaders. Yue’s reprisals ravaged plain. Thunder meant wrath. Fourth year giant meteor. Emperor captured at Pingyang.
81
On renchen in the fourth month of the third year of Taixing under Emperor Yuan, Crooked Arrow crossed from Emptiness and Rooftop to Wings and Chariot. The prognostication said, "Where Crooked Arrow touches is what all under Heaven will attack. Wings and Chariot are the allotment of Jingzhou." In the second year of Taining, Wang Dun killed Prince Cheng of Qiao and Gan Zhuo, and Dun himself was then destroyed; this matched Crooked Arrow touching Wings.
82
西
On jiawu in the seventh month of the first year of Yongchang, a meteor appeared, as large as a jar and over a hundred zhang long, tinged blue-green and red; it advanced from the west, and its tail divided into more than a hundred branching streaks, some of which scattered apart. Meteor matched Dun revolt.
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耀 耀西
On xinwei in the first month of the third year of Xiankang under Emperor Cheng, a blue-green and red meteor as large as two dipper bowls shone on the ground, emerged from Striding Legs, and vanished north of Bond. Examining the prognostication, it said, "It means famine, and the five grains will not be stored." Drought that month. Meteor Market to palace. The prognostication said, "Great men bear it." Emperor Cheng died.
84
On xinsi in the sixth month of the eighth year of Yonghe under Emperor Mu, before sunset, a meteor as large as three dipper bowls moved southeast from the chen-si direction. Meteor in Yan sector. Examining the prognostication, it said, "It means Camp Head. Below Camp Head, blood flows in torrents." Murong Jun raided ceaselessly. Large meteor Weaving to Zaofu. The prognostication said, "Yan and Qi will have war, and the common people will flee and go into exile." Jun conquered north. River defenses collapsed. Murong Ke struck Qi.
85
西 西
In the second year of Shengping, November long Crooked Arrow. Celestial Dog in southwest. The prognostication said, "There will be great war and flowing blood."
86
西西 使
In Haixi's Taihe 4.10, on renshen, a great meteor fell westward with a thunderous roar. Yuan Zhen stripped. Shouchun succession. Wen beat Fu Jian. Shouchun fell.
87
On yimao in the tenth month of the sixth year of Taiyuan under Emperor Xiaowu, a shooting star thundered southeast through Wings and Chariot. The prognostication said, "Chu territory will have war, the army will be broken, and the common people will flee and go into exile." In the twelfth month Liang Cheng, Fu Jian’s inspector of Jing Province, and Yan Zhen, prefect of Xiangyang, led their forces against Jingling. Huan Shiqian engaged them and broke them completely: he seized Yan Zhen alive, took seven thousand heads, and captured ten thousand people. Thunder signified commander wrath. Celestial Dog meteor. The prognostication said, "There will be a great battle and flowing blood." Northern warlords contested. Huangqiu bandits fell. Zhang Dao defeated.
88
西 西西 西
On jiayin in the third month of the fifth year of Long'an under Emperor An, a red meteor storm moved west through Herdsman, Emptiness, Rooftop, Celestial Ford, and Censor Path, piercing the Supreme Palace and Purple Forbidden. The prognostication said, "Stars are of the category of common people; many going west is the image of many generals flowing west. Passing through the Son of Heaven’s court means the ruler is weak, ministers are strong, and the armies of the feudal lords cannot be controlled." Sun En struck Wu. June reached Jingkou. Liu Yu crushed Sun En. Yuanxing famine cannibalism. East of the Zhe River, six or seven people in ten were driven into exile; in Wu Commandery and Wuxing the population on the registers had fallen by half, and those who streamed westward to escape were counted in the tens of thousands. Xuan struck Liu Gui. Gui fled Qingzhou.
89
Cloud vapors.
90
西
On renyin night in the twelfth month of the first year of Yongxing under Emperor Hui, red vapor spanned the sky with a muffled rumble. Northern red band. The prognostication said, "Both mean great war. A hidden booming sound is the image of anger." Empire-wide warfare.
91
In the first year of Guangxi, White rainbow five nights. The prognostication said, "Great war will arise." Wang Mi and Ji Sang uprisings.
92
On yihai in the eleventh month of the third year of Yongjia under Emperor Huai, belt-like white vapors rose from north and south from earth to heaven, piercing Orion's Battle. The prognostication said, "Great war will arise under Heaven." Yue arrested Yin. Tripartite war. Yue died at Ningping. Luoyang fell—emperor captive.
93
西
On jisi night in the tenth month of the first year of Jianxing under Emperor Min, a red glow appeared in the northwest. Tao Kan lost at Shicheng.
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