1
志第二十三五行四
Treatises 23: The Five Elements, Part Four.
2
《五行傳》曰：「簡宗廟，不禱祠，廢祭祀，逆天時，則水不潤下。」 謂水失其性而為災也。 又曰：「聽之不聰，是謂不謀。 厥咎急，厥罰恆寒，厥極貧。 時則有鼓妖，時則有魚孽，時則有豕禍，時則有耳屙，時則有黑眚、黑祥。 惟火沴水。」 魚孽，劉歆傳以為介蟲之孽，謂蝗屬也。
The "Tradition of the Five Elements" states: "When the ruler curtails the ancestral temples, neglects prayer and sacrifice, abandons the rites of worship, and defies the seasons, water ceases to flow downward as it should." That is, water abandons its proper nature and disaster follows. It further says: "When hearing fails, that is called want of deliberation. The fault is rashness; the penalty is unending cold; the extreme is destitution. In such seasons one finds ominous drums, plagues involving fish, calamities involving swine, disorders of the ears, and black disasters and black omens. Only fire can injure water." Fish calamities, in Liu Xin's tradition, are classified as calamities of shelled creatures—that is, locusts and their kind.
3
水不潤下：
When water fails to moisten downward:
4
魏文帝黃初四年六月，大雨霖，伊、洛溢至津陽城門，漂數千家，流殺人。 初，帝即位，自鄴遷洛，營造宮室，而不起宗廟，太祖神主猶在鄴。 嘗於建始殿饗祭如家人之禮，終黃初不復還鄴，而圓丘、方澤、南北郊、社、稷等神位，未有定所。 此簡宗廟，廢祭祀之罰也。 京房《易傳》曰：「顓事者知，誅罰絕理，厥災水。 其水也，雨殺人已隕霜，大風天黃。 饑而不損，茲謂泰。 厥災水殺人。 避遏有德，茲謂狂。 厥災水，水流殺人也； 已水則地生蟲。 歸獄不解，茲謂追非。 厥水寒殺人。 追誅不解，茲謂不理。 厥水五穀不收。 大敗不解，茲謂皆陰。 厥水流入國邑，隕霜殺穀。」
In the sixth month of the fourth year of Huangchu, under Emperor Wen of Wei, torrential rains fell without cease. The Yi and Luo rivers rose until they reached the Jinyang city gate, carrying off thousands of homes and drowning people in the flood. When the emperor first took the throne, he moved the capital from Ye to Luoyang and began building palaces, yet he never established the ancestral temple. The spirit tablets of Emperor Taizu still remained in Ye. He once performed sacrifices at the Jianshi Hall in the informal manner of a household feast. Throughout the Huangchu period he never returned to Ye, and the Round Mound, Square Pond, southern and northern suburban altars, and the altars of soil and grain had no established sites. This was the penalty for curtailing the ancestral temples and abandoning sacrifice. Jing Fang's "Commentary on the Changes" says: "Those who fixate on their own affairs fancy themselves wise; when punishments sever all principle, the calamity is water. Its manifestation in water: rain that kills, frost that has already fallen, great winds, and a sky turned yellow. Famine yet no relief—this is called overreaching. The calamity: water that kills. Shunning and blocking the worthy—this is called frenzy. The calamity is water—floods that drown; once the waters recede, insects spring from the earth. Prisoners sent back but not freed—this is called clinging to error. Its water: killing cold. Relentless pursuit of punishment—this is called disorder. Its water: crop failure. Great defeat without remedy—this is called total yin dominance. Its water floods the capital and towns; frost destroys the crops."
5
吳孫權赤烏八年夏，茶陵縣鴻水溢出，流漂二百餘家； 十三年秋，丹陽故鄣等縣又鴻水溢。 案權稱帝三十年，竟不於建業創七廟，但有父堅一廟，遠在長沙，而郊禋禮禮闕。 嘉禾初，群臣奏宜效祀，又弗許。 末年雖一南郊，而北郊遂無聞焉。 且三江、五湖、衡、霍、會稽，皆吳、楚之望，亦不見秩，反禮羅陽妖神，以求福助。 天意若曰，權簡宗廟，不禱祠，廢祭祀，示此罰，欲其感悟也。
In the summer of the eighth year of Chiwu, under Sun Quan of Wu, a great flood burst forth in Chaling County and carried off more than two hundred households; In the autumn of the thirteenth year, Danyang, Guzhang, and other counties were flooded again. On examination: Quan had held the imperial title for thirty years yet never established the seven ancestral temples at Jianye. He maintained only a single temple to his father Sun Jian, far off in Changsha, while the suburban and border rites were neglected entirely. Early in the Jiahe era, his ministers urged him to perform the suburban sacrifices, but once again he refused. Late in his reign he did perform the southern suburban sacrifice once, but the northern suburban rite was never undertaken. The Three Rivers, Five Lakes, Mount Heng, Mount Huo, and Kuaiji—all great altars of Wu and Chu—likewise received no proper offerings. Instead he paid ritual honor to demonic spirits of Luoyang in hope of blessing. Heaven's intent seemed to say that Quan had curtailed the ancestral temples, neglected prayer and sacrifice, and abandoned worship—and sent this punishment to stir him to repentance.
6
太元元年，又有大風湧水之異。 是冬，權南郊，疑是鑒咎征乎？ 還而寢疾。 明年四月，薨。 一曰，權時信納譖訴，雖陸議勳重，子和儲貳，猶不得其終。 與漢安帝聽讒、免楊震、廢太子同事也。 且赤烏中無年不用兵，百姓愁怨。 八年秋，將軍馬茂等又圖逆雲。
In the first year of Taixuan, great winds and surging floods appeared once more. That winter Quan performed the southern suburban sacrifice—was he perhaps heeding the warning signs? He returned and took to his bed with illness. The following fourth month, he died. Another interpretation holds that Quan trusted slanderers. Though Lu Xun's merit was great and his son He was crown prince, neither met a proper end. This matched the case of Emperor An of Han, who heeded slander, dismissed Yang Zhen, and deposed the crown prince. Moreover, throughout the Chiwu era war was waged every year without exception, and the people groaned under grief and resentment. In the autumn of the eighth year, the general Ma Mao and others again plotted treason.
7
魏明帝景初元年九月，淫雨過常，冀、兗、徐、豫四州水出，沒溺殺人，漂失財產。 帝自初即位，便淫奢極欲，多占幼女，或奪士妻，崇飾宮室，妨害農戰，觸情恣欲，至是彌甚。 號令逆時，饑不損役，此水不潤下之應也。
In the ninth month of the first year of Jingchu, under Emperor Ming of Wei, rains fell far beyond the norm. In Ji, Yan, Xu, and Yu provinces the waters rose, drowning people and sweeping away property. From the moment he took the throne the emperor gave himself to dissipation and extravagance, seizing many young girls and sometimes officers' wives, lavishing ornament on his palaces, and harming agriculture and military readiness as he indulged every whim—conduct that by this time had grown worse still. His edicts defied the seasons, and in famine he did not lighten corvée labor—this was the manifestation of water failing to flow downward.
8
吳孫亮五鳳元年夏，大水。 亮即位四年，乃立權廟； 又終吳世，不上祖宗之號，不修嚴父之禮，昭穆之數有闕。 亮及休、皓又並廢二郊，不秩群神。 此簡宗廟，不祭祀之罰也。 又是時，孫峻專政，陰勝陽之應乎。
In the summer of the first year of Wufeng, under Sun Liang of Wu, a great flood struck. Only four years after Liang took the throne did he establish a temple to Sun Quan; and through the entire Wu dynasty he never bestowed ancestral temple titles, never performed the rites to the revered father, and the proper sequence of zhao and mu temples remained incomplete. Liang, Xiu, and Hao alike abolished the two suburban sacrifices and offered no ranked worship to the host of spirits. This was the penalty for curtailing the ancestral temples and neglecting sacrifice. At this time Sun Jun monopolized power—perhaps another manifestation of yin overcoming yang.
9
吳孫休永安四年五月，大雨，水泉湧溢。 昔歲作浦裏塘，功費無數，而田不可成，士卒死叛，或自賊殺，百姓愁怨，陰氣盛也。 休又專任張布，退盛沖等，吳人賊之之應也。 吳孫休永安五年八月壬午，大雨震電，水泉湧溢。
In the fifth month of the fourth year of Yong'an, under Sun Xiu of Wu, heavy rains fell and springs burst forth. The year before, work on the Puli embankment had consumed vast labor and expense yet the fields could not be brought into cultivation. Soldiers died or deserted; some turned bandit and killed one another. The people groaned with grief and resentment—yin had grown overpowering. Xiu also placed sole trust in Zhang Bu while pushing aside Sheng Chong and others—perhaps the reason Wu turned to brigandage. On the renwu day of the eighth month of the fifth year of Yong'an, under Sun Xiu of Wu, torrential rain fell amid thunder and lightning, and springs burst forth.
10
晉武帝泰始四年九月，青、徐、兗、豫四州大水。 七年六月，大雨霖，河、洛、伊、沁皆溢，殺二百餘人。 帝即尊位，不加三後祖宗之號。 泰始二年，又除明堂南郊五帝坐，同稱昊天上帝，一位而已。 又省先後配地之禮。 此簡宗廟，廢祭祀之罰，與漢成帝同事。 一曰，昔歲及此年，藥蘭泥、白虎文秦涼殺刺史胡烈、牽弘，遣田璋討泥。 又司馬望以大眾次淮北禦孫皓。 內外兵役，西州饑亂，百姓愁怨，陰氣盛也。 咸甯初，始上祖宗號，太熙初，還複五帝位。
In the ninth month of the fourth year of Taishi, under Emperor Wu of Jin, Qing, Xu, Yan, and Yu provinces were struck by great floods. In the sixth month of the seventh year, torrential rains fell without cease. The Yellow River, Luo, Yi, and Qin all burst their banks and killed more than two hundred people. When the emperor first took the throne, he did not bestow ancestral temple titles upon the three empresses. In the second year of Taishi he also removed the seats of the Five Emperors at the Bright Hall and southern suburban altar, uniting them under the single title August Heaven Supreme Lord. He further abolished the rites by which the former and later empresses were paired at the earth altar. This was the penalty for curtailing the ancestral temples and abandoning sacrifice—the same offense as under Emperor Cheng of Han. Another interpretation notes that in the previous year and this one, Yaolan Ni and Baihu Wen of Liang and Liang killed the inspector Hu Lie and Qian Hong, after which Tian Zhang was dispatched to attack Ni. Sima Wang also encamped north of the Huai with a great army to resist Sun Hao. War raged at home and abroad; famine and rebellion gripped the western provinces; the people groaned with grief and resentment—yin had grown overpowering. Early in the Xianning era he first bestowed ancestral temple titles; early in the Taixi era he restored the seats of the Five Emperors.
11
晉武帝太康二年六月，泰山、江夏大水。 泰山流三百家，殺六千餘人； 江夏亦殺人。 是時平吳後，王浚為元功，而詆劾妄加； 荀、賈為無謀，而並蒙重賞。 收吳姬五千，納之後宮。 此其應也。 太康四年七月，司、豫、徐、兗、荊、揚郡國二十大水，傷秋稼，壞屋室，有死者。 太康六年三月，青、涼、幽、冀郡國十五大水。 太康七年九月，西方安定等郡國八大水。 太康八年六月，郡國八大水。 晉惠帝元康二年，有水災。 元康五年五月，潁川、淮南大水； 六月，城陽、東莞大水殺人； 荊、揚、徐、兗、豫五州又大水。 是時帝即位已五載，猶未郊祀，烝嘗亦多不身親近。 簡宗廟，廢祭祀之罰也。 班固曰：「王者即位，必郊祀天地，望秩山川。 若乃不敬鬼神，政令違逆，則霧水暴至，百川逆溢，壞鄉邑，溺人民，水不潤下也。」 元康六年五月，荊、揚二州大水。 按董仲舒說，水者，陰氣盛也。 是時賈後亂朝，寵樹賈、郭。 女主專政之應也。 元康八年五月，金墉城井水溢。 漢成帝時有此妖，班固以為王莽之象。 及趙倫篡位，即此應也。 倫廢帝於此城，井溢所在，又天意乎！ 元康八年九月，荊、揚、徐、兗、冀五州大水。 是時賈後暴戾滋甚，韓謐驕猜彌扇，卒害太子，旋亦禍滅。 元康九年四月，宮中井水沸溢。
In the sixth month of the second year of Taikang, under Emperor Wu of Jin, Mount Tai and Jiangxia were struck by great floods. At Mount Tai the flood carried off three hundred households and killed more than six thousand people; Jiangxia also saw deaths. At this time, after the conquest of Wu, Wang Jun had been the foremost contributor to victory, yet baseless slander and impeachment were heaped upon him; while Xun and Jia, though devoid of merit, both received lavish rewards. He took five thousand women of Wu into the harem. This was the corresponding manifestation. In the seventh month of the fourth year of Taikang, twenty commanderies and kingdoms across Si, Yu, Xu, Yan, Jing, and Yang were flooded. Autumn crops were ruined, houses destroyed, and some people died. In the third month of the sixth year of Taikang, fifteen commanderies and kingdoms in Qing, Liang, You, and Ji were flooded. In the ninth month of the seventh year of Taikang, eight western commanderies and kingdoms including Anding were flooded. In the sixth month of the eighth year of Taikang, eight commanderies and kingdoms were flooded. In the second year of Yuankang, under Emperor Hui of Jin, floods struck. In the fifth month of the fifth year of Yuankang, Yingchuan and Huainan were flooded; in the sixth month, floods in Chengyang and Dongguan killed people; and Jing, Yang, Xu, Yan, and Yu provinces were flooded again. By this time the emperor had reigned five years yet still had not performed the suburban sacrifices, and he often did not attend the seasonal offerings in person. This was the penalty for curtailing the ancestral temples and abandoning sacrifice. Ban Gu writes: "When a king takes the throne, he must sacrifice to Heaven and Earth at the suburban altars and offer ranked worship to the mountains and rivers. If he fails to honor the spirits, and his edicts defy right principle, then mist and flood descend violently, the hundred streams reverse their course, villages are destroyed, and people are drowned—water failing to flow downward." In the fifth month of the sixth year of Yuankang, Jing and Yang provinces were flooded. According to Dong Zhongshu's doctrine, water signifies the dominance of yin. At this time Empress Jia threw the court into turmoil, elevating the Jia and Guo clans. This was the manifestation of a woman monopolizing power. In the fifth month of the eighth year of Yuankang, the well at Jincheng overflowed. A similar prodigy had appeared under Emperor Cheng of Han, which Ban Gu interpreted as a portent of Wang Mang. When Zhao Lun seized the throne, this was the corresponding manifestation. Lun had deposed the emperor at this fortress—the very place where the well overflowed. Was this not Heaven's intent again! In the ninth month of the eighth year of Yuankang, Jing, Yang, Xu, Yan, and Ji provinces were flooded. By this time Empress Jia's cruelty had grown extreme, and Han Mi's arrogance and suspicion ran rampant. In the end they destroyed the crown prince, and soon met their own ruin. In the fourth month of the ninth year of Yuankang, the palace well boiled over.
12
晉孝懷帝永嘉四年四月，江東大水。 是時，王導等潛懷翼戴之計。 陰氣盛也。
In the fourth month of the fourth year of Yongjia, under Emperor Huai of Jin, the lands east of the Yangtze were flooded. At this time Wang Dao and others were secretly laying plans to support a new sovereign. Yin had grown overpowering.
13
晉元帝太興三年六月，大水。 是時王敦內懷不臣，傲很作威，後終夷滅。 大興四年七月，大水。 明年有石頭之敗。
In the sixth month of the third year of Taixing, under Emperor Yuan of Jin, a great flood struck. At this time Wang Dun harbored treasonous intent, ruling with arrogance and brutality until he was finally destroyed. In the seventh month of the fourth year of Daxing, another great flood struck. The following year came the defeat at Stone Castle.
14
晉元帝永昌二年五月，荊州及丹陽、宣城、吳興、壽春大水。
In the fifth month of the second year of Yongchang, under Emperor Yuan of Jin, Jing Province and Danyang, Xuancheng, Wuxing, and Shouchun were flooded.
15
晉穆帝永和四年五月，大水。 是時幼主沖弱，母后臨朝； 又將相大臣，各爭權政。 與咸和初同事也。 永和五年五月，大水。 永和六年五月，大水。 永和七年七月甲辰夜，濤水入石頭，死者數百人。 去年，殷浩以私忿廢蔡謨，遐邇非之。 又幼主在上，而殷、桓交惡，選徒聚甲，各崇私權。 陰勝陽之應也。 一說濤入石頭，江右以為兵占。 是後殷浩、桓溫、謝尚、荀羨連年征伐。
In the fifth month of the fourth year of Yonghe, under Emperor Mu of Jin, a great flood struck. At this time the young emperor was still a child, and the empress dowager held the reins of government; while generals, ministers, and great officials wrestled among themselves for power. This matched the situation at the beginning of the Xianhe era. In the fifth month of the fifth year of Yonghe, another great flood struck. In the fifth month of the sixth year of Yonghe, another great flood struck. On the night of the jiachen day in the seventh month of the seventh year of Yonghe, tidal water surged into Stone Castle and killed several hundred people. The year before, Yin Hao had dismissed Cai Mo out of personal spite, drawing condemnation from all quarters. Moreover, with a child on the throne, Yin Hao and Huan Wen were locked in enmity, each raising troops and amassing arms to advance his private power. This was a manifestation of yin overcoming yang. Some held that when the tide entered Stone Castle, the lands south of the Yangtze read it as a portent of war. Thereafter Yin Hao, Huan Wen, Xie Shang, and Xun Xian campaigned year after year without cease.
16
晉穆帝升平二年五月，大水。 是時桓溫權制朝廷，征伐是專。 升平五年四月，大水。
In the fifth month of the second year of Shengping, under Emperor Mu of Jin, a great flood struck. At this time Huan Wen dominated the court and monopolized every campaign. In the fourth month of the fifth year of Shengping, another great flood struck.
17
晉海西太和六年六月，京都大水，平地數尺，侵及太廟。 硃雀大航纜斷，三艘流入大江。 丹陽、晉陵、吳國、吳興、臨海五郡又大水，稻稼蕩沒，黎庶饑饉。 初四年，桓溫北伐敗績，十喪其九； 五年，又征淮南，逾歲乃克。 百姓愁怨之應也。
In the sixth month of the sixth year of Taihe, under the Deposed Emperor of Jin, the capital was flooded. Water stood several feet deep on level ground and reached the Grand Temple. The mooring cables of the Vermilion Bird bridge snapped, and three vessels were swept into the Yangtze. Danyang, Jinling, Wu, Wuxing, and Linhai were flooded again. Crops were destroyed, and the people faced famine. In the fourth year Huan Wen's northern campaign had ended in disaster, with nine men in ten lost; in the fifth year he campaigned against Huainan again, and only after more than a year did he prevail. This was the manifestation of popular grief and resentment.
18
晉孝武帝太元三年六月，大水。 是時孝武幼弱，政在將相。 太元五年，大水。 去年氐賊攻沒襄陽，又向廣陵。 於是逼徙江、淮民悉令南渡，三州失業，道饉相望。 謝玄雖破句難等，自後征戍不已。 百姓愁怨之應也。 太元六年六月，荊、江揚三州大水。 太元十年夏，大水。 初八年，破苻堅，自後有事中州，役無已歲。 兵民愁怨之應也。 太元十三年十二月，濤水入石頭。 明年，丁零、鮮卑寇擾司、兗鎮戍，西、北疲於奔命。 太元十五年七月，兗州大水。 是時緣河紛爭，征戍勤悴。 太元十七年六月甲寅，濤水入石頭，毀大航，漂船舫，有死者； 京口西浦，亦濤入殺人。 永嘉郡潮水湧起，近海四縣人民多死。 後四年帝崩，而王恭再攻京師。 京師亦發大眾以禦之。 太元十九年七月，荊州、彭城大水傷稼。 太元二十年，荊州、彭城大水。 太元二十一年五月癸卯，大水。 是時政事多弊，兆庶非之。
In the sixth month of the third year of Taixuan, under Emperor Xiaowu of Jin, a great flood struck. At this time Emperor Xiaowu was still a child, and power rested with the generals and ministers. In the fifth year of Taixuan, another great flood struck. The year before, Di forces had overrun Xiangyang and advanced toward Guangling. The court then forced the people of the Jiang and Huai regions to flee south en masse. Three provinces were stripped of their livelihoods, and the roads were lined with the starving. Though Xie Xuan had defeated Gou Nan and his allies, campaigns and garrison duty never ceased thereafter. This was the manifestation of popular grief and resentment. In the sixth month of the sixth year of Taixuan, Jing, Jiang, and Yang provinces were flooded. In the summer of the tenth year of Taixuan, another great flood struck. In the eighth year they had defeated Fu Jian, but thereafter campaigns in the central provinces continued, and corvée labor never ceased from one year to the next. This was the manifestation of grief and resentment among soldiers and civilians alike. In the twelfth month of the thirteenth year of Taixuan, tidal water surged into Stone Castle. The following year Dingling and Xianbei raiders harassed the garrisons of Si and Yan, and the western and northern frontiers were worn out by constant emergency marches. In the seventh month of the fifteenth year of Taixuan, Yan Province was flooded. At this time fighting along the Yellow River never ceased, and campaigns and garrisons exhausted every man. On the jiayin day of the sixth month of the seventeenth year of Taixuan, tidal water surged into Stone Castle, destroyed the great bridge, swept away boats, and killed some people; at the western ford of Jingkou the tide also surged in and killed people. In Yongjia Commandery the tide surged, and in four coastal counties many people died. Four years later the emperor died, and Wang Gong attacked the capital again. The capital in turn raised a great army to resist him. In the seventh month of the nineteenth year of Taixuan, floods in Jing Province and Pengcheng ruined the crops. In the twentieth year of Taixuan, Jing Province and Pengcheng were flooded again. On the guimao day of the fifth month of the twenty-first year of Taixuan, another great flood struck. At this time government was rife with abuses, and the people condemned it on all sides.
19
晉安帝隆安三年五月，荊州大水。 去年，殷仲堪舉兵向京都； 是年春，又殺郗恢。 陰盛作威之應也。 仲堪尋亦敗亡。 隆安五年五月，大水。 是時司馬元顯作威陵上，又桓玄擅西夏，孫恩亂東國。 陰勝陽之應也。
In the fifth month of the third year of Long'an, under Emperor An of Jin, Jing Province was flooded. The year before, Yin Zhongkan had raised troops against the capital; and that spring he also killed Chi Hui. This was the manifestation of overpowering yin asserting its dominance. Zhongkan soon met defeat and ruin as well. In the fifth month of the fifth year of Long'an, another great flood struck. At this time Sima Yuanxian lorded it over his superiors, Huan Xuan seized control of the western regions, and Sun En threw the eastern provinces into chaos. This was another manifestation of yin overcoming yang.
20
晉安帝元興二年十二月，桓玄篡位。 其明年二月庚寅夜，濤水入石頭。 是時貢使商旅，方舟萬計，漂敗流斷，骸胔相望。 江右雖有濤變，未有若斯之甚。 三月，義軍克京都，玄敗走，遂夷滅。 元興三年二月己醜朔夜，濤水入石頭，漂沒殺人，大航流敗。
In the twelfth month of the second year of Yuanxing, under Emperor An of Jin, Huan Xuan usurped the throne. On the night of the gengyin day in the second month of the following year, tidal water surged into Stone Castle. At this time tribute missions and merchant fleets numbered in the tens of thousands of vessels. They were smashed and swept away in fragments, corpses lining the waters as far as the eye could see. The lands south of the Yangtze had seen tidal disasters before, but never one so devastating. In the third month the loyalist army took the capital. Xuan fled in defeat and was finally destroyed. On the night of the new moon, the jichou day of the second month of the third year of Yuanxing, tidal water surged into Stone Castle, drowning people and sweeping everything away. The great bridge was destroyed.
21
宋文帝元嘉五年六月，京邑大水。 七年，右將軍到彥之率師入河。 元嘉十一年五月，京邑大水。 十三年，司空檀道濟誅。 元嘉十二年六月，丹陽、淮南、吳、吳興、義興五郡大水，京邑乘船。 元嘉十八年五月，江水泛溢，沒居民，害苗稼。 明年，右軍將軍裴方明率雍、梁之眾伐仇池。 元嘉十九年、二十年，東諸郡大水。 元嘉二十九年五月，京邑大水。
In the sixth month of the fifth year of Yuanjia, under Emperor Wen of Song, the capital region was flooded. In the seventh year the General of the Right Dao Yanzhi led his army into the Yellow River region. In the fifth month of the eleventh year of Yuanjia, the capital region was flooded again. In the thirteenth year the Minister of Works Tan Daoji was put to death. In the sixth month of the twelfth year of Yuanjia, Danyang, Huainan, Wu, Wuxing, and Yixing were flooded, and in the capital people traveled by boat. In the fifth month of the eighteenth year of Yuanjia, the Yangtze overflowed, drowning residents and destroying the crops. The following year the General of the Right Army Pei Fangming led the armies of Yong and Liang against Chouchi. In the nineteenth and twentieth years of Yuanjia, the eastern commanderies were flooded. In the fifth month of the twenty-ninth year of Yuanjia, the capital region was flooded again.
22
孝武帝孝建元年八月，會稽大水，平地八尺。 後二年，虜寇青、冀州，遣羽林軍卒討伐。 孝武帝大明元年五月，吳興、義興大水。 大明四年八月，雍州大水。 大明四年，南徐、南兗州大水。
In the eighth month of the first year of Xiaojian, under Emperor Xiaowu, Kuaiji was flooded. On level ground the water stood eight feet deep. Two years later northern enemies raided Qing and Ji provinces, and imperial guardsmen were sent to repel them. In the fifth month of the first year of Daming, under Emperor Xiaowu, Wuxing and Yixing were flooded. In the eighth month of the fourth year of Daming, Yong Province was flooded. In the fourth year of Daming, southern Xu and southern Yan provinces were flooded.
23
後廢帝元徽元年六月，壽陽大水。
In the sixth month of the first year of Yuanhui, under the Deposed Emperor, Shouchun was flooded.
24
順帝升明元年七月，雍州大水，甚于關羽樊城時。 升明二年二月，於潛翼異山一夕五十二處水出，流漂居民。 七月丙午朔，濤水入石頭，居民皆漂沒。
In the seventh month of the first year of Shengming, under Emperor Shun, Yong Province was flooded more severely than at Guan Yu's siege of Fancheng. In the second month of the second year of Shengming, at Mount Yiyi in Yuqian, water burst from fifty-two places in a single night and swept residents away. On the new moon, the bingwu day of the seventh month, tidal water surged into Stone Castle and drowned the inhabitants.
25
恆寒：
Constant cold:
26
庶征之恆寒，劉歆以為「大雨雪、及未當雨雪而雨雪、及大雨雹、隕霜殺菽草，皆常寒之罰也」。 京房《易傳》曰：「有德遭險，茲謂逆命。 厥異寒。 誅罰過深，當燠而寒，盡六日，亦為雹。 害正不誅，茲謂養賊。 寒七十二日，殺飛禽。 道人始去，茲謂傷。 其寒物無霜而死，湧水出。 戰不量敵，茲謂辱命。 其寒雖雨物不茂。」
Among the various omens, constant cold—Liu Xin held that "heavy rain and snow, rain and snow out of season, great hail, and frost that kills beans and grasses are all manifestations of constant cold as punishment." Jing Fang's "Commentary on the Changes" says: "When the virtuous meet danger, that is called defying Heaven's mandate. The anomaly is cold. When punishments run too deep, warmth turns to cold for six full days, and hail may follow. Harming the upright without punishing the guilty—this is called nurturing bandits. Seventy-two days of cold will kill the birds. When men of the Way are first driven away, that is called injury. Its cold kills living things without frost, and surging waters appear. Going to war without gauging the enemy—this is called disgracing one's mandate. Its cold: though rain falls, nothing thrives."
27
吳孫權嘉禾三年九月朔，隕霜傷穀。 按劉向說：「誅罰不由君出，在臣下之象也」。 是時校事呂壹專作威福，與漢元帝時石顯用事隕霜同應。 班固書九月二日，陳壽言朔，皆明未可以傷穀也。 壹後亦伏誅。 京房《易傳》曰：「興兵妄誅，茲謂亡法。 厥災霜，夏殺五穀，冬殺麥。 誅不原情，茲謂不仁。 其霜夏先大雷風，冬先雨，乃隕霜，有芒角。 賢聖遭害，其霜附木不下地。 佞人依刑，茲謂私賊。 其霜在草根土隙間。 不教而誅，茲謂虐。 其霜反在草下。」
On the first day of the ninth month of the third year of Jiahe, under Sun Quan of Wu, frost fell and damaged the grain. According to Liu Xiang's doctrine: "When punishments do not issue from the ruler, power has passed to his subordinates." At this time the investigator Lü Yi monopolized power and favor—the same manifestation as the frost that fell when Shi Xian dominated the court under Emperor Yuan of Han. Ban Gu dates it to the second day of the ninth month, while Chen Shou says the first day—both making clear that the grain could not yet have been ripe enough to suffer damage. Yi was later executed as well. Jing Fang's "Commentary on the Changes" says: "Raising troops and punishing without cause—this is called the abandonment of law. The calamity is frost: in summer it destroys the five grains, in winter it destroys the wheat. Punishing without investigating the facts—this is called want of benevolence. Its frost: in summer comes first great thunder and wind; in winter comes first rain; then frost falls, sharp-pointed. When the worthy and sage suffer harm, the frost clings to the trees and never reaches the ground. When sycophants lean on the penal code, that is called covert brigandage. Its frost settles among grass roots and in the cracks of the earth. To punish without teaching first—that is called tyranny. Its frost lies beneath the grass instead."
28
嘉禾四年七月，雨雹，又隕霜。 案劉向說：「雹者陰脅陽」。 是時呂壹作威用事，詆毀重臣，排陷無辜。 自太子登以下，鹹患毒之，而壹反獲封侯寵異。 與《春秋》公子遂專任，雨雹同應也。 漢安帝信讒，多殺無辜，亦雨雹。 董仲舒曰「凡雹皆為有所脅，行專一之政」故也。
In the seventh month of the fourth year of Jiahe, hail fell, and frost fell again. According to Liu Xiang's account: "Hail is yin coercing yang." At this time Lü Yi lorded it over the court, defamed senior officials, and framed innocent men. From Crown Prince Deng on down, everyone alike suffered under his venom, yet Yi was enfeoffed as a marquis and showered with special favor. This was the same hail-borne response as when Gongsun Sui monopolized power in the Spring and Autumn Annals. Emperor An of Han heeded slander, put many innocent men to death, and hail fell as well. Dong Zhongshu said that "all hail arises when something is coerced—it comes from rule exercised by a single hand alone."
29
吳孫權赤烏四年正月，大雪，平地深三尺，鳥獸死者太半。 是年夏，全琮等四將軍攻略淮南、襄陽，戰死者千餘人。 其後權以讒邪，數責讓陸議，議憤恚致卒。 與漢景、武大雪同事也。 赤烏十一年四月，雨雹。 是時權聽讒，將危太子。 其後硃據、屈晃以迕意黜辱，陳象以忠諫族誅，而太子終廢。 此有德遭險，誅罰過深之應也。
In the first month of the fourth year of Chiwu, under Sun Quan of Wu, heavy snow fell until the level ground lay three chi deep, and more than half the birds and beasts perished. That summer, four generals led by Quan Cong campaigned against Huainan and Xiangyang, and more than a thousand men fell in battle. Later Quan, swayed by slander, rebuked Lu Yi again and again until Yi died of fury and indignation. This matched the great snows under Emperors Jing and Wu of Han. In the fourth month of the eleventh year of Chiwu, hail fell. At this time Quan heeded slander and was on the verge of putting the crown prince in peril. Later Zhu Ju and Qu Huang were humiliated and removed for crossing him; Chen Xiang was executed to the last of his clan for loyal remonstrance, and the crown prince was finally deposed. This was the manifestation of the virtuous meeting peril and punishments carried too far.
30
晉武帝泰始六年冬，大雪。 泰始七年十二月，大雪。 明年。 有步闡、楊肇之敗，死傷甚眾。 泰始九年四月辛未，隕霜。 是時賈充親党比周用事。 與魯定公、漢元帝時隕霜同應也。
In the winter of the sixth year of Taishi, under Emperor Wu of Jin, heavy snow fell. In the twelfth month of the seventh year of Taishi, heavy snow fell again. The following year, came the defeats of Bu Chan and Yang Zhao, with casualties numbering in the thousands. On the xinwei day of the fourth month of the ninth year of Taishi, frost fell. At this time Jia Chong's kin and allies formed factions and dominated the court. This was the same falling-frost response as under Duke Ding of Lu and Emperor Yuan of Han.
31
晉武帝咸寧三年八月，平原、安平、上党、秦郡霜害三豆。 咸寧三年八月，河間暴風寒冰，郡國五隕霜傷穀。 是後大舉征吳，馬隆又帥精勇討涼州。 咸甯五年五月丁亥，钜鹿、魏郡雨雹傷禾、麥； 辛卯，雁門雨雹傷秋稼＃咸寧五年六月庚戌，汲郡、廣平、陳留、滎陽雨雹； 丙辰，又雨雹，損傷秋麥千三百餘頃，壞屋百三十餘間； 癸亥，安定雨雹； 七月丙申，魏郡又雨雹； 閏月壬子，新興又雨雹； 八月庚子，河東、弘農又雨雹，兼傷秋稼三豆。
In the eighth month of the third year of Xianning, under Emperor Wu of Jin, frost in Pingyuan, Anping, Shangdang, and Qin commanderies damaged soybeans, small beans, and other legumes. In the eighth month of the third year of Xianning, violent winds and freezing cold struck Hejian, and falling frost in five commanderies and kingdoms damaged the grain. Afterwards a great campaign was launched against Wu, and Ma Long also led crack troops to pacify Liangzhou. On the dinghai day of the fifth month of the fifth year of Xianning, hail in Julu and Wei commanderies damaged millet and wheat; On the xinmao day, hail in Yanmen damaged the autumn crops; on the gengxu day of the sixth month of the fifth year of Xianning, hail fell in Ji, Guangping, Chenliu, and Xingyang commanderies; On the bingchen day, hail fell again, ruining more than thirteen hundred qing of autumn wheat and wrecking more than one hundred thirty dwellings; On the guihai day, hail fell in Anding; On the bingshen day of the seventh month, hail fell again in Wei commandery; On the renzi day of the intercalary month, hail fell again in Xinxing; On the gengzi day of the eighth month, hail fell again in Hedong and Hongnong, damaging autumn crops and the three legumes as well.
32
晉武帝太康元年三月，河東、高平霜雹，傷桑、麥； 四月，河南、河內、河東、魏郡、弘農雨雹，傷麥、豆； 五月，東平、平陽、上黨、雁門、濟南雨雹，傷禾、麥、三豆。 太康元年四月庚午，畿內縣二及東平范陽縣雨雹； 癸酉，畿內縣五又雨雹。 是時王浚有大功，而權戚互加陷抑，帝從容不斷。 陰脅陽之應也。 太康二年二月辛酉，殞霜於濟南、琅邪，傷麥； 壬申，琅邪雨雪傷麥； 三月甲午，河東隕霜害桑。 太康二年五月丙戌，城陽、章武、琅邪傷麥； 庚寅，河東、樂安、東平、濟陰、弘農、濮陽、齊國、頓丘、魏郡、河內、汲郡、上黨雨雹，傷禾稼。 太康二年六月，郡國十六雨雹。 太康三年十二月，大雪。 太康五年七月乙卯，中山、東平雨雹，傷秋稼。 太康五年七月甲辰，中山雨雹； 九月，南安大雪折木。 太康六年二月，東海霜傷桑、麥。 太康六年三月戊辰，齊郡臨菑、長廣不其等四縣，樂安梁鄒等八縣，琅邪臨沂等八縣，河間易城等六縣，高陽北新城等四縣，隕霜傷桑、麥。 太康六年六月，滎陽、汲郡、雁門雨雹。 太康八年四月，齊國、天水二郡隕霜； 十二月，大雪。 太康九年正月，京都大風雨雹，髮屋拔木； 四月，隴西隕霜。 太康十年四月，郡國八隕霜。
In the third month of the first year of Taikang, under Emperor Wu of Jin, frost and hail in Hedong and Gaoping damaged mulberry and wheat; In the fourth month, hail in Henan, Henei, Hedong, Wei commandery, and Hongnong damaged wheat and beans; In the fifth month, hail in Dongping, Pingyang, Shangdang, Yanmen, and Jinan damaged millet, wheat, and the three legumes. On the gengwu day of the fourth month of the first year of Taikang, hail fell in two counties of the capital region and in Fanyang County of Dongping; On the guiyou day, hail fell again in five counties of the capital region. At this time Wang Jun had won great distinction, yet powerful relatives heaped slander and obstruction upon him while the emperor remained leisurely and could not decide. This was a manifestation of yin coercing yang. On the xinyou day of the second month of the second year of Taikang, falling frost in Jinan and Langya damaged wheat; On the renshen day, rain and snow in Langya damaged wheat; On the jiawu day of the third month, falling frost in Hedong damaged the mulberry. On the bingxu day of the fifth month of the second year of Taikang, wheat was damaged in Chengyang, Zhangwu, and Langya; On the gengyin day, hail in Hedong, Le'an, Dongping, Jiyin, Hongnong, Puyang, Qi, Dunqiu, Wei commandery, Henei, Ji commandery, and Shangdang damaged the grain. In the sixth month of the second year of Taikang, sixteen commanderies and kingdoms were struck by hail. In the twelfth month of the third year of Taikang, heavy snow fell. On the yimao day of the seventh month of the fifth year of Taikang, hail in Zhongshan and Dongping damaged the autumn crops. On the jiachen day of the seventh month of the fifth year of Taikang, hail fell in Zhongshan; In the ninth month, heavy snow in Nan'an broke trees. In the second month of the sixth year of Taikang, frost in Donghai damaged mulberry and wheat. On the wuchen day of the third month of the sixth year of Taikang, falling frost in four counties including Linzi of Qi and Buqi of Changguang, eight counties including Liangzou of Le'an, eight including Linyi of Langya, six including Yicheng of Hejian, and four including Beixincheng of Gaoyang damaged mulberry and wheat. In the sixth month of the sixth year of Taikang, hail fell in Xingyang, Ji commandery, and Yanmen. In the fourth month of the eighth year of Taikang, falling frost in Qi and Tianshui commanderies; In the twelfth month, heavy snow fell. In the first month of the ninth year of Taikang, fierce wind and hail in the capital stripped roofs and uprooted trees; In the fourth month, frost fell in Longxi. In the fourth month of the tenth year of Taikang, frost fell in eight commanderies and kingdoms.
33
晉惠帝元康二年八月，沛及湯陰雨雹。 元康三年四月，滎陽雨雹； 弘農湖、華陰又雨雹，深三尺。 是時賈後凶淫專恣，與《春秋》魯桓夫人同事。 陰氣盛也。 元康五年六月，東海雨雹，深五寸； 十二月，丹陽雨雹。 元康五年十二月，丹陽建業大雪。 元康六年三月，東海隕霜殺桑、麥。 元康七年五月，魯國雨雹； 七月，秦、雍二州隕霜殺稼。 元康九年三月旬有八日，河南、滎陽、潁川隕霜傷禾； 五月，雨雹。 是時賈後凶躁滋甚，是冬遂廢湣懷。
In the eighth month of the second year of Yuankang, under Emperor Hui of Jin, hail fell in Pei and Tangyin. In the fourth month of the third year of Yuankang, hail fell in Xingyang; Hail fell again at Hongnong Lake and Huayin, piled three chi deep. At this time Empress Jia was cruel, licentious, and autocratic—the same case as the wife of Duke Huan of Lu in the Spring and Autumn Annals. Yin was in the ascendant. In the sixth month of the fifth year of Yuankang, hail in Donghai lay five cun deep; In the twelfth month, hail fell in Danyang. In the twelfth month of the fifth year of Yuankang, heavy snow fell in Jianye, Danyang. In the third month of the sixth year of Yuankang, falling frost in Donghai destroyed mulberry and wheat. In the fifth month of the seventh year of Yuankang, hail fell in Lu; In the seventh month, falling frost in Qin and Yong provinces destroyed the harvest. On the eighteenth day of the third month of the ninth year of Yuankang, falling frost in Henan, Xingyang, and Yingchuan damaged the grain; In the fifth month, hail fell. At this time Empress Jia's cruelty and frenzy grew ever worse, and that winter she deposed Crown Prince Minhuai.
34
晉元帝太興二年三月丁未，成都風雹殺人。 太興三年三月，海鹽郡雨雹。 是時王敦陵上。
On the dingwei day of the third month of the second year of Taixing, under Emperor Yuan of Jin, wind and hail in Chengdu killed people. In the third month of the third year of Taixing, hail fell in Haiyan commandery. At this time Wang Dun was encroaching upon the throne.
35
晉元帝永昌二年十二月，幽、冀、並三州大雪。
In the twelfth month of the second year of Yongchang, under Emperor Yuan of Jin, heavy snow fell in You, Ji, and Bing provinces.
36
晉成帝鹹和六年三月癸未，雨雹。 是時帝幼弱，政在大臣。 咸和九年八月，成都雪。 其日李雄死。 晉成帝咸康二年正月丁巳，皇后見於太廟。 其夕雨雹。
On the guiwei day of the third month of the sixth year of Xianhe, under Emperor Cheng of Jin, hail fell. At this time the emperor was still a child, and power rested with the great ministers. In the eighth month of the ninth year of Xianhe, snow fell in Chengdu. On that same day Li Xiong died. On the dingsi day of the first month of the second year of Xiankang, under Emperor Cheng of Jin, the empress made her appearance at the Grand Ancestral Temple. That same evening hail fell.
37
晉穆帝永和三年八月，冀方大雪，人馬多凍死。 永和五年六月，臨漳暴風震霆，雨雹大如升。 永和十年五月，涼州雪。 明年八月，桴罕護軍張瓘帥宗混等攻滅張祚，更立張曜靈弟玄靚。 京房《易傳》曰：「夏雨雪，戒臣為亂。」 永和十一年四月壬申朔，雪； 十二月戊午，雷； 己未，雷。 是時帝幼，母后稱制，政在大臣。 晉穆帝升平二年正月，大雪。
In the eighth month of the third year of Yonghe, under Emperor Mu of Jin, heavy snow struck the Ji region, and many men and horses froze to death. In the sixth month of the fifth year of Yonghe, violent wind and thunder shook Linzhang, and hailstones as large as a sheng fell. In the fifth month of the tenth year of Yonghe, snow fell in Liangzhou. The following year in the eighth month, Zhang Guan, Protector-General of Fuhan, led Zong Hun and others to attack and destroy Zhang Zuo, and set up Zhang Yaoling's younger brother Xuanjing in his place. Jing Fang's "Commentary on the Changes" says: "When rain and snow fall in summer, it warns that ministers will rise in rebellion." On the renshen day, the first of the fourth month of the eleventh year of Yonghe, snow fell; On the wuwu day of the twelfth month, thunder; On the jiwei day, thunder again. At this time the emperor was still a child; the empress dowager held regency, and power rested with the great ministers. In the first month of the second year of Shengping, under Emperor Mu of Jin, heavy snow fell.
38
晉孝武帝太元二年四月己酉，雨雹； 十二月，大雪。 是時帝幼弱，政在將相。 太元十二年四月己醜，雨雹。 是時有事中州，兵役連歲。 太元二十年五月癸卯，上虞雨雹。 太元二十一年四月丁亥，雨雹。 是時張夫人專幸，及帝暴崩，兆庶尤之。 太元二十一年十二月，連雪二十三日。 是時嗣主幼沖，塚宰專政。
On the jiyou day of the fourth month of the second year of Taiyuan, under Emperor Xiaowu of Jin, hail fell; In the twelfth month, heavy snow fell. At this time the emperor was still a child, and power rested with the generals and chancellors. On the jichou day of the fourth month of the twelfth year of Taiyuan, hail fell. At this time campaigns were underway in the Central Plains, and military service continued year after year. On the guimao day of the fifth month of the twentieth year of Taiyuan, hail fell in Shangyu. On the dinghai day of the fourth month of the twenty-first year of Taiyuan, hail fell. At this time Lady Zhang held the emperor's exclusive favor, and when he died suddenly, the people laid the blame especially upon her. In the twelfth month of the twenty-first year of Taiyuan, snow fell without stop for twenty-three days. At this time the heir was still a child, and the chief minister held all power.
39
晉安帝隆安二年三月乙卯，雨雹。 是秋，王恭、殷仲堪入伐，終皆誅。 晉安帝元興二年十二月，酷寒過甚。 是時桓玄篡位，政事煩苛，是其應也。 晉氏失在舒緩，玄則反之。 劉向曰：「周衰無寒歲，秦滅無燠年。」 此之謂也。 元興三年正月甲申，霰雪，又雷。 雷霰不應同日，失節之應也。 二月，義兵起，玄敗。 元興三年四月丙午，江陵雨雹。 是時安帝蒙塵。
On the yimao day of the third month of the second year of Long'an, under Emperor An of Jin, hail fell. That autumn Wang Gong and Yin Zhongkan marched in force against the court; both were put to death in the end. In the twelfth month of the second year of Yuanxing, under Emperor An of Jin, the cold was unusually severe. At this time Huan Xuan had seized the throne, and government had grown oppressive and harsh—the cold answered to this. The Jin had erred through laxity and indulgence; Huan Xuan swung to the opposite extreme. Liu Xiang said: "When Zhou declined, no year was cold; when Qin fell, no year was warm." This is what he meant. On the jiashen day of the first month of the third year of Yuanxing, sleet fell, and thunder sounded as well. Thunder and sleet ought not to come on the same day—it was a portent of the seasons thrown out of joint. In the second month the loyalist armies rose, and Huan Xuan was defeated. On the bingwu day of the fourth month of the third year of Yuanxing, hail fell in Jiangling. At this time Emperor An was an emperor in exile.
40
宋文帝元嘉九年春，京都雨雹，溧陽、盱眙尤甚，傷牛馬，殺禽獸。 元嘉十八年三月，雨雹。 二十五虜寇青州。 元嘉二十五年正月，積雪冰寒。 元嘉二十九年五月，盱眙雨雹，大如雞卵。 三十年，國家禍亂，兵革大起。
In the spring of the ninth year of Yuanjia, under Emperor Wen of Song, hail struck the capital, worst of all at Liyang and Xuyi, wounding cattle and horses and killing birds and beasts. In the third month of the eighteenth year of Yuanjia, hail fell. The Northern Wei (Tuoba) barbarians invaded Qing province. In the first month of the twenty-fifth year of Yuanjia, deep snow and bitter ice cold prevailed. In the fifth month of the twenty-ninth year of Yuanjia, hail fell at Xuyi, each stone as large as a hen's egg. In the thirtieth year the realm fell into catastrophe and rebellion, and war flared up on every side.
41
孝武帝大明元年十二月庚寅，大雪，平地二尺餘。 明年，虜侵冀州，遣羽林軍北討。
On the gengyin day of the twelfth month of the first year of Daming, under Emperor Xiaowu of Song, heavy snow fell until level ground lay more than two chi deep. The following year northern enemies invaded Ji province, and the palace guard was sent north to drive them back.
42
明帝泰始五年四月壬辰，京邑雨雹。
On the renchen day of the fourth month of the fifth year of Taishi, under Emperor Ming, hail fell in the capital.
43
後廢帝元徽三年五月乙卯，京邑雨雹。
On the yimao day of the fifth month of the third year of Yuanhui, under the Later Deposed Emperor, hail fell in the capital.
44
雷震：
Thunder Strikes:
45
魏明帝景初中，洛陽城東橋、洛水浮橋桓楹，同日三處俱震； 尋又震西城上候風木飛烏。 時勞役大起，帝尋晏駕。
During the Jingchu era of Emperor Ming of Wei, thunder struck the bridge pillars at Luoyang's eastern city bridge and the Luo River pontoon bridge—all three within the same day; Shortly afterward it struck the wind-vane wooden flying crow atop the western wall. Corvée labor was then levied on an enormous scale, and the emperor died soon after.
46
吳孫權赤烏八年夏，震宮門柱； 又擊南津大橋桓楹。
In the summer of the eighth year of Chiwu, under Sun Quan of Wu, lightning struck the palace gate pillars; and also struck the pillars of the Nanjin Great Bridge.
47
孫亮建興元年十二月朔，大風震電； 是月又雷雨。 義同前說。 亮終廢。
On the first day of the twelfth month of the first year of Jianxing, under Sun Liang, fierce winds brought thunder and lightning; and later that month thunder and rain came again. The omen carried the same meaning as before. Sun Liang was deposed in the end.
48
晉武帝太康六年十二月甲申朔，淮南郡震電。 太康七年十二月己亥，毗陵雷電，南沙司鹽都尉戴亮以聞。 太康十年十二月癸卯，廬江、建安雷電大雨。
On the first jiashen day of the twelfth month of the sixth year of Taikang, under Emperor Wu of Jin, thunder and lightning appeared in Huainan commandery. On the jihai day of the twelfth month of the seventh year of Taikang, thunder and lightning struck Piling; Dai Liang, Superintendent of Salt at Nansha, made report of it. On the guimao day of the twelfth month of the tenth year of Taikang, thunder, lightning, and torrential rain struck Lujiang and Jian'an.
49
晉懷帝永嘉四年十月，震電。
In the tenth month of the fourth year of Yongjia, under Emperor Huai of Jin, thunder and lightning appeared.
50
晉元帝永昌二年七月丙子朔，雷震太極殿柱。 永昌二年十一月，會稽、吳郡雨震電。
On the first bingzi day of the seventh month of the second year of Yongchang, under Emperor Yuan of Jin, lightning struck the pillars of the Hall of Supreme Ultimate. In the eleventh month of the second year of Yongchang, rain fell amid thunder and lightning in Kuaiji and Wu commandery.
51
晉孝武帝太元五年六月甲寅，雷震含章殿四柱。 太元五年十二月，雷聲在南方。 太元十四年七月甲寅，震宣陽門西柱。
On the jiayin day of the sixth month of the fifth year of Taiyuan, under Emperor Xiaowu of Jin, lightning struck the four pillars of Hanzhang Hall. In the twelfth month of the fifth year of Taiyuan, thunder was heard in the south. On the jiayin day of the seventh month of the fourteenth year of Taiyuan, lightning struck the western pillar of Xuanyang Gate.
52
晉安帝隆安二年九月壬辰，雨雷。 晉安帝元興三年，永安皇后至自巴陵。 將設儀導入宮，天雷，震人馬各一俱殪。 晉安帝義熙四年十一月辛卯朔，西北疾風； 癸醜，雷。 義熙五年六月丙寅，震太廟，破東鴟尾，徹壁柱。 義熙六年正月丙寅，雷； 丁卯，又雪。 義熙六年十二月壬辰，大雷。 義熙九年十一月甲戌，雷； 乙亥，又雷。
On the renchen day of the ninth month of the second year of Long'an, under Emperor An of Jin, rain fell amid thunder. In the third year of Yuanxing, under Emperor An of Jin, the Empress of Yong'an returned from Baling. As the ceremonial procession was about to conduct her into the palace, a thunderbolt fell, killing one man and one horse. On the first xinmao day of the eleventh month of the fourth year of Yixi, under Emperor An of Jin, a fierce wind rose from the northwest; On the guichou day, thunder sounded. On the bingyin day of the sixth month of the fifth year of Yixi, lightning struck the Imperial Ancestral Temple, shattering the eastern chiwei roof ornament and tearing away the wall pillars. On the bingyin day of the first month of the sixth year of Yixi, thunder sounded; On the dingmao day, snow fell again. On the renchen day of the twelfth month of the sixth year of Yixi, thunder rolled loudly. On the jiaxu day of the eleventh month of the ninth year of Yixi, thunder sounded; On the yihai day, thunder sounded again.
53
宋文帝元嘉四年十一月癸醜，雷。 元嘉五年六月丙寅，震太廟，破東鴟尾，徹壁柱。 元嘉六年正月丙寅，雷且雪。 元嘉七年十月丙子，雷。 元嘉八年十二月庚辰，雷。 元嘉九年十一月甲戌，雷且雪。 元嘉十四年，震初寧陵口標，四破至地。 十七年，廢大將軍彭城王義康。 骨肉相害，自此始也。
On the guichou day of the eleventh month of the fourth year of Yuanjia, under Emperor Wen of Song, thunder sounded. On the bingyin day of the sixth month of the fifth year of Yuanjia, lightning struck the Imperial Ancestral Temple, shattering the eastern chiwei roof ornament and tearing away the wall pillars. On the bingyin day of the first month of the sixth year of Yuanjia, thunder sounded and snow fell together. On the bingzi day of the tenth month of the seventh year of Yuanjia, thunder sounded. On the gengchen day of the twelfth month of the eighth year of Yuanjia, thunder sounded. On the jiaxu day of the eleventh month of the ninth year of Yuanjia, thunder sounded and snow fell together. In the fourteenth year of Yuanjia, lightning struck the marker at the entrance to Chuning Mausoleum, shattering it in four pieces to the ground. In the seventeenth year, the Grand General, Prince of Pengcheng Yi Kang, was stripped of rank. The killing of kin within the imperial house began here.
54
前廢帝景和元年九月甲午，雷震。 明帝泰始二年九月辛巳，雷震。 泰始四年十月辛卯，雷震。 泰始四年十一月癸卯朔，雷震。 泰始五年十一月乙巳，雷震。 泰始六年十一月庚午，雷。
On the jiawu day of the ninth month of the first year of Jinghe, under the Former Deposed Emperor, thunder rolled. On the xinsi day of the ninth month of the second year of Taishi, under Emperor Ming, thunder rolled. On the xinmao day of the tenth month of the fourth year of Taishi, thunder rolled. On the first guimao day of the eleventh month of the fourth year of Taishi, thunder rolled. On the yisi day of the eleventh month of the fifth year of Taishi, thunder rolled. On the gengwu day of the eleventh month of the sixth year of Taishi, thunder sounded.
55
後廢帝元徽三年九月戊戌，雷。 元徽三年九月丁未，雷。 元徽三年九月戊午，雷震。 元徽三年十月辛未，雷； 甲戌，又雷。
On the wuxu day of the ninth month of the third year of Yuanhui, under the Later Deposed Emperor, thunder sounded. On the dingwei day of the ninth month of the third year of Yuanhui, thunder sounded. On the wuwu day of the ninth month of the third year of Yuanhui, thunder rolled. On the xinwei day of the tenth month of the third year of Yuanhui, thunder sounded; On the jiaxu day, thunder sounded again.
56
從帝升明三年二月二十四日丙申，震建陽門。
On the twenty-fourth day, the bingshen day, of the second month of the third year of Shengming, under the Yielding Emperor, lightning struck Jianyang Gate.
57
鼓妖：
Drum Prodigies:
58
晉惠帝元康九年三月，有聲若牛，出許昌城。 十二月，廢太子，幽于許宮。 按《春秋》晉文公柩有聲如牛，劉向以為鼓妖。 其說曰：「聲如此，怒象也。 將有急怒之謀，以生兵甲之禍。」 此其類也。 明年，賈後遣黃門孫慮殺太子，擊以藥杵，聲聞於外。
In the third month of the ninth year of Yuankang, under Emperor Hui of Jin, a sound like the lowing of an ox was heard outside the walls of Xuchang. In the twelfth month the crown prince was deposed and imprisoned in the palace at Xu. In the Spring and Autumn Annals, Duke Wen of Jin's coffin gave forth a sound like an ox; Liu Xiang classified it as a drum prodigy. His doctrine runs: "Such a sound is an image of wrath. Violent counsels born of rage will soon follow, and with them the calamity of arms." This belongs to the same class. The following year Empress Jia sent the palace attendant Sun Lü to murder the crown prince, beating him with a medicine pestle until the blows could be heard outside.
59
蘇峻在曆陽，外營將軍鼓自鳴，如人弄鼓者。 峻手自斫之，曰：「我鄉土時有此，則城空矣。」 俄而作亂夷滅。 此聽不聰之罰，鼓妖先作也。 石虎末，洛陽城西北九裏石牛在青石趺上，忽鳴喚，聲聞四十里。 虎遣人打落兩耳及尾，鐵釘釘四腳。
While Su Jun held Liyang, the drum in the outer camp of the general's headquarters began to beat of its own accord, as though a man were striking it. Su Jun took an axe to it himself and said: "Back home, when this omen appears, the city stands empty." Before long he rose in rebellion and was utterly destroyed. This was the penalty for deafness to counsel—the drum prodigy had sounded first. Near the end of Shi Hu's reign, a stone ox nine li northwest of Luoyang, mounted on a bluestone pedestal, suddenly bellowed, and the sound carried forty li. Shi Hu sent men to break off its ears and tail and nail its four legs to the ground with iron spikes.
60
晉孝武太元十五年三月己酉朔，東北有聲如雷。 案劉向說以為：「雷當托於雲，猶君托於臣。」 無雲而雷，此君不恤下，下民將叛之象也。 及帝崩而天下漸亂，孫恩、桓玄交陵京邑。
On the first jiyou day of the third month of the fifteenth year of Taiyuan, under Emperor Xiaowu of Jin, a thunderous sound rolled from the northeast. In Liu Xiang's account: "Thunder should lodge in the clouds, as the ruler lodges his trust in his ministers." Thunder without clouds signifies a ruler who does not care for his subjects—a portent that the people will turn against him. After the emperor's death the realm slid into disorder, and Sun En and Huan Xuan in turn ravaged the capital.
61
吳興長城縣夏架山有石鼓，長丈餘，面徑三尺所，下有磐石為足，鳴則聲如金鼓，三吳有兵。 晉安帝隆安中大鳴，後有孫靈秀之亂。
On Xiajia Mountain in Changcheng County of Wuxing there stands a stone drum more than one zhang long and about three chi across at the face, rooted on a bedrock pedestal. When it booms, the sound is like gongs and drums—and war comes to the Three Wu. During the Long'an era under Emperor An of Jin it sounded loudly, and afterward Sun Lingxiu rose in rebellion.
62
魚孽：
Fish Calamities:
63
魏齊王嘉平四年五月，有二魚集於武庫屋上。 此魚孽也。 王肅曰：「魚生於淵，而亢於屋，介鱗之物，失其所也。 邊將其殆有棄甲之變乎。」 後果有東關之敗。 幹寶又以為高貴鄉公兵禍之應。 二說皆與班固旨同。
In the fifth month of the fourth year of Jiaping, under the Prince of Qi of Wei, two fish appeared atop the armory roof. This was a fish calamity. Wang Su said: "Fish belong in the depths, yet they climbed onto a rooftop—scaled creatures had lost their proper place. Perhaps the frontier generals were about to cast off their armor in defeat." In the end came the defeat at Dongguan. Gan Bao also interpreted it as a portent of the military disaster that befell the Duke of Gaogui. Both interpretations accord with Ban Gu's doctrine.
64
晉武帝太康中，有鯉魚二見武庫屋上。 幹寶曰：「武庫兵府，魚有鱗甲，亦兵類也。 魚既極陰，屋上太陽，魚見屋上，象至陰以兵革之禍幹太陽也。」 至惠帝初，誅楊駿，廢太后，矢交館閣。 元康末，賈後謗殺太子，尋亦誅廢。 十年間，母后之難再興，是其應也。 自是禍亂構矣。 京房《易妖》曰：「魚去水，飛入道路，兵且作。」
During the Taikang era, under Emperor Wu of Jin, two carp were seen on the roof of the armory. Gan Bao said: "The armory is the storehouse of weapons, and fish with their scales belong to the same class. Fish are utterly yin, the rooftop utterly yang—fish upon a roof signified utmost yin striking at yang through the calamity of war." By the beginning of Emperor Hui's reign, Yang Jun had been executed, the empress dowager deposed, and arrows flew between palace halls. Late in the Yuankang era, Empress Jia destroyed the crown prince through slander, and soon met execution and deposition herself. Within a decade, calamities involving the empress dowager arose twice—this was the corresponding manifestation. From that point disorder and calamity took shape. Jing Fang's "Omens of the Changes" says: "When fish leave the water and fly into the road, war is about to break out."
65
蝗蟲：
Locusts:
66
魏文帝黃初三年七月，冀州大蝗，民饑。 案蔡邕說：「蝗者，在上貪苛之所致也。」 是時孫權歸從，帝因其有西陵之役，舉大眾襲之，權遂背叛。
In the seventh month of the third year of Huangchu, under Emperor Wen of Wei, locusts devastated Ji Province and the people faced famine. According to Cai Yong's doctrine: "Locusts arise from greed and harshness at the top." At this time Sun Quan had submitted to the court. The emperor, taking advantage of Quan's involvement at Xiling, launched a great attack, and Quan rebelled.
67
晉武帝泰始十年六月，蝗。 是時荀、賈任政，疾害公直。
In the sixth month of the tenth year of Taishi, under Emperor Wu of Jin, locusts appeared. At this time the Xun and Jia clans held power and persecuted the upright.
68
晉孝懷帝永嘉四年五月，大蝗，自幽、並、司、冀至於秦、雍，草木牛馬毛鬣皆盡。 是時天下兵亂，漁獵生民，存亡所系，唯司馬越、苟晞而已，而競為暴刻，經略無章。
In the fifth month of the fourth year of Yongjia, under Emperor Huai of Jin, locusts swept from You, Bing, Si, and Ji to Qin and Yong, stripping every blade of grass, every tree, and every hair from cattle and horses. The empire was torn by war, and the powerful preyed on the people. Survival hung on Sima Yue and Gou Xi alone, yet they vied in cruelty and governed without plan.
69
晉湣帝建興四年六月，大蝗。 去歲胡寇頻攻北地、馮翊，暐允等悉眾禦之。 是時又禦劉曜，為曜所破，西京遂潰。
In the sixth month of the fourth year of Jianxing, under Emperor Min of Jin, locusts appeared in great numbers. The year before, barbarian raiders had repeatedly attacked Beidi and Fufeng, and Yin Guang and others had mustered every available force to resist. They then faced Liu Yao again, were defeated, and the western capital fell.
70
晉孝武帝太元十五年八月，兗州蝗。 是時丁零寇兗、豫，鮮卑逼河南，征戍不已。 太元十六年五月，飛蝗從南來，集堂邑縣界，害苗稼。 是年春，發取江州兵營甲士二千人家口六七千人，配護軍及東宮，後尋散亡殆盡； 又邊將連有征殺。
In the eighth month of the fifteenth year of Taixuan, under Emperor Xiaowu of Jin, locusts struck Yan Province. At this time the Dingling raided Yan and Yu, the Xianbei pressed Henan, and campaigns and garrisons never ceased. In the fifth month of the sixteenth year of Taixuan, flying locusts came from the south, gathered in Tangyi County, and destroyed the crops. That spring the court drafted two thousand armored soldiers from Jiang Province camps, along with six or seven thousand dependents, and assigned them to the Protector Army and the Eastern Palace. Soon nearly all had scattered or perished; while frontier generals waged one campaign and slaughter after another.
71
豕禍：
Pig disasters:
72
吳孫皓寶鼎元年，野豕入右司馬丁奉營。 此豕禍也。 後奉見遣攻谷陽，無功反，皓怒，斬其導軍。 及舉大眾北出，奉及萬彧等相謂曰：「若至華里，不得不各自還也。」 此謀泄，奉時雖已死，皓追討谷陽事，殺其子溫，家屬皆遠徙。 豕禍之應也。 龔遂曰：「山野之獸，來入宮室，宮室將空。」 又其象也。
In the first year of Baoding, under Sun Hao of Wu, a wild boar entered the camp of the Right Grand Marshal Ding Feng. This was a pig disaster. Later Feng was dispatched to attack Guyang, returned without success, and Hao in his rage beheaded Feng's guide general. When Hao raised a great army to march north, Feng and Wan Yu and others said to one another: "If we reach Huali, each of us will have to turn back on our own." The plot leaked out. Though Feng was already dead, Hao pursued the Guyang affair, killed his son Wen, and exiled the entire family. This was the manifestation of the pig disaster. Gong Sui said: "When wild beasts of mountain and field enter the palace, the palace is about to stand empty." That too was its portent.
73
晉孝懷帝永嘉中，壽春城內有豕生兩頭而不活。 周馥取而觀之。 時通數者竊謂曰：「夫豕，北方之畜，胡、狄象也。 兩頭者，無上也。 生而死，不遂也。 天意若曰，勿生專利之謀，將自致傾覆也。」 周馥不悟，遂欲迎天子，令諸侯，俄為元帝所敗。 是其應也。 石勒亦尋渡淮，百姓死者十八九。
During the Yongjia era, under Emperor Huai of Jin, a sow in Shouchun gave birth to a two-headed piglet that did not survive. Zhou Fu took it and examined it. A man skilled in divination whispered to him: "The pig is a northern creature—the image of the Hu and Di barbarians. Two heads signify the absence of a supreme ruler. Born yet dead means the endeavor will not succeed. Heaven's intent seemed to say: do not harbor schemes for selfish gain, or you will bring ruin upon yourself." Zhou Fu failed to understand. He then sought to welcome the Son of Heaven and command the regional lords, and was soon defeated by Emperor Yuan. This was the corresponding manifestation. Shi Le soon crossed the Huai as well, and eight or nine people in ten perished.
74
晉成帝鹹和六年六月，錢塘民家豭豕生兩子，皆人面，如胡人狀，其身猶豕。 京房《易妖》曰：「豕生人頭豕身者，邑且亂亡。」 此豭豕而產，異之甚者也。
In the sixth month of the sixth year of Xianhe, under Emperor Cheng of Jin, a boar in Qiantang gave birth to two piglets with human faces like those of barbarians, their bodies still those of swine. Jing Fang's "Omens of the Changes" says: "When a pig bears offspring with human heads and swine bodies, the town will soon fall into chaos and ruin." For a boar to give such birth was strangeness in the extreme.
75
晉孝武帝太元十年四月，京都有豕，一頭二身八足。 十三年，京都民家豕產子，一頭二身八足。 並與建武同妖也。 是後宰相沈酗，不恤朝政，近慣用事，漸亂國綱，至於大壞也。
In the fourth month of the tenth year of Taixuan, under Emperor Xiaowu of Jin, a pig with one head, two bodies, and eight legs appeared in the capital. In the thirteenth year a household sow in the capital gave birth to piglets with one head, two bodies, and eight legs. Both matched the prodigy of the Jianwu era. Thereafter the chief ministers drowned themselves in drink and neglected government, while favorites monopolized power, gradually unraveling the state until total ruin came.
76
黑眚黑祥：
Black disasters and black omens:
77
晉孝懷帝永嘉五年十二月，黑氣四塞。 近黑祥也。
In the twelfth month of the fifth year of Yongjia, under Emperor Huai of Jin, black vapor filled the horizon on every side. This was a black omen.
78
宋文帝元嘉二十六年三月，幸京口。 有黑氣暴起，佔有兵。 明年，虜南寇至瓜步，飲馬于江。
In the third month of the twenty-sixth year of Yuanjia, Emperor Wen of Song visited Jingkou. Black vapor rose violently, and diviners read it as a portent of war. The following year northern enemies raided south as far as Guabu and watered their horses in the Yangtze.
79
火沴水：
Fire injuring water:
80
晉武帝太康五年六月，任城、魯國池水皆赤如血。 案劉向說，近火沴水也。 聽之不聰之罰也。 京房《易傳》曰：「淫于色，賢人潛，國家危，厥異水流赤。」
In the sixth month of the fifth year of Taikang, under Emperor Wu of Jin, the pool waters of Rencheng and Lu turned red as blood. According to Liu Xiang's doctrine, this approached fire injuring water. This was the penalty for failure of hearing. Jing Fang's "Commentary on the Changes" says: "When the ruler is dissolute in lust, worthy men withdraw, the state faces peril, and water flows red."
81
晉穆帝升平三年二月，涼州城東池中有火； 四年四月，姑臧澤水中又有火。 此火沴水之妖也。 明年，張天錫殺中護軍張邕。 邕，執政臣也。
In the second month of the third year of Shengping, under Emperor Mu of Jin, fire appeared in the eastern pool of Liang Province; in the fourth month of the fourth year, fire appeared again in the waters of the Guzang marsh. This was a prodigy of fire injuring water. The following year Zhang Tianxi killed the Central Protector Army commander Zhang Yong. Yong was a minister who held real power.
82
晉安帝元興二年十月，錢塘臨平湖水赤。 桓玄諷吳郡使言開除，以為己瑞。 俄而玄敗。
In the tenth month of the second year of Yuanxing, under Emperor An of Jin, the waters of Linping Lake in Qiantang turned red. Huan Xuan prompted the Wu commandery envoy to report it as an auspicious sign, treating it as his own blessing. Soon Xuan met defeat.