1
序《洪範五行傳》曰：「視之不明，是謂不知。 厥咎舒，厥罰常燠，厥極疾。 時則有草妖，時則有羽蟲之孽。 故有羊禍，故有目疾，有赤眚赤祥。 惟水沴火。」 常燠後齊天保八年三月，大熱，人或暍死。 劉向《五行傳》曰：「視不明，用近習，賢者不進，不肖不退，百職廢壞，庶事不從，其過在政教舒緩。」 時帝狂躁、荒淫無度之應。 草妖高祖時，上黨有人，宅後每夜有人呼聲，求之不得。 去宅一里所，但見人參一本，枝葉峻茂。 因掘去之，其根五尺餘，具體人狀，呼聲遂絕。 蓋草妖也。 視不明之咎。 時晉王陰有奪宗之計，諂事親要，以求聲譽譖皇太子，高祖惑之。 人參不當言，有物憑之。 上黨，黨與也。 親要之人，乃党晉王而譖太子。 高祖不悟，聽邪言，廢無辜，有罪用，因此而亂也。 羽蟲之孽梁中大同元年，邵陵王綸在南徐州，坐廳事。 有野鳥如鳶數百，飛屋樑上，彈射不中。 俄頃失所在。 京房《易飛候》曰：「野鳥入君室，其邑虛，君亡之他方。」 後綸為湘東王所襲，竟致奔亡，為西魏所殺。
The preface to the Wuxing Commentary on the Great Plan says: "When sight is dim, it is called ignorance. The fault is slackness; the penalty is unrelenting heat; the ultimate consequence is disease. In such seasons grass-spirits appear, and calamities wrought by winged creatures arise. Hence come sheep omens, eye afflictions, and baleful red signs. Water alone overcomes fire. As for "constant heat": in the third month of Northern Qi's Tianbao year 8, the heat was extreme, and people died of sunstroke. Liu Xiang's Wuxing Commentary says: "When a ruler's sight is clouded, he relies on those near at hand; the worthy are not promoted, the unworthy are not dismissed; every office falls into ruin and nothing is properly managed—the fault lies in slack governance and instruction. This was Heaven's response to an emperor's frenzy, recklessness, and boundless debauchery. Grass-spirit omen: During Emperor Gaozu's reign, a man in Shangdang heard voices calling every night behind his house, yet however he searched, he could find no one. About a li from his home he found only a single ginseng plant, its branches and leaves towering and lush. When he dug it up, the root was more than five chi long and shaped like a human being—and the calling voices stopped. It was evidently a grass-spirit omen. This was the penalty for clouded royal sight. At the time the Prince of Jin secretly plotted to seize the succession, fawning on the emperor's intimates and trading on his reputation to slander the crown prince—and Gaozu was taken in. Ginseng ought not to speak; some entity had possessed it. Shangdang: dang means "faction." The emperor's intimates formed a faction backing the Prince of Jin and defaming the crown prince. Gaozu failed to see the truth, heeded slander, deposed the innocent and empowered the guilty—and disorder followed. Winged-creature calamity: In Liang's Datong year 1, Prince Shaoling Xiao Lun was sitting in his reception hall in Southern Xuzhou. Several hundred wild birds resembling kites alighted on the roof beams; neither bow nor sling could bring them down. Moments later they disappeared. Jing Fang's Yifeihou says: "When wild birds enter the ruler's hall, the city will be emptied and the lord will flee elsewhere. Later Lun was attacked by the Prince of Xiangdong, fled in defeat, and was killed by Western Wei.
2
侯景在梁，將受錫命，陳備物於庭。 有野鳥如山鵲，赤嘴，集於冊書之上，鵂鶹鳥鳴於殿。 與中大同元年同占。 景尋敗，將亡入海中，為羊鶤所殺。
While Hou Jing was in Liang, about to receive formal enfeoffment, ceremonial objects were laid out in the courtyard. Wild birds like mountain magpies with crimson beaks settled on the written edicts, while owls cried in the hall. The same portent as in Datong year 1. Soon Jing was defeated; as he tried to escape by sea, Yang Kun killed him.
3
陳後主時，蔣山有眾鳥，鼓翼而鳴曰：「奈何帝。」 京房《易飛候》曰：「鳥鳴門闕，如人音，邑且亡。」 蔣山，吳之望也。 鳥于上鳴，吳空虛之象。 及陳亡，建康為墟。 又陳未亡時，有一足鳥集於殿庭，以嘴畫地成文，曰：「獨足上高臺，盛草變成灰。」 獨足者，叔寶獨行無眾之應。 成草成灰者，陳政無穢，被隋火德所焚除也。 叔寶至長安，館于都水臺上，高臺之義也。
During the reign of Chen's last emperor, flocks of birds on Mount Jiang beat their wings and cried, "What can be done, O Emperor? Jing Fang's Yifeihou says: "When birds cry at the gate towers in a human voice, the city will soon fall." Mount Jiang was Wu's commanding vantage. Birds crying above it foretold Wu's desolation. When Chen fell, Jiankang was reduced to ruins. Before Chen's fall, a one-footed bird appeared in the palace courtyard and traced characters on the ground with its beak: "The lone foot climbs the high terrace; lush grass turns to ash." The lone foot" foretold Shubao walking alone, bereft of followers. "Grass turning to ash" meant Chen's rule would be consumed by Sui's fire virtue. When Shubao reached Chang'an, he was housed on the Capital Water Office terrace—the "high terrace" of the omen.
4
後齊孝昭帝即位之後，有雉飛上御座。 占同中大同元年。 又有鳥止於後園，其色赤，形似鴨而有九頭。 其年帝崩。
After Northern Qi's Emperor Xiaozhao took the throne, a pheasant flew up onto the imperial seat. The same portent as in Datong year 1. Another bird alighted in the rear garden—crimson, duck-shaped, but with nine heads. That year the emperor died.
5
天統三年九月，萬春鳥集仙都苑。 京房《易飛候》曰：「非常之鳥，來宿於邑中，邑有兵。」 周師入鄴之應也。
In the ninth month of Northern Zhou's Tiantong year 3, wanchun birds gathered in the Xiandu Garden. Jing Fang's Yifeihou says: "When strange birds come to roost within a city, war will come to that city. This foretold the Zhou armies' entry into Ye.
6
武成胡後生後主初，有梟升後帳而鳴。 梟不孝之鳥，不祥之應也。 後主嗣位，胡後淫亂事彰，遂幽後於北宮焉。
When Empress Hu of Wucheng bore the future Houzhu, an owl flew up onto the rear canopy and cried. The owl is the bird of unfilial piety—an omen of ill fortune. When Houzhu succeeded to the throne, Empress Hu's debauchery came to light, and she was imprisoned in the Northern Palace.
7
武平七年，有鸛巢太極殿，又巢并州嘉陽殿。 雉集晉陽宮御座，獲之。 京房《易飛候》曰：「鳥無故巢居君門及殿屋上，邑且虛。」 其年國滅。
In Wuping year 7, storks built nests in the Hall of Supreme Polarity and also in Bingzhou's Jiayang Hall. A pheasant alighted on the imperial seat in the Jinyang Palace and was captured. Jing Fang's Yifeihou says: "When birds nest without cause at the ruler's gate and on palace roofs, the city will be emptied. That year the state was destroyed.
8
周大象二年二月，有禿鶖集洛陽宮太極殿。 其年帝崩，後宮常虛。
In the second month of Northern Zhou's Daxiang year 2, bald ibises gathered in Luoyang Palace's Hall of Supreme Polarity. That year the emperor died, and the inner palace stood empty.
9
開皇初，梁主蕭琮新起後，有鵂鳥集其帳隅。 未幾，琮入朝，被留于長安。 梁國遂廢。
At the start of Kaihuang, after the Liang ruler Xiao Cong had newly taken the throne, owls gathered in the corners of his canopy. Before long Xiao Cong went to the Sui court and was detained at Chang'an. The state of Liang was abolished.
10
大業末，京師宮室中，恆有鴻雁之類無數，翔集其間。 俄而長安不守。
At the end of the Daye era, countless wild geese and ducks constantly flew and gathered within the capital's palace halls. Before long Chang'an fell.
11
十三年十一月，烏鵲巢帝帳幄，驅不能止。 帝尋逢弑。 羊禍開皇十二年六月，繁昌楊悅見雲中二物，如羝羊，黃色，大如新生犬，鬥而墜。 悅獲其一，數旬失所在。 近羊禍也。 《洪範五行傳》曰：「君不明，逆火政之所致也。」 狀如新生犬者，羔類也。 雲體掩蔽，邪佞之象。 羊，國姓。 羔，羊子也。 皇太子勇既升儲貳，晉王陰毀而被廢黜。 二羔鬥，一羔墜之應也。
In the eleventh month of year 13, magpies nested in the emperor's canopy, and no effort could drive them away. Before long the emperor was assassinated. Sheep omen: In the sixth month of Kaihuang year 12, Yang Yue of Fanchang saw two cloud-born creatures like ram-goats, yellow and the size of newborn pups, fighting until one fell. Yue captured one of them; after several weeks it disappeared. This was a sheep omen. The Wuxing Commentary on the Great Plan says: "When the ruler lacks enlightenment, it comes from violating the governance of fire. Their shape like newborn pups signified lambs. Clouds shrouding them symbolized slanderous ministers. Sheep was the dynastic surname. A lamb is a young sheep. Crown Prince Yong had already been installed as heir, but the Prince of Jin secretly undermined him and he was deposed. Two lambs fighting until one fell—this was the omen fulfilled.
12
恭帝義寧二年，麟游太守司馬武，獻羊羔，生而無尾。 時議者以為楊氏子孫無後之象。 是歲，煬帝被殺于江都，恭帝遜位。 赤眚赤祥梁天監十五年七月，荊州市殺人而身不僵，首墮於地，動口張目，血如竹箭，直上丈餘，然後如雨細下。 是歲荊州大旱。 近赤祥，冤氣之應。
In Yining year 2 of Emperor Gong, Sima Wu, governor of Linyou, presented a lamb born without a tail. Commentators at the time took it as a sign that the Yang clan would leave no descendants. That year Emperor Yang was killed at Jiangdu, and Emperor Gong abdicated. Red baleful sign: In the seventh month of Liang's Tianjian year 15, at Jingzhou a executed man's body would not stiffen; his severed head fell to the ground with mouth moving and eyes open, blood shooting upward like bamboo shafts more than ten feet high, then raining down in fine drops. That year Jingzhou suffered severe drought. This was a red baleful sign—the response of aggrieved qi.
13
陳太建十四年三月，御座幄上見一物，如車輪，色正赤。 尋而帝患，無故大叫數聲而崩。
In the third month of Chen's Taijian year 14, something like a carriage wheel, bright red, appeared on the imperial canopy. Soon the emperor fell ill, cried out several times without cause, and died.
14
至德三年十二月，有赤物隕於太極殿前，初下時，鐘皆鳴。 又嘗進白飲，忽變為血。 又有血沾殿階，瀝瀝然至禦榻。 尋而國滅。
In the twelfth month of Zhide year 3, a red object fell before the Hall of Supreme Polarity; as it descended, every bell rang. On another occasion, white wine that was served suddenly turned to blood. Blood also stained the hall steps, dripping all the way to the imperial couch. Before long the state was destroyed.
15
後齊河清二年，太原雨血。 劉向曰：「血者陰之精，傷害之象，僵屍之類也。」 明年，周師與突厥入并州，大戰城西，伏屍百餘里。 京房《易飛候》曰：「天雨血染衣，國亡君戮。」 亦後主亡國之應。
In Northern Qi's Heqing year 2, blood rained on Taiyuan. Liu Xiang said: "Blood is the essence of yin—the image of violence and harm, the mark of the slain. The following year Zhou armies and Turks entered Bingzhou; a great battle was fought west of the city, and corpses littered the ground for more than a hundred li. Jing Fang's Yifeihou says: "When blood rains from heaven and stains garments, the state will fall and the ruler will be killed. This also foretold Houzhu's loss of the state.
16
四年三月，有物隕於殿庭，色赤，形如數鬥器，眾星隨者如小鈴。 四月，婁太后崩。
In the third month of the fourth year, an object fell in the palace courtyard—red, shaped like a vessel of several dou, with many trailing stars like small bells. In the fourth month Empress Dowager Lou died.
17
武平中，有血點地，自咸陽王斛律明月宅而至於太廟。 大將，社稷之臣也，後主以讒言殺之。 天戒若曰，殺明月，則宗廟隨而覆矣。 後主不悟，國祚竟絕。
During the Wuping era, blood spotted the ground from the residence of Prince Xianyang Hulü Mingyue all the way to the Imperial Ancestral Temple. A great general is a pillar of the state; Houzhu had him killed on the strength of slander. Heaven's warning seemed to say: kill Mingyue, and the ancestral temple will follow into ruin. Houzhu failed to heed the warning, and the dynasty's fate was sealed.
18
《洪範五行傳》曰：「聽之不聰，是謂不謀。 厥咎急，厥罰寒，厥極貧。 時則有鼓妖，有魚孽，有彘禍，有黑眚黑祥，惟火沴水。」 寒東魏武定四年二月，大寒。 人畜凍死者，相望於道。 京房《易飛候》曰：「誅過深，當燠而寒。」 是時後齊神武作相。 先是爾硃文暢等謀害神武，事泄伏誅，諸與交通者，多有濫死。
The Wuxing Commentary on the Great Plan says: "When hearing is dull, it is called failure to deliberate. The fault is rashness; the penalty is cold; the ultimate consequence is destitution. In such seasons drum-spirits appear, fish calamities arise, pig omens manifest, and black baleful signs appear—fire alone overcomes water. As for "cold": in the second month of Eastern Wei's Wuding year 4, the cold was extreme. People and livestock frozen to death lined the roads as far as the eye could see. Jing Fang's Yifeihou says: "When punishments run too deep, warmth turns to cold. At that time Northern Qi's Gao Huan served as chief minister. Earlier Erzhu Wenchang and others had plotted against Gao Huan; when the plot was exposed they were executed, and many who had associated with them were put to death unjustly.
19
河清元年，歲大寒。 京房《易傳》曰：「有德遭險，茲謂逆命。 厥異寒。」 讖曰：「殺無罪，其寒必異。」 是時帝淫于文宣李後，因生子，後愧恨，不舉之。 帝大怒，於後前殺其子太原王紹德。 後大哭，帝倮後而撻殺之，投于水中，良久乃蘇。 冤酷之應。
In Heqing year 1, the cold that year was extreme. Jing Fang's Commentary on the Changes says: "When the virtuous meet peril, this is called defying Heaven's mandate. The anomaly is cold. A prophecy says: "Slay the guiltless, and the cold will be unnatural." At that time the emperor had an affair with Empress Li of Wenxuan; when she bore a son, ashamed and resentful, she refused to raise the child. The emperor flew into a rage and, before the empress's eyes, killed her son Prince Shaode of Taiyuan. The empress wailed in grief; the emperor stripped her naked, beat her nearly to death, and threw her into the water—only after a long while did she revive. This was Heaven's response to cruel injustice.
20
梁天監三年三月，六年三月，並隕霜殺草。 京房《易傳》曰：「興兵妄誅，謂亡法，厥罰霜。」 是時，大發卒，拒魏軍于鐘離，連兵數歲。
In the third month of Liang's Tianjian years 3 and 6 alike, falling frost killed the grass. Jing Fang's Commentary on the Changes says: "To raise armies and execute wantonly is to abandon the law; the penalty is frost. At that time troops were massively mobilized to resist Wei armies at Zhongli, and fighting continued for years.
21
大同三年六月，朐山隕霜。
In the sixth month of Datong year 3, frost fell at Qushan.
22
陳太建十年八月，隕霜，殺稻菽。 是時，大興師選眾，遣將吳明徹，與周師相拒于呂梁。 鼓妖梁天監四年十一月，天清朗，西南有電光，有雷聲二。 《易》曰：「鼓之以雷霆。」 霆近鼓妖。
In the eighth month of Chen's Taijian year 10, frost fell and destroyed the rice and bean crops. At that time Chen raised large armies and dispatched General Wu Mingche to face the Zhou forces at Luliang. Drum-spirit omen: In the eleventh month of Liang's Tianjian year 4, though the sky was clear, lightning flashed in the southwest and two thunderclaps sounded. The Book of Changes says: "Beat them with thunder and lightning. Thunder is akin to the drum-spirit omen.
23
《洪範五行傳》曰：「雷霆托於雲，猶君之托於人也。 君不恤於天下，故兆人有怨叛之心也。」 是歲，交州刺史李凱舉兵反。
The Wuxing Commentary on the Great Plan says: "Thunder and lightning depend on clouds, just as the ruler depends on his people. When the ruler neglects the realm, the common people harbor resentment and thoughts of rebellion. That year Jiao Province Inspector Li Kai raised troops in rebellion.
24
十九年九月，西北隱隱有聲如雷，赤氣下至地。 是歲，盜殺東莞、琅邪二郡守，以朐山引魏軍。
In the ninth month of year 19, a faint thunderlike sound came from the northwest, and red vapor descended to the ground. That year bandits killed the prefects of Dongguan and Langye and used Qushan to guide Wei armies into the region.
25
中大通六年十二月，西南有聲如雷。 其年北梁州刺史蘭欽舉兵反。
In the twelfth month of Zhongdatong year 6, thunderlike sounds came from the southwest. That year Beiliang Province Inspector Lan Qin raised troops in rebellion.
26
陳太建二年十二月，西北有聲如雷。 其年湘州刺史華皎舉兵反。
In the twelfth month of Chen's Taijian year 2, thunderlike sounds came from the northwest. That year Xiang Province Inspector Hua Jiao raised troops in rebellion.
27
齊天保四年四月，西南有聲如雷。 是時，帝不恤天下，興師旅。
In the fourth month of Northern Qi's Tianbao year 4, thunderlike sounds came from the southwest. At that time the emperor neglected the realm and launched military campaigns.
28
後周建德六年正月，西方有聲如雷。 未幾，吐谷渾寇邊。
In the first month of Northern Zhou's Jiande year 6, thunderlike sounds came from the west. Before long the Tuyuhun raided the frontier.
29
開皇十四年正月旦，廓州連雲山有聲如雷。 是時五羌反叛，侵擾邊鎮。 二十年，無雲而雷。 京房《易飛候》曰：「國將易君，下人不靜，小人先命。 國凶，有兵甲。」 後數歲，帝崩，漢王諒舉兵反，徙其黨數十萬家。
On New Year's Day of Kaihuang year 14, thunderlike sounds came from Lianyun Mountain in Kuozhou. At that time the Five Qiang tribes rebelled and harassed the border garrisons. In year 20, thunder sounded though no clouds were present. Jing Fang's Yifeihou says: "The state will change rulers; the lower classes are restless; petty men seize the initiative. The state faces calamity; war will follow. Several years later the emperor died; Prince Han Liang raised troops in rebellion, and several hundred thousand of his followers were exiled.
30
大業中，滏陽石鼓頻歲鳴。 其後，天下大亂，兵戎並起。 魚孽梁大同十年三月，帝幸硃方，至四塹中，及玄武湖，魚皆驤首見於上，若望乘輿者。 帝入宮而沒。 《洪範五行傳》曰：「魚陰類也，下人象。 又有鱗甲，兵之應也。」 下人將舉兵圍宮，而䁹睨乘輿之象也。 後果有侯景之亂。
During the Daye era, the stone drums of Fuyang sounded year after year. Afterward the realm fell into chaos and warfare erupted everywhere. Fish calamity: In the third month of Liang's Datong year 10, the emperor visited Zhufang; at Sichuan and Xuanwu Lake, fish raised their heads above the water as if gazing at the imperial carriage. The emperor entered the palace and drowned. The Wuxing Commentary on the Great Plan says: "Fish belong to yin; they symbolize the common people. Their scales and armor also foretold warfare. This was the image of the common people rising to besiege the palace and covet the throne. The rebellion of Hou Jing followed as predicted.
31
齊後主武平七年，相州鸕鷀泊，魚盡飛去而水涸。 《洪範五行傳》曰：「急之所致。 魚陰類，下人象也。」 晏子曰：「河伯以水為國，以魚為百姓。」 水涸魚飛，國亡人散之象。 明年而國亡。
In Wuping year 7 of Northern Qi's last emperor, at Cormorant Pool in Xiangzhou, all the fish flew away and the water dried up. The Wuxing Commentary on the Great Plan says: "This comes from haste. Fish belong to yin and symbolize the common people. Master Yan said: "The River Lord takes water as his realm and fish as his people." Water drying up and fish taking flight symbolized the state's destruction and the scattering of its people. The following year the state was destroyed.
32
後周大象元年六月，陽武有鯉魚乘空而鬥。 猶臣下興起，小人縱之而鬥也。 明年帝崩，國失政。 尉迥起兵相州，高祖遣兵擊敗之。
In the sixth month of Northern Zhou's Daxiang year 1, at Yangwu carp fought in midair. It was as if ministers were rising in revolt while petty men incited them to fight. The following year the emperor died and the state lost its proper governance. Wei Jiong raised troops at Xiangzhou; Gaozu sent armies and defeated him.
33
開皇十七年，大興城西南四里，有袁村，設佛會。 有老翁，皓首，白裙襦衣，來食而去。 眾莫識，追而觀之，行二里許，不復見。 但有一陂，中有白魚，長丈餘，小魚從者無數。 人爭射之，或弓折弦斷。 後竟中之，剖其腹，得粳飯，始知此魚向老翁也。 後數日，漕渠暴溢，射人皆溺死。
In Kaihuang year 17, four li southwest of Daxing City, a Buddhist assembly was held at Yuan Village. An old man with white hair, dressed in white skirt and jacket, came to eat and then departed. No one knew him; people pursued and watched, but after about two li he vanished from sight. All that remained was a pond containing a white fish more than ten feet long, followed by countless smaller fish. People vied to shoot it; some bows broke and bowstrings snapped. Eventually they hit it; when they cut open its belly they found steamed rice and realized this fish had been the old man. Days later the canal burst its banks, and all who had shot the fish drowned.
34
大業十二年，淮陽郡驅人入子城，鑿斷羅郎郭。 至女垣之下，有穴，其中得鯉魚，長七尺餘。 昔魏嘉平四年，魚集武庫屋上。 王肅以為魚生於水，而亢于屋，水之物失其所也，邊將殆棄甲之變。 後果有東闕之敗。 是時，長白山賊寇掠河南，月餘，賊至城下。 郡兵拒之，反為所敗，男女死者萬余人。 蟲妖梁大同初，大蝗，籬門松柏葉皆盡。 《洪範五行傳》曰：「介蟲之孽也。」 與魚同占。 京房《易飛候》曰：「食祿不益聖化，天視以蟲。 蟲無益於人而食萬物也。」 是時公卿皆以虛淡為美，不親職事，無益食物之應也。
In Daye year 12, Huaiyang Commandery conscripted laborers to dig through the outer wall of Luolang within the inner city. At the base of the parapet they found a hole containing a carp more than seven feet long. In Wei Jiaoping year 4, fish had gathered on the roof of the armory. Wang Su reasoned that fish belong in water yet had appeared on a roof—creatures of water displaced from their element; border generals would soon cast off their armor in defeat. The defeat at Dongque followed as he predicted. At that time bandits from Mount Changbai raided Henan; after more than a month they reached the city walls. Commandery troops resisted but were defeated; more than ten thousand men and women were killed. Insect omen: At the start of Liang's Datong era, a great locust plague stripped every leaf from hedges, pines, and cypresses. The Wuxing Commentary on the Great Plan says: "This is a calamity of shelled insects. The same portent as fish calamities. Jing Fang's Yifeihou says: "When officials draw salary without advancing sage governance, Heaven sends insects as a sign. Insects benefit no one yet devour all things. At that time the nobility prized empty detachment over duty—the response to consuming without contributing.
35
後齊天保八年，河北六州、河南十二州蝗。 畿人皆祭之。 帝問魏尹丞崔叔瓚曰：「何故蟲？」 叔瓚對曰：「《五行志》雲：土功不時則蝗蟲為災。 今外築長城，內修三台，故致災也。」 帝大怒，毆其頰，擢其發，溷中物塗其頭。 役者不止。 九年，山東又蝗，十年，幽州大蝗。 《洪範五行傳》曰：「刑罰暴虐，食貪不厭，興師動眾，取城修邑，而失眾心，則蟲為災。」 是時帝用刑暴虐，勞役不止之應也。
In Northern Qi's Tianbao year 8, locusts struck six prefectures in Hebei and twelve in Henan. People throughout the capital region made offerings to the locusts. The emperor asked Wei Yin Assistant Director Cui Shuguan: "Why are there insects?" Shuguan replied: "The Treatise on the Five Phases says that when earthworks are ill-timed, locusts bring disaster. You are building the Great Wall outside and the Three Terraces inside—that is why this disaster has come." The emperor flew into a rage, struck his cheeks, tore his hair, and smeared his head with filth from the privy. The forced labor continued without pause. In year 9 locusts returned to Shandong; in year 10 Youzhou suffered a great locust plague. The Wuxing Commentary on the Great Plan says: "When punishments are savage, greed is insatiable, armies are raised and cities rebuilt at the cost of the people's loyalty—insects become a disaster. At that time the emperor's punishments were savage and forced labor never ceased—Heaven's response.
36
後周建德二年，關中大蝗。
In Northern Zhou's Jiande year 2, Guanzhong suffered a great locust plague.
37
開皇十六年，并州蝗。 時秦孝王俊裒刻百姓，盛修邸第。 後竟獲譴而死。 彘禍開皇末，渭南有沙門三人，行頭陀法於人場圃之上。 夜見大豕來詣其所，小豕從者十餘，謂沙門曰：「阿練，我欲得賢聖道，然猶負他一命。」 言罷而去。 賢聖道者，君上之所行也。 皇太子勇當嗣業，行君上之道，而被囚廢之象也。 一命者，言為煬帝所殺。
In Kaihuang year 16, Bingzhou was struck by locusts. At that time Prince Qin Xiaojun exploited the people and lavishly built mansions. He was eventually condemned and died. Pig omen: At the end of the Kaihuang era, three monks in Weinan practiced ascetic austerities in people's fields and gardens. At night a great pig came to them with more than ten piglets in tow and said to the monks: "Master, I wish to attain the sage's Way, yet I still owe one life. Having spoken, it departed. The sage's Way is what a ruler should practice. Crown Prince Yong should have succeeded and ruled—the image of one imprisoned and deposed. "One life" meant he would be killed by Emperor Yang.
38
開皇末，渭南有人寄宿他舍，夜中聞二豕對語。 其一曰：「歲將盡，阿耶明日殺我供歲，何處避之？」 一答曰：「可向水北姊家。」 因相隨而去。 天將曉，主人覓豕不得，意是宿客而詰之。 宿客言狀，主人如其言而得豕。 其後蜀王秀得罪，帝將殺之，樂平公主每匡救，得全。 後數年而帝崩，歲盡之應。 黑眚黑祥梁承聖三年六月，有黑氣如龍，見於殿內。 近黑祥也。 黑，周所尚之色。 今見於殿內，周師入梁之象。 其年，為周所滅，帝亦遇害。
At the end of the Kaihuang era, a man lodging in another's house in Weinan heard two pigs conversing in the night. One said: "The year is nearly ended; Father will kill me tomorrow for the New Year's feast—where can I hide? The other answered: "Go to elder sister's house north of the river." They then departed together. As dawn approached, the host could not find his pig and, suspecting the lodger, questioned him. The lodger told what he had heard; the host followed his directions and found the pig. Later Prince Shu Xiu fell from favor and the emperor planned to kill him, but Princess of Leping repeatedly intervened and he was spared. Several years later the emperor died—the omen of the year's end fulfilled. Black baleful sign: In the sixth month of Liang's Chengsheng year 3, black vapor like a dragon appeared inside the palace hall. This was a black baleful sign. Black was the color favored by Zhou. Its appearance inside the hall foretold the Zhou armies' conquest of Liang. That year Liang was destroyed by Zhou, and the emperor was killed.
39
陳太建五年六月，西北有黑雲屬地，散如豬者十餘。 《洪範五行傳》曰：「當有兵起西北。」 時後周將王軌軍于呂梁。 明年，擒吳明徹，軍皆覆沒。 火沴水後齊河清元年四月，河、濟清。 襄楷曰：「河，諸侯之象。 應濁反清，諸侯將為天子之象。」 是後十余歲，隋有天下。
In the sixth month of Chen's Taijian year 5, black clouds in the northwest reached the ground and scattered like a dozen pigs. The Wuxing Commentary on the Great Plan says: "Warfare will arise in the northwest. At that time Northern Zhou General Wang Gui was encamped at Luliang. The following year Wu Mingche was captured and his entire army destroyed. Fire overcoming water: In the fourth month of Northern Qi's Heqing year 1, the Yellow and Ji Rivers ran clear. Xiang Kai said: "The river symbolizes the feudal lords. The shift from turbid to clear symbolized feudal lords rising to become Son of Heaven. More than ten years later Sui conquered the realm.
40
大業三年，武陽郡河清，數裡鏡澈。 十二年，龍門又河清。 後二歲，大唐受禪。
In Daye year 3, the river at Wuyang Commandery ran clear for several li, bright as a mirror. In year 12, the river at Longmen again ran clear. Two years later the Tang received the abdication.
41
陳太建十四年七月，江水赤如血，自建康西至荊州。 禎明中，江水赤，自方州東至海。 《洪範五行傳》曰：「火沴水也。 法嚴刑酷，傷水性也。 五行變節，陰陽相干，氣色繆亂，皆敗亂之象也。」 京房《易占》曰：「水化為血，兵且起。」 是時後主初即位，用刑酷暴之應。 其後為隋師所滅。
In the seventh month of Chen's Taijian year 14, the Yangtze ran red as blood from Jiankang west to Jingzhou. During the Zhenming era, the Yangtze ran red from Fangzhou east to the sea. The Wuxing Commentary on the Great Plan says: "Fire overcomes water. Harsh laws and cruel punishments violate the nature of water. When the five phases shift, yin and yang clash, and colors run awry—all are signs of collapse and disorder. Jing Fang's Yizhan says: "When water turns to blood, war will arise." At that time the new emperor used cruel and violent punishments—Heaven's response. He was later destroyed by Sui armies.
42
禎明二年四月，郢州南浦水，黑如墨。 黑水在關中，而今淮南水黑，荊、揚州之地，陷於關中之應。
In the fourth month of Zhenming year 2, the waters of Nanpu at Yingzhou were black as ink. Black water belongs to Guanzhong, yet now Huainan's waters turned black—foretelling Jing and Yang provinces falling to the north.
43
後周大象元年六月，咸陽池水變為血。 與陳太建十四年同占。 是時，刑罰嚴急，未幾國亡。
In the sixth month of Northern Zhou's Daxiang year 1, the pool waters at Xianyang turned to blood. The same portent as Chen's Taijian year 14. At that time punishments were severe; before long the state perished.
44
《洪範五行傳》曰：「思心不容，是謂不聖。 厥咎瞀，厥罰常風，厥極凶短折。 有脂夜之妖，有華孽，有牛禍，有心腹之屙，有黃眚黃祥，木金水火沴土。」 常風梁天監六年八月戊戌，大風折木。 京房《易飛候》曰：「角日疾風，天下昏。 不出三月中，兵必起。」 是歲魏軍入鐘離。
The Wuxing Commentary on the Great Plan says: "When the mind of reflection fails to embrace all things, it is called lack of wisdom. The fault is confusion; the penalty is unrelenting wind; the ultimate consequence is untimely death. In such seasons grease-night demons appear, flower calamities arise, cow omens manifest, heart-and-belly filth appears, and yellow baleful signs emerge—wood, metal, water, and fire all overcome earth. As for "constant wind": on the wuxu day of the eighth month of Liang's Tianjian year 6, a great wind snapped trees. Jing Fang's Yifeihou says: "Sudden wind on a jiao day darkens the realm. Within three months war will surely arise. That year Wei armies entered Zhongli.
45
承聖三年十一月癸未，帝閱武於南城，北風大急，普天昏暗。 《洪範五行傳》曰：「人君瞀亂之應。」 時帝既平侯景，公卿鹹勸帝反丹陽，帝不從，又多猜忌，有瞀亂之行，故天變應之以風。 是歲為西魏滅。
On the guiwei day of the eleventh month of Chengsheng year 3, the emperor reviewed troops at the Southern City; a fierce north wind darkened the entire sky. The Wuxing Commentary on the Great Plan says: "This is Heaven's response to a ruler's confusion and disorder. The emperor had pacified Hou Jing, and his ministers urged him to return to Danyang, but he refused; suspicious and confused in his conduct, Heaven answered with wind. That year the state was destroyed by Western Wei.
46
陳天嘉六年七月癸未，大風起西南，吹倒靈台候樓。 《洪範五行傳》，以為大臣專恣之咎。 時太子沖幼，安成王頊專政，帝不時抑損。 明年崩，皇太子嗣位，頊遂廢之。
On the guiwei day of the seventh month of Chen's Tiancheng year 6, a great wind from the southwest blew down the Spirit Terrace observation tower. The Wuxing Commentary on the Great Plan treats this as the fault of powerful ministers acting arbitrarily. The crown prince was young; Prince Ancheng Xu held power, and the emperor failed to restrain him. The following year the emperor died; the crown prince succeeded, and Xu deposed him.
47
太建十二年六月壬戌，大風吹壞皋門中闥。 十二年九月，夜又風，髮屋拔樹。 始興王叔陵專恣之應。
On the renxu day of the sixth month of Taijian year 12, a great wind blew down the inner gates of Gaomen. In the ninth month of that year, wind again tore off roofs and uprooted trees at night. This was the response to Prince Shixing Shuling's arbitrary conduct.
48
至德中，大風吹倒硃雀門。
During the Zhide era, a great wind blew down the Vermillion Bird Gate.
49
禎明三年六月丁巳，大風，自西北，激濤水入石頭、淮。 是時，後主任司馬申，誅戮忠諫。 沈客卿、施文慶專行邪僻。 江總、孔範等崇長淫縱，杜塞聰明，瞀亂之咎。
On the dingsi day of the sixth month of Zhenming year 3, a great wind from the northwest drove surging waters into Shitou and the Huai. At that time Houzhu employed Sima Shen and executed loyal remonstrators. Shen Keqing and Shi Wenqing practiced wicked ways exclusively. Jiang Zong, Kong Fan, and others promoted debauchery and blocked wise counsel—the fault of confusion.
50
後齊河清二年，大風，三旬乃止。 時帝初委政佞臣和士開，專恣日甚。 天統三年五月，大風，晝晦，髮屋拔樹。 天變再見，而帝不悟。 明年帝崩。 後主詔內外表奏，皆先詣士開，然後聞徹。 趙郡王睿、馮翊王潤按士開驕恣，不宜仍居內職，反為士開所譖，睿竟坐死。 士開出入宮掖，生殺在口，尋為琅邪王儼所誅。
In Northern Qi's Heqing year 2, a great wind lasted thirty days before stopping. The emperor entrusted power to the flatterer He Shikai, whose arbitrary conduct grew daily. In the fifth month of Tiantong year 3, a great wind darkened the day and tore off roofs and uprooted trees. Heaven's warning appeared again, but the emperor failed to heed it. The following year the emperor died. Houzhu decreed that all memorials must first pass through Shikai before reaching the throne. Princes Zhaojun and Fengyi investigated Shikai's arrogance, arguing he should leave inner office; Shikai slandered them, and Prince Zhaojun was executed. Shikai moved freely in the inner palace; life and death hung on his word—before long Prince Langye Yan executed him.
51
七年三月，大風起西北，髮屋拔樹。 五日乃止。 時高阿那瑰、駱提婆等專恣之應。
In the third month of year 7, a great wind from the northwest tore off roofs and uprooted trees. It stopped after five days. This was the response to Gao Anagai, Luo Tiba, and others acting arbitrarily.
52
開皇二十年十一月，京都大風，髮屋拔樹，秦、隴壓死者千余人。 地大震，鼓皆應。 淨刹寺鐘三鳴，佛殿門鎖自開，銅像自出戶外。 鐘鼓自鳴者，近鼓妖也。 揚雄以為人君不聰，為眾所惑，空名得進，則鼓妖見。 時獨孤皇后干預政事，左僕射楊素權傾人主。 帝聽二人之讒，而黜僕射高熲，廢太子勇為庶人，晉王釣虛名而見立。 思心瞀亂，陰氣盛之象也。 鎖及銅像，並金也。 金動木震之，水沴金之應。 《洪範五行傳》曰：「失眾心甚之所致也。」 高熲、楊勇無罪而鹹廢黜，失眾心也。
In the eleventh month of Kaihuang year 20, a great wind in the capital tore off roofs and uprooted trees; in Qin and Long more than a thousand were crushed. The earth quaked violently; every drum sounded in response. The bell at Jingcha Temple rang three times; the Buddha hall door opened by itself; the bronze statue walked out. Bells and drums sounding by themselves is akin to the drum-spirit omen. Yang Xiong held that when a ruler's hearing is dull and he is swayed by the crowd, empty reputations rise—and the drum-spirit omen appears. Empress Dugu intervened in government; Left Minister Yang Su's power rivaled the emperor's. The emperor heeded their slander, dismissed Gao Jiong, deposed Crown Prince Yong, and installed the Prince of Jin through empty reputation. This was the image of a confused mind and flourishing yin qi. The lock and bronze statue both represent metal. Metal shaken by wood's quaking—the response of water overcoming metal. The Wuxing Commentary on the Great Plan says: "This comes from losing the people's hearts utterly. Gao Jiong and Yang Yong were innocent yet both deposed—losing the people's hearts.
53
仁壽二年，西河有胡人，乘騾在道，忽為回風所飄，並一車上千餘尺，乃墜，皆碎焉。 京房《易傳》曰：「眾逆同志，至德乃潛，厥異風。」 後二載，漢王諒在并州，潛謀逆亂，車及騾騎之象也。 升空而墜，顛隕之應也。 天戒若曰，無妄動車騎，終當覆敗，而諒不悟。 及高祖崩，諒發兵反，州縣響應，眾至數十萬。 月餘而敗。 夜妖梁承聖二年十月丁卯，大風，晝晦，天地昏暗。 近夜妖也。 京房《易飛候》曰：「羽日風，天下昏，人大疾。 不然，多寇盜。」 三年為西魏所滅。
In Renshou year 2, in Xihe a Hu man riding a mule was suddenly blown by a whirlwind, cart and all, more than a thousand feet into the air, then shattered on falling. Jing Fang's Commentary on the Changes says: "When the multitude rebels together and supreme virtue is hidden, the anomaly is wind. Two years later Prince Han Liang at Bingzhou secretly plotted rebellion—the image of carts and cavalry. Rising into the air and falling foretold toppling ruin. Heaven's warning seemed to say: do not rashly mobilize chariots and cavalry—you will be overturned; yet Liang failed to heed it. When Gaozu died, Liang raised troops; commanderies responded; his forces reached hundreds of thousands. After more than a month he was defeated. Night demon: On the dingmao day of the tenth month of Liang's Chengsheng year 2, a great wind darkened the day and dimmed heaven and earth. This was a night-demon omen. Jing Fang's Yifeihou says: "Wind on a yu day darkens the realm; the people suffer great illness. Otherwise, bandits and robbers multiply. Three years later the state was destroyed by Western Wei.
54
陳禎明三年正月朔旦，雲霧晦冥，入鼻辛酸。 後主昏昧，近夜妖也。 《洪範五行傳》曰：「王失中，臣下強盛，以蔽君明，則雲陰。」 是時北軍臨江，柳莊、任蠻奴並進中款，後主惑佞臣孔範之言，而昏暗不能用，以至覆敗。
On New Year's Day of Chen's Zhenming year 3, clouds and mist were dim; the air in one's nostrils was sour and bitter. Houzhu was benighted—this was a night-demon omen. The Wuxing Commentary says: "When the king loses the center and powerful ministers obscure his clarity, yin clouds appear. Northern armies stood on the Yangtze; Liu Zhuang and Ren Manu offered loyal counsel, but Houzhu, deluded by Kong Fan, could not act—and fell.
55
東魏武定四年冬，大霧六日，晝夜不解。 《洪範五行傳》曰：「晝而晦冥若夜者，陰侵陽，臣將侵君之象也。」 明年，元瑾、劉思逸謀殺大將軍之應。
In the winter of Eastern Wei's Wuding year 4, great fog lasted six days without clearing. The Wuxing Commentary says: "When day is dim as night, yin invades yang—ministers will invade the ruler. The following year Yuan Jin and Liu Siyi plotted to kill the great general—the omen fulfilled.
56
周大象二年，尉迥敗於相州。 坑其党與數萬人于遊豫園。 其處每聞鬼夜哭聲。 范洪《五行傳》曰：「哭者死亡之表，近夜妖也。 鬼而夜哭者，將有死亡之應。」 京房《易飛候》曰：「鬼夜哭，國將亡。」 明年，周氏王公皆見殺，周室亦亡。
In Northern Zhou's Daxiang year 2, Wei Jiong was defeated at Xiangzhou. Tens of thousands of his followers were buried in a pit at Youyu Garden. At that place ghosts were often heard crying at night. Fan Hong's Wuxing Commentary says: "Crying manifests death—it is a night-demon omen. Ghosts crying at night foretell death. Jing Fang's Yifeihou says: "Ghosts crying at night—the state will perish." The following year Zhou princes were all killed and the Zhou dynasty fell.
57
仁壽中，仁壽宮及長城之下，數聞鬼哭。 尋而獻後及帝，相次而崩于仁壽宮。
During the Renshou era, ghostly crying was often heard below Renshou Palace and the Great Wall. Before long Empress Xian and the emperor died in succession at Renshou Palace.
58
大業八年，楊玄感作亂於東都。 尚書樊子蓋坑其党與于長夏門外，前後數萬。 洎于末年，數聞其處鬼哭，有呻吟之聲。 與前同占。 其後王世充害越王侗於洛陽。 華孽後齊武平元年，槐華而不結實。 槐，三公之位也，華而不實，萎落之象。 至明年，錄尚書事和士開伏誅。 隴東王胡長仁，太保、琅邪王儼皆遇害。 左丞相段韶薨。
In Daye year 8, Yang Xuangan raised rebellion at the Eastern Capital. Minister Fan Zigai buried his followers in a pit outside Changxia Gate—tens of thousands in all. By the end of the era, ghostly crying and groaning were often heard there. The same portent as before. Afterward Wang Shichong killed Prince Yue Tong at Luoyang. Flower calamity: In Northern Qi's Wuping year 1, locust trees bloomed but bore no fruit. The locust tree symbolizes the Three Dukes; blooming without fruit foretold their withering and fall. The following year Chief Minister He Shikai was executed. Prince Longdong Hu Changren and Grand Tutor Prince Langye Yan were all killed. Left Chancellor Duan Shao died.
59
陳後主時，有張貴妃、孔貴嬪，並有國色，稱為妖豔。 後主惑之，寵冠宮掖，每充侍從，詩酒為娛。 一入後庭，數旬不出，荒淫侈靡，莫知紀極。 府庫空竭，頭會箕斂，天下怨叛，將士離心。 敵人鼓行而進，莫有死戰之士。 女德之咎也。 及敗亡之際，後主與此姬俱投于井，隋師執張貴妃而戮之，以謝江東。 《洪範五行傳》曰：「華者，猶榮華容色之象也。 以色亂國，故謂華孽。」
During Houzhu's reign Consorts Zhang and Kong, both renowned for beauty, were called bewitchingly lovely. Houzhu was captivated; they held supreme favor in the palace, always at his side, devoted to poetry and wine. Once they entered the inner palace, they did not emerge for weeks; debauchery and extravagance knew no bounds. The treasury emptied; taxes piled high; the realm rebelled; officers and soldiers lost heart. The enemy marched in formation; none would fight to the death. This was the fault of female influence. At the moment of defeat, Houzhu and these consorts threw themselves into a well; Sui forces seized Consort Zhang and executed her to appease Jiangdong. The Wuxing Commentary says: "Flower symbolizes splendor and beauty. Using beauty to disorder the state—this is called flower calamity."
60
齊後主有寵姬馮小憐，慧而有色，能彈琵琶，尤工歌儛。 後主惑之，拜為淑妃。 選彩女數千，為之羽從，一女之飾，動費千金。 帝從禽於三堆，而周師大至，邊吏告急，相望於道。 帝欲班師，小憐意不已，更請合圍。 帝從之。 由是遲留，而晉州遂陷。 後與周師相遇于晉州之下，坐小憐而失機者數矣，因而國滅。 齊之士庶，至今咎之。 牛禍梁武陵王紀祭城隍神，將烹牛，忽有赤蛇繞牛口，牛禍也。 象類言之，又為龍蛇之孽。 魯宣公三年，郊牛之口傷，時以為天不享。 棄宣公也。 《五行傳》曰：「逆君道傷，故有龍蛇之孽。」 是時紀雖以赴援為名，而實妄自尊亢。 思心之咎，神不享，君道傷之應。 果為元帝所敗。
Northern Qi's last emperor had a favored consort Feng Xiaolian—clever and beautiful, skilled on the pipa and especially in song and dance. The emperor was captivated and made her Shufei. Several thousand attendants were selected for her retinue; a single woman's adornments cost a thousand gold pieces. The emperor was hunting at Sandui when Zhou armies arrived; urgent reports lined the roads. The emperor wished to withdraw, but Xiaolian insisted on continuing the hunt. The emperor complied. Because of this delay, Jinzhou fell. Later, meeting Zhou armies below Jinzhou, he lost opportunity repeatedly because of Xiaolian—and the state was destroyed. Qi gentry and commoners blame her to this day. Cow omen: Prince Wuling Xiao Ji was sacrificing to the city god; as an ox was about to be cooked, a red snake coiled around its mouth. In symbolic terms, it was also a dragon-and-snake calamity. In Lu Duke Xuan's year 3, the suburban ox's mouth was injured; at the time Heaven was thought to reject the offering. Duke Xuan was abandoned by Heaven. The Wuxing Commentary says: "When the ruler's way is violated, dragon-and-snake calamities arise. Though nominally going to aid, Ji in fact arrogantly exalted himself. The fault of a confused mind; the spirits rejected him—the ruler's way was injured. He was ultimately defeated by Emperor Yuan.
61
後齊武平二年，并州獻五足牛，牛禍也。 《洪範五行傳》曰：「牛事應，宮室之象也。」 帝尋大發卒，于仙都苑穿池築山，樓殿間起，窮華極麗。 功始就而亡國。
In Northern Qi's Wuping year 2, Bingzhou presented a five-footed ox—a cow omen. The Wuxing Commentary says: "Cow omens respond to palace affairs—the image of palace halls. The emperor soon conscripted masses of laborers, digging pools and building mountains in the Xiandu Garden, towers and halls of extreme splendor rising one after another. When the work was just completed, the state perished.
62
後周建德六年，陽武有獸三，狀如水牛，一黃，一赤，一黑。 與黑者鬥久之，黃者自傍觸之，黑者死，黃亦俱入於河。 近牛禍也。 黑者，周之所尚色。 死者，滅亡之象。 後數載，周果滅而隋有天下，旗牲尚赤，戎服以黃。
In the sixth month of Northern Zhou's Jiande year 6, at Yangwu three beasts shaped like water buffalo appeared—one yellow, one red, one black. The red fought the black for a long time; the yellow struck from the side; the black died; the yellow also entered the river. This was a cow omen. Black was the color Zhou favored. Death symbolized destruction. Several years later Zhou fell and Sui conquered the realm—banners and sacrifices honored red, military dress used yellow.
63
大業初，恆山有牛，四腳膝上各生一蹄。 其後建東都，築長城，開溝洫。 心腹之屙陳禎明三年，隋師臨江，後主從容而言曰：「齊兵三來，周師再來，無弗摧敗。 彼何為者？」 都官尚書孔范曰：「長江天塹，古以為限隔南北。 今日北軍豈能飛渡耶？ 臣每患官卑，彼若渡來，臣為太尉矣。」 後主大悅，因奏妓縱酒，賦詩不輟。 心腹之屙也。 存亡之機，定之俄頃，君臣旰食不暇，後主已不知懼，孔範從而蕩之，天奪其心，曷能不敗？ 陳國遂亡，範亦遠徙。
At the start of Daye, at Hengshan an ox grew a hoof on each of its four knees. Afterward the Eastern Capital was built, the Great Wall constructed, and canals dug. Heart-and-belly filth: In Chen's Zhenming year 3, as Sui armies reached the Yangtze, Houzhu said calmly: "Qi came three times, Zhou twice—all were crushed. What are they doing? Minister of Palace Affairs Kong Fan said: "The Yangtze is Heaven's moat, the ancient barrier between north and south. Can the northern armies fly across today? I always worry my rank is too low; if they cross, I shall become Grand Commandant." Houzhu was delighted, summoned musicians, drank freely, and composed poetry without cease. This was heart-and-belly filth. Survival or ruin is decided in an instant; yet Houzhu felt no fear while Kong Fan led him astray—Heaven had taken his heart; how could he not fall? Chen fell; Fan was exiled.
64
齊文宣帝嘗宴於東山，投杯赫怒，下詔西伐，極陳甲兵之盛。 既而泣謂群臣曰：「黑衣非我所制。」 卒不行。 有識者以帝精魄已亂，知帝祚之不永。 帝后竟得心疾，耽荒酒色，性忽狂暴，數年而崩。
Northern Qi's Emperor Wenxuan once feasted at Mount Dong, threw his cup in rage, and issued an edict for a western campaign displaying the full strength of his armies. Then weeping he told his ministers: "Black robes are not mine to command. In the end he did not go. Those with insight, seeing the emperor's spirit disordered, knew his reign would not be long. He afterward developed heart disease, indulged in wine and sex, turned violent, and died within years.
65
武成帝丁太后憂，緋袍如故。 未幾，登三台，置酒作樂，侍者進白袍，帝大怒，投之台下。 未幾而崩。 黃眚黃祥梁大同元年，天雨土。 二年，天雨灰，其色黃。 近黃祥也。 京房《易飛候》曰：「聞善不及，茲謂有知。 厥異黃，厥咎龍，厥災不嗣。 蔽賢絕道之咎也。」 時帝自以為聰明博達，惡人勝己。 又篤信佛法，捨身為奴，絕道蔽賢之罰也。
Emperor Wucheng during Empress Dowager Ding's mourning still wore crimson robes. Before long he ascended the Three Terraces for wine and music; when attendants presented white mourning robes, he flew into a rage and threw them off the terrace. Before long he died. Yellow baleful sign: In Liang's Datong year 1, earth rained from heaven. In year 2, ash rained from heaven, yellow in color. This was a yellow baleful sign. Jing Fang's Yifeihou says: "Hearing of good but failing to attain it—this is called having knowledge without acting. The anomaly is yellow; the fault is dragon; the disaster is no succession. The fault of obscuring the worthy and cutting off the Way. The emperor considered himself brilliant and hated those who surpassed him. He also devoted himself to Buddhism, offering his body as a slave—the penalty for cutting off the Way and obscuring the worthy.
66
大寶元年正月，天雨黃沙。 二年，簡文帝夢丸土而吞之。 尋為侯景所廢，以土囊壓之而斃，諸子遇害，不嗣之應也。
In the first month of Dabao year 1, yellow sand rained from heaven. In year 2, Emperor Jianwen dreamed of swallowing a ball of earth. Before long Hou Jing deposed him, suffocated him with an earth bag, and killed his sons—the omen of no succession fulfilled.
67
陳後主時，夢黃衣人圍城。 後主惡之，繞城橘樹，盡伐去之。 隋高祖受禪之後，上下通服黃衣。 未幾隋師攻圍之應也。
During Houzhu's reign, he dreamed of men in yellow clothing surrounding the city. Houzhu hated the dream and had all the orange trees around the city wall cut down. After Sui Gaozu received the abdication, everyone wore yellow clothing. Before long Sui armies besieged the city—the omen fulfilled.
68
後周大象二年正月，天雨黃土，移時乃息。 與大同元年同占。 時帝昏狂滋甚，期年而崩，至於靜帝，用遜厥位。 絕道不嗣之應也。
In the first month of Northern Zhou's Daxiang year 2, yellow earth rained from heaven, then stopped. The same portent as Datong year 1. The emperor's madness worsened; within a year he died; Emperor Jing was forced to abdicate. The response of cutting off the Way and no succession.
69
開皇二年，京師雨土。 是時帝懲周室諸侯微弱，以亡天下，故分封諸子，並為行台，專制方面。 失土之故，有土氣之祥，其後諸王各謀為逆亂。 京房《易飛候》曰：「天雨土，百姓勞苦而無功。」 其時營都邑。 後起仁壽宮，頹山堙谷，丁匠死者太半。 裸蟲之孽梁太清元年，丹陽有莫氏妻，生男，眼在頂上，大如兩歲兒。 墜地而言曰：「兒是旱疫鬼，不得住。」 母曰：「汝當令我得過。」 疫鬼曰：「有上官，何得自由。 母可急作絳帽，故當無憂。」 母不暇作帽，以絳系發。 自是旱疫者二年，揚、徐、兗、豫尤甚。 莫氏鄉鄰，多以絳免，他土效之無驗。
In Kaihuang year 2, earth rained on the capital. Learning from Zhou's weak feudal lords, the emperor enfeoffed his sons as regional governors with full autonomy. Losing earth brought an earth-qi omen; afterward the princes each plotted rebellion. Jing Fang's Yifeihou says: "When heaven rains earth, the people toil without achievement. At that time the capital was being built. Afterward Renshou Palace was built; mountains were demolished and valleys filled; more than half the laborers died. Naked-insect calamity: In Liang's Taiqing year 1, in Danyang Mrs. Mo bore a boy with eyes on the crown of his head, as large as a two-year-old's. Falling to the ground he spoke: "I am the drought-plague ghost; I cannot stay. The mother said: "You should let me pass." The plague ghost said: "There is a superior official; I cannot act freely. Make a crimson hat quickly and you will have no worry." The mother had no time to make a hat and tied crimson cloth in her hair. From this drought and plague lasted two years; Yang, Xu, Yan, and Yu were especially hard hit. Mo's neighbors mostly escaped with crimson; others who imitated it found no effect.
70
大寶二年，京口人于藏兒，年五歲，登城西南角大樓，打鼓作《長江櫑》。 鼓，兵象也。 是時侯景亂江南。
In Dabao year 2, five-year-old Yu Zang'er of Jingkou climbed the great tower at the city's southwest corner, beat a drum, and performed The Yangtze River Lei. The drum symbolizes warfare. At that time Hou Jing ravaged Jiangnan.
71
陳永定三年，有人長三丈，見羅浮山，通身潔白，衣服楚麗。 京房占曰：「長人見，亡。」 後二歲，帝崩。
In Chen's Yongding year 3, a man three zhang tall was seen at Mount Luofu, entirely white, in splendid Chu dress. Jing Fang's divination says: "When a tall man appears—the state will perish. Two years later the emperor died.
72
後主為太子時，有婦人突入東宮而大言曰：「畢國主。」 後主立而祚終之應也。
When Houzhu was crown prince, a woman burst into the Eastern Palace crying: "The state-lord is finished. The omen of Houzhu ascending and his reign ending.
73
至德三年八月，建康人家婢死，埋之九日而更生。 有牧牛人聞而出之。
In the eighth month of Zhide year 3, a Jiankang maid died, was buried, and revived after nine days. A cattle herder heard and dug her out.
74
禎明二年，有船下，忽聞人言曰：「明年亂。」 視之，得死嬰兒，長二尺而無頭。 明年陳滅。
In Zhenming year 2, on a boat someone heard a voice say: "Next year there will be disorder. Looking, they found a headless dead infant two chi long. The following year Chen fell.
75
齊天保中，臨漳有婦人產子，二頭共體。 是後政由奸佞，上下無別，兩頭之應也。
During Northern Qi's Tianbao era, in Linzhang a woman bore a child with two heads sharing one body. Afterward wicked flatterers held power; above and below were undifferentiated—the omen of two heads fulfilled.
76
後主時，有桑門，貌若狂人，見烏則向之作禮，見沙門則毆辱之。 烏，周色也。 未幾，齊為周所吞，滅除佛法。
During Houzhu's reign a seemingly mad monk bowed to crows but beat and insulted monks. The crow was Zhou's color. Before long Qi was swallowed by Zhou and Buddhism was abolished.
77
後周保定三年，有人產子男，陰在背上如尾，兩足指如獸爪。 陰不當生於背而生於背者，陰陽反覆，君臣顛倒之象。 人足不當有爪而有爪者，將致攫人之變也。 是時，晉蕩公宇文護專擅朝政，征伐自己，陰懷篡逆。 天戒若曰，君臣之分已倒矣，將行攫噬之禍。 帝見變而悟，遂誅晉公，親萬機，躬節儉，克平齊國，號為高祖。 轉禍為福之效也。
In Northern Zhou's Baoqing year 3, a man bore a son with genitals on his back like a tail and foot toes like beast claws. Genitals should not appear on the back—this symbolized yin and yang reversed and ruler and minister inverted. Human feet should not have claws—this foretold violent seizure of people. At that time Duke Jindang Yuwen Hu monopolized government, commanded campaigns himself, and secretly plotted usurpation. Heaven's warning seemed to say: ruler and minister are inverted; seizing and devouring will follow. The emperor saw the omen and acted; he executed Yuwen Hu, took personal control, practiced frugality, conquered Qi, and became known as Gaozu. The effect of turning calamity into blessing.
78
武帝時，有強練者，佯狂，持一瓠，至晉蕩公護門而擊破之，曰：「身尚可，子苦矣。」 時護專政，因朝太后，帝擊殺之。 發兵捕其諸子，皆備楚毒而死。 強練又行乞於市，人或遺之粟麥，輒以無底袋受之。 因大笑曰：「盛空。」 未幾，周滅，高祖移都，長安城為墟矣。
During Emperor Wu's reign Qiang Lian feigned madness; holding a gourd he smashed it at Yuwen Hu's gate, saying: "The body is still fine; the sons will suffer. When Hu monopolized government, the emperor killed him during an audience with the empress dowager. Troops captured his sons; all died under torture. Qiang Lian also begged in the market; when given grain he received it in a bottomless bag. Laughing loudly he said: "Full of emptiness. Before long Zhou fell; Gaozu moved the capital; Chang'an became ruins.
79
開皇六年，霍州有老翁，化為猛獸。
In Kaihuang year 6, in Huozhou an old man transformed into a fierce beast.
80
七年，相州有桑門，變為蛇，尾繞樹而自抽，長二丈許。
In year 7, in Xiangzhou a monk transformed into a snake; its tail coiled around a tree and pulled itself free, more than two zhang long.
81
仁壽四年，有人長數丈，見於應門，其跡長四尺五寸。 其年帝崩。
In Renshou year 4, a man several zhang tall appeared at the Ying Gate; his tracks were four chi five inches long. That year the emperor died.
82
大業元年，雁門人房回安，母年百歲，額上生角，長二寸。 《洪範五行傳》曰：「婦人，陰象也。 角，兵象也。 下反上之應。」 是後天下果大亂，陰戎圍帝於雁門。
In Daye year 1, Fang Huian of Yanmen's hundred-year-old mother grew horns on her forehead, two inches long. The Wuxing Commentary says: "Woman is the yin image. Horn is the image of warfare. The response of the lower rebelling against the upper. Afterward the realm fell into chaos; northern barbarians besieged the emperor at Yanmen.
83
四年，雁門宋穀村有婦人生一肉卵，大如鬥，埋之。 後數日，所埋處雲霧盡合，從地雷震而上，視之洞穴，失卵所在。
In year 4, at Songgu Village in Yanmen a woman bore a fleshy egg as large as a dou and buried it. Days later clouds gathered at the burial site; thunder shook upward from the earth; the egg had vanished from a cave.
84
六年，趙郡李來王家婢產一物，大如卵。
In year 6, a maid of Li Laizhu in Zhao Commandery bore a thing as large as an egg.
85
六年正月朔旦，有盜衣白練裙襦，手持香花，自稱彌勒佛出世。 入建國門，奪衛士仗，將為亂。 齊王暕遇而斬之。 後三年，楊玄感作亂，引兵圍洛陽，戰敗伏誅。
On New Year's Day of year 6, a man in white silk, holding incense and flowers, proclaimed himself Maitreya Buddha incarnate. He entered Jianguo Gate, seized guards' weapons, and was about to rebel. Prince Qi Yang encountered and beheaded him. Three years later Yang Xuangan rebelled, besieged Luoyang, was defeated and executed.
86
八年，有澄公者，若狂人，於東都大叫唱賊。 帝聞而惡之。 明年，玄感舉兵，圍洛陽。
In year 8, Master Cheng, like a madman, at the Eastern Capital loudly cried "Bandits!" The emperor heard and hated it. The following year Xuangan raised troops and besieged Luoyang.
87
十二年，澄公又叫賊。 李密逼東都，孟讓燒豐都市而去。
In year 12, Master Cheng again cried "Bandits!" Li Mi pressed the Eastern Capital; Meng Rang burned Fengdu Market and departed.
88
九年，帝在高陽。 唐縣人宋子賢，善為幻術。 每夜，樓上有光明，能變作佛形，自稱彌勒出世。 又懸大鏡於堂上，紙素上畫為蛇為獸及人形。 有人來禮謁者，轉側其鏡，遣觀來生形像。 或映見紙上蛇形，子賢輒告雲：「此罪業也，當更禮念。」 又令禮謁，乃轉人形示之。 遠近惑信，日數百千人。 遂潛謀作亂，將為無遮佛會，因舉兵，欲襲擊乘輿。 事泄，鷹揚郎將以兵捕之。 夜至其所，繞其所居，但見火坑，兵不敢進。 郎將曰：「此地素無坑，止妖妄耳。」 及進，無複火矣。 遂擒斬之，並坐其党與千餘家。 其後複有桑門向海明，於扶風自稱彌勒佛出世，潛謀逆亂。 人有歸心者，輒獲吉夢。 由是人皆惑之，三輔之士，翕然稱為大聖。 因舉兵反，眾至數萬。 官軍擊破之。 京房《易飛候》曰：「妖言動眾者，茲謂不信。 路無人行。 不出三年，起兵。」 自是天下大亂，路無人行。 木金水火沴土梁天監五年十一月，京師地震，木金水火沴土也。 《洪範五行傳》曰：「臣下盛，將動而為害。」 京房《易飛候》曰：「地動以冬十一月者，其邑饑亡。」 時交州刺史李凱舉兵反。 明年，霜，歲儉人饑。
In year 9 the emperor was at Gaoyang. Song Zixian of Tang County was skilled in illusion. Every night light appeared on his tower; he transformed into Buddha form and called himself Maitreya incarnate. He hung a great mirror in the hall; on paper he painted snakes, beasts, and human forms. When people came to worship, he turned the mirror to show their next-life image. Sometimes the mirror showed a snake on the paper; Zixian would say: "This is karmic sin; worship again. He had them worship again and then showed human form. Near and far were deceived; hundreds or thousands came daily. He secretly plotted rebellion, planning a Boundless Buddha Assembly to raise troops and attack the emperor. The plot was exposed; an Eagle-Flying Commandant captured him with troops. At night troops surrounded his dwelling but saw only a fire pit and dared not advance. The commandant said: "This place normally has no pit—only demonic delusion. When they advanced, the fire was gone. They captured and beheaded him; more than a thousand followers were implicated. Afterward the monk Xiang Haiming at Fufeng proclaimed himself Maitreya and secretly plotted rebellion. Those who joined him always received auspicious dreams. Everyone was deceived; scholars of the three auxiliaries called him Great Sage. He raised troops; his forces reached tens of thousands. Government troops defeated him. Jing Fang's Yifeihou says: "Demonic words moving the multitude—this is called disbelief. No one travels the roads. Within three years troops will rise. From this the realm fell into chaos; no one traveled the roads. Wood, metal, water, and fire overcoming earth: In the eleventh month of Liang's Tianjian year 5, the capital quaked—wood, metal, water, and fire overcoming earth. The Wuxing Commentary says: "When ministers below flourish, they will move and bring harm. Jing Fang's Yifeihou says: "Earth quaking in winter's eleventh month—that city will hunger and perish." At that time Jiao Province Inspector Li Kai raised troops in rebellion. The following year frost came; the harvest failed and people starved.
89
普通三年正月，建康地震。 是時，義州刺史文僧朗以州叛。
In the first month of Putong year 3, Jiankang quaked. At that time Yizhou Inspector Wen Senglang rebelled with his province.
90
六年十二月，地震。 京房《易飛候》曰：「地冬動有音，以十二月者，其邑有行兵。」 是時，帝令豫章王琮將兵北伐。
In the twelfth month of year 6, earthquake. Jing Fang's Yifeihou says: "Earth quaking in winter with sound—in the twelfth month that city will see marching troops. The emperor ordered Prince Yuzhang Cong to lead a northern campaign.
91
中大通五年正月，建康地震。 京房《易飛候》曰：「地以春動，歲不昌。」 是歲，大水，百姓饑饉。
In the first month of Zhongdatong year 5, Jiankang quaked. Jing Fang's Yifeihou says: "Earth quaking in spring—the year will not flourish. That year brought great flood; the people starved.
92
大同三年十一月，建康地震。 京房《易飛候》曰：「地震以十一月，邑有大喪及饑亡。」 明年，霜為災，百姓饑。
In the eleventh month of Datong year 3, Jiankang quaked. Jing Fang's Yifeihou says: "Earthquake in the eleventh month—the city will suffer great mourning, hunger, and perish. The following year frost destroyed crops; the people starved.
93
三年十月，建康地震。 是歲，會稽山賊起。
In the tenth month of year 3, Jiankang quaked. That year bandits rose on Mount Kuaiji.
94
七年二月，建康地震。 是歲，交州人李賁舉兵，逐刺史蕭諮。
In the second month of year 7, Jiankang quaked. That year Li Bin of Jiaozhou raised troops and drove out Inspector Xiao Zi.
95
九年閏正月，地震。 李賁自稱皇帝，署置百官。
In the intercalary first month of year 9, earthquake. Li Bin proclaimed himself emperor and established officials.
96
太清三年四月，建康地再震。 時侯景自為大丞相、錄尚書事，帝所須不給。 是月，以憂憤崩。
In the fourth month of Taiqing year 3, Jiankang quaked twice. At that time Hou Jing made himself Grand Chancellor; the emperor's needs went unmet. That month the emperor died of worry and anger.
97
陳永定二年五月，建康地震。 時王琳立蕭莊於郢州。
In the fifth month of Chen's Yongding year 2, Jiankang quaked. At that time Wang Lin established Xiao Zhuang at Yingzhou.
98
太建四年十一月，地震。 陳寶應反閩中。
In the eleventh month of Taijian year 4, earthquake. Chen Baoying rebelled in Minzhong.
99
禎明元年正月，地震。 施文慶、沈客卿專恣之應也。
In the first month of Zhenming year 1, earthquake. The response to Shi Wenqing and Shen Keqing acting arbitrarily.
100
東魏武定二年十一月，西河地陷而且燃。 京房《易妖占》曰：「地自陷，其君亡。」 祖釭曰：「火，陽精也； 地者，陰主也。 地燃，越陰之道，行陽之政，臣下擅恣，終以自害。」 時後齊神武作宰，而侯景專擅河南。 後二歲，神武果崩，景遂作亂，而自取敗亡之應。
In the eleventh month of Eastern Wei's Wuding year 2, Xihe land sank and burned. Jing Fang's Yiyaozhan says: "When earth sinks by itself, its ruler perishes. Zu Geng said: "Fire is the essence of yang; earth is yin's master. Burning earth crosses yin's way and practices yang's governance; ministers act arbitrarily and ultimately destroy themselves." Northern Qi's Gao Huan served as chief minister while Hou Jing monopolized Henan. Two years later Gao Huan died; Jing rebelled—the omen of self-defeat fulfilled.
101
後齊河清二年，并州地震。 和士開專恣之應。
In Northern Qi's Heqing year 2, Bingzhou quaked. The response to He Shikai acting arbitrarily.
102
後周建德二年，涼州地頻震。 城郭多壞，地裂出泉。 京房《易妖占》曰：「地分裂，羌夷叛。」 時吐谷渾頻寇河西。
In Northern Zhou's Jiande year 2, Liangzhou frequently quaked. City walls mostly collapsed; the earth split and springs emerged. Jing Fang's Yiyaozhan says: "When earth splits, Qiang and barbarians rebel. At that time Tuyuhun frequently raided Hexi.
103
開皇十四年五月，京師地震。 京房《易飛候》曰：「地動以夏五月，人流亡。」 是歲關中饑，帝令百姓就糧于關東。
In the fifth month of Kaihuang year 14, the capital quaked. Jing Fang's Yifeihou says: "Earth quaking in summer's fifth month—people flee. That year Guanzhong starved; the emperor sent people to seek grain in Guandong.
104
仁壽二年四月，岐、雍地震。 京房《易飛候》曰：「地動以夏四月，五穀不熟，人大饑。」
In the fourth month of Renshou year 2, Qi and Yong quaked. Jing Fang's Yifeihou says: "Earth quaking in summer's fourth month—crops fail and people starve."
105
三年，梁州就穀山崩。 《洪範五行傳》曰：「崩散落，背叛不事上之類也。」 梁州為漢地。 明年，漢王諒舉兵反。
In year 3, Jiugu Mountain in Liangzhou collapsed. The Wuxing Commentary says: "Collapse and scattering symbolize rebellion against superiors. Liangzhou was Han territory. The following year Prince Han Liang raised troops in rebellion.
106
大業七年，砥柱山崩，壅河，逆流數十里。 劉向《洪範五行傳》曰：「山者，君之象； 水者，陰之表，人之類也。 天戒若曰，君人擁威重，將崩壞，百姓不得其所。」 時帝興遼東之師，百姓不堪其役，四海怨叛。 帝不能悟，卒以滅亡。
In Daye year 7, Mount Dizhu collapsed, blocking the river; the current reversed for tens of li. Liu Xiang's Wuxing Commentary says: "Mountain is the ruler's image; water is yin's manifestation, the kind of people. Heaven's warning seemed to say: the ruler holding heavy authority will collapse; the people will lose their place. The emperor raised Liaodong armies; the people could not bear the corvée; the realm rebelled. The emperor failed to understand; in the end he was destroyed.
107
《洪範五行傳》曰：「皇之不極，是謂不建。 厥咎瞀，厥罰常陰，厥極弱。 時則有射妖，則有龍蛇之孽，則有馬禍。」 雲陰開皇二十年十月，久陰不雨。 劉向曰：「王者失中，臣下強盛而蔽君明，則雲陰。」 是時，獨孤後遂與楊素陰譖太子勇，廢為庶人。 射妖東魏武定四年，後齊神武作宰，親率諸軍，攻西魏於玉壁。 其年十一月，帝不豫，班師。 將士震懼，皆曰：「韋孝寬以定功弩射殺丞相。」 西魏下令國中曰：「勁弩一發，凶身自殞。」 神武聞而惡之，其疾暴增，近射妖也。 《洪範五行傳》曰：「射者，兵戎禍亂之象，氣逆天則禍亂將起。」 神武行，殿中將軍曹魏祖諫曰：「王以死氣逆生氣，為客不利，主人則可。」 帝不從，頓軍五旬，頻戰沮衄。 又聽孤虛之言，於城北斷汾水，起土山。 其處天險千餘尺，功竟不就，死者七萬。 氣逆天之咎也。 其年帝崩。 明年，王思政擾河南。
The Wuxing Commentary says: "When the sovereign fails to reach the extreme, it is called failure to establish. The fault is confusion; the penalty is constant yin; the ultimate consequence is weakness. In such seasons shooting demons appear, dragon-and-snake calamities arise, and horse omens manifest. Cloud yin: In the tenth month of Kaihuang year 20, prolonged overcast without rain. Liu Xiang said: "When the king loses the center and powerful ministers obscure his clarity, yin clouds appear. Empress Dugu with Yang Su secretly slandered Crown Prince Yong and deposed him. Shooting demon: In Eastern Wei's Wuding year 4, Gao Huan personally led armies attacking Western Wei at Yubi. In the eleventh month he fell ill and withdrew the army. Officers and soldiers feared: "Wei Xiaokuan's crossbow killed the chief minister. Western Wei proclaimed: "One shot from a powerful crossbow—the villain perishes." Gao Huan heard and hated it; his illness sharply worsened—a shooting demon omen. The Wuxing Commentary says: "Shooting symbolizes warfare and disorder; when qi opposes Heaven, chaos rises. Palace Guard Wei Caizu remonstrated: "Your death-qi opposes life-qi; as attacker you are disadvantaged; as defender you prevail." The emperor refused; the army halted fifty days; battles repeatedly failed. Heeding empty divination, he cut off the Fen River north of the city and raised an earthen mountain. That natural barrier stood more than a thousand chi high; the work failed; seventy thousand died. The fault of qi opposing Heaven. That year the emperor died. The following year Wang Si'zheng disturbed Henan.
108
武平，後主自并州還鄴，至八公嶺，夜與左右歌而行。 有一人忽發狂，意後主以為狐媚，伏草中彎弓而射之。 傷數人，幾中後主。 後主執而斬之。 其人不自覺也。 狐而能媚，獸之妖妄也。 時帝不恤國政，專與內人閹豎酣歌為樂。 或衣襤縷衣，行乞為娛。 此妖妄之象。 人又射之，兵戎禍亂之應也。 未幾而國滅。 龍蛇之孽梁天監二年，北梁州潭中有龍鬥，濆霧數裡。 龍蛇之孽。 《洪範五行傳》曰：「龍，獸之難害者也。 天之類，君之象。 天氣害，君道傷，則龍亦害。 鬥者兵革之象也。」 京房《易飛候》曰：「眾心不安，厥妖龍鬥。」 是時帝初即位，而有陳伯之、劉季連之亂，國內危懼。
During Wuping, Houzhu returned from Bingzhou to Ye; at Bagong Ridge he sang with attendants at night. One man suddenly went mad, thinking Houzhu a fox demon; he crouched in the grass and shot at him. Several were wounded; he nearly hit Houzhu. Houzhu seized and beheaded him. The man himself was unaware. Foxes able to bewitch—the demonic delusion of beasts. The emperor neglected state affairs, drinking and singing with concubines and eunuchs. Sometimes he wore tattered clothes and begged for amusement. This was the image of demonic delusion. People shooting at him—the response of warfare and disorder. Before long the state perished. Dragon-and-snake calamity: In Liang's Tianjian year 2, dragons fought in a pool in North Liangzhou; mist sprayed for several li. Dragon-and-snake calamity. The Wuxing Commentary says: "The dragon is among beasts the hardest to harm. Heaven's kind; the ruler's image. When Heaven's qi is harmed and the ruler's way injured, dragons too are harmed. Fighting is the image of armor and weapons. Jing Fang's Yifeihou says: "When the multitude's hearts are unsettled, dragons fight." The emperor had newly ascended; disorders of Chen Bozhi and Liu Jilian arose; fear spread within the state.
109
普通五年六月，龍鬥于曲阿王陂，因西行，至建陵城，所經之處，樹木皆折開數十丈。 與天監二年同占。 經建陵而樹木折者，國有兵革之禍，園陵殘毀之象。 時帝專以講論為務，不崇耕戰，將輕而卒惰。 君道既傷，故有龍孽之應。 帝殊不悟。 至太清元年，黎州水中又有龍鬥。 波浪湧起，雲霧四合，而見白龍南走，黑龍隨之。 其年，侯景以兵來降，帝納之而無備，國人皆懼。 俄而難作，帝以憂崩。
In the sixth month of Putong year 5, dragons fought at Wangpo in Qu'a, then went west to Jianling; wherever they passed, trees snapped open for tens of zhang. The same portent as Tianjian year 2. Passing Jianling and snapping trees foretold warfare and the ruin of imperial gardens and tombs. The emperor devoted himself to lectures, neglected farming and warfare; generals were lax and soldiers idle. The ruler's way was injured—hence the dragon calamity. The emperor especially failed to understand. By Taiqing year 1, dragons again fought in the waters of Lizhou. Waves surged; clouds gathered; a white dragon went south; a black dragon followed. That year Hou Jing surrendered with troops; the emperor received him unprepared; the state was afraid. Before long calamity arose; the emperor died of worry.
110
大同十年夏，有龍夜因雷而墮延陵人家井中，明旦視之，大如驢。 將以戟刺之，俄見庭中及室中各有大蛇，如數百斛船，家人奔走。 《洪範五行傳》曰：「龍，陽類，貴象也。 上則在天，下則在地，不當見庶人邑裡室家。 井中，幽深之象也，諸侯且有幽執之禍，皇不建之咎也。」 後侯景反，果幽殺簡文於酒庫，宗室王侯皆幽死。
In the summer of Datong year 10, at night thunder caused a dragon to fall into a Yanling commoner's well; by morning it was as large as a donkey. About to stab it with a halberd, great snakes like ships of several hundred hu appeared in courtyard and rooms; the family fled. The Wuxing Commentary says: "Dragon is yang kind, the image of the noble. Above in heaven, below on earth—it should not appear in common people's homes. A well symbolizes depth; feudal lords would suffer secret imprisonment—the sovereign's failure to establish. Hou Jing rebelled; he secretly killed Jianwen in the wine storehouse; royal princes were all secretly killed.
111
陳太建十一年正月，龍見南兗州池中，與梁大同十年同占。 未幾，後主嗣位，驕淫荒怠，動不得中。 其後竟以國亡，身被幽執。
In the first month of Chen's Taijian year 11, a dragon appeared in a pool in Southern Yanzhou—the same portent as Datong year 10. Before long Houzhu succeeded—arrogant, debauched, negligent, acting without balance. He was destroyed with the state and personally suffered imprisonment.
112
東魏武定元年，有大蛇見武牢城。 是時，北豫州刺史高仲密妻李氏，慧而豔。 世子澄悅之，仲密內不自安，遂以武牢叛，陰引西魏，大戰于河陽。 神武為西兵所窘，僅而獲免，死者數千。
In Eastern Wei's Wuding year 1, a great snake appeared at Wulao city. At that time Beiyu Prefect Gao Zhongmi's wife Lady Li was clever and lovely. Heir Apparent Cheng desired her; Zhongmi rebelled at Wulao, secretly leading Western Wei; a great battle at Heyang. Gao Huan was cornered by Western troops; barely escaped; several thousand died.
113
後齊天保九年，有龍長七八丈，見齊州大堂。 占同大同十年。 時常山、長廣二王權重，帝不思抑損。 明年帝崩，太子殷嗣立。 常山王演果廢帝為濟南王，幽而害之。
In Northern Qi's Tianbao year 9, a dragon seven or eight zhang long appeared in Qi Province's great hall. The same portent as Datong year 10. Princes Changshan and Changuang held great power; the emperor failed to restrain them. The following year the emperor died; Crown Prince Yin succeeded. Prince Changshan Yan deposed the emperor as Prince Jinan, imprisoned and killed him.
114
河清元年，龍見濟州浴堂中。 占同天保九年。 先是平秦王歸彥受昭帝遺詔，立太子百年為嗣。 而歸彥遂立長廣王湛，是為武成帝。 而廢百年為樂陵王，竟以幽死。
In Heqing year 1, a dragon appeared in Jizhou's bath hall. The same portent as Tianbao year 9. Earlier Prince Pingqin Guiyan received Emperor Xiaozhao's testament and established Crown Prince Bainian as successor. But Guiyan established Prince Changuang Zhan as Emperor Wucheng. He deposed Bainian as Prince Leling, who was secretly killed.
115
天統四年，貴鄉人伐枯木，得一黃龍，折腳，死于孔中，齊稱木德。 龍，君象。 木枯龍死，不祥之甚。 其年武成崩。
In Tiantong year 4, a Gui Township man felling a withered tree found a yellow dragon with broken legs dead in the hole; Qi claimed wood virtue. Dragon is the ruler's image. Wood withered and dragon dead—inauspicious in the extreme. That year Wucheng died.
116
武平三年，龍見邯鄲井中，其氣五色屬天。 又見汲郡佛寺涸井中。 占同河清元年。 後主竟降周，後被誅。
In Wuping year 3, a dragon appeared in a Handan well; five-colored vapor reached heaven. Also seen in a dried well at a Ji Commandery Buddhist temple. The same portent as Heqing year 1. Houzhu ultimately surrendered to Zhou and was executed.
117
武平七年，并州招遠樓下，有赤蛇與黑蛇鬥，數日，赤蛇死。 赤，齊尚色； 黑，周尚色。 鬥而死，滅亡之象也。 後主任用邪佞，與周師連兵于晉州之下。 委軍于孽臣高阿那肱，竟啟敵人，皇不建之咎也。 後主遂為周師所虜。
In Wuping year 7, below Zhaoyuan Tower in Bingzhou, a red snake and black snake fought; after days the red snake died. Red was Qi's honored color; black was Zhou's honored color. Fighting until death symbolized destruction. Houzhu employed wicked flatterers; with Zhou armies he fought below Jinzhou. He entrusted the army to Gao Anagai, who opened to the enemy—the sovereign's failure to establish. Houzhu was captured by Zhou armies.
118
琅邪王儼壞北宮中白馬浮圖，石趙時澄公所建。 見白蛇長數丈，迴旋失所在。 時儼專誅，失中之咎也。 見變不知戒，以及於難。
Prince Langye Yan destroyed the white horse pagoda in the Northern Palace built by Master Cheng of Stone Zhao. A white snake several zhang long was seen circling, then vanished. Yan executed exclusively—the fault of losing the center. Seeing the omen and failing to heed it, he reached calamity.
119
後周建德五年，黑龍墜於亳州而死。 龍，君之象。 黑，周所尚色。 墜而死，不祥之甚。 時皇太子不才，帝每以為慮，直臣王軌、宇文孝伯等驟請廢立，帝不能用。 後二歲，帝崩，太子立，虐殺齊王及孝伯等，因而國亡。
In Northern Zhou's Jiande year 5, a black dragon fell at Bozhou and died. Dragon is the ruler's image. Black was the color Zhou favored. Falling and dying—inauspicious in the extreme. The crown prince lacked talent; upright ministers Wang Gui and Yuwen Xiaobo repeatedly urged replacement; the emperor refused. Two years later the emperor died; the crown prince established, cruelly killed Prince Qi and Xiaobo—and the state perished.
120
仁壽四年，龍見代州總管府井中。 其龍或變為鐵馬甲士彎弓上射之象。 變為鐵馬，近馬禍也。 彎弓上射，又近射妖，諸侯將有兵革之變，以致幽囚也。 是時漢王諒潛謀逆亂，故變兵戒之。 諒不悟，遂興兵反，事敗，廢為庶人，幽囚數年而死。 馬禍侯景僭尊號於江南，每將戰，其所乘白馬，長鳴蹀足者輒勝，垂頭者輒不利。 西州之役，馬臥不起，景拜請，且棰之，竟不動。 近馬禍也。 《洪範五行傳》曰：「馬者兵象。 將有寇戎之事，故馬為怪。」 景因此大敗。
In Renshou year 4, a dragon appeared in the well at Daizhou headquarters. The dragon sometimes transformed into armored iron horsemen bending bows and shooting upward. Transforming into iron horses—close to a horse omen. Bending bow and shooting upward—also a shooting omen; feudal lords would face warfare and imprisonment. Prince Han Liang secretly plotted rebellion; the omen changed to military warning. Liang failed to heed it; he rebelled, failed, was deposed, imprisoned for years, and died. Horse omen: Hou Jing usurped title in Jiangnan; before battle, if his white horse neighed and stamped he won; if it hung its head he lost. At Xizhou his horse lay down and would not rise; Jing bowed and beat it—it still would not move. This was a horse omen. The Wuxing Commentary says: "Horse is the image of warfare. When warfare is coming, horses become strange. Jing was greatly defeated because of this.
121
陳太建五年，衡州馬生角。 《洪範五行傳》曰：「馬生角，兵之象，敗亡之表也。」 是時宣帝遣吳明徹出師呂梁，與周師拒。 連兵數歲，眾軍覆沒，明徹竟為周師所虜。
In Chen's Taijian year 5, horses at Hengzhou grew horns. The Wuxing Commentary says: "Horses growing horns symbolize warfare and foretell defeat. Emperor Xuan dispatched Wu Mingche to Luliang to resist Zhou armies. Fighting continued for years; the armies were destroyed; Mingche was captured.
122
天保中，廣宗有馬，兩耳間生角，如羊尾。 京房《易傳》曰：「天子親伐，則馬生角。」 四年，契丹犯塞，文宣帝親禦六軍以擊之。
During Tianbao, at Guangzong a horse grew horns between its ears like a sheep's tail. Jing Fang's Commentary says: "When the Son of Heaven campaigns personally, horses grow horns. In year 4, the Khitan raided the frontier; Emperor Wenxuan personally led six armies against them.
123
大業四年，太原廄馬死者太半，帝怒，遣使案問。 主者曰：「每夜廄中馬無故自驚，因而致死。」 帝令巫者視之。 巫者知帝將有遼東之役，因希旨言曰：「先帝令楊素、史萬歲取之，將鬼兵以伐遼東也。」 帝大悅，因釋主者。 《洪範五行傳》曰：「逆天氣，故馬多死。」 是時，帝每歲巡幸，北事長城，西通且末，國內虛耗，天戒若曰，除廄馬，無事巡幸。 帝不悟，遂至亂。
In Daye year 4, more than half the horses in Taiyuan stables died; the emperor sent an envoy to investigate. The keeper said: "Every night the horses startled themselves for no reason and died. The emperor ordered shamans to examine it. The shamans, knowing a Liaodong campaign was coming, flattered him: "The former emperor ordered Yang Su and Shi Wansui to lead ghost soldiers against Liaodong. The emperor was pleased and released the keeper. The Wuxing Commentary says: "Opposing Heaven's qi—therefore many horses die. The emperor toured yearly, built the Great Wall, exhausted the state; Heaven warned: remove the stable horses, cease needless touring. The emperor failed to understand; disorder followed.
124
十一年，河南、扶風三郡，並有馬生角，長數寸。 與天保初同占。 是時，帝頻歲親征高麗。
In year 11, Henan and Fufeng commanderies all had horses grow horns several cun long. The same portent as the beginning of Tianbao. At that time the emperor frequently campaigned against Goguryeo in person.
125
義甯元年，帝在江都宮，龍廄馬無故而死，旬日，死至數百匹。 與大業四年同占。
In Yining year 1, at Jiangdu Palace dragon stable horses died for no reason; within ten days several hundred died. The same portent as Daye year 4.