Guo Pu, courtesy name Jingchun, hails from Wenxi, Shanxi. His father Guo Yuan was the chief scribe of the Secretariat, which is similar to the role of chief secretary in ancient times. At that time, the chief scribe Du Yu made changes to some classics, and Guo Yuan repeatedly pointed out his mistakes, known for his integrity. He eventually served as the Prefect of Jianping before passing away. Guo Pu had a passion for studying the classics from a young age, with extensive knowledge and talent, though he wasn't the best at speaking. His poetry was among the finest of his era. He had a special interest in studying ancient and rare characters and was very knowledgeable in Yin and Yang, the Five Elements, astronomy, and calendar systems.
At that time, there was a man named Guo Gong living in Hedong who was an expert in divination. Guo Pu became his student to study under him. Guo Gong passed on all nine volumes of the "Book of the Green Bag" to him. From then on, Guo Pu mastered the intricacies of the Five Elements, astronomy, and divination, able to predict disasters, avert crises, and possessed unmatched abilities even compared to renowned diviners like Jing Fang and Guan Lu. Guo Pu's student Zhao Zai once secretly read the "Book of the Green Bag," but before he finished, the book was burned.
During the reign of Emperor Hui of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the Hedong region was thrown into turmoil. After divination, Guo Pu threw down the bamboo sticks used for divination and sighed, saying, "Alas! The common people will fall victim to foreign invaders, and their homes will become desolate!" So, he secretly contacted relatives, friends, and dozens of acquaintances, planning to move to the southeast for refuge. When they arrived at General Zhao Gu's place, Zhao Gu happened to be upset because his good horse had died, so he was unwilling to meet with anyone. When Guo Pu arrived at Zhao Gu's door, the gatekeeper refused to let him in. Guo Pu said, "I can truly bring your horse back to life." The gatekeeper was startled and quickly went in to report to Zhao Gu. Zhao Gu hurried out and asked, "Sir, can you truly bring my horse back to life?" Guo Pu said, "You’ll need twenty or thirty strong men, each armed with a long pole. Go east for thirty miles; there's a small hill with trees and a shrine. Use the poles to strike there, and you should find something of great importance. Bring it back quickly. With this thing, the horse will come back to life." Zhao Gu followed Guo Pu's instructions and indeed found something resembling a monkey, and brought it back. As soon as the creature saw the dead horse, it blew into the horse's nostrils. Before long, the horse stood up, neighing with excitement and able to eat again, and the monkey-like creature vanished. Zhao Gu found it truly miraculous and rewarded Guo Pu generously.
When he arrived in Lujiang, the governor Hu Mengkang was summoned by the Prime Minister to serve as the military advisor and ritual priest. At that time, the Jianghuai region was full of peace and prosperity, and Mengkang quite enjoyed this comfortable life, not wanting to go south to assume his new position at all. A man named Pu performed a divination for him, predicting "defeat." Mengkang didn't believe it at all. Pu wanted to hurry him along, but he couldn't bear to leave behind a maid in his house and couldn't think of a suitable solution. So, he took three dou of small beans and scattered them around Mengkang's house. The next morning, Mengkang found thousands of people in red clothes surrounding his house, but when he looked closely, those people had vanished. Mengkang was frightened and quickly asked Pu to give him another divination.
Pu said, "It's not suitable to keep this maid in your house. It's best to send her twenty miles to the southeast and sell her off, without bargaining with the buyers. This way, you can eliminate this disaster." Mengkang believed him, and Pu secretly arranged for someone to buy the maid at a low price. Then, he wrote a talisman and threw it into the well, causing the people in red to be bound and jump into the well one after another. Mengkang was overjoyed. Pu took the maid away. A few days later, Lujiang City fell.
After Mr. Pu crossed the Yangtze River, the Prefect of Xuanzhou, Yin You, invited him to serve as a military advisor. At that time, a gray animal the size of a water buffalo appeared, with short, thick legs and feet resembling those of an elephant, white on its chest and tail, strong but clumsy. It came to the city, and everyone was puzzled. Yin You secretly sent people to capture it, and then had Mr. Pu divine. The divination revealed the hexagram "Retreat" yielding "Poison." The interpretation of the hexagram said: "The shape of the hexagram 'Bound' connects with the hexagram 'Heaven,' indicating that this animal is enormous; it resembles a ghost, with its vitality peaking at noon; theoretically, it should be classified as a bird-like creature, but both spirits forbid its existence; finally, it suffered an attack and returned to its original habitat." According to the interpretation of the hexagram, this animal is identified as a donkey rat. The divination result was accurate; the ambushers stabbed it with a spear more than a foot deep, and it ran away, never to be seen again. The county officials reported this to the temple, requesting its extermination. The wizard said: "The temple spirits are displeased, saying: 'This is the Donkey Mountain Lord Mouse from Gongfu Pavilion, on a mission to Jing Mountain and passing through temporarily, so do not provoke it.'" The accuracy of this divination is nothing short of miraculous! Later, Yin You was reassigned as the Inspector of Shitou, and Mr. Pu followed him there.
Once, there appeared a type of flying squirrel in Yanling. Mr. Pu divined and said, "This indicates that there will be a malicious figure in the east of the county who seeks to dominate, and soon he will die on his own. Later, a cursed tree will grow, which looks like an auspicious omen, but in fact it is not. It is a toxic and thorny wood. If this happens, there will definitely be a rebellion within hundreds of miles to the southeast region, around next year." Sure enough, four intertwined Zanthoxylum trees suddenly grew in Wuxi County, intertwined like branches of a couple, and that year the magistrate of Wuxing County, Yuan Xiu, was killed. When questioned about this, Mr. Pu said, "The Mao hexagram is triggered, causing a depletion of metal energy. This tree does not grow according to common sense, so it leads to disaster."
Wang Dao highly valued Mr. Pu's talent and involved him in his military affairs. Once, Wang Dao asked Mr. Pu to divine for him, and Mr. Pu said, "You will have a lightning strike disaster. You should drive west for dozens of miles, find a cypress tree, cut a section of the trunk that matches your height, and put it in your bedroom; then the disaster will be averted." Wang Dao did as he was told. After a few days, he did indeed encounter a lightning strike, and the cypress tree was shattered.
When Emperor Yuan first arrived as a local official in Jianye, he asked Guo Pu to divine for him. The divination yielded the hexagram "Xian" with the line "Jing." Guo Pu said, "In the northeast direction, in a county name containing the character 'Wu,' copper bells will be unearthed. This signifies an important acceptance of the heavenly mandate. In the southwest direction, in a county name containing the character 'Yang,' the well water will boil." Later, this prediction indeed came true! Farmers in Wujin County, Jinling, dug up five copper bells in the ground, and the well water in Liyang County boiled, taking several days to stop.
Later, Emperor Yuan became Prince of Jin, and he had Guo Pu perform divination again. This time, the divination revealed the 'Kui' line from the 'Yu' hexagram. Guo Pu said, "A bell will be unearthed in Kuaiji County, signifying success. There will be inscriptions on the bell, likely to be found in the mud of someone's well. The divination text says, 'The ancient kings used music to honor virtue, diligently offering sacrifices to Heaven,' which is the meaning of this." Sure enough, during the reign of Emperor Yuan, a bell was indeed found in a well in Shanyin County, Kuaiji Prefecture! The bell was seven inches and two fen long, with a mouth diameter of four inches and a half, and it was inscribed with eighteen ancient characters reading "Mount Kuaiji's Mandate," which the people at that time could not recognize.
Guo Pu explained, "The rule of emperors must be accompanied by auspicious signs that symbolize the heavenly mandate, able to communicate the intentions of heaven, earth, and people, and be in harmony with the spirits, to truly be considered appointed by heaven. For instance, five bronze bells were unearthed in Jinling, foreshadowing Emperor Yuan's command; an ancient bell was unearthed in Kuaiji, foreshadowing the completion of Emperor Yuan's achievements. These auspicious signs correspond one by one, appearing in specific locations; isn't it miraculous? The bronze bells make sounds, the ancient bell symbolizes a certain omen, and the appearance of these objects in corresponding quantities all aligns with actual events. The connection between heaven and humanity truly warrants our careful observation!" Emperor Yuan highly valued Guo Pu's divination.
Guo Pu also wrote a "Jiang Fu," a majestic work that garnered public acclaim. Later, he wrote a "Nan Jiao Fu," which greatly pleased Emperor Yuan, and he promoted him to Assistant Secretary of Literature. At that time, there was a disturbance in the balance of yin and yang, and many criminal cases, so Guo Pu wrote to the emperor, stating:
I heard that the teachings of the "Spring and Autumn Annals" emphasize the importance of fundamentals and beginnings, so observations of celestial phenomena should be based on the opening and closing of seasons to demonstrate the connection between heaven and man, and to predict signs of good and bad fortune. Although my knowledge is limited, I made some rough predictions based on the divination at the beginning of the year, and the hexagram is the symbol of "Completion" of the "Jie" hexagram. Upon careful analysis of the hexagram, it is during the flourishing of the wood energy in spring and the arrival of the Dragon's virtue, yet there is stagnant water energy present, and the yang energy has not fully expanded while yin energy is still accumulating. The "Kan" hexagram symbolizes imprisonment, and with the change in hexagram to "Kan" combined with "Li," it symbolizes the light being obscured. Based on the principles, it indicates numerous imprisonment cases and signs of legal obstruction.
On the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth month last year, Venus eclipsed the moon. The moon belongs to "Kan," the gathering place of yin energy, which can observe subtle emotions and assist the sun in its movement. Venus is the planet Venus, invading the moon, as if the heavens are indicating that the law is out of balance, undermining the foundations of governance. My knowledge is limited, and I do not understand internal affairs. I can only speculate based on the hexagrams and do not wish to conceal anything. Furthermore, since last autumn, there have been continuous heavy rains extending into the new year. While it is considered a good omen for the Jin family, it also indicates the prevalence of imprisonment cases and rising resentment. In the twelfth month of the fourth year of Jianxing, the prime minister's historian Chunyu Bo was executed in the market, with blood flowing in the opposite direction and a tall standard standing upright. Chunyu Bo was just an insignificant figure; even if his crimes were not fully confirmed, how could he invoke such a strange phenomenon, moving heaven and earth?
May the heavens bless the Jin family, and may Your Majesty be benevolent and caring, as disasters and anomalies continue to occur. Your Majesty should reflect carefully to respond to the heavenly condemnation. Divine punishment is never without cause. Otherwise, there may be continuous droughts or floods in the future, abnormal phenomena such as landslides, eclipses, and savage and malevolent spirits, only increasing Your Majesty's burdens both day and night.
I carefully consulted ancient texts; the "Book of Documents" records five strategies for assisting a ruler, and "Jing Fang Yi Zhuan" also mentions methods to avert disasters and resolve difficulties. Therefore, learning from mistakes can lead to good results, and encountering unusual situations can improve governance. Just as trees do not thrive in the courtyard, Tai Wu will not flourish; wild chickens do not call out from the cauldron, and King Wu will not become a revered ancestor. Therefore, being cautious and careful can bring blessings, while negligence and arrogance can invite disasters. This is a natural principle that cannot be ignored.
I consulted the "Explanation of Hexagrams," which states: "A gentleman should forgive the mistakes and wrongdoings of others." The "Completion Hexagram" says: "One should foresee and guard against potential disasters." I believe that a compassionate decree should be issued, taking on the necessary responsibilities, eliminating all faults, bestowing grace, so that the suffering people can feel the country's care and support, and gradually improving the difficult situation with the gentle spring breeze. This is also a measure taken based on the current situation, employing methods of reconciliation and cooperation to achieve success.
Your Majesty, I have observed carefully; you are wise and kind, it is your nature. May Heaven bless you, granting you vast territories. You have revived a declining country, expanded into territories that our ancestors never conquered. Auspicious signs abound, both mortals and deities offer counsel and strategies for your reign, aligned with the will of Heaven and the times; everything should have been going well. However, since you ascended to the throne, the golden age of prosperity has yet to truly arrive. Even though you work tirelessly, your benevolence has yet to reach the people; your teachings have not spread throughout the world, the relationship between ruler and subjects lacks harmony, the lives of the people are not stable enough. Songs like "Wild Geese" have not appeared, and no one has written songs celebrating this era of peace and prosperity. Why is this? Your commitment to benevolent governance has yet to be fully realized, while a trend of harsh laws and punishments has taken hold. Your grand plans for governing the realm have yet to be put into action, while changes in laws and regulations occur frequently. Frequent changes in laws will leave the people bewildered; frequent changes in official positions will breed greed; officials not working diligently will lead to erroneous policies; vague rewards and punishments will obscure the distinction between good and evil. These are all things that a ruler should be cautious about! I lament for Your Majesty.
Even someone of lowly status like Cao Shen were able to follow the teachings of Gaigong, stabilizing society through integrity, tolerance towards others, and moral influence on the populace; his good name has endured to this day. Emperor Zhongzong of the Han Dynasty was intelligent, wise, decisive, and resolute; he can certainly be regarded as a good emperor, but he was overly focused on penal law, which tarnished his virtue. "The Book of Tao" says that rituals are the foundation of loyalty and trustworthiness, not to mention that penal law is merely the remnants of rituals! "Governing without action" and "teaching without words," these are the very principles you uphold! Are only the ancient sages to be seen as examples like Yao and Shun? Therefore, I dare to speak candidly, without concealing my thoughts. If my words can be accepted, perhaps they can benefit the country; if my words are not accepted, it would also reflect your openness to counsel. I hope Your Majesty will seriously consider my suggestions and carefully review my memorial. After I submitted the memorial, Your Majesty graciously approved my request. Later, one day, a dark omen appeared, so I submitted another memorial:
I am but a foolish person who recently dared to advise Your Majesty; you did not dismiss my foolishness but instead took the time to review my memorial. After reading the imperial decree, I felt a mix of happiness and fear, overwhelmed by complex emotions. As I mentioned before, the sun has not yet risen, the yin energy is still strong; the "Kan Gua" symbolizes prisons. Now that the yin energy has not dissipated and there is a strange sight of the sun, it resembles the "Kan Gua" combined with the "Li Gua," symbolizing the dimming of light. I fear that disasters may be on the horizon.
On the fourth day of this month, when the sun reached six or seven zhang high, its light dimmed and turned red, and there was something in the middle of the sun, about the size of an egg. There were also dark, bluish gases colliding with each other, which lingered for a long time. This happened in the first month, when the yang energy is at its peak, but the sun was in a fully yin position during the Gui Hai year (lunar calendar). This strange phenomenon probably occurred because Your Majesty's reverence for heaven may not be sufficiently evident, and your understanding of the laws of yin and yang is not sufficient. From my memorial until now, it has not been a month yet when such an anomaly occurred, which further suggests that heaven is aware of Your Majesty's sincere intentions!
At the end of last year, there was the appearance of the comet, and now at the beginning of this year, there is another anomaly with the sun. In just a few months, major disasters have followed one after another. When the sun and moon exhibit abnormalities, it serves as a warning that heaven's watchfulness is ever-present! In ancient times, when Duke Jing of Song did good deeds, the Mars star retreated; when Emperor Guangwu pacified the rebellion, the river froze. These all indicate that there is a certain connection between humans and natural phenomena, just like shadows and forms correspond to each other. If responded to with good governance, auspiciousness will come; if neglected, disasters will occur. Your Majesty should respectfully accept the warning from heaven, fear the anger of heaven, bestow great grace, and harmonize yin and yang, in order to conform to the will of heaven and calm all kinds of criticisms.
I have heard that one person's good luck does not mean the country's luck is good. Amnesty should not be frequent, as stated in the imperial edict. I humbly believe that Zichan's establishment of penal codes, while not the ideal method of governance, was a necessary measure to address existing shortcomings. The current situation is similar; a general amnesty is required, which aligns with the current circumstances and is also endorsed by the sages. This is the key to national stability, and as a loyal minister, I would not presume to interfere. Now that Your Majesty is wise and thoughtful, considering how to govern the country better and listening to the people's opinions, I, having received Your Majesty's favor and serving in the court, must do my utmost to offer my suggestions!
Not long after, Pu was promoted to Shangshu Lang. He made many beneficial suggestions to the court and provided significant assistance to the court. When Emperor Ming was still in the Eastern Palace, he formed close ties with Wen Qiao and Yu Liang. Pu was also highly praised for his outstanding talent and was mentioned in the same breath as Wen Qiao and Yu Liang. However, he had a somewhat reckless character, was indifferent to his appearance, enjoyed drinking and seeking pleasure, and sometimes even went overboard. The writer Gan Bao often advised him, saying, "This isn't a sustainable way to live!" Pu replied, "I have received limited favor, always worried that I won't be able to use it. Are you worried that I will indulge in wine and women?"
Pu had a great fondness for divination, which many high-ranking officials made fun of him for. Feeling that his talent was high but his official position was low, he wrote a piece called "Guest Arrogance," in which he said:
"Guest Arrogance
Pu said to Guo Sheng: "Beautiful jade is treasured for its possession of the entire city; scholars are deemed virtuous for making a name for themselves. The moon does not shine randomly, and orchids do not bloom without reason. You have already distinguished yourself from many talented individuals, received favor from the court, soaring high like an eagle, cleansing its scales in the clear waters, yet your reputation is not high, your value not great. You waffled between fame and obscurity, caught between dragons and fish, not sinking to the level of the world, unwilling to quietly fade into obscurity. You lack the detachment of a true hermit, yet strive for the nobility of Yan Ziling, only futilely studying classics, imitating the hexagrams of Donglin and Lianshan. What’s the point of all this? Riding dragons and clinging to phoenixes, yet unable to achieve great success, this is something I've never heard of before!"
Guo Sheng laughed heartily and said, "How can a sparrow compare to its huge wings? How can a frog at the bottom of a well measure the vastness of the sea? However, I still want to dispel your doubts, ask about the things you don't understand, can I?"
At that time, the world was in chaos, with unusual celestial phenomena, and the imperial dynasty was declining, its territory shrinking to the area around the Huai River and Yellow Sea. But during this period, the Emperor was wise, and talents emerged one after another, reminiscent of the great scholars of the past, gathering numerous talents like the ocean. Without needing to search far or spend lavishly, talented individuals from all over the country converged at the court. These were not just heroes like Liu Bang or renowned figures like Zhuge Liang from Nanyang!
The Kunwu Sword was razor-sharp, and talented individuals emerged one after another, growing and showcasing their talents like the finest timber and orchids. Their recitations overshadowed the sound of chopping wood, and their talents far surpassed the mere act of pulling up grass. So, at this time, even the mountains were devoid of hermits, as everyone was occupied serving the court, leaving them no time to gather firewood, much less select it carefully!
"The earth's axis is severed, and the heavens dimmed; the imperial fortune temporarily returns, and prosperity extends to the Huai Sea. The Dragon's virtue is in its prime, and the talents are like clouds, as abundant as the talents of Deng Lin and as vast as the waves of the sea. Without the need for lamenting or seeking, without the need for extravagant gifts, the extraordinary talents converged in one court, not only rich in heroes but also in illustrious figures from Nanyang!"
Hey, look at those springs tucked away in the deep mountains and ancient forests; they're indifferent to the colorful clouds above. Check out those crystal-clear ice blocks; they don't envy the warmth of the sun. Those bright things might not even desire to be as deep as the Canglang River or as radiant as autumn sunlight! The emperor, honored as the Son of Heaven, may have a high position, but still experiences rise and fall, glory and disgrace; the waters of Longjin, while rushing endlessly, can also be calm sometimes and turbulent at other times. Those little earthworms and moths, limited by their abilities, eventually wither and die; while the python, wielding its immense strength, acts without restraint.
Just like those invaluable treasures often tucked away in rough cloth pockets; those stunning Three Beauties flowers will eventually fade because of their overly bright colors. Does the fragrance smell good? How valuable is it? Does it even matter? So, don’t let external things fool you, and don’t get tainted by worldly matters; keep your heart pure, even if you seem ordinary on the outside. When the outside wears down, the inside grows stronger; rough behavior might actually make it easier to gain fame. Those who are physically whole might end up as sacrificial offerings; while those who go their own way aren’t always lonely. Those who scoff at worldly matters might not find true happiness; those who quietly contemplate may not necessarily comprehend the mysteries of life. So, don’t lose yourself chasing after external things, and don’t let outside distractions rob you of your wisdom.
You do not need the solitude of a mountain cave to find peace, nor do you need to wander the world to be free-spirited. You don't need profound wisdom to handle the changes of the outside world, and you don't need keen insight just to show off how smart you are. Don’t get hung up on the difference between yourself and others, and don’t get entangled in right and wrong. "Forgetting" one's own thoughts does not mean truly forgetting, but rather gaining true satisfaction deep within. See everything in the world as just empty and fleeting, and attribute all kinds of differences to the same source. Don't be sad about an early death or overly happy about living long; do not be arrogant because of strength, nor be humble because of insignificance. The tears of a mosquito exist alongside the heavens and the earth, and the life of a mayfly is as brief as that of a giant tree is long.
Look, the ebb and flow reflect the principles of yin and yang; the rise and fall capture the rhythm of the universe. You see, these are the laws of nature. In spring, all things thrive, and in autumn, all things wither; these are the laws of nature. Check out the lush mountains, the powerful dragons and leopards, the swift wolves, and the fleeting sunlight; these are all scenes of nature. Therefore, this vast land is like a stage for all our joys and sorrows; and these fluttering butterflies symbolize the changes in everything!
Those who enjoy the pure tones of Li Huangzhong will not mind the chirping of the cicadas; those who can appreciate the magnificent scenery of Yuntai Mountain will surely immerse themselves in joy. Even while dancing and picking shepherd's purse, holding a beautiful jade yet lamenting unrecognized talent, these external factors cannot affect his inner peace, allowing him to derive joy from music. How can someone who constantly laments the ups and downs of life truly be happy? Just like Zhuangzi relaxing in the lacquer garden, Laozi playing in the mountains, Yan Ping remaining calm in the bustling market, Mei Fu hiding among the common people, Liang Hong singing poems in seclusion, Jiao Zhongqing struggling and destitute, Ruan Ji drunk and wandering, Zhai Gong hiding his name and coming and going in a hurry. I cannot attain their level of detachment, so I can only quietly play with these chess pieces and bones.
In the first year of Yongchang, the imperial grandson was born, and Pu penned:
A competent monarch never takes things lightly, and a chaotic monarch never thinks he is safe. Therefore, the reason for the prosperity of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties is the ability to be vigilant in times of peace; while the reason for the decline of the Qin, Han, and Three Kingdoms is a false sense of security. Therefore, wise monarchs of ancient times widely accepted words of advice and criticism to correct their faults; they valued frank criticism to correct their mistakes. They would even immediately thank someone for a kind word and feel afraid when receiving advice. Why? Because they did not favor themselves, but took the world as their responsibility, and acted with fairness. In private, I believe Your Majesty has been granted the mandate of heaven and has made remarkable achievements, but the vision for revitalization has yet to be solidified, and the atmosphere of sagacity has not fully formed, probably due to overly strict laws and excessively cruel punishments. If the water is too clear, it will be devoid of fish; if the laws are too harsh, it will cause the hearts of the people to scatter, this is a natural principle.
I submit that the prisons are full, resulting in a cosmic imbalance. According to the principles of Bagua, we should grant a general amnesty during the sacrifices to the heavens to purge the realm of these misfortunes. Otherwise, disasters such as solar eclipses, heavy rains, earthquakes, landslides, and various demons will surely wreak havoc. As predicted, a solar eclipse occurred a month later. Since last autumn, heavy rains have caused widespread flooding, leading to crop failures. I have also heard rumors of rebellion in Wuxing County, and the omens of unrest are becoming increasingly evident, causing great anxiety in my heart.
During this time, taxes have increased, prisons are overflowing, and the people are suffering. Many are considering rebellion, while the unscrupulous are stirring each other up. Though we have not yet reached that point, we must be vigilant. According to historical records, when the ruler's virtue declines, solar eclipses occur; when the people's grievances rise, floods happen; and when dark energies gather, uprisings occur. These subtle principles are already manifesting in reality. If my predictions come true, Your Majesty will also be concerned.
The birth of the royal grandson is a divine blessing, and the people hope for your benevolence. This year is the Year of the Horse, associated with the element of fire, which is traditionally avoided by the royal family. Therefore, now is an opportune moment to extend mercy and benevolence, subtly dissipating the fire element to prevent disasters. Your Majesty ought to heed the will of heaven, demonstrate compassion towards the people, and grant a general amnesty during this joyful occasion of the royal grandson's birth. Afterwards, strict rewards and punishments should be enforced, and officials should be reorganized to soothe the people's hearts and avoid calamities, thus inviting auspicious omens to manifest.
You might initially find my suggestions difficult to accept, but with time, you will come to appreciate my loyalty. If my advice aligns with the will of heaven, I hope Your Majesty will not dismiss it due to my humble status. I speak sincerely, and Your Majesty's acceptance of my counsel will exemplify both the wisdom of the sovereign and the integrity of the servant.
After the memorial was submitted, the emperor granted his approval and immediately ordered a general amnesty and a change of era. It is said that there was a man named Rengu from Yangcheng. One day, while working in the fields, he rested under a tree and was suddenly approached by a figure clad in feathered garments who assaulted him. Afterward, the figure vanished. Eventually, Rengu found himself pregnant, and when it was time to give birth, the figure in feathered garments reappeared, made a cut in his lower body with a knife, and a snake emerged before he departed. Consequently, Rengu was rendered a eunuch. Later, Rengu went to the capital and submitted a petition to the emperor, asserting he possessed Daoist abilities. The emperor kept him in the palace. Around this time, a man named Pu presented a memorial stating, "The matter of Rengu is too bizarre and unreasonable! Your Majesty, you are both wise and valiant; if you wish to understand the situation, it would be prudent to bring him into the palace and provide him with proper care. It is said that governing a country should adhere to rituals and laws, rather than relying on the strange and bizarre. The country should listen to the opinions of the people, so that auspicious signs will come from heaven. Your Majesty, you are usually cautious and upright, and you always follow the rules. According to the records of the Book of Rites, strange and bizarre people in strange attire should not be allowed into the palace. Moreover, Rengu is even more bizarre than those people, yet he was able to enter the place of learning and approach the palace, which is a disgrace to Your Majesty and disrupts the court! I believe this matter is quite inappropriate."
If Your Majesty feels that Rengu is possessed by a deity, then you should respect and keep your distance. Deities are wise and just, and should be treated with the respect due to humans. If Your Majesty feels that Rengu is spreading false words, pretending to be a god, then he should be sent to a remote area and not allowed near the palace. If Your Majesty feels that Rengu is a warning from heaven, a sign of impending disaster for the country, then one should reflect on oneself and cultivate virtue to avert disaster, rather than allowing Rengu to remain and continue his deceit. I believe that the world is full of unpredictable changes, with all sorts of spirits and demons stirring up trouble. I hope Your Majesty will consider my suggestion and drive Rengu away. Though my abilities are limited, as a historian, I must remember to write truthfully, guided by justice.
Later, Emperor Yuan died, and Rengu fled. Guo Pu's mother passed away, so he resigned from his official position and chose a place in Jiyang to bury his mother, about a hundred steps away from the water. Some said it was too close to the water, but Guo Pu replied, "This area will soon be dry land." Eventually, the river silted up, and the land surrounding the grave transformed into fertile fields for miles around. Before long, Wang Dun reinstated Guo Pu, appointing him as a secretary and military officer. At that time, Chen Shu from Yingchuan was the chief of staff to the Grand General, with a good reputation and high regard from Wang Dun, but he died shortly after. Guo Pu cried sorrowfully, saying, "Ancestors, ancestors, who knows, perhaps this is not such a bad thing after all!" Not long after, Wang Dun rebelled.
At that time, Emperor Ming had only been on the throne for a little over a year and had not yet changed his reign title. Unfortunately, Mars was stationed in the constellation Fang Xiu. Guo Pu was at home resting when the emperor sent a messenger with an imperial decree to inquire about his situation. At the same time, Ji Yang County reported seeing the legendary Red Crow. Guo Pu submitted a memorial requesting a change of reign title and a general amnesty. One time, Guo Pu was attending a funeral for someone else, and the emperor, in disguise, decided to pay a visit. He asked the host why they were using the "Dragon Horn" burial method, claiming it would bring about the family's doom. The host replied, "Guo Pu said this is the 'burial of the dragon' method, and within three years, you will receive the emperor's appreciation!" The emperor asked, "Receive the emperor? What does that mean?" The host said, "Receive inquiries from the emperor!" The emperor found this very strange. Guo Pu had a good relationship with Huan Yi, who often visited him. Sometimes, when Huan Yi arrived while Guo Pu was with his wife, Huan Yi would just go in directly. Guo Pu would say, "If you visit, you can go anywhere else, just don't come to the toilet to find me! Otherwise, guests will be unlucky!" Later, when Huan Yi got drunk and went to find Guo Pu, he happened to catch Guo Pu in the toilet. Huan Yi secretly looked in and saw Guo Pu standing there with his hair disheveled, holding a knife in his mouth, cooking something to eat. When Guo Pu saw Huan Yi, he was startled, clutching his chest and exclaiming, "I always tell you not to come, but you still do! Not only will this harm me, but you'll be unlucky too! This is fate—who can we blame for it?" In the end, Guo Pu escaped Wang Dun's disaster, but Huan Yi died in Su Jun's rebellion.
Wang Dun is planning to rebel, so Wen Qiao and Yu Liang asked Guo Pu to perform a divination. Guo Pu was indecisive and hesitated. Wen Qiao and Yu Liang then asked him to divine their own fortunes, and Guo Pu said, "Very auspicious!" After Wen Qiao and Yu Liang left, they said to each other, "Guo Pu's divination of Wang Dun's fortune is inaccurate because he dares not tell the truth. It may be that heaven wants to destroy Wang Dun. Now we are doing great deeds alongside the court, and Guo Pu's prediction of our great fortune means that this plan is bound to succeed!" So they persuaded the emperor to attack Wang Dun.
Later, as a result, Guo Pu often said, "The person who will kill me has the surname Chong." There was indeed someone surnamed Chong who accused Guo Pu in front of Wang Dun. As Wang Dun was about to revolt, he asked Guo Pu to perform another divination. Guo Pu said, "It will not succeed." Wang Dun grew increasingly suspicious that Guo Pu had persuaded Wen Qiao and Yu Liang to rebel, and upon hearing that the divination was unfavorable, he asked Guo Pu, "How much longer can I live if you divine for me again?" Guo Pu replied, "I just divined; if you start a rebellion, disaster will come soon. If you stay in Wuchang, your lifespan will be uncertain." Furious, Wang Dun asked, "How much longer can you live?" Guo Pu said, "My life will end at noon today." Wang Dun was furious, seized Guo Pu, and ordered him taken to Nangang for execution.
Before Guo Pu was executed, he asked the executioner where they were taking him. The executioner said, "South Hill." Guo Pu said, "It must be under the two cypress trees." When they arrived there, it was indeed as he said. He then said, "There must be a large magpie nest in this tree." Everyone searched for a long time, but they couldn't find it. Guo Pu asked them to search carefully again, and they finally found a large magpie nest hidden among the thick leaves. Years ago, when Guo Pu passed through Yuecheng shortly after the establishment of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, he encountered a man who recognized him. Guo Pu then gave the man his trousers and robe. The man refused to accept them, but Guo Pu insisted, saying, "Take it, you will understand later." The man accepted and left. The executioner was now that same man from years ago. Guo Pu was forty-nine at the time. After Wang Dun was defeated, the court posthumously appointed Guo Pu as the Prefect of Hongnong.
When Yu Yi was young, he had Guo Pu read his fortune, and after casting the lots, Guo Pu said, "At the end of the Jianyuan reign title, Qiu Mountain will collapse; at the beginning of the Changshun reign title, your descendants will wither." Later, Emperor Kang ascended the throne and wanted to change the reign title to Jianyuan. Someone reminded Yu Bing, "Have you forgotten what Mr. Guo said? Qiu Mountain, this reign title is not suitable!" Yu Bing felt a mix of anger and regret as he sighed. As a result, Emperor Kang passed away, and He Chong changed the reign title to Yonghe. Yu Yi then sighed, "The will of heaven is indeed mysterious; it turned out like this! Changshun is Yonghe; I finally escaped!" Sadly, that year, Yu Yi passed away.
Yu Bing asked Guo Pu to divine the fate of his descendants. After divining, Guo Pu said, "Your sons will all be prominent, and that’s a bad omen! If gold appears on the tombstone, it will be a major taboo for the Yu family!" Later, Yu Bing's son, Yu Yun, became the governor of Guangzhou. Suddenly, a newborn white dog appeared in the room of his concubine, and she secretly kept it without letting Yu Yun know. The dog grew bigger and bigger, with a strikingly handsome appearance and a long, slender body, unlike any ordinary dog, which made Yu Yun feel strange. Just as everyone was about to leave and had gathered to look at the dog, it suddenly vanished. Yu Yun sighed and said, "It must be that white dragon! The Yu family's disaster is upon us!" Indeed, gold grew on the tombstone later. Not long after, the Yu family was exterminated by Huan Wen, just as Guo Pu had predicted. This is just how accurate Guo Pu's divination was.
Guo Pu wrote down more than sixty records of divination, named "Donglin" (洞林). He also collected and organized the divination methods of Jing Fang, Fei Changfang, and others, and penned ten articles of "Xinlin" and one article of "Buyun." He annotated the "Erya" and also wrote "Yinyi" and "Tupu." In addition, he annotated the "San Cang," "Fangyan," "Mu Tianzi Chuan," "Shan Hai Jing," as well as "Chu Ci," "Zixu Fu," "Shanglin Fu," and so on, totaling hundreds of thousands of words, all of which have been passed down. His poetry, elegies, and odes also totaled tens of thousands of words. His son, Guo Ao, became the governor of Linhe.
Ge Hong, courtesy name Zhichuan, was from Jurong in Danyang. His ancestors served as officials in the Honglu Temple of the Wu state. His father, Ge Ti, sought refuge in the Jin Dynasty after Wu fell and became the governor of Shaoling. Ge Hong loved studying from a young age, and despite his family's poverty, he personally chopped wood to trade for paper and pens. He would study and read books at night, eventually becoming famous in Confucian studies. He had few desires and hobbies, did not know how to play chess, let alone card games. He was introverted, not seeking fame or wealth, rarely socializing with others. Once on a mountain in Yuhang, he encountered He Youdao and Guo Wenju, but they only exchanged glances without speaking. Sometimes he would travel long distances to find books and ask questions, studying extensively, particularly the ways of immortality. His great-grandfather, Ge Xuan, was a Daoist immortal during the Wu period, known as Ge Xian Gong, who imparted the secrets of alchemy to his disciple Zheng Yin. Ge Hong learned alchemy from Zheng Yin and mastered the techniques. He later studied under the Prefect of Nanhai, Bao Xuan, who was skilled in divination and recognized Ge Hong's potential and married his daughter to him. Ge Hong inherited Bao Xuan's teachings and extensively studied medicine, writing articles that were both rigorous and well-crafted. During the Tai'an period, the rebel Shi Bing was defeated by Gu Mi, the appointed leader of the Volunteer Army, who appointed Ge Hong as a military officer to lead the troops against Shi Bing's forces. After the rebellion was suppressed, Ge Hong went to Luoyang in search of rare books to enhance his knowledge.
Mr. Hong saw chaos in the world and wanted to flee south to seek refuge. He went to seek refuge with the Governor of Guangzhou, Ji Han, hoping to work under him. However, Ji Han was killed, so he shelved his plans to head south for many years and ignored all the court's summons. Later, he returned to his hometown and refused numerous job offers. It wasn't until Emperor Yuan became Chancellor that he was invited to serve as a staff member because of his contributions in quelling the rebellion. He was then appointed as the Marquis within the Passes. During the Xianhe period, the Minister of Works invited him to serve as the Registrar of a state, and later he was promoted to the Minister's aide, and then to the position of Advisor.
Gan Bao was particularly close to Mr. Hong and believed his talents were well-suited for work in national history. He recommended him as an Imperial Secretariat and Chief of the Imperial Library. However, Mr. Hong firmly refused. Because he was getting older and wanted to pursue alchemy in search of longevity, he heard that cinnabar (red mercury) was produced in Jiaozhi, so he requested the court to appoint him as the Prefect of Ju Zhou County. The Emperor thought Mr. Hong held too high a position and refused his request. Mr. Hong said, "I do not seek promotion; I just want to obtain cinnabar for alchemy." The Emperor finally agreed. Mr. Hong then set off with his son and nephew in tow. When they arrived in Guangzhou, the Governor Deng Yue kept him there and wouldn't let him leave, so Mr. Hong had no choice but to practice alchemy on Mount Luofu. Deng Yue recommended him to be the Governor of Dongguan, but he refused. Instead, Deng Yue appointed Mr. Hong's nephew as an aide. He lived on the mountain for many years, enjoying a leisurely lifestyle, and never stopped writing and lecturing. He wrote in the introduction to his book:
I’m not naturally an ambitious person, but I actually prefer a leisurely life. Even if I had wings to fly high above the clouds, or could run fast enough to catch the wind and the scenery, I still want to hang out with sparrows and walk alongside lame donkeys. Moreover, life only gave me ordinary wings and clumsy legs. I know my own abilities. If I can’t do something, why would I force myself to fly like a fly or have a lame tortoise chase a rabbit? How can an unattractive woman expect compliments from a handsome man, or trade sand for gold? Just think about it—it’s a joke for a short person to try to keep up with a giant; a weak person trying to lift a heavy tripod would end up injuring themselves, just like the people of Qin would do. So, I’ve long given up on chasing wealth and glory, choosing instead to live a simple life. Even plain food can taste like a feast, and living in a simple thatched hut can feel just as joyful as being in a grand palace. So, I don’t even want to get close to the doors of the rich and powerful; but those who are wise will definitely come to visit me, no matter how far they have to travel. I’ve read a lot of strange books, but most of them are pretty obscure and hard to understand. It’s tough to grasp them all at once, and without some special expertise, you can’t really study them. And without a lot of hard work, you just can’t finish them.
Few people who cultivate the Dao are truly knowledgeable, but many talk nonsense. These days, some people want to learn the Dao, but they don’t know where to start, have many doubts, and can’t find anyone to ask. So, I wrote this book, roughly explaining the principles of longevity. I can’t put the most exquisite parts into words, so I’ll just summarize them, hoping to inspire those interested and help them gain some understanding. I’m not saying that you can fully grasp the mysteries of the universe just by working alone; I’m just writing down some of my own insights. Scholars only know how to read books, specifically those of Zhou Gong and Confucius, and do not believe in immortals at all. They not only ridicule but also slander those who genuinely cultivate the Dao. So, I wrote a book on alchemy and medicine titled "Inner Chapters," and other explanations and refutations titled "Outer Chapters," totaling one hundred and sixteen chapters. While this book may not yet be worthy of being stored in famous mountains and rivers, I still want to keep it safe for those who are destined to read it. I go by the name Baopuzi, which is also the title of this book. Other works, including inscriptions, sacrificial texts, poems, and prose, total one hundred volumes; official documents and memorials have thirty volumes; biographies of immortals, good officials, hermits, and strange and miraculous events, each with ten volumes; I also transcribed the "Five Classics," "Records of the Grand Historian," "History of the Han Dynasty," works from various schools of thought, medical techniques, and other miscellaneous topics, totaling three hundred and ten volumes; "Essentials from the Golden Cabinet" has one hundred volumes, and "Emergency Formulas Behind the Elbow" has four.
He is knowledgeable and learned, unique in the Jiangnan region. His writings surpass those of Ban Gu and Sima Qian, and he is a master of deep and esoteric principles, analyzing issues with remarkable detail. Later, he unexpectedly wrote to his father-in-law, saying, "I am going on a long journey to visit my teacher; I will set off on a specific date." Upon receiving the letter, his father-in-law hurried to see him off. However, he stayed seated throughout, and by noon, he passed away peacefully, as if he were asleep. It was too late for him to say goodbye when his father-in-law arrived. He was eighty-one years old at the time. His complexion was that of a living person, and his body was very soft. When he was placed in the coffin, he felt weightless, like a mere garment. People said he had transformed into an immortal.
The historian said: Ge Hong (Jingchun) devoted himself to studying the classics with profound knowledge and extraordinary memory. He had read various strange books and could synthesize them effectively, explaining past events clearly. His thoughts and feelings were refined and transcendent, his talent abundant. He inherited the cultured ethos of the Western Jin Dynasty, making him a representative figure among scholars during the period of revival. However, those who talked about supernatural powers and the pursuit of immortality, once their skills were perfected, would ultimately fall into disrepute. The ancients had left lessons on this, and I have a disdain for such practices. Ge Hong explored destiny, speculated on the past, and foretold the future, as reflected in ancient prophecies and classics. Nevertheless, his career was not successful, and his social status was low. He silently wrote "Guest Pride" to express his feelings, which was an unfortunate outcome of his refined skills! As for life and death, it is ultimately determined by the natural order. Even if one can predict good and bad fortune, it cannot rely entirely on those practices. Things destined to happen will not change. He should have lived peacefully, letting things take their course, instead of being anxious and scurrying about in shadowy corners. In his later years, even though he spoke candidly to the king, he could not prevent Wang Dun's rebellion. He cleverly avoided the conspiracy of the 'Mountain Sect' at first, but ultimately died as a result of this plot. Confucius said, "Attack the harm of heresy," which is indeed a tragic reality!
Xie An had been a diligent student from a young age and remained tireless even in his old age. He had a wide knowledge of books and mastered the classics of all ages. He studied the methods of immortal cultivation and delved into the secrets of alchemy. He disregarded fame and fortune, abandoned various miscellaneous studies, valued time over treasures, nurtured his character, and transcended the world, which represents the best approach to cultivating a healthy life!
Jingchun, who was naturally intelligent, displayed extraordinary talent from an early age. He was well-versed in ornithology and conducted in-depth studies of turtle shell divination. Unfortunately, he suffered misfortune due to national turmoil, which led to his imprisonment. Consider Mr. Zhichuan: despite his poverty, he lived happily and freely. Mr. Jingchun's talent and character, much like Fan Zhongyan's, are deserving of eternal praise and emulation by future generations.
"Praise: Jingchun is talented and wise, showing great potential from an early age. He studies bird guides and understands turtle shell divination deeply." This refers to Jingchun, who was gifted and intelligent, demonstrating outstanding talent early on, focusing on studying bird guides and understanding turtle shell divination.
"His suffering was not due to personal faults, but rather the result of national turmoil. Zhichuan managed to maintain an optimistic and open-minded attitude, finding happiness despite his poverty, a state that few can achieve." Alas, it is a pity that it was not his personal fault, but the national turmoil that brought him disaster.
"Carrying forward the literary and moral legacy, ensuring that his great achievements are passed on." His literary talent and moral character, akin to those of Mr. Fan Zhongyan, will be eternally celebrated as examples for future generations. This is the true hallmark of leaving a legacy in history!
