The theory of Yin and Yang is used to correct time and conform to natural laws; divination experts are used to solve difficult problems and make decisions; the practices of medicine and witchcraft are used to expel evil spirits and maintain health; music theory is used to harmonize human and divine, and express emotions; face-reading is used to distinguish between nobility and commoners, and understand social hierarchies; various skills are used to improve tools and overcome difficulties. All of these were established by wise sages out of compassion, according to the customs of the people, to relieve disasters and prohibit immorality. From the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors to the kings of the pre-Qin period, this tradition has a long history.
Notable figures discussing Yin and Yang include Ji Zi, Bi Zao, Zi Shen, and Zi Wei; those who understand music theory include Shi Kuang, Shi Zhi, Bo Ya, and Du Kui; divination experts include Shi Bian, Shi Su, Yan Junping, and Sima Jizhu; those who study face-reading include Neishi Shufu, Gubuzi Qing, Tang Ju, and Xu Fu; as for medical skills, Wen Zhi, Bian Que, Ji Xian, and Hua Tuo are all prominent figures; when it comes to innovative thinkers, Xi Zhong, Mo Zhai, Zhang Pingzi, and Ma Deheng are all exceptionally gifted. These individuals observe the heavens and scrutinize the earth, delving into deep and mysterious subjects, and have reached a high level of understanding. Their thoughts are akin to the workings of nature; they understand the subtle and spiritual, and possess extraordinary talents and skills. Some of them promote morality to save the current situation, while others hide their identities to benefit the people. Their actions are enigmatic, making it hard for us to assess them.
In recent times, few who have engaged in these practices have been able to maintain their original intentions. Most give in to their darker impulses, seriously misrepresenting the natural order. Some manipulate it to satisfy the desires of those in power; others invoke supernatural elements to mislead the populace. As a result, the social climate deteriorates, people are unable to reconnect with their true selves, face calamities, and cannot find peace. Is this how these practices are meant to be in later generations? Exploring the writings of various philosophical traditions, there are accounts of these practices, some explaining their mysteries, others recording their absurdities, not merely to share odd tales, but to caution future generations. Thus, later authors have shared their insights, and so today, I've curated some of the key content into what I call the "Art Chapter."
Yu Jicai, also known as Shuyi, hailed from Xinye, Hubei. Eight generations back, his ancestor Yu Tao accompanied Emperor Yuan of Jin across the Yangtze River, became a court attendant, and thus the family established themselves in Jiangling County, in the southern region. His grandfather, Yu Shen, was a noted recluse during the Liang Dynasty, famous alongside his relative Yu Yi. His father, Yu Manqian, held the position of Grand Minister of Works, a high-ranking official role in the court. Yu Jicai displayed exceptional intelligence from a young age, reciting the "Book of Documents" by the age of eight, grasping the "Book of Changes" by twelve, and had a passion for studying celestial phenomena for divination. During his mourning period, he became especially renowned for his filial piety.
Later, during the Liang Dynasty, Prince of Luling, Xiao Cha, invited him to become the chief clerk of Jingzhou. Prince of Xiangdong, Xiao Yi, also valued his talent and knowledge, appointing him as a military advisor for external affairs. After the establishment of the Western Court, he was promoted all the way to Central Secretariat Official, also serving as the Grand Astrologer, and was granted the title of Count of Yichang. However, Yu Jicai firmly declined the position of Grand Astrologer. Emperor Yuan of Jin said, "The Sima family of the Han Dynasty has been in charge of astronomy and calendrical science for generations, and Gao Tanglong of the Wei Dynasty also held this position. There are precedents for this, so what do you have to worry about?" Emperor Yuan was well-versed in astronomy and calendrical science, so he observed the celestial phenomena with Yu Jicai and casually asked him, "I am concerned that chaos may arise in the court; how can we calm it down?" Yu Jicai replied, "Recent celestial phenomena indicate that changes are about to occur; the Qin army is about to attack Yingdu (present-day Jiangling, Hubei). Your Majesty should leave behind senior officials to guard Jingzhou and Shaanxi, then reorganize the army and return to the capital to avoid disaster. Even if the Jie people invade, at most, it would only result in the loss of Jingzhou and Hunan, which would not pose a serious threat to the state, so there is no need to worry too much. But if you stay in Jiangling for a long time, it may go against the will of heaven!" Emperor Yuan agreed with his suggestion at the time, but after discussing it with the Minister of Personnel, Zong Min, and others, he changed his mind. Shortly thereafter, Jiangling fell, completely fulfilling Yu Jicai's prediction.
When Emperor Zhou Taizu first met Jicai, he treated him with great respect, inviting him to take part in the administration of the Grand Astrologer's Office. Every time the army went to war, Jicai accompanied them. He was also rewarded with a house, ten acres of paddy fields, along with slaves, cattle, sheep, and other provisions. Emperor Zhou Taizu said to Jicai, "You are from the south and have not yet adapted to the north, so I am giving you these things to help you forget about the south. Serve me loyally, and I will reward you with wealth and prestige."
At the beginning, when the city of Yingdu fell, many scholars of status and influence were reduced to slavery. Ji Cai distributed all the gifts bestowed upon him by Emperor Zhou Taizu to redeem his relatives and friends. Emperor Zhou Wendi asked him, "Why did you do this?" Ji Cai replied, "I heard that after the Wei Kingdom captured Xiangyang, they first valued talented people. After the Jin Kingdom pacified Jianye, they were also pleased to have the brothers Lu Ji and Lu Yun. Attacking other countries is to obtain talent; this is an ancient principle. Now that the city of Yingdu has fallen, you are the commander, and naturally, you bear responsibility, but what crimes have those scholars committed that they should all be reduced to slavery? As an outsider, I hesitate to speak directly to you, but I truly sympathize with them, so I used the rewards to redeem them."
Emperor Zhou Taizu then realized and replied, "It's my fault! Without you, I would have lost the hearts of the people!" He then ordered the release of thousands of captives from the Liang Kingdom, no longer allowing them to be slaves.
In the year 561 AD, I (the narrator in the original text) was appointed as a Linzi Scholar along with Wang Bao and Yu Xin. Later, I gradually advanced to higher positions, including Shao Bo Daifu, Chariot and Cavalry General, and Yitong Sanji.
Later, the powerful minister Yuwen Hu took power, and one day he asked me, "What are the recent celestial phenomena like? Any good or bad omens?" I replied, "Your kindness to me is so profound; if I don't speak the truth, it would be as if I were heartless as a stone. Recently, some unfavorable things have happened in the palace, which is not good for you as the prime minister. You should return power to the emperor, retire, and enjoy a peaceful life at home. This way, you can live a long and peaceful life, like Zhou Gongdan and Yi Yin, leaving a good reputation in history, and your descendants can also enjoy blessings for generations, and the country can have long-lasting peace. Otherwise, the consequences could be dire; I cannot guarantee anything." Yuwen Hu contemplated for a long while before saying to me, "I have been thinking of doing this, but I have not found a suitable reason to resign. Since you are a court official, there's no need for you to specially persuade me." From then on, Yuwen Hu gradually distanced himself from me and no longer met with me alone.
After the death of Yuwen Hu, people went through his documents. Emperor Wu personally investigated and examined them, and those who falsely claimed divine mandate and spread evil teachings were executed. Only two letters that I wrote to him were found. In those letters, I detailed my analysis of celestial phenomena and disasters, advising him to give power back to the emperor. Emperor Wu praised me to the Minister of Works, Hushi Zheng, saying, "Yu Jicai is truly loyal and honest, completely in line with the etiquette of a subject!" As a reward, I was given three hundred stones of grain and two hundred bolts of silk. I was promoted to Grand Astrologer and ordered to write the book "Secret Garden of the Spirit Platform." I was appointed as an official of Yitong Sanqi, made the Earl of Linying, and granted a fief of six hundred households.
When Emperor Xuan ascended the throne, I was further enfeoffed as the Grand General of the Cavalry, Yitong Sanqi, and my fief was expanded by three hundred households.
After Liu Bang became Prime Minister, one night he called me and asked, "I have average abilities, yet I have received such a heavy responsibility. How do you see it, considering the right timing, geographical advantages, and support from the people?"
I replied, "It's hard to understand what heaven is thinking. Let us analyze it from a human perspective. The signs of fortune and misfortune are already clear. Even if I say it's not possible, can you really just go back to farming in your hometown?"
Liu Bang was silent for a bit, then raised his head and said, "I'm like riding a wild beast, and I can't get off." Then he gave me fifty bolts of colorful silk and two hundred bolts of plain silk, saying, "I'm really ashamed, and I'll think carefully about what you said."
In the first month of the first year of Dading, Jicai came to speak again: "On Wuxu day this month, a blue auspicious aura appeared over the city tower, resembling a palace. It then turned purple and drifted westward despite the wind. The Book of Qi states: 'Without clouds, there can be no rain; without auspicious aura, an emperor cannot be called a king.' Now the auspicious aura of the emperor has appeared, and we must act quickly. In the second month, the sun rises at Mao time and sets at You time, right in the middle of the sky, known as the Gate of 28. The sun represents the king, and when the king is in the right position, it should be chosen in the second month. The thirteenth day of the second month is Jiazi day; 'Jia' is the beginning of the Six Jia, 'Zi' is the beginning of the Twelve Earthly Branches, 'Jia' represents nine, 'Zi' also represents nine, and nine is a significant number in the heavens. That day happens to be the day of Jingzhe, when the yang energy is at its peak. Previously, King Wu of Zhou established his reign on Jiazi day in the second month, ruling for eight hundred years; Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, ascended the throne on Jiawu day in the second month, ruling for four hundred years, indicating that both Jiazi and Jiawu align with celestial timing. Therefore, the thirteenth day of the second month, Jiazi day, is an auspicious day to accept the mandate of heaven!"
After listening to this, Lao Liu agreed to his suggestion.
In the year 581 AD, Yang Jian became emperor and appointed him as an attendant cavalier in the Tongzhi Sanqi position. Later, Yang Jian planned to move the capital and held a secret discussion with Gao Feng and Su Wei that night. The next morning, he reported: "I carefully observed the celestial signs, consulted various historical books and divination results, and moving the capital is absolutely necessary! Look, Emperor Yao built the capital in Pingyang, Emperor Shun built the capital in Jizhou, and the locations of imperial capitals have varied throughout history. Besides, our current Chang'an city, built by the Han Dynasty, has become almost eight hundred years old, and the water has become salty, making it unsuitable for habitation. I hope Your Majesty will heed the will of heaven and consider moving the capital." Yang Jian was taken aback, turned to Gao Feng and the others, and said, "This young man is truly remarkable!" So he immediately issued a decree to relocate the capital, rewarded him with three hundred bolts of silk, two horses, and elevated him to the rank of duke. Yang Jian also said to him, "From this moment on, I will believe in the mandate of heaven!"
Then, Yang Jian asked him and his son to compile books such as "Chui Xiang" and "Topography." Yang Jian also said to him, "There are many methods of speculation about the mysteries between heaven and earth, and everyone's opinions are different, so mistakes are inevitable. I don’t want anyone else meddling in this, so I let you and your son do it together." After the books were completed and submitted, Yang Jian rewarded him with 1,000 sheng of rice and 600 bolts of silk. Nine years later, he was sent to Junzhou as a governor. Just as he was about to go to his fiefdom, the court recognized his expertise and issued an edict for him to return to continue his original work. However, as he grew older, he requested retirement several times, but each time the emperor denied his request. Later, Zhang Zhuoxuan proposed a new calendar, and Yuan Chong said that the shadow of the sun had lengthened. Yang Jian asked him about it, and he pointed out that Yuan Chong was wrong. Yang Jian was furious, dismissed him from his position, and reduced his salary to half, allowing him to retire. However, the emperor often sent people to consult him at home about various auspicious signs. He died in the third year of Renshou at the age of 88.
He was generous, knowledgeable, trustworthy, and loved making friends. On auspicious days, he would gather with Wang Bao of Langya, Liu Jue of Pengcheng, Pei Zheng of Hedong, and others to drink and compose poetry. He often invited younger folks like Liu Zhen, Ming Kerang, and Liu Bian to join in. He authored "Secret Garden of the Lingtai" in 120 volumes, "Chui Xiang" in 142 volumes, and "Topography" in 87 volumes, all of which have been passed down through the ages.
Yu Zhi, whose courtesy name was Xingxiu, was intelligent and ambitious from a young age. By the age of eight, he could recite ten essays by Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty, such as "Mystical Insights" and "Expressions of Aspiration," and later became a junior court attendant. He later served as the secretary of Prince Qi Yang Jian during the Northern Zhou period. In the first year of the Sui Dynasty's Kaihuang era, he was appointed as a court attendant, and later served as the magistrate of Yanling County, before being promoted to be the Sima of Longzhou. In the early years of the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, he was appointed as the Director of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau.
Yu Zhi was a person of integrity and honesty, speaking loyally and straightforwardly. Whenever calamities struck, he always spoke candidly to the emperor. However, Emperor Yang of Sui was hot-tempered and highly suspicious, even suspecting Prince Qi, Yang Jian. Yu Zhi used to work under Prince Qi, so Emperor Yang asked him, "You cannot faithfully assist me and instead work for Prince Qi; what do you mean by this?" Yu Zhi replied, "I serve Your Majesty, while your son serves Prince Qi; this is actually being faithful. I would never be disloyal." Although Emperor Yang was angry, he reluctantly assigned him to Heshui County as magistrate.
In the eighth year of Daye, Emperor Yang personally led a campaign to Liaodong and summoned Yu Zhi to the military camp. Upon arrival in Linyu, Yu Zhi went to see Emperor Yang, who asked him, "I am continuing the legacy of my predecessor by personally leading an expedition to Goguryeo. I see that Goguryeo's land and population are roughly equivalent to one of our counties. Do you think we can win?" Yu Zhi answered, "From my limited knowledge, we can win, but I have a foolish suggestion; I hope Your Majesty will reconsider leading the expedition personally." Emperor Yang's face changed as he said, "I have brought the troops here; are you suggesting we retreat without even seeing the enemy?" Yu Zhi continued, "If Your Majesty leads the expedition, it may undermine military morale. I suggest that Your Majesty stay here, order brave and skilled generals to devise battle plans, march swiftly, and take the enemy by surprise. This should be resolved quickly; any delay will likely lead to failure." Emperor Yang, clearly displeased, replied, "Since you think I should not go, then you can stay here." After the army returned, Yu Zhi was later appointed Grand Historiographer.
In the ninth year of Daye, Emperor Yang of Sui launched another campaign against Goguryeo and asked Yu Zhi, "What is the current situation?" Yu Zhi replied, "I remain ignorant and steadfast in my opinions. Your Majesty, if you personally lead the army to battle, it would be a significant drain on resources." Emperor Yang of Sui angrily said, "Even if I lead the army myself, I may not win. How can we expect to succeed by merely sending troops?" Emperor Yang of Sui still insisted on leading the expedition himself. As a result, Yang Xuangan, the Minister of Rites, rebelled in Liyang, and Husi Zheng, the Minister of War, fled to Goguryeo. Emperor Yang of Sui was very afraid and hurried back, saying to Yu Zhi, "You advised against me going before, and now such a thing has happened. Can Yang Xuangan succeed now?" Yu Zhi replied, "Although Yang Xuangan is in a dangerous position, his reputation is not good. He is exploiting the suffering of the people, trying his luck to succeed. Now that the world is united, it is not easy to shake." Emperor Yang of Sui asked again, "What does it mean for Mars to enter the Dipper constellation?" Yu Zhi replied, "The Dipper constellation is the boundary of the Chu State, where Yang Xuangan's fief is located. Now the light of Mars has weakened, and it will definitely not succeed in the end."
In the tenth year of Daye, Emperor Yang of Sui wanted to travel from the Western Capital to the Eastern Capital. Yu Zhi advised, "In recent years, continuous expeditions to Liaodong have exhausted the people. Your Majesty should pacify the people in the capital region and let them focus on farming. After three to five years, when the world has become somewhat more prosperous, then it would be more appropriate to tour various regions. Your Majesty, please think twice." Emperor Yang of Sui was not happy, and Yu Zhi persisted in his views. When Emperor Yang of Sui heard about this, he was very angry and sent people to bring Yu Zhi to the traveling court by fast horse. Upon arrival in the Eastern Capital, Emperor Yang of Sui ordered him to be imprisoned, and Yu Zhi ultimately perished in prison.
Zi Jian inherited his father's legacy and was quite learned. He served as the Magistrate of Xiangwu County, the Imperial Scholar of Yuande, and an official under Prince Qi. During Emperor Yining's reign, he rose to the position of Chief Astrologer. At that time, there were also Lu Taiyi and Geng Xun, who were renowned for their expertise in astronomy and calendars.
Lu Taiyi, courtesy name Xiezha, was from Hejian and originally had the surname Zhangqiu. He started school at the age of seven and could recite thousands of characters every day, earning him the reputation of a child prodigy in his hometown. As he grew older, he led a reclusive life, shunning fame and fortune. He was well-versed in a wide range of texts, even studying Buddhism and Taoism to a high level. He excelled in divination and calendar calculations. He first lived in seclusion on Bailu Mountain, then moved to Zhuyu Stream in Linyu Mountain after a few years. Many people came from afar to learn from him, and though he initially accepted students, he later found it troublesome and escaped to Wutai Mountain. Wutai Mountain was rich in medicinal herbs, and he lived with a few disciples under a cliff, living a tranquil and otherworldly life, believing that becoming an immortal was possible. When Yang Yong, the brother of Emperor Yang of Sui, heard about him, he summoned Lu Taiyi. Knowing that Yang Yong would not become emperor, Lu Taiyi told his family and friends, "I have been compelled to come here; I don't know what will happen in the future!" Later, Yang Yong was deposed and sentenced to death according to the law. Emperor Wen of Sui admired his talent and spared his life, instead demoting him to a menial official. He was released after a long time. Later, he went blind but could still recognize characters in books by touch. During the reign of Emperor Renzong of Sui, Emperor Wen planned to escape the summer heat at Renshou Palace, but Lu Taiyi strongly urged him not to go several times. Lu Taiyi said, "I’m just a simple man and wouldn’t dare to lie; I am just worried that this time leaving the palace, we may not be able to return." Emperor Wen was furious and imprisoned him in Chang'an, planning to execute him when he returned. However, Emperor Wen fell ill upon returning to the palace, and before his death, he told his crown prince, "Zhangqiu Taiyi is no ordinary person. Everything he said in the past has been accurate. I said we may not return this time, and it has indeed come to pass. You must let him go."
After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Han Prince Yang Liang rebelled. Emperor Yang of Sui asked Lu Taiyi what to do. Lu Taiyi replied, "We should consider the heavens above and analyze the affairs below. What can I do?" Not long after, Yang Liang indeed failed. Emperor Yang of Sui often chatted with Lu Taiyi about various families in the world and told him, "Your surname is Zhang Qiu, a descendant of the Four Great Mountains, and you share the same ancestry as the Lu clan." So he granted him the surname Lu. In the ninth year of the Daye era, Emperor Yang of Sui marched to Liaodong, and Lu Taiyi told him, "There are signs of a military mutiny in Liyang." A few days later, news of Yang Xuangan rising in rebellion came, which surprised Emperor Yang of Sui, who rewarded him many times. Lu Taiyi made countless predictions about astronomy, many of which became state secrets, lost to future generations. Several years later, he died in Luoyang.
Geng Xun, style name Dunxin, was a native of Danyang. He had exceptional eloquence, was very articulate, and possessed superior skills beyond ordinary people. During the reign of the last emperor of the Chen Dynasty, he accompanied the Inspector of Eastern Hengzhou, Wang Yong, to Lingnan as a guest. After Wang Yong's death, Geng Xun did not return but instead became acquainted with the local tribal leaders, who all took a liking to him.
Later, the local tribes revolted and chose Geng Xun as their leader. The Pillar State Wang Shiji led troops to fight, captured Geng Xun, and sentenced him to death. Geng Xun claimed to have some clever ideas, so Shiji spared his life and made him his servant. Eventually, Geng Xun met his old friend Gao Zhibao, who was an official at the Bureau of Astronomy, in charge of astronomical observations. Geng Xun then followed Gao Zhibao to learn astronomy and arithmetic.
Geng Xun was very creative. He created a celestial globe that operated using water power instead of manual labor. He set it up in a dark room for Gao Zhibao to observe celestial phenomena from the outside, and the results were completely consistent with reality. When Shi Ji found out about this, he reported it to the court, and the emperor appointed Geng Xun as a court official and sent him to work at the Bureau of Astronomy. Later, the emperor bestowed Geng Xun upon Prince Yang Xiu of Shu, and Geng Xun followed Yang Xiu to Yizhou, where he earned Yang Xiu's great trust. After Yang Xiu was deposed, Geng Xun faced the death penalty. He Chou pleaded with the emperor, saying, "Geng Xun's talent is truly like having divine assistance. I truly lament this for the court!" As a result, the emperor specially pardoned him. Geng Xun also invented a water clock known as a clepsydra, which people at the time considered magical.
After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Geng Xun presented a kind of liquid measuring instrument called a "qīqì" (an ancient liquid measuring instrument), which Emperor Yang liked, so he granted him his freedom. Over a year later, Geng Xun was appointed as the Supervisor of the Right Imperial Treasury. Seven years later, when Emperor Yang launched an expedition against Goguryeo, Geng Xun submitted a memorial stating, "It is not easy to attack Liaodong; this military campaign will definitely not succeed." Emperor Yang was furious and ordered Geng Xun's execution. Thanks to He Chou's earnest persuasion, Geng Xun's life was spared. Following the failure of the Liaodong campaign, Emperor Yang realized that Geng Xun's prediction was correct and appointed him as the Chief Astronomer.
After the rebellion led by Yuwen Huaji, the rebel leader, and the death of Emperor Yang of Sui, Geng Xun followed Yuwen Huaji to Liyang. He said to his wife, "I have closely observed human affairs and studied the stars. Yuwen Huaji is bound to fail, and the Li family will come to power. I know how to act." Geng Xun sought to leave Yuwen Huaji's service, but was ultimately killed by him. Geng Xun's work "Bird's Fortune Divination" has been handed down through the ages.
Wei Ding, courtesy name Chaosheng, was a native of Du Ling in Chang'an. His grandfather Wei Xuan lived a reclusive life on Mount Shang, later submitting to the Song Dynasty. His great-grandfather Wei Rui was the Minister of Works, an equivalent to a high-ranking official, during the Liang Dynasty. His father Wei Zheng was the Yellow Gate Attendant, another high-ranking official. Wei Ding had a cheerful personality from a young age, was knowledgeable and well-versed in history and classical texts, understood astronomy and geography, and was especially skilled in the art of physiognomy. He served as a legal aide to the Prince of Xiangdong when he held a position in the Liang Dynasty. When his father passed away, he mourned deeply for five days, refusing to eat or drink, almost losing his life. After completing the mourning period, he became the registrar for Prince Shaoling.
During the rebellion led by Hou Jing, Wei Ding's brother Wei Ang died in the capital city. Wei Ding carried his brother's body out and temporarily stored it in Zhongxing Temple. He wanted to find a coffin for burial but couldn't find one anywhere. Overwhelmed with grief, Wei Ding wept inconsolably, then suddenly saw something floating down the river towards him. He found it strange and went to take a closer look, only to discover a new coffin! He used this coffin to bury his brother. When Emperor Yuan of Liang heard about this, he believed that Wei Ding's devotion to his family had moved the heavens. After the rebellion was quelled, the Minister of Works, Wang Sengbian, appointed Wei Ding as a clerk in the Censorate. He was later promoted to Colonel of the Imperial Guard, Major-General of the Army, and Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat, continuously rising through the ranks.
During the time of Emperor Chen Wu, Wei Ding, by observing celestial phenomena, knew that he would become emperor in the future, so he sought refuge with him along with his family. Wei Ding said to Emperor Chen Wu, "Next year, a great minister will be killed. In four years, the Liang Dynasty will be destroyed, and the Mandate of Heaven will pass to the descendants of Shun. When the Zhou Dynasty destroyed the Shang Dynasty, they enfeoffed Gui Man at Wanqiu, and his descendants became the Chen clan. I see that you are exceptionally talented, brave and martial, inheriting the broken imperial line; it is you!" Emperor Chen Wu originally wanted to deal with Wang Sengbian, but upon hearing Wei Ding's words, he was thrilled and resolved to take action. After Emperor Chen Wu proclaimed himself emperor, he appointed Wei Ding as the Attendant of the Yellow Gate, and soon promoted him to Minister of Agriculture, Right Chief Historian of the Ministry of Works, General of Zhenwei, also concurrently serving as the Right Chancellor to the Prince of Jin'an, handling national affairs, and later promoted to Minister of Justice. During the Taijian era, he was sent as an envoy to the Zhou Dynasty and was appointed as a Cavalier in Regular Attendance. He then served as the Director of the Imperial Secretariat, General Who Spreads Afar, and then transferred to the Chief Historian of Prince Linhai, in charge of the affairs of Wuxing County. After returning to the court, he later served as the Minister of the Imperial Household. During the time of Emperor Chen Zhide, Wei Ding sold off all his possessions and lived in a temple. His friend, Master Craftsman Mao Biao, asked him why he did this, and Wei Ding replied, "The royal spirit of Jiangdong has faded, and both you and I will eventually be buried in Chang'an. The time is near, so I have liquidated all my assets." At the beginning, when Wei Ding was hired to serve in the court, he once met Liu Bang. Wei Ding said to Liu Bang, "Your appearance tells me you’re no ordinary man, and your gaze is deep, beyond what ordinary talents can match. You will soon be wealthy and noble, and when the world is unified, like the four seasons, as an old man, I’m willing to follow you. I won't say much about your current career, but I hope you take good care of yourself."
Later, Chen Ping was summoned by Liu Bang and was appointed as the Grand Counselor, with generous待遇. Every time Liu Bang held banquets and celebrated with the imperial relatives and nobles, Wei Ding was always invited to join. One time, Liu Bang casually asked him, "How close are you to Wei Shikang and your family?" Wei Ding replied, "My family members are scattered all over, both in the north and south. I have never met them from childhood to adulthood." Liu Bang said, "Your family has been a prominent family for generations; how could it be like this?" So he ordered officials to prepare food and drinks, to allow Wei Shikang and Wei Ding to have a proper reunion in Duling and enjoy drinking for more than ten days. Wei Ding took this opportunity to meticulously research the family lineage, tracing back more than twenty generations from the Prime Minister of the State of Chu, Meng's family, and wrote a seven-volume "Wei Family Genealogy."
At that time, Princess Lanling became a widow, and Liu Bang wanted to find her a husband, so he selected the imperial guards Liu Shu and Xiao Gao, among others, for Wei Ding to see. Wei Ding said, "Xiao Gao might be made a marquis someday, but he does not have the appearance to marry a noble lady; although Liu Shu may also become a high-ranking official, he's unlikely to hold onto it for long." Liu Bang said, "I decide who gets what position." In the end, the princess was married to Liu Shu. Liu Bang then asked Wei Ding, "Which of my sons will inherit the throne in the future?" Wei Ding replied, "The one who is favored most by the Emperor and Empress will be the future heir. I wouldn't want to speculate beyond that." Liu Bang laughed and said, "You are not willing to speak clearly, are you?"
In the twelfth year of the Kaihuang era, he was appointed as the Inspector of Guangzhou, educating the people with kindness and integrity and striving to create a peaceful social atmosphere.
There was a local bully in Guangzhou who looked respectable but was up to no good, often organizing robberies. When Ding, the Inspector, met him at the local government office, he directly asked him, "You're a good guy, how did you end up as a thief?" Then, he investigated the accomplices of this local bully and their plans in detail, scaring the bully into confessing right away.
There is one more thing: an out-of-town guest had an affair with a local household's concubine. After the guest left, the concubine stole the family's valuables, fled in the dead of night, and was later killed in the bushes. The host, aware of the affair between the guest and the concubine, accused the guest of killing her. After investigation by the county government, the adultery was established, and the guest was sentenced to death. The case was reported to the governor, who, after reviewing it, stated, "This guest did commit adultery, but he did not commit the murder. It was a monk from a certain temple who urged the concubine to steal and then had the family's servants kill her, hiding the stolen goods somewhere." Therefore, the guest was released, the monk was arrested, and the stolen goods were subsequently recovered.
Since then, there has been peace in Guangzhou, and everyone praised the governor for his remarkable wisdom; even petty thefts disappeared. Later, due to old age and poor health, the governor received multiple honors from the court. He passed away not long after, at the age of seventy-nine.
Lai He, with the courtesy name Hongshun, was from Chang'an. Since childhood, he enjoyed fortune-telling and was very accurate in his predictions. The Grand Chancellor Yuwen Hu brought him along, so he often visited the homes of high officials.
He started as a junior officer in the Ministry of Summer, gradually rising to the rank of senior diviner, and bought a title of a village noble. Later, he was promoted to the position of lower grand master of the Ji State and was titled as the male of Huanshui County. When the Emperor was still a minor official, he sought Lai He's services as a fortune-teller. After Lai He left, he told others, "This person will eventually have the world under his control." Later, when the Emperor became Prime Minister, he appointed Lai He as a ceremonial official, and after the Emperor ascended the throne, he subsequently elevated Lai He's title to Viscount. In the later years of the Kaihuang era, Lai He submitted a petition stating:
Since the third year of the Tianhe era in the Zhou Dynasty, I have had the honor of serving Your Majesty and have been asked about political matters by Your Majesty on multiple occasions. At that time, I said that Your Majesty ascended the throne according to the mandate of heaven, which was ordained by heaven and cannot be accomplished by human effort. I have no merit, yet I have enjoyed the position of a fifth-rank official for over twenty years, which is truly embarrassing! I have little else to add, so I have recorded some of my predictions during the period of Your Majesty's obscurity and stored them in a secret room, so I will have no regrets after death.
When Your Majesty was still in the Zhou Dynasty, you once said to me alongside Duke Yongfu, Dou Rong: "I heard that one can understand a person's character by observing their behavior." At that time, I said, "Duke, your eyes are as bright as the morning star, seeing everything clearly. In the future, when you become the emperor, I hope you will be merciful and spare the innocent." In the fourth year of Jiande, in May, Emperor Wu of Zhou asked me at Yunyang Palace, "You know all the ministers, what do you think of Duke Xianglu of Sui?" I replied to Emperor Wu, "Duke Xianglu is just a loyal subject who can defend a region, but if he leads troops into battle, there will be no enemy he can't defeat." I reported this from the southeast corner of the palace. Your Majesty, do you recall what I said? The next year, Wuman Gui told Emperor Wu, "Duke Xianglu does not act like a subject should." Emperor Wu asked me, and I knew he had doubts, so I deliberately said, "He is a loyal subject, nothing special." At that time, Wang Yi, Liang Yanguang, and others knew I had said this.
In the second year of Daxiang, in May, Your Majesty entered the palace from the east gate of Yongxiang. I stood facing north on the eastern side of Yongxiang Gate, and you asked me, "Do I have any disasters?" I replied to Your Majesty, "Your bones and complexion match; heaven's mandate has destined you for greatness." Not long after, you took control of the court.
After reading it, Your Majesty was very happy, promoted my official position, and rewarded me with five hundred pieces of cloth, three hundred stones of rice, and ten hectares of land. Han Ze and I from the same county once visited the Prime Minister. I told him, "In another four or five years, you will receive a high office and generous rewards." At that time, no one understood what I meant. Han Ze passed away in May of the fifteenth year of Kaihuang. People asked me what happened, and I said, "Fifteen years is three sets of five years, plus May is four sets of five years. High office and generous rewards refer to his coffin!" Many of the things I said were of this type. I wrote a book titled "The Book of Fate," consisting of forty volumes.
The Taoist Zhang Bin, Jiao Zishun, and Dong Zihua from Yanmen privately told you during the reign of Emperor Gaozu, "You will become the emperor in the future, so take care of yourself." After you ascended the throne, you appointed Zhang Bin as the governor of Huazhou, Jiao Zishun as an official, and Dong Zihua as Shang Yitong.
Xiao Ji, also known by his courtesy name Wenxiu, was the grandson of Xiao Yi, the Prince of Xuanwu in Changsha and the elder brother of Emperor Wu of Liang. He was knowledgeable and especially proficient in Yin and Yang calendar calculations. After Jiangling City fell, he sought refuge in Northern Zhou and became an official known as Yitong. During the reign of Emperor Xuan of Northern Zhou, Xiao Ji noticed that the court was descending into chaos, so he submitted memorials to advise the emperor, but unfortunately, the emperor did not heed his suggestions. Later, during the establishment of the Sui Dynasty, Xiao Ji was promoted to Yitong and appointed as the Minister of Rites, tasked with reviewing ancient and contemporary texts on Yin and Yang calendars. Xiao Ji was a proud and upright person and refused to associate with corrupt officials, and he had a strained relationship with Yang Su, leading to his marginalization and frustration. He found that Emperor Wen of Sui liked to hear auspicious signs and omens, so he seized the opportunity to curry favor with the emperor by fabricating auspicious signs. In the fourteenth year of the Kaihuang reign, he submitted a memorial saying: "This year is the Year of Jia Yin, and the first day of the eleventh month falls on Xin You, marking the winter solstice. Next year is the Year of Yi Mao, and the first day of the first month falls on Geng Shen, which is New Year's Day. The winter solstice coincides with the first day; this constitutes the first auspicious sign. The day of Xin You is your birthday; Xin's virtue is associated with Bing, the eleventh month is the month of Bing Zi; You's virtue is in Yin, the first month is the month of Yin, your birth month, which aligns with the virtue of the month, and it happens to be the beginning of the New Year; this represents the second auspicious sign. The day of Geng Shen is your age year (or nominal age); Yi's virtue is associated with Geng, Mao's virtue is associated with Shen, next year is the Year of Yi Mao, your age aligns with the virtue of the year, and it happens to be New Year's Day; this is the third auspicious sign. The text 'Yin and Yang' states: 'Those whose fate in the year aligns with the virtue of the year and month will have blessings and good fortune.' The 'Hongfan Zhuan' says: 'The beginnings of the year, month, and day are crucial for the ruler.' These classics all believe that when the three are in harmony, one can extend their life and have good fortune and happiness."
Moreover, in the year of Jia Yin, the eleventh month is the month when yang energy begins, and the new moon day is the winter solstice, which is the first day of the sacred ruler; the first month is the month of yang, the start of the year and the month; the new moon day is the beginning of the year, the morning of the month, the start of the day, and it is an auspicious day. Your birthday falls on the first day of the ninth lunar month, and you are the first among the three long years, in harmony with the year and the month. Therefore, the "Lingbao Jing" says: 'The sound of the dragon spirit, its blessing is strong.' Next year, your year's destiny is all in the sign of the dragon, and the calendar and the scriptures corroborate each other. Furthermore, Jia Yin and Yi Mao are in harmony with heaven and earth; in the year of Jia Yin, the winter solstice is on the day of Xin You; next year, in the year of Yi Mao, the summer solstice falls on the day of Jia Zi. The winter solstice is the beginning of yang energy, the day of offering sacrifices to heaven, which is your birthday; this is the fourth auspicious sign; the summer solstice is the beginning of yin energy, the day of offering sacrifices to the earth, which is the birthday of the empress; this is the fifth auspicious sign. Your virtues cover all things like the Qian gua, and the empress's benevolence nourishes all things like the Kun gua, so the energies of heaven and earth converge on your birthday."
Emperor Wen of Sui was very pleased after reading it and rewarded him with five hundred rolls of silk. When Prince Ling of Fangling was the crown prince, he always complained that there was heavy yin energy in the East Palace, haunted by ghosts, and he often saw rat spirits. The emperor then asked Mr. Ji to perform rituals in the East Palace to drive away evil spirits. Mr. Ji set up a shrine in the Xuan Ci Hall, and suddenly a strange wind blew from the Gen position (Gen gua in the Bagua, representing mountains, also referring to the gate of ghosts), straight towards the crown prince's seat. Mr. Ji quickly used peach branch soup and burning mugwort to drive away the wind, which then blew out of the palace gate and ceased. Then, Mr. Ji performed an earth worship ceremony, setting up an altar in the Wei position (Wei gua in the Bagua, representing earth), making four gates, and setting up the shrines of the Five Emperors.
At that time, it was the middle of winter, and suddenly, a toad jumped in from the southwest, entered the door, climbed onto the altar of the Red Emperor, and then jumped out of the door. After a few steps, it suddenly disappeared. The emperor was very surprised and rewarded Mr. Ji with numerous gifts.
Mr. Ji once again told the emperor that the crown prince might not be able to hold his position. At that time, the emperor was secretly thinking about replacing the crown prince with someone else. Upon hearing Mr. Ji's words, he thought Mr. Ji was right. Therefore, from then on, the emperor often sought advice from Mr. Ji.
After the emperor and empress died, he ordered divination to choose the site for the tomb. Fortune tellers performed divinations all over, and finally selected a location, reporting: "The divination results say this place can protect descendants for two thousand years and ensure the nation's prosperity for two hundred years." They also presented a drawing to the emperor.
The emperor said, "Fortune and misfortune depend on people, not on feng shui. Wasn't my father's tomb chosen carefully back then? Didn't the country still perish? Take my family's ancestral tomb for example; if it is considered unlucky, then I shouldn't be the emperor; if it is considered lucky, then my brother shouldn't have died in battle." Even though the emperor thought this, he ultimately accepted the auspicious divination result.
The diviner's report stated: "On the sixteenth day, in the northwest direction of the empress's tomb, before the rooster crowed, a black cloud, five to six hundred steps wide, shot straight up into the sky. In the southeast direction, there were also banners, chariots, and tents stretching seven to eight li, with many people patrolling in an orderly fashion, disappearing only at sunrise. There were over ten witnesses. According to the 'Book of Burial,' 'the earth's energy aligns with the family name, which is a sign of great fortune.' Now, this black energy appearing in winter, aligning with the imperial family name, is a symbol of great fortune, indicating that the descendants will thrive." The emperor was very pleased to hear this.
Later, the emperor planned to see the empress off on her final journey. The fortune teller came to advise him, saying, "Your Majesty, according to your birth date, it is the Xin You year. This year, the Dou Kui Star and Tian Gang Star are in the Mao and You positions. The Book of Yin and Yang says that it is not suitable to attend a funeral at this time." The emperor did not listen to him. When the fortune teller returned, he told his relative, Xiao Pingzhong, "The crown prince sent Yuwen Huaji and expressed deep gratitude, saying, 'You previously predicted that I would become the crown prince, and it has indeed come true. I will never forget your kindness. Now, in choosing the tomb, ensure that I ascend to the throne soon. Once I ascend to the throne, I will definitely repay you generously.' I made a note at that time: 'In four years, the crown prince will rule the world.' Now, the Feng Shui of the tomb has also proven accurate, and with the emperor personally attending the funeral, the omen is even more obvious. Once the crown prince seizes power, how could the Sui Dynasty possibly survive? At that time, a true ruler will surely arise to govern the realm. I previously said that the divination results were 'two thousand years' and 'two hundred years,' where 'two thousand years' is a homophone for thirty characters, and 'two hundred years' is a homophone for thirty-two movements. Remember my words; they are all true!"
After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended to the throne, he promoted Yuan Tiangang to the position of Deputy Minister of the Imperial Household and promoted him with additional titles and ranks, allowing him to establish his own office. One day, as Yuan Tiangang passed by Huayin, he saw a white mist rising straight into the sky from the tomb of Yang Su. He quietly informed the emperor about this. When asked about its meaning, Yuan Tiangang said, "This foretells a disaster that could lead to the annihilation of the Yang family. If they were to change the burial site, it may be avoided." Later, the emperor casually remarked to Yang Xuangan, "Your family should consider changing the ancestral tomb." Yang Xuangan vaguely understood Yuan Tiangang's prophecy, interpreting it as a good sign, but he claimed to be preoccupied with the unrest in Liaodong and had no time for family matters. Not long after, Yang Xuangan rebelled, and his entire family was wiped out, causing the emperor to trust Yuan Tiangang's abilities even more. Over a year later, Yuan Tiangang passed away, leaving behind a collection of books that became popular among the people. At that time, there was also a man named Yang Bochou, who was famous for his skills in divination and numerology, much like Xiaogong and Liu You. Yang Bochou, a native of Fengyi Wuxiang, had a particular passion for the Book of Changes and lived a reclusive life on Mount Hua. During the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, he was summoned to the capital by the court. Upon meeting the high-ranking officials, he was completely indifferent to anyone, treating everyone equally with an indifferent attitude, leaving others confused about what he was really like.
The emperor summoned him, chatted with him for a while, but he remained silent. The emperor bestowed upon him a set of clothes, but when he arrived at the court, he cast aside the clothes and walked away. After that, he wandered the streets with unkempt hair, filthy and reeking, never grooming himself. At that time, there was a man named Zhang Yongle who set up a fortune-telling stall in the capital, and Yang Bochou often followed him around. If Zhang Yongle encountered a hexagram that he found difficult to interpret, Yang Bochou could help analyze the hexagram and clearly elucidate its deeper significance. Zhang Yongle admired him greatly, believing he was utterly inferior to him. Later, Yang Bochou also started fortune-telling at a stall.
Once, someone lost their child and went to Yang Bochou for a fortune-telling. After the hexagram was cast, Yang Bochou said, "Your child is in the arms of a woman wearing a blue dress at the northeast corner of the south gate of Huaiyuan Lane. You will find him there." The person followed Yang Bochou's instructions and indeed found the child.
Another time, a couple hid a few taels of gold, but later the gold had gone missing. The husband suspected his wife of harboring ulterior motives and wanted to drive her away. The wife sought help from Yang Bochou for a fortune-telling. Yang Bochou said, "The gold is still there." He summoned the entire family to come forth and pointed to a person, saying, "The gold is with him!" The person blushed and quickly brought out the gold.
Taoist Wei Zhichang went to ask Yang Bochou about his fortune, and Yang Bochou said, "Don't go to the northeast direction. If you must go, make sure to come back early. Otherwise, Yang Su will chop off your head!" Not long after, the emperor sent Wei Zhichang on a mission to assist Prince Liang. Soon after, the emperor died, and Prince Liang rebelled. Wei Zhichang fled back to the capital. Wei Zhichang had a grudge with Yang Su in the past. After Yang Su pacified Bingzhou, he first went to find Wei Zhichang to kill him. It was Yang Bochou's prophecy that allowed him to escape disaster.
Someone lost a horse and went to seek out Yang Bochou for a divination. At that time, Yang Bochou was summoned by the Crown Prince, and on the way, he met this person and performed a divination for him. After the divination, Yang Bochou said, "I don’t have time to go into details. Go to the third shop south of the east wall of the West Market and buy a fish to prepare fish slices. Then you will find your horse." The man did as instructed, and soon someone arrived leading the recovered horse, catching the horse thief.
Yazhou offered a pearl the size of a thumb as tribute, but the envoy secretly exchanged it for a smaller one. The Emperor grew suspicious and summoned Yang Bochou for a divination. Yang Bochou said, "There is something that came out of the water, with a smooth texture and bright color. That is the large pearl. It has now been hidden." He even detailed the name and appearance of the person who hid the pearl. The Emperor followed Yang Bochou's instructions and indeed found the pearl. The Emperor was amazed and rewarded him with twenty pieces of cloth.
The Grand Master He Tuozeng once visited Yang Bochou to discuss the Book of Changes. After listening to He Tuozeng's explanation, Yang Bochou suddenly smiled and said, "Why adhere to the interpretations of Zheng Xuan and Wang Bi?" After a while, Yang Bochou slowly explained, his reasoning differed from that of earlier Confucian scholars, but his thoughts were profound and mysterious, so people considered him gifted and beyond the grasp of ordinary people. In the end, Yang Bochou passed away quietly.
Lin Xiaogong, a native of Jingzhao, was knowledgeable in astronomy and mathematics. Emperor Gaozu of the Han was particularly close to him. Every time he predicted disasters or auspicious events, he was very accurate, so the Emperor assigned him to study the Yin and Yang calendar. He later became a high-ranking official and wrote many books, such as *Yiqi Tu* in three volumes, *Di Dong Tong Yi Jing* in one volume, *Jiugong Wumu* in one volume, *Dun Jia Yueling* in ten volumes, *Yuanchen Jing* in ten volumes, *Yuanchen E* in one hundred and nine volumes, *Baiguai Shu* in eighteen volumes, *Lumingshu* in twenty volumes, *Jiugong Gui Jing* in one hundred and ten volumes, *Taiyi Shi Jing* in thirty volumes, and *Kongzi Matou Yibushu* in one volume, all of which were very popular at the time.
Liu You was from Xingyang. During the Sui Dynasty, in the Kaihuang era, he became a grand commander and was titled as the Duke of Suolu County. His predictions consistently proved accurate, and Emperor Gaozu also held him in high regard. Initially, he worked with Zhang Bin, Liu Hui, and Ma Xian to formulate a calendar. Later, he was ordered to write a military book called *Jin Tao* in ten volumes, which the Emperor greatly appreciated. He also wrote *Yin Ce* in twenty volumes, *Guantai Feihou* in six volumes, *Xuanxiang Yaoji* in five volumes, *Lulishu Wen* in one volume, *Hunyin Zhi* (Marriage Records) in three volumes, *Chanru Zhi* in two volumes, *Shi Jing* in four volumes, *Sishi Licheng Fa* in one volume, *Anli Zhi* in twelve volumes, and *Guizheng Yi* in ten volumes, all of which gained considerable popularity.
Zhang Zhouxuan was a Bohai Xuan person, with profound knowledge, especially skilled in astronomy and arithmetic. The Inspector of Jizhou, Zhao Ji, recommended him, and the Emperor summoned him, appointing him as a Cloud Cavalry Officer to work at the Bureau of Astrology and participate in the creation of the calendar. Few could match his abilities, so Liu Hui, the Chief Astrologer, and his peers were envious of him. Liu Hui's predictions were often inaccurate, while Zhang Zhouxuan's calculations were very precise, which the Emperor greatly appreciated. The Emperor asked Yang Su and some experts in astronomy and arithmetic to discuss 61 questions, all of which were old methods that were difficult to solve. Then he had Liu Hui and Zhang Zhouxuan debate. Liu Hui was left speechless, while Zhang Zhouxuan clearly elucidated 54 of the questions. As a result, the Emperor promoted Zhang Zhouxuan to Assistant Cavalry Attendant and also appointed him as the Chief Astrologer, bestowing numerous rewards upon him, while Liu Hui and his eight associates were all dismissed. Zhang Zhouxuan then formulated a new calendar, saying that the previous calendar was consistently inaccurate by a day. Yan Minchu, the Internal Historian, presented a memorial stating, "During the Han Dynasty, Emperor Hong changed the Zhuanxu Calendar and established the Taichu Calendar, saying that it would be off by a day in the future. Eight hundred years later, a sage would come to correct it. Now it has been 710 years, and someone has done it, so this sage must be the one referred to!" The Emperor was delighted by this and increasingly placed his trust in him. Zhang Zhouxuan's calendar differed from the previous ones in three key ways:
At the end of the Song Dynasty, Zu Chongzhi invented a calculation method called "method of differences." He found that the winter solstice point was gradually shifting each year, unlike in the past when it remained fixed. Every forty-six years, the winter solstice point would shift one degree. Later, during the Liang Dynasty, Yu Xi, when formulating the calendar, believed that Zu Chongzhi's calculations were too inaccurate, so he changed it to one hundred eighty-six years for the winter solstice point to shift one degree. Zhou Xuan (Li Chunfeng) examined both methods and found that due to the lengthy time span, tracing ancient records led to considerable inaccuracies. Therefore, he integrated the strengths of both methods to create his own measurement system. He believed that the constellation containing the winter solstice point would gradually shift each year, with one degree movement every eighty-three years. This approach not only aligned with the records of day length and constellations from the era of Emperor Yao but also corresponded with the constellation positions recorded in the Han Dynasty calendar. It was highly accurate throughout.
In the Zhou Dynasty, Ma Xian developed the "Bingyin Yuanli," which included methods for converting between the lunar and solar calendars, as well as techniques for calculating and adjusting eclipse timings. This was a cutting-edge technique at the time, and many people found it difficult to comprehend. Zhang Bin later used this method but still could not fully understand it. Zhou Xuan believed that Ma Xian's method had theoretical flaws regarding the sequential addition and subtraction of time, particularly with the moon as a reference point. Therefore, he explained eclipse occurrences based on the variations in the gains and losses of the twenty-four solar terms. He believed that when the sun moved slowly, the moon would catch up to the sun faster, resulting in the time of the new moon advancing; when the sun moved quickly, the moon would catch up to the sun slower, causing the time of the new moon to be delayed. He analyzed the timing of new moons in earlier calendar systems to establish the ratio of gains and losses. He found that from the autumnal equinox to the vernal equinox, the sun moved quickly, traversing one hundred eighty degrees in one hundred eighty-two days; from the vernal equinox to the autumnal equinox, the sun moved slowly, covering one hundred seventy-six degrees in one hundred eighty-two days. This ratio was consistent across each solar term.
From ancient times to the present, all calendars have believed that whenever the sun and moon align, as long as the conditions for an eclipse are met, a solar eclipse will occur. The calendar formulated by Zhang Bin introduced the concept of the "outer limit." In some cases, even though the eclipse limit is reached, a solar eclipse remains unexplained. Zhou Xuan believed that the sun moves along the ecliptic, completing one orbit around the sky in a year; the orbit of the moon takes a little over twenty-seven days to complete one revolution around the sky. The lunar orbit intersects with the ecliptic, and approximately every thirteen days, the moon will move from inside the ecliptic to outside the ecliptic, and after another approximately thirteen days, return back inside the ecliptic, repeating this cycle. When the moon passes through the ecliptic, this is referred to as a "conjunction." If the new moon occurs within fifteen degrees before or after the conjunction point, a solar eclipse will occur. If the moon is moving inside the ecliptic, on the north side, a solar eclipse is relatively easy to observe; if the moon is moving outside the ecliptic, on the south side, even if it reaches the conjunction point, since the moon cannot block the sun, a solar eclipse is very difficult to observe. Therefore, based on the methods of his predecessors, he established another eclipse limit, calculated the discrepancies based on the proximity of the conjunction point, adjusting the degree of the solar eclipse, resulting in more accurate calculations.
There are seven aspects that differ significantly from ancient practices: Firstly, in ancient times, the calculation of the movement speeds of the five planets (metal, wood, water, fire, earth) was believed to be constant, only noting the changes in brightness without finding an accurate rule. Through long-term observation, Zu Chongzhi found the true movement patterns of the stars, and the calculated results differed from those of the ancient calendar, with some varying by more than thirty days! For example, for Mars, if it appears in the Rain Water solar term, it requires adding twenty-nine days; if it appears in the Minor Snow solar term, it requires subtracting twenty-five days. Although subtracting the average appearance time to determine the exact timing, the brightness changes of each star vary and all need to be calculated in this way. Modern people often struggle to understand the insights gained by ancient astronomers.
Paragraph two, in the past, the laws of Mercury's movement were believed to appear once per cycle; all ancient calendars held this belief. However, in reality, sometimes it is visible, and other times it is not, and people are often unsure of the reasons. Zu Chongzhi's long-term observations revealed that within one cycle, Mercury can sometimes be seen once, and sometimes it appears together with other celestial bodies. For example, if Mercury appears in the morning of the Rain Water solar term, theoretically it should be visible, but in reality, it is not visible; if it appears in the morning of the Awakening of Insects solar term, between 18 degrees and 36 degrees from the Sun, and at the same time one of Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, or Venus appears, then Mercury can be seen.
Paragraph three, ancient calendars calculating the movement of planets have fixed parameters, only knowing that once a planet appears, its movement is calculated at a constant speed. However, no one knows the exact speed of planetary movement. Zu Chongzhi's long-term observations revealed that the speed, halts, and retrograde movements of the five planets differ from the results of ancient calculations, some differing by more than eighty days, and the positions of halts and retrograde movements differing by more than eighty degrees. For example, Mars first appears rapidly at the beginning of Lichun, moving 177 degrees in 250 days; if it appears at the beginning of Xia Zhi, it moves only 92 degrees in 170 days. He corrected the calculation method based on actual observations, and now the results are very accurate compared to ancient calculations.
Paragraph four, ancient calendars calculating the size of solar eclipses directly used average values, resulting in very few matches with actual situations. Zu Chongzhi's long-term observations revealed that the moon's speed is affected by Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, and Venus. When the moon is near these four planets, it moves faster, but slows down when it is farther away, only moving at the original speed when the distance exceeds fifteen degrees. Therefore, he determined the size of solar eclipses based on the distance between the moon and these four planets.
Paragraph five, ancient calendars calculating the time of new moons and full moons (first and fifteenth day of the lunar month) all employed the same method. Zu Chongzhi's long-term observations revealed that the location and time of solar eclipses change due to different observation locations; differences in elevation affect the magnitude and duration of solar eclipses as well. Therefore, he corrected the calculation of solar eclipse times based on actual celestial phenomena.
Article VI, in ancient calendars, the size of a solar eclipse depends on the degree of overlap between the sun and moon. The most severe solar eclipse occurs when the sun and moon overlap, with the eclipse being minimal—only one degree at fourteen degrees of separation, two degrees at thirteen degrees, and three degrees at ten degrees. For each degree closer, one degree is added, and the solar eclipse reaches its maximum when the sun and moon overlap. The size of a solar eclipse is sometimes different from expectations; sometimes the actual eclipse is more than expected, and sometimes it is less, and ancient calendars could not explain the reasons clearly. Zhōu Xuán summarized from long-term observations that when the sun and moon overlap, the moon does not fully cover the sun, resulting in a relatively small eclipse; but when the sun and moon are five or six degrees apart, the moon is fully in front of the sun, resulting in the most complete coverage of the sun and the largest solar eclipse. From this point on, the further the distance, the smaller the solar eclipse becomes. This pattern holds true around the time of the winter solstice. If approaching the summer solstice, the dynamics change slightly. His classification standard for solar eclipses is very detailed and precise.
Article VII, ancient calendars believed that day and night were equal in length during the spring and autumn equinoxes. Zhōu Xuán discovered through observation that daytime is actually longer than nighttime, with daytime being fifteen minutes longer than nighttime during the spring and autumn equinoxes, due to the varying speed of the sun's movement.
These unique insights of Zhōu Xuán are widely admired for their precision. He passed away during the Dàyè era of the Sui Dynasty.
Xu Zhicang was from Gaoyang. His ancestor, Xu Daoyou, studied medicine when his mother fell ill. He later became a renowned doctor for his exceptional medical skills. He advised his sons, "If you can't even understand your parents' meals and medicine, or grasp medical principles, how can you claim to be filial?" As a result, his medical skills were handed down through generations. He served as an official in the Liang Dynasty, eventually rising to the position of Assistant Cavalry Attendant. His father, Xu Jing, was a counselor to the Prince of Wuling. Xu Zhicang gained fame at a young age for his superb medical skills, serving as Assistant Cavalry Attendant during the Chen Dynasty. After the fall of the Chen Dynasty, Emperor Yang of Sui appointed him as Assistant Cavalry Attendant and summoned him to Yangzhou. When Prince Xiao of Qin fell ill, the emperor summoned him. One night, Prince Xiao of Qin dreamed that his deceased wife, Cui, was crying and said, "I was supposed to welcome you, but I heard Xu Zhicang was coming. This person will cause you great pain, what should we do?" The following night, Prince Xiao of Qin had another dream, in which Cui said, "I have come up with a plan, I will hide in the underworld to avoid him." Upon Xu Zhicang's arrival, he examined Prince Xiao of Qin and remarked, "The disease has penetrated the bone marrow; he will die soon, there is no cure." As anticipated, Prince Xiao of Qin passed away a few days later. The emperor was astonished by his remarkable medical skills and generously rewarded him. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Xu Zhicang had already retired. Whenever the emperor felt unwell, he would send eunuchs to seek his advice, and sometimes even brought him into the palace to assist him onto the imperial bed. Xu Zhicang's prescriptions were always effective, curing the ailments without fail. He passed away at the age of eighty.
Xu Cheng, the old man, was also a famous doctor with exceptional medical skills. His father, Xu Shi, served as the Grand Minister of Ceremonies and Chief Military Historian in the Liang Dynasty, holding a high official position. Later, he followed Liu Zhongli to Chang'an and was on par with Yao Sengyuan in terms of fame. Eventually, he reached the rank of Minister of Works, a very high-ranking position. Xu Cheng inherited his father's legacy, excelling in both learning and medicine even more than his father. He later served as the Imperial Pharmacist and Grand Councillor and was granted the title of Count of Hechuan County, attaining a notable rank. Both father and son gained fame for their remarkable medical expertise during the Zhou and Sui Dynasties. Historical records lack detail, so I have written down everything I know here.
The Xu family was quite prominent at the time, with one excelling in medical skills and the other occupying a high-ranking position, truly enviable. "Their family's fame spread far and wide across two dynasties" is probably the best summary for them. Unfortunately, the historical records are incomplete, and many details have been lost; otherwise, their story would surely be even more fascinating.
Wan Baochang, I’m not sure where he hailed from. His father, Da Tong, surrendered to the Qi Dynasty with the Liang Dynasty general Wang Lin. Later, he conspired to return to Jiangnan, but his plan was exposed, and he was killed. Therefore, Baochang was conscripted as a musician, and he was well-versed in music theory and proficient in playing various instruments. He crafted a jade chime as a tribute to the Emperor of Qi. On another occasion, he and others were dining and discussing musical tones. Without any instruments at hand, Baochang picked up utensils and various objects from the table, using chopsticks to strike them and distinguish their pitches, striking harmonious and pleasing tones across the pentatonic scale, evoking the sound of silk and bamboo, which was greatly appreciated by everyone there.
However, from the Zhou Dynasty to the Sui Dynasty, he was not given significant recognition. During the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty, Duke Zheng Yi of Pei and others established new musical regulations, initially adopting the Huangzhong mode. Although Bao Chang was just a musician, Zheng Yi and others often consulted him for advice, but most of his suggestions went unheeded. Later, when Zheng Yi's musical regulations were completed and played, the emperor summoned Bao Chang and asked for his opinion. Bao Chang said, "This is the music of a fallen kingdom, how can Your Majesty listen to it!" The emperor was quite displeased. Bao Chang then strongly argued that the music was sorrowful and licentious, not elegant, and requested the use of a water ruler as a standard for tuning the musical instruments. The emperor agreed. Bao Chang was then ordered to make various musical instruments, with his musical regulations set two notes lower than those of Zheng Yi. He also composed a 64-volume "Music Treatise," which detailed the method of the eight-tone cycle used in court music, and the variations in tuning and pitch. He developed 84 modes, 144 pitches, and ultimately achieved 1,800 distinct sounds. People at the time believed there was an implication of cyclic court music in the "Rites of Zhou," but since the Han and Wei Dynasties, those versed in music theory could not grasp it. When they realized that Bao Chang had independently developed this, they found him quite laughable.
At that point, people asked him to perform, and he immediately played music without hesitation, leaving everyone who witnessed it astonished. So he made countless improvements and modifications to musical instruments. His music was elegant yet unappreciated, and the musicians at the Tai Chang Temple, who were skilled in music theory, rejected him. The Prince's horse washer, Su Kui, prided himself on his expertise in bell music, especially envying Bao Chang. Su Kui's father, Su Wei, was in power at the time, and anyone who spoke about music theory sought to undermine Bao Chang by aligning themselves with Su Wei. Bao Chang went to officials and ministers multiple times to plead his case, but Su Wei interrogated him about the source of his musical knowledge. A monk advised Bao Chang, "The Emperor likes auspicious signs. Anyone who talks about good omens pleases the Emperor. You should say that you learned it from a foreign monk, that it was the music theory taught by the Buddha. The Emperor will be pleased. What you do will then be acknowledged." Bao Chang agreed and answered Su Wei as the monk had instructed. Su Wei fumed, "Music taught by foreign monks is the music of barbarians, not something that should be promoted in China!" This issue ultimately remained unresolved.
Bao Chang was moved to tears when he once listened to music being played in the Tai Chang Temple. When someone asked him why, he said, "The music is chaotic and sorrowful, and soon the world is on the verge of mutual destruction." At that time, the world was enjoying peace and prosperity, and those who heard him thought it impossible. By the end of the Deyuan period of the Sui Dynasty, his prophecy ultimately came true.
Bao Chang was very poor and had no children. When his wife saw him sick in bed, she secretly took his money and belongings and ran away. He was left hungry and cold, abandoned and alone, and ultimately succumbed to starvation. Before he died, he burned the books he had written, saying, "What good are these to me?" A few of his books were salvaged from the flames and have been preserved through the ages, leaving people with a deep sense of regret for his fate.
During the Kaihuang era, notable figures like Zheng Yi, He Tuo, Lu Ben, Su Kui, and Xiao Ji studied classics and created music books together. Their works were widely used at the time. However, their innate musical talent could not compare to Bao Chang. An Maju, Cao Miaoda, Wang Changtong, and Guo Lingle were among the leading composers and musicians of their time. They also studied Zheng music, but Bao Chang's works were classified as refined music. Although these people did not openly praise Bao Chang, they all respected him deep down and viewed him as a god-like figure.
At that time, there was a musician named Wang Lingyan who was well-versed in music theory. During the Daye period of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, he was set to go to Jiangdu, and Wang Lingyan's son followed him. He played a modified version of "An Gongzi Qu" on his Hu pipa outside the house. Wang Lingyan was in the bedroom at the time, and when he heard it, he was taken aback and jumped to his feet, exclaiming, "This is bad news!" He quickly asked his son, "When did this tune become popular?" His son replied, "It only became popular recently." Wang Lingyan broke down in tears and told his son, "You mustn't go with him again; the emperor will definitely not come back." When his son asked why, Wang Lingyan said, "The key of this tune has departed and won't return; the key represents the ruler, which is why I said that." Ultimately, Emperor Yang of Sui was indeed assassinated in Jiangdu.
In historical records, it is said: the sages have teachings on the principles of yin and yang, divination, and rituals. Although they cannot be fully relied upon, they should not be dismissed entirely. If people can promote the righteous path, society will benefit widely; if their actions do not conform to morality, they will invite disaster upon themselves. Therefore, the ancients advised people not to act recklessly. Even now, the bone structure and vitality of Wei and Lai, the steps and movements of Yu and Zhang, as well as the skills of Luo Xia, Gao Tang, Xu Fu, and Zhu Jian, cannot compare to them. Bo Chou's tortoise shell divination can reveal the thoughts of spirits and deities; Geng Xu's divination tool can accurately chart the stars; Bao Chang's musical pitch can precisely understand the harmony of musical scales. Though they may not measure up to the ancient masters, they were all top-notch at that time. The Xu family's acupuncture techniques, as noted in historical records, are praiseworthy; whereas Xiao Ji's interpretations of yin and yang are somewhat inflated.
