In July of the year 516 AD, a strange event occurred in Jingzhou: someone was killed, yet the body remained limp. The head fell to the ground, mouth still open, eyes wide open, blood shot straight up over ten feet high like bamboo arrows, then slowly fell like rain. That year Jingzhou suffered from a severe drought, and this was clearly an ominous sign, a result of pent-up grievances.
In March of the year 571 AD, the emperor saw something on the canopy of his throne, resembling a wheel, bright red in color. Shortly after, the emperor fell ill and died after shouting inexplicably.
In December of the year 757 AD, a crimson object fell in front of the Taiji Palace, and as soon as it landed, all the bells rang. Someone also presented white wine, which suddenly turned into blood. The palace steps were drenched in blood, flowing all the way to the emperor's bed. Shortly after, the country perished.
In the year 500 AD, a rain of blood fell in Taiyuan. Liu Xiang once said: "Blood is the essence of Yin energy, a symbol of disaster, akin to zombies." The following year, the Zhou army and the Turks invaded Bingzhou, engaging in a massive battle to the west of the city, where corpses piled up for hundreds of miles. Jing Fang wrote in "Yi Fei Hou": "Blood rain falls staining the red clothes, the country perishes and the monarch dies." This was indeed a precursor to the downfall of the nation.
In March of the year 504 AD, a red object fell in the courtyard of the palace, shaped like a large container, with many small star-like objects following it, resembling little bells. In April, Empress Lou died.
During the Wuping era, bloodstains appeared on the ground, stretching from the residence of Prince Hulü Mingyue in Xianyang all the way to the ancestral temple. Hulü Mingyue was a great general and a pillar of the state, but the emperor, believing in slander, had him killed. This was like a warning from above: by killing Mingyue, the ancestral temple would also fall! Despite warnings, the emperor's decisions ultimately sealed the country's fate.
"The Book of Hongfan Wuxing" says: "To listen but not hear is a sign of a lack of strategy. Severe sins will result in cruel punishment and ultimately poverty. At this time, evil spirits will wreak havoc, fish will proliferate, swine fever will run rampant, black disasters and ominous signs will appear; only disasters by fire and water will remain." In February 548 AD, the weather was extremely cold, with people and livestock frozen to death on the roads. Jing Fang wrote in "Yifeihou": "Excessive punishment, coldness at a time when warmth is needed." At that time, Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi was the prime minister. Prior to this, Erzhu Wenchang and others conspired to assassinate Emperor Wenxuan. When the plot was exposed, they were executed, and many others implicated were also killed.
In 71 BC, that winter was unusually cold. Jing Fang's "Yi Zhuan" says: "A virtuous person encountering danger is going against fate, hence the abnormal cold." Some said: "Only by killing the innocent will such abnormal cold occur." At that time, the emperor was infatuated with Empress Li, who, feeling guilty after giving birth to a child, did not raise him. The emperor, in anger, killed her son, Prince Shaode of Taiyuan, before Empress Li. She wept bitterly, and the emperor stripped her of her clothes, beat her to death, and threw her into the water, only to revive her after a long time. Truly fulfilling the prophecy of 'cruel injustice.'
In March 504 AD and March 507 AD, frost occurred twice, killing the grass. Jing Fang's "Yi Zhuan" says: "Indiscriminate troop mobilization violates the law, resulting in the punishment of frost." At that time, the court sent out many troops, with Zhongli resisting the Wei army, engaging in continuous battles for several years.
In June 536 AD, frost fell in Qushan.
In August 560 AD, frost fell, freezing the rice and beans. At that time, the court called up a large number of troops and sent General Wumingche to confront the Zhou army in Luliang.
In November of the year 505 AD, the weather was fine, and lightning flashed in the southwest, followed by two peals of thunder. The Book of Changes says: "Use thunder to intimidate." This thunder sounded like a warning against evil spirits.
The Book of Hong Fan Wuxing Zhuan states: "Thunder is attached to the clouds, just like a monarch relies on the people. If the monarch does not care about the people, there will be resentment and rebellion." In that year, the Governor of Jiaozhou, Li Kai, rebelled.
In September of the year 519 AD, a sound resembling thunder came from the northwest, and red gas descended to the ground. That year, someone assassinated the governors of Dongguan and Langye, and lured the Wei army using Mount Xu.
In December of the year 576 AD, a sound resembling thunder came from the southwest. In that year, the Governor of Beiliangzhou, Lan Qin, rebelled.
In December of the year 562 AD, a sound resembling thunder came from the northwest. In that year, the Governor of Xiangzhou, Hua Jiao, rebelled.
In April of the year 504 AD, a sound resembling thunder came from the southwest. At that time, the emperor was indifferent to the people and mobilized an army for war.
In January of the year 582 AD, a sound resembling thunder came from the west. Before long, the Tuyuhun invaded the border.
On the first day of January in the year 584 AD, a sound resembling thunder came from Mount Lianyun in Kuozhou. At that time, five Qiang tribes rose in rebellion and troubled the border towns. In 590 AD, there was thunder in a clear sky. Jing Fang's "Yi Fei Hou" says: "The country is about to change dynasties, the people are restless, and villains are gaining power. The country is about to face disasters and wars." A few years later, the emperor died, and Prince Liang rebelled, moving tens of thousands of his followers.
During the Sui Dynasty, the stone drum in Fuyang sounded continuously for years. Afterwards, chaos erupted across the country, leading to wars.
In the third month of the tenth year of the Da Tong era under Emperor Wu of Liang, the emperor went to Zhu Fang, arrived at Siqian, and then arrived at Xuanwu Lake. The fish there raised their heads to gaze at the emperor's carriage, as if awaiting his arrival! Consequently, the emperor died shortly after entering the palace. The "Hong Fan Wuxing Zhuan" says: "Fish are yin things, representing the common people. Fish also have scales, symbolizing the army." This indicated that the common people were plotting a rebellion and surrounding the imperial palace, and the fish raising their heads to look at the carriage meant this. Later, the rebellion led by Hou Jing indeed took place.
In the seventh year of Wuping of Qi Houzhu, the fish in the Lu Ci Pond in Xiangzhou vanished, and the water dried up. The "Hong Fan Wuxing Zhuan" says: "This was due to an urgent situation. Fish are yin, representing the common people." Yanzi once said: "The River Lord regards water as the country, and fish as the people." When the water dries up and the fish disappear, the country perishes, and the people scatter. That is the meaning. The following year, the Qi state was destroyed.
In the first year of the Da Xiang era of Later Zhou, in the sixth month, carps in Yangwu were seen fighting in the sky. This symbolizes ministers rebelling, with villains stirring up trouble alongside them. The following year, the emperor died, leading to a loss of governance in the country. Wei Jiao rebelled in Xiangzhou, and Gaozu sent troops to defeat him.
In the seventeenth year of Kai Huang, there was a village named Yuan in the southwest of Daxing City, where Buddhist activities were held. A white-haired old man dressed in a white skirt and short coat came and left after he had eaten. No one recognized him, so they decided to chase after him. After chasing for about two miles, he disappeared. However, nearby was a pond containing a giant white fish and numerous small fish following it. People vied to shoot it; some bows broke, and strings snapped. Finally, it was shot, and when they opened its belly, they found rice inside, revealing that the fish had transformed from the old man. A few days later, the water in the canal surged suddenly, and those who shot the fish all drowned.
In the twelfth year of Daye, the people of Huaiyang County were herded into the city, and the Luolang Guo was severed. When they reached the base of the women's wall, they found a hole, where they discovered a carp over seven feet long. In the fourth year of the Weijia Ping era, fish gathered on the roof of the Wuku. Wang Su believed that fish live in water, but they ran to the roof, suggesting that something had driven the fish away from their natural habitat, foreshadowing the potential for losing the border and facing rebellion. Later, the defeat in the Battle of Dongque indeed happened. At that time, bandits from Mount Changbai raided Henan, and a month later, the bandits arrived at the city. The county's army fought back but was ultimately defeated, resulting in over ten thousand casualties among men, women, and children.
During the Datong era of the Liang Dynasty, a severe locust plague struck, and even the leaves of pine and cypress trees along the fences were completely devoured. The "Hongfan Wuxing Zhuan" says, "This is the work of the pests." Locust plagues, like the abundance or scarcity of fish, are both affected by celestial events. The "Yi Feihou" also says, "If rulers neglect the cultivation of virtue in favor of indulgence, heaven will send pestilence as a warning. Insects are of no benefit to humans, yet they eat everything." At that time, court ministers believed that simplicity and contentment were virtues, and they neglected governance and undervalued agricultural production, which ultimately led to the locust plagues.
Later, in the eighth year of the Qi Dynasty, there was a locust plague in the six provinces of Hebei and the twelve provinces of Henan. The common people went to offer sacrifices to the locusts. The emperor asked the governor of Weizhou, Cui Shuzan, "What is the cause of this locust plague?" Cui Shuzan replied, "The 'Records of the Five Elements' says: 'If earth and wood projects are not done in a timely manner, it will lead to locust plagues.' Currently, the court is building the Great Wall on one hand and constructing the Three Towers on the other, which has led to the locust plague." The emperor, upon hearing this, became furious, slapped Cui Shuzan, pulled his hair, and wiped filth from the latrine on his head. Still, the expensive projects continued. In the ninth year, Shandong was hit by locusts again; in the tenth year, Youzhou also experienced a major locust plague. The "Records of the Five Elements" says: "If the ruler's punishments are too severe, their greed is insatiable, and they frequently raise troops, build cities and palaces, but lose the hearts of the people, then a pestilence will occur." At that time, the emperor was tyrannical, and forced labor continued, which was a sign of the locust plague.
Later, in the second year of Jiande in the Zhou Dynasty, there was another major locust plague in the Guanzhong region.
In the sixteenth year of the Kaihuang period of the Sui Dynasty, there was a locust plague in Bingzhou. At that time, Prince Yang Jun of Qin withheld funds from the people and undertook large construction projects. He was eventually punished and died at the hands of the emperor.
In the later years of the Kaihuang period, three monks in Weinan practiced asceticism in the fields. One night, they saw a large pig approaching them, followed by more than ten piglets. The big pig said to the monks, "A Lian, I want to attain the way of the virtuous and the wise, but I still owe a life." After speaking, it left. This "way of the virtuous and the wise" refers to what the emperor should do. Prince Yang Yong was supposed to inherit the throne and implement the way of the virtuous and the wise, but instead, he was imprisoned and deposed. The "life" refers to Yang Guang (later known as Emperor Yang of Sui), who wanted to kill him.
During the late period of the Kaihuang era, there was a traveler staying at someone else's home in Weinan. In the middle of the night, he heard two pigs talking. One pig said, "The year's end is near; tomorrow the owner will sacrifice me. Where can I possibly hide?" The other pig replied, "You can go to your sister's house in Shuibei." So the two pigs left together. As dawn approached, the owner couldn't find the pigs and suspected that the overnight guest had stolen them, so he questioned him. The guest told the owner what he had heard, and the owner found the pigs as the guest had described. Later, Shu King Yang Xiu offended the emperor, and the emperor wanted to kill him. Princess Le Ping pleaded for him several times, saving his life. Several years later, the emperor died, fulfilling the prophecy that "the year will come to an end."
In the third year of the Chengsheng era of the Liang Dynasty, in June, a black mist resembling a dragon suddenly appeared in the imperial palace, and it was a bad omen! Black was a color revered by the Zhou Dynasty, and the appearance of this black mist in the imperial palace signaled an impending attack by the Zhou Dynasty on the Liang Dynasty. Sure enough, that year the Liang Dynasty was destroyed by the Zhou Dynasty, and the emperor died.
In the fifth year of the Taijian era of the Chen Dynasty, in June, a black cloud appeared in the northwest, extending all the way to the ground, then dispersing like a pile of pigs, over ten clusters in total. The "Hong Fan Five Elements Biography" said, "This indicates that there will be a war outbreak in the northwest." At that time, General Wang Gui of the Later Zhou Dynasty stationed his troops at Mount Lüliang. The following year, Wang Gui captured Wu Mingche, but his army was completely wiped out.
In the first month of the Heqing era of the Later Qi Dynasty, both the Yellow River and the Ji River became clear and transparent. Xiang Kai said, "The Yellow River represents the feudal lords. If the water is clear instead of muddy, it means the feudal lords will become a symbol of the emperor." Over a decade later, the Sui Dynasty unified the country.
In the third year of the Daye era of the Sui Dynasty, the river water in Wuyang County was also clear and transparent, with shadows visible for miles around. By the twelfth year of the Daye era, the river water near Longmen also became clear. Two years later, the Tang Dynasty was founded.
In the fourteenth year of the Chen Dynasty, in July, the Yangtze River turned a blood-red color, flowing east from Jiankang to Jingzhou. During the Zhenming era, the Yangtze River turned red again, this time flowing east from Fangzhou to the sea. The 'Book of Changes' states: "Fire invading water indicates strict laws, cruel punishments, damaging the essence of water. The disruption of the Five Elements, the imbalance of yin and yang, the disorder of qi, all are signs of the country's imminent demise." Jing Fang's 'Yi Zhan' also states: "Water turning into blood indicates that war is about to break out." At that time, the Chen Dynasty was indeed destroyed by the Sui Dynasty.
In the second year of Zhenming, in April, the river at Nanpu in Yingzhou turned as black as ink. Previously, black water had appeared in the Guanzhong region, and now the river water in Huainan also turned black, indicating that the Jingzhou and Yangzhou regions would be occupied by the Guanzhong region.
In the first year of the Daxiang era of the Later Zhou Dynasty, in June, the water in Xianyang Lake turned blood red, mirroring the events of the fourteenth year of the Chen Dynasty. The 'Book of Changes' states: "Lack of careful consideration is lack of wisdom. The consequence is incompetence, the punishment is violent storms, ultimately leading to premature death. There will also be evil spirits, disasters, misfortunes, internal diseases, disasters such as yellow haze and yellow fortune, as well as the invasion of wood, metal, water, fire, and earth."
In the sixth year of the Tianjian era of the Liang Dynasty, on the Wuxu day in August, a strong wind blew, breaking many trees. According to Jing Fang's 'Yi Feihou,' "When a strong wind blows on a Wuxu day, chaos will come to the world. Within three months, war will inevitably break out." That year, the Wei army indeed invaded Zhongli.
On the day of Guiwei in November of the third year of the Chengsheng era, the emperor held a military review in the southern city, and a huge north wind blew, casting a shadow over the sky. The 'Book of Changes' states: "This is a sign of the ruler's incompetence and chaotic rule!" At that time, the emperor had just pacified the rebellion of Hou Jing, and the ministers advised him to return to Danyang, but he did not listen, became suspicious of people, and did many incompetent things, thus, the heavens sent a strong wind as a warning. That year, Western Wei was destroyed.
In the sixth year of Chen Tianjia, in the seventh month of Guiwei, a strong wind blew from the southwest, toppling the pavilion of Lingtai. "Hongfan Wuxing Zhuan" believed this was a sign of ministerial power. At that time, the crown prince was still young, and Prince Ancheng Xuyu took full power; the emperor failed to intervene in time. The following year, the emperor passed away, and the crown prince ascended the throne, but Prince Ancheng Xuyu deposed him again.
In the sixth month of Renxu in the twelfth year of Taijian, a strong wind blew down the central gate of Gaomen. In the same year, in September, a strong wind blew again in the evening, overturning houses and even toppling trees. This indicated the growing tyranny of Prince Shuling of Shixing.
During the Zhide period, a strong wind blew down the Vermilion Bird Gate.
In the third year of Zhenming, in the sixth month of Dingsi, a northwest wind blew, with huge waves flooding Shitoucheng and the Huai River. At that time, the empress favored Sima Shen, who indiscriminately killed loyal ministers and generals. Shen Keqing, Shi Wenqing, and others committed evil deeds, while Jiang Zong, Kong Fan, and others were extravagant and blocked the flow of information, leading to a chaotic and incompetent government. This was divine punishment!
In the second year of Qihqing, a strong wind blew for thirty days before stopping. At that time, the emperor handed over power to corrupt officials such as Jianchen and Shikai, who became increasingly tyrannical. In the third year of Tiantong, in the fifth month, another strong wind blew, darkening the day, collapsing houses, and uprooting trees. Despite the heavenly warnings, the emperor remained oblivious. The following year, the emperor died. The emperor ordered that all memorials must be reviewed by Shikai before being presented to him. Prince Zhaojun Rui and Prince Fengyi Run believed that Shikai was arrogant and unsuitable for office in the palace, but they faced false accusations from him, and Prince Rui was eventually executed. Shikai had the power of life and death at his command, but he was later killed by Prince Langya Yan.
In the third month of the seventh year, a strong northwest wind blew, resulting in collapsed houses and uprooted trees, lasting for five days before stopping. This indicated the growing tyranny of Gao Anagui, Luoti Po, and their associates.
In the eleventh month of the twentieth year of the Kaihuang era, a devastating storm swept through Chang'an City, with such strong winds that houses were overturned, trees uprooted, and over a thousand people died in Qinzhou and Longzhou. The ground also shook violently, and the sound of drums began to echo by itself. The bell at Jingcha Temple struck three times by itself, the door lock of the Buddha hall mysteriously unlocked, and the bronze statue inexplicably stepped out of the hall. The drums and bells ringing of their own accord—this must be the work of evil spirits! Yang Xiong once said that if the ruler is incompetent and misled by evil men, only concerned with reputation, signs of evil spirits will appear. At that time, Empress Dowager Dugu was in power, Yang Su wielded immense power, and the emperor was swayed by their slander, dismissed Gao Feng from his position, abolished Crown Prince Yang Yong, and instead appointed Prince Jin, who ascended to power solely on the basis of his name. The emperor's mind was in turmoil, a scene steeped in gloom! The lock and the bronze statue are both made of metal; when metal moves, wood shakes—this reflects the principle of water overcoming metal. "Hong Fan Wu Xing Zhuan" states: "This is all caused by the loss of the people's trust!" Gao Feng and Yang Yong evidently did nothing wrong, yet they were dismissed; this inevitably led to a loss of the people's trust. In the second year of Renshou, a Hu man in Xihe, riding a mule on the road, was suddenly caught up in a whirlwind, along with a carriage, soaring a thousand feet into the air, then crashing down heavily, shattering to pieces. Jing Fang's "Yi Zhuan" states: "When opinions differ, the highest virtue is hidden, abnormal winds will appear." Two years later, Prince Han Liang conspired to rebel in Bingzhou; isn't this scene with the carriage and mule a portent? Flying up and crashing down, this is a dire omen! It seems like heaven is warning, do not move the troops recklessly, it will ultimately fail, but Liang did not understand. After the death of Emperor Gaozu, Liang rebelled, with counties responding one after another, with an army of tens of thousands. However, he was swiftly defeated within a month.
In the second year of the Liang dynasty, in the tenth month of Dingmao, a fierce wind rose, turning day into night, and the world was dark. This is a sign of malevolent forces! According to Jing Fang's "Yi Feihou," "When the sun is covered by wind, the world will be dark, people will fall ill, or thieves will rise." Three years later, the Liang dynasty was destroyed by Western Wei.
In the third year of Chen Chaoming, on the first day of the first month, the sky was filled with clouds and mist, dark and unclear, with a hint of bitterness in the air. The incompetence of Chen Houzhu was also a sign of malevolent forces! "Hongfan Wuxing Zhuan" says, "If the monarch is incompetent, the ministers are powerful, and the monarch's eyes are blinded, a scene of dark clouds will appear." At that time, the northern army was approaching the Yangtze River; Liu Zhuang and Ren Manna came to seek peace, but the emperor, misled by the treacherous minister Kong Fan, displayed incompetence, ultimately leading to the country's destruction.
In the fourth year of the Eastern Wei Wuding, winter, dense fog covered the land for six days and nights, rendering the day as dark as night. "Hongfan Wuxing Zhuan" says, "When the day is as dark as night, it is a sign of yin invading yang, and the ministers will invade the monarch." As predicted, the following year, Yuan Jin and Liu Siyi conspired to assassinate the grand general.
In the second year of Zhou Daxiang, Wei Jiong was defeated in Xiangzhou, and tens of thousands of his followers were killed in Youyu Garden. Later, the place often heard ghostly wails at night. "Fan Hong Wuxing Zhuan" says, "The cry is a sign of death, close to the night of evil spirits. When ghosts wail at night, it is a harbinger of death." Jing Fang's "Yi Feihou" also says, "When ghosts cry at night, the country will perish." The following year, the royal ministers of the Zhou Dynasty were all killed, and the Zhou Dynasty perished as well.
During the Renshou period, the Renshou Palace and the foot of the Great Wall often heard ghostly wails. Soon after, Empress Xian and the Emperor both passed away shortly thereafter in the Renshou Palace.
In the eighth year of Daye, Yang Xuangan raised a rebellion in the Eastern Capital. The official Fan Zigai ordered the massacre of his tens of thousands of followers outside Changxia Gate. By the end of the year, ghostly cries and moans frequently echoed from that place, reminiscent of earlier omens. The "Hongfan Wuxing Zhuan" states: "Hua symbolizes splendor and beauty. With beauty causing chaos in the country, it is called Hua Nie." Later, Wang Shichong orchestrated the death of King Dong of Yue.
In the first year of Wuping in the Later Qi dynasty, the locust trees blossomed but bore no fruit. The locust tree symbolizes the titles of the Three Excellencies, and blooming without bearing fruit is a sign of decline. The following year, the Minister of Records, He Shikai, was executed; Prince Hu Changren of Longdong and Grand Guardian Wang Yan of Langye were both killed, and the Left Prime Minister Duan Shao also passed away.
During the reign of the final emperor of the Chen dynasty, there were Zhang Guifei and Kong Guifei, both renowned for their extraordinary beauty and charm. The emperor was captivated by them, favoring them above all other concubines in the harem, often enjoying poetry and wine with them. Once he entered the palace, he would often stay in for days on end, indulging in unrestrained extravagance. The treasury was depleted, the people were in despair, and the soldiers had lost morale. When the enemy launched their attack, not a single soldier was willing to fight to t
The emperor of the State of Qi favored a beloved consort named Feng Xiaolian. Feng Xiaolian was beautiful, intelligent, and skilled in playing the pipa and dancing. The emperor was infatuated with her and appointed her as a noble consort. In order to please her, the emperor selected thousands of beautiful palace maids to serve her, with the cost of dressing each palace maid being in the thousands of gold. At that time, the army of the State of Zhou was already at the city gates, the border was in urgent need of help, and news came pouring in like snowflakes. The emperor wanted to quickly withdraw the troops and return to the capital. However, Feng Xiaolian refused and urged the emperor to keep the siege going. Surprisingly, the emperor took her advice, which delayed their chance to strike and resulted in the city of Jinzhou being captured by the Zhou army. Later, the armies of the State of Qi and the State of Zhou clashed under the city of Jinzhou. Thanks to Feng Xiaolian, the emperor missed several chances, ultimately leading to the country's downfall. Even now, the people of Qi still hold Feng Xiaolian responsible.
When Prince Wuling of the State of Liang was supposed to sacrifice a cow, a red snake suddenly appeared entwined around the cow's mouth, and that was considered a bad omen! Ancient texts interpreted events like this as the mischief of dragons and snakes, a warning from the heavens. In the third year of Duke Xuan of Lu, the sacrificial cow had injured its mouth, and everyone believed that it was a sign that the heavens had rejected the sacrifice, and Duke Xuan was abandoned. The "Five Elements Chronicle" also states: "If a king goes against the will of heaven, disasters caused by dragons and snakes will occur." Although Prince Wuling claimed he was going to help, he was actually quite arrogant and full of himself. His reckless arrogance angered the heavens, leading to his defeat by Emperor Yuan.
Later, in the second year of Qi's Wuping reign, the State of Bingzhou presented a five-legged cow, another ominous sign! The "Hongfan Five Elements Chronicle" states: "The abnormality of the cow symbolizes the calamity of the palace." After that, the emperor launched into massive construction projects, digging ponds, building mountains, and constructing magnificent palaces in Xiandu Park, indulging in extravagant luxury. Just as the projects were completed, the country fell.
Later, in the sixth year of Zhou Jiande, three-headed monsters appeared in Yangwu, resembling water buffaloes—one yellow, one red, and one black. They fought each other, with the yellow buffalo charging at the black one, causing the black one to die, and then the yellow one ran into the river. This was interpreted as a bad omen for the Zhou dynasty. Black was a color revered by the Zhou dynasty, so the death of the black buffalo symbolized the impending doom of the Zhou dynasty. A few years later, the Zhou dynasty indeed fell, and the Sui dynasty replaced it, which displayed red military flags and yellow uniforms.
During the Sui dynasty’s Daye period, a strange cow appeared on Mount Heng, each knee adorned with an extra hoof. Afterwards, the Sui dynasty built the Eastern Capital, constructed the Great Wall, and constructed canals.
In the third year of the Zhenming reign of the Chen dynasty, the Sui army arrived at the Yangtze River. Chen Houzhu nonchalantly remarked, "The Qi army has come three times, and the Zhou army twice, and we defeated them all. What can they possibly do?" The official Kong Fan said, "The Yangtze River is a natural barrier that has historically separated the north and south. How could the northern army possibly cross over? I have always worried about my low rank, but if they do cross, I might even become a general!" Chen Houzhu was delighted to hear this and indulged in music, dancers, drinking, and poetry. This behavior was truly a reflection of his inner turmoil! At such a critical moment for the nation’s survival, decisions are made in the blink of an eye, and both ruler and subjects should work tirelessly day and night. Yet, Chen Houzhu remained unfazed, and Kong Fan indulged in pleasure with him, losing his grip on reality. How could the nation not fall? Thus, the Chen dynasty met its demise, and Kong Fan was exiled to a far-off land.
Emperor Wenxuan of Qi once held a banquet in Dongshan. Suddenly, he threw down his wine cup in a fit of rage, issued an edict for a western campaign, boasting about the strength of his army. However, not long after, he cried to his ministers, "This black robe is not meant for me." In the end, the plan for the western expedition was never executed. Sages believed that the emperor had lost his sanity, knowing that his reign would not last long. Later, Emperor Wenxuan of Qi indeed fell ill, succumbed to debauchery, exhibited erratic behavior, and died a few years later.
After Empress Dowager Ding passed away, Emperor Wucheng still wore a red official robe. Not long after, he ascended the platform, held banquets, and engaged in revelry. When attendants brought him a white official robe, he became furious and threw the white robe down. Not long after, he died.
In the first year of the Daitong era of the Liang Dynasty, the country experienced a rain of mud. The following year, there was a rain of ash that appeared yellow. This yellowish hue heralded ill omens. Jing Fang wrote in "Yi Fei Hou": "Ignoring good omens means not recognizing them. The abnormal yellow color indicates disaster for the dragon, calamity for the descendants who will not inherit the throne. This is due to neglecting the virtuous and the right path." At that time, Emperor Wu of Liang prided himself on his intelligence and knowledge, disliked those who were more talented than him, and was deeply devoted to Buddhism, treating himself like a slave, which was the retribution for neglecting the virtuous and the right path.
In the first month of the first year of the Daobao era of the Liang Dynasty, there was a rain of yellow sand throughout the country. The following year, Emperor Jianwen dreamed of swallowing a lump of soil. Shortly after, he was deposed by Hou Jing, crushed to death with soil bags, and his sons were all killed, fulfilling the prophecy of having no heir.
During the reign of the last emperor of Chen, he dreamed of figures in yellow garments encircling the city. Disturbed by this dream, he commanded the destruction of all the orange trees in the city. After Emperor Yang Jian of the Sui Dynasty ascended to power, the court officials and the people all wore yellow clothes. Not long after, the Sui army attacked and besieged the Chen Dynasty, fulfilling the prophecy of the last emperor of Chen's dream.
In the second year of the Daxiang era of the Later Zhou, in the first month of the lunar calendar, a yellow soil rain fell throughout the world, but stopped after a while. This was the same phenomenon that had appeared in the first year of Datong. At that time, the emperor had already become so incompetent and crazy that he soon died. When the Jing Emperor succeeded to the throne, he voluntarily abdicated, signifying the downfall of the Zhou and the end of the imperial lineage.
In the second year of the Kaihuang era, there was also a soil rain in the capital. At this time, the emperor learned from the lesson of the weakness of the Zhou's vassal states that led to its downfall. He divided his sons and appointed them to various regions, establishing administrative offices for them to oversee their respective regions. The appearance of the soil rain indicated the presence of some ominous presence in the land. Indeed, later these princes rebelled against each other. Jing Fang said in "Yi Fei Hou": "When the sky rains soil, the people toil but gain nothing." At that time, the capital was undergoing construction, including the later building of the Renshou Palace, resulting in the deaths of many craftsmen due to excessive building.
In the first year of the Taiqing era of the Liang Dynasty, a woman named Mo from Danyang gave birth to a baby boy with eyes located on the top of his head, and his eyes were as big as those of a two-year-old. Upon his birth, the child spoke: "I am the drought ghost, I cannot stay here." His mother said, "You must help me stay safe." The ghost said, "There are people above me watching, how can I act recklessly? Hurry and make a top red hat, then everything will be fine." His mother did not have time to make the hat, so she tied a red cloth strip to his hair. Since then, the drought persisted for two years, severely affecting Yangzhou, Xuzhou, Yanzhou, and Yuzhou. Many of Mo's neighbors escaped the disaster by wearing red things, but this method proved ineffective elsewhere.
In the second year of the Dabao era, a five-year-old child in Jingkou climbed to the top of a tall building in the southwest corner of the city, beating a drum to mimic the sound of the Yangtze River's waves. The drum represented the army, and at that time, Hou Jing was wreaking havoc in the south of the Yangtze.
In the third year of the Chen Dynasty, a man who was three zhang tall appeared on Mount Luofu, dressed all in white and wearing magnificent clothes. Jing Fang's divination said: "The appearance of a giant predicts the fall of the country." Two years later, the emperor died.
While Chen Houzhu was still the crown prince, a woman burst into the Eastern Palace, shouting, "The ruler of the Bi State!" Later, Chen Houzhu ascended the throne, ultimately leading to the downfall of the Chen Dynasty.
In the third year of Zhende, in August, a maidservant in Jiankang died and was buried for nine days, but miraculously came back to life. A cowherd heard the commotion and rescued her.
In the second year of Zhenming, a boat was launched, and suddenly someone spoke: "There will be chaos next year." People looked and found a dead infant two feet long without a head in the boat. The Chen Dynasty would fall the following year.
During the Tianbao period of the Qi Dynasty, a woman in Linzhang gave birth to a child with two heads sharing one body. After that, the court was controlled by corrupt officials, with no distinction between ranks, fulfilling the omen of the child with two heads.
During the reign of Chen Houzhu, there was a monk who looked like a madman. He would bow to crows and insult and beat monks. Crows were associated with the Zhou Dynasty. Soon after, the Qi Dynasty was annexed by the Zhou Dynasty, and Buddhism was also banned.
In the third year of Baoding in the Later Zhou Dynasty, a man gave birth to a boy with his genitals on his back, resembling a tail, and his toenails were like claws. With the genitals on the back, the yin and yang were reversed, just like the inversion of ruler and subject; the toes with claws indicated mutual slaughter and disorder. At that time, Prince Jin Yuweng Hu took control of the court, ambitious and secretly plotting to seize power. This was clearly a divine warning: the order between ruler and subject was already chaotic, and a cruel struggle was about to happen! The emperor understood this omen and killed Yuwen Hu, personally managed the court, governed with diligence, and pacified the Qi state, later known in history as Gaozu. This was truly an example of resolving crisis and turning disaster into fortune!
During the reign of Emperor Wu, there was a strongman who pretended to be crazy and carried a gourd. He ran to the house of Prince Yuhu of Jin, smashed the gourd, and shouted, "You may still live, but your son is doomed!" At that time, Yuhu held power and was on his way to see the Empress Dowager, but he was killed by the Emperor. The Emperor ordered the arrest of Yuhu's sons, who all committed suicide by poison. The strongman later begged on the streets, and when someone gave him food, he used a bottomless bag to receive it, laughing and saying, "It's not full!" Soon after, the Zhou Dynasty fell, the founding emperor moved the capital, and Chang'an City became a ruin.
In the sixth year of the Kaihuang era, an old man from Huozhou turned into a fierce beast.
In the seventh year, a monk in Xiangzhou turned into a snake, wrapping his tail around a tree and whipping himself, over twenty feet long.
In the fourth year of the Renshou era, a person several meters tall appeared at the Yingmen gate, leaving footprints measuring over four feet and five inches. That year, the emperor died.
In the first year of the Daye era, the mother of Fang Huian from Yanmen turned a hundred years old, with a two-inch horn growing from her forehead. The "Hongfan Wuxing Zhuan" says, "A woman represents yin. A horn represents soldiers. This reflects the connection between the lower and upper realms." Subsequently, chaos ensued, and enemy troops surrounded the emperor's palace in Yanmen.
In the fourth year, a woman in Songgu Village in Yanmen gave birth to a fleshy egg the size of a dou. She buried the egg, and a few days later, dark clouds gathered over the site, the earth shook, and a hole appeared, but the egg was gone.
In the sixth year, a maid in the Li family in Zhaojun gave birth to an object the size of a chicken egg.
On the first day of the first month in the sixth year, a thief dressed in a white martial arts uniform, holding fragrant flowers, claimed to be the reincarnation of Maitreya. He broke into Jiankou Gate, seized the weapons of the guards, and attempted to start a rebellion. Prince Qi Yang Jian encountered him and killed him on the spot. Three years later, Yang Xuan rebelled, surrounded Luoyang with troops, and was defeated and killed.
Once upon a time, eight years ago, there was a fellow named Cheng Gong who was acting like a lunatic, shouting all over the capital that thieves were coming. The emperor was furious when he caught wind of this. The following year, Xuan Gan rebelled and besieged Luoyang City.
In the twelfth year, Cheng Gong was at it again, shouting about thieves. Li Mi brought his troops right up to the capital, and Meng Rang set fire to Fengdu City and then fled.
Nine years later, the emperor was in Gaoyang. There was a man from Tang County named Song Zixian, who was quite the magician. Every night, bright lights shone from his upstairs, and he could even pull off Buddha statues, claiming to be Maitreya Buddha reincarnated. He also hung a large mirror in the hall, featuring images of snakes, beasts, and humans. When visitors came to see him, he would spin the mirror to reveal their next life appearance. If a snake appeared in the mirror, Zixian would say, "That's your karma, so you better start reciting more scriptures!" Then he'd have them bow again, and this time a human image would appear in the mirror. People around him bought into it, and thousands of people came to see him every day. Later on, Song Zixian secretly plotted a rebellion, planning to hold a "Buddha Assembly" and seize the chance to ambush the emperor's carriage. When the plan got out, General Yangyang marched his troops to arrest him. When they arrived at his house at night, they found the courtyard packed with fire pits, and the soldiers hesitated to enter. General Yangyang said, "This has to be some kind of sorcery!" But when they went in to check, the fire pits had vanished. They captured Song Zixian and executed him, dragging over a thousand households into trouble.
Later on, a monk named Xiang Haiming popped up in Fufeng, who claimed to be Maitreya Buddha reincarnated and was secretly scheming a rebellion. His followers would have good dreams. So, everyone bought into him, and the folks in the Guanzhong region saw him as a great sage. When he rebelled, he surprisingly gathered tens of thousands of followers. In the end, he was taken down by the imperial army. Jing Fang noted in "Yi Fei Hou": "Misleading the masses with falsehoods is no laughing matter, nobody's walking on the roads anymore; in three years, someone will definitely rise up in rebellion." After that, chaos spread across the land, and sure enough, nobody was seen on the roads.
In the fifth year of the Liang Dynasty under Emperor Chaotian, in November, there was an earthquake in the capital city, affecting wood, metal, water, fire, and soil. The "Hongfan Wuxing Zhuan" warns: "When subordinates grow powerful, they may stir up trouble." Jing Fang in the "Yifeihou" commentary on the "I Ching" stated: "If there is an earthquake in November, there will be famine in that place." At that time, Governor Li Kai of Jiaozhou rebelled. The following year, a frost disaster struck, and the poor harvest led to widespread hunger among the populace.
In the first month of the third year of Putong, there was an earthquake in Jiankang. At that time, Governor Wen Senglang of Yizhou also led a rebellion with the people of his state.
In the twelfth month of the sixth year, there was another earthquake. Jing Fang in the "Yifeihou" commentary on the "I Ching" said: "If there is an earthquake with sound in winter, occurring in December, there will be war in that place." At that time, the emperor ordered Prince Cong of Yuzhang to lead an army northward.
In January of 515 AD, there was an earthquake in Jiankang. According to Jing Fang's "Yifeihou," when the earth trembles in spring, the year will not thrive. That year, there was also a major flood, resulting in widespread hunger among the populace.
In November of 517 AD, there was another earthquake in Jiankang. Jing Fang's "Yifeihou" states: "If there is an earthquake in November, there will be great loss and hunger in the city." Indeed, the following year, a frost disaster struck, and the people faced a total crop failure, leading to widespread starvation.
In October of 519 AD, there was another earthquake in Jiankang. That year, there was a rebellion of mountain bandits in Kuaiji region.
In February of 521 AD, there was an earthquake in Jiankang. In the same year, the people of Jiaozhou rebelled under Li Ben, driving away the governor, Xiao Zi.
In the leap first month of 523 AD, there was an earthquake in Jiankang. Li Ben declared himself emperor and set up a complete bureaucratic system.
In April of 548 AD, there were two earthquakes in Jiankang. At that time, Hou Jing declared himself Grand Chancellor and did not obey the emperor's orders. In this month, the emperor died from grief.
In May 557 AD, there was an earthquake in Jiankang. Wang Lin in Yingzhou enthroned Xiao Zhuang as emperor.
In November of 562 AD, there was an earthquake in Jiankang. Chen Baoying launched a rebellion in the Minzhong region.
In January of 567 AD, there was an earthquake in Jiankang. This indicated the rising power of Shi Wenqing and Shen Keqing.
In November of the year 529 AD, the Xihe region collapsed and caught fire. Jing Fang's "Yi Yao Zhan" wrote: "When the earth collapses, the ruler perishes." Zu Xuan explained, "Fire represents yang energy; the earth represents yin principle. When the earth burns, it contradicts the yin principle, implements yang governance, and the subjects act recklessly, ultimately leading to self-destruction." At that time, Gao Huan was in power, while Hou Jing consolidated power in Henan. Two years later, Gao Huan indeed passed away, and Hou Jing rebelled as a result, ultimately leading to his own downfall.
In the year 530 AD, an earthquake struck Bingzhou. This was a sign of He Shi Kai's rise to power.
In the year 582 AD, frequent earthquakes struck the Liangzhou region, with many city walls collapsing and springs bursting from the ground. Jing Fang's "Yi Yao Zhan" recorded: "The earth splits, the Qiang and Yi tribes rebel." At that time, the Tuyuhun tribe frequently invaded the Hexi region.
In May of the year 584 AD, an earthquake struck the capital city. Jing Fang's "Yi Fei Hou" said: "The earth shakes in the fifth month of summer, people flee." That year, famine struck the Guanzhong region, leading the emperor to order the populace to go to Guandong for food.
In April of the year 586 AD, earthquakes struck Qizhou and Yongzhou. Jing Fang's "Yi Fei Hou" recorded: "The earth shakes in the fourth month of summer, the grains do not ripen, people faced severe hunger."
In the year 587 AD, a mountain collapsed in Liangzhou at Guishan. "Hongfan Wuxing Zhuan" said: "The collapse symbolizes betrayal and disregard for authority." Liangzhou was an old land of the Han dynasty. The following year, Prince Liang raised troops in rebellion.
In the seventh year of Daye, Mount Dizhu collapsed, blocking the Yellow River and causing the river water to flow backwards for several tens of miles. Liu Xiang in "Hongfan Wuxing Zhuan" said: "Mountains symbolize rulers, water represents yin energy, and also symbolizes the people. Heaven warns that if the ruler's power is too heavy, it will collapse, and the people will be displaced." At that time, Emperor Yang of Sui was launching a campaign in Liaodong, and the people could not bear such oppressive burdens, resulting in widespread discontent and uprisings throughout the country. Emperor Yang of Sui failed to grasp the underlying reasons, ultimately leading to the nation's downfall.
In the "Hongfan Wuxing Zhuan," it is also said: "The emperor cannot reach the extreme; this is called 'failure to establish' (referring to the country not being able to achieve long-term stability). Its fault is incompetence; the punishment is prolonged darkness, ultimately leading to weakness. At this time, incidents of shooting down evil spirits will occur, disasters caused by dragons and snakes will arise, and disasters caused by horses injuring people will also occur."
In the twentieth year of the Kaihuang era, there was continuous rain. Liu Xiang said: "If the ruler loses the path of righteousness, and the power of the subjects blinds the monarch's wisdom, there will be continuous rain." At that time, Empress Dowager Dugu and Yang Su secretly slandered Crown Prince Yang Yong, eventually leading to the Crown Prince being deposed and reduced to a commoner.
In the fourth year of the Wuding era of Eastern Wei, Gao Huan became the prime minister of Eastern Wei and personally led the army to attack Western Wei at Yubi. In the eleventh month of that year, Gao Huan fell ill and decided to withdraw his troops. The soldiers were terrified, saying: "Wei Xiaokuan used the Dinggong crossbow to shoot and kill the prime minister." Western Wei issued a nationwide order saying: "With one shot of the strong crossbow, the evil will perish." Gao Huan heard about this and became very angry; his condition worsened; this was likely a sign of shooting down evil spirits. The "Hongfan Wuxing Zhuan" says: "Shooting is a symbol of military disaster; when the energy goes against the heavens, disasters will arise." When Gao Huan was marching, General Cao Weizu advised him: "You are currently going against the natural order, which is unfavorable to the enemy but advantageous to yourself." Gao Huan did not listen; the army stagnated for fifty days and suffered repeated defeats. He then listened to false advice, cut off the Fen River to the north of the city, and built up a dirt mountain. The terrain there was steep, over a thousand feet high; the project was never finished, and seventy thousand people died. This was the consequence of going against the heavens! Gao Huan died that year. In the following year, Wang Sizheng rebelled in Henan.
During the reign of Emperor Wu of Northern Wei, on his way back to Ye from Bingzhou, he passed by Bagongling at night, singing and walking. Suddenly, a man went mad, thinking the emperor had been bewitched by a fox spirit; he hid in the bushes and shot arrows. As a result, several people were injured, and the emperor was almost shot. The emperor caught him on the spot and had him killed. The man was completely unaware of his actions while shooting. It is said that fox spirits, which bewitch people, are mischievous entities. At that time, the emperor paid no attention to state affairs, singing and drinking with palace maids and eunuchs all day long, sometimes dressing in rags to beg and play in the streets, all of which were bad omens! Someone shooting arrows at him was a harbinger of disaster. Not long after, Northern Wei fell.
In the second year of the Tianjian era of the Liang Dynasty, a dragon appeared fighting in the waters of Northern Liang, with water mist covering several miles. This dragon fight was a sign of mischief from dragons and snakes! The "Hong Fan Five Elements Biography" says: "The dragon is a formidable creature, symbolizing both the heavens and the emperor. If disasters appear in the heavens and the emperor's righteousness is damaged, then the dragon will also be affected and cause chaos. Dragon fighting signifies war." Jing Fang's "Yi Fei Hou" also states: "When people's hearts are uneasy, strange phenomena like dragon fighting will appear." At that time, Emperor Wu of Liang had just ascended the throne and faced rebellions from Chen Bozhi and Liu Jilian, creating widespread panic among the people.
In June in the fifth year of Emperor Wen of Liang's reign, a dragon appeared again in Qu'awangbei to fight, then headed west to Jianling City. Wherever it passed, trees were broken for tens of zhang. This was exactly the same as the situation in the second year of Tianjian. When the dragon passed through Jianling, trees were broken, signifying impending war and the destruction of the imperial tomb. At that time, Emperor Wu of Liang was only concerned with studying Buddhist scriptures and teaching, neglecting agricultural production and military training, resulting in a slack army and lazy soldiers. The monarch's morality was damaged, leading to the appearance of strange occurrences involving dragons. However, the emperor did not understand at all. In the first year of Taiqing, there was another dragon fight in the water of Lizhou, with towering waves, swirling clouds, and people seeing a white dragon running south with a black dragon chasing behind. That year, Hou Jing surrendered to the Liang Dynasty with his troops, and the emperor accepted him unprepared, leading to widespread anxiety. Soon, chaos broke out, and the emperor eventually succumbed to worry and melancholy.
In the summer of the tenth year of Daitong, a dragon fell into a well in a Yanling household due to thunder and lightning at night. The next morning, the dragon was the size of a donkey. Some tried to kill it with a halberd, but suddenly several large snakes appeared in the courtyard and inside the house, the size of ships carrying hundreds of hu, sending the family fleeing in panic. The "Hongfan Wuxing Zhuan" states: "The dragon, a yang symbol of nobility, should not appear in the villages and homes of common people. Wells are deep places where nobles may face imprisonment disasters, reflecting the emperor's lack of wisdom." Later, Hou Jing indeed rebelled, imprisoning and killing Emperor Jianwen in a wine cellar, resulting in the tragic imprisonment and deaths of royal princes and nobles.
In the eleventh year of the Taijian reign of the Chen Dynasty, in the first month of the lunar calendar, a dragon appeared in a pond in southern Yanzhou, similar to the dragon that appeared in the tenth year of the Datong reign of the Liang Dynasty, signifying ominous signs. Not long after, the last emperor ascended the throne, indulging in a life of luxury and excess, neglecting state affairs and failing in everything he did. This eventually led to the downfall of the country, and he ultimately found himself imprisoned.
In the first year of the Wuding reign of the Eastern Wei Dynasty, a giant snake was reported in Wulao City. At that time, the wife of the Governor of Beiyu Province, Gao Zhongmi, named Li, was beautiful and intelligent. The Crown Prince, Gao Cheng, fell in love with her, making Gao Zhongmi suspicious. He led a rebellion in Wulao City, secretly colluding with the Western Wei Dynasty, which sparked a major battle in Heyang. Gao Huan (Emperor Shenwu) was nearly defeated by the Western Wei army and barely escaped, with thousands dead.
In the ninth year of the Tianbao reign of the Later Qi Dynasty, a dragon about seven or eight zhang long appeared in the main hall of Qizhou, echoing the omen from the tenth year of the Datong reign. At that time, the Princes of Changshan and Changguang wielded significant power, but the emperor showed no intention of curbing their power. The emperor died the following year, and Crown Prince Yin ascended the throne. Prince of Changshan, Xiao Yan, indeed deposed the emperor, imprisoning and ultimately killing him, and was appointed as the King of Jinan.
In the first year of the Heqing reign, a dragon appeared in the bathhouse of Jizhou, echoing the omen from the ninth year of the Tianbao reign. Previously, Prince Pingqin Guiyan received a posthumous edict from Emperor Zhao, appointing Prince Bai Nian as the heir. However, Guiyan appointed Prince Changguang, Xiao Zhan, who later became Emperor Wucheng. Bai Nian was deposed and appointed as the Prince of Leling, eventually being imprisoned and killed.
In the fourth year of the Tiantong reign, someone in Guixiang cut down a dead tree and found a yellow dragon with a broken leg, dead in a tree hole. At that time, the Qi Dynasty esteemed wood as virtue. The dragon symbolized the monarch, so the death of the dragon in the dead tree was a very ominous omen. That year, Emperor Wucheng died.
In the third year of the Wuping reign, a dragon appeared in a well in Handan, radiating colorful, vibrant energy into the sky. A dragon also appeared in a dried well at a Buddhist temple in Jiju County. This was similar to the omen of the first year of the Heqing reign. Later, the last emperor of Northern Qi, Gao Wei, surrendered to Northern Zhou and met his end.
In the seventh year of Wuping, at the foot of Zhaoyuan Tower in Bingzhou, a red snake and a black snake appeared fighting for several days with no clear victor, and in the end, the red snake died. Red is the color of the Qi State, while black is the color of the Zhou State. The death of one of the snakes was a portent of impending doom! Later, the emperor relied on treacherous individuals, fought against the Zhou dynasty army in Jinzhou, and even handed over the army to the treacherous Gao Anagong. As a result, Gao Anagong betrayed the emperor, which was a consequence of the emperor's lack of caution! In the end, the emperor was captured by the Zhou army.
Prince Yan of Langye dismantled the White Horse Pagoda in the Northern Palace, which was built during the time of Duke Cheng in the Shi Zhao period. When it was dismantled, a large white snake several zhang long appeared, twisting around before disappearing. At that time, Prince Yan of Langye was tyrannical and oppressive, indiscriminately killing innocents, which led to his downfall! He did not heed the warning of these signs, ultimately leading to disaster.
In the fifth year of Jiande in Later Zhou, a black dragon fell dead in Bozhou. The dragon symbolizes the king, and black is the representative color of the Zhou dynasty. The death of the dragon was an extremely ominous sign. At that time, the crown prince proved to be incompetent, and the emperor was very worried. Honest ministers like Wang Gui and Yuwen Xiaobo repeatedly requested the crown prince's removal, but the emperor did not listen. Two years later, the emperor died, the crown prince ascended the throne, and cruelly killed the Prince of Qi and Xiaobo, leading to the eventual downfall of the country.
In the fourth year of Renshou, a dragon appeared in a well at the General Administration Office in Daizhou. This dragon would transform into an iron horse at one moment, and into a soldier wearing armor, bending a bow and arrow as if about to shoot. The transformation into an iron horse foreshadowed a horse-related disaster, while the bending of the bow and arrow seemed like shooting demons, indicating that war would break out among the vassals, ultimately leading to imprisonment. At that time, Prince Liang of Han was secretly plotting a rebellion, so these signs appeared as a warning to him. However, Prince Liang did not heed the warning, eventually rebelled, was demoted to commoner status, and after being imprisoned for several years, died.
Hou Jing proclaimed himself emperor in Jiangnan. Before each battle, if the white horse he rode on neighed and pawed the ground, he would definitely win; if it hung its head, he would definitely lose. In the battle of Xizhou, his white horse lay down and refused to move, despite Hou Jing's prayers and urging. This was a bad omen! "The Book of Hong Fan Five Elements" says, "Horses are a symbol of the army. When strange phenomena occur with horses, it indicates that a war is about to happen." As a result, Hou Jing suffered a crushing defeat.
In the fifth year of Chen Taijian, the horses in Hengzhou developed horns. "The Book of Hong Fan Five Elements" says, "Horned horses are a symbol of war and a sign of destruction." At that time, Emperor Chen Xuan dispatched Wu Mingche to lead troops against the Zhou army in Lu Liang. After years of intense fighting and heavy losses, Wu Mingche was eventually captured by the Zhou army.
During the Tianbao era of the Northern Qi Dynasty, a horned horse appeared in Guangzong, with a horn protruding between its ears, resembling a sheep's tail. Jing Fang noted in his commentary on the "Book of Changes" that "When the emperor personally leads troops into battle, horses with horns will appear." Four years later, the Khitan invaded the border, and Emperor Wenxuan personally led the army into battle, fulfilling this prophecy.
In the fourth year of Daye, many horses died at the stables in Taiyuan, with over half of them dead! When the emperor heard about it, he was furious and immediately sent someone to investigate. The stablekeeper said, "Every night, the horses in the stables scared themselves for no reason, so they died." The emperor then found a wizard to look into it. This wizard, knowing that the emperor wanted to attack Liaodong, played along with the emperor and said, "The previous emperor sent Yang Su and Shi Wansui to attack Liaodong because there are ghost soldiers planning to attack Liaodong!" When the emperor heard this, he was delighted and released the person in charge of the stables. In the "Hongfan Wuxing Zhuan," it is written, "Against the will of heaven, that's why so many horses died." At that time, the emperor toured the country every year, sometimes visiting the Great Wall, other times heading west to Qumo, leading to great suffering among the people, and it seemed like heaven was warning him: don't keep so many horses and don't run around everywhere! But the emperor wouldn't listen, and in the end, he caused chaos in the world.
In the eleventh year of Daye, in the counties of Henan and Fufeng, horses with several-inch-long horns appeared. This was just like what happened during the Tianbao period! At that time, the emperor had been leading troops to fight Goryeo for several years.
In the first year of Yining, at the Longma Stables in Jiangdu Palace, many horses inexplicably died, with hundreds dying within ten days! This situation mirrored what happened in the fourth year of Daye.
