The queen of the State of Qi was bedridden, and unexpectedly, her nightgown rose on its own. Not long after, she died. This was indeed an ominous omen! Speaking of Emperor Wenxuan in his later years, he liked to wear luxurious and ornate clothing, dressing flamboyantly, and often donned the clothing of the Hu people, going incognito to wander through the market. This "makeup" typically used by women was donned by an emperor, clearly signaling a monarch's fall to the status of a subject! Indeed, after his death, the crown prince was deposed soon after taking the throne and was made the King of Jinan. Furthermore, the Qi royal family's ancestors hailed from Yanshan, and his wearing Hu clothing further symbolized his abandonment of his ancestors! It's inappropriate for an emperor to wear luxurious attire, and going incognito is something only commoners would do; these are all signs of the impending downfall of the State of Qi! The Later Ruler preferred palace maids to wear white headscarves made of fine fabric, resembling women's hair ornaments; he also preferred to use a covered carriage in white. Both of these items are typically associated with funerals! In the end, the Later Ruler was ultimately defeated by Emperor Wu of Zhou, and both he and his son were killed, fulfilling these ominous signs. During Emperor Wu's reign, the Later Ruler built a "village for the poor" in the palace gardens, dressing in rags and pretending to be a beggar for amusement. He also had many people wear black clothing and bind themselves together for play. Ultimately, the Later Ruler was defeated by the Zhou Dynasty, captured, and died in Chang'an; his concubines and queens fell into poverty, even resorting to selling candles for survival.
During the first year of the Zhou Dynasty's Great Elephant era, the emperor wore a crown with twenty-four pendants, and everything from the chariot and horse attire to the flags and music was based on the number twenty-four. The guards donned vibrant attire in shades of red and purple. He ordered that all chariots in the realm be fitted with solid wooden wheels, forbidding the use of spokes. The court officials were not allowed to wear jade ornaments, and women were mandated to wear black makeup, with their eyebrows painted yellow. He even constructed tents resembling those used for funerals, where five empresses were to reside, with ancestral sacrificial vessels placed in front of the tents for the emperor to personally recite the sacrificial texts. He also had five imperial carriages carry women while he walked alongside with his guards. In a bizarre twist, he hung chickens and roof tiles upside down from the carriages, deriving amusement from the sounds they produced. These actions were nothing short of wicked! Consequently, the emperor soon met a violent end, and the power shifted to the Sui Dynasty, with all the laws of the Zhou Dynasty being abolished.
During the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty, Prince Fangling Yong was in the Eastern Palace, and in the home of Wang Shiji, the Duke of Yiyang, the style of headscarves worn by women mirrored that of military banners. Women symbolize Yin, and so do the ministers, so women wearing military flags foreshadowed calamity for the ministers! Sure enough, Prince Fangling Yong was later killed, and Wang Shiji was also executed.
During the Kaihuang era, someone wrote a memorial saying that for several years, the chickens had been unable to crow or flap their wings, as if something were obstructing them beneath their wings, and their feathers could not be raised. This signaled impending trouble for the court officials. The emperor dismissed his warning. Jing Fang's "Yi Feihou" states: "When chickens neither crow nor flap their wings, the nation faces grave danger." Ultimately, many court officials were executed, the prince was deposed, and the crown prince was imprisoned.
During the reign of Da Ye, chickens all over the country began to crow at night. Jing Fang's "Yi Fei Hou" states: "Chickens crowing at night signal urgent orders." It also says: "When chickens crow at night, the people are in distress; when it's quiet, it signals a call to arms; when chickens crow in the middle of the night, there will be bloodshed." A few years later, as national affairs grew pressing and funds became scarce, taxes were forcibly raised, compelling local officials to collect them. The common people could no longer make ends meet, leading to widespread rebellion, and war continued, with dead bodies everywhere.
During the Kai Huang period, palace maids in the Yeting Palace experienced nightly disturbances. The palace steward informed the emperor about this. The emperor said: "The palace gates are heavily guarded, how could anyone get in? It must be a spirit!" So he warned the palace maids: "If you encounter it, cut it down!" Later, a creature resembling a human climbed onto the bed at night, and the palace maid slashed at it with her knife, as if striking dry bones. The creature fell off the bed and fled; the palace maid chased it, and it ran into a pond and drowned. The next day, the emperor had the pond drained, and a large turtle, over a foot long, bearing knife marks on its shell, was pulled out. The emperor ordered the turtle to be killed, and this incident never happened again. This turtle was a water spirit, symbolizing deceit and intrigue, indicating that the Prince of Jin was trying to please the palace and seek offspring.
In the second year of the Zhenming era of the Chen Dynasty, in April, an endless stream of rats surged from the Caizhou bank into the Shitou Huai River, all the way to both sides of the Qingtang. A few days later, the rats all died, floating down the river towards Jiang, near Qingxiang. Jing Fang's "Yi Fei Hou" says: "Rats gather in groups for no reason, not digging burrows or building nests, indicating that the ruler is doomed." Shortly thereafter, the Chen Dynasty collapsed.
In the autumn of the seventh month of the sixth year of the Chen Dynasty, Yixiantang collapsed for no apparent reason, near Jinlimu. At that time, the emperor was engaged in massive construction projects, boasting of its magnificence, resulting in widespread unemployment and the wood losing its quality. Yixiantang, meaning to honor virtue and morality, collapsed without warning, as if to warn the emperor: your obsession with extravagance and pleasure, and neglect of the talented, is of no use at all. The emperor did not listen to advice and died the following year.
In June of 589 AD, the Water Pavilion in the imperial palace suddenly collapsed on its own, as if it had been cut down by a knife, inexplicably. In July, the Vermilion Bird Ship also inexplicably sank. At that time, Emperor Yang Guang was busy building luxurious gardens but neglected the ancestral temple sacrifices. The Water Pavilion was where the emperor entertained, and the Vermilion Bird Ship was the main thoroughfare of the nation. They collapsed and sank as if warning him: the palace is destroyed, the road is cut off! However, Yang Guang failed to heed the warnings, eventually leading to the downfall of the Sui Dynasty, leaving palaces and temples in ruins.
Next is another example: when Emperor Xiaozhao of Northern Qi sought to execute Yang Yin, he traveled to court by carriage. Just as he entered the east gate, the pole of the sedan chair suddenly snapped. Emperor Xiaozhao felt uneasy and interpreted it as a bad omen, and he died over a year later.
In 574 AD, the main beam of the government office in Changguang County suddenly split, with the crack taking on the shape of a person! The magistrate sensed it was an ominous sign and quickly had the cracked wood removed. The next day, it cracked again, still in the same shape! Changguang was the emperor's fief, and the abnormality of the trees was a dire omen! That year, the emperor died.
In the autumn of 577 AD, Empress Mu of Northern Qi wanted to go to Taiyuan and first went to the Beigong to bid farewell to Empress Dowager Hu. Just as she arrived at the palace gate, the ornate seven-treasure carriage she was riding in inexplicably sank into the ground, with all four legs of the ox also sinking in. That year, Northern Qi perished, and Empress Mu was captured and taken to Chang'an.
In 618 AD, the Qingcheng Gate of Later Zhou inexplicably collapsed. The color green represents the east, symbolizing the Eastern Palace, which is the crown prince. At that time, the crown prince lacked dignity and etiquette, and the Qingcheng Gate collapsed for no reason, which served as an omen of the crown prince's incompetence! The emperor still did not understand, and the following year the crown prince ascended the throne, indeed becoming a foolish ruler, and the downfall of the Zhou dynasty began from there.
During the Daye period, Prince Qi of Sui, Yang Jian, was building a house in the Eastern Capital, and the newly constructed bedroom suddenly saw its beams break without cause. At that time, the emperor had not yet appointed a crown prince, and people all over the country thought Yang Jian was the most likely to inherit the throne, and court officials were hoping for his ascension. Yang Jian became arrogant and haughty, even consulting fortune tellers and practicing sorcery. The beams of the bedroom broke for no reason, the wood had lost its natural properties, which was a sign of treachery! Heaven warned him through these omens, but Yang Jian did not understand, and ultimately offended the emperor.
In the "Hongfan Wuxing Zhuan," it says: "If he refuses to listen, it indicates poor governance. The crime lies in usurpation, and the punishment is continuous drought, which will eventually lead to calamity. Sometimes there will be demonic poems, sometimes there will be disasters of caterpillars, sometimes there will be dog disasters. Therefore, there will be disputes, and signs of good and bad are difficult to distinguish. Only wood can overcome metal."
Prince Wuling of Liang usurped the throne and declared himself emperor, changing the era name to Tianzheng. Marquis Yongfeng Xiao Hui said, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid this kingdom might not survive! When Huan Xuan changed the era name to Daheng before, wise men remarked, 'it's February,' and sure enough, Huan Xuan was defeated in early spring. Now with Tianzheng, the character 'zheng' can be split into 'one stop,' can this last long?" Sure enough, he was defeated within just a year.
Later, during the reign of Emperor Wenxuan of Qi, Crown Prince Yin was about to undergo his coming-of-age ceremony, and the emperor ordered Xing Zicai to give him a name. Xing Zicai named him "Zhengdao." The emperor said, "The character 'Zheng' means 'proper path.' My son, are you destined to perish soon?" Xing Zicai wished to suggest a different character, but the emperor disagreed, saying, "It is heaven's will!" Then the emperor turned to King Changshan and said, "If the time comes, you can take action, but make sure you do not kill him." When the emperor died, the crown prince took the throne, and King Changshan indeed deposed him and declared himself emperor. Crown Prince Yin was soon killed.
During the reign of Emperor Wucheng, the Left Chancellor, Shi Kai, addressed the emperor, "Since ancient times, emperors ultimately turn to dust. What difference is there between Yao, Shun, and Jie, Zhou when all is said and done? Your Majesty should enjoy life while you are still young and strong; a single day of pleasure can be worth a thousand years. Don't be so hard on yourself." The emperor was pleased by his words and became even more immersed in wine and pleasure. Shi Kai not only incited the emperor to go astray but also became tyrannical himself, ultimately being killed by the Inspector General.
In the years of Wuping, the army of Chen attacked Pengcheng, and the later ruler was frightened. The courtier Han Changluan advised him, "Even if you lose Henan, you can still be the king of Guizi! What’s there to worry about losing Huainan now? Life is short, so seek enjoyment and don't frown!" The emperor was very pleased to hear this, and thus became more engrossed in wine and pleasure, completely disregarding state affairs. Before long, he was toppled by the Zhou dynasty.
In the seventh year of Wuping, the later ruler was defeated by the Zhou army and fled to Ye City, declaring himself the retired sovereign and passing the throne to Crown Prince Heng, changing the era name to Longhua. At that time, people interpreted "Longhua" to mean "surrender and death." Consequently, he did surrender to the Zhou dynasty and ultimately met his demise.
Emperor Wu of Zhou changed the era name to Xuanzheng, and Emperor Xiao Kui of the Liang dynasty interpreted "Xuanzheng" to mean "the downfall of the Yuwen family." That June, Emperor Wu of Zhou died.
When Emperor Xuan was in the Eastern Palace, he did not follow the rules, and Emperor Wu often punished him. When he ascended to the throne, he touched the scars on his body and shouted in anger: "You died too late!" He also changed his era name to Da Xiang, and Xiao Kui analyzed the characters of "Da Xiang" and interpreted it to mean "the emperor's tomb." The following year, this emperor died.
In the early years of the Kaihuang era, Prince of Liang Xiao Cong changed his era name to Guangyun. The common folks in Jiangling whispered, saying, "'Yun' means the army fleeing, right? Our sovereign should not be defeated and flee by the army, right?" Later, Xiao Cong was detained in the capital and was unable to return. His uncle Xiao Yan led the common people in a rebellion, and the state of Liang was ultimately destroyed.
In the early years of the Kaihuang era, Emperor Wen named his crown prince Yong, Prince of Jin named Ying, Prince of Qin named Jun, and Prince of Shu named Xiu. Someone submitted a petition saying, "'Yong' refers to a single brave warrior; 'Ying' is for thousands of outstanding talents, and 'Jun' is for the most outstanding among them. These are terms of praise from the common people, not auspicious names for an emperor!" The emperor ignored it. At that time, many people with the surname Yang also had the surname Ying, and someone advised, "Yang Ying spelled backward is 'Ying Yang'." The emperor was displeased and quickly changed the names. Later, these sons Yong, Jun, and Xiu were all deposed, and Yang Guang became emperor, eventually losing the world, fulfilling the calamity of the Yang clan.
When Yang Guang became emperor, the era name was Da Ye. Those who were perceptive felt uneasy, saying, "'Da Ye' translates to 'great suffering'!" Soon, the country fell into chaos, and the people endured the harsh devastation of war.
Yang Guang often casually said to his secretary Lang Yu Shinan, "I'm not one to take advice from others. If a person of high status comes to advise me, it’s probably because they want to make a name for themselves, and that annoys me even more. As for those beneath me, I might be a bit more forgiving, but I still won't take their opinions to heart. Do you understand what I mean?" Back then, people said that wise rulers of old had sharp insight, with sharp ears and eyes. They would hang drums for those who dared to speak up and set up wooden plaques for writing critical opinions, making it easier for ministers to give advice, all the while fearing that loyal words would not reach their ears! Therefore, their kindness spread far and wide, and their blessings lived on. But this emperor hated honest advice and silenced his advisors; how long could he last? In the end, he met a fate of being killed.
In the first year of the Tianjian era of the Liang Dynasty, there was a severe drought, and a dou of rice cost five thousand coins, leading to many deaths from starvation. The "Hong Fan Wu Xing Zhuan" states: "If the ruler holds the excess of the Yang energy, raises troops and moves the masses, overworking the common people, and engages in large-scale construction without regard for their lives, then the people will complain. However, the ruler can't be too indulgent, so the Yang energy becomes excessive and loses its balance, while the Yin energy sinks and does not cling. Excessive Yang energy leads to drought." Initially, the emperor raised troops in Xiangyang, defeated Zhang Chong, vanquished Chen Bozhi, and pacified Jiankang. He fought many battles, causing the people to suffer greatly, and after ascending the throne, he continued to wage war against the Wei state, which led to the drought.
In the spring of 582 AD, the heavens were unkind, and it did not rain, stretching into April. Before this, the Zhou army raided the Huai Bei region, and our Southern Dynasty's Shixing King Shuling and his troops were completely defeated, leaving the Huai Bei region to the Zhou Dynasty; maybe this was a warning from above.
In 535 AD, several states including Bingzhou, Sizhou, Fenzhou, Jianzhou, Jinzhou, Jiangzhou, Qinzhou, and Shanxzhou experienced severe droughts, causing many people to flee. That year, Gao Huan, the emperor of Northern Qi, fought Western Wei and lost at Shayuan, leading to tens of thousands of deaths.
From the winter of 548 to the spring of 549, there was another severe drought. Before this, the Western Wei army had invaded Luoyang, and Gao Huan personally led troops to confront the Western Wei at Mangshan, which resulted in tens of thousands of deaths.
In the summer of 554, there was another drought. Prior to this, the emperor mobilized over a hundred thousand workers to repair more than four hundred miles of the Great Wall, causing great suffering for the people and wasting resources; this was retribution!
In the spring of 556, the drought struck again. Previously, the emperor had dispatched over a hundred thousand people to build the extravagant palaces of Jinfengtai, Shengyingtai, and Chongguangtai, indulging in extravagance and completely disregarding the lives of the common people; this drought was well-deserved!
In April 570, five states west of Bingzhou and Jinchou suffered severe drought. That year, the emperor sent people to construct Zhi Pass, leading to two hundred thousand Turkic invaders causing chaos, destroying the Great Wall, and attacking Hengzhou.
In the spring of 576, there was another drought. At that time, the emperor extensively mobilized the populace to construct the Daming Palace.
After 584, droughts became frequent around the capital. At that time, the emperor moved the capital to Longshou Mountain and built palaces, exhausting the people; this was the heavens finally unable to bear it any longer!
In 610, Yan State, Dai State, and the border states suffered severe drought. The emperor conscripted over a million laborers to repair the Great Wall and personally inspected the border defenses, leaving many people unemployed and causing countless to starve to death on the roads.
In 614, there was a nationwide drought, and the people fled in search of food. The emperor conscripted troops from across the country and personally went to fight against Goguryeo, resulting in the army suffering from hunger and exposure, with more than half dying; eight or nine out of ten perished. In 619, there was another severe drought nationwide. At that time, every county and town dispatched people to repair the city walls, and regardless of gender or age, everyone had to work.
On June 8th, 504 AD, Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty was giving a sermon in the Chongyun Hall when a monk named Zhigong suddenly started dancing, singing, and playing music. After a while, he began to cry sadly and then wrote a five-character poem: "Joyful for over thirty, sorrowful for fifty miles! Look at eighty-three, disasters arise in the land. Flatterers deceive, treacherous ministers destroy virtuous men. If you do not believe my words, the traitor will rise during the Year of the Dragon. Even amidst horses, bearing sorrow yet finding no joy." This poem predicted the rise and fall of the Liang Dynasty. From the Tianjian period to the Taiqing period, there was over thirty years of peace and prosperity in the Jianghuai region without any wars. However, in the second year of Taiqing, Taicheng was breached, and during Emperor Wu's forty-eight-year reign, the line "fifty miles" came true. On August 13th of the first year of Taiqing, Hou Jing surrendered from Xuanhu, which is north of Danyang, also known as "Zidi" in the poem. Emperor Wu believed Zhu Yi's words and accepted Hou Jing's surrender. Hou Jing's rebellion started in the Wuchen year and ended in the Wuni year, which ultimately led to Emperor Wu's anxious death.
Ten years later, on April 8th, 514 AD, Monk Zhigong wrote another poem at a large gathering: "The tailless dog begins to act crazy, wanting to die but not dying, biting and injuring people, self-destruction in an instant. The disaster lies in Ruyin; three Xiangs perish, bodies left unburied." This poem is about Hou Jing. Hou Jing's nickname was "dog," and he initially surrendered from Xuanhu, which was ancient Runan. South of Baling, there is a place called Sanxiang, where Hou Jing suffered defeat.
During the Tiantong period, the hermit Tao Hongjing of Maoshan also wrote a five-character poem predicting the turmoil: "Yifu is irresponsible, Pingshu talks in vain, unexpectedly in the Zhaoyang Hall, suddenly becomes the palace of the Chanyu." At that time, the court officials were only concerned with discussing metaphysics and neglected political affairs. "Yifu" and "Pingshu" were famous ministers at that time. After Hou Jing's rebellion, he occupied the Zhaoyang Hall.
During the Datong era, a popular nursery rhyme spread among the people: "A white horse with green silk comes to Shouyang." Later, Hou Jing breached Danyang, riding a white horse and using a green silk rope for reins.
In the early establishment of the Chen Dynasty, a nursery rhyme appeared: "Yellow-class, green steed, departing from the banks of Shouyang. When coming, the winter chill ends; when leaving, the spring breeze begins." Later, the Chen Dynasty emperor was indeed defeated by Han Qintian. Han Qintian's original name was Qintian, and "yellow-class" refers to him. When he broke through Jiankang, the timing matched what was mentioned in the nursery rhyme.
During the Chen Dynasty, the song "Peach Leaf," composed by Wang Xianzhi, was especially popular in the Jiangnan region. The lyrics are: "Peach leaves again, crossing the river without oars. But crossing brings no hardship; I come to welcome you." This song was a big hit back then. Later, when the Jin Dynasty launched an attack on the Chen Dynasty, they camped at the foot of Peach Leaf Mountain. Han Qintian crossed the river, and General Ren Mannu also led his troops to Xinlin to support the northern forces.
Emperor Chen Shubao of the Chen Dynasty built the Qiyun Temple, and as a result, the common folk began singing a song that went: "Qiyun Temple, the enemy comes with no bounds." Before the temple was even completed, the Sui army attacked and captured it, and Chen Shubao was taken prisoner.
In the Zhenming year, Chen Shubao composed a new song with especially mournful lyrics, and he had the palace beauties learn to sing it. The lyrics were: "Jade tree in the backyard, flowers bloom but do not last long." People back then saw this as an ominous sign, thinking that the Chen Dynasty was doomed.
When Emperor Shunwu of Northern Qi, Gao Huan, had just moved the capital to Ye City, a folk rhyme circulated: "Poor little green sparrow, flying into Ye City. The nest is still unbuilt, lifting its head, it loses sight of its hometown. Sending a letter to the wife and mother, to see the new wife and children." This little green sparrow refers to Emperor Xiaojing of Wei, who was the son of the King of Qinghe, and his empress was Gao Huan's daughter. At that time, the palaces in Ye City had not yet been completed, and the dynastic change occurred, just as the rhyme says, "the nest is still unbuilt." Not long after, Emperor Xiaojing of Wei died. Gao Huan's daughter later married Yang Yin, hence the rhyme mentions "sending a letter to the wife and mother," while "new wife and children" refers to Gao Huan's other daughter, who became the new empress after Emperor Xiaojing's empress was deposed.
During the Wuding era, another folk rhyme appeared: "A hundred-foot tall pole breaks, the lamp at the bottom of the water is extinguished." "Gao" refers to the surname Qi, and "Cheng" is the name of Emperor Wenxiang Gao Cheng. Five years later, Emperor Shunwu Gao Huan died, fulfilling the line about "broken"; seven years later, Emperor Wenxiang Gao Cheng was killed by an assassin, fulfilling the line about "extinguished."
During the Tianbao period, a man named Lu Fahe inscribed on his wall: "A ten-year emperor is still acceptable, a hundred-day emperor is as urgent as fire, a yearly emperor is replaced one after another." Later, Emperor Wenxuan Gao Yang reigned for ten years and then died, Emperor Fei Gao Yin reigned for over a hundred days and was deposed, and Emperor Xiaozhao Gao Yan reigned for a year and also died, all of which fulfilled Lu Fahe's prophecy.
In the first year of Wuping, another folk rhyme circulated: "The fox severs its tail; if you wish to eliminate me, I will do the same to you." In April of that year, Wang Hu Changren of Longdong wanted to send an assassin to kill He Shikai, but instead, he was falsely accused and killed by He Shikai.
Two years ago, children sang a nursery rhyme: "He Shi Kai, on July 30th, I will take you to the Southern Terrace." After the children finished singing, everyone clapped and shouted, "Kill him!" On July 25th, Deputy Censor Langye Wang Yan really arrested He Shi Kai and sent him to the Southern Terrace to be beheaded. In the same year, another nursery rhyme appeared: "In July, harvest the wheat early, in September, enjoy the cakes. In October, wash the rice pot, in November, drive out Zhao Lao." In July, He Shi Kai was killed, in September, Langye Wang was murdered, and in November, Zhao Yanshen was appointed as the governor of Xiyuanzhou.
As the Wuping era was coming to a close, a nursery rhyme appeared: "Yellow flowers are about to fall, the clear cup is full." At that time, Empress Mu's behavior was scandalous and she meddled in politics, causing concern for everyone. Empress Mu's nickname was Yellow Flower, and this nursery rhyme foreshadowed the downfall of the Qi Dynasty, just like the yellow flower wilting.
In Ye City, there was a nursery rhyme: "A broom of gold, a handle of jade, sweep the hall to welcome the Western family." Not long after, the Zhou army besieged Ye City.
In the early Zhou Dynasty, a nursery rhyme appeared: "The golden rooster crows atop the white poplar tree, only Uncle has no nephew." Emperor Jing was a nephew of the Sui Dynasty royal family, and shortly after his abdication, he died, while his uncles had strong influence.
Emperor Xuan of Zhou and the palace maids danced and sang at night, singing: "Knowing that life is short, carry the torch and travel at night." This emperor passed away three years into his reign.
In the tenth year of the Kaihuang era, Emperor Gaozu conducted an inspection of Bingzhou and hosted Prince Xiao of Qin and Prince Wang. The emperor spontaneously penned a quatrain: "How fleeting youth is, how transient beauty is. Once the flowers fall, the white hair is hard to remove. In the years to come, who will have and who will not?" The following year, Prince Wang passed away, and eighteen years later, Prince Xiao of Qin too passed away.
In the eleventh year of the Daye era, Emperor Yang of Sui set out from the capital to the eastern capital. When he arrived at Changle Palace, he got completely drunk and wrote a five-word poem. The last line of the poem was: "I only have the desire to return, but no longer have the strength of the wind." He had the beauty recite this line repeatedly, crying, tears streaming down his sleeves, even his officials sighed in sympathy. Later, Emperor Yang of Sui went to Jiangdu and wrote another five-word poem: "Seeking to return but unable to leave, truly facing the arrival of spring. The birds' songs urge drinking, the plum blossoms mock death." This poem was written in March, and he was killed in the same month that year, truly echoing the line "facing the arrival of spring"! That year, bandits were rampant, the roads were all blocked, Emperor Yang of Sui was frightened and completely abandoned the thought of returning to the capital. He even dreamed he heard two children singing: "Living is death, leaving is death. It's better to cross the river by boat." So he started building a palace in Danyang, planning to settle there. But before the palace was completed, he was killed by someone.
During the Daye era, a nursery rhyme that circulated among the people went: "Peach and plum trees, swans and geese circling around Yang Mountain, winding through the flower forest. Don't speak carelessly; who says that's allowed?" Later, Li Mi was arrested by the authorities for his involvement in the Yang Xuangan rebellion and escaped halfway. He secretly gathered a group of bandits, broke out of Yangcheng Mountain, seized the Luokou Granary, and then stationed in the imperial garden. "Don't speak carelessly; it is also Mi," this refers to Li Mi. "Yuwen Huaji self-proclaimed Xuguo," was also eventually destroyed. "Who says that's allowed?" likely expresses suspicion and doubt, and the phrase in the nursery rhyme likely conveys a sense of uncertainty.
In the first year of the Datong era of Emperor Wu of Liang, Prince Shaoling Xiao Lun was in his bedroom in Nanxu Prefecture when, in broad daylight, two raccoon dogs were fighting on the roof beams and fell down, which he managed to catch. During the Taiqing era, when the Hou Jing rebellion broke out, Xiao Lun led troops to rescue Taicheng. Upon reaching Zhongshan, a bear that had just awakened from hibernation suddenly appeared and bit the horse that Xiao Lun was riding. This was likely the "curse of the caterpillar." Eventually, Xiao Lun was defeated by Wang Sengbian and fled to Nanyang, where he was eventually killed by Western Wei.
Throughout the Datong era, foxes would often howl under the steps of the palace at night, and this continued for several years. Jing Fang's "Yi Fei Hou" says: "Wild beasts roar, and the city is empty." Soon after, the country fell into chaos, and almost all the people in Danyang City were killed.
In the early years of the Zhenming era of the Chen dynasty, a fox ran under the emperor's bed and could not be captured. Jing Fang's "Yi Fei Hou" says: "The fox enters the lord's room, and the room is not inhabited." Shortly thereafter, the Chen dynasty fell.
In September of the year 548 AD, a leopard burst into the southern gate of Ye City and was killed immediately. In August five years later, the leopard appeared at Copper Jue Terrace. "Yi Fei Hou" says: "When wild beasts enter the city, run to the main road of the court, or run to the gate of the government office, it signals great disaster, and the monarch is doomed!" That year, Eastern Wei suffered a crushing defeat at the Battle of Yubi, and Gao Huan also died of illness.
In AD 550, a rabbit entered the temple. "Yi Fei Hou" says: "When a rabbit runs into the palace, the monarch will be finished!" The temple is where the ancestral spirits reside. Five years later, the Zhou army attacked Ye City, and the last emperor made his escape.
During the final years of the Wuping era of the Northern Qi, wolves were rampant in Binzhou and Sizhou, and they even attacked people. The "Hong Fan Wu Xing Zhuan" states: "Wolves are greedy and fierce beasts, mostly white, symbolizing war. Wolves are also like dogs, foretelling calamities related to dogs." The "Yi Zhuan" also mentions: "If the ruler does not govern well, disasters will befall the people, who can only save their lives by hiding in the deep mountains. The wolves attacking people signifies this." At that time, the emperor was heavily influenced by petty officials, was himself greedy and tyrannical, harming the common people, and the omen of wolves attacking people was fulfilled. Eventually, he was indeed defeated by the Zhou army, which also aligned with the symbolic meaning of the wolves.
During the Wuping era, a child's footprint suddenly appeared outside the gate of Shuozhou Prefecture, and dirt was piled up to resemble a city wall. People found it strange, and upon investigation, it was revealed to be the work of a fox spirit; later, such occurrences spread to Binzhou and Ye City. This mirrored the incident in the third year of Wuding when a leopard entered the city, both being ominous signs. That year, Wang Sihao of Nan'an raised an army to attack Binzhou but was defeated by the imperial army. Zheng Zirao, Yang Fahao, and others rebelled in Shandong.
In 559 AD, strange occurrences of dogs mating with women appeared simultaneously in Ye City and Dunqiu. The "Hong Fan Wu Xing Zhuan" states: "When different species mate, which should not happen, it is a sign of chaos. The mating of dogs and humans is a sign of dog disasters." Dog disasters are manifestations of excessive yang energy leading to the people's discontent. At that time, the emperor was indifferent to state affairs, and his grace did not reach the common people.
By the time of the Later Emperor, dogs were even conferred the title of "Kaihufu Yitong San Si," and female dogs were given the titles of lady and county princess, assigned to serve soldiers, eating fine rice and meat, and sleeping on brocade bedding. Heaven was poised to punish him; he had even conferred titles upon dogs, which was clearly a sign of disaster! It was as if Heaven was saying, "You ministers are just like dogs!" The Later Emperor failed to grasp this, which ultimately led to the state's downfall.
In the year 562 AD, a dog was born with its body split in two below the waist, having two tails and six legs. The "Hongfan Wuxing Zhuan" states: "Dogs are fierce animals with claws and teeth, symbolizing soldiers." At that time, Yuwen Hu and Hou Fu, along with Hou Long'en and others, conspired to rebel. The dog's body being split in two was indeed an omen!
In the first year of the Daye era, many dogs in the Yanmen area lost their owners and roamed in packs, resembling wolves and even attacking people, causing chaos for several years. The book says: "Dogs that guard homes have now lost their owners, symbolizing the disloyalty of subjects. The dogs' appearance has become like wolves, and wolf fur is white, indicating a sign of war!" Later, the emperor engaged in endless military campaigns and forced conscription, as if heaven were warning him: stop the forced labor, or the loyal subjects might rebel! The emperor ignored the advice, and as a result, he began to repair the Great Wall, then foolishly meddled in the Western Regions and Liaodong, causing widespread grievances among the people. Ultimately, a mutiny broke out in Jiangdu, and even the guards around the emperor turned against him.
In the second year of the Datong era of the Liang dynasty, white fur grew on the ground, measuring two feet long, which could be interpreted as a good omen. Sun Sheng believed this was an anomaly caused by the excessive labor of the people. Previously, there had been a large-scale mobilization of the populace to build the Fushan Weir, which consumed vast resources, and just as it was about to be completed, it collapsed several times. The people were worn out from the forced labor, and everywhere one could hear sighs of despair.
In September of the first year of the Qingyuan era of the Qi dynasty, a lot of fur, both white and black, grew on the ground at the foot of the Great Wall and in Cangzhou, measuring four to five inches long, which could also be interpreted as a good omen. At that time, they were busy building the northern Great Wall, while three platforms were also being constructed domestically, and the common people were completely worn out.
In July of the sixth year of the Kaihuang era, a light drizzle fell in the capital, with strands resembling hair falling from the rain, some over three feet long and others six or seven inches. The "Yifai Hou" by Jingfang states: "When hair falls from the sky, the country is headed for a great famine." At that time, the Guanzhong region was experiencing a severe drought, and rice prices shot up.
In the early years of the Hou Qi dynasty, the jade bi at the Fengshan Altar on Mount Tai appeared by itself, which was an auspicious sign. Mount Tai is a place where dynasties change, and the jade bi is used for sacrifices. Its spontaneous appearance signified a change of dynasty. Later, the state of Qi was destroyed and its territory was absorbed by the Zhou dynasty, and the founding emperor accepted the Zhou dynasty's abdication, unifying the world, which corresponds to the sacrificial rites performed on Mount Tai. In the third year of the Wuping era, the phrase "Qi perishes and flees" appeared on a green stone wall beneath Baishui Rock. Someone altered it to read "upward extension." The later emperor deemed it auspicious, and the civil and military officials were overjoyed and congratulated one another. As a result, the Zhou army invaded, prompting the emperor to abandon Ye City and flee. In the seventeenth year of the Kaihuang era, over ten meteorites fell between Wu'an and Fuyang. According to the "Hongfan Five Elements Biography," "When stones fall from the sky, the monarch will be in danger." Seven years later, the emperor died. In the late years of the Kaihuang era, the founding emperor buried two small stones underground in the palace as a mark to indicate the position of the bed. Not long after, these two stones turned into jade. Liu Xiang said: "Jade is extremely precious. When something cheap becomes precious, it signals that a change is coming!" By the end of the Daye era, thieves even dared to call themselves kings and emperors. In the thirteenth year of the Daye era of the Sui dynasty, a stone was found in Xiping County with the words "The emperor will reign for a thousand years" written on it. The civil and military officials were overjoyed and congratulated one another. However, some wise individuals expressed concern, saying, "The phrase 'a thousand years' is only used after death! Claiming that one can reign for a thousand years now suggests that disaster is imminent." As a result, the Sui Yang Emperor was assassinated the following year. In the twelfth year of the Daitong era of the Liang dynasty, at the entrance of the tomb constructed in Qu'a, the stone qilin surprisingly moved by itself! This phenomenon is known as "wood overcoming metal," where wood controls metal, and when stones move, it signifies a change of location. It seemed as if the heavens were warning that this tomb would soon be without an owner, and the stone qilin would be moved by someone else. Ultimately, the Liang dynasty did indeed fall.
Let's talk about the fourth year of the Hou Qi era. The stones in the palace moved by themselves, colliding with each other. Sui Meng analyzed that stones belong to Yin, representing ministers, and the movement of the stones in the palace was a sign of betrayal by trusted aides. Indeed, later, the Zhou army marched eastward, and favored courtiers Wei Xiangyuan, Qifu Gui and his brothers, and Han Jianye all betrayed and surrendered to the Zhou dynasty.
In the twelfth year of the Datong era of the Liang dynasty, two guardian beasts were sent to Jianling. The guardian beast with double horns on the left side successfully reached the tomb. The guardian beast with a single horn on the right side was about to depart, but it jumped three times in a row on the carriage, breaking the carriage pole! A new carriage was quickly replaced, but before reaching the tomb two miles away, it jumped three times again! Each jump sent the people in the carriage flying three to four feet into the air, with the wheels sinking three inches deep into the ground! This is another example of "Wood Overcoming Metal"! Liu Xiang once stated, "When the people lose their hearts, orders can't be enforced," and stones belong to Yin, representing ministers, and the ministers are about to rebel! In his later years, Emperor Wu of Liang neglected state affairs, focusing only on reciting Buddhist scriptures and discussing metaphysics with his ministers, leading to political chaos, orders being unenforceable, and opinions not being accepted, which led to the chaos of the Hou Jing rebellion.
In the first year of the Jiande era of the Zhou dynasty, a stone statue was discovered in Puyang County. The county officials wanted to transport it to the prefecture and scrape off the gold on top. As a result, the stone statue jumped off the carriage twice during transport! Later, it was tied to the carriage wall with a thick rope, but it broke free of the rope! At that time, the Zhou emperor had just destroyed the Qi state, attacked Huainan, and the war was ongoing, leaving the people exhausted, which caused them to lose faith!
