Yu Jicai, courtesy name Shuyi, hailing from Xinye, Hubei, was an exceptionally intelligent individual. Eight generations before him, his ancestor Yu Tao followed Emperor Yuan of Jin across the Yangtze River, became a gentleman attendant, was titled Marquis of Suichang, and settled in Jiangling County, Hubei. His grandfather Yu Shen was a notable recluse of the Liang Dynasty, renowned alongside Yu Yi within the family. His father Yu Manqian held the esteemed position of Minister of Rites in the imperial court.
From a young age, Yu Jicai had a keen interest in studying celestial phenomena for divination, able to recite the "Book of Documents" at the age of eight and understand the "Book of Changes" at twelve. His exemplary filial piety was widely recognized. Later, Prince Lu of the Liang Dynasty, Xiao Cha, invited him to serve as a registrar in Jingzhou, while Prince Xiao Yi of Xiangdong valued his talents and knowledge, appointing him as a military officer. With the establishment of the Western Terrace, Yu Jicai steadily rose in ranks, becoming a Gentleman-in-Waiting of the Palace Library and concurrently serving as the Chief Astrologer, and was titled Count of Yichang County.
However, Yu Jicai resolutely declined the position of Chief Astrologer. Emperor Yuan of Jin said, "The historian Sima Qian of the Han Dynasty and Gao Tanglong of the Wei Dynasty have held this position for generations, so there is precedent. What is there to worry about?" The emperor himself was knowledgeable in astronomy and calendar, and casually asked Yu Jicai, "I am concerned about possible court unrest. How can it be avoided?" Yu Jicai replied, "Recent celestial signs indicate impending changes. The Qin will attack Jiangling. Your Majesty should leave senior officials to guard Jingzhou and Shaanxi, then lead the troops back to Jiankang for refuge. Even if the Jie tribes invade, at most, Jingzhou and Hunan will be lost, which would have minimal impact on the country's overall situation. You needn't worry too much. But a prolonged stay in Jiangling may go against the will of heaven."
Initially, Emperor Yuan agreed with his advice, but after consulting with the Minister of Personnel, Zong Min, and others, he changed his mind. Not long after, Jiangling was breached, precisely as Yu Jicai had foreseen.
When Emperor Zhou first met Ji Cai, he was very polite to him and invited him to help manage the Bureau of Historiography. Every time he went to battle, he brought Ji Cai along. He also rewarded him with a house, ten acres of farmland, along with slaves, cattle, sheep, and other valuables. Emperor Zhou said to Ji Cai, "You are from the south and have not yet adapted to life here, so I am giving you these rewards to help you adjust. You should serve me wholeheartedly, and I will reward you with wealth and honor."
Initially, when the city of Yingdu was captured, many scholars of high status were reduced to slavery. Ji Cai distributed everything Emperor Zhou had given him to redeem his relatives and friends. Emperor Wen asked him, "Why did you do this?" Ji Cai replied, "I learned that after the Wei Kingdom took Xiangyang, they first valued talented individuals; after the Jin Kingdom pacified Jianye, they happily acquired Zhang Heng. Attacking other countries is to find talents; this has always been the case. Now that Yingdu has fallen, you are in power and hold responsibility, but those officials of the Jin Dynasty have been treated as slaves! As an outsider, I hesitate to speak up, but I sympathize with them, so I used all I had to redeem them."
Emperor Zhou finally understood and said, "I was wrong! Without you, I would have lost the hearts of the people!" He then ordered the release of thousands of captured Liang subjects and freed them from slavery.
In the year 561 AD, I, Yu Xin, was appointed as a scholar of the Linzhi Academy along with Wang Bao and Yu Xin. Later, I gradually climbed the ranks to become a minor official, a cavalry general, and a chief inspector.
Later, Yuwen Hu took power and asked me, "How are the recent heavenly signs? Any signs of good or bad luck?" I replied, "Thank you for your kindness. If I don't speak frankly, I might as well be a wooden block. There have been some recent changes in the palace that do not favor you, the prime minister. You should relinquish your power to the emperor, retire, and enjoy your later years. This way, you can enjoy a long life and earn a reputation like Yi Yin and the Duke of Zhou, and your descendants can serve as a shield for the court for generations, ensuring the stability of the country. If you do not do this, the consequences could be dire, and I truly cannot predict them." Yuwen Hu contemplated for a long time and said to me, "I have been thinking of doing this, but I have not found a suitable reason to resign. Since you are an official appointed by the court, follow the rules of the court and do not worry about an old man like me."
After that, Yuwen Hu gradually distanced himself from me and stopped summoning me for private meetings. After Yuwen Hu's death, people reviewed his documents, and Emperor Wu personally inspected them, finding many false claims of divine will and unfounded ideas, resulting in the execution of those responsible. Only my two letters were kept, which detailed celestial phenomena, disasters, and the reasons why power should be returned to the emperor. Emperor Wu said to Shao Zongbo Husi Zheng, "Yu Jicai is truly loyal and cautious, completely in line with the etiquette of a subject." As a reward, I received 300 measures of grain and 200 bolts of silk. I was promoted to Grand Historian and assigned to compile the "Secret Garden of the Spirit Terrace." I was also appointed as a Yitong, enfeoffed as the Lord of Linying, and granted a fief of 600 households.
After Emperor Xuan succeeded to the throne, I was further appointed as the Grand General of the Valiant Cavalry, Chief of the Imperial Household, and my fief was increased to 900 households.
After Liu Bang was appointed prime minister, one night he called Jicai and asked, "I am just an ordinary person, yet I have been given this significant responsibility. How do you see the current favorable timing and circumstances?"
Jicai replied, "The will of heaven is hard to understand, but let's focus on human matters. The signs of good and bad luck are already clear. Even if I say it's not possible, can you really go back to farming?"
Liu Bang remained silent for a long time, then raised his head and said, "I now feel like riding on a fierce beast and can't get off." After speaking, he rewarded Ji Cai with fifty rolls of multicolored silk and two hundred rolls of silk, saying, "I truly feel ashamed; I will carefully consider your words." In the first month of the first year of Dading, Ji Cai said to Liu Bang again, "On the morning of the Wuxu day of this month, a blue mist appeared over the city wall, like a palace, and soon turned purple and drifted westward despite the wind. The 'Classic of Qi' says: 'The sky cannot rain without clouds, and an emperor cannot be crowned without auspicious signs.' Now the auspicious signs have appeared, and we must act quickly. In the second month, the sun rises at the Mao hour and sets at the You hour, directly overhead, referred to as the 'Gate of the Second Eight.' The sun is a symbol of the king, and the king should be enthroned in the second month. The thirteenth day of the second month is a Jiazi day; Jia is the first of the Six Jia, while Zi is the first of the Twelve Earthly Branches. Jia is nine, and Zi is also nine; nine is the number of heaven. That day coincides with the Spring Equinox, when the Yang energy is flourishing. Previously, King Wu of Zhou ascended to the throne in the second month of Jiazi and ruled for eight hundred years; Han Gaozu Liu Bang ascended to the throne in the second month of Jiawu and ruled for four hundred years, demonstrating that Jiazi and Jiawu align with the will of heaven. Now it is the second month of Jiazi, an auspicious day to receive the mandate of heaven!" Liu Bang accepted his advice after hearing it.
In the year 581 AD, Yang Jian became the Chief of the Imperial Guards, which was a very high official position. Later, Yang Jian planned to move the capital and secretly discussed this matter with Gao Feng and Su Wei at night. The next morning, Yang Jian submitted a report to the Emperor, saying, "I have carefully observed celestial phenomena, consulted various historical books and oracles, and the results indicate that moving the capital is necessary. Think about it, Emperor Yao's capital was in Pingyang, and Emperor Shun's capital was in Jizhou. The locations of imperial capitals have varied throughout history. Moreover, the current city of Chang'an, established during the Han Dynasty, is nearly eight hundred years old, and its water has become brackish, not very suitable for habitation. I hope Your Majesty will heed the will of Heaven and the people's wishes and consider moving the capital." At that moment, the Emperor was stunned, and turning to Gao Feng and others, he said, "This young man is quite impressive!" He immediately issued a decree to move the capital, rewarding him with three hundred rolls of silk, two horses, and conferred upon him the title of Duke. The Emperor then said to Yang Jian, "From now on, I believe in this will of Heaven!" He then had Yang Jian and his son compile works like "Astrology" and "Geography" together. The Emperor also said, "There are many ways to interpret the mysteries of Heaven and Earth, and everyone's opinions differ, inevitably leading to mistakes. I prefer to keep outsiders out of this matter, so I will let you father and son work on it together." After the completion of writing and submission, Yang Jian rewarded him with one thousand stones of rice and six hundred rolls of silk.
Nine years later, Yang Jian was appointed Inspector of Junzhou. Just as the imperial decree was issued, he was preparing to take up his new post. People thought he was knowledgeable, so they petitioned to let him stay in his current position. However, he was already old and requested retirement several times, but the Emperor refused each time. Later, Zhang Zhou used a new calendar, and Yuan Chong said the sun's shadow had lengthened, and Yang Jian pointed out that Yuan Chong was wrong. The Emperor was furious and dismissed him from office, granting him only half of his salary and permitting him to retire. Whenever auspicious signs appeared, the Emperor would send people to his home to inquire. In the third year of the Renshou era, Yang Jian passed away at the age of eighty-eight years.
Yang Jian was generous, knowledgeable, honorable, and enjoyed making friends. On auspicious days, he would gather together with Langya Wang Bao, Pengcheng Liu Hui, Hedong Pei Zheng, and Zongshi Xin to drink and compose poems. Younger figures like Liu Zhen, Ming Kerang, and Liu Bian, although less experienced, also often interacted with him. He was prolific in his writings, with works such as "Secret Garden of the Lingtai" in 120 volumes, "Records of Celestial Phenomena" in 142 volumes, and "Records of Terrain" in 87 volumes, all of which have been passed down through the generations.
Yu Zhi, courtesy name Xingxiu, was intelligent and ambitious from a young age. At the age of eight, he could recite ten poems by Emperor Wu of Liang and was selected as a child attendant. Later, he served as a secretary under Prince Qi of Northern Zhou. In the first year of the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty, he was appointed as a court official known as "Feng Chaoqing," later serving as the magistrate of Yanling County and eventually promoted to Sima of Longzhou. In the early years of Emperor Yang of Sui's reign, he was appointed as the Director of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau.
Yu Zhi was upright, honest, and spoke with loyalty and integrity. Whenever disasters occurred, he would always speak frankly to the emperor. However, Emperor Yang of Sui was suspicious and tyrannical, even suspecting Prince Qi. Yu Zhi had previously served under Prince Qi, so Emperor Yang asked him, "You cannot wholeheartedly assist me, yet you go and serve Prince Qi as if you were his son. What do you mean by that?" Yu Zhi replied, "I serve Your Majesty with loyalty, and your son serves Prince Qi faithfully. In essence, we are both wholeheartedly devoted. I assure you, I have no ulterior motives." Although Emperor Yang was angry, he reluctantly exiled Yu Zhi to Heshui County as a magistrate.
In the eighth year of the Daye era, Emperor Yang of Sui personally led a campaign against Liaodong and summoned Yu Zhi to his court. Upon Yu Zhi's arrival in Linyu, he met Emperor Yang of Sui, who asked him, "I am fulfilling the wishes of my predecessor by personally leading a campaign against Goguryeo. Looking at the land and population of Goguryeo, it is roughly equivalent to one of our counties. Do you think we can win?" Yu Zhi replied, "From my limited perspective, this war can be won. However, I have a rather foolish suggestion. I would prefer if Your Majesty did not personally lead the expedition." Emperor Yang of Sui's expression changed, and he replied, "I have already led a large army here. Are you suggesting we retreat before even seeing the enemy?" Yu Zhi continued, "If Your Majesty personally leads the expedition, it could hurt the morale of the troops. I hope Your Majesty will remain here and command the brave and skilled generals to devise a battle plan, march swiftly, and take the enemy by surprise. This needs to be done sooner rather than later; delaying it will likely lead to failure." Emperor Yang of Sui, irritated, replied, "Since you believe I should not lead the expedition, then you shall stay here." After the army returned, Yu Zhi was appointed as the Grand Historiographer.
In the ninth year of Daye, Emperor Yang of Sui once again launched a campaign against Goguryeo and asked Yu Zhi, "What is the current situation?" Yu Zhi replied, "I must admit my ignorance, but I still hold on to my previous opinion. Your Majesty, if you personally lead the army into battle, it will be a waste of resources." Emperor Yang angrily said, "Even if I go myself, there's no guarantee we’ll win. Sending only troops, how could we possibly succeed?" Emperor Yang insisted on leading the expedition himself. As a result, Yang Xuangan, the Minister of Rites, launched a rebellion in Liyang, and the Minister of War, Husi Zheng, escaped to Goguryeo. Emperor Yang was terrified and quickly fled west. He said to Yu Zhi, "You disagreed with my expedition before, and now it has come true. Now that Yang Xuangan has rebelled, will he succeed?" Yu Zhi replied, "Although Yang Xuangan has a strategic location, his reputation is poor, and he is only taking advantage of the people's hard work, hoping for luck. The world is now united and not easily swayed." Emperor Yang asked again, "What about the Mars in the heart?" Yu Zhi replied, "Xinxiu marks the boundary of the Chu state, and also the place where Yang Xuangan was appointed. Now the light of Mars has weakened, and it will definitely not succeed in the end."
In the tenth year of Daye, Emperor Yang of Sui wanted to travel from the western capital Luoyang to the eastern capital. Yu Zhi advised him, "In recent years, continuous campaigns in Liaodong have exhausted the people. Your Majesty should pacify the people in the capital region and let them focus on farming. After three to five years, allow the people to become a bit more prosperous, and then inspect various regions, which would be a better approach. Your Majesty, please think twice." Emperor Yang was displeased, and Yu Zhi stood his ground. When Emperor Yang heard about this, he was furious and sent men to forcefully take Yu Zhi to the court. Upon reaching the eastern capital, Emperor Yang ordered him thrown into prison, and Yu Zhi eventually died in prison.
Zijian inherited his father's career and was very knowledgeable. He served as the Magistrate of Xiangwu County, the scholar to Prince Yuande (Yang Yong), and an official serving Prince Qi. During the reign of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, he was appointed Director of the Bureau of Astronomy. At that time, there were also Lu Taiyi and Geng Xun, both renowned for their expertise in astronomy and calendrical science.
Lu Taiyi, courtesy name Xiezhao, was from Hejian and originally from the Zhangqiu clan. He started school at the age of seven and could recite thousands of characters daily, earning him the title of a local prodigy. As he grew older, he focused on self-cultivation and was not interested in fame or fortune. He read extensively across a wide range of texts, even studying Buddhism and Daoism, mastering their core teachings. He first secluded himself in Bailu Mountain and later moved to Zhuyu Stream in Linyu Mountain. People traveled from afar to seek his wisdom, and he initially accepted them, but eventually found it too burdensome and retreated to Wutai Mountain. Wutai Mountain abounded in medicinal herbs, and he lived with a few disciples beneath the cliffs, leading a simple life, isolated from the world, believing that achieving immortality was within reach. When the elder brother of Emperor Yang, Yang Guang, heard about him, he summoned Lu Taiyi. Knowing that the Crown Prince would never become Emperor, Lu Taiyi confided in his close associates, "I have been compelled to come here; I don't know what will happen in the future!" Later, the Crown Prince Yang Yong was deposed and was sentenced to death as per the law. Emperor Wen of Sui recognized his talent and spared his life, but instead reduced him to the status of a servant. After some time, he was released. Later, he lost his sight but could still identify characters by touch. As the Renshou era drew to a close, Emperor Wen of Sui planned to avoid the summer heat at Renshou Palace. Lu Taiyi urged against it repeatedly, saying, "I am but a simple man and do not wish to speak falsely, but I fear that this time leaving the palace for the summer heat, we may not return." Emperor Wen of Sui was enraged and imprisoned him in Chang'an, planning to execute him upon his return. However, Emperor Wen fell gravely ill at Renshou Palace, and before his death, he informed Crown Prince Yang Guang, "Zhangqiu Taiyi is no ordinary man. Everything he said before was accurate. I predicted we wouldn't return from this outing, and now it has come true. You ought to release him."
After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended to the throne, Prince Yang Liang of Han rebelled. Emperor Yang of Sui asked Lu Taiyi what to do. Lu Taiyi replied, "We must observe celestial phenomena above and understand human affairs below. What can I do?" Not long after, Yang Liang indeed failed. Emperor Yang of Sui often casually discussed various families in the world with Lu Taiyi, saying, "Your surname is Zhangchou, a compound surname, and you are a descendant of the Four Yues, and you share the same ancestry as the Lu clan." So he granted him the surname Lu. In the ninth year of the Daye reign, Emperor Yang of Sui went on an expedition to Liaodong. Lu Taiyi said to Emperor Yang of Sui, "There are signs of mutiny in Liyang." A few days later, news of the uprising led by Xuangang arrived, and Emperor Yang of Sui was very surprised, rewarding him multiple times. Lu Taiyi made countless predictions about astronomical events, many of which were state secrets kept from the public. Several years later, he died in Luoyang.
Geng Xun, styled Dunxin, was from Danyang. He was known for his humor and wit, a master debater, and highly skilled, unmatched by anyone. During the reign of the last emperor of the Chen dynasty, he followed the Eastern Hengzhou Inspector Wang Yong to Lingnan. After Wang Yong died, Geng Xun did not return but instead made friends with the local minority leaders, who all took a liking to him.
Later, the local tribes rebelled and elected Geng Xun as their leader. Zhuguo Wang Shiji led troops to suppress the rebellion, captured Geng Xun, and sentenced him to death. Geng Xun claimed to have clever solutions, so Shiji spared his life and made him a household servant. After a long time, Geng Xun met his old friend Gao Zhibao, who was working in the Bureau of Astronomy at the time, in charge of astronomical observations. Geng Xun then studied astronomy and arithmetic under Gao Zhibao.
Geng Xun was very creative. He designed and manufactured a celestial sphere powered not by manpower, but by water. He placed it in a dark chamber for Gao Zhibao to observe celestial phenomena from the outside. This caught the attention of the court, and Emperor Gaozu appointed Geng Xun to an official position, sending him to the Bureau of Astronomy. Later, the Emperor bestowed Geng Xun upon Prince Yang Xiu of Shu. Geng Xun followed Yang Xiu to Yizhou, where he was held in high regard. When Yang Xiu was deposed, Geng Xun was sentenced to death. At that time, He Chou said to Emperor Gaozu, "Geng Xun's talent is extraordinary. His ideas seem to be divinely inspired. I truly lament the loss to the court!" As a result, Emperor Gaozu pardoned him. Geng Xun also made a water clock that was praised for its craftsmanship by the people.
After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Geng Xun presented a tilting vessel, which the Emperor liked and recognized him as a loyal subject. Over a year later, Geng Xun was appointed as the Supervisor of the Right Imperial Household Department. Seven years later, Emperor Yang personally led a campaign to Liaodong. Geng Xun submitted a letter to the Emperor, advising against the campaign, stating that it would surely fail. Emperor Yang was furious and ordered his guards to execute him. Thanks to He Chou's persistent pleading, Geng Xun was spared. After the failure of the Liaodong campaign, Emperor Yang came to recognize that Geng Xun's prediction had been accurate and appointed him as the Chief Astronomer.
After the rebellion and regicide of Emperor Yang, Geng Xun followed Yuwen Huaji to Liyang. He told his wife, "I have carefully observed human affairs and studied celestial phenomena from afar. Yuwen Huaji will surely fail, and Li Shi will become king. I know what course I must take." Geng Xun wanted to leave Yuwen Huaji but ultimately met his demise at Yuwen Huaji's hands. He wrote a volume called "On Bird Divination," which has been passed down through the ages.
Wei Ding, courtesy name Chaosheng, was from Du Ling in Chang'an. His grandfather Wei Xuan lived in seclusion on Mount Shang before eventually returning to the Song Dynasty. His great-grandfather Wei Rui was the Chief of Staff in the Liang Dynasty. His father Wei Zheng was an Attendant of the Yellow Gate. Wei Ding had a cheerful personality from a young age, was knowledgeable, well-versed in the classics and historical texts, was knowledgeable in astronomy and calendrical science, and was especially adept at reading faces. He served as a judicial officer for Prince Xiangdong in the Liang Dynasty. When his father passed away, he mourned for five days, refusing to eat or drink, almost on the brink of collapse. After the mourning period, he became the registrar for Prince Shaoling.
During Hou Jing's rebellion, Wei Ding's older brother Wei Ang died in the capital city. Wei Ding carried his brother's body out and temporarily laid it in Zhongxing Temple. He searched everywhere for a coffin, but found none. Overwhelmed with grief, he suddenly noticed something floating in the river, drifting closer to him. Wei Ding found it strange. Upon closer inspection, he discovered it was a new coffin. He used this coffin to give his brother a proper burial. When Emperor Yuan of Liang heard about this, he believed that Wei Ding's deep sincerity had touched the heavens. After Hou Jing's rebellion was quelled, Wang Sengbian, the Minister of Works, appointed him as a clerk in the Household Department, and later promoted him to lieutenant, an official in the Grand Marshal's office, and deputy director of the Imperial Secretariat.
When Emperor Chen Wu was in Southern Xuzhou, Wei Ding, through his observations of celestial phenomena, knew that Emperor Chen Wu would become emperor in the future, so he brought his wife and children to join him. Wei Ding said to Emperor Chen Wu, "Next year, a great minister will be killed. In four years, the Liang Dynasty will be destroyed, and the mandate of heaven will return to the Chen clan. When the Zhou Dynasty destroyed the Shang Dynasty, they enfeoffed Gui Man at Wanqiu, and his descendants became the Chen clan. I see you are intelligent and talented, with extraordinary martial skills; you are precisely the one to inherit the interrupted imperial lineage!" Emperor Chen Wu had been planning to eliminate Wang Sengbian. Upon hearing Wei Ding's words, he was thrilled and decided to raise an army. After Emperor Chen Wu became emperor, he appointed Wei Ding as the Minister of the Imperial Gate. Soon after, he was promoted to Minister of Agricultural Affairs, Right Chief Historian, General of Zhenwei, concurrently serving as the Chief Historian of An Ruijin Prince, handling state affairs, and later promoted to Minister of Justice. During the Taijian period, he was sent as an envoy to the Zhou Dynasty and was appointed as a Cavalier In Regular Attendance. He later served as the Director of the Imperial Secretariat, General of Xuan Yuan, then transferred to the position of Chief Historian of the Prince of Linhai, acting as the governor of Wuxing Prefecture, and finally returned to the court as Minister of the Imperial Household. During Emperor Chen Zhide's reign, Wei Ding liquidated all his family assets and took up residence in a temple. His friend, the Master Craftsman Mao Biao, asked him the reason, and Wei Ding replied, "The royal power of Jiangdong has faded. Both you and I will be buried in Chang'an in the future. I liquidated all my assets because the time is approaching." Initially, Wei Ding was hired to work at the court and had met with Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang. Wei Ding said to Liu Bang, "Your appearance suggests you are no ordinary person, and your gaze is profound, not something that typical wise men can compare with. In the near future, you will definitely become rich and prosperous, and at that time, the world will become one family, with a cycle of seasons. I am willing to serve you at that time. Your current status is still precarious; I hope you take good care of yourself."
Later, Chen Ping recommended Wei Ding to Liu Bang, and Liu Bang immediately summoned him, granting him the position of Grand Commandant with generous benefits. Every time Liu Bang feasted with the various kings, Wei Ding was always invited to participate. One time, Liu Bang casually asked Wei Ding, "How close are you to Wei Shikang in terms of family relationship?" Wei Ding replied, "My family branches are separated by distance; I have never met him in my life." Liu Bang said, "But you come from the same family, how is that possible?" So Liu Bang sent officials to bring food and wine, allowing Wei Shikang and Wei Ding to return to Duling for a drinking spree that lasted over ten days. Wei Ding took this opportunity to investigate his family lineage, tracing back more than twenty generations from the Prime Minister of the Chu State, Meng's family, and compiled a seven-volume genealogy of the Wei family.
At that time, Princess Lanling became a widow, and Liu Bang wanted to find her a husband, selecting Wei Ding to choose between the royal guards Liu Shu and Xiao Yang. Wei Ding said, "Xiao Yang may become a marquis in the future, but he doesn’t have the looks of a nobleman. Liu Shu may also become a high official, but his position won’t last long." Liu Bang said, "I am the one who decides the official positions!" In the end, the princess was married to Liu Shu. Liu Bang then asked Wei Ding, "Which of my sons will inherit the throne in the future?" Wei Ding replied, "The one Your Majesty and the Empress favor the most will be the one to inherit the throne; I can’t predict that." Liu Bang smiled and said, "You are not willing to speak clearly, are you?"
In the twelfth year of the Kaihuang era, he was appointed as the governor of Guangzhou, teaching the people with kindness and integrity, and working to create a peaceful and quiet social atmosphere.
In Guangzhou, there was a local tyrant who appeared well-dressed on the surface but was actually up to no good, often organizing robberies. When the governor encountered him, he asked, "You're a good guy; why did you suddenly become a thief?" He then conducted a thorough investigation into this local tyrant’s accomplices and schemes, who was terrified and quickly confessed.
There is one more thing. A guest from out of town had an affair with a local family's concubine. After the guest departed, the concubine pilfered valuables from the household and ran away in the middle of the night, only to be murdered in the underbrush. The mistress of the household, knowing about the affair between the guest and her concubine, accused the guest of killing her concubine. Following an investigation by the county magistrate, the adultery was established, and the guest was sentenced to death without proper evidence. The case was closed and reported to the governor. After reviewing the case files, the governor remarked, "While the guest was guilty of adultery, he was not guilty of murder. It was a monk from a certain temple who instigated the concubine to steal and then had the household servants kill her, hiding the stolen goods in a certain place." Consequently, the governor released the guest, arrested the monk, and found the stolen goods.
Since then, there has been peace in the Guangzhou area, and the townsfolk praised the governor for his sagacity, with even petty theft disappearing. Later, because of his advanced age and failing health, he was recalled to the capital by the court, which also rewarded him generously several times. He soon passed away at the age of seventy-nine.
Lai He, styled Hongshun, was a native of Chang'an. He developed a keen interest in fortune-telling early in life and was notably accurate in his readings. The Grand Chancellor Yuwen Hu took him under his wing, granting him access to the homes of high-ranking officials and nobles. He started as a minor official in the Ministry of Summer, gradually rising through the ranks and eventually receiving a title.
When the founding emperor was still an insignificant figure, he visited Lai He for divination. After the guest departed, Lai He informed the founding emperor, "You will become a king who rules the world." Later, when the founding emperor became the Prime Minister, he appointed Lai He as a Companion. When the founding emperor ascended to the throne, Lai He's title was further elevated. In the final years of the Kaihuang era, Lai He submitted a memorial to the throne, saying:
"Your Majesty, since the third year of the Tianhe era in the Zhou dynasty, I have had the honor of being consulted by you many times. At that time, I mentioned that your ascension to the throne as emperor was destined by the heavens, predetermined by fate, not achievable by human effort. I have no merit, yet I have enjoyed a fifth-rank official position for over twenty years. I am truly ashamed! I am filled with anxiety and unease, so I have documented some remarks I made to you during your time as a prince and kept them in a secret chamber. I will have no regrets even after death."
Remember when you were still in the Zhou Dynasty, you and Duke Yongfu Dou Rong once said to me, "I have heard about your character, so I know what kind of person you are." At that time, I said, "Duke, your eyes are as bright as the morning star, seeing through everything. In the future, when you become the emperor, I hope you can refrain from unnecessary bloodshed." In the fourth year of Jiande, in May, Emperor Wu of Zhou asked me in Yunyang Palace, "You know all those ministers, what do you think of Duke Xianglu of Sui?" I replied to Emperor Wu of Zhou, "Duke Xiang is merely a law-abiding man, capable of guarding a place, but if you let him lead troops to fight, there’s no city he can’t take." I reported this from the southeast corner of the palace at that time. Do you remember me saying that? The next year, Wuman Gui told Emperor Wu of Zhou, "Duke Xiang is not behaving like a subject." The Emperor asked me, and I could tell he had doubts, so I cleverly replied, "He is a loyal minister; he doesn’t have any other faults." At that time, Wang Yi and Liang Yanguang all knew that I had said this.
In the second year of Daxiang, in May, you entered the palace from the east gate of Yongxiang, and I was standing to the east of the gate. You asked me, "Do I have any disasters?" I reported to you, "Your physique and complexion are in harmony; your destiny has been set for you to achieve greatness." Not long after, you took control of the political power.
The Emperor was very pleased after reading my memorial, promoted my official position, and rewarded me with 500 bolts of cloth, 300 bushels of rice, and ten acres of land. Han Ze and I, both from the same county, once visited the Prime Minister. I told him, "In another four or five years, you will be able to obtain a high official position and great wealth." At the time, no one understood what I was getting at. Han Ze passed away in the fifteenth year of Kaihuang in May. When people asked me what happened, I replied, "Fifteen years is three fives; plus May is four fives. High official position and great wealth refer to his coffin!" A lot of what I said was like that. I wrote a book titled "Xiangjing," which has forty volumes in total.
Taoist Zhang Bin, Jiao Zishun, and Yamen person Dong Zihua, these three men privately told you when you were still a prince, "You will become the emperor in the future; make sure to take care of yourself." After you ascended the throne, you appointed Zhang Bin as the governor of Huazhou, Jiao Zishun as the commander-in-chief, and Dong Zihua as the chief of the Upper Yi Tong.
Xiao Ji, also known as Wenxiu, was the grandson of Xiao Yi, the Prince of Xuanwu and the brother of Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty. He was knowledgeable and especially skilled in calculating the lunar calendar. After the fall of Jiangling City, he sought refuge in Northern Zhou and was appointed as a Yitong official. During the reign of Emperor Xuan of Northern Zhou, Xiao Ji felt that the court was becoming increasingly chaotic, so he submitted memorials to advise the emperor, but unfortunately, his advice went unheeded. Later, during the establishment of the Sui Dynasty, he was promoted to Yitong and appointed Minister of Rites, tasked with reviewing ancient and modern lunar calendar texts. Xiao Ji was proud and principled, refusing to associate with corrupt officials, which led to his marginalization and feelings of unfulfillment.
He realized that Emperor Wen of Sui had a fondness for auspicious signs and omens, so he seized the opportunity to flatter the emperor by concocting some auspicious signs. In the fourteenth year of the Kaichu era, he submitted a memorial saying: "This year is the year of Jia Yin, and the first day of the eleventh month falls on Xin You, which coincides with the winter solstice. Next year is the year of Yi Mao, and the first day of the first month falls on Geng Shen, which is New Year's Day. The winter solstice coincides with the first day. The 'Leizhi Tuzhi' states: 'On the first day of the eleventh month of the Tianyuan year, the winter solstice, the sage king receives blessings.' Your Majesty reigns at the pinnacle of Tianyuan, and the winter solstice coincides with the first day, marking the first auspicious sign. Xin You is your birthday; Xin's virtue is in Bing, and the eleventh month is the month of Bing Zi; You's virtue is in Yin, and the first month is the month of Yin, which is also your birth month, aligning with the month's virtue and coinciding with the New Year, which is the second auspicious sign. The day of Geng Shen is your age year; Yi's virtue is in Geng, Mao's virtue is in Shen, next year is the year of Yi Mao, and your age year corresponds with the virtue of the year, coinciding with New Year's Day. This represents the third auspicious sign. The 'Yin Yang Scriptures' state: 'Those whose year's fate aligns with the year's virtue will have blessings.' The 'Hong Fan Zhuan' says: 'The dawn of the year, the dawn of the month, the dawn of the day, these are the main aspects of the king.' The classics all say that when these three elements align, it brings longevity and good fortune."
Moreover, in the year of Jia Yin, November is the month when yang energy begins, and the new moon day coincides with the winter solstice, marking the first month of the holy king; January is the month of positive yang, the beginning of both the year and the month; the new moon day is the beginning of the year, the month, and the day, an auspicious day. Your birthday is the first of the nine elements and the foremost of the three long years, and is in harmony with the virtues of the year and month. The Lingbao Jing says: 'The dragon spirit associated with the angle sound is powerful.' Next year, your year's element and sound are both angles, in accordance with both the calendar and the scriptures. In the Jia Yin and Yi Mao years, heaven and earth are in harmony! In the year of Jia Yin, the winter solstice is on the day of Xin You; next year, in the year of Yi Mao, the summer solstice is on the day of Jia Zi. The winter solstice signifies the onset of yang energy, an auspicious day for worshipping heaven, and it is your birthday; this is the fourth auspicious sign; the summer solstice marks the beginning of yin energy, a day for worshipping the earth, and it is the birthday of the empress; this is the fifth auspicious sign. Your virtues, like the Qian hexagram, nourish all things, while the empress's benevolence, like the Kun hexagram, nurtures all things, so the energy of heaven and earth converges on your birthday." Emperor Wen of Sui was very pleased after reading it and bestowed numerous gifts upon Mr. Ji. When Prince Ling of Fangling was the crown prince, he always said that there was heavy yin energy in the East Palace, haunted by ghosts, and he often saw rat spirits. The emperor sent Mr. Ji to the East Palace to perform rituals and expel evil spirits. A shrine was established in the Xuan Ci Hall, and suddenly an eerie wind swept in from the ghost gate located in the Gen position (northeast), heading straight for the crown prince's seat. Mr. Ji swiftly employed peach branch water and mugwort smoke to dispel it, and the wind ceased the moment it exited the palace gates. Then, Mr. Ji performed a thanksgiving ceremony, set up an altar in the Wei position (south), made four gates, and placed the shrines of the Five Emperors. In the depths of winter, a toad unexpectedly hopped in from the southwest, entered through the human gate (main gate), climbed onto the Red Emperor's shrine, and then went back out through the human gate. It had only taken a few steps before it vanished without a trace. The emperor deemed this incident too mysterious and rewarded Mr. Ji with many gifts.
Mr. Ji once again told the emperor that the crown prince's position was precarious! Hearing Mr. Ji's words, he found them quite reasonable. Therefore, from then on, the emperor frequently consulted Mr. Ji on various matters.
When the emperor and empress dowager passed away, he ordered divination to determine the empress's burial site. Consultations were held, and after searching extensively, a site was chosen. The divination result read: "Two thousand years, two hundred generations," and a drawing was presented to the emperor.
The emperor said, "Fortune, whether good or bad, depends on one's actions and is unrelated to the burial site. Wasn't my father's burial site also determined by divination? Yet the State of Gaoqi still fell, didn't it? Just like my family's ancestral tomb, if it's deemed unlucky, then I shouldn't be emperor; if it's deemed lucky, my brother shouldn't have died in battle." Despite his words, the emperor ultimately accepted the favorable divination result.
The divination report stated: "On the sixteenth day of last month, to the northwest of the empress's tomb, before the rooster crowed, a black cloud about five to six hundred steps wide appeared, rising straight up from the ground. In the southeast direction, flags, chariots, horses, and tents appeared, extending seven to eight li, with people patrolling back and forth in a very orderly manner. These phenomena vanished with the rising sun. There were more than ten witnesses. According to the 'Book of Burial,' 'When the energy of the king and the surname align, it is highly auspicious.' Now this black energy corresponds to the winter emperor's energy and is in harmony with the imperial surname, signifying great fortune and prosperity, heralding a prosperous future for generations to come." The emperor was very pleased to hear this.
Later, the emperor decided to personally see the empress off on her final journey. The diviner came to advise the emperor, saying, "Your Majesty, your birth year is Xin You; this year the Dou Kui star and Tian Gang star are both positioned in the Mao and You directions. The 'Book of Yin and Yang' states that this day is not appropriate for a funeral." The emperor ignored him. After the diviner returned, he informed his relative, Xiao Pingzhong, "The Crown Prince sent Yuwen Zuo to specially thank me, saying, 'You previously predicted that I would become the Crown Prince, and it has indeed come true. I will always remember your kindness. Now in selecting the empress's burial site, you must help me ascend the throne sooner. Once I am emperor, I will definitely repay you generously.' At that moment, I noted, 'In another four years, the Crown Prince will rule the world.' Now that the Feng Shui of the burial site has been confirmed, and the emperor insists on personally escorting the funeral, the omen is becoming even clearer. Moreover, once the Crown Prince seizes power, the Sui Dynasty will meet its end! At that time, a true heir to the throne will emerge to govern the world. What I said before about 'divining the year two thousand' is a good omen involving thirty characters; 'divining the world two hundred' is a good omen of thirty-two fortunes. Everything I say is true; you must remember this."
After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended to the throne, he promoted Yuan Ji to the title of Tai Fu Shaoqing and granted him additional ranks and titles, enabling him to set up his own office. Once, while on a business trip passing through Huayin, Yuan Ji saw white vapor soaring from Yang Su's tomb into the sky, so he secretly informed the emperor. When asked by the emperor about the situation, Yuan Ji said, "This signals impending disaster for Yang Su's family, a sign of total annihilation! If the burial is changed, perhaps this disaster can be averted!" Later, the emperor casually remarked to Yang Xuangan, "Your family should change the ancestral tomb sooner." Yang Xuangan suspected Yuan Ji's prediction, feeling it was a good omen, but he excused himself, saying the Liaodong campaign had not yet ended, and he had no time to worry about family matters. Shortly thereafter, Yang Xuangan rebelled, and as a result, his entire family was annihilated, further convincing the emperor of Yuan Ji's prediction. Over a year later, Yuan Ji passed away, leaving behind a collection of thirty volumes titled "Golden Sea," one volume of "Essential Records of Physiognomy," eight volumes of "Residence Classics," six volumes of "Burial Classics," twenty volumes of "Music Scores," two volumes of "Imperial Health Prescriptions," one volume of "Essential Principles of Physiognomy," and one volume of "Taichi Establishment," which subsequently circulated among the populace.
At that time, there was also a man named Yang Bochou, who was renowned for his expertise in yin-yang divination, much like Xiaogong and Liu You.
Yang Bochou was a native of Fengyi Wuxiang and particularly enjoyed reading the Book of Changes. He secluded himself on Mount Hua. During the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, the court summoned him to serve as an official. However, upon meeting the high-ranking officials, he was quite blunt, addressing them as "you" regardless of their official positions. Others found it impossible to decipher his intentions. When summoned by the emperor and engaged in conversation, he said nothing. The emperor rewarded him with a set of clothes, but he discarded them and promptly left the court. Thereafter, he wore his hair unkempt, aimlessly roamed the streets, filthy and reeking, never bothering to groom himself or tidy his appearance.
There was a man named Zhang Yongle who was a fortune-teller in the capital, and Yang Bochou often followed him. If Zhang Yongle encountered an inaccurate hexagram, Yang Bochou could help him analyze it, breaking down the meaning in a way that was easy to understand. Zhang Yongle was in awe of him, feeling he could never measure up. Later, Yang Bochou also started fortune-telling.
Once, someone lost their child and went to Yang Bochou for a fortune-telling. After casting the hexagram, Yang Bochou said, "Your child is on the wall at the northeast corner of the south gate of Huaiyuan Lane, being held by a woman in a blue dress. Hurry up and get him back!" The person followed Yang Bochou's instructions and indeed found the child.
Another time, a couple hid a few taels of gold, but later the gold went missing. The husband suspected his wife was up to something and wanted to leave her. The wife insisted she was innocent and went to Yang Bochou for a fortune-telling. Yang Bochou replied, "The gold is still around!" Then he called the whole family over and pointed at someone, saying, "The gold is with him, so hurry and bring it out!" The person blushed and hurriedly brought out the gold.
The Taoist priest, Wei Zhichang, also went to ask Yang Bochou about his fortune. Yang Bochou said, "Don't go to the northeast direction. If you must go, make sure to come back early. Otherwise, Yang Su will cut off your head!" Before long, the emperor sent Wei Zhichang to help Prince Liang with a mission. Shortly after the emperor's death, Prince Liang rebelled, and Wei Zhichang escaped back to the capital. Wei Zhichang held a grudge against Yang Su, and after Yang Su took control of Bingzhou, he went straight for Wei Zhichang to kill him. Thanks to Yang Bochou's warning, he managed to escape unscathed.
Once, someone lost a horse and came to Yang Bochu to seek a fortune telling. At that time, Yang Bochu was summoned by the prince, but he ran into this person on his way and immediately did a reading for him. After the reading was completed, Yang Bochu said, "I don't have time for a detailed reading. Hurry to the third shop south of the east wall at the west market and buy a fish to make sashimi. Your horse will be found." The man did as instructed, and before long, someone came leading the lost horse, and the thief was caught red-handed.
Yazhou presented an inch-sized pearl to the emperor, and the messenger secretly meddled with it, raising the emperor's suspicions. So the emperor summoned Yang Bochu for a reading. Yang Bochu said, "There is something that comes from the water, with a smooth texture and bright color; that's the big pearl. It's been hidden by someone." He even provided details about the name and appearance of the person who hid the pearl. The emperor investigated according to what Yang Bochu said and indeed found the pearl. The emperor was astonished and rewarded him with twenty bolts of cloth.
He Tuo, the Grand Academic, also visited Yang Bochu to discuss the I Ching. After hearing He Tuo's insights, Yang Bochu suddenly smiled and said, "Why be so rigid about Zheng Xuan and Wang Bi's interpretations!" Eventually, he briefly explained that his reasoning differed from traditional Confucian teachings, but his ideas were deep and enigmatic, so people regarded him as exceptionally gifted, someone beyond the grasp of ordinary folks. Ultimately, Yang Bochu passed away quietly.
Lin Xiaogong was from Jingzhao Prefecture, who was exceptionally skilled in astronomy and mathematics. Emperor Gaozu valued him highly. His predictions of disasters and omens were consistently accurate, so the Emperor entrusted him with the study of the Yin and Yang calendar, eventually attaining the rank of Yitong. He wrote numerous works, including:
- *Yiqi Tu* in three volumes
- *Di Dong Tong Yi Jing* in one volume
- *Jiugong Wumu* in one volume
- *Dunjia Yueling* in ten volumes
- *Yuanchen Jing* in ten volumes
- *Yuanchen E* in one hundred and nine volumes
- *Baiguai Shu* in eighteen volumes
- *Lumingshu* in twenty volumes
- *Jiugong Gui Jing* in one hundred and ten volumes
- *Taiyi Shi Jing* in thirty volumes
- *Kongzi Matou Yibushu* in one volume
All of which have been preserved through the ages.
Liu You was from Xingyang, who served as a Grand Commander during the Kaihuang era and was granted the title of Duke of Suolu County. His divinations were remarkably accurate, aligning perfectly with those of fortune tellers, and Emperor Gaozu also favored him. Initially, he collaborated with Zhang Bin, Liu Hui, and Ma Xian in formulating the calendar. Later, he wrote a military book of ten volumes called *Jin Tao* at the Emperor's behest, which the Emperor highly valued. He also wrote:
- *Yin Ce* in twenty volumes
- *Guantai Feihou* in six volumes
- *Xuanxiang Yaoji* in five volumes
- *Lulishu Wen* in one volume
- *Hunyin Zhi* in three volumes
- *Chanru Zhi* in two volumes
- *Shijing* in four volumes
- *Sishi Licheng Fa* in one volume
- *Anlishi* in twelve volumes
- *Guizheng Yi* in ten volumes
All of which have also been preserved.
Zhang Zhuoxuan was a Bohai person of Tungusic descent, knowledgeable and especially skilled in divination. Zhao Jiong, the Inspector of Jizhou, recommended him, and the Emperor appointed him as a Captain of the Cloud Riders to work at the Bureau of Astrology, participating in the development of the calendar. Many others at the time were not as skilled as he was, so the Chief Astrologer Liu Hui and his associates were quite envious of him. Liu Hui's predictions were often inaccurate, while Zhang Zhuoxuan's calculations were very precise, and the Emperor greatly admired him. The Emperor asked Yang Su and some other divination experts to discuss 61 questions, all of which were old and difficult to solve, and had Liu Hui and Zhang Zhuoxuan debate them. Liu Hui was left speechless, but Zhang Zhuoxuan explained 54 questions clearly. So the Emperor promoted him to the rank of Gentleman of the Yellow Gate and also appointed him as the Chief Astrologer, bestowing upon him numerous gifts, while Liu Hui and his eight colleagues were all dismissed. Zhang Zhuoxuan formulated a new calendar, stating that the old calendar was inaccurate by one day. Yan Minchu, the Interior Minister, submitted a memorial stating, "During the Han Dynasty, Emperor Hong revised the Zhuanxu calendar and established the Taichu calendar, claiming that it would be off by a day in the future, and that a sage would come to correct it eight hundred years later. Now it has been seven hundred and ten years, and diviners have all calculated this number, claiming that this was the task meant for the sage. Is it happening now?" The Emperor was very pleased and began to trust him even more. Zhang Zhuoxuan's calendar had three key differences from the previous ones.
During the end of the Song Dynasty, Zu Chongzhi invented a calculation method called "the method of differences." He found that the winter solstice point was not as fixed as previously thought, slowly moving every year. Every forty-six years, the winter solstice point would move by one degree. Later, during the Liang Dynasty, Yu Xi improved the calendar and found Zu Chongzhi's calculations to have significant errors, so he changed it to one hundred and eighty-six years for the winter solstice point to move by one degree. Zhou Xuan examined both Zu Chongzhi's and Yu Xi's methods and found that due to the long time span and the difficulty of tracing ancient records, there were significant errors. Therefore, he combined the two methods and developed a compromise. He believed that the winter solstice point moved by one degree every eighty-three years, which aligned with the records from the era of Emperor Yao regarding the length of days and star positions, and also matched the records of star positions in the Han Dynasty calendar. It was very accurate both before and after.
During the Zhou Dynasty, Ma Xian created the "Bingyin Yuanli," which included methods for converting between lunar and solar calendars, as well as calculation methods for eclipses. This was a very innovative method of calculation at the time, and many people did not understand it. Zhang Bin once attempted to use it but could not fully grasp it. Zhou Xuan believed that Ma Xian's method had theoretical issues regarding time addition and subtraction, following the flow of qi, and determining the end of the month. Therefore, based on the changes in the twenty-four solar terms, he explained how eclipses occurred. He found that if the sun moved slowly, the moon would catch up faster, resulting in an earlier new moon; if the sun moved quickly, the moon would catch up slower, resulting in a delayed new moon. He examined the timing of new moons in previous calendars and formulated a principle of gain and loss. He found that from the autumnal equinox to the vernal equinox, the sun moved quickly, traversing one hundred and eighty degrees in one hundred and eighty-two days; from the vernal equinox to the autumnal equinox, the sun moved slowly, traversing one hundred and seventy-six degrees in one hundred and eighty-two days. Each solar term adhered to this pattern.
From ancient times to the present calendar, when calculating the times of new moons and solar eclipses, internal or external limits are not considered. As long as the eclipse limit has been reached, it is deemed that a solar eclipse occurs. Zhang Bin's calendar introduced the concept of external limits, but in some cases, even though it meets the eclipse limit, a solar eclipse remains unexplained. Zhuo Xuan believed that the sun travels along the ecliptic, completing one orbit around the sky in a year; the moon travels along its own path, taking a little over twenty-seven days to complete one orbit around the sky. When the moon's path intersects with the ecliptic, the moon crosses the ecliptic approximately every thirteen days, then crosses it again, repeating this cycle. When the moon crosses the ecliptic, it is called an "intersection." If the new moon occurs within fifteen degrees before or after the intersection point, a solar eclipse will occur. If the moon travels in the inner path north of the ecliptic, solar eclipses are easier to observe; if the moon travels in the outer path south of the ecliptic, even if it encounters the intersection point, because the moon is south of the ecliptic, a solar eclipse will not occur, making solar eclipses hard to observe. Therefore, based on the methods of his predecessors, he established another eclipse limit, calculated errors based on the distance from the intersection point, and adjusted the eclipse fractions accordingly, making the calculation of solar eclipses more accurate.
There are seven unique aspects that surpass ancient times:
The first point is about the ancient calendar, where the speeds of the five celestial bodies (metal, wood, water, fire, earth) were considered constant, only recording their appearance and disappearance times without a precise calculation method. Through long-term observations, Zu Chongzhi found the true speeds at which they move, leading to calculations that differed significantly from those in ancient calendars, with some discrepancies exceeding thirty days! For example, if Mars appears during the Rain Water solar term, you must add twenty-nine days; if it appears during the Minor Snow solar term, you need to subtract twenty-five days. Although adding or subtracting days to correct observation results, these correction values were also derived from experience. The movements of other stars are similar, but the magnitudes of errors differ. There was a wealth of accumulated observational data in ancient times, but the people of that era did not grasp the underlying patterns in this data.
In the second paragraph, it further explains that ancient calendars believed that Mercury appeared only once in a cycle. However, Zu Chongzhi discovered through long-term observations that Mercury sometimes appears twice in a cycle, which is influenced by the movements of other stars that can affect each other and appear simultaneously. For example, if Mercury is supposed to be visible in the morning during the Rain Water solar term, it may not actually be visible; however, if it appears in the morning during the Awakening of Insects solar term, as long as it is between 18 to 36 degrees from the sun and at the same time Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, or Venus is also visible, Mercury can be observed.
In the third paragraph, it states that ancient methods of calculating the trajectories of planets were rigid, relying on fixed speeds to calculate the times of appearance and disappearance of planets, without accurately predicting their speed of movement. Zu Chongzhi found through long-term observations that the speed, stops, and retrograde movements of the five planets differed significantly from the results produced by ancient methods, with differences of more than 80 days and more than 80 degrees in the trajectories. For example, if Mars first becomes visible in early winter, it will move 177 degrees in 250 days; but if it appears in early summer, it will only move 92 degrees in 170 days. Zu Chongzhi carefully checked the observation data and found that his improved method was more accurate than ancient calendars.
In the fourth paragraph, it notes that ancient calendars used average values to calculate the size of solar eclipses, but actual observations frequently contradicted the calculated results. Zu Chongzhi discovered through long-term observations that the speed of the moon's movement is influenced by Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, and Venus. When the moon is close to these four planets, it moves faster, and when it is far from them, its speed is slower. Only when the moon is more than 15 degrees away from these four planets does its speed match the average value. Therefore, when calculating the size of a solar eclipse, the positional relationship between the moon and these four planets should be factored in.
The fifth paragraph concludes that the ancient calendar calculated the timing of the new moon (the first and fifteenth day of the lunar calendar) in the same way. Zu Chongzhi found through long-term observation that the position, time, and size of solar eclipses vary significantly with different observation locations. The height, depth, and speed of solar eclipses all vary, so it is necessary to calculate the time of solar eclipses according to specific circumstances in order to predict celestial phenomena more accurately.
The sixth article states that in ancient times, the degree of solar eclipses was assessed based on the angular distance between the sun and the moon. An overlap of fourteen degrees is counted as one fraction; thirteen degrees of overlap is counted as two fractions; ten degrees of overlap is counted as three fractions. With each degree closer, the fraction of the eclipse increases by one, and when completely overlapped, the solar eclipse reaches its maximum extent. The actual occurrences of solar eclipses sometimes contradict the predicted results; sometimes the calculated fractions are more, but the actual ones are less; sometimes the calculated fractions are less, but the actual ones are more. Ancient calendars did not explain the reasons behind this. Zhou Xuan grasped the underlying principles through long-term observation: when the sun and moon overlap, the moon does not completely cover the sun, so the actual fraction of the eclipse is less; but when the sun and moon are five to six degrees apart, the moon is entirely within the sun, resulting in the solar eclipse reaching its maximum extent. From this point on, as the distance increases, the degree of the solar eclipse begins to decrease again. This situation consistently occurs before and after the winter solstice, but if it is close to the summer solstice, the situation will be different. His method of classifying solar eclipse fractions can be said to be very detailed and precise.
The seventh article states that in ancient calendars, it was thought that during the equinoxes (spring and autumn), the day and night were equal. Zhou Xuan found through long-term observation that there was actually a difference; during the spring and autumn equinoxes, the daytime was about fifteen minutes longer than the nighttime, due to the changing speed of the sun's movement.
These insights were uniquely grasped by Zhou Xuan; his arguments are highly detailed, rigorous, and convincing. He passed away during the Daye era.
Xu Zhicang was born in Gaoyang. His father, Xu Daoyou, studied medicine when his mother fell seriously ill, and later became a famous doctor. He warned his sons, "If a son cannot even take care of his parents' meals and medicine, and does not understand medical principles, how can he call himself filial?" Therefore, his medical skills were handed down through generations. He served in the Liang Dynasty and rose to the rank of Assistant Minister of the Imperial Court. His father, Xu Jing, was a counselor to the Prince of Wuling. Xu Zhicang gained fame at a young age for his superb medical skills and served as Assistant Minister of the Imperial Court in the Chen Dynasty. After the fall of the Chen Dynasty, Emperor Sui Gaozu appointed him as Assistant Minister of the Imperial Court and sent him to Yangzhou. By coincidence, Prince Jun of Qin fell ill, and the emperor sent for Xu Zhicang. One night, Prince Jun dreamt that his deceased wife, Lady Cui, was crying, saying, "I was supposed to welcome you, but I heard Xu Zhicang is coming. If he comes, he will surely make you suffer. What should we do?" The next night, Lady Cui appeared in Prince Jun's dream again, saying, "I've thought of a way. I will hide in the spirit realm to avoid him." When Xu Zhicang arrived, he diagnosed Prince Jun and said, "Your illness has already seeped into your bones; it will soon flare up, and there is no way to save you." Sure enough, Prince Jun passed away a few days later. The emperor was impressed by his remarkable medical skills and rewarded him with one hundred pieces of cloth. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Xu Zhicang had already retired at home. Whenever the emperor felt unwell, he would send eunuchs to seek his advice, sometimes even personally welcoming him into the palace and helping him onto the royal couch. Xu Zhicang's prescriptions never failed. He passed away peacefully at home at the age of eighty.
Xu Cheng's father, a renowned doctor, was exceptionally skilled in medicine. His father's name was Xu Shi, who served as Tai Chang Cheng and Zhong Jun Chang Shi during the Liang Dynasty. Later, he accompanied Liu Zhongli to Chang'an, where he became as renowned as Yao Sengyuan, eventually attaining the prestigious position of Shang Yi Tong San Si. Xu Cheng was highly knowledgeable and inherited his father's medical skills, excelling in the field of medicine. He later served as Shang Yao Dian Yu and as a counselor, and was even granted the title of Earl of Hechuan County. Both father and son gained fame throughout the Zhou and Sui Dynasties for their exceptional medical skills. Unfortunately, historical records are sparse, so I will provide additional context. This account notes that Xu Cheng's father, Xu Shi, was quite successful in his career, indicating that both father and son achieved remarkable success in their respective fields. Xu Cheng carried on his father's legacy, advancing the practice of medicine, and eventually attained high official positions and honors, which was considered quite impressive for that era. It's unfortunate that historical records are incomplete, and we can only piece together fragments of the father and son's lives from these scattered accounts.
Wan Baochang, whose origins remain unclear, was the son of Da Tong, his father. His father surrendered to the Qi Dynasty alongside the Liang Dynasty general Wang Lin. He later plotted to return to Jiangnan, but the scheme was uncovered, leading to his execution. As a result, Wan Baochang became a musician and excelled in music theory and various instruments. He crafted jade chimes to present to the emperor of the Qi Dynasty. One time, while dining with others, they discussed musical tones. Since there were no instruments available, Wan Baochang used chopsticks to strike utensils and miscellaneous objects in front of him, identifying their pitches. He covered all the tones of the ancient Chinese pentatonic scale, producing sounds as harmonious as silk and bamboo instruments, which greatly impressed those present.
However, from the Zhou Dynasty to the Sui Dynasty, he was never able to become prominent. During the Kaihuang reign of the Sui Dynasty, Duke Zheng Yi of Pei and others established new musical regulations, initially establishing the Huangzhong mode. Although Wan Baochang was indeed a musician, Zheng Yi and others often consulted with him, but many of his opinions were not accepted. Later, Zheng Yi and others completed the musical regulations and presented them to the emperor. The emperor summoned Wan Baochang and asked him how it was. Wan Baochang said, "This is the music of a doomed country; how can it be suitable for Your Majesty to listen to!" The emperor was not pleased. Wan Baochang then explained in detail that the music was mournful and unrestrained, not the correct music, and requested to use a standard pitch pipe to determine the musical regulations and adjust the instruments. The emperor agreed.
Wan Baochang was ordered to make various musical instruments, with the musical regulations that were two notes lower than those set by Zheng Yi. He also composed a 64-volume "Music Score," detailing the method of the eight-tone cycle for palace music, as well as the adjustments of strings and pegs. He created 84 modes, 144 notes, and a total of 1,800 different sound combinations. People at the time believed that the Zhou Rituals had records of the cyclical palace music, but since the Han and Wei Dynasties, those who understood musical theory could not grasp it. When they saw Wan Baochang's unique creation, they ridiculed him. However, when he actually played the music, he could play the pieces instantly, without hesitation, astounding everyone who watched.
So he improved and added musical instruments, the number of which was uncountable. His music was refined and subtle, but he was not appreciated by his contemporaries, and the musicians at the Tai Chang Temple marginalized him. The Crown Prince's horse washer, Su Kui, prided himself on his mastery of music theory, especially envying Wan Baochang. Su Kui's father, Su Wei, was in power at the time, and all those who discussed music theory aligned themselves with Su Wei, disparaging Wan Baochang. Wan Baochang visited the court officials many times to plead his grievances, but Su Wei questioned him, asking where he had learned these skills from. One monk advised Wan Baochang, "The Emperor likes auspicious signs. As long as someone says there are good omens, the Emperor will be pleased. You should say you learned from a foreign monk, that it is the music theory passed down by the Buddha. The Emperor will definitely be pleased. By doing this, you will succeed." Wan Baochang followed his advice and answered Su Wei as the monk had instructed. Su Wei angrily said, "The music taught by foreign monks is the music of the barbarians, not the music that should be played in China!" This issue ultimately remained unresolved.
Wan Baochang once heard music played at the Tai Chang Temple and couldn't help but weep. When asked why, Wan Baochang said, "The music is lewd and sorrowful; the world is on the brink of mutual slaughter and is about to perish." At that time, the world was peaceful, and those who heard his words thought it was impossible. By the time of the Sui Dynasty, his prophecies came to pass.
Baochang was very poor and had no children. When his wife saw he was ill, she secretly took his money and belongings before fleeing. Baochang was hungry and cold, with no one to care for him, and he ultimately succumbed to starvation. Before he died, he burned the books he had authored, saying, "What good are these anymore?" A few volumes were salvaged from the flames and have been passed down through the ages, and people felt great pity for him.
During the reign of Emperor Kaihuang, there were several notable figures, including Zheng Yi, He Tuo, Lu Ben, Su Kui, and Xiao Ji, who studied classical texts together, composed music, and were well-regarded in their time. However, when it came to natural musical talent, they were all outshone by Bao Chang. An Maju, Cao Miaoda, Wang Changtong, Guo Lingle, and others were skilled composers and top musicians at the time; they also studied the Zheng style of music, but Bao Chang's compositions were considered part of the refined music tradition. Although these individuals did not publicly acknowledge Bao Chang often, they all respected him in their hearts, regarding him as an extraordinary figure.
At that time, there was a musician named Wang Lingyan, who was quite knowledgeable about music theory. During the Daye era of Emperor Yang of Sui, when he planned to visit Jiangdu for leisure, Wang Lingyan's son went with him. His son played a rearranged version of "An Gongzi Qu" on the pipa outside. When Wang Lingyan heard it from inside the house, he was taken aback and suddenly stood up, exclaiming, "This is bad!" He quickly asked his son, "When did this tune start to gain popularity?" His son replied, "It only became popular recently." Wang Lingyan began to cry and said to his son, "You must not go with him; the Emperor won't come back." When his son asked why, Wang Lingyan explained, "Once the tonal center of this tune changes, it won't revert, and the tonal center represents the monarch; that's why I said this." Eventually, Emperor Yang of Sui was indeed assassinated in Jiangdu.
The history books say: divination and sacrificial rites are teachings of the ancient sages. Although they cannot be fully accepted, nor can they be completely dismissed. If people can uphold the right path, they can benefit society. If their actions do not conform to morality, they will face the consequences of their actions. Therefore, the wise men of antiquity advised people not to act recklessly. The research of Wei and Lai on bone structure and complexion, and Yu and Zhang's expertise in predicting celestial phenomena, even figures like Luo Xia, Gao Tang, Xu Fu, and Zhu Jian cannot match their prowess. Bo Chou's turtle divination offers insights into the will of the spirits; Geng Xun's celestial instrument can accurately measure the degrees of celestial phenomena; Bao Chang's musical theory adeptly captures the harmony of the pentatonic scale. Although they are not as great as the masters of ancient times, they were all among the best of their era. The acupuncture techniques of the Xu family are highly regarded in historical records; Xiao Ji's views on yin and yang tend to be somewhat overstated.
