The "Five Elements Classic" states: "Abandoning the law, suppressing the meritorious, killing the crown prince, and making a concubine into a wife, this is when fire fails to rise." This indicates that when fire loses its inherent nature, it will become a disaster. The book also says: "Failing to see the situation clearly is unwise. Its sins will spread, and the punishment will be unrelenting heat. When it reaches its extreme, plants will become spirits, insects will cause chaos, flocks of sheep will riot, and ominous red disasters and auspicious omens will appear. Only water can restrain fire." Liu Xin explained in his "Transmission" that the "winged insects" are insects with wings.
During the Jianwu period, the Governor of Yuyang, Peng Chong, was summoned by the court. After the imperial edict was delivered, a large fire broke out in Lu County the next day, burning from the city to the outskirts, destroying over a thousand households and resulting in numerous casualties. Jing Fang said in the "Book of Changes Commentary": "If extravagance is above and lack of restraint is below, large fires will frequently occur, burning down palaces and houses." Confucian scholars believe that fire represents light and governs rituals. At that time, Peng Chong had conflicts with the Governor of Youzhou, Zhu Fu. Peng Chong suspected Zhu Fu of betraying him, so he hesitated. His wife urged him not to go, but Peng Chong rebelled, attacked Zhu Fu, and was eventually killed.
In the eighth year of Emperor He's Yongyuan reign, on the day of Dingsi in the twelfth month, the Xuan Room of the South Palace caught fire. At that time, Emperor He lived in the North Palace, while Empress Dowager Dou lived in the South Palace. The following year, Empress Dowager Dou passed away.
In the thirteenth year of Yongyuan, on the day of Jihai in the eighth month, the North Palace Shengxian Gate Tower caught fire. At that time, Emperor He favored Lady Deng, while Empress Yin lost favor and became resentful. The Emperor also intended to depose her. The following year, Empress Yin was discovered practicing superstitions, so she was deposed and moved to Tong Palace, where she ultimately succumbed to despair. Lady Deng was made Empress.
In the fifteenth year of Yongyuan, on the day of Xinyou in the sixth month, the South Gate of the Nan Cheng in Hanzhong caught fire. This signified that Emperor Xiaohe was nearing his end. Two years later, Emperor He passed away, and Emperor Shang and Prince Pingyuan both died prematurely, thus marking the end of Emperor He's lineage.
In April of the second year of Yongchu, a major fire broke out in the city of Ayang in Hanyang, resulting in the deaths of 3,570 people, marking a great disaster! Before that, Emperor He died, leaving two princes behind: the older brother named Sheng and the younger brother, Emperor An. Empress Dowager Deng, seeing that the young Emperor Shang was too young, wanted to support her brother Sheng's claim to the throne. Then, in the first year of Yanping, Emperor Shang died as well. Everyone thought that Prince Sheng should ascend the throne; after all, he was older, but the Empress Dowager had not selected him previously, and in the end, the Prince of Qinghe, who would later become Emperor An, was ultimately chosen. Sikong Zhou Zhang and his associates were dissatisfied, secretly plotting to assassinate the Deng family, depose the Empress Dowager, and remove Emperor An, and then enthrone Prince Sheng as Emperor. However, this plan was uncovered in November of that year, and Zhou Zhang and the others were all killed. Afterwards, there was a major rebellion by the Qiang people in Liangzhou, causing widespread chaos; officials from several counties in Liangzhou relocated to Fengyi and Fufeng. After the Empress Dowager's death, the Deng family was also annihilated. In March of the fourth year, the gardens in Duling caught fire once more. In February of the fourth year of Yuanchu, the Wuku also caught fire! During that period, the Qiang people revolted, leading to widespread arson and looting. The court mobilized the national army to suppress it, but after more than ten years of fighting, the entire country suffered immensely, and the common people were worn out by this seemingly endless war. In August of the first year of Yangguang, the gardens and palaces in Yangling caught fire as well. Ancient texts say that these fires occurred in the mausoleums of the former emperor, which was seen as a sign that the crown prince would soon be deposed! Had the crown prince not been deposed, these mausoleums would have remained untouched. Sure enough, the following year, the emperor, swayed by slander, deposed the crown prince, appointing him as the King of Jiyin. Two years later, the emperor died. Nineteen individuals, including Sun Cheng, the Central Yellow Gate, initiated a rebellion, executed those treacherous officials, and enthroned the King of Jiyin.
In the fourth year of the seventh month, the Yuyang City gate tower caught fire again. In the third year of Shundi Yongjian, in the seventh month, the mausoleum garden of Maoling also faced a disaster. In the first year of Yangjia, the Gongling pavilion and both the eastern and western Mo Mansions were burned down. Minister Li Gu believed this was due to the emperor's extravagance. The tombs had just been built, and the disaster impacted the remains of the late emperor. The scale was excessive, and the decorations were overly extravagant! The emperor also planned to build new palaces and increase the number of observatories, so the fire spread to the Mo Mansion, destroying a significant amount of timber. In the first year of Yonghe, in October, the Chengfu Hall also caught fire. Before this, the emperor conferred the title of Shanyang Jun on Song E, and her stepfather Liang Shang was originally a marquis, to which the emperor conferred an additional title; Liang Shang's son Ji was supposed to inherit his father's title, but since his father was still alive, the emperor conferred the title of Xiangyi Marquis on Ji. The emperor also posthumously conferred the title of Kaifeng Jun on his stepmother; these titles were excessive and entirely against protocol. On the Jia Wu day in the first year of Han'an, 197 households in Luoyang City were consumed by fire. Four years later, the emperor passed away, and it wasn't until the first year of Jianhe that the throne was finally secured. In the second year of Jianhe, in May, the Deyang Hall in the Northern Palace's inner courtyard caught fire, and the fire spread to the left Yegate entrance. Before this, Liang Taihou's brother, Liang Ji, committed numerous wrongdoings. Minister Li Gu and Du Qiao were both principled and outspoken. Liang Ji was afraid of them exposing his crimes, so he falsely accused them, leading to the execution of both Li Gu and Du Qiao. Later, Liang Taihou died, and the Liang family was subsequently eradicated. This fire is indeed connected to Liang Ji's downfall.
In the fourth year of Yanxi, in the first month of Xinyou, Nangong's Jiade Hall caught fire. On the day of Wuzi, Bingshu also caught fire. In the second month of Renchen, the arsenal caught fire. In the fifth month of Dingmao, the Changshou Gate in Yuanling caught fire. Before this, Empress Bo was demoted to a noble lady for associating with lowly people, and later became the empress. The emperor also granted the empress's mother the title of Chang'an Jun, rewarded the empress's brothers, favored her greatly, and bestowed rewards on numerous unworthy individuals. Last spring, Li Yun, an officer of the White Horse Order, was executed for his candid advice. Are these successive fires related to these events? Comets have passed through the Heart and Tail constellations, and the fires continue one after another.
In the fifth year of Yanxi, in the first month of Renwu, Bingshu in Nangong caught fire. In the fourth month of Yichou, the Eastern Gate in Gongbeiling caught fire. On Wuchen, the Tiger Guard Gate caught fire. In May, the Garden Chamber in Kangling caught fire. In Jiasen, the Zhongcang Mansion Chengluo caught fire. In July, the Chenshan Gate in Nangong caught fire.
In the sixth year of Yanxi, in the fourth month of Xinhai, the East Office in Kangling caught fire. In July, in Jiasen, the Garden Chamber in Pingling caught fire.
In the eighth year of Yanxi, in the second month of Jiyu, Nangong's Jiade Shu, Huanglong Hall, and Qianqiu Wansui Hall all caught fire. In the fourth month of Jiayin, the Garden Chamber in Anling caught fire. In the intercalary month of that year, the Changqiu Hall, Hehuan Hall, Houguodun Shu, and Yetingshuoping Shu in Nangong all caught fire. In the eleventh month of Renzi, the West Pavilion of the Dexiang Front Hall and the North Temple of Huangmen in Deyang caught fire, and people were burned to death.
In the ninth year of Yanxi, in the third month of Guisi, there were flickering fires all over the capital at night, and the people were panicking and shouting.
In the fourth year of Lingdi, in the fifth month, the Garden Chamber in Yanling experienced a fire.
In the fourth year of Guanghe, in the intercalary month of Xinyou, the Yongxiang Office in the Eastern Yeting of the North Palace caught fire.
In the fifth year of Guanghe, in the fifth month of Gengshen, the Empress Yongle's Palace Office located at the northwest entrance of the Dexiang Front Hall caught fire.
In February of the year 186 AD, a fire broke out at Yuntai Palace in Nangong! The next day, Lecheng Gate also caught fire, and the fire spread to the North Gate, burning Jiade Palace and Hehuan Palace. Did you know that the fire at Yuntai Palace started from the roof, as hundreds of beams ignited simultaneously, resembling the lighting of numerous candles, burning rapidly and spreading to Baihu Gate, Weixing Gate, the Ministry of Personnel, the Treasury, and Lantai? Yuntai Palace, established during the Zhou Dynasty, housed a vast collection of books, classics, treasures, and rare stones, all reduced to ashes! Jing Fang's "Yi Zhuan" once said: "If a ruler does not value righteousness, demonic fire will destroy the palace." At that time, the Yellow Turban Rebellion was in full swing, plunging the world into chaos, with seven provinces and twenty-eight counties simultaneously rebelling. Although the court sent troops to suppress and arrested many people, places like Wancheng, Guangzong, and Quyang have not been pacified yet, with conscription everywhere, and the possessions of ordinary people being confiscated, with more than half of the people killed or injured! Yet Emperor Ling showed no signs of self-reflection, continuing to indulge in luxury, extravagance, and corruption. He wore clothes made of silk one foot square, with a grand procession that was as dazzling as lightning. He promoted officials based on bribery, favored those cunning villains, and granted them titles and ranks. At that time, everyone in Chang'an was saying: "This year is the year when the princes dominate!" It felt like heaven was warning him: If you keep rewarding villains and ignore talented people, what right do you have to cling to old rules? That's why your palace and library were burned down! Three years later, Emperor Ling died unexpectedly, followed by the chaos caused by Dong Zhuo, with the fire raging for three days and nights straight, turning Chang'an into a wasteland! In August of the year 190 AD, Bajiao Bridge caught fire again. Three years later, Dong Zhuo was killed. Books say that an unusually warm winter signals that major events are on the horizon, as recorded in the "Book of Han," though there have been warm winters since the dynasty's founding, they weren't documented.
In the year 114 AD, eight melons growing together were considered by people to be an omen of good fortune. Some claimed that the melons sprouted away from the roots, symbolizing a woman marrying outside her family. At that time, Empress Yan had just been crowned, and together with her relatives, she falsely accused the crown prince and replaced him with Prince Jiyin, while making Liu Du the new crown prince. This was truly a nefarious deed!
In the year 168 AD, the leaves of bamboo and cypress trees in Luoyang withered, and diviners warned, "The emperor is in danger!"
In the third year of Han Lingdi's Xiping reign, two unremarkable catalpa trees in the imperial palace suddenly grew overnight to over ten feet tall, thick enough to be encircled by a person's arms, and took on the form of a barbarian with features like head, eyes, beard, and hair. This was a fulfillment of the prophecy from Jing Fang's "Yi Zhuan": "When the king's virtue declines, commoners will rise, and trees will grow resembling humans." This signified the emperor's moral decay and the people's inclination towards rebellion!
On an October day in the fifth year, the sturdy locust trees behind the palace uprooted themselves, standing on their heads with their roots in the air. This was truly bizarre!
In the summer of the first year of Zhongping, a peculiar grass sprouted in the Dongjun counties of Chenliu, Jiyang, Changhuan, Yuanju, and Lihuxian. The stems were thick and swollen like human fingers, and the grass formed shapes resembling doves, sparrows, dragons, snakes, and various beasts in different colors, complete with fur, feathers, and all the features you'd expect! This was nothing short of a demonic plant! That year, the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out. The empress’s brother, He Jin, and her half-brother, Zhu Miao, rose to the rank of generals and led troops into battle. Later, Zhu Miao was appointed as the Marquis of Jiyin, while He Jin and Zhu Miao seized power and controlled the court, marking the beginning of the Han Dynasty's decline. Everything started from here.
In the Zhongping era, a tree sprouted in a vacant lot six or seven miles northwest of Chang'an, and it had a human face and hair. In the ninth month of the first year of Emperor Xian's Xingping reign, mulberries grew on the mulberry tree and were edible. On the Wuzi day of the second month in the third year of Emperor An's Yanguang reign, a large, colorful bird appeared and landed on the Jinan platform; in October, this large bird flew to Xinfeng. At that time, people believed it to be a phoenix. Some believed the phoenix symbolized the energy of the sun and claimed that only a wise ruler could see it. In reality, many colorful birds that resembled phoenixes were often just mythical creatures. At that time, Emperor An was misled by the slanderous words of the eunuchs Fan Feng, Jiang Jing, Queen Wang Sheng, and Geng Bao, and dismissed the Grand Commandant Yang Zhen, abolished the Crown Prince, and changed his title to King of Jiyin. Emperor Zhang of Han was said to have seen the phoenix a hundred and forty-nine times during his reign. The honest official He Chang believed these were merely bird monsters that looked like phoenixes, flying around in the palace, but no one paid attention. Historians argue that Emperor Zhang's later death confirmed these omens. According to records, during the reigns of Emperor Xuan and Emperor Ming of Han, a flock of colorful birds also entered the palace, and Jia Kui believed this was a sign of the surrender of the Hu people. Both emperors accomplished many good deeds; although they also made mistakes, the country did not decline, and in their later years, two hundred thousand Hu people surrendered, which exactly fulfilled Jia Kui's prophecy. During Emperor An's reign, the Qiang and Hu tribes rebelled, marking the time when mythical birds were reported. 'Le Ye Tu Zheng' states that there are five types of colorful phoenixes, one of which is considered auspicious, while the other four are deemed monsters. In November of the year 147 AD, a colorful large bird appeared near the Ji family in Jiyin County, and everyone believed it to be a phoenix. At that time, political corruption was rampant, Liang Ji controlled the court, and the emperor was immersed in the pleasures of the harem, all signs of chaos.
In the autumn of 167 AD, a multicolored bird appeared in Xincheng, and people claimed it was a phoenix as many birds followed it in flight. At that time, Emperor Ling paid no attention to political affairs, and the eunuchs and palace attendants held power in the palace, leading to chaos! Birds often gather to watch unusual sights when they see the extraordinary, even rare birds that are seldom seen join in the commotion.
In mid-August of 186 AD, tens of thousands of birds appeared on Huailing Mountain. They first let out a mournful cry, then began to attack each other, fighting to the death, their heads ultimately hanging from tree branches and thorns. By 189 AD, Emperor Ling died, and the Grand General He Jin wanted to eliminate the favored eunuchs and treacherous officials, after years of misdeeds, he sought to thoroughly rectify the corrupt court politics. However, the Empress Dowager hesitated, and the issue lingered unresolved. As a result, He Jin was killed in the palace, and then the government launched a massive purge of those who had become rich and powerful by relying on eunuchs and treacherous officials, leaving no one unscathed. Oh, Huailing, with its lofty terrain symbolizing power. It seems like heaven is warning that those who rise to power and wealth through corruption will ultimately self-destruct and perish!
In July of 150 AD, a strange rain fell in the northern region, with raindrops resembling lamb ribs, some as big as palm leaves. This was seen as a portent of good fortune! At that time, Empress Dowager Liang presided over the court, while her brother Liang Ji abused his power, wrongfully executing loyal ministers of the Han Dynasty, former Grand Commandant Li Gu and Du Qiao, causing outrage among the people. Eventually, the Liang family was annihilated.
