In the "Five Elements Transmission," it is said: "Simplifying ancestral sacrifices, neglecting prayers, abolishing rituals, and defying the natural order will prevent water from nourishing the earth." This implies that when water loses its essential nature, it transforms into a disaster. The book also states: "Hearing without truly listening reflects a lack of ambition. The consequences are severe; the punishment manifests as persistent coldness, ultimately resulting in poverty. Sometimes there will be strange demonic sounds, locust swarms, swine fever, ear diseases, and ominous signs, alongside fire and water disasters." Regarding the "fish disaster," Liu Xin explained in the "Transmission" as a disaster of insects, meaning locust disaster.
In July of the first year of Yongyuan, nine major floods struck various regions of the country, and crops were severely damaged. Jing Fang said in the "Yi Zhuan": "Arrogance and excessive punishment, disregarding reason will result in water disasters. This kind of water disaster will cause torrential rain, hail, strong winds, and a yellow sky. Even if you are hungry, taxes will not be reduced; this phenomenon is referred to as 'Tai,' and such water disasters will claim lives. Blocking communication and exhibiting arrogance is termed 'madness;' such water disasters will wash away houses and drown people, and insects will appear in the land after the water disaster. Failure to release due to unclear case is termed 'pursuing the nonexistent;' such water disasters will freeze people to death. Failure to release due to the pursuit of old cases is termed 'ignoring;' such water disasters will result in poor harvests. Failure to release after a major defeat is termed 'all yin;' such water disasters will flood into cities, and hail will freeze crops."
At that time, Emperor He was still a child, with Empress Dowager Dou wielding power. Her brother, Dou Xian, held significant power, and Dou Xian's brothers were also in high positions. They were arrogant and reckless, commanding their servants to assassinate anyone they bore a grudge against. Later, the Dou clan was exterminated.
In June of the twelfth year of the Han Dynasty, a major flood occurred in the Yingchuan region, causing serious damage to crops. At that time, the Emperor was infatuated with Concubine Deng and secretly plotted to depose Empress Yin, who harbored resentment. It was said that the funeral arrangements for Empress Gonghuai were not sufficiently grand, and it was only after Dowager Dou passed away that she was reburied at Xiling, with her three uncles being granted marquis titles and high-ranking positions, amassing wealth totaling thousands of gold pieces.
In May of the first year of Yanping, thirty-seven significant floods struck across the country, causing severe damage to crops. Dong Zhongshu remarked, "Water is an expression of excessive Yin energy." At that time, the Emperor was still a mere infant, and Empress Dowager Deng held power.
In the winter of 126 AD, on the day of Xinyou in October, a sudden flash flood occurred in Xincheng, Henan, destroying the fields of the common people and bringing forth springs that gushed forth to a depth of three zhang. During that time, Sikong Zhou Zhang and others conspired to depose the new Crown Prince because Empress Dowager Deng failed to appoint Liu Sheng, instead choosing the Prince of Qinghe. By November, their conspiracy was uncovered, and Zhou Zhang and others were executed. That year, 41 counties across the country experienced floods, resulting in the deaths of many ordinary citizens. The "Chenwei" records, "Water embodies the peak of Yin energy. When Yin energy floods everywhere, it signifies the rise of villains, jealousy towards the virtuous, forming factions, and oppressing the noble. When villains gain power and the virtuous lose favor, floods occur."
From 127 to 130 AD, there were four consecutive years of major floods. In 131 AD, the water in Chizi, Hedong turned red like blood. During that time, Empress Dowager Deng continued to wield significant power.
In 132 AD, another major flood occurred, causing numerous deaths and extensive crop damage. At that time, Emperor An believed the slanderous words of Jiang Jing, Fan Feng, Wang Sheng, and others, leading to the dismissal of Grand Commandant Yang Zhen and the removal of the Crown Prince.
In May of 145 AD, the seawater flooded Le'an and Beihai, causing the deaths of many people and livestock. At that time, the Emperor was still a child, and Empress Dowager Liang was in power.
In July of the year 150 AD, the capital city suffered a major flood. The previous winter, Liang Ji was responsible for the deaths of former Grand Commandant Li Gu and Du Qiao. In August of the year 151 AD, the capital city experienced another major flood. At that time, Empress Liang still wielded significant power.
In the autumn of the year 157 AD, the Yellow River flooded, destroying many homes and belongings. In June of the year 158 AD, the Sishui River in Pengcheng surged and even flowed backwards.
In June of the year 161 AD, the Luo River flooded, rising to the gates of Jinyang City and washing away many people and belongings. At that time, Liang Ji, Empress Liang's brother, held immense power. He suppressed loyal officials, his power was overwhelming, and he even disregarded the emperor. Eventually, Liang Ji was executed.
In April of the year 168 AD, the Yellow River in Jibei had cleared. In April of the year 169 AD, the Yellow River in Jiyin, Dongjun, Jibei, and Pingyuan also cleared. Xiang Kai reported, "The Yellow River symbolizes the vassals, and the clear water symbolizes the rise of positive energy. Are only the vassals able to predict the fortunes of the capital?" The following year, Emperor Huan of Han died, and the court appointed Jie Duting Marquis as the successor, who later became Emperor Xiaoling.
In August of the year 168 AD, the Six Provinces experienced a major flood, and the seas in Bohai also overflowed, resulting in the drowning of many people. At that time, Emperor Huan lived extravagantly, was superstitious regarding rituals, and died in November without leaving an heir.
In February of the year 178 AD, the Yellow River cleared. In May, flash floods destroyed more than five hundred homes.
In June of the year 178 AD, the seas in Donglai and Beihai in Shandong surged, submerging many people and their belongings. The following autumn, the Luo River also flooded. In the summer of the year 180 AD, several prefectures experienced major floods, destroying the autumn crops.
In the autumn of the year 184 AD, the Jincheng River surged, flooding an area of over twenty miles. In the year 188 AD, several prefectures experienced large-scale floods.
In September of the year 197 AD, the Han River flooded, resulting in numerous casualties. It was a period of tremendous chaos! In June of the year 199 AD, another major flood occurred. In August of the year 201 AD, the Han River flooded again, resulting in numerous casualties.
It's been really cold lately. In the winter of 184 AD, it was particularly cold, where the ice in the wells of Beihai, Donglai, and Langye in Shandong was over a foot thick. In June of 194 AD, a cold wind blew as if it were winter.
In June of 91 AD, several regions were hit by hailstorms, with hailstones as big as eggs. At that time, Emperor He appointed the cruel official Zhou Yu as the Chief of the Imperial Guard, and the punishments were extremely harsh.
In 118 AD, there was hail again. In 119 AD, there was hail as big as eggs. In 120 AD, there was hail as big as goose eggs, which destroyed all the crops. Liu Xiang said that hail was caused by the excessive Yin energy suppressing the Yang energy. At that time, Empress Dowager Deng held all the power and controlled the court.
On a day in June of 124 AD, several prefectures experienced hailstorms with hailstones as big as goblets and eggs, killing many animals.
In April of 125 AD, twenty-one prefectures experienced hailstorms with hailstones as big as eggs, causing severe damage to the crops. At that time, Emperor An was misled by slander and wrongly killed many people. In 128 AD, there was hail as big as eggs again.
One day in May of 157 AD, the capital experienced hailstones as big as eggs. Emperor Huan was indiscriminately executing innocent people and favoring corrupt officials. In May of 160 AD, the capital experienced hail again. Empress Dowager Deng was extravagant, arrogant, and showed favoritism towards corrupt officials. The following year, she was deposed, died of depression, and her entire family was executed.
In April of 168 AD, there was hail. In May of 170 AD, there was hail in Hedong.
In June of 170 AD, there was hail as big as eggs. At that time, the eunuchs such as the Palace Attendants and the Yellow Gates held great power.
One day in April of 180 AD, there was hail, causing severe damage to the crops.
In June of 194 AD, hailstones the size of measuring cups fell in the Youfufeng region.
In the eleventh month of the year 91 AD, winter thunderstorms were reported in several provinces. Many imperial princes died young and were secretly buried among the common people. That year, the emperor passed away, and the young emperor was crowned after living just over a hundred days; the emperor's brother fell ill and was granted the title of Prince of Pingyuan, but later died without leaving any heirs.
In the ninth month of the first year of the Yanping era, thunder accompanied by four stones fell in Chenliu. This was truly an unusual sight!
In the sixth year of the Yongchu reign, thunderstorms were reported in several provinces during the month of October. In the seventh year, the situation worsened, with several provinces facing winter thunderstorms in October. In the first year of the Yuanchu era, several provinces reported winter thunderstorms in October. In the third year, Runan and Lelang also experienced winter thunderstorms in October. In the fourth year, several provinces echoed with winter thunder in October. In the sixth year, several provinces again faced winter thunderstorms in October. In the first year of Yongning, seven provinces experienced winter thunderstorms in October. In the first year of Jianguang, seven provinces faced winter thunderstorms in October. In the fourth year of Yanguang, an astonishing nineteen provinces experienced winter thunderstorms! During that time, the empress dowager effectively ruled in the emperor's stead, as he was unable to govern. After the empress dowager's death, the brothers Wang Sheng and Yan Xian seized power, and the emperor grew even more indifferent, delegating everything to his subordinates.
In the third year of Jianhe, in the sixth month of the year, lightning even damaged the sleeping quarters of the imperial tomb! Before this, Empress Liang was misled by her brother Ji's slander, leading to the wrongful deaths of Li Gu and Du Qiao.
In the tenth month of the sixth year of the Xiping era, Donglai also experienced winter thunderstorms. On the last day of the twelfth month of the fourth year of Zhongping, heavy rain, along with thunder, lightning, and hail, fell.
In the third year of Chu Ping during the reign of Emperor Xian, in the fifth month of the year Bing Shen, there were no clouds in the sky, but thunder sounded. In the fourth year, in the fifth month of Gui You, again there were no clouds in the sky, but thunder sounded, which was rather peculiar! During the seventh and eighth years of Jian'an, there was a mountain in Liling County, part of Changsha, which kept making loud noises like a cow for several years. Later, bandits from Yuzhang raided Liling County, killing local officials and civilians.
In the second year of Xi Ping, two huge fish appeared in the East Lai Sea, each about eight or nine zhang long and more than two zhang high. The following year, Princes Chang of Zhongshan and Bo of Rencheng both died.
In the fourth year of Yongyuan, a locust plague occurred. In the eighth year, locusts appeared in Henan and Chenliu. In September, the capital was also hit by locust plagues. In the ninth year, the locust plague continued from summer to autumn. Before this, the Western Qiang rebelled multiple times, and the court sent generals to lead the Northern Army in campaigns.
In the fourth year of Yongchu, a locust plague occurred in summer. At that time, the Western Qiang were in rebellion, and the army was continuously at war for over ten years. In the fifth year of summer, locust plagues occurred throughout the country. In the sixth year of March, the areas that had previously been affected by locusts saw the emergence of locust nymphs. In the seventh year of summer, there was another locust plague. In the first year of Yuanchu, five commanderies and states suffered from locust plagues in summer. In the second year of summer, twenty commanderies and states suffered from locust plagues. In the first year of Yangguang in June, another locust plague occurred. In the fifth year of Shundi Yongjian, twelve commanderies and states suffered from locust plagues. At that time, the Xianbei invaded Shuofang, and the court sent troops to combat them.
In the autumn of the year 136 AD, locusts plagued the Yanshi region in July. The previous winter, the Wuhuan invaded the Shan'an region, and the court sent troops to suppress them.
In July of the year 142 AD, over thirty commanderies and states across the country suffered from locust plagues. At that time, Liang Ji held great power, disregarding the law, pursuing pleasure, and acting arrogantly. In June of the year 143 AD, the capital was also hit by locust plagues. In June of the year 145 AD, the capital suffered from locust plagues again. In May of the year 146 AD, the capital faced another locust plague.
In the summer of 157 AD, seven provinces were hit by locust plagues. Prior to this, the Xianbei people had invaded the border more than thirty times. That year, the court sent Protector of the Wuhuan Xia Yu, General Who Conquers the Xianbei Tian Yan, and General Who Pacifies the Xiongnu Zang Min to launch a simultaneous campaign against the Xianbei. However, the state's finances were strained, and the court was forced to collect money and grain from various provinces to supply the army. As a result, none of the three armies achieved victory, and less than half of the soldiers made it back.
In 168 AD, the emperor issued a decree asking, "For several consecutive years, there have been locust plagues lasting until winter. What is causing this?" Cai Yong replied, "I've heard that the Book of Changes (Yijing) states: 'If major agricultural activities are not carried out on time, calamities will come from heaven, and locust plagues are one such calamity.' The River Chart's Secret Forecast section says: 'When the emperor is greedy, it leads to political tyranny, officials become cruel, and cruelty leads to harsh punishments and killings, ultimately resulting in locust plagues.' Locust plagues are caused by greed and cruelty." At that time, many officials moved their homes and secretly offered gifts to the Western Garden, treating it like their own mansion.
In the summer of 194 AD, a massive locust plague struck. At that time, the world was in turmoil. In May of 197 AD, another locust plague hit.
