It is said in the "Five Elements Chronicles": "When building palaces and ornamenting pavilions and towers, if the household is in chaos, engaging in incest and showing disrespect to parents and elder siblings, the crops will not yield good harvests." This means that when the land loses its natural order, disasters will come. The book also says: "Harboring ill thoughts in one's heart is unwise. The consequences can vary from fierce winds to untimely death. At times, one may encounter night demons, while at other times, be plagued by pests, face disasters like cattle diseases, internal illnesses, unusual yellow occurrences, or auspicious signs; essentially, all five elements—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—will be impacted." This "Hua Nie," as noted by Liu Xin, refers to pest-related disasters, such as those caused by moths.
In the twenty-second year of Jianwu, earthquakes occurred in forty-two counties and states across the country, with Nanyang being particularly severe, causing landslides and crushing many people to death. Following this, the Wuxi barbarians rebelled, rampaging through the region and advancing into Nanjun. The court gathered troops from various Jingzhou counties and sent General Liu Shang of Wuwei to suppress the rebellion. However, Liu Shang was surrounded by the barbarians, and although reinforcements were sent by the court, Liu Shang ultimately fell in battle.
In the first year of Jianguo, in the third month, earthquakes occurred in Shanyang and Dongping counties.
In the fourth year of Emperor He's Yongyuan reign, in the sixth month of the year of the Bingchen, earthquakes occurred in thirteen counties and states nationwide. The "Records of the Spring and Autumn Annals of the Han" states: "If a woman takes charge at home and the ministers obey her, earthquakes and mountain collapses will occur, causing chaos throughout the world." At that time, Empress Dowager Dou was in power, with her brother Dou Xian holding power. This earthquake was likely a bad omen for them. Sure enough, a few days later, the court ordered the retrieval of Dou Xian's seal, and the brothers were both sent back to their hometown and driven to suicide. In the second month of the fifth year of Yongyuan, another earthquake struck Longxi. Some believe this indicates major changes are coming when the common people are content. In the ninth month of the same year, the Xiongnu leader Yuchujian rebelled, and the court sent troops to suppress it. In the ninth month of the seventh year of Yongyuan, there was also an earthquake in the capital city. Confucian scholars attributed this to the officials in power lacking masculine virtue and behaving in a feminine manner. At that time, Emperor He conspired with the eunuch Zheng Zhong to seize power from the Dou clan, promoting Zheng Zhong and favoring the eunuch Cai Lun, both of whom then became powerful. In the third month of the ninth year of Yongyuan, there was another earthquake in Longxi. In the extra month of that year, the Qiang people beyond the borders rebelled again, killing officials and common people. The court sent General Liu Shang to suppress the rebellion. In the first year of Emperor Han's Yongchu era, eighteen earthquakes occurred nationwide. Li Gu analyzed at the time: "The earth belongs to the Yin category and should remain calm. But now, going against the nature of Yin, the government is exhibiting excessive Yang energy, leading to earthquakes." During that time, Empress Deng held power, until her death in the Jianguang era, when Emperor An finally took control. After that, the influence of soft Yin energy became dominant, and rebellions broke out in the Western Qiang region, continuing for over a decade.
In the second year, there were twelve earthquakes across the country. In the third year, on Xin-You in December, there were nine earthquakes. In the fourth year, on Gui-Si in March, there were four earthquakes. In the fifth year, on Bing-Xu in January, there were ten earthquakes. In the seventh year, on Ren-Yin in January and Bing-Wu in February, there were eighteen earthquakes. These frequent earthquakes are truly terrifying!
In the first year of the Yuan era, there were fifteen earthquakes across the country. In the second year, on Geng-Shen in November, there were ten earthquakes. In the third year, there were ten earthquakes in February; on Gui-Mao in November, there were nine earthquakes. In the fourth year, there were thirteen earthquakes; in the fifth year, there were fourteen earthquakes. In the sixth year, on Yi-Si in February, a devastating earthquake occurred, with a staggering total of forty-two earthquakes nationwide! Many areas experienced ground fissures, and water surged forth, city walls and buildings collapsed, and many people were crushed to death. "Some places cracked, water gushed out, ruined city walls and houses, and killed people." Just imagining the scene is terrifying! In winter, there were eight earthquakes.
In the first year of Yongning, there were twenty-three earthquakes across the country. These earthquakes seem to come year after year, with no end in sight!
In the first year of Jian Guang, on Ji-Chou in September, there were thirty-five earthquakes across the country, with many areas cracking, and city walls and buildings collapsing, and many people being crushed to death. At that time, Emperor An was inept and easily swayed by palace insiders, resulting in attacks and reprisals against Empress Dowager Deng's family, completely controlled by Sheng and eunuchs, with the eunuchs Jiang Jing, Fan Feng, and others abusing their power.
In the first year of Yanguang, on the Guimao day in July, thirteen earthquakes struck Kyoto and various parts of the country. On the Wushen day in September, there were twenty-seven earthquakes. In the second year, there were thirty-two earthquakes; in the third year, there were twenty-three earthquakes. During this time, Emperor An dismissed the Grand Preceptor Yang Zhen and abolished the Crown Prince due to slander. On the Dingsi day in November of the fourth year, there were sixteen earthquakes in Kyoto and various parts of the country. After Emperor An's death, Empress Dowager Yan took over the government, and the Yan brothers usurped power, excluding Emperor An's sons and attempting to crown other princes as emperor. Before those princes arrived, the court officials killed the Yan brothers.
In the third year of Yongjian of Emperor Shun, on the Bingzi day in January, there was an earthquake in Kyoto and Hanyang. In Hanyang, houses collapsed, killing people, and water gushed from the ground. "Houses collapse and kill people in Hanyang, the ground cracks and water gushes out." At that time, Empress Dowager Song E and the Palace Attendant Zhang Fang controlled the court, exercising unchecked power and corrupting the court.
In April of the year 133 AD, Luoyang experienced an earthquake, and at that time, Song E was granted the title of Lady of Shanyang. Two years later, in December, Luoyang experienced another earthquake.
In April of the year 136 AD, Luoyang experienced another earthquake. During this time, Song E conspired and framed others, but her schemes were exposed in May, and she was stripped of her official seal and sent back home to farm. In November of the same year, Luoyang experienced another earthquake. During this earthquake, the Grand Preceptor Wang Gong felt that the Palace Attendant Zhang Fang and others were corrupting the government and wanted to report to the emperor to have them executed, but his relatives advised him against it, citing the example of Yang Zhen (a famous honest official), and he relented. In February of the year 137 AD, Luoyang, Jincheng, and Longxi all experienced earthquakes, resulting in landslides and the collapse of walls and houses, killing many people. In the leap month of the same year, Luoyang experienced another earthquake. In October, over two thousand Xiqiang cavalry invaded Jincheng, bringing calamity to Liangzhou. In March of the year 138 AD, Luoyang suffered an earthquake; in February of the year 139 AD, Luoyang suffered another earthquake.
In January 140 AD, six counties in the Liangzhou region experienced earthquakes. From September of the previous year through April of the next year, there were over 180 earthquakes in total! Valleys split open, and cities and temples were destroyed, resulting in countless deaths and injuries among people and livestock. In March, the Qiang Protector-General Zhao Chong was killed by rebellious Hu people. In September, an earthquake struck Luoyang. At this time, Emperor Shun of the Han died, and Empress Liang took over as regent. She wanted to build a grand tomb for Emperor Shun, which resulted in the damage of many graves. Minister Luan Ba strongly advised her against it, but Empress Liang was furious and ordered Luan Ba to be arrested and prepared for execution. However, on that same day, another earthquake occurred! Frightened, Empress Liang quickly released Luan Ba, removed him from office, and allowed him to return home as a commoner.
In April 147 AD, there was an earthquake in Luoyang; in September, Luoyang experienced another earthquake. At that time, Empress Liang was the regent, and her brother Liang Ji wielded significant power. By 150 AD, Empress Liang had died, but Liang Ji continued to dominate the government, ruling tyrannically until his execution in 152 AD. In September 153 AD, Luoyang experienced earthquakes on two consecutive days, first on Ji Mao day, followed by Geng Yin day.
In November 420 AD, an earthquake struck Jiankang (modern-day Nanjing). In January and October 421 AD, Jiankang was struck by two more earthquakes.
In February 422 AD, there was an earthquake in Jiankang.
In December 424 AD, there was an earthquake in Jiankang.
In 151 AD, during the reign of Emperor Huan of the Han in the fourth year of the Yanxi era, there were earthquakes in the capital, Youfufeng, and Liangzhou. In the fifth year of the Yanxi era, on Yi Hai day in the fifth month, the capital experienced another earthquake. At that time, Emperor Huan and the eunuch Danchao were plotting to remove Liang Ji, allowing Danchao to rule with unchecked power. Empress Deng, who came from a humble background and had questionable morals, was made empress solely based on her beauty. She was later deposed for her involvement in superstitions and died of depression. On Ding Wei day in September 158 AD, the capital once again experienced an earthquake.
In the year 167 AD, in the fourth year of Emperor Ling of Han's Jian Ning reign, on the day of Gui Mao in the second month, an earthquake struck. At that time, the eunuchs Cao Jie and Wang Fu were controlling the court, exercising power arbitrarily. Earthquakes also occurred in June of 168 AD and in October of 172 AD. In February of 178 AD and April of the same year, the capital experienced two more earthquakes. The eunuchs were particularly tyrannical and lawless during Emperor Ling of Han's reign. In March of 179 AD, there was an earthquake in Jingzhao. From the autumn of 179 AD to the spring of the following year, the Biaoshi area in Jiuquan County experienced more than eighty consecutive earthquakes, with water gushing out from underground, resulting in the collapse of government buildings, temples, and homes. The county had to relocate, and the city walls were rebuilt.
In June of 191 AD, during the second year of the Chun Ping reign of Emperor Xian of Han, there was an earthquake on the day of Bing Xu. Another earthquake occurred in June of 192 AD on the day of Ding Chou.
In the year 97 AD, during the first year of the Yongyuan reign of Emperor He of Han, a landslide occurred in Nanshan, Kuaiji. Kuaiji Mountain, a renowned southern peak! Jing Fang said in the "Yi Zhuan": "A landslide signifies that the weak triumphs over the strong." Liu Shang believed that mountains represent rulers and water represents the people; if the ruler's authority collapses, the people will lose their protection. Liu Xin believed that "collapse" means "relaxation" or slackening. At that time, Empress Dowager Dou was in power, with her brother Dou Xian holding authority. In July of 104 AD, a crack occurred in Yiyang, Zhao. Jing Fang said in the "Yi Zhuan": "A crack in the earth signifies the separation of ministers, unwilling to follow each other." At that time, there were internal conflicts among the Southern Xiongnu, and the Han army was actively pursuing them. In the summer of 108 AD, on the day of Wuchen in the fourth month, a mountain over four hundred zhang high collapsed in Zigui, Nanjun, blocking a stream and killing over a hundred people. The following winter, the Wu Man tribe revolted, and the court sent envoys to recruit over ten thousand officials and civilians from Jingzhou to quell the uprising.
In May of 184 AD, on the day of Gui You, a fissure opened in Yong County, Fufeng. Following this, the Western Qiang launched large-scale invasions in Liangzhou.
In May of 145 AD, during the first year of the Yanping reign of Emperor Shang of Han, there was a landslide in Yuanshan, Hedong. At that time, Empress Dowager Deng was in power. In the autumn of the same year, in August, Emperor Shang died.
In June 106 AD, during the reign of Emperor An of the Han Dynasty, a sinkhole occurred in Yang County, Hedong, measuring one hundred and forty paces from east to west and one hundred and twenty paces from north to south, with a depth of thirty-five feet. In June 112 AD, landslides occurred in sixty-three locations in Yu Prefecture, Yuanxi Mountain. On the day of the third month of the first year of the Yuan Dynasty, the ground cracked in Nanfang, Jinan County, with a crack measuring one hundred and eighty-two li; this was quite an extraordinary occurrence! Three years later, in the first month, a sudden surge of bandits in Cangwu, Yulin, and Hepu threw society into chaos. Two years earlier, in June of the second year of the Yuan Dynasty, the ground in the new city of Luoyang, Henan, also split open.
Following this, in July of the second year of Yanguang, forty-seven mountain collapses occurred in Danyang County, leading to significant devastation. In June of the third year, the mountain in Langzhong, Ba Prefecture, also gave way. In October of the fourth year, the mountain in Yue Xiu, Shu Prefecture, collapsed, causing the death of more than four hundred people on the day of the emperor's solar worship. At that time, Empress Yan was in control of the court, abusing her power and creating turmoil. That November, the Head Eunuch, Sun Cheng, and others killed Jiang Jing, proclaimed Shun Emperor, and executed Empress Yan's brothers. The following year, Empress Yan passed away.
In June of the second year of Emperor Shun's reign, the ground cracked open at Xuande Pavilion in Luoyang, with a crack measuring eighty-five zhang, just outside the outskirts of Luoyang. At that time, a man named Li Gu analyzed, "This is all because the forces of evil are too rampant, a sign of impending division! The crack is near the outskirts; this is a warning from the heavens to the emperor!" At that time, Song E and the eunuchs competed for power and wealth, and later the eunuchs Zhang Kui and Qu Zheng fought for power with the Grand General Liang Shang, spreading rumors and scheming against Liang Shang.
In the fourth month of Huan Emperor's Jianhe era, six locations across the country experienced ground fissures, water erupted from the ground, well water spilled over, temples and houses collapsed, and many people died! At that time, Empress Dowager Liang was in power, and her brother Liang Ji unjustly killed many innocent people, including notable figures like Li Gu and Du Qiao. Three years later, five additional mountains collapsed nationwide.
In July of the first year of the Heping era, Mount Zitong in Guanghan Commandery collapsed. In the sixth month of the second year of the Yongxing era, Mount Xu in Donghai Commandery collapsed. In December, a major bandit uprising erupted in the Tai and Langye regions.
In the seventh month of the third year of the Yongshou era, the ground fissured in the Hedong region. At that time, Liang Ji, the brother of Empress Liang, wielded significant power, and Emperor Huan wanted to break free from his control, leading to internal strife and external threats in the court.
In the seventh month of the first year of the Yanxi era, the ground cracked open in Yunyang in the Left Fengyi Commandery. In the fifth month of the third year, Mount Hanzhong collapsed. At that time, the Emperor showed particular favoritism towards eunuchs like Shan Chao. In the sixth month of the fourth year, Mount Tai and Mount Boyou collapsed. In the sixth month of the eighth year, the ground fissured in the Goushi region.
In the fifth month of the first year of the Yongkang era, the ground cracked open in Gaoping Yongsouting in Luoyang and Xuan's land in Shangdang. At that time, court officials feared the excessive power held by eunuchs like Wang Fu. That winter, Emperor Huan passed away. The following year, the Dou clan and their allies attempted to eliminate the eunuchs and palace officials but failed and were killed instead.
In the fifth month of the fourth year of the Jianning era of Emperor Ling, there were twelve ground cracks in the Hedong region, featuring long and wide fissures, the longest measuring one hundred seventy steps and the widest exceeding thirty steps, with depths that seemed bottomless.
In the fifth year of Emperor Hedi's Yongyuan reign, on the Wuyin day of May, a strong wind blew in the Nanyang area, causing all the trees to fall. In the first year of Emperor An's Yongchu reign, there was also a strong wind that blew down trees. At that time, Empress Dowager Deng was in power, and since Prince Qinghe was still young but known to be intelligent, they made him emperor, known as Emperor An. They did not appoint Crown Prince Liu Sheng because Emperor An was considered excellent and would surely be filial to the Deng family. However, later on, Emperor An was deceived by evil men and overthrew the Deng family, leading to severe persecution of local officials, with eighty to ninety percent of the population perishing and every household being destroyed. This was a disaster! Subsequently, the Western Qiang also fell into chaos, and Liangzhou was in turmoil for over ten years. In the second year of Yongchu, in June, a strong wind blew in the capital and various counties, toppling many trees. On the Guichou day in May of the third year of Yongchu, a strong wind blew in the capital, toppling ninety-six catalpa trees on the southern outskirts. On the day of Bingyin in the seventh year of Yongchu in August, a strong wind blew in the capital and knocked down trees. In the second year of Emperor Yuan's reign, on the Guihai day in February, a strong wind blew in the capital, toppling trees. In the summer of the sixth year, in April, a strong wind blew in the Pei and Bohai regions, knocking down over thirty thousand trees. On the Bingshen day in the second year of Yanguang in March, a strong wind blew in the Hedong and Yingchuan regions, knocking down trees. On the day of Rengwu in June, eleven counties experienced a strong wind that knocked down trees. At that time, Emperor An was deceived by evil men, unable to distinguish right from wrong. In the third year of Yanguang, a strong wind blew in the capital and thirty-six counties, toppling trees. On the Guisi day in the second year of Jianning of Emperor Lingdi, a strong wind hit the capital, bringing hail, toppling more than a hundred trees over ten feet in diameter on the outskirts. Later, when they went to the western outskirts to welcome the spirit, when they reached the Luoshui West Bridge, they encountered a storm that blew the covers off the ceremonial vehicles, soaking all the officials. They couldn't reach the western outskirts and had to ask the relevant departments to conduct the sacrificial rituals for them. The same happened when they went to the western outskirts to welcome the spirit.
In the sixth month of the fifth year of the Han Ping era, a strong wind blew down trees. In the fourth year of the Han Xian Emperor, a strong wind blew in the Youfu Feng region, overturning houses and trees. Since the "Zhongxing" period, there have been no records in history books of supernatural events. During the reign of Emperor Zhang of Han, there was a large-scale locust plague in various counties, recorded in the "Lu Gong Zhuan," but not in official history. At that time, Empress Dowager Dou listened to slander and caused the deaths of Noblewomen Song and Liang and deposed the Crown Prince. In the fourth year of the Han Ling Emperor, a locust plague occurred in the Hongnong and Sanfu regions. At that time, Emperor Ling listened to the slander of the eunuch Cao Jie and others, imprisoning all the honest and talented people in the country, calling them "faction members."
In July of the year 1 BC, a locust plague struck the Sanfu region, which is now part of the Guanzhong area in Shaanxi Province, causing a severe crop failure.
In the year 65 AD, there was a major outbreak of cattle disease, with many cattle dying. In that year, the court sent Dou Gu and others to the Western Regions to fight and established the positions of Protector and Wujijiaowei officer. Just as Dou Gu and his men returned, the Western Regions staged a rebellion, killing the Protector Chen Mu and the Wujijiaowei officer Guan Chong. The Emperor was furious and was preparing to raise troops again, but in the autumn, Emperor Ming died, putting a stop to the plan, truly showing the whims of destiny!
In the winter of 79 AD, a severe cattle epidemic struck the capital, resulting in many deaths. At that time, Empress Dowager Dou was particularly fond of Noblewoman Song's son, wanting to make him the Crown Prince. She even sent people to investigate the faults of Noblewoman Song, plotting against her. Emperor Zhang at the time was truly naive! Some also say that in June of that year, Empress Ma died because of the extensive construction projects underway, causing harm to the people and angering the heavens.
