The "Hongfan Lun" states: The earth’s yin energy is like a minister; it should stay still and not act recklessly. If a minister starts acting up, it means the subjects have gained power and are showing signs of rebellion.
Beginning in the second month of the fourth year of Taichang, earthquakes occurred one after another. On the day of the jiazi in February, Sizhou experienced an earthquake, and the houses shook violently!
The following year, in the eleventh month of the second year of Shizu Taiyan, Bingzhou had another earthquake. In the third month of the fourth year, the capital shook as well! In the eleventh month, Youzhou and Yanzhou also faced disasters. In the fifth month of the first year of Zhenjun, Hedong was hit by an earthquake.
In the fourth year of Gaozu's Yanxing, in the fifth month, near Yanmen Pass, a sudden thunder-like sound echoed, booming more than ten times from the west, and just as the sound faded, an earthquake struck! In the tenth month, the capital trembled again. In the first month of Taihe, the capital shook again in the fourth month. In May, there was an earthquake in Tongwan Town, accompanied by thunderous sounds! In the intercalary month, Qinzhou also experienced an earthquake, accompanied by a rumbling sound. In the first month of that year, the Di people of Yongzhou, led by Qi Nanwang, rebelled.
In the second year, during the second month of Bingzi, Yanzhou had another earthquake. In the tenth month of the fourth year, Huan Fu from Lanling rebelled and even killed the county magistrate. In the tenth month of the dingmao, there was another earthquake in Bingzhou, this time accompanied by sounds. In the third year, in the third month of the wuchan, there was an earthquake in Pingzhou, with a thunderous noise that scared the wild chickens into squawking. In the seventh month of Dingmao, the capital trembled once more! In the second month of the fifth year, a monk named Faxiu even plotted a rebellion!
In May of the fourth year of the Ji You era, there was an earthquake in Bingzhou. In the fifth year, February of the Wu Xu era, there was an earthquake in Qinzhou. In the sixth year, May of the Gui Wei era, there was an earthquake in Qinzhou, accompanied by sounds. In August of the Jia Wu era, there was another earthquake in Qinzhou; the sound was like thunder, and on the day of the Yi Wei, there was another quake! In the seventh year, March of the Jia Zi era, there was an earthquake in Qinzhou, accompanied by sounds. In April of the Ding Mao era, there was an earthquake in Sizhou, also with sounds. In June of the Jia Zi era, there was an earthquake in Dongyongzhou, accompanied by sounds. In the eighth year, November of the Bing Shen era, there was an earthquake in Bingzhou. In the tenth year, January of the Xin Wei era, there was an earthquake in Bingzhou, with a loud rumbling sound. In the intercalary month of the Bing Wu era, there was an earthquake in Qinzhou. In February of the Jia Zi era, there was an earthquake in the capital, and on the day of the Bing Yin, there was another quake! On the day of the Bing Wu, there was another earthquake in Qinzhou, accompanied by sounds. In March of the Ren Zi era, both the capital and Yingzhou experienced earthquakes. In the twelfth year, March, Zhong San Liang and his followers plotted a rebellion.
In the nineteenth year, February of the Ji Wei era, there was an earthquake in Guangzhou, and five locations in the Mouping Yuqiu Mountain area of Donglai collapsed, with one place even spewing water. In the twentieth year, January of the Xin Wei era, there was an earthquake in Bingzhou. In April of the Yi Wei era, there was an earthquake in Yingzhou. In December, the governor of Hengzhou, Mu Tai, and others conspired to rebel within the state and were subsequently killed. In the twenty-second year, March of the Gui Wei era, there was an earthquake in Yingzhou. In August of the Wu Zi era, there was an earthquake in Yanzhou. In September of the Xin Mao era, there was an earthquake in Bingzhou. In the twenty-third year, June of the Yi Wei era, there was another earthquake in the capital!
On a day in June of the year 477, there was an earthquake in Qinzhou. Four years later, on a day in January of the year 481, there was also an earthquake in Liangzhou. On a day of the same year, there was an earthquake in Bingzhou. On a day in June, there was another earthquake in Qinzhou. On a day in December of the same year, there was yet another earthquake in Qinzhou. In January of the year 483, over two thousand commoners in Qinzhou, led by Wang Zhi and others, gathered and proclaimed themselves as nobles, later electing the Qinzhou registrar Lü Gou'er as their leader.
On a day in April of the year 478, there was an earthquake in the capital. On a day in June, there was another earthquake in the capital. On a day in September of the year 479, there was an earthquake in Hengzhou. On a day in July of the year 480, there was an earthquake in Liangzhou, with a loud rumbling sound, which caused the city gates to collapse. On a day in August, there was an earthquake in Qinzhou. In September, the Prefect of Xiazhou, Cao Ming, rebelled.
In the year 481 AD, on a day in January, there was an earthquake in Qinzhou. In February of 484 AD, Liu Guangxiu, a monk from Taizhou, plotted a rebellion. On a certain day in September, there was an earthquake in Qingzhou, with a loud rumble. In January of 482 AD, Qingzhou experienced another earthquake. On a certain day in May of 484 AD, there were earthquakes in Hengzhou and Dingzhou, with a loud rumble. In October of the same year, there was an earthquake in Hengzhou, with a sound like thunder.
On a certain day in April of 485 AD, earthquakes occurred in the capital city as well as in the six provinces of Bian, Shuo, Xiang, Ji, Ding, and Ying. The earthquakes in the Fanzhi, Sanggan, and Lingqiu regions of Hengzhou, and the Xiurong and Yanmen areas of Sizhou, resulted in landslides, spring water gushing out, causing the death of 5,310 people, injuries to 2,722 people, and over 3,000 livestock were killed or injured. Following this, Erzhu Rong dispatched troops to suppress the rebellion in response to the earthquakes. On a certain day in October of the same year, there was an earthquake in Qinzhou, accompanied by a rumbling sound. In November, earthquakes occurred in Dingzhou and Sizhou. In December, the capital city experienced an earthquake, with the rumble coming from the northeast.
In March of 486 AD, there was an earthquake in Jizhou, accompanied by a rumbling sound. In a certain month, there was an earthquake in the capital city. On a certain day in January of 487 AD, a report from the relevant department stated: "Sizhou reported that since the earthquake in Fucheng County, Xiurong County, in April 485 AD, there have been ongoing earthquakes." Following this, Erzhu Rong dispatched troops to suppress the rebellion. On a certain day in January of 488 AD, there was an earthquake in Huazhou. In November of the same year, earthquakes were reported coming from the northwest, with a loud rumbling sound; on the same day, earthquakes were also reported coming from the northeast.
On a day in December of 502 AD, there was an earthquake in Qinzhou, with a rumbling sound. "The earthquake in Qinzhou could be heard." In June of 503 AD, there was an earthquake in Qinzhou, with a rumbling sound, the tremors coming from the northeast. "The earthquake in Qinzhou could be heard, coming from the northeast." Five years later, Mo Zhenian rebelled.
In previous years, there was an earthquake in Xuzhou, in June of the Gengchen year. In the first year of the Xiaochang era, Yuan Faseng staged a rebellion.
After a few years, in the winter of the third year of the Xiaojing Wuding era, there was an earthquake in Bingzhou. In the summer of the seventh year, many areas in Bingzhou also felt earthquakes. The "Book of Hong Fan" says: mountains represent the emperor, symbolizing the ruler; water represents the people. This serves as a warning from heaven: if the ruler's rule collapses, the people will suffer!
In the sixth spring of the sixth year of Taizu, in the third month, Hengshan collapsed. In the fourth month of the fourth year of Shizu Taiyan, Huashan also collapsed! The fortune teller said: mountains represent the heavens, just as the vassals depend on the emperor. The collapse of the mountains suggests that some vassals are about to meet their end, foretelling the downfall of Juqu Mujian.
In the first year of Jingming of Shizong, in the fifth month of Yichou, Taiyin Mountain in Shanchi County, Qizhou collapsed, leading to the deaths of 159 people. In the eleventh month of the fourth year, Hengshan collapsed again. In the eleventh month of the first year of Zhengshi, Hengshan collapsed once more. In the third year of Yanchang, in the eighth month of Xinsi, Yanzhou reported: Mount Tai collapsed, with seventeen locations collapsing and springs bursting forth. Mount Tai is the place where emperors worship the heavens, and now with the mountain collapsing and water gushing, the decline of yang energy and the rise of yin energy, Mount Tai is in Qizhou, indicating that a new state should rise to inherit Qi's legacy and accept the abdication! This foretells the destruction of Qi by the Wei kingdom.
Jing Fang noted in the "Book of Changes" that when opinions are divided, the highest moral values will be hidden, indicating an unusual storm is coming.
In the second month of the third year of Yongxing by Taizong, a strong wind swept through the capital. In the fifth month, Changli Wang Murong Boer rebelled and was killed. In the eleventh month, another strong wind blew. In the fifth year, the rebels Hu Caolong and Zhang Datou from Hexi each led twenty thousand troops to assault Puzi.
In the fourth year of January, the weather was overcast with strong winds, leading to the cancellation of the ceremony. In the fifth year, in the eleventh month, a strong wind blew in the capital from the west. In the first year of the Divine Auspice, in April, there was a fierce storm in the capital. In the second year, in the first month, there was again a fierce storm in the capital. In March, the starving Hu people in Hexi rebelled, gathering in Shangdang and electing Bai Yali as their leader.
In the second year of Ta Yan, on the day of Jia Shen in April, a fierce storm swept through the capital, which caused palace walls to collapse and resulted in dozens of deaths. In the third year, in December, a strong wind blew in the capital, raising dust and breaking trees. In the first year of the True Monarch, in February, a black wind swept through the capital, blocking out the sun and reaching over five zhang in width. In April, on the day of Geng Chen, Juqu Wuhui attacked Zhangye, and Tubao Baozhou stationed at Shandan Ridge.
One day in March 461 AD, a strong wind blew in Beijing, making the sky dark as night. In May 479 AD, a red gale swept through Beijing. On a certain day in July 478 AD, a strong wind blew in Wuchuan Town, blowing away the houses of six households, with the wind swirling debris into the sky, leaving everyone unsure of where it went. On another day of the same year, a red gale also swept through Yongzhou.
One day in June 480 AD, a strong wind blew in Xiangzhou, coming from the west, tearing off roofs and breaking trees. In April 484 AD, strong winds swept through both Xiangzhou and Yuzhou; in March 485 AD, storms hit the three provinces of Jizhou, Dingzhou, and Xiangzhou; in April, storms hit six provinces: Jizhou, Guangzhou, Youzhou, Sizhou, Yongzhou, and Qizhou. One day in June 486 AD, storms swept through Jizhou, Luozhou, Sizhou, Xiangzhou, as well as Lingqiu and Guangchang Town, breaking many trees.
In May of 490 AD, there were several days of strong winds in a row in Beijing, especially on one day when the wind was especially fierce, lifting the roofs off houses and breaking trees. In June, strong winds swept through Beijing again. On the first day of July in 493 AD, strong winds hit Beijing that knocked down trees and overturned houses. In August of 498 AD, strong winds blew in Xuzhou for several days, causing trees to fall. During the leap month of that year, a violent storm struck Hezhou, accompanied by heavy rain and hail.
On a day in February of 499 AD, a violent storm hit Youzhou, resulting in the deaths of 161 people. "In the second month of the first year of Jingming, a violent storm hit Youzhou, killing one hundred and sixty-one people." During the leap month of 501 AD, strong winds swept through Beijing again, causing trees to fall, houses to be overturned, and even damaging the gates of the Chang'an Gate. "In the leap month of the third year, strong winds hit the capital city, uprooting trees and breaking gates." In September of the same year, violent storms swept through Youzhou, Qizhou, Liangzhou, and Dongqinzhou, plunging the area into darkness and destroying trees and houses. In March of 502 AD, strong winds swept through Hebei, Hedong, Zhengping, and Pingyang in Sizhou, causing trees to fall.
In July of 503 AD, a violent storm hit Dongqinzhou, knocking down trees and overturning houses. In February of 504 AD, a dark tornado struck, shooting straight up into the sky like a ram's horn, starting from Rouxuan Town, spanning an acre and knocking down every tree along the way. The next day, the tornado then moved on to Yingzhou before heading out to sea. In May of 506 AD, strong winds swept through Beijing.
In April of 507 AD, strong winds swept through Beijing once more, knocking down trees. In August, the governor of Jizhou, King You of Jingzhao, led a rebellion in Jizhou. In May of 509 AD, strong winds swept through Guangye and Chouchi counties in South Qinzhou, causing trees to fall and houses to be overturned. In March of 512 AD, a violent storm swept into Beijing from the northwest, causing trees to fall and houses to be overturned.
In September 522 AD, a storm hit Yingzhou, accompanied by heavy rain that lasted for several days. In April 523 AD, on one particular day, a storm hit Beijing, bringing heavy rain that uprooted trees and overturned houses. In April 460 AD, strong winds hit Beijing. In May 461 AD, another storm struck Beijing, with winds so strong that they knocked down trees, tore off tiles from roofs, damaged Changmen's gates, and damaged the nine-story pagoda of Yongning Temple. At that time, wars were occurring across the country. In the summer of 477 AD, torrential rain knocked down the doors and roofs of Puguang Temple. In March 483 AD, strong winds blew through the Yingchuan region. The books say that "Hongfan Lun" states: if there are great floods, it is due to rulers mismanaging the country, causing the water in the valleys to overflow. In August 488 AD, a heavy rainstorm occurred, along with a major earthquake, causing water to overflow in the valleys. In August 492 AD, the Hanoi area experienced severe flooding. In June 500 AD, Beijing was flooded, affecting hundreds of households. In July 508 AD, Pingzhou experienced flooding. In April 502 AD, the southern regions of Yu, Xu, and Yan had heavy rainfall. In July 506 AD, Qingzhou and Yongzhou were flooded. In August 506 AD, seven provinces including Xuzhou, Dongxuzhou, Yanzhou, Jizhou, Pingzhou, Yuzhou, and Guangzhou, as well as the towns of Pingyuan, Fangtou, Guanga, and Linji, all experienced flooding. In September 509 AD, Nanyu and Shuozhou were flooded, drowning over a thousand individuals. In 524 AD, Yan and Yu provinces received heavy rainfall. In June 525 AD, eight provinces including Qingzhou, Qizhou, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Xuzhou, Yuzhou, Yanzhou, and Dongyu experienced flooding. In July 527 AD, Qingzhou, Qizhou, Nanjing, Guangzhou, Xuzhou, Yuzhou, Yanzhou, Dongyu, as well as Yingchuan and Jijun in Sizhou were flooded, with water rising to fifteen feet, and only about fourteen or fifteen households were spared. In March 528 AD, Qingzhou and Xuzhou had heavy rainfall, causing seawater to overflow in Xiwok County in Leiling, sweeping away 152 individuals. In July 530 AD, over twenty provinces experienced flooding.
In the summer of the year 531 AD, Beijing and various parts of the country experienced severe flooding. In May of the year 532 AD, Shouchun experienced severe flooding. In June of the year 536 AD, Xuzhou experienced severe flooding. In September of the year 537 AD, the three states of Jizhou, Yingzhou, and Cangzhou experienced severe flooding. In the summer of the year 538 AD, the four states of Dingzhou, Jizhou, Yingzhou, and Xiangzhou experienced severe flooding. In the autumn of the year 539 AD, Beijing experienced severe flooding. In June of the year 540 AD, Beijing experienced severe flooding that damaged over three hundred households. In the year 541 AD, the four states of Dingzhou, Jizhou, Yingzhou, and Cangzhou experienced severe flooding. In the year 544 AD, Cangzhou experienced severe flooding. In the fifth year of the reign of Taizong, on the day of Renshen in the twelfth month, springs emerged in Pingcheng. In the fifth year of the reign of Gaozong, in the eleventh month, springs at Yanmen Pass broke through rocks and gushed out. In the first year of the reign of Qianfeidi, in the autumn, the wells in front of the Minister of Works' residence overflowed. Some predicted and said, "This is a sign of people moving." As a result, in the first month of Yongxi's first year, the capital moved to Ye City. In the seventh month of the fourth year of the reign of Xiaojingdi, wells in Taizhou also overflowed. In the first month of the first year of Yuanxiang, a dried-up well in the southwest of Ye City also overflowed with water. The "Hong Fan Lun" says: when Yang energy is too strong, it forms hail, and when Yin energy is too strong, it forms sleet. This means that when Yang energy is too strong and doesn't balance with Yin energy, or when Yin energy is too strong and Yang energy is insufficient, the two cannot be harmonized, resulting in hail. It is like the opinions of ministers not aligning with the thoughts of the ruler. In the fourth month of the fourth year of the reign of Gaozu, on the day of Gengwu, Jingzhou experienced a huge hailstorm, which damaged crops. In the fourth month of the first year of Chengming, on the day of Xinyou, Qingzhou, Qizhou, Xuzhou, and Yanzhou experienced strong winds and hail. On the day of Gengshen in August, various counties in Bingzhou experienced a massive hailstorm, with hail accumulating to a foot thick on the ground, destroying crops and vegetation. On the day of Guiwei, Dingzhou experienced hail, which resulted in fatalities, with the largest hailstones having a diameter of two feet. In the sixth month of the first year of the reign of Shizong, Yongzhou and Qingzhou experienced heavy rain and hail, resulting in numerous deer fatalities. On the day of Guiyou in the fourth year, Fenzhou experienced heavy rain and hail.
On the Yisi day in June, Fen Prefecture experienced a heavy rainstorm with hail, killing grass, trees, crops, and wildlife, including wild chickens and hares.
On the Jiaxu day in July, a storm arose, accompanied by heavy rain and hail, beginning in Fen Prefecture and sweeping through Bingzhou, Xiangzhou, Sizhou, and Yanzhou, finally stopping at Xuzhou, spanning ten miles and destroying all vegetation in its path.
On the Dingchou day in March of the second year of Zhengshi, there was heavy rain and hail in Qizhou and Jizhou, and it even snowed.
On the Gengzi day in May of the third year of Yongping, there was heavy rain and hail in Guangye County in Nanjin, killing many birds, beasts, and crops.
According to the "Hongfan Lun": "The heavy rain and snow recorded in the 'Spring and Autumn' are similar to ordinary rain, just more severe. Rain is yin energy, and snow is also yin energy. Heavy snow is a manifestation of accumulated yin energy. One theory suggests that heavy snow is like heavy rain, but because it is winter, it is snow."
In the second year of Shiguang under Emperor Shizu's reign, there was several feet of heavy snow in October.
In the eighth year of Zhenjun, in May, there was heavy snow in Beizhen, killing both humans and livestock due to the severe cold. At that time, the court's rule was harsh.
In the fourth year of Taiping during the reign of Emperor Gaozu, on the Jiazi day in September, the capital experienced a strong wind, accompanied by three feet of heavy snow.
In the first year of Zhengshi during the reign of Emperor Sejong, on the Renxu day in May, there was heavy rain and snow at Wuchuan Town.
On the Yimao day in February of the fourth year, there was a storm with heavy rain and snow in Sizhou and Xiangzhou.
On the Renshen day in September, there was heavy snow.
In April 751, heavy snow fell in Rouxuan Town. Jing Fang mentioned in the "Yizhuan": "Raising troops for war and indiscriminately killing the innocent is a violation of legal principles, and the consequence is: frost in summer, poor harvests of the five grains, and winter wheat also freezing to death; killing without regard for right or wrong is inhumane, and there will first appear heavy frost in summer." This is clearly an omen!
In July 755 AD, frost fell in Jizhou. This isn't a good sign at all. It's already summer; how can it be frosty? In July 756 AD, on Gengchen, frost struck again, and all the grass and trees were killed by the frost! On Yichou in April 760 AD, frost struck again! In July 763 AD, there was heavy frost in Yongzhou, Shuozhou, Fahanshan, Tujing, Bogulv, Dunhuang, and Chouchi Town, and all the crops died!
In April 766 AD, there was frost in Yingchuan County. In March 767 AD, Sizhou experienced wind and frost, and all the beans froze to death. In April 769 AD, frost was reported in Yongzhou and Qingzhou. In June, frost was reported in Luozhou, Sizhou, and Xiangzhou, as well as Lingqiu and Guangchang Town in Sizhou. On Yiwu in August 774 AD, there was frost in Fenzhou. Frost has become increasingly frequent in recent years!
On Bingzi in April 775 AD, there was frost in Xiaozhou, and all the grass was killed. On Dinghai in June, there was frost in Jianxing County, and all the grass was killed. On Yihai in August, strong winds and frost hit repeatedly in Yongzhou, Bingzhou, Shuozhou, Xiaozhou, Fenzhou, as well as Zhengping and Pingyang in Sizhou. On Xinhai in March 777 AD, there was frost in Qizhou, and mulberry trees and wheat were all killed by the frost. On Renxu in March 779 AD, there was frost in Yongzhou, and mulberry trees and wheat were all killed by the frost. On Xinsi, there was also frost in Qingzhou, and mulberry trees and wheat were all killed by the frost.
In the year 781 AD, on the Renxu day of May, frost fell in Wuchuan Town. On the Xinmao day of June, frost fell in Huaishuo Town. On the Wuchen day of July, frost fell in East Qinzhou. On the Gengzi day of August, frost fell in Hezhou, and all the crops were completely frozen. In April of 782 AD, frost fell in Qizhou. On the Renshen day in May, frost fell in Hengzhou and Fenzhou, and all the crops were completely frozen. On the Xinsi day in July, frost fell in Binzhou and Qizhou. On the Yiwei day, frost fell in Dunhuang. On the Wuxu day, frost fell in Hengzhou. In June of 783 AD, on the Bingshen day, frost fell in Anzhou. In March of 784 AD, on the Yichou day, there was repeated frost in Binzhou. On the Yimao day in April, frost fell in Dunhuang. In August, frost fell in Hezhou. In March of 785 AD, on the Yiyu day, frost fell in Qizhou and Binzhou. On the Jichou day, frost fell in Bingzhou. On the Wuwu day in April, frost fell in Dunhuang. In April of 787 AD, on the Xinhai day, frost fell in Wuzhou Town. In recent years, frost has become a common occurrence! In the year 477 AD, in March, there was frost in eight provinces in Henan. In July of 477 AD, frost fell in Henan and eleven provinces in the north. "The Book of Hongfan" states: Thunder is yang, clouds are yin. There can only be thunder with clouds, and there can only be a monarch with subjects. Thunder depends on clouds, and a monarch depends on subjects; this illustrates the harmony of yin and yang. Therefore, if there is thunder without clouds, it means the monarch is alone without subjects. In July 478 AD, thunder sounded in the northeast without any clouds. In the following year, in July, a sound like thunder came from the northeast. On a day in February of 479 AD, a sound emanated from the northeast, traveling south, sounding like thunder, and after two sounds, it stopped. On a day in October of 482 AD, a sound like a large drum echoed from the north, heading northwest. "The Book of Hongfan" states: Yang energy governs for 183 days, yin energy also governs for 183 days; thunder emerges from the earth for 183 days, then goes back into the earth for 183 days, then emerges again; this is the normal rule. Therefore, when thunder behaves normally, everything is at peace; when thunder is abnormal, all things suffer. The same goes for a country: if the monarch is peaceful, the country is peaceful; if the monarch faces calamities, the country suffers. Thunder occurring at the wrong times is an abnormal phenomenon.
In the year 483 AD, on a day in October, it was raining, accompanied by thunder and lightning. In the year 485 AD, there was thunder on a day in October, and again in November. In the year 488 AD, thunder and rain fell in Yuzhou on a day in November. That same day, Yuzhou experienced a heavy thunderstorm, with water accumulating three inches deep on flat ground. In the year 491 AD, thunder rumbled on a day in October. In the year 494 AD, thunder and lightning struck in Youzhou, illuminating the city in red. In the year 496 AD, thunder rumbled in Liangzhou, producing seven loud claps. In the year 497 AD, thunder rumbled nine times on a night in December. In the year 498 AD, thunder and lightning struck in the provinces of Qin, Qi, Jing, and Shuo. In the year 499 AD, thunder rumbled on a day in January.
"The Spring and Autumn Annals" recorded that the temple of Yi Bo was struck by lightning, and Zuo Qiuming mentioned that Zhan Shi concealed something. Liu Xiang believed that Yi Bo was a hereditary official, and this was a warning from heaven, meaning: do not allow senior officials to inherit their positions to prevent tyranny.
In April of the year 502 AD, the east wing of Tian'an Hall was struck by lightning. The emperor was very angry and ordered the east and west wings of the hall to be demolished with battering rams. Subsequently, the emperor died unexpectedly. In November of the year 504 AD, thunder and lightning struck. In May of the year 488 AD, the southern roof of the middle gatehouse on the east side of the east temple was struck by lightning.
Ban Gu once said that if a leader is not magnanimous and cannot tolerate subordinates, then they cannot be considered a saint. A person's expression, words, gaze, and behavior must all be carefully managed, and if these four aspects are not handled well, it will bring disaster.
In the year 474 AD, on a specific day in January, Luoyang was covered in a foggy mist, resembling fog. On a specific date in the year 508 AD, in November, the fog in Luoyang shrouded the sky for six consecutive days, becoming as dense as smoke rising from a fire by the night of a specific date, making it hard for people to breathe. On a specific date in the year 503 AD, in the second month, Qinzhou was covered in yellow fog, resembling rain covering the earth. On a specific date in the year 503 AD, in the eighth month, everywhere was filled with murky fog, rendering visibility so poor that you couldn't see your hand in front of your face.
In the year 504 AD, on the day of Xinsi in August (specific date), a dust storm covered the land in Liangzhou, resembling rain. In the year 246 AD, on the day of Jichou in January (specific date), a mist enveloped the area, initially black and later turning red. In the year 247 AD, on the day of Xinchou in January (specific date), a dust storm swept across the land. In the same year, on the day of Renshen in September (specific date), a black fog enveloped the region. In the year 501 AD, on the day of Jiaxu in February (specific date), a yellow fog covered the land. At that time, Gao Zhao enjoyed favor due to his royal connections, and his brothers were all enfeoffed as princes, similar to the Five Princes of the Han Dynasty. The climate was unusually warm. Liu Xiang and Ban Gu believed that the lack of frost in winter and the absence of withered plants were considered abnormal. Jing Fang in the "Book of Changes Commentary" stated that extreme summer heat could kill people, and only in winter could all things flourish. In the year 465 AD, in August (specific date), the fruit trees in Hualin Garden were in bloom. In the year 505 AD, in August (specific date), the peach and plum trees in Zhongshan were in bloom. In the year 499 AD, in September (specific date), the mulberry trees at Qi Yuan's home in Youzhou bore fruit, which suddenly fell off, and the flowers and leaves grew again, flourishing like spring within seven days. In the year 504 AD, in November (specific date), the peach and plum trees in Dongqinghe County, Qizhou, were in bloom. In the year 504 AD, on the day of Xinhai in the intercalary tenth month (specific date), pear trees in the capital city bloomed. In the "Hong Fan Zhuan," it is stated that disregarding the law and sidelining meritorious officials, killing the crown prince, and making a concubine into a wife will lead to fires. This means that fire loses its normal nature and becomes a disaster. In the spring of the year 505 AD, in March (specific date), a large fire broke out in Feiru City, almost burning down the houses of officials and civilians, with only the Buddha statues and the temple buildings in the two temples remaining unscathed. In the year 508 AD, on the day of Wuyin in May (specific date), the marshes in Qin County, Henan, spontaneously ignited, gradually spreading over a hundred steps before being extinguished after five days. In the year 501 AD, on the day of Yisi in March (specific date), the temples atop Mount Heng were engulfed in flames. In the year 520 AD, in May (specific date), the Imperial Guard barracks in Goudun caught fire.
In the summer of 526 AD (exact date unknown), the ground in Qiu County, Youzhou spontaneously caught fire.
In the spring of the third year of Yongxi, a great fire broke out in Yingzhou City, destroying over three thousand households. Alas, how tragic!
In February of the third year of Yongxi, the nine-story pagoda of Yongning Temple also caught fire. At that time, many people claimed to have seen the pagoda soar into the East Sea. "The Yongning Temple pagoda, the place of the divine image, as if heaven were saying: Yongning faces disaster, Wei will not be peaceful. The Bohai Sea is the fief of Qi's King Xianwen, and the spirits returning to the sea signify that the Qi dynasty will rise." This suggests that if something happens at Yongning Temple, the Wei dynasty is doomed; the Bohai Sea is the fief of Qi's King Xianwen, and the return of the spirits to the sea indicates that the Qi dynasty will prosper.
In March, the southern gate of Sanji Temple in Bingzhou also caught ablaze. One fire after another is really unsettling.
In the autumn of the fourth year of Xiaojing, the East Gate of Changhe in Ye City caught ablaze.
In the winter of the third year of Wuding, a fire broke out secretly at the foot of the Xihe Mountain in Fenzhou, with heat rising straight up. Just the thought of a fire underground is terrifying.
On the night of the first month of the second year of Shiguang, black smoke appeared in the southeast sky, measuring one zhang wide and ten zhang long. This foreshadowed that war was about to occur. Indeed, in February, Murong Kesi rebelled in Beiping.
In the first month of the third year of Huangxing, black clouds appeared near the Yellow River and Jishui, several li wide, obscuring Dongyang City, as dark as night. Later, Dongyang City collapsed. This black cloud looming over the city is truly disastrous!
In September of the third year of Jingming, there was black smoke everywhere. On the day of Jiachen, Yangzhou defeated the general Zhang Xiao of Xiao Yan, beheading two thousand. This black smoke seems to signal victory in battle.
On the night of the eleventh month of the second year of Taihe, three streams of white gas emerged from the ground, which soon turned yellowish-red, radiating light that lit up the ground. This scene is truly extraordinary.
In September of the sixteenth year, in the evening, red gas appeared in the northwest, twenty zhang long and eight or nine feet wide, before it quickly vanished.
In March of the first year of Yanchang, red gas appeared in the sky, lasting from the Rabbit Hour to the Dog Hour.
In the eleventh month of the first year of Zhengguang, on the day of Xinwei, red qi appeared in the northwest direction, extending all the way to the horizon, resembling fire. It was not seen in the capital, but was visible in Liangzhou. The range of this red qi was quite extensive.
On a night in the ninth month of the third year of Jiachen, red qi appeared in the northwest direction, resembling flames, extending east and west for over a mile. This was a sign that a rebellion was about to occur in Beizhen.
At the time of Shen in the fifth month of the fifth year of Guiyou, red qi appeared in the north, extending east and west to the horizon, resembling flames.
In the eleventh month of the third year of Yong'an, on the day of Jichou, red qi appeared, resembling mist, extending diagonally from the southwest corner of the Xianyang Palace steps to the corridor, about one zhang high, reaching the ground, resembling a red curtain, and not disappearing from Wei to Xu. The Emperor saw it, felt very uncomfortable, and ultimately passed away unexpectedly. This red qi was definitely an ominous sign!
At the time of Xu in the first month of the third year of Tianping, red qi appeared in the east, about three zhang long, and disappeared after a while.
On a day in the sixth month of the third year of Yong'an, at the hour of Shen (3 to 5 pm), a blue qi appeared in the Chen direction, about four feet wide, adjacent to the east mountain, extending northwest, disappearing only when reaching halfway up in the air. At the same time, clouds of black, red, and yellow colors appeared in the Xu direction in the northwest, resembling mountain peaks, with a four-foot-wide blue qi at the top, extending southeast, disappearing only when reaching halfway up in the air. These two qis met in mid-air, with the southeast qi dispersing first, followed by the disappearance of the northwest qi. These were all signs of the Emperor's looming death.
Ban Gu said: Night demons, when clouds and wind appear together, the scene appears blurry, resembling ordinary wind. When the weather is warm and windy, pests such as moths and locusts may emerge.
On a certain day in the sixth month of the first year of Zhengshi, the sky turned dark as if it were night. On a certain day in the eighth month, it was as dark as night during the day.
Liu Xin said: If a person's appearance is improper, it is not dignified. When those in higher positions look down on those in lower positions, and those in lower positions are cruel, it will lead to the rise of negative influences, causing floods that damage crops, resulting in food and clothing shortages, and chaos from wickedness, resulting in very serious consequences. Some also say that this is because the common people endure numerous punishments, hence their ugly appearances. Ban Gu interpreted this as livestock suffering disasters, indicating that the calamities are severe; if it affects people, it manifests as physical weakness and a haggard appearance, indicating that the illness is very serious.
In the third year of Yongxing, bones grew under Wulanhou (a place name), shaped like sheep horns, more than a foot long.
In the sixteenth year of Taihe, in May, Minister Li Chong reported that on September 20th last year, the daughter of Li Banhua from Wujixian in Zhongshan County, Dingzhou, had nine hairs grow under the nail of her right thumb, which had grown to twelve inches by October 20th.
On a certain day in November of the second year of Xiping, it was reported from Bingzhou that the daughter of Han Sengzhen from Qixian was delivered from her mother’s right rib. Empress Dowager Ling ordered her to be sent to the Yeting Palace.
On a certain day in May of the first year of Zhengguang, large adult footprints appeared in Xiacai County, Nanyanzhou, totaling seven steps, each step measuring one foot eight inches long and seven inches five tenths wide.
In the autumn of the third year of Yanxing, a woman in Xiurong County gave birth to four sons, yielding a total of sixteen sons.
On a certain day in November of the third year of Yong'an, a family in the capital gave birth to a child with one head, two torsos, four arms, four legs, and three ears.
On a certain day in November of the sixteenth year of Taihe, Emperor Gaozu and Sha Men Dao Deng went together to the Palace of Shizhong. At sunset, around six o'clock in the evening, they saw a ghost wearing yellow clothes and pants standing at the door wanting to come in. The emperor thought it was a person and scolded the ghost, causing it to retreat. The emperor asked those around him, and everyone said they had not seen it; only the emperor and Dao Deng saw it.
In October of the second year of Huangxing, a plague broke out in Yuzhou, resulting in the deaths of approximately 140,000 to 150,000 people.
In April of the third year of Yongping, a major plague broke out in Changling County of Pingyang, killing 2,730 people from the first month to the fourth month. This was truly a catastrophe!
In June of the nineteenth year of Taihe, it was reported in Xu Zhou that an eight-foot-tall bronze statue was sweating! Isn't that just bizarre? During the Yong'an, Putai, and Yongxi periods, the golden Dingguang statue at the Pingdeng Temple in the capital also sweated on several occasions, and each time, a significant event followed in the country. People back then were terrified and saw it as an ominous sign. In the third year of Yong'an, in February, in the capital, two bronze statues in a household, each over a foot long, one of them had four white hairs on its chin, and the other had a black hair on its cheek. That's strange too! The 'Hong Fan Lun' states, "The dragon is a scale insect, born in water. Clouds are also a symbol of water. When the yin energy is strong, its image will appear. If the ruler goes against human ethics and disrupts the natural order, there will be a disaster of usurpation and killing." In the third year of Shizu Shen, in March, two white dragons appeared in a household well in the capital. In the sixth year of Zhenjun, in February, on the day of Bingchen, another white dragon appeared in a household well in the capital. Dragons are divine creatures, but appearing in a well is a sign that Shizu's sudden death is imminent! In the first year of the Zhengguang Emperor, in August, a creature resembling a black dragon appeared, running from the south to Xuan Yang Gate, then jumped up, passed through the gate tower, and ran out. This is a sign that the Wei Dynasty is about to decline! In the second year of Zhuangdi Yong'an, a dragon appeared in a well in Jinyang and stayed there for a long time. This foreshadowed Zhuangdi's violent death in Jinyang! In the first year of Qianfei Emperor Putai, on the day of Jia Yin in April, traces of a dragon were seen leaving from the west side of Xuan Yang Gate, then returning to the city. On the day of Yi Mao, the ministers all came to offer their congratulations, and the emperor said, "If the country is to prosper, listen to the people; if it is to perish, listen to the gods. But we officials must conduct ourselves properly, govern the country, and not rely solely on these auspicious signs for celebration." The 'Hong Fan Lun' mentions that "the horse symbolizes war," and in the second year of Suzong Xiping, on the day of Xin Wei in November, a foal was brought from Hengzhou, with a fleshy, one-foot-long tail, but no hair on its hindquarters.
In the first year of Zhengguang, in the ninth month, insects got into the official horses' ears in Woye Town, and about fourteen or fifteen horses died. The insects were like centipedes, less than five inches long, and about the thickness of chopsticks. "Hongfan Lun" quotes "Yi" as saying: "Kun represents the earth," and when the earth's energy is chaotic, cows become monstrous, leading to what are known as cow disasters. It symbolizes the destruction of ancestral shrines. It is also said that when the transfer is troublesome, cows will bring disasters.
In the second year of Shizong's reign, in May, a report from Jizhou said that in Changle County, a cow gave birth to a calf having one head but two faces, two mouths, three eyes, and three ears. This is absolutely astonishing! "Hongfan Lun" states: If the emperor is not wise, it will lead to political disasters.
In the twenty-third year of Tahe Gaosu, in March, a report from Sizhou said that in Yangqu County, a lamb was born with one head, two bodies, one ewe, one ram, three ears, and eight legs. Shortly thereafter, Gaosu passed away, and six assistant ministers began to take power.
In the first year of Shizong's reign, in July, a lamb with one head, two bodies, and eight legs was sent from Shanshan Town. In January of the following year, Shanshan Town sent another lamb with eight legs.
In the fourth year of Yanchang, in May, Baogu Lü Town reported that a lamb was born with one head, six legs, and two tails. Jing Fang said in the "Zhuan" that all strange phenomena, such as animals with many legs, are due to the mismanagement of officials. Jing Fang also stated in the "Yi" that if there are strange phenomena, such as pigs giving birth to pig-headed human bodies, then that place will descend into chaos and ultimately perish.
In the first year of Yanxing Gaosu, in September, a report from the appropriate authorities said that Wang Rang, the governor of Yuzhou and the Marquis of Linhuai, reported that a pig gave birth to a piglet having one head and two bodies, and eight legs.
In the fourth year of Shizong Jingming, in September, a report from Liangzhou said that dogs and pigs had mated. In the fourth year of Zhengshi, in August, a pig gave birth to a piglet in the capital with four ears, two bodies, and eight legs.
In the seventh month of the fourth year of Yanchang, a report from Xuzhou said that in Yangping Barracks, a pig gave birth to a piglet with a head and face like a human, a lump on the head, and no hair on the body. This is a sign that the Empress Dowager Ling and the young emperor are on the verge of being overthrown.
"The Book of Flood Management" says: Jing Fang said in the "Records": small chickens and small livestock are akin to minor officials and clerks; horns symbolize weapons, and when they are positioned on top, it signifies the king's majesty. This suggests that minor officials and clerks wield the king's majesty to create chaos, which is a disaster of poor governance.
In the first year of Taihe reign of Gaozu, in May, the relevant departments reported that there were two mother chickens with horns in the capital, complete with crown-like growths on their heads resembling horns, unlike other chickens. At that time, Empress Wenming was ruling the court, and this indicated her favoritism towards unscrupulous individuals.
In the first year of the Zhengshi period under Shizong, in April, there was a chicken in Henan with four legs and four wings. This incident is recorded in the "Biography of Cui Guang."
In August, the Sizhou reported that in Henan, a family raised a chicken with an extra head near its tail, with a mouth and eyes. Both heads grew from the back of the neck, each with two wings, and two legs walking side by side. This indicated that Shizong had a stronger inclination towards unscrupulous individuals, with numerous followers, suggesting the interference of corrupt and deceitful figures in governance.
In the fourth year of Yanchang, in December, Luozhou reported that the Governor of Weixing, Chang Jiao, had a yellow mother chicken at home with a flesh horn on its head, the size of a jujube, measuring one inch and three-tenths long, with fluffy hair on the horn, one inch and a half long.
In January of the year 520 AD, General Lan Dou's two chickens at home, both rooster and hen, had two horns on their heads, with a patchwork of feather colors, standing higher than the chicken's crest. At that time, Empress Ling held power, exercising absolute authority.
In "The Book of Flood Management," it says: "The punishment of not seeing clearly and not hearing clearly." This appears to reflect the chaos of that era.
In November of the year 534 AD, a white owl was caught in the capital.
In August of the year 521 AD, one day, a bald buzzard was surprisingly captured in the palace.
In April of the year 522 AD, someone presented a bizarre duck with a single head, two bodies, four legs, four wings, and two tails.
In March of the year 528 AD, a male pheasant flew into the Ministry of Personnel and was subsequently captured within the hall.
The "Hongfan Lun" also states: "Cruel punishments, benefiting a select few at the expense of the many; insatiable greed that raises armies and incites the masses; seizing control of cities while losing the people's support, then pests will wreak havoc." This is a precise prediction of the political situation at that time! In July of 525 AD, a locust plague occurred in the Dunhuang area, almost completely devouring the autumn crops. In July of 526 AD, the regions of Qingzhou and Yongzhou were also afflicted by locusts, leading to total crop failure. In August, seven provinces including Xuzhou, Dongxuzhou, Yanzhou, Jizhou, Pingzhou, Yuzhou, and Guangzhou, as well as four military bases including Pingyuan, Fangtou, Guang'a, and Linji, all suffered from locust plagues. In April of 527 AD, Xiangzhou and Yuzhou were struck by locust plagues. In March of 528 AD, the provinces of Jizhou, Zhou, and Xiangzhou were plagued by locusts. In April, seven provinces including Jizhou, Guangzhou, Youzhou, Sizhou, Yongzhou, Qizhou, and Pingzhou were struck by locust plagues. On a day in June, Xiangzhou, Qizhou, Guangzhou, and Qingzhou were again invaded by locusts. In October of 536 AD, the Fuhan region also suffered from a locust plague, resulting in heavy crop losses. In May of 529 AD, the provinces of Qingzhou, Qizhou, Xuzhou, Yanzhou, Guangzhou, and South Qingzhou were invaded by locusts. On a day in March of 532 AD, Hezhou experienced a large-scale outbreak of armyworms, resulting in a complete loss of wheat grains. In May, Guangzhou was invaded by locusts again. In June, Hezhou experienced another major locust plague. In July, Donglai County was also invaded by locusts. In June of 533 AD, locusts plagued the provinces of Shazhou and Sizhou. In April of 536 AD, the pest known as Buqu Chong in Qingzhou damaged the flowers of jujube trees. In August, Jingzhou, Hezhou, Liangzhou, and Hengnong County in Sizhou were attacked by a variety of pests including locusts, armyworms, and planthoppers. In June 537 AD, Liangzhou suffered from a locust plague. In May of 540 AD, the pest Buqu Chong reappeared in Qingzhou, once again damaging the flowers of jujube trees.
In July, a locust disaster swept through the capital, and the sight was truly horrifying! In August, the three provinces of Qingzhou, Qizhou, and Guangzhou also faced locust plagues, with two-thirds of the crops consumed, resulting in heavy losses! In June of the first year of Xiping, the provinces of Qingzhou, Qizhou, Guangzhou, and Nanjingzhou suffered from locust infestations, resulting in a total crop failure. In June of the first year of Tian'an, a battle between black ants and red ants broke out in Yanzhou, spanning sixty steps in length and just four inches wide; the red ants were utterly decimated, with countless casualties. The black ants occupied the north, while the red ants occupied the south. In November of the same year, the governor of Yanzhou, Bi Zhongjing, sent envoys to surrender to the court, which appointed General Wei Yuan of the Southern Town to accept the surrender and decisively defeated the rebel general Zhou Kai and his forces. In July of the tenth year of Taihe, Zhang Wanshou, the official in charge of Bingzhou, reported that in the county of Huozec in Jianxing, a commoner named Jia Richeng discovered that while raising silkworms in mid-April, the silkworm silk had woven into a curtain, with something rolled up inside that resembled a ribbon, four feet long and three inches wide, thin, with two yellow silkworm cocoons on top, shaped like footprints. In March of the second year of Zhengshi, an incident involving silkworm moths injuring people occurred in Xuzhou, with over one hundred and ten injured and twenty-two dead, which was absolutely terrifying! These caterpillar disasters are all due to violating the natural order and abnormal phenomena. During the reign of Emperor Taizu, a large tiger appeared in Henan, staying by the river for three months before leaving. The following year, a large number of weaver ants and white deer crossed the Yellow River. A year later, the river water even turned blood-red! These were all omens of the downfall of the Wei Chen. Later, Emperor Taizu ordered the execution of the Wei Chen's clansmen and ordered their bodies to be thrown into the river, and that place became peaceful from then on. In the first month of the first year of Yuanxiang, a wolf wandered into the city and was captured only when it reached Xieshi. In December of the fifth year of Wuding, a leopard was captured at the Copper Wine Platform in the North City.
In the first year of Taihe, on the Xin Hai day in May, a fox spirit appeared and began cutting people's hair. At that time, Empress Dowager Wenxuan was in power, and there were many signs of irregularities in the government.
Starting from the spring of the second year of the Xiping era, strange incidents of fox spirits cutting people's hair began to emerge in the capital, causing great fear among the people. On the Ren Chen day in June, Empress Ling summoned all those who had their hair cut and ordered Liu Teng, the commander of the Chongxun Guards, to whip them outside the Qianqiu Gate, echoing the events during the Taihe era.
The "Ruitu" records: If local princes, governors, and second-rank officials oppress the people cruelly, leading to widespread grievances, then white mice will appear.
In the third year of Yongxing, in February, a family named Zhao Wen in the capital discovered a white mouse and presented it to the court. In the spring of the same year, another white mouse was caught in the North Garden, but it died soon after. Upon dissection, it was found to have three small white mice in its belly.
In March of a certain year, the emperor went to the Western Palace for leisure and caught a small white mouse.
In August, Zhang An, the palace logistics officer, also caught a small white mouse.
In the second year of Shenrui, in May, the emperor went hunting at Kelong Mountain, where he caught another small white mouse; three were also caught near Pingcheng. In June, two more were caught in Pingcheng. In August, King Kui of Yuzhang also caught one.
In the first year of Taichang, in November, someone in the capital caught a small white mouse and presented it to the emperor. In June of the following two years, two were caught in the Zhongshan region. In March of the third year, another was caught in the capital. In November, yet another was caught in the capital.
In August of the third year of Shiguang, a small white mouse was caught in Weijun, Xiangzhou. In the first year of Taiyan, in August, a small white mouse was presented by Yanmen.
In the twenty-third year of Taihe under Gaozu, another small white mouse was caught in the capital in August. In May of the fourth year of Jingming under Shizong, another was caught in the capital. In June of the first year of Zhengshi, another was caught in the capital.
In April of the first year of Xiping under Suzong, a report came from Sizhou stating that a small white mouse had been caught and sent over.
