The 'Jingfang Yichuan' states that everyone has strayed from the true path, which has led to the emergence of these strange phenomena. On the day of Jiawu in the third year of Yongxing, a strong wind blew in the capital. In the fifth month of Jisi, the rebellious Hu leaders, Cao Long and Zhang Datou from Hexi, each led twenty thousand troops into Puzi. In the eleventh month of Bingwu, there was another strong wind. By the fifth year, the rebellious Hu leaders caused turmoil.
On the first day of the first month of the fourth year of Yongxing, a strong wind blew during Yuanhui, and it was so dark that the ceremony was canceled. In the eleventh month of Gengyin in the fifth year of Yongxing, a strong wind blew in the capital, blowing from the west. In the fourth month of Shenrui's first year, there was a strong wind in the capital. In the first month of the second year, there was a strong wind in the capital. In the third month, the starving rebellious Hu in Hexi gathered in Shangdang and elected Bai Yalisi as their leader.
In the fourth month of Jiashen in the second year of Taiyan, a violent storm swept through the capital, which caused palace walls to collapse and resulted in dozens of deaths. In the twelfth month of the third year, a strong wind blew in the capital, lifting sand and breaking trees. In the second month of Zhenjun's first year, a black wind blew in the capital, blotting out the sky and sun, stretching over five zhang wide. In the fourth month of Gengchen, Juqu Wuwei attacked Zhangye, and the army of Tufa Baozhou was stationed at Shandanling.
In the third month of Rengu in the second year of Heping, a strong wind blew in the capital, darkening the sky. In the fifth month of the fifth year of Yanxing, a red wind blew in the capital. In the seventh month of Gengshen in the second year of Taihe, a strong wind blew in Wuchuan Town, blowing the houses of six families into the sky like ram's horns, and no one knew where they ended up. On the day of Gengshen, a red wind also blew in Yongzhou.
In the sixth month of Renchen in the third year, a strong wind swept through Xiangzhou from the west, blowing off roofs and breaking trees. In the fourth month of the seventh year, there was a strong wind in Xiangzhou and Yuzhou. In the third month of the eighth year, a violent storm hit Jizhou, Dingzhou, and Xiangzhou. In the fourth month, a violent storm hit Jizhou, Guangzhou, Youzhou, Sizhou, Yongzhou, and Qizhou.
In June of the ninth year of the Gengxu era, the four regions of Jeju, Luozhou, Sizhou, and Xiangzhou, as well as Lingqiu and Guangchang Town, were hit by a violent storm that broke trees. In the fifth month of the twelfth year of the Renyin reign, the capital was hit by strong winds for several days, especially on the day of Jia Chen, when it was particularly severe, blowing off roofs and uprooting trees. In the sixth month of the Renshen year, the capital faced strong winds again. On the first day of July in the fourteenth year of the Dingyou era, the capital city was struck by strong winds that uprooted trees and blew off roofs. In August of the twenty-third year, from Ji Yin to Ji Wei, Xuzhou experienced continuous strong winds that broke trees. During the intercalary month of Gengshen, Hezhou was hit by violent winds, accompanied by heavy rain and hail. In the second month of the first year of Jingming, Youzhou was hit by violent winds, which resulted in the deaths of 161 people. In the intercalary month of Jiawu in the third year, the capital city experienced strong winds that uprooted trees, blew off roofs, and even damaged the city gates. On Bing Chen Day in September, strong winds swept through Youzhou, Qizhou, Liangzhou, and Dongqinzhou, plunging the area into darkness, toppling trees, and ripping off roofs.
In March of the fourth year of the Jiwei era, a strong wind swept through the regions of Hebei, Hedong, Zhengping, and Pingyang in Sizhou, causing trees to fall. In July of the first year of the Zhengshi era, a violent storm struck Dongqinzhou, blowing down trees and lifting roofs off houses. In the second month of the second year of the Zhengshi era, a black tornado appeared, ascending straight up into the sky like a ram's horn, starting from Rouxuan Town and uprooting trees in its path. On Jia Chen day, this tornado reached Yingzhou and eventually blew into the sea. In May of the fourth year of Jiazi, a strong wind blew through the capital city. In April of the first year of the Yongping era, a windstorm hit the capital city, knocking down trees. In the eighth month of the year, the governor of Jizhou and King You of Jingzhao instigated a rebellion in Jizhou. In May of the third year of Jihai, a strong wind blew through Guangye and Chouchi counties in South Qinzhou, lifting roofs off houses and knocking down trees. In the third month of the fourth year of Yanchang, a violent storm swept through the capital city from the northwest, blowing off roofs and toppling trees. In the ninth month of the second year of Xiping, Yizhou was hit by a violent storm and heavy rain from Xinyou to Yichou. In April of the third year of Zhenguang, the capital city was hit by a storm that blew off roofs and toppled trees. In April of the fourth year of Xinsi, a strong wind blew through the capital city. In May of the second year of Xiaochang, a violent storm hit the capital city, blowing down trees and roofs, damaging Changmen Gate and toppling the nine-story Yongning Pagoda. During that time, wars were raging throughout the country. In the summer of the first year of the Putai era, a strong wind and heavy rain tore down the doors and roofs of Puguang Temple. In March of the seventh year of Xiaojing Wuding, a strong wind swept through Yingchuan. The "Hongfan Lun" states: "Major water disasters stem from governance failures by rulers and ministers, leading to the accumulation of strong Yin energy, resulting in disasters of rain and water."
In August of the third year of Emperor Taizu's reign, there was heavy rain and a major earthquake, causing the water in the valleys to overflow. In August of the third year of Emperor Taizong's reign, there was a major flood in Hanoi. In June of the first year of Emperor Shizong's reign, there was a major flood in the capital, damaging the homes of hundreds of families. In July of the eighth year of Emperor Zhenjun's reign, there was a major flood in Pingzhou. In the second year of Emperor Gaozu's reign, in the summer of April, there was heavy rain in Southern Yuzhou, Xuzhou, and Yanzhou. In the seventh month of the sixth year, there were major floods in Qingzhou and Yongzhou. In August, seven provinces including Xuzhou, East Xuzhou, Yanzhou, Jizhou, Pingzhou, Yuzhou, and Guangzhou, as well as the four towns of Pingyuan, Fangtou, Guang'a, and Linji, all experienced major floods. In September of the ninth year, there were major floods in Southern Yuzhou and Shuozhou, leading to the deaths of over a thousand people. In the twenty-second year, there was heavy rain in Yanzhou and Yuzhou. In June of the twenty-third year, there were major floods in eight provinces: Qingzhou, Qizhou, Guangzhou, Southern Qingzhou, Xuzhou, Yuzhou, Yanzhou, and East Yuzhou. In July of the first year of Emperor Jingming's reign, there were major floods in Qingzhou, Qizhou, Southern Qingzhou, Guangzhou, Xuzhou, Yanzhou, Yuzhou, East Yuzhou, as well as in Yingchuan and Jijun of Sizhou, with standing water up to fifteen feet deep, and only one or two houses out of ten were intact. In March of the second year of Emperor Zhengshi's reign, there was heavy rain in Qingzhou and Xuzhou, with the rain pouring continuously, causing seawater to flood into Xiwocounty of Leiling in Qingzhou, sweeping away one hundred fifty-two people. In the third year of Emperor Yongping's reign, twenty provinces and counties experienced major floods. In the summer of the first year of Emperor Yanchang's reign, there were major floods in the capital and across the country. In May of the second year, there was a major flood in Shouchun. In June of the first year of Emperor Xiping's reign, there was a major flood in Xuzhou. In September of the second year, there were major floods in the three provinces of Jizhou, Yingzhou, and Cangzhou. In the summer of the second year of Emperor Zhengguang's reign, there were major floods in the four provinces of Dingzhou, Jizhou, Yingzhou, and Xiangzhou. In the autumn of the third year of Emperor Xiaochang's reign, there was a major flood in the capital. On Gengwu day in June of the first year of Emperor Taichang's reign, there was a major flood in the capital, as the valley waters overflowed, damaging over three hundred households. In the first year of Emperor Yuanxiang's reign, there were major floods in the four provinces of Dingzhou, Jizhou, Yingzhou, and Cangzhou. In the fourth year of Emperor Xinghe's reign, there was a major flood in Cangzhou. On Renshen day in December of the fifth year of Emperor Taichang's reign, spring water erupted in Pingcheng.
In the eleventh month of the fifth year of the Peace era, the spring at Yanmen Pass burst forth from the rocks. In the autumn of the first year of the Putai era, the wells in front of the Situ Mansion's granary overflowed. The diviners proclaimed, "This is a sign that the people will be relocating." In the tenth month of the first year of Yongxi, the capital was relocated to Ye City. In the seventh month of the fourth year of Tianping, the wells in Taizhou overflowed. In the second month of the first year of Yuanxiang, a dry well in the southwest corner of Ye City also overflowed. The "Hongfan Theory" says: when yang energy is too strong, it hails, and when yin energy is too strong, it snows. This means that when the yang energy is too strong and the yin energy cannot match, or when the yin energy is too strong and the yang energy is insufficient, the imbalance leads to hail. This is similar to the thoughts of the ministers not aligning with the intentions of the monarch. On Gengwu day in the fourth month of the fourth year of Yanxing, hailstorms in Jingzhou resulted in crop damage. On Xinyou day in the fourth month of the first year of Chengming, there was a strong wind and hail in Qingzhou, Qizhou, Xuzhou, and Yanzhou. On Gengshen day in August, all counties in Bingzhou experienced a heavy hailstorm, with hail piling up to a foot deep on the ground, resulting in damage to vegetation and crops. On Guichou day, hailstorms in Dingzhou resulted in fatalities, with hailstones measuring two feet in diameter. In the sixth month of the first year of Jingming, Yongzhou and Qingzhou experienced heavy rain and hail, killing deer and other wildlife. On Guizhou day in the fifth month of the fourth year, Fenzhou experienced heavy rain and hail. On Yisi day in the sixth month, Fenzhou experienced another heavy rain and hail, causing damage to vegetation, crops, and wildlife. One day in early July, a violent storm with heavy rain and hail swept in from Fenzhou, passing through Bingzhou, Xiangzhou, Sizhou, Yanzhou, and finally stopping in 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 a heavy hailstorm in Qizhou and Jizhou, accompanied by rain and snow. In the third year of Yongping, on the day of Gengzi in May, there was heavy rain and hail in Nanjin Guangye County, resulting in the deaths of many birds, animals, and crops. The Book of Hongfan states: "The heavy rain and snow recorded in the 'Spring and Autumn' are like ordinary rain, but this time it was more severe. Rain represents Yin energy, as does snow. Heavy snow is a particularly strong manifestation of Yin energy. Some say that heavy snow is like heavy water, except that it is snow because it is winter."
In October of the second year of Shiguang, there was several feet of heavy snow. In the eighth year of Zhenjun, in May, a cold snowfall occurred in Beizhen, freezing many people and livestock to death. At that time, the court's governance was strict and pressing. On the first day of the ninth month in the fourth year of Taikao, there was a strong wind in the capital, and three feet of snow and rain fell. In the first year of Shizong's reign, on the day of Renxu in May, there was heavy rain and snow in Wuchuan Town. In the second month of the fourth year, on the day of Yimao, Sizhou and Xiangzhou experienced storms accompanied by heavy rain and snow. Another heavy snowfall occurred in September. In April of the second year of Suzong's reign, there was heavy snow in Rouxuan Town.
In the "Yi Zhuan," Jing Fang said: "Raising troops and wanton slaughter violate the law, leading to frost disasters. In summer, the grains will perish in the frost, and in winter, the wheat will suffer the same fate; killing without reason is unrighteous, and in summer, there will be early frost." In the seventh month of the fifth year of Taizu, frost occurred in Jizhou. In the first year of Taiyan of Shizu, in the seventh month of Gengchen, there was severe frost, freezing many plants. In the fourth month of the sixth year of Gaozong's reign, frost was reported. In the seventh month of the third year of Gaozu's reign, heavy frost struck Yongzhou, Shuozhou, as well as Fahans, Tujing, Bogulv, Dunhuang, and Qiuchi Town, and the crops, including rice and beans, perished. In the fourth month of the sixth year, frost occurred in Yingchuan County. In the third month of the seventh year, wind accompanied the frost in Sizhou, freezing many beans. In the fourth month of the ninth year, 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. In the eighth month of the fourteenth year, frost struck Fenzhou. In the fourth month of the first year of Shizong Jingming, frost struck Xiaozhou, freezing many plants. In the sixth month of Dinghai, frost struck Jianxing County, freezing many plants. In the eighth month of Yihai, violent winds accompanied the frost in Yongzhou, Bingzhou, Shuozhou, Xiaozhou, Fenzhou, as well as Zhengping and Pingyang in Sizhou. On the Xinhai day of March in the year 222 AD, frost struck Qizhou, freezing the mulberry trees and wheat. Two years later, on the Renxu day of March in the year 224 AD, there was also frost in Yongzhou, and the mulberry trees and wheat met the same fate. Subsequently, Qingzhou also faced frost, and the mulberry trees and wheat were frozen to death.
In the year 233 AD, on the Renxu day in May, frost fell in Wuchuan Town. On the Xinmao day in June, frost fell in Huaisuo Town. On the Wuchen day in July, Dongqinzhou also experienced frost. On the Gengzi day in August, there was frost in Hezhou, and the crops were affected. In the year 234 AD, in April, there was frost again in Qizhou. On the Renshen day in May, frost occurred in both Hengzhou and Fenzhou, causing damage to the crops. On the Xinsi day in July, Binzhou and Qizhou also experienced frost. In the year 236 AD, there was frost in Dunhuang. In the year 238 AD, there was frost in Hengzhou. On the Bingshen day in June of the year 239 AD, there was frost in Anzhou. On the Yichou day in March of the year 240 AD, Binzhou experienced several frosts. On the Yimao day in April, Dunhuang had frost again. In August, Hezhou had frost again. On the Yiyu day in March of the year 241 AD, there was frost in both Qizhou and Binzhou. On the Jichou day, there was frost in Beizhou. On the Wuwu day in April, there was frost in Dunhuang. In the year 243 AD, on the Xinhai day in April, frost fell in Wuzhou Town. In the year 247 AD, on the Guihai day in March, all eight states in Henan experienced frost. In the year 248 AD, in July, both Henan and eleven northern states experienced frost.
The "Hongfan Lun" says: Thunder is yang, clouds are yin. There can only be thunder when there are clouds, just as there can only be a ruler when there are subjects. Thunder depends on clouds, rulers depend on subjects; this is the principle of yin and yang coming together. Therefore, when there is thunder without clouds, it symbolizes a ruler being alone without subjects.
In July of the year 248 AD, there was thunder in the northeast region without clouds. In July of the year 249 AD, there were sounds like thunder in the northeast region. On the Jiyu day in February of the year 251 AD, sounds came from the northeast, rumbling southward like thunder, and after two rumbles, it stopped.
On the Xinyu day in October of the year 254 AD, there were drum-like sounds coming from the north, moving northwest.
The "Hongfan Lun" says: The dominance of yang energy lasts for 183 days, and the dominance of yin energy also lasts for 183 days; thunder emerges from the ground and returns to the ground after 183 days, and then emerges from the ground again after another 183 days; this reflects its natural cycle. Therefore, when thunder is normal, all things are peaceful; when thunder is abnormal, all things suffer. The same goes for a country: when the ruler is at peace, the country is at peace; when the ruler faces disasters, the country also suffers. When thunder strikes at the wrong times, it signifies an abnormal phenomenon.
In 255 AD, on the Jiyou day of October, it rained with thunder and lightning. In 257 AD, on the Guichou day in October, there was thunder. In 258 AD, on the Dinghai day in November, there was thunder.
On the Gengxu day in the third year of Tahe, Yuzhou experienced thunder and rain. A few days later, on the Wushen day, Yuzhou experienced another heavy thunderstorm, causing water to accumulate three inches deep. On the Wuxu day in October of the fourth year, there was thunder again. In the seventh year, on the Xinsi day in November, Youzhou was frequently struck by thunder and lightning, illuminating the city in red. In the second year of Jingming, on the Xinmao day in November, Liangzhou experienced thunder with seven loud claps. In the first year of Zhengshi, November brought thunder and lightning to Qinzhou, Qizhou, Jingzhou, and Shuozhou. In the first month of the first year of Zhaoguang, there was thunder.
The "Spring and Autumn Annals" mention the temple of Zhen Yibo, and Zuo Qiuming said that the Zhan family concealed something. Liu Xiang believed that Yibo was a hereditary high official, and the heavens warned against allowing such officials to inherit their positions, urging them to focus on their duties.
In the sixth year of Taici in April, the eastern wing of the Tian'an Palace was struck by lightning. The emperor was furious and ordered the demolition of the wings on both sides of the palace. Consequently, the emperor soon died unexpectedly. One night in the eleventh month of the second year of Xianzuhuangxing, thunder and lightning struck again. In the fifth month of the third year of Taihe, on the Wuwu day, the roof of the south side of the Chitail in the east central gate of the East Temple was struck by lightning.
Ban Gu once said: If those in power lack tolerance for their subordinates, they cannot expect to keep their thrones. A person's looks, words, sight, and hearing all reflect their heart. If there are problems in these four aspects, one will become confused and ignorant, thus attracting disasters.
In the fourth year of Taizong Taiyan in the first month of Gengzi, Luoyang saw a rain of muddy mist. In the twelfth year of Gaozu Taihe in the eleventh month of Bingxu, the sky was shrouded in earth mist for six days straight, becoming even denser on the night of Jiazi, resembling smoke and making it hard for people to breathe. In the third year of Shizong Jingming in the second month of Jichou, Qinzhou was covered in yellow mist, with a rain of mud enveloping the earth. In the eighth month of Jiyu, a thick haze hung everywhere. In the eighth month of the fourth year of Xinsi, Liangzhou also experienced a rain of muddy mist covering the earth like fog. In the second year of Zhengshi in the first month of Jichou, the sky was cloaked in mist that started off black and then turned red. In the third month of the third year of Zhengshi, the earth was enveloped in mist. In the ninth month of Renshen, black mist filled the air. In the first month of Yanchang in the year of Jiuxu, yellow mist filled the air. At that time, Gao Zhao was favored because of his royal connections, and his brothers were all enfeoffed, just like the Five Marquises of the Han Dynasty.
These were all abnormal weather phenomena. Liu Xiang and Ban Gu believed that the absence of frost in winter and the lack of withering of plants were abnormal phenomena. Jing Fang stated in the "Yi Zhuan" that extreme heat in summer harms people, and only when everything ripens and bears fruit in winter can there be a good result.
In the fifth year of Shizong Zhenjun in August, various fruit trees in Hualin Garden blossomed. In the fifth year of Yanxing Gaozu in August, peach and plum trees in Zhongshan blossomed.
In the first year of Chengming in September, the persimmon tree's fruit at the home of a man named Qi Yuan in Youzhou all matured, but overnight, they all dropped off, and the tree sprouted flowers and leaves, growing lush within seven days, as if it were springtime. This was truly a miraculous event!
In the fourth year of Jingming Shizong in November, peach and plum blossoms bloomed in Dongqinghe County, Qizhou, which was likely a normal occurrence. In the fourth year of Yanchang in the intercalary tenth month of Xinhai, apple trees in the capital also blossomed, which was pretty ordinary. It is said in the "Hongfan Zhuan": "Abandoning the law, chasing after meritorious officials, killing the crown prince, and making a concubine the empress will result in fire not igniting." This suggests that if a king disregards the law, abandons his loyal officials, kills the crown prince, and makes a concubine the empress, then a fire disaster will strike—not just any fire, but a calamity from above!
In the spring of the fifth year of the Ta'an era under Emperor Gaozong, a great fire broke out in Feiru, and almost all the government and civilian houses were burned down, with only the Buddha statues and halls in the two temples spared from disaster, which was truly a miracle! In the fifth month of the eighth year of the Tahe era under Emperor Gaozu, a fire broke out in the fields of Qinxian County in Hanoi; the flames intensified and spread over more than a hundred paces, and it took five days to extinguish. In the third month of the first year of the Jingming era under Emperor Shizong, the ancestral hall at Hengyue caught fire. In the fifth month of the first year of the Zhengguang era under Emperor Suzong, a fire also occurred in the Goudu prohibition area. In the summer of the second year of the Xiaochang era, a fire broke out in the fields of Qiuxian County in Youzhou. In the spring of the third year, a great fire occurred in Yingzhou, destroying more than three thousand households, resulting in heavy losses!
In the second month of the third year of the Yongxi era under Emperor Chudi, the nine-story pagoda at Yongning Temple caught fire. Later, people said they saw the pagoda flying into the East Sea. The Yongning Pagoda is the place where the miraculous Buddha statue resides, and the locals said, "When Yongning Temple catches fire, the State of Wei will be in turmoil." The Bohai Sea is the fief of King Xuanwu of Qi, and the deities returning to the sea is a sign that the Qi family is set to prosper! In March, the southern gate of the Sanji Temple in Bingzhou caught fire. In the autumn of the fourth year of the Tianping era under Emperor Xiaojing, the eastern gate of Changhe Gate in Yecheng caught fire. In the winter of the third year of the Wuding era, a fire secretly broke out at the foot of Xihe Mountain in Fenzhou, with heat rising from underground; it was a truly strange fire!
On the night of the first month of the second year of the Shiguang era under Emperor Shizong, a mass of black gas appeared in the southeast direction of the sky, measuring ten feet wide and a hundred feet long. The diviners claimed this was an omen of military disaster. Sure enough, in February, Murong Kexi raised troops in Beiping to rebel. In the first month of the third year of the Huangxing era under Emperor Xianzu, black clouds appeared in the Heji region, several miles wide, covering Dongyang City, casting the sky into darkness, as if it were night. Eventually, Dongyang City collapsed. In the ninth month of the third year of the Jingming era under Emperor Shizong, black gas was everywhere. On the day of Jiachen, Yangzhou defeated Zhang Xiao, a general under Xiao Yan, and beheaded two thousand people.
In the second year of Gaozu's Tahe, on the night of November Dingwei, three columns of white vapor emerged from the ground, that quickly transformed into a yellowish-red hue, illuminating the earth. What kind of strange phenomenon is this?
On the evening of September Dingzi in the sixteenth year, a flame-like red gas appeared in the northwest, stretching twenty zhang long and eight or nine feet wide, and disappeared after about the time it takes to have a meal.
Then, in the first year of Shizong's Yanchang, on March Bingshen, red gas appeared in the sky, lasting from the hour of the rabbit until the hour of the dog. This red gas was truly massive!
In the first year of Suzong's Zhengguang, on November Xinyi, the red gas in the northwest extended to the edge of the sky, looking like fire. It wasn't visible in the capital; it was news that came from Liangzhou. On the night of September Jiachen in the third year, flame-like red gas appeared again in the northwest, extending over a length of more than a match in the east-west direction. This was a sign of the Beizhen rebellion!
In the fifth year, in the fifth month, during the hour of the monkey, red vapor appeared in the north, extending to the edge of the sky, resembling flames.
In the third year of Emperor Zhuang's Yong'an, on November Jichou, a fog-like red vapor appeared, slanting from the southwest corner of the Xianyang Palace steps to the corridor, about a zhang high, extending down to the ground, resembling a red veil, and did not disappear from noon until the hour of the dog. The emperor saw it and was very displeased, and as a result, he indeed encountered the misfortune of sudden death in the future.
On the evening of January Jihai in the third year of Emperor Xiaojing's Tianping, a red vapor appeared in the east, about three zhang long, and disappeared after the time it takes to have three meals.
In the third year of Emperor Zhuang's Yong'an, on June Jiazi during the hour of the monkey, green vapor appeared in the east, four feet wide, along the mountain in the east, extending northwest, reaching halfway up into the sky. In the northwest, black, red, and yellow clouds appeared, resembling mountain peaks, with green vapor at the top, about four feet wide, extending southeast, also reaching halfway up into the sky, and the two streams of vapor connected together. The vapor in the southeast dissipated first, and then the vapor in the northwest disappeared. This too was an omen of the emperor's untimely demise!
Ban Gu said: "Night demons refer to the phenomenon when clouds and wind appear together, creating a dark and unclear atmosphere, resembling ordinary wind. When the weather is warm and windy, it can result in disasters such as moths and locusts." On the day of Yisi in June of the first year of Emperor Shizong's reign, it was the end of the month and very dark. On the day of Jiachen in August, it was as dark in the daytime as it was at night. Liu Xin said: "An improper appearance indicates a lack of seriousness. If those above are overbearing and those below are brutal, then the yin energy will prevail, which leads to water disasters that damage crops and results in food shortages, causing evildoers and thieves to emerge together, making it the worst omen. Another saying is that if many common people suffer punishment, their appearances will become ugly." Ban Gu believed that when livestock experience disasters, it is referred to as calamity, meaning the disaster is very obvious; if disaster befalls a person, it is called "Zhuanzhuan," indicating a sickly appearance, which means the condition is quite serious. In the third year of Emperor Taizong's reign, a citizen named Wulan developed a bone under her throat, shaped like a sheep's horn, over a foot long. In the sixteenth year of the Northern Wei's Taihe era, in May, a high official named Li Chong reported that in Wujixian County of Zhongshan Prefecture, there was a girl named Li Banhuz who, on September 20 of the previous year, had nine hairs grow under her right thumb's nail, and by October 20, they had grown to twelve inches long. This is truly a remarkable occurrence! In the second year of Emperor Suzong's reign, in November, a report from Bingzhou stated that in Qixian County, a woman named Han Sengzhen was born from her mother's right rib! The Empress Dowager ordered her to be sent to the Yeting Palace. This... is absolutely unbelievable! On the day of Wuxu in May of the first year of the Zhengguang era, a giant footprint appeared in Xiacaijun of Nanyanzhou, measuring seven steps, each step being one foot eight inches long and seven inches five tenths wide. What a massive foot that must be! In the autumn of the third year of Emperor Gaozu's reign in the Northern Wei, a woman in Xiurong County gave birth to four sons in one breath, then had four more births, totaling sixteen sons! Such fertility is truly astonishing!
In the third year of Yong'an, on the day of Dingmao in November, a family in the capital gave birth to a child with one head, two torsos, four hands, four feet, and three ears! This... this is simply a freak!
In the sixteenth year of Taihe, on the day of Yihai in November, Emperor Gaozu and the monk Daodeng were together in the Imperial Court. Around midnight, they saw a ghost wearing yellow pleated pants standing at the door wanting to come in. The emperor thought it was a person and scolded it, which scared it off. The emperor asked those around him, and everyone said they hadn't seen it; only the emperor and Daodeng had.
In the second year of Xianzu's reign, in October, there was a plague in Yuzhou, killing around 140,000 to 150,000 people. This plague is absolutely terrifying!
In the third year of Shizong's reign, in April, there was also a major plague in Chang and Xiangling counties of Pingyang, which killed 2,730 people from January to April. This plague is spreading too severely!
In June of the nineteenth year of Taihe, Xuzhou reported that a bronze statue about eight zhang tall was sweating. Could this sweating of the statue be a bad omen?
During the years of Yong'an, Putai, and Yongxi, the gilded statue of Dingguang in the Pingteng Temple of the capital often sweated; every time there was a major event in the country, it would sweat, and the people at the time felt very scared, thinking it was an ominous sign.
In February of the third year of Yong'an, a family in the capital had two bronze statues, each over a foot tall; one of which had four white hairs growing from its chin, and the other had a black hair growing from its cheek. These statues also grew hair—what a bizarre series of events!
The "Hongfan Lun" states: "Dragons are scaly creatures, born in water. Clouds are also a symbol of water, with abundant yin energy, hence their symbolic meaning arises. If a ruler goes against human ethics and disrupts the heavenly way, there will surely be calamities of usurpation."
In the third year of Shenzu's reign, in March, two white dragons appeared in a well in a household in the city.
In the sixth year of Zhenjun, on the day of Bingchen in February, another white dragon appeared in a well in a household in the city. The dragon is a divine creature, yet it is confined to the well; this is all a bad omen for Shenzu's untimely demise!
In August of the first year of Emperor Suzong's reign, a black dragon that looked like a dog appeared, running from the south to Xuan Yang Gate, jumping through the gate tower and vanishing. This was a sign that the Wei Dynasty was on the brink of decline!
In the year 529 AD, Emperor Zhuang suddenly died in Jinyang, and before that, a dragon appeared in the well in Jinyang and lingered there for quite some time. This dragon seems to have some connection with the emperor's death.
In April of the year 550 AD, traces of a dragon appeared west of Xuan Yang Gate in the imperial palace, and then returned to the city. The next day, all the ministers came to congratulate the emperor, but the emperor said, "If the country is to prosper, it must listen to the people; if it is to perish, it must listen to fate. As long as we, the monarchs and ministers, can restrain ourselves and govern the country well, we don’t need to pay too much attention to these auspicious or inauspicious signs."
In November of the year 552 AD, a small foal with an especially long tail, one foot long, and no hair on its buttocks was sent from Hengzhou.
In September of the year 554 AD, many official horses in Woye Town suffered from a strange disease, with insects drilling into their ears, causing the death of about ten horses. The insects looked like maggots, about five inches long and as thick as chopsticks. According to the books, horses represent the army, and the appearance of such strange occurrences might signal an impending war. Cattle represent the land, so if cattle show unusual signs, it could mean there are problems with the land or that the country is facing impending doom.
In May of the year 555 AD, a report from Jizhou stated that a cow in Changle County gave birth to a calf that had one head, two mouths, three eyes, and three ears.
In March of the year 557 AD, a report from Sizhou stated that a lamb in Yangqu County gave birth to a lamb with one head, two bodies (one male and one female), three ears, and eight legs. Not long after, Emperor Gaozu passed away, and political power shifted to a few influential ministers. The emperor's incompetence led to the appearance of these bizarre phenomena in the country.
In July of 558 AD, a lamb that had one head, two bodies, and eight legs was brought to the town of Shanshan; in January of the following year, another lamb had eight legs. In May of 561 AD, the town of Bogulü reported that a lamb had six legs and two tails. Books say that animals born with extra legs signify trouble for the country. The birth of a pig with a human head and a pig's body foretells chaos and destruction in the region.
In September of 562 AD, it was reported that in the area governed by Yuzhou's governor, a pig was born with one head, two bodies, and eight legs. In September of 566 AD, Liangzhou reported that a dog and a pig had mated. In August of 568 AD, in the capital, a pig was born with one head, four ears, two bodies, and eight legs.
In July of 484 AD, it was reported in Xuzhou that a pig in Yangping County gave birth to a piglet with a face resembling a human, a lump on its head, and no hair on its body. This was seen as a sign that the Empress Dowager and the young emperor were destined to fall.
The "Hongfan Lun" mentions that in Jing Fang's "Zhuan," chicks are compared to courtiers, with their combs symbolizing weapons, representing the authority of the king. When these courtiers rise to power, they will misuse the king's authority, indicating poor governance.
In the summer of May in 490 AD, it was reported that two hens with combs resembling horns appeared in the capital, different from other chickens. At that time, Empress Dowager Wenming was in power, and this was seen as a sign of her favoring unworthy individuals.
In April of 494 AD, a chick with four legs and four wings appeared in Henan, as noted in the "Cui Guang Zhuan."
In August of 494 AD, it was reported in Sizhou that a family in Henan had a chick with an extra head at the back, complete with mouth and eyes. Both heads had wings growing from their necks, and they walked on two legs side by side. At that time, the Emperor was trusting unworthy individuals, and signs of corrupt officials meddling in politics were evident.
In December 484 AD, a report from Luozhou stated that the Huang family's hen in Wei Xing County had a flesh horn on its head as big as a jujube, measuring one and three-tenths inches, with hair measuring one and a half inches long on the horn.
In January 520 AD, the rooster and hen belonging to General Lan Dou of the Tiger Guard both grew two horns on their heads, with disheveled feathers that stood taller than their combs. At that time, Empress Dowager Ling was in power.
In the "Hongfan Lun," it is described as a punishment for unclear vision and unintelligent hearing.
In November 491 AD, a white screech owl was captured in the capital.
On the Ji Mao day in August 521 AD, a bald hawk was caught in the imperial palace.
In April 526 AD, someone brought a dead duck that had one head, two bodies, four legs, four wings, and two tails.
In March 528 AD, a male pheasant flew into the Ministry of Personnel and was captured inside.
In the "Hongfan Lun," it is stated that cruel punishments, exploitation of the people, insatiable greed, raising troops and inciting the masses, and building cities while losing the people's hearts will lead to disasters.
In July 490 AD, Dunhuang was hit by a locust plague, leading to crop damage.
In July 491 AD, Qingzhou and Yongzhou suffered from locust and insect damage, causing damage to crops.
In August 491 AD, seven prefectures including Xuzhou, Dong Xuzhou, Yanzhou, Jizhou, Pingzhou, Yuzhou, and Guangzhou, as well as four towns including Pingyuan, Fangtou, Guang'a, and Linji, all suffered from locust plagues, causing severe damage to crops.
In the seventh year of the era, in April, Xiangzhou and Yuzhou were hit by locust plagues, resulting in a complete crop failure.
In the eighth year of the era, in March, Jizhou, Xiangzhou, and Xiangzhou suffered from locust plagues, causing severe damage to crops. In April, seven prefectures including Jizhou, Guangzhou, Youzhou, Sizhou, Yongzhou, Qizhou, and Pingzhou all experienced locust plagues. On the Yisi day in June, Xiangzhou, Qizhou, Guangzhou, and Qingzhou were invaded by locusts, resulting in heavy losses of crops.
In the sixteenth year of the Gongyang era, on the Guisi day in October, a locust plague occurred in Fohan Town, resulting in poor harvests. In May of the first year of the Jingming era, the six regions of Qingzhou, Qizhou, Xuzhou, Yanzhou, Guangzhou, and South Qingzhou suffered from locust infestations, causing serious crop losses. On the Renwu day in March of the fourth year, Hezhou experienced a large-scale outbreak of caterpillar pests, leading to a complete loss of the wheat harvest. In May, Guangzhou was again afflicted by locust infestations. In June, Hezhou suffered severely from locust plagues. In July, Donglai County also faced caterpillar infestations. In June of the first year of the Zhengshi era, locust plagues occurred in Shazhou and Sizhou, causing crop damage. In April of the fourth year, the pest known as Buqu attacked the flowers of jujube trees in Qingzhou. In August, Jingzhou experienced three calamities: yellow rats, locusts, and Ban worms, while Hezhou faced invasions from caterpillars and Ban worms. Liangzhou and Sizhou's Hengnong County also suffered from locust plagues simultaneously, resulting in devastating consequences. In June of the first year of the Yongping era, on the Jisi day, Liangzhou experienced locust plagues, resulting in poor harvests. In May of the fifth year, Buqu pests in Qingzhou once again threatened jujube flowers. In July, caterpillars appeared in the capital, and locust plagues occurred in various places. In August, Qingzhou, Qizhou, and Guangzhou suffered from caterpillar infestations, with approximately two-thirds of the crops consumed. In June of the first year of the Xiping era, Qingzhou, Qizhou, Guangzhou, and South Qingzhou suffered from caterpillar infestations. In June of the first year of the Tian'an era, Yanzhou witnessed a remarkable battle between black ants and red ants, with the battlefield stretching sixty steps long and four inches wide. The red ants were ultimately defeated, with their bodies littered across the battlefield. Bi Zhongjing, the governor of Yanzhou, sent envoys to capitulate to the court, and General Weyuan was appointed to take charge of their surrender, defeating the rebel leader Zhou Kai and his followers.
In the seventh month of the tenth year of the Taihe era, Zhang Wanshou, the magistrate of Bingzhou, submitted a report: During the month of April, when the farmer Jia Richeng was raising silkworms in Jianxing Huzhe County, he discovered that the silkworms had spun a piece of cloth, inside of which was rolled up an object resembling a silk ribbon, four feet long and three inches wide, thin as a cicada's wing, with two yellow cocoons on top that looked like footprints.
In the third month of the second year of the Zhengshi era, an incident occurred in Xuzhou where silkworm moths injured over a hundred people, resulting in twenty-two deaths.
The final paragraph explains the disaster of caterpillars: "The disaster of caterpillars refers to the transformation from the ordinary to the extraordinary." This means that the outbreak of caterpillars is an anomalous occurrence in nature.
It is said that when Zhu Yuanzhang was emperor, a large tiger in Henan lay by the river for three months without moving. The following year, ants and deer all ran to the north bank of the Yellow River. Another year, the river ran red like blood, all signs that the Wei Chen clan was doomed! Later, Zhu Yuanzhang killed all the Wei Chen clan and threw them into the river, leaving the place empty.
In the first month of the first year of the Xiaojing Yuanxiang era, a wolf entered the city and was captured near Keshi. (Possibly captured by someone surnamed Cao)
In the twelfth month of the fifth year of the Wuding era, a leopard was caught on the Copper Jue Terrace in the north city.
In the fifth month of the first year of the Taizong Taihe era, a fox demon came out to cut people's hair. At that time, Empress Dowager Ming, the mother of Emperor Wen, was in power, and this was a sign that many disturbances were occurring during her reign!
In the second year of the Suzong Xiping era, starting from spring, there were incidents of fox demons cutting people's hair in the capital city, instilling fear in the populace. In the sixth month of the Renchen year, Empress Ling summoned those who had their hair cut and had Liu Teng of the Chongxun Guard whip them outside Qianqiu Gate, just like what happened during the Taihe era.
According to the book, the "Ruitu" states: If local officials are too harsh on the people and the people voice their grievances, white rats will appear.
In the second month of the third year of the Yongxing era, there was a commoner named Zhao Wen in the capital who caught a white rat and offered it up.
That spring, a white mouse was also caught in Beiyuan, but soon died. Upon dissection, three small white mice were found in its belly. In March of the fourth year, the emperor visited the Western Palace and caught a white mouse. In August, a white mouse was caught in the imperial palace by a man named Zhang An. In May of the second year of Shenrui, the emperor caught a white mouse while hunting at Pailun Mountain; three more were caught in Pingcheng. In June, Pingcheng caught two more. In August, Prince Kui of Yuzhang also caught a white mouse. In November of the first year of Taichang, someone in the capital caught a white mouse (or white rat) and presented it to the emperor. In June of the second year, Zhongshan caught two white mice. In March of the third year, a white mouse was caught in the capital. In November, the capital caught another white mouse. In August of the third year of Shiguang, a white mouse was caught in Weijun, Xiangzhou. In August of the first year of Taiyan, Yanmen presented a white mouse. In August of the twenty-third year of Tahe under Gaozu, a white mouse was caught in the capital. In May of the fourth year of Jingming under Shizong, a white mouse was caught in the capital. In June of the first year of Zhengshi, a white mouse was caught in the capital. In April of the first year of Xiping under Suzong, Sizhou sent a white mouse.
