In the second year of Emperor Gao's reign, on a Dingwei night in November, three white vapors suddenly emerged from the ground. After a short while, they turned yellow-red, illuminating the earth.
On a Dingzi day in September of the sixteenth year, red gas appeared in the northwest, stretching twenty zhang long and eight or nine feet wide, and it disappeared after a short while.
On a Bingshen day in March of the first year of Emperor Shizong's reign, red gas appeared in the sky, lasting from dawn until dusk.
On a Xinyi day in November of the first year of Emperor Suzong's reign, red gas shot up into the sky from the northwest, looking like fire. It was not seen in the capital, but was spotted in Liangzhou.
On a Jiachen night in September of the third year, flame-like red gas appeared in the northwest, extending more than a match in length from east to west. This indicated an impending rebellion in the northern garrison.
On a Guiyou day in May of the fifth year, red gas appeared in the north, extending to the horizon from east to west, resembling flames.
On a Jichou day in November of the third year of Emperor Zhuang's reign, a cloud of misty red gas appeared, slanting from the southwest corner of the Xianyang Palace steps to the corridor, about one zhang high, dropping to the ground like a crimson curtain, and it did not disappear from the hour of the rat to the hour of the dog. The emperor saw it and was filled with disgust, ultimately meeting a violent end. “**The emperor saw it and loathed it, and eventually met with the calamity of a sudden death.**”
On a Jihai day in January of the third year of Emperor Xiaojing's reign, red gas appeared in the east, about three zhang long, and disappeared after the time it takes to eat three meals.
On a JiZi day in June of the third year of Emperor Zhuang's reign, at the hour of the monkey, blue gas appeared in the dragon's position, four feet wide, extending along the mountain to the east and spreading to the northwest, reaching into the sky. In the northwest position of the dog, clouds of black, red, and yellow appeared, looking like mountain peaks, with blue gas at the top, about four feet wide, extending southeast into the sky, with the two plumes of gas connecting. The gas in the southeast dissipated first, followed by the gas in the northwest. This too was a sign of the emperor's violent demise. “**This is also a sign of the emperor's sudden demise.**”
Ban Gu said: The strange phenomena at night are caused by the simultaneous appearance of clouds and wind, which makes it seem dim and unclear, thus resembling ordinary wind. "The night spirits arise when clouds and wind come together, hence they share the same appearance as regular wind." Warm winds can give rise to pestilence from moths and locusts. "When it is warm and windy, it breeds the calamities of moths and locusts."
On the Yisi day of June in the first year of the Zhengshi era, the sky was as dark as night.
On the Jiachen day in August, it was also as dark as night during the day.
Liu Xin said: An improper appearance indicates a lack of seriousness. "An ungracious appearance is called lack of solemnity." When the upper class oppresses the lower class and acts tyrannically, this leads to the prevalence of yin energy, water disasters damaging crops, insufficient food and clothing, and chaos caused by evil, resulting in extremely bad consequences. "When the upper class is arrogant and the lower class is oppressed, yin energy prevails, water harms the grains, food and clothing are insufficient, and chaos arises; hence the consequences are extremely bad."
There is a saying that when the common people endure many punishments, their faces become distorted. "It is said that when the people suffer many punishments, their appearance becomes ugly." Ban Gu believed that abnormalities in livestock are signs of disaster, "Ban Gu thought that abnormalities in livestock signify disaster, meaning they are evident;" and if it happens to a person, it is called *Zhuanzhuan*, describing a sickly appearance that foreshadows death. "If it happens to a person, it is called *Zhuanzhuan*, a sickly appearance, indicating deep sleep."
In the third year of Emperor Taizong's Yongxing era, people in the Ulanhou region developed bones under their throats, shaped like sheep's horns and measuring over a foot long.
In the sixteenth year of the Tahe era of Emperor Gaozu, in May, an official named Li Chong reported that in Wujiji County of Zhongshan Commandery in Dingzhou, there was a girl named Li Banhu, whose right thumb nail had grown nine hairs by September 20 of last year, and by October 20, they had grown to twelve inches long. Now, that's a rare occurrence!
In the second year of Suzong Xiping, in the eleventh month of Jiwei, it was reported from the Bianzhou area that in Qixian, there was a woman named Han Sengzhen, who gave birth to a child under her mother's right ribcage. Empress Dowager Ling ordered the child to be sent to the Yeting Palace for upbringing. This... this is just too miraculous!
In the first year of Zhengguang, in the fifth month of Wuxu, a huge footprint appeared in Xiachai County in Nanyanzhou, taking seven steps, each step measuring one foot eight inches long and seven inches five inches wide. Just how big is this footprint!
In the autumn of the third year of Gaozu Yanxing, in Xiurong County, a woman gave birth to four sons in one breath, and then gave birth to four more, for a total of sixteen sons! This level of fertility is truly astonishing!
In the eleventh month of the third year of Zhuangdi Yong'an, in Dingmao, a family in the capital gave birth to a child with one head, two bodies, four hands, four feet, and three ears! This... this is simply unbelievable!
In the eleventh month of the sixteenth year of Taihe, Gaozu and the monk Daodeng were in the Shizhong Hall. When it was dark, around the sixth watch of the night, they saw a ghost in a yellow top and pants standing at the door trying to come in. Gaozu thought it was a person, so he yelled at it, scaring it away. Gaozu asked the people around him, and everyone said they didn't see it; only Gaozu and Daodeng saw it.
In the second year of Xianzu Huangxing, there was an epidemic in Yuzhou, and around fourteen or fifteen thousand people died. This epidemic is too severe!
In the fourth month of the third year of Shizong Yongping, there was a major epidemic in Qinchang and Xiangling counties in Pingyang. From the first month to the fourth month, two thousand seven hundred and thirty people died. This epidemic is truly heartbreaking!
In the sixth month of the nineteenth year of Taihe, it was reported in Xuzhou that a bronze statue measuring eight feet tall was reported to be sweating!
During the reigns of Yong'an, Putai, and Yongxi, the golden statue of Dingguang at Pingdeng Temple in the capital also often sweated. Whenever a major event occurred in the country, it would sweat, and people at that time were very scared, believing it to be an ominous sign.
In the second month of the third year of Yong'an, there were two bronze statues in a family in the capital, each standing over a foot tall. One of them had four white hairs sprouting from its chin, and the other had a black hair growing on its face.
The "Hong Fan Lun" states: "Dragons are scaled beings that dwell in water. Clouds are also symbols of water, with a strong presence of yin energy, so their appearance foretells significant events. If a ruler violates human ethics and disrupts the heavenly order, calamities of usurpation are sure to follow."
In the third year of Emperor Shizong's reign, in March, two white dragons were seen in the wells of homes in the capital.
In the sixth year of Zhenjun's reign, in February, another white dragon appeared in the wells of households in the capital. Dragons are divine beings, yet they are confined to wells; this is an omen of Emperor Shizong's untimely death!
In the first year of Emperor Suzong's reign, in August, a black dragon that looked like a dog appeared, running from the south to Xuan Yang Gate, leaping and passing through the gate. This is an omen of the decline of the Wei dynasty!
In 578 AD, Emperor Zhuang died unexpectedly in Jinyang, and prior to that, a dragon had been spotted lingering in a well in Jinyang. This is definitely an ominous sign!
In April 555 AD, traces of a dragon appeared at Xuan Yang Gate, west of the palace, and then it returned to the city. The next day, ministers came to congratulate the emperor. However, the emperor said: "For the country to prosper, we must listen to the people's opinions; if we don't, we might as well leave it to fate. We, the rulers and subjects, should practice self-discipline and serve the public, governing the country well; we cannot just rely on these auspicious signs to feel complacent!"
The "Hong Fan Lun" also states: horses represent the army, and unusual occurrences involving horses signify impending foreign invasions.
In November 553 AD, a small colt was sent from Hengzhou, its tail measuring a foot long, and it had no hair on its shins. This... is too strange!
In September 520 AD, many official horses in Woye Town fell ill with a strange disease, as bugs burrowed into their ears, resulting in the death of more than a dozen. These bugs looked like maggots, measuring less than five inches long and as thick as chopsticks.
The "Hong Fan Lun" also states, as mentioned in the "I Ching," "Kun represents the ox," where Kun symbolizes the land. When the vital energy of the land becomes unsettled, strange phenomena involving oxen will occur, suggesting a decline in ancestral temples and possibly hinting at issues with oxen caused by heavy transportation.
In May 506 AD, Jizhou reported that in Changle County, a cow gave birth to a calf, but this calf had two heads, two mouths, three eyes, and three ears! This... is just too outrageous! The "Hongfan Lun" states: these strange occurrences are caused by the emperor's incompetence and political errors.
In March 493 AD, Sizhou reported that in Yangqu County, a sheep gave birth to a lamb, but this lamb had two bodies, one female and one male, three ears, and eight legs! Shortly after, Emperor Gaozu died, and six regents began to seize power.
In July 495 AD, Shanshan Town sent a lamb, but this lamb had two bodies and eight legs. In January 496 AD, Shanshan Town sent another sheep with eight legs! In May 499 AD, Bogu County reported a lamb with six legs and two tails! Jing Fang's "Chuan" states: all strange phenomena with excess limbs are due to the court employing corrupt individuals. The "I Ching" states: a pig giving birth to a creature with a human head and pig body signifies that cities will fall into chaos and destruction.
In September 491 AD, someone reported that the governor of Yuzhou, Prince Wang Rang of Linhuai, reported a pig gave birth to a piglet, but this pig had two bodies and eight legs! In September 500 AD, Liangzhou reported a shocking incident: a dog and a pig had mated! In August 498 AD, in the capital region, a pig gave birth to a piglet, but this pig had four ears, two bodies, and eight legs!
In July 474 AD, Xuzhou reported that a pig in Yangping County gave birth to a piglet with a human-like head and face, a fleshy lump on its head, and no hair on its body. This signals the downfall of Empress Ling and the young ruler.
The "Hongfan Lun" states that Jing Fang's commentary says: chicks are like low-ranking officials, and the comb symbolizes weapons, growing on the head, representing the majesty of the king. This low-ranking official, holding power, will rely on the king's majesty to cause chaos, which poses a challenge that's hard to control.
In May of the summer of 477 AD, someone reported to the court that two hens with horns like crowns appeared in the capital, unlike any other chickens. At that time, Empress Dowager Wen was in power, which was a sign of her reliance on unscrupulous officials.
In April 478 AD, a chick appeared in Henan that had four legs and four wings. This event was recorded in the "Biography of Cui Guang."
In August 478 AD, Sizhou reported that a chick raised by a commoner in Hanoi had another head growing out of its rear, complete with a mouth and eyes, both heads emerging from the back of the neck. Each head had two pairs of wings and walked on two legs side by side. At that time, Emperor Shizong trusted petty officials more, and with numerous factions, corrupt officials interfered in state affairs, all of which were ominous signs.
In December 474 AD, Luozhou reported that a yellow hen belonging to the governor of Weixing, Chang Jiao, had a flesh horn the size of a date growing on its head, measuring one and three inches long, with hair one and a half inches long on the horn.
In January 491 AD, the rooster and hen belonging to General Lan Dou of the Tiger Ben both had two horns growing on their heads, with mottled feathers, standing taller than a chicken comb. At that time, Empress Dowager Ling was ruling the government.
The "Hong Fan Lun" states: This is a punishment for unclear vision and poor hearing.
In November 479 AD, a white owl was captured in the capital.
On the Jimao day of August 492 AD, a bald eagle was captured in the palace.
In April 483 AD, someone brought a dead duckling that had one head but two bodies, four legs, four wings, and two tails.
In March 488 AD, a male pheasant flew into the Ministry of Personnel and was caught in the hall.
The "Hong Fan Lun" states: Brutal punishments oppress the populace; greed stirs up armies and crowds; building cities while losing the people's trust leads to pestilence.
In July 477 AD, a locust plague occurred in Dunhuang, and nearly all the autumn crops were devoured.
In July 478 AD, Qingzhou and Yongzhou suffered a pest infestation, damaging the crops.
In August of the year 478 AD, seven states including Xuzhou, East Xuzhou, Yanzhou, Jizhou, Pingzhou, Yuzhou, and Guangzhou, as well as the four towns of Pingyuan, Fangtou, Guang'a, and Linji, experienced locust plagues, resulting in complete crop failure. In April of the year 7 AD, Henan and Yuzhou were plagued by locusts, leading to total crop loss. In March of the year 8, the three states of Jizhou, Yuzhou, and Henan were ravaged by locusts, causing damage to crops. In April, the seven states of Jizhou, Guangzhou, Youzhou, Sizhou, Yongzhou, Qizhou, and Pingzhou also experienced locust plagues. On the Yisi day in June, the four states of Henan, Qizhou, Guangzhou, and Qingzhou were again harmed by locusts (a type of locust). On the day of Guisi in October of the year 16, the town of Fohan also suffered from a locust plague, resulting in significant crop losses. In May of the first year of Jingming, the six states of Qingzhou, Qizhou, Xuzhou, Yanzhou, Guangzhou, and South Qingzhou were afflicted by locusts, and crops were entirely devoured. On the day of Renwu in March of the year 4, there was a major outbreak of wheat pests in Hezhou, leading to complete crop failure. In May, locusts returned to harm the crops in Guangzhou. In June, the locust disaster in Hezhou became severe. In July, locusts became a disaster in Donglai County. In June of the first year of Zhengshi, both Xiazhou and Sizhou also encountered locust disasters. In April of the year 4, a type of insect called "Buqu" harmed jujube flowers in Qingzhou. In August, the yellow rat, locusts, and band worms caused disasters in Jingzhou, while locusts and band worms also became a disaster in Hezhou, with Liangzhou, Sizhou, and Hengnong County also experiencing locust plagues.
In the first year of Yongping, on the sixth day of the sixth month of Jisi, there was a severe locust plague in Liangzhou, causing heavy losses to crops. In the fifth year, in May, the steppe locusts of Qingzhou again devastated the jujube blossoms. In July, a type of pest appeared in the capital, and locust plagues broke out in various regions. In August, the states of Qingzhou, Qizhou, and Guangzhou were afflicted by this pest, which nearly devoured two-thirds of the crops. In the first year of Xiping, in June, the states of Qingzhou, Qizhou, Guangzhou, and South Qingzhou suffered from this pest. In the first year of Tian'an, in June, a remarkable battle between black ants and red ants unfolded in Yanzhou, resulting in the complete annihilation of the red ant army, with a battlefield measuring sixty steps in length and four inches in width. The black ants were in the north, and the red ants in the south. In November, Liu Yu, the governor of Yanzhou, sent a messenger to surrender, and the court dispatched General Wei Yuan to take over, defeating the bandit leader Zhou Kai and others.
In the tenth year of Taihe, in July, Zhang Wanshou, an official in Bingzhou, reported that during the silkworm rearing in April, a farmer named Jia Richeng in Jianxing, Huozecounty discovered that the silkworm silk had formed into a curtain, inside which was rolled up something resembling a silk ribbon, four feet long and three inches wide, thin, with two yellow cocoons on top, resembling footprints.
In the second year of Zhengshi, in March, an incident occurred in Xuzhou where silkworm moths harmed people, injuring more than one hundred and ten and killing twenty-two.
The last paragraph describes the "calamity of caterpillars": it refers to the abnormal phenomenon of pest disasters.
It is said that during the time when Zhu Yuanzhang was emperor, there was a big tiger in Henan that lay by the river for three months before leaving. The following year, ants and white deer moved to the north bank of the Yellow River. The year after that, the water of the Yellow River turned red like blood. These were all omens of the imminent downfall of the Weichen clan! Later, the Weichen clan was utterly annihilated, and their bodies were all thrown into the Yellow River, leaving the place empty.
In the first month of Xiaojing Yuanyang's first year, a wolf entered the city and was captured in Xieshi. In December of the fifth year of Wuding, a leopard was captured at the Copper Jue Terrace in the northern city.
In the first year of the reign of Gaozu, in May of the year Xinhai, a fox demon emerged to cut people's hair and even wrote letters to scare people. At that time, the Empress Dowager was in power, and this was an ominous sign of her misrule!
In the second year of the reign of Suzong Xiping, starting from spring, reports of fox demons cutting people's hair began to surface in the capital city, and everyone was very scared. In the sixth month of the year Renchen, Empress Ling summoned those who had their hair cut and had them whipped outside Qianqiu Gate by Liu Teng of the Chongxun Guard, just like what happened during the Taihe era. The "Ruitu" says: If the nobles, governors, prefects, and county magistrates from other regions are too harsh on the people and the people are filled with grievances, white rats will appear.
In the third year of the Yongxing reign of Taizong, in February, a commoner named Zhao Wen in the capital found a white rat in his house and presented it to the emperor. That spring, another white rat was caught in Beiyuan, but it soon died. Upon dissection, they discovered three baby white rats inside it!
In the fourth year of the Yongxing reign, in March, the emperor visited the Western Palace for leisure and caught another white rat. In August, a commoner named Zhang An caught a white rat and presented it to the imperial household. In the second year of Shenrui, in May, the emperor was hunting at Penglun Mountain and caught a white rat; three more were caught in Pingcheng. In June, two more were caught in Pingcheng. In August, Prince Kuai of Yuzhang also caught one.
In the first year of Taichang, in November, someone in the capital caught a white rat (or a creature resembling a white rat) and presented it to the emperor. In the second year, in June, two white rats were caught in Zhongshan. In March of the third year, one white rat was caught in the capital. In November, another one was caught in the capital. In the third year of Shizong Shiguang, in August, one white rat was caught in Weijun, Xiangzhou. In the first year of Taiyan, in August, Yanmen delivered a white rat.
In the twenty-third year of the reign of Gaozu Taihe, in August, a white rat was caught in the capital. In the fourth year of the reign of Shizong Jingming, in May, a white rat was caught in the capital. In the first year of Zhengshi, in June, a white rat was caught in the capital. In April of the first year of the reign of Suzong Xiping, a white rat was delivered from Sizhou.
