Liu Ren Duan An (六壬斷案)

邵彥和先生，宋人也。據其自占動靜一數而推之，生於英宗治平二年乙巳，歿於高宗紹興三年癸丑，似浙江之太末人。（按：斷語中有云，日後動於東北，近二百里，果辛亥年十月過婺州，自鄉里行一百八十里。然則在婺州之西南方也。婺州西南一百八十里，是為太末人。雲壬子年過嚴州，自鄉中東北過西北，然則在嚴州之東南方也。嚴州東南亦太末也。）

Master Shao Yanhe was a man of the Song dynasty. According to the year calculated from the divination lesson "movement and stillness" he performed for himself, he was born around the second year of Zhiping in the reign of Emperor Yingzong, Yisi (1065 CE), and died in the third year of Shaoxing in the reign of Emperor Gaozong, Guichou (1133 CE). His place of origin is likely Taime, which is now in the area of Longyou. (The compiler Cheng Quan's note: There is a record in the case that after this, one should move towards the northeast direction, covering nearly two hundred li. Later, in the year Xinhai, in the tenth month, he passed through Wuzhou, and the journey from his hometown covered exactly one hundred and eighty li. Thus, his home should be in the southwest of Wuzhou. The southwest of Wuzhou is exactly Taime. Another record states that in the year Renzi, he passed through Yanzhou, turning from the northeast to the northwest direction from his hometown. Thus, his home should also be in the southeast of Yanzhou. The southeast of Yanzhou is also Taime. These two records corroborate each other, so it is concluded that he was from Taime.)

先生精於六壬，占無不中，且言忠教孝，規過勸善，各因人而施，是知為年高德劭之耆英，非徒以六壬見長也。所存斷案，蓋及門諸子所編，委曲詳明，以詔後之學者。奈歷年既久，率多散逸，緣後人各憑己見，互有去取於其間，於是原本渺不可得矣。嘗讀凌福之先生《畢法賦》序，知在理宗寶慶以前已有將先生之案分析措辭而興販利者。何況由南宋至今，歷六百七十餘年之久哉？

Master Zhao was highly skilled in the Great Six壬 (Six壬 Divination), and any prediction he made never failed to come true. Moreover, whenever he spoke, he always advised people to be loyal, taught them to be filial, pointed out their mistakes, and encouraged them to do good. He could also give different advice to different people, showing that he was a venerable elder of great virtue, not merely skilled in the Six壬 technique. The surviving cases he left behind were probably compiled by his junior disciples, with detailed narratives and clear explanations, intended to teach later learners. Unfortunately, due to the long passage of time, most of them were lost. Furthermore, later generations each interpreted them according to their own views, selecting, adding to, or omitting parts of the content, so the original meaning has become obscure and difficult to recover. I once read the preface written by Ling Fu Zhi for the "Bi Fa Fu," and from that I learned that as early as before the reign of Emperor Lizhong of the Song Dynasty, someone had already taken Master Zhao's case records, disassembled them, altered their forms, and sold them for profit. Considering the period from the Southern Song Dynasty to the present day spans over six hundred and seventy years, it is not surprising that the original content has been distorted through successive transmissions.

餘自弱冠之前愛習，凡見先生斷案，便錄而珍藏之，三十年來，僅得五本。其一為前明萬曆年間夢醒頭陀所鈔，附於《捷要》一書中也；一則《口鑑》中之注也；一則《前知書》中所引者也；一則方仰松先生所購於武林者也。方仰松先生自記云：乾隆五十一年三月初二日，余遊武林，遍求六壬書，於市中無有可觀者，最後得此冊於肆中，缺其首尾不全，然其古者之官銜，元明以後所無，知為宋人之遺書也。其斷驗神妙，出吾家之上。真六壬中之秘本，書雖不全，然舉隅三反，所得為不少矣！

I became interested in this art before I was twenty. Every time I saw cases interpreted by Zhao Master, I copied them down and kept them carefully. Over thirty years, I collected only five volumes. One of them was copied by Meng Xing Tou Tou during the Wanli period of the Ming dynasty and was included in the book "Jie Yao"; another was the annotations cited in "Kou Jian"; another was quoted from "Qianzhi Shu"; and another was purchased by Fang Yangsong in Wulin (Hangzhou). Fang Yangsong himself recorded that on the second day of the third lunar month in the fifty-first year of the Qianlong era, he traveled in Hangzhou, searching for books on Liu Ren divination. There were no books worth reading in the market, but finally he found this volume in a bookshop, though it was incomplete at both the beginning and the end. However, the ancient official titles mentioned in the book were no longer used after the Yuan and Ming dynasties, indicating that it was a manuscript passed down from the Song dynasty. Its predictions were extremely accurate and surpassed the ones in my family's old collection, truly a secret manuscript of Liu Ren divination. Although the book was incomplete, it was still very valuable, as one example could lead to understanding three others. The amount gained was not small.

其一則宋人原書，僅有己酉年元旦起至六月十六日止一冊也。凡茲五本，多寡不齊，語句亦異，乃細心考訂，擇其理長者，分類編次之，共得二百一十六例。天時三，宅墓三十九，前程仕進五十八，終身一十六，流年二，婚姻三，胎產子息七，財產一十二，一課二事各斷式三，交易二，出行訪謁七，行人音信六，病症一十七，六畜九，亡盜一十四，官訟一十二，雜占六。以為六壬之鈐式。然先生享年將及古稀，詎止於此？此固據餘之所見者也，倘有同志君子，惠餘所未見者焉，行將補成全璧，是則餘之所厚望者矣！古歙槐塘程銓愛圅氏輯

The last volume is the original work of a Song dynasty scholar, containing only one volume from the first day of the first lunar month to the sixteenth day of the sixth lunar month in the year Jiyou. These five volumes differ in the number of entries and in the wording of the texts. Therefore, I carefully examined and selected the ones with clearer reasoning to compile and classify them, resulting in a total of two hundred and sixteen examples. The classification is as follows: three examples on weather conditions, thirty-nine on residences and tombs, fifty-eight on future prospects and official careers, sixteen on lifetime matters, two on annual cycles, three on marriage, seven on pregnancy and offspring, twelve on property, three examples each for divination on two matters, two on trade, seven on travel and visits, six on messages from travelers, seventeen on illness, nine on livestock, fourteen on missing persons and theft, twelve on legal disputes, and six on miscellaneous divination. These have been compiled as models for learning the Six壬 (Liuren) system. However, Master Shao lived nearly seventy years, and the cases he interpreted were certainly more than these. These are merely what I have seen within my limited scope. If there are like-minded gentlemen who are willing to share with me any volumes I have not seen, I could complete the entire collection, which is precisely what I deeply hope for. Compiled by Cheng Quan (style name Aichuan), a native of Huaitang in ancient Xishui County.

01）韓太守占祈雪，建炎三年己酉歲十一月初四己卯日寅將酉時，（申酉空亡，丑寅落空），鑄印，乘軒，知一，勵德。 六陳 朱戌亥子丑龍 蛇酉 寅空 龍 貴 玄 陳 父 辛巳 玄 初 貴申 卯虎 丑 申 巳 子 兄 甲戌 朱 中（暗鬼） 后未午巳辰常 申 卯 子 己 鬼 己卯 虎 末 陰玄

The first example: Han the Magistrate cast a divination to pray for snow. The time was the fourth day of the eleventh lunar month in the third year of the Jianyan era of the Southern Song dynasty, which was the Jiyou year. The day branch was Jimao, and the lesson was started with the寅 month general added to the酉 hour. The day branch Jimao belonged to the Jiaxu decade, and the empty position fell on the申 and酉 branches; the branches of the heaven plate, the丑 and寅, also fell exactly on the empty positions, so it was said "the丑 and寅 fall into emptiness." This lesson had four names: "Casting the Seal" (the three transmissions are like melting metal to cast a seal, indicating that matters will take shape and names will be determined), "Taking the Coach" (the nobleman rides in a carriage, indicating promotion and success), "Knowing One" (when there is a conflict in the numbers, take the one similar to the day stem for comparison, indicating that the matter has a single master), and "Exercising Virtue" (the nobleman is present, indicating self-reflection and cultivation of virtue will bring good fortune). The heaven plate layout: the nobleman rode the申, followed by the Teng Snake on酉, the Vermilion Bird on戌, the Liu He on亥, the Gou Chen on子, the Azure Dragon on丑, the Tian Kong on寅, the White Tiger on卯, the Tai Chang on辰, the Black Tortoise on巳, the Tai Yin on午, and the Heavenly Empress on未. The four lessons were arranged from right to left: the first lesson had the day stem Ji on子, riding the Gou Chen; the second lesson had子 on巳, riding the Black Tortoise; the third lesson had the day branch卯 on申, riding the nobleman; the fourth lesson had申 on丑, riding the Azure Dragon. The three transmissions were巳,戌, and卯: the first transmission, Xinsi, was the parent爻, riding the Black Tortoise; the middle transmission, Jiaxu, was the brother爻, riding the Vermilion Bird, and secretly also the ghost爻; the final transmission, Jimao, was the official ghost爻, riding the White Tiger.

邵先生曰：數日來，天氣和暖，宛如三九月，州縣雖然祈雪，皆無響應，今得此課，明日天色必變，巳時風起轉寒，未時有雨，亥時作雪，厚有七寸。眾官皆嘆曰：今日晴暖，雪從何來？當日已晚，次早眾官在壇，待至巳時，果然風起。霎時雲合，未時微雨，眾官散後，北風大作，甚冷，二更後下雪，至次日未時方止，果積七寸。

Master Zhao said: These days the weather has been warm, almost like the weather in March or September; although the prefectures and counties have set up altars to pray for snow, there has been no response. Now, by divination, it is predicted that the weather will definitely change tomorrow: starting from the period of巳 (from 9 to 11 a.m.), the wind will rise and the temperature will drop; at the period of未 (from 1 to 3 p.m.), it will rain; by the period of亥 (from 9 to 11 p.m.), it will turn into snow, and the snowfall will be seven inches thick. The officials present were all amazed, saying: "It is so sunny and warm today, how can there be snow?" By the time the day was nearly evening, the next day morning the officials went to the altar to wait for the snow. At the period of巳, the wind indeed rose. Soon clouds gathered, and at the period of未, it began to rain lightly. After the officials had dispersed, a strong north wind arose, and the weather suddenly turned cold. By the second watch (after 9 p.m.), it began to snow, and it continued until the period of未 the next day, when it stopped. The snowfall was indeed seven inches thick, exactly as predicted.

先生析曰；蓋此課，火伏於下，水升乎上，不拘占雪占雨，皆當日有。況申為夜貴，正是權柄。日上又見天河之水，騰運乎上，必流乎下。初傳巳火臨子被克，上見玄武，變成大風雪。蓋巳戌卯鑄印，春夏秋必雨，冬必雪。末傳卯作白虎，與申皆是白色，申乃空亡，正是空中降下，乃造化之所生也。夫火伏於下，水騰乎上，一雨也；申子為水，加臨日辰，二雨也；三傳順行，三雨也；卯為雷，雷過西方為虎所制，雖冬月無雷，豈深冬無雪乎？子作勾陳，占雨主連綿、主雪，主深厚。凡鑄印課，占天時必大雨雪。

Master Zhao explained that this divination case has a pattern where fire is hidden below and water rises above. Whether predicting snow or rain, the result will occur on the same day. Moreover, the metal of the hour of Shen is the nobleman of the day, representing the authority of the person in charge. There is also a yin water (zi) above the day stem, which is the heavenly river water. Since it has already risen above, it must flow down. The first transmission, which is the fire of si, is placed on top of the water and is thus overcome by water. Above it is the black tortoise, the water deity and the deity of darkness, thus forming a heavy snowstorm. Because the three transmissions of si, xu, and mao form the "cast seal" pattern, this case will certainly bring rain in spring, summer, and autumn, and snow in winter. The final transmission, mao wood, is occupied by the white tiger, which is white, and the metal of shen is also white. Moreover, shen is at the position of kongwang, which symbolizes something falling from the sky, which is exactly the natural formation of snow. From the "rain signs": fire hidden below and water rising above is the first sign of rain; shen and zi, both water, are placed above the day branch, which is the second sign of rain; the three transmissions follow in order, which is the third sign of rain. Mao is thunder, and thunder moving west is restrained by the white tiger (metal). Although thunder does not occur in winter, can there be no snow in the deepest winter? Zi water is occupied by gouchen, which indicates continuous rain when predicting rain and thick snow when predicting snow. Generally, the "cast seal" pattern, when used to predict weather, will certainly bring heavy rain or heavy snow.

02）十二月戊申日子將申時，（寅卯空亡，午未落空），元首，潤下，勵德，六儀，占晴雨。 六朱 陳酉戌亥子蛇 龍申 丑貴 玄 蛇 貴 陳 兄 甲辰 玄 初（暗鬼） 空未 寅后 辰 子 丑 酉 子 戊申 龍 中 虎午巳辰卯陰 子 申 酉 戊 財 壬子 蛇 末 常玄

Second example: On a certain year's twelfth month, on the day of Wu Shen, divination was made to determine whether it would be sunny or rainy. The lesson was started by placing the month general Zi on the Shen hour. The day Wu Shen belongs to the Jiachen decade, with the empty branches falling on Yin and Mao. The branches Wu and Wei on the heaven plate are located in the empty position. The name of the lesson has four parts: "Original Head" (among the four lessons, there is only one instance where the upper god overcomes the lower god; this is taken as the initiating transmission, indicating the matter is upright and orderly), "Moistening Down" (the three transmissions Shen, Zi, and Chen form a water trinity, indicating water flows downward and moistens), "Encouraging Virtue," and "Six Instruments" (the lesson includes the first instrument of the decade, indicating the ability to resolve misfortune). The heaven plate layout: the nobleman rides Chou, followed by Teng Snake riding Zi, Vermilion Bird riding Hai, Liu He riding Xu, Gou Chen riding You, Azure Dragon riding Shen, Tian Kong riding Wei, Bai Hu riding Wu, Tai Chang riding Si, Xuan Wu riding Chen, Tai Yin riding Mao, and Tian Hou riding Yin. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson has Wu riding You, with Gou Chen; the second lesson has You riding Chou, with the nobleman; the third lesson has Shen riding Zi, with Teng Snake; the fourth lesson has Zi riding Chen, with Xuan Wu. The three transmissions are Chen, Shen, and Zi: the first transmission Jiachen is the brother's yao, riding Xuan Wu, and also serving as a hidden ghost; the middle transmission Wu Shen is the son's yao, riding Azure Dragon; the final transmission Ren Zi is the wife's wealth yao, riding Teng Snake.

邵先生曰：潤下課，元臨子作用，中傳龍又乘申，末又是夜青龍。若春占主水漲，今冬占必有大雪。果辛亥日雨，丙辰日大雪，戊午日晴而起風。

Master Zhao said: This is a "run down" divination case. The first transmission is Chen added upon Zi water and initiates the action. The middle transmission is the Azure Dragon riding on Shen metal (Shen is the long life of water, and the Azure Dragon is the god of rain). The final transmission is Zi water still present in the water vapor of the Azure Dragon throughout the night. If this divination is cast in spring, it indicates swollen rivers and streams; but now, since it is winter, there must certainly be heavy snow. Later it indeed came true: on Xinhai day it rained, on Bingchen day there was heavy snow, and on Wuwu day it cleared up and wind blew, all in exact sequence.

03）庚辰日浙江大旱，九月十五日癸丑日辰將辰時，（寅卯空亡，寅卯落空），伏吟，亂首，勵德，遊子，稼穡，州官占雨。斷語遺失。 后陰 貴巳午未申玄 蛇辰 酉常 陳 陳 陳 陳 鬼 癸丑 陳 初 朱卯 戌虎 丑 丑 丑 丑 鬼 庚戌 虎 中 六寅丑子亥空 丑 丑 丑 癸 鬼 丁未 陰 末（丁神） 陳龍

Third example: In the year Gengchen, Zhejiang experienced a severe drought. On the fifteenth day of the ninth month, Guichou day, the local official came to consult the divination in order to pray for rain, using the month of Chen as the month general placed on the hour of Chen. Guichou day belongs to the Jiachen decade, with the empty palace falling on Yin and Mao; the branches of Yin and Mao on the heaven plate also fall exactly on the empty palace. Since the month general and the time of divination are in the same position, the heaven plate and earth plate completely overlap, making it a "Hidden Chant" lesson (all matters are hidden and motionless). It also combines "Disorder of the Head" (superior and inferior positions are confused, hierarchy is lost), "Encouragement of Virtue," "Wanderer" (indicating wandering away), and "Cultivation of Farming and Cultivation" (the three transmissions form a earth pattern with the branches Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei, indicating matters related to farmland and crops). The commentary of this example has been lost in transmission, and the original text only contains the lesson structure, without the judgment provided by Zhao Master. Heaven plate layout: Nobleman rides on Si, followed by Teng Snake riding on Chen, Vermilion Bird riding on Mao, Liu He riding on Yin, Gou Chen riding on Chou, Azure Dragon riding on Zi, Tian Kong riding on Hai, Bai Hu riding on Xu, Tai Chang riding on You, Xuan Wu riding on Shen, Tai Yin riding on Wei, and Tian Hou riding on Wu. The four lessons are all the same due to the Hidden Chant: the day stem Guichou is lodged in Chou, and both the day stem and day branch result in Chou, so all four lessons are Chou added to Chou, all riding on Gou Chen. The three transmissions are Chou, Xu, and Wei: initial transmission is Guichou, middle transmission is Gengxu, and final transmission is Dingwei, all of which are earth, for the day stem of water, they are all official ghost trigrams, riding on Gou Chen, Bai Hu, and Tai Yin respectively; the final transmission Dingwei is also "Ding God" (indicating change and movement).

04）張九翁戊午生五十一歲，占宅。戊申年九月庚寅日辰將未時。（午未空亡，卯辰落空），元首，元胎。 朱六 蛇寅卯辰巳陳 貴丑 午龍 虎 陰 蛇 陳 鬼 癸巳 陳 初 后子 未空 申 亥 寅 巳 財 庚寅 蛇 中 陰亥戌酉申虎 亥 寅 巳 庚 子 丁亥 陰 末（丁神）（暗鬼） 玄常

Fourth example: Zhang Jiugong was born in the year Wuwu, and is fifty-one years old. He consulted about his residence. The time was in the year Jiashen, ninth month, day Gengyin. The lesson was cast with the month Chén as the general, placed on the hour Wei. The day Gengyin belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty branches falling on Wu and Wei. The branches of the heaven plate, Mao and Chen, fall on the empty branches. The lesson is called "Original Head" (one above conquers one below, initiating transmission) and "Original Embryo" (the main matter is in the state of being conceived and sprouting). Heaven plate layout: the nobleman rides Chou, followed by Teng Snake riding Yin, Vermilion Bird riding Mao, Liu He riding Chen, Gou Chen riding Si, Azure Dragon riding Wu, Tian Kong riding Wei, White Tiger riding Shen, Tai Chang riding You, Black Tortoise riding Xu, Tai Yin riding Hai, and Heavenly Empress riding Zi. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson has the day stem Geng with Si, riding Gou Chen; the second lesson has Si with Yin, riding Teng Snake; the third lesson has the day branch Yin with Hai, riding Tai Yin; the fourth lesson has Hai with Shen, riding White Tiger. The three transmissions are Si, Yin, and Hai: the first transmission, Gui Si, is the official ghost爻, riding Gou Chen; the middle transmission, Geng Yin, is the wife wealth爻, riding Teng Snake; the final transmission, Ding Hai, is the son grandson爻, riding Tai Yin, which is also the "Ding spirit," and secretly contains ghostly energy.

邵先生曰：干支皆受上神來生，利宅不利人。干上發用歸傳支，末傳亥脫今日之干而生今日之支，因充役費用，又與姓陳吏人不和，尊長末後為兒娶婦，所費盡壞家計；十一年間陰人守寡，是時家產四分矣。張九翁果先好，後因充役，大有所費；又為妻叔與陳姓吏人作鬼，因來動店內物，卻乃爭訟；後二年又與子娶婦，倍陪女家；後五年因弟有事，遂作四分分也。

Shao said: When both the day stem and day branch are being born by their upper gods, this is a favorable situation for the house but unfavorable for people. The initiating transmission starts from the day stem, but the three transmissions end up on the day branch (the house); the final transmission, which is亥 water, drains the qi of today's庚 gold, and instead goes on to birth today's寅 wood day branch. This indicates that the person will be forced to serve the government as a messenger, spending a lot of money. There will also be conflicts with a man surnamed Chen. The family elders will eventually have to marry off their son, which will cost a great deal and may ruin the family's fortune. Within eleven years, a woman will become a widow, and by then the family property will have been divided into four parts. Later, Zhang Jiawang indeed first experienced smooth circumstances, but later was forced to serve as a messenger, spending a great deal of money. His wife's uncle and the man surnamed Chen interfered, using his goods, leading to a lawsuit. Two years later, he married off his son, giving double the dowry. Five years later, due to his brother's troubles, the family property was divided into four parts, exactly as predicted.

先生析曰；蓋庚生於巳，寅生於亥，庚脫於亥，寅脫於巳，干支俱受生而互受脫，是先興旺而後衰敗也。亥數四、寅數七，乃十一年也。亥脫今日干，則耗洩我矣，故主費財。亥為支之長生，生宅脫我，豈不是為宅舊役累而費用乎？宅上亥乃脫神，從宅發出，為末傳，又來脫我，亥為婦人，故曰為子娶婦費壞也。上加太陰，為老陰人，故又主陰人守寡，中傳寅為吏人，上為蛇撓，又為今日絕神，且寅又為今日財神，陰人得亥為脫氣，故主因妻與吏人爭訟也。

Shao Master explained that庚 metal is born in巳, and寅 wood is born in亥; conversely, when庚 metal meets亥 water, it is drained and weakened, and when寅 wood meets巳 fire, it is also drained and weakened. The day stem and day branch each receive birth, yet they also drain each other, which is the image of first flourishing and then decline. The number of亥 is four, and the number of寅 is seven; four plus seven makes eleven, so it is fixed on eleven years. The亥 water drains the energy of庚 metal, which is a loss, thus indicating expenditure of money.亥 water is the long life of the day branch (house), which generates the house but drains me, which is precisely due to old officials causing expenditure. The亥 on the house is originally a draining spirit, originating from the house position and falling into the final transmission, returning to drain me again;亥 represents a woman in human affairs, so it is said that the family spends its resources for the son's marriage.亥 is covered by Tai Yin, which is an old woman of the year, thus also indicating a woman remaining a widow. The middle transmission寅 wood represents officials, and寅 is covered by Teng Snake, indicating entanglement and disturbance;寅 is also the place where庚 metal reaches its end, and it is also the day's wealth element. The wife and wealth element's阴 person meets亥 water and is drained, thus indicating disputes with officials due to the wife's family.

05）葉助教戊午生五十一歲占宅，戊申年正月辛卯日子將未時。（午未空亡，亥子落空），重審，勵德，不備，斫輪，贅婿。 龍空 陳戌亥子丑虎 六酉 寅常 虎 朱 朱 玄 財 辛卯 玄 初 朱申 卯玄 丑 申 申 卯 兄 甲申 朱 中 蛇未午巳辰陰 申 卯 卯 辛 父 己丑 虎 末 貴後

Fifth example: Ye, the tutor, was born in the Wuwu year and is fifty-one years old. He consulted about his residence. The time was in the Jiashen year, first lunar month, Xinmao day. The class was cast using the Zi month general added to the Wei hour. The Xinmao day belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty branches falling on Wu and Wei. The branches Hai and Zi on the Heaven Plate fall in the empty palace. The names of the class are five: "Chong Shen" (the lower god steals from the upper god, the matter starts from within, it is suitable to re-examine carefully), "Li De" (the four lessons are not complete, only three are formed, indicating things are incomplete and lack thoroughness), "Zhuo Lun" (taking the meaning from the "Zhuangzi" story of Lun Bian Zhuo Lun, indicating that only a master can accomplish a task), "Zhu Xue" (the day branch approaches the day stem and is controlled by the day stem, like a bridegroom who is taken in, indicating the house depends on people, and is dependent from outside). The Heaven Plate layout: the Nobleman rides Wu, followed by Teng Snake riding Wei, Vermilion Bird riding Shen, Liu He riding You, Gou Chen riding Xu, Azure Dragon riding Hai, Tian Kong riding Zi, Bai Hu riding Chou, Tai Chang riding Yin, Tai Yin riding Chen, Tian Hou riding Si. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson, on the day stem Xin, has卯, riding Xuan Wu; the second lesson, on卯, has Shen, riding Zhu Qu; the third lesson, on the day branch卯, has Shen, riding Zhu Qu; the fourth lesson, on Shen, has Chou, riding Bai Hu. The three transmissions are卯, Shen, and Chou: the first transmission,Xinmao, is the wife's wealth, riding Xuan Wu; the middle transmission, Jiashen, is the brother, riding Zhu Qu; the final transmission, Jichou, is the father, riding Bai Hu.

邵先生曰：此課支來就干為干所制，名曰贅婿。太歲入宅克宅，宅來就人又被人克，六年中家破屋拆，遂成墓地，必葬尊長在內。六年之前，四分五裂，門戶分張，主外姓或還俗僧人入撓，遂宅破矣。

Master Zhao said: In this lesson, the day branch comes to the day stem and is subdued by the day stem. This lesson is called "赘婿" (a dependent son-in-law). The previous year's heavenly stem enters the residence position and overcomes the residence, and the residence then comes to the person, but after coming to the person, it is still overcome by the person. Thus, within six years, the family will certainly break up and the house will be demolished, and the foundation of the residence will finally become a graveyard, and there will certainly be an elder relative buried there. Before six years, the family has already split into four parts, and the family door has separated and started living separately; there will also be outsiders or people who have left the Buddhist order coming in to disturb, and the residence will thus fall into disrepair.

先生析曰；蓋末傳丑為辛日之墓神，臨太歲上，太歲為其所墓，遂來宅上而克宅，宅被克，走回日上，又為日所克，宅既不留，屋何存立？又自身上發傳入宅，又逢太歲來加，又太歲上見今日之墓神丑，丑土生申金，是申金之尊長，庚辛墓於丑，是尊長葬埋之處。卯數六，故不出六年。申為僧，辛與申同類，還俗僧也。或乙酉見辛卯，或辛酉見乙酉，皆係還俗僧。乙為沙門，辛為僧舍也。卯上見元武，故主門戶分張。後癸丑年其叔死，遂殯於內。叔有三子，一子為僧，還族歸分家產，助教不肯，經官斷定作諸子分家，與叔共五子，助教亦得一分，作六分分矣。戊申至癸丑乃六年，當年又死一男一女，乃太歲克宅故也。其經官者，亦太歲入宅克宅也。卯為沙門，申為僧之申與辛同類，今從外退回宅上，是僧還俗也。乙亦沙門，辛為僧舍，申，辛之兄也。

Master Zhao explained that the final transmission, which is the earth branch of Chou (丑), is the tomb god of the day stem of Xin metal. It is located above the heavenly stem of Shen (申), which is the year stem. The year stem is thus being buried by the tomb god. This tomb god then moves to the house position and attacks the house. Since the house is attacked, it retreats back to the day stem position, but is again attacked by the day stem. The house cannot be retained, so how can the building stand? Now, the initiating transmission starts from the day stem itself, moves into the house position, and meets the year stem on top. However, the year stem is also overlaid by the tomb god of today, which is Chou. The earth of Chou can generate the metal of Shen, meaning that Chou is the superior of Shen. Both Geng and Xin are buried in Chou, indicating that this is the proper place for the burial of the respected elder. The number of Mao is six, so the prediction is that it will not last more than six years. In terms of human affairs, Shen represents monks. Since Xin and Shen are both metal, they are of the same type, and together they indicate a monk returning to secular life. Whether it is Yiyou (乙酉) meeting Xinmao (辛卯) or Xinyou (辛酉) meeting Yiyou (乙酉), both indicate a monk returning to secular life. Yi represents a monk, and Xin represents the monastery. The position of Mao is occupied by Xuanwu, which indicates that the family will split up and each branch will establish its own household. Later, in the year Guichou (癸丑), his uncle died, and he was buried in the house. The uncle had three sons, one of whom became a monk. This monk returned to secular life and wanted to divide the property. Master Ye, the instructor, refused. The case was taken to court, and the court ruled that the property should be divided among the five sons, including the uncle's family, and Master Ye himself also received a share, resulting in six shares in total. From the year Wushen (戊申) to the year Guichou (癸丑) is exactly six years. That year, a son and a daughter died in the family, which was due to the year stem attacking the house. The conflict that reached the court was also caused by the year stem entering the house and attacking it. Mao represents a monk, Shen represents a monk, and Shen and Xin are of the same type. Now, Shen returns from outside to the house, which is the image of a monk returning to secular life. Yi also represents a monk, Xin represents the monastery, and Shen is the elder brother of Xin. All these symbolic meanings point to the same event.

06）邵三翁癸亥生，四十六歲，占宅。戊申年八月辛巳日辰將亥時。（申酉空亡，丑寅落空），重審，斬關，勵德，不備，斫輪，亂首。 六朱 陳戌亥子丑蛇 龍酉 寅貴 后 陳 空 后 財 己卯 后 初 空申 卯后 卯 戌 申 卯 兄 空申 空 中（空亡） 虎未午巳辰陰 戌 巳 卯 辛 父 丁丑 蛇 末（落空）（丁神）（暗鬼） 常玄

The sixth example: Zhao San翁 was born in the year Gui Hai, and is forty-six years old. He consulted about his residence. The time was in the year Wu Shen, eighth lunar month, Xin Si day. The divination was started with the month of Chen as the general, placed on the亥 hour. Xin Si day belongs to the Jia Xu decade, with the empty space falling on Shen and You. The branches of the heaven plate, Chou and Yin, fall on the empty space. The names of the lesson are six: "Re-examination", "Cutting the Pass" (indicating movement across borders, suitable for moving in and out), "Urging Virtue", "Incompleteness", "Cutting the Wheel", and "Disorder at the Beginning" (indicating mutual conflict, disorder in hierarchy). The heaven plate layout: the nobleman is on寅, followed by the Teng Snake on Chou, the Vermilion Bird on Zi, the Liu He on Hai, the Gou Chen on Xu, the Azure Dragon on You, the Tian Kong on Shen, the Bai Hu on Wei, the Tai Chang on Wu, the Xuan Wu on Si, the Tai Yin on Chen, and the Heavenly Empress on Mao. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson has the day stem Xin with Mao, riding the Heavenly Empress; the second lesson has Mao with Shen, riding the Tian Kong; the third lesson has the day branch Si with Xu, riding the Gou Chen; the fourth lesson has Xu with Mao, riding the Heavenly Empress. The three transmissions are Mao, Shen, and Chou: the first transmission, Ji Mao, is the wife's wealth, riding the Heavenly Empress; the middle transmission, Shen, falls in the empty space, with no hidden stem to rely on, riding the Tian Kong; the final transmission, Ding Chou, is the parents' wealth, riding the Teng Snake, which also falls in the empty space, is the "Ding spirit," and contains hidden ghostly energy.

邵先生曰：此課乃妻為主，日去加辰，夫去脫妻，妻為長，夫反為少也。然汝之妻，本兄之妻，而汝得之，日後只得九年相守。第八年因作生地，與兄弟不足，生難得此地，而死不得葬也。目下主喪妻，緣是磨壓東門，所以有再娶之患也。

Master Zhao said: This divination is centered around the wife. The day stem has moved to the day branch, indicating that the husband is reversing to drain the wife's energy; the wife is in a position of authority, while the husband becomes the younger party. Moreover, your current wife was originally your elder brother's wife, and she has only recently become yours. In the future, you two can only remain together for nine years. In the eighth year, there will be a conflict with your brothers over the construction of a pre-prepared tomb site; you will not be able to claim the land while alive, and you will also be unable to be buried there after death. Currently, the divination indicates the loss of the wife, as there is an image of a grinding stone pressing on the eastern gate, which suggests that you will eventually remarry.

先生析曰；申為磨，中卯為壓東門也。辛以卯為妻，上見天后，妻為主。干又就支，反致勾留，上見勾陳故也。申加卯上作天空，申乃今日之同類，而加妻上，是兄之妻也。申同類為兄，加卯妻爻上，是為兄之妻。然不加申酉空亡，又作天空，必兄已亡過，遂有其妻，所以邵公敢開此口。若申不空，則不可亂斷。末丑，辛之墓；加於同類之上，並蛇丑八數，是以八年因開生地，與兄弟不和，丑土生申金，乃生地也。九年死者，戌加巳，上五下四，共九數也。

Shao Master explained that the metal of Shen symbolizes a grinding stone, and the middle transmission's卯 wood in the east represents the image of a grinding stone pressing down on the eastern gate. The metal of Xin takes the wood of卯 as wife's wealth, and the卯 is occupied by the Heavenly Empress (the goddess of the girl mansion), so the divination is determined to be about the wife. The day stem goes to the day branch and gets entangled, because the day branch is occupied by Gou Chen (the god of being detained). The metal of Shen is placed on the wood of卯 and is occupied by Tian Kong (the god of emptiness): Shen is the same type as the day stem of Xin, and the same type is placed on the wife's爻, which is the wife of the elder brother. The same type is the elder brother, placed on the wife's爻 of卯, which is exactly 'the wife of the elder brother'. However, since Shen and You fall into the empty period, and Shen is also occupied by Tian Kong (the god of emptiness), it shows that the elder brother has already died, and the younger brother has taken over his wife; Shao Master therefore dared to make a definite statement. If Shen did not fall into the empty period, such a conclusion could not be made. The final transmission of Chou is the tomb and storage of the metal of Xin, placed on the same type of Shen metal; combined with the number of Teng Snake and Chou, they total eight, so it is concluded that there will be conflict with brothers due to digging a tomb in the eighth year. The earth of Chou can generate the metal of Shen, which is the image of 'a place of birth'. As for the wife's death in the ninth year, it is because Xu is placed on Si, Xu's number is five and Si's number is four, with the upper five and lower four forming the number nine.

07）邵秀才癸丑年生五十七歲占宅及父母，己酉年二月乙巳日戌將亥時。（寅卯空亡，丑寅落空），邵秀才名百一，閏月十二日辰時生。 六朱 陳辰巳午未蛇 龍卯 申貴 龍 陳 空 龍 財 甲辰 陳 初 空寅 酉后 卯 辰 寅 卯 兄 空卯 龍 中（空亡） 虎丑子亥戌陰 辰 巳 卯 乙 兄 空寅 空 末（空亡）（落空） 常玄

Seventh example: Zhao Xiucai was born in the year Gui Chou, and is now fifty-seven years old. He consulted the divination for matters concerning his residence and his parents. The time was in the year Ji You, second month, Yi Si day. The month was Xu, and the lesson was cast with Xu as the month general added to the亥 hour. Yi Si day belongs to the Ji Chen decade, with the empty branches falling on寅 and卯. The branches of the heaven plate,丑 and寅, are located in the empty palace. Original note: Zhao Xiucai's name is Baiyi, born on the twelfth day of a leap month at the hour of Chen. Heaven plate layout: the nobleman rides Shen, followed by Teng Snake riding Wei, Vermilion Bird riding Wu, Liu He riding Si, Gou Chen riding Chen, Azure Dragon riding Mao, Tian Kong riding Yin, Bai Hu riding Chou, Tai Chang riding Zi, Xuan Wu riding Hai, Tai Yin riding Xu, and Heavenly Empress riding You. The four lessons, arranged from right to left: the first lesson has the day stem Yi with Mao, riding Azure Dragon; the second lesson has Mao with Chen, riding Tian Kong; the third lesson has the day branch Si with Chen, riding Gou Chen; the fourth lesson has Chen with Mao, riding Azure Dragon. The three transmissions are Chen, Mao, and Yin: the first transmission, Ji Chen, is the wife's wealth, riding Gou Chen; the second transmission, Mao, falls in the empty branch, as the brother's wealth, riding Azure Dragon; the third transmission, Yin, also falls in the empty branch and is in an empty place, same as the brother's wealth, riding Tian Kong.

邵先生曰：凡傳用，若干支陰陽已先據其位，只以不備推測，不可重複取用。今第一課卯加辰，卯木辰內乙亦木不克，第二課寅加卯第三課辰加巳俱不克，第四課卯加辰，乙已為干先據，何得重傳？是支課不足用也，當以日遙克為用，卦名彈射，如此占之主應，術人多以第四課發用為元首，傳用已差，占何得應？皆由用術不精，反雲六壬不靈，豈不誣哉？

Master Zhao said: Whenever taking the three transmissions and initiating transmission, if the hidden heavenly stems of the day stem and day branch have already occupied a certain position, then it can only be treated as an incomplete lesson, and the same position cannot be used again. In the current lesson: the first lesson is卯 added to辰, 卯 is wood, and the hidden 乙 in辰 is also wood, so they are of the same type and do not mutually control; the second lesson is寅 added to卯, the third lesson is辰 added to巳, and none of them are mutually controlling. The fourth lesson is again卯 added to辰, but the 乙 wood of the day stem has already occupied this position, so how can it be used again for transmission? It is clear that none of the branches are suitable for initiating transmission, so we should instead use the "remote control" of the day stem. This lesson is called "shooting from afar" (like a projectile shot from a distance, indicating the matter coming from afar). Only by doing this can the divination be accurate. However, most diviners use the fourth lesson for initiating transmission, treating it as the "head" lesson. If the initiating transmission is already wrong, how can the divination be accurate? This is due to the lack of skill in using the method, and yet they blame the Six Rats for being ineffective. Is it not a misunderstanding of the Six Rats?

先生析曰；此課乙木克土，卯來害日，宅不容人。初傳辰，自宅上傳出，中仍歸卯位，此乃奪父之財祿，三傳不離支干，乙以卯為祿，寅為同類，必有兄弟出去了，後復歸來。辰為勾陳主爭訟，課中不見父母，止同類自相吞併，占者與父母各居十六七年，至五十九、六十，行年到亥子，上見父母，則有服矣。後分毫不爽。（此課必須仔細研讀，裡面有六壬要義）

Master Zhao explained that in this divination, the wood of Yi is overcoming the earth, and the卯 wood is also harming the day stem. This is an image of a house that cannot accommodate people. The first transmission is the earth of Chen coming from the house position, and the middle transmission returns to the position of卯 wood, which signifies the taking away of the father's wealth and status. The three transmissions never leave the day stem and day branch: the wood of Yi takes卯 as its禄神 and寅 as its同类 brothers, so there must be brothers who leave home first and then return. The earth of Chen is occupied by Gou Chen, indicating disputes; and throughout the divination, there is no appearance of the parents' yao, only mutual consumption among similar elements. Therefore, it is concluded that the person will live separately from their parents for sixteen or seventeen years; when they reach fifty-nine or sixty years old, and the flowing year reaches亥 or子, the parents' yao will appear at that time, indicating a mourning event. This prediction was fully verified later. (The editor's note: This divination must be carefully studied, as it contains important principles of Liu Xin.)

08）邵巡檢癸亥生，四十六歲，占宅。戊申年六月二十七庚辰日午將寅時，（申酉空亡，子丑落空）。元首，潤下，不備，勵德，閉口。 六陳 朱酉戌亥子龍 蛇申 丑空 龍 蛇 玄 龍 父 庚辰 玄 初 貴未 寅虎 子 申 辰 子 兄 空申 蛇 中（空亡） 后午巳辰卯常 申 辰 子 庚 子 丙子 龍 末（落空）（暗鬼） 陰玄

Eighth example: A man named Shao, born in the year Guihai, aged forty-six, consulted about his residence. The time was on the day of Gengchen in the year Wushen, sixth month, twenty-seventh day. The divination was started with the hour of Wu (午) as the month general, added to the hour of Yin (寅). The day Gengchen belongs to the Jiaxu decade, with the empty position falling on Shen and You. The branches Zi and Chou on the heaven plate are in the empty position. The lesson has five names: "Original Head," "Moistening Down" (three transmissions form a water trinity of Shen, Zi, and Chen), "Incomplete" (four lessons are not complete), "Encouraging Virtue," and "Closed Mouth" (the nobleman is on Hai or the lesson pattern is blocked, indicating difficulty in speaking or explaining matters). The heaven plate was set with the month general Wu added to the hour Yin. The nobleman rides Wei, below which Teng Snake rides Shen, Zhu Que rides You, Liu He rides Xu, Gou Chen rides Hai, Qing Long rides Zi, Tian Kong rides Chou, Bai Hu rides Yin, Tai Chang rides Mao, Xuan Wu rides Chen, Tai Yin rides Si, and Tian Hou rides Wu. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is on the day stem Geng with Zi, riding Qing Long; the second lesson is on Zi with Chen, riding Xuan Wu; the third lesson is on the day branch Chen with Shen, riding Teng Snake; the fourth lesson is on Shen with Zi, riding Qing Long. The three transmissions are Chen, Shen, and Zi: the first transmission Gengchen is the parent's yao, riding Xuan Wu; the middle transmission Shen falls in the empty position, representing the brother's yao, riding Teng Snake; the final transmission Bingzi is the child's yao, riding Qing Long, which falls in the empty position and is also concealed by ghostly energy.

邵先生曰：金日得水局，三傳日辰皆子孫，脫處見青龍，生年見元武，臨官上見螣蛇，一生被子息作吵，一個死了，一個又來，且生得好取盡父母氣力了方休，家計亦被子孫磨滅。此宅十二年後出怪，住不得，必別遷。初受任日，兵卒不合，末後卻吉。後任必得巡檢水陸之處，更後在水邊屯，三任六十三難過也。邵娶宗女為妻，得被恩澤，前後生八子，或三歲、二歲、一歲即死。及婢生三子，亦然，再納一妾，又生二男一女，前後委被子息壞盡精氣。先生初不與巡檢相識，便知其詳如此。及巡檢任滿，果授英州水陸巡檢，本州島駐箚。至紹興十五年乙丑四月初三作古，果年六十三矣。

Shao Master said: The day stem is Geng metal, but it is in the water trinity of Shen, Zi, and Chen. The three transmissions together with the day stem and the heavenly stem on the hour are all grandsons' yao. The place where energy is released is precisely occupied by the Azure Dragon, and the heavenly stem of the birth year is also occupied by the Black Tortoise. The officialdom position is also occupied by the Teng Snake. Such a pattern indicates that one's life will be disturbed by children and never at peace; one dies, another comes; and the better the fortune, the more the children will exhaust the parents' strength until they are satisfied, and the family's wealth will be gradually worn away. The house will produce strange occurrences after twelve years and will no longer be suitable to live in, and one must move elsewhere. When first taking up the post, there will be discord with soldiers, but later it will turn favorable. Afterwards, the official will certainly be appointed as a water and land inspector, and later he will be stationed by the water. After serving three posts, he will have difficulty passing the age of sixty-three. Shao Master married a daughter of a royal family, thus receiving imperial favor; he had eight sons, some three years old, some two, some one year old and died young; the three sons born to the maidens were also the same; he then took another concubine and had two sons and a daughter. In the end, his family was indeed exhausted of vital energy. Shao Master initially did not know this official, but upon seeing the divination, he described the family's situation in such detail. When the official completed his term, he was indeed appointed as the water and land inspector of Yingzhou, and stationed in the state. He died on April 3rd of the fourth month in the year of Yichou, the fifteenth year of Shaoxing, at the age of sixty-three.

先生析曰；蓋金日得潤下局，及干支上神各為脫氣，庚以子為真氣，子息乘青龍脫氣，又有元武螣蛇二凶，兼青龍三個皆水獸，只管盜其真氣，故一子死，一子又來。辰臨日作蛇，日申七數，辰五數，湊成十二年。螣蛇變龍，所以怪出擾害，遂遷寺中居住。六十三上死者，蓋子加申，子九數，申七數，七九共六十三也。

Shao Master explained that the day stem of Geng metal is encountering the water trinity of Shen, Zi, and Chen, forming a water flow pattern. The heavenly stem above the day stem and the earthly branch above the day stem are both draining the energy of the day stem. Geng metal relies on Zi water as its true essence, but now the son's trigram is riding the Azure Dragon to drain it. Additionally, the Black Tortoise and Teng Snake, two Inauspicious General, along with the Azure Dragon, make three water animals that are only concerned with stealing its true essence, hence one son dies and another comes. The earthly branch Chen is placed above the day stem and rides the Teng Snake: the number of Shen is seven, and the number of Chen is five, seven plus five makes twelve, so it is predicted that something strange will occur at the age of twelve. The Teng Snake is naturally associated with strange occurrences, and it transforms into the position of the Azure Dragon, so strange things arise and disturb the household, and later they had to move to live in a temple. As for dying at the age of sixty-three, it is because Zi is placed on Shen: the number of Zi is nine, and the number of Shen is seven, seven multiplied by nine gives sixty-three.

09）任三翁庚午生三十九歲占宅，戊申年十一月壬寅日丑將申時，（辰巳空亡，酉戌落空），知一，退茹，斬關。 空虎 龍戌亥子丑常 陳酉 寅玄 虎 朱 陳 后 兄 庚子 虎 初 六申 卯陰 子 未 酉 辰 財 空巳 貴 中（空亡） 朱未午巳辰后 未 寅 辰 壬 鬼 戊戌 龍 末（落空）（暗鬼） 蛇貴

Example nine: Ren Sanweng was born in the year Gengwu and is thirty-nine years old. He consulted about his residence. The time was in the year Wushen, eleventh month, day Renyin. The class was started with the month general Chou added to the hour Shen. The day Renyin belongs to the Jiachen decade, with the empty positions falling on Chen and Si. The branches You and Xu on the heaven plate fall into the empty positions. The name of the class has three: "Zhi Yi" (taking one for comparison), "Tui Ru" (the three transmissions follow each other and retreat, like the pulling back of grass, indicating the matter gradually shrinking), and "Zhan Guan" (favorable for breaking through the gate and moving). The heaven plate was set with the general Chou added to the hour Shen. The nobleman rode on Si, with Teng Snake on Wu, Vermilion Bird on Wei, Liu He on Shen, Gou Chen on You, Azure Dragon on Xu, Tian Kong on Hai, Bai Hu on Zi, Tai Chang on Chou, Tai Yin on Mao, Tian Hou on Chen. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is on the day stem Ren with Chen, riding Tian Hou; the second lesson is on Chen with You, riding Gou Chen; the third lesson is on the day branch Yin with Wei, riding Vermilion Bird; the fourth lesson is on Wei with Zi, riding Bai Hu. The three transmissions are Zi, Si, and Xu: the first transmission is Gengzi, representing the brother's yao, riding Bai Hu; the second transmission is Si, which falls into the empty position, representing the wife's wealth yao, riding the nobleman; the third transmission is Wuxu, representing the official's ghost yao, riding Azure Dragon, falling into the empty position, and also being an invisible ghost.

邵先生曰：此課占宅，而身宅居墓無氣，因婢妾相爭，遂出其婢，而後再歸，卻與宅又合。又常被子息及兄弟作擾，又門戶上口舌不足，只喜末空亡，又是絕鄉，下稍口舌擾亂俱絕無矣。何以知婢再歸？

Master Zhao said: This divination concerns a house, but both the person and the dwelling are in the墓地 (graveyard) and lack life qi. Because the maid and the concubine quarreled, the master drove the maid away. Later, the maid returned, and after her return, she was in harmony with the house. Moreover, there is often disturbance from children and brothers, and there is discord in the household. Fortunately, the final transmission falls on Kongwang, and it is at a dead end, so eventually the disputes and disturbances will dissipate. Then, how do we know that the maid who was driven away will return?

先生析曰；蓋天盤酉之陰神，卻乃寅加酉，又是宅也。兼酉加辰與辰合，天將勾陳夾住，勾陳為牙人，故主辰日其婢再還也。又辰為日上神故也。大凡隔七八局，三傳回環，只是發用與宅六害，故事多阻。巳既絕地，故至甲辰乙巳日自絕也。果一一如占。

Master Zhao explained that the yin spirit of the Heaven Plate You is exactly the Yin added to You, and Yin is the Day Branch, which is also the dwelling position. Furthermore, You is added to Chen, and Chen and You form a Liu He; both positions are also enclosed by Gou Chen. Gou Chen in human affairs represents an intermediary, so it was determined that the servant girl on the Chen day would be brought back through the mediation of someone else. Moreover, Chen is exactly the spirit on the Day Stem, which is harmonious with people. Generally, when the Heaven and Earth Plates are separated by about seven or eight positions, and the Three Transmissions form a circular pattern, it is because the Initiating Transmission and the dwelling position form a six harmful relationship, so things often encounter obstacles. Since Si is the absolute decline for Ren water, by the time it reaches Jiachen and Yisi days, these disturbances naturally cease. Later, it indeed turned out exactly as predicted.

10）邵伯達占宅基，己酉年十月十五庚寅日寅將酉時，（午未空亡，亥子落空），鑄印，知一，驀越。 陳龍 六戌亥子丑空 朱酉 寅虎 龍 貴 后 空 子 戊子 龍 初（落空） 蛇申 卯常 子 未 午 丑 官 癸巳 陰 中 貴未午巳辰玄 未 寅 丑 庚 父 丙戌 六 末（暗鬼） 后陰

Example Ten: Zhao Bodada divined for the purchase of a plot of land. The time was the year Jiyou, tenth month, fifteenth day, Gengyin day. The lesson was cast with the month of寅 as the general added to the酉 hour. The Gengyin day belonged to the Jiashen decade, with the empty positions falling on Wu and Wei. The Heaven Plate's Zi and Hai branches fell in the Kongwang positions. The lesson had three names: "Casting Seal," "Knowing One," and "Leap Over" (the three transmissions jumping out of place, indicating unexpected events occurring suddenly). The Heaven Plate was set with the寅 general added to the酉 hour. The Nobleman rode on Wei, below which Teng Snake rode on Shen, Zhu Que on You, Liu He on Xu, Gou Chen on Hai, Qing Long on Zi, Tian Kong on Chou, Bai Hu on Yin, Tai Chang on Mao, Xuan Wu on Chen, Tai Yin on Si, and Tian Hou on Wu. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson had the day stem Geng with the Zi branch on it, riding Tian Kong; the second lesson had the Zi branch with the Wu branch on it, riding Tian Hou; the third lesson had the day branch Yin with the Wei branch on it, riding the Nobleman; the fourth lesson had the Wei branch with the Zi branch on it, riding Qing Long. The three transmissions were Zi, Si, and Xu: the first transmission, Wu Zi, was the son爻, riding Qing Long and falling into the empty position; the middle transmission, Gui Si, was the official ghost爻, riding Tai Yin; the final transmission, Bing Xu, was the parent爻, riding Liu He, secretly accompanied by the ghost.

邵先生曰：大凡占求宅基，以日為人，辰為宅，須看支辰，合支上空亡，是宅不可得而圖也。本身近基且近宅，何以得移？初傳脫氣，雖得青龍，又在空地，亦是暫住，尚未有定論也。中傳巳，巳為店業，太陰為婦人。巳加子作太陰，庚生於巳，是買得老婦人店業，便是宅基，其婦人幹辦，是本人親族，事皆由他。伯達以兄弟眾多，伯叔共住，欲謀遷外居，累求未許，其婦人店屋，是伊房叔母，因無生計與彼當門戶，卻要設計買得店屋，遂與彼私增價買之，至丁巳年方才造此宅也。

Master Zhao said: In general, when divining about seeking a place for a residence, the day stem represents the person, and the day branch represents the house. One must first examine the day branch. If the heavenly stem on the day branch falls into kongwang, then the foundation cannot be obtained, and the plan will not succeed. Now the person asking the question is both close to this site and close to his current residence, how can he talk about moving? The first transmission is a leakage of my energy, although it is riding the azure dragon, it still falls into an empty place, indicating that even if he moves in, it is only temporary and not yet settled. The middle transmission is si, which represents shops and properties; tai yin represents women. Si is placed on zi and rides tai yin, and geng metal is long lived in si, so it is concluded that he will buy a shop from an elderly woman, and that shop is the residence he wants. The woman handling the matter is a relative of his family, and everything is decided by her. Master Zhao Boda has many brothers and lives with his uncles and fathers-in-law in the same house, wanting to plan to move out, but his requests are repeatedly refused. The shop belonging to the woman is actually owned by his paternal uncle; the uncle, having no means of livelihood, shares the household with his family, so he devised a way to buy the shop, secretly increasing the price until the year dingsi, when he built a house on this site.

先生析曰；夫宅要看支，支上空，是未有宅基也。卻見中傳長生，便就長生上言，況求新宅，看何方生旺即是。巳為店，加子為北方，太陰為婦人，未戌屬土，生今日之庚，乃是尊長作干人。戌又為僕，乃干僕也。六合則成就也。

Master Zhao explained that when divining about a house, one should look at the day branch. If the god on the day branch falls into an empty position, it indicates that there is no foundation yet. However, the middle transmission shows the god of growth, so one should base the interpretation on the growth. Moreover, since the inquiry is about purchasing a new house, one should examine which direction is favorable and which direction is suitable. The branch巳 represents a shop, placed on the branch子, which belongs to the north, so the foundation of the house is in the northern direction. Tai Yin represents a woman, so it refers to property owned by a woman. The branches未 and戌 both belong to earth and can generate the present day's metal, indicating that an elder relative is involved in the transaction. The branch戌 also signifies servants, meaning that the transaction is handled by someone else. The final transmission is occupied by Liu He, which is the god of union and harmony, so this transaction will ultimately succeed.

11）童保儀丁巳生五十二歲占宅，戊申年六月初七丁巳日未將酉時（子丑空亡，戌亥落空），重審，不備，間傳，極陰，寡宿，贅婿。 虎常 空卯辰巳午玄 龍寅 未陳 陰 空 空 常 子 空丑 陳 初（空亡） 陳丑 申丑 丑 卯 卯 巳 鬼 癸亥 朱 中（落空）（暗鬼） 六子亥戌酉貴 卯 巳 巳 丁 財 辛酉 貴 末 朱蛇

Example 11: Tong Baoyi was born in the year Dingsi, and is fifty-two years old. He consulted about his residence. The time was in the year Wushen, sixth month, seventh day of the sixth month, on the day Dingsi. The lesson was cast with the month general Wu added to the hour You. The day Dingsi belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty positions falling on Zi and Chou. The branches Xu and Hai on the Heaven Plate fall into the empty positions. The names of the lesson are six: "Rechecking," "Incomplete," "Intermediate Transmission" (three transmissions transmitted in sequence), "Extreme Yin" (all three transmissions fall on Yin branches, Yin energy reaches its extreme), "Solitary Guest" (indicating loneliness and lack of companions), and "Stepson." The Heaven Plate is arranged with the general Wu added to the hour You. The Nobleman rides You, below which Teng Snake rides Xu, Vermilion Bird rides Hai, Liu He rides Zi, Gou Chen rides Chou, Azure Dragon rides Yin, Tian Kong rides Mao, White Tiger rides Chen, Tai Chang rides Si, Tai Yin rides Wei, and Tian Hou rides Shen. In the original plate, the generals at positions Wu and Shen and the general of the fourth lesson have errors, but they are recorded as they are. Readers may correct them according to the order of the generals and the notes on the three transmissions. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson, the day stem Ding is located in the Wei palace, above which is Si, riding Tai Chang; the second lesson, Si above is Mao, riding Tian Kong; the third lesson, the day branch Si above is Mao, riding Tian Kong; the fourth lesson, Mao above is Chou, riding Gou Chen. The three transmissions are Chou, Hai, and You: the first transmission Chou falls in the empty position, as the son's yao, riding Gou Chen; the middle transmission Guihai is the official ghost yao, riding Vermilion Bird, falling in the empty position, and is also an invisible ghost; the final transmission Xinyou is the wife's wealth yao, riding the Nobleman.

邵先生曰：此課六陰相繼，更無陽神，更六月建未，又是陰月，丁巳又是陰，命從此衰敗不振；兼婢不測，殞命於廁；丁巳二火，自旺方遞歸死絕之地，宅前有大樹枯朽，若不去之，閒事相擾；主有一子患腹氣，又不合將後閣為豬圈，豬盛克人；四年敗，六年敗盡也。

Master Zhao said: In this lesson, six yin spirits follow one after another, with no yang spirits; moreover, in June the month builder is in Wei, which is itself a yin month, and the day branch Dingsi is also yin, so fate will begin to decline. Furthermore, there will be an incident involving a servant girl who dies in the toilet. Dingsi are both fire elements, which spread from the direction of fire's strength and eventually reach the dead and exhausted place. There is a large, rotten tree in front of the house; if it is not cut down, there will be continuous disturbances. It also indicates that there will be a son suffering from a stomach-related illness. It is also inappropriate to convert the back room into a pigpen; the more vigorous the pigs, the more they will harm the family members. The decline will begin in the fourth year and be completely exhausted by the sixth year.

童保儀因地方寇發，遂得名目，自後成家興旺；及先生與占，卻雲四年敗，六年敗盡也，彼不深信。本年十月一婢上廁，不覺墜死廁中。宅前有二百年大楓樹，已枯朽大半，繫族人祖墳。閱此更妙，卯陰上得丑為墓，日治得朱，暮治得勾，且又發用，是以主閒事相擾。十二月外鄉一人來樹下自縊。其第二子常患疝氣，其家屋寬，兄弟分出，去後無人居住，遂以後閣養豬。第四年拆四邊屋賣，六年果敗盡。僅存五口，移出店屋居住。

Tong Baoyi originally gained a reputation and a position because of the outbreak of bandits in his area, and from then on his family became prosperous. However, when Zhao Master divined for him, he predicted that he would decline in the fourth year and be completely ruined in the sixth. Tong did not believe it deeply. That same year, in October, a servant girl accidentally fell into the toilet and drowned. In front of the house there was a large maple tree that was two hundred years old, which had become half-decayed and rotten. The tree was right over the ancestral graves of the family. Comparing it with the divination chart, it seemed even more mysterious: the Yin spirit of卯 (Mao) ascended to丑 (Chou) as the storage place. During the day it occupied the Vermilion Bird, and at night it occupied Gou Chen. And it was precisely the Initiating Transmission, so it indicated continuous troubles. In December, a man from another place came and hanged himself under the tree. His second son often suffered from hernia. His house was spacious, and after his brothers divided the property and moved out, no one lived there, so they used the back room to raise pigs. In the fourth year they sold the houses around them, and in the sixth year they indeed became completely ruined, leaving only five people in the family, who moved to live in a shop house.

先生析曰；大凡丑亥酉卯此四支，先生皆以極陰；丁巳日又傳歸陰方絕地，宅上卯，末傳酉，俱六數，故主六年敗盡。此斷家宅，故取宅上神，酉為歸計門，是以取此二處決之也。加於巳亥上，亦四年之數。甲寅旬乙卯為真木一作卯加巳為真木，故有大樹在門。天空主朽；丑為閣，亥加丑上，故養豬；酉加亥為今日死神，酉為婢，亥為廁，故主婢死於廁也，丑為墳墓，卯為門樹，亥是樓閣。

Master Zhao explained that generally, the earthly branches Chou, Hai, You, and Mao are all considered to be the extreme yin deities. On a Dingsi day, the three transmissions also fall into the yin's terminal place. The house's branch is Mao, and the final transmission is You, both having the number six, so it is determined that the house will be ruined in six years. This divination concerns the family residence, so the deity of the house is used for analysis. You is also the gate of "returning and concluding," so the deity of the house and the final transmission are used to make the judgment. They are added to Si and Hai respectively, forming the number four. In the Jiayin ten-day cycle, Yimao is true wood (some say that Mao added to Si is true wood), so there is a big tree in front of the gate. The Tian Kong deity signifies decay, which corresponds to the tree already being rotten. Chou represents a building, and Hai added to Chou indicates the rear building being converted into a pigpen. You added to Hai is the death deity of today; You represents a servant girl, and Hai represents a toilet, so it indicates a servant girl dying in the toilet. In addition, Chou also represents a tomb, Mao represents the tree in front of the gate, and Hai represents a building, so the imagery is consistent layer by layer.

12）鄭宣義占宅，八月癸丑日巳將丑時，（寅卯空亡，午未落空）渉害，從革。 虎常 空酉戌亥子玄 龍申 丑陰 空 朱 空 朱 父 己酉 空 初（暗鬼） 陳未 寅后 酉 巳 酉 巳 鬼 癸丑 陰 中 六午巳辰卯貴 巳 丑 巳 癸 財 乙巳 朱 末 朱蛇

Twelfth example: Zheng Xuanyi divined about his residence. The time was a certain year's eighth month, on a癸丑 day. The lesson was cast with巳 as the month general added to the丑 hour. The癸丑 day belongs to the甲辰 term, with the empty position falling on寅 and卯. The branches午 and未 on the heaven plate are located in the empty position. The lesson has two names: "Involvement of Harm" (numerous mutual controls, taking the most severe one as the initiating transmission, indicating that the matter goes through difficulties before it is settled) and "From Reform" (the three transmissions巳, 酉, and 丑 form a metal trinity, taking the meaning of metal being able to reform). The heaven plate was set with巳 as the general added to the丑 hour. The nobleman is on卯, with the below Teng Snake on辰, Vermilion Bird on巳, Liu He on午, Gou Chen on未, Azure Dragon on申, Tian Kong on酉, Bai Hu on戌, Tai Chang on亥, Xuan Wu on子, Tai Yin on丑, and Tian Hou on寅. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem癸, which is in the丑 palace, with巳 above it, riding the Vermilion Bird; the second lesson is巳, with酉 above it, riding Tian Kong; the third lesson is the day branch丑, with巳 above it, riding the Vermilion Bird; the fourth lesson is巳, with酉 above it, riding Tian Kong. The three transmissions are酉, 丑, and巳: the first transmission is己酉 as the parent's yao, riding Tian Kong, secretly accompanied by a ghost; the middle transmission is Guichou as the official ghost yao, riding Tai Yin; the final transmission is Yisi as the wife's wealth yao, riding the Vermilion Bird.

邵先生曰：此課人盛宅狹，人與宅替；不出四年，必主修造酒房，廚下一婢酒中死；不要買叔婆之產，必有退悔；又主有三所店，先開二所見財，後開一所主敗；宅前不合置淘鍋，主八年內淘鍋屋下必停喪，是時其家四分矣。鄭兄弟十人，共四十餘口，未曾分；至辛亥年，公果造酒房；十二月婢盜酒飲，醉死。己酉年與叔婆交易，叔婆有子二人，年幼不曾預名，後果退悔。又丙辰戊午二年兩店興旺，己丑又開淘鍋，正對門前，至乙卯二月弟婦死，殯於內。

Master Zhao said: In this case, the family is thriving with many people but the house is small, and people and the house are mutually replacing each other in growth and decline. Within four years, there will certainly be construction of a wine cellar. A servant girl will die from drinking wine in the kitchen. Do not buy property from the maternal aunt, for if you do, you will certainly regret it and have to return it. Also, there are three shops in the family: the first two will bring wealth, but the third will result in loss. It is not appropriate to set up a workshop for washing grain in front of the house. Within eight years, the workshop for washing grain will be used to hold a coffin, at which time the family property will have been divided into four parts. The Zheng brothers are ten in number, with a total of over forty people, and they have never divided the family. In the year Xinhai, Zheng Gong indeed built a wine cellar. In December of that year, a servant girl stole wine to drink and died from drunkenness. In the year Jiyou, there was a transaction with the maternal aunt's property. The maternal aunt had two young sons and no prior agreement on the division, and later they indeed regretted it and returned the property. In the years Bingchen and Wuwu, two shops were prosperous. In the year Jichou, another workshop for washing grain was opened, directly facing the main gate. In the second month of the year Yimao, the wife of the younger brother died, and the coffin was placed there.

先生析曰；蓋謂人盛者，癸日遇巳酉丑，八月旺金來生也。宅狹宅替者，丑為宅，值金局而脫氣也。丑為八月死氣，加於酉婢之上，丑上見巳，巳為廚灶，癸水見酉，乃酒也，故主婢死於酒房廚下。三店者，日上、支上、傳上見三個巳，巳為店業。一所敗者，癸水絕於巳故也。又為巳為鍋，值癸水乃淘鍋也。八年者，雙巳四數也。

Master Zhao explained that the term "person is prosperous" refers to the癸 water day stem encountering the metal triad of巳, 酉, and 丑, and since August is the season when metal is strong, the strong metal is able to nourish the day stem. The term "narrow and replace the house" refers to 丑 representing the house, which is now included within the metal triad. The earth qi is drained by the metal and thus weakens. In August, 丑 is in the state of death qi, and it is also located above 酉, which represents a servant. 丑 is also connected to巳, which represents the kitchen. When 癸 water meets 酉 metal, it is symbolized as wine. Therefore, it is predicted that the servant will die in the wine shop kitchen. The term "three shops" refers to the day stem, day branch, and three transmissions all showing three instances of巳, which represents shops and businesses. One of them will fail because the绝 position of 癸 water is at巳. Also,巳 can be symbolized as a pot, and when paired with 癸 water, it represents a pot washing shop. The number eight years comes from two instances of巳 each contributing four numbers.

先生附論：支上巳，末傳巳，皆為日財，故二所見財。日上巳獨不以財爻論，乃絕神加日也，故主敗，丑為宅，上加巳，是必宅前置淘鍋也。又一人論曰：癸絕於巳，似矣。然予猶有說焉，丑生於申，寧不絕於巳乎？則絕巳云云者，非其至也。其或癸水克巳，巳為店受克，則自敗。庶幾近是。愛圅曰，此二論不知何人之筆，附錄於此，以便對考。要知先開二所見財，似指干支上二巳而言也。後開一所主敗，似指末傳上巳而言也。末傳為歸計，不宜逢絕之意歟？

There is another discussion which says: the Si (Snake) in the day branch and the Si in the final transmission both represent wealth for a Gui (Water) day, so the two places mentioned are likely to gain wealth. However, the Si in the day stem is not considered as wealth, because it is the绝神 (point of exhaustion) added to the day stem, thus indicating loss. The Chou (Ox) represents the house, and with Si added to Chou, it shows that there must be a pot for boiling water in front of the house. Another person commented: saying that Gui water is exhausted at Si seems reasonable; but I have more to say—Chou earth is long-lived at Shen, so is it not also exhausted at Si? Therefore, merely stating that Gui water is exhausted at Si does not address the root of the matter. Perhaps it should be said that Gui water overcomes Si fire, and since Si represents shops and is overcome, the shops will naturally suffer loss. This explanation is more appropriate. The compiler Cheng Aitu said: these two discussions are unknown in origin, but they are included here for readers to compare and refer to. One should know that 'first opening two places to gain wealth' seems to refer to the two Si in the day stem and day branch; 'later opening one place leading to failure' seems to refer to the Si in the final transmission. The final transmission is the conclusion of a divination lesson, so perhaps it refers to the idea that 'the place of conclusion should not meet with exhaustion.'

13）王德卿辛酉生四十八歲占宅，戊申年十月壬子日卯時卯將，（寅卯空亡，寅卯落空），伏吟，勵德，三奇，杜傳。 后陰 貴巳午未申玄 蛇辰 酉常 龍 龍 空 空 兄 辛亥 空 初 朱卯 戌虎 子 子 亥 亥 兄 壬子 龍 中 六寅丑子亥空 子 子 亥 壬 子 空卯 朱 末（空亡） 陳龍

Thirteenth example: Wang Deqing was born in the year of Xinyou, is now forty-eight years old, and is consulting about his residence. The time is in the year of Wushen, tenth month, day of Renzi, and the time is in the hour of Mao. The month general is also Mao, so the general and the time are in the same position. The Heaven Plate and Earth Plate are completely overlapping. The day of Renzi belongs to the Jiachen decade, and the empty branch falls on Yin and Mao. The branches of Yin and Mao on the Heaven Plate are exactly on the empty branch. The name of the lesson has four: "Hidden Chant" (all matters are hidden and motionless), "Strengthening Virtue," "Three Marvels" (the lesson contains the three marvels, indicating the ability to overcome danger), and "Obstructed Transmission" (the three transmissions are blocked, indicating that matters are blocked). The Heaven Plate layout: the Nobleman is riding on Si, below it Teng Snake is riding on Chen, the Vermilion Bird is riding on Mao, the Liu He is riding on Yin, the Gou Chen is riding on Chou, the Azure Dragon is riding on Zi, the Tian Kong is riding on Hai, the White Tiger is riding on Xu, the Tai Chang is riding on You, the Black Tortoise is riding on Shen, the Tai Yin is riding on Wei, and the Heavenly Empress is riding on Wu. The four lessons are the same due to the Hidden Chant: the water of Ren is lodged in Hai, the first lesson is Hai added to Ren, the second lesson is Hai added to Hai, both riding on Tian Kong; the third lesson is the day branch Zi added to Zi, the fourth lesson is Zi added to Zi, both riding on Azure Dragon. The three transmissions are Hai, Zi, and Mao: the first transmission is Xinhai, which is the brother's yao, riding on Tian Kong; the middle transmission is Renzi, which is the brother's yao, riding on Azure Dragon; the final transmission is Mao, which falls on the empty branch, and is the son's yao, riding on Vermilion Bird.

邵先生曰：此課財祿極穩，但自有膀胱氣及陰腫水氣之擾。宅上帝旺，財物興隆。今年進子又添孫，中傳及支子也。子邊作亥，乃孫字也。末傳卯乘朱雀，主門戶不寧，戶役事擾。堂上不合安符，主家中無一時安靜，家資得地，池塘之利，必然大發。尚有二十六年壽，主水腫而亡。王乃士人，善治家，只是受膀胱病累，本年三月生子，十二月又添孫，常為戶役聒吵。堂上掛一天師，自此夢寐不安，怪異影響，遂去之，果無事。其家池塘最盛，一年有數萬魚利，越十六年果死。

Master Zhao said: In this divination, both wealth and official rank are very stable. However, the person suffers from a bladder ailment and swelling in the lower body, with water stagnation that does not resolve. His residence is in the Prosperity position, so his wealth is flourishing. This year he added a son and a grandson - the Middle Transmission is 'zi' (son), and the Day Branch is also 'zi', forming two 'zi' signs; 'zi' combined with 'hai' next to it forms the character 'sun' (grandson). The Final Transmission is 'mao' wood riding the Vermilion Bird, indicating disturbance from official authorities and constables. It is not appropriate to hang talismans in the hall, and if they are hung, the household will not have a moment of peace. The family's property is well positioned, and the profit from fish farming in the pond will certainly be substantial. This person has twenty-six more years of life, and will ultimately die from edema. Wang Deqing is a scholar who is good at managing his household, but is hindered by his bladder illness. This year, he had a son in March and a grandson in December, and often had disputes over household duties. He hung a talisman of the Celestial Master in the hall, and from then on, he had restless sleep and strange occurrences with tangible effects. After removing the talisman, everything became peaceful. His pond was managed best of all, yielding several thousand coins from fish profit each year. After sixteen years, he indeed passed away.

先生析曰；蓋壬子日十月亥子水旺，又壬祿居亥，而旺於子，亥四數，課中四個亥，四四一十六年也。此非先生意，乃及門諸子增入之辭也。何則？課傳止二亥，亥為旺氣，當倍進，即曰伏吟，斷少則二亥八年，又不可云十六年矣。且亥乃日祿，何反之決死？是此說之謬可知矣。按邵公之意，或用越十六年而行年在辰，辰為壬日之墓，流年太歲在亥，太歲乘空臨身，所謂當頭立也。太歲即臨身而行年又入墓地，故主十六年而亡耳。邵公之意，毋乃在此乎？

The original interpretation says: On a Renzi day in the tenth month,亥 and 子 water are at their peak; the Ren water's strength is in 亥 and its peak is in 子. The number of 亥 is four, and the lesson contains four 亥, so four multiplied by four equals sixteen years. — This passage is not the original intention of Zhao先生, but rather an addition by his disciples later. Why? In the lesson and transmission there are actually only two 亥; although 亥 is strong, in a hidden chant lesson the numbers should be doubled, at most two 亥 would amount to eight years, and in no way could it reach sixteen years. Moreover, 亥 is the strength of the day stem, how could it be used to predict the time of death? This shows the error in this statement. According to Zhao先生's original meaning, it is probably: When the person reaches sixteen years old, the year pillar is at 辰, which is the storage place of Ren day; and that year's heavenly stem is 亥, which is on the empty void and affects the person directly, which is called "standing directly in front." The heavenly stem is on the person's body, and the year pillar enters the storage place, so it is predicted that the person will die at sixteen. Zhao先生's meaning is probably like this.

14）童得松丁巳生五十三歲占宅，己酉年六月壬戌日未將丑時。（子丑空亡，午未落空），反吟，元胎，勵德，斬關。 六朱 陳亥子丑寅蛇 龍戌 卯貴 龍 后 陳 陰 財 丁巳 陰 初（丁神） 空酉 辰后 戌 辰 亥 巳 兄 癸亥 陳 中 虎申未午巳陰 辰 戌 巳 壬 財 丁巳 陰 末（丁神） 常玄

Example Fourteen: Tong De Song was born in the year Dingsi, and is fifty-three years old. He consulted about his residence. The time was in the year Jiyou, sixth month, Renxu day. The class was started with the month general of Wei added to the hour of Chou. The general and the hour are in opposition, so it forms 'Reverse Chant' (the Heaven and Earth plates are in opposition, indicating disturbance and reversal). On Renxu day, it belongs to the Jiayin decade, with the empty position falling on Zi and Chou. The branches of Wu and Wei on the Heaven plate are in the empty position. There are also the names of the class 'Original Fetus', 'Lide', and 'Cutting the Gate'. The Heaven plate layout: the Nobleman is on卯, with Teng Snake on寅, Vermilion Bird on丑, Liu He on子, Gou Chen on亥, Azure Dragon on戌, Tian Kong on酉, Bai Hu on申, Tai Chang on未, Xuan Wu on午, Tai Yin on巳, and Tian Hou on辰. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ren, located in the Hai Palace, with巳 above it, riding Tai Yin; the second lesson is巳 with亥 above it, riding Gou Chen; the third lesson is the day branch戌 with辰 above it, riding Tian Hou; the fourth lesson is辰 with戌 above it, riding Azure Dragon. The three transmissions are巳,亥, and巳: the first transmission is Dingsi, which is the wife's wealth, riding Tai Yin, which is 'Ding God'; the middle transmission is癸亥, which is the brother's wealth, riding Gou Chen; the final transmission is again Dingsi, which is again the wife's wealth, riding Tai Yin, again 'Ding God', forming a cycle from beginning to end, exactly matching the image of Reverse Chant.

邵先生曰：此課德喪神消，人亡家破。何以言之？

Master Zhao said: The pattern of this lesson is that virtue has been lost and the spirit has perished, leading to loss of life in the main person and collapse of family affairs. Why is it said like this? Let me explain it step by step.

先生析曰；蓋壬德在亥，亥為閉口，無德可言，是謂德喪。愛圅竊謂亥德臨絕地為德喪。身命臨亥，火被水克，是謂神消。生氣受克而死氣為主，是謂人亡。辰來破宅，又為干支之墓，是謂家破。一為宅水不通，二為灶廁不便。巳為灶，亥為廁，巳亥相加為不便。我去彼絕，彼來此絕，墓來剋日，是為凶課。童聞先生之方，遂遷店居住，其戶遂寧，而禍亦解。

Master Zhao explained that the virtue god of the water element Ren is in Hai, but in this divination, Hai is in a position of closure, so the virtue cannot be expressed, which is called "loss of virtue." (The editor Cheng Aitu privately thought that it should be called "loss of virtue" when Hai is in the position of decline.) The native's destiny and position both fall in Hai, and fire is instead subdued by water, which is called "elimination of the spirit." When life qi is subdued and death qi takes control, it is called "loss of humanity." When Chen disrupts the dwelling position, and Chen is also the common storage place for the day stem and day branch, it is called "family destruction." Specifically in terms of the dwelling: first, the water channel in the house is blocked, second, the stove and toilet positions are inconvenient - Si represents the stove and Hai represents the toilet, and the combination of Si and Hai indicates a conflict between the stove and toilet, making the structure inconvenient. If I go elsewhere, I will be cut off, and if others come to me, they will also be cut off. The storage god turns around to subdue the day stem, so this is a凶象 (auspicious sign). Tong De Song, upon following Master Zhao's advice, moved to a shop house and thus the household became peaceful and the calamity was resolved.

15）徐八公甲寅生五十五歲占宅，戊申年六月初十癸亥日未將酉時。（子丑空亡，戌亥落空），遙克，蒿矢，間傳，不備。 蛇貴 朱卯辰巳午后 六寅 未陰 陰 常 常 空 鬼 己未 陰 初（暗鬼） 陳丑 申玄 未 酉 酉 亥 財 丁巳 貴 中（丁神） 龍子亥戌酉常 酉 亥 亥 癸 子 乙卯 雀 末 空虎

Example 15: Xu Ba Gong was born in the year Jiayin, and is now fifty-five years old. He consulted about his residence. The time was in the year Wushen, sixth month, tenth day of the sixth month, on the day Guihai. The class was started by adding the month general Wei to the hour You. The day Guihai belongs to the Jiayin cycle, with the empty positions falling on Zi and Chou. The branches Xu and Hai on the heaven plate are in the empty position. The name of the class has four parts: "Remote克制" (when there is no direct克制 among the four lessons, take the day stem and the god and use the one that remotely克制 as the initiating transmission), "Hao Shi" (the god remotely克制 the day, like a spear of reed grass, indicating an affair coming from afar with weak power), "Intermediate Transmission," and "Incomplete." The heaven plate was arranged with the month general Wei added to the hour You. The nobleman rode on巳, with Teng Snake riding on辰, Vermilion Bird on卯, Liu He on寅, Gou Chen on丑, Azure Dragon on子, Tian Kong on亥, Bai Hu on戌, Tai Chang on酉, Xuan Wu on申, Tai Yin on未, and Tian Hou on午. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson has the day stem Gui, which is in the Chou palace, with Hai on top, riding Tian Kong; the second lesson has Hai with酉 on top, riding Tai Chang; the third lesson has the day branch Hai with酉 on top, riding Tai Chang; the fourth lesson has酉 with未 on top, riding Tai Yin. The three transmissions are Wei, Si, and Mao: the first transmission Ji Wei is the official ghost, riding Tai Yin, and is also an invisible ghost; the middle transmission Ding Si is the wife's wealth, riding the nobleman, which is the "Ding god"; the final transmission Yi Mao is the son's son, riding Vermilion Bird.

邵先生曰：癸亥是六甲極日，陰長陽消，而此課又為六陰相繼，宅勢到此極矣。然物極必變，今宅中現在六分共居，而甲寅人多是從門側出入。本命寅，天上寅，卻作合，為私門。又在卯側，故主從門側出入。來年有陰人死，各自東西南北去，必升進，頗勝於前。時有陰貴人，乃守缺貴人，後時必做成家計也。其子又好，必晚年亨福，壽又高，得貴家陰人力，做成家業也。徐八公弟兄六分共居，果是窄狹，常從便路出入到店，多是後邊過。次年太孺人故，八公即出外去住。

Shao Master said: Guihai is the end of the cycle of the six Jia, the day when yin energy gradually increases and yang energy gradually decreases. This lesson also has six consecutive yin spirits arranged, and the energy of the house has reached its extreme point. However, when things reach their peak they must reverse. At present, there are six branches of the family living together in the house. The one born in the Jiayin year usually enters and exits from the side doors. His true destiny is寅, and the寅 on the Heaven Plate also matches with it, forming the image of "private door." The private door is adjacent to卯 (the main door), so it indicates entering and exiting from the side door. Next year, there will be the death of an elder female relative in the family, and everyone will scatter to the four directions, but they will certainly achieve progress, better than before. At present, the person is riding on a yin nobleman, which is the "nobleman who waits for the right time by holding onto what is lacking." In the future, he will surely establish a family business. His son will also certainly enjoy a comfortable old age, have a long life, and receive the help of a noble lady, thus achieving the family business. The Xu Ba Gong brothers, who lived together in six branches, indeed found the house too narrow, and usually took shortcuts when entering and exiting shops, mostly passing through the back. The next year, the grandmother died, and Xu Ba Gong moved out to live elsewhere.

先生析曰；蓋癸亥是極日，亥來加癸，又極。卻自北復轉至西，自西投東南，見卯，自半夜亥至黃昏酉，自酉至未，自未至巳接卯，謂之迎陽課。中末傳見貴人，用並太陰，故徐公續娶，得某先待制之妾，帶二千貫財物嫁來。蓋癸以巳為妻財，而太陰作貴人之側室，故有龐人嫁他。其子又乘夜貴臨日貴人財上，卯子息爻，乘夜貴加巳妻財之上，則上子為待制妾所生可知。徐公委其管干，自此發跡，終身享福，八十四壽終。言六分者，酉為破碎入宅，而敗癸水，酉乃六數也。

Master Zhao explained that Guihai is a day of extreme yin, and now亥 is added upon癸, indicating yin has reached its peak. However, the qi moves from the north (亥) to the west (酉), then from the west to the southeast (卯). From the midnight hour of亥, it moves to the evening hour of酉, then to未, then to巳, and connects with卯. This gradual transition from yin to yang is called "Ying Yang Course." The middle transmission and final transmission show the presence of a nobleman, and the initiating transmission coincides with Tai Yin. Therefore, Xu Gong married a concubine from a former official, who brought two thousand guan of wealth with her. The癸 water takes巳 as its wife's wealth, and Tai Yin represents the concubine beside the nobleman, hence this favored concubine married him. His son rides on night wealth, which is placed on the day nobleman's wealth爻:卯 is the son爻, riding on night wealth and placed on巳 wife's wealth爻, indicating that this son was indeed born from the former official's concubine. Xu Gong entrusted his family business to her, and thus became prosperous, enjoying a long and happy life until he reached the age of eighty-four. As for the term "six rooms," it is because酉, the broken god, enters the residence position, damaging the癸 water, and the number of酉 is six.

16）劉將仕庚午生四十歲占宅，己酉年五月戊申日未將卯時。（寅卯空亡，午未落空），元首，潤下，勵德，六儀，戊申乃六月朔，因未交小暑，故言五月也。 六朱 陳酉戌亥子蛇 龍申 丑貴 玄 蛇 貴 陳 兄 甲辰 玄 初（暗鬼） 空未 寅后 辰 子 丑 酉 子 戊申 龍 中 虎午巳辰卯陰 子 申 酉 戊 財 壬子 蛇 末 常玄

Example Sixteen: Liu Jiangshi was born in the year Gengwu and is forty years old. He consulted about his residence. The time was on the day of Wushen in the year Jiyou, fifth month. The divination was cast using the month general of Wei, placed on the卯 hour. (Editor's note: Wushen actually falls on the first day of the sixth month, but since the minor summer solstice had not yet arrived, it was still considered part of the fifth month.) The day Wushen belongs to the Jiachen decade, with the empty branches falling on寅 and卯. The branches of the Heaven Plate,午 and未, are located in the empty position. The name of the lesson has four: "Original Head," "Moistening Down," "Encouraging Virtue," and "Six Instruments." The Heaven Plate is set with the general of Wei added to the卯 hour. The nobleman is on丑, below which is Teng Snake on子, Vermilion Bird on亥, Liu He on戌, Gou Chen on酉, Azure Dragon on申, Tian Kong on未, White Tiger on午, Tai Chang on巳, Tai Yin on卯, Tian Hou on寅. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson shows the day stem Wu with酉, riding on Gou Chen; the second lesson shows酉 with丑, riding on the nobleman; the third lesson shows the day branch Shen with子, riding on Teng Snake; the fourth lesson shows子 with辰, riding on Liu He. The three transmissions are辰,申, and子: the first transmission, Jiachen, is the brother's爻, riding on Liu He, and is also an invisible ghost; the middle transmission, Wushen, is the son's爻, riding on Azure Dragon; the final transmission, Renzi, is the wife's wealth爻, riding on Teng Snake.

邵先生曰：即戀一舊妾，又討一新妾，精氣衰耗，漸不支持。三傳皆財為家賊所偷，宅上子作螣蛇，主子外橫，乃宅中水不合被長生耗去，故多招是非，常不安妥。今年太歲值水敗尚可，明年不利；本身有臟毒，終為所苦，溝渠為土淤塞，子作溝渠，上加辰作武，故主土注淤塞，坤申方有澗水來克，子必不肖，而婢為宅主也。

Master Zhao said: This master is attached to an old concubine and has recently taken another, causing his vital energy to gradually diminish and his strength to wane. The three transmissions are all about wealth, but the wealth is stolen by a thief within the household. The house's position is marked by Zi riding on Teng Snake, indicating that children may bring about complications outside the home. This is because the water energy within the house is improperly consumed by the growth god, leading to frequent troubles and instability in the household. This year's heavenly stem meets the water's weak position, which is still manageable, but next year will be unfavorable. The person suffers from a disease in the lower abdomen (a boil or abscess), and will ultimately be troubled by it. The drainage channels will become blocked - Zi represents the channels, and with Zi combined with Chen and riding on Black Tortoise, it indicates that silt will accumulate and block the channels. In the southwest direction, the earth and the metal will flow in, causing a conflict, and the son will certainly not be capable, while the servant woman will become the mistress of the house.

先生析曰；劉將仕果有新舊二龐，蓋因酉作勾陳加行年又在日上，是有兩婢也。破碎來勾，主舊事擾攘。戊日局局，財氣太盛，自庫傳出，又傳出去。只因庫中有鬼賊，辰比劫財，又元盜神故也。所以偷去。子作蛇加申，主子息非理廢用。至丁巳年退至八分，庚申年退盡。巳上見酉為破碎，故丁巳退八分。申上見子作蛇撓之，故退盡。辛酉年四月臟毒死矣。蓋酉為臟毒，臨巳為四月，又遇酉年，破碎重見故也。

Shao Master explained that Liu will indeed have two concubines, new and old. This is because酉 is connected to Gou Chen, and it appears on both the year pillar and the day stem, indicating two female servants. The破碎 spirit joining Gou Chen signifies unresolved matters from the past. The戊 earth day stem has excessive wealth in its structure, and the wealth is transmitted from the warehouse and then passed on. However, the warehouse contains a ghost thief—the辰 is the spirit that steals wealth and is also the original thief. Therefore, the wealth is stolen. The子 is connected to Teng Snake and appears on the申, indicating that the children spend recklessly and waste resources without cause. In the year of Dingsi, the family's wealth decreases by eight parts, and in the year of Gengshen, it is completely lost. The酉 on the Dingsi year causes fragmentation, so the wealth decreases by eight parts in that year. The子 on the申 is disturbed by Teng Snake, so by the year of Gengshen, the wealth is entirely lost. In the year of Xinyou in the fourth lunar month, the master dies from a disease of the internal organs. The酉 primarily represents internal organ diseases, and it is in the position of巳, which corresponds to the fourth lunar month. Additionally, the year is酉, and the fragmented spirit appears again, so the death occurs at this time.

17）何丞務丁巳生五十三歲占宅，己酉年二月戊子日戌將巳時。（午未空亡，亥子落空），重審，鑄印，斬關，愛圅得古本作丁未生六十二歲，蓋未交生日故也。 朱蛇 六戌亥子丑貴 陳酉 寅后 六 常 陰 六 父 癸巳 常 初 龍申 卯陰 戌 巳 卯 戌 兄 丙戌 六 中 空未午巳辰玄 巳 子 戌 戊 鬼 辛卯 陰 末 虎常

Example 17: He Chengwu was born in the year Dingsi, and is fifty-three years old. He consulted about his residence. The time was on the day of Wuxi in the second month of the year Jiyou. The divination was cast using the month of Xu as the general, placed on the time of Si. (The editor Cheng Aitu notes in the ancient version that it says "born in the year Dingwei, sixty-two years old," probably because he had not yet reached his birthday.) The day Wuxi belongs to the Jiashen cycle, with the empty positions falling on Wu and Wei. The branches Hai and Zi on the Heaven Plate are located in the empty positions. The names of the lesson are three: "Rechecking," "Casting the Seal," and "Cutting the Gate." The Heaven Plate is set with Xu as the general added to the time of Si. The nobleman is on Chou, with Teng Snake on Zi, Vermilion Bird on Hai, Liu He on Xu, Gou Chen on You, Azure Dragon on Shen, Tian Kong on Wei, Bai Hu on Wu, Tai Chang on Si, Xuan Wu on Chen, Tai Yin on Mao, and Tian Hou on Yin. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Wu, which is in the Si palace, with Xu above it, riding Liu He; the second lesson is Xu with Mao above it, riding Tai Yin; the third lesson is the day branch Zi with Si above it, riding Tai Chang; the fourth lesson is Si with Xu above it, riding Liu He. The three transmissions are Si, Xu, and Mao: the first transmission is Gui Si, representing the parents' yao, riding Tai Chang; the second transmission is Bing Xu, representing the brothers' yao, riding Liu He; the third transmission is Xin Mao, representing the official ghost yao, riding Tai Yin.

邵先生曰：此課日往加辰，是人廣而宅狹也。宅上發用，傳出日上，是宅居不得許多人而後出也。末傳歸第二課，又見宅不納人。然非宅克人，是人多欲自出也。若移出各人自為活計，將因太陰擾動而興詞訟，太陰乘卯為今日鬼，故就卯上論之，在末傳，故至十三年後。十三年後見之後，人財亦興旺。

Master Zhao said: In this lesson, the day stem has moved to the day branch, indicating a situation where there are many people but the house is too small. The initiating transmission starts from the house position and then proceeds to the day stem, clearly showing that the house cannot accommodate so many people, hence people are moving out. The final transmission returns to the second lesson, again demonstrating the idea that the house is not able to take in people. However, this is not the house harming people, but rather the excessive population leading people to want to move out. If each person moves out to seek their own livelihood, disputes will arise later due to the disturbance of Tai Yin. Tai Yin is on卯, which is today's official ghost, so the argument should be based on卯. Since卯 is in the final transmission, the matter will occur thirteen years later. After this dispute is resolved in thirteen years, the population and wealth will flourish.

先生析曰；何居祖宅，狹仄人眾，此是日來加宅相逼，又作破碎也。本年十一月移出店房居住，自做經營，亦應初傳巳為店業，妙！妙！前原是兄嫂家掌家，後十三年，歲在甲子，果因家財爭訟，是以加子，人宅相剋也。巳四子九，併成十三年也。其壬戌年有卯制，故不動。癸亥年天罡壓之，亦不動。甲子年人宅相逼，所以至此方爭也。訟起於甲子之春，至乙丑四月方止，宅上見祿神，尚自興旺，人財尚可旺發也。

Master Zhao explained that the person lived in an ancestral house which was narrow and had many people living in it. This was exactly the image of the day stem affecting the house and bringing about a situation of mutual control, along with the presence of the god of broken things. In the eleventh month of that year, he moved to a shop and started his own business, which corresponded to the initial transmission's巳, representing shop and property, which was very clever. Previously, the family affairs were managed by his elder brother and sister. Thirteen years later, in the year of Jiazi, there was indeed a lawsuit over family wealth, because巳 was added to子, causing conflict between people and the house. The number of巳 is four and the number of子 is nine, adding together to make thirteen years. During the year of Renxu, there was卯 to control and restrain it, so the conflict did not occur. In the year of Guihai, it was suppressed by Tiangang (Chen), so it did not happen either. In the year of Jiazi, people and the house were directly in conflict, and the dispute finally broke out. The lawsuit started in the spring of the year of Jiazi and ended in the fourth month of the year of Yichou. Fortunately, the house position showed the god of good fortune, so the family business remained prosperous, and the family and wealth could continue to develop.

18）任太公甲午生七十五歲占宅，戊申年正月丙戌日子將辰時。（午未空亡，寅卯落空），彈射，從革。 六陳 朱丑寅卯辰龍 蛇子 巳空 六 虎 陰 朱 財 乙酉 陰 初 貴亥 午虎 寅 午 酉 丑 兄 癸巳 空 中（暗鬼） 后戌酉申未常 午 戌 丑 丙 子 己丑 朱 末 陰玄

Eighteenth Example: Ren Taigong was born in the year Jiawu and is now 75 years old. He consulted about his residence. The time was in the year Wushen, first month, day Bingxu. The class was started with the month general Zi added to the time of Chen. The day Bingxu belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty positions falling on Wu and Wei. The branches Yin and Mao on the heaven plate are in the empty position. The name of the class is two: "Shan She" (four lessons have no mutual overcoming, so the god that remotely overcomes the day is used as the initiating transmission, like a projectile shot from afar) and "Cong Ge" (three transmissions form the metal triad of Si, You, and Chou). The heaven plate was arranged with the month general Zi added to the time of Chen. The nobleman is riding亥, below it is Teng Snake riding Zi, Zhu Que riding Chou, Liu He riding Yin, Gou Chen riding Mao, Qing Long riding Chen, Tian Kong riding Si, Bai Hu riding Wu, Tai Chang riding Wei, Xuan Wu riding Shen, Tai Yin riding You, and Tian Hou riding Xu. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Bing, which is in the Si palace, with Chou above it, riding Zhu Que; the second lesson is Chou, with You above it, riding Tai Yin; the third lesson is the day branch Xu, with Wu above it, riding Bai Hu; the fourth lesson is Wu, with Yin above it, riding Liu He. The three transmissions are You, Si, and Chou: the first transmission is Yi You, which is the wife's wealth, riding Tai Yin; the second transmission is Gui Si, which is the brother, riding Tian Kong, and is also an invisible ghost; the third transmission is Ji Chou, which is the son's wealth, riding Zhu Que.

邵先生曰：此課干支六害，一主牛馬自傷，戌以丑為刑神，作朱雀，是害牛也。何不言田而言牛？春丙火相氣相生，主息，牛乃生息之物也。午為屋、為馬，言馬不言屋也，因午空亡，乃不實之物，且正月天馬在午故也。作空亡而入墓乘虎，是害馬也。

Master Zhao said: In this lesson, the day stem and day branch form the six harmful relationships, from which five things can be deduced. The first is that cattle and horses suffer injury. Wu is the criminal god of Chou, and Chou is occupied by the Vermilion Bird, which is the image of injuring cattle. Why is it said to be cattle rather than fields? Because in spring, the fire of Bing is in its season and is supported, indicating proliferation, and cattle are the livestock used for reproduction. Wu also represents houses and horses. Here, it is said to be horses rather than houses because Wu falls into the empty and lost position, and houses are not real things. Moreover, the heavenly horse of the first month is located at Wu. Wu is in the empty and lost position, and also enters the tomb, while the White Tiger occupies it, which is the image of injuring horses.

二主婦人失明，蓋午為婦人，午乃離，為目，入墓是失明也。 三主自身有淫婢，而婢從淫僭。蓋以巳加酉，巳即丙，午為丙身，以申為妻，酉以酉為婢。巳加酉是寵婢也。天空為奴，從而加之，是僕僭亂有*也。 四主老婦血疾成癆，蓋初傳太陰與酉一體。太陰為老婦，從革體也。

The second matter indicates that the wife in the household has lost her eyesight. The hour of Wu represents the wife, and Wu in the hexagram belongs to Li, which represents the eye; now Wu is in the Storage, which signifies the image of blindness. The third matter indicates that the person himself has a licentious servant girl, and the servant girl also follows in licentiousness. This is because巳 is placed on酉:巳 is the body of Bing (丙 is located in the palace of巳), Wu is the position of Bing, Shen represents the wife, and You represents the servant girl; when巳 is placed on You, it is the image of favoring the servant girl. The Tian Kong god represents servants, and they also join in, indicating servants overstepping their bounds and causing disorder (the original text has one character that is blurred and unreadable, and it is transcribed without supplementation). The fourth matter indicates that the elderly woman in the household suffers from a blood disorder leading to tuberculosis. This is because the first transmission is governed by Tai Yin, and Tai Yin and You are essentially the same: Tai Yin represents the elderly woman, and the third transmission forms a from-reform metal structure, which is the image of a blood disorder.

五主山地有爭，乃末傳丑是也。春占巳上見丑，是相氣，火生丑土，丑遇生氣本牛也。然至末傳則是秋冬，非丙火旺可以生丑土言也。故曰山地，朱雀主爭，子主池塘，行年上見子加辰，又乘蛇，主爭必失理也。

The fifth matter involves a dispute over mountains and fields, which should be located on the final transmission's position of Chou. In spring divination, Si is seen with Chou, and Chou receives the harmonious energy; Bing fire can generate Chou earth, and Chou encountering life qi is naturally associated with cattle. However, by the time the final transmission is reached, it has already entered autumn and winter, so it is no longer appropriate to argue based on Bing fire being strong enough to generate Chou earth. Therefore, it is changed to refer to mountains and fields (as Chou originally represents fields, mountains, and gardens). The Vermilion Bird signifies disputes, and Zi represents ponds; the year of the person is seen with Zi placed on Chen, and it is accompanied by Teng Snake, so it is concluded that this dispute will certainly result in a loss.

19）王解元辛未生三十九歲占宅，己酉年三月癸巳日戌將未時。（午未空亡，酉戌落空），重審，元胎，六儀，斬關。 陳龍 六申酉戌亥空 朱未 子虎 空 六 朱 后 父 甲申 六 初 蛇午 丑常 亥 申 未 辰 兄 丁亥 空 中（丁神） 貴巳辰卯寅玄 申 巳 辰 癸 子 庚寅 玄 末 后陰

Example Nineteen: Wang Jieyuan was born in the year Xinwei, and is thirty-nine years old. He consulted about his residence. The time was in the year Jiyou, third month, day Guisi. The lesson was cast with the month of Xu as the general, placed on the hour of Wei. The day Guisi belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty positions falling on Wu and Wei. The branches of You and Xu on the Heaven Plate fall in the empty position. The lesson has four names: "Chongshen" (Repeated Review), "Yuan Tai" (Original Fetus), "Liu Yi" (Six Instruments), and "Zhanguan" (Cutting the Gate). The Heaven Plate was arranged with Xu as the general and placed on the hour of Wei. The nobleman is riding on Si, with Teng Snake on Wu, Zhu Que on Wei, Liu He on Shen, Gou Chen on You, Qinglong on Xu, Tiankong on Hai, Baihu on Zi, Tai Chang on Chou, Tai Yin on Mao, Tianhou on Chen. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson has the day stem Gui, which is located in the Chou palace, with Chen above it, riding on Tianhou; the second lesson has Chen with Wei above it, riding on Zhu Que; the third lesson has the day branch Si with Shen above it, riding on Liu He; the fourth lesson has Shen with Hai above it, riding on Tiankong. The three transmissions are Shen, Hai, and Yin: the first transmission is Jia Shen, representing the parent's yao, riding on Liu He, and also the first instrument of this decade; the second transmission is Ding Hai, representing the brother's yao, riding on Tiankong, which is the "Ding spirit"; the third transmission is Geng Yin, representing the child's yao, riding on Xuanwu.

邵先生曰：此課利宅不利人，若占病訟，真閉口卦也。日上墓作天后，主遲滯，時運未通。蓋天后滯神，更見墓，愈見遲滯也。幸得宅之六儀長生而引進，又與宅合，主進人口，婦人懷胎；然終不安，幸長生可以保全。亥作天空乘丁，主移動缸甕。末傳子息，因溼感風，西南西北二角，不可修動。田遭水患，行年在申，主內事訟。得一道士解和。王自發解後，皆不利，疑其宅生災，故占之。身乘墓作天后，辰雖月建，主興訟，旺卻是墓神滯神，目下如何發得？

Master Zhao said: This lesson is favorable for the house but not for people; if used to divinate illness or legal matters, it is truly a hexagram that is completely unresponsive. The day stem is in the position of the Tomb Spirit and is accompanied by the Heavenly Empress, indicating that affairs will be delayed and the time is not yet favorable. The Heavenly Empress is itself a god of obstruction, and with the Storage, it becomes even more obstructed. Fortunately, the Xunshou Yishen (Leader of the Decade and Ritual Spirit) at the house position is in the position of Growth, which can bring in life qi and harmonizes with the house, so it indicates that new members will join the family and women will become pregnant. However, it will not be entirely stable, but the presence of the Growth qi can ensure safety. The Hai position is accompanied by the Tian Kong and carries the Ding god, indicating the need to move jars and containers. The Final Transmission is the Children Line, indicating that a child may catch a cold due to dampness. The southwest and northwest corners should not be disturbed for construction. The fields will suffer from flooding. The year position falls on the Shen, indicating disputes within the family, which will later be resolved by a Taoist priest. Wang Jiuyuan, since winning the provincial examination, has been experiencing misfortune, suspecting that his house has brought disaster, so he came to consult. The body position is in the Tomb and accompanied by the Heavenly Empress: although the Chen is the month builder, it indicates the rise of lawsuits, appearing prosperous and strong, but in reality it is the Tomb Spirit and the obstructive god; how can success come now?

先生析曰；宅上見本旬儀神，引出長生、旬首加旬尾，乃周而復始格。六合發用，故主退人口血財；中亥乘丁，加旬首上，屬西南西北不可興工。辰加丑為破，不可開田，必被水沖。後其田辛丑年開，盡被水沖作汙沙。又除夜移水甕，妻胎幾墮而得全。蓋寅並元武主墮胎。幸申作六合引長生，能制之，故保全也。其長子十二歲，自學舍歸而澡浴，因溼而感風，後卻無事。家族爭訟，得族人為道士者勸和。蓋寅加長生之地為道士也。經曰：寅作長生道士身。

Master Zhao explained that the position of the house showed the spirit of the current ten-day period, bringing out the growth energy. The beginning of the ten-day period was placed on top of the end, forming a cycle. With the Liu He initiating the transmission, it indicated a loss of people and blood wealth (livestock). The middle transmission had亥 riding on丁, placed on top of the beginning of the ten-day period, so construction should not be done in the southwest and northwest directions. Chen was placed on Chou, forming a breaking relationship, so plowing land was not advisable; if done, it would be flooded. Later, the family plowed land in the year of Xinchou, and indeed, it was all flooded and turned into muddy sand. On New Year's Eve, they moved a water jar, and the wife's pregnancy was almost lost but was saved.寅 and Black Tortoise are associated with miscarriage, but fortunately,申 riding on Liu He brought out the growth energy, which could control it, so it was preserved. The eldest son, at twelve years old, returned from school to bathe and caught a cold from dampness, but eventually there was no serious consequence. Family disputes were resolved by a relative who was a Taoist priest -寅 placed on the growth position symbolizes a Taoist priest, as the ancient text says: "寅 represents the body of a Taoist priest."

20）何宣義丁丑年三十三歲，占宅己酉年三月癸巳日戌將酉時。（午未空亡，未申落空），遙克，蒿矢，連茹，一作辛丑生，愛圅曰：古本作辛丑生，六十九歲二月二十四日卯時生。 陳龍 六午未申酉空 朱巳 戌虎 陳 六 貴 后 鬼 空未 陳 初（空亡） 蛇辰 亥常 未 午 卯 寅 父 甲申 龍 中（落空） 貴卯寅丑子玄 午 巳 寅 癸 父 乙酉 空 末 后陰

Example 20: He Xuanyi was born in the year Dingchou, at the age of thirty-three, and consulted about his residence. The time was on the day of Guisi in the second month of Jiyou year. The divination was started with the month of Xu as the general, placed on the You hour. (Another version says he was born in the year Xinchou; the editor Cheng Aitu says the ancient version says he was born in Xinchou, at the age of sixty-nine, on the twenty-fourth day of the second month at the Mao hour.) The day Guisi belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty positions falling on Wu and Wei. The branches Wei and Shen on the Heaven Plate fall into the empty positions. The name of the lesson has three: "Remote Conquest," "Arrow," and "Connected Roots" (the three transmissions, Wei, Shen, and You, follow in sequence, like pulling out connected roots). The Heaven Plate was set with Xu as the general and placed on the You hour. The Nobleman is on the卯, with Teng Snake on the辰, Vermilion Bird on the巳, Liu He on the午, Gou Chen on the未, Azure Dragon on the申, Tian Kong on the酉, Bai Hu on the戌, Tai Chang on the亥, Xuan Wu on the子, Tai Yin on the丑, and Tian Hou on the寅. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the Day Stem Gui, which is in the Chou palace, with寅 on top, riding Tian Hou; the second lesson is寅 with卯 on top, riding the Nobleman; the third lesson is the Day Branch Si with午 on top, riding Liu He; the fourth lesson is午 with未 on top, riding Gou Chen. The three transmissions are Wei, Shen, and You: the first transmission Wei falls into the empty position, representing the official ghost, riding Gou Chen; the middle transmission Jiashen represents the parents'爻, riding Azure Dragon, falling into an empty position; the final transmission Yiyou represents the parents'爻, riding Tian Kong.

邵先生曰：本身貪色，心高志大。三傳與宅並在南方。一生難為眷屬，未為眷屬空亡故也。勞心費力積得財物。末傳至酉，晚年愈貪色，卻有一妾為主，反欺眾人，終死於此妾之手；家計異日比今日增數倍，只是後來被此妾盜去財物。行年支破作太常，主外服。又主兒婦因病退產。只在三月盡四月初見之。何果高傲好勝，勞心費力，營 運積財。庚子暫停，以庚子與身居於下也。宅上財與三傳皆在南方，所以此人運貨至南方，獲利成家。只是不合過寵一妾，被他盜去財也。當年五月有丈母之服，三月長媳小產，七月次媳因感風發熱亦小產。

Shao said: This person is fond of women and has high ambition and great aspirations. The three transmissions along with the house position are all in the south. He will not receive help from relatives throughout his life, because the position representing relatives, the you branch, is in kongwang. He will have to work hard and use his mind to accumulate wealth. The final transmission reaches you, indicating that in his old age he will become even more addicted to women. There will be a concubine who takes charge of the household and oppresses others, and he will ultimately die at the hands of this concubine. His family fortune will later increase many times over, but eventually it will be stolen by this concubine. When his age meets the branch destruction and is accompanied by tai chang, it indicates mourning from the maternal side; it also indicates that the daughter-in-law will have a miscarriage due to illness, which should occur in late March or early April. Heo Xuanyi indeed was proud and competitive, working hard to accumulate wealth. In the year gengzi, his business came to a halt, because gengzi shares the same position as his body position. The wealth line on the house position and the three transmissions are both in the south, so he transported his goods to the south, making a profit and establishing his family. However, he should not have favored one concubine too much, eventually losing his wealth to her. In that same month of May, there was mourning for the mother-in-law; in March, the eldest daughter-in-law miscarried, and in July, the second daughter-in-law miscarried due to catching a cold and having a fever.

先生析曰；蓋日上天后乘寅木脫神，而寅木又脫於巳午，故主三四月婦人不產，寅以酉為破碎加申，故七月亦然。寅以亥為長生，上作太常，故主孝服。亥卯未三合，五月月建上得未，故五月有服。其晚年愈貪色者，酉作天空加癸水長生之上也。

Master Zhao explained that the day stem is occupied by the Heavenly Empress, and the wood of寅, which the Heavenly Empress rides upon, is a god of dispersion and depletion. The wood of寅 also disperses its energy to the fire of巳 and午, so it indicates that women will not be able to carry their pregnancies through the third and fourth months. The wood of寅 is weakened by the metal of酉, and the metal of酉 is placed on the metal of申, so the same situation occurs in the seventh month. The wood of寅 is strengthened by the water of亥, and the water of亥 is occupied by Tai Chang, which governs clothing and worship, so there will be matters concerning mourning attire. The combination of亥,卯, and未 forms a triple harmony of wood, and in the fifth month, the month builder is exactly on未, so there will be matters concerning mourning attire in the fifth month. As for later years, the person will become more addicted to lust because the metal of酉, which is in the sky, is placed on the long life position of the water of癸.

21）林丞務丙辰生五十四歲占宅，己酉年六月辛卯日午將辰時。（午未空亡，申酉落空），蒿矢，龍戰，間傳，變盈，佚女。 朱六 蛇未申酉戌陳 貴午 亥龍 蛇 后 常 空 官 癸巳 后 初 后巳 子空 未 巳 寅 子 父 空未 蛇 中（空亡） 陰辰卯寅丑虎 巳 卯 子 辛 兄 乙酉 陳 末（落空） 玄常

Example 21: Lin Chengwu was born in the year Bingchen, and is 54 years old. He consulted about his residence. The time was in the year Jiyou, sixth lunar month, Xinmao day. The divination was started with the month general Wu added to the time of Chen. Xinmao day belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty positions falling on Wu and Wei. The heaven plate has the branches Shen and You falling in the empty positions. The names of the lesson are five: "Hao Shi" (Arrow), "Long Zhan" (Dragon Battle, indicating yin and yang conflict between卯 and酉), "Jian Chuan" (Intermediate Transmission), "Bian Ying" (Change of Fullness, indicating a shift from prosperity to decline), and "Yi Nu" (Wandering Woman, also written as "Yue Nu", indicating a woman's licentiousness). The heaven plate was set with the general Wu added to the time of Chen. The nobleman rode on Wu, with Teng Snake riding on Wei, Vermilion Bird on Shen, Liu He on You, Gou Chen on Xu, Azure Dragon on Hai, Tian Kong on Zi, Bai Hu on Chou, Tai Chang on Yin, Tai Yin on Chen, and Tian Hou on Si. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Xin, which is in the Xu palace, with Zi above it, riding Tian Kong; the second lesson is Zi, with Yin above it, riding Tai Chang; the third lesson is the day branch Mao, with Si above it, riding Tian Hou; the fourth lesson is Si, with Wei above it, riding Teng Snake. The three transmissions are Si, Wei, and You: the first transmission is Gui Si, as the official ghost爻, riding Tian Hou; the second transmission is Wei, which falls in the empty position, as the parent爻, riding Teng Snake; the third transmission is Yi You, as the brother爻, riding Gou Chen, also falling in the empty position.

邵先生曰：日上子為盜氣，又見天空，主下部遺洩，兼子息不美。支上破碎，又兼發用、中傳空亡，末傳又加空亡之上，作今日祿神，祿神即空，前程不永。宅犯破碎，子作盜氣，是諸子耗盜財物，各抽入己，於我則空。除非另爨，可以少延。否則家破財散矣。林丞務有四子，二妻所出，家道不齊，堂前之物，子盡盜之，為之一空。本身常有淋疾。家計漸覺退敗。

Master Zhao said: The Jia stem on the day is being drained by the Zi branch, which also occupies the Tian Kong position, indicating a disorder in the lower part of the body and illness related to discharge. It also suggests that the children will not be capable. The day branch is afflicted by the Broken Transmission. Looking at the Three Transmissions: the Initiating Transmission and the Middle Transmission both fall into Kongwang, and the Final Transmission is placed on top of Kongwang. The酉 in the Final Transmission is precisely the禄神 of the day's Xin metal. When the禄神 falls into Kongwang, the future will not be long. The residence is also afflicted by the Broken Transmission, and Zi is a stealing transmission, which indicates that the sons will steal the family's wealth and take it for themselves. When it comes to me, it will be a complete loss. Unless they separate and set up their own stoves, it can be delayed for a while; otherwise, the family will eventually break down and lose all its wealth. Lin Chengwu has four sons, born from two wives, and the family's fortune has never been equal. The things in front of the hall have been stolen by the sons. He himself often suffers from淋疾, and the family's business is gradually declining.

先生析曰；蓋辛見了盜氣，宅上又見破碎，子為一陽之始，巳為六陽之終，始於身、終於宅也，故始主自身下部遺洩，而卒於破家。子為子息，所以敗家由子也。初傳宅上，中末俱空，號曰不行，故只以干支二處分斷，中末皆空，初仍宅上，等之無傳矣，故只就干支分斷。若初傳不從宅與日上起，則又當細審，不得概為不行也。然初傳更加一重破碎，子為脫空，六陽至此極處；又見破碎作初傳，上見天后，數又名泆女卦，其妻最淫蕩，第四子最蠢者是其所生，更有兩子尤作手腳。若占病必死之課，占前程脫精而亡。

Master Zhao explained that the metal of Xin is encountering a situation of theft and leakage, and the dwelling position also shows signs of destruction. Zi represents the beginning of the first yang, while Si marks the end of the sixth yang. One end starts from the self and the other ends at the dwelling, so initially there should be a leakage from the lower part of the self, and finally there should be the breakdown of family affairs. Zi also represents offspring, so the one who brings about family ruin is the son. Now looking at the three transmissions: the first transmission starts from the dwelling, while the middle and final transmissions both fall into Kongwang, which is called 'not moving'. Therefore, we can only analyze based on the day stem and day branch. Since the middle and final transmissions are both empty, and the first transmission is still on the dwelling, there is effectively no three transmissions to use, so we can only base our analysis on the stem and branch. If the first transmission does not originate from the dwelling or the day stem, then we need to examine it more carefully and cannot generally conclude it as 'not moving'. However, in this case, the first transmission also has a layer of destruction, and Zi is the god of emptiness. The sixth yang has already reached its extreme here; with destruction as the first transmission and the Heavenly Empress above, according to numerical reasoning, this is called the 'Excessive Woman' hexagram, indicating that his wife is extremely promiscuous. The fourth son, who is the most foolish, is her son, and the other two sons especially enjoy scheming. If this divination is used to predict illness, it indicates a fatal condition; if used to predict future prospects, it signifies the complete depletion of vital energy and death.

22）馮修職己卯生三十歲占宅，戊申年五月乙酉日申將卯時。（午未空亡，亥子落空），知一，不備，亂首，驀越。 蛇貴 朱戌亥子丑后 六酉 寅陰 龍 陰 陰 六 財 空未 龍 初（空亡） 陳申 卯玄 未 寅 寅 酉 父 戊子 貴 中（落空） 龍未午巳辰常 寅 酉 酉 乙 子 癸巳 虎 末 空虎

Example 22: Feng Xiu's birth year is Ji Mao, and he is thirty years old. He consulted about his residence. The time is in the year Wu Shen, fifth month, Yi You day. The lesson was cast with the month general Shen added to the卯 hour. The Yi You day belongs to the Ji Shen decade, with the empty positions falling on Wu and Wei. The Heaven Plate's Zi and Hai branches fall in the empty position. The lesson has four names: "Zhi Yi", "Bu Bei", "Luan Shou", and "Mo Yue". The Heaven Plate is set with the general Shen added to the卯 hour. The nobleman is on Zi, with Teng Snake on Hai, Vermilion Bird on Xu, Liu He on You, Gou Chen on Shen, Azure Dragon on Wei, Tian Kong on Wu, Bai Hu on Si, Tai Chang on Chen, Xuan Wu on Mao, Tai Yin on Yin, and Tian Hou on Chou. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Yi, which is in the Chen palace, with You on top, riding Liu He; the second lesson is You with Yin on top, riding Tai Yin; the third lesson is the day branch You with Yin on top, riding Tai Yin; the fourth lesson is Yin with Wei on top, riding Azure Dragon. The three transmissions are Wei, Zi, and Si: the first transmission is Wei, which falls in the empty position, representing the wife and wealth, riding Azure Dragon; the middle transmission is Wu Zi, representing the parents, riding the nobleman, falling in the empty position; the final transmission is Gui Si, representing the sons and daughters, riding Bai Hu.

邵先生曰：此課支來加干，名上門亂首；又用神當囚死，斗罡繫日本加寅，名天獄，不有大服，必有大禍。支神犯日，酉為婢妾，恐婢妾死亡為累。初中傳六害，貴人行年又加其上；甲乙以子為父母，主先遭橫擾，次值凶喪。又防失火，此凶課也。時馮為主簿，五月初二日占課，六月十七（一作七月）日，婢子爭寵，因責之，遂自縊，縣尉與主簿不足，依法看驗，申州被拘，在能仁寺將及一月；母亡，遂得丁憂而去。

Master Zhao said: In this divination, the day branch comes to join the day stem, which is called "upstairs disorder" (a stranger coming to the door and disrupting the hierarchy). The initiating transmission god is in a state of captivity or death, the tiangang and the day stem are connected and placed on the寅 position, making the lesson named "heavenly prison." Such a lesson will not result in great mourning, but certainly bring great calamity. The god of the day branch conflicts with the day stem; in human affairs,酉 represents servants and concubines, so there is fear of the death of a servant which will involve the master. The first and middle transmissions form the six harms, and the nobleman and the year stem are both placed above; for a day with 甲 or 乙 wood, the子 water represents the parents' hexagram, so the disturbance comes first, followed by misfortune and mourning. In addition, there is also a need to be cautious of fire disasters — this is a lesson of great凶. At that time, Mr. Feng was serving as the chief clerk and came to consult on the second day of the fifth lunar month; on the seventeenth day of the sixth month (some sources say the seventh month), a servant girl fought over favor and was beaten, then committed suicide by hanging. The county magistrate, who had long been at odds with the chief clerk, came according to law to examine the body, reported the case to the prefecture, and Mr. Feng was detained in Nengren Temple for nearly a month. Fortunately, his mother died, allowing him to take leave for mourning and resign from his post.

先生析曰；蓋支辰犯日，乃下犯上也。酉為婢，六合為人口。五月火鬼在酉，故婢橫死；酉金克乙木，故為所累。貴人六害，所以被拘。又未為眷屬，本宮上見子為父母，母受土克，又受未害，行年加之，重克重害，所以母亡。五月以巳為月病符，行入末傳，乘虎加母之本宮，歸喪於家也。又兩月母之妹又沒，此為馮之姨母，供養在家者也；未葬而廚下火發，延燒將及堂前而滅。大凡火鬼克人，不是一個可當。六合為棺木，卯神亦是。

Master Zhao explained that the spirit of the day branch is conflicting with the day stem, which is an act of subordination. The酉 represents a servant girl, and the Liu He represents the household members. In the fifth month, the fire ghost is at the酉 position, so the servant girl dies suddenly. The酉 metal can overcome the乙 wood, so the master is affected by her. The nobleman and the six harms are combined, so there is an incident of being detained. The未 represents relatives, and the original position of the未 has the子 water as the parent's yao. The mother is both overcome by the earth and harmed by the未, and with the year stem added, there is a heavy conflict and harm, so the mother dies. In the fifth month, the巳 is the monthly disease symbol, and the巳 reaches the final transmission, riding on the white tiger and being placed on the mother's original position, which is the image of a funeral at home. Two months later, the mother's sister also died - this was Master Feng's aunt, who had been living with him. The coffin had not yet been buried, and a fire broke out in the kitchen, spreading and almost reaching the hall before it was extinguished. Generally, when the fire ghost attacks a person, no single person can withstand it. The Liu He can be used to represent a coffin, and the卯 spirit also represents a coffin.

23）葉油餅店店主庚戌生五十九歲占宅，戊申年六月戊辰日未將酉時。（戌亥空亡，申酉落空），重審，間傳，極陰，龍德。 六朱 陳卯辰巳午蛇 龍寅 未貴 虎 龍 空 陳 兄 乙丑 空 初（暗鬼） 空丑 申后 子 寅 丑 卯 財 空亥 常 中（空亡） 虎子亥戌酉陰 寅 辰 卯 戊 子 癸酉 陰 末（落空） 常玄

Example 23: A shop owner named Ye who runs an oil pancake shop, born in the year Geng Xu, aged fifty-nine, consulted about his residence. The time was in the year Wu Shen, sixth month, Wu Chen day. The class was cast with the month general Wei added to the hour You. Wu Chen day belongs to the Jia Zi cycle, with the empty positions falling on Xu and Hai. The branches Shen and You on the heaven plate fall in the empty positions. The name of the class has four parts: "Rechecking", "Intermediate Transmission", "Extreme Yin", and "Dragon Virtue" (Azure Dragon with virtue god, indicating the presence of a rescuing force). The heaven plate was set with the general Wei added to the hour You. The nobleman rode Wei, below which Teng Snake rode Wu, Zhu Que rode Si, Liu He rode Chen, Gou Chen rode Mao, Qing Long rode Yin, Tian Kong rode Chou, Bai Hu rode Zi, Tai Chang rode Hai, Xuan Wu rode Xu, Tai Yin rode You, and Tian Hou rode Shen. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson, day stem Wu is located in the Si palace, above which is Mao, riding Gou Chen; the second lesson, Mao above is Chou, riding Tian Kong; the third lesson, day branch Chen above is Yin, riding Qing Long; the fourth lesson, Yin above is Zi, riding Bai Hu. The three transmissions are Chou, Hai, and You: the first transmission, Yi Chou, is a brother's yao, riding Tian Kong, and is also an invisible ghost; the middle transmission, Hai, falls in the empty position, is a wife's wealth yao, riding Tai Chang; the final transmission, Gui You, is a son's yao, riding Tai Yin, and also falls in the empty position.

邵先生曰：丑亥酉為極陰課，幸甲子旬中末皆空，故雖有災危，不至不測。只是子孫多門戶事擾，遂消折財本，晚年不得意而死。不合土塞東門，其外又不合堆木板，太陰乘酉加亥，敗處乘空，母主酒病死，家道衰矣。葉宅東邊有門，果有泥土，乃戊辰干支加土，丑土又加卯門之上發用，故主土塞東門。二木來克干支二土，故知壁外有木板。

Shao said: The transmissions of Chou, Hai, and You are 'extreme Yin' divination, but fortunately in the Jiazi cycle, the middle and final transmissions both fall into Kongwang. Therefore, although there is disaster, it will not lead to unexpected calamity. However, there are many descendants and continuous disturbances in family affairs, gradually consuming the capital, leading to the master's death in old age with sorrow and frustration. Moreover, it is not appropriate to block the eastern gate with soil, and wooden planks should not be piled outside the gate. Tai Yin is riding You and added to Hai, which is a losing place and also falls into Kongwang, indicating the mother's death from alcohol-related illness, and the family's fortune will decline from then on. The eastern gate of Ye's house indeed has soil piled up. This is because on the Wuchen day, both the day stem and day branch belong to earth, and the Chou earth is added to the卯, which represents the gate, and initiates the transmission. Therefore, it indicates that the eastern gate is blocked by soil. Two layers of wood are attacking the day stem and day branch, both of which are earth, so it is known that wooden planks are piled outside the wall.

先生析曰；課得極陰，主災變，最喜空亡可解。今中末空，不入亥地陰極之處，故不於火災。然畢竟陰耗財物也。子孫繁多者，戊辰一帶皆是東方丑寅卯之旺氣也。甲子旬中乙丑丙寅丁卯乃真三奇，所以無災。不合退歸亥酉西北，土敗於酉，三奇亦暗，日月星傾於西北，自然消折也。母酒病、至辛亥年死者，太陰老婦肖母，酉乘亥為酒也；死於辛亥者，太歲填實亥，仍入極陰不空也。男女七人婚姻所費，家業消矣。

Master Zhao explained that the divination shows an extremely yin condition, which usually indicates disaster. The best situation is having Kongwang to resolve the issue. Now, both the Middle Transmission and the Final Transmission are empty, so they do not fall into the亥 position, which is the extreme of yin energy. Therefore, there is no fire disaster; however, there will still be hidden loss of property. The reason for many descendants is that the Wuchen line corresponds to the flourishing energy of the East, specifically the丑, 寅, and 卯. In the Jiazi cycle, the Yichou, Bingyin, and Dingmao are the true Three Marvels, so they can avoid major disasters. It is unfortunate that the three transmissions all retreat to the west and north, specifically the亥 and 酉 positions. Earth is weakened by酉, and the light of the Three Marvels also fades. The sun, moon, and stars all incline toward the northwest, leading to the gradual decline of family fortune. The mother's death from alcohol-related illness is because Tai Yin represents the old woman, and 酉 combined with 亥 symbolizes wine. Death occurs in the year of Xinhai because that year's Tai Su filled the亥 position, causing it to fall again into extreme yin without escaping. Additionally, the expenses for the marriage of seven children have completely exhausted the family's resources.

24）童秀才庚辰生二十九歲占宅，戊申年三月十一日乙未日戌將丑時。（辰巳空亡，丑寅落空），重審，稼穡，勵德，遊子。 虎常 空寅卯辰巳玄 龍丑 午陰 龍 常 朱 龍 財 辛丑 龍 初（暗鬼）（落空） 陳子 未后 丑 辰 戌 丑 財 戊戌 朱 中 六亥戌酉申貴 辰 未 丑 乙 財 乙未 后 末 朱蛇

Example 24: Tong Xiaocai was born in the year Gengchen and is 29 years old. He consulted about his residence. The time was on the day Yiwei of the fifth month in the year Wushen. The lesson was cast with the month general Xushen added to the hour of Chou. The day Yiwei belongs to the Jiawu decade, and the empty positions fall on Chen and Si. The branches Chou and Yin on the Heaven Plate fall in the empty positions. The lesson has four names: "Re-examination," "Cultivation of Land," (the three transmissions Chou, Xushen, and Wei are all earth, representing the meaning of cultivated land), "Moral Cultivation," and "Wanderer." The Heaven Plate was set with the general Xushen added to the hour of Chou. The nobleman is riding the Shen, with the Teng Snake riding You below, the Vermilion Bird riding Xushen, the Liu He riding Hai, the Gou Chen riding Zi, the Azure Dragon riding Chou, the Tian Kong riding Yin, the Baihu riding Mao, the Tai Chang riding Chen, the Xuanwu riding Si, the Tai Yin riding Wu, and the Heavenly Empress riding Wei. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Yi, which is located in the Chen palace, with Chou above it, riding the Azure Dragon; the second lesson is Chou with Xushen above it, riding the Vermilion Bird; the third lesson is the day branch Wei with Chen above it, riding the Tai Chang; the fourth lesson is Chen with Chou above it, riding the Azure Dragon. The three transmissions are Chou, Xushen, and Wei: the first transmission is Xin Chou, representing the wife's wealth, riding the Azure Dragon, which is both a hidden ghost and falls in an empty position; the middle transmission is Wu Xushen, representing the wife's wealth, riding the Vermilion Bird; the final transmission is Yi Wei, representing the wife's wealth, riding the Heavenly Empress. The wood Yi takes earth as wealth, and all three transmissions are wealth, which exactly matches the image of cultivated land.

邵先生曰：此課人來就宅，正是求新宅之課。夫宅不可無土，今四土俱備，是前後左右皆有山也。主山太高來逼宅，山有新墳欲開闢，定與墳主爭競。宅左青龍帶破碎，此云宅左青龍是以支陰論，不以天盤論。惟斷墳墓方用天盤看坐山朝山等。家宅則止就四課言。邵公諸案皆然也。須用土填，將來必富，青龍加丑雖云破碎，卻又不備，故左必不完，宜用土填也。但無清秀之士。初傳青龍，妻為之主，末財作天后，主婦人守寡；未財作後，何以便曰婦人守寡？

Master Zhao said: This lesson is about a person coming to the house, which is exactly the case of seeking a new residence. A house cannot do without earth, and now there are four layers of earth all complete, meaning there are mountains on all sides. The main mountain is too high and close to the house; there is a new grave on the mountain that needs to be opened, which will certainly lead to disputes with the grave owner. The left side of the house is the Azure Dragon with the God of Ruin attached. (Note: Here, "the house's left side is the Azure Dragon" refers to the yin spirit of the day branch, not the Heaven Plate. Only when judging graves do we use the Heaven Plate to consider the sitting mountain and facing mountain; when judging the house, we only use the four lessons. Master Zhao's cases are all handled this way.) Therefore, the left side must be filled with earth, and in the future, it will certainly be prosperous. Although the Azure Dragon is on the Chou (丑) and brings the God of Ruin, this lesson is of the "incomplete" type, so the left side is certainly incomplete and should be filled with earth. However, there will be no outstanding scholars in the family. The first transmission is riding the Azure Dragon, indicating the wife is in charge of the household; the final transmission's wealth爻 is riding the Heavenly Empress, indicating there will be a woman who is a widow. - The final transmission's Wei (未) is both wealth and rides the Heavenly Empress, so why is it concluded that there will be a widow?

先生析曰；蓋財妻也，後女也，未婦人也。未又今日乙未之墓，卻來刑日上之丑，刑則克，故主婦人皆寡。受圅竊謂：未為年之寡宿殺，故邵公敢如此斷。又主家西北界未修，主與人爭界，西北當作東北，愛圅見數本皆作西北，玩味爭界二字，似指戌乘朱雀而言，戌為西北，雀主爭也。奈何都無水出，主出人重濁。乙以土為財，又臨旺地，天將更無凶神，故主其家大發。又緣初財爻，兼得青龍財星也。造宅二十年，應未八戌五，五八相乘得四十，春木旺土死，當折半，故二十年而應也。

Master Zhao explained that wealth represents wife, the Heavenly Empress represents female, and "wei" also represents a woman. "Wei" is also the storage of today's Yiwei day stem, yet it turns back to刑 the day stem's "chou". "Xing" means to overcome, so it indicates that all women will be widows. (The compiler Cheng Aitu privately thought that "wei" is actually the year's Guasu evil star, so Master Zhao dared to make such a judgment.) It also indicates that the area to the northwest of his house is not properly maintained, and there will be disputes over boundaries. (The compiler notes that "northwest" should be "northeast"; however, I have seen several versions that write "northwest". Considering the words "dispute over boundaries", it seems to refer to "xu" riding the Vermilion Bird: "xu" belongs to the northwest, and the Vermilion Bird signifies contention.) Unfortunately, there is no water flowing out from all sides, so it indicates that people in the family have heavy and turbid qualities. The wood of Yi is supported by earth as wealth, and earth is in a strong position. There are no Inauspicious Spirit in the heavenly generals, so it indicates that the family will become very prosperous. Moreover, the first transmission is the wealth hexagram, and it also receives the wealth star of the Azure Dragon. As for the verification happening twenty years after the house was built, it is because the number of "wei" is eight and the number of "xu" is five, and five multiplied by eight gives forty. In spring, wood is strong and earth is weak, so it should be halved, hence the verification occurs in twenty years.

25）何七秀才壬申生三十七歲占宅，戊申年二月甲子日亥將午時。（戌亥空亡，卯辰落空） 朱蛇 六戌亥子丑貴 陳酉 寅后 六 常 蛇 空 父 甲子 蛇 初 龍申 卯陰 戌 巳 子 未 子 己巳 常 中 空未午巳辰玄 巳 子 未 甲 財 空戌 六 末（空亡） 虎常

Example 25: A man named Qi Shoucai was born in the year of Renshen and is thirty-seven years old. He came to consult about his residence. The time was in the year of Wushen, second month, on the day of Jiazi. The divination was cast with the month general亥 added to the hour of Wu. The day of Jiazi belongs to the Jiazi cycle, with the empty positions falling on Xu and Hai. The branches of卯 and辰 on the heaven plate are located in the empty positions. The heaven plate was set with the general亥 added to the hour of Wu. The nobleman is riding the branch Chou, below which is the Teng Snake riding Zi, the Vermilion Bird riding Hai, the Liu He riding Xu, the Gou Chen riding You, the Azure Dragon riding Shen, the Tian Kong riding Wei, the White Tiger riding Wu, the Tai Chang riding Si, the Tai Yin riding Chen, and the Heavenly Empress riding Yin. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Jia, located in the palace of Yin, with the branch Wei above it, riding Tian Kong; the second lesson is the branch Wei, with the branch Zi above it, riding Teng Snake; the third lesson is the day branch Zi, with the branch Si above it, riding Tai Chang; the fourth lesson is the branch Si, with the branch Xu above it, riding Liu He. The three transmissions are Zi, Si, and Xu: the first transmission is Jiazi, representing the parent's yao, riding Teng Snake; the second transmission is Jisi, representing the son's yao, riding Tai Chang; the third transmission is Xu, falling in the empty position of the cycle, representing the wife's wealth yao, riding Liu He.

邵先生曰：歲內眷屬人來，必成大獄。天罡加日本，名天獄故也。《指掌賦》云：太常乘破碎為孝服，加天獄螣蛇生災致訟破碎作太常入宅，主有喪服人歸來分撓，被他爭產。以行年與身作一處，愛圅曰：蓋未交生，行年尚在丑，丑加申命，故曰行年與身作一處。只是今年事。末後須添一口，又見分灶也。蓋未加甲乃墓神，未為眷屬，天空為平地起堆之象。初傳子為父母，未為眷屬，作六害害人也，螣蛇擾人也。傳歸入宅，卻是兩重破碎，巳為廚灶，必主分灶不寧也。何秀才兄弟五人，最小者與姊為子，父母在日家產分作四分了。當年四月其姊夫死，姊亦先亡，家務已退，六月小弟歸家，兄弟皆不容，遂興訟，州縣斷理撥財產與之，著依舊歸姊夫家，他乃不服，直至大理與拘法遂有歸條。自戊申六月興訟，至壬子年十二月方止。

Master Zhao said: Within this year, there will be a relative coming to the house, and it will certainly lead to a big lawsuit. This is because the Tiangang is added to the position of the day stem, and the name of the divination is called "Heavenly Prison." The "Zhi Zhang Fu" says: Tai Chang riding on Broken Fragments indicates mourning clothes, and when it is added to Heavenly Prison and Teng Snake, it brings disaster and lawsuits. Now, Broken Fragments is riding on Tai Chang and enters the position of the house, indicating that someone wearing mourning clothes will return and disturb family affairs, fighting over property. The year of the person and the position of the self are in the same place—(Editor Cheng Aitu notes: Because the birthday has not yet arrived, the year of the person is still on Chou. Chou is added to Shen, which is the person's original position, so the year of the person and the self are in the same place.) This shows that it is only an affair within this year. Later, the family will add another person, and there will be an image of dividing the hearth and cooking separately: Wei is added to Ji, which is the tomb god, and Wei also represents relatives. Tian Kong is the image of a flat land suddenly piled up. The first transmission is Zi, which is the parent's yao, and Wei is the relative, and their mutual harm is harmful. Teng Snake indicates disturbance. The three transmissions return to the position of the house, but they are exactly two Broken Fragments. Si represents the kitchen stove, so it is certain that they will have to cook separately and cannot be at peace. A scholar named He had five brothers. The youngest was adopted as the son of his elder sister. While their parents were still alive, the family property had already been divided into four parts. In the fourth month of that year, the brother-in-law died, and the sister had already passed away before that, so the family's business declined. In the sixth month, the younger brother returned home, but the other brothers did not want to accept him, thus starting a lawsuit. The county and prefecture judges awarded him one part of the family property, but still assigned it to the brother-in-law's family. He was不服, and continued to appeal all the way to the Supreme Court, and only after following the legal procedures was the matter finally settled. The lawsuit started in June of the year Wushen and was settled in December of the year Renzi.

先生析曰；甲以巳為子息，末傳戌刑未，故動而有事。所謂不沖不發，不刑不動也。戌乘六合，卯與戌合，主進人口，主此子歸來之兆。當年六月興訟，未加申蛇撓之。初子與未相害，故興訟。壬子年十一月又子水克火，制破碎，故寧貼。

Master Zhao explained that the Jia wood takes the Si fire as offspring. The final transmission's Xu earth comes to刑 the Wei earth, so the matter begins to move and complications arise. This is what is meant by "without a clash, there is no success; without a刑, there is no movement." Xu earth is riding the Liu He, and the卯 also combines with Xu, indicating that household members are added, which is a sign that the son who was adopted out has returned. In June of that year, a lawsuit arose because the Wei earth was placed on Shen and was disturbed by the Teng Snake. The first transmission's Zi water harms the Wei earth, hence the lawsuit. By the eleventh month of the Renzi year, there was Zi water coming to control the fire and restrain the broken god, and the matter finally settled.

26）某占家宅，戊申年九月甲申日辰將亥時。（午未空亡，亥子落空），比用，鑄印。 陳龍 六戌亥子丑空 朱酉 寅虎 后 空 龍 貴 父 戊子 龍 初（落空） 蛇申 卯常 午 丑 子 未 子 癸巳 陰 中 貴未午巳辰玄 丑 申 未 甲 財 丙戌 六 末 后陰

Example 26: A person came to divinate about his family home. The time was in the year of Wushen, ninth month, day of Jiashen. The lesson was cast with the month of Chen as the general added to the hour of Hai. The day of Jiashen belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty position falling on Wu and Wei. The branches Hai and Zi on the Heaven Plate fall in the empty position. The lesson has two names: "Comparison" (where several are mutually controlling, the one harmonious with the day stem is used as the initiating transmission) and "Casting the Seal." The Heaven Plate is arranged with the general of Chen added to the hour of Hai. The nobleman is on Wei, below it is Teng Snake on Shen, Vermilion Bird on You, Liu He on Xu, Gou Chen on Hai, Azure Dragon on Zi, Tian Kong on Chou, Bai Hu on Yin, Tai Chang on Mao, Xuan Wu on Chen, Tai Yin on Si, and Tian Hou on Wu. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson has the day stem Ji, which is in the palace of Yin, with Wu on top, riding the nobleman; the second lesson has Wu with Zi on top, riding Azure Dragon; the third lesson has the day branch Shen with Chou on top, riding Tian Kong; the fourth lesson has Chou with Wu on top, riding Tian Hou. The three transmissions are Zi, Si, and Xu: the first transmission is Wu Zi, representing the parent's yao, riding Azure Dragon and falling in the empty position; the second transmission is Gui Si, representing the son's yao, riding Tai Yin; the third transmission is Bing Xu, representing the wife's wealth yao, riding Liu He.

邵先生曰：此宅原是空墳，今墓神作梗，宅內常有聲。見一人裹帽而行，乃六十老人墓於內，尚有遊尸，所以出來作怪。每主克子，因灶下皆墳，若移灶則無聲，更第三間閣下是此裹帽老人葬處，掘下五尺便見矣。果然，因丑為裹帽老人也。(言怪異之事，細心觀研)

Master Zhao said: This house was originally a deserted graveyard, and now the spirit of the tomb is causing trouble in the middle, so there are often strange noises inside, and people have even seen a man wearing a headscarf walking around. This was a sixty-year-old man who was buried there, his bones not yet fully decomposed, so he has become a wandering ghost and is causing disturbances. This house often causes harm to the son, because the stove is built over the graves. If the stove is moved, the noises will disappear. Moreover, the third room's upper floor is exactly where the buried man with the headscarf is located; digging down five feet will reveal it. Later, it indeed turned out to be true—because in the divination lesson, the hour of Chou corresponds to the image of the man with the headscarf. (Editor's note: This account relates to strange occurrences; readers should carefully examine and study it.)

27）鬱氏女乙酉生五十一歲占宅，丙辰年五月初八日丁亥日申將戌時。（午未空亡，辰巳落空），彈射，間傳。 虎常 空卯辰巳午玄 龍寅 未陰 陰 貴 空 常 財 乙酉 貴 初 陳丑 申后 未 酉 卯 巳 子 空未 陰 中（空亡） 六子亥戌酉貴 酉 亥 巳 丁 兄 癸巳 常 末（落空） 朱蛇

Example 27: A woman from the Yu family born in the year Yiyou, aged fifty-one, consulted about her residence. The time was on the day of Dinghai in the fifth lunar month of the year Bingchen. The class was cast with the month general of Shen added to the hour of Xu. The day Dinghai belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty positions falling on Wu and Wei. The branches of Chen and Si on the Heaven Plate fall in the empty position. The names of the class are "Shooting" and "Intermediary Transmission." The Heaven Plate is set with the general of Shen added to the hour of Xu. The Nobleman rides on You, below which Teng Snake rides on Xu, Vermilion Bird on Hai, Liu He on Zi, Gou Chen on Chou, Qinglong on Yin, Tian Kong on Mao, Baihu on Chen, Tai Chang on Si, Xuanwu on Wu, Tai Yin on Wei, and Tianhou on Shen. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ding, located in the Wei palace, with Si above it, riding Tai Chang; the second lesson is Si with Mao above it, riding Tian Kong; the third lesson is the day branch Hai with You above it, riding Nobleman; the fourth lesson is You with Wei above it, riding Tai Yin. The three transmissions are You, Wei, and Si: the first transmission is Yiyou, representing the wife's wealth, riding Nobleman; the second transmission is Wei, falling in the empty position, representing the son's wealth, riding Tai Yin; the third transmission is Guisi, representing the brother's wealth, riding Tai Chang, also falling in the empty position.

邵先生曰：彈射格，一主婦人患血氣；二主門戶不寧；三主婢妾出去；四主家主患口舌之疾。此課可改門戶，否則口舌立至矣。五月十五日皆應。

Master Zhao said: This is the "Spring and Autumn" pattern, which can indicate four things: first, the wife of the household suffers from a blood condition; second, the household will not be peaceful; third, the servant women will leave; fourth, the head of the household will suffer from mouth and tongue ailments (such as sores or swelling). The remedy for this divination is to change the direction of the main entrance, otherwise the mouth and tongue trouble will arrive immediately. All these matters will occur on the fifteenth day of the fifth lunar month.

28）邵三公壬申生三十八歲占宅，己酉年正月壬午日子將子時。（申酉空亡，申酉落空），伏吟，自任，杜傳。 六陳 朱巳午未申龍 蛇辰 酉空 六 六 常 常 兄 乙亥 常 初 貴卯 戌虎 午 午 亥 亥 財 壬午 六 中 后寅丑子亥常 午 午 亥 壬 兄 丙子 玄 末 陰玄

Example 28: Zhao San Gong was born in the year Renshen and is thirty-eight years old. He consulted about his residence. The time was in the year Jiyou, first month, day Renwu, and the time of consultation was the Zi hour. The month general was also Zi, so the hour and the month general were in the same position, and the heaven and earth plates coincided, forming a 'Hidden Chant'. The day Renwu belongs to the Jiaxu decade, with the empty palace falling on Shen and You. The branches Shen and You on the heaven plate also exactly fall on the empty palace. There is also a lesson name 'Self-Responsibility' (for a yang day with a Hidden Chant, the heavenly stem on the day stem is used as the initiating transmission, indicating self-reliance). The transmission is called 'Du Chuan'. The heaven plate layout: the nobleman is on卯, under it is Teng Snake on辰, Zhu Que on巳, Liu He on午, Gou Chen on未, Qing Long on申, Tian Kong on酉, Bai Hu on戌, Tai Chang on亥, Xuan Wu on子, Tai Yin on丑, and Tian Hou on寅. The four lessons are the same in pairs due to the Hidden Chant: the water壬 is in the lodging palace亥, the first lesson is亥 added with壬, the second lesson is亥 added with亥, both riding Tai Chang; the third lesson is the day branch午 added with午, the fourth lesson is午 added with午, both riding Liu He. The three transmissions are亥, 午, 子: the first transmission is Yi亥, a brother's yao, riding Tai Chang; the middle transmission is Ren午, a wife's wealth yao, riding Liu He; the final transmission is Bing子, a brother's yao, riding Xuan Wu.

邵先生曰：此課本身自然祿，又有持服相助，一生守己，衣食自如，難為六親並子女妻妾。干本自身，自刑自若得殘疾壓之方吉。宅上主添造，造了卻進人口。蓋乘天馬故也。後被子孫出來使錢。初因豬上發，後因豬上敗。妻能起家生子，午乃妻財，故起家，乘六合故多子。又多九年癆病，午九數。連克子孫矣。邵公十七歲喪父 ，自起家，一生守己，養豬成家，妻有才幹，男女十二人，死七人，存三男二女。本身有偏僻，後娶婦造屋。壬子年娶第二新婦，乃宦家女。日費數倍。又因豬瘟死，食其肉，舉家遂病，其妻即成癆，至癸亥止存一女，又喪四人。

Master Zhao said: This lesson itself carries natural official luck, and is aided by Tai Chang, the deity of clothing, so throughout his life he remained upright and content, with no worries about food and clothing. However, he had difficulty receiving support from the Six Relations, and there were many ups and downs in matters concerning his children, wife, and concubines. The Day Stem represents himself, and the image of self-punishment indicates that he needed to have some physical disability to suppress it, which in turn turned the situation into a favorable one. In terms of the dwelling, the main thing was to build a house, and after the house was built, household members would be added in, because the dwelling was riding on the Heavenly Horse. Later, however, his descendants spent the money. He first became wealthy by raising pigs, but later fell into decline because of pigs again. His wife was able to maintain the family business and bear children: the horse (representing wife and wealth) is at the position of Wu, so she was able to establish the family; the Wu position is also riding on Liu He, so there were many children. It also indicates a calamity of nine years of consumption sickness, since the number of Wu is nine, and this also affected his descendants. Master Zhao's father died when he was seventeen, and he started from scratch, living a simple and upright life, becoming wealthy through raising pigs. His wife was very capable, giving birth to twelve children, but seven died, leaving three sons and two daughters. He himself had some paralysis. Later, he married his son off and built a new house; in the year Renzi, he married a second wife, the daughter of an official family, and daily expenses increased several times. Also, because of pig plague, the pigs died, and the family ate the pork, causing everyone to fall ill, and his wife developed consumption sickness. By the year Guihai, only one daughter remained, and four family members died.

先生析曰；日上自刑，乃人刑人也。宅上自刑，宅不居人也。末子作玄武，子者子息也，玄武為費用神，本是本身之亥，我去刑他，玄武便走在子息上，故主子息使錢。己巳年家退盡。

Master Zhao explained that when the day stem is self-punishing, it indicates that the person is harming themselves; when the dwelling position is self-punishing, it means the house cannot retain people. The final transmission has the child (zi) riding on the Black Tortoise (xuanwu): the child represents offspring, and the Black Tortoise is a deity associated with expenditure. Originally, self-punishment begins at the亥 (hai) position, but I go to punish it, so the Black Tortoise moves to the child position, indicating that the family will spend a lot on children. By the year Jisi, the family's fortune will be completely exhausted.

29）江文老占家宅七月十五丁酉日午將辰時。（辰巳空亡，午未落空），重審，間傳，不備。 六朱 陳未申酉戌蛇 龍午 亥貴 陰 貴 貴 朱 財 丁酉 朱 初（丁神） 空巳 子后 丑 亥 亥 酉 官 己亥 貴 中 虎辰卯寅丑陰 亥 酉 酉 丁 子 辛丑 陰 末 常玄

Example 29: Jiang Wenlao divined a family dwelling. The time was on a certain year's seventh month fifteenth day, a Dingyou day. The lesson was cast using the month of午 as the general, added to the辰 hour. The Dingyou day belongs to the Jiawu decade, with the empty positions falling on辰 and巳. The Heaven Plate's午 and未 branches are in the empty positions. The lesson has three names: "Rechecking," "Intermediate Transmission," and "Incompleteness." The Heaven Plate is set with午 general added to the辰 hour. The nobleman is on亥, below it is the Teng Snake on戌, the Vermilion Bird on酉, the Liu He on申, the Gou Chen on未, the Azure Dragon on午, the Tian Kong on巳, the White Tiger on辰, the Tai Chang on卯, the Tai Yin on丑, and the Heavenly Empress on子. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ding, located in the未 palace, with酉 above it, riding the Vermilion Bird; the second lesson is酉 with亥 above it, riding the nobleman; the third lesson is the day branch酉 with亥 above it, riding the nobleman; the fourth lesson is亥 with丑 above it, riding the Tai Yin. The three transmissions are酉,亥,丑: the first transmission is Dingyou, representing the wife's wealth, riding the Vermilion Bird, and also the "Ding God"; the second transmission is己亥, representing the official ghost, riding the nobleman; the third transmission is辛丑, representing the son's son, riding the Tai Yin.

邵先生曰：汝家中所奉之神非正，乃邪也。是獨足五通之類。與正神相反，獨足亦是自為禍，侵淫了少女，又壞你一缸醬，兼蛇入宅也。是時江氏供一五通神，損折一足，只一足在。

Master Zhao said: The gods you are worshiping at home are not proper deities, but rather evil spirits, belonging to the category of the Five Unorthodox Spirits. They are opposite to the proper deities; the term 'single-legged' itself is an omen of causing calamity. They have harassed the young girl in your family, ruined a jar of fermented sauce, and even brought snakes into your house. At that time, the Jiang family indeed had a statue of the Five Unorthodox Spirits, which had broken off one leg, leaving only one leg remaining.

先生析曰；蓋酉為五通，丁只一足，雀乃午也。七月尚是午將，將下見酉，乃醬也。丁主怪異壞物，課中有酉丑會起巳，巳臨門，故主蛇入宅。酉又為兌，兌少女也。故主侵淫少女。丁以酉為妻，丁主獨足，故主妻生獨足兒。

Shao Master explained that at the hour of You, the image represents the five spirits. The character Ding has only one leg. The Vermilion Bird governs Wu. In the seventh month, Wu is still used, and with You below it, the image becomes sauce. The spirit Ding governs strange occurrences and destruction of objects. In the divination, You and Chou combine to produce Si, which is located at the gate position, so it indicates a snake entering the house. You belongs to the trigram Dui, which represents a young woman, so it indicates an attack on a young woman. The fire spirit Ding uses You as its wife, and since Ding has only one leg, it also indicates that the wife will give birth to a child with one leg.

30）徐大夫乙丑生占家宅，戊申年正月丙戌日子將未時。（午未空亡，亥子落空），不備。 貴后 蛇戌亥子丑陰 朱酉 寅玄 六 常 常 蛇 財 甲申 六 初 六申 卯常 申 卯 卯 戌 子 己丑 陰 中 陳未午巳辰虎 卯 戌 戌 丙 兄 空午 龍 末（空亡） 龍空

Example 30: Xu Doctor was born in the year Yichou. He consulted about his family home. The time was in the year Wushen, first month, day Bingxu. The class was started with the month general added to the hour of Wei. The day Bingxu belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty positions falling on Wu and Wei. The Heaven Plate's Zi and Chou branches are in the empty positions. The lesson name is "Incomplete". The Heaven Plate was arranged with Zi as the general added to the hour of Wei. The nobleman rides on Hai, below it Teng Snake rides on Xu, Vermilion Bird rides on You, Liu He rides on Shen, Gou Chen rides on Wei, Azure Dragon rides on Wu, Tian Kong rides on Si, Bai Hu rides on Chen, Tai Chang rides on Mao, Tai Yin rides on Chou, Tian Hou rides on Zi. The four lessons from right to left: the first lesson, the day stem Bing is in Si, with Xu above it, riding Teng Snake; the second lesson, Xu has Mao above it, riding Tai Chang; the third lesson, the day branch Xu has Mao above it, riding Tai Chang; the fourth lesson, Mao has Shen above it, riding Liu He. The three transmissions are Shen, Chou, and Wu: the first transmission Jiashen is the wife's wealth, riding Liu He; the middle transmission Jichou is the son's branch, riding Tai Yin; the final transmission Wu falls in the empty position, as the brother's branch, riding Azure Dragon.

邵先生曰：支來加日墓日，上又螣蛇夾住，主人如處雲霧中，進退不得。且天地轉殺加宅克宅，太常為服，丙以卯為母，母當六月亡。妻加天地轉殺上，六合夾之，妻不宜孕，孕主亡。申妻也。上作合，兒也。卯即申金之胎，故以孕斷，妙絕！本命上午作末傳，雖空卻是帝旺。先防妻母。子年己身不善終矣。徐五月丁服，庚戌授監司。辛亥赴任，壬子十一月贓敗自刎。

Shao said: The day branch comes to join the day stem, forming a墓, and the day stem is then trapped by the Teng Snake. This indicates that the person is like being in a fog, unable to advance or retreat. Moreover, the heaven and earth transformation evil star is added to the dwelling position, thus harming the dwelling. Tai Chang indicates mourning for parents, and the Bing fire takes the卯 wood as its mother, so the mother is expected to die in June. The wife's element is placed on top of the heaven and earth transformation evil star, and is also trapped by Liu He, indicating that the wife is not suitable for pregnancy; if she becomes pregnant, there is a risk to her life. The申 is the wife, and the六合 on top of the申 is the son, while the卯 is the original position of the申 metal, so the conclusion is made based on pregnancy, which is very accurate. The final transmission is the午, although it is empty, it is at the Prosperity position. First, one should be cautious about the wife and mother's troubles, and by the子 year, he himself will not have a good end. Later, Xu doctor experienced mourning in May, was appointed as a supervisor in Gengxu year, took office in Xinhai year, and in Renzi year, November, he committed suicide due to corruption being exposed.

先生析曰；蓋一者支加干墓，干又被蛇夾，是真墓不可脫；墓本身上見卯，乃天地轉殺，乘旺克宅而太歲又加轉煞上，本命又加太歲上，墓壓太歲，太歲逼殺，殺遂入宅克宅，遞互相逼，遂成凶咎。

Master Zhao explained that first, the day branch combines with the day stem to form a tomb, and the day stem is also trapped by the Teng Snake, which is a true tomb, making it impossible to escape. On top of the tomb god, there is a卯, which is the turning evil spirit of heaven and earth. This evil spirit is strong and attacks the house. The master of the year also joins on top of the turning evil spirit, and the personal destiny joins on top of the master of the year. In this way, the tomb presses down on the master of the year, the master of the year forces the evil spirit, and the evil spirit then enters the house position to attack the house. One layer after another, they press and force each other, thus causing misfortune.

先生解曰：此課十二位上下帶殺，五月六月是今日鬼月，子丑年是丙火絕地，本命加太歲，歲逼殺入宅，一凶也；本命加歲墓歲，二凶也；空亡陽刃加本命反克歲，三凶也；子丑年丙之同類不得地，四凶也。壬子年太歲在子，行年在丑，不法死也。愛圅曰：午為陽刃死氣加命害命，子年沖動大凶。況行年又見陽刃，午為自刑，是以自戕而死也。金墓於丑，支墓命即五行墓，蓋丑為申金之墓。丑加申是太歲被本墓所壓也。

Master Zhao further explained: In this lesson, all twelve palace positions are filled with ominous energy. May and June are the ghost months of the day, and the years of Zi and Chou are the dead places for Bing fire. The native's star is placed on the Tai Su, and the Tai Su forces the Shashen to enter the residence, which is the first凶; the native's star is placed on the Tai Su and the Tai Su is buried, which is the second凶; a fallen yang ren is placed on the native's star and turns to harm the Tai Su, which is the third凶; the same type of Bing fire in the years of Zi and Chou does not have a proper position, which is the fourth凶. In the year of Renzi, the Tai Su is in Zi, and the personal year is in Chou, so the death was by illegal means. The compiler Cheng Aitu said: Wu is the yang ren and also the death qi, placed on the native's star to harm it; when it reaches the year of Zi, a direct clash causes great danger. Moreover, the personal year also has the yang ren, and Wu self-punishes itself, so it was a suicide. The metal's burial is in Chou, and the day branch buries the native's star, which is equivalent to the five phases being buried - Chou is exactly the burial place of Shen metal; Chou placed on Shen means the Tai Su is pressed by its own burial place.

31）郭德占家宅，壬申生三十八歲，己酉年六月甲寅日未將午時。（子丑空亡，丑寅落空），重審，進茹，升階。 空虎 龍午未申酉常 勾巳 戌玄 六 朱 六 朱 財 丙辰 六 初 六辰 亥陰 辰 卯 辰 卯 子 丁巳 陳 中（丁神） 朱卯寅丑子后 卯 寅 卯 甲 子 戊午 龍 末 蛇貴

Example 31: Guo De was born in the year of Renshen and is thirty-eight years old. He consulted about his family home. The time was in the year Jiyou, sixth month, day Jiayin. The class was set with the month general of Wei added to the hour of Wu. The day Jiayin belongs to the Jiayin cycle, with the empty position falling on Zi and Chou. The branches of the heaven plate, Chou and Yin, are in the empty position. The name of the class has three parts: "Chong Shen" (re-examining), "Jin Ru" (advancing), and "Sheng Jie" (ascending steps). The three transmissions progress in order from Chen to Si to Wu. The heaven plate was set with the general of Wei added to the hour of Wu. The nobleman is on Chou, with Teng Snake on Yin, Vermilion Bird on Mao, Liu He on Chen, Gou Chen on Si, Azure Dragon on Wu, Tian Kong on Wei, Bai Hu on Shen, Tai Chang on You, Xuan Wu on Xu, Tai Yin on Hai, and Tian Hou on Zi. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ji, which is in the palace of Yin, with Mao above it, riding Vermilion Bird; the second lesson is Mao with Chen above it, riding Liu He; the third lesson is the day branch Yin with Mao above it, riding Vermilion Bird; the fourth lesson is Mao with Chen above it, riding Liu He. The three transmissions are Chen, Si, and Wu: the first transmission, Bingchen, is the wife and wealth爻, riding Liu He; the middle transmission, Dingsi, is the son and grandson爻, riding Gou Chen, which is the "Ding spirit"; the final transmission, Wuwu, is the son and grandson爻, riding Azure Dragon.

邵先生曰：人宅皆逢旺神，今六月占非本姓之旺，乃守東方之旺，只宜守分，不宜運用。若安分則自享福，一運用便有艱辛。辰加卯六害，六合又鎖之，巳加辰作勾地網，又逢勾陳鎖之，迤邐傳出子息，火為子息，破費錢物，因此衰敗。子又個個多病，費盡卻死，是取債之子，來年後年行年到處，子愈取債也。

Master Zhao said: Both people and their homes are encountering the prosperous deity. However, in the sixth month divination, this prosperity is not the prosperity of the person's own surname (the day stem Jia Wood), but rather the prosperity of the east, specifically the areas of Yin and Mao. Therefore, it is only suitable to remain content with one's own position and not to go out and engage in business. By being content and keeping one's own position, one can enjoy happiness. Once one engages in business, one will suffer hardship. The Chen is placed on top of the Mao, forming the six harms, and is also locked by Liu He; the Si is placed on top of the Chen, forming Gou Chen's net, and is again locked by Gou Chen; thus, this continues in sequence to the offspring line - fire corresponds to offspring - indicating the expenditure of wealth, leading to the decline of the family. The sons are also many who are sickly, spending all the money but still dying, these are sons coming to collect debts; next year and the year after, when the year stem arrives at these positions, the debt collection by the sons will be even more severe.

32）葉助教丙辰年四月初九日寅時生，五十四歲占家宅，己酉年二月初四癸丑日亥將午時。（寅卯空亡，未申落空），重審。愛圅以曆法推之尚是正月節，此與姜伯達占前程之數同，然彼是未將寅時，說見姜伯達課內。 空虎 龍戌亥子丑常 陳酉 寅玄 空 蛇 空 蛇 財 丙午 蛇 初 六申 卯陰 亥 午 亥 午 兄 辛亥 空 中 朱未午巳辰后 午 丑 午 癸 鬼 甲辰 后 末 蛇貴

Example 32: Ye Zujiao was born on the ninth day of the fourth lunar month in the year Bingchen at the hour of Yin. He is fifty-four years old and consulted about his family home. The time of consultation was on the fourth day of the second lunar month in the year Jiyou, on the day of Guichou. The divination was cast with the month general of Hai added to the hour of Wu. (Editor Cheng Aitu notes that according to the calendar, this time still falls within the beginning of the lunar month; this lesson's stem and branch are the same as the one in Jiang Bodada's lesson on future prospects, except that in that case the general was Wei added to the hour of Yin, indicating the reference to Jiang Bodada's lesson.) The day Guichou belongs to the Jiachen decade, with the empty branch falling on Yin and Mao. The branches Wei and Shen on the Heaven Plate fall in the empty position. The lesson is named "Re-examination." The Heaven Plate was set with Hai as the general added to the hour of Wu. The nobleman is on Si, with Teng Snake on Wu, Vermilion Bird on Wei, Liu He on Shen, Gou Chen on You, Azure Dragon on Xu, Tian Kong on Hai, Bai Hu on Zi, Tai Chang on Chou, Xuan Wu on Yin, Tai Yin on Mao, and Tian Hou on Chen. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson has the day stem Gui, which is in the Chou branch, with Wu on top, riding Teng Snake; the second lesson has Wu with Hai on top, riding Tian Kong; the third lesson has the day branch Chou with Wu on top, riding Teng Snake; the fourth lesson has Wu with Hai on top, riding Tian Kong. The three transmissions are Wu, Hai, and Chen: the first transmission, Ji Wu, is the wife's wealth, riding Teng Snake; the middle transmission, Xin Hai, is the brother, riding Tian Kong; the final transmission, Jia Chen, is the official ghost, riding Tian Hou.

邵先生曰：主宅後東廁水溝不通，一主人患眼疾，二主人常有腸風瀉痢之疾，三主婦人血脈不通，四主人浮腫而死，只因西北水路閉塞，所以如此。若不開通，定主婦人癲狂重病也。葉家果有人常患眼，兼婦人有病。蓋因西北水溝為人所塞，凡雨後東廁及後屋常為水浸，助教自有腸風疾，妻妾每患吐瀉。

Master Zhao said: In this lesson, the main house's eastern toilet has a blocked water ditch, which leads to four consequences: first, family members suffer from eye diseases; second, family members often have symptoms of intestinal wind and dysentery; third, women have blocked blood circulation; fourth, someone dies from swelling. All of this is due to the water channel in the northwest direction being blocked. If it is not unblocked, there will certainly be a woman who suffers from a severe mental illness. The Ye family indeed has people who often suffer from eye diseases, and women also have illnesses. Originally, the water ditch in the northwest was blocked by people, and after every rain, the eastern toilet and the back house often get flooded. The tutor himself has intestinal wind, and his wives and concubines often suffer from vomiting and diarrhea.

先生析曰；蓋三傳辰土塞亥水，亥克午火，午卻逃臨身宅，身雖制得他，宅卻為他所害，故宅被害而反害人也。干屬水，支屬土，土來克水，中傳又是水，末傳天罡截住，壅塞亥水，故水不通，血脈不行，致生諸病。至戊午年婦人產後遂患癲病，蓋為螣蛇所撓耳。午為心，血脈不通而克心，故有是病。

Master Zhao explained that in the three transmissions, the earth of Chen blocked the water of Hai, and the water of Hai then overcame the fire of Wu. The fire of Wu escaped to the person's body position and dwelling position. Although the person's own strength could still control it, the dwelling was harmed first, and in turn harmed the person. The day stem is Gui, which belongs to water, and the day branch is Chou, which belongs to earth, so earth overcame water. The middle transmission was also water, and the final transmission, Tiangang Chen, blocked it, obstructing the water of Hai. Therefore, the water channel was blocked and the blood circulation was impeded, leading to various diseases. In the year Wuwu, the woman in the family suffered from mania after childbirth, which was due to the disturbance of Teng Snake. Wu in the human body represents the heart, and the blocked blood circulation injured the heart, hence this illness.

33）童三十四公丙申生七十四歲，占家宅。己酉年戊申日巳將卯時。（寅卯空亡，辰巳落空），重審，間傳，向三陽，佚女。 虎常 空未申酉戌玄 龍午 亥陰 后 玄 常 空 財 壬子 后 初 陳巳 子后 子 戌 酉 未 鬼 空寅 蛇 中（空亡） 六辰卯寅丑貴 戌 申 未 戊 兄 甲辰 六 末（落空）（暗鬼） 朱蛇

Example 33: A man named Tong Sanshi, born in the year Bingshen, aged 74, consulted about his family home. The time was in the year Jiyou, on the day Wushen. The month was巳, and the lesson was cast with the month general巳 added to the卯 hour. The day Wushen belongs to the Jiachen decade, with the empty branches falling on寅 and卯. The branches of the heaven plate,辰 and巳, are located in the empty position. The lesson has four names: "Rechecking", "Intermediate Transmission", "Facing Three Yang" (the three transmissions, 子,寅, and辰, are all yang branches and proceed in the direction of yang), and "Lost Woman". The heaven plate was set with巳 as the general added to the卯 hour. The nobleman is on丑, with the following: the Teng Snake on寅, the Vermilion Bird on卯, the Liu He on辰, the Gou Chen on巳, the Azure Dragon on午, the Tian Kong on未, the White Tiger on申, the Tai Chang on酉, the Black Tortoise on戌, the Tai Yin on亥, and the Heavenly Empress on子. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Wu, located in the巳 palace, with the branch未 above it, riding the Tian Kong; the second lesson is the branch未, with the branch酉 above it, riding the Tai Chang; the third lesson is the day branch申, with the branch戌 above it, riding the Black Tortoise; the fourth lesson is the branch戌, with the branch子 above it, riding the Heavenly Empress. The three transmissions, 子,寅, and辰: the first transmission,Renzi, is the wife's wealth爻, riding the Heavenly Empress; the middle transmission,寅, falls in the empty position, being the official ghost爻, riding the Teng Snake; the final transmission,Jiachen, is the brother爻, riding the Liu He, which falls in the empty position and also carries an implicit ghostly influence.

邵先生曰：此課老反送幼，良為不利。初子亦為子息，天后為少女，既有初而無中末，是家務不進也。身上見眷屬，行年上引出破敗，宅上戌作元武，主諸子分居，財各入己。其第三子最不肖。四課內發用更傳出玄之陰，是子孫是賊也。當年喪第三媳，又嫁少女，次年爭訟。二子死，壬子年喪長子，甲寅年喪四子，財物悉盡。音公有五子，至此僅存其二矣。

Shao Master said: This lesson indicates that the elderly are to be buried while the young are still alive, which is truly unfavorable. The initial transmission is the son, which also represents offspring; the Heavenly Empress represents a young woman. With the initial transmission but the middle and final transmissions all falling empty, it shows that family affairs cannot proceed. The position of the body shows the presence of the爻 of family members, while the year of birth brings about the atmosphere of destruction. The position of the house has the戌 occupying the Black Tortoise, indicating that several sons have moved out to live separately, each taking their own wealth. Among them, the third son is the most incapable. The initiating transmission among the four lessons, together with the transmission of the Black Tortoise's hidden spirit, shows that descendants are the family thieves. That year, the third daughter-in-law died, and a younger daughter was married off; the next year, there was a lawsuit, and two sons died; in the year of Renzi, the eldest son died, and in the year of Jiayin, the fourth son died, and all the property was completely lost. Tong Gong originally had five sons, but by then only two remained.

先生析曰；蓋日上未為眷屬，陰上見酉，酉屬兌，兌為少女。初傳見子，子是子息也。皆是己下之人，而無老陰老陽之輩。且行年上巳為老陽，卻臨卯上自敗，亥為老陰，卻在酉上自敗，中寅日德而空亡，辰為財庫，庫既空，財亦空矣。

Master Zhao explained that the Earthly Branch 'Wei' on the Day Stem represents family members, and the Yin spirit of 'Wei' is seen with 'You', which in the hexagram belongs to 'Dui', representing a young woman. The first transmission shows 'Zi', which represents children. All these are people of a lower generation than oneself. The divination does not include old Yin or old Yang spirits, which would represent elders. Moreover, the year branch 'Si' is originally old Yang, but it is placed on 'Mao' and thus self-defeated; 'Hai' is originally old Yin, but it is placed on 'You' and also self-defeated. The middle transmission's 'Yin' is the virtue of the Day Stem, yet it is empty; 'Chen' is the treasure house of wealth, but since the treasure house is empty, wealth is naturally empty as well.

34）汪四六公癸丑生五十七歲占家宅，己酉年壬午日辰將申時。（申酉空亡，辰巳落空），重審，六儀，炎上，勵德。 六朱 陳丑寅卯辰蛇 龍子 巳貴 虎 六 朱 陰 鬼 甲戌 虎 初 空亥 午后 戌 寅 卯 未 財 壬午 后 中 虎戌酉申未陰 寅 午 未 壬 子 戊寅 六 末（暗鬼） 常玄

Example 34: Wang Si Liu, born in the year Gui Chou, aged 57, consulted about his family home. The time was in the year Ji You, day Ren Wu. The month was Chen, and the lesson was cast with the general of Chen added to the hour of Shen. The day Ren Wu belongs to the Jia Xu decade, with the empty positions falling on Shen and You. The branches of the heaven plate, Chen and Si, are located in the empty positions. The names of the lesson are four: "Chong Shen" (Reconsideration), "Liu Yi" (Six Instruments), "Yan Shang" (Ascending Fire), and "Li De" (Cultivating Virtue). The fire trinity of Yin, Wu, and Xu forms a fire structure in the three transmissions. The heaven plate was set with the general of Chen added to the hour of Shen. The nobleman is riding on Si, with Teng Snake riding on Chen, Zhu Que riding on Mao, Liu He riding on Yin, Gou Chen riding on Chou, Qing Long riding on Zi, Tian Kong riding on Hai, Bai Hu riding on Xu, Tai Chang riding on You, Tai Yin riding on Wei, Tian Hou riding on Wu. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ren, located in the palace of Hai, with Wei above it, riding on Tai Yin; the second lesson is Wei, with Mao above it, riding on Zhu Que; the third lesson is the day branch Wu, with Yin above it, riding on Liu He; the fourth lesson is Yin, with Xu above it, riding on Bai Hu. The three transmissions are Xu, Wu, and Yin: the first transmission is Jia Xu, representing the official ghost, riding on Bai Hu; the second transmission is Ren Wu, representing the wife's wealth, riding on Tian Hou; the third transmission is Wu Yin, representing the son's son, riding on Liu He, with a hidden ghost involved.

邵先生曰：水日火局，人皆曰財，不知反生日上未土，土反克水，見財化為鬼矣。然皆是眷屬未了，或男未娶，或女未嫁，使用太過。宅上子息不齊，堂屋林木，先不是蛇居木，即雷嗔木，累出作怪；否則是廟宇中木，主雷嗔驚人，更十年在訟中死。汪家事悉為扳高親費盡，甲寅年屋被雷嗔，戊午年訟死。

Master Shao said: The day stem of Ren water is in the fire triple combination of Yin, Wu, and Xu. Everyone says this is a great fortune, but they do not realize that the fire actually comes back to nourish the earth of the day stem's Wu earth, and the earth then turns back to overcome the water. Thus, the wealth turns into a ghost. These expenses are all related to unfinished matters concerning the family: either the son has not yet married or the daughter has not yet married, and the money is spent in vain. The family has uneven descendants. The timber used for the main hall was either from a tree that had a snake coiled around it, or a tree struck by lightning, which often causes trouble; or else it was from a temple, and the person will be struck by lightning again. In ten years, this person will die in a legal dispute. The Wang family's property was indeed spent on marrying into a high-ranking family. In the year Jiayin, the house was struck by lightning, and in the year Wuwu, the person died in a legal case.

先生析曰；蓋八月雷殺在戌，戌加寅，更見虎，自是雷嗔；寅加午在高處也。故當是棟木，自己酉數十年，太歲在午，甲木死於午，故此年死。

Shao Master explained that the thunder calamity in August falls on Xu. Xu is placed on Yin, and since White Tiger is present, it naturally indicates the image of being struck by lightning. Yin is placed on Wu, and Wu is located in the southern high place, so it is determined that the struck object is the main beam of the roof made of wood. Starting from the Jiyou year, after ten years, that year the sovereign star is on Wu, and Jia wood dies in Wu, so death is expected in that year.

35）伊伯廷甲戌生三十六歲占宅，己酉年丙午日卯將申時。（寅卯空亡，酉戌落空），四絕。 朱六 蛇子丑寅卯陳 貴亥 辰龍 玄 朱 常 蛇 鬼 壬子 蛇 初（暗鬼） 后戌 巳空 申 丑 未 子 子 丁未 常 中（丁神） 陰酉申未午虎 丑 午 子 丙 父 空寅 六 末（空亡） 玄常

Example 35: A person named Yibeting was born in the year Jiaxu and is thirty-six years old. He consulted about his residence. The time was in the year Jiyou, on the day Bingwu. The month was卯 (Mao), and the lesson was cast with the month general added to the hour of Shen. The day Bingwu belongs to the Jiachen decade, with the empty positions falling on Yin and Mao. The Heaven Plate's branches You and Xu are in the empty position. The lesson is called "Four Extinctions" (all four lessons are in the extinction position, indicating a cut-off of breath). The Heaven Plate is set with the general of Mao added to the hour of Shen. The nobleman is on Hai, below which is Teng Snake on Zi, Zhu Que on Chou, Liu He on Yin, Gou Chen on Mao, Qing Long on Chen, Tian Kong on Si, Bai Hu on Wu, Tai Chang on Wei, Xuan Wu on Shen, Tai Yin on You, and Tian Hou on Xu. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Bing in the Si palace, with Zi above it, riding Teng Snake; the second lesson is Zi with Wei above it, riding Tai Chang; the third lesson is the day branch Wu with Chou above it, riding Zhu Que; the fourth lesson is Chou with Shen above it, riding Xuan Wu. The three transmissions are Zi, Wei, and Yin: the first transmission is Ren Zi, which is the official ghost爻, riding Teng Snake, and is also an invisible ghost; the middle transmission is Ding Wei, which is the son and grandson爻, riding Tai Chang, and is called "Ding God"; the final transmission is Yin, which falls in the empty position, and is the parent爻, riding Liu He.

邵先生曰：子與丑合，末又長生，雖子克丙，得丑寅引鬼為生，初中雖六害，可望先凶後吉。奈何寅是空亡，所以不能引進，見生不生，反成凶咎。甲寅必有大災。子丑年多事，急移可免。伊為人狂妄自高，甲寅年與大辟人過財，干人命入獄百餘日，幾死。子丑多事，己未妻母皆喪；庚申喪子，後移居始免災。

Shao said: Zi and Chou are in harmony, and the final transmission's Yin is the growth place of Bing fire; although Zi water may overcome Bing fire, the presence of Chou and Yin leads the ghostly qi to transform into life qi. Although the first and middle transmissions form the sixth harm, one might expect initial misfortune followed by good fortune. Unfortunately, Yin is falling into Kongwang, so the life qi cannot be drawn in. Seeing the growth but unable to generate it, it becomes a misfortune. In the year of Jiayin, there will certainly be great disaster, and in the years of Zi and Chou, many troubles will occur; moving house can avoid these disasters. Yiboting was arrogant and self-important, and in the year of Jiayin, he helped transfer money for a man who had been sentenced to death, getting involved in a murder case, and was imprisoned for over a hundred days, almost dying. In the years of Zi and Chou, there were many family troubles, and in the year of Jiwei, both his wife and mother died, and in the year of Gengshen, his son died; later, after moving house, he was able to avoid these misfortunes.

先生析曰；大凡干支見合，須有副則為好課。今甲辰旬卻入見寅，進則空亡，退又子克，所以災起子丑之年，死亡於甲寅之歲也。夫以旬末而又引入空亡，故即以其年分言之。

Master Zhao explained that generally, when the day stem and day branch are in harmony, there should also be supporting elements to make the divination favorable. Now, in the Jiachen decade, the transmission has entered the Yin position: moving forward leads to Kongwang, and moving backward is attacked by Zi water. Therefore, calamity arises in the years of Zi and Chou, and death occurs in the year of Jiayin. Since the final transmission has reached the end of the decade and has entered the Kongwang position, that year is used to determine the timing.

36）某占家宅，正月丁卯日子將卯時。（戌亥空亡，未申落空），遙克，二煩，天網，三交。 陳龍 六寅卯辰巳空 朱丑 午虎 陰 蛇 朱 龍 鬼 甲子 蛇 初 蛇子 未常 酉 子 丑 辰 財 癸酉 陰 中（暗鬼） 貴亥戌酉申玄 子 卯 辰 丁 兄 庚午 虎 末 后陰

Example 36: A person came to divinate about their home. The time was in a certain year's first lunar month, on the day of Dingmao. The class was started with the month general of Zi added to the卯 hour. The day of Dingmao belongs to the Jiazi decade, with the empty positions falling on Xu and Hai. The branches of the heaven plate, Wei and Shen, are located in the empty positions. The name of the class has four: "Remote Control" (indicating disturbance due to the nobleman not being in the right position during day and night), "Two Troubles" (disturbance due to the nobleman not being in the right position during day and night), "Heavenly Net" (indicating being trapped and difficult to escape), and "Three Intersections" (indicating the heavens, earth, and people intersecting, leading to many entanglements). The heaven plate was arranged with the month general of Zi added to the卯 hour. The nobleman rode on Hai, below it was Teng Snake riding on Zi, Zhu Que riding on Chou, Liu He riding on Yin, Gou Chen riding on Mao, Qing Long riding on Chen, Tian Kong riding on Si, Bai Hu riding on Wu, Tai Chang riding on Wei, Tai Yin riding on Shen, Xuan Wu riding on You, and Tian Hou riding on Xu. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson, the day stem Ding is in the Wei palace, with Chen above it, riding on Qing Long; the second lesson, Chen has Chou above it, riding on Zhu Que; the third lesson, the day branch Mao has Zi above it, riding on Teng Snake; the fourth lesson, Zi has You above it, riding on Tai Yin. The three transmissions are Zi, You, and Wu: the first transmission, Jiazi, is the official ghost爻, riding on Teng Snake; the middle transmission, Guiyou, is the wife's wealth爻, riding on Tai Yin, and is also an invisible ghost; the final transmission, Gengwu, is the brother爻, riding on Bai Hu.

邵先生曰：主門戶幽暗，有重喪。又陰小有災，子作蛇入宅為用，虎乘午在酉上作末，是蛇虎加二八門也，故主重喪。又子加卯相刑也。當年其人自死，又孫死。囚虎乘死氣在末傳，又子午為道路神，而乘蛇虎加門戶，上乘死煞，故爾如此。

Master Zhao said: This case indicates that the family gate is dark and unclear, with serious mourning (two consecutive deaths) in the family; in addition, women and young children are also in danger. The trigram Zi (Water) is riding on Teng Snake and enters the gate position, initiating the transmission. White Tiger is riding on Wu (Fire) and falls on You (Metal) as the final transmission. This means that the two Inauspicious General (malevolent spirits), Teng Snake and White Tiger, are added upon the positions of the second and eighth months, indicating serious mourning. Moreover, Zi (Water) is placed on Mao (Wood), forming mutual punishment. That year, the person himself died, and his grandson also died. The White Tiger, which is in the prison and death place, is riding on death qi in the final transmission. Zi and Wu are originally road spirits, but now they are riding on Teng Snake and White Tiger, added upon the gate, with death qi above, thus confirming the outcome.

37）時生己酉年四十三歲二月朔占。（寅卯空亡）（辰巳落空） 虎常 空未申酉戌玄 龍午 亥陰 蛇 后 后 玄 子 壬子 后 初 陳巳 子后 寅 子 子 戌 財 空寅 蛇 中（空亡） 六辰卯寅丑貴 子 戌 戌 庚 父 甲辰 六 末（落空） 朱蛇

Example 37: A person of the Shi surname (the name of the person consulted is partially missing in the original), aged 43 in the Jiyou year, came for a divination on the first day of the second lunar month. The day branch is Gengxu, belonging to the Jiachen decade. The empty positions of the decade fall on Yin and Mao. The Heaven Plate has the branches Chen and Si falling in the Kongwang position. The Heaven Plate layout: the Nobleman is on Chou, with Teng Snake on Yin, Vermilion Bird on Mao, Liu He on Chen, Gou Chen on Si, Azure Dragon on Wu, Tian Kong on Wei, Bai Hu on Shen, Tai Chang on You, Xuan Wu on Xu, Tai Yin on Hai, and Tian Hou on Zi. The four lessons, arranged from right to left: the first lesson has Geng on the day stem with Wu, riding Xuan Wu; the second lesson has Wu with Zi, riding Tian Hou; the third lesson has the day branch Wu with Zi, riding Tian Hou; the fourth lesson has Zi with Yin, riding Teng Snake. The three transmissions are Zi, Yin, and Chen: the first transmission Renzi is the son's yao, riding Tian Hou; the middle transmission Yin falls in the empty position of the decade, being the wife's wealth yao, riding Teng Snake; the final transmission Jiachen is the father's yao, riding Liu He, and also falling in the empty position.

邵先生曰：宅後逼山，宅前逼水，水雖東流過宅，反直去。若為宅基，主女多男少，子為吏人，孫為軍卒僕從，財退人散。蓋四陽雖臨東南，無關格拘檢，日後主水壞宅。因身役而盡敗也。此宅基乃庚兌山行龍，坎山為主，蓋緣逼迫，遂欲鑿山為之。果是後逼山，前近水，次年建造，不過十年，連產四女。男作縣吏，自後諸孫為屠兒，又為僕從，又有投軍者。此宅因為公人押網，折破敗壞。後卒為水沖基也。

Master Zhao said: This plot of land is backed by a mountain and fronted by water; although the water flows eastward past the house, it flows straight through without sentiment. If used as a foundation for a house, it will result in many daughters and few sons. The sons will only hold minor official positions in the county administration, and the grandsons will become soldiers or servants. Wealth will be lost, and the family will become divided. This is because although the four yang spirits are present in the southeast, they are not confined or restrained. In the future, there will certainly be a great flood that will destroy the house. Also, because the owner is involved in official duties as a public officer, the family will eventually lose all its property. This site is of a dragon coming from the Geng Dui direction, with Kan mountain as the main feature. However, due to the narrow terrain, the owner wanted to dig into the mountain to build a house. Indeed, the house was built with the mountain behind and water in front. The next year, they started construction, and within ten years, four daughters were born. The son became a county official's subordinate. Later, some grandsons became butchers, some became servants, and others joined the army. Eventually, the house was ruined because the owner was involved in public duties as an official, and the house was finally destroyed by flood.

先生析曰；蓋為宅來加申，戌為山崗，是後逼山也。宅上子作天后，是前逼水也。水橫過，寅為直去，東南兩處風路，為螣蛇所撓，故主吏人。又主失陷財物，兼木敗壞在子故也。末傳辰為軍卒僕從，六合加之故也。

Shao Master explained that the spirit of the dwelling place is added to Shen, and Xu represents a hill, so it indicates being pressed by a mountain behind. The Zi at the dwelling place is riding on the Heavenly Empress, with the water spirit in front, so it indicates being pressed by water in front. Water should naturally encircle from the sides, but Yin indicates straight flow without return; the Southeast areas are both wind paths, and they are disturbed by Teng Snake, so this indicates that descendants will become officials and servants in government offices, and there will be loss of property—this is because the wood energy is ruined at the Zi position. The final transmission, Chen, represents soldiers and servants, and it is riding on Liu He, so it indicates that descendants will serve in the military or as servants.

38）某占宅癸酉日巳將申時。（戌亥空亡，未申落空），渉害，軒蓋，三交，二煩，明夷卦像，高蓋乘軒之格。 朱蛇 六寅卯辰巳貴 陳丑 午后 朱 后 陰 虎 財 庚午 后 初 龍子 未陰 卯 午 未 戌 子 丁卯 朱 中（丁神） 空亥戌酉申玄 午 酉 戌 癸 兄 甲子 龍 末 虎常

Example 38: A person came to consult about his residence. The day branch is Guiyou, and the month is巳. The lesson is cast with the month general巳 added to the hour of申. The day Guiyou belongs to the Jiazi cycle, with the empty branches falling on Xu and Hai. The branches Wei and Shen on the heaven plate are in the empty position. The lesson has several names: "Involved Harm," "High Cover," "Three Intersections," and "Two Troubles." It corresponds to the hexagram Mingyi, and the pattern is called "High Cover Riding a State Car." The heaven plate is arranged with the month general巳 added to the hour of申. The nobleman is on巳, with the Teng Snake on辰, the Vermilion Bird on卯, the Liu He on寅, the Gou Chen on丑, the Qinglong on子, the Tian Kong on亥, the Baihu on戌, the Tai Chang on酉, the Xuanwu on申, the Tai Yin on未, and the Heavenly Empress on午. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Gui, which is in the branch Chou, with the branch Xu on top, riding the Baihu; the second lesson is the branch Xu, with the branch Wei on top, riding the Tai Yin; the third lesson is the day branch You, with the branch Wu on top, riding the Heavenly Empress; the fourth lesson is the branch Wu, with the branch Mao on top, riding the Vermilion Bird. The three transmissions are Wu, Mao, and Zi: the first transmission is Gengwu, which is the wife wealth yao, riding the Heavenly Empress; the middle transmission is Dingmao, which is the son yao, riding the Vermilion Bird, which is the Ding god; the final transmission is Jiazi, which is the brother yao, riding the Qinglong.

邵先生曰：凡四正相加，非死即敗。今午加酉作後發用，午火至酉而無光。天后水又敗在酉，即用死敗神，則主男女淫奔。今加宅，主宅中有淫亂不明事也。後因媳 婦歸家，公淫之。

Shao said: Generally, the four cardinal directions, Zi, Wu, Mao, and You, when they mutually influence each other, either indicate death or decline. Now, Wu is placed on You, and it initiates through the Heavenly Empress: Wu fire has already lost its brilliance when it arrives at You. The Heavenly Empress belongs to water, which is in its dead position at You. Since the useful god is a dead and declining god, it indicates men and women committing adultery and engaging in improper relations. And since it influences the dwelling position, it indicates there are improper and unclear matters within the house. Later, it indeed happened that the daughter-in-law returned to her mother's house, and the grandfather had an affair with her.

先生析曰；蓋子作龍加卯，為無禮刑。又酉乃酒色淫敗，龍乘水則腳浮。戌加日上主動，故應此也。

Master Zhao explained that the branch Zi riding on the Azure Dragon and falling on Mao forms the Punishment of Impropriety (Zi harms Mao, indicating violation of propriety). The branch You inherently relates to wine, lust, and moral decay; the Azure Dragon belongs to wood, but it is riding on water, which symbolizes roots not firmly established and improper conduct. Furthermore, Xu falling on the day stem causes disturbance and agitation, thus corresponding to this disgraceful matter.

39）某占家宅，正月己巳日子將酉時。（戌亥空亡，丑寅落空），重審，元胎，斬關，勵德。 六朱 陳申酉戌亥蛇 龍未 子貴 蛇 陳 后 朱 子 壬申 陳 初 空午 丑后 亥 申 丑 戌 財 空亥 蛇 中（空亡） 虎巳辰卯寅陰 申 巳 戌 己 官 丙寅 陰 末（落空） 常玄

Example 39: A person came to consult about their home. The time was in a certain year's first lunar month, on the day of Jisi. The class was started by placing the month general at You time. The day Jisi belongs to the Jiazi decade, with the empty positions falling on Xu and Hai. The branches Chou and Yin on the heaven plate are in the empty positions. The lesson has four names: "Chong Shen", "Yuan Tai", "Zhan Guan", and "Li De". The heaven plate is set by placing the general at You time. The nobleman rides on Zi, with Teng Snake riding on Hai, Vermilion Bird on Xu, Liu He on You, Gou Chen on Shen, Azure Dragon on Wei, Tian Kong on Wu, Bai Hu on Si, Tai Chang on Chen, Tai Yin on Yin, and Tian Hou on Chou. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson has the day stem Ji in Wei, with Wu on top, riding on Vermilion Bird; the second lesson has Wu on top, with Chou on top, riding on Tian Hou; the third lesson has the day branch Si with Shen on top, riding on Gou Chen; the fourth lesson has Shen with Hai on top, riding on Teng Snake. The three transmissions are Shen, Hai, and Yin: the first transmission is Ren Shen, which is the son's yao riding on Gou Chen; the second transmission is Hai, which falls in the empty position, being the wife's wealth yao riding on Teng Snake; the third transmission is Bing Yin, which is the official ghost yao riding on Tai Yin, also falling in the empty position.

邵先生曰：家中有婦人，損一牙齒。近來又因新修廚灶，你家地上須用新磚結砌。蓋用申作勾加巳，巳為雙女為口，申為骨牙，勾主損折，傳破故主此。更巳為爐灶，乘旺相主新修，果其人有姐妹缺口齒，而灶新修。

Shao Master said: There is a woman in your family who is missing a tooth; recently, because of the newly built kitchen stove, you will also need to rebuild the floor with new bricks. This is because the Initiating Transmission is Sheng, which is riding on Gou Chen and added to Si. Si represents two women and also the mouth; Sheng represents bones and teeth, Gou Chen indicates loss or damage, and the Three Transmissions also meet a breaking transmission, thus predicting the missing tooth. Moreover, Si represents the stove, and now it is in a prosperous and strong condition, indicating the need for a new one. Later, indeed, this person's sister lost a tooth, and the stove was being newly built.

40）鄭三公辛亥年四月一日未時生，五十九歲占墳地，己酉年正月二十三壬寅日子將寅時。（辰巳空亡，寅卯落空），元首，間傳，驀越。 后陰 貴卯辰巳午玄 蛇寅 未常 龍 六 常 空 鬼 戊戌 龍 初（暗鬼） 朱丑 申虎 戌 子 未 酉 父 丙申 虎 中 六子亥戌酉空 子 寅 酉 壬 財 甲午 玄 末 陳龍

Example 40: Zheng San Gong was born at the hour of Wei on the first day of the fourth lunar month in the year Xin Hai. He is fifty-nine years old and is consulting about a burial site. The time of divination is on the 23rd day of the first lunar month in the year Ji You, on the day Ren Yin. The lesson is cast using the month of Zi as the general, placed on the hour of Yin. The day Ren Yin belongs to the Ji Chen decade, with the empty positions falling on Chen and Si. The branches of Yin and Mao on the Heaven Plate are located in the empty positions. The lesson has three names: "Original Head", "Intermediate Transmission", and "Leap Over". The Heaven Plate is set with Zi as the general added to the hour of Yin. The nobleman is riding on Mao, with Teng Snake riding on Yin, Vermilion Bird on Chou, Liu He on Zi, Gou Chen on Hai, Azure Dragon on Xu, Tian Kong on You, Bai Hu on Shen, Tai Chang on Wei, Tai Yin on Si, Tian Hou on Chen. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson has the day stem Ren residing in the Hai palace, with the upper position being You, riding Tian Kong; the second lesson has You with the upper position being Wei, riding Tai Chang; the third lesson has the day branch Yin with the upper position being Zi, riding Liu He; the fourth lesson has Zi with the upper position being Xu, riding Azure Dragon. The three transmissions are Xu, Shen, and Wu: the first transmission is Wu Xu, which is the official ghost爻, riding Azure Dragon, and is also an invisible ghost; the second transmission is Bing Shen, which is the parent爻, riding Bai Hu; the third transmission is Jiawu, which is the wife wealth爻, riding Tian Hou.

邵先生曰：此課艮山行龍，坎山落穴，不是正龍，左邊無山，右有兩重白虎，第三重為案，主子孫貪淫好酒，後為酒家傭，婦人不正，隨人淫奔，且墓內棺中有泥，白蟻食尸，右邊有水，末主人為道童，自身為酒所敗，老無妻，以他人之妾為妻，六年患酒病，更三年終矣。鄭三公乍富，教子讀書，指望及第，故請先生占之，其地果艮山來，坎山落穴，無正山，以過山為主，右兩重白虎，案山亦從右邊來，似乎三重。三公日夜飲酒，後二年妻死，娶徐知府之妾為妻，又行事不正，三公死後，次子伴徐氏賣酒，妻與媳被外人領走，子孫不成器，一向非為。三公六十四有酒病，六十七上終。皆如先生之言也。

Master Zhao said: This piece of land has a dragon coming from the Gen direction and a burial site falling in the Kan direction, not the main dragon line. There is no Azure Dragon mountain on the left, but there are two White Tiger mountains on the right, with the third one serving as the case mountain. The landowner's descendants will be greedy, lustful, and fond of drinking alcohol, and their descendants will have to work as servants in wine shops. Women will behave improperly and run away with other men. Moreover, mud will enter the coffin inside the tomb, and white ants will gnaw at the bones. There is also water on the right side. In the end, someone will become a Taoist novice. As for the person consulting, he will be ruined by alcohol, grow old without a wife, and have to marry another man's concubine. He will suffer from a wine illness within six years, and then die three years later. Zheng San Gong suddenly became wealthy, educated his son to study for the imperial examinations, hoping to pass them, so he consulted Master Zhao about this land. Indeed, the land has a dragon coming from the Gen direction and a burial site falling in the Kan direction, without a main mountain, but only a passing mountain as the main one. There are two White Tiger mountains on the right, and the case mountain also comes from the right, appearing as if there are three. The three elders drank day and night. Two years later, their wife died, and they married a concubine from Governor Xu's family, who also behaved improperly. After Zheng San Gong's death, his second son followed the Xu family to sell wine; his wife and daughter-in-law were both taken away by outsiders; his descendants were all untrustworthy and behaved improperly. At the age of sixty-four, Zheng San Gong got a wine illness, and died at sixty-seven, all of which matched exactly what Master Zhao had said.

先生析曰；左邊無者，傳不行也。申作白虎，午加申上，又是虎，故兩重來為案山，子午作玄合，故主子孫邪淫。壬日酉作天空，故主酒敗，子孫為酒家傭，亦主婦人為淫，酉六數，故主六年酒敗，更三年死，酉增一半也。

Master Zhao explained that the lack of sand on the left side is because the three transmissions cannot pass through the left side. Shen is riding the White Tiger, and Wu is added on top of Shen. Wu also carries the energy of the White Tiger, so there are two layers of White Tiger sand serving as the case mountain. Zi and Wu are connected along the same path, riding the Black Tortoise and matching each other, thus indicating that the descendants will be immoral and indulge in improper relationships. The day stem is Ren water, which is supported by You, the Tian Kong. Therefore, it indicates being ruined by alcohol, the descendants becoming servants in wine shops, and women being promiscuous. The number of You is six, so illness caused by alcohol occurs within six years. Adding three more years for death, the six is doubled to get the total of nine years.

41）徐承務丁未生六十三歲占墳地，己酉年九月癸卯日辰將卯時。（辰巳空亡，巳午落空），重審，進茹，龍戰，斬關，寡宿。 陳龍 六午未申酉空 朱巳 戌虎 朱 蛇 貴 后 鬼 空辰 蛇 初（空亡） 蛇辰 亥常 巳 辰 卯 寅 財 空巳 朱 中（空亡） 貴卯寅丑子玄 辰 卯 寅 癸 子 甲午 六 末（落空） 后陰

Example 41: Xu Chengwu was born in the year Dingwei and is now 63 years old. He came to consult about a burial site. The time was on the day of Guimao in the ninth month of Jiyou year. The divination was started with the month of Chen as the general and placed on the卯 hour. The day Guimao belongs to the Jiawu decade, with the empty positions falling on Chen and Si. The branches Si and Wu on the Heaven Plate are located in the empty positions. The names of the lessons are five: "Chong Shen" (Re-examination), "Jin Ru" (Advancing and Eating), "Long Zhan" (Dragon Battle), "Zhan Guan" (Cutting the Gate), and "Guasu" (Solitary Guest). The Heaven Plate is set with the general Chen added to the卯 hour. The Nobleman is on卯, with Teng Snake on Chen, Vermilion Bird on Si, Liu He on Wu, Gou Chen on Wei, Qinglong on Shen, Tian Kong on You, Baihu on Xu, Tai Chang on Hai, Xuanwu on Zi, Tai Yin on Chou, and Tianhou on Yin. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Gui, which is in the Chou palace, with Yin on top, riding Tianhou; the second lesson is Yin with卯 on top, riding the Nobleman; the third lesson is the day branch卯 with Chen on top, riding Teng Snake; the fourth lesson is Chen with Si on top, riding Vermilion Bird. The three transmissions are Chen, Si, and Wu: the first transmission is Chen, which falls in the empty position, representing the official ghost, riding Teng Snake; the second transmission is Si, which also falls in the empty position, representing the wife's wealth, riding Vermilion Bird; the third transmission is Jiawu, representing the son's fortune, riding Liu He, and also falling in the empty position.

邵先生曰：此地甚好，但恐此時不可得而葬。徐曰：如何？先生曰：前後左右皆有空穴，山側又有一陰人墳，如何葬得？須於中陪錢去之，然後可葬，必出貴人，最好是水合星辰，山川清秀，文筆雙峰，必是卯龍入首，作乙山辛向也。

Master Shao said: This piece of land is very good, but I fear that we cannot bury here at the moment. Xu Chengwu asked: Why? Master Shao said: This land has hollows in front, behind, left and right, and there is also a woman's grave by the mountain. How can we bury here? We must pay money to move those graves away first, then we can perform the burial; the burial will surely bring a nobleman. The best part of this land is that the water flow conforms to the position of the stars, the mountains and rivers are elegant and refined, and there is a pair of literary peaks in front. It must be a卯 dragon entering the site, with the orientation of 乙 mountain and 辛 direction.

夫辰為墳地，作空亡而發用，故主有空穴，戌亦是墓，加酉，酉作天空，亦是虛墳，以初傳為主山穴，對前戌墓也。卯為子孫作貴人，不為脫氣也。徐宅問汪家買山，汪兄弟三分其二分，將來買長兄一分，故將空棺自埋其內。先前亦有三四個虛穴，皆不葬。徐丈齎錢問汪長兄買之。庚戌年九月葬妻，以後子孫皆中舉及第，皆此地發也。

The Earthly Branch 辰 represents the burial ground, and now it falls on Kongwang with the Initiating Transmission, so it indicates there is an empty cavity in the land. 戌 is also a Storage, and 戌 is placed above 酉, with 酉 multiplied by Tian Kong, which is also an image of a hollow grave. Taking the First Transmission as the main mountain's穴位, facing the preceding 戌 position's Storage. 卯 is the grandson's yao and is multiplied by Nobleman, so it cannot be regarded as a release of energy. Later, the Xu family bought this mountain from the Wang family. The Wang family had three brothers, and two of them had already sold their shares. When they were about to buy the share of the eldest brother, the eldest brother first buried an empty coffin inside. Previously, there were already three or four empty cavities in the land, none of which had real burials. Xu's old master went with money to negotiate with the eldest brother of the Wang family to buy the share. In the year Gengxu, September, the wife was buried, and after that, the descendants consecutively passed the imperial examinations and achieved success, all coming from this land.

先生析曰；巳加辰作貴，巳主雙，故有雙峰，號為文筆星。宅又得貴人，癸見卯不可為脫氣，乃子孫貴人也。申酉為今日水母，故水來去皆合星辰，巳為雙女，故出雙貴人也。

Master Zhao explained that the巳 is placed on the辰 and is riding on the nobleman's energy. The image of巳 represents a pair, so there are two mountain peaks in front of the mountain, called the literary stars. The dwelling position also receives the nobleman's favor. Although the癸 water meets the卯 and is considered to be losing energy, here it should not be viewed as losing energy, but rather as the descendants producing a nobleman. The申 and 酉 are the mother sources of the water of today's癸, so the flow and return of the water are in harmony with the auspicious positions of the stars. The巳 also represents two women, so there will be a pair of noblemen in the future.

42）劉秘教占宅，四十一歲己巳命己酉年六月初一戊申日未將酉時。（寅卯空亡，子丑落空），重審，極陰，勵德。 六朱 陳卯辰巳午蛇 龍寅 未貴 六 蛇 空 陳 兄 癸丑 空 初（落空） 空丑 申后 辰 午 丑 卯 財 辛亥 常 中 虎子亥戌酉陰 午 申 卯 戊 子 己酉 陰 末 常玄

Example 42: Liu Mi asked for a divination regarding his residence. He is 41 years old, born in the year Jisi. The time is on the first day of the sixth month of the year Jiyou, on the day Wushen. The divination was cast using the month of Wei as the general, added to the hour of You. On the day Wushen, it falls in the Jiachen decade, with the empty positions falling on Yin and Mao. The name of the lesson has three parts: "Chong Shen" (Re-examination), "Ji Yin" (Extreme Yin), and "Li De" (Cultivating Virtue). The Heaven Plate is set with Wei as the general added to the hour of You. The nobleman is riding Wei, with Teng Snake riding Wu, Vermilion Bird riding Si, Liu He riding Chen, Gou Chen riding Mao, Azure Dragon riding Yin, Tian Kong riding Chou, Bai Hu riding Zi, Tai Chang riding Hai, Xuan Wu riding Xu, Tai Yin riding You, and Tian Hou riding Shen. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Wu, which is located in the Si palace, with Mao above it, riding Gou Chen; the second lesson is Mao with Chou above it, riding Tian Kong; the third lesson is the day branch Shen with Wu above it, riding Teng Snake; the fourth lesson is Wu with Chen above it, riding Liu He. The three transmissions are Chou, Hai, and You: the first transmission is Gui Chou, representing the brother's yao, riding Tian Kong and falling into the empty position; the middle transmission is Xin Hai, representing the wife's wealth yao, riding Tai Chang; the final transmission is Ji You, representing the son's yao, riding Tai Yin.

邵先生曰：家勢退矣。日上空亡剋日，又作勾陳，舊事百般，盡牽在己，宅上午上，螣蛇帶羊刃主家人爭產，四散分飛。初傳丑作天空在卯，主泥土塞門戶，婦人婢腹常疼痛，又有白帶。自身主脾洩，末傳盡去彼被來年難過，主太陰少婦管家，乙卯年果將住宅拆毀，各人四散分居矣。

Master Zhao said: The family's vitality is declining. The day stem falls on Kongwang and is being overcome by it, and it is riding on Gou Chen, indicating that all old matters will be纠缠 upon oneself. The house position is Wu, with Teng Snake accompanied by Yangren, indicating disputes over property among family members, leading to separation. The first transmission is Chou riding on Tian Kong and falling on Mao, indicating blocked entrances and mud, with frequent stomach pain and white discharge among women and servants in the household, and the master himself suffering from spleen deficiency and diarrhea. The final transmission takes away the life qi, making it difficult to pass through next year; later, family affairs will be managed by a young woman under Tai Yin. In the year of Yimao, the house was indeed demolished, and everyone dispersed and lived apart.

43）郭仲起辛未生三十九歲占宅，己酉年六月甲寅日未將寅時。（子丑空亡，巳午落空），知一，度厄，鑄印，孤辰。 陳龍 六戌亥子丑空 朱酉 寅虎 龍 貴 龍 貴 父 空子 龍 初（空亡） 蛇申 卯常 子 未 子 未 子 丁巳 陰 中（落空）（丁神） 貴未午巳辰玄 未 寅 未 甲 財 壬戌 六 末 后陰

Example 43: Guo Zhongqi was born in the year Xinwei, and is thirty-nine years old. He consulted about his residence. The time was in the year Jiyou, sixth lunar month, day Jiayin. The month general was Wei, and the course was set with Wei added to the寅 hour. The day Jiayin belongs to the Jiayin decade, with the empty place falling on Zi and Chou. The branches巳 and午 on the Heaven Plate fall into the empty place. The course has four names: "Zhi Yi" (knowing one), "Du E" (overcoming danger), "Zhu Yin" (casting an official seal), and "Guchen" (solitary). The Heaven Plate was set with Wei as the general added to the寅 hour. The Nobleman rode on Wei, with Teng Snake on Shen, Vermilion Bird on You, Liu He on Xu, Gou Chen on Hai, Qinglong on Zi, Tian Kong on Chou, Baihu on Yin, Tai Chang on Mao, Xuanwu on Chen, Tai Yin on Si, and Tian Hou on Wu. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ji, which is in the寅 palace, with Wei above it, riding the Nobleman; the second lesson is Wei with Zi above it, riding Qinglong; the third lesson is the day branch Yin with Wei above it, riding the Nobleman; the fourth lesson is Wei with Zi above it, riding Qinglong. The three transmissions are Zi, Si, and Xu: the first transmission Zi falls in the empty place, representing the parents' yao, riding Qinglong; the middle transmission Ding Si is the sons' yao, riding Tai Yin, falling into the empty place, and also being the Ding spirit; the final transmission Ren Xu is the wife's wealth yao, riding Liu He.

邵先生曰：本命自來墓身，謂之天網自裹。又來本命上發用，又見空亡，中傳又臨空處，乃子息上又見子息，主克子退子，定是星運不利。雖登仕路，亦無寸進。末又見妻財，必是再娶，未年始有萌芽之意。

Shao Master said: The god of the native's destiny comes to the position of the body itself, which is called "heavenly net enclosing itself," meaning that it is as if the person is enclosing themselves. It also initiates from the native's destiny, but the initiating god falls into kongwang; the middle transmission also appears in an empty place. The position of children again sees the children, indicating harm to the son and loss of the son, showing that the stars and fortune are unfavorable. Although this person has entered the official career, there will be no progress at all. The final transmission again sees the wife and wealth爻, which definitely means a need to remarry again; there will be a slight sign of improvement only in the year of Wei.

先生析曰；蓋宅有井，井未克人。若不肯遷移，必主十二年而死。未乃八數，兩個八年是十六年也。先個八年全用，後用一半，故十二年也。次年郭丈即遷居，料想其凶可免。

Master Zhao explained that there was a well in the house, and currently it had not yet harmed anyone; but if they did not move, they would certainly die within twelve years. The number of "Wei" is eight, and two "Wei" combined make sixteen years. The first "Wei" is counted as eight whole years, while the second is taken as half, making twelve years. The old gentleman, Mr. Guo, moved out the next year, and it is believed that the dangerous fate could be avoided.

44）應貢元丁卯生四十二歲占前程，戊申年六月丁丑日午將未時。（申酉空亡，未申落空），退茹，重審。 空虎 龍辰巳午未常 陳卯 申玄 貴 蛇 空 虎 鬼 丙子 蛇 初 六寅 酉陰 亥 子 巳 午 鬼 乙亥 貴 中 朱丑子亥戌后 子 丑 午 丁 子 甲戌 后 末 蛇貴

Example 44: A person named Gong Yuan, born in the year Dingmao, aged forty-two, consulted about his future prospects and official rank. The time was in the year Wushen, sixth month, day Dingchou. The divination was started with the month general of Wu added to the hour of Wei. The day Dingchou belongs to the Jiaxu decade, with the empty position falling on Shen and You. The branches of the Heaven Plate, Wei and Shen, are located in the empty position. The name of the lesson is two: "Retreating Vegetables" (three transmissions descending step by step) and "Re-examination." The Heaven Plate is set with the general of Wu added to the hour of Wei. The nobleman is riding on Hai, below it the Teng Snake rides on Zi, the Vermilion Bird on Chou, the Liu He on Yin, the Gou Chen on Mao, the Azure Dragon on Chen, the Tian Kong on Si, the White Tiger on Wu, the Tai Chang on Wei, the Black Tortoise on Shen, and the Tai Yin on You. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ding, which is in the Wei palace, with Wu above it, riding on the White Tiger; the second lesson is Wu with Si above it, riding on the Tian Kong; the third lesson is the day branch Chou with Zi above it, riding on the Teng Snake; the fourth lesson is Zi with Hai above it, riding on the Nobleman. The three transmissions are Zi, Hai, and Xu: the first transmission, Bingzi, is the official ghost yao, riding on the Teng Snake; the middle transmission, Yihai, is the official ghost yao, riding on the Nobleman; the final transmission, Jiaxu, is the son yao, riding on the Heavenly Empress.

邵先生曰：此課雖魁杜天門，不作阻隔論，乃六儀扶護，三奇拱秀，小則郎官，大則侍從，未易量也。因有活人之功，上天降福，北斗拱身，三光拱照，祿神催逼，即日食祿矣。人見此課，將謂退連茹，殊不知甲戌旬，戌為六儀，戌加干謂之朝天，亥子丑為三奇拱照，午乃丁祿臨干，日祿扶身，行年並逼白虎，為催官符使，貴人在三奇之中，而前後拱之，此蛇為吉將，名前一先鋒，高甲無疑矣。

Shao Master said: Although this divination shows the image of "Hekui Du Tianmen" (Hekui in Xu blocking the Tianmen at Hai), it should not be interpreted as an obstruction. In fact, the Six Instruments are supporting and the Three Marvels are guarding, indicating that the fortune is promising. On a smaller scale, the person will attain the position of a magistrate, and on a larger scale, he will be ranked among the attendants of the court, with an unlimited future. Because the person has a meritorious deed of saving a life, heaven bestows blessings upon him: the Big Dipper guards his body, and the sun, moon, and stars shine together upon him. The禄神 (Lushen, the god of official rank) is behind him urging forward, and he is about to receive his salary soon. Others who see this divination may only interpret it as "Tui Lian Ru" (gradually retreating step by step); they do not realize that this is the Jia Xu decade, where Xu is the Six Instrument of this decade. Xu placed on the day stem is called "Chao Tian" (looking up to heaven). The positions of Hai, Zi, and Chou are precisely where the Three Marvels shine together. The position of Wu is the禄神 (Lushen) of Ding fire, and it is placed on the day stem, thus supporting the day stem itself. The year of birth coincides with the White Tiger, which here acts as a symbol of official promotion. The Nobleman is located among the Three Marvels, with military officers guarding both sides. The Teng Snake here has transformed into a favorable general, known as "Qian Yi Xian Feng" (the vanguard of the first rank). Therefore, it is certain that he will pass the imperial examination with distinction.

丁德在亥，戌亥子俱屬陰，故知陰德洪大，神明福佑也。亥為上帝，子為紫微，丑為北斗，是以得上天之降福也。考之貢元三十八歲北虜犯邊，伊在京挾友三十餘輩，庇護李家宅眷七十餘口，兼不識姓名者三十七人；又以所乘舟及朋友舟載渡諸人，自率友沿岸西走，此所以先生見課，即知陰德扶持也。後貢元官至禮部，貴壽兩全。

On a day of the Heavenly Stem Ding, the Deity Guardian is at Hai. Since the positions Xu, Hai, and Zi all belong to the Yin, it is known that this person has deep Yin Virtue and is protected by divine beings. The position Hai represents the Heavenly Emperor, Zi represents the Purple Micro Star, and Chou represents the Northern Dipper. Therefore, it is said that he receives blessings from heaven. Upon investigation: In the thirty-eighth year of Ying Gongyuan's life, northern horsemen invaded the border. He in the capital city gathered over thirty friends, sheltering more than seventy members of the Li family, as well as thirty-seven strangers. He used his own boat and his friends' boats to ferry these people across the river, while he himself led his friends along the riverbank westward. This is why Master Shao could immediately recognize that Yin Virtue was supporting him. Later, Ying Gongyuan held an official post in the Ministry of Rites, achieving both wealth, honor, and a long life.

45）何秀才己未生五十一歲占應試，己酉年正月庚辰日子將酉時。（申酉空亡，亥子落空），彈射，元胎。愛圅曰：古本作何省干，己未閏月十三日丑時生。 朱六 蛇申酉戌亥陳 貴未 子龍 六 貴 虎 陳 財 戊寅 虎 初 后午 丑空 戌 未 寅 亥 鬼 辛巳 陰 中 陰巳辰卯寅虎 未 辰 亥 庚 兄 空申 蛇 末（空亡） 玄常

Example 45: He Xiucai was born in the Jiwei year and is now fifty-one years old, seeking divination for an examination. The time is the Jiyou year, first lunar month, Gengchen day. The divination is cast using the Zi month and the general of You hour. (Editor Cheng Aitu says: the ancient text states 'He Shenggan, born on the thirteenth day of the leap month in the Jiwei year at the Chou hour.') The Gengchen day belongs to the Jiaxu decade, with the empty branch falling on Shen and You. The Heaven Plate's Zi and Hai branches fall in the empty position. The lesson names are 'Shan She' and 'Yuan Tai'. The Heaven Plate is arranged with Zi as the general added to You hour. The nobleman is on Wei, below which Teng Snake is on Shen, Zhu Que on You, Liu He on Xu, Gou Chen on Hai, Qing Long on Zi, Tian Kong on Chou, Bai Hu on Yin, Tai Chang on Mao, Xuan Wu on Chen, Tai Yin on Si, and Tian Hou on Wu. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Geng, located in Shen, with Hai above it, riding Gou Chen; the second lesson is Hai with Yin above it, riding Bai Hu; the third lesson is the day branch Chen with Wei above it, riding the nobleman; the fourth lesson is Wei with Xu above it, riding Liu He. The three transmissions are Yin, Si, and Shen: the first transmission is Wu Yin, representing the wife's wealth, riding Bai Hu; the second transmission is Xin Si, representing the official's ghost, riding Tai Yin; the third transmission is Shen, falling in the empty position, representing the brother, riding Teng Snake.

邵先生曰：何丈已兩次赴試，今年雖占試卻不中。惟令郎二十八名。何曰：我子讀書少，安得中？先生曰：此課暮秋雖有喜，又有悲，十月防有炊血之夢。何丈當時望中甚切，臨場病阻，其子入場，全不得意，及放榜，果中二十八名。先生曰：何丈不入場，正使令郎中也。若入場必不教子作此等文字，不下第必矣。吾丈五旬後得官，一二年當壽阻，不能度甲子一周矣。

Master Zhao said: Old He had already taken the examination twice, and although he came to consult about the examination this year, he still did not pass. However, his son would rank twenty-eighth. Old He said: My son has not studied much, how could he pass? Master Zhao said: In this lesson, although there will be good news in late autumn, there will also be sad events. In October, one should be cautious of the sorrow of losing his wife. At that time, Old He was very eager to pass the examination, but he fell ill and could not take the exam. His son entered the examination hall, and he felt very unsatisfied. But when the results were announced, his son indeed ranked twenty-eighth. Master Zhao said: It was precisely because Old He did not take the exam that his son passed. If he had taken the exam, he would certainly not allow his son to write such an article, and then he would definitely fail. He also said: Old He will be able to hold an official position after he is fifty, but within a couple of years, his life will come to an end, and he will not live a full sixty years.

先生析曰；蓋日上亥是庚之子孫，來奪庚之氣，庚去生水，又得勾陳，不落第矣，所以子得中式。亥四申七，四七二十八也。亥為水道，勾乃滯神，加日上，故本身痢疾。庚以寅為妻，加盜氣上，臨於十月，白虎又加，所以喪妻。寅財加亥，雖脫氣，卻六合而長生，不知乃是脫上逢脫，故邵公方敢下此口。然非白虎乘之，其又不可此斷也。

Master Zhao explained that the亥 on the day stem is the son trigram of Geng metal, and it takes away the energy of Geng metal; Geng metal goes on to generate water, but is restrained by Gou Chen, so the person naturally cannot pass the examination, but instead should succeed through his son. The number of亥 is four, and the number of申 is seven; four multiplied by seven gives twenty-eight, which is the rank.亥 also represents the water channel, and Gou Chen is a god of obstruction, placed on the day stem, so the person suffers from dysentery. Geng metal takes寅 wood as wife, but寅 is placed on a weakened position and is in the month of October, with White Tiger added, so it indicates the loss of wife. The wealth trigram寅 is placed on亥, although it is weakening, it forms a Liu He with亥 and is in the long life position; one must know this is actually 'double release', so Master Zhao dared to make such a definite statement. However, it would not have been possible to make such a conclusion without White Tiger being present.

愛圅竊以為干支乘喪門弔客，行年上又見弔客，主孝服。寅財乘虎，而加喪門之上，且行年上未又為寅財之墓，財乃妻，故此喪妻斷也。夜貴在宅乘未閉口，又是本命，故將來雖得官，不久即死。未雖夜貴加宅，然其子既中，則兆於先矣。而邵公後云何君自中，何也？蓋未繫何公本命，故云耳。不可不知。

The compiler Cheng Aitu privately thinks: The day stem and day branch are afflicted by the two malevolent stars, the Mourning-and-Condolence spirit and the Mourning Guest, and the year pillar also shows the Mourning Guest, so this indicates the presence of mourning clothes. The wealth hexagram, which is寅, is riding on the White Tiger and is added upon the Mourning-and-Condolence spirit. Moreover, the year pillar's position of Wei is exactly the burial place of the wealth hexagram. Wealth represents the wife, so from this we can conclude the loss of a wife. The night nobleman is located at the house position and is riding on Wei, forming a closed mouth image. Wei is also his own birth hexagram, so although he may attain an official position, he will soon die. Although Wei is the night nobleman resting on the house position, since his son has passed the examination, the omen will first manifest in the son. Then why does Shao Gong later say that He Jun himself will be successful? Because Wei is exactly He Jun's birth hexagram, so there is this statement. This point should not be overlooked.

子孫生長生地，脫日，奪庚日之神，是子孫得第之兆也。寅在亥地，寅為書籍，寅生巳火，巳生申。十月建亥，寅十死神。妻財發用，無成。日德被三刑沖剋。

There is another note stating that the son and grandson爻 is born in the long life position, it drains the day stem, takes away the qi of the庚 day, which is exactly the sign that the son and grandson will pass the examination. The寅 falls in the position of亥, where寅 represents books, and寅 generates巳 fire, which in turn revives申 metal. The month builder in October is亥, and寅 is the death deity of October. Using the wife and wealth爻 to seek fame and status inherently makes success difficult; and moreover, the virtue of the day stem is further harmed by the three punishments and clashes.

46）應秀才占前程，亦得此課。愛圅曰：應秀才雖同得此課，而月將必不同，故所斷亦異。古本己酉正月並無應秀才課也。 朱六 蛇申酉戌亥陳 貴未 子龍 六 貴 虎 陳 財 戊寅 虎 初 后午 丑空 戌 未 寅 亥 鬼 辛巳 陰 中 陰巳辰卯寅虎 未 辰 亥 庚 兄 空申 陳 末（空亡） 玄常

Example 46: The divination lesson received by a scholar seeking to predict his future is the same as before. (Editor's note: Cheng Aitu says that although the scholar receives the same lesson, the month general must be different from the previous example, so the interpretation differs; the ancient text does not include this lesson for the year Jiyou in the first lunar month.) The lesson remains: the Nobleman is on Wei, Teng Snake on Shen, Vermilion Bird on You, Liu He on Xu, Gou Chen on Hai, Azure Dragon on Zi, Tian Kong on Chou, White Tiger on Yin, Tai Chang on Mao, Black Tortoise on Chen, Tai Yin on Si, and Heavenly Empress on Wu. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is Day Stem Geng, located in the Shen palace, with Hai above it, riding Gou Chen; the second lesson is Hai with Yin above it, riding White Tiger; the third lesson is Day Branch Chen with Wei above it, riding Nobleman; the fourth lesson is Wei with Xu above it, riding Liu He. The three transmissions are Yin, Si, and Shen: the first transmission, Wuyin, is the wife's wealth爻, riding White Tiger; the middle transmission, Xinsi, is the official ghost爻, riding Tai Yin; the final transmission, Shen, falls into the旬空, representing the brother爻, riding Gou Chen.

邵先生曰：此課先失後得，先虛後實，耗廢盡了，卻得妻財起來助起家。因水利中得財，不可不知。若求問功名，不可得也。雖是敗盡再發，兄弟並星散，所可喜者，妻與子成家，末年享福有壽，就店房居住，宅舍無氣也。

Master Zhao said: This lesson indicates a situation of first losing and then gaining, first emptiness and then reality: the family's fortune is first exhausted, then rebuilt through the wife's financial resources. Wealth is obtained from business related to water, something that must be known. If this is used to inquire about official rank, it will not be attained. Although after complete loss one may regain prosperity, brothers will scatter and become estranged. Fortunately, the wife and son can establish their own households, enjoy a comfortable old age and have a long life; however, they must live in a shop house, and the ancestral home lacks life qi.

先生析曰；蓋日上見亥，金生水而脫氣，自然受脫不能發也。又在脫上發用，脫上逢脫，必詩書荒廢，家道空虛，初見妻宮，引歸中傳長生，中又引歸末傳，卻見本身，是破敗後方得妻子起家，因之有福。應果得妻家做酒生理，子皆好，遂享福而終。蓋日上初傳俱脫，卻得妻爻引歸生路；寅上巳乃庚長生也。末傳申加巳，是得生路在末傳。故主晚年亨福也。末申乃是祿神，故晚年享福。

Master Zhao explained that the day stem is seen with Hai, and Geng metal generates Hai water, which is a leakage of energy, so naturally it is drained and cannot be revitalized; the initiating transmission also falls on the leaking position, "leaving the leaking again," which certainly leads to neglect of studies and family decline. The first transmission appears in the wife and wealth palace, leading to the middle transmission's growth position, and the middle transmission leads to the final transmission, which returns to itself. This indicates that after a decline, it was revived through the wife, thus gaining blessings. Indeed, the candidate later relied on his wife's family's wine business, and all his sons were good, so he enjoyed a happy old age. This is because both the day stem and the first transmission are leaking positions, but fortunately the wife's trigram guides the energy back to the path of growth - the Si on寅 is the growth of Geng metal. The final transmission's Shen is placed on Si, which means the path of growth is in the final transmission, so it indicates a prosperous old age; moreover, the final transmission's Shen is also the official position of Geng metal, so it leads to a prosperous old age.

愛圅析曰：巳為店業，祿加之，故因做酒生理而起家，但應秀才不知是何年命。查閱各書皆不載，蓋在當時已逸之也。大凡占前程，祿重於財，邵公諸案皆然，可考而知。

The compiler Cheng Aitu explained that Si represents a shop or business, and the禄神 is also present above it, indicating that one became prosperous through running a wine shop. However, it is unclear exactly which year the person born in the year of Xiucai was, as I have checked various records but found no mention of it; it is likely that the records were already lost at that time. Generally, when divining about one's future, the禄神 is more important than the财爻, as shown in all of Zhao Gong's cases, which can be compared and studied to understand this point.

47）徐將仕辛卯生十八歲占前程，戊申年六月戊辰日未將巳時。（戌亥空亡，子丑落空），重審，間傳，失女，渉三淵，徐將仕生於辛卯年三月三十日巳時。 虎常 空未申酉戌玄 龍午 亥陰 虎 龍 常 空 子 壬申 虎 初 陳巳 子后 申 午 酉 未 兄 空戌 玄 中（空亡） 六辰卯寅丑貴 午 辰 未 戊 財 甲子 后 末（落空）（暗鬼） 朱蛇

Example 47: Xu Jiangshi was born in the year Xin Mao. At the age of eighteen, he sought divination about his future. The time was in the year Wu Shen, sixth month, Wu Chen day. The divination was cast using the month general of Wei and placed on the time of Si. (Xu Jiangshi was born on the day of Si in the third month of the year Xin Mao.) Wu Chen day belongs to the Jia Zi decade, with the empty position falling on Xu and Hai. The branches Zi and Chou on the Heaven Plate are located in the empty position. The names of the lesson are four: "Chong Shen" (re-examination), "Jian Chuan" (intermediate transmission), "Shi Nu" (loss of daughter), and "She San Yuan" (crossing three deep abysses), indicating a journey full of hardship. The Heaven Plate was set with the general of Wei added to the time of Si. The nobleman is on Chou, with Teng Snake on Yin, Vermilion Bird on Mao, Liu He on Chen, Gou Chen on Si, Azure Dragon on Wu, Tian Kong on Wei, Bai Hu on Shen, Tai Chang on You, Xuan Wu on Xu, Tai Yin on Hai, and Tian Hou on Zi. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Wu, located in the Si palace, with Wei above it, riding Tian Kong; the second lesson is Wei with You above it, riding Tai Chang; the third lesson is the day branch Chen with Wu above it, riding Azure Dragon; the fourth lesson is Wu with Shen above it, riding Bai Hu. The three transmissions are Shen, Xu, and Zi: the first transmission is Ren Shen, representing the son's yao, riding Bai Hu; the second transmission is Xu, which falls in the empty position, representing the brother's yao, riding Xuan Wu; the third transmission is Jia Zi, representing the wife's wealth yao, riding Tian Hou, which falls in the empty position and also carries an ominous aura.

邵先生曰：涉三淵數主勞，跋涉奔波，勞力無成，干支上午與未合，出身甚妙，歷事三授，兩丁上服，申為子孫，居午火上，難為子息，日後以弟為子，妻又因產而亡，所授之差，一任遠，一任勞，終死於外州矣。四十五六行年到子丑，為過三淵之外，然雖過得此年，亦不濟事也。

Master Zhao said: "This divination lesson 'Involving Three Deep Pits' indicates a life of toil and hardship, with constant travel and effort but no success. The day stem and day branch combine with Wu and Wei, indicating a good birth and prospects for three official appointments and two periods of mourning for parents. The trigram Shen, representing children, sits on top of Wu fire, indicating difficulties in having children, and the younger brother will be adopted as a son in the future. The wife will also die from childbirth. The official positions assigned will include one in a distant place and one in a laborious post, ultimately resulting in death in another province. By the age of forty-five or forty-six, when the year stem reaches Zi and Chou, one will have crossed beyond the three deep pits; however, even surviving that year will not bring any real benefit."

先生析曰；蓋涉三淵，一傳遠一傳，又入空亡上去，況初傳子息居陽刃鬼上，故難得子，中傳同類為兄弟，加子息上，當以弟為子，末妻爻坐空，天后穢神，加之不吉，故因產而亡。戊辰干支皆東南神，辛卯命又是東方，三傳反流入西方，那更涉三淵，順行陷於西北，故死於外州。傳既不回，故子亦不歸也。

Master Zhao explained that "invading three depths" refers to the three transmissions progressing step by step further away, eventually leading into Kongwang. Moreover, the initial transmission's son's yao is seated on top of a yang刃 and ghostly energy, making it difficult to have a son. The middle transmission is of the same type, representing brothers, and is placed on the son's position, so one must take the younger brother as a son. The final transmission's wife's wealth yao is seated in an empty position, and it is occupied by the Heavenly Empress, a foul deity, with an unfavorable influence, so the wife dies from childbirth. The dry branch Wuchen belongs to the Southeast deity, and the birth year of Xinmao is also in the East, yet the three transmissions flow all the way to the West. Adding "invading three depths," which leads to being trapped in the Northwest, the death occurs in a foreign region. Since the three transmissions do not return, the adopted son later does not return home.

徐二十五上銓試中，當年授嶽州尉，二十七丁父憂，二十九授渾州尉，三十丁母憂，三十三授 州司戶，當年冬赴任，三十四妻因產亡，有四女，遂以小弟為子，任滿再授廣西提學干官，又授廣州東莞縣，年四十五遂亡於彼，繼子遂家於彼而不歸。

Later events came true: Xu Jiangshi passed the examination at age twenty-five and was appointed county magistrate of Yuezhou that same year; at twenty-seven his father died and he observed the mourning period; at twenty-nine he was appointed county magistrate of Hunzhou; at thirty his mother died and he observed another mourning period; at thirty-three he was appointed a judicial officer in a certain state, and he went to take office that winter; at thirty-four his wife died from childbirth complications, leaving only four daughters, so he adopted his younger brother as his son. After completing his term, he was appointed as an official in the Guangxi Provincial Academy and then as an official in Guangdong's Dongguan County. He died there at the age of forty-five. His adopted son settled down in that place and did not return.

戊胎在子為月破，生死神坐空亡，又喪車戌哭神故因產死。

Another annotation says: The nurturing position of Wu earth is in Zi, and Zi coincides with the month breaker; the two deities governing childbirth and death are seated on Kongwang; furthermore, Xu is both the chariot of mourning and the deity of weeping, so the wife dies from childbirth.

48）徐教授戊子生二十一歲占前程戊申年甲寅月丙寅日亥將申時。（戌亥空亡，丑寅落空），重審，進退，不備。 朱蛇 六申酉戌亥貴 陳未 子后 六 空 貴 六 財 壬申 六 初（暗鬼） 龍午 丑陰 申 巳 亥 申 鬼 空亥 貴 中（空亡） 空巳辰卯寅玄 巳 寅 申 丙 父 丙寅 玄 末（落空） 虎常

Example 48: Xu Professor was born in the year of Wu Zi. At the age of twenty-one, he sought divination about his future. The time was in the year of Wu Shen, month of Jia Yin, day of Bing Yin. The divination was cast with the month general亥 added to the hour of Shen. The day Bing Yin belongs to the Jia Zi cycle, with the empty positions falling on Xu and Hai. The branches of the Heaven Plate, Chou and Yin, fall in the empty positions. The lesson has three names: "Re-examination", "Advance and Retreat" (a sign of being stuck between two choices), and "Incomplete". The Heaven Plate was set with the general亥 added to the hour of Shen. The nobleman rode on亥, below it was Teng Snake on Xu, Vermilion Bird on You, Liu He on Shen, Gou Chen on Wei, Qing Long on Wu, Tian Kong on Si, Bai Hu on Chen, Tai Chang on Mao, Tai Yin on Chou, Tian Hou on Zi. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson, the day stem Bing is in the Si palace, above it is Shen, riding Liu He; the second lesson, Shen has Hai above it, riding the nobleman; the third lesson, the day branch Yin has Si above it, riding Tian Kong; the fourth lesson, Si has Shen above it, riding Liu He. The three transmissions are Shen, Hai, Yin: the first transmission, Ren Shen, is the wife's wealth, riding Liu He, secretly accompanied by a ghost; the second transmission, Hai falls in the empty position, is the official's ghost, riding the nobleman; the third transmission, Bing Yin, is the parents' wealth, riding Yan Wu, also falling in the empty position.

邵先生曰：申本時臨日，為日所克，又丙為夫，申為妻，初傳又臨其上，空亡又臨妻宮，目下主克妻，亥四主克四妻，仲冬子息亦克，以六合不得地也。申為西北之金，到巳之爐冶上，必有聲名於西北也。申乘今日之馬，四維皆是，年高歷任，至老不倦也。宅上丙火受寅而生，不可以外內言也。

Master Zhao said: Shen is originally the god of time, but it is located on the day stem and is overcome by it; Bing fire represents the husband, Shen metal represents the wife, and the first transmission is also pressing upon it. Kongwang also falls on the wife's position, so there is currently an indication of overcoming the wife. The number of Hai is four, indicating that four wives will be overcome in succession. During the middle of winter, even children will be affected, because Liu He is not in a favorable position. Shen is metal of the northwest, falling onto Si, which is the furnace, and thus it is necessarily where it will achieve fame in the northwest. Shen is also riding the post-horse of today, and all four directions are horse lands, indicating that although the age is advanced, he will still hold office continuously and not tire even in old age. The Bing fire in the dwelling position is generated by Yin wood, so it cannot be distinguished by internal or external relations.

將四旬必遇曹姓人而顯身，又坐本命之馬而長生，所以至老不倦也。終於六曹，中傳亥乃月將，不論空亡，但時少遲。月將貴乘臨時上，又臨身作傳，四年之後，便顯自絳帳，從此達於天庭。

By the time he is nearly forty, he will certainly meet a man surnamed Cao who recommends him and brings him to prominence; also, because he is seated upon the Post-horse (Post-horse) of his birth destiny and attains long life, he remains active until old age, eventually concluding his career in the six departments (of the Ministry of Works). The middle transmission (中传)亥 is precisely the month general (月将) of that month. All month generals, regardless of Kongwang (Kongwang), merely arrive a bit later. The month general carries the quality of nobility (贵气) and is situated upon the time of divination, also entering the three transmissions (三传) and occupying his own position. Therefore, four years later, he will rise to prominence from the position of teaching (绛帐, a term for a teacher's seat), thus advancing all the way to the imperial court.

又寅來生身，十一月天馬天寅臨天門，玄歸本家，為黑煞，中傳既有天門，末又在天門上以見天，天必出疆見諸侯，然後入奉天子，處六曹中帶刑職者，黑殺之故也。四維主代天子而守四方，必四任也。

Furthermore, the wood of寅 comes to birth the day stem itself: In the eleventh month, the Heavenly Horse and the Heavenly寅 are both located at the Heaven Gate position of亥. The Black Tortoise returns to its native position and transforms into a Black Evil. Since the Middle Transmission has already occupied the Heaven Gate, the Final Transmission also falls upon the Heaven Gate and thus can see the heavens. Therefore, he must first go on a mission abroad to meet the princes, and then return to serve the emperor in court. In the future, he will hold a position that includes criminal justice, which is precisely due to the Black Evil. The four cardinal directions are responsible for guarding the four directions on behalf of the emperor, so he must certainly hold posts in various distant places.

徐君當年服滿從吉，得江州德化縣令，次任二月，次任五月，喪妻楊氏，庚戌再娶李氏，辛亥年宣撫使劉大中保舉，得諸王府教授，李氏又亡，又娶毛氏，此應中傳之亥，自絳帳而入絳帳，從此達於內庭，果然四年自諸王教授，出作饒州通判，丁母憂，再得宣州通判，是時曹泳知州，乃奉大涉上客，曹赴京因薦之，徐隨赴，趙氏死，再娶江氏，轉知江陰州軍，召為監察御史，七月除吏部侍郎，出作奉使兼樞密院承旨，八十六，至老不倦。

Later, the predictions came true: Xu Jun was appointed as the magistrate of Jiangzhou Dehua County after completing his mourning period. His next appointment was in February, and the following one in May. In between, his wife Yang died. In the Gengxu year, he married Li again; in the Xinhai year, he was recommended by Xuanfu Shi Liu Dazhong and became a professor in the various王府s. Li died again, and he married Mao. This exactly matched the Middle Transmission's亥, moving from teaching (绛帐) to teaching in the王府s, thus leading towards the inner court. Indeed, four years later, he was assigned as the Tongpan of Raozhou; after his mother's death, he was appointed as the Tongpan of Xuanzhou. At that time, Cao Yong was the governor, and he was a prominent guest at his court. When Cao Yong went to the capital, he recommended Xu Jun, and Xu Jun then went to the capital. Later, the Zhao family died, and he married Jiang. He was transferred to serve as the military governor of Jiangyin, and was summoned to serve as the Inspector General. In July, he was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Personnel, and then sent out as an envoy兼任the Chief of the Secretariat. He lived until he was eighty-six, still tireless until old age.

先生析曰；申為妻，上乘六合，是妻入棺。正時申故，斷目下克妻。十月死氣在卯，加命，六合加申，卯木絕申，故言克子。申為日馬，傳送故有聲名，言西北者自申傳亥也。亥臨申生本命之馬，六合為友得貴，因薦本身得官。貴上寅是功曹，乘玄武為武人本家，為黑煞，故主六曹中刑部，亦是曹姓舉薦。寅臨天門，寅玄加亥也。申是西北金方，巳火到彼煅申成器。又巳為爐，雖作天空，然巳在寅受生，不為空爐矣。

Shao Master explained that Shen represents the wife, and Shen is covered by Liu He, which signifies a coffin, indicating the wife entering the coffin; since the time of divination is Shen hour, it is predicted that the wife will be harmed soon. In the tenth month, the death qi is in Mao, and Mao is added to the personal destiny, while Liu He is added to Shen. Since the wood in Mao is in the position of Shen, it is in the state of extinction, thus indicating harm to the children. Shen is the post-horse of the day stem, also known as the messenger god, so there will be fame; the reason fame is in the northwest is because the messenger travels from Shen to Hai. Hai is present in Shen, which gives rise to the post-horse of the personal destiny; Liu He represents friends, and friends meeting a nobleman indicates being recommended by others for officialdom. The寅 above the nobleman is the Gongcao god, and when it is covered by the Black Tortoise, it signifies the family of a warrior, which is the Black煞, so it is predicted that he will be in the Six Offices and handle criminal affairs, and it will still be someone surnamed Cao who recommends him. The寅 is at the heavenly gate, meaning the寅 carries the Black Tortoise and is added to Hai. Shen belongs to the northwest metal direction, and the fire of Si reaches there to refine the metal of Shen into a useful object; Si is also a furnace, although it is covered by Tian Kong, but since Si is born at the position of寅, it is not an empty furnace.

49）楊秀才辛未生三十九歲占前程，己酉年二月庚戌日亥將辰時。（寅卯空亡，酉戌落空），比用，蕪淫。 貴后 蛇子丑寅卯陰 朱亥 辰玄 蛇 常 六 陰 父 庚戌 六 初（落空） 六戌 巳常 子 巳 戌 卯 鬼 乙巳 常 中 陳酉申未午虎 巳 戌 卯 庚 子 壬子 蛇 末 龍空

Forty-Ninth Example: Yang Xiaocai was born in the year Xinwei, and is thirty-nine years old. He consulted about his future prospects. The time was in the year Jiyou, second month, day Gengxu. The divination was cast using the month of Hai as the month general, placed on the Chen hour. The day Gengxu belongs to the Jiachen decade, with the empty positions falling on Yin and Mao. The Heaven Plate's branches You and Xu are located in the empty positions. The name of the divination is two: "Biyong" and "Wuyin" (wasteland and excess, indicating scattered affairs without control). The Heaven Plate is set with Hai as the month general added to the Chen hour. The nobleman is on Chou, with Teng Snake on Zi, Vermilion Bird on Hai, Liu He on Xu, Gou Chen on You, Azure Dragon on Shen, Tian Kong on Wei, Bai Hu on Wu, Tai Chang on Si, Xuan Wu on Chen, Tai Yin on Mao, and Tian Hou on Yin. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Geng, located in Shen, with Mao above it, riding Tai Yin; the second lesson is Mao with Xu above it, riding Liu He; the third lesson is the day branch Xu with Si above it, riding Tai Chang; the fourth lesson is Si with Zi above it, riding Teng Snake. The three transmissions are Xu, Si, and Zi: the first transmission Gengxu is the parent's yao, riding Liu He and falling into the empty position; the middle transmission Yisi is the official ghost yao, riding Tai Chang; the final transmission Renzi is the son's yao, riding Teng Snake.

邵先生曰：到老奔波，只是士人書會而已。庚上見卯空，已是朽木，不堪琢雕。徒有斫輪虛名，戌為模範，亦落空地，雖是巳之爐火，卻無模範鑄，末傳盜氣，主子孫不讀書，宜改業臨於店業之上，四年後得店屋為宅，家計雖不寬，亦不飢寒，子孫以水磨水碓為生計頗好。蓋斫輪不成，正可作水碓之論，磨舂之範而已。雖不富貴，卻有壽。金長生在巳，巳四，二巳得八，巳上見子得九，八九七十二也。

Master Zhao said: This person will be constantly奔波 throughout his life, in the end merely becoming a scholar who is good at reading but not achieving much. On top of the Geng metal, there is a卯, but the卯 is also in an empty position, which means it is already rotten wood, incapable of being carved; he has only the empty reputation of "carving a wheel." The戌 is originally the mold for casting objects, but it also falls into an empty position; although there is the巳 fire, there is no mold to cast. The final transmission is leaking my energy, indicating that the descendants will not be willing to study, and they should change their profession. The third transmission is on top of shops and properties, so four years later he will get a shop as a residence. Although the family's resources are not abundant, they will not suffer from hunger or cold; the descendants will make a living through water-powered grinding and water-powered pounding, which is not bad. Since he cannot become a "carver of wheels," it is just right that he falls into the water-powered pounding; it is merely a model for pounding rice and grinding flour. Although he is not wealthy, he will live a long life: the metal's growth is in巳, and the number of巳 is four, two巳 make eight; on巳 there is a子, which gives nine, and eight multiplied by nine is seventy-two.

楊讀書淹博，累試不中，後徐侍郎知州，令權教授，人稱楊教授，果是虛名。四十二分得店屋居住，其子作水碓生理，果如先生之言。

Later events proved true: Yang Caishi, though well-read and knowledgeable, failed to pass the imperial examinations repeatedly. Later, when Xu Shilang served as the prefect, he appointed Yang to act as a professor, and people began to call him Yang Professor. Indeed, it was just an empty title. At the age of forty-two, he was given a shop to live in, and his son started a business making rice flour using a water-powered mill, which fully confirmed the words of Shao Master.

50）應秀才本命酉占前程己卯日午將丑時。（申酉空亡，丑寅落空），知一，鑄印，乘軒 。 六陳 朱戌亥子丑龍 蛇酉 寅空 龍 貴 玄 陳 父 辛巳 玄 初 貴申 卯虎 丑 申 巳 子 兄 甲戌 朱 中（暗鬼） 后未午巳辰常 申 卯 子 己 鬼 己卯 虎 末 陰玄

Example 50: The person is a scholar whose birth sign is You. He is divining about his future. The day is Ji Mao, using the month of Wu as the general, and the course is set at the Chou hour. Ji Mao day belongs to the Jia Xu decade, with the empty positions falling on Shen and You. The branches of the Heaven Plate, Chou and Yin, are in the empty position. The course has three names: "Know One," "Cast Seal," and "Ride a Chariot." The Heaven Plate is set with Wu as the general added to the Chou hour. The nobleman is on Shen, below it is Teng Snake on You, Vermilion Bird on Xu, Liu He on Hai, Gou Chen on Zi, Azure Dragon on Chou, Tian Kong on Yin, Bai Hu on Mao, Tai Chang on Chen, Tai Yin on Si, Tian Hou on Wu. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is on Ji on the day stem, with Zi, riding Gou Chen; the second lesson is on Zi with Si, riding Xuan Wu; the third lesson is on the day branch Mao with Shen, riding Nobleman; the fourth lesson is on Shen with Chou, riding Azure Dragon. The three transmissions are Si, Xu, and Mao: the first transmission is Xin Si, representing the parent's yao, riding Xuan Wu; the middle transmission is Jia Xu, representing the brother's yao, riding Vermilion Bird, and also being an invisible ghost; the final transmission is Ji Mao, representing the official's yao, riding Bai Hu.

邵先生曰：課主吾兄心術多，且又毒，以鼠忌羊頭上，雞驚犬吠喉。凡行皆是妒忌之心，好聞是非，好談人短，所以滅前程也。大凡七殺元辰，若占前程，多妒忌，常占多主事體切害。初破乘武，又是驛馬，面東指西，走南奔北，多圖多覓之人。

Master Zhao said: This lesson shows that you, my elder brother, have too many thoughts and are very jealous. It is like a mouse fearing a sheep's head on top of it, or a chicken startled by a dog barking at its throat—everywhere there are signs of suspicion and mutual harm. Your every action comes from jealousy, you love to listen to gossip and speak ill of others, thus destroying your own future. Generally, if a lesson contains Seven Killers or Yuan Chen, it often indicates a person is jealous. In ordinary divination, it also often indicates that the matter will suffer directly. The first transmission meets a breaking aspect and is occupied by the Black Tortoise, which is also the Post-horse. Therefore, this person faces east but points west, goes south then north, being someone who plots in many directions and schemes everywhere.

身宅皆有貴人，而子作勾陳，申作空亡，謂之指空話空，己以巳為父母，加妻宮，為妻所制，又乘馬與破碎，是不在侍傍，蹤跡不定，一不足也。子息倚身，為身所克，子息難得，二不足也。申犯空亡，作夜貴加宅，是神像不安，三不足也。妻臨身宮，上下夾克，若非不和，便多疾病，四不足也。鑄印乘軒之課，巳作玄武加子，上火下水，玄武為賊，謂之走範。卯作白虎加戌，謂之破模。虎傷卯，又為墜軒，故主功名不成。且防覆墜之患也。

The person's body position and dwelling position both have noblemen, but the child is riding over Gou Chen and the monkey is falling into Kongwang, which is called "pointing to emptiness and speaking of emptiness" — everything mentioned and pointed to fails to reach a real situation. The earth element is governed by the fire element of Si, but the fire is placed in the wife's position and is controlled by the wife, also riding over the post-horse and broken pieces, so the parents are not nearby to care for the person and their whereabouts are uncertain, which is the first deficiency. The child's spirit is based on the person's own position but is controlled by it, so children are difficult to have, which is the second deficiency. The monkey is falling into Kongwang and is also the night nobleman resting on the dwelling position, indicating that the family's worshiped gods are placed improperly, which is the third deficiency. The wife's element is on the person's body position, being pressed from above and below, indicating either marital discord or the wife being often ill, which is the fourth deficiency. Now looking at this "casting the seal and riding the carriage" divination: Si riding over Xuan Wu and placed on Zi, with fire above and water below, Xuan Wu being a thief, this is called "the model has gone wrong" (the model has lost its shape);卯 riding over Bai Hu and placed on Xu, this is called "the model is broken" (the mold is broken). Bai Hu harms卯, also called "falling from the carriage" (falling off the carriage). Therefore, it indicates that official rank is not achieved and one should be cautious of accidents involving falling from a vehicle.

後至壬戌二月因爭役乘轎入城，墜而折足，血氣上攻而死。蓋卯為車轎驢騾，己土死於卯，支神最緊，若非己卯日，不可言死。

Later in the year Renxu, in the second lunar month, he took a palanquin into the city to dispute over the position of a public servant, but he fell off the palanquin, broke his leg, and died from the shock of blood rushing to the head. This is because the卯 represents carriages, palanquins, donkeys, and oxen, and the己 earth is dying in the卯. The day branch's deity is most significant; without the day branch being Jimao, the word 'death' could not have been used.

51）葉助教四十五歲占前程，戊寅日申將未時。（申酉空亡，酉戌落空），重審，進茹。 空虎 龍午未申酉常 陳巳 戌玄 六 朱 空 龍 兄 庚辰 六 初 六辰 亥陰 辰 卯 未 午 父 辛巳 陳 中 朱卯寅丑子后 卯 寅 午 戊 父 壬午 龍 末 蛇貴

Example 51: Ye Zujiao, aged 45, came to consult about his future. The day branch is Wuyin, and the lesson is cast with the month general of Shen added to the hour of Wei. The day Wuyin belongs to the Jiaxu decade, with the empty branch falling on Shen and You. The branches of the Heaven Plate, You and Xu, are in the empty position. The lesson has two names: "Chong Shen" and "Jin Ru". The Heaven Plate is set with the general of Shen added to the hour of Wei. The nobleman is on Chou, with Teng Snake on Yin, Vermilion Bird on Mao, Liu He on Chen, Gou Chen on Si, Azure Dragon on Wu, Tian Kong on Wei, Bai Hu on Shen, Tai Chang on You, Xuan Wu on Xu, Tai Yin on Hai, and Tian Hou on Zi. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Wu, located in the Si palace, with Wu on top, riding on Azure Dragon; the second lesson is Wu with Wei on top, riding on Tian Kong; the third lesson is the day branch Yin with Mao on top, riding on Vermilion Bird; the fourth lesson is Mao with Chen on top, riding on Liu He. The three transmissions are Chen, Si, and Wu: the first transmission is Gengchen, representing the brother's yao, riding on Liu He; the second transmission is Xinsi, representing the parents' yao, riding on Gou Chen; the third transmission is Renwu, representing the parents' yao, riding on Azure Dragon.

邵先生曰：干支皆天羅羊刃，四課發傳歸於日上，主目下赴任，但值羅刃，來年寅行到地盤亥上見子，即湊今日之地網。來年必阻父喪。四十九歲到寅上見卯，即是今日支神，卯六數，初辰五數，中巳四數，共十五年。合作監司之職，十六七年必降官閒住；再八年，連前十五年共二十三年而壽阻。

Master Zhao said: If both the day stem and day branch carry Tian Luo and Yang Ren, and the three transmissions from the four lessons return to the day stem, it indicates that one will be able to take office soon. However, encountering Tian Luo and Yang Ren, next year when the寅 moves to the亥 position on the earth plate and meets the子, it will exactly form today's earth net, so next year one will certainly be hindered by the father's death. At forty-nine years old, when the year stem moves to the寅 position and meets the卯, the卯 is exactly the day branch today: the number of卯 is six, the number of the first transmission 辰 is five, the number of the middle transmission 巳 is four, totaling fifteen years. At that time, one should hold the position of supervisor; after sixteen or seventeen years, one will certainly be demoted and live in retirement; after another eight years, adding up to twenty-three years in total with the previous fifteen, one's lifespan will come to an end.

先生析曰；戊日以午為父又乘青龍；年上子沖午羊刃克父。卯乃戊之官，卯上見 辰，辰為監司，在初傳故有是官。三年由巳到到午，墓絕之地，又午破卯。

Master Zhao explained that the day stem Wu Earth takes the noon fire as its parent爻, and the noon is also occupied by the Azure Dragon; the year stem Zi comes to冲 the noon, which is the Yangren, thus injuring the father. The卯 is the official star of Wu Earth, and there is a辰 on the卯, which represents the position of a supervisor; since it is in the first transmission, there is an opportunity to hold such a position. Within three years, moving from巳 to午, which is a place of墓 and绝, and moreover the午 breaks the卯 (official star), so there will be a demotion in rank.

52）伊秀才戊辰生四十一歲占科試，戊申年癸亥日未將巳時。（子丑空亡，寅卯落空），渉害，不備，間傳，勵德，出戶。 六陳 朱未申酉戌龍 蛇午 亥空 陰 常 貴 陰 鬼 空丑 常 初（空亡） 貴巳 子虎 卯 丑 巳 卯 子 乙卯 陰 中（落空） 后辰卯寅丑常 丑 亥 卯 癸 財 丁巳 貴 末（丁神） 陰玄

Example 52: A scholar named Yi was born in the year of Wuchen and is forty-one years old. He consulted the divination for the imperial examination. The time was in the year of Wushen on the day of Guihai. The month was Wu, and the lesson was set with the general of Wu added to the time of巳. The day Guihai belongs to the Jiayin decade, with the empty positions falling on Zi and Chou. The branches of Yin and Mao on the Heaven Plate are in the empty positions. The lesson has five names: "Involvement of Harm", "Incomplete", "Intermediate Transmission", "Cultivating Virtue", and "Leaving the Door" (leaving the house, indicating movement from within to outside, from difficulty to ease). The Heaven Plate was set with the general of Wu added to the time of巳. The Nobleman is on巳, with Teng Snake on午, Vermilion Bird on未, Liu He on申, Gou Chen on酉, Azure Dragon on戌, Tian Kong on亥, Bai Hu on子, Tai Chang on丑, Xuan Wu on寅, Tai Yin on卯, and Tian Hou on辰. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Gui, which is in the Chou palace, with Mao on top, riding Tai Yin; the second lesson is Mao with Si on top, riding the Nobleman; the third lesson is the day branch Hai, which is in the Chou palace, with Chou on top, riding Tai Chang; the fourth lesson is Chou with Mao on top, riding Tai Yin. The three transmissions are Chou, Mao, and Si: the first transmission is Chou, which is in the empty position, representing the official ghost, riding Tai Chang; the second transmission is Yi Mao, representing the son's branch, riding Tai Yin and falling into the empty position; the third transmission is Ding Si, representing the wife's wealth, riding the Nobleman, and also being the "Ding God".

邵先生曰：課名出戶，占試則吉。太陰乘卯作幕貴，加日干，又日貴在末傳，先晦後明，準擬登科也。明年五甲無疑矣。

Shao Master said: This lesson is called "Going Out," and it is auspicious for an examination. Tai Yin is riding on Mao and acting as a hidden nobleman, added upon the day stem; the nobleman of the day also falls on the final transmission. This is an image of first being hidden and then becoming clear, which can be concluded to mean success. Passing the examination with fifth grade is certain next year.

先生析曰；蓋癸亥乃六甲極日，日去就支，主終身如斯而已。喜得舊蒙晦窒，斯道發輝而出。幕貴傳出又出而向日貴，日貴在夜貴之上，故先晦後明。且行年午上乘申，為干支長生，繫文星學堂，合起日貴，寅上辰為本年，晝夜貴人拱之，故必及第也。

Master Zhao explained that Guihai is the end of the cycle of the Six Jia. The day stem relates to the day branch, and thus the person's destiny is set for life. Fortunately, the previous confusion and blockage are now about to shine through. The nobleman from behind is gradually revealed, shifting from night nobleman to day nobleman; and the day nobleman is above the night nobleman, so it starts dark and becomes bright. Moreover, the year's Wu position is occupied by Shen, which is the place of growth in the stem and branch, and is connected to the position of the literary star and school, thus combining with the day nobleman. The Chen on寅 is exactly the current year, with the day and night noblemen surrounding from both front and back, so the person is certain to be successful.

伊乃伊知縣之弟，屢試不中，今先生許其中，渠甚不信，及試果得第，次年中五甲矣。

I Hsiu was the younger brother of I Zhi xian, who had failed in several examinations. Now Mr. Shao promised that he would certainly pass, but I Hsiu did not believe it. When he took the examination, he indeed passed. The next year he also ranked among the top five in the examination.

53）應寺簿甲戌生三十六歲占前程，己酉年七月丁丑日午將辰時。（申酉空亡，戌亥落空），重審，間傳，凝陰，孤寡。 六朱 陳未申酉戌蛇 龍午 亥貴 空 常 貴 朱 財 空酉 朱 初（空亡） 空巳 子后 巳 卯 亥 酉 鬼 乙亥 貴 中（落空） 虎辰卯寅丑陰 卯 丑 酉 丁 子 丁丑 陰 末（丁神） 常玄

Example 53: A person born in the year Jiaxu, aged thirty-six, consulted about his future. The time was Jiyou year, seventh lunar month, Dingchou day. The divination was cast using the month general of Wu added to the time of Chen. Dingchou day belongs to the Jiaxu decade, with the empty position falling on Shen and You. The branches of Wu and Hai on the Heaven Plate are located in the empty position. The names of the lesson are four: "Chong Shen" (re-examination), "Jian Chuan" (intermediate transmission), "Ning Yin" (condensed Yin energy), and "Gu Gu" (both Guchen and Guasu appear). The Heaven Plate was set with the general of Wu added to the time of Chen. The nobleman is on Hai, with Teng Snake on Wu, Vermilion Bird on You, Liu He on Shen, Gou Chen on Wei, Qinglong on Wu, Tian Kong on Si, Baihu on Chen, Tai Chang on Mao, Xuanwu on Yin, Tai Yin on Chou, and Tian Hou on Zi. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ding, located in the Wei palace, with You above it, riding Vermilion Bird; the second lesson is You with Hai above it, riding the nobleman; the third lesson is the day branch Chou with Mao above it, riding Tai Chang; the fourth lesson is Mao with Si above it, riding Tian Kong. The three transmissions are You, Hai, and Chou: the first transmission is You, which falls in the empty position, representing the wife's wealth, riding Vermilion Bird; the middle transmission is Yi Hai, representing the official ghost, riding the nobleman and falling in the empty position; the final transmission is Ding Chou, representing the son's wealth, riding Tai Yin, and is also the "Ding God".

邵先生曰：寺簿中年，水作官星，宜作朝郎，可為難及。奈何滿局皆貴人，是多謀也。身與初中皆空，慕十不得一，是徒費心也。日上發用加亥官星，末傳支又加亥上，是日支投絕，支來迎絕，兼支上得卯木，丁火敗於卯，丑土死於卯，此非酒色事。蓋日上太歲作雀，是欲上書言事，為此何益？徒貶竄耳。然寺簿所虧有二，斷至如此，其一寵妾而賤妻，其二不孝母，故滅前程，且壽不永。若能改過，尚可延年也。

Master Zhao said: The official's career is in its middle stage. Water is the official star for the day stem of Ding Fire, which should have led him to a position in the imperial court, something others could not reach. Unfortunately, all the hexagrams are occupied by noblemen, and having too many noblemen brings no true honor, only showing excessive scheming. His position and the first, middle, and final transmissions all fall into empty positions, so his aspirations are unfulfilled, and his efforts are wasted. The initiating transmission is on the day stem and adds upon the亥 (Hai) which is the official star, and the final transmission on the day branch also adds upon the亥 (Hai). This means the day stem is heading towards its end, and the day branch is also approaching its end. Moreover, the day branch has the卯 (Mao) wood, which weakens the Ding Fire, and the丑 (Chou) earth is dead in the卯 (Mao). This is not a matter of indulgence in wine and women. The day stem is occupied by the year stem with the Vermilion Bird, indicating he wants to submit a memorial criticizing current affairs. But what benefit does this bring? Only a punishment and exile. However, the official has two shortcomings, leading to this situation: one is favoring his concubine and neglecting his wife, and the other is being disrespectful to his mother. Therefore, his career is ruined, and his lifespan is short. If he can change his ways, he may prolong his life.

應嘿嘿而去，果作書十條呈上，內四條言張廂劉四廂等，或死或竄，實無辜。此時秦檜正嫌此說，若非指明，必招竄貶也。

The monk from the temple left silently. Later, he indeed submitted ten memorial petitions, four of which defended Zhang Xiang and Liu Si Xiang and others, stating that they were either killed or exiled and were actually innocent. At that time, Qin Hui was particularly wary of such remarks; fortunately, the petitions did not mention names, otherwise he would certainly have suffered punishment such as exile or demotion.

先生析曰；蓋日上太歲作雀，是欲上書也。日貴作鬼，加歲剋日，是上書必竄也。三傳及日上俱貴人，貴多不貴，慕十不得一也。丁日申為妻，酉為妾，酉加日上，夫又作貴人加之，反克申，申又窗戶發，是寵妾而賤妻也。丁以卯為母，而酉制之，是寵妾而不敬母也。母本宮見巳，會起酉丑，是與母隔而不同居也。丁自敗卯、死酉、絕亥，虧倫傷本，造物不容，何問前程耶？若能克己修德則可，否則禍不旋踵矣。

Shao Master explained that the day stem is occupied by the year stem with the Vermilion Bird, and since the Vermilion Bird governs documents and speech, it indicates the need to submit a petition. The day's nobleman transforms into a ghost, and when it joins the year stem to attack the day stem, submitting a petition will surely result in exile. The three transmissions together with the day stem are all noblemen, but having too many noblemen is not beneficial, so even if ten things are desired, none can be obtained. For a day stem of Ding fire, the wife is in Shen and the concubine in You. Now You is placed on the day stem, and the husband's side has a nobleman joining, which turns to attack Shen. Moreover, Shen is located in the position of the window, indicating favoring the concubine over the wife. Ding fire takes卯 as its mother, but You metal comes to control卯 wood, showing favoring the concubine over the mother. The mother's native palace has巳, which combines with You and Chou to form a trinity, meaning the mother is separated and not living together. Ding fire is weakened by卯, dies by You, and is extinct by Hai, indicating a loss of human relations and damage to the root. Nature cannot tolerate this, so what is there to ask about future prospects? If one can restrain oneself and cultivate virtue, there may still be hope, but otherwise, misfortune will arrive quickly.

酉，丁妾也；辛，丁妻也。妾加日上，寵妾也。辛入亥中，丙日絕。卯，丁母也，酉克之，寵妾制母，使母與妻俱在宅上，而獨與妾居。酉丑，從革課。

There is another annotation which says: You is the concubine of Ding fire, and Xin is the wife of Ding fire. When the concubine is placed above the day stem, it signifies favoring the concubine. Xin metal is found within Hai, which is precisely the place where Bing fire is extinguished. Mao is the mother of Ding fire, and You metal comes to overcome it, meaning favoring the concubine to suppress the mother; as a result, both the mother and the wife remain in the house position, while he alone resides with the concubine. In the divination, You and Chou form a trine, belonging to the category of from-reform lessons.

54）馬知丞一作宋馮丞戊辰生四十二歲，占升遷。己酉年十月丙子日卯將丑時。（申酉空亡，戌亥落空），重審，間傳，勵德，登三天。 蛇貴 朱未申酉戌后 六午 亥陰 龍 虎 貴 朱 子 庚辰 龍 初 陳巳 子玄 辰 寅 酉 未 兄 壬午 六 中（暗鬼） 龍辰卯寅丑常 寅 子 未 丙 財 空申 蛇 末（空亡） 空虎

Example 54: Ma Zhi Cheng (also known as Song Feng Cheng in another version) was born in the year of Wu Chen, is 42 years old, and is consulting the divination for promotion. The time is in the year of Ji You, tenth month, day of Bing Zi. The divination is started with the month of卯 (Mao) as the general and placed on the hour of Chou. The day of Bing Zi belongs to the旬 of Jia Xu, with the empty positions falling on Shen and You. The Heaven Plate has the branches of Xu and Hai falling in the empty positions. The name of the lesson has four parts: "Chong Shen" (Re-examination), "Jian Chuan" (Intermediate Transmission), "Li De" (Cultivating Virtue), and "Deng San Tian" (Reaching the Three Heavens) (the three transmissions ascend step by step, indicating the image of promotion). The Heaven Plate is arranged with the general of Mao added to the hour of Chou. The Nobleman is riding酉 (You), below which Teng Snake rides Shen, Vermilion Bird rides Wei, Liu He rides Wu, Gou Chen rides Si, Azure Dragon rides Chen, Tian Kong rides Mao, Bai Hu rides Yin, Tai Chang rides Chou, Xuan Wu rides Zi, Tai Yin rides Hai, and Tian Hou rides Xu. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ji riding the branch Si, with Wei above it, riding Vermilion Bird; the second lesson is Wei with You above it, riding Nobleman; the third lesson is the day branch Zi with Yin above it, riding Bai Hu; the fourth lesson is Yin with Chen above it, riding Azure Dragon. The three transmissions are Chen, Wu, and Shen: the first transmission is Geng Chen, the son's yao, riding Azure Dragon; the middle transmission is Ren Wu, the brother's yao, riding Liu He, and also an invisible ghost; the final transmission is Shen, falling in the empty position, the wife's wealth yao, riding Teng Snake.

邵先生曰：登三天本主升遷之象，但登不過關。關者，子日也。斷不過關，難以升遷。若跳過則又進銳退速，目下必有阻，堂上孺人定難久遠。白虎入宅，父母乘之，主父母棺內白蟻蝕壞，遂成災咎，不利子孫。

Master Zhao said: "The phrase 'ascending the three heavens' originally indicates a sign of promotion, but unfortunately, the ascent fails to pass the gate. This gate refers to the day branch, which is the Zi branch. Since it is judged that the gate cannot be passed, promotion is difficult; even if one forces the way through, it would mean rapid advancement but quick retreat. There must be current obstacles, and the elderly mother is likely not to live much longer. The White Tiger enters the dwelling position, and the parents' hexagram is riding upon it, indicating that the parents' coffin is damaged by termites, leading to disaster and misfortune, which is unfavorable for the descendants."

先生析曰；蓋辰為命，為丙火子孫，自子升起登三天，卻及身而止午撞巳而止，故曰及身，末傳雖透過身去，又是空亡，所以子孫不利也。

Shao Master explained that Chen is the original destiny and also the son爻 of Bing fire. The three transmissions start from the Zi position and ascend upward through three levels, but they stop at the original destiny itself—when reaching Wu, it collides with Si (the lodging palace of Bing) and cannot proceed further, hence the saying 'stops at the body'. Although the final transmission moves forward one step through the body position, it falls into Kongwang, which is unfavorable for the son爻.

55）趙將仕丁巳生一十二歲占武試，戊申年十二月庚辰日子將子時。（申酉空亡，申酉落空），伏吟，自任，元胎，趙生於丁巳年六月七日亥時。 蛇貴 朱巳午未申后 六辰 酉陰 六 六 后 后 兄 空申 后 初 勾卯 戌玄 辰 辰 申 申 財 戊寅 龍 中 龍寅丑子亥常 辰 辰 申 庚 鬼 辛巳 雀 末 空虎

Example 55: Zhao Jiangshi was born in the year Dingsi, at the age of twelve, and consulted the divination for the military examination. The time was on the day of Gengchen in the twelfth lunar month of the year Wushen. The time of consultation was the first hour (zi), and the month general was also zi, resulting in a 'Hidden Chant' (fu yin). Zhao Jiangshi was born on the seventh day of the sixth lunar month in the year Dingsi at the hour of hai. On the day of Gengchen, the ten-day period was Jiaxu, with the empty palace falling on shen and you. The branches shen and you on the heaven plate also fell exactly on the empty palace. There is also a lesson name 'Self-appointment' and 'Original Fetus'. The heaven plate layout: the nobleman rode wei, under it the teng snake rode wu, the vermilion bird rode si, the six unions rode chen, the gou chen rode ma, the azure dragon rode yin, the heavenly void rode chou, the white tiger rode zi, the tai chang rode xiu, the black tortoise rode xu, the tai yin rode you, and the heavenly empress rode shen. The four lessons, due to the hidden chant, are identical in pairs: the metal element (geng) is lodged in shen, the first lesson shen added geng, the second lesson shen added shen, both riding the heavenly empress; the day branch chen added chen, the fourth lesson chen added chen, both riding the six unions. The three transmissions are shen, yin, and si: the first transmission shen fell on the empty palace, representing the brother's element, riding the heavenly empress; the middle transmission wuyin was the wife's wealth element, riding the azure dragon; the final transmission xinsi was the official ghost element, riding the vermilion bird.

邵先生曰：將仕之祿，乃虛祿也。夫武職兵權，惟要金盛，無金何武？此課無武有文，今任必不赴，改岳廟之職，就彼處宜讀書取科第也。己酉中舉，庚戌登科，二甲二十一名。

Shao Master said: Zhao will not get a real official position. All military posts and military power require strong metal energy; if the metal energy is insufficient, how can one hold a military post? This divination does not show military signs but rather literary signs, so the current official position will certainly not be obtained, and he will be reassigned to an idle post at the mountain temple; there he will be able to study and take the imperial examination. He will pass the examination in the Jiyou year and be admitted in the Gengxu year, ranking second among the top twenty-one in the second class.

先生析曰；蓋庚祿在申，祿空，太常又不入傳，故不可為武。寅上青龍入廟，天后為恩澤神，故宜習文。末巳作朱雀，一為長生，又為官星學堂，故主科甲。日干天地盤皆空，祿空，故武不成。宜岳廟者，宅上見辰，辰為山崗，寅為廟，故宜就岳廟讀書而取功名也。

Master Zhao explained that the庚 metal's禄 is in申, but now it falls into Kongwang, and the Tai Chang, the god ofofficial stipend, does not enter the three transmissions, so one cannot become a military officer. The寅 has the Azure Dragon in its proper position and in its temple, and the Heavenly Empress, which is the god of grace, is also present, so it is suitable for studying literature. The final transmission has巳, which is occupied by the Vermilion Bird. Since巳 is the long life of庚 metal, and also the position of official star and academy, it indicates success in the imperial examination. The day stem meets Kongwang both on the Heaven Plate and the Earth Plate, and even the禄 is empty, so the military path is not feasible. The suggestion to go to the mountain temple is because the dwelling position has 辰, which represents hills, and 寅 represents temples, so one should study in the mountain temple to seek official rank.

趙不信，後果不能赴廣南任，遂授潭州岳廟，因邀數人同讀書，己酉投國子監中舉，庚戌及第。末傳命上巳乘朱雀為文章，又日之長生學堂官星，庚德在申與巳合，應得文官。

Zhaojiangshi did not believe at first. Later on, he indeed failed to be appointed to the post in Guangnan, and was instead given an idle post at the Yue Temple in Tanzhou. He then invited several people to study together, and in the year Jiyou he took the examination for the Imperial Academy and passed, and in the year Gengxu he was officially appointed. This exactly fulfilled the final transmission: the trine of the native's destiny has the snake (si) multiplied by the Vermilion Bird (Zhuque), which signifies literary achievement. The si is also the place of growth, the academy, and the official star for the day stem. The virtue god of Geng metal is in Shen, and Shen combines with si, so he should become an official in the literary field.

56）鄒大官人庚辰生三十歲占比試弓馬取功名，己酉年四月初一戊申日酉將申時。（寅卯空亡，卯辰落空），昂星，轉蓬。 空虎 龍午未申酉常 陳巳 戌玄 玄 常 空 龍 兄 庚戌 玄 初 六辰 亥陰 戌 酉 未 午 子 己酉 常 中 朱卯寅丑子后 酉 申 午 戊 父 丙午 龍 末 蛇貴

Example 56: Zou Da Guanren was born in the year Gengchen, and is thirty years old. He is divining to determine the outcome of a competition in archery and horseback riding to gain a reputation in martial arts. The time is on the first day of the fourth lunar month in the year Jiyou, on the day of Wu Shen. The month general is You, which is placed on the hour of Shen to cast the divination. On the day of Wu Shen, it belongs to the Jiachen decade, with the empty positions falling on Yin and Mao. The Heaven Plate has the branches of Mao and Chen falling in the empty positions. The name of the divination is two: "Mao Star" (also known as "Tiger's Gaze," when there is no mutual overcoming among the four lessons, the initiating transmission is taken from Mao Star) and "Zhuangpeng" (like a flying蓬 following the wind, indicating wandering without a fixed place). The Heaven Plate is arranged with You as the general placed on the hour of Shen. The nobleman is on Chou, below which is Teng Snake on Yin, Vermilion Bird on Mao, Liu He on Chen, Gou Chen on Si, Azure Dragon on Wu, Tian Kong on Wei, Bai Hu on Shen, Tai Chang on You, Xuan Wu on Xu, Tai Yin on Hai, and Tian Hou on Zi. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Wu, which is in the Si palace, with Wu above it, riding on Azure Dragon; the second lesson is Wu above Wei, riding on Tian Kong; the third lesson is the day branch Shen, with You above it, riding on Tai Chang; the fourth lesson is You above Xu, riding on Xuan Wu. The three transmissions are Xu, You, and Wu: the first transmission is Geng Xu, which is the brother's yao, riding on Xuan Wu; the second transmission is Ji You, which is the son's yao, riding on Tai Chang; the third transmission is Bing Wu, which is the parent's yao, riding on Azure Dragon.

邵先生曰：課得昴星，名虎視，身上有馬而無弓，馬帶陽刃，若見焦黃馬，決不可騎，為他所害。況所走之地，有汙穢，不可令新衣人在傍，如要去，須先解禳。

Master Zhao said: The divination shows the "昴 star," also known as "虎视." You have a horse nearby but no bow, and the horse is accompanied by a yang刃. If you encounter a horse of a dull yellow color, you must not ride it, for riding it will cause harm. Moreover, the place you are going to has a foul atmosphere, and you must not have someone wearing new clothes nearby. If you must go, you should first perform a ritual to remove the evil influence.

蓋干支上各自刑，賓主不投；行年上申，申是箭，卻不得地。干見酉，支見午，名四勝殺，主各逞其能。陽刃午作青龍，僅得兵部垂顧，初戌作玄武，又六害，如何比得中？鄒後果屢試不中，得趙侍郎權兵部，乃與他一虛官銜。

This is because there are mutual punishments on the day stem and day branch, indicating that the host and guest are not in harmony; the year of birth is Shen, which is represented as an arrow, but it does not have a proper position. The day stem is You, and the day branch is Wu, which is called "Four Victory Evil Star," indicating that all sides will strive to be superior. A yang blade at Wu is accompanied by the Azure Dragon, so he can only receive a little support from the Ministry of War; the first transmission is Xu accompanied by the Black Tortoise, forming the sixth harm, so how can he succeed in the competition? Later, Master Zou indeed failed repeatedly in the examinations, only receiving a honorary title from Mr. Zhao, who was temporarily in charge of the Ministry of War.

先生析曰；蓋巳為弓，申為箭，今有馬有箭，而無弓，所以事終不成也。

Master Zhao explained that the element Si is symbolized as a bow, and the element Shen is symbolized as an arrow. Now, in this divination, there is a horse and an arrow, but there is no bow, so this matter will ultimately not succeed.

57）龔縣尉辛巳生十二九歲，占前程。己酉年十月壬午日寅將寅時，（申酉空亡，申酉落空），伏吟，自任，杜傳。 六陳 朱巳午未申龍 蛇辰 酉空 六 六 常 常 兄 乙亥 常 初 貴卯 戌虎 午 午 亥 亥 財 壬午 六 中 后寅丑子亥常 午 午 亥 壬 兄 丙子 玄 末 陰玄

Example 57: Gong County Magistrate, born in the year Xinsi, came to divinate his future. The time was on the day Renwu of the year Jiyou, in the tenth lunar month. The time of divination was寅 (Yin) hour, and the month general was also寅 (Yin), thus forming a 'Hidden Chant' (伏吟). The day Renwu belongs to the Jiaxu decade, with the empty palace falling on Shen and You. The branches Shen and You on the Heaven Plate also exactly fall on the empty palace. There is also a lesson name 'Self-Appointment' and 'Du Transmission'. The Heaven Plate layout: Nobleman rides on Mao, under which Teng Snake rides on Chen, Zhu Que rides on Si, Liu He rides on Wu, Gou Chen rides on Wei, Qing Long rides on Shen, Tian Kong rides on You, Bai Hu rides on Xu, Tai Chang rides on Hai, Xuan Wu rides on Zi, Tai Yin rides on Chou, and Tian Hou rides on Yin. The four lessons are paired and identical: the壬 water lodges in Hai, the first lesson Hai adds壬, the second lesson Hai adds Hai, both riding Tai Chang; the third lesson day branch Wu adds Wu, the fourth lesson Wu adds Wu, both riding Liu He. The three transmissions are Hai, Wu, and Zi: the first transmission Yi Hai is a brother's yao riding Tai Chang; the middle transmission Ren Wu is a wife's wealth yao riding Liu He; the final transmission Bing Zi is a brother's yao riding Xuan Wu.

邵先生曰：此課本身，現在戴祿，又兼太常，必有兼職之事，俸祿亦增。若論升轉則未。蓋干支自刑，日後因後其寵，遂做不廉之事，又因納一寵妾，貪色尋醫而治，欲解任不能，幸遇一外路監司懇告，遂得解任。伏吟時下未發，只等替時自見耳。

Shao Master said: This divination itself is wearing the禄神 (favorable official rank), and also has Tai Chang (the god of俸禄, salary), so there must be a situation of holding another position in addition to the current one, and the salary will also increase. However, if we talk about promotion or transfer to another post, that is not yet the case. The day stem and day branch mutually form Self-Punishment (self-punishment), so in the future, because of being favored by the superior, he will do something unscrupulous. Also, he will take in a favored concubine, become addicted to women, and need to seek medical treatment. At that time, he would like to resign but cannot, fortunately meeting a supervisor from another region who earnestly explained the situation, and thus he was able to resign. The Hidden Chant (hidden chant) divination will not take effect in the near future, and it will only be clear when the time comes for a change of position.

先生析曰；蓋干支自刑，主自滿月建前一辰，子上是玄武，乃為天醫，沖起行年上午之六合，晝貴又乘後，為干之偏財，乃妾也。上見武合後，故主貪色不正，子又為天醫，故主尋醫之兆。子午乃官員往來之所，道路神也。月建前神是外監司，必外除方解。

Master Zhao explained that the day stem and day branch are self-punishing, indicating that this person is self-satisfied and arrogant. The god at the position before the month builder is the Black Tortoise, which here serves as the Tianyi deity. It conflicts with the Liu He at the hour of Zi in the person's birth year. The daytime noble is accompanied by the Heavenly Empress, who is the day stem's biased wealth, meaning a concubine. The Black Tortoise at Zi and the Heavenly Empress combine, indicating a tendency towards lust and improper behavior. Zi is also Tianyi, suggesting a sign of seeking medical treatment. Zi and Wu are places where officials travel, belonging to the gods of roads. The god at the position before the month builder represents the external officials, so the position can only be resolved with the intervention of officials from outside.

龔尉因主簿壞去，遂權其職，得太守寵，遂傍若無人，乃干支自刑，故自滿也。又納一妾，下稍元合，多不正，正餘言皆驗。亥祿重並，是兼職。

Later verification: A county magistrate, having been dismissed due to the misconduct of the county clerk, took over the clerk's position temporarily. He also gained the favor of the prefect, thus acting as if no one else existed — this precisely verified the case of the day stem and day branch self-punishment leading to self-satisfaction. Later, he took a concubine, and eventually, the Black Tortoise and Liu He (六合) came into conjunction, resulting in many improper actions. Other cases he judged also corresponded accordingly. As for the repeated appearance of the禄神 (Lushen) of亥, it exactly matched the situation of holding two positions simultaneously.

58）郭巡轄本命寅，行年酉，占赴任，己酉年戊申日酉將子時。（寅卯空亡，亥子落空），元胎，比用，不備。郭生戊寅年六月十三日子時，三十二歲四月初一占。 陳六 龍寅卯辰巳朱 空丑 午蛇 龍 朱 常 龍 鬼 空寅 龍 初（空亡） 虎子 未貴 寅 巳 亥 寅 財 辛亥 常 中（落空） 常亥戌酉申后 巳 申 寅 戊 子 戊申 后 末 玄陰

Example 58: Guo Xun's personal destiny belongs to the寅 branch, and his current age corresponds to酉. He is consulting the divination as he is taking office. The time is in the year of Jiyou, day of Wushen. The lesson is started with the酉 month general added to the子 hour. (Guo was born in the year of Wuyin, on the 13th day of the sixth lunar month at the子 hour, aged 32, and consulted on the first day of the fourth lunar month.) The day Wushen belongs to the Jiachen decade, with the empty branches falling on寅 and卯. The Heaven Plate's亥 and子 branches fall in the Kongwang position. The lesson has three names: "Original Fetus", "Comparison and Use", and "Incomplete". The Heaven Plate is set with the酉 general added to the子 hour. The Nobleman is on未, with Teng Snake on午, Vermilion Bird on巳, Liu He on辰, Gou Chen on卯, Azure Dragon on寅, Tian Kong on丑, White Tiger on子, Tai Chang on亥, Black Tortoise on戌, Tai Yin on酉, and Heavenly Empress on申. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson has the day stem戊 in the巳 palace, with寅 on top, riding the Azure Dragon; the second lesson has寅 with亥 on top, riding the Tai Chang; the third lesson has the day branch申 with巳 on top, riding the Vermilion Bird; the fourth lesson has巳 with寅 on top, riding the Azure Dragon. The three transmissions are寅,亥,申: the first transmission is寅, which falls in the empty branch and is the official ghost爻, riding the Azure Dragon; the middle transmission is Xinhai, which is the wife's wealth爻, riding the Tai Chang and falling in the empty place; the final transmission is戊申, which is the son's fortune爻, riding the Heavenly Empress.

邵先生曰：大凡占官要見官，今寅值龍作官，奈何寅空，必不得也。卻就支宅上去作朱雀，乃戊祿臨支也，宅神申又加亥為末傳，此仕莫非虛度。蓋寅是官星，巳是祿位，寅乘龍不空，即當赴任，即空反作鬼論，鬼來逼日，去日加支，克支之神，主權攝不正。又戊祿在巳，巳與申合，祿在支，故正任不可望，卻乃食祿。內主陳姓久不足，且當西南上避嫌，待陳姓退去，方得正任。行年上午乘蛇臨行時主婦人纏繞也。

Master Zhao said: In divination regarding official positions, the most important thing is to see the official star. Now the wood of寅 is riding the Azure Dragon to act as the official star, but unfortunately,寅 is falling into Kongwang, so this official position will certainly not be obtained. The official star has instead moved to the day branch's position, riding the Vermilion Bird. This is the禄神 of the earth element戊, which is located at the day branch. The residence god申 is also added on the亥, acting as the final transmission. This indicates that this official position is merely a period of idleness. Originally,寅 is the official star and巳 is the禄 position; if寅 were riding the Dragon without falling into Kongwang, he would have been officially appointed. Now that it has fallen into Kongwang, it should be considered as a ghost: the ghost is pressing the day stem, and the day stem goes to add upon the day branch, becoming the god that conquers the day branch. Therefore, he can only temporarily take on someone else's position without proper authority. Also, the禄 of the earth element戊 is in巳, and巳 and申 are in harmony, so the禄 is located at the day branch. Therefore, there is no hope for an official appointment, but there may be some salary. The main issue is that there is a person named Chen who has been in long-term disagreement with him. He should now go to the southwest to avoid this person, and only after Chen has left can he be officially appointed. The year stem午 is riding the Teng Snake at the time of travel, which also indicates that there will be interference from a woman.

鄧果於當年十一月上任，因陳提刑與伊尊人有仇隙，故行至半途，遂不敢往，經過鄂州，素與太守有舊，遂令權公使及酒稅。至次年八月陳替去，鄧始得到任。

Later verification (the original text records the surname as "Deng," which does not match the previous mention of "Guo Xunxia," so it is recorded as is without alteration): He set out for his post in the eleventh month. Because the person in charge of the judicial office, Chen Tingxing, had an old grudge with his father, he did not dare to proceed further. When passing through Ezhou, he was left to temporarily manage the public treasury and liquor tax affairs due to his previous friendship with the governor of Ezhou. In the eighth month of the following year, after Chen Tingxing's term ended and he was transferred away, he was finally able to officially take up his post.

59）徐學士戊辰年正月初四日寅時生，行年四十一歲，占前程。戊申年二月甲子日亥將巳時。（戌亥空亡，寅卯落空），反吟，元胎，渉害。 蛇貴 朱亥子丑寅后 六戌 卯陰 蛇 虎 后 龍 兄 丙寅 后 初（落空） 陳酉 辰玄 子 午 寅 申 鬼 壬申 龍 中 龍申未午巳常 午 子 申 甲 兄 丙寅 后 末（落空） 空虎

Example 59: Xu Xueshi was born on the fourth day of the first lunar month in the year of Wuchen, at the hour of Yin. He is currently 41 years old and is consulting about his future. The time of divination is in the year of Wushen, second lunar month, on the day of Jiazi. The lesson is started with the month general of Hai added to the hour of Si. The general and the hour are in opposition, thus forming 'Reverse Chant'. The day Jiazi belongs to the Jiazi decade, with the empty position falling on Xu and Hai. The branches of Yin and Mao on the Heaven Plate are located in the empty position. There are also lesson names 'Yuan Tai' and 'She Hai'. The Heaven Plate layout: the Nobleman is on Chou, with Teng Snake on Zi, Vermilion Bird on Hai, Liu He on Xu, Gou Chen on You, Azure Dragon on Shen, Tian Kong on Wei, Bai Hu on Wu, Tai Chang on Si, Tai Yin on Chen, Xuan Wu on Mao, and Tian Hou on Yin. The four lessons from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Jia, located in the Yin palace, with Shen above it, riding Azure Dragon; the second lesson is Shen with Yin above it, riding Tian Hou; the third lesson is the day branch Zi with Wu above it, riding Bai Hu; the fourth lesson is Wu with Zi above it, riding Teng Snake. The three transmissions are Yin, Shen, Yin: the first transmission is Bing Yin, representing the brother's yao, riding Tian Hou and falling into the empty position; the middle transmission is Ren Shen, representing the official ghost's yao, riding Azure Dragon; the final transmission is again Bing Yin, still representing the brother's yao, still riding Tian Hou and still falling into the empty position. The beginning and end circle back, exactly matching 'Reverse Chant'.

邵先生曰：此課庚戌年徐充解及第，其子治春秋亦及第，在五甲；本身及第，唱名在第三甲，其子則曰亦霑恩及第，在第五甲；銓試不中，六月授潭州司戶，七月病死。蓋日上見申，讀書人見之為無後，又是太歲來克身，當年可見不寧。何直至庚戌年及第方死耶？

Master Zhao said: According to this lesson, in the year Gengxu, Xu Xueshi will pass the examination with the qualification of chongjie and be listed among the top five. His son, who studies the Spring and Autumn Annals, will also pass the examination, and be listed among the top five. Xu Xueshi himself will be listed in the third category. His son, however, will pass due to the favor of his father's achievement, and be listed in the fifth category. Later, he fails the official examination, and in June he is appointed as the official of Tanzhou's judicial office, but in July he dies. This is because the day stem is in Shen, and for scholars, Shen indicates no descendants. Shen also represents the year's ruler which overcomes the person himself, so that year is unstable. Then why does he die only after passing the examination in the year Gengxu?

先生析曰；蓋行年上子水生甲木，宅上午火制申金，且是催官使者，須見官而後死。及至庚戌年，行年在申，甲木絕於申，故死。初末寅作天后，兩重兩露恩神，在官星之上，官星加寅甲與寅皆承其恩澤。甲乃尊也，父也；寅乃卑也，子也。故俱霑恩。庚戌年身死，甲寅年子死，乃刑沖之故。又行年神克第三課，死神乘白虎入宅，為水所克，又甲木以午為子息，故子必受殃也。

Master Zhao explained that the water of the year pillar can generate the wood of Jia, and the fire of the dwelling position can control the metal of Shen. Moreover, the fire of Wu is the messenger of official rank, so one must first attain official position before death. In the year Gengxu, the year pillar moves to Shen, and the wood of Jia is extinguished in Shen, thus resulting in death. The initial and final transmissions both have the position of Yin, which is occupied by the Heavenly Empress, so two layers of benevolent deities are pressing upon the official star. The official star also rests upon the position of Yin, so both Jia and Yin receive this favor. Jia represents the superior, the father, while Yin represents the inferior, the son, so both father and son receive blessings and pass the examination. In the year Gengxu, the person dies, and in the year Jiayin, the son dies, both due to punishment and clash. Furthermore, the god of the year pillar conquers the third lesson, the Death Deity rides the White Tiger into the dwelling position, which is then conquered by water. The wood of Jia takes Wu as its offspring, so the son is inevitably affected.

60）謝省元乙丑生四十五歲歲占赴省試，己酉年九月甲子日卯將寅時。（戌亥空亡，亥子落空），重審，進茹。 貴后 蛇午未申酉陰 朱巳 戌玄 龍 空 六 陳 財 戊辰 六 初 六辰 亥常 寅 丑 辰 卯 子 己巳 朱 中 陳卯寅丑子虎 丑 子 卯 甲 子 庚午 蛇 末（暗鬼） 龍空

Example 60: Xie Xingyuan was born in the year Yi Chou, and is 45 years old. He is divining for an upcoming provincial examination. The time is Ji You year, September, Jia Zi day. The lesson is cast using the month of Mao as the general, placed on the寅 hour. The Jia Zi day belongs to the Jia Zi decade, with the empty branches falling on Xu and Hai. The Heaven Plate's Hai and Zi branches are in the empty position. The lesson has two names: "Chong Shen" and "Jin Ru". The Heaven Plate is set with the general of Mao added to the寅 hour. The nobleman is riding the Wei branch, followed by Teng Snake on Wu, Vermilion Bird on Si, Liu He on Chen, Gou Chen on Mao, Azure Dragon on Yin, Tian Kong on Chou, Bai Hu on Zi, Tai Chang on Hai, Xuan Wu on Xu, Tai Yin on You, and Tian Hou on Shen. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Jia, located in the Yin palace, with Mao on top, riding Gou Chen; the second lesson is Mao with Chen on top, riding Liu He; the third lesson is the day branch Zi with Chou on top, riding Tian Kong; the fourth lesson is Chou with Yin on top, riding Azure Dragon. The three transmissions are Chen, Si, and Wu: the first transmission is Wu Chen, representing the wife's wealth, riding Liu He; the second transmission is Ji Si, representing the son's branch, riding Vermilion Bird; the third transmission is Geng Wu, representing the son's branch again, riding Teng Snake, with a hidden ghost.

邵先生曰：謝省元三次到場，今次定不得，更五次不遂，不免受文學中心病而死，煩董兄與他說知之，異日亦要課驗，餘不敢面說也。蓋甲日迤邐生去，更不回顧，以此言之，無文學尚可，有則不利。蓋因亥加戌，亥乃甲之長生學堂，甲子旬亥戌空亡，學堂加空，而宅上日貴又乘天空，故虛名文學耳。中末傳巳午脫去，不意午之心病，見蛇病必死。謝果省試不中，後為文學不遂，遂納賄，又是五甲，甚不如意，歸來遂成心病，辛酉年十一月卒。

Master Zhao said: Xie Xingyuan has already taken the examination three times and will certainly not pass this time; furthermore, he will not achieve his wishes in the next five attempts as well. In the end, he is bound to suffer from a heart ailment caused by his frustration in literature and eventually die. Please, Dong brother, convey this message to him — the verification of the course will come in time, and I dare not say this in person. This is because the day stem is Jia Wood, which proceeds smoothly in the direction of growth and decline without turning back. According to this, it would be better if he had no literary talent, but having literary talent is actually detrimental. The reason is that亥 is added on戌:亥 is originally the position of growth and the academy for Jia Wood, but in the Jiazi cycle,亥 and戌 are both Kongwang, meaning the academy is placed on an empty ground; the daytime noble is also accompanied by Tian Kong, so literary talent is just an empty name. The巳 and午 in the middle and final transmissions are both dissipating energy; unexpectedly,午 is the master of heart disease, and午 also meets Teng Snake, so illness is certain to lead to death. Xie Xingyuan indeed failed the provincial examination, later found no success in literature, and resorted to bribing for advancement, but still ended up with a fifth rank, which was very unsatisfactory; after returning home, he developed a heart ailment and died in November of the Xinyou year.

先生析曰；蓋甲木生巳午蛇雀諸火，木又隨火上火，又去南奔，本主便死。因背後有行年見亥，亥加戌，尚有虛名而未死耳。造化前定，所以不由人也。

Shao Master explained that the Jia wood is able to generate fire in the direction of Si, Wu, Teng Snake, and Vermilion Bird, and the wood rises with the fire energy, heading towards the south, which would naturally lead to its demise. However, because there is a year pillar of Hai behind it, and Hai is placed on top of Xu, it can still maintain a superficial reputation and remain alive for now. Destiny has already been determined, so it is beyond human control.

61）趙公占子國子監試，其子戊子年正月十三日酉時生二十二歲，己酉年辛巳日子將亥時。（申酉空亡，酉戌落空），遙克，蒿矢，進茹。 龍空 陳午未申酉虎 六巳 戌常 龍 陳 陰 玄 鬼 壬午 陳 初 朱辰 亥玄 未 午 子 亥 父 癸未 龍 中 蛇卯寅丑子陰 午 巳 亥 辛 兄 空申 空 末（空亡） 貴後

Example 61: Zhao Gong cast a divination for his son's examination at the National Academy. His son was born on the thirteenth day of the first lunar month in the year of the Dog, at the hour of You. He is twenty-two years old. The time is on the day of Xinsi in the year of Jiyou. The divination was cast using the month of Zi as the general and placed on the hour of Hai. The day Xinsi belongs to the Ji Xu decade, with the empty positions falling on Shen and You. The branches of the Heaven Plate, You and Xu, are located in the empty positions. The names of the lesson are three: "Remote Conquest", "Arrow of Artemisia", and "Progressive Consumption". The Heaven Plate is arranged with Zi as the general and placed on the hour of Hai. The Nobleman is riding on Yin, below which Teng Snake is on Mao, Vermilion Bird on Chen, Liu He on Si, Gou Chen on Wu, Azure Dragon on Wei, Tian Kong on Shen, Bai Hu on You, Tai Chang on Xu, Xuan Wu on Hai, Tai Yin on Zi, and Tian Hou on Chou. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Xin, located in the Xu palace, with Hai above it, riding on Xuan Wu; the second lesson is Hai with Zi above it, riding on Tai Yin; the third lesson is the day branch Si with Wu above it, riding on Gou Chen; the fourth lesson is Wu with Wei above it, riding on Azure Dragon. The three transmissions are Wu, Wei, and Shen: the first transmission is Ren Wu, representing the official ghost, riding on Gou Chen; the second transmission is Gui Wei, representing the parents, riding on Azure Dragon; the third transmission is Shen, falling in the empty position, representing the brothers, riding on Tian Kong.

邵先生曰：此課主洩精，否則小便腳手痠痛，四肢無力，二三月皆是病月，四月方安，官星臨廚，必入天廚。今年必高中，官星作幕貴也，癸丑及第寅貴加丑上之故，只是不享，終三十五歲矣。趙生自十九歲每患遺精，公因其病，以婢與之為伴，恐其未有房室也。當年發舉，癸丑及第，為司戶，三月丁巳再授司理，己未丁憂，癸亥三十五歲愛圅按此句當是己丑年生十月十二日死。

Master Zhao said: This lesson indicates a disorder of seminal emission, or else difficulty in urination, pain in the hands and feet, and weakness in the limbs. February and March are both months of illness, and it will be only in April that the condition will ease. The official star is located at the position of the kitchen, so in the future he will certainly enter the office of the Heavenly Kitchen, which is in charge of food and meals. He will certainly pass the examination this year, because the official star is acting as a noble patron from behind the scenes. He will be appointed in the year of Guichou, because the nobleman of the寅 position is added to the丑 position. However, his fortune is not great, and his lifespan will end at the age of thirty-five. The young master of the Zhao family has suffered from seminal emission since he was nineteen years old. His father, Master Zhao, gave him a maid to accompany him, fearing that he had not yet had sexual relations. That year he passed the examination, was appointed in the year of Guichou, and became a magistrate. In the month of March, on the day of Dingsi, he was appointed as a judicial officer. In the year of Jiwei, he observed a period of mourning. In the year of Guihai, he died at the age of thirty-five. (Editor Cheng Aitu notes: This sentence should read that he was born in the year of Jichou and died on the twelfth day of the tenth month.)

先生析曰；蓋十月辛上見亥作元武，一金生二水，水主腎，自然遺洩，不合末又入空，空上又見天空，是得官徒空也。申七未八，空亡減半，平生為亥所苦，故又見癸亥年而死。

Master Zhao explained that in the tenth month, the metal of Xin is seen above Hai and is accompanied by the Black Tortoise, resulting in one layer of metal generating two layers of water; water in the human body corresponds to the kidney, so naturally there is a condition of leakage. Unluckily, the final transmission also falls into Kongwang, and on top of Kongwang comes Tian Kong, so although he obtains an official position, it is all in vain. The number of Shen is seven, and the number of Wei is eight, but because of encountering Kongwang, these numbers are halved. He has been troubled by the water of Hai all his life, so it also corresponds to the year Guihai when his body dies.

62）邵二十一公占孫前程，同此數。邵公繫癸巳年四月十二日丑時生，七十六歲，其孫二十二歲愛圅按邵公之年歲當是戊申年占，其孫乃丁亥命也 龍空 陳午未申酉虎 六巳 戌常 龍 陳 陰 玄 官 壬午 陳 初 朱辰 亥玄 未 午 子 亥 父 癸未 龍 中 蛇卯寅丑子陰 午 巳 亥 辛 兄 空申 空 末（空亡） 貴後

Example 62: Shao Binshi, a man of the twenty-first generation, cast a divination for his grandson's future, and the resulting divination pattern is the same as the previous example. Shao was born on the second hour of the twelfth day of the fourth month in the year Gui Si, and he was seventy-six years old. His grandson was twenty-two years old (the editor Cheng Aitu notes: according to Shao's age, this should have been cast in the year Wu Shen, and the grandson would have been born in the year Ding Hai). The divination pattern remains: the Nobleman is on寅, the Teng Snake on卯, the Vermilion Bird on辰, Liu He on巳, Gou Chen on午, Azure Dragon on未, Tian Kong on申, White Tiger on酉, Tai Chang on戌, Black Tortoise on亥, Tai Yin on子, and Heavenly Empress on丑. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson has the Day Stem Xin residing in the戌 palace, with亥 on top, riding the Black Tortoise; the second lesson has子 on top of亥, riding Tai Yin; the third lesson has the Day Branch巳 with午 on top, riding Gou Chen; the fourth lesson has未 on top of午, riding Azure Dragon. The three transmissions are午, 未, and申: the first transmission is Renwu, representing the official star, riding Gou Chen; the second transmission is Guiwei, representing the parents' yao, riding Azure Dragon; the third transmission is申, falling into the旬空, representing the brothers' yao, riding Tian Kong.

邵先生曰：課主虛洩，宅上火生土，土又生金，不獨前程不顯，尚有天喪之患。蓋連茹喜進不喜空亡，更四年腎病而死。邵公之孫果清瘦患遺洩，至壬子年十二月身死。夫辛金生二水，初鬼作勾，若女占即吉，男子未娶是克也。己酉娶妻後，成癆而卒。末傳同類空，諸孫皆前後喪。

Shao Master said: This divination indicates a condition of deficiency and loss of essence. The position of the dwelling shows fire generating earth and earth generating metal, which not only prevents future success and advancement, but also brings the danger of early death. Because the "connected reeds" divination favors gradual progress, it particularly dislikes falling into kongwang. After four more years, he will die from kidney disease. Shao Master's grandson indeed became thin and suffered from involuntary discharge, and died in December of the Renzi year. The辛 metal generates two waters, and the initial transmission's ghost爻 is occupied by Gou Chen. If a woman is the one consulting, this is actually auspicious; but if a man is consulting and has not yet married, it indicates a harmful influence on his life. After he married in the Jiyou year, he died of a wasting illness. The final transmission's similar brother爻 falls into kongwang, so all his grandchildren died one after another.

先生析曰；蓋亥加辛乃面前脫氣，午勾是日貴作鬼入宅，支干上皆自刑，自支上一陰至亥乃六陰也，一味行陰道，如何得久？更何問功名？愛圅曰，課同斷異因亥為本命而脫干，故其凶較甚。

Master Zhao explained that亥 is placed on 辛, which is a case of direct leakage of energy; 午 multiplied by Gou Chen indicates the daytime noble transforming into a ghost entering the dwelling position; additionally, both the day stem and day branch suffer from self-punishment. Starting from the yin energy on the day branch and counting up to 亥, there are six layers of yin energy, all moving along the yin path, how can this last long? Even more so, there is no hope for official rank or fame. The compiler Cheng Aitu said: this lesson is the same as the previous example in form but differs in interpretation because 亥 is precisely the birth year of his grandson, and 亥 also drains the energy of the day stem, making the ominous signs particularly severe.

63）何知丞丙寅二月三日酉時生，四十三歲，占赴任，戊申年十二月癸丑日丑將未時。（寅卯空亡，申酉落空），反吟，稼穡，勵德，遊子。 虎常 空亥子丑寅玄 龍戌 卯陰 常 朱 常 朱 鬼 丁未 朱 初（丁神） 陳酉 辰后 丑 未 丑 未 鬼 癸丑 常 中 六申未午巳貴 未 丑 未 癸 鬼 丁未 朱 末（丁神） 朱蛇

Example 63: How do we know that someone born on the third day of the second lunar month in the year Bingyin (1624 AD), at the hour of You (酉), is now 43 years old and has come to take office? The time of divination is on the day of Guichou (癸丑) in the twelfth lunar month of the year Wushen (戊申). The month general is Chou (丑), placed on the hour of Wei (未) to start the divination. The hour and the month general are in opposition, forming the 'Reverse Chant' pattern. The day of Guichou belongs to the Jiachen (甲辰) cycle, with the empty position falling on Yin (寅) and Mao (卯). The branches of Shen (申) and You (酉) on the Heaven Plate are located in the empty position. There are also the names of the lessons: 'Jia Se' (Jia Se), 'Li De' (Lide), and 'You Zi' (Youzi). The Heaven Plate layout: the Nobleman is on Si (巳), with Teng Snake on Wu (午), Vermilion Bird on Wei (未), Liu He on Shen (申), Gou Chen on You (酉), Qing Long on Xu (戌), Tian Kong on Hai (亥), Bai Hu on Zi (子), Tai Chang on Chou (丑), Xuan Wu on Yin (寅), Tai Yin on Mao (卯), and Tian Hou on Chen (辰). The four lessons, arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Gui (癸) located in the Chou (丑) position, with Wei (未) above it, riding on Vermilion Bird; the second lesson is Wei (未) with Chou (丑) above it, riding on Tai Chang; the third lesson is the day branch Chou (丑) with Wei (未) above it, riding on Vermilion Bird; the fourth lesson is Wei (未) with Chou (丑) above it, riding on Tai Chang. The three transmissions are Wei (未), Chou (丑), and Wei (未): the first transmission is Ding Wei (丁未), an official ghost, riding on Vermilion Bird, which is the 'Ding God'; the middle transmission is Gui Chou (癸丑), an official ghost, riding on Tai Chang; the final transmission is again Ding Wei (丁未), still an official ghost, still riding on Vermilion Bird, still the 'Ding God'.

邵先生曰：此課舊政上又見舊政，不知已有幾年。何曰：有三年。先生曰：以此觀之，第六年方得赴任。何以為不然。蓋何欲歸安縣，被吏部差一考，果六年至任。先生曰：知丞終此任矣。果六年至任，八年喪歸。

Master Zhao said: This case shows an old post appearing again on top of an old post; I don't know how long you have been waiting. He Zhisheng replied: For three years. Master Zhao said: According to this, it will take until the sixth year to take office. He Zhisheng did not agree. Originally, he intended to take up his post in Guian County, but the Ministry of Personnel assigned him another examination, and indeed he was delayed until the sixth year to take office. Master Zhao also said: This post of Zhisheng will be his last post. Later, he indeed took office in the sixth year and died in the eighth year, with his coffin returning to his hometown.

先生析曰；蓋戊申年未為舊政，初末日辰皆見，又十二月月建丑，又加於舊上，來往皆是舊人，故不能速。未八是八年，滿盤是鬼，丑為墓田，未與常加之故然。

Shao Master explained that in the year of Wushen, the position of Wei represents the previous position. The first transmission, final transmission, along with the day and the heavenly stem, all appear everywhere. Moreover, the month builder in the twelfth month is Chou, which is added to the previous position, so people coming and going are all former officials, hence the matter will not proceed quickly. The number of Wei is eight, so it corresponds to eight years. The entire chart is filled with ghostly lines, Chou is also the grave field, and Wei is adjacent to Tai Chang, so he will finally end his term here.

64）陳學諭辛未十二月二十八日生三十八歲，占前程，戊申年九月甲申日辰將亥時。（午未空亡，亥子落空），比用，鑄印。 陳龍 六戌亥子丑空 朱酉 寅虎 后 空 龍 貴 父 戊子 龍 初（落空） 蛇申 卯常 午 丑 子 未 子 癸巳 陰 中 貴未午巳辰玄 丑 申 未 甲 財 丙戌 六 末 后陰

Example 64: Chen Xueyu was born on December 28th of the Xinwei year, and is now 38 years old. He consulted about his future career. The time of consultation was on the Wushen year, September, on the Jiashen day. The lesson was cast using the Chén month general added to the Hai hour. The Jiashen day belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty positions falling on Wu and Wei. The Heaven Plate's Zi and Hai branches fall in the Kongwang positions. The lesson has two names: "Comparison and Use" and "Casting the Seal." The Heaven Plate was arranged with the Chén general added to the Hai hour. The Nobleman is on Wei, with Teng Snake on Shen, Vermilion Bird on You, Liu He on Xu, Gou Chen on Hai, Azure Dragon on Zi, Tian Kong on Chou, Bai Hu on Yin, Tai Chang on Mao, Xuan Wu on Chen, Tai Yin on Si, and Tian Hou on Wu. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the Day Stem Jiā in the Yin palace, with Wei on top, riding the Nobleman; the second lesson is Wei with Zi on top, riding the Azure Dragon; the third lesson is the Day Branch Shen with Chou on top, riding Tian Kong; the fourth lesson is Chou with Wu on top, riding Tian Hou. The three transmissions are Zi, Si, and Xu: the first transmission is Wu Zi, the parent's yao, riding the Azure Dragon and falling into the empty position; the second transmission is Gui Si, the son's yao, riding Tai Yin; the third transmission is Bing Xu, the wife's wealth yao, riding Liu He.

邵先生曰：干支皆墓，主前程遲滯，凡事不通。今喜甲申旬未乃空亡，本身之墓既空，漸次脫去，次第亨通。初傳遇貴人六害，不利考試，偏堂太陰亦不利，旬末終為病擾妻宮，加子主無子，今年防被醫人所誤，行年上申為醫而為蛇鬼故耳，本命是木，墓在本身上，貴人又來空，乃是虛貴，宅上又帶墓，宅既不顯，人亦不興，三十發解便不濟，如處雲霧中，妻亦不利。

Shao Master said: When both the day stem and day branch are in the墓 position, it indicates obstacles in career advancement and difficulties in all matters. Now it is fortunate that in the Jiashen decade, the empty position falls on the correct position, so the墓 position has fallen into the empty position, which will gradually loosen, and step by step turn towards smoothness. However, the first transmission meets the nobleman's six harms, which is unfavorable for exams; the偏堂's Tai Yin is also unfavorable. By the end of the decade, it will eventually be disturbed by illness, affecting the wife's palace; with the addition of the子 position, it indicates no children. This year one should be cautious of being misdiagnosed by a doctor - the year's stem is Shen, which represents the doctor, and it transforms into the Teng Snake ghost. His true birth element is wood, and the墓 position is pressing on himself; the nobleman also falls into the empty position, which is a false nobleman. The residence also carries the墓 position, so the residence cannot achieve success, and the person cannot flourish. Even if he passed the local recommendation exam at thirty, it would still be unhelpful, everywhere like being in a fog; matters concerning his wife also go smoothly.

其人果受乳母之氣，得心痛疾，九年而卒，妻血病五年卒。本年患痢，醫人誤為熱症，幾死，庚申年亡。未為木墓。

Later events proved true: this person indeed suffered from the anger of his wet nurse and developed heart pain, dying nine years later; his wife suffered from a blood condition and died five years later. At that time he had dysentery, and the doctor mistakenly treated it as a heat condition, nearly costing him his life; he died in the year Gengshen. This was because the position of the earthy branch Wei is the storage for wood.

65）施主簿乙亥年七月初二日亥時生，三十四歲，占前程。戊申年九月十五丙申日辰將丑時。（辰巳空亡，未申落空），重審，元胎，不備，贅婿。 貴后 蛇申酉戌亥陰 朱未 子玄 虎 陰 陰 蛇 財 丙申 蛇 初（落空） 六午 丑常 寅 亥 亥 申 鬼 己亥 陰 中 陳巳辰卯寅虎 亥 申 申 丙 父 壬寅 虎 末（暗鬼） 龍空

Example 65: The petitioner, born on the second day of the seventh lunar month in the year Yihai, is thirty-four years old and seeks divination about his future. The time of divination is on the fifteenth day of the ninth lunar month in the year Wushen, on the day of Bingshen. The month is Chen, and the lesson is cast with Chen as the month general added to Chou time. The day Bingshen belongs to the Jiawu decade, with the empty branches falling on Chen and Si. The branches of the heaven plate, Wei and Shen, fall in the empty position. The names of the lesson are four: "Re-examination," "Original Fetus," "Incomplete," and "Suzerain's Son-in-law." The heaven plate is set with Chen as the general added to Chou time. The nobleman is on You, with Teng Snake on Shen, Vermilion Bird on Wei, Liu He on Wu, Gou Chen on Si, Azure Dragon on Chen, Tian Kong on Mao, Bai Hu on Yin, Tai Chang on Chou, Xuan Wu on Zi, Tai Yin on Hai, and Tian Hou on Xu. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson, the day stem Ji is in Si, with Shen above it, riding Teng Snake; the second lesson, Shen has Hai above it, riding Tai Yin; the third lesson, the day branch Shen has Hai above it, riding Tai Yin; the fourth lesson, Hai has Yin above it, riding Bai Hu. The three transmissions are Shen, Hai, and Yin: the first transmission, Ji Shen, is the wife's wealth, riding Teng Snake and falling into the empty position; the middle transmission, Ji Hai, is the official ghost, riding Tai Yin; the final transmission, Ren Yin, is the parent's wealth, riding Bai Hu, and secretly carries the ghost.

邵先生曰：支來就干，為干所克，其人無正宅，多在寺觀及外處居住，或在妻家。蓋課名贅婿，所以無正居也。傳見蛇虎必多喪服，將來終於曹職。末傳寅作虎，終於水邊作州府職官而已。其後果丁父母四喪，果於甲子年授江陰軍知錄，己巳有事矣。

Shao said: The day branch comes to meet the day stem and is overcome by it, so this person does not have his own proper residence, mostly living in temples or elsewhere, or staying with his wife's family - the name of this divination is called '赘婿', which is exactly because he does not have a proper residence. Seeing the Teng Snake and White Tiger in the three transmissions indicates many instances of mourning; eventually, he will reach an end in the position of a subordinate official. The final transmission's寅 is ridden by the White Tiger, so he can only hold an official position in a state near water. Later, he indeed suffered four mourning events involving his parents, and in the Jiazi year he was appointed as the chief recorder of Jiangyin military affairs, but by the Jisi year, something happened.

先生析曰；蓋宅加日受克，宅上見亥，金反去生亥，安得正宅？末寅生於亥，丙生於寅，為水邊州府也。寅為曹職，今知錄亦然。大凡占官，寅申為遷轉之神，既為蛇虎所撓，故止於知錄。

Master Zhao explained that the residence is added to the approach day stem and is being overcome by the day stem. On top of that, the position of the residence also sees the presence of Hai, and Sheng metal instead goes to generate Hai water. So how can there be a proper residence? The final transmission's寅 has its growth in Hai, and Bing fire also has its growth in寅, so it is a position of a state government office by water.寅 represents a subordinate position, and the position of Zhilu exactly fits this. Generally, when divining official positions,寅 and申 are the spirits indicating transfer; now they are disturbed by Teng Snake and White Tiger, so the official position can only stop at Zhilu.

66）邵梓材戊寅三月初一辰時生，三十一歲，占前程。戊申年九月二十一壬寅日辰將酉時。（辰巳空亡，亥子落空），重審，六儀，四絕。 朱蛇 六子丑寅卯貴 陳亥 辰后 后 空 朱 玄 財 甲午 玄 初 龍戌 巳陰 辰 酉 丑 午 鬼 辛丑 朱 中 空酉申未午玄 酉 寅 午 壬 父 丙申 虎 末 虎常

Example 66: Zhao Zicai was born on the first day of the third lunar month in the year of Wuyin, at the hour of Chen. He is thirty-one years old and seeks divination about his future. The time of divination is on the twenty-first day of the ninth lunar month in the year of Wushen, on the day of Renyin. The month is Chen, and the hour is You. The lesson is cast with the Chou branch added to the You hour. The day Renyin belongs to the Jiachen decade, with the empty branches falling on Chen and Si. The branches Hai and Zi on the Heaven Plate fall into the empty positions. The lesson has three names: "Chong Shen" (Repeated Review), "Liu Yi" (Six Instruments), and "Si Jue" (Four Extinctions). The Heaven Plate is set with the Chen general added to the You hour. The nobleman is on the卯 branch, with the Teng Snake on the寅, the Vermilion Bird on the丑, the Liu He on the子, the Gou Chen on the亥, the Azure Dragon on the戌, the Tian Kong on the酉, the White Tiger on the申, the Tai Chang on the未, the Black Tortoise on the午, the Tai Yin on the巳, and the Heavenly Empress on the辰. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ren, located in the Hai branch, with the Wu branch above it, riding the Black Tortoise; the second lesson is the Wu branch, with the Chou branch above it, riding the Vermilion Bird; the third lesson is the day branch Yin, with the You branch above it, riding the Tian Kong; the fourth lesson is the You branch, with the Chen branch above it, riding the Heavenly Empress. The three transmissions are Wu, Chou, and Shen: the first transmission is Jiawu, representing the wife's wealth, riding the Black Tortoise; the middle transmission is Xinchou, representing the official ghost, riding the Vermilion Bird; the final transmission is Bingshen, representing the parents, riding the White Tiger.

邵先生曰：此課名四絕，且干支自刑，又名六害，其不利者有三：一者居偏室無正位，二者妻宮不利，三者眼不明，因他父墳不利，皆是白蟻，左畔已虛空矣，前程非惟不遠，又且壽夭，九年將屋基作田園，家破碎，貴賤皆因酒而敗也。

Master Zhao said: This lesson is called "Four Extremes." The day stem and day branch also form self-punishment, and they also create the six harms. There are three unfavorable aspects: first, he can only live in a side house and not a main house; second, the wife's palace is unfavorable; third, he has poor eyesight. All of these are due to his father's grave being bad, with white ants in the coffin, and the left side has already become hollow and collapsed. His future prospects will not go far, and his lifespan will be short. After nine years, he will have to change the foundation of his house into farmland, and his family business will be broken. Whether he is rich or poor, he will decline because of alcohol.

邵解元聞先生言，欲啟父墳，因兄弟眾多不肯行，妻不生子，常有血氣，至辛亥年病眼武壬皆亥，夾克午，故主亥年而應，男女皆因酒而敗，乙卯年眾拆屋一半作田，一半作園。邵氏居於店屋水死於卯，又卯上得戌作鬼，故卯年應，戊午身喪，己未啟父墳，果骨為蟻食矣。

Shao Jieyuan heard what his father Shao Xianzhang said and originally wanted to open the father's grave and make changes, but because there were many brothers who did not agree, he gave up. His wife could not have a son and often suffered from blood-related illnesses; in the Xinhai year she suffered from eye disease. The Black Tortoise and the壬 water both belong to亥, and they sandwich the午 fire (午 governs the eyes), so it should be in the亥 year. Both men and women in the family declined due to drinking. In the Yimao year, everyone tore down the house, half of it was changed into farmland and the other half into a garden; the Shao family moved to a shop house. The壬 water dies in卯, and卯 is also combined with戌 to become a ghost, so it should be in the卯 year. In the Wuwu year he himself died; in the Jiwei year they opened the father's grave, and the bones in the coffin were indeed eaten by white ants.

先生析曰；蓋壬以申為父，父在墓守白虎，主白蟻。日上午為目為妻，火絕於亥，故不利。丑加午六害，丑為田園，午為層，水克午而屋壞，土克水而以屋成田園，宅上見酉，壬敗於酉，故為所敗，又是破碎，主男婦皆因酒敗也。

Master Zhao explained that the壬 water is considered to have the申 metal as its parent爻, and the parent爻 is sitting in the墓 position, guarded by the White Tiger. The White Tiger represents ants. The午 on the day stem represents both eyes and wife, but fire is extinguished in the亥, so both are unfavorable. The丑 is added on top of the午, forming the six harm: 丑 represents farmland, and午 represents houses; water coming to overcome午 causes damage to the house, while earth overcoming water turns the house into farmland. The position of the house shows酉, and壬 water is weakened by酉, so it is damaged by it;酉 is also the god of breaking, so it indicates that both men and women in the family are ruined by alcohol.

67）鄧省干癸未年十月初七申時生二十六歲，戊申年九月二十一壬寅日辰將未時（辰巳空亡，丑寅落空），元首，元胎，不備，寡宿。占前程。 朱蛇 六寅卯辰巳貴 陳丑 午后 玄 空 貴 玄 財 空巳 貴 初（空亡） 龍子 未陰 申 亥 巳 申 子 壬寅 六 中（落空） 空亥戌酉申玄 亥 寅 申 壬 兄 己亥 空 末（暗鬼） 虎常

Example 67: Deng Xinggan was born on the seventh day of the tenth lunar month in the year Guiwei, at the hour of Shen. He is twenty-six years old and seeks divination about his future. The time of divination is on the twenty-first day of the ninth lunar month in the year Wushen, on the day Jihai. The month is Chen, and the hour Chen is added to the hour Wei to cast the divination. The day Jihai belongs to the Jiachen cycle, with the empty positions falling on Chen and Si. The branches of the Heaven Plate, Chou and Yin, fall in the empty positions. The names of the lesson are four: "Original Head", "Original Embryo", "Incomplete", and "Solitary Guest". The Heaven Plate is set with the hour Chen added to the hour Wei. The Nobleman is on Si, with Teng Snake on Chen, Vermilion Bird on Mao, Liu He on Yin, Gou Chen on Chou, Qinglong on Zi, Tian Kong on Hai, Baihu on Xu, Tai Chang on You, Xuanwu on Shen, Tai Yin on Wei, and Tianhou on Wu. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ren, which is in the Hai palace, with Shen on top, riding Xuanwu; the second lesson is Shen with Si on top, riding the Nobleman; the third lesson is the day branch Yin with Hai on top, riding Tian Kong; the fourth lesson is Hai with Shen on top, riding Xuanwu. The three transmissions are Si, Yin, and Hai: the first transmission Si falls in the empty position, representing the wife and wealth, riding the Nobleman; the middle transmission Renyin is the son and grandson, riding Liu He and falling in the empty position; the final transmission Jihai is the brother and sibling, riding Tian Kong, and secretly accompanied by a ghost.

邵先生曰：此課與前課大不同，干支皆受上生，日上得申長生，卻即去生寅，初巳貴人作財，日上長生學堂，盡可取功名。但嫌貴空，又為玄所滯，只運司解發而不能及第。初任管銅鐵，次任管坑冶，三任水船官而止。鄧果初任鑄錢有功，再任坑冶司檢踏官，次得明州船塢，歸家而死。

Master Zhao said: This lesson is very different from the previous one. Both the day stem and day branch are being nourished by the superior deity. The day stem receives the deity of growth, which is Shen, and Shen in turn nourishes Yin. The first transmission, Si, is riding on the nobleman and serves as the wealth hexagram. The day stem also occupies the position of growth and the academy, so it is entirely possible to attain official rank. Unfortunately, the nobleman is in an empty position and is obstructed by the Black Tortoise, so he can only be sent for examination by the transfer office, but he does not pass the imperial examination. In his first position, he was in charge of copper and iron, in his second position, he was in charge of mining and metallurgy, and in his third position, he was in charge of waterborne transportation, which was the end of his career. Later, Deng Xinggan indeed first served in casting coins and was rewarded, then served as an inspector in the mining and metallurgy office, and then obtained a position in the shipyard in Mingzhou, and then died at home.

先生析曰；蓋申來生壬為長生學堂，故壬子年發解，初巳作貴為德神加學堂上，寅又加巳生貴生德，故終得前程。銅鐵者，申金也；坑冶司者，巳加申也，水船場者，江湖臨於寅上也。寅木未成船，而卯已成船，故主舡場修造也。

Master Zhao explained that the monkey (申) generates the water of the Ren (壬), which is the position of growth and the academy, so the year Renzi (壬子) is able to pass the examination. The first transmission (初传) is the snake (巳) riding on the nobleman (贵人) and acting as a virtuous deity (德神), placed on the academy; the寅 is added on top of the巳, which both generates the nobleman and the virtuous deity, so ultimately one can have a promising future. The mention of copper and iron is because 申 belongs to metal; the mention of the mining and smelting office is because the fire of the furnace (巳) is placed on the metal (申); the mention of water and shipyards is because the water vapor from rivers and lakes is present on the寅— the寅 wood has not yet become a boat, but by the卯 it becomes a boat, so it indicates managing construction in the shipyard.

68）江司戶辛未年十二月廿一日午時生，三十八歲，戊申年十月戊午日卯將寅時，（子丑空亡，寅丑落空）,別責，不備，六儀，占官職。 空虎 龍午未申酉常 陳巳 戌玄 虎 空 空 龍 官 甲寅 蛇 初（落空）（暗鬼） 六辰 亥陰 申 未 未 午 父 戊午 龍 中 朱卯寅丑子后 未 午 午 戊 父 戊午 龍 末 蛇貴

Example 68: Jiang Sihu was born on the 21st day of the 12th lunar month in the year Xinwei, at noon. He is 38 years old and is consulting the divination for his official position. The time of consultation is on the 5th day of the 10th lunar month in the year Wushen. The month is卯 (Mao), and the lesson is started by adding the general of the month to the寅 (Yin) hour. The day Wuwu belongs to the Jiayin decade, with the empty positions falling on Zi and Chou. The branches of the heaven plate, Yin and Chou, are in the empty positions. The lesson has three names: "Bie Ze" (four lessons are incomplete, so another stem or triple harmony is used to start the transmission), "Bu Bei" (incomplete), and "Liuyi" (six instruments). The heaven plate is set with the general of Mao added to the Yin hour. The nobleman is on Chou, with Teng Snake on Yin, Vermilion Bird on Mao, Liu He on Chen, Gou Chen on Si, Azure Dragon on Wu, Tian Kong on Wei, Bai Hu on Shen, Tai Chang on You, Xuan Wu on Xu, Tai Yin on Hai, and Tian Hou on Zi. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Wu, which is in the Si palace, with Wu on top, riding the Azure Dragon; the second lesson is Wu with Wei on top, riding Tian Kong; the third lesson is the day branch Wu with Wei on top, riding Tian Kong; the fourth lesson is Wei with Shen on top, riding Bai Hu. The three transmissions are Yin, Wu, and Wu: the first transmission is Jia Yin, which is the official ghost, riding Teng Snake, falling into the empty position, and is also an invisible ghost; the middle transmission is Wu Wu, which is the parent, riding the Azure Dragon; the final transmission is still Wu Wu, the parent, riding the Azure Dragon.

邵先生曰：司戶今無正位，必主上司責罰，而別有遷改，卯寅乃今日鬼，鬼生午火，午乃日陽刃殺，且是天鬼，在於中末傳，支上未與午合，亦憂宅眷人口有死者。後果病死三人，又為米倉事發，遂罷去也。

Shao said: The official in charge of the household now has no official position, and will certainly be punished by his superior, and will be transferred to another post. The卯 and寅 are the ghost signs of today; the ghost is going to generate the fire of午. The午 is both the yang刃煞 of the day stem and the heavenly ghost, and it is located in the middle transmission and the final transmission. The未 on the day branch combines with午, so there is also worry about the death of someone in the family. Later, indeed three people died of illness; also because the grain store incident was exposed, he was dismissed.

先生析曰；蓋寅乃日鬼，生三個午，十月建亥，合寅來生宅，犯丁神以未中有丁，非旬丁也，丁主動，天空主空屋，宅亦主空，是月困患時氣遂死三人。十月間米因提學檢踏常平倉敗事露，遂致敗斥。

Master Zhao explained that Yin is the ghost trigram of the day stem, and it goes on to generate three layers of Wu fire. The month builder in the tenth month is Hai, which combines with Yin to generate the dwelling position. It also involves the deity Ding - here, Ding is hidden in Wei, not the Ding deity of the ten-day cycle. Ding causes movement, while Tian Kong signifies an empty house, and the dwelling position also indicates emptiness. Therefore, that month the family contracted an epidemic disease and three people died consecutively. In the tenth month, there was also an inspection of the grain stores by the official in charge of education, and the matter was exposed, leading to his dismissal.

69）馮機宜丁亥生二十三歲占前程，己酉年十一月丙子日卯將戌時，（申酉空亡，丑寅落空），重審，鑄印，不備。愛圅曰：當是寅將酉時，不然即非十一月也。 朱六 蛇戌亥子丑陳 貴酉 寅龍 蛇 常 空 蛇 兄 辛巳 常 初 后申 卯空 戌 巳 卯 戌 子 甲戌 蛇 中 陰未午巳辰虎 巳 子 戌 丙 父 己卯 空 末 玄常

Example 69: Feng Ji was born in the year Ding Hai and is twenty-three years old. He consulted about his future career. The time was the year Ji You, the eleventh lunar month, on the day Bing Zi. The divination was started with the month general of卯 (Mao) added to the hour of Xu (Xu). (Editor Cheng Aitu says: Here it should be the general of寅 (Yin) added to the hour of You (You), otherwise it would not be the general of the eleventh lunar month.) The day Bing Zi belongs to the Xu (Xu) stem, with the empty position falling on Shen (Shen) and You (You). The heaven plate has the branches Chou (Chou) and Yin (Yin) in the empty position. The name of the lesson has three: "Chong Shen" (Re-examination), "Zhu Yin" (Seal and Print), and "Bu Bei" (Incomplete). The heaven plate layout: the nobleman is on You (You), with Teng Snake on Xu (Xu), Vermilion Bird on Hai (Hai), Liu He on Zi (Zi), Gou Chen on Chou (Chou), Azure Dragon on Yin (Yin), Tian Kong on Mao (Mao), Bai Hu on Chen (Chen), Tai Chang on Si (Si), Tai Yin on Wu (Wu), Tian Hou on Wei (Wei). The four lessons from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Bing, which is in the Si (Si) position, with Xu (Xu) above it, riding Teng Snake; the second lesson is Xu (Xu) with Mao (Mao) above it, riding Tian Kong; the third lesson is the day branch Zi (Zi) with Si (Si) above it, riding Tai Chang; the fourth lesson is Si (Si) with Xu (Xu) above it, riding Teng Snake. The three transmissions are Si (Si), Xu (Xu), and Mao (Mao): the first transmission is Xinsi (Xin Si), which is the brother's yao, riding Tai Chang; the middle transmission is Jia Xu (Jia Xu), which is the son's yao, riding Teng Snake; the final transmission is Ji Mao (Ji Mao), which is the parent's yao, riding Tian Kong.

邵先生曰：主此人必見迴避，前程未通，卯來克戌，戌去墓丙，丙與巳遂走入宅，為宅所克，定是阻服，服滿得差。又合迴避所惱，尚有九年端坐，方得出頭，數已盡矣。此亂首自下犯上，照管堂上孺人，既有大災難治，皆自己命滯，所以如此。

Master Zhao said: This person is certainly going to encounter an avoidance situation (due to relatives holding the same official position, thus following the regulation to avoid the post), and his prospects will be temporarily blocked. The wood of卯 is coming to overcome the earth of戌, and the earth of戌 is removing the burial place of the fire of丙. The fire of丙 and the fire of巳 then retreat into the house position, only to be overcome by the house itself; this must be due to being hindered by mourning clothes. Only after the mourning period is completed will he be assigned a post. Later, he will again be trapped by the avoidance regulation, and must remain idle for nine years before he can rise, but by then his lifespan will have ended. This divination is called 'Disorder at the Beginning', which indicates rebellion and disorder, so one must be cautious about the elderly lady in the family. Since there is a great disaster, it will be difficult to treat. All of this is due to his own blocked destiny, hence the outcome.

先生析曰；蓋丙火敗於卯，墓於戌，敗神逼克戌墓，戌墓遂來墓日，日遂奔入宅被克，去住不容。宅上巳四，日上戌五，共九年，故主九年。九年後卯主事敗，而加丙墓上，即是敗木，乃棺槨入墓，自然死也。然卯為今日之母，母先入墓，次及我身矣。

Master Zhao explained that Bing fire is weakened at Mao and stored in Xu. The defeated god presses upon Xu, the storage place, causing Xu to turn back and store the day stem. The day stem has no choice but to move into the residence position, yet it is attacked by the residence. The number of Si in the residence position is four, and the number of Xu on the day stem is five, adding up to nine, so the prediction is nine years. After nine years, Mao signifies the failure of things, and it is placed on top of the storage place of Bing fire, which is like rotten wood. Rotten wood entering the storage place is like a coffin being buried, so death is inevitable. However, Mao is also the mother line of today, so the mother enters the storage first, and then it is the person's turn.

馮乃待制之子，授江州安撫，十二月母死阻服，癸丑年再授洪州，因妹丈除江西運使，遂迴避，得台州崇道觀，二十個月得病，戊午年死。

Later events: Feng Jiyi was the son of a certain official and was appointed to the position of governor of Jiangzhou. In December, his mother died, and he was prevented from taking up his post due to mourning regulations. In the year Guichou, he was again appointed to the position in Hongzhou, but because his brother-in-law was appointed as the governor of Jiangxi Transport Affairs, he was required to avoid the post by regulation and was instead given the honorary post of temple official at the Chongdao Temple in Taizhou. He held this position for twenty months and then fell ill, dying in the year Wuwu.

70）劉運干丁卯生四十二歲占前程，戊申年十月乙卯日卯將未時。（子丑空亡，申酉落空），元首，曲直，佚女。 朱六 蛇丑寅卯辰陳 貴子 巳龍 虎 后 常 貴 財 己未 虎 初 后亥 午空 未 亥 申 子 兄 乙卯 六 中（祿神） 陰戌酉申未虎 亥 卯 子 乙 父 癸亥 后 末 玄常

Seventieth Example: Liu Yun Gan was born in the year of Ding Mao, and is forty-two years old, seeking divination about his future. The time is in the year of Wu Shen, tenth month, day of Yi Mao. The lesson is cast with the month general of Mao added to the hour of Wei. The day of Yi Mao belongs to the Jiayin decade, with the empty position falling on Zi and Chou. The branches of Shen and You on the heaven plate are located in the empty position. The lesson has three names: "First Leader," "Bend and Straight," and "Lost Woman" (the three transmissions, Hai, Mao, and Wei, form a wood trinity, symbolizing the bending and straightness of wood). The heaven plate is arranged with the general of Mao added to the hour of Wei. The nobleman rides Zi, beneath it the Teng Snake rides Chou, the Vermilion Bird rides Yin, the Liu He rides Mao, the Gou Chen rides Chen, the Tai Chang rides Si, the Tian Kong rides Wu, the Bai Hu rides Wei, the Tai Chang rides Shen, the Xuan Wu rides You, the Tai Yin rides Xu, and the Tian Hou rides Hai. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Yi, located in the Chou palace, with Zi above it, riding the nobleman; the second lesson is Zi, with Shen above it, riding the Tai Chang; the third lesson is the day branch Mao, with Hai above it, riding the Tian Hou; the fourth lesson is Hai, with Wei above it, riding the Bai Hu. The three transmissions are Wei, Mao, and Hai: the first transmission is Ji Wei, representing the wife's wealth, riding the Bai Hu; the middle transmission is Yi Mao, representing the brother's wealth, riding the Liu He, and also the禄神 (lucky god); the final transmission is Gui Hai, representing the parents' wealth, riding the Tian Hou.

邵先生曰：此課身坐貴人，又來生日，三傳又是木局，乙木生亥、旺卯、庫未，自墓傳旺，自旺傳出亥，必由窮途漸至榮顯至侍從。先喪妻害眷屬，而先納兄弟一子，後一小妻大有財物，壽近九十矣。錢此時為朝議郎，辛亥喪妻，乙卯喪子，繼兄子為子，庚申又娶妻，其時年五十四，妻三十九，有數萬貫錢來嫁，後直至吏部侍郎，八十七而終。

Shao Master said: In this case, the person's position is sitting with a nobleman, and the nobleman also comes to be the day stem. The three transmissions further form a wood pattern: ethan wood is born in亥, reaches its prosperity in卯, and is stored in未. Now, from the storage it goes to prosperity, and then from prosperity it goes to the birth in亥, so it is certainly moving from a state of difficulty to one of honor and prominence, eventually reaching the rank of a servant in the court. However, first there will be the loss of a wife, and there will be damage to the family. A son from a brother will be adopted. Later, a wife with wealth will be married. The lifespan is nearly ninety. Later, the fulfillment was as follows (the original text records the surname as 'Qian', which does not match the previous 'Liu Yun Gan', but it is recorded as is): At that time he was a court advisor; in the Xinhai year he lost his wife, in the Yimao year he lost his son, and adopted a son from his elder brother. In the Gengshen year he married again, at the age of fifty-four, his wife was thirty-nine years old and came with several ten-thousand taels of money. Later he rose to the position of deputy minister of the personnel department and died at the age of eighty-seven.

先生析曰；蓋乙卯皆本亥子並生，曲直又助，自墓傳生，一則有壽，二則自微至顯。末亥為天門，木局為持臺，故主侍郎也。此課本主父子同類作六合，是納兄弟之子，妻財空墓乘虎，主先喪偶，卯祿加未，末傳天后長生，歸於祿地，後妻乃未卯祿加之，是後妻財物旺也。又曰：天后是妻，歸卯地也。

Master Zhao explained that Yi and Mao are both generated by the water of Hai and Zi; the curved and straight wood formation also assists. The three transmissions proceed from the storage to the growth, which indicates longevity and rising from obscurity to prominence. The final transmission, Hai, is the heavenly gate, and the wood formation symbolizes the holding of the imperial regulations and provincial offices, so it indicates attaining the position of Deputy Minister. This divination originally had father and son of the same type riding on Liu He, so it signifies a son adopted from a brother. The wife's wealth is in an empty storage and rides on the White Tiger, so the spouse will die first. The禄神 (favorable god) of Mao is placed on Wei, and the final transmission's Heavenly Empress is also the growth, returning to the禄神's location; thus, the wife taken later is exactly the image of Wei and Mao's禄神 overlapping, so her wealth is abundant. Another interpretation says that Heavenly Empress is the wife, and now it returns to the location of Mao.

愛圅析曰：未財為前妻，乘白虎，陰神卯木克之，故喪也。天后為後妻，為長生而臨日祿，故後妻財物旺也。

The compiler Cheng Aitu explains that the wealth hexagram 未 represents the former wife, which is乘 by the White Tiger. The Yin spirit卯 wood comes to overcome it, so the former wife has passed away. The Heavenly Empress represents the wife taken later, which sits on the Growth position and is located on the day stem's禄 position, so the later wife has abundant wealth.

71）鄭子云乙亥生三十四歲，占前程。戊申年十月乙卯日卯將辰時。（子丑空亡，亥子落空），重審，退茹，三奇。 龍空 陳辰巳午未虎 六卯 申常 蛇 朱 朱 六 財 空丑 蛇 初（空亡） 朱寅 酉玄 丑 寅 寅 卯 父 空子 貴 中（空亡） 蛇丑子亥戌陰 寅 卯 卯 乙 父 癸亥 后 末（落空） 貴後

Seventy-first example: Zheng Zi Yun was born in the year of Yihai and is thirty-four years old. He consulted about his future prospects. The time was in the year of Wushen, tenth month, day of Yimao. The class was cast with the month general of卯 (Mao) added to the time of辰 (Chen). The day of Yimao belongs to the Jiayin decade, with the empty palace falling on Zi and Chou. The Heaven Plate's Zi and Hai branches fall in the empty palace. The lesson has three names: "Rechecking", "Retreating", and "Three Marvels". The Heaven Plate was set with the general of Mao added to the time of Chen. The nobleman rode on Zi, below it the Teng Snake rode on Chou, the Vermilion Bird rode on Yin, the Liu He rode on Mao, the Gou Chen rode on Chen, the Azure Dragon rode on Si, the Tian Kong rode on Wu, the White Tiger rode on Wei, the Tai Chang rode on Shen, the Tai Yin rode on You, and the Heavenly Empress rode on Hai. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson, the day stem Yi is placed in the Chen palace, with Mao above it, riding Liu He; the second lesson, Mao has Yin above it, riding the Vermilion Bird; the third lesson, the day branch Mao has Yin above it, riding the Vermilion Bird; the fourth lesson, Yin has Chou above it, riding the Teng Snake. The three transmissions are Chou, Zi, and Guihai: the first transmission Chou falls in the empty palace, representing the wife and wealth, riding the Teng Snake; the middle transmission Zi also falls in the empty palace, representing the parents, riding the nobleman; the final transmission Guihai represents the parents, riding the Heavenly Empress, also falling in the empty palace.

邵先生曰：此課主來年再舉，亥年及第高甲，迤邐在朝，更不外任，直至八座位了，卻貶降終不得地，無正宅而居。鄭子云二十九歲發解，三十五又發解，三十七登第，初任臨安教授，歷太學秘書郎司業、工刑二部，皆京官，因與秦檜一言不合而罷。

Master Zhao said: This lesson indicates that the person will again take the imperial examination next year, and will pass the examination in the year of Hai, ranking high among the top candidates. After that, he will serve in the court continuously, without being assigned to any remote posts, eventually reaching a high position in the Ministry of Works. However, he will eventually be demoted and fall from grace, unable to find a stable place to settle down, and will not have a proper residence. Zheng Ziyun passed the local examination at the age of twenty-nine, again passed it at thirty-five, and was admitted to the imperial examination at thirty-seven. He first served as a professor in Lin'an, then held various posts such as the secretary of the Imperial Academy, the deputy director of the National University, and officials in the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Justice, all of which were central government positions. Later, he was dismissed due to a disagreement with Qin Hui over a single statement.

先生析曰；蓋乙祿在卯，迤邐歸亥長生之地，自亥至卯，一帶生旺，地支相連，祿神作太陽，朱雀作儀神，中末若不空，則五府之課，今既迤邐入近天門，故在朝八座也。子為紫微宮，亥為遠穹宮，亦主八座，退入空亡，主晚年謫降矣。

Master Zhao explained that the official position of the Yi wood is in the卯 branch, and the three transmissions gradually retreat back to the亥 branch, which is the place of growth. From the亥 to the卯 branch, the entire path is full of vital and prosperous energy, and the earthly branches are connected to each other. The official position serves as the sun, and the Vermilion Bird serves as the ceremonial deity. If the middle and final transmissions do not fall into Kongwang, then it is a great lesson among the five officials. Now, although the three transmissions have fallen into Kongwang, they still retreat along the path close to the heavenly gate (亥), so they can hold an official position in the court among the eight seats. The子 branch is the Purple Micro Palace, and the亥 branch is the Far Sky Palace, both of which indicate positions among the eight seats. However, since the final retreat leads into Kongwang, it indicates that the person will be demoted in old age.

72）何上舍乙巳年八月二十日午時生，四十歲，占前程，戊申年十月辛酉日卯將未時。（子丑空亡，申酉落空），知一，從革。 陳六 龍丑寅卯辰朱 空子 巳蛇 龍 蛇 陳 龍 官 丁巳 蛇 初（丁神）（暗鬼） 虎亥 午貴 丑 巳 寅 午 父 空丑 龍 中（空亡） 常戌酉申未后 己 酉 午 辛 兄 辛酉 玄 末（落空） 玄陰

Seventy-second example: A man named He Shang was born on the day of Yisi in the eighth lunar month of the year Yi巳, and is now forty years old. He consulted about his future career. The time of consultation was on the day of Xinyou in the tenth lunar month of the year Wushen. The month was卯, and the lesson was cast with the hour of Wei. The day Xinyou belongs to the Jiayin decade, with the empty positions falling on Zi and Chou. The branches of Shen and You on the Heaven Plate are located in the empty positions. The names of the lesson are two: "Zhi Yi" and "Cong Ge" (the three transmissions, Si, You, and Chou, form a metal trinity). The Heaven Plate was set with the hour of Wei, with the nobleman riding Wu, the Teng Snake riding Si, the Vermilion Bird riding Chen, the Liu He riding Mao, the Gou Chen riding Yin, the Azure Dragon riding Chou, the Tian Kong riding Zi, the White Tiger riding Hai, the Tai Chang riding Xu, the Tai Yin riding You, the Heavenly Empress riding Wei. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson, the day stem Xin is located in the Xu palace, with Wu above it, riding the nobleman (the original text mistakenly labels the heavenly general as Azure Dragon here); the second lesson, Wu has Yin above it, riding Gou Chen; the third lesson, the day branch You has Si above it, riding Teng Snake; the fourth lesson, Si has Chou above it, riding Azure Dragon (the original text mistakenly writes "Ji" instead of "Si" for the god "Si", and it is recorded as is). The three transmissions are Si, Chou, and You: the first transmission, Ding Si, is the official ghost爻, riding Teng Snake, which is both "Ding God" and a hidden ghost; the middle transmission, Chou, falls in the empty position, as the parent爻, riding Azure Dragon; the final transmission, Xin You, is the brother爻, riding the Black Tortoise, and also falls in the empty position.

邵先生曰：官星臨日，初傳應之，謂之催官符，官星又作貴人，辛藏於戌，主庚戌年及第，及第後便丁父母服，服滿赴任，見祿而終酉加空亡故也。止於五十四矣。兄弟相害，因分爭而大生不足，又不得子息力，其旬丁作蛇，不云怪者，辛以巳為德神。子不得力者，空亡也。辛見午為官，巳又助之，名催官符。

Shao Master said: When the official star is on the day stem and the first transmission corresponds with it, this is called "cui guanfu"; the official star also serves as the nobleman. Xin metal is hidden in Xu, so it indicates success in the imperial examination in the year of Gengxu. After success, one must mourn for parents, then take office after the mourning period, and the salary will come to an end—this is because You is added to Kongwang, limiting the lifespan to fifty-four years. Among brothers, they harm each other, leading to disputes over property and causing great discord; there is no support from children. The third transmission's ten-day Ding rides on Teng Snake, which usually indicates strange occurrences, but here it is not mentioned as strange because Xin metal takes Si as its virtue. The statement about children not providing support is because it falls into Kongwang. Xin metal sees Wu as its official star, and Si supports it, so it is called "cui guanfu."

果庚戌及第，壬子丁母憂，乙卯丁父憂，庚申赴利州推官，五十三歲卒。先是戊午年兄弟爭分四次，入官估札以死，子三人皆再娶生，巳為生方作旬丁，又作蛇，是丙丁也。

Later events proved true: in the Gengxu year he indeed passed the examination; in the Renzi year his mother died and he observed mourning; in the Yimao year his father died and he observed mourning; in the Gengshen year he took office as the official of Lizu, and died at the age of fifty-three. Before that, in the Wuwu year, his brothers quarreled over dividing the family property four times, and they had to go to the authorities to appraise the property and make a contract before it ended, and this continued until his death. His three sons were all born from concubines. The position of Si is the direction of the house, and it is accompanied by the day of Ding, and it is also influenced by Teng Snake, which is exactly the image of the fire of Bing and Ding.

金日金局是兄弟爭也。三傳無子爻，故子不得力，五十三者，乃午九酉六，六九五十四也。

There is another commentary stating that on a day of metal, another metal assembly occurs, resulting in too many of the same type, which is an image of brothers competing with each other. Since there is no grandson爻 in the three transmissions, the son is unable to exert influence. As for the age of fifty-three or forty-four, it is because the number of午 is nine and the number of酉 is six, and six multiplied by nine gives fifty-four.

73）童七秀才壬申生三十七歲，占前程，戊申年六月丁巳日未將未時。（子丑空亡，子丑落空），伏吟，元胎，勵德。 虎常 空巳午未申玄 龍辰 酉陰 空 空 常 常 兄 丁巳 空 初（丁神） 陳卯 戌后 巳 巳 未 未 財 庚申 玄 中 六寅丑子亥貴 巳 巳 未 丁 父 甲寅 六 末 朱蛇

Seventy-third example: Tong Qi Xiucai was born in the Renshen year and is thirty-seven years old. He consulted about his future prospects. The time was in the Wushen year, sixth lunar month, Dingsi day. The time was in the Wei hour, and the month general was also Wei, forming a 'Hidden Chant'. The Dingsi day belongs to the Jiayin decade, with the empty palace falling on Zi and Chou. The Zi and Chou branches on the Heaven Plate also fall exactly on the empty palace. There is also a lesson name 'Yuan Tai' and 'Li De'. The Heaven Plate layout: the Nobleman rides on Hai, under which Teng Snake rides on Zi, Zhu Que rides on Chou, Liu He rides on Yin, Gou Chen rides on Mao, Qing Long rides on Chen, Tian Kong rides on Si, Bai Hu rides on Wu, Tai Chang rides on Wei, Xuan Wu rides on Shen, Tai Yin rides on You, and Tian Hou rides on Xu. The four lessons, due to the Hidden Chant, are paired and identical: the fire of Ding is lodged in Wei, the first lesson Wei added with Ding, and the second lesson Wei added with Wei, both riding Tai Chang; the third lesson day branch Si added with Si, and the fourth lesson Si added with Si, both riding Tian Kong. The three transmissions are Si, Shen, and Yin: the first transmission Dingsi is a brother's yao riding Tian Kong, and is also the 'Ding God'; the middle transmission Gengshen is a wife's wealth yao riding Xuan Wu; the final transmission Jiayin is a father's yao riding Liu He.

邵先生曰：此課主來年發解，行年到寅，寅卯同收，只是不及第，又妻為猿猴所迷，四年後移居妻家，因妻家子死，併為一家住。又合主科第，授推官將滿，喪妻，再授財賦，再至任七月而終於奴婢之手，不見子息，一邊動哀，一邊子息喜事至。

Master Zhao said: This lesson indicates that the person will have a breakthrough next year - when the year pillar reaches the寅 (Tiger), both寅 and卯 (Rabbit) will absorb energy, but he will still not pass the imperial examination. It also indicates that his wife will be deceived by a monkey. Four years later, he will have to move to live with his wife's family, because the son of his wife's family has died, and thus the two families will become one and live together. Later, he will still pass the imperial examination and be appointed as a county official. When his term is about to end, he will lose his wife. Then he will be appointed to an official position in charge of finances and revenues, but will die within seven months of taking office, killed by a servant. At the time of his death, he will not see his son by his side. At the same time, he will be mourning, while his son's good news will arrive.

童果次年得解，至今赴省，其家近山，妻為猿猴所迷，終日歌咲不已，鄰人記得先生言治之而愈，四年遂移妻家居七年，妻父母止一子，亡，遂與童共居。戊辰科及第，授南安州司李，任滿妻葉氏亡，再授臨安樓務官，到任七月，二子歸秋試，童死。只有五六奴婢措置後事，及子息來扶喪，次子得第七名解矣。

Later events proved true: Tong Qi Youcai indeed passed the examination the next year, and then went to the provincial capital to take the exam. His home was near a mountain, and his wife was bewitched by a monkey, singing and laughing foolishly all day. The neighbors remembered what Master Shao had said and followed the treatment, which eventually cured her. Four years later, he moved in with his wife's family, where her parents had only one son who had died, so they lived together with the Tong family. In the Wuchen examination, he was appointed as the magistrate of Nan'an County; when his term ended, his wife Ye Shi died. He was then appointed as the official in charge of the Lin'an granary. Seven months after taking office, his two sons returned home to take the autumn examination, and Tong Qi Youcai died, with only five or six servants handling his funeral affairs. When his sons arrived to mourn, they learned that the second son had ranked seventh in the preliminary examination.

先生析曰；蓋丁以末傳寅為學堂，末寅行年卯扶，故次年發解舉。又曰上常為職，初傳臨官天空，主聲譽也，充解。中傳妻宮，元武乘之，並光怪殺，申為猿，武為賊，主猿迷；歸妻家者，日止一丁，巳有兩丁，支上初傳也，皆生於寅。宅為妻，故主入妻家，丁生於寅，故同居，充解及第，皆末傳寅也。死不見子干，傳中無子爻也。

Master Zhao explained that the Ding fire is in the final transmission's寅, which is the place of learning, and the final transmission's寅 is supported by the year's卯, so he passed the examination and was admitted the second year. He also said that the Tai Chang on the day stem indicates an official position, and the initial transmission's official position is occupied by Tian Kong, which indicates fame, so he was able to be admitted. The middle transmission is the wife's house, with the Black Tortoise occupying it, and there is a strange and ominous influence from the申, which is taken as a monkey, and the Black Tortoise is a thief, so it indicates being deceived by a monkey. Regarding entering the wife's family: the day stem has only one Ding, but the巳 position has two Dings (one from the day branch and one from the initial transmission), both of which are in the growth position in寅; the day branch is the wife, so it indicates marrying into the wife's family; the Ding is also in the growth position in寅, so both families live together. As for being admitted and passing the examination, both should be considered in the final transmission's寅. The reason he cannot see his son is that there is no son's element in the three transmissions.

74）陳主簿戊寅生三十二歲占官任吉凶，及問遷擢，己酉年十月庚辰日寅將辰時。（申酉空亡，午未落空），渉害，見機，間傳，顧祖。 六陳 朱卯辰巳午龍 蛇寅 未空 后 蛇 六 龍 官 壬午 龍 初（落空） 貴丑 申虎 子 寅 辰 午 父 庚辰 六 中 后子亥戌酉常 寅 辰 午 庚 財 戊寅 蛇 末 陰玄

Seventy-fourth example: Chen the Clerk was born in the year of Wuyin, is thirty-two years old, and consulted about the fortune of his position and whether he would be promoted. The time was in the year Jiyou, tenth lunar month, day Gengchen. The class was set with the month general Yin added to the time of Chen. The day Gengchen belongs to the Jiaxu decade, with the empty positions falling on Shen and You. The branches of the Heaven Plate, Wu and Wei, are in the empty positions. The name of the class has four: "Involvement of Harm," "Opportunity," (in the class of Involvement of Harm, the divine spirit is taken from the four young positions to initiate the class, indicating the opportunity) "Intermediate Transmission," and "Looking Back to Ancestry" (the three transmissions look back to their root). The Heaven Plate was arranged with the general Yin added to the time of Chen. The nobleman is on Chou, with Teng Snake on Yin, Vermilion Bird on Mao, Liu He on Chen, Gou Chen on Si, Azure Dragon on Wu, Tian Kong on Wei, Bai Hu on Shen, Tai Chang on You, Xuan Wu on Xu, Tai Yin on Hai, and Tian Hou on Zi. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Geng, located in the Shen palace, with Wu above it, riding on Azure Dragon; the second lesson is Wu, with Chen above it, riding on Liu He; the third lesson is the day branch Chen, with Yin above it, riding on Teng Snake; the fourth lesson is Yin, with Zi above it, riding on Tian Hou. The three transmissions are Wu, Chen, and Yin: the first transmission is Renwu, the official ghost, riding on Azure Dragon and falling into the empty position; the middle transmission is Gengchen, the parents, riding on Liu He; the final transmission is Wuyin, the wife's wealth, riding on Teng Snake.

邵先生曰：日上發傳，退入支上，又是顧祖，末又見本命入宅，須是差出，經過鄉里而有是非寅為驛馬，故主經過，又是本命，所以主自蒙差出，而後經鄉里也。不然須是有甚不到處，不合日上退歸本命入宅，為蛇所擾，又是共屋人之事。蓋主簿大族，被諸房分多，遂告臺部爭分，十一月文書下，令知州差人押歸，分折了去赴任。陳押歸，分未半，因房產又入狀監司，奏罷下獄，始分成。

Master Zhao said: The three transmissions originate from the day stem, yet retreat back to the day branch, which is called 'looking back to the ancestor'; the final transmission then appears again in the native's birth stem and enters the position of moving in. This certainly indicates being sent on a mission, passing through one's hometown and causing disputes. Yin is the post-horse, so it indicates traveling; Yin is also the native's birth stem, so it means being dispatched and then passing through the hometown. Otherwise, there might be something unclear; it should not be that the energy from the day stem retreats to the native's birth stem and enters the position of moving in, and is disturbed by Teng Snake, which involves matters concerning those living in the same house. The original official Chen, who was from a large family, had been divided among different branches, resulting in many disputes. He then complained to the higher authorities. In November, the official documents arrived, ordering the local governor to send him back to his hometown to divide the property and then proceed to take office. When Chen was sent back, the property had not yet been divided halfway, and he again filed a complaint with the supervisory authority regarding the property. As a result, he was dismissed from office and imprisoned, and only then was the property divided.

先生析曰；蓋日上午為堂屋，又為官鬼乘龍加申為退鱗，歡中生悲，退財損身之兆。初午已是不好，奈中辰不歸午，末寅又生午火，只管克庚，命又戊寅，是我又去生火，畢竟自己不是，致令如此，況在任只要升轉，今初傳是上降下，又自外回家，豈不倒退？又名顧祖，夫復何疑？況庚以寅為財，是爭財也，本命作財，我與彼爭也，蛇在寅，我被撓也。行年乘夜貴，晝作天空閉口，是官未可告也。夜貴廢職也，未為眷屬，天空主爭，是因眷屬而爭也。

Master Zhao explained that the day stem's wu fire represents the hall and also the official ghost; it rides on the azure dragon and is placed on shen, forming the image of "retreating scales" (dragon scales turning back), indicating joy turning into sorrow, a sign of losing wealth and harming the body. The first transmission's wu is already unfavorable, and the middle transmission's chen cannot return to wu, while the final transmission's yin again generates wu fire, only focusing on overcoming geng metal. His own birth stem is wu yin, which is equivalent to himself generating fire - in the end, it is his own fault that he has reached this situation. Moreover, while in office he only sought promotion and transfer, now the first transmission is descending from above and returning home, which is not progress. The name of the divination is called "looking back to ancestors," so what is there to doubt? Furthermore, geng metal takes yin wood as its wealth, which is a competition for wealth; his birth stem is exactly the wealth hexagram, so it is a competition between him and others. The teng snake is on yin, so he is being纠缠 by others. The year stem rides on night noble, and if the divination is done in the day, it becomes tian kong, forming a closed mouth image, so this lawsuit cannot proceed. Night noble indicates losing position; wei represents family, and tian kong indicates disputes, so the conflict arises from family matters.

貴人閉口，無用也。

The nobleman has already closed his mouth, so he is of no use.

75）徐通判戊午生五十一歲占赴任及前程，戊申年十二月壬辰日丑將午時。（午未空亡，丑寅落空），知一，不備，孤辰。 陳六 龍子丑寅卯朱 空亥 辰蛇 后 空 陳 后 財 空午 后 初（空亡） 虎戌 巳貴 午 亥 丑 午 鬼 己丑 陳 中（落空）（暗鬼） 常酉申未午后 亥 辰 午 壬 父 甲申 玄 末 玄陰

Seventy-fifth case: Xu Tongpan was born in the year of Wuwu, and is fifty-one years old. He consulted about taking office and his future. The time was in the year of Jiashen, twelfth lunar month, day of Renchen. The class was cast with the month general Chou added to the time of Wu. The day Renchen belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty space falling on Wu and Wei. The branches of Tianpan, Chou and Yin, are in the empty space. The name of the class has three: "Zhiyi", "Bubei", and "Guchen". The Tianpan with Chou as the general added to Wu time is fixed. The nobleman rides Si, below it Teng Snake rides Chen, Zhuque rides Mao, Liuhuo rides Yin, Gouchen rides Chou, Qinglong rides Zi, Tiankong rides Hai, Baihu rides Xu, Taichang rides You, Xuanwu rides Shen, Taiyin rides Wei, and Tianhou rides Wu. The four lessons from right to left: the first lesson, the day stem Ren is in the Hai palace, above it Wu, riding Tianhou; the second lesson, Wu has Chou above it, riding Gouchen; the third lesson, the day branch Chen has Hai above it, riding Tiankong; the fourth lesson, Hai has Wu above it, riding Tianhou. The three transmissions are Wu, Chou, and Jiashen: the first transmission Wu falls in the empty space, as the wife and wealth爻, riding Tianhou; the middle transmission Jiachou is the official and ghost爻, riding Gouchen, falling in the empty space, and is an invisible ghost; the final transmission Jia Shen is the father and mother爻, riding Xuanwu.

邵先生曰：課名亂首，日後因到官中取財，為僕所持，妻被僕姦淫，本身則死於僕手。其父墓玄武不垂頭，拒尸之故。若速移此墳，可保佑性命，否則戊午年必見凶也。

Master Zhao said: This lesson is called "Disorder at the Beginning," with subordinates rising against superiors. In the future, you will be caught accepting bribes in your position, and be taken advantage of by a servant who holds a grudge against you; your wife will also be violated by the servant, and you will ultimately die at the hands of the servant. This is because your father's tomb's Black Tortoise (the rear mountain) refuses to bow down, forming a dangerous "refusal of the corpse" pattern. If you can quickly move this tomb, you may still preserve your life; otherwise, in the Wuwu year, you will certainly face misfortune.

徐辛亥赴任，權州事，有一婦人打死一婢，徐得二千貫，從輕發落，後新知州怪其用度過多，遂與不足，而徐有僕童吉，常持二十千以挾其主，遂奸其妻，夫知竟不敢明責。乙卯升池州，不帶此僕去，僕每恨之，戊午僕來池州，僕持刃刺徐於門。

Later events came to pass: Xu Tongpan took office in the Xinhai year and temporarily managed the affairs of the state. A woman killed a servant girl, and Xu collected two thousand guan of money and leniently dealt with the case. Later, the new governor accused him of extravagant spending, and a rift developed between them. Xu's servant, Tong Ji, often used the matter of the two thousand guan to intimidate his master and eventually committed adultery with the mistress. Xu knew about it but dared not openly reprimand him. In the Yimao year, he was promoted to Chizhou and did not take the servant with him; the servant harbored resentment. In the Wuwu year, the servant arrived in Chizhou, entered the gate with a knife, and killed Xu Tongpan.

先生析曰；蓋其父墓坎山，元武七十餘丈，葬在六十丈，前面又有十餘丈，果不垂頭。亥加辰，乃自取亂首。天空僕犯主也。午為財，丑為鬼，丑鬼加午財上，故在任受財，午到亥，六陰終始，僕*其妻，壬乘午之故也。天后在上，主淫亂，壬以申為父，加丑是父墓，玄武長生而不垂頭為拒尸。午亥俱自刑，故僕傷，下犯上，亂首也。

Master Zhao explained that his father's tomb was located on a mountain facing the direction of the Water Trigram (Kan). Behind the tomb, the Black Tortoise mountain was over seventy feet high, but the tomb was actually placed at sixty feet, leaving more than ten feet in front. Indeed, this is a case of the Black Tortoise not bending down. The combination of亥 (Hai) on top of辰 (Chen) leads to the "disorder of the head." The Tian Kong (Sky) represents servants, which indicates that the servant has offended the master. The Wu Trigram (Fire) represents wealth, while the Chou Trigram (Earth) represents ghosts. The ghost trigram is placed on top of the wealth trigram, indicating that he accepted money while in office. When the Wu Trigram moves to the Hai Trigram, six layers of yin energy connect at the beginning and end, leading to the servant committing adultery with the master's wife (the original text has one character that is blurred and is copied without correction). This is also due to the Ren water trigram taking advantage of the Wu trigram. The Heavenly Empress is in a superior position, indicating disorder and immorality. The Ren water trigram uses Shen as its parent trigram. Shen is placed on top of Chou, which is the tomb of the parent. The Black Tortoise, although in the position of growth, does not bend down, which is exactly "rejecting the corpse." Both Wu and Hai trigrams are self-punishing, so he was injured by the servant. The servant committing a crime against the master is exactly "disorder of the head."

76）錢通判丁巳生五十三歲占前程，己酉年正月庚辰日子將巳時，（申酉空亡，卯辰落空），渉害，絕嗣，驀越。古本作十一月二十一日丑時生 貴后 蛇子丑寅卯陰 朱亥 辰玄 虎 朱 六 陰 官 壬午 虎 初 六戌 巳常 午 亥 戌 卯 父 丁丑 貴 中（丁神）（暗鬼） 陳酉申未午虎 亥 辰 卯 庚 兄 空申 龍 末（空亡） 龍空

Seventy-sixth example: Qian Tongpan was born in the year of Dingsi, and is now fifty-three years old. He consulted about his future career. The time was in the year Jiyou, first month, day of Gengchen. The divination was cast using the month of Zi as the general, added to the time of Si. (The ancient text records that he was born on the twenty-first day of the eleventh month at the hour of Chou.) The day of Gengchen belongs to the Jiaxu decade, with the empty positions falling on Shen and You. The branches of Mao and Chen on the Heaven Plate fall into the empty positions. The name of the lesson includes three: "Involvement of Harm," "No Successor" (indicating no descendants), and "Leap Over." The Heaven Plate was arranged with Zi as the general added to the time of Si. The nobleman is on Chou, below which is Teng Snake on Zi, Vermilion Bird on Hai, Liu He on Xu, Gou Chen on You, Azure Dragon on Shen, Tian Kong on Wei, Bai Hu on Wu, Tai Chang on Si, Tai Yin on Chen, and Tian Hou on Yin. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Geng, located in the Shen palace, with Mao above it, riding Tai Yin; the second lesson is Mao with Xu above it, riding Liu He; the third lesson is the day branch Chen with Hai above it, riding Vermilion Bird; the fourth lesson is Hai with Wu above it, riding Bai Hu. The three transmissions are Wu, Chou, and Shen: the first transmission is Renwu, representing the official star, riding Bai Hu; the second transmission is Dingchou, representing the parents' yao, riding the nobleman, which is both the "Ding god" and an invisible ghost; the third transmission is Shen, falling into the empty position, representing the brother yao, riding Azure Dragon.

邵先生曰：無祿課，雖受通判，必不能食祿。兼父母年高先亡，母后亡，父下來又有別差，將及瓜而止。末又是祿，乘空亡入墓，亡在乙丑年六十九上。又蔭不得子也。

Master Zhao said: This is a lesson of "no salary." Although he was appointed to the position of Tongpan, he would ultimately not receive the salary. Moreover, his parents were already old, his mother died first, and then his father also died. Later, he would have other assignments, but when his term was about to end, it would come to an end. The final transmission, although it is the god of salary, is riding on Kongwang and entering the tomb, so he would die in the year Yichou, at the age of sixty-nine. Also, his official privilege would not pass on to his son.

錢乃奉議郎，受臨江軍通判，庚戌至任，至三月三日作寒食會，母醉死，壬子冬又差南康通判，甲寅又丁父憂，丁巳受江南安撫，己未避嫌，得台州崇道觀，壬戌再轉嶽州通判，乙丑五月喪本身矣。

Later events: Qian Tongpan was originally a Fengyi Lang, appointed as the Tongpan of Linjiang Jun. He took office in the Gengxu year. On the third day of the third lunar month, he held a Cold Food Festival banquet, and his mother died from drunkenness. In the Renzi year, winter, he was again assigned as Tongpan of Nan Kang. In the Jiayin year, his father died, and he observed mourning. In the Dingsi year, he was appointed to the position of安抚 in Jiangnan. In the Jiwei year, due to avoidance, he was transferred to the position of CiLu in the Taozhou Chongdao Guan. In the Renxu year, he was again transferred to be Tongpan of Yuezhou. In the Yichou year, he died in May.

先生析曰；乙丑者死，乙祿在卯，卯絕在申，而天盤申去入墓在丑又空亡，且申乃今日之庚，便是我身，身上有卯，卯中有乙，申乃今日之庚墓丑，故乙丑年死，相次轉朝奉郎，止爭二日，不得萌子。

Master Zhao explained that dying in the year Yichou is because the Yi wood's strength is in Mao, and Mao is exhausted in Shen; meanwhile, the Heaven Plate's Shen is buried in Chou, and also falls into Kongwang. Shen is precisely today's Geng metal, which is my body; my body has Mao, which contains Yi; the Geng metal Shen is also buried in Chou, so death occurs in the Yichou year. He then intended to transfer to the position of Fenglang, but missed by two days, so the official favor could not extend to his son.

77）時監院庚午生四十歲占謀動遷轉，己酉年正月辛巳日子將酉時。（申酉空亡，亥子落空）， 虎常 空申酉戌亥玄 龍未 子陰 玄 空 朱 后 兄 空申 空 初（空亡） 陳午 丑后 亥 申 辰 丑 子 乙亥 玄 中（落空） 六巳辰卯寅貴 申 巳 丑 辛 財 戊寅 貴 末 朱蛇

Seventy-seventh example: A monk named Shi Jianyuan was born in the Gengwu year and is forty years old. He is seeking to change his position and seek promotion, so he divines the situation. The time is in the Jiyou year, first month, Xinsi day. The lesson is cast with the Zi month general added to the You hour. The Xinsi day belongs to the Jiaxu decade, with the empty positions falling on Shen and You. The Heaven Plate's Zi and Chou branches fall in the Kongwang position. The Heaven Plate is set with the Zi general added to the You hour. The Nobleman rides the Yin, with Teng Snake riding the Mao, Vermilion Bird riding the Chen, Liu He riding the Si, Gou Chen riding the Wu, Azure Dragon riding the Wei, Tian Kong riding the Shen, Bai Hu riding the You, Tai Chang riding the Xu, Xuan Wu riding the Hai, Tai Yin riding the Zi, and Tian Hou riding the Chou. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Xin, which is in the Xu palace, with Chou above it, riding Tian Hou; the second lesson is Chou, with Chen above it, riding Vermilion Bird; the third lesson is the day branch Si, with Shen above it, riding Tian Kong; the fourth lesson is Shen, with Hai above it, riding Xuan Wu. The three transmissions are Shen, Hai, and Yin: the first transmission is Shen, which falls in the empty position, representing a brother's yao, riding Tian Kong; the middle transmission is Yi Hai, representing a son's yao, riding Xuan Wu and falling in the empty position; the final transmission is Wu Yin, representing a wife's wealth yao, riding the Nobleman.

邵先生曰：此課守妻家，卒未能動身。今喜日墓帶丁，遂有變動之意。臨廟滿後，必得京局，監多是藥院之類。末傳寅在前引動墓，人遂得出去。又是夜貴人，乃久困之貴人，今得用於朝，因此可以遷之。若見廚灶煮麵，僕子為湯所傷，即是喜事到。又主小兒落佛堂外水坑亦應也。

Master Zhao said: This divination indicates that the subject is currently confined within the wife's family and cannot move for a while. Now, however, it is fortunate that the day stem's Tomb Spirit is accompanied by the丁神, indicating a potential change. After completing the duties at the temple, he will certainly be appointed to an official position in the capital, overseeing mostly places like the pharmacy. The final transmission's寅 is ahead, prompting the Tomb Spirit, thus allowing the person to move out. The final transmission is also the night nobleman, which refers to a long-time confined nobleman now being utilized by the court, hence a promotion is expected. When one sees the kitchen boiling noodles and a servant getting scalded by the soup, that will be a sign of good news; additionally, there is an indication of a child falling into a water pit outside the temple hall, which will also be a confirmation.

時自二十三上就舍妻家，是年欲謀動，占得此課，庚戌七月嶽祠滿，討得監和劑局，因他丈人徐侍郎在九宮觀，遂得差遣。所云夜貴久困是也。辛亥其女生日，廚下煮麵，僕子托面出，被人沖在身，而被湯傷。又家宴更深，親戚小兒戲佛堂外一小池中，次日早晨來催赴任。

Later events proved true: the monk's wife's family had been hosting him since he was twenty-three years old. That year he wanted to seek a transfer, and he cast this divination. In the Gengxu year, July saw the completion of his service at the family temple, and he was appointed to a position in the supervisory office and the medicine bureau. This was because his father-in-law, Xu the Vice Minister, was serving at the Jiugong Temple, so he obtained this appointment, which fulfilled the phrase "the night official was long confined but eventually came into use." In the Xinhai year, on his daughter's birthday, the kitchen was making noodles, and a servant brought the noodles out, only to be bumped into and scalded by the soup. That day, the family banquet lasted until late at night, and a child from a relative's family was playing near a small pond outside the Buddha hall and fell into it. The next morning, people came to urge him to take office.

先生析曰；丑加辛作墓神，天后又是滯神，丑中有旬丁為動，換申為醫藥加巳，巳為廚灶，申又為面，天空為僕，亥加申為元武，武乃水神為池，武又為墮水，辛以亥為水息，孩童墮此池中。末卻見貴人乘天門，便是赴任。

Master Zhao explained that when Chou is placed on Xin, it is the Tomb Spirit, and the Heavenly Empress is also a god of obstruction, so movement is initially blocked; however, Chou contains the hidden day stem Ding, which is active and thus causes movement. Shen represents medicine, placed on Si, which is the kitchen, and Shen can also be taken as representing noodles. Tian Kong represents a servant; altogether, this depicts a servant being injured while cooking noodles in the kitchen. Hai is placed on Shen and rides the Black Tortoise, which is the water god and can be taken as a pond, also indicating drowning. Xin metal has Hai as its offspring (born from water), so it is a child falling into the pond. The final transmission sees a nobleman occupying the position of the heavenly gate, which is a signal to take office.

78）陳上舍戊辰生四十二歲占科舉，己酉年正月己亥日子將未時，（辰巳空亡，酉戌落空），知一，鑄印，斬關，勵德。四月十六巳時生。 蛇貴 朱戌亥子丑后 六酉 寅陰 六 常 虎 貴 父 空巳 虎 初（空亡） 陳申 卯玄 酉 辰 巳 子 兄 戊戌 朱 中（落空） 龍未午巳辰常 辰 亥 子 己 鬼 癸卯 玄 末 空虎

Seventy-eighth example: Chen Shangshe was born in the year of Wuchen, at the age of forty-two, and consulted the divination for the imperial examination (born on the 16th day of the fourth lunar month at the hour of Si). The time of the divination was on the day of Ji Hai in the year of Jiawu, with the month of Zi as the month general, and the course was set with the month general added to the hour of Wei. The day Ji Hai belongs to the Jiawu decade, with the empty hour falling on Chen and Si. The branches of the heaven plate, You and Xu, fall in the empty position. The name of the course has four: "Know One," "Cast Seal," "Cut the Gate," and "Uphold Virtue." The heaven plate is set with the month general Zi added to the hour of Wei. The nobleman is on Zi, below it is Teng Snake on Hai, Vermilion Bird on Xu, Liu He on You, Gou Chen on Shen, Azure Dragon on Wei, Tian Kong on Wu, Bai Hu on Si, Tai Chang on Chen, Tai Yin on Yin, Tian Hou on Chou. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ji in the Wei palace, with Zi above it, riding the nobleman; the second lesson is Zi with Si above it, riding Bai Hu; the third lesson is the day branch Hai with Chen above it, riding Tai Chang; the fourth lesson is Chen with You above it, riding Liu He. The three transmissions are Si, Xu, and Mao: the first transmission is Si, which falls in the empty hour, representing the parent's yao, riding Bai Hu; the middle transmission is Wu Xu as the brother's yao, riding Bai Hu and falling in the empty position; the final transmission is Gui Mao as the official ghost yao, riding Xuan Wu.

邵先生曰：初末夾定日墓，又名引從，引既不起，從亦不動，前程只如此。巳戌卯鑄印格，乃貴人課；又貴人臨日，可謂吉矣；見壬子年方脫墓神之滯，終見及第，便持兩服；服滿得任，又不終矣。有坎山墳，白蟻遍食，所以前程不通。陳生當年不中，壬子得解及第，持母服；乙卯又持父服。丁巳年授浦江簿，庚申九月身亡。後開坎山墳，果得蟻食者矣。

Shao Master said: The first and final transmissions enclose the day stem's buried spirit in the middle, which is called "leading and following"; however, the leading part fails to rise, and the following part cannot move, so the future ends there. The combinations of巳, 戌, and 卯 are of the "seal imprint" pattern, which originally belongs to a nobleman's fortune; and since the nobleman is also present with the day stem, it is considered auspicious. It would take until the Renzi year to be freed from the obstruction of the buried spirit, eventually achieving success; but soon after, he would have to consecutively mourn twice, and after fulfilling the mourning period, he would be appointed to an official post, yet he would not die a natural death. His family had a grave facing the Kan direction, and the coffin was completely eaten by white ants, so his future was blocked. The candidate Chen indeed failed in the examination, but in the Renzi year he passed the examination and was appointed, then immediately mourned his mother. In the Yimao year he mourned his father. In the Dingsi year he was appointed as the county magistrate of Pujia County, and in the Gengshen year in September he died. Later, when they dug up that grave facing the Kan direction, they indeed found it completely eaten by white ants.

先生析曰；夫引從之格，己見巳為絕，辰為墓，墓辰死卯，日上水子亦墓辰、絕巳、死卯，今反引出死墓絕及白虎元武夾定支干之墓，墓加宅，所以引起孝服。庚申年死者，行年又臨巳宮，乃是絕地。巳與申合，合起墓絕，所以死也。

Shao Master explained that in the pattern of "yin cong" (leading from), the earthy Ji earth is in its absolute decline when encountering Si, in its storage when encountering Chen, and in its death when encountering Mao. The water of the day stem also is in storage when encountering Chen, in absolute decline when encountering Si, and in death when encountering Mao. Now, the three transmissions have simultaneously brought out the death, storage, and absolute decline, with the White Tiger and Black Tortoise, two Inauspicious General (malevolent generals), flanking the storage of the day stem and day branch. The storage god also overlays the dwelling position, thus leading to matters of mourning attire. As for dying in the year of Gengshen, it is because that year's row position is in the Si palace, which is the absolute decline; Si and Shen are in a harmonious relationship, thus activating both the storage and the absolute decline together, hence the death.

79）歐陽秘教戊寅生三十三歲占秋試，己酉年六月己卯日午將戌時。（申酉空亡，辰巳落空），渉害，曲直，佚女，不備，魄化，飛魂。 空虎 龍丑寅卯辰常 陳子 巳玄 后 六 六 虎 兄 癸未 后 初 六亥 午陰 未 亥 亥 卯 鬼 己卯 虎 中 朱戌酉申未后 亥 卯 卯 己 財 乙亥 六 末（暗鬼） 蛇貴

Seventy-Ninth Case: Ou Yang Mi, born in the year of Wuyin, is thirty-three years old and comes to seek divination for the autumn examination. The time is in the year of Jiyou, sixth month, day of Jimao. The divination is cast with the month general of Wu added to the hour of Xu. The day of Jimao belongs to the ten-day cycle of Jiaxu, with the empty position falling on Shen and You. The branches of Chen and Si on the heaven plate are located in the empty position. The name of the divination has six aspects: "Involvement of Harm," "Curved Straight" (the three transmissions form a wood trinity of Hai, Mao, and Wei), "Lost Woman," "Incomplete," "Soul Transformation," and "Flying Soul" (the last two indicate unrest of soul and mind). The heaven plate is set with the general of Wu added to the hour of Xu. The nobleman is riding Shen, with Teng Snake riding You, Vermilion Bird riding Xu, Liu He riding Hai, Gou Chen riding Zi, Azure Dragon riding Chou, Tian Kong riding Yin, Bai Hu riding Mao, Tai Chang riding Chen, Xuan Wu riding Si, Tai Yin riding Wu, and Tian Hou riding Wei. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson, the day stem Ji is located in the Wei palace, with Mao above it, riding Bai Hu; the second lesson, Mao has Hai above it, riding Liu He; the third lesson, the day branch Mao has Hai above it, riding Liu He; the fourth lesson, Hai has Wei above it, riding Tian Hou. The three transmissions are Wei, Mao, and Hai: the first transmission, Guiwei, is the brother's yao, riding Tian Hou; the middle transmission, Jimao, is the official ghost yao, riding Bai Hu; the final transmission, Yihai, is the wife's wealth yao, riding Liu He, with an implicit ghost.

邵先生曰：上門亂首，不利有三：一者防犯諱字及時禁忌，二防場屋中有鬥爭，三防與尊長不足。第二場兼防汙塗（鬼在中傳也。）。己日得木局，且支克干，專主用傷，今年不是功名之年。若免得是非也，是幸事矣。後入試聚眾相爭喧鬧場屋，試官申學降罷。

Master Zhao said: This is a "doorway disorder" divination, with three unfavorable aspects: first, one must be cautious of offending the taboo words and the contemporary taboos; second, one must be cautious of a fight breaking out in the examination hall; third, one must be cautious of discord with superiors. For the second examination, one must also be cautious of the test paper being damaged (because the ghost爻 is in the middle transmission). The day stem isJi Earth, which is in a wooden situation, and the day branch is also attacking the day stem, indicating that the useful god is injured, and this year is not a year for achieving official rank; if one can avoid troubles, it would be a fortunate outcome. Later, when he entered the examination hall, there was indeed a gathering of people fighting, causing great disorder in the examination hall. The chief examiner reported to the education official, and he was dismissed from the examination.

先生析曰；大凡上門亂首，不是犯家中尊長，自是占尊長不足。今行年上見馬，馬主動在外，而破碎元武，又是不正神，已是不利，不合本命又來刑了行年上巳，是刑了馬與破碎，扛起玄合，故生起是非犯上，況己日卯加巳，是克己，兼木局又從而助之，是聚眾來傷，勢不可遏也。更天后六合又乘三合，自然群眾，且白虎主斗，天后主朋友相識乎？然非年上駟馬引出，主內亂，不可專言外也。

Shao Master explained that generally, a divination lesson marked as "upstairs disorder" is either an offense against the family's elders or a conflict regarding matters related to the elders. Now, the year pillar shows the Post-horse, indicating movement outside the home. There are also the broken pieces and the Black Tortoise, which are unorthodox deities, already indicating bad fortune. Unluckily, the person's own pillar is in conflict with the year pillar's巳, which is equivalent to activating both the Post-horse and the broken pieces, and lifting up the Black Tortoise and Liu He. Thus, disputes arise and there is an offense against the elders. Moreover, with the己 earth day pillar encountering卯 added to巳, it is directly attacking the person's own pillar, and the wood element is assisting from the side, which means a gathering of people to harm the person, and the situation is unstoppable. Furthermore, the Heavenly Empress and Liu He are in the Triple Harmony formation, naturally gathering a group of people. The White Tiger indicates conflict, and the Heavenly Empress also represents friends and acquaintances. However, if the Post-horse on the year pillar does not release the energy, this lesson indicates internal disorder, and it cannot be solely attributed to external matters.

80）徐秀才丙子生三十四歲占秋試，己酉年壬戌日亥將申時。（子丑空亡，辰卯落空），遙克，蒿矢，稼穡，勵德，蕪淫。古本作十一月十六日寅時生。 陳龍 六申酉戌亥空 朱未 子虎 后 常 貴 玄 鬼 丙辰 后 初（落空） 蛇午 丑常 辰 丑 巳 寅 鬼 己未 朱 中（暗鬼） 貴巳辰卯寅玄 丑 戌 寅 壬 鬼 壬戌 龍 末 后陰

Eighth Example: Xu Scholar was born in the year Bingzi, at the age of thirty-four, seeking divination for the autumn examination. (The ancient text records that he was born on the sixteenth day of the eleventh lunar month at the hour of寅.) The time was on the day Jiyou of the year Gengyou. The month was亥, and the lesson was cast with the month general亥 added to the hour of申. The day Renxu belongs to the Jiayin cycle, with the empty positions falling on子 and丑. The branches of the heaven plate,辰 and卯, are in the empty positions. The names of the lesson are five: "Remote Conquest," "Arrow," "Cultivation of Land" (the three transmissions,辰,未, and戌, are all earth), "Moral Cultivation," and "Wastefulness." The heaven plate was set with the general亥 added to the hour of申. The nobleman is on巳, with the snake on午, the vermilion bird on未, the six unities on申, the earth dog on酉, the azure dragon on戌, the sky void on亥, the white tiger on子, the great constant on丑, the black tortoise on寅, and the heavenly empress on辰. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem壬, located in the亥 palace, with寅 above it, riding the black tortoise; the second lesson is寅 with巳 above it, riding the nobleman; the third lesson is the day branch戌 with丑 above it, riding the great constant; the fourth lesson is丑 with辰 above it, riding the heavenly empress. The three transmissions,辰,未, and戌: the first transmission Bingchen is the official ghost, riding the heavenly empress and falling into the empty position; the middle transmission Jiwei is the official ghost, riding the vermilion bird, and is also an invisible ghost; the final transmission Renxu is the official ghost, riding the azure dragon.

邵先生曰：此課不可問試，防今年有風疾，似乎竣瘓之類；兼破碎位太常乘鬼入宅，若無疾則有服，碎臨空主外服，初墓加破上，雖空亦主婦人有血氣疾。甲寅旬寅加亥真閉口，三傳並宅四土塞之，氣血不行，榮衛不通，能早疏決，不致臃滯，可免癱瘓。當年三月因食菱成風，四肢不遂，狀如癱瘓，後雖無事，卻行履不得；六月喪妻母，九月又喪生母。

Master Zhao said: This divination cannot be used to inquire about exams, but one should be cautious about suffering from a wind illness this year, such as paralysis. Also, the position of fragmentation has the Tai Chang riding on a ghost爻 entering the house, so if one does not get sick, there will be mourning clothes. Fragmentation is on the empty position, indicating mourning for the maternal side. The initial transmission's tomb god is added on top of fragmentation, although it falls on the empty position, it still indicates that there will be blood-related illnesses among the women in the family. This divination is in the Jiayin decade, with寅 placed on亥, which is truly "closed mouth." The three transmissions together with the house position form four layers of earth, blocking the qi, preventing the circulation of blood and qi, and causing the营卫 to be unsmooth. If one can promptly unblock and release the qi, it will not become stagnant, and one can avoid paralysis. Later that year in March, he ate lotus seeds and suffered a stroke, his limbs could not move, appearing like paralysis; although he later recovered, his walking was still not smooth. In June, he mourned his mother-in-law, and in September, he mourned his biological mother.

先生析曰；蓋甲寅加癸亥真閉口，元又乘之，又是一重閉口，寅主風，元亦主風，寅與亥合，故主癱瘓。辰戌丑未重重臃塞，又兼閉口，便是血氣不調，所以主此病，要好決坤申水，通艮寅風，便可免此災，否則更甚，其人當年果不得試。（重點研讀此課例）樸記！

Master Zhao explained that Jiayin placed over Guihai represents a true "closed mouth"; the Black Tortoise also occupies its position, adding another layer of closure. Yin governs wind, and the Black Tortoise also governs wind. Yin and Hai are also in harmony, so this indicates paralysis. The heavy blockage of Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei, combined with the closed mouth, leads to disharmony of the blood and qi, causing this illness. To cure it, one should drain the water in the southwest Kun Shen direction and open the wind in the northeast Gen Yin direction, thus avoiding this disaster. Otherwise, the illness will worsen. The person indeed failed the examination that year. (Editor's note: This case is worth careful study. Pu's record.)

81）何知錄丁丑生三十一歲占前程，戊申年五月丙戌日申將未時。（午未空亡，未申落空），進茹，重審，三奇。 陳六 龍午未申酉朱 空巳 戌蛇 后 貴 陳 龍 鬼 丁亥 貴 初（丁神） 虎辰 亥貴 子 亥 未 午 鬼 戊子 后 中 常卯寅丑子后 亥 戌 午 丙 子 己丑 陰 末 玄陰

Example 81: How to know about a person born in the year Dingchou, aged thirty-one, who seeks divination about his future. The time is in the year Wushen, fifth month, day Bingxu. The lesson is cast with the month general Shen added to the hour Wei. The day Bingxu belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty positions falling on Wu and Wei. The Heaven Plate's branches Wei and Shen fall in the empty positions. The lesson has three names: "Progressing to Eat", "Re-examination", and "Three Marvels". The Heaven Plate is arranged with the general Shen added to the hour Wei. The nobleman is riding亥, below it is Teng Snake riding戌, Vermilion Bird riding酉, Liu He riding申, Gou Chen riding未, Azure Dragon riding午, Tian Kong riding巳, White Tiger riding辰, Tai Chang riding卯, Tai Yin riding丑, and Heavenly Empress riding子. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Bing, located in the branch Si, with Wu above it, riding Azure Dragon; the second lesson is Wu, with Wei above it, riding Gou Chen; the third lesson is the day branch Xu, with Hai above it, riding Nobleman; the fourth lesson is Hai, with Zi above it, riding Heavenly Empress. The three transmissions are Hai, Zi, and Chou: the first transmission is Dinghai, an official ghost爻, riding Nobleman, and also the "Ding God"; the second transmission is Wuzi, an official ghost爻, riding Heavenly Empress; the third transmission is Jichou, a son and grandson爻, riding Tai Yin.

邵先生曰：吾兄今雖授台州知錄，然此任不能赴，必有阻也。將來食祿在江西，有刑法二字，次任湖南北，三任江東，四任近京為安撫司，恐此後雖授州郡之名，不得赴任也。當年乳母死，丁心喪不赴此任，後任江西湖南北，得提刑司簡，任滿又近京為安撫司，後除饒州，不赴任而死。

Master Zhao said: Elder brother, although you have now been appointed as the governor of Taizhou, you will certainly not be able to take up this post, for there will be obstacles. In the future, you will receive salary in Jiangxi, and your official duties will involve the term 'criminal law'; the second post will be in Hunan and Hubei, the third in Jiangdong, and the fourth near the capital as the Office of Pacification. It is likely that although you will have the titles of local officials, you will not be able to take up the posts. Later events proved this true: at that time his wet nurse died, and he observed a mourning period for her, thus being unable to take up this post; afterwards, he indeed held posts in Jiangxi, Hunan and Hubei, and was assigned to the Office of Criminal Inspection; after completing his term, he was transferred to a post near the capital as the Office of Pacification; finally, he was appointed as the governor of Raozhou, but did not take up the post before dying.

先生析曰；蓋日上午作龍乘刃為之退鱗，又是空亡也。午為心，所以不得赴任，而遭心喪。次任江西者，亥加戌，水受土制則為江，臨西故言江西。刑法二字，支干皆自刑，更法字從水從去，亥子丑順流而去，故為法字。子為江湖，又在此方，初中皆官相連，故江西與湖南北相連也。

Master Zhao explained that the day stem has a午 (Wu) riding on the Azure Dragon and also carries the Yangren, forming the image of "retreating scales," and it falls in the Kongwang. The午 (Wu) in the human body represents the heart, so one cannot take up the position and must mourn the heart as if for a wet nurse. The second position is said to be in Jiangxi because the亥 (Hai) is placed on the戌 (Xu): water is restrained by earth and becomes a river, and since the戌 (Xu) is in the west, it is called Jiangxi. The title includes the word "criminal law" because both the day stem and day branch are self-punishing; furthermore, the character "法" (law) is composed of water and the radical "去" (to go), and the亥 (Hai), 子 (Zi), and 丑 (Chou) flow in sequence, perfectly matching the character "法." The子 (Zi) represents rivers and lakes and is located in this area; the first and middle transmissions are both connected to official ghosts, so the positions in Jiangxi and Hunan and Hubei are also connected.

又四任近京者，丁生人丙日占，丙丁皆寅為生地，父母之邦，故言京也。但與日遠，故不言都下，而言京西。末傳本命見太陰加子，丑土也，土為守土為太守，加在江湖地，依舊饒州也。授而不赴，太陰不顯也。既不顯安得赴？丙子年死，不出亥子丑也。丑是本命，乘陰不顯，便是死也。

As for the fourth official being close to the capital, it is because the person's birth year belongs to Ding and the day stem is Bing. Both Bing and Ding take Yin as their place of growth, and Yin is the homeland of their parents, hence it is referred to as 'capital'. However, since it is distant from the day stem, it is not said to be within the capital, but rather to the west of the capital. The final transmission is his true birth year; seeing Tai Yin added to Zi, his true birth year is Chou earth. Earth represents the position of governing, which is the governor, and it is added to the area of rivers and lakes, still being Raozhou. Although he was appointed an official, he could not take office, because Tai Yin signifies something hidden and not visible. Since it is not visible, how could he take office? Dying in the year Bingzi, he cannot escape the path of Hai, Zi, and Chou. Chou is precisely his true birth year, riding on Tai Yin but not being recognized, which means he died.

秩九析曰：丑是本命，為午龍六害。又作官星制神，既害品制，官焉乎得顯？不顯自死矣。丑獨加子，故不出壬子年。

Another named Zhiji said: Chou is his destiny, forming the six harms with Wu's Azure Dragon; Chou also serves as the god who subdues the official star. Since both the rank and the official star are harmed, how can he achieve success? Without success, he naturally dies. Chou alone added to Zi does not result in the year Renzi.

又曰：午得龍為官品，既空則此任虛慶矣。然脫此則就支上官星貴人，況更發用，三傳皆是，烏得不顯？故便從官貴上斷之。

There is another view: the horse (午) riding the Azure Dragon represents official rank. Since it falls into an empty position, this position is just empty joy. However, if we set this aside, there are still the official stars and noblemen in the day branch that can be considered. Moreover, it is also the initiating transmission deity, and the three transmissions above and below are all official and noblemen. How could one not achieve success? Therefore, the interpretation should be made from the line of officials and noblemen.

82）童七占前程乙未日戌將巳時，（辰巳空亡，酉戌落空），知一，鑄印，度厄，勵德。愛圅曰：古本作己酉年三月十七日童學生占生於戊寅年正月丑日丑時二十六歲。 蛇貴 朱戌亥子丑后 六酉 寅陰 虎 貴 陰 六 子 空巳 虎 初（空亡） 陳申 卯玄 巳 子 寅 酉 財 戊戌 朱 中（落空） 龍未午巳辰常 子 未 酉 乙 兄 癸卯 玄 末 空虎

Example 82: A boy named Tong Qi consulted about his future. The day branch is Yi Wei, and the lesson is cast with the month general Wu Xu added to the time of巳 (snake). (Editor Cheng Aitu says: the ancient text says it was cast on the 17th day of the third lunar month in the year Jiyou, by a student named Tong Qi. He was born on the 1st day of the first lunar month in the year Wuyin, at the time of Chou, and is 26 years old.) The day branch Yi Wei belongs to the Jiawu decade, and the empty position falls on Chen and Si. The branches of the heaven plate You and Xu fall on the empty position. The name of the lesson has four: "Know One", "Cast Seal", "Pass Obstacle", "Cultivate Virtue". The heaven plate is set with the general Wu Xu added to the time of巳. The nobleman rides Zi, below it Teng Snake rides Hai, Zhu Que rides Xu, Liu He rides You, Gou Chen rides Shen, Qing Long rides Wei, Tian Kong rides Wu, Bai Hu rides Si, Tai Chang rides Chen, Xuan Wu rides Mao, Tai Yin rides Yin, and Tian Hou rides Chou. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Yi, which is located in the Chen palace, and above it is You, riding Liu He; the second lesson is You, above it is Yin, riding Tai Yin; the third lesson is the day branch Wei, above it is Zi, riding the nobleman; the fourth lesson is Zi, above it is Si, riding Bai Hu. The three transmissions are Si, Xu, and Mao: the first transmission Si falls in the empty position, as the son's yao, riding Bai Hu; the middle transmission Wu Xu is the wife's wealth yao, riding Zhu Que and falling into the empty position; the final transmission Gui Mao is the brother's yao, riding Xuan Wu.

邵先生曰：酉作六合，主生蓮花痔，因色中躁怒而得。色中何？酉為色也。何言躁也？酉克乙未木，木肝，肝主怒，非色中躁怒而何？正妻無子，必主偏生，三下賊上，前程未能興發。

Shao said: You is multiplied by Liu He, indicating a condition of lotus hemorrhoids, which is a type of hemorrhoid where the mass turns outward like the petals of a lotus. This condition arises from anger and irritation during sexual activity. How do we see its connection to female desire? Because You is originally associated with color. How do we see it as anger? You metal overcomes Yi and Wei wood, and wood in the human body belongs to the liver, which governs anger—what else could it be but anger during sexual activity? His wife will not give birth to a son, and he will certainly have children from a concubine; there are three instances in the Four Lessons where the lower spirits steal from the upper spirits, so his prospects will not rise quickly at first.

初巳作虎，子息防水厄。初巳子爻，加於子水之上，作虎，虎凶將，又遭下克，先是以主乎水厄。中戌，戌陽乙陰，正妻也，加子爻空巳上，烏能生子？奈又作子爻之墓何？戌作雀，防妻有湯傷火厄。末卯作玄，防出入騎乘有傷手足，文書在盜氣上，前程難顯。宅上貴人六害，末財祿又入盜氣，更三十不意而死。

The first transmission is the snake (Si) riding the White Tiger, indicating a need to be cautious about water-related dangers. The snake represents the son's hexagram, placed on top of the water (zi), and accompanied by the White Tiger, a凶将, which is a malevolent general. It is also being overcome by the underlying deity, so it is first judged as a water calamity. The middle transmission is the dog (Xu). Since Xu is yang and Yi is yin, their pairing represents the proper wife. However, it is placed on top of the empty snake (the son's hexagram), so how can a son be born? Moreover, Xu is precisely the Storage of the son's hexagram. Xu also rides the Vermilion Bird, so there is a need to be cautious about the wife being scalded by hot water. The final transmission is the rabbit (Mao) riding the Black Tortoise, so there is a need to be cautious about injuries to the hands and feet when going out or riding. The deity of documents is located in a place of depletion, indicating that the future prospects are difficult to achieve. The nobleman at the residence is also encountering the sixth harm, and the final transmission's wealth and official rank also fall into a place of depletion, so thirty years later, an unexpected death is expected.

先生析曰；日上酉作合，酉為血，合為蓮花來克身，故主蓮花痔。以巳為子息，巳乃旬空，又作虎，中妻又臨空，無子又妨妻，後辛亥年大水，子墮水幾死，丁巳妻醉後腳燒，乙卯騎馬入城，撲折左足，其言皆應也。六十二因侄分去產，不得意而死。

Master Zhao explained that the Day Stem was on You, which was multiplied by Liu He. You represents blood, and Liu He is symbolized as lotus flowers, which come to afflict the person, thus indicating the occurrence of hemorrhoids resembling lotus flowers. The wood of Yi is considered to have Si as its offspring, but Si is in the empty month and is also governed by the White Tiger; the wife's爻 in the Middle Transmission is also in the empty position, so there is no offspring and the wife is also harmed. Later, in the year of Xinhai, there was a great flood, and his son almost drowned; in the year of Dingsi, his wife was burned by hot water after drinking alcohol; in the year of Yimao, he rode a horse into the city and broke his left foot. All these events were fulfilled. At the age of sixty-two, because his nephew took away the family property, he became distressed and died.

蓋乙以戌為財乘空，末又被元引將去，反失財也。卯六戌五，五六三十，故更三十死看驗處著著俱妙，邵先生亦未之反也。亥辛年，亥巳相沖，子動也。妻戌加巳，巳火戌足，足加火上，非燒足而燒何？巳上故巳年應之，卯驢本日祿，不可言凶。乘玄乃凶耳。驢馬類也。克戌是折足，陽左陰右。故折左足。

Another layer: Ethereal Wood takes Xu as its wealth, but the wealth is on an empty void, and the final transmission is carried away by the Black Tortoise, so it results in loss of wealth. The number of Mao is six, and the number of Xu is five. Five multiplied by six gives thirty, so it is said that one will die thirty years later. Checking each part, everything is precise and ingenious, even the Master Zhao could not refute it. The Xinhai year corresponds to the calamity of children because Hai conflicts with Si, thus disturbing the grandson's element. The wife's element Xu is placed on Si: Si belongs to fire, and Xu can be taken as foot, foot placed on fire, what else could it be but burning the foot? Since it falls on the Si position, the year of Si is the time of the calamity. Originally, Mao is the禄神 of Ethereal Wood, representing donkey, horse, and carriage, which should not indicate misfortune, but because it is carried by the Black Tortoise, it becomes ominous. Mao overcoming Xu signifies breaking the foot; Yang represents the left, Yin represents the right, so it is concluded that the left foot is broken.

愛圅析曰：卯乘元武，又受酉沖，故主騎乘而攫折。若無酉沖，或不至此。大抵卯為舟車戶輿騾驢，一遇酉沖，便主翻覆跌撲，予嘗得驗也。

The compiler Cheng Aitu explains:卯 is influenced by the Black Tortoise and also suffers from the impact of酉, so it indicates an accident involving a fall or broken limbs while riding. If there were no酉 to clash with it, such an outcome might not occur. Generally,卯 represents boats, vehicles, doors, palanquins, donkeys, and mules; when it meets酉, which is a clash, it often leads to overturning or falling. I myself have verified this many times.

83）蓋判院辛未生三十九歲，占前程。己酉年五月壬子日未將子時。（寅卯空亡，酉戌落空），重審，四絕，佚女。 朱蛇 六子丑寅卯貴 陳亥 辰后 蛇 常 朱 玄 財 丙午 玄 初 龍戌 巳陰 寅 未 丑 午 鬼 癸丑 朱 中 空酉申未午玄 未 子 午 壬 父 戊申 虎 末（暗鬼） 虎常

Example 83: A person born in the year Xinwei, aged thirty-nine, consulted about his future. The time was on the day Jiyou of the month Wu, with the day Renzi. The lesson was cast using the month general Wu added to the hour Zi. The day Renzi belongs to the Jiachen cycle, with the empty position falling on Yin and Mao. The branches You and Xu on the heaven plate are in the empty position. The lesson has three names: "Rechecking", "Four Isolation", and "Missing Woman". The heaven plate is set with the general Wu added to the hour Zi. The nobleman is on Mao, with Teng Snake on Yin, Vermilion Bird on Chou, Liu He on Zi, Gou Chen on Hai, Azure Dragon on Xu, Tian Kong on You, Bai Hu on Shen, Tai Chang on Wei, Tai Yin on Si, Tian Hou on Chen. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ren, located in Hai, with Wu on top, riding on Xuanwu; the second lesson is Wu, with Chou on top, riding on Zhuque; the third lesson is the day branch Zi, with Wei on top, riding on Taichang; the fourth lesson is Wei, with Yin on top, riding on Teng Snake. The three transmissions are Wu, Chou, and Shen: the first transmission is Bingwu, representing the wife's wealth, riding on Xuanwu; the second transmission is Guichou, representing official ghosts, riding on Zhuque; the third transmission is Wushen, representing parents, riding on Baihu, with ghosts secretly involved.

邵先生曰：此課動涉中皆有利害，又名四絕，偃蹇不通，身與初傳玄武入廟，中雀又害，末申作虎入墓，宅未作常六害，又兼四絕體，前程如此，主妻不足妻死，又主親戚入宅亦死。只因損掘艮方父母墳，所以前程不通也。蓋與妻果不和，辛亥妻死卻令姨母來家住，又死。因開墳，果如先生言。壬以申為父母，申墓於丑，是父母墳也。白虎主損壞，以致家敗身不榮也。

Shao said: In this lesson, every action and movement involves both advantage and disadvantage. The lesson is also called "Four Extremes," and everything is obstructed and unsmooth. The position of the person and the first transmission are occupied by the Black Tortoise in its strong position, while the middle transmission is occupied by the Vermilion Bird which forms a harmful relationship. The final transmission has the monkey riding the White Tiger and entering its tomb. The position of the house is occupied by the goat riding the Tai Chang, forming another harmful relationship. Moreover, the lesson pattern of "Four Extremes" indicates that the future is like this. It also indicates discord with the wife, leading to her death, and also that relatives will come to live in the house, but they will also die. All of this is because the grave of the parents in the northeast direction was disturbed and dug up, causing the future to be blocked. Later, he and his wife indeed became discordant, and in the Xinhai year, his wife died. Then his aunt came to live with them, and she also died. They then opened the grave to check, and indeed it was exactly as Shao had said. The壬 water uses the申 metal as the parent's yao, and the tomb of the parents is in the丑. The White Tiger indicates destruction, so the family declined and the person himself did not achieve honor.

84）應解元辛未生三十八歲占前程，戊申年戊寅日子將午時。（申酉空亡，寅卯落空），反吟，無依，元胎，度厄。 龍空 陳亥子丑寅虎 六戌 卯常 虎 蛇 陰 陳 官 戊寅 虎 初（落空） 朱酉 辰玄 寅 申 巳 亥 子 空申 蛇 中（空亡） 蛇申未午巳陰 申 寅 亥 戊 官 戊寅 虎 末（落空） 貴後

Example 84: A person born in the year Xinwei (辛未) is thirty-eight years old and seeks divination about his future. The time is in the year Wushen (戊申), on the day Wuyin (戊寅). The divination is started with the month's general placed on the hour of Wu (午). The general and the hour are in opposition, thus forming 'Reverse Chant'. The day Wuyin (戊寅) belongs to the Jiaxu (甲戌) decade, with the empty space falling on Shen (申) and You (酉). The branches of Yin (寅) and Mao (卯) on the Heaven Plate are located in the empty space. There are also names for the lesson: 'No Dependence', 'Original Fetus', and 'Passing Through Hardship'. The Heaven Plate layout: the Nobleman is on Wei (未), below it the Teng Snake is on Shen (申), the Vermilion Bird on You (酉), the Liu He on Xu (戌), the Gou Chen on Hai (亥), the Azure Dragon on Zi (子), the Tian Kong on Chou (丑), the White Tiger on Yin (寅), the Tai Chang on Mao (卯), the Tai Yin on Chen (辰), and the Heavenly Empress on Wu (午). The four lessons, arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Wu (戊) located in the Si (巳) palace, with Hai (亥) above it, riding on Gou Chen; the second lesson is Hai (亥) with Si (巳) above it, riding on Tai Yin; the third lesson is the day branch Yin (寅) with Shen (申) above it, riding on Teng Snake; the fourth lesson is Shen (申) with Yin (寅) above it, riding on White Tiger. The three transmissions are Yin (寅), Shen (申), and Yin (寅): the first transmission is Wu Yin (戊寅), representing the official star, riding on White Tiger and falling into the empty space; the middle transmission is Shen (申), falling into the empty space, representing the son's element, riding on Teng Snake; the final transmission is again Wu Yin (戊寅), still representing the official star, still riding on White Tiger, and still falling into the empty space.

邵先生曰：此課主人脫空亂語，侮弄神道，絕德喪身，命將不久。汝急禱神修身，前程未料，不則喪無日矣。應疏狂，貪酒好色，家中姬妾最多，常攜妾於廟宇行淫，故先生止之，應見說，遂修身齋戒改過，後應死入冥中，冥以其修省放還。

Master Zhao said: This lesson shows that this person speaks in a hollow and untruthful manner, and also shows disrespect and mockery toward the divine. This is cutting off one's own virtue and hastening one's own death, with a short lifespan. You should hurry to pray to the divine and cultivate yourself; it is uncertain whether your future will be good, otherwise your death is imminent. The person should refrain from reckless and unrestrained behavior, from drinking alcohol and indulging in lust, having many concubines at home, and often bringing his concubines to temples for improper acts. Therefore, Master Zhao spoke out to stop him. Upon hearing these words, the person began to fast, cultivate himself, and reform his ways. Later, he once lost his breath, his soul entered the underworld, but the officials of the underworld, seeing that he indeed had genuinely repented and changed, released him back to the world.

先生析曰：蓋戊德在巳，巳加絕，又受克，宅又受申克，申上又克寅，今何以言神道也？寅申為寺觀，申乃空亡，是空中神道來克我也。我去又遭彼克，是死無日矣。日上亥，亥乃天門，乘勾是勾追也，故主多凶。

Shao Master explained that the virtue god of Wu earth is in Si, but Si is in its dead position and is also restrained; the dwelling position is also restrained by Shen, and Shen further restrains Yin. Then on what basis can we speak of divine matters? Because Yin and Shen both take the image of temples and monasteries, and Shen is exactly in Kongwang, which means the divine spirits in the air are restraining me; when I go there, I am further restrained by it, indicating that death is near. The day stem is Hai, which is the heavenly gate, and above it is Gou Chen, which governs arrest and pursuit, thus indicating great danger.

85）方縣尉己卯生占前程，庚戌年戊寅日申將辰時。（申酉空亡，子丑落空），昂星，虎視，三光，轉蓬，勵德。愛圅見古本作己酉年五月初一日辰時占。 六朱 陳酉戌亥子蛇 龍申 丑貴 六 虎 貴 陳 兄 丁丑 貴 初（落空）（丁神） 空未 寅后 戌 午 丑 酉 父 壬午 虎 中 虎午巳辰卯陰 午 寅 酉 戊 子 空酉 陳 末（空亡） 常玄

Example 85: A county magistrate born in the year Ji Mao seeks divination about his future. The time is in the year Geng Xu, on the day Wu Yin. The month is Shen, and the lesson is cast with Shen as the month general added to the time of Chen. (According to the ancient version seen by the compiler Cheng Aitu, the divination was done on the first day of the fifth lunar month in the year Ji You at the time of Chen.) Wu Yin day belongs to the Jia Xu decade, with the empty position falling on Shen and You. The two branches Zi and Chou on the Heaven Plate fall in the empty position. The names of the lesson are five: "昴星" (昴 Star), "虎视" (Tiger Watching), "三光" (Three Lights), "转蓬" (Drifting Tuft), "励德" (Encouraging Virtue). The Heaven Plate is set with Shen as the general added to the time of Chen. The Nobleman is on Chou, below which Teng Snake is on Zi, Zhu Que on Hai, Liu He on Xu, Gou Chen on You, Qing Long on Shen, Tian Kong on Wei, Bai Hu on Wu, Tai Chang on Si, Tai Yin on Chen, Xuan Wu on Mao, and Tian Hou on Yin. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is Wu (Day Stem) in Si, with You above it, riding on Gou Chen; the second lesson is You with Chou above it, riding on the Nobleman; the third lesson is Yin (Day Branch) with Wu above it, riding on Bai Hu; the fourth lesson is Wu with Xu above it, riding on Liu He. The three transmissions are Chou, Wu, and You: the first transmission is Ding Chou, a brother's yao, riding on the Nobleman, falling in the empty position, and being the "Ding God"; the second transmission is Ren Wu, a parent's yao, riding on Bai Hu; the third transmission is You, falling in the empty position, as a child's yao, riding on Gou Chen.

邵先生曰：日上空亡，到好處不中事。勾陳乘子息 ，乃是虛勾，時下有八年，且赴一任半，要特達須待五十四歲，方可言升遷。只做刑部官，長子中子俱不得蔭澤，下稍第三子受也。五十四上再十四年，得邊上太守，帶武職而終。方後果授溫州尉，任滿授饒州，十四月丁母憂歸。恰好八年矣。後五十三上，得台州黃岩縣，得奉朝請。長次子俱不得受恩，第三子受恩。

Master Shao said: The day stem falls on Kongwang, so even when going to a good place, things cannot be accomplished. Gou Chen is riding on the grandson's爻, which is a futile attempt. There are still eight years left, and one can only serve as an official for about one and a half terms; to achieve distinction, one must wait until the age of fifty-four to talk about promotion, and even then, one can only serve in the Ministry of Punishments. The eldest and second sons cannot inherit official benefits, and ultimately, the third son will receive the benefits. At fifty-four, after another fourteen years, one can attain the position of governor of a border region, and end one's career with a military rank. Later, the county magistrate of Fang County was indeed appointed as the county magistrate of Wenzhou, and after completing the term, was appointed to the position in Raozhou. After being in office for fourteen months, he encountered his mother's death and returned home, and the total time was exactly eight years. Afterwards, at the age of fifty-three, he was assigned the duties of the county magistrate of Huangyan in Taizhou, and also received the honorific title of "Feng Chaqing." The eldest and second sons did not inherit the benefits, but only the third son did.

先生析曰；蓋行年在酉，從酉數至辰八位，故八年。又五十四上顯者，上酉六，辰上午九，六九五十四，在空亡內也。十四年又遷者，丑加酉，丑八酉六，得十四也。丑作貴加酉，虎視課，主邊郡兼武也。第三子受恩者，丑作貴人，季乃三也。從年數至辰，八位為八年。

Master Zhao explained that since the year of birth is in You, counting from You to Chen covers eight positions, hence eight years. The statement that success is evident at fifty-four years old is because the number of You is six and the number of Chen is nine, and six multiplied by nine gives fifty-four, and these numbers are all within Kongwang. The statement that another fourteen years will bring a change is because Chou is added to You: the number of Chou is eight and the number of You is six, totaling fourteen. Chou multiplied by the Nobleman and added to You forms a lesson of 'tiger gaze,' indicating a position in a border territory with a military title. The statement that the third son will benefit is because Chou multiplied by the Nobleman, and Chou is in the last position of the four seasons, which corresponds to the third. Counting from the year of birth to Chen again covers eight positions, so it is fixed as eight years.

古本授黃岩縣後，又得提刑司干官，任滿得大理，因青龍在辰故也。寺正出知和州，兼淮上兵馬路鈐、朝請郎致仕。

The ancient version here includes an additional account: after being appointed to the position of county magistrate in Huangyan County, he also received a post as an official in the Inspectorate of Criminal Justice. Upon completing his term, he was appointed to a position in the Ministry of Justice—this was because the Azure Dragon was located in the position of Chen. Later, he was transferred from the position of Chief of the Ministry of Justice to serve as the prefect of Hezhou, concurrently holding the post of commander of military routes in the Huai River region. Finally, he retired with the title of Court Attendant.

86）儀上舍占前程，辛巳日申將寅時。（申酉空亡，寅卯落空），反吟，無依。 朱蛇 六亥子丑寅貴 陳戌 卯后 玄 六 陳 陰 鬼 辛巳 玄 初 龍酉 辰陰 巳 亥 戌 辰 子 乙亥 六 中 空申未午巳玄 亥 巳 辰 辛 鬼 辛巳 玄 末 虎常

Example 86: A person named Yi Shang consulted about his future. The day branch is Xinsi, using the month of Shen as the month general, which is placed on the寅 hour to cast the divination. The general and the hour are in opposition, so it forms 'Reverse Chant'. The Xinsi day belongs to the Jiaxu decade, with the empty position falling on Shen and You. The branches Yin and Mao on the Heaven Plate fall into the empty position. There is also a lesson name 'No Dependence'. The Heaven Plate layout: the Nobleman is on Yin, with Teng Snake on Chou, Vermilion Bird on Zi, Liu He on Hai, Gou Chen on Xu, Azure Dragon on You, Tian Kong on Shen, Bai Hu on Wei, Tai Chang on Wu, Tai Yin on Si, Tian Hou on Chen, and the Heaven Plate is on Mao. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Xin, which is in the Xu palace, with Chi on top, riding Tai Yin; the second lesson is Chi with Wu on top, riding Gou Chen; the third lesson is the day branch Si with Hai on top, riding Liu He; the fourth lesson is Hai with Si on top, riding Xuan Wu. The three transmissions are Si, Hai, and Si: the first transmission is Xin Si, which is the official ghost爻, riding Xuan Wu; the second transmission is Yi Hai, which is the son and grandson爻, riding Liu He; the third transmission is again Xin Si, still the official ghost, still riding Xuan Wu, beginning and ending in a loop, exactly matching the 'Reverse Chant'.

邵先生曰：此課日上見辰，乃濁氣所生，非秀麗也。長生陷入鬼地帶絕，此不是及第課，主三番讀書，四番廢業，少學無成，頭不應尾，五年後做東不成，又去做西，喪妻娶妻，十六年內家計蕩盡，妻嫁武官，子無頭尾。儀上舍發舉了，妻家以一莊贈，果己酉至乙卯如意，乙卯後不濟，試皆不利，喪妻飲酒無度，家計蕩盡，子留外家，後妻嫁一武進士。

Master Zhao said: In this lesson, the day stem is seen on the Chen. Chen is the place where turbid qi is born, not a clear and refined appearance. The long life spirit is trapped in the ghostly land and carries the absolute qi, which is not a lesson leading to success. This person has three times studied and four times abandoned his studies, with no achievement in his youth, and his efforts have not matched his results. After five years, he goes east to work but fails, then moves west; in between he loses his wife and remarries. Within sixteen years, his family estate is completely ruined, his wife remarries a military officer, and his son has no place to go. Later, he passed the imperial examination through the yishang system, and his wife's family gave him a manor. From Jiyou year to Yimao year, everything went smoothly, but after Yimao year, things became difficult, and he had no luck in subsequent examinations. After losing his wife, he drank excessively, his family estate was completely ruined, his son was left with the wife's family, and his new wife remarried a military candidate.

先生析曰；大凡巳亥巳，惟壬日陽得便宜，他來我處絕，又是財。丙戊日我去克處逢絕，凡事不利。若辛巳日，辛生於巳，巳絕於亥，初臨尚可，末臨絕，長生尚自憂克絕，何望生乎我？即不可望生，卻就辰之生，為失十得一，豈不費力耶？

Master Zhao explained that generally, when the three transmissions are in the order of巳, 亥, and巳, only on a day of Ren (water) does the situation favor the person. The opponent comes to me at a time of absolute decline, and it is also my wealth. However, if it is on a day of Bing (fire) or Wu (earth), then I am in a position to overcome the opponent, but this position itself is at a point of absolute decline, which is unfavorable for all matters. As for the day of Xinsi: the metal of Xin is in its growth phase in巳, but巳 is at a point of absolute decline in亥. The first transmission is on巳, which is still acceptable, but the final transmission is on a place of absolute decline. The god of growth itself is worried about being overcome and being at a decline, how can it be expected to generate me? Since it cannot be relied upon, one can only retreat to take the birth energy from the earth of Chen. That would be losing ten and gaining one, is it not a waste of effort?

87）毛主薄乙亥生三十四歲占前程，戊申年五月初四丁亥日申將午時。（午未空亡，申酉落空），重審，間傳，極陰。 六朱 陳未申酉戌蛇 龍午 亥貴 常 陰 貴 朱 財 乙酉 朱 初（落空） 空巳 子后 卯 丑 亥 酉 官 丁亥 貴 中（丁神） 虎辰卯寅丑陰 丑 亥 酉 丁 子 己丑 陰 末 常玄

Example 87: A man named Mao, born in the year Yihai, aged thirty-four, consulted about his future. The time was on the fourth day of the fifth lunar month in the year Wushen. The divination was cast using the month of Shen as the general, placed on the hour of Wu. The day, Dinghai, belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty positions falling on Wu and Wei. The branches Shen and You on the Heaven Plate are located in the empty positions. The names of the lesson are three: "Re-examination", "Intermediate Transmission", and "Extreme Yin". The Heaven Plate is set with Shen as the general added to the hour of Wu. The Nobleman is riding on Hai, below it Teng Snake rides on Xu, Vermilion Bird on You, Liu He on Shen, Gou Chen on Wei, Azure Dragon on Wu, Tian Kong on Si, Bai Hu on Chen, Tai Chang on Mao, Tai Yin on Chou, Tian Hou on Zi. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ding, located in the Wei palace, with You above it, riding on Vermilion Bird; the second lesson is You with Hai above it, riding on Nobleman; the third lesson is the day branch Hai with Chou above it, riding on Tai Yin; the fourth lesson is Chou with Mao above it, riding on Tai Chang. The three transmissions are You, Hai, and Chou: the first transmission, Yiyou, is the wife's wealth, riding on Vermilion Bird and falling into the empty position; the middle transmission, Dinghai, is the official star, riding on Nobleman, and is also the "Ding God"; the final transmission, Jichou, is the son's wealth, riding on Tai Yin.

邵先生曰：日上酉為妻，雀乃文書，妻之恩澤也。日上破碎，大段破財。中官星又加破碎上，三傳遍地貴人，主薄在任須多差使，兼權攝。且九丑在宅，主淫亂，本命上丑見太陰，主貪色而死。末又見丑，加官星上，主在任死。毛鉅富，受妻恩澤，緣此結納四方，乃得此任。任中盡將家財用去，在任差使，更不得停，其家果淫亂，又好色，暱於婢妾，乙卯年死。

Master Zhao said: The酉 on the day stem represents wife, and the Vermilion Bird governs documents, so this post was brought about by the favor of the wife's family. However, the day stem is afflicted by破碎, which indicates great loss of wealth. The official star in the middle transmission is also added upon破碎, and the three transmissions are full of noblemen, so the official in charge will certainly have many duties and also be responsible for other posts. Moreover, the nine disgraceful stars fall on the house position, indicating disorder within the family. The original birth's丑 meets Tai Yin, indicating death due to lust. The final transmission again meets丑, added upon the official star, so it indicates death while in office. Master Mao, originally a wealthy man, gained the favor of his wife's family, used this to connect with people all over, and thus obtained this post. After taking office, he spent all his wealth, had continuous duties without a moment's rest. His family indeed became disorderly, and he himself was lustful, fond of concubines and servants, and died in the year of Yimao.

先生析曰；蓋乙卯年上有巳，卻會起巳酉丑，合起破碎九丑，日上死神兼與中亥相沖，沖起絕神，死與絕會，是以死也。邵先生每畏遍地貴人，又怕年上會起殺神，丁亥日有酉丑欠巳，至卯上見巳，不怕不死。

Master Zhao explained that in the year of Yimao, the heavenly stem has Si, which combines with Si, You, and Chou to form the Triple Harmony of the Metal Bureau, thus activating both the Broken and the Nine Obstinacy malefics. The dead deity on the day stem also conflicts with the middle transmission's Hai, exciting the绝神. The dead deity and the绝神 come together, leading to death. Master Zhao has always been most afraid of a full chart with noblemen and of the stream year combining malefics: on the day of Dinghai, there are already You and Chou but lack Si; when the year of Mao appears with Si, it is certain to result in death.

88）王法司乙亥生三十四歲占前程，戊申年六月甲寅日未將戌時。（子丑空亡，酉戌落空），八專，寡宿，閉口。 陳六 龍寅卯辰巳朱 空丑 午蛇 后 常 后 常 財 空丑 空 初（空亡） 虎子 未貴 申 亥 申 亥 父 癸亥 常 中 常亥戌酉申后 亥 寅 亥 甲 父 癸亥 常 末 玄陰

Example 88: A man named Wang Fa Si was born in the year Yihai, is thirty-four years old, and is consulting about his future. The time is in the year Wushen, sixth month, day Jiayin. The lesson is cast using the month general of Wei added to the hour of Xu. The day Jiayin belongs to the Jiayin term, with the empty term falling on Zi and Chou. The branches of the heaven plate, You and Xu, are in the empty position. The lesson has three names: "Eight Special" (the day stem and day branch are in the same palace, making only two lessons out of four), "Gua Su" and "Closed Mouth." The heaven plate is arranged with the general of Wei added to the hour of Xu. The nobleman is on Wei, with Teng Snake on Wu, Vermilion Bird on Si, Liu He on Chen, Gou Chen on Mao, Azure Dragon on Yin, Tian Kong on Chou, Bai Hu on Zi, Tai Chang on Hai, Xuan Wu on Xu, Tai Yin on You, and Tian Hou on Shen. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Jiayin, located in the Yin palace, with Hai above it, riding Tai Chang; the second lesson is Hai with Shen above it, riding Tian Hou; the third lesson is the day branch Yin, with Hai above it, riding Tai Chang; the fourth lesson is Hai with Shen above it, riding Tian Hou. The three transmissions are Chou, Guihai, Guihai: the first transmission is Chou, which falls in the empty term, representing the wife and wealth爻, riding Tian Kong; the middle transmission is Guihai, representing the parents爻, riding Tai Chang; the final transmission is again Guihai, the parents爻 riding Tai Chang.

邵先生曰：亥是本命，加支干相生極好。只不合是旬末為閉口，主父母閉口，兼行年又在其上，而父母上見公婆，是父母見公婆也。空丑又乘天空作初傳，虛墓已動。更加辰為鍬鋤殺，當主十月亡母，次年正月亡父。本人須入學館，歷臺諫侍從，只不守土，至戊子年七十四或七十八死矣。王當年十月丁母憂，次年正月丁父憂，三十七得溫州法司，三十九得太常學錄，又遷司業正言，不曾守土。七十八卒。

Shao said: Hai is his true destiny. When combined with the day stem and day branch, they mutually generate, which is very favorable. However, it is not appropriate for it to be at the end of the ten-day period, forming 'closed mouth', indicating that the parents' aspect is blocked. Moreover, the year of birth is also above, and the spirit of the grandparents' generation appears on top of the parents' aspect, meaning the parents are going to meet the grandparents (ancestors). The empty branch Chou, which is fallen into emptiness, takes the first transmission while riding on Tian Kong, indicating that the empty tomb has already started. Furthermore, Chen is the axe and hoe evil spirit, so it is concluded that the mother will die in the tenth month, and the father in the first month of the next year. He himself will later serve in a school office, hold various positions such as the imperial court's advisory officials and attendants, but will not serve as a local official. He will die in the year of Wuzi, either at seventy-four or seventy-eight years old. The official Wang's mother indeed mourned for her mother in the tenth month of that year, and mourned for her father in the first month of the next year. At thirty-seven, he became the official in Wenzhou; at thirty-nine, he became Tai Chang Xuelu, then moved up to the director of the National University, and the official who speaks truthfully, but never served as a local official. He died at seventy-eight years old.

先生析曰；此課旬末加旬首，父母加主父母亡，自身閉口，仕途不通。然既言七十四，又言七十八，何也？亥加寅，亥四寅七，乃七十四也。亥有四個，又添四數，七十八也。況甲與寅上兩個亥，故云。又云，亥乃父母爻，作真閉口，作太常，陰神又見申金乘後，而與亥六害，無惑乎父母之亡也。初丑，土也；空上乘空，故終身不能守土。亥乃天門，又是長生學堂，中末都是，所以入學館也。

Shao Master explained that this divination lesson is a旬末 added upon the旬首, with the parents' hexagram heavily overlaid, so it indicates the death of the parents. The subject itself also meets the condition of being closed-mouthed, so the career path is not smooth. Then why does it mention both seventy-four and seventy-eight? The亥 is placed on the寅: the number of亥 is four, and the number of寅 is seven, making seventy-four. However, in the lesson, there are four instances of亥, adding four more, resulting in seventy-eight. Moreover, since the甲's lodging palace is on寅, there are two instances of亥 above and below, so it is said like this. It also said:亥 is the parents' hexagram, forming a true closed mouth, and it is occupied by Tai Chang. Its hidden spirit sees the metal申, which is occupied by Heavenly Empress, and the申 and亥 form the sixth harm. That is why both parents die. The initial transmission is丑, which belongs to earth, but it is empty and occupied by Tian Kong, so the person can never become an official responsible for guarding the land.亥 is the heavenly gate, and also the position of growth and the academy. The middle and final transmissions are both亥, so the person can enter the academy and take up an official post.

89）趙監務丁丑生三十二歲占赴任，戊申年辛巳日子將辰時。（申酉空亡，辰巳落空），元首，炎上，愛圅曰：己酉正月初二日占，未交春，仍作戊申年。趙生於丁丑年九月十日丑時。 陳六 龍丑寅卯辰朱 空子 巳蛇 玄 龍 陳 貴 官 壬午 貴 初 虎亥 午貴 酉 丑 寅 午 財 戊寅 陳 中 常戌酉申未后 丑 巳 午 辛 父 甲戌 常 末 玄陰

Example 89: Zhao Jianwu was born in the year Dingchou, and is thirty-two years old. He is divining the situation as he is going to take office. The time is in the year Wushen, on the day Xinsi. The month is Zi, and the divination is started with the general of the hour Chen. (Editor Cheng Aitu says: Actually, the divination was done on the second day of the first lunar month in the year Jiyou, because the beginning of spring had not yet arrived, so it is still counted as the year Wushen. Zhao was born on the tenth day of the ninth lunar month in the year Dingchou at the hour Chou.) The day Xinsi belongs to the Xiu Xiu (Jiaxu) cycle, with the empty positions falling on Shen and You. The branches Chen and Si on the Heaven Plate are located in the empty position. The name of the divination is two-fold: "Original Head" and "Inflaming Upward" (the three transmissions Yin, Wu, Xu form a fire trinity). The Heaven Plate is arranged with the general Zi added to the hour Chen. The nobleman is riding the horse of Wu, below it the Teng Snake is riding the horse of Si, the Vermilion Bird is riding the horse of Chen, the Liu He is riding the horse of Mao, the Gou Chen is riding the horse of Yin, the Azure Dragon is riding the horse of Chou, the Tian Kong is riding the horse of Zi, the Bai Hu is riding the horse of Hai, the Tai Chang is riding the horse of Xu, the Xuan Wu is riding the horse of You, the Tai Yin is riding the horse of Shen, and the Heavenly Empress is riding the horse of Wei. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Xin, which is located in the Xu palace, with Wu above it, riding the nobleman; the second lesson is Wu, with Yin above it, riding the Gou Chen; the third lesson is the day branch Si, with Chou above it, riding the Azure Dragon; the fourth lesson is Chou, with You above it, riding the Xuan Wu. The three transmissions are Wu, Yin, and Xu: the first transmission is Renwu, which is the official star, riding the nobleman; the second transmission is Wuyin, which is the wife and wealth爻, riding the Gou Chen; the third transmission is Jiaxu, which is the parents爻, riding the Tai Chang.

邵先生曰：主今年二月上任，日上官星作貴，會火局，金被火逼，行年又來趕，必然動身。須防尊長病酒幾死，即應矣。宅上丁神已動了，臨交代之時，必有阻節，得十六個月遭父喪而回。趙因前任填補，遂於二月催赴任，二月二日父大醉幾死，六七日而文字來。八月交割，前任官要趙認欠，方得交代，次年十一月丁父憂歸。共十六個月也。

Master Zhao said: This year in February he will take office. The official star on the day stem is assisted by the nobleman, and there is also a fire trine, so the辛 gold is forced by fire. The year stem is also behind pushing him forward, so he must definitely set off. However, one must be cautious about the family elders getting sick from drinking and almost dying, which is the immediate manifestation. The丁 deity at the residence has already been activated; when the official duties are transferred, there will certainly be obstacles. After being in office for sixteen months, he will encounter the death of his father and return home. Master Zhao was urged to take office because he needed to fill the vacancy left by the previous official; in February he was pressed to take office. On the second day of the second lunar month, his father drank heavily and almost died. After six or seven days, the official documents arrived. In August, when the transfer of duties was being handled, the previous official made Master Zhao admit to a shortage before he would hand over the position. In the eleventh month of the following year, he returned home due to his father's death, and the time span was exactly sixteen months.

先生析曰；蓋平人怕官鬼來克，主有官事喪禍。官人赴任，須要官星旺，即赴任也。辛長生於巳，巳為父，巳加酉上見蛇，酉為酒，蛇撓之，所以為酒傷。巳午相連，巳應了午便應也。

Master Zhao explained that common people fear the official ghost to be in a剋 position, which indicates legal troubles and misfortune. However, for officials taking office, they actually need the official star to be strong, as a strong official star enables them to take office. The metal element Xin is long-lived in Si, and Si here represents the father. Si placed on You with the Teng Snake: You symbolizes wine, and the Teng Snake disturbs, so it indicates the father being harmed by alcohol. Si and Wu are connected, with Si coming first and Wu following soon after.

90）趙知縣丁巳生五十二歲在任占前程，戊申年十一月乙未日寅將未時。（辰巳空亡） 后陰 貴子丑寅卯玄 蛇亥 辰常 六 陰 空 蛇 子 甲午 空 初 朱戌 巳虎 酉 寅 午 亥 財 辛丑 后 中（暗鬼） 六酉申未午空 寅 未 亥 乙 官 丙申 陳 末 陳龍

Ninetyth example: Zhao County Magistrate was born in the year of Dingsi, is fifty-two years old, and is divining his future while in office. The time is in the year of Wushen, eleventh month, day of Ywei. The class is started with the month of Yin as the general added to the hour of Wei. The day of Ywei belongs to the Jiawu decade, with the empty hour falling on Chen and Si. The Heaven Plate is arranged with the general of Yin added to the hour of Wei. The nobleman is on Zi, with Teng Snake on Hai, Vermilion Bird on Xu, Liu He on You, Gou Chen on Shen, Azure Dragon on Wei, Tian Kong on Wu, Bai Hu on Si, Tai Chang on Chen, Xuan Wu on Mao, Tai Yin on Yin, and Tian Hou on Chou. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Yi, located in the Chen palace, with Hai above it, riding Teng Snake; the second lesson is Hai with Wu above it, riding Tian Kong; the third lesson is the day branch Wei with Yin above it, riding Tai Yin; the fourth lesson is Yin with You above it, riding Liu He. The three transmissions are Wu, Chou, and Shen: the first transmission is Jia Wu, the son's爻, riding Tian Kong; the middle transmission is Xin Chou, the wife's wealth爻, riding Tian Hou, and secretly accompanied by a ghost; the final transmission is Bing Shen, the official star爻, riding Gou Chen.

邵先生曰：甜處遭苦，樂里生憂，此課是也。亥來生乙，蛇來撓之。宅上寅作太陰，寅與亥合，因州中曹職吏人，暗讒而成不是。初是死地，午為心，見天空，主心間恍惚，又主子息暴病，妻宮產難幾死。蓋大閣壓中堂，任滿下稍難脫，有七日曹職之權，後得盧姓人而解任矣。趙果與判官不足，遂被何孔目間諜，因屢讒於太守，亦與趙不足，下心遂恍惚暴燥，子病幾死，妻次年產幾不得生；任滿權官，不能解任，值盧運使經過，與太守解絕，遂得歸。

Master Zhao said: sweetness is often followed by bitterness, and joy is often turned into sorrow, and this case is exactly like that. The亥 water should have nourished the乙 wood, but it was disturbed by the Teng Snake. The寅 in the house position took the Tai Yin, and since寅 and亥 are in harmony, it indicated that officials in the local area were spreading false rumors behind the scenes, leading to trouble. The first transmission fell into the dead position, and午 represents the heart, which was also taken by Tian Kong, so it indicated mental confusion. It also indicated that the son would suffer a serious illness and the wife would have a difficult childbirth almost resulting in her death. Additionally, there was an image of a large hall pressing down on the central hall, meaning that after completing his term, he would find it difficult to leave immediately. There would be an opportunity to temporarily take over the official duties for seven days, and finally, with the help of a man named Lu, he would be able to resign. Indeed, Master Zhao had conflicts with his deputy official, and He Kongmu spread false rumors to the prefect, causing the prefect to develop a grudge against him. Master Zhao thus became mentally confused and irritable. His son fell seriously ill, and his wife's childbirth in the following year was also very dangerous. After completing his term, he could not resign immediately. Fortunately, Lu Yunshi happened to pass by and mediated with the prefect, allowing Master Zhao to return home.

先生析曰；蓋乙本生於亥，亥不合蛇來撓，寅作太陰，寅為曹職吏人，午為子，子加父母上，自然不安也。乙以丑為妻，丑為產神，加今日六害上，故主產厄。末神七，申乃日鬼，入於深墓中，故能讒而不能脫。子作貴加巳，子為漕，巳為爐，主姓盧運使解紛也。

Master Shao explained that the wood of Yi is originally in its growth stage in the hour of Hai, but the Teng Snake disturbs it there. The branch of Yin is covered by Tai Yin, and Yin represents a subordinate official; the branch of Wu is the son's爻, and the son's爻 is placed above the parent's爻, so the family naturally experiences unrest. The wood of Yi takes the branch of Chou as its wife, and Chou is the god of production; now it is placed on the day's sixth harmful position, so it indicates a danger in childbirth. The final transmission is seven, and the branch of Shen is the day's stem's ghost爻, and it is deeply buried, so others can spread false rumors while he cannot escape blame immediately. The branch of Zi, representing water transport, is combined with the nobleman and placed on the branch of Si, which represents a furnace. Therefore, it is concluded that a person surnamed Lu, who is an official in charge of transportation, will intervene to resolve the dispute.

91）韓省干乙亥生，三十四歲，占赴任及歲中事。己酉元旦庚辰日子將亥時。（申酉空亡，酉戌落空），蒿矢，進茹，麗明。己酉元旦尚未交春，仍作戊申年占。 貴后 蛇午未申酉陰 朱巳 戌玄 蛇 朱 玄 陰 官 壬午 蛇 初 六辰 亥常 午 巳 戌 酉 父 癸未 貴 中 陳卯寅丑子虎 巳 辰 酉 庚 兄 空申 后 末（空亡） 龍空

Example 91: Han Xinggan was born in the year Yi Hai. At the age of thirty-four, he sought divination regarding taking office and events of that year. The time was on the first day of the first month of the year Ji You, on the day Geng Chen. The divination was cast using the month of Zi with the general placed on the hour Hai. Since the beginning of the year had not yet reached the beginning of spring, it was still considered the year Wu Shen for divination. The day Geng Chen belongs to the Xiu of Jia Xu, with the empty branch falling on Shen and You. The branches You and Xu on the Heaven Plate are in the empty position. The name of the lesson has three: "Hao Shi", "Jin Ru", "Li Ming" (attached to the image of brightness). The Heaven Plate was arranged with the general Zi placed on the hour Hai. The nobleman rode on Wei, below it Teng Snake rode on Wu, Zhu Que rode on Si, Liu He rode on Chen, Gou Chen rode on Mao, Qing Long rode on Yin, Tian Kong rode on Chou, Bai Hu rode on Zi, Tai Chang rode on Hai, Xuan Wu rode on Xu, Tai Yin rode on You, and Tian Hou rode on Shen. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson, the day stem Geng is in the Shen palace, with You above it, riding Tai Yin; the second lesson, You has Xu above it, riding Xuan Wu; the third lesson, the day branch Chen has Si above it, riding Zhu Que; the fourth lesson, Si has Wu above it, riding Teng Snake. The three transmissions are Wu, Wei, Shen: the first transmission Ren Wu is the official star, riding Teng Snake; the middle transmission Gui Wei is the parent爻, riding the nobleman; the final transmission Shen falls in the empty branch, as the brother爻, riding Tian Hou.

邵先生曰：支干夾定三傳，更三四課及初傳俱是鬼，有官人慾赴任，為催官符，上任必在三月盡四月初。奈何末祿卻空亡，上任不久，必主尊堂服動，子又病。蓋日辰夾定，凡事皆緊，只不合夾鬼與空亡耳。韓乃運使之子，授得鹽倉，果於三月文字來催，四月赴任，韓記先生言不去，六月十七丁母憂，二月子大病。

Master Zhao said: The day stem and day branch enclose the three transmissions in between, and the third and fourth lessons together with the first transmission are all ghostly signs. When a person in official position is about to take office, this is called "cui guanfu" (prompting the official symbol), and taking office will certainly happen in the end of March or beginning of April. Unfortunately, the禄神 (favorable deity) in the final transmission falls into kongwang (void), so taking office will not last long, and there will certainly be mourning for the mother from the superior family, and the son will also fall ill. The day and the hour enclose the three transmissions, which usually indicates matters being urgent and powerful, but it is not supposed to enclose ghostly signs and void. Han Xinggan, the son of a transport commissioner, was assigned a post at the salt warehouse; indeed, there was an official document urging him in March, and he was supposed to take office in April. Han Xinggan remembered Master Zhao's words and did not go, and on June 17th he mourned his mother, and in February his son fell seriously ill.

先生析曰；《玉成歌》曰“日鬼加臨辰兩位，門中官病兩相侵”，占赴任人，卻名催官符，只不合日辰夾住，又空亡臨身，太陰乘之，所以喪母。干支乘天羅地網，主丁憂。庚以子為子息，又加子息亥上，為虎所逼，幸不刑傷，所以不死只病也。大凡日辰夾定有鬼，鬼應有空，空應雙，有則俱應矣。

Master Zhao explained that the "Jucheng Ge" says, "The day ghost joins the辰 position, the gate and official illness both attack." If this is used to divinate for someone taking office, it is called "Cui Guanfu." However, it is not appropriate for the day and辰 to be enclosing, and there is also Kongwang at the body position with Tai Yin riding over it, so the mother dies. The day stem and day branch are under the heaven net and earth net, indicating mourning for a parent. The庚 metal takes the Zi water as offspring, and the offspring is added on the Hai position, being forced by the White Tiger; fortunately, there is no injury, so it is only illness, not death. Generally, if the day and辰 enclose and there is a ghost in between, the ghost will come to pass; if the enclosed is Kongwang, then Kongwang will come to pass; if both are present, both will come to pass.

92）伊知縣丙寅生四十四歲占赴任及前程，己酉年六月癸亥日未將亥時。（子丑空亡，申酉落空），渉害，曲直，勵德。六月十六日占。 蛇貴 朱丑寅卯辰后 六子 巳陰 貴 常 陰 空 鬼 己未 常 初（暗鬼） 陳亥 午玄 卯 未 巳 酉 子 乙卯 貴 中 龍戌酉申未常 未 亥 酉 癸 兄 癸亥 陳 末 空虎

Example 92: A county magistrate named Yi was born in the year Bingyin. He is 44 years old and is consulting about taking office and his future. The time is on the day Guihai of the year Jiyou, sixth month, sixteenth day. The class is set with the month general Wei added to the亥 hour. The day Guihai belongs to the Jiayin cycle, with the empty positions falling on Zi and Chou. The branches Shen and You on the heaven plate are located in the empty positions. The lesson has three names: "涉害" (multiple mutual controls, taking the one with the deepest harm as the main factor), "曲直" (the three transmissions form a wood trinity with Hai, Mao, and Wei), and "励德" (encouraging virtue). The heaven plate is set with the general Wei added to the亥 hour. The nobleman is on Mao, with Teng Snake on寅, Vermilion Bird on丑, Liu He on子, Gou Chen on亥, Azure Dragon on戌, Tian Kong on酉, Bai Hu on申, Tai Chang on未, Tai Yin on巳, Tian Hou on辰. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Gui, which is in the Chou palace, with You above it, riding Tian Kong; the second lesson is You, with巳 above it, riding Tai Yin; the third lesson is the day branch Hai, with未 above it, riding Tai Chang; the fourth lesson is未, with卯 above it, riding the nobleman. The three transmissions are未,卯, and亥: the first transmission is Jiwei, representing the official ghost, riding Tai Chang, which is a hidden ghost; the middle transmission is Yimao, representing the son's爻, riding the nobleman; the final transmission is Guihai, representing the brother's爻, riding Gou Chen.

邵先生曰：公既貪女色，又貪男色，若能調攝，可以赴任。若不節慾，必入泉鄉。近日飲酒不得，漸欲嘔吐，伊曰：果然。先生曰：此乃醉飽之後，鬱氣積聚，五臟走作，故嘔逆也。子息加太陽，公子清貴過於公。伊曰：得子強我尤妙，但我壽若何？先生曰：壽盡於今年八月，因公避妻並母，在灶後與婢行淫，灶君申奏於天，遂折公壽矣。伊大驚泣曰：為之奈何？何以懺悔否？先生曰：須是露天謝罪，如此七夜方可少延也。伊遂每夜拜天謝過，不入寢室，八月初一夢神告知曰：汝知過修德，增壽一紀。伊後竟不仕，至庚申年八月十六日而歿。有三子，長早喪，次子戊辰科及第，少子甲戌科及第。

Master Shao said: You are both fond of women and men; if you can control yourself and take care of your health, you can still go to take office. If you do not restrain your desires, you will certainly go to the underworld. Recently, you have already been unable to drink alcohol, and gradually you have begun to vomit. Master Yi said: Indeed so. The master said: This is due to the stagnation of qi after overeating and drinking, causing the five internal organs to be disordered, hence the regurgitation and vomiting. The son's line is added upon the sun, so your son will have a higher status and dignity in the future. Master Yi said: It is better if my son surpasses me. However, what about my lifespan? The master said: Your lifespan will end this year in August. Because you avoided your wife and mother, and committed lustful acts with a servant girl behind the stove, the god of the stove reported this to heaven, thus shortening your life. Master Yi was greatly alarmed and cried, asking: What can be done? Can we repent? The master said: You must repent openly in the open air, for seven nights, and only then can you slightly prolong your life. Master Yi then prayed to heaven every night, without entering his bedroom. On the first night of August, he dreamed that a divine person told him: You have recognized your mistake and cultivated virtue, so your lifespan is extended by a generation. Master Yi eventually did not take office, and died on the sixteenth day of August in the year Gengshen. He had three sons: the eldest died young, the second passed the imperial examination in the Wu Chen examination, and the youngest passed the Jia Xu examination.

先生析曰；蓋癸上見酉作天空，干支皆敗於酉，陰陽俱敗，故主女色男色。酉為色故也。癸見酉為酒，天空主吐逆，故漸不納酒。此課六陰俱備，且癸亥為六甲極日，癸亥俱敗於酉，死於卯，那更水日又得木局。陰中逢脫，自然暗消。內既空虛，外徒形體。巳為丁神而臨行年，又作太陰，巳為灶，太陰為陰私，酉為婢，是於灶間行淫，以致酉來敗損。況又是破碎，破碎者，色與酒病俱發也。水日木局，故主子位，太陽發傳，又子爻加太陽之上，故顯。 愛圅析曰：巳為日德，故改過修德，而可延年也。

Shao Master explained that the day stem Gui has its upper god on You and is combined with Tian Kong. The day stem and day branch are both weakened on You, with both yin and yang sides being damaged, so it indicates a desire for both female and male attractions. You naturally represents color, and Gui meeting You also represents wine. Tian Kong indicates vomiting, so the person gradually loses the ability to drink alcohol. This divination has all six yin elements, and since Gui Hai is the last day of the sixty jiazi, Gui and Hai both are weakened on You and die on Mao. Moreover, since it is a water day and forms a wood structure, within the yin energy there is a loss of vitality, so the original energy naturally declines. Inside it is already empty, and outside there is only a shell left. Si is the "Ding god" and is directly on the current year, combined with Tai Yin. Si represents a kitchen, Tai Yin represents private matters, You represents a servant girl, so together they indicate immorality in the kitchen, leading to damage on You. Moreover, You also carries the "broken pieces" evil star. Once broken pieces move, both the illness from drinking and the illness from lust occur. Since it is a water day and forms a wood structure, it indicates the position of descendants. The sun god initiates the transmission, and the descendant element is placed on top of the sun god, so the son becomes prominent. Cheng Aitu explained that Si is also the day virtue of Gui day, so he reforms his virtue and can prolong his life.

93）童巡檢丁卯生四十三歲占前程，己酉年八月丁未日午將子時。（寅卯空亡，申酉落空），反吟，八專，井欄射，勵德。 六陳 朱亥子丑寅龍 蛇戌 卯空 陰 陳 陰 陳 兄 乙巳 常 初 貴酉 辰虎 未 丑 未 丑 子 癸丑 陳 中（暗鬼） 后申未午巳常 丑 未 丑 丁 子 癸丑 陳 末（暗鬼） 陰玄

Example 93: A young official named Tong Xunjian was born in the year Dingmao, and is now 43 years old. He consulted the divination about his future career. The time was in the year Jiyou, eighth lunar month, day Dingwei. The divination was cast using the month general Wu added to the Zi hour. The general and the hour are in opposition, thus forming the 'Reverse Chant' pattern. The day Dingwei belongs to the Jiachen decade, with the empty palace falling on Yin and Mao. The branches Shen and You on the Heaven Plate fall in the empty palace. There are also the names of the lesson 'Eight Specials' (the day stem Ding is lodged in the Wei palace, and the day branch Wei is in the same place, thus only two lessons are formed), 'Well Shaft Shooting' and 'Rewarding Virtue'. The Heaven Plate is set with Wu as the general added to the Zi hour. The nobleman is riding You, with Teng Snake riding Xu, Vermilion Bird riding Hai, Liu He riding Zi, Gou Chen riding Chou, Azure Dragon riding Yin, Tian Kong riding Mao, Bai Hu riding Chen, Tai Chang riding Si, Xuan Wu riding Wu, Tai Yin riding Wei, and Tian Hou riding Shen. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ding lodged in the Wei palace, with Chou on top, riding Gou Chen; the second lesson is Chou with Wei on top, riding Tai Yin; the third lesson is the day branch Wei with Chou on top, riding Gou Chen; the fourth lesson is Chou with Wei on top, riding Tai Yin. The three transmissions are Si, Chou, Chou: the first transmission is Yi Si, a brother's yao riding Tai Chang; the middle transmission is Jiuchou, a son's yao riding Gou Chen, secretly accompanied by a ghost; the final transmission is again Jiuchou, a son's yao riding Gou Chen, again secretly accompanied by a ghost.

邵先生曰：一火生四土，行年雖有木，又不得地，如何救我？次第須有舊事牽絆。初驛馬動，便見起程，不是六十里，即一百二十里，後來降官壞任之憂，不是一件，定是二件。若止一件，必有大災，只願壽永也。是大幸不可別圖遷擢也。重重丑土作勾，豈是一件可了？童十月起程，過信州，果一百餘里，驀見追回，究前任不了事，遂不赴任，被拘四個月，得赦回家，方欲再去，被差保正。及分析了，又被侄兒爭分，留連半年，竟失此任。又過母墳，被山人誑開穴犯地道，次年六月遂死。 蓋火生四土四勾，豈不脫氣？丑為舊事，又為今日子孫勾，主後必被諸事脫耗財物也。

Shao Master said: A single Ding fire needs to generate four layers of earth, even though there is wood on the year pillar, it does not have favorable conditions, how can it save me? According to the order, first there must be an old case to entangle. The first transmission of the post-horse is activated, and it seems that one is about to start the journey, the distance is either sixty li or one hundred and twenty li; afterwards, there will be worries of demotion and loss of position, and not just one, definitely two. If there is only one, then it is certain to bring great calamity, only hoping to preserve life and longevity; if one can achieve this, it is already a great fortune, and one should not seek promotion again. The heavy layers of Chou earth are all riding on Gou Chen, so where is there a single matter that can be concluded? Tong the town inspector started his journey in October, passed through Xinxian, indeed traveled over one hundred li, but suddenly was chased back, investigated for an unfinished case from the previous position, thus failed to take office and was detained for four months, then released upon pardon. Just as he was about to go again, he was assigned as a guardian official; after this assignment was completed, he was disputed by his nephew over the division of family property, delaying for half a year, and finally lost the official position. He also passed through his mother's tomb, was deceived by a fortune teller to open the grave, disturbing the underground passage, and died in June of the following year. A single fire generating four layers of earth and four layers of Gou Chen, how can it not exhaust vital energy? Chou represents old matters, and it is also the day pillar's grandson element riding on Gou Chen, so it indicates that there will certainly be various matters consuming wealth afterwards.

94）應汝言癸巳生二十九歲占前程，己酉年丁未日卯將寅時。（寅卯空亡，卯辰落空），重審，進茹。 朱蛇 六午未申酉貴 陳巳 戌后 貴 蛇 貴 蛇 財 丙申 蛇 初 龍辰 亥陰 酉 申 酉 申 財 丁酉 貴 中（丁神） 空卯寅丑子玄 申 未 申 丁 子 戊戌 后 末 虎常

Example 94: According to your statement, you were born in the year Guisi, and are now twenty-nine years old, seeking divination about your future. The time is Dingwei day in Jihou year. The month is卯, and the lesson is cast with the month general added to the寅 hour. Dingwei day belongs to the Jiachen decade, with the empty positions falling on寅 and卯. The heaven plate has the branches卯 and辰 falling in the empty position. The lesson has two names: "Chong Shen" (lower thief upper, taking the use) and "Jin Ru" (three transmissions of Shen-You-Xu in order). The heaven plate is set with卯 as the general added to the寅 hour. The nobleman rides酉, below it is Teng Snake riding申, Vermilion Bird riding未, Liu He riding午, Gou Chen riding巳, Azure Dragon riding辰, Tian Kong riding卯, White Tiger riding寅, Tai Chang riding丑, Black Tortoise riding子, Tai Yin riding亥, and Heavenly Empress riding戌. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ding, which is in the未 palace, with申 above it, riding Teng Snake; the second lesson is申, with酉 above it, riding the nobleman; the third lesson is the day branch未, with申 above it, riding Teng Snake; the fourth lesson is申, with酉 above it, riding the nobleman. The three transmissions are申,酉,戌: the first transmission is Bingshen, which is the wife's wealth, riding Teng Snake; the middle transmission is Dingyou, which is also the wife's wealth, riding the nobleman, and is also the Ding god; the final transmission is Wuxu, which is the son's wealth, riding Heavenly Empress.

邵先生曰：若問功名難許，問財即富家矣。身宅初傳皆財，中傳上下皆財，財多宜以財營運，必因妻財起家。須把穩不可狂圖，下稍主婢僕上耗費。蓋末傳是火庫，非財庫，丁以金為財，若是金庫財收住。今見火庫反熔壞財矣。蛇主非橫，所以自婢僕生出事來。因此破財，不意而死。 汝言此時尚未有妻，次年成親，頗有嫁資，遂得此營運，十餘年成富翁，四十二典錢，四十七八愈厚，五十一歲癸酉年因婢僕通姦，汝言責之，僕縊死，被告首，入官費用，財產一空，得罰贖而歸，甲戌年死。

Shao Master said: If you ask about official rank and fame, it is hard to promise success; but if you ask about wealth, you will become rich. The position of the body, the position of the house, and the first transmission are all about wealth. The middle transmission and its upper and lower parts are also about wealth. With so much wealth, you should use money to operate and manage businesses. You will certainly start with the wealth from your wife's family. However, you must be cautious and not be reckless in your plans. In the later years, the loss of wealth will mainly come from servants and attendants. This is because the final transmission is戌, which is a fire warehouse rather than a treasure warehouse. The fire is the source of wealth, and metal is the wealth. If it were a metal warehouse, the wealth could be kept. But now it is a fire warehouse, which melts away the wealth. The Teng Snake indicates unexpected misfortune, so the matter arises from servants and attendants, leading to financial loss and even unexpected death. You said at that time you had not yet married. The next year you married, and your wife's dowry was very generous, giving you the capital to start a business. After more than ten years, you became a wealthy man. At the age of forty-two, you opened a pawnshop and lent money. By the age of forty-seven or forty-eight, your business became even more prosperous. In the year of Guiyou, at the age of fifty-one, due to a servant and attendant committing adultery, you punished them. The servant committed suicide by hanging, and the family was reported by others, leading to a lawsuit that cost a lot of money. All the property was lost, and finally, you paid a fine to redeem yourself and returned home. You died in the year of Jiaxu.

95）姜子安壬申年三十八歲己酉年己酉日卯將子時。（寅卯空亡，巳午落空），蒿矢，斬關。 后陰 貴申酉戌亥玄 蛇未 子常 龍 常 虎 陰 官 空卯 龍 初（空亡） 朱午 丑虎 卯 子 丑 戌 父 丙午 朱 中（落空） 六巳辰卯寅空 子 酉 戌 己 子 己酉 后 末 陳龍

Example 95: Jiang Zi'an was born in the year of Renshen and is thirty-eight years old. The time is in the year and day of Jiyou. The class is started with the month general of卯 (Mao) added to the Zi hour. The day Jiyou belongs to the Jiachen decade, with the empty positions falling on Yin and Mao. The Heaven Plate's Si and Wu branches are in the empty positions. The lesson names are two: "Hao Shi" (a remote attack, with the power like an arrow of reed grass, empty and not solid) and "Zhan Guan" (cutting the gate). The Heaven Plate is arranged with the general of Mao added to the Zi hour. The nobleman is on Shen, with Teng Snake on Wei, Vermilion Bird on Wu, Liu He on Si, Gou Chen on Chen, Azure Dragon on Mao, Tian Kong on Yin, Bai Hu on Chou, Tai Chang on Zi, Xuan Wu on Hai, Tai Yin on Xu, and Tian Hou on You. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ji in the Wei palace, with Wu on top, riding Tai Yin; the second lesson is Wu with Chou on top, riding Bai Hu; the third lesson is the day branch You with Zi on top, riding Tai Chang; the fourth lesson is Zi with Mao on top, riding Azure Dragon. The three transmissions are Mao, Wu, and You: the first transmission is Mao, which falls in the empty position, representing the official star, riding Azure Dragon; the middle transmission is Bingwu, representing the parent's yao, riding Vermilion Bird, also falling in the empty position; the final transmission is Jiyou, representing the child's yao, riding Tian Hou.

邵先生曰：吾丈闇昧，亦不永遠。惟令郎好，與老陰人可享此。今則福謝災生，身宮不明，何望顯達？須管一有福之子，喪則君不祿矣。況初中空亡，惟末撞在日之後，作敗神，主酒色傷身夭壽，三年半期，恐難過也。姜子安好奇異，聞言哂而不信。至壬子年一子果死，其子溫厚。姜氏悲愴，日夜追思，相繼而亡。果三年半也。

Master Zhao said: Your fortune is obscure and unclear, and your lifespan will not be long. However, your son is fortunate, and he along with the elder female relative in the family can enjoy this blessing. Now, the good fortune has ended and calamities have arisen; the position of the body is unclear, so what can you expect for success? You will certainly lose a son who is blessed. Once that child is gone, you will also lose your official position. Moreover, the first and middle transmissions both fall into Kongwang, while the final transmission meets the day stem, which is considered a bad omen, indicating harm from wine and women leading to a shortened life. The time limit is about three and a half years, and it is likely you will not survive that long. Jiang Zian has always been curious and fond of strange things; upon hearing these words, he merely laughed coldly and did not believe them. By the year Renzi, a son indeed died—this child was kind and gentle. The Jiang family was deeply grieved, and Jiang Zian mourned day and night, eventually passing away himself, and the events indeed occurred within three and a half years.

先生析曰；蓋己酉日見支前之太陰，是闇昧也。宅上子作常，己以子為財，財來此敗，太常己未土，亦隨此敗。初上見卯，土死於卯，卯又空亡，是空亡死也。初中即空，只在末酉，又在日後。 愛圅析曰：日干之後也。己日在未，申為前，而午為後，酉加午，故曰在日後也。夫太常到酉上敗，是進敗也。酉在日後，是退敗也。太陰即酉，又來日上敗我，進亦敗，退亦敗，現在亦敗，豈得不死？壬子年子上卯宅自子引入本宮，己土至彼敗且死，人寧不亡歟？

Shao Master explained that on the day of Jiyou, the Tai Yin is found in the position before the day branch, which indicates a dark and obscure situation. The Zi (water) in the dwelling position is riding on Tai Chang (earth), meaning that the Ji earth (Jiyou) takes Zi water as its wealth, but the wealth arrives here at a place of decline. Tai Chang itself belongs to Jiwei earth, and it also suffers decline. The upper god of the first transmission is卯 (mǎo), which is the death place for earth, and mǎo also meets Kongwang (void), thus it is both void and dead. Since the first and middle transmissions are both void, the only reliance is on the final transmission of You (metal), but You falls after the day stem, which is unfavorable. Cheng Aitu explained that the term "after the day" refers to the day stem. Ji day is lodged in Wei, with Shen as the front and Wu as the back. You is placed on Wu, so it is said to be after the day. Tai Chang arriving at You suffers decline, which is called "advancing decline"; You also falls after the day, which is called "retreating decline." Tai Yin is You, which also arrives on the head of the day stem to cause decline: advancing is decline, retreating is decline, and currently it is decline, how can one not die? By the year Renzi, the卯 (mǎo) in the dwelling position is introduced from the Zi position into its own palace, and Ji earth arrives there, suffering both decline and death; how can a person not perish?

96）童知丞乙亥生三十五歲占在任吉凶，己酉年十一月己卯日寅將丑時。（申酉空亡，酉戌落空），重審，進茹，斬關。 蛇貴 朱午未申酉后 六巳 戌陰 六 陳 后 貴 兄 庚辰 陳 初 陳辰 亥玄 巳 辰 酉 申 父 辛巳 六 中 龍卯寅丑子常 辰 卯 申 己 父 壬午 朱 末 空虎

Example 96: Tong Zhi Cheng was born in the year Yihai, is thirty-five years old, and is divining the fortune and misfortune while in office. The time is Jiyou year, eleventh lunar month, Ji Mao day. The divination is started with the month of Yin as the general, added to the time of Chou. Ji Miao day belongs to the Jiaxu decade, with the empty positions falling on Shen and You. The Heaven Plate has the branches You and Xu falling in the empty position. The names of the lesson are three: "Chong Shen" (Re-examination), "Jin Ru" (Advancing and Eating), and "Zhan Guan" (Cutting the Gate). The Heaven Plate is arranged with the general of Yin added to the time of Chou. The nobleman is riding on Shen, below it Teng Snake rides on Wei, Zhu Que on Wu, Liu He on Si, Gou Chen on Chen, Qing Long on Mao, Tian Kong on Yin, Bai Hu on Chou, Tai Chang on Zi, Xuan Wu on Hai, Tai Yin on Xu, and Tian Hou on You. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ji, which is placed in the Wei palace, with Shen on top, riding the nobleman—Shen is the place of birth for Ji earth; the second lesson is Shen with You on top, riding Tian Hou; the third lesson is the day branch Mao with Chen on top, riding Gou Chen; the fourth lesson is Chen with Si on top, riding Liu He. The three transmissions are Chen, Si, and Wu: the first transmission is Geng Chen, which is the brother's yao, riding Gou Chen; the middle transmission is Xin Si, which is the parent's yao, riding Liu He; the final transmission is Ren Wu, which is also the parent's yao, riding Zhu Que.

邵先生曰：此課因禍成福，本路除一監司，合主迴避，迴避中卻有好處，終久此貴人不歷此任，而我已加除了。童曰：何等貴人？曰：必提刑與知丞是親，來此得請職，因得周旋文字改官。初六害，勾亦辰，所以滯許多時；中驛馬乘龍，飛騰豹變；末祿在馬上，主坑冶干官之屬也。巳午為爐，六合為模範，乘馬不定，往來東南。次日妻父除提刑，遂迴避，得提點坑冶司鑄錢，即受職而提刑罷官而去。庚戌年又差諸路鹽司，辛亥改官。

Shao said: This lesson is turning misfortune into good fortune. There is a new supervisor appointed along this route, and by regulation you must avoid the post; however, avoiding it brings benefits, for the nobleman in question did not complete his term, and you have already received a new appointment. Tong Zhi Chen asked: What kind of nobleman is it? The master said: It must be the inspector, and he is related to you; if you go to him and request a position, you can obtain an official appointment with a single official document. The first transmission is afflicted by the six harms, and Gou Chen also falls on the hour of Chen, so there will be a long delay; the middle transmission is the post-horse riding a dragon, indicating swift change like a leopard changing its fur; the final transmission has the禄神 (favorable god of official rank) falling on the post-horse, indicating a position in the pit and metal office. The hours of Si and Wu symbolize a furnace, and Liu He symbolizes a mold, further riding the post-horse and being unstable, so moving around the southeast area. The next day his father-in-law was indeed appointed as the inspector, and Tong Zhi Chen withdrew, receiving the post of inspector of the pit and metal office for casting coins; just after taking office, that inspector was dismissed. In the year Gengxu, he was sent to various salt offices, and in the year Xinhai, he was promoted.

先生析曰；蓋日上貴人長生，乃尊長屬。乘空亡是前妻父也。不久罷去，亦空亡也。行年丑作虎，丑乃丁神，虎乘丁是極動。又虎為道路神，宅見辰作勾六害，是久滯也。中馬巳，丑合起，其勢必動。午祿神，又臨馬上，其職不停。巳為爐冶，午為雀並之，故文書職事在爐冶中。日上貴人長生，故得此周旋文字改官，必竟空亡脫氣，所以此任合當迴避。

Shao Master explained that the day stem is riding on a nobleman and is in the growth position, so the matter relates to a relative of the superior generation; this position also meets kongwang, which refers to the father of the former wife. He soon resigned and left, precisely because of the kongwang. The year pillar is in chou and rides on the white tiger, and chou is also the 'ding god'; the white tiger riding on the ding god indicates extreme movement. The white tiger is also the god of the road; the dwelling position has chen riding on gou chen and accompanied by the sixth harm, so there is prolonged stagnation and difficulty in movement. The middle transmission's si is the post-horse, which is activated by chou, so its momentum is definitely moving. Wu is the禄神, and it is also located on the post-horse, so the official duties never stop. Si is taken as the image of a furnace and foundry, and wu is also accompanied by the vermilion bird, so official documents and duties are all related to the furnace and foundry casting coins route. The nobleman on the day stem is in the growth position, so he can change his official position through official documents and requests; however, ultimately due to kongwang and losing vitality, this position should be avoided.

97）趙主簿丙子生三十四歲占前程，己酉年辛亥日卯將巳時。（寅卯空亡，子丑落空），元首，間傳，顧祖。 朱蛇 六卯辰巳午貴 陳寅 未后 后 玄 貴 陰 鬼 丙午 貴 初（暗鬼） 龍丑 申陰 未 酉 午 申 父 甲辰 朱 中 空子亥戌酉玄 酉 亥 申 辛 財 空寅 陳 末（空亡） 虎常

Example 97: Zhao Zhu Bao was born in the year Bingzi, and is thirty-four years old. He consulted about his future. The time was Jiyou year, Xinhai day, with the month of卯 as the general, and the lesson was cast on the time of巳. Xinhai day belongs to the Jiachen decade, with the empty positions falling on寅 and卯. The name of the lesson has three parts: "Yuan Shou" (the first of auspicious lessons, where the upper overcomes the lower and is used), "Jian Chuan" (three transmissions,午,辰,寅, each separated and retreating), and "Gu Zu" (looking back to the ancestors). The Heaven Plate is set with卯 as the general added to the time of巳. The Nobleman rides午, below it, Teng Snake rides巳, Zhu Que rides辰, Liu He rides卯, Gou Chen rides寅, Qing Long rides丑, Tian Kong rides子, Bai Hu rides亥, Tai Chang rides戌, Xuan Wu rides酉, Tai Yin rides申, and Tian Hou rides未. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem辛, located in the戌 palace, with申 above it, riding Tai Yin; the second lesson is申 with午 above it, riding the Nobleman; the third lesson is the day branch亥 with酉 above it, riding Xuan Wu; the fourth lesson is酉 with未 above it, riding Tian Hou. The three transmissions are午,辰,寅: the first transmission is Bingwu, which is the official ghost爻, riding the Nobleman, indicating a hidden ghost; the middle transmission is Jiachen, which is the parent爻, riding Zhu Que; the final transmission is寅, which falls in the empty position of the decade, indicating the wife's wealth爻, riding Gou Chen.

邵先生曰：主簿美差不能赴，自是岳廟，兩次二任岳廟，後雖授美差，不得赴而丁憂，服滿更授差遣，下稍喪妻，以妾為主，貪酒中風而死。庚戌年當赴任，因新任運使是姑丈，遂迴避就岳廟，二任既滿，受烏江丞，丁父母憂，服滿授壽昌令，諸賓作賀，醉後不幸中風而死。

Master Zhao said: The official, although appointed to a good post, could not take up the position, and was only assigned to serve as a temple official at the mountain shrine, and he served two consecutive terms there. Later, although he was appointed to a good post, he did not take up the position before encountering a mourning period due to the death of a relative; after completing the mourning period, he was again assigned a post. In his later years, he lost his wife, and his concubine took charge of the household; due to his fondness for alcohol, he suffered a stroke and died. In the year Gengxu, he was supposed to take up his post, but because the new supervisor was his maternal uncle, he was required to avoid the post by regulation, so he was assigned to the mountain shrine instead. After completing two terms, he was appointed as the county magistrate of Wuxi County; soon after, he had to observe mourning for his parents, and after completing the mourning period, he was appointed as the county magistrate of Shouchang County. Guests all came to congratulate him, but he died of a stroke after drinking heavily.

先生析曰；蓋初傳日貴，傳歸夜貴，自治事終反不治事。日上申作太陰，申為神佛，太陰管陰私，寅為廟，艮為山嶽，自日歸夜，自然監廟，又是顧祖，何能赴任？自宅上一帶引去，直至東南而止潭州岳廟，正在東南上也。一味投絕，又自日傳夜，所以如此。

Master Zhao explained that the first transmission is occupied by the day nobleman, but by the end it turns into the night nobleman. Originally representing an official who handles affairs, it ultimately becomes an idle position. The day stem's Shen is occupied by Tai Yin: Shen represents deities and Buddhas, and Tai Yin specializes in private matters. Yin represents a temple, and the Gen hexagram signifies mountains. Moving from day to night naturally implies overseeing temples; moreover, the name of the divination is "Looking Back to Ancestors," with the three transmissions looking back to ancestral energy, so how could he take office? Following the direction from the dwelling position, it leads all the way to the southeast and stops there—the temple in Tanzhou Mountain is located to the southeast. The three transmissions all lead to a dead end, and the transmission shifts from day nobleman to night nobleman, hence the outcome is as such.

98）陳殿院占謫官衢州甲申秋壬辰日巳將子時。（午未空亡，亥子落空），重審，亂首。 陳六 龍戌亥子丑朱 空酉 寅蛇 蛇 空 空 后 子 庚寅 蛇 初 虎申 卯貴 寅 酉 酉 辰 鬼 空未 常 中（空亡） 常未午巳辰后 酉 辰 辰 壬 兄 戊子 六 末（落空）（暗鬼） 玄陰

Example 98: Chen Dianyuan consulted a divination concerning his demotion to Quzhou. The time was in the year Jiashen, autumn, on the day Renchen. The class was cast with the month general Si added to the Zi hour. The day Renchen belonged to the Jiashen decade, with the empty positions falling on Wu and Wei. The Heaven Plate's Zi and Hai branches fell in the empty positions. The lesson names are two: "Re-examination" and "Disorder of the First". The Heaven Plate was set with the general Si added to the Zi hour. The nobleman rode Mao, below it the Teng Snake rode Yin, the Vermilion Bird rode Chou, the Liu He rode Zi, the Gou Chen rode Hai, the Azure Dragon rode Xu, the Tian Kong rode You, the Bai Hu rode Shen, the Tai Chang rode Wei, the Xuan Wu rode Wu, the Tai Yin rode Si, and the Heavenly Empress rode Chen. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson, the day stem Ren is in the Hai palace, above it is Chen, riding the Heavenly Empress; the second lesson, Chen has above it You, riding Tian Kong; the third lesson, the day branch Chen has above it You, riding Tian Kong; the fourth lesson, You has above it Yin, riding Teng Snake. The three transmissions are Yin, Wei, and Zi: the first transmission, Geng Yin, is the son爻, riding Teng Snake; the middle transmission, Wei, falls in the empty position, is the official ghost爻, riding Tai Chang; the final transmission, Wu Zi, is the brother爻, riding Liu He, which falls in the empty position and also secretly carries the ghost.

邵先生曰：寅作蛇加酉為用，蛇入雞穴而破腸，未加寅為中傳，是鬼宿入鬼門，子加未作末傳乘六合，是勢害也。那又辰加壬作天后，刑勝德，此課三不吉。內有天后乘喜為恩神，雖帶恩動而過多，加官不起，後謫官編官柳州而死。經曰：魁罡若向日辰遊，貶出天涯地角頭，此之謂也。

Shao Master said: The tiger (寅) takes the Teng Snake and places it on the rooster (酉) as the initiating transmission, which is like the Teng Snake entering the chicken coop and being pecked in the abdomen; the earth dog (未) is placed on the tiger (寅) as the middle transmission, which is like the ghost mansion entering the ghost gate; the rat (子) is placed on the earth dog (未) as the final transmission and takes the Liu He, which is like a harmful situation. Moreover, the dragon (辰) is placed on the壬 and takes the Heavenly Empress, with the criminal punishment overpowering the virtue; this lesson has three inauspicious aspects. Although there is the Heavenly Empress riding the joyful god to form an auspicious deity, the brought-in virtue is active but excessive, and thus cannot support the official position. Later he was indeed exiled and sent to Liuzhou where he died. The classic says, "If the魁罡 moves towards the day branch, he will be exiled to the farthest corners of the earth," which describes exactly this situation.

99）李大夫占憂銀網事，鞏罷官，己丑年十二月甲子日子將戌時。（戌亥空亡，子丑落空），重審，不備，斬關，狡童，登三天。 后陰 貴未申酉戌玄 蛇午 亥常 六 龍 蛇 六 財 戊辰 六 初 朱巳 子虎 辰 寅 午 辰 子 庚午 蛇 中 六辰卯寅丑空 寅 子 辰 甲 癸 壬申 后 末 勾龍

Ninety-Ninth Example: Li Doctor cast a divination for Li's worry about the silver net case and Gong's dismissal from office. The time was the Jichou year, twelfth lunar month, Jiazi day. The lesson was cast using the Zi month general placed on the戌 hour. The Jiazi day belongs to the Jiazi decade, with the empty position falling on Xu and Hai. The Heaven Plate's Zi and Chou branches are in the empty position. The lesson has five names: "Re-examination," "Incompleteness" (four lessons incomplete), "Cutting the Gate," "Cunning Boy," and "Ascending to Heaven." The Heaven Plate was set with Zi general placed on the Xu hour. The Nobleman rode Wei, below it Teng Snake rode Wu, Vermilion Bird rode Si, Liu He rode Chen, Gou Chen rode Mao, Azure Dragon rode Yin, Tian Kong rode Chou, White Tiger rode Zi, Tai Chang rode Hai, Tai Yin rode You, Tian Hou rode Shen. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson, the day stem Jia is located in the Yin palace, above it is Chen, riding Liu He; the second lesson, Chen above has Wu, riding Teng Snake; the third lesson, the day branch Zi has Yin, riding Azure Dragon; the fourth lesson, Yin above has Chen, riding Liu He. The three transmissions are Chen, Wu, and Shen: the first transmission Wu Chen is the wife and wealth爻, riding Liu He; the middle transmission Geng Wu is the son and grandson爻, riding Teng Snake; the final transmission Ren Shen rides Tian Hou. In the six relations column, the original text says "Gui," which should be a mistake for "Ghost." Jia wood meets Shen metal, which is the official and ghost爻.

邵先生曰：登三天主有撓，中午作蛇，五月末沖替可知。末申作後，六月初有赦。寅作龍入宅，明年三月必轉官。果然寅年正月朝廷差兩浙提刑，三月轉官，五月末沖替，六月赦。蓋明年者，歲上發用也。五月替者，蛇入中傳也。六月赦者，太陽交午，申為午作天后也。寅作龍入宅，寅為天吏，故主升轉。 愛圅析曰：以上兩課恐非邵公斷案，存考。

Shao said: "The lesson of 'ascending three heavens' indicates there will be disturbances. The middle transmission has the hour of Wu riding the Teng Snake, indicating that by the end of May someone will replace him. The final transmission has the hour of Shen riding the Heavenly Empress, indicating there will be a pardon in June. The hour of Yin riding the Azure Dragon enters the dwelling position, indicating he will certainly be promoted in March of next year. Later it turned out that in the year of Yin, in January the court appointed him as the inspector of two Zhe regions, in March he was promoted, in the end of May he was replaced, and in June he was pardoned. The term 'next year' is because the initiating transmission is on the heavenly stem. The reason for the replacement in May is because the Teng Snake is in the middle transmission. The reason for the pardon in June is because the sun moves to the position of Wu, and Shen is the Heavenly Empress of Wu. Yin riding the Azure Dragon entering the dwelling position, and Yin is also the Heavenly Official, so it indicates promotion and transfer of office." Cheng Aitu analyzed that the above two lessons may not be Shao's actual judgment, and it is temporarily doubtful and needs further verification.

100）姜伯達丁卯生四十三歲占前程，己酉年六月初六日癸丑日未將寅時。（寅卯空亡，未申落空），重審課，此課與葉助教占宅課相同，然彼是亥將午時，故邵公之斷語不同。今將宋本改正，程氏愛圅識。 陳六 龍戌亥子丑朱 空酉 寅蛇 陳 玄 陳 玄 財 丙午 玄 初 虎申 卯貴 亥 午 亥 午 兄 辛亥 陳 中 常未午巳辰后 午 丑 午 癸 官 甲辰 后 末 玄陰

Example 100: Jiang Bo Da was born in the year Ding Mao. He is 43 years old and is consulting about his future. The time is on the sixth day of the sixth lunar month in the year Ji You, which is the day Gui Chou. The divination is started with the month general Wei added to the time of Yin hour. The day Gui Chou belongs to the Ji Chen decade, with the empty positions falling on Yin and Mao. The Heaven Plate has the branches Wei and Shen falling in the empty positions. The name of the lesson is "Re-examination." The compiler Cheng Aitu notes that this lesson is the same as the previous one where Ye Assistant consulted about his house, but that lesson used the general Hai at the time of Wu hour, so Zhao Gong's interpretation was different. Now it is corrected according to the Song edition. The Heaven Plate is arranged with the general Wei added to the Yin hour. The nobleman is riding the卯, with the Teng Snake riding the寅, the Vermilion Bird riding the丑, the Liu He riding the子, the Gou Chen riding the亥, the Azure Dragon riding the戌, the Tian Kong riding the酉, the White Tiger riding the申, the Tai Chang riding the未, the Black Tortoise riding the午, and the Heavenly Empress riding the巳. The four lessons, arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Gui, which is in the Chou palace, with Wu above it, riding the Black Tortoise; the second lesson is Wu with Hai above it, riding the Gou Chen; the third lesson is the day branch Chou with Wu above it, riding the Black Tortoise; the fourth lesson is Wu with Hai above it, riding the Gou Chen. The three transmissions are Wu, Hai, and Chen: the first transmission is Bing Wu, which is the wife wealth hexagram, riding the Black Tortoise; the middle transmission is Xin Hai, which is the brother hexagram, riding the Gou Chen; the final transmission is Ji Chen, which is the official star hexagram, riding the Heavenly Empress.

邵先生曰：吾子平生有三苦：一為屋苦，二為妻苦，三為心所苦。初午被癸克，婦人常患心血不寧；中亥為同類，臨屋上，主官訟爭產；愛圅析曰：勾陳主爭也。此惟夜貴則乘勾，若作亥將午時，則用晝貴，亥乃乘天空，何從而斷其官訟爭屋乎？末墓作天后，主女人血氣之災。自身隨傳入墓，必是公姑干亥山之墳內，有泥水侵棺，走獸入內為穴，所以前程不通。九年心病，又四年遭同族爭產，又五年死。若不動移，必然喪身也。

Master Zhao said: You will suffer from three kinds of hardship in your life: first, the hardship of the house, second, the hardship of your wife, and third, the hardship of heart disease. The first transmission, which is the hour of Wu, is overcome by癸 water, indicating that the wife often suffers from heart unrest. The middle transmission, which is the hour of Hai, is of the same type as the day stem and is located above the house, indicating disputes over property and lawsuits. (Cheng Aitu explained that Gou Chen mainly governs disputes. This can only be resolved by using the night nobleman at the hour of Hai; if the lesson is cast starting from the hour of Wu, the day nobleman is used, and the hour of Hai would be occupied by Tian Kong, so how can disputes over property be predicted?) The final transmission enters the tomb and is occupied by the Heavenly Empress, indicating diseases related to blood and qi in women. Since the self also enters the tomb together with the three transmissions, it must be that the grandparents are buried in a grave located in the direction of Gann and Hai. The coffin has been soaked by mud and water, and wild animals have made a nest inside, so the future is blocked. The first nine years are marked by heart disease, followed by four years of disputes over property with the same clan, and then five years of death. If the grave is not moved, death is certain.

伯達乃士人，占課之時，殊不為意，其後宅宇摧損，拆而再造畢，遂心氣發作，日夜呻吟，財物耗散，妻亦心血不安，此九年午所管也。第十年兄弟日夜爭吵，或塞東廁，或開西庫，又爭三處店房，遂致興訟，此四年亥所管也。末辰卻管五年，二年女人血病死，三年自身大病，遂移公婆之墳，啟攢視之，泥土淤塞，除泥改喪，後乃安寧。 先生析曰；蓋午受癸克，走回本家，又受亥克，雖虎賁之勇，亦不能當，所以見諸般不利。午為目、為屋、為妻，故皆不安也。

Jiang Boda was a scholar who did not take divination seriously. Later, his house was damaged and he had to rebuild it. After the reconstruction, he fell ill with a heart condition, suffering day and night, losing money, and his wife also became anxious and restless. This was governed by the first transmission, Wu, which lasted nine years. In the tenth year, there were constant quarrels among his brothers. At times they blocked the eastern toilet, at other times they opened the western storehouse, and they also disputed over three shops, eventually leading to a lawsuit. This was governed by the middle transmission, Hai, which lasted four years. The final transmission, Chen, governed the last five years: in the second year, a woman in the family died of a blood illness; in the third year, he himself fell seriously ill, and they had to relocate his parents-in-law's graves. When they opened the ancestral tomb, they found the soil was blocked. After clearing the mud and re-burial, things finally became peaceful. Shao Master explained: Wu was overcome by癸 water, returning to its own family, and then further overcome by Hai water. Even with the strength of a brave warrior, it could not withstand these forces, hence all affairs were unfavorable. In this divination, Wu governs the eyes, the house, and the wife, so all three were disturbed.

101）馮幹辦丁卯年八月十七日辰時生，占前程，民政局酉年正月甲午日子將午時。（辰巳空亡，戌亥落空），反吟，無依，渉害，元胎。 蛇貴 朱亥子丑寅后 六戌 卯陰 虎 蛇 后 龍 兄 壬寅 后 初 陳酉 辰玄 午 子 寅 申 鬼 丙申 龍 中 龍申未午巳常 子 午 申 甲 兄 壬寅 后 末 空虎

Example 101: Feng Ganban was born on the morning of the 17th day of the eighth lunar month in the Dingmao year, and came to consult about his future. The time of the consultation was on the first day of the first lunar month in the Jiayou year (the original text "municipal bureau in the酉 year" is a miswriting for "Jiayou year"). The class was cast with the Zi month general added to the Wu time. The hour and the time are in opposition, thus forming "reverse chant." The day of the consultation, Jiawu day, belongs to the Jiawu decade, with the empty branch falling on Chen and Si. The Wu and Hai branches of the Heaven Plate are located in the empty position. There are also the names of the class "no support," "involvement and harm," and "original embryo." The Heaven Plate is set with the Zi general added to the Wu time. The nobleman is on the Chou, with Teng Snake on Zi, Vermilion Bird on Hai, Liu He on Xu, Gou Chen on You, Azure Dragon on Shen, Tian Kong on Wei, Bai Hu on Wu, Tai Chang on Si, Xuan Wu on Chen, Tai Yin on Mao, and Tian Hou on Yin. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ji, which is in the Yin palace, with Shen on top, riding the Azure Dragon; the second lesson is Shen with Yin on top, riding the Tian Hou; the third lesson is the day branch Wu with Zi on top, riding the Teng Snake; the fourth lesson is Zi with Wu on top, riding the Bai Hu. The three transmissions are Yin, Shen, and Yin: the first transmission is Renyin, which is the brother's yao riding the Tian Hou; the second transmission is Bingshen, which is the official ghost's yao riding the Azure Dragon; the third transmission is again Renyin, the brother's yao riding the Tian Hou, beginning and ending in a cycle, exactly matching the image of reverse chant.

邵先生曰：此課德絕祿喪，婦人主家，干支盡傷，病符臨身，不久主癱瘓風疾之憂，生氣作蛇入宅，主生男子，見此子後，其病便生，須是珍重，不可貪色也。甲寅年尤甚，其宅十八年變為溪溝也。馮受轉運司幹辦公事，有三年缺，上任一歲中風，自後癱瘓更不動，止因壬子得子，賀喜過飲，遂成風疾，解任歸日，食自費兩千餘，雖臥病不起，其食自倍。至甲子歲大水，宅為水所沖損壞，果作溪溝矣。

Master Zhao said: In this case, the deity of virtue has been cut off and the deity of official rank has been lost, so household affairs will be managed by the wife; both the day stem and day branch are injured, and the deity of illness is present at the body position, so there is soon worry of paralysis and illness. The life qi enters the house position with the Teng Snake, mainly giving birth to a son; after seeing this son, the illness comes along, so one must take care of oneself and not indulge in lust. In the year of Jiayin, the illness is especially severe, and the house will become a stream after eighteen years. Feng Ganban was assigned to serve in the transfer office for three years; after one year in office, he suffered a stroke and became paralyzed and unable to move. The cause was precisely that in the year of Renzi, he had a son and celebrated excessively by drinking too much, thus causing the illness. On the day he left his post, just the cost of food and drink alone exceeded two thousand; although he was bedridden, his appetite doubled. In the year of Jiazi, a great flood occurred, and the house was destroyed by the water, indeed turning into a stream.

102）鄧十八官人乙酉年二月十二日亥時生，占漕試，己酉年四月初一戊申日酉將丑時。（寅卯空亡，戌亥落空），潤下，斬關。 虎常 空丑寅卯辰玄 龍子 巳陰 龍 玄 朱 空 財 壬子 龍 初 陳亥 午后 子 辰 酉 丑 子 戊申 蛇 中 六戌酉申未貴 辰 申 丑 戊 兄 甲辰 玄 末（暗鬼） 朱蛇

Example 102: Deng Shiqi was born on the twelfth day of the second lunar month in the year Yiyou, at the hour of Hai. He came to seek divination for the imperial examination. The time of the divination was on the first day of the fourth lunar month in the year Jiyou, on the day of Wu Shen. The month general was You, placed on the hour of Chou to cast the divination. The day Wu Shen belonged to the Jiachen decade, with the empty branches falling on Yin and Mao. The branches of the Heaven Plate, Xu and Hai, fell on the empty positions. The names of the divination were two: "Runxia" (three transmissions of Shen, Zi, and Chen forming a water trinity) and "Zhangguan." The Heaven Plate was set with the You general added to the hour of Chou. The nobleman rode on Wei, below which Teng Snake rode on Shen, Zhuque on You, Liuhe on Xu, Gouchen on Hai, Qinglong on Zi, Tiankong on Chou, Baihu on Yin, Taichang on Mao, Xuanwu on Chen, Taiyin on Si, and Tianhou on Wu. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson, the day stem Wu was placed in the Si palace, with Chou above it, riding Tiankong; the second lesson, Chou had You above it, riding Zhuque; the third lesson, the day branch Shen had Chen above it, riding Xuanwu; the fourth lesson, Chen had Zi above it, riding Qinglong. The three transmissions were Zi, Shen, and Chen: the first transmission, Renzi, was the wife's wealth yao, riding Qinglong; the middle transmission, Wu Shen, was the son's yao, riding Teng Snake; the final transmission, Jiachen, was the brother's yao, riding Xuanwu, with a hidden ghost.

邵先生曰：土日得財局，須是用財為之卻吉。漕司正是申子辰水局也。既以漕司為財，須費己財為佳。身上是晝貴作天空，主簾幕貴人，馳聲於我，我遂得功名也。宅作元武，是本局作賊，須三換名字，及換卷子，並令人代之，此所以不正中也。甲辰旬十日，皆是魁星，此乃為魁首也。但不知何以有，即日東方江邊魚鹽之職也。鄧宅雖是積世武官，大有錢穀，申子辰正是漕司之局。戊用水為財，所費不可言。知有關節，又聞有易卷之說，不知何如也。末傳歸宅是辰，卻是甲辰旬之魁首也。作本經魁，次年雖省試不中，卻試了弓馬。得明州象山縣稅務。 先生析曰；蓋戊土以辰為庫。辰土生於申，乃真庫也。凡墓與庫二名而同體，何以分別？蓋生處為庫，殆囚為墓。今辰生於辰，實真庫，天罡為魚鹽之物，故鹽務兼煎鹽，故實大驗也。

Shao said: When the day is of earth, one gains a wealth pattern, but it is necessary to spend money to make it auspicious. The route of the granary office corresponds to the water pattern of Shen-Zi-Chen. Since the granary office is regarded as wealth, one should be willing to spend one's own money. In terms of the body position, it is daytime nobleman riding the sky void, indicating that a nobleman within the examination hall will promote one's reputation, thus leading to official rank. In terms of the residence position, it is riding the black tortoise, meaning there is a thief in the pattern, so one needs to change names three times, change the exam papers, and have someone take the exam instead - this is called not following the proper path. The ten days of Jiachen are all under the constellation of the leader of the first place, so one can achieve the top position. However, it is unknown why this is so. At present, there is a job related to fish and salt in the eastern river area. The Deng family, although several generations of military officials, has a lot of money and grain, and Shen-Zi-Chen is exactly the pattern of the granary office. Wu earth takes water as wealth, and the amount of expenditure is hard to describe. It is heard that there is a way to connect, and also that there is a matter of changing the exam papers, but it is unknown how it will turn out. The final transmission returns to the residence position as Chen, which is exactly the top of the Jiachen ten-day period, so he became the top of the classics. In the second year of the provincial examination, although he did not pass, he passed the archery and horse riding, and obtained a position in the tax office of Xiangshan County in Mingzhou. Shao explained: Wu earth takes Chen as its warehouse, and Chen earth is born in Shen, which is the true warehouse. Generally, 'mound' and 'warehouse' are two names for the same entity, how to distinguish them? The place of birth and prosperity is called the warehouse, while the place of decline and captivity is called the mound. Now Chen is born in Chen, which is indeed the true warehouse; Chen is also called Tiangang, which governs fish and salt, so he obtained a position in the salt office and the production of salt, which is very accurate.

103）劉干運丙寅生四十四歲占前程，己酉年六月戊申日未將寅時。（寅卯空亡，未申落空），元首，斬關。 陳龍 六戌亥子丑空 朱酉 寅虎 后 空 常 六 鬼 空卯 常 初（空亡） 蛇申 卯常 午 丑 卯 戌 子 戊申 蛇 中（落空） 貴未午巳辰玄 丑 申 戌 戊 兄 癸丑 空 末 后陰

Example 103: Liu Gan Yun was born in the year Bingyin, and is 44 years old. He seeks divination about his future. The time is Jiyou year, sixth lunar month, Wushen day. The class is started with the month general Wu added to the寅 hour. The day Wushen belongs to the Jiachen decade, with the empty positions falling on寅 and卯. The heaven plate's branches Wei and Shen fall on the empty positions. The lesson names are two: "Original Head" and "Cutting the Gate". The heaven plate is set with the general Wei added to the寅 hour. The nobleman rides Wei, below it Teng Snake rides Shen, Vermilion Bird rides You, Liu He rides Xu, Gou Chen rides Hai, Azure Dragon rides Zi, Tian Kong rides Chou, Bai Hu rides Yin, Tai Chang rides Mao, Tai Yin rides Chen, Tian Hou rides Si. The four lessons from right to left: the first lesson, the day stem Wu is in the Si palace, above it is Xu, riding Liu He; the second lesson, Xu has Mao above it, riding Tai Chang; the third lesson, the day branch Shen has Chou above it, riding Tian Kong; the fourth lesson, Chou has Wu above it, riding Tian Hou. The three transmissions are Mao, Shen, and Chou: the first transmission Mao falls on the empty position, as the official ghost爻, riding Tai Chang; the middle transmission Wushen is the son爻, riding Teng Snake, also falling on the empty position; the final transmission Guichou is the brother爻, riding Tian Kong.

邵先生曰：此課無造化，戊以卯為官星，甲辰旬空亡也。戊以申為長生學堂，入在空亡，只有末傳是丑，丑又來刑日上戌，且作天空，晝貴人空耗，是貴而無位也。晚年孤獨，只與奴婢過殘生，俱不見妻子續。後果然。

Master Zhao said: This lesson has no fortune to speak of. The Wu earth takes the卯 as its official star, but the卯 falls into Kongwang in the Jiachen ten-day cycle. The Wu earth also takes the申 as its growth and school position, but the申 also falls into Kongwang. The only remaining is the final transmission, the Chou. However, the Chou harms the day stem's Xu, and it is also riding on Tian Kong. The daytime nobleman is wasted away in vain, which is called having noble atmosphere but no real position. Therefore, in his later years he will be lonely, only able to spend his remaining days with servants and attendants, and he will not be able to rely on his wife and children. Later events indeed proved this to be true.

104）何三公丙午生六十三歲占終身，戊申年六月丙寅日未將寅時。（戌亥空亡，卯辰落空），比用，乘軒，鑄印，察微。 朱六 蛇戌亥子丑陳 貴酉 寅龍 六 陰 空 蛇 鬼 甲子 六 初 后申 卯空 子 未 卯 戌 兄 己巳 常 中 陰未午巳辰虎 未 寅 戌 丙 子 空戌 蛇 末（空亡） 玄常

Case 104: He San Gong was born in the year Bingwu, and is now 63 years old, seeking divination about his entire life. The time is in the year Wushen, sixth month, day Bingyin. The month is Wu, and the lesson is cast with the hour of Yin. The day Bingyin belongs to the Jiazi decade, with the empty positions falling on Xu and Hai. The branches of the Heaven Plate, Mao and Chen, are in the empty positions. The lesson has four names: "Comparison and Use" (both lessons are attacking, and the one that harmonizes with the day stem is taken as the use), "Multiplying the Carriage," "Casting the Seal," and "Observing the Subtle." The Heaven Plate is set with the general of Wu added to the hour of Yin. The nobleman is on You, with Teng Snake on Xu, Vermilion Bird on Hai, Liu He on Zi, Gou Chen on Chou, Azure Dragon on Yin, Tian Kong on Mao, Bai Hu on Chen, Tai Chang on Si, Tai Yin on Wu, Tian Hou on Shen. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson has the day stem Bing, which is in the Si palace, with Wu on top, riding Teng Snake; the second lesson has Wu with Mao on top, riding Tian Kong; the third lesson has the day branch Yin with Wu on top, riding Tai Yin; the fourth lesson has Wu with Zi on top, riding Liu He. The three transmissions are Zi, Si, and Wu: the first transmission is Jiazi, which is the official ghost, riding Liu He; the second transmission is Jisi, which is the brother, riding Tai Chang; the third transmission is Wu, which is the son, riding Teng Snake, and falls in the empty position of the decade.

邵先生曰：干支帶墓，第四課見子鬼發動，卻又傳歸日上，六月死神在戌作蛇，主有伏尸，帶迷惑殺，殃及於人，因宅中皆是舊墓，前後俱有尸骸，鬼入四課，在內之鬼也。傳出日上，漸次侵害於人也。主不出八年，癆病來纏，當死五人，中傳雖有生氣，受克化為鬼，是以不利。戌年戌月難以救也。何三公宅內原是舊冢，聞先生之言，乃掘之，共掘得十四穴，皆無主之墓。庚戌年九月未日，何公不祿，七年之中，果喪五人。

Master Zhao said: The day stem and day branch both carry the burial qi. The fourth lesson has the water ghost爻 rising and transmitting back to the day stem. The death deity in June is in戌 and rides the Teng Snake, indicating there are hidden corpses in the house, along with a confusing evil spirit, which will affect the living. This is because the house is built on old graves, with corpses buried all around. The ghost爻 entering the fourth lesson indicates ghosts within the house; when it transmits to the day stem, it will gradually harm the family members. It is predicted that within eight years, there will be tuberculosis cases, and five people will die. Although the middle transmission has life qi, it is overcome and transformed into ghost qi, thus being unfavorable; by the year and month of戌, it will be difficult to save. The house of He San Gong originally had old graves. After listening to the master's words, he went to dig them up, and found fourteen graves, all unclaimed. On the day of Wei in September of the Gengxu year, He Gong died; within seven years, indeed five people died.

105）袁知鎮癸酉命三十六歲占終身，戊申年十一月戊戌日丑將卯時。（辰巳空亡，寅卯落空），重審，勵德，極陰。 六陳 朱卯辰巳午龍 蛇寅 未空 龍 虎 貴 雀 兄 辛丑 貴 初 貴丑 申虎 午 申 丑 卯 財 己亥 陰 中 后子亥戌酉常 申 戌 卯 戊 子 丁酉 常 末（丁神） 陰玄

Example 105: Yuan Zhi Zhen asked about his destiny in the year Guiyou, at the age of thirty-six. The time was in the year Wushen, the eleventh month, on the day Wuxu. The divination was cast using the month general Chou added to the卯 hour. The day Wuxu belongs to the Jiawu decade, with the empty positions falling on Chen and Si. The branches Yin and Mao on the Heaven Plate are located in the empty positions. The name of the lesson has three parts: "Chong Shen" (Re-examination), "Li De" (Cultivating Virtue), and "Ji Yin" (Extreme Yin) (the three transmissions, Chou, Hai, and You, move in reverse order into the extreme Yin position). The Heaven Plate was set with the general Chou added to the卯 hour. The nobleman is riding Chou, below which Teng Snake rides Yin, Zhu Que rides Mao, Liu He rides Chen, Gou Chen rides Si, Qing Long rides Wu, Tian Kong rides Wei, Bai Hu rides Shen, Tai Chang rides You, Xuan Wu rides Xu, Tai Yin rides Hai, and Tian Hou rides Zi. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Wu, which is located in the Si palace, with Mao above it, riding Zhu Que; the second lesson is Mao with Chou above it, riding the nobleman; the third lesson is the day branch Xu with Shen above it, riding Bai Hu; the fourth lesson is Shen with Wu above it, riding Qing Long. The three transmissions are Chou, Hai, and You: the first transmission, Xin Chou, is the brother's yao riding the nobleman; the middle transmission, Ji Hai, is the wife's wealth yao riding Tai Yin; the final transmission, Ding You, is the son's yao riding Tai Chang, and it is also the "Ding God."

邵先生曰：此極陰課，戊土死於卯，敗於酉，初傳貴人，享父之福；中傳臨官加丑，亦秉父之財。丑為父母類神，貴人加之更的，故曰享父之福。末傳酉為日敗，又是本命，而加於亥，主自身自敗壞矣。中水末酉，必因酒色也。又乘陰常，丑土歸西北而傾，必因酒色而成癆病。亥四酉六，主四十六歲亡。後又因有服尊長為主，凡事盡決於他。蓋以宅上見申，戊土生於申，故為有服尊長也。後俱應。 先生析曰；占身命及醫與病，丑將卯時以本命上下斷死數。

Shao Master said: This is a very yin situation. Wu earth dies in卯 and fails in酉; the first transmission is riding on the nobleman, indicating enjoying the blessings from the father's generation; the middle transmission is in the official position and placed on丑, also indicating receiving money from the father's generation. 丑 is originally a class god related to parents, and with the nobleman added, it is even more certain, so it is said to enjoy the father's blessings. The final transmission is酉, which is the failing place of the day stem, and also his own birth star, placed on亥, indicating self destruction. The middle transmission belongs to water, and the final transmission is酉, so it is certainly due to wine and women; also riding on Tai Yin and Tai Chang, with丑 earth leaning towards the northwest, so it is certainly due to wine and women leading to consumption. The number of亥 is four, and the number of酉 is six, so it is certain that he will die at the age of forty-six. Later there will be another respected elder in the family taking charge, and all matters will be decided by him - this is because the house position shows申, and Wu earth is born in申, so it should be on a respected elder with mourning clothes. Later it all came true. Shao Master explained: Whenever divining about the body, life, and medical diseases, if the course is started with丑 adding to卯, then look at the gods above and below the birth star to determine the number of the death.

106）王解元辛丑年九月二十八日辰時生，六十八歲戊申年正月丁亥日子將寅時，（午未空亡，辰巳落空），彈射，間傳，占終身。 虎常 空卯辰巳午玄 龍寅 未陰 陰 貴 空 常 財 乙酉 貴 初 陳丑 申后 未 酉 卯 巳 子 空未 陰 中（空亡） 六子亥戌酉貴 酉 亥 巳 丁 兄 癸巳 常 末（落空）（暗鬼） 朱蛇

Example 106: Wang Jieyuan was born on the third hour of the ninth month in the year Xinchou. At the age of sixty-eight, he consulted about his entire life. The time of consultation was on the day Dinghai of the year Wushen in the first month. The divination was started with the month of Zi and the hour of Yin. The day Dinghai belongs to the Jiashen cycle, with the empty positions falling on Wu and Wei. The branches Chen and Si on the Heaven Plate fall into the empty positions. The names of the lesson are two: "Shooting" and "Intermediate Transmission" (the three transmissions, You, Wei, and Si, are separated and retreat). The Heaven Plate is set with the general of Zi added to the hour of Yin. The Nobleman is on You, with Teng Snake on Xu, Vermilion Bird on Hai, Liu He on Zi, Gou Chen on Chou, Azure Dragon on Yin, Tian Kong on Mao, White Tiger on Chen, Tai Chang on Si, Black Tortoise on Wu, Tai Yin on Wei, and Heavenly Empress on Shen. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson, the day stem Ding is in Wei, with Si above it, riding Tai Chang; the second lesson, Si has Mao above it, riding Tian Kong; the third lesson, the day branch Hai has You above it, riding Nobleman—Hai is the Heaven Gate, which is exactly "Nobleman enters the Heaven Gate"; the fourth lesson, You has Wei above it, riding Tai Yin. The three transmissions are You, Wei, and Si: the first transmission, Yi You, is the wife's wealth, riding Nobleman; the second transmission, Wei, falls into the empty position, being the son's wealth, riding Tai Yin; the third transmission, Gui Si, is the brother's wealth, riding Tai Chang, which falls into the empty position and secretly carries a ghost.

邵先生曰：主外人有服入分，覆蓋被他所撓，我入不明之地，而受太陰之抑，酉作貴登天門，乃夜貴用事。又是不明。酉即太陰，太陰即酉，互相掩蔽，終於失理。行年上太陰門戶亦主分破，況身宅三傳行年皆在陰上，正是不利之年。七十歲必死也。

Shao Master said: This divination indicates that a person from another family, who is related by marriage, will interfere in the division of property, causing disturbance in family affairs. I myself have fallen into an obscure place and am oppressed by Tai Yin. The酉 (You) is accompanied by the Nobleman and enters the Heaven Gate, and the one in charge is the Night Nobleman, which is also an indication of obscurity. The酉 (You) is the original position of Tai Yin, and Tai Yin is precisely located on酉 (You), thus mutual concealment occurs, eventually leading to the loss of reason. The year of the divination meets Tai Yin, indicating that the family will suffer from division and damage; and considering that the position of the person, the position of the house, the Three Transmissions, and the year all fall under the influence of Yin spirits, it is indeed an unfavorable year. Death is certain by the age of seventy.

先生析曰；何以見外人有服入？宅主破碎，作事乘馬故也。太常己未土入本家，乃家人也。丁，我也。丁被巳乘馬逼身，而未遂加酉，托於今日陰貴人用事，陰貴人入宅，卻又作破碎，反為他破，未作太陰入酉，是為他所蔽，陰翳不明也。托用事貴人，卻臨陽貴人上，為今日鬼又不明也。又自陽貴人上發傳，終歷陰貴人，末又歸我身上，依舊支破，當主爐灶敗壞。巳之本家，又見卯作天空，主門戶分破。王有一弟少年與人了，次年父死，乘服未滿歸宗。六月入狀爭分，托鄉中徐通判料理，盡為徐所用。然後復分與他，門戶中門折斷，作兩處廚灶皆壞。此事戊申何故不發，至己酉四月方發耶？蓋戊申陽年雖六陰全而不能舉，己酉陰年故發也。

Shao Master explained that one can tell there is someone from another family who has entered because the master of the dwelling position has committed the broken pieces calamity, and is also riding the post-horse. The Tai Chang belongs to Jiwei earth, entering the family, meaning it is a family member. Ding is the questioner himself. Ding is forced upon by the post-horse from Si, and Wei follows immediately and rests upon You, seeking protection from the night nobleman. The night nobleman enters the dwelling position, but it also commits the broken pieces, thus being broken by it. Wei rides Tai Yin and falls into You, meaning it is covered by it, with heavy shadows and unclear. The nobleman relied upon also rests upon the day nobleman, becoming the ghost of today, also unclear. The three transmissions start from the day nobleman, pass through the night nobleman, and the final transmission returns to myself, still breaking the day branch, so the stove is ruined. On the native branch of Si, there is also Mao riding Tian Kong, indicating the door is split. Wang Jieyuan had a younger brother who was adopted by another family when he was young. The next year his father died, and the younger brother, before completing his mourning period, returned to his original family. In June he filed a lawsuit to divide the property, and entrusted the local Xu Tongpan to handle it, but Xu took all the advantage. After that, he still gave a share to the younger brother. The middle door of the house broke, and both kitchens were destroyed. Why did this happen in the year of Wushen but not until the year of Jiyou in April? Because Wushen is a yang year, even though all six yin are present, it could not be activated. Jiyou is a yin year, so it happened.

107）邵木匠乙丑年六月六日未時生，四十四歲占本身。戊申十一月一日壬子日卯將丑時。（寅卯空亡，辰巳落空），重審，勵德，間傳，六儀，佚女，登三天。 龍空 陳未申酉戌虎 六午 亥常 蛇 后 貴 陰 鬼 甲辰 蛇 初（落空） 朱巳 子玄 辰 寅 卯 丑 財 丙午 六 中 蛇辰卯寅丑陰 寅 子 丑 壬 父 戊申 龍 末（暗鬼） 貴後

Example 107: Zhao Mujiang was born on the sixth day of the sixth lunar month in the year Yi Chou, at the hour of Wei. He is forty-four years old and is divining about himself. The time of divination is on the first day of the eleventh lunar month in the year Wu Shen, on the day Ren Zi. The month is卯, and the lesson is cast with the month general added to the hour of Chou. The day Ren Zi belongs to the Jiachen cycle, with the empty positions falling on Yin and Mao. The names of the lessons are six: "Re-examination," "Upholding Virtue," "Intermediate Transmission," (three transmissions: Chen, Wu, Shen, progressing in order), "Six Instruments," "Lost Woman," and "Ascending to Heaven." The Heaven Plate is set with the month general卯 added to the hour of Chou. The nobleman is riding on卯, below it is Teng Snake riding on Chen, Vermilion Bird on Si, Liu He on Wu, Gou Chen on Wei, Azure Dragon on Shen, Tian Kong on You, White Tiger on Xu, Tai Chang on Hai, Black Tortoise on Zi, Tai Yin on Chou, and Heavenly Empress on Yin. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ren, located in the亥 palace, with Chou above it, riding on Tai Yin; the second lesson is Chou with卯 above it, riding on the nobleman; the third lesson is the day branch Zi with寅 above it, riding on Heavenly Empress; the fourth lesson is寅 with辰 above it, riding on Teng Snake. The three transmissions are Chen, Wu, and Shen: the first transmission is Jia Chen, representing the official ghost, riding on Teng Snake and falling in an empty position; the second transmission is Bing Wu, representing the wife's wealth, riding on Liu He; the third transmission is Wu Shen, representing the parents, riding on Azure Dragon, and secretly accompanied by the ghost. Shen is also the position of growth for Ren water.

邵先生曰：登三天本是至高至危之象，今細微中出入人，卻能顯煥又富貴也。蓋身宅皆居西北極地，迤邐出東南來，將來必做富人。中傳見財，末長生，有財有壽，長生入財位，子先死，孫送終矣。長生能害子孫故也。邵仁占課時，四十四歲正窘，與人工作，後七年與城山寺造殿，從此興旺。六十左右，家典錢，連喪三子。丙寅喪一子，辛未癸酉又喪二字，是時六十九矣。後七孫送終，壽七十七，充保正，至甲午年死。 先生析曰；蓋壬子皆西北方，至幽至陰之地，轉出東南旺方，宅上有寅，寅為子息空初亡，辰為鬼，又臨寅地，中午為財，末申為長生，故有財有壽，而難為子息也。邵公蓋取中午為孫。

Shao said: "Going up to the three heavens" originally represents a situation that is both the highest and the most dangerous. Now this person was born in humble circumstances, yet he is able to become prominent and wealthy. Because his position and the position of his home are located in the northwest, which is the most yin and secluded place, and they gradually move towards the southeast, he will certainly become rich. The middle transmission shows wealth, and the final transmission indicates long life, so he has both wealth and longevity. However, the long life is in the position of wealth, so his son will die first, and finally his grandson will be the one to see him off. The god of long life can actually harm his descendants. When Shao the carpenter (named Ren) divined the course, he was forty-four years old, in a difficult situation, working for others. Seven years later, he built a large hall for Chengshan Temple, and from then on, his fortune flourished. Around the age of sixty, his family opened a pawnshop and lent money, but he lost three sons: one died in the year Bingyin, and two others died in the years Xinwei and Guiyou. At that time, he was already sixty-nine. Later, he was seen off by his grandson and lived to be seventy-seven, serving as a local official, and died in the year Jiawu. Shao analyzed that the Yin and the Zi both belong to the northwest, which is the most secluded and yin place. Now they are turning towards the southeast, which is the flourishing direction. The position of the home has the寅, which is the god of descendants but falls into an empty position and initially dies. The Chen is the ghost, and it is located on the ground of the寅. The middle transmission's Wu is wealth, and the final transmission's Shen is long life, so he has both wealth and longevity, but the difficulty lies in descendants. Shao probably took the middle transmission's Wu as representing the grandson.

108）傅清卿壬申年三十八歲占平生，己酉年丁亥日辰將丑時。（午未空亡，酉戌落空），昂星，斬關，炎上。 貴后 蛇申酉戌亥陰 朱未 子玄 陳 虎 常 后 兄 空午 六 初（空亡） 六午 丑常 巳 寅 丑 戌 子 丙戌 后 中（落空） 陳巳辰卯寅虎 寅 亥 戌 丁 父 庚寅 虎 末 龍空 邵先生曰：自有隨身庫，何必求財？傅曰：隨身庫所主何也？曰：只利書會，此隨身庫，餘不利。蓋父母在鬼鄉，又作虎，才討生涯，便生不足。初祿加卯又空，不獨不利，終身亦只書會為活耳。

Example 108: Fu Qingqing was born in the year of Renshen, and is thirty-eight years old. He consulted about his life circumstances. The time was in the year of Jiyou, on the day of Dinghai, with the month of Chen as the general, and the course was set with the general added to the hour of Chou. The day of Dinghai belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty positions falling on Wu and Wei. The branches of You and Xu on the heaven plate are in the empty positions. The names of the course are three: "Ang Star," "Cutting the Gate," and "Inflaming Upward" (the three transmissions of Yin, Wu, and Xu form a fire trinity). The heaven plate is arranged with the general of Chen added to the hour of Chou. The nobleman is riding You, with Teng Snake riding Shen, Vermilion Bird riding Wei, Liu He riding Wu, Gou Chen riding Si, Azure Dragon riding Chen, Tian Kong riding Mao, White Tiger riding Yin, Tai Chang riding Chou, Black Tortoise riding Zi, Tai Yin riding Hai, and Heavenly Empress riding Xu. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ding, which is in the Wei palace, with Xu above it, riding Heavenly Empress; the second lesson is Xu with Chou above it, riding Tai Chang; the third lesson is the day branch Hai with Yin above it, riding White Tiger; the fourth lesson is Yin with Si above it, riding Gou Chen. The three transmissions are Wu, Xu, and Yin: the first transmission is Wu, which is in the empty position, representing a brother's yao, riding Liu He; the second transmission is Bing Xu as the son's yao, riding Heavenly Empress, also in the empty position; the third transmission is Geng Yin as the parent's yao, riding White Tiger. Master Shao said: You have a personal treasure with you, why do you need to seek wealth? Fu Qingqing asked: What is the personal treasure? The master said: It is only beneficial to make a living in bookshops, which is called the personal treasure, and nothing else is beneficial. Because the parent's yao is in the ghost's territory and rides White Tiger, you will find it difficult to make a living once you start. The first transmission's禄神 is on Mao and also meets the empty position, which is not beneficial in the present and for the rest of your life you can only live by bookshops.

109）葉七秀才丁卯生四十二歲占平生，戊申年十二月辛卯日丑將寅時。（午未空亡，巳午落空），重審，天獄，勵德。 六陳 朱辰巳午未龍 蛇卯 申空 后 貴 空 虎 父 己丑 后 初 貴寅 酉虎 丑 寅 申 酉 子 戊子 陰 中 后丑子亥戌常 寅 卯 酉 辛 子 丁亥 武 末（丁神）（暗鬼） 陰玄

Example 109: Ye Qi the scholar was born in the year Dingmao. At the age of forty-two, he came to consult about his life. The time was in the year Wushen, twelfth lunar month, on the day Xinmao. The class was cast with the month general Chou added to the寅 hour. The day Xinmao belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty positions falling on Wu and Wei. The heaven plate's branches Si and Wu fall in the empty positions. The lesson names are three: "Re-examination", "Heavenly Prison", and "Moral Cultivation". The heaven plate is set with the general Chou added to the寅 hour. The nobleman rides on寅, with the Teng Snake on卯, the Vermilion Bird on辰, the Liu He on巳, the Gou Chen on午, the Azure Dragon on未, the Tian Kong on申, the White Tiger on酉, the Tai Chang on戌, the Black Tortoise on亥, and the Tai Yin on子, and the Heavenly Empress on丑. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Xin, which is in the戌 palace, with酉 on top, riding the White Tiger; the second lesson is酉 with申 on top, riding the Tian Kong; the third lesson is the day branch卯 with寅 on top, riding the Nobleman; the fourth lesson is寅 with丑 on top, riding the Heavenly Empress. The three transmissions are丑, 子, and 亥: the first transmission is Jiuchou, representing the parents' yao, riding the Heavenly Empress; the middle transmission is Wuzi, representing the children's yao, riding the Tai Yin; the final transmission is Dinghai, also representing the children's yao, riding the Black Tortoise, and is also the "Ding god" with a hidden ghost.

邵先生曰：你堂上所葬，乃丑加寅，艮山地也。水便陡瀉自西北上出去，庚上有一石山，其形甚丑，必主人要錢而死。你因妻起家妻財作貴之故，不是六年是七年喪妻，自此退耗。一則男女債，二乃子不成器，三有水壞田，九年大退，十三年當患氣而卒。葉母艮山坤向丑上乘天后，故主乎母，水從脅下流去西北，庚上有一山，生來皆是怪石。壬子年妻弟來家相訪因要錢入城，中途腹痛而死。甲寅年喪妻，年內賣產嫁女，長子賭錢好色，卯年大水，溪邊田盡壞。丙辰十一月疝氣而亡。

Shao Master said: The grave of your father and mother is located on the Chou branch, with the mountain ridge belonging to the Gen mountain; the water flows suddenly from the northwest direction, and there is a stone mountain on the Geng direction, which has an ugly shape, and this will certainly result in someone dying for the sake of money. You have built your family fortune through your wife - this is because the wife's wealth line is riding on the nobleman; either in six or seven years you will lose your wife, and from then on your family will decline. First, there is a debt involving a man and a woman, second, the son is not capable, third, the land is ruined by water; in the ninth year there will be a great retreat, and in the thirteenth year he will die from a disease of the air. The mother's grave of Ye Scholar is also Gen mountain facing Kun direction, with Chou branch riding on the Heavenly Empress, so the effect will fall on the mother; the water flows from the side of the grave to the northwest, and there is a mountain on the Geng direction, which is naturally covered with strange stones. In the Renzi year, his wife's younger brother came to visit the family, because he went into the city to borrow money, he died on the way from stomach pain. In the Jiayin year, he lost his wife, and within that year he sold his property to marry off his daughter; the eldest son gambled and was lustful. In the Mao year, there was a big flood, and all the fields by the stream were destroyed. In the Bingchen year, in November, he died from hernia.

先生析曰；蓋丑土生辛金，故為母。辛以寅為妻，故因妻起家。寅艮方，丑加之，故艮山墳地。金絕於寅，故主妻死。傳見子亥，金水相生，傳見退脫，是以退也。辛以子為子，亥為女，太陰男不明，元武女多賠耗，亥四子九，四九三十六，亥為腎，元武主疝氣，金死於子，故十三年疝氣而亡。沈曰：丑為辛墓，又是父母，是以主堂上墳。然不發用，不可亂斷。水便陡瀉，自西北上出去者，子亥逆入西北，是以言陡瀉也。

Master Zhao explained that the earthy branch Chou can generate the metal Xin, so it is taken as the image of the mother. Xin metal takes the wood寅 as wealth, so he started his fortune through his wife. The寅 is located in the direction of Ken, and Chou is placed above it, so it is the grave of the mountain Ken. Metal is dead in寅, so it indicates the death of the wife. The three transmissions see the子 and亥, which are metal and water, and they mutually generate, but the trend is one of retreat and depletion, so the family fortune declines. Xin takes子 as son and亥 as daughter; Tai Yin governs male but is unclear, while Xuan Wu governs female and involves much expenditure. The number of亥 is four, and the number of子 is nine, totaling thirty-six;亥 in the human body governs the kidney, and Xuan Wu governs hernia, while metal is dead in子, so he died of hernia at the age of thirteen. Shen said: Chou is the grave of Xin metal and also the parent's yao, so it governs the grave of the respected elders in the hall; but since it has not initiated the transmission, it should not be misinterpreted. The phrase "water suddenly rushes out and flows to the northwest" is because子 and亥 flow逆行 into the northwest, so it is called "sudden rush."

110）傅大祿己巳生四十歲，占平生。己酉年正月十五甲午日子將卯時。（辰巳空亡，丑寅落空），遙克，蒿矢，元胎，傅生於十一月初三日午時。 朱六 蛇寅卯辰巳陳 貴丑 午龍 后 朱 虎 陰 鬼 丙申 虎 初 后子 未空 子 卯 申 亥 子 空巳 陳 中（空亡） 陰亥戌酉申虎 卯 午 亥 甲 兄 壬寅 蛇 末（落空） 玄常

Example 110: Fu Dalu was born in the year Jisi, and is forty years old. He consulted about his life circumstances. He was born on the third day of the eleventh lunar month at noon. The time of divination was on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month in the year Jiyou, on the day Jiawu. The month was the zodiac sign of zi, and the hour was mo. The day stem was jia and the day branch was wu. The day belonged to the jia wu cycle, with the empty positions falling on chen and si. The branches of the heaven plate, chou and yin, fell in the empty positions. The names of the lesson are three: "remote overcoming," "arrow," and "fetal origin." The heaven plate was set with zi as the general and added to mo hour. The nobleman was on chou, with teng snake on yin, zhu qiao on mo, liu he on chen, gou chen on si, qing long on wu, tian kong on wei, bai hu on shen, tai chang on you, xuan wu on xu, tai yin on hai, and tian hou on zi. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson was the day stem jia, which was in the yin palace, with the sign hai above it, riding tai yin; the second lesson was the sign hai, with the sign shen above it, riding bai hu; the third lesson was the day branch wu, with the sign mo above it, riding zhu qiao; mo is the yang ren of jia wood; the fourth lesson was the sign mo, with the sign zi above it, riding tian hou. The three transmissions were shen, si, and yin: the first transmission was bing shen, which was the official ghost yao, riding bai hu; the second transmission was si, which fell in the empty position, as the son yao, riding gou chen; the third transmission was ren yin, which was the brother yao, riding teng snake, also falling in the empty position.

邵先生曰：此課亥來生日，是官星垂顧，太陰神佑之象，但羊刃作雀入宅，乃本家之朱雀，恐目下本家有事起，初虎作鬼，亡祟暗害，是家中人所為，從此遂自生事，末寅加巳，遠則四年，近則四月，被事牽纏。若見金司年入訟，其身不便無疑。傅後與弟不足，挾恨告其子違法事，巳乃子也，第四年八月配英州死。 先生析曰；蓋第四年太歲在子，子上得酉，乃己酉太歲得助，故為禍百端，八月者復助酉也。同日同時，又有何子重一數，前增入王知縣數後。

Shao said: In this divination, the亥 water comes to birth the day stem, indicating the official star's attention and the protection of the Tai Yin deity. However, the Yangren rides on the Vermilion Bird and enters the dwelling position, which is the family's own Vermilion Bird. This suggests that there will be troubles within the family soon. The first transmission rides on the White Tiger and forms a ghostly trigram, indicating the haunting of a deceased soul, which comes from within the family. Thus, the person himself will bring about trouble. The final transmission has the寅 added on the巳, meaning that in the long term it will be four years, and in the short term four months, and he will be involved in legal troubles. If it happens in a year of metal, he will certainly suffer, which is certain. Fu Dalu later had a quarrel with his younger brother, who harbored resentment and reported his son's illegal activities—巳 is the trigram of descendants. In the fourth year's eighth month, he was exiled to Yingzhou and died. Shao explained: In the fourth year, the heavenly stem is Zi, and the Zi position receives the酉, which is exactly the Jiyou heavenly stem receiving support, hence the emergence of many troubles. The eighth month is when the trouble occurs, because the eighth month again supports the酉. There is another example of this same divination, by He Zizhong, which has been added after the case of Wang County Magistrate.

111）王知縣己未生五十歲占身位，戊申年四月甲申日申將丑時。（午未空亡，丑寅落空），知一，羅網，鑄印。 空虎 龍子丑寅卯常 陳亥 辰玄 六 常 玄 朱 財 丙戌 六 初 六戌 巳陰 戌 卯 辰 酉 子 癸巳 陰 中 朱酉申未午后 卯 申 酉 甲 父 戊子 龍 末 蛇貴

Example 111: Wang County Magistrate was born in the Jiwei year and is now fifty years old. He divines about his own position. The time is in the Wushen year, fourth month, Jia Shen day. The lesson is cast with the Shen month general added to the Chou hour. The Jia Shen day belongs to the Jia Shen decade, with the empty position falling on Wu and Wei. The branches Chou and Yin on the Heaven Plate fall in the empty position. The lesson has three names: "Zhi Yi", "Luowang" (the day stem and branch are occupied by the heavenly net and earthly net), and "Zhu Yin". The Heaven Plate is set with the Shen general added to the Chou hour. The nobleman is on Wei, below which is Teng Snake on Shen, Zhu Que on You, Liu He on Xu, Gou Chen on Hai, Qing Long on Zi, Tian Kong on Chou, Bai Hu on Yin, Tai Chang on Mao, Tai Yin on Mao, Xuan Wu on Chen, and Tian Hou on Wu. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Jia, located in the Yin palace, with You above it, occupied by Zhu Que; the second lesson is You with Chen above it, occupied by Xuan Wu; the third lesson is the day branch Shen with Mao above it, occupied by Tai Chang; the fourth lesson is Mao with Xu above it, occupied by Liu He. The three transmissions are Xu, Si, and Zi: the first transmission is Bing Xu, representing the wife's wealth, occupied by Liu He; the middle transmission is Gui Si, representing the son's wealth, occupied by Tai Yin; the final transmission is Wu Zi, representing the father's wealth, occupied by Qing Long.

邵先生曰：日上乘破碎，作鬼克身，主與陰人興訟，官位不明。來年或八月事起，必相擾。干支羅網，不可愛財，定被事貶謫。更老陰人因一子不成器，用度不足，心中怏怏，但難開口，四月十一日必進人口，來年己酉太歲防謫為曹屬也。庚戌則大數莫逃矣。王知縣次年受鄉中徐知府長子錢五百緡，知府恭人所揭，王被責劾。蓋徐長子乃義子，與次子爭分，次子乃親子也。王受賄判與長子，故至此。庚戌在任，不意而終。

Master Zhao said: The day stem is afflicted by the broken and shattered evil star, which also acts as a ghostly trigram to harm the self. This mainly indicates disputes involving female relatives, and the official position is also unclear. The matter will occur either next year or in the eighth month, causing disturbance. The day stem and day branch are located within the heavenly net and earthly trap, so one must not be greedy for wealth, otherwise certain disgrace and demotion will follow. Additionally, there is an elder female relative in the family who is unhappy because her son is not capable and the expenses are insufficient, yet she cannot express her feelings. On the 11th day of the fourth month, new household members will definitely be added. In the next year of the Jiyou era, one should beware of being demoted to a subordinate official. By the year Gengxu, the major fate is unavoidable. The magistrate Wang received five hundred bolts of silk from the eldest son of the local magistrate Xu in the following year, but was later accused by the magistrate Xu's wife and impeached. Originally, the eldest son of the Xu family was an adopted son, who was fighting with the second son over the inheritance, while the second son was the biological son. Magistrate Wang accepted bribes and ruled in favor of the eldest son, leading to his downfall. He died unexpectedly while still in office during the year Gengxu.

先生析曰：蓋陽日陰官作雀，故本身有訟，官位不明。酉為兌，兌為澤，故恩澤受財。初傳在日之前，甲克戌為財，卯與戌合，又得六合，是暗受財。被追擾者，干支羅網，不可脫也。己酉遭責，是酉克甲也。酉加寅上，故曰曹屬。庚戌年死者，巳加戌，乃甲申旬末，故閉口不能言也。庚戌行年在巳之本宮，為子所克，反加戌又入墓，又是極末，故閉口而死也。 又云，一老陰人因不子息不足，中心怏怏者，王知縣有弟不才而窘，母深惜之，不王垂顧，嘗怏怏不足。蓋巳為閉口，乘太陰故怏怏不言也。巳下人者，甲以巳為子弟也。

Shao Master explained that Jia is a yang day, but the official star is yin metal and rides the Vermilion Bird, so there is a case of litigation and the official position is unclear. You belongs to the Dui hexagram, which represents a marsh, and a marsh is a blessing, so it is receiving wealth through the blessing. The first transmission falls before the day stem, Jia wood overcomes Xu earth as wealth, and Mao again combines with Xu, and with the help of Liu He, this is secretly accepting bribes. Therefore, being pursued and disturbed is because the day stem and day branch fall into the heavenly net and earthly net, making escape impossible. In Jiyou year, being punished is because You metal overcomes Jia wood; You is also placed on寅, so he was demoted to a subordinate. In Gengxu year, he died, because Si is placed on Xu, which is exactly at the end of the Jia Shen decade, so he could not speak. In Gengxu year, the year stem is in the native place of Si, being overcome by Zi water, and then Si is placed on Xu again, entering the tomb, and being at the end of the three transmissions, so he died in silence. He also said that the term referring to an elder female relative being unhappy due to lack of descendants refers to Wang County Magistrate having a brother who was not capable and in a difficult situation, and his mother deeply pitied him but would not ask Wang County Magistrate for help, often feeling distressed. Si represents closing the mouth, and also rides Tai Yin, so he could only be distressed without speaking. As for the statement that Si represents a younger person, it is because Jia wood considers Si as a son.

112）何子重辛酉生四十八歲占平生，己酉年正月十五日甲午子將卯時。（辰巳空亡，丑寅落空），遙克，蒿矢，元胎。 朱六 蛇寅卯辰巳陳 貴丑 午龍 后 朱 虎 陰 鬼 丙申 虎 初 后子 未空 子 卯 申 亥 子 空巳 陳 中（空亡） 陰亥戌酉申虎 卯 午 亥 甲 兄 壬寅 蛇 末（落空） 玄常

Example 112: He Zichong was born in the year Xinyou, and is now 48 years old. He consulted the divination on the day of Jiayu, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month in the year Jiayou. The divination was cast using the month of Zi and the hour of Mao. The time and date are the same as the previous example, Fu Dalu, so the divination pattern is exactly the same. The day Jiayu belongs to the Jiayu decade, with the empty positions falling on Chen and Si. The branches of the Heaven Plate, Chou and Yin, fall in the empty positions. The name of the divination has three: "Remote Conquest", "Arrow of Artemisia", and "Original Fetus". The Heaven Plate is arranged with the general of Zi added to the hour of Mao. The nobleman is on Chou, with Teng Snake on Yin, Vermilion Bird on Mao, Liu He on Chen, Gou Chen on Si, Azure Dragon on Wu, Tian Kong on Wei, Bai Hu on Shen, Tai Chang on You, Xuan Wu on Xu, Tai Yin on Hai, and Tian Hou on Zi. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ji, which is in the palace of Yin, with Hai above it, riding Tai Yin; the second lesson is Hai with Shen above it, riding Bai Hu; the third lesson is the day branch Wu with Mao above it, riding Vermilion Bird; the fourth lesson is Mao with Zi above it, riding Tian Hou. The three transmissions are Shen, Si, and Yin: the first transmission is Bing Shen, which is the official ghost yao, riding Bai Hu; the second transmission is Si, which falls in the empty position, as the son yao, riding Gou Chen; the third transmission is Ren Yin, which is the brother yao, riding Teng Snake, also falling in the empty position.

邵先生曰：來年行年到寅，因人喪亡，水邊得物，十有一年之寬餘，往後依舊不足，犯刑，刑後做爐匠，被姓陳人壞了。次年果有一僧過水而死，身邊有銀四錠，被何子重拾得，作小買賣，果有十一年寬餘。第十二年又在此溪邊，卻因傷人受刑，後作坑冶匠人，未足四年，被陳生人告搶踏作賊，配池州。巳四加亥七，乃十一年也。 先生析曰；巳四加亥七有誤。當是申七加亥四。

Shao said: Next year, the person's year will reach the branch Yin, and due to the death of someone else, he will find property by the water, and thus have eleven years of ease; afterwards, it will still be insufficient, and he will again commit a crime; after being punished, he will become a furnace worker, and eventually be ruined by a man surnamed Chen. The next year indeed a monk was drowned while crossing the water, carrying four silver ingots, which were picked up by He Zizhong, who used them to start a small business, and indeed had eleven years of ease. In the twelfth year, he again met by the same stream, but this time he injured someone and was punished; later he became a miner, and within four years, he was accused by a man surnamed Chen, a scholar, of robbery and theft, and was exiled to Chizhou. These eleven years are calculated by adding the number four of the branch Si to the number seven of the branch Hai. Shao explained that saying 'Si four plus Hai seven' is wrong, it should be 'Shen seven plus Hai four'.

113）姜子庚午生四十歲占向後如何，己酉年己酉日卯將丑時。（寅卯空亡，辰巳落空），元首，不備，間傳，閉口，出戶。 貴后 蛇未申酉戌陰 朱午 亥玄 虎 玄 玄 后 兄 癸丑 虎 初 六巳 子常 丑 亥 亥 酉 鬼 空卯 龍 中（空亡） 陳辰卯寅丑虎 亥 酉 酉 己 父 乙巳 六 末（落空）（暗鬼） 龍空

Example 113: Jiang Zi was born in the year Gengwu. At the age of forty, he consulted about his future. The time was in the year Guichou on the day Guichou, using the month of卯 as the month general added to the hour of Chou. The day Guichou belongs to the Jiachen decade, with the empty positions falling on Yin and Mao. The heaven plate's branches of Chen and Si fall in the empty position. The lesson has five names: "Original Head", "Incomplete", "Intermediate Transmission", "Closed Mouth", and "Exit Door". The three transmissions are丑, Mao, and Si, moving in order with intervals. The heaven plate is set with卯 as the general added to the hour of Chou. The nobleman rides Shen, below which Teng Snake rides Wei, Vermilion Bird rides Wu, Liu He rides Si, Gou Chen rides Chen, Azure Dragon rides Mao, Tian Kong rides Yin, Bai Hu rides Chou, Tai Chang rides Zi, Xuan Wu rides Hai, Tai Yin rides Xu, and Tian Hou rides You. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ji, which is in the Wei palace, with You above it, riding Tian Hou - You is the losing place for Ji earth; the second lesson is You with Hai above it, riding Xuan Wu; the third lesson is the day branch You with Hai above it, riding Xuan Wu; the fourth lesson is Hai with Chou above it, riding Bai Hu. The three transmissions are Chou, Mao, and Si: the first transmission is Gui Chou, representing the brother's yao, riding Bai Hu; the middle transmission is Mao, which falls in the empty position, representing the official ghost yao, riding Azure Dragon; the final transmission is Yi Si, representing the parent's yao, riding Liu He, which falls in the empty position and also secretly carries the ghost.

邵先生曰：支來加干敗，又作天后，一主不能讀書，二不得妻子力，三宅氣衰敗，走失財物，四墳中滿棺是水，又有泥並白蟻。吾丈又貪色，夫妻一味嬌態，不管家務，今六陰皆備，不即日為泉下人矣。若改干亥山向，決宅水東流，戒酒色，猶可延，否則死無日矣。姜好酒色，後月餘吐紅，遂成反胃，小腸刺痛，大腸結，十月死矣。

Master Zhao said: When the day branch is placed on top of the day stem and it is in a declining position, and it is also occupied by the Heavenly Empress, this indicates four main issues: first, the person is unable to study and advance in learning; second, they cannot receive support from their wife; third, the household atmosphere is deteriorating and there is loss of property; fourth, the grave is filled with water, along with mud and white ants. You also indulge in lust, your wife is overly indulgent and pretentious, and you neglect household affairs. Now all six yin elements are present, and you are soon to become a spirit in the underworld. If you are willing to change the mountain direction to Gān-Hài and direct the water from the house to flow eastward, and also abstain from alcohol and lust, you may prolong your life a little; otherwise, your death is imminent. Jiang Zi indulged in alcohol and lust, and after more than a month, he vomited blood, developing a condition of regurgitation, sharp pain in the small intestine, and dryness and constipation in the large intestine. He died in October.

先生析曰；大凡六陰，自是不利，自夜傳出日尚可，日傳入夜，其陰愈甚。今干生支酉，酉金生亥水，更行年上未，六陰俱全，本命又見脫盜，且迄邐傳出寅卯，自敗傳死，自死傳絕，行年又加絕上，即是巳祿本身與行年，相繼投絕，安得不喪？日上酉為血，天后厭穢，自內傳出，是吐血也。武亥加血上，亥本宮被丑克，故反胃。丑作虎，故小腸痛，大腸結也。巳作六合，絕處入廟鎖定，兼六陰相繼，所以不通，傳絕而死。

Master Zhao explained that generally, a situation involving six yin elements is inherently unfavorable: if the transmission is from night god to day god, it is still acceptable, but if it is from day god to night god, the yin energy becomes even stronger. Now, the day stem is generating the day branch, which is You (metal), and You metal is generating Hai (water). In addition, the year pillar is in Wei (earth), so all six yin elements are present. The native's destiny is further weakened by loss, depletion, theft, and leakage, and the three transmissions proceed gradually from寅 (wood) to卯 (wood), from a place of decline to a place of death, then to a place of extinction. The year pillar is added on top of the place of extinction—this is when the禄神 (favorable god), the self, and the year pillar all enter the place of extinction, how can one not die? The You metal on the day stem in the human body represents blood, and the Heavenly Empress represents filth, so it is an internal discharge, hence bleeding. The亥 (water) under the Black Tortoise is on top of the blood god, and the native palace of亥 is being attacked by Chou (earth), so it results in regurgitation. Chou is riding the White Tiger, so there is pain in the small intestine and dryness in the large intestine. Si (fire) is riding the Liu He, and in the place of extinction it enters its temple and is locked in, plus the six yin elements are continuously pressing in, so the vital energy is blocked, and it spreads to the place of extinction, leading to death.

114）顏孔目甲子生四十六歲占平生，己酉年己未日卯將寅時。（子丑空亡，丑寅落空），八專，帷簿。 蛇貴 朱午未申酉后 六巳 戌陰 后 貴 后 貴 兄 己未 蛇 初 陳辰 亥玄 酉 申 酉 申 子 庚申 貴 中 龍卯寅丑子常 申 未 申 己 子 庚申 貴 末 空虎

Example 114: A person born in the year of Jiazi, aged 46, seeks divination about his life. The time is Jiyou year, Jiwei day. The month is卯 (Mao), and the lesson is cast with the month general added to the寅 (Yin) hour. The Jiwei day belongs to the Jia Yin decade, with the empty palace falling on Zi and Chou. The Heaven Plate's Chou and Yin branches fall in the empty palace. The lesson has two names: "Eight Special" (the day stem Ji is lodged in the Wei palace, and the day branch Wei is in the same palace, forming only two lessons) and "Curtain and Curtain." The Heaven Plate is set with the卯 (Mao) general added to the寅 (Yin) hour. The nobleman rides the申 (Shen), below which Teng Snake rides the Wei, Vermilion Bird rides the Wu, Liu He rides the Si, Gou Chen rides the Chen, Azure Dragon rides the Mao, Tian Kong rides the Yin, Bai Hu rides the Chou, Tai Chang rides the Zi, Xuan Wu rides the Hai, Tai Yin rides the Xu, and Tian Hou rides the You. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ji lodged in the Wei palace, with Shen above it, riding the nobleman; the second lesson is Shen with You above it, riding Tian Hou; the third lesson is the day branch Wei with Shen above it, riding the nobleman; the fourth lesson is Shen with You above it, riding Tian Hou. The three transmissions are Wei, Shen, Shen: the first transmission is Ji Wei, a brother's yao riding Teng Snake; the second transmission is Geng Shen, a son's yao riding the nobleman; the third transmission is again Geng Shen, the son's yao riding the nobleman. Shen is the long life place of Ji soil.

邵先生曰：己去就祿，便就上作初傳，若貴人相委財賦，須是仔細，不得走作財物，及非理飲酒，與親戚婦人交往，交主杖責，杖責了卻得垂顧帶去，終有名目相呼，此長生貴人垂顧之力也。顧緣初太守委提點財賦，後用官錢失檢，杖八十，月餘又與婦人在酒店飲酒，被仇人翁中達理論，太守勘無贓，杖一百，又二月鄭仕郎上任，顧甚得龐，遂成家計，得本州島參軍，後隨鄭去五年，大得意歸。

Shao Master said: If the Ji earth is going to take its official post, then the official post's deity is directly taken as the first transmission. If the nobleman assigns him to manage finances, he must be especially careful, not moving or losing property, nor indulging in excessive drinking or associating with the women of relatives' families. Once he does associate, he will be beaten with a stick. However, after being beaten, he will eventually receive the nobleman's favor and support, ultimately gaining a title and being called by name. This is the power of the nobleman who brings growth. Gu Kongmu (the original text here reads 'Gu', differing from the surname 'Yan Kongmu' at the beginning) was first assigned by the governor to oversee finances. Later, he misused official funds and was beaten with eighty strokes. After more than a month, he drank with a woman in a tavern and was reported by his enemy, Wang Zhongda. The governor investigated and found no stolen goods, so he was beaten with one hundred strokes. Two months later, Zheng Shilang took office, and Gu Kongmu gained his favor, thus establishing his own business and obtaining the position of military officer in the same state. Later, he followed Zheng Shilang for five years and returned with great success.

先生析曰；蓋己祿在午，刃在未作蛇，主非橫得罪，未為眷屬酒漿，蛇主棒，故見之，且不合在初傳也。中末皆長生貴人，可以立身。鄭貪賄，顧與他經畫，因得意。蓋土生金，申又作貴，為日長生，中末皆是故以此終。

Master Zhao explained that the JI Earth Stem's luck is in Wu, and its Yangren is in Wei, which is occupied by the Teng Snake, so this indicates a crime resulting from an unexpected incident. Wei also symbolizes relatives and alcohol, and the Teng Snake represents sticks and rods, so both are encountered. Moreover, it falls in the first transmission. The middle and final transmissions are all superior noblemen above the Growth, which allows one to establish oneself. Zheng Shilang was greedy for wealth and accepted bribes, and Gu Kongmu managed his affairs, so he became successful. This is because Earth generates Metal, and Shen is the Growth place of the day stem, and the middle and final transmissions are all Shen, which is occupied by a nobleman, so the outcome is as such.

115）宣和三年十二月二十七丁巳日子將申時，（子丑空亡，辰巳落空），重審，從革。丁丑人二十五歲占終身。 蛇貴 朱酉戌亥子后 六申 丑陰 陰 朱 常 貴 財 辛酉 朱 初 陳未 寅玄 丑 酉 卯 亥 子 空丑 陰 中（空亡） 龍午巳辰卯常 酉 巳 亥 丁 兄 丁巳 空 末（落空）（丁神） 空虎

Example 115: On the 27th day of the twelfth lunar month in the third year of Xuanhe, which was a Dingsi day, the class was cast with the Month General of the Zi month placed on the Shen hour. The Dingsi day belongs to the Jiayin decade, with the empty positions falling on Zi and Chou. The branches Chen and Si on the Heaven Plate are exactly on the Kongwang positions. The lesson has two names: "Chong Shen" and "Cong Ge" (the three transmissions, You, Chou, and Si, form a metal trinity). The person consulting is born in the Dingchou year, aged 25, asking about his entire life. The Heaven Plate is set with the Zi General placed on the Shen hour. The Nobleman is riding the Hai, beneath which is the Teng Snake riding the Xu, the Vermilion Bird riding the You, the Liu He riding the Shen, the Gou Chen riding the Wei, the Qinglong riding the Wu, the Tian Kong riding the Si, the Baihu riding the Chen, the Tai Chang riding the Mao, the Xuanwu riding the Yin, the Tai Yin riding the Chou, and the Heavenly Empress riding the Zi. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the Day Stem Ding, located in the Wei palace, with Hai above it, riding the Nobleman; the second lesson is Hai with Mao above it, riding the Tai Chang; the third lesson is the Day Branch Si with You above it, riding the Vermilion Bird; the fourth lesson is You with Chou above it, riding the Tai Yin. The three transmissions are You, Chou, and Si: the first transmission is Xin You, representing the wife's wealth, riding the Vermilion Bird; the second transmission is Chou, which falls in the empty position, representing the son's wealth, riding the Tai Yin; the third transmission is Ding Si, representing the brother's wealth, riding the Tian Kong, which is in the empty position and is also the "Ding God."

邵先生曰：丁日見亥，是鬼貴人，切不可近，當為貴人所害。丁火絕在亥也。支為宅，見破碎，又作陰貴人，乘朱雀。丁巳二火，皆以酉為財，財即破碎，又是陰貴人，切忌與貴人交財，日後宅子及財物皆為人所有，當主為陰人所壞。中傳丑作太陰加酉上，丑是空亡，中間家資必喪盡。有老陰人守寡，田地皆盡。末傳巳即宅神，臨丑下，是空亡，田園安能存留也？三十歲其不免乎？後果一一不爽。人問其故，先生曰：予與此人占時，乃宣和三年十二月二十七日，十二月十十一日立春，則作壬寅歲占也愛圅以曆法推之，果不錯誤，蓋知非後人之託名也。

Shao Master said: On a day with the heavenly stem Ding, encountering the earthly branch Hai, this is a nobleman sitting on the position of a ghost, which must not be approached closely, for in the future the nobleman will surely harm him. This is because Ding fire is at its decline in Hai. The day branch is the house, and the house sees the evil influence of 'broken pieces', accompanied by a yin nobleman and the Vermilion Bird. Ding and Si both belong to fire, and both take You metal as wealth, but this wealth is exactly where broken pieces are located, and it is also under the influence of a yin nobleman, so it is most dangerous to have dealings with the nobleman regarding wealth. In the future, the house and wealth will certainly belong to others, and especially be ruined by female relatives. The middle transmission, Chou, is accompanied by Tai Yin and placed on You, and Chou also meets Kongwang, so the family property will certainly be completely lost, and there will be an old widow who remains alone, and all the fields will be completely lost. The final transmission, Si, is the house god, placed under Chou but falling into emptiness, how can the fields be preserved? By the age of thirty, it is feared that he will not escape death. Later, everything happened exactly as predicted. When someone asked for the reason, Shao Master said: When I cast the divination for this person, it was on the 27th day of the twelfth month in the third year of Xuanhe, and on the 11th day of the twelfth month, the spring festival had already begun, so it should be interpreted according to the year of Renyin. According to the calendar, the calculation is indeed correct, thus proving that this is not a fabrication by later people.

先生析曰；占人二十五歲，行年在寅見午，午為日之祿神，並干支旺相，故無恙。至二十八歲，其人為本土徐參議兜盡家財田宅，兜羅卷盡也。三十歲其人身亡。乃靖康元年也。愛圅以靖康元年，歲在丙午，從丙午逆計之，則三十歲乃係丁丑年生也。他書作戊寅生者誤也。今愛圅改正。其母守寡，其屋零落，不久必賣，何也？丁為日干見亥是日干絕氣也。支上見酉，又是支干之死神，故主此人不長。況三十歲行年在未，又見亥水，是身與年俱絕，所以死也。大凡占人不見死墓絕，未可言死，既見休囚死墓絕行年又臨此地，鮮有能外者矣。

Shao Master explained that the person being divined is twenty-five years old, with his current age in the寅 branch. The寅 branch shows the午 branch, and午 is the禄神 of the丁 day. The day stem and day branch both receive the prosperous and strong energy, so there is no problem at present. When he reaches twenty-eight, he will be completely ruined by Xu Canyi of the local area, meaning that all his property and land will be taken away. The term '兜罗' means to take everything away. At thirty, he will die, and that year was the first year of Jingkang. Ai Qu said that the first year of Jingkang was the year of Bingwu. Counting back thirty years from Bingwu, the person was born in the year of Dingchou. Other versions that say he was born in the year of Wuyin are wrong, and Ai Qu has corrected this. As for why his mother is a widow, her house is in disrepair, and she will soon have to sell it, what is the reason? The day stem is丁, and when it meets the亥 branch, it is the绝气 of the day stem. The day branch meets the酉 branch, which is the death deity for both the day stem and day branch, so this indicates a short lifespan. Moreover, at thirty, his current age is in the未 branch, and the未 branch also meets the亥 water, meaning both his own age and the current age are in the绝 place, so he will die. Generally, if a person's divination does not show death,墓, or绝, one cannot conclude that he will die. Once death,墓, and绝 are present, and the current age also falls on these places, there are very few exceptions.

受圅析曰：邵公斷案，建炎年間多，宣和年間少，今得此案，不異隨珠卞璧也。

Shao Yanhe's analysis of cases shows that those from the Jianyan period are more common, while those from the Xuanhe period are rare. Now, obtaining this case is no less valuable than acquiring the pearl of Suishen or the jade of Bianhe.

116）某占終身戊申年正月初一丙戌日子將未時，知一，斬關，不備。乙亥生三十四歲。 貴后 蛇戌亥子丑陰 朱酉 寅玄 六 常 常 蛇 財 甲申 六 初 六申 卯常 申 卯 卯 戌 子 己丑 陰 中 陳未午巳辰虎 卯 戌 戌 丙 兄 空午 龍 末 龍空

Example 116: A person comes to seek divination about his whole life. The time is in the year of Wu Shen, first day of the first lunar month, day of Bing Xu. The class is started with the month general of Zi added to the hour of Wei. The name of the class has three: "Zhi Yi", "Zhan Guan", and "Bu Bei". The person was born in the year of Yi Hai and is thirty-four years old. The day of Bing Xu belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty hour falling on Wu and Wei. The Heaven Plate is arranged with the month general of Zi added to the hour of Wei. The nobleman is riding亥, below it is Teng Snake riding戌, Zhu Que riding酉, Liu He riding申, Gou Chen riding未, Qing Long riding午, Tian Kong riding巳, Bai Hu riding辰, Tai Chang riding卯, Tai Yin riding丑, Tian Hou riding子. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem of Bing, which is in the Si palace, with Wu above it, riding Teng Snake; the second lesson is Wu with卯 above it, riding Tai Chang; the third lesson is the day branch of Wu with卯 above it, also riding Tai Chang; two lessons are repeated, so it is called "Bu Bei"; the fourth lesson is卯 with申 above it, riding Liu He. The three transmissions are Shen, Chou, and Wu: the first transmission is Jiashen, which is the wife's wealth, riding Liu He; the second transmission is Jichou, which is the son's fortune, riding Tai Yin; the third transmission is Wu, which falls in the empty hour, representing the brother, riding Qing Long.

邵先生曰：日上見戌作蛇，是支來墓干也。巳本蛇屬，與蛇夾一墓在中間，其人腹必有疾病，戌土主塊積。答曰：腹中果有一塊。

Shao Master said: When the day stem is accompanied by Xu and Teng Snake, this indicates that the day branch is coming to bury the day stem. Bing is located in Si, and Si in the twelve earthly branches is originally the snake. This snake, together with the Heavenly General Teng Snake, surrounds the tomb deity from both sides, indicating that the person must have an internal illness. Xu belongs to earth and signifies masses and accumulations. The person replied: There is indeed a hard mass in my abdomen.

先生析曰：原因感風起，因入喪家，遇食不化，遂成痞塊，不醫命必不久。問：何故？曰：初傳卯上見申作六合，合亦是卯，兩卯夾一申，卯為風，申為肺，風傳入肺臟也。卯為申金所克，遂奔戌上，戌上有太常為喪吊家，卯為風，亦為食，因傷素食久傷脾胃也。戌既為卯所克，走來墓於干上，二巳又夾一墓，墓乃堅牢。此病不能脫矣。是年占人年三十四歲，行年在亥，三十五歲遭官災，大有破費。蓋丙即巳，行年到子，巳受官鬼克，兼作天空，必主虛詐財物。丙祿在巳，祿即財，子水為地盤之鬼，天空克耗之故也。此年行年又遇巳，八月隨喪盡。八月火死土旺，前面便是戌，戌是墓，九月建戌，所以不過也。

Master Zhao explained that the illness originated from exposure to wind pathogen, and because the person had visited a mourning home and eaten food that was not digested, a mass formed; if not treated, life would certainly be shortened. Someone asked: How did you figure this out? The answer was: The first transmission showed the metal sign of Shen on the卯 position, with the Liu He sign. The Liu He sign itself is also associated with卯, so two卯 signs are enclosing one Shen. The卯 sign represents wind, and the Shen sign represents the lung, which indicates the wind pathogen entering the lungs. The卯 sign is overcome by the Shen metal, so it moves to the戌 position. The戌 position has the Tai Chang sign, which is associated with mourning and funerals. The卯 sign represents both wind and food, indicating that the person was harmed by vegetarian food in the mourning home, and over time, it injured the spleen and stomach. The戌 sign is overcome by the卯 sign, so it moves to the day stem. Two巳 signs enclose the墓 sign in the middle. The墓 sign is very firm, so the illness cannot be removed. This year the person is thirty-four years old, with the year sign on亥. At thirty-five, they will face official troubles and suffer great losses. Because the sign of Bing is associated with巳, when the year sign moves to子, the巳 sign is overcome by the official ghost sign and is also under the Tian Kong sign, which indicates being deceived by others and losing money. The禄 of Bing is in巳, and禄 represents wealth. The子 water is the ghost on the earth plate, and the Tian Kong sign indicates consumption, so this outcome occurs. This year the person also meets the巳 sign again. In August, the illness will be completely exhausted. August is when fire dies and earth is strong. Moving forward to戌, which is the墓 sign, and in September the month builder is on戌, so it is impossible to pass through.

117）或占平生，二月壬午日亥將酉時。（申酉空亡，戌亥落空），重審，間傳，勵德，九丑。 六陳 朱未申酉戌龍 蛇午 亥空 龍 六 陰 常 父 空申 六 初（空亡） 貴巳 子虎 戌 申 卯 丑 鬼 甲戌 龍 中（落空） 后辰卯寅丑常 申 午 丑 壬 兄 丙子 虎 末 陰玄

Example 117: Someone comes to divinate about their whole life. The time is in the second month on the day of Renwu, with the month of Hai as the general and added to the hour of You. The day of Renwu belongs to the Jiaxu decade, with the empty position falling on Shen and You. The branches of Xu and Hai on the Heaven Plate are exactly on the empty positions. The name of the lesson has four parts: "Rechecking," "Intermediate Transmission" (the three transmissions are Shen, Xu, and Zi, moving in order with intervals), "Encouraging Virtue," and "Nine Disgraces." The Heaven Plate is set with Hai as the general added to the hour of You. The nobleman is riding on Si, below which Teng Snake is riding on Wu, Zhu Que on Wei, Liu He on Shen, Gou Chen on You, Qing Long on Xu, Tian Kong on Hai, Bai Hu on Zi, Tai Chang on Chou, Xuan Wu on Yin, Tai Yin on Mao, and Tian Hou on Chen. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ren, located in the Hai palace, with Chou above it, riding on Tai Chang; the second lesson is Chou with Mao above it, riding on Tai Yin; the third lesson is the day branch Wu with Shen above it, riding on Liu He; the fourth lesson is Shen with Xu above it, riding on Qing Long. The three transmissions are Shen, Xu, and Zi: the first transmission is Shen, which falls in the empty position, representing the parent's yao, riding on Liu He; the second transmission is Jiaxu, representing the official ghost yao, riding on Qing Long, also falling in the empty position; the third transmission is Bingzi, representing the brother yao, riding on Bai Hu.

邵先生曰：申作合加宅發用，主遷宅改宅。六年內稱屋，造新宅。午為宅也。主二娶妻，戌加申乘龍主兒得解。子加戌作虎，明年主死小口二人，三年下狀爭田得勝，為丑加壬作常，丑田也。此課日上見類神，故得田也。

Master Zhao said: The trigram Shen is riding on Liu He and is placed on the house position to form the first transmission, indicating a move or renovation of the residence: within six years, there will be the addition of a building or the construction of a new house—here, the trigram Wu represents the house. It also mainly indicates marrying two wives. The trigram Xu is placed on Shen and rides on the Azure Dragon, indicating that the son will be able to pass the examination and be recommended for official appointment. The trigram Zi is placed on Xu and rides on the White Tiger, indicating that next year there will be the loss of two young children. A lawsuit over land will be successful within three years, because the trigram Chou is placed on Ren and rides on Tai Chang, and Chou is the symbol of land. In this divination, the day stem has the spirit representing land, so land will be obtained.

118）徐成局辛亥正月初一日子時生，占向後如何。己酉初一己卯日戌將寅時，（申酉空亡，辰巳落空），渉害，曲直，佚女，不備，魄化，飛魂。三十九歲。 空虎 龍丑寅卯辰常 陳子 巳玄 后 六 六 虎 兄 癸未 后 初 六亥 午陰 未 亥 亥 卯 鬼 己卯 虎 中 朱戌酉申未后 亥 卯 卯 己 財 乙亥 六 末（暗鬼） 蛇貴

Example 118: Xu Chengju was born at the子 hour on the first day of the first lunar month in the year Xinhai. He consulted about his future. The time was on the first day of the first lunar month in the year Jiyu. The day was Ji Mao, which belongs to the Jia Xu decade. The empty positions of the decade fall on Shen and You. The branches of the Heaven Plate, Chen and Si, are directly on the empty positions. The name of the lesson includes six: "Involvement of Harm", "Straight and Curved" (the three transmissions, Hai, Mao, and Wei, form a wood trinity), "Lost Woman", "Incomplete", "Spirit Transformation", and "Flying Soul". The person is thirty-nine years old. The Heaven Plate is set with the month general Wu added to the寅 hour. The nobleman is on Shen, with Teng Snake on You, Vermilion Bird on Xu, Liu He on Hai, Gou Chen on Zi, Qing Long on Chou, Tian Kong on Yin, Bai Hu on Mao, Tai Chang on Chen, Xuan Wu on Si, Tai Yin on Wu, and Tian Hou on Wei. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ji, which is in the Wei palace, with Mao on top, riding Bai Hu; the second lesson is Mao with Hai on top, riding Liu He; the third lesson is the day branch Mao with Hai on top, also riding Liu He, so the two lessons are repeated, which is called "Incomplete"; the fourth lesson is Hai with Wei on top, riding Tian Hou. The three transmissions are Wei, Mao, and Hai: the first transmission is Gui Wei, which is the brother's yao, riding Tian Hou; the second transmission is Ji Mao, which is the official ghost yao, riding Bai Hu; the third transmission is Yi Hai, which is the wife's wealth yao, riding Liu He, and secretly accompanied by the ghost.

邵先生曰：承局服侍通判，豈可得犯上之課？此課支加干克干名上門亂首，傳得曲直，又名失友，主日後因犯官長，斷勒歸家。又與長上爭分，於爭分中又不合強淫尊輩，遂犯重罪，減等充軍於東海，與妻死在配所也。當年六月果因犯上責而遣歸，與叔爭分家產，而烝其叔母，叔知之，借他事告發，配在明州，娶後妻同死於配所。

Master Zhao said: How could a person who serves the prefecture magistrate be able to cast a divination that shows rebellion? In this divination, the day branch is added to the day stem and overcomes it, which is called "upward disorder of the head." The three transmissions form "curved and straight," also called "loss of friendship," indicating that the person will later offend his superior and be sentenced to return home. He will also quarrel with his superior over the division of family property. However, he should not commit the crime of forcing sexual relations with his superior's wife. Thus, he commits a serious crime, receives a reduced punishment of exile to the East Sea, and eventually dies together with his wife in the place of exile. In the same year of June, he indeed was sent back home for rebelling against his superior. He quarreled with his uncle over the division of family property and had an affair with his uncle's wife. When the uncle found out, he accused him of another offense and sent him to Mingzhou. His later wife also died with him in exile.

先生析曰；大凡上門亂首，多是下犯上，春占木鬼貪旺而不發，至夏木休，其事將發，到秋木囚，則事乖張，便主爭競，冬有生氣，但存諸心，恐未形之口。經曰：旺相相生災未發，死囚刑剋便災臨是也。同日時有一行者，占得此課，先亂了禪堂及諸房後歸家，又擾兄弟，其身終無所歸，卻與一不正婦人苟合，中風而死。

Master Zhao explained that generally, when the divination lesson "Upset at the Gate" is cast, it mostly indicates that a lower-ranking person has offended a higher-ranking one. If this lesson is cast in spring, the wood element is in its prosperous and strong phase, and the ghostly influence of wood is greedy for this vitality but does not act out. By summer, the wood energy declines, and the matter will come to a head. By autumn, the wood energy is in a state of confinement, and the matter becomes chaotic and prominent, leading to disputes. In winter, wood has life energy, but it remains within the heart, and perhaps has not yet been spoken aloud. The classic says, "When the element is prosperous and strong, disaster has not yet occurred; when it is dead or confined and suffers from punishment, disaster will arrive," which is exactly this meaning. On the same day and hour, another wandering monk cast this same lesson. He first disturbed the meditation hall and various monks' quarters, then returned to the lay world and disturbed his brothers, eventually having nowhere to settle, and engaging in improper relations with a woman, ultimately dying of a stroke.

119）韓監倉修職癸酉生三十七歲占平生，己酉年六月十五壬戌日未將巳時。（子丑空亡，寅卯落空），重審，間傳，勵德，向三陽。 六陳 朱未申酉戌龍 蛇午 亥空 玄 虎 陰 常 兄 空子 虎 初（空亡） 貴巳 子虎 寅 子 卯 丑 子 甲寅 玄 中（落空） 后辰卯寅丑常 子 戌 丑 壬 鬼 丙辰 蛇 末 陰玄

Example 119: Han Jiancang, an official of the rank of Xiu Zhi Lang, was born in the year Guiyou and is thirty-seven years old. He consulted the divination to understand his life's course. The time was on the day Renxu of the sixth month of the year Jiyou. The divination was cast using the month general of Wei added to the time of Si. The day Renxu belongs to the Jiayin decade, with the empty positions falling on Zi and Chou. The branches of Yin and Mao on the Heaven Plate are directly over the empty positions. The name of the lesson has four parts: "Chong Shen" (Review), "Jian Chuan" (Intermediate Transmission), "Li De" (Cultivate Virtue), and "Xiang San Yang" (Toward the Three Yangs) (the three transmissions, Zi, Yin, and Chen, proceed in order, moving towards the Yang positions). The Heaven Plate was established by adding the general of Wei to the time of Si. The Nobleman is on Si, with Teng Snake on Wu, Vermilion Bird on Wei, Liu He on Shen, Gou Chen on You, Qing Long on Xu, Tian Kong on Hai, Bai Hu on Zi, Tai Chang on Chou, Xuan Wu on Yin, Tai Yin on Mao, and Tian Hou on Chen. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson, the day stem Ren is in the palace of Hai, with Chou above it, riding Tai Chang; the second lesson, Chou has Mao above it, riding Tai Yin; the third lesson, the day branch Xu has Zi above it, riding Bai Hu; the fourth lesson, Zi has Yin above it, riding Xuan Wu. The three transmissions are Zi, Yin, and Chen: the first transmission, Zi falls in the empty position, representing the brother's yao, riding Bai Hu; the middle transmission, Jiayin is the son's yao, riding Xuan Wu, falling in the empty position; the final transmission, Bingchen is the official's yao, originally marked as riding Teng Snake, but according to the actual position on Chen, it is Tian Hou, so there is a possible error in the text, and it is recorded as is without correction.

邵先生曰：此課雖曰向三陽，奈初中空亡，依舊不見陽光。四課間隔，事多阻滯，支內干外，支刑日上神，主孝服。

Master Zhao said: Although this lesson is called "Facing the Three Yangs," unfortunately both the first and middle transmissions fall into Kongwang, so the light is still not visible. The four lessons are separated and not connected, so there are many obstructions in all matters. The day branch is inside while the day stem is outside, and the day branch also harms and overpowers the heavenly stem on the first god, indicating matters related to mourning for parents.

愛圅析曰：太常破碎加干，亦主服。雖是空亡不死，人亦多是此句有訛錯。為何起棺而未葬，致亡者不安？傳進而子息落空，才生一子便死，非是過去空亡，庶不害現在子息也。現在子息臨宅，加於犬地而見虎，若見鼠咬衣服，小兒必有大災，宅內不合蓄水，若不開導，監倉自損，身亦難保矣。

Ai Quan's interpretation says: Tai Chang brings 'broken' onto the day stem, which also indicates mourning clothes. Although it meets Kongwang, it does not lead to death, but people often... (the original text has errors and omissions, Ai Quan notes 'this sentence has errors', and it is recorded as is without correction). Why has the coffin already been removed but the burial is delayed, causing the deceased to be unsettled? Because the three transmissions advance and the son's line falls into vacancy, so a son is born but dies young; however, that was a past Kongwang, perhaps not harming the current sons. The current sons are located at the dwelling position, added to the dog's place (戌), and also see the White Tiger; if mice bite through clothes, the child will surely suffer great calamity. The house should not hold water; if it is not drained, Han Jiancang himself will suffer damage, and his life will be in danger.

愛圅析曰：此斷多失誤，始錄在此，俟得善本改正。

Aitu analyzed further, saying: This statement has many errors, so I will temporarily record it here, and make corrections when a better version is obtained.

120）劉監倉庚午生四十歲占年內事，己酉年正月庚辰日子將寅時。（申酉空亡，午未落空）， 六朱 陳卯辰巳午蛇 龍寅 未貴 虎 龍 六 蛇 財 壬寅 龍 初 空丑 申后 子 寅 辰 午 父 庚辰 六 中 虎子亥戌酉陰 寅 辰 午 庚 鬼 戊午 蛇 末（落空） 常玄

Example 120: Liu Jiancang was born in the year Gengwu, and is forty years old. He is divining about events within a year. The time is Jiyou year, first lunar month, Gengchen day. The class is started with the month general Zi added to the寅 hour. The Gengchen day belongs to the Jiaxu decade, with the empty position falling on Shen and You. The Heaven Plate's Wu and Wei branches are exactly on the empty positions (the original text does not specify the name of the class). The Heaven Plate is arranged with the Zi general added to the寅 hour. The Nobleman is riding on Wei, below it Teng Snake rides on Wu, Zhu Que rides on Si, Liu He rides on Chen, Gou Chen rides on Mao, Qing Long rides on Yin, Tian Kong rides on Chou, Bai Hu rides on Zi, Tai Chang rides on Hai, Xuan Wu rides on Xu, Tai Yin rides on You, and Tian Hou rides on Shen. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Geng, which is in the Shen palace, with Wu above it, riding on Teng Snake; the second lesson is Wu, with Chen above it, riding on Liu He; the third lesson is the day branch Chen, with Yin above it, riding on Qing Long; the fourth lesson is Yin, with Zi above it, riding on Bai Hu. The three transmissions are Yin, Chen, and Wu: the first transmission Renyin is the wife wealth爻, riding on Qing Long; the middle transmission Gengchen is the parents爻, riding on Liu He; the final transmission Wuwu is the official ghost爻, riding on Teng Snake, falling on the empty position.

邵先生曰：日鬼傳歸宅上，宅上卻又生鬼，一防倉庫有火，二防當值人走或非理死，三防妻有暴亂之疾；正月小子防有飛災退失，二月因省墓起山林之擾，三月妻擾，四月官長追迫，五月當直人有失，六七月防火，八月因閒擾，九月進橫財，財中有失，十月婢妾陰私上有失，十一月僕走，十二月媳婦有服。

Master Zhao said: When the day stem's official ghost returns to the house position, and the house position in turn generates this ghost, one should be cautious of three things: first, fear a fire in the granary; second, fear the person on duty fleeing or dying an untimely death; third, fear the wife suffering from a sudden illness. Looking at the months: in January, fear disaster from an unexpected source and loss of children; in February, disturbances in the mountains and forests arise due to tomb sweeping; in March, the wife is disturbed; in April, pressure from a superior; in May, the person on duty has an incident; in June and July, fear fire; in August, disturbances from trivial matters; in September, gain unexpected wealth, but with loss involved; in October, loss in the private affairs of the concubine; in November, the servant flees; in December, the daughter-in-law's family has mourning.

果本年七月倉鄰火發，竟燒倉。經曰：火鬼春歸午，夏月逐雞飛，三秋尋鼠穴，冬至免相期。今本身值火星，又傳從火上起，支上與末傳寅又生火也。五月一當值人差去捉人，暗中墮深坑死。三月妻偶中風遂成重疾。其餘十二月分，禍福悉應。蓋午為倉庫火鬼，來乘克身，故應。九月妻兄弟爭分，劉在官上請假半月，與分得財物二十餘緡，遣人往買米，為賊所掇，始信數有前定如此。

In this year's seventh month, a fire broke out in the neighbor's warehouse and eventually reached the grain store. The Classic says: "The fire spirit returns to the horse in spring, follows the chicken in summer, searches for the rat's hole in the three autumns, and waits for the winter solstice without meeting." Now the person divining is exactly under the fire star, and the three transmissions also start from fire. The day branch and the final transmission's寅 also come to generate fire. In May, a person on duty was sent to arrest someone, fell into a deep pit in the dark and died. In March, the wife had a sudden stroke and became seriously ill. The fortune or misfortune of the other months also came true one by one. This is because the horse is the fire spirit of the warehouse, coming to attack the person, so it came true. In September, the wife's brother disputed the inheritance, and Liu's warehouse supervisor took half a month off from the official office to go back, receiving more than twenty bolts of cloth. He sent someone to buy rice, but it was stolen by thieves—until then he realized that fate was already predetermined.

121）唐丞務占一年事，戊申年庚辰日子將子時。（申酉空亡，申酉落空），伏吟，自任。 蛇貴 朱巳午未申后 六辰 酉陰 六 六 后 后 兄 空申 后 初（空亡）（落空） 陳卯 戌玄 辰 辰 申 申 財 戊寅 龍 中 龍寅丑子亥常 辰 辰 申 庚 鬼 辛巳 朱 末 空虎

Example 121: Tang Chengwu divined about matters of the coming year. The time was in the year of Wushen and day of Gengchen. The divination was started at the beginning of the Zi month, with the month general placed on the Zi hour. Since the month general and the hour are the same, the heaven plate and earth plate completely coincide, thus forming a 'Hidden Chant' (伏吟). The initiating transmission is taken from the heavenly stem on the day stem, also called 'self-assumption' (自任). The day Gengchen belongs to the Jiaxu unit, with the unit's void falling on Shen and You. Under a Hidden Chant, the heaven and earth plates combine, and the heaven plate's Shen and You fall exactly on the void positions. The heaven plate is arranged with the Zi general added to the Zi hour. The nobleman is on Wei, below which is Teng Snake on Wu, Vermilion Bird on Si, Liu He on Chen, Gou Chen on Mao, Azure Dragon on Yin, Tian Kong on Chou, White Tiger on Zi, Tai Chang on Hai, Black Tortoise on Xu, Tai Yin on You, and Heavenly Empress on Shen. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Geng, which is in the Shen palace, with Shen above it, riding Heavenly Empress; the second lesson is Shen with Shen above it, riding Heavenly Empress; the third lesson is the day branch Chen, with Chen above it, riding Liu He; the fourth lesson is Chen with Chen above it, riding Liu He. The three transmissions are Shen, Yin, and Si: the first transmission Shen is a brother's yao, riding Heavenly Empress, which is both in the unit's void and on the void position; the middle transmission Wuyin is a wife's wealth yao, riding Azure Dragon; the final transmission Xinsi is an official's ghost yao, riding Vermilion Bird.

邵先生曰：主喪妻又得妻，妻有財，後爭店事起訟，有四人遭刑；又主與尊長爭廚屋地基。其人當年三月喪妻，十一月再娶，乃客人之妻，甚有財產，遂以財開店，與原債人相打官司，四人杖二十，次年七月與叔爭廚屋地，卻得理。

Master Zhao said: This person will first lose his wife and then regain a wife, the new wife bringing wealth; later there will be litigation over a shop, with four people receiving punishment; also, there will be a dispute over the foundation of a kitchen with a superior relative. The person indeed lost his wife in the third month, and remarried in the eleventh month, taking a wife from a merchant who had considerable wealth. He used this money to open a shop and sued the former creditor, with four people each receiving twenty strokes of the cane. In the following seventh month, he disputed the foundation of a kitchen with his uncle, but ended up being in the right.

122）祝省元占婚，男戊辰生四十二歲，女己丑生二十一歲，己酉年二月己卯日戌將辰時。（申酉空亡，寅卯落空），反吟，無依，三交，九丑。 愛圅按：斷語中有血支在卯一言，則當是三月占，蓋血支正月在丑，順行十二支也。 貴后 蛇亥子丑寅陰 朱戌 卯玄 玄 六 龍 后 鬼 己卯 玄 初（落空） 六酉 辰常 卯 酉 未 丑 子 空酉 六 中（空亡） 陳申未午巳虎 酉 卯 丑 己 鬼 己卯 玄 末（落空） 龍空

Example 122: Zhu Shengyuan consulted about a marriage matter. The man was born in the year of Wu Chen and is 42 years old; the woman was born in the year of Ji Chou and is 21 years old. The time was on the day of Ji Mao in the second month of the year Ji You. The divination was started with the month general of Xu added to the time of Chen. Ai Du's commentary says: The phrase "blood branch is in Mao" in the divination indicates that it was cast in the third month, because the blood branch begins in Chou in the first month and proceeds downward through the twelve branches. The day Ji Mao belongs to the Xu旬, with the empty position falling on Shen and You. The branches of the heaven plate, Yin and Mao, are exactly on the empty positions. The name of the divination has four aspects: "reverse chant" (the month general and the hour are in opposition, and the branches of the heaven and earth plates are in opposition to each other), "no support," "three intersections," and "nine shame." The heaven plate is set with the general of Xu added to the hour of Chen. The nobleman rides the Zi branch, under which Teng Snake rides the Hai branch, Zhu Que rides the Xu branch, Liu He rides the You branch, Gou Chen rides the Shen branch, Qing Long rides the Wei branch, Tian Kong rides the Wu branch, Bai Hu rides the Si branch, Tai Chang rides the Chen branch, Tai Yin rides the Yin branch, Tian Hou rides the Chou branch. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ji, which is in the Wei position, with Chou on top, riding Tian Hou; the second lesson is Chou with Wei on top, riding Qing Long; the third lesson is the day branch Mao with You on top, riding Liu He; the fourth lesson is You with Mao on top, riding Xuan Wu. The three transmissions are Mao, You, and Mao: the first transmission is Ji Mao, which is the official ghost, riding Xuan Wu, falling into the empty position; the middle transmission is You, which falls into the empty position and is the son's branch, riding Liu He; the final transmission is again Ji Mao, the official ghost riding Xuan Wu, falling into the empty position again.

邵先生曰：此課占婚，何必有媒？私情久已通矣。其家房合廣闊，東西皆有小門，因婢子為腳，遂與人通。今所議之人，亦與姦淫，血支在卯，必非女身，主暗有退子。且男以克干為嗣，女以干生為子。

Master Zhao said: Using this divination to predict marriage, why would one still need a matchmaker? The feelings between the man and woman have already been communicated privately. The woman's house is spacious with small doors on both sides, relying on a servant to carry messages, thus engaging in secret relations. The current suitor being considered also has an affair with her. The Blood Branch falls on Mao, indicating that she is certainly not a virgin and has already had an abortion secretly. Moreover, the man's line of the day stem is used to indicate his descendants, while the woman's line generated by the day stem indicates her children.

愛圅析曰：此二句乃祿命家之言，今亦用之，何也？一土生二金，是退子也。女命上見日干青龍，是女先有其夫也。男年並日上見天后，是男先有其女也。女命乘男，男年乘女，婚姻豈有不成之理？酉乃婢，六合加之，為和合。又加玄武姦淫之神，更加酉上，婢子為引無疑。且門來加戶，戶又加門，是主門戶重迭，卯為宅，上見酉，故云小門在宅也。凡占婚，遇此等課，必然之應。卯酉為私門，六合天后元武皆淫佚之神，故斷私通。

Ai Duan's analysis says: The statement "men take the person who overcomes their day stem as their son, and women take the person who is generated by their day stem as their child" is originally from the禄命 school, but it is also used in the壬课 system. What is the reason for this? When earth produces two metals, it is a sign of a child being lost. For a woman's birth chart, if the day stem and the Azure Dragon are present, it indicates that she already has her husband. For a man's age and day stem, if the Heavenly Empress is present, it indicates that he already has his wife. The woman's chart is connected to the male image, and the man's age is connected to the female image, so how could this marriage not succeed? The酉 represents a servant girl, and the Liu He is placed on top of it, indicating harmony and mediation. Moreover, the Black Tortoise, which is a heavenly general associated with infidelity, is placed on the酉, clearly indicating that the servant girl is involved in the affair. Furthermore, the door is placed on the户, and the户 is placed on the door, indicating overlapping doors. The卯 represents the house, and when the酉 appears on the卯, it means there is another small door on the house. Whenever such a lesson pattern appears in a marriage divination, it is certain to be accurate. The卯 and酉 represent private doors, and the Liu He, Heavenly Empress, and Black Tortoise are all deities associated with licentiousness, so it is concluded that there is an affair.

123）孔七公戊午生五十二歲占婚，己酉年十月癸巳日寅將亥時。（午未空亡，酉戌落空），重審，元胎，六儀，斬關。 空虎 龍申酉戌亥常 陳未 子玄 常 龍 陳 蛇 父 甲申 龍 初 六午 丑陰 亥 申 未 辰 兄 丁亥 常 中（丁神） 朱巳辰卯寅后 申 巳 辰 癸 子 庚寅 后 末 蛇貴

Example 123: Kong Qigong was born in the year Wuwu, and is fifty-two years old. He consulted about marriage. The time was in the year Jiyou, tenth month, day Guisi. The class was cast with the month Yin as the general added to the hour Hai. The day Guisi belongs to the Jiashen cycle, with the empty positions falling on Wu and Wei. The branches of the Heaven Plate, You and Xu, are exactly on the empty positions. The name of the class has four: "Chong Shen" (Re-examination), "Yuan Tai" (Original Fetus), "Liuyi" (Six Instruments), and "Zhang Guan" (Cutting the Gate). The Heaven Plate was set with the general Yin added to the hour Hai. The nobleman is on the branch Mao, with the following: under it, Teng Snake is on Chen, Vermilion Bird on Si, Liu He on Wu, Gou Chen on Wei, Qinglong on Shen, Tian Kong on You, Baihu on Xu, Tai Chang on Hai, Xuanwu on Zi, Tai Yin on Chou, and Tianhou on Yin. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson, the day stem Gui is in the branch Chou, with the branch Chen on top, riding Teng Snake; the second lesson, the branch Chen has the branch Wei on top, riding Gou Chen; the third lesson, the day branch Si has the branch Shen on top, riding Qinglong; the fourth lesson, the branch Shen has the branch Hai on top, riding Tai Chang. The three transmissions are Shen, Hai, and Yin: the first transmission, Jia Shen, is the parent's yao, riding Qinglong; the middle transmission, Ding Hai, is the brother's yao, riding Tai Chang, and is also the Ding spirit; the final transmission, Geng Yin, is the child's yao, riding Tianhou.

邵先生曰：孔丈五十二歲，又做新郎，今日上方出墓尋生，其親必成也。此女清白輕盈，知書算，善治家，即生二子享福，但恐不久尊堂服動。孔咲曰：何以知之？

Master Zhao said: Mr. Kong, at the age of fifty-two, will once again become a groom. Today, the day stem is just emerging from the tomb to seek growth, so this marriage will certainly succeed. The woman is virtuous and light-hearted, knowledgeable in literature, arithmetic, and good at managing the household. After she enters the family, she will give birth to two sons, bringing happiness. However, it is feared that the maternal side of the family may soon have to wear mourning clothes. Mr. Kong laughed and said: How do you know this?

邵先生曰：課中自見，恨今人不習耳。蓋癸日見初傳申長生，主輕盈；金主清白，長生為學堂，主知書算，善治家。但亥乘丁臨長生之上，又乘常，故主服動。末寅為子孫，同天后加木之長生丁亥上，所以成親即有子息。巳與申合，寅與亥合，所以無不成就。四課三傳無空亡，所以終身享福也。

Shao Master said: These lessons are all visible at first glance, but unfortunately modern people are unwilling to put in the effort to study them. On a癸 day, the first transmission is申, which is the long life of癸 water, so the main subject is light and agile; 申 belongs to metal, which represents purity and clarity; the long life position is also a school, so it indicates proficiency in literature, arithmetic, and good management of the household. However,亥 is riding on the 'Ding god' and is located on top of the long life, and also rides on Tai Chang, so it indicates the need for mourning attire. The final transmission is寅, which is the son's爻, together with Tian Hou added on top of the long life of the wood of Dinghai, so there will be offspring soon after marriage.巳 combines with申, and寅 combines with亥, so everything can be accomplished. The four lessons and three transmissions do not encounter Kongwang, so they can enjoy happiness throughout their lives.

孔公前妻李氏亡，續妻童氏，次年果即生子，五十八又生一子，而此婦於前夫處，亦有收拾，且能書算，家務全仗其照料，娶來未十四個月而母亡矣。

Kong Qigong's first wife, Li Shi, had already passed away, and he later married Tong Shi. The next year, they indeed had a son, and at the age of fifty-eight, another son was born. This woman had some savings brought over from her previous husband and was skilled in writing and arithmetic, taking care of all household affairs. However, after marrying into the Kong family, less than fourteen months later, the old mother of the Kong family passed away.

124）李二伯乙酉生二十五歲占成親，己酉年十月庚子日寅將未時。（辰巳空亡，亥子落空），知一，比用。 貴后 蛇子丑寅卯陰 朱亥 辰玄 后 空 六 陰 父 戊戌 六 初 六戌 巳常 寅 未 戌 卯 官 空巳 常 中（空亡） 陳酉申未午虎 未 子 卯 庚 子 庚子 蛇 末（落空） 龍空

Example 124: Li Erbo was born in the year Yiyou, and is 25 years old. He came to consult about marriage. The time was Jiayou year, tenth month, Gengzi day. The class was cast using the寅 month general added on the Wei time. The Gengzi day belongs to the Jia Wu decade, with the empty space falling on Chen and Si. The Heaven Plate's Hai and Zi branches are exactly on the empty space positions. The lesson names are two: "Zhi Yi" and "Bi Yong". The Heaven Plate is set with寅 general added on Wei time. The nobleman is on Chou, with Teng Snake on Zi, Vermilion Bird on Hai, Liu He on Xu, Gou Chen on You, Azure Dragon on Shen, Tian Kong on Wei, Bai Hu on Wu, Tai Chang on Si, Tai Yin on Chen, and Tian Hou on Yin. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Geng, located in Shen, with卯 on top, riding Tai Yin; the second lesson is卯 with Xu on top, riding Liu He; the third lesson is the day branch Zi with Wei on top, riding Tian Kong; the fourth lesson is Wei with Yin on top, riding Tian Hou. The three transmissions are Xu, Si, and Zi: the first transmission is Wu Xu, as the parent爻, riding Liu He; the second transmission is Si, which is in the empty space, as the official ghost爻, riding Tai Chang; the third transmission is Geng Zi, as the child爻, riding Teng Snake, falling into the empty space.

邵先生曰：此課必成，恐成後再歸去生小口舌，兼難得子。蓋日上便見妻宮，妻宮上作天羅地網，兜牢不欲開去。子作蛇，名退子，縱生子不育。又主妻宮血風，從此成廢疾矣。蓋酉作勾故也。

Master Zhao said: This marriage will certainly succeed, but there is a fear that after the wedding, the new bride will have a minor quarrel when returning to her parents' home, and it will be difficult to have children. This is because the day stem shows the wife's position, and the wife's position falls into the Heavenly Net and Earthly Enclosure, which tightly binds it and will not let go. The son's爻 is occupied by the Teng Snake, which is called 'retreating offspring,' meaning even if children are born, they will not survive. It also indicates that the wife's position has a blood disorder, leading to a permanent disability—this is because the酉 position is occupied by Gou Chen.

125）白生占產婦，四十三歲，妻二十三歲，己酉年九月庚申日卯將寅時。（子丑空亡，丑寅落空），八專，帷簿，三奇。 貴后 蛇午未申酉陰 朱巳 戌玄 玄 陰 玄 陰 子 癸亥 常 初 六辰 亥常 戌 酉 戌 酉 兄 辛酉 陰 中 勾卯寅丑子虎 酉 申 酉 庚 兄 辛酉 陰 末 龍空

Case 125: White divined for a wife who was about to give birth. The husband was forty-three years old, and his wife twenty-three. The time was the Jiyou year, September, Gengshen day. The class was set with the卯 month general added to the寅 hour. On the Gengshen day, it belonged to the Jiayin decade, with the empty branches falling on Zi and Chou. The Heaven Plate's Chou and Yin branches exactly fell on the empty positions. The lesson had three names: "Eight Special" (Geng was lodged in Shen, and shared the same position as the day branch Shen, making only two lessons out of four), "Veil and Curtain," and "Three Marvels." The Heaven Plate was set with the卯 general added to the寅 hour. The nobleman rode the Wei, below which the Teng Snake rode the Wu, the Vermilion Bird rode the Si, the Liu He rode the Chen, the Gou Chen rode the Mao, the Azure Dragon rode the Yin, the Tian Kong rode the Chou, the White Tiger rode the Zi, the Tai Chang rode the Hai, the Black Tortoise rode the Xu, the Tai Yin rode the You, and the Heavenly Empress rode the Shen. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson was the day stem Geng lodged in Shen, with You above it, riding the Tai Yin; the second lesson was You with Xu above it, riding the Black Tortoise; the third lesson was the day branch Shen with You above it, riding the Tai Yin; the fourth lesson was You with Xu above it, riding the Black Tortoise. The three transmissions were Hai, You, You: the first transmission was Gui Hai, a son's element, riding the Tai Chang; the middle transmission was Xin You, a brother's element, riding the Tai Yin; the final transmission was again Xin You, the brother's element, riding the Tai Yin.

邵先生曰：干支不分，人宅不辨，故不可曉。且庚為子，申為母，見酉為陰刃，乃面前陽刃也。太陰兼之尤甚。申母以酉為破碎，乃面前破碎也。夫行年兼之，是與妻子皆受破碎，女行年亥上見子乘虎，又洩氣，作大福方可保。夫干支中末，俱見陽刃破碎，又是自刑自害，必不利於子母也。白妾連生子皆不育，至壬戌生子，其子倒生，用刀破身方出，母幾不保。

Shao said: In this case, the day stem and day branch are joined together and cannot be separated, making it impossible to distinguish between the person and the dwelling. Therefore, others cannot understand it clearly. Here, Geng is taken as the child, Shen as the mother, and the sight of You indicates a Yin刃, which is the direct confrontation of the Yang刃; adding Tai Yin in conjunction, the danger becomes even greater. The mother, represented by Shen, uses You as the broken-up, which is the direct broken-up; the husband's year of birth is also on top of it, so both wife and child are harmed by the broken-up. The woman's year of birth is in Hai, and there is Zi on Hai with White Tiger riding, which is a leakage of energy, so great efforts in cultivating fortune virtue are needed to preserve it. On the husband's side, the day stem and day branch, along with the middle and final transmissions, all show Yang刃 and broken-up everywhere, and also self-punishment and self-harm, which will certainly be harmful to mother and child. The concubine who gave birth to children consecutively could not raise them, and in the year Renxu, she gave birth to a child who was born backwards, requiring a knife to cut open the body to take out, almost causing the mother's death.

先生析曰：公前後生子不育，皆此子作祟耳。今雖得兒，若不戒欲，必為他害。蓋干支見酉，皆陽刃破碎自刑，故先害身卻來害母耳。於是白生與妾分居，乃得免。

Shao Master explained that all the children you have had before and after are not able to survive, and it is this child who is causing the trouble. Although you have now obtained this son, if you do not refrain from sexual activity, you will certainly be harmed by him again. Because both the day stem and day branch show You, which indicates Yangren, broken fragments, and self-punishment, so first he harms himself, and then turns back to harm his mother. Therefore, the wife and the concubine separated their bedrooms, thus avoiding the calamity.

126）翁秀才占子息，二月丙申日戌將亥時。（辰巳空亡，卯辰落空），元首，退茹，斬關。 陳六 龍辰巳午未朱 空卯 申蛇 六 朱 空 龍 父 癸卯 空 初（落空）（暗鬼） 虎寅 酉貴 午 未 卯 辰 父 壬寅 虎 中 常丑子亥戌后 未 申 辰 丙 子 辛丑 常 末 玄陰

Example 126: A young man named Wang asked about his children. The time was on the second month, on the day of Bingshen, using the month of Xu as the general and casting the divination at the hour of Hai. The day of Bingshen belongs to the Jiawu decade, with the empty positions falling on Chen and Si. The branches of the Heaven Plate, Mao and Chen, are exactly on the positions of emptyness. The name of the divination has three: "Original Head", "Retreating Vegetables" (three transmissions in reverse order: Mao, Yin, Chou), and "Cutting the Gate". The Heaven Plate is set with Xu as the general added to the hour of Hai. The nobleman is riding You, below it Teng Snake rides Shen, Zhu Que rides Wei, Liu He rides Wu, Gou Chen rides Si, Qing Long rides Chen, Tian Kong rides Mao, Bai Hu rides Yin, Tai Chang rides Chou, Xuan Wu rides Zi, Tai Yin rides Hai, and Tian Hou rides Xu. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ji riding the branch Si, with the branch Chen above it, riding Qing Long; the second lesson is the branch Chen with the branch Mao above it, riding Tian Kong; the third lesson is the day branch Shen with the branch Wei above it, riding Zhu Que; the fourth lesson is the branch Wei with the branch Wu above it, riding Liu He. The three transmissions are Mao, Yin, and Chou: the first transmission is Gui Mao, representing the parents' yao, riding Tian Kong, falling into the empty position and secretly accompanied by ghosts; the second transmission is Ren Yin, also representing the parents' yao, riding Bai Hu; the third transmission is Xin Chou, representing the children's yao, riding Tai Chang.

邵先生曰：此課干支皆子息，而初中父母反克之，是上人墳墓不招也。況身上子孫並龍作空亡，是子息無分也。末傳子孫受下克，又不招也。宅上未並雀，子息可招。又被末傳丑來沖破，雖屢得子息，皆花而不實。若要得子，須移了艮山墳墓，使丑寅不來沖剋宅上之未，未臨申上，乃是長生，可招一子。

Master Zhao said: In this divination, both the day stem and day branch are the spirits of descendants. However, the first and middle transmissions' parents' yao are reversed to control them, indicating that the ancestors' graves are unable to bring forth descendants. Moreover, the descendants' yao along with the azure dragon are both in kongwang, meaning there is no connection with descendants. The descendants' yao in the final transmission is also controlled by the lower god, making it impossible to bring forth descendants. The position of the house has the earth branch wei connected to the vermilion bird, which originally could bring forth descendants, but it is broken by the final transmission's earth branch chou, so although there are many chances of having children, they all fail to bear fruit. If one wishes to have a son, the grave on the mountain of gen must be moved, so that chou and yin no longer clash with the house's wei. Since wei is on shen, which is the growth position, it is still possible to have one son.

先生析曰；蓋日上辰作青龍值空，夫宮自是孤虛，不得子息。惟宅上未作朱雀，妻宮可招子也。日為夫，支為妻，妻宮雖有子帶生，奈何被末傳丑來沖破，丑為墳墓，坐在丙日所生之神上，生日者，寅卯也，不合反來克子息，妻雖得子而不存也。除非移了艮山墳墓，不克妻宮，庶幾丙火生未土，土長生於申，子息所以存住也。

Master Zhao explained that the day stem is on Chen, which is occupied by the Azure Dragon. The Azure Dragon is a favorable general for seeking offspring, but Chen is itself in Kongwang, so the favorable general falls into emptiness. The position of the husband is inherently isolated and not substantial, thus unable to have offspring. Fortunately, the position of the wife is on Wei, which is occupied by the Vermilion Bird. Therefore, the wife's side can still attract offspring. In divination concerning offspring, the day stem represents the husband and the day branch represents the wife. Although the wife's position has the spirit of offspring and carries life qi, it is unfortunately broken by the final transmission of Chou. Chou and Wei are directly opposing each other. Chou represents a tomb, and it is located above the god of the day stem, which is Bing. The Bing fire is normally generated by the wood spirits Yin and Mao, so Chou should not be able to control the offspring. However, it does so now, so although the wife can give birth, she cannot retain the offspring. Unless the tombs on the Gen direction (the position of Chou and Yin) are moved away, so that Chou and Yin no longer clash and control the wife's position, then the Bing fire can smoothly generate the Wei earth. The Wei earth is on Shen, which is the place of growth, and thus the offspring can be retained.

127）何解元癸酉生三十六歲占子嗣，戊申年己未日巳將卯時。（子丑空亡，寅卯落空）， 陳六 龍未申酉戌朱 空午 亥蛇 蛇 六 蛇 六 子 辛酉 六 初 虎巳 子貴 亥 酉 亥 酉 子 辛酉 六 中 常辰卯寅丑后 酉 未 酉 己 子 辛酉 六 末 玄陰

Example 127: How to interpret the case of a man born in the year Guiyou, aged thirty-six, who seeks divination about his children. The time is in the year Wushen, on the day Jiwei, with the month of巳 as the general added to the卯 hour to cast the divination. The day Jiwei belongs to the Jiayin decade, with the empty positions falling on Zi and Chou. The Heaven Plate's branches of Yin and Mao are exactly on the empty positions (the original text does not mention the name of the lesson, but the following interpretation refers to this as the "Single Foot" lesson). The Heaven Plate is set with巳 as the general added to the卯 hour. The Nobleman is on Zi, below it is Teng Snake on Hai, Vermilion Bird on Xu, Liu He on You, Gou Chen on Shen, Azure Dragon on Wei, Tian Kong on Wu, Bai Hu on Si, Tai Chang on Chen, Xuan Wu on Mao, Tai Yin on Yin, and Tian Hou on Chou. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ji in the Wei palace, with You on top, riding Liu He; the second lesson is You with Hai on top, riding Teng Snake; the third lesson is the day branch Wei with You on top, riding Liu He; the fourth lesson is You with Hai on top, riding Teng Snake. The three transmissions are You, You, You: all three transmissions are the Xinyou branch of the children's yao, all riding Liu He, forming a single line, hence called "Single Foot."

邵先生曰：課名獨足，若傳飛散，便不應也。何兄此占，當有五女，若要得子，除非過房。行年在丑，酉為六合，而沖卯之玄武，畢竟男胎不成也。本身有腸風痔病，乃好色得之，不利成名，成名則不過四十八矣。

Master Zhao said: This divination is called "Single Foot." If the three transmissions are scattered and do not gather, it would not respond in this way. Master He's divination indicates that he will have five daughters; if he wishes to have a son, it would be necessary to adopt one from elsewhere. His current age is in the Earthly Branch Chou. The branch You is occupied by Liu He, which then goes to冲 (conflict) the branch Mao where Black Tortoise is located. Thus, a male child cannot be formed. You yourself suffer from intestinal wind and hemorrhoids, which are caused by excessive indulgence in lust. This divination is unfavorable for official rank and fame. If you do achieve fame, your lifespan will not exceed forty-eight years.

先生析曰；蓋身宅三傳俱是酉，酉為兌，兌為少女，六合乘酉，亦是女，三傳日辰俱見酉，故主五女也。行年上見卯，為震，為長男，酉來合丑，而卯相沖，上見玄武盜耗，所以不成胎也。酉金為大腸，又酉為血，故為腸風臟毒也。酉為脫氣，又為色慾，六合為女，故主好色也。酉六未八，乃六八四十八也。

Master Zhao explained that the person's own element, the dwelling position, and the three transmissions are all You. You belongs to the Dui trigram, which represents a young girl; the Liu He is also associated with You and takes the image of a woman. Since the three transmissions and the day stem and branch all show You repeatedly, it indicates the birth of five daughters. The year of birth shows Mao, which belongs to the Zhen trigram, representing the eldest son. You combines with Chou and conflicts with Mao. Additionally, the Mao position has the Black Tortoise, which signifies theft and loss, so the male child does not form. You metal in the human body corresponds to the large intestine, and You also relates to blood, hence the illness of intestinal wind and internal toxicity. You represents the dispersing energy and also relates to sexual desire, and Liu He is also a female image, so it indicates a tendency towards lust. The number of You is six, and the number of Wei is eight. Six multiplied by eight equals forty-eight.

同日張姓占遠行，亦得此課。以酉為兌澤，六合為船隻，利舟行，無足不利陸行，若行船獲利十倍。

On the same day, a man surnamed Zhang came to seek divination for a long journey, and the same hexagram was cast. From his perspective, You (酉) is taken as the Dui hexagram representing Lake, and Liu He (六合) is taken as a boat, so it is favorable to travel by water. However, the three transmissions alone are insufficient for travel on land, making it unfavorable. If he travels by boat, he can gain ten times his investment.

128）季官人己卯生三十一歲，占過房子息。己酉年九月十六辛酉日卯將午時。（子丑空亡，酉戌落空），元首，高蓋，勵德，三交。 六朱 陳寅卯辰巳蛇 龍丑 午貴 六 貴 朱 后 鬼 戊午 貴 初 空子 未后 卯 午 辰 未 財 乙卯 六 中 虎亥戌酉申陰 午 酉 未 辛 子 空子 空 末（空亡） 常玄

Example 128: A man named Ji Guan was born in the Ji Mao year and is thirty-one years old. He consulted about adopting a son. The time was on the Ji You year, ninth month, sixteenth day, which was the Xin You day. The class was cast using the卯 month general added to the午 time. The Xin You day belongs to the Ji Yin decade, with the empty hour falling on Zi and Chou. The Heaven Plate's酉 and戌 branches are directly on the empty positions. The lesson names are four: "Original Head", "High Cover", "Encourage Virtue", and "Three Intersections". The Heaven Plate is set with the卯 general added to the午 time. The nobleman is riding the午, below it is the Teng Snake riding the巳, the Vermilion Bird riding the辰, the Liu He riding the卯, the Gou Chen riding the寅, the Azure Dragon riding the丑, the Tian Kong riding the子, the White Tiger riding the亥, the Tai Chang riding the戌, the Black Tortoise riding the酉, the Tai Yin riding the申, and the Heavenly Empress riding the未. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Xin, which is in the戌 palace, with the未 above it, riding the Heavenly Empress; the second lesson is the未 with the辰 above it, riding the Vermilion Bird; the third lesson is the day branch酉 with the午 above it, riding the nobleman; the fourth lesson is the午 with the卯 above it, riding the Liu He. The three transmissions are午,卯, and子: the first transmission is Wu Wu, which is the official ghost yao, riding the nobleman; the middle transmission is Yi Mao, which is the wife's wealth yao, riding the Liu He; the final transmission is Zi, which is in the empty hour, as the son yao, riding the Tian Kong.

邵先生曰：此乃天網課，若討子，便是一個冤家入門，自後生出無限事。支干上午與未合，合起天網，妻卯加鬼上，必無親子，末子爻加妻爻上作天空，天空本家戌，即今日之辛，是己與妻皆空，何能有子？子本空，卻陰上酉作玄武，主妾生子，又非己出。因私成也。季子見先生不允過子，遂買一妾，兩年不生，因有季子妹夫鄭元益，時常往來，妾遂與私而得孕，季頗知，但記先生言不較，至乙居年生兒，實甲子年有孕。因酉加子，故子年乘玄武是偷合。先生析曰：將來妾子亦是取債人也。

Shao Master said: This is a heavenly net lesson. If one wants to adopt a son, it is like bringing in a wrong person into the family, which will lead to endless troubles. The day stem and day branch combine with the hour of wu and wei, thus closing the heavenly net; the wife's wealth hexagram at mao is placed above the official ghost hexagram, indicating there will certainly be no biological son. The final transmission of the descendants hexagram is placed on the wife's wealth hexagram and rides on the heavenly void, the heavenly void's original home is xu, xu is exactly the lodging palace of today's xin metal. This shows that both the husband and wife are empty, so where can a son come from? The descendants hexagram is already empty, and the yao under tai yin is on you, which rides on the black tortoise, indicating the son is born from a concubine and not the husband's own blood, due to private relations. Ji official person saw that Shao Master did not support adoption, so he bought a concubine, but she did not bear a child for two years. Because Ji family had a brother-in-law named Zheng Yuanyi who often visited, the concubine had an affair with him and became pregnant. Ji official person knew a little about it, but he remembered Shao Master's words and did not take it to heart. In the year of yichou, the child was born, but in reality, the pregnancy started in the year of jiazi. This is because you is placed on zi, so it should be in the year of zi. Riding on the black tortoise indicates a secret union. Shao Master explained that this son born from the concubine will also be a person coming to claim a debt.

129）郭彥和壬午生二十八歲占討一歲子過房，己酉年十月二十二丁酉日寅將子時。（辰巳空亡，午未落空），重審，間傳，不備，贅婿。 蛇貴 朱未申酉戌后 六午 亥陰 常 陰 陰 龍 財 丁酉 貴 初（丁神） 陳巳 子玄 丑 亥 亥 酉 鬼 己亥 陰 中 龍辰卯寅丑常 亥 酉 酉 丁 子 辛丑 常 末 空虎

Example 129: Guo Yanhe was born in the year of Renwu, and is now 28 years old. He consulted the divination to inquire about adopting a one-year-old child. The time was on the day of Dingyou in the tenth month of the year Jiyou. The divination was cast using the month of Yin as the general, placed on the Zi hour. The day of Dingyou belongs to the Jiawu decade, with the empty positions falling on Chen and Si. The Heaven Plate's Wu and Wei branches are exactly on the empty positions. The name of the lesson has four parts: "Chong Shen" (Re-examination), "Jian Chuan" (Intermediate Transmission), "Bu Bei" (Incomplete), and "Zhu Xi" (Suzerain's Son-in-law). The Heaven Plate was set with the Yin general added to the Zi hour. The Nobleman is on You, with Teng Snake on Shen, Vermilion Bird on Wei, Liu He on Wu, Gou Chen on Si, Qing Long on Chen, Tian Kong on Mao, Bai Hu on Yin, Tai Chang on Chou, Xuan Wu on Zi, Tai Yin on Hai, and Tian Hou on Xu. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ding, which is in the Wei palace, with You on top, riding the Nobleman (the original text mistakenly labels this as Qing Long; according to the plate, You is riding the Nobleman, and the first transmission also labels You riding the Nobleman); the second lesson is You with Hai on top, riding Tai Yin; the third lesson is the day branch You with Hai on top, also riding Tai Yin, so the two lessons are repeated, hence called "Bu Bei"; the fourth lesson is Hai with Chou on top, riding Tai Chang. The three transmissions are You, Hai, and Chou: the first transmission Ding You is the wife's wealth, riding the Nobleman, and is also the "Ding God"; the middle transmission Ji Hai is the official ghost, riding Tai Yin; the final transmission Xin Chou is the son's descendant, riding Tai Chang.

邵先生曰：三傳干支，皆是貴人，此子恐日後必不服，而心有回家之意。酉作貴人，內中有丁，終主動。宅上又作中傳，丁絕於亥，丑權住腳，似乎尊閫不看顧他，惟有老陰人撫卹，終老陰人之世，他必去也。然此子不貴，吾兄年三十二上，自有子，三傳貴人太多，所以貴多不貴，兩頭不得也。子就父作貴人，支投干作貴人，可見此子不合留。丁以酉為妻，妻後自有子，故不看管他。彼乃去也酉乃丁之妻，亥乃酉之子，亥加酉上，故曰妻有子，三十二歲行年到酉乃應也。

Shao said: The Three Transmissions and the Day Stem and Day Branch are all occupied by Noblemen, so this child is likely to be unwilling to stay and always wants to return home. On You, there is a Nobleman, and in between there is the 'Ding God', which will eventually cause instability. The god of the dwelling place is also taken as the Middle Transmission. Ding fire is at its end in Hai, and only relies on Chou to stay temporarily. This indicates that the mother does not take care of him, but only an elder female relative supports him. When this elder female relative dies, he will definitely leave. However, this child will not become prominent. You will have a biological son at the age of thirty-two. There are too many Noblemen in the Three Transmissions, so having too much wealth does not mean being wealthy, and he will not benefit from either side. The child is connected to the father and has a Nobleman, and the Day Branch is directed towards the Day Stem and also has a Nobleman, indicating that this child should not be kept. Ding takes You as his wife, and the wife will have a biological son in the future, so she will no longer take care of this adopted son, and he will leave. You is the wife of Ding, and Hai is the son of You. Hai is placed on top of You, so the wife will have a son. The age of thirty-two is the time when this will happen.

然宅中有上穹像，不合觸穢，所以缺子。又兼主山不合造豬圈，辱主氣，故不得子也。果有干亥山來近相沖，正是右脅下，主婦人墮胎，故無子。蓋酉為貴人，一則支來就干，主子顯父母，二則遍地乃貴人，今亥為元穹，主觸穢；三乃鬼入宅，是主山來處不合豬圈汙穢，乃太陰為鬼也。丑為墓，加亥及干，丑乃丁之子孫，作土犯亥，故墓不利。若移了豬圈，及供上聖，自然有子矣。

In addition, having the image of the heavenly deity in the house should not be defiled or violated, which is also a reason for the lack of a son. Moreover, it is inappropriate to build a pigpen in the direction of the main mountain, as this would dishonor the mountain's energy and thus prevent the birth of a son. Later examination confirmed that there was a mountain in the direction of dry亥 that was close and in conflict with the house, directly facing the right side of the house, which indicates the wife's miscarriage and thus the absence of offspring. Here,酉 is the nobleman: first, the day branch is in harmony with the day stem, indicating that the son will bring glory to the parents; second, all the elements are noblemen, but now亥, representing heaven, has been defiled; third, the ghost爻 has entered the house, meaning that the area where the main mountain originates should not have the filth of a pigpen—the Tai Yin has transformed into a ghost.丑 is the grave, placed above亥 and the day stem. Originally,丑 is the son爻 of丁, and using earth to invade亥 causes problems for the grave. If the pigpen is moved away and the image of the heavenly deity is properly worshipped, sons will naturally come.

130）某丁亥生，占產。七月丙辰日午將午時。（子丑空亡，子丑落空），伏吟，斬關，勵德。 虎常 空巳午未申玄 龍辰 酉陰 龍 龍 空 空 兄 丁巳 空 初（丁神） 陳卯 戌后 辰 辰 巳 巳 財 庚申 玄 中 六寅丑子亥貴 辰 辰 巳 丙 父 甲寅 六 末 朱蛇

Example 130: A person born in the year Dinghai comes to consult about childbirth. The time is the seventh month, day Bingchen. The divination is started with the month general Wu added to the hour Wu. Since the month general and the hour are the same, the heaven plate and earth plate completely overlap, making it a "Hidden Chant." The day Bingchen belongs to the Jiayin decade, with the empty position falling on Zi and Chou. Under the Hidden Chant, the heaven and earth plates overlap, and the Zi and Chou of the heaven plate exactly fall on the empty positions. The lesson has three names: "Hidden Chant," "Cutting the Gate," and "Encouraging Virtue." The heaven plate is arranged with the general Wu added to the hour Wu. The nobleman rides亥, below which Teng Snake rides Zi, Zhu Que rides Chou, Liu He rides Yin, Gou Chen rides Mao, Qing Long rides Chen, Tian Kong rides Si, Bai Hu rides Wu, Tai Chang rides Wei, Tai Yin rides Shen, Tian Hou rides You. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Bing, which is placed in the Si palace, with Si riding Tian Kong; the second lesson is Si, with Si riding Tian Kong; the third lesson is the day branch Chen, with Chen riding Qing Long; the fourth lesson is Chen, with Chen riding Qing Long. The three transmissions are Si, Shen, and Yin: the first transmission is Ding Si, which is the brother's yao riding Tian Kong, and is also the "Ding God"; the second transmission is Geng Shen, which is the wife's wealth yao riding Bai Hu; the third transmission is Jia Yin, which is the father's yao riding Liu He.

邵先生曰：產必生女，子母無事，謂丙以巳為德神，又秋以辰為天喜，作龍入廟，中申為水土長生，日辰有德與長生，是厚德載物也。故生女。

Master Zhao said: This child will certainly be a daughter, and both mother and child will be safe. Because the day stem is Bing, and the virtue god is Si. In autumn, the heavenly joy is Chen, and Chen is occupied by the azure dragon and is in its temple. The middle transmission of Shen is the place of birth for water and earth. Since the day stem and day branch have both the virtue god and the place of birth, this is a sign of great virtue bearing things, hence the birth of a daughter.

131）某占產七月乙丑日午將申時。（戌亥空亡，申酉落空），重審，間傳，時遁。 勾龍 六卯辰巳午空 朱寅 未虎 玄 后 貴 朱 父 空亥 后 初 蛇丑 申常 酉 亥 子 寅 鬼 癸酉 玄 中 貴子亥戌酉玄 亥 丑 寅 乙 財 辛未 虎 末 后陰

Example 131: Someone came to consult about childbirth. The time was on the second day of the seventh month, which is the day of Yi Chou. The lesson was cast with the Month General of the fifth month added to the hour of Shen. The day of Yi Chou belongs to the Jia Zi decade, with the empty positions falling on Xu and Hai. The Heaven Plate's branches of Shen and You are exactly on the empty positions. The lesson has three names: "Rechecking", "Intermediate Transmission", and "Hour Evasion". The Heaven Plate is set with the Month General of Wu added to the hour of Shen. The Nobleman is riding the branch of Zi, below it the Teng Snake is riding the branch of Chou, the Vermilion Bird is riding the branch of Yin, the Liu He is riding the branch of Mao, the Gou Chen is riding the branch of Chen, the Azure Dragon is riding the branch of Si, the Tian Kong is riding the branch of Wu, the White Tiger is riding the branch of Wei, the Tai Chang is riding the branch of Shen, the Tai Yin is riding the branch of You, and the Heavenly Empress is riding the branch of Hai. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the Day Stem Yi, which is in the Chén palace, and above it is Yin, riding the Vermilion Bird; the second lesson is Yin, above it is Zi, riding the Nobleman; the third lesson is the Day Branch Chou, above it is Hai, riding the Heavenly Empress; the fourth lesson is Hai, above it is You, riding the Black Tortoise. The three transmissions are Hai, You, and Wei: the first transmission is Hai, which is in the empty position, representing the parent's yao, riding the Heavenly Empress; the middle transmission is Gui You, representing the official ghost yao, riding the Black Tortoise; the final transmission is Xin Wei, representing the wife's wealth yao, riding the White Tiger.

邵先生曰：主母死子存，母死者，后被丑克，傳元虎入內門，酉為內門，卯為前門。經曰：支是母兮干是兒，今丑克后，母發用，傳歸凶將，虎乘墓入內門，故母死。子存者，干是兒，乘寅為少陽作雀，乙日木旺火相，日干得旺相之氣，故兒存也。

Master Zhao said: This lesson indicates that the mother will die while the child survives. The mother is said to die because the Heavenly Empress is overcome by Chou, and the three transmissions proceed from Black Tortoise to White Tiger and enter the inner gate - You is the inner gate, and Mao is the front gate. The Classic says: "The branch is the mother, and the stem is the child." Now Chou overcomes the Heavenly Empress, and the mother's spirit initiates the first transmission, but eventually transmits to an Inauspicious General, the White Tiger riding on the Tomb Spirit entering the inner gate, so the mother will die. The child is said to survive because the day stem represents the child, and the day stem is乘 by Yin, which is a young yang and rides the Vermilion Bird; Yi day in the transition between summer and autumn still has the qi of wood, and fire is in its phase, the day stem receives the prosperous and strong qi, so the child survives.

132）章監稅庚午生三十九歲占財產，戊申年三月十一乙未日戌時丑將。（辰巳空亡，丑寅落空），重審，稼穡，勵德，遊子。 虎常 空寅卯辰巳玄 龍丑 午陰 龍 常 朱 龍 財 辛丑 龍 初（落空）（暗鬼） 陳子 未后 丑 辰 戌 丑 財 戊戌 朱 中 六亥戌酉申貴 辰 未 丑 乙 財 乙未 后 末 朱蛇

Example 132: Zhang Jianxue was born in the year Gengwu and is thirty-nine years old. He consulted about his property. The time was on the day Yiwei in the year Wushen, third month, eleventh day. The original record states "Xu time and Chou general," but according to the divination plate, the Heaven Plate Xu is correctly placed on the Earth Plate Chou, making it actually Xu general added to Chou time. The day Yiwei belongs to the Jia Wu decade, with the empty position falling on Chen and Si. The Heaven Plate branches Chou and Yin are directly on the empty positions. The lesson has four names: "Chong Shen" (Re-examination), "Jia Se" (Cultivation of Land) (the three transmissions Chou, Xu, and Wei are all earth), "Li De" (Encouragement of Virtue), and "You Zi" (Wanderer). The Heaven Plate is set with Xu general added to Chou time. The nobleman is on Shen, with Teng Snake on You, Zhu Que on Xu, Liu He on Hai, Gou Chen on Zi, Qing Long on Chou, Tian Kong on Yin, Bai Hu on Mao, Tai Chang on Chen, Xuan Wu on Si, Tai Yin on Wu, and Tian Hou on Wei. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Yi, located in Chen, with Chou on top, riding Qing Long; the second lesson is Chou with Xu on top, riding Zhu Que; the third lesson is the day branch Wei with Chen on top, riding Tai Chang; the fourth lesson is Chen with Chou on top, riding Qing Long. The three transmissions Chou, Xu, and Wei: the first transmission is Xin Chou, which is the wife's wealth, riding Qing Long, falling on an empty position and secretly accompanied by a ghost; the second transmission is Wu Xu, also the wife's wealth, riding Zhu Que; the third transmission is Yi Wei, still the wife's wealth, riding Tian Hou.

邵先生曰：此課日上見財，主進田莊，不用錢買，中間一人爭競，又後還他，後卻得眾財，乃是服滿人家得來。六月防家中鬥毆，不然卻門前有尊長新墳，與之爭訟。所得之財，悉化為鬼矣。是年童監稅與妻家主張分產，遂得田二十畝及財物，有第三房舅嫂守寡，得產不中意，要告官悔，眾分不欲破開，因將童氏眾人地與寡婦，眾人遂陪卻童氏財物。

Master Zhao said: In this reading, the day stem meets the wealth hexagram, indicating mainly the acquisition of a piece of land, and it does not require spending money to obtain it. In the middle, there will be a person who competes for it, but later it is returned to him. Afterwards, one will receive property from others, which comes from a family that has completed their mourning period. In June, one should be cautious of a fight breaking out at home, or else there is a newly buried grave of an elder in front of the house, leading to disputes with others. All the wealth obtained in the end will eventually turn into ghosts. During this year, Zhang Jiantie was in charge of dividing the family property at his wife's side, and he received twenty acres of land and some property. The third branch of his wife's family, the maternal aunt's widow, was dissatisfied with the portion she received and intended to appeal to the authorities. However, since everyone did not want to divide the property again, they transferred the land under each person's name to the widow. As a result, everyone had to compensate Zhang's family for the property.

先生析曰；蓋乙木以辰戌丑未為財，又以丑未為妻，故財自妻家而得。何以見彼之分產？乙未日破碎殺在丑，丑為田，田上有青龍，故得之不費錢買。末傳未作天后，是又彼人之產復還也。既還產又得眾財，乃辰加未，便是乙加未敢，卻克宅；宅者，彼也，故彼為財，辰為眾，故得眾人之財也。當年九月有一尊長葬於童氏門前墳地上，侵童監稅地界，遂與鬥爭訟於官，所得之財，果然悉化為鬼矣。蓋日為尊長，日為前，支為後，日加支，故宅前，辰為日墓，故曰新墓。經曰：三傳全財化為鬼，若非春占，乙木旺於春，財不可得，則反損己財也。

Master Zhao explained that the wood of Yi is considered to have wealth in the four earths of Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei, and also considers Chou and Wei as wife. Therefore, this wealth comes from the wife's side. How can we see that the wealth comes from the wife's side? The broken killer of Yiwei day falls on Chou, and Chou represents fields. There is also the Azure Dragon on top of the fields, so the fields can be obtained without spending money. The final transmission of Wei is occupied by the Heavenly Empress, meaning that the property of that area is returned. Since the property is returned and also gains the wealth of many people, it is because Chen is placed on Wei—meaning the Chen of Yi's lodging palace is placed on Wei, and then turns back to attack the house. The house refers to the other party, so the other party becomes one's wealth. Chen also represents many, so one can gain the wealth of many people. In the previous September, a superior relative was buried on the graveyard in front of the Zhang family's gate, encroaching on the land of Zhang's tax collector, leading to a dispute that went to the authorities, and the wealth obtained was indeed turned into ghosts. This is because the day stem represents the superior relative, the day stem is front, and the day branch is back. The day stem is placed on the branch, so it should be in front of the house. Chen is also the tomb of the day stem, so it is called a new grave. The Classic says: if all three transmissions are wealth, it will turn into ghosts; if it is not in spring—when the wood of Yi is strong—wealth cannot be obtained, and instead one will lose one's own wealth.

133）鄒七丞務戊寅生三十二歲占求財，己酉年癸巳日寅將丑時。（午未空亡），遙克，連茹。 陳龍 六午未申酉空 朱巳 戌虎 陳 六 貴 后 鬼 空未 陳 初（空亡）（落空） 蛇辰 亥常 未 午 卯 寅 父 甲申 龍 中（落空） 貴卯寅丑子玄 午 巳 寅 癸 父 乙酉 空 末 后陰

Example 133: Zou Qi Cheng was born in the year of Wuyin, and is thirty-two years old. He came to seek divination regarding wealth. The time was in the year of Jiashen, on the day of Guisi. The lesson was cast using the month of Yin as the general, placed on the hour of Chou. The day Guisi belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty space falling on Wu and Wei. The lesson has two names: "Remote Conquest" and "Connected Grains" (the three transmissions follow in sequence: Wei, Shen, You). The Heaven Plate is arranged with Yin as the general on the hour of Chou. The Nobleman is on Mao, with Teng Snake on Chen, Vermilion Bird on Si, Liu He on Wu, Gou Chen on Wei, Azure Dragon on Shen, Tian Kong on You, Bai Hu on Xu, Tai Chang on Hai, Xuan Wu on Zi, Tai Yin on Chou, and Tian Hou on Yin. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Gui, which is in the Chou palace, with Yin on top, riding Tian Hou; the second lesson is Yin, with Mao on top, riding the Nobleman; the third lesson is the day branch Si, with Wu on top, riding Liu He; the fourth lesson is Wu, with Wei on top, riding Gou Chen. The three transmissions are Wei, Shen, You: the first transmission Wei falls in the empty space, as the official ghost爻, riding Gou Chen, and is directly on the empty space palace; the middle transmission Jiashen is the parent爻, riding Azure Dragon, also falling in the empty space; the final transmission Yiyou is still the parent爻, riding Tian Kong.

邵先生曰：汝欲妻家去取財，未得又欲問令岳父借之，占人笑曰：果是。

Master Zhao said: You originally intended to go to your wife's family to take some money, but did not succeed, and then planned to borrow from your father-in-law. The person who came to consult laughed and said: Indeed, that is the case.

先生析曰；蓋癸以午為財，又為妻，旬空，故未得。日上寅為子孫，生起午火，故云又借。中傳為日長生，為尊長，又乘龍為財類神，再借必得也。後必主婢女所費，且受責，酉為婢，天空淫，陰上戌作鬼故也。

Master Zhao explained that癸 water takes 午 fire as its wealth, and 午 also represents wife; since 午 is in the旬空, it cannot be obtained. The寅 on the day stem is the grandson element, which can generate 午 fire, so it is necessary to seek it again. The middle transmission's 申 is the long life of 癸 water, symbolizing a respected elder, and it is also accompanied by the Azure Dragon, which is a type of wealth deity, so seeking it again will surely succeed. Later, it will indicate a servant spending money and being punished - 酉 represents a servant, Tian Kong represents licentiousness, and Tai Yin over 犬 transforms into a ghost, hence the verification.

邵丞務光岳丈許田未與，後經多年生子，欲往取之，岳丈與之三百千 。邵有人力宜童，婢榮奴，奴偷錢與人力，被邵見了，乃行吊打，當夜宜童持刀要殺榮奴及主，榮奴被刀不死，邵幸走脫，遂解入官，依法治童，邵以不稅田受責。

This official's father-in-law had previously promised to give him a piece of land but had never given it. Later, after many years, he had a son and wanted to claim the land, so the father-in-law gave him three hundred taels of money. The family had a servant named Yitong and a maid named Rongnu. Rongnu stole the money and gave it to the servant, but the master caught them. The servant was then tied up and beaten. That night, Yitong took a knife to kill Rongnu and the master. Rongnu was stabbed but did not die, and the master escaped by chance. Yitong was then sent to the authorities and punished according to the law. The master himself was also punished for not paying taxes on the land.

134）林子成占平生養息，三月乙亥日戌將午時。（申酉空亡，子丑落空），重審，曲直。 朱蛇 六酉戌亥子貴 陳申 丑后 龍 玄 貴 陳 財 癸未 龍 初 龍未 寅陰 未 卯 子 申 父 乙亥 蛇 中 空午巳辰卯玄 卯 亥 申 乙 兄 己卯 玄 末 虎常

Example 134: Lin Zicheng consulted about his lifelong livelihood and business. The time was on the day of Yi Hai in the third month. The lesson was cast with the month general Wu added to the noon hour. The day Yi Hai belongs to the Jia Xu decade, with the empty position falling on Shen and You. The branches Zi and Chou on the Heaven Plate are exactly on the empty positions. The lesson has two names: "Chong Shen" and "Qu Zhi" (the three transmissions Wei, Hai, and Mao form a wood formation). The Heaven Plate was set with Wu as the general added to the noon hour. The nobleman is on Zi, below which is Teng Snake on Hai, Zhu Que on Wu, Liu He on You, Gou Chen on Shen, Qing Long on Wei, Tian Kong on Wu, Bai Hu on Si, Tai Chang on Chen, Xuan Wu on Mao, Tai Yin on Yin, and Tian Hou on Chou. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Yi, which is in the Chén palace, with Shen above it, riding Gou Chen; the second lesson is Shen with Zi above it, riding the nobleman; the third lesson is the day branch Hai with Mao above it, riding Xuan Wu; the fourth lesson is Mao with Wei above it, riding Qing Long. The three transmissions are Wei, Hai, and Mao: the first transmission is Gui Wei, representing the wife's wealth, riding Qing Long; the second transmission is Yi Hai, representing the parents' wealth, riding Teng Snake; the third transmission is Ji Mao, representing the brother's wealth, riding Xuan Wu.

邵先生曰：凡占課見傳送空亡剋日，不可者四：一者養鵝不得，二者不得為醫，三者不得買碓，四者不宜為道士。林曰：我自二十七歲亡父，二十九歲買得一水碓及磨坊，日與爭訟，今十七年矣，累得累失，是我命不招乎？先生曰：汝命不得碓磨力，莫妄用心。因傳送空亡，四者終非己有也。支上幸有卯在長生上，一為驢騾，二為竹木，三為術士沙門，三者皆汝前程，必遂所得也。林遂棄碓磨養孳畜，多種竹木，有牝驢二頭，七年生五驢，竹木又大盛。先生過其門，林再三拜謝。先生又謂之曰：卯可舟車，何不興販？又從之，數年大發，鄉人叩問曰：曏者指彼數事，今皆大遂，可見吾丈神術有準。先生曰：大不然，是此人造化所該耳。

Shao said: Whenever the "Chuansong" (Shen) is encountered in a divination and meets with Kongwang and also overcomes the Day Stem, there are four things one should not do: first, one cannot successfully raise geese; second, one cannot become a doctor; third, one cannot purchase a water mill; fourth, it is not suitable to become a Taoist. Lin Zicheng said: At the age of twenty-seven, my father passed away; at twenty-nine, I bought a water mill and a mill, and I have been fighting legal battles every day. It has been seventeen years since then, and I have often succeeded but also often lost. Is it because my destiny cannot hold onto these things? Shao said: You cannot obtain the power of the mill and the mill from your destiny, so do not waste your efforts - because when Chuansong meets Kongwang, these four things will never be yours. Fortunately, the Day Branch has the character Mao, which is sitting on the position of Growth: first, it signifies donkeys and horses; second, it signifies bamboo and wood; third, it signifies magicians, monks, and Taoists. These three things are your future, and you will surely achieve your wishes. Lin Zicheng thus gave up the mill and the mill, and instead raised livestock and planted more bamboo and wood. He had two female donkeys, and in seven years they gave birth to five young donkeys. The bamboo and wood also grew very vigorously. When Shao passed by his home, Lin Zicheng thanked him repeatedly. Shao then told him again: The character Mao can also represent boats and vehicles, so why not engage in trade? He followed this advice, and within a few years he became very prosperous. The villagers inquired about this, asking: The previous advice you gave him has all been very smooth and successful, which shows your divination is indeed accurate. Shao said: Not at all, this is simply because this person's destiny and fortune were meant to be this way.

先生析曰；蓋乙日木局，全旺在卯，生於亥，故卯全有氣也。元武入廟，又就本家生旺，此所以大全美也。且曲直木局，生於亥，旺於卯，末傳逢祿逢旺，諸事遂意，盡在末也。初限卯六未八，乘之得四十八，折半得二十四。又加卯地盤三數，共二十七數一雲初傳未八青龍七，地盤卯六，未之本數土五，並之得二十六，故初限二十六年，正在父母庇廕之下享福，十六娶妻財又大盛，至二十六歲限足，二十七歲交中限，父母便死，何以其父先死，因中傳亥加未上，亥為干為父，亥又為乙木之父，正被未克，上見蛇凶將，所以先喪父也。

Master Zhao explained that on a Yi day, the wood element is complete, and wood is strongest at Mao, where it is vigorous, and it is born at Hai. Therefore, the wood energy is most abundant at Mao. The Black Tortoise is in its temple, and it is in its native house, thus receiving strength and vitality, which is the reason for the overall perfection of the chart. Moreover, the "curved and straight" wood element is born at Hai and vigorous at Mao. The final transmission has both a禄 and a旺, so everything goes smoothly, and the benefits are mainly in the final transmission. For the early period: the number for Mao is six, and the number for Wei is eight. Multiplying them gives forty-eight, halving gives twenty-four, and adding the number three for the earth plate of Mao, the total is twenty-seven. Another view is that the initial transmission includes the number eight for Wei, the number seven for the Azure Dragon, the number six for the earth plate of Mao, and the number five for the native number of Wei, which is earth, totaling twenty-six. Therefore, the early period lasts twenty-six years, during which one enjoys happiness under the protection of parents, marries at sixteen, and the family fortune becomes greatly prosperous. At twenty-six, the early period ends, and at twenty-seven, the middle period begins, when both parents pass away. Why does the father die first? Because the middle transmission, Hai, is placed on Wei. Hai belongs to the day stem and represents the father, and Hai is also the father of Yi wood. Now it is being overcome by Wei earth. Moreover, the Inauspicious General Teng Snake is present above, so the father dies first.

二十九歲買水碓磨坊，爭十七年猶不已者，是申加辰，申七辰五，五七三十五，空亡減半，得十七年。申空加日上，是平生所不利，故因碓磨而費十七年之財。若申不是鬼，猶不至於訟。後予相見時，林年已四十八歲，遂令息爭改業，而向驢騾船隻竹木營生，今己酉年已五十四歲，現在末限，末傳卯加亥，卯六亥四，相乘得二十四，折半為一十二，加亥地盤四數，共十六數，五十六歲交末限一雲五十歲交末限，尚有十六年財利。此限遇亥與元琥水，併力生卯祿旺，是以諸事如意。

At twenty-nine he bought a water mill, but a dispute over it continued for seventeen years without stopping, because of the combination of Shen (申) on Chen (辰): the number of Shen is seven, and the number of Chen is five, seven times five is thirty-five, but since it meets Kongwang, it is halved, resulting in seventeen years. Shen is the god of Chuansong (Shen), which is both falling into Kongwang and added to the day stem, which is exactly what is unfavorable for him. Therefore, for this water mill, he wasted seventeen years of money. If this Shen were not a harmful ghost爻, he would not have gone to court. Later, when I met him, Lin Zicheng was already forty-eight years old, and I advised him to stop the dispute and change his business to raising donkeys and horses, and operating boats and bamboo and wood. By this year Jiyou, he is fifty-four years old, and he is now entering his final period: the final transmission of卯 is added on Hai (亥), the number of卯 is six, and the number of Hai is four, multiplying them gives twenty-four, halved to twelve, then adding the number of Hai on the earth plate, which is four, totaling sixteen—another view says he reaches his final period at fifty—still has sixteen years of wealth. In this period, Hai and Xuanwu (Black Tortoise) water combine to nourish卯, and卯 is a place of prosperity and strength, so everything goes smoothly.

三傳三限也，大凡日上所見者生我即利，脫我即為彼所苦。我克者為財，克我者，文武職人則為官，常人則為鬼。同類加干則是兄弟，助我也。或又問曰：中限父亡之後，累累官司何也。先生曰：是蛇相擾，又申亥六害，害者害我也。或又問曰：初傳未亦可以養羊賣酒，中傳亥亦可以養豬，何獨取卯乎？先生曰：曲直全在卯，乙祿到卯，長生於亥，故取其全盛之地營之。且未加卯，亥加未，皆受下克，故受生為利，受克為害也。

The Three Transmissions refer to the first, middle, and final phases. Generally, the spirits seen on the day stem that benefit me are advantageous, while those that drain me will cause me trouble. What I overcome is considered wealth, and what overcomes me, if it is a civil or military official, is considered an official star; if it is an ordinary person, it is considered a ghost. Those of the same type added to the day stem are considered siblings, coming to help me. Someone then asked: After the father's death in the middle phase, why have there been continuous lawsuits? Master Shao said: That is due to the Teng Snake causing disturbance, combined with the six harms between Shen and Hai.所谓 'harm' means it harms me. Someone else asked: Why is the initial transmission's Wei suitable for raising sheep and selling wine, and the middle transmission's Hai suitable for raising pigs, yet we specifically choose Mao? Master Shao said: The essence of the 'curved and straight' is fully present in Mao. The benefit of Yi reaches Mao, and its growth is in Hai, so we should choose the most flourishing place for business. Moreover, Wei added to Mao and Hai added to Wei are both overcome by the lower spirits; being benefited brings advantage, while being overcome brings harm.

135）張公癸卯十月初四亥時生，六十六歲，占店業。戊申年九月初九日庚寅日辰將丑時。（午未空亡，酉戌落空），重審，元胎，六儀。 朱六 蛇申酉戌亥陳 貴未 子龍 蛇 陰 虎 陳 兄 甲申 蛇 初 后午 丑空 申 巳 寅 亥 子 丁亥 六 中（丁神）（暗鬼） 陰巳辰卯寅虎 巳 寅 亥 庚 財 庚寅 虎 末 玄常

Example 135: Zhang Gong was born on the fourth day of the tenth lunar month in the year Gui Mao at the hour of Hai. He is sixty-six years old and consulted about his business. The time of divination was on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month in the year Wu Shen, on the day of Geng Yin. The month was Chen, and the lesson was cast with Chou as the starting point for the hour of Chou. The day Geng Yin belongs to the Jiashen cycle, with the empty positions falling on Wu and Wei. The branches of You and Xu on the Heaven Plate are exactly on the positions of emptyness. The lesson has three names: "Chong Shen" (Re-examination), "Yuan Tai" (Original Fetus), and "Li Yi" (Six Instruments). The Heaven Plate was established with Chen as the general and Chou as the starting hour. The nobleman is on Wei, with Teng Snake on Shen, Vermilion Bird on You, Liu He on Xu, Gou Chen on Hai, Azure Dragon on Zi, Tian Kong on Chou, Bai Hu on Yin, Tai Chang on Mao, Tai Yin on Chen, Tian Hou on Wu. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Geng, located in Shen, with Hai above it, riding on Gou Chen; the second lesson is Hai with Yin above it, riding on Bai Hu; the third lesson is the day branch Yin with Si above it, riding on Tai Yin; the fourth lesson is Si with Shen above it, riding on Teng Snake. The three transmissions are Shen, Hai, and Yin: the first transmission is Jia Shen, representing the brother's yao, riding on Teng Snake; the second transmission is Ding Hai, representing the son's yao, originally marked as riding on Liu He, but in reality, Hai is riding on Gou Chen, so there may be an error in the text. It is also the "Ding Shen" and secretly carries the ghost; the third transmission is Geng Yin, representing the wife's wealth yao, riding on Bai Hu.

邵先生曰：干支上皆盜氣，其家世店業，十退五六矣。初申加巳，庚祿在申，祿來加蛇上，又蛇擾，是少人錢物；中亥加日上，脫氣太重；末財在脫上，又遭虎克，到此十分去盡矣。

Master Zhao said: The day stem and day branch both have the qi of theft and leakage, indicating that his family's business has already lost five or six parts out of ten. The first transmission,申, is placed on巳, with the jing of geng located at申. The jing god is placed on top of Teng Snake, which is further disturbed by Teng Snake, indicating that he owes money or goods to others. The middle transmission,亥, is placed on the day stem, with excessive leakage of qi. The final transmission's wealth爻 is also in a place of leakage, and is further attacked by White Tiger—by this point, ten parts would be completely lost.

先生析曰；主四十八年中去一半，七年中全退。又妻生病死，占時家甚費力，至辛亥年兩店皆歇。亥為庚脫，且巳為店，亥又克之，故重會亥而歇業。甲寅欠債狼狽，為人所訟寅爻為店，既為巳脫，故至寅而廢也，妻病浮腫而死也。

Master Zhao explained that this indicates the business will cease operations within forty-eight years, half of which will pass before it completely fails, and also that the wife will fall ill and die. When the divination was cast, the family was already struggling, and by the year Xinhai both shops ceased operations.亥 is the place where the metal of Geng is exhausted, and巳 represents a shop. Since亥 is able to overcome巳, the business will again cease when another year of亥 comes. In the year Jiayin, he was in debt and in a desperate situation, and was sued by others. The寅爻 also represents a shop, and since it is the god that drains away the energy of巳, the shop will fail in the year of寅. The wife also died of swelling disease at this time.

136）曹八秀才戊辰生四十二歲，占開店。己酉年十月己亥日寅將酉時。（辰巳空亡，酉戌落空），知一，鑄印，斬關，勵德。 六陳 朱戌亥子丑龍 蛇酉 寅空 蛇 常 玄 陳 父 空巳 玄 初（空亡） 貴申 卯虎 酉 辰 巳 子 兄 戊戌 朱 中（落空） 后未午巳辰常 辰 亥 子 己 鬼 癸卯 虎 末 陰玄

Example 136: Cao Ba Xiucai was born in the year of Wuchen, and is now forty-two years old. He came to consult about opening a shop. The time was in the year of Jiyou, tenth month, day of Jihai. The class was cast with the month of Yin as the general added to the hour of You. The day of Jihai belongs to the Jiawu decade, with the empty positions falling on Chen and Si. The branches of the Heaven Plate, You and Xu, are exactly on the empty positions. The name of the class has four: "Zhi Yi", "Zhu Yin", "Zhan Guan", and "Li De". The Heaven Plate was arranged with the general of Yin added to the hour of You. The nobleman is on Shen, with Teng Snake on You, Vermilion Bird on Xu, Liu He on Hai, Gou Chen on Zi, Azure Dragon on Chou, Tian Kong on Yin, Bai Hu on Mao, Tai Chang on Chen, Xuan Wu on Si, Tai Yin on Wu, and Tian Hou on Wei. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson, the day stem Ji is in Wei, with Zi on top, riding Gou Chen; the second lesson, Zi has Si on top, riding Xuan Wu; the third lesson, the day branch Hai has Chen on top, riding Tai Chang; the fourth lesson, Chen has You on top, riding Teng Snake. The three transmissions are Si, Xu, and Mao: the first transmission Si is in the empty position, representing the parents' yao, riding Xuan Wu; the middle transmission Wu Xu is the brothers' yao, riding Bai Hu, and falls in the empty position; the final transmission Gui Mao is the official ghost yao, riding Bai Hu.

邵先生曰：日上見貴財，支上見財庫，日上財神又歸財庫，此大利。初又為店，但修葺有費耳。蓋元武為費用倍常也。中又為店之庫，重重皆是財利奮發，但末傳被人取店，須用爭競。曹曰：莫賃，買之如何？曰：買亦爭競。以九年為期。曹曰：九年再問。乃問汪七娘賃房，大費修葺，入店三年大發，積百萬，第六年汪七娘以店賣與之。第七年汪七秀才因分取贖不肯，具告陳論與他。果如先生言。

Master Zhao said: If the day stem has a valuable wealth hexagram and the day branch has the wealth repository, and the wealth god on the day stem also enters the wealth repository, this is a great fortune. The first transmission's巳 is also a shop, but it requires some expense to repair it - because it is occupied by the Black Tortoise, the cost will be doubled. The middle transmission's戌 is also the repository of the shop, and all these layers show a flourishing situation of wealth. However, the final transmission will have someone taking back the shop, and there will be some dispute. Cao Ba Xiucai asked: If not renting, but buying it directly, would that be better? Master Zhao said: Even if you buy it, there will still be a dispute, and it will be for a period of nine years. Cao said: I will come back to ask about it after nine years. He then rented the house from Wang Qi Niang, spending a great deal on repairs; after three years of opening the shop, he became very prosperous, accumulating millions of family wealth; in the sixth year, Wang Qi Niang sold the shop to him; in the seventh year, Wang family's seventh Xiucai, due to dividing the family property, wanted to redeem it back, but he refused, and both parties filed lawsuits to dispute the matter. Indeed, it turned out exactly as Master Zhao had predicted.

137）張克用商人占遠方買賣，己未日酉將亥時。（子丑空亡，寅卯落空），八專，獨足。 陳六 龍未申酉戌朱 空午 亥蛇 蛇 六 蛇 六 子 辛酉 六 初 虎巳 子貴 亥 酉 亥 酉 子 辛酉 六 中 常辰卯寅丑后 酉 未 酉 己 子 辛酉 六 末 玄陰

Example 137: A merchant named Zhang Keliang used divination to determine whether to go to a distant place for trade. The date was Jiwei day, with the original text stating "You general at Hai time." However, the layout of the divination plate is exactly the same as Example 127 (Si general added to Mao time). The Heaven Plate You is placed directly on the Earth Plate Wei. There is likely an error in the text. Jiwei day belongs to the Jiayin decade, with the empty palace falling on Zi and Chou. The branches Yin and Mao on the Heaven Plate are exactly on the empty palace positions. The name of the divination is two: "Bazhuan" (Ji is lodged in Wei, which is the same as the day branch Wei) and "Duzu." On the plate, the Nobleman is riding Zi, below which Teng Snake rides Hai, Zhu Que rides Xu, Liu He rides You, Gou Chen rides Shen, Qinglong rides Wei, Tian Kong rides Wu, Baihu rides Si, Tai Chang rides Chen, Tai Yin rides Mao, Tianhou rides Zi. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ji lodged in Wei palace, with You above it, riding Liu He; the second lesson is You with Hai above it, riding Teng Snake; the third lesson is the day branch Wei with You above it, riding Liu He; the fourth lesson is You with Hai above it, riding Teng Snake. The three transmissions are all Xinyou, the grandson yao, riding Liu He, all the way through.

邵先生曰：酉為兌，兌為澤，六合為舡，只利舡行，獨足無足，不利陸行，若舡行加倍得利，果應。

Zhao Master said: You belongs to the Dui hexagram, which represents a marsh or lake. The Liu He is taken as an image of a boat, so it is only favorable for traveling by water. The three transmissions are single-footed and have no feet to walk on, so it is unfavorable for traveling on land. If one travels by boat, they can double their profit. Later, it indeed came true.

138）曹八秀才癸酉生三十七歲占進屋，己酉年十月二十五庚子日寅將未時。（辰巳空亡，亥子落空），知一，比用。 貴后 蛇子丑寅卯陰 朱亥 辰玄 后 空 六 陰 父 戊戌 六 初 六戌 巳常 寅 未 戌 卯 官 空巳 常 中（空亡） 陳酉申未午虎 未 子 卯 庚 子 庚子 蛇 末（落空） 龍空

Example 138: Cao Ba Xiucai was born in the year Guiyou, and is thirty-seven years old. He came to consult about buying a house. The time was in the year Jiyou, tenth lunar month, twenty-fifth day, Gengzi day. The divination was cast using the寅 month general added to the hour of Wei. The lesson pattern is exactly the same as the one in example 124, where Li Er Bo consulted about marriage. Gengzi day belongs to the Jia Wu decade, with the empty positions falling on Chen and Si. The Heaven Plate's Zi and Hai branches are exactly on the empty positions. The lesson has two names: "Zhi Yi" and "Bi Yong." The Heaven Plate is set with寅 as the general added to the hour of Wei. The nobleman is on Chou, with Teng Snake on Zi, Vermilion Bird on Hai, Liu He on Xu, Gou Chen on You, Azure Dragon on Shen, Tian Kong on Wei, Bai Hu on Wu, Tai Chang on Si, Tai Yin on Chen, Tian Hou on Yin. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Geng, located in Shen, with卯 on top, riding Tai Yin; the second lesson is卯 with戌 on top, riding Liu He; the third lesson is the day branch Zi with未 on top, riding Tian Kong; the fourth lesson is未 with寅 on top, riding Tian Hou. The three transmissions are Xu, Si, and Zi: the first transmission is Wu Xu, representing the parents' yao, riding Liu He; the second transmission is Si, which is in the empty position, representing the official ghost yao, riding Tai Chang; the third transmission is Geng Zi, representing the children's yao, riding Teng Snake, falling into the empty position.

邵先生曰：斫輪課，須仔細，後必爭競。支受干制之課，犯者畜產不生，宅上天空作害，主有幼小干上，互換羅網，必有小擾大之事。太陰宅母不明，兼行年湊成羅網，定是不足。末蛇乘子絕了又生，生了又絕，切不可居。庚以酉為天羅，卯為地網。

Shao Master said: This is a "Zhuo Lun" divination case, which must be handled with particular care, for there will certainly be disputes in the future. Whenever the day branch is restrained by the day stem, the person or livestock involved will not survive. Also, the sky void is harmful to the dwelling position, indicating that the younger generation will oppress the elders. The day stem and day branch form a net, which will certainly lead to disturbances where the small disturb the great. Tai Yin represents the main mother in the household, but now it is obscure and unclear, and the year stem also forms a net, indicating that the family will certainly be in financial difficulty. The final transmission is Teng Snake riding on the water of Zi, which is a cycle of extinction and birth, birth and extinction again, so this house must absolutely not be occupied. Geng metal uses You as the heavenly net and Mao as the earthly net.

139）水四哥占求財，己酉年十月壬寅日寅將申時。（辰巳空亡，戌亥落空），反吟，元胎。 虎常 空亥子丑寅玄 龍戌 卯陰 玄 六 空 貴 子 壬寅 玄 初 勾酉 辰后 寅 申 亥 巳 父 丙申 六 中 六申未午巳貴 申 寅 巳 壬 子 壬寅 玄 末 朱蛇

Example 139: A man named Water Fourth Brother seeks to divinate about gaining wealth. The time is in the year Jiyou, the tenth month, the day Renyin. The lesson is cast with the month general of寅 added to the hour of Shen. The month general and the hour are in opposition, so it is called 'Reverse Chant'. The day Renyin belongs to the Jiawu decade, with the empty position falling on Chen and Si. The branches of the Heaven Plate, Wu and Hai, are exactly on the empty positions. The names of the lesson are 'Reverse Chant' and 'Original Fetus'. The Heaven Plate is arranged with the general of寅 added to the hour of Shen. The Nobleman is on巳, below it is Teng Snake on午, Vermilion Bird on未, Liu He on申, Gou Chen on酉, Azure Dragon on戌, Tian Kong on亥, Bai Hu on子, Tai Chang on丑, Xuan Wu on寅, Tai Yin on卯, and Tian Hou on辰. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ren, which is in the亥 position, with巳 above it, riding the Nobleman; the second lesson is巳 with亥 above it, riding Tian Kong; the third lesson is the day branch寅 with申 above it, riding Liu He; the fourth lesson is申 with寅 above it, riding Xuan Wu. The three transmissions are寅,申,寅: the first transmission is Renyin, the son's yao, riding Xuan Wu; the middle transmission is Bingshen, the parent's yao, riding Liu He; the final transmission is again Renyin, the son's yao, riding Xuan Wu.

邵先生曰：主先討他還本，今再重討利。是如此否？水曰：然。先生曰：壬水絕於巳，巳財絕了。又見申長生，是還本後重討也。但討得此財，下稍必被他擾害，實成不足。四年外必見是非。後癸丑年果爭息錢下獄，得赦免罪。丑年者，惹動丑上朱雀鬼故也。

Master Zhao said: Are you first getting the principal back and then asking for interest again? Is that the case? Water Four Brother said: Yes. Master Zhao said: The water is dead in巳, so the wealth in巳 has already been exhausted; but since there is申, which is the long life of water, it means that after getting the principal back, you are asking for interest again. However, once this wealth is obtained, eventually the other party will cause trouble and harm, so it is not really a secure gain; there will certainly be disputes four years later. Later, in the year of Guichou, he indeed went to jail over a dispute about interest, and was pardoned afterwards. It should be in the year of Chou, because he provoked the ghost caused by the Vermilion Bird in Chou.

140）劉五官己巳生四十七歲占店，乙卯年十月戊寅日寅將丑時。（申酉空亡，酉戌落空），重審，進茹。 貴后 蛇午未申酉陰 朱巳 戌玄 六 陳 貴 蛇 兄 庚辰 六 初 六辰 亥常 辰 卯 未 午 父 辛巳 朱 中 陳卯寅丑子虎 卯 寅 午 戊 父 壬午 蛇 末 龍空

Example 140: Liu Wuguan was born in the Jisi year and is now forty-seven years old. He consulted about his shop. The time was in the Yimao year, tenth lunar month, Wuyin day. The class was cast with the寅 month general added to the Chou hour. The Wuyin day belongs to the Jiaxu decade, with the empty position falling on Shen and You. The branches You and Xu on the Heaven Plate are exactly on the empty position. The lesson has two names: "Chong Shen" and "Jin Ru" (the three transmissions are Chen, Si, and Wu in sequence). The Heaven Plate was set with the寅 general added to the Chou hour. The nobleman is on the Wei branch, with the Teng Snake on the Wu, the Vermilion Bird on the Si, the Liu He on the Chen, the Gou Chen on the Mao, the Qing Long on the Yin, the Tian Kong on the Chou, the Bai Hu on the Zi, the Tai Chang on the Hai, the Xuan Wu on the Xu, the Tai Yin on the You, and the Heavenly Empress on the Shen. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Wu, which is in the Si palace, with Wu on top, riding the Teng Snake; the second lesson is Wu, with Wei on top, riding the nobleman; the third lesson is the day branch Yin, with Mao on top, riding the Gou Chen; the fourth lesson is Mao, with Chen on top, riding the Liu He. The three transmissions are Chen, Si, and Wu: the first transmission is Geng Chen, which is the brother's yao, riding the Liu He; the middle transmission is Xin Si, which is the parents' yao, riding the Vermilion Bird; the final transmission is Ren Wu, which is also the parents' yao, riding the Teng Snake.

邵先生曰：此課三傳被日辰夾定，占店終久得之。亥卯未生人方成，其店被人買斷，三年後其主必定來贖此店，卻發目不至丙年四五六年方見頭尾斷贖，再求方得。謂日辰拋離後再贖，恐後有司事發不一，此屋死人多，無氣故也。

Master Zhao said: In this divination, the three transmissions are confined by the day stem and day branch, indicating that the shop will eventually be obtained. However, it can only be completed if someone born in the years of亥, 卯, or 未 is involved. The shop has already been bought by someone else, and the original owner will certainly come back to redeem it within three years. But the matter remains unresolved for a long time, and it will only reach a conclusion in the fourth, fifth, and sixth years of the year of 丙. The redemption will then be abandoned, and one must seek again to obtain it. It is said that only after the day stem and day branch are separated can redemption take place again; however, there may be further complications from the government authorities in the future. There have been many deaths in this house, and the earth energy has declined, which is why it is like this.

141）甲申生人三十三歲占求財，丙辰年五月十八日丁酉日申將未時。（辰巳空亡，巳午落空），知一，進茹，斬關。 常玄 虎午未申酉陰 空巳 戌后 貴 蛇 朱 六 鬼 己亥 貴 初 龍辰 亥貴 亥 戌 酉 申 鬼 庚子 后 中 陳卯寅丑子蛇 戌 酉 申 丁 子 辛丑 陰 末 六朱

Example 141: A person born in the year Jiashen, aged thirty-three, seeks fortune. The time is in the year Bingchen, fifth lunar month, eighteenth day, Dingyou day. The lesson is cast with the month general Shen placed on the hour Wei. Dingyou day belongs to the Jiwu decade, with the empty positions falling on Chen and Si. The branches Si and Wu on the heaven plate are directly over the empty positions. The lesson has three names: "Zhi Yi", "Jin Ru" (the three transmissions follow in order: Hai, Zi, Chou), and "Zhan Guan". The nobleman is on Hai, and the nobleman's branch is on Xu, which is a yin position, so the heavenly general moves in reverse. Teng Snake is on Xu, Zhu Que on You, Liu He on Shen, Gou Chen on Wei, Qing Long on Wu, Tian Kong on Si, Bai Hu on Chen, Tai Chang on Mao, Xuan Wu on Yin, Tai Yin on Chou, and Tian Hou on Zi. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ding, which is in the Wei palace, with Shen above it, riding Liu He; the second lesson is Shen with You above it, riding Zhu Que; the third lesson is the day branch You with Xu above it, riding Teng Snake; the fourth lesson is Xu with Hai above it, riding the nobleman. The three transmissions are Hai, Zi, and Chou: the first transmission is Ji Hai, which is the official ghost yao, riding the nobleman; the middle transmission is Geng Zi, which is also the official ghost yao, riding Tian Hou; the final transmission is Xin Chou, which is the son yao, riding Tai Yin.

邵先生曰：進連茹三傳皆鬼，只喜日上人財，而辰上作六害。日上申加丁作六合，支上戌加酉作蛇，六合乃卯，蛇乃巳，此是卯與戌合，巳與申合，又末見財之庫，三傳雖鬼，只是少阻無妨，此是來往故事，再三方得。本命行年俱在傳課，又本命作財，必主喜兆非鬼兆也。

Master Zhao said: The three transmissions follow in sequence, all being ghost signs, but fortunately the day stem has people and wealth. The only problem is that the day branch forms the six harms. The day stem has the sign Shen added to the lodging palace of Ding, and it is accompanied by Liu He. The day branch has the sign Xu added to You, and it is accompanied by Teng Snake. Liu He originally belongs to Mao, and Teng Snake originally belongs to Si, which means Mao and Xu combine, and Si and Shen combine. The final transmission also shows the repository of wealth. Although the three transmissions are all ghost signs, they only cause slight obstacles without major harm. This is an old matter of back and forth, which can only be settled after several attempts. Both the native's destiny and the current year's sign fall within the three transmissions and four lessons. The native's destiny also transforms into wealth, so it is certainly a good omen rather than a ghost omen.

141）己巳生人四十八歲占求財，丙辰年六月甲寅日巳將亥時。（子丑空亡，午未落空），反吟，元胎，六儀。 龍空 陳亥子丑寅虎 六戌 卯常 虎 蛇 虎 蛇 兄 甲寅 虎 初 朱酉 辰玄 寅 申 寅 申 鬼 庚申 蛇 中（暗鬼） 蛇申未午巳陰 申 寅 申 甲 兄 甲寅 虎 末 貴後

This case is still marked as number 141, which duplicates the previous example. Here is the recording: A person born in the year Jisi, aged forty-eight, seeks fortune. The time is during the year Bingchen, sixth month, day Jiayin. The class is cast with the month general巳 added to the hour亥, and since the month general and the hour are in opposition, it is called 'reverse chant'. The day Jiayin belongs to the Jiayin decade, with the empty position falling on Zi and Chou. The branches Wu and Wei on the heaven plate are exactly on the empty positions. The names of the class are three: 'reverse chant', 'original embryo', and 'six instruments'. The heaven plate is arranged with the general巳 added to the hour亥. The nobleman is on Wei, with Teng Snake on Shen, Vermilion Bird on You, Liu He on Xu, Gou Chen on Hai, Azure Dragon on Zi, Tian Kong on Chou, White Tiger on Yin, Tai Chang on Mao, Tai Yin on Chen, and Heavenly Empress on Si. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Jiayin, located in the palace of Yin, with Shen on top, riding Teng Snake; the second lesson is Shen with Yin on top, riding White Tiger; the third lesson is the day branch Yin with Shen on top, riding Teng Snake; the fourth lesson is Shen with Yin on top, riding White Tiger. The three transmissions are Yin, Shen, Yin: the first transmission is Jiayin, representing the brother's yao, riding White Tiger; the second transmission is Gengshen, representing the official ghost yao, riding Teng Snake, secretly accompanied by ghost; the third transmission is again Jiayin, representing the brother's yao, riding White Tiger.

邵先生曰：此乃反覆爭奪之財，甚薄。應在戊寅日得之。據課體本無財，蓋此人己巳乃是寅作德，又蛇制申金，行年財臨甲戌日得之也。此課又是論化氣，甲日己年，甲己化土也。

Shao said: This is wealth that has been fought over repeatedly, and the amount is small. It will be obtained on the Wuyin day. Looking at the lesson pattern itself, there is no wealth. However, since this person was born in the Jisi year, the寅 is his beneficial god. Also, the Teng Snake restrains the Shen metal, and the wealth is located on the Jiaxu day of the year. Therefore, he can obtain it. This lesson should also be considered in terms of transformed energy: On a Jia day, when the person is born in the Jisi year, Jia and Ji combine to form earth.

142）錢三郎甲戌生三十六歲占開店，己酉年丙戌日辰將寅時。（午未空亡，申酉落空），重審，間傳。 六朱 陳未申酉戌蛇 龍午 亥貴 玄 后 朱 陳 鬼 戊子 后 初 空巳 子后 寅 子 酉 未 父 庚寅 玄 中 虎辰卯寅丑陰 子 戌 未 丙 子 壬辰 虎 末（暗鬼） 常玄

Example 142: Qian Sanlang was born in the year of Jiaxu and is thirty-six years old. He came to consult about opening a shop. The time was in the year of Jiayou, on the day of Bingxu. The month was Chen, and the lesson was cast with the general of Chen added to the time of Yin. The day of Bingxu belongs to the year of Jia Shen, and the empty positions fall on Wu and Wei. The branches of Shen and You on the Heaven Plate are exactly on the empty positions. The name of the lesson is two: "Chong Shen" and "Jian Chuan" (the three transmissions are Zi, Yin, Chen, moving in order with intervals). The Heaven Plate was set with the general of Chen added to the time of Yin. The nobleman is riding亥, below it is Teng Snake riding Wu, Zhu Que riding You, Liu He riding Shen, Gou Chen riding Wei, Qing Long riding Wu, Tian Kong riding Si, Bai Hu riding Chen, Tai Chang riding Mao, Xuan Wu riding Yin, Tai Yin riding Chou, and Tian Hou riding Zi. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ji, which is in the palace of Si, with Wei above it, riding Gou Chen; the second lesson is Wei, with You above it, riding Zhu Que; the third lesson is the day branch Xu, with Zi above it, riding Tian Hou; the fourth lesson is Zi, with Yin above it, riding Xuan Wu. The three transmissions are Zi, Yin, Chen: the first transmission is Wu Zi, which is the official ghost爻, riding Tian Hou; the second transmission is Geng Yin, which is the parent爻, riding Xuan Wu; the third transmission is Ren Chen, which is the son and daughter爻, riding Bai Hu, and secretly carries the ghost.

邵先生曰：此課開店來，當有他事相擾，主方開店便有人來美虛賬本，主無人，此必是隔皮親人，及去報他，遂來相攻，不能為害，其店終嘈雜不甚興。令郎長大，因淘汰錢物，使用動眾，一一撓其店遂止。此向三陽，乃向高之意，終不可止也。

Master Zhao said: Using this lesson to divinate about opening a shop, it indicates that there will be other matters troubling it later. The shop will just open when someone comes with a false ledger to claim something; the shop owner will have no one to deal with it, and that person must be a distant relative from another branch of the family. When they report back to him, he will turn around and accuse them. Although he cannot cause real harm, the shop will remain noisy and not very prosperous. When your son grows up, due to the need to exchange money and manage people, it will disturb many others, and one matter after another will trouble the shop until it can no longer be sustained. However, this lesson is called 'Going Up to Three Yangs,' which refers to moving upward and higher, so it will ultimately not stop here.

錢氏重陽日開店，有邵一郎，與他是姨夫，因前數次向錢氏假貸不允，今因開店，邵令彼主母入狀索前簽過帳內錢七十貫，官中令追還，依舊開店。果不興發。至壬子年，其子斗黃禽與兩邊收錢不明，遂相打經官，因此歇店。先生析曰；蓋日上未作勾陳空亡，空撓也。支子作天后，厭翳無興發也。中寅作元武，子偷錢物也。末辰作白虎，動眾相打也。

Qian Sanlang opened his shop on the Chongyang day. There was a Shao Yilang, his aunt's husband, who had previously borrowed money from the Qian family several times but was not able to get it. Now that Qian had opened his shop, Shao Yilang had his own mistress file a lawsuit to recover seventy guan of money from the previous signed accounts. The officials ordered the money to be repaid. After the repayment, the shop continued to operate, but it did not become prosperous. In the year Renzi, his son caught birds and gambled money, leading to unclear accounts on both sides, and a fight broke out, which reached the officials, causing the shop to close down. Master Shao explained that the day stem's wu was occupied by Gou Chen and also met Kongwang, indicating empty disturbance; the day branch's zi was occupied by Heavenly Empress, causing obscurity and obstruction without possibility of prosperity; the middle transmission's yin was occupied by Black Tortoise, indicating the son took away money; the final transmission's chen was occupied by White Tiger, indicating disturbance among the people leading to fights.

143）王縣丞丙寅生四十三歲占官職，戊申年五月初一甲申日申將巳時。（午未空亡，酉戌落空），重審，元胎。 空虎 龍申酉戌亥常 陳未 子玄 后 朱 龍 常 官 甲申 龍 初 六午 丑陰 寅 亥 申 巳 父 丁亥 朱 中（丁神） 朱巳辰卯寅后 亥 申 巳 甲 兄 庚寅 后 末（暗鬼） 蛇貴

Example 143: Wang County Magistrate was born in the year Bingyin, and is 43 years old. He consulted about his official position. The time was in the year Wushen, fifth month, first day, with the day being Jiashen. The lesson was cast using the month general Sheng added to the time of Si. The day Jiashen belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty position falling on Wu and Wei. The branches of the heaven plate You and Xu are exactly on the empty positions. The lesson has two names: "Rechecking" and "Original Fetus". On the day Jiashen at the time of Si, the daytime nobleman is used, with the nobleman riding Chou. The nobleman's position on the earth plate is Xu, which is a yin position, so the heavenly general moves in reverse. The Teng Snake rides Zi, the Vermilion Bird rides Hai, the Liu He rides Xu, the Gou Chen rides You, the Azure Dragon rides Shen, the Tian Kong rides Wei, the Bai Hu rides Wu, the Tai Chang rides Si, the Xuan Wu rides Chen, the Tai Yin rides Mao, and the Heavenly Empress rides Yin. In the original plate diagram, the order of the heavenly general's left and right is reversed compared to the four lessons and three transmissions, so it is corrected according to the four lessons and three transmissions. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ji, which is located in the Yin palace, with the branch Si above it, riding Tai Chang; the second lesson is the branch Si, with the branch Shen above it, riding Azure Dragon; the third lesson is the day branch Shen, with the branch Hai above it, riding Vermilion Bird; the fourth lesson is the branch Hai, with the branch Yin above it, riding Heavenly Empress. The three transmissions are Shen, Hai, and Yin: the first transmission is Jiashen, which is the official star, riding Azure Dragon; the middle transmission is Dinghai, which is the parent's yao, riding Vermilion Bird, and is also the "Ding spirit"; the final transmission is Gengyin, which is the brother's yao, riding Heavenly Empress, and secretly carries the ghost.

邵先生曰：日上見巳作太常，主兼職而費力。初傳官主兼職，中傳臨宅上，主上人垂顧，兼職而加俸，末傳寅臨亥，名字必達到庭，是費力中得便宜，勞苦中得遷轉。任滿朝廷面君，有內絳帳之榮。後王縣丞因知縣恩澤，受財事發，遂擢縣印，兩項職事，悉皆了辦，見知上司列薦，得旨任滿日引見，遂得諸王宮教授。

Shao said: When the day stem is accompanied by Si and Tai Chang, it indicates that the person holds two positions and is particularly strained. The first transmission is an official star, also indicating holding a second position; the middle transmission is located on the residence position, indicating that superiors value and support the person, thus holding a second position and receiving additional salary; the final transmission's Yin is located on Hai, indicating that the person's name will certainly reach the imperial court. This is gaining advantage amidst hardship and receiving promotion amidst labor. After completing his term, he can meet the emperor in person and gain the honor of teaching in the palace. Later, Wang Xiancheng was involved in a case of receiving bribes due to the favor of the county magistrate, and was instead promoted to take charge of the county seal; both positions were handled properly, and the superior officials knew about it and recommended him, so he was summoned by imperial decree upon completing his term to meet the emperor, thus obtaining the position of tutor in the prince's palace.

先生析曰；緣日上見巳，是甲木生巳火，故費力也。太常為職，巳為雙女，故曰兼職。初傳申官臨於雙女上之，亦是兼職。青龍主喜慶，中傳亥與行年上亥，皆是官長之屬。亥為天庭，朱雀為舉薦，末傳寅為己身，上臨於長生之地，又登天門，上乘天后恩澤之神，同生甲與寅木。甲以亥為長生學堂，故主絳帳之職。在天門則為內絳帳也。甲木生巳火，雖云費力，卻得天后水及亥水之生，申金官星居巳火之上，又得青龍，所以費力中而加升也。

Shao Master explained that the day stem sees巳, which is Jia wood generating巳 fire, so it is difficult. Tai Chang represents official position, and巳 in the Western star system signifies 'two women', so it is said to indicate a part-time job. The first transmission's申 is an official star, and it is also situated above the two women, which is another sign of part-time work. Qinglong represents joy and celebration; the middle transmission's亥 and the year stem's亥 both belong to the category of officials.亥 is the heavenly court, and Zhuque represents recommendation; the final transmission's寅 represents oneself, and it is situated on the long life position, and it ascends to the heavenly gate, with the heavenly empress deity above it. It is in harmony with Jia wood and寅 wood, which are of the same nature and generate each other. Jia wood takes亥 as its long life, and long life is the academy, so it indicates a position of teaching and instructing students; also because it is above the heavenly gate, it refers to a teaching position within the palace. Although Jia wood generates巳 fire and it is difficult, it receives the water of the heavenly empress and亥 water to nourish it; the official star申 gold is situated above巳 fire and is accompanied by Qinglong, so it can achieve promotion despite the difficulty.

144）汪五公丁未生六十一歲占買賣同得此課。（午未空亡，酉戌落空），重審，元胎。 空虎 龍申酉戌亥常 陳未 子玄 后 朱 龍 常 官 甲申 龍 初 六午 丑陰 寅 亥 申 巳 父 丁亥 朱 中（丁神） 朱巳辰卯寅后 亥 申 巳 甲 兄 庚寅 后 末（暗鬼） 蛇貴

Example 144: Wang Wugong was born in the year Dingwei and is sixty-one years old. He consulted about a business transaction, and the divination chart obtained was exactly the same as the previous example of Wang Xiancheng. The旬空 fell on Wu and Wei. The branches You and Xu on the Heaven Plate were directly over the Kongwang positions. The lesson names are two: "Chongshen" and "Yuetai". In the chart, the Nobleman is riding on Chou, and the Heavenly General moves in reverse. Teng Snake rides on Zi, Vermilion Bird on Hai, Liu He on Xu, Gou Chen on You, Azure Dragon on Shen, Tian Kong on Wei, Baihu on Wu, Tai Chang on Si, Xuanwu on Chen, Tai Yin on Mao, and Tianhou on Yin. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson has the Day Stem Jia residing in the Yin palace, with Si above it riding Tai Chang; the second lesson has Si with Shen above it riding Azure Dragon; the third lesson has the Day Branch Shen with Hai above it riding Vermilion Bird; the fourth lesson has Hai with Yin above it riding Tianhou. The three transmissions are Shen, Hai, and Yin: the first transmission, Jia Shen, is an official star riding Azure Dragon; the middle transmission, Ding Hai, is the parent爻 riding Vermilion Bird, and is also the "Ding God"; the final transmission, Geng Yin, is the brother爻 riding Tianhou, and secretly carries the ghost.

邵先生曰：如何染得許多紅紫？今已發變斑點，都是染皂用耳。汪公尚不覺，及開包裹看之，果然紅紫皆退，又發斑點。汪大驚，曰：大端懷此絹帛，奈何？先生曰：不妨，十月染皂不折本，但滯得半年耳。

Master Zhao said: Why have so many red and purple colors faded and developed spots? They can only be used to dye black. Master Wang Wugong had not yet noticed, but when he opened the package, he saw that the red and purple had indeed faded and developed spots. Master Wang Wugong was greatly surprised and said: I have bet all my money on these silk fabrics, what should I do? Master Zhao said: Don't worry. By October, dye them black and sell them, you will not lose money. It is just that they will need to be stored for half a year.

先生析曰；蓋日上見巳蝕甲，寅去亥上受生，未甚費力。今又添行年丙，便是兩個巳而蝕一甲，雖寅受生於亥，費有餘而得不足也。太常為綿絲衣帛，在日上與行年上皆赤，便是紅紫之類。寅作天后為改色，寅為虎，主斑點。初傳官鬼破身傷財，又立於耗盜之上，中傳亥來生甲，只宜染暗青黑綠，以北方主黑，亥加申白而生黑。州人仿他鋪染暗青黑綠都不好，八九月亦不翻騰 。汪公至十月染皂，鋪中有買賣，果不折本

Shao Master explained that the day stem has a巳 which consumes and drains the Jia wood, but the寅 can still receive nourishment up to亥, so it is not too difficult. Now with the year stem being Bing, there are two巳 consuming one Jia. Although the寅 receives nourishment from亥, the overall result is more consumption than gain. Tai Chang represents silk and cloth, and when it falls on the day stem and the year stem, both belong to the red color, indicating a red or purple hue. The寅 is riding on the Heavenly Empress, indicating a change in color. Since寅 is the tiger in the twelve earthly branches, it signifies the appearance of spots. The official ghost in the first transmission both breaks the body and harms wealth, and it is located on top of consumption and loss. The middle transmission has亥 nourishing the Jia wood, so only dark blue, black, and green colors are suitable. Since the north is black,亥 added to the white申 produces black. At that time, people in the region imitated his shop to dye dark blue, black, and green, but they all failed, and the goods could not be turned over in August and September. Wang Wugong waited until October to dye black, and his shop had business, indeed without losing money.

先生析曰；。蓋末傳有寅生於亥上，中傳亥卻為旬丁，主變動之神。末傳天后水為皂色，以此婦人俱重此色衣服，亥為十月，信知造物亦有時也。可見占驗之神，與造物無間耳。

Shao Master further explained that the final transmission's寅 is born on亥, while the middle transmission's亥 is the 'Ding God' of the ten-day cycle, which is the god of change. The Heavenly Empress on the final transmission belongs to water, which is black, so at that time women particularly valued this color of fabric.亥 also corresponds to the tenth month. From this we can see that the generation of all things by nature occurs at its proper time, and also that the principle of divination coming true is no different from the workings of nature.

或問：王縣丞與汪五公同月將日時，同得此課，何以王縣丞許其升遷，汪五公卻說彩帛變色？先生答曰：縣丞本命寅下臨長生得恩澤之神。行年添一官星，在任者宜占之，必然升遷。汪公命本未，下臨魁罡，上得虛誕之神，行年上添一盜氣，經紀者忌見之，必然敗壞。幸得汪公寅加亥上，中傳亥又來生身，為不折本耳。

Someone asked: Wang Xiancheng and Wang Wugong used the same month general, the same day branch and hour, and cast the same divination chart. Why did the chart predict promotion for Wang Xiancheng, but warned that the silk and cloth would change color for Wang Wugong? Shao answered: Wang Xiancheng's true birth is in寅, which is under the growth position, and also receives the blessing of the Heavenly Empress; his age is further supported by an official star. When someone in an official position casts this chart, he is sure to be promoted. Wang Wugong's true birth is in未, which is under the魁罡, and receives an illusory and untrustworthy god above; his age is further burdened by a heavy loss of energy. Merchants especially avoid this, so he is sure to suffer loss. Fortunately, Wang Wugong's寅 is placed on亥, and the middle transmission亥 comes to nourish his body, so he does not lose everything.

145）劉判官己未生五十歲占前程，戊申年七月初一癸未日午將卯時。（申酉空亡，亥子落空），元首，斬關，稼穡。 陳龍 六申酉戌亥空 朱未 子虎 常 龍 朱 后 鬼 庚辰 后 初 蛇午 丑常 丑 戌 未 辰 鬼 癸未 朱 中 貴巳辰卯寅玄 戌 未 辰 癸 鬼 甲戌 龍 末 后陰

Example 145: Liu Panguan was born in the year Jiwei, and is now fifty years old, seeking divination about his future. The time is in the year Wushen, seventh month, first day, Guiwei day. The divination is started with the month general Wu added to the卯 (rabbit) hour. The Guiwei day belongs to the Jiaxu decade, with the empty position falling on Shen and You. The Heaven Plate's Zi and Hai branches are directly on the empty positions. The lesson has three names: "Original Head", "Cutting the Gate", and "Cultivating the Field" (the three transmissions are Chen, Wei, and Xu, all earth). The Heaven Plate is set with Wu as the general added to the卯 hour. The nobleman rides Si, below which Teng Snake rides Wu, Zhu Que rides Wei, Liu He rides Shen, Gou Chen rides You, Qing Long rides Xu, Tian Kong rides Hai, Bai Hu rides Zi, Tai Chang rides Chou, Xuan Wu rides Yin, Tai Yin rides Mao, and Tian Hou rides Chen. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Gui, which is in the Chou palace, with Chen above it, riding Tian Hou; the second lesson is Chen with Wei above it, riding Zhu Que; the third lesson is the day branch Wei with Xu above it, riding Qing Long; the fourth lesson is Xu with Chou above it, riding Tai Chang. The three transmissions are Chen, Wei, and Xu: the first transmission is Gengchen, an official ghost爻, riding Tian Hou; the second transmission is Guiwei, also an official ghost爻, riding Zhu Que; the third transmission is Jiaxu, still an official ghost爻, riding Qing Long.

邵先生曰：日上見墓神，天后又是滯神，今方自墓中脫去。中傳未是旬末，末傳歸家，卻見旬首，旬首加旬尾，做官方始起，卻早歸家，如何得改官遷轉？不如治生，何以見之？本命上中傳，甲戌旬末是癸未，未土癸水為三傳全鬼，卻變成財，若要求官仍復為鬼，所以治生，必然興發，為甚佳也。

Master Zhao said: The day stem meets the tomb god, and the Heavenly Empress is a stagnant deity; now one has just emerged from the tomb. The middle transmission's "wei" is the last position of this ten-day cycle, and the final transmission returns to its own branch but again meets the beginning of the cycle, with the beginning pressing upon the end—offices have just begun, yet one must return home early, where is there any talk of promotion? It would be better to return home and manage one's livelihood. How is this seen? The true destiny falls on the middle transmission: the last position of the Jiaxu ten-day cycle is Guiwei. The "wei" earth and "gui" water form the three transmissions, all ghosts, but reversed, they become wealth. If one insists on seeking office, it reverts back to being a ghost. Therefore, returning home to manage one's affairs will surely bring prosperity and is indeed favorable.

劉判官三十八上及第，到五十方受第一任，緣丁了三服，乃是庶出，兼有喪服，後做判官任滿，不得改官，任中文字又多，遂思先生之言，歸家治生，開雜賣鋪見利，為之靡所不至，自初歸時，止有三千餘貫，後十二年共發至三十五萬貫，造屋買田，如法做起，信知先生之言不妄也。閉口主不能升。

Li Panguan passed the imperial examination at the age of thirty-eight, but did not receive his first official appointment until he was fifty years old, because he had to observe mourning for three consecutive periods. He was a庶出 son and was still in mourning. Later, after completing his term as a judge, he could not change his official rank or be promoted, and there was a large amount of official paperwork to handle. Therefore, he recalled the words of Shao Master and returned home to manage his livelihood, opening a general store and doing whatever business he could. When he first returned home, he had only over three thousand guan, but within twelve years, he accumulated a total of thirty-five thousand guan. He built houses and bought land, doing everything properly. This shows that the words of Shao Master were not empty. The divination lesson showed the image of "closed mouth," which indicates that he would not be promoted.

146）劉一翁代一人占身位亦同此課，其人丙辰生五十三歲。（申酉空亡，亥子落空），元首，斬關，稼穡。 陳龍 六申酉戌亥空 朱未 子虎 常 龍 朱 后 官 庚辰 后 初 蛇午 丑常 丑 戌 未 辰 鬼 癸未 朱 中 貴巳辰卯寅玄 戌 未 辰 癸 官 甲戌 龍 末 后陰

Example 146: Liu Yiweng cast a divination for another person, and the divination was exactly the same as the previous example. The person was born in the year Bing Chen and was fifty-three years old. The旬空 fell on Shen and You. The Heaven Plate's Zi and Hai branches were directly on the Kongwang positions. The name of the divination has three: "Yuan Shou", "Zhan Guan", and "Jia Se". On the plate, the Nobleman rode on Si, beneath it Teng Snake rode on Wu, Vermilion Bird on Wei, Liu He on Shen, Gou Chen on You, Azure Dragon on Xu, Tian Kong on Hai, White Tiger on Zi, Tai Chang on Chou, Black Tortoise on Yin, Tai Yin on Mao, and Heavenly Empress on Chen. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson, the Day Stem Gui was in Chou, with Chen above it, riding Heavenly Empress; the second lesson, Chen had Wei above it, riding Vermilion Bird; the third lesson, the Day Branch Wei had Xu above it, riding Azure Dragon; the fourth lesson, Xu had Chou above it, riding Tai Chang. The three transmissions were Chen, Wei, and Xu: the first transmission, Geng Chen was marked as official yao, riding Heavenly Empress; the middle transmission, Gui Wei was marked as ghost yao, riding Vermilion Bird; the final transmission, Jia Xu was also marked as official yao, riding Azure Dragon.

邵先生曰：此人不長久，目下如雲霧中行耳。明年五十四歲，行年在未，上見戌為閉口，戌為九月，其人九月間患積塊疼痛，氣塞脹蠱而終。

Master Zhao said: This person will not live long. At present, he is like walking in a fog, feeling confused and uncertain. At the age of fifty-four next year, his year pillar will reach Wei, and there will be Xu on Wei, which is the sign of "closed mouth." Xu corresponds to September, so this person will suffer from painful masses, blocked qi, and distension of the abdomen, leading to a death from蛊 disease in September.

或問：此人與劉判官同月將日時，同得此課，何故前言治生，此言就死？ 邵先生曰：前是己未生，中傳得本命，自墓引生來，末傳見旬首，周而復始，三傳全鬼，卻化為財，所以治生發旺也。此是丙辰生，他的本命自來墓身，既來添墓，如何去得？ 旬首甲克未，戌克癸，所以化財。

Someone asked: This person and Judge Liu used the same month general and day branch hour, and the same divination chart, so why does the previous one say he should return home to manage his affairs, while this one says he is about to die? Master Zhao said: The former was born in the year Jiwei, and the middle transmission exactly matched his birth year, drawing life qi from the grave, and the final transmission met the beginning of the ten days, thus forming a cycle. Although all three transmissions were ghosts, they transformed into wealth, so returning home to manage affairs would certainly flourish. This person, however, was born in the year Bingchen, and his birth year itself was in the grave, which already confined him. Now with another grave added, how can he escape? As for why all three transmissions being ghosts turned into wealth, it is because the beginning of the ten days, Jia, could overcome Wei, and Xu could overcome Gui, thus transforming into wealth.

147）何秀才丁亥生二十二歲占膠程，戊申年五月丁酉日申將辰時。（辰巳空亡，申酉落空），元首，曲直。 蛇貴 朱酉戌亥子后 六申 丑陰 空 陰 常 貴 鬼 己亥 貴 初 陳未 寅玄 巳 丑 卯 亥 父 癸卯 常 中（暗鬼） 龍午巳辰卯常 丑 酉 亥 丁 子 乙未 陳 末 空虎

Example 147: He Xiucai was born in the year Dinghai. At the age of twenty-two, he came to consult about his prospects for the imperial examination. The time was in the year Wushen, fifth month, day Dingyou. The lesson was cast with the month general of Shen added to the time of Chen. The day Dingyou belongs to the Jiawu decade, with the empty position falling on Chen and Si. The branches of Shen and You on the Heaven Plate are exactly on the empty positions. The name of the lesson is two: "Original Head" and "Curved Straight" (the three transmissions of Hai, Mao, and Wei form a wood trinity). The Heaven Plate is set with the general of Shen added to the time of Chen. The nobleman is on Hai, with Teng Snake on Xu, Vermilion Bird on You, Liu He on Shen, Gou Chen on Wei, Azure Dragon on Wu, Tian Kong on Si, White Tiger on Chen, Tai Chang on Mao, Tai Yin on Chou, Tian Hou on Zi. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ding, which is in the Wei palace, with Hai above it, riding the nobleman; the second lesson is Hai, with Mao above it, riding Tai Chang; the third lesson is the day branch You, with Chou above it, riding Tai Yin; the fourth lesson is Chou, with Si above it, riding Tian Kong. The three transmissions are Hai, Mao, and Wei: the first transmission is Ji Hai, which is the official ghost, riding the nobleman; the second transmission is Gui Mao, which is the parent, riding Tai Chang, and secretly accompanied by the ghost; the third transmission is Yi Wei, which is the son, riding Gou Chen.

邵先生曰：本命在日上作初傳，既是官星，上見貴人，貴人帶官來，三十歲定主及第，及第後須見大病，病後卻吉。迤邐至守土官。宅上丑作太陰，終身居於舊宅，一生不能建造，但有守土之名，無守土之實。殘病在身，不能卦美任矣。何二十九中舉，三十及第。第六任授台州太守，為風癱不能赴任。

Shao Master said: The native's destiny falls on the day stem and is taken as the first transmission. It is both an official star and is accompanied by a nobleman above. This indicates that the nobleman comes with an official position. At the age of thirty, he will certainly pass the imperial examination as a jinshi. After passing the examination, he will suffer a serious illness, but after recovering, it will turn out to be auspicious. He will gradually rise to become a local official. The branch 'Chou' on the residence position is accompanied by Tai Yin, indicating that he will live in his old house all his life and will never build a new one. Although he has the title of a local official, he does not have the actual position. He is burdened with a chronic illness and cannot take up the appointment. He Zhaotian passed the examination as a jinshi at the age of twenty-nine and as a jinshi at thirty. In his sixth appointment, he was appointed as the governor of Taizhou, but he suffered a stroke and was unable to take office.

先生析曰；蓋亥水克丁為官，本命又是官，是自家官星相催也。三十乃丙辰年分，辰上見申，申金生亥水，官星有氣，故及第。及第後大病四十餘日方安者，先論官，次論克也。病得不死者，亥卯未木局，木能生火故了。卯乃生丁之神，卯數六，故六任。末傳未是本身，加日祿卯上，為勾陳所拘，本能生風，死敗之氣，乃虛風也。勾陳留滯之神，故終為之纏也。未即今日之丁，未死於卯，丁敗於卯，未為守土之任，既死敗不能赴也。

Master Zhao explained that the water of Hai overcomes the fire of Ding to form an official star, and since the native's destiny is exactly this official star, it is the official star of one's own house pressing upon oneself. At the age of thirty, the year was Bingchen, and the year's branch had Shen. The metal of Shen generates the water of Hai, giving the official star strength, thus leading to the passing of the imperial examination. After passing, he suffered a serious illness that lasted over forty days before recovery, because first the official star was considered, then the overcoming. The illness did not result in death because Hai, Mao, and Wei form a wood trinity, and wood can generate fire. Mao is the god that generates the fire of Ding, and the number of Mao is six, so he reached the sixth position. The final transmission's Wei represents oneself, placed on the day stem's禄神 (favorable position) of Mao, and was restrained by Gou Chen. Mao's inherent ability to generate wind is also a dead or declining force, hence the illness was of a false wind. Gou Chen is the god of stagnation, so he was permanently bound by it. Wei also corresponds to today's Ding; Wei dies at Mao, and Ding is in decline at Mao. Wei also represents the duty of guarding the land, and since it is already dead and in decline, he could not fulfill his post.

148）何學錄庚申生四十九歲占身位及家宅同得此課。（辰巳空亡，申酉落空），元首，曲直。 蛇貴 朱酉戌亥子后 六申 丑陰 空 陰 常 貴 鬼 己亥 貴 初 陳未 寅玄 巳 丑 卯 亥 父 癸卯 常 中（暗鬼） 龍午巳辰卯常 丑 酉 亥 丁 子 乙未 陳 末 空虎

Example 148: He Xuelu was born in the year Geng Shen and is 49 years old. He consulted about his own position and family residence, and the divination chart obtained is exactly the same as the previous example. The旬空 falls on Chen and Si. The branches Shen and You on the Heaven Plate are directly over the Kongwang positions. The name of the chart is two: "Original Head" and "Curved Straight". On the plate, the Nobleman is riding on Hai, below which Teng Snake rides on Xu, Vermilion Bird on You, Liu He on Shen, Gou Chen on Wei, Azure Dragon on Wu, Tian Kong on Si, White Tiger on Chen, Tai Chang on Mao, Tai Yin on Chou, and Heavenly Empress on Zi. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson has the day stem Ding, which is in the Wei palace, with Hai above it, riding the Nobleman; the second lesson has Hai with Mao above it, riding Tai Chang; the third lesson has the day branch You with Chou above it, riding Tai Yin; the fourth lesson has Chou with Si above it, riding Tian Kong. The three transmissions are Hai, Mao, and Wei: the first transmission is Ji Hai, which is the official ghost爻, riding the Nobleman; the second transmission is Gui Mao, which is the parent爻, riding Tai Chang, and secretly carries the ghost; the third transmission is Yi Wei, which is the son and daughter爻, riding Gou Chen.

邵先生曰：前課二十二歲，官星未過，是取官之年，今乃四十九，官星已過，乃是絕神克身，末又受克，不能制水，是數不永。辛亥必死矣。況卯乃截路空亡，未加於上，亦以空言。所以不得力。更宅前左手，不合被人遷墳，掘斷龍脈葬老陰人，因此生事，家計悉破也。何三十二上中舉，已滿官星之數，四十外已無力，故不及第，為學錄。至辛亥年死。

Master Zhao said: The previous case involved a person who was twenty-two years old, and his official star number had not yet been exhausted, which was exactly the age for achieving official rank. Now this person is forty-nine years old, and his official star number has already passed, so the亥 water has become a dead god that harms his body. The final transmission is also being overcome by the lower god, and cannot control the water, indicating a short lifespan, and he will surely die in the Xinhai year. Moreover, the卯 is a cutting road Kongwang, and the未 is added on top of it, which should also be considered as Kongwang, so it has no effect. Furthermore, the area to the left front of the house should not have had a tomb moved in, cutting off the dragon pulse to bury an elderly female relative, thus causing trouble, and all family property has been lost. He Ke Xuluo passed the imperial examination at thirty-two, and his official star number had already been fully used; after forty, it lost its power, so he could not pass the imperial examination, only becoming a Xuluo, and died in the Xinhai year.

先生析曰；蓋亥克丁為官，亥四未八，四八三十二，故四十外即不得力，既不為官，即是鬼，鬼來克身，又是丁之絕神，至亥年鬼旺，身不可逃，故死。又酉日丑加酉為墓神，丑在前，西方看北方，是左手也。太陰老陰人也。五十二死者，命上子水，變殺破祿也。夫同此一課，而命添一水，便乃迥異如此。

Master Zhao explained that亥 water overcomes丁 fire to form an official star, but亥 is numbered four and未 is numbered eight, four times eight equals thirty-two, so after forty years, it loses its power. Since it cannot function as an official star, it becomes a ghost; the ghost overcomes the body, and it is also the dying phase for丁 fire. In the year of亥, the ghost energy is at its peak, so the body cannot escape, hence death. Moreover, on a酉 day,丑 is added to酉, forming the tomb god, with丑 in front. Looking from west to north, it is the left side. Tai Yin represents an older female relative. As for dying at fifty-two, it is because the native has子 water, which turns the official star into a killer star and breaks the禄. Thus, the same divination lesson leads to such different outcomes, simply because the native's chart has an additional layer of water.

149）周氏占與羅氏交易，建火五年正月乙巳日亥將巳時。（寅卯空亡，申酉落空），反吟，無依，元胎。 貴后 蛇亥子丑寅陰 朱戌 卯玄 虎 蛇 常 朱 子 乙巳 虎 初 六酉 辰常 巳 亥 辰 戌 父 辛亥 蛇 中（暗鬼） 陳申未午巳虎 亥 巳 戌 乙 子 乙巳 虎 末 龍空

Example 149: Zhou's divination concerning a trade with Luo. The time was on the 15th day of the first lunar month in the fifth year of "Jianhuo" (the original text records it as "Jianhuo", but it is likely a mistake for "Jianyan", and we retain the original without alteration). The lesson was cast with the month general亥 added to the time of巳. Since the month general and the hour form a conflict, it is called "reverse chant". The day 乙巳 belongs to the 甲辰 decade, with the empty position falling on寅 and卯. The branches 申 and酉 on the heaven plate are exactly on the empty positions. The lesson has three names: "reverse chant", "no support", and "original birth". The heaven plate is set with亥 as the month general added to the time of巳. The nobleman is on子, with 螣蛇 on亥, 朱雀 on戌, 六合 on酉, 勾陈 on申, 青龙 on未, 天空 on午, 白虎 on巳, 太常 on辰, 玄武 on卯, 太阴 on寅, and 天后 on丑. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem 乙, which is placed in the chen palace, with戌 above it, riding 朱雀; the second lesson is戌 with 辰 above it, riding 太常; the third lesson is the day branch巳 with亥 above it, riding 螣蛇; the fourth lesson is亥 with巳 above it, riding 白虎. The three transmissions are巳, 亥, and巳: the first transmission is 乙巳, which is the son's yao riding White Tiger; the middle transmission is Xinhai, which is the parent's yao riding 螣蛇, and secretly carries a ghost; the final transmission is again 乙巳, the son's yao riding White Tiger.

邵先生曰：反吟體見凶將，必難成。又日上見財乘雀，必見爭鬧而後成。只是兩家俱有孝服，後來周姓果喪母，羅姓亦喪妻。又至後有三人來作鬧，丁丑日事成。其鬧者乃過房子也。蓋乙以巳為兒，巳中丙戌，二姓主過房子來爭也。

Master Zhao said: When the lesson pattern is reverse chant and there is also an Inauspicious General, this trade will certainly not succeed. The day stem has a wealth hexagram riding on the Vermilion Bird, which will certainly lead to a quarrel before reaching an agreement. However, both parties will have to wear mourning clothes. Later, the Zhou family indeed lost their mother, and the Luo family also lost their wife. Afterwards, three people came to quarrel, and the matter was settled on Dingchou day. The ones who quarreled were the adopted sons. The adopted son of the Yi family is巳, which contains the Bing and Wu stems, so both families had adopted sons who contested the matter.

150）曹將仕丙午生六十四歲占謀干，己酉年癸卯日寅將辰時。（辰巳空亡，寅卯落空）。渉害，極陰，間傳，循環。 蛇貴 朱卯辰巳午后 六寅 未陰 空 陳 常 空 官 辛丑 陳 初 陳丑 申玄 亥 丑 酉 亥 兄 己亥 空 中（暗鬼） 龍子亥戌酉常 丑 卯 亥 癸 父 丁酉 常 末（丁神） 空虎

Example 150: A general named Cao is born in the year Bingwu. He is sixty-four years old and comes to seek divination regarding his affairs. The time is in the year Dingyou, on the day Guimao. The lesson is cast using the寅 month general added to the辰 hour. The day Guimao belongs to the Jiawu decade, with the empty positions falling on the辰 and巳. The branches of the heaven plate,寅 and卯, are directly on the empty positions. The lesson has four names: "Involvement of Harm," "Extreme Yin," "Intermediate Transmission," and "Cycle." The heaven plate is set with the寅 general added to the辰 hour. The nobleman is on巳, with the Teng Snake on辰, the Vermilion Bird on卯, the Liu He on寅, the Gou Chen on丑, the Azure Dragon on子, the Tian Kong on亥, the White Tiger on戌, the Tai Chang on酉, the Tai Yin on未, and the Heavenly Empress on午. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Gui, which is in the丑 palace, with亥 on top, riding the Tian Kong; the second lesson is on亥, with酉 on top, riding the Tai Chang; the third lesson is on the day branch卯, with丑 on top, riding the Gou Chen; the fourth lesson is on丑, with亥 on top, riding the Tian Kong. The three transmissions are丑,亥,酉: the first transmission is Xinchou, representing the official star, riding the Gou Chen; the second transmission is Jihai, representing the brother's element, riding the Tian Kong, and secretly accompanied by a ghost; the third transmission is丁酉, representing the parent's element, riding the Tai Chang, and is also the "Ding God."

邵先生曰：支上丑作勾陳，自宜用舊，未利謀新。況三傳四課皆陰，豈宜進干？若陽則宜進干，豈不聞《心鏡》曰：大吉臨干為死舊，天罡加日是生新。 《心鏡》全以陰陽二字，分別陽宜動，為生、為新、為德；陰宜靜，為殺、為舊、為刑也。

Shao said: The branch of the day is Chou, and Chou is multiplied by Gou Chen. This should follow the old way, and it is not favorable to seek new paths. Moreover, all the three transmissions and four lessons are yin. How can this be suitable for seeking advancement? If they were yang, then one should seek advancement. Have you not heard the "Heart Mirror" say: "Daji on the dry branch signifies death of the old, Tiangang added to the day signifies birth of the new" (Daji is Chou, Tiangang is Chen). The entire "Heart Mirror" book distinguishes by the two words yin and yang: yang is suitable for action, governing birth, new things, and virtue; yin is suitable for stillness, governing killing, the old, and punishment.

151應秀才三十四歲占出行，己酉年九月癸亥日卯將酉時。（子丑空亡，午未落空），反吟，元胎，勵德。 六朱 陳亥子丑寅蛇 龍戌 卯貴 陳 陰 朱 常 財 丁巳 陰 初（丁神） 空酉 辰后 亥 巳 丑 未 兄 癸亥 陳 中 虎申未午巳陰 巳 亥 未 癸 財 丁巳 陰 末（丁神） 常玄

Example 151: The person seeking divination is a scholar who is thirty-four years old, asking about travel. The time is the Jiyou year, September, Guihai day. The class is set with the卯 month general added to the酉 hour. The month general and the hour form a conflict, so it is called 'Reverse Chant'. The Guihai day belongs to the Jiayin decade, with the empty position falling on Zi and Chou. The Heaven Plate's Wu and Wei branches are exactly on the empty position. The lesson has three names: 'Reverse Chant', 'Original Fetus', and 'Cultivating Virtue'. The Heaven Plate is set with the卯 general added to the酉 hour. The Nobleman rides the卯, with Teng Snake riding the寅, Vermilion Bird riding the丑, Liu He riding the子, Gou Chen riding the亥, Azure Dragon riding the戌, Tian Kong riding the酉, Bai Hu riding the申, Tai Chang riding the未, Xuan Wu riding the午, Tai Yin riding the巳, and Tian Hou riding the辰. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Gui, which is in the Chou palace, with Wei above it, riding Tai Chang; the second lesson is Wei with Chou above it, riding Vermilion Bird; the third lesson is the day branch Hai with Si above it, riding Tai Yin; the fourth lesson is Si with Hai above it, riding Gou Chen. The three transmissions are Si, Hai, and Si: the first transmission is Dingsi, which is the wife and wealth hexagram, riding Tai Yin, and is also the 'Ding God'; the middle transmission is Guihai, which is the brother hexagram, riding Gou Chen; the final transmission is again Dingsi, the wife and wealth hexagram, riding Tai Yin, and is also the 'Ding God'.

邵先生曰：此課出行，當主半路歸家。何也？蓋自支發出，少間復回，末又歸支，當主一骨肉有喪，遂遣人邀歸。應曰：何故？先生曰：初以巳發用，中傳復回，末傳又見巳，如何去得？應恐家中有事，先生曰：非也。應遂行，欲往袁州岳丈任中，次至撫州，卻有一親戚，乃伊親姐，在信州玉山縣，赴任病重，遂遣人趕應回，親姐死，應遂不得袁州。

Master Zhao said: Using this divination for travel, the main indication is that the person will go halfway and then return home. Why? Because the first transmission originates from the day branch, and soon turns back, while the final transmission returns to the day branch again. Therefore, it indicates that a close relative has died, and someone from home sends someone to bring him back. Ying Shouchang asked: How so? Master Zhao said: The first transmission starts with Si, the middle transmission turns back, and the final transmission meets Si again, so how can one go anywhere? Ying Shouchang was worried that something bad had happened at home. Master Zhao said: It is not at home. Ying Shouchang then set off, originally intending to go to his father-in-law's post in Yuzhou. He reached Fuzhou, and just then a relative - his own sister - who was on her way to take up her post in Xinyu County, Zhusan County, became seriously ill. Therefore, someone was sent to call him back. His sister died, and Ying Shouchang ultimately did not make it to Yuzhou.

先生析曰；蓋宅上見巳，初末皆巳，巳乃癸之絕神，雖為絕神，卻是三層驛馬，又以旬丁，所以主動。但中即傳宅陰，所以半路歸也。日上未鬼作太常，主親戚眷屬之服。日主外故主外服，發用太陰，主陰人喪，所乘之巳為妻，是妻之祖也。巳火亥水去了又來，互換相沖，不得不動，既動彼此俱絕，所以止也。

Master Zhao explained that the position of the house shows Si, and both the first and final transmissions are also Si. Si is the绝神 of癸 water, although it is a绝神, it has three layers of the Post-horse, and also meets the 'Ding deity' in the ten-day cycle, so it indicates movement. However, the middle transmission then returns to the Yin Spirit of the house, so the journey is cut short halfway. The 未 on the day stem is a ghost爻 and rides Tai Chang, indicating mourning for relatives on the side of kinship; since the day stem represents the outside, it refers to mourning for outsiders. The first transmission starts with Tai Yin, indicating the death of a female relative; the Si ridden by Tai Yin also represents the wife, meaning the elder of the wife's family. The fire of Si and the water of Hai go away and come back, exchanging and conflicting, so they cannot remain still; once movement begins, they both fall into the绝地, so the journey stops halfway.

152）李秀才占往元真觀訪紫衣張道士，十月庚辰日寅將午時。（申酉空亡，辰巳落空），重審，潤下，斬關，不備。 后陰 貴丑寅卯辰玄 蛇子 巳常 龍 蛇 蛇 玄 子 丙子 蛇 初（暗鬼） 朱亥 午虎 申 子 子 辰 父 空申 龍 中（空亡） 六戌酉申未空 子 辰 辰 庚 兄 庚辰 玄 末（落空） 陳龍

Example 152: Li Xiucai came to divinate about his visit to Yuanzhen Temple to meet the Taoist priest Zhang in purple robes. The time was on the tenth month, Geng Chen day. The class was cast with the寅 month general added to the午 time. Geng Chen day belongs to the Jia Xu decade, with the empty position falling on Shen and You. The Heaven Plate's Chen and Si branches are exactly on the empty position. The lesson has four names: "Chong Shen" (Re-examination), "Run Xia" (Moistening Down) (the three transmissions, Shen, Zi, and Chen, form a water group), "Zhan Guan" (Cutting the Gate), and "Bu Bei" (Incomplete). The Heaven Plate was set with the寅 general added to the午 time. The nobleman is on the丑, with the Teng Snake on the子, the Vermilion Bird on the亥, the Liu He on the戌, the Gou Chen on the酉, the Azure Dragon on the申, the Tian Kong on the未, the White Tiger on the午, the Tai Chang on the巳, the Black Tortoise on the辰, the Tai Yin on the卯, and the Heavenly Empress on the寅. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Geng, which is in the申 palace, with the辰 on top, riding the Black Tortoise; the second lesson is the辰 with the子 on top, riding the Teng Snake; the third lesson is the day branch Chen with the子 on top, also riding the Teng Snake, so two lessons repeat, hence called "Bu Bei"; the fourth lesson is the子 with the申 on top, riding the Azure Dragon. The three transmissions are Zi, Shen, and Chen: the first transmission is Bing Zi, the son's yao, riding the Teng Snake, secretly accompanied by a ghost; the middle transmission is Shen, which falls on the旬 empty, as the father's yao, riding the Azure Dragon; the final transmission is Geng Chen, the brother's yao, riding the Black Tortoise, falling on an empty position.

邵先生曰：此課占訪人，其人在本處水火之傍，造墨或為細務。因事未畢，必然不出見也。

Master Zhao said: If this lesson is used to divinate about visiting someone, that person is currently on the water and fire sides of his own residence, busy making ink-like fine work. Since the task is not yet finished, he certainly will not come out to meet you.

先生析曰；蓋子發用，雖與日辰三合，奈辰課不足，必主事務未畢也。且今日庚金，子水發用，庚落空亡，不能生子，子反畏日上天罡，所以主不出見。罡加孟，為在內，故言在家。言為生計者，庚為水之源，而生神后，神后加辰，神后北方也黑色，交合辰土，生計是造墨也。潤下卦，有蛇火神為用，故曰近水火之傍也。 李果訪之不見，後詢之，果因造墨未畢也。

Master Zhao explained that the initial transmission is from Zi, although it forms a triple harmony with the day branch, the four lessons are incomplete and therefore the matter is not yet finished. Moreover, today is a Geng metal day, and Zi water is the initial transmission. Geng metal is in its own kongwang, so it cannot generate Zi water. Zi water is afraid of the tiangang (Chen) on the day stem, so it is unwilling to appear. The tiangang is in the first position, meaning he is at home. Regarding his livelihood: Geng is the source of water, which can generate Shenhou (Zi); Shenhou is on Chen, which is northern and black, combining with Chen earth. Therefore, his livelihood is making ink. This is a moistening and descending hexagram, yet the initial transmission is occupied by Teng Snake, a fire deity, so he is on the edge of water and fire. The young scholar went to visit him but did not meet him. Later he learned that it was indeed because the ink was not yet finished.

153）管學正辛酉占往宜興謁縣尹楊公，己酉年十月甲午日寅將戌時。（辰巳空亡，申酉落空），元首，炎上，佚女，勵德。 六陳 朱酉戌亥子龍 蛇申 丑空 虎 六 六 后 兄 壬寅 虎 初 貴未 寅虎 寅 戌 戌 午 子 甲午 后 中 后午巳辰卯常 戌 午 午 甲 財 戊戌 六 末 陰玄

Example 153: Guan Xuezheng was born in the year Xinyou. He came to consult about whether it was suitable to go to Yixing to pay homage to Master Yang. The time was the year Jiyou, tenth month, day Jiawu. The class was set with the month general Yin added to the hour Xu. The day Jiawu belongs to the Jiawu decade, with the empty positions falling on Chen and Si. The branches Shen and You on the Heaven Plate are exactly on the empty positions. The name of the class has four parts: "Original Head", "Inflaming Upward" (the three transmissions Yin, Wu, Xu form a fire trinity), "Lost Woman", "Uphold Virtue". The Heaven Plate was set with the general Yin added to the hour Xu. The nobleman rode Wei, below it the Teng Snake rode Shen, the Vermilion Bird rode You, the Liu He rode Xu, the Gou Chen rode Hai, the Azure Dragon rode Zi, the Tian Kong rode Chou, the White Tiger rode Yin, the Tai Chang rode Mao, the Black Tortoise rode Chen, the Tai Yin rode Si, and the Heavenly Empress rode Wu. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson, the day stem Ji is located in the Yin palace, above it Wu, riding the Heavenly Empress; the second lesson, Wu above sees Xu, riding Liu He; the third lesson, the day branch Wu above sees Xu, also riding Liu He; the fourth lesson, Xu above sees Yin, riding the White Tiger. The three transmissions Yin, Wu, Xu: the first transmission Ren Yin is the brother's yao, riding the White Tiger; the middle transmission Jiawu is the son's yao, riding the Heavenly Empress; the final transmission Wu Xu is the wife's wealth yao, riding Liu He.

邵先生曰：詳課意，吾兄若欲行正道，則不必見之。若行邪道，見之不妨。愛圅曰：此四句當有訛錯。蓋寅午戌相習而為狂黨，天后六合不正之神，又為失友，主下稍埋怨不足，互相冤抑。夫甲日火局，十二分盜氣，支又來耗我，大有所費。吾兄縱有所得，左手得錢，右手便送娼家，被官知覺，亦輕視不肯惠矣。管笑曰：楊尹有書來，安得無利：遂往，楊尹大喜，所贈甚厚，管竟入娼家，楊察知之，曰：吾多方照顧，欲爾收拾養家，如此胡為，枉做人情矣。遂不想信，僅與盤纏而歸。

Shao said: Carefully examine the meaning of this divination. If you wish to go the right way, you need not see him; if you wish to take a wrong path, going to see him is not a problem. Because the branches of寅, 午, and 戌 are connected and form a group of reckless people, the Heavenly Empress and Liu He are also improper deities. This divination is also called "losing friends," indicating that in the end, there will be mutual complaints and resentment. On a Jia day, the formation of a fire trinity results in a severe loss of energy, and the day branch further consumes me, so there will certainly be great expenses. Even if you gain something, you will take money in your left hand and give it to a prostitute with your right. When the official notices this, he will look down on you and no longer show favor. The head of the school laughed and said: Yang County Magistrate has sent a letter inviting me, how could there be no benefit? So he went. Yang County Magistrate was very pleased and gave him a generous gift. However, the head of the school went straight to the prostitute. After Yang County Magistrate noticed this, he said: I have taken care of you in many ways, hoping you can save some money to support your family. If you act like this, my kindness has been in vain. From then on, he no longer trusted him and only gave him some money to send him back.

先生析曰；蓋炎上課，甲日自是不利，又午來蝕甲，天后六合皆不正之神，主酒色蠱惑，四課不足，雖厚本亦主消折，況赤手空拳乎：

Shao Master explained that the lesson of "Inflaming Ascending" is unfavorable for Jia Wood on the day of Jia. There is also the fire of Wu to consume and deplete the Jia Wood. The Heavenly Empress and Liu He are both improper deities, indicating being led astray by wine and women. The four lessons are incomplete, so even with substantial capital one would still suffer losses. How much more so if one goes with nothing at all?

154）史某占訪僧見否，乙酉日酉將辰時。（午未空亡，亥子落空），知一，不備，亂首，驀越。 蛇貴 朱戌亥子丑后 六酉 寅陰 龍 陰 陰 六 子 空未 龍 初（空亡） 陳申 卯玄 未 寅 寅 酉 父 戊子 貴 中（落空） 龍未午巳辰常 寅 酉 酉 乙 子 癸巳 虎 末 空虎

Example 154: A person named Shi consulted about whether he would see a monk. The day was Yiyou, with the Month General of You added to the time of Chen. The day Yiyou belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty positions falling on Wu and Wei. The Heaven Plate's Zi and Hai branches are exactly on the empty positions. The lesson has four names: "Zhi Yi", "Bu Bei", "Luan Shou", and "Mo Yue". The Heaven Plate is set with the Month General You added to the time of Chen. The Nobleman is on Zi, with Teng Snake on Hai, Vermilion Bird on Xu, Liu He on You, Gou Chen on Shen, Azure Dragon on Wei, Tian Kong on Wu, Bai Hu on Si, Tai Chang on Chen, Xuan Wu on Mao, Tai Yin on Yin, and Tian Hou on Chou. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson, the Day Stem Yi is in Chen, with You on top, riding Liu He; the second lesson, You has Yin on top, riding Tai Yin; the third lesson, the Day Branch You has Yin on top, also riding Tai Yin; the fourth lesson, Yin has Wei on top, riding Azure Dragon. The three transmissions are Wei, Zi, and Si: the first transmission Wei is on the empty position, as the son's yao, riding Azure Dragon; the middle transmission Wu Zi is the parent's yao, riding the Nobleman, falling on the empty position; the final transmission Gui Si is also the son's yao, riding Bai Hu.

邵先生曰：和尚出門撞見，要回寺。又有一貴人來訪，僧高宴款待。吾兄不得豫也。史果至寺門相見，待欲留茶，俄有侍御來見，設席果不預宴。

Shao said: The monk was about to go out and would meet someone at the gate, then return to the temple; there would also be a nobleman visiting, and the monk would prepare a banquet to entertain him, but you would not be able to sit at the banquet. Shi indeed met the monk at the temple gate, and the monk was about to offer him tea, but suddenly a court official arrived and set a banquet, and Shi indeed could not sit at the banquet.

先生析曰；蓋發用空傳，又貴為日之三合，故主一貴人來。未為酒食，原為此貴設也。酉來合乙得六合，故主寺門相見，酉為酒剋日，故雖有酒不宴我也。一云，史公不預宴者，貴人乘子，加未空亡上也。

Master Zhao explained that the first transmission initiates from Kongwang, and the middle transmission's nobleman forms a Triple Harmony with the day stem, indicating that a nobleman will arrive. The hexagram 'Wei' signifies wine and food, meaning the banquet was originally prepared for this nobleman. The hour 'You' combines with Yi to form a Liu He, so they will meet at the temple gate; 'You' also signifies wine but it overcomes the day stem, so although there is wine, I will not be able to sit at the table. Another interpretation is that Mr. Shi cannot sit at the table because the nobleman rides on Zi and is placed on the empty Kongwang 'Wei'.

155）十月丙辰日卯將子時。（子丑空亡，卯辰落空），重審，元胎。用旦貴何也？ 朱蛇 六申酉戌亥貴 陳未 子后 蛇 陳 貴 六 財 庚申 六 初 龍午 丑陰 戌 未 亥 申 官 癸亥 貴 中（暗鬼） 空巳辰卯寅玄 未 辰 申 丙 父 甲寅 玄 末 虎常

Example 155: On the day of Bingchen (丙辰) in the tenth month, the lesson is cast with the month general of卯 (Mao) placed on the Zi (子) hour. The day Bingchen belongs to the Jiayin (甲寅) decade, with the empty space falling on Zi and Chou. The branches of Mao and Chen on the Heaven Plate are exactly on the empty space positions. The lesson has two names: "Chong Shen" (Re-examination) and "Yuan Tai" (Original Fetus). The Zi hour should normally use the night nobleman, but this lesson uses the day nobleman (day nobleman). The original text raises a question: why is this so? On the plate, the nobleman is riding亥 (Hai), beneath it is Teng Snake riding戌 (Xu), followed by Vermilion Bird riding酉 (You), then Liu He riding申 (Shen), Gou Chen riding未 (Wei), Azure Dragon riding午 (Wu), Tian Kong riding巳 (Si), Bai Hu riding辰 (Chen), Tai Chang riding卯 (Mao), Tai Yin riding寅 (Yin), Tian Hou riding丑 (Chou), and the day stem is Bing, which is located in the Si (巳) palace, with Shen (申) above it, riding Liu He. The second lesson is Shen (申) with Hai (亥) above it, riding the nobleman. The third lesson is the day branch Chen (辰) with Wei (未) above it, riding Gou Chen. The fourth lesson is Wei (未) with Xu (戌) above it, riding Teng Snake. The three transmissions are Shen, Hai, and Yin. The first transmission is Gengshen (庚申), representing the wife's wealth, riding Liu He. The middle transmission is Guihai (癸亥), representing the official star, riding the nobleman, and secretly accompanied by a ghost. The final transmission is Jiayin (甲寅), representing the parents' wealth, riding Tian Hou.

邵先生曰：我欲占動靜，今申生於巳，亥生於申，寅生於亥，巳生於寅，宅上又是勾陳入廟，至辛亥年十月方得身動。日往當往東北，近二百里。又轉西北晚處，終於東北之上，年六十九矣。果辛亥十月十七辛巳起行，過婺州，自鄉里行一百八十里，壬子年過嚴州，自鄉中從東北過西北，癸丑又到婺州，終於衙中。

Shao said: I am divining about movement and stillness. Now, Shen is born from Si, Hai is born from Shen, Yin is born from Hai, and Si is born from Yin, forming a cycle of mutual generation; the dwelling position also has Gou Chen in its prime - people will only start to move in the Xinhai year, in the tenth month. He should go to the Northeast, nearly two hundred li away; later he would move to the Northwest to settle, and finally die in the Northeast, living to be sixty-nine years old. Indeed, on the seventeenth day of the tenth month in the Xinhai year, starting from Xinsi, he left from Wuzhou, traveling one hundred and eighty li from his hometown. In the Renzi year, he passed through Yanzhou, moving from his hometown first to the Northeast and then to the Northwest. In the Guichou year, he returned to Wuzhou and died in the government office.

先生析曰；蓋丙以申為妻，巳與申合，又作六合，更未作勾陳，在本家所以戀家，卒難脫解。至辛亥年巳亥相沖，而寅申又沖，十月又是亥月，三個亥沖巳，又寅馬加亥，得沖而動，所以能行動於東北者，乃寅馬合亥，雖脫得沖則行也。癸丑死者，老人五行投生方也。一曰，未加辰宅，辰加丑上，辰為歲之墓也。

Master Zhao explained that Bing takes Shen as his wife, and Si and Shen are in harmony. Shen is also covered by Liu He, and Wei is covered by Gou Chen and sits in its own position, so he is attached to his home and finds it hard to leave. In the Xinhai year, Si and Hai are in opposition, Yin and Shen are also in opposition, and October is the month of Hai, so three Hais come to oppose Si. Moreover, Yin is the Post-horse and is placed on Hai, so when there is opposition and stimulation, movement occurs. Therefore, he can move to the Northeast because Yin horse and Hai are in harmony, even though there is a loss, when there is stimulation, he still moves. In the Guichou year, he dies, because the Five Phases of the old person are directed towards the direction of birth. Another explanation is that Wei is placed on Chen, which is the dwelling position, and Chen is placed on Chou. Chen is exactly the tomb of the year's master.

156）某人丁巳生五十歲占出行，己酉年正月十五甲午日子將午時。（辰巳空亡，戌亥落空），反吟，渉害，無依，元胎。 蛇貴 朱亥子丑寅后 六戌 卯陰 虎 蛇 后 龍 兄 壬寅 后 初 陳酉 辰玄 午 子 寅 申 鬼 丙申 龍 中 龍申未午巳常 子 午 申 甲 兄 壬寅 后 末 空虎

Example 156: A person was born in the year Dingsi, is fifty years old, and is consulting about travel. The time is in the year Jiyou, first month, fifteenth day, day Jiawu. The lesson is cast with the month general of the zodiac month Zi added to the hour of Wu. The month general and the hour are in opposition, so it is called 'Reverse Chant'. The day Jiawu belongs to the Jiawu decade, with the empty position falling on Chen and Si. The branches of the heaven plate, Xu and Hai, are directly on the empty positions. The lesson has four names: 'Reverse Chant', 'Involvement of Harm', 'No Dependence', and 'Original Fetus'. The heaven plate is arranged with the month general Zi added to the hour Wu. The nobleman is on Chou, with Teng Snake on Zi, Vermilion Bird on Hai, Liu He on Xu, Gou Chen on You, Azure Dragon on Shen, Tian Kong on Wei, Bai Hu on Wu, Tai Chang on Si, Tai Yin on Chen, and Heavenly Empress on Yin. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ji on the palace of Yin, with Shen on top, riding on Azure Dragon; the second lesson is Shen with Yin on top, riding on Heavenly Empress; the third lesson is the day branch Wu with Zi on top, riding on Teng Snake; the fourth lesson is Zi with Wu on top, riding on Bai Hu. The three transmissions are Yin, Shen, Yin: the first transmission is Renyin as the brother's yao, riding on Heavenly Empress; the middle transmission is Bingshen as the official ghost's yao, riding on Azure Dragon; the final transmission is again Renyin as the brother's yao, riding on Heavenly Empress.

邵先生曰：主有三千里之動，七年八年方歸也。七月果隨一官員到廣，二千三百里，至八年方歸。蓋日上驛馬交馳，寅申各七數，故有七年之測。行年亥加巳，天門地足，主動必遠也。

Shao said: The person is going on a journey of three thousand li, and will not return for seven or eight years. That year in July, the person indeed followed an official to Guangnan, a distance of two thousand three hundred li, and did not return until the eighth year. This is because the Post-horse is moving back and forth on the day stem, with the numbers of寅 and申 each being seven, so the period of seven years is calculated. The year's亥 is placed on巳, with one end being the heavenly gate and the other the earthly gate, so the person's movement will certainly be far-reaching.

157）邵先生自占一人相訪去吉凶，戊辰日子將酉時。（戌亥空亡，丑寅落空），彈射，孤寡。 朱六 蛇申酉戌亥陳 貴未 子龍 六 貴 陳 蛇 財 空亥 陳 初（空亡） 后午 丑空 戌 未 亥 申 鬼 丙寅 虎 中（落空） 陰巳辰卯寅虎 未 辰 申 戊 父 己巳 陰 末 玄常

Example 157: Master Shao cast a divination himself to determine the fortune of a visitor. The time was on the day of Wu Chen, using the month of Zi with the general placed on You time. Wu Chen day belongs to the Jia Zi decade, with the empty position falling on Xu and Hai. The Heaven Plate's Chou and Yin branches are directly on the empty positions. The lesson names are two: "Shooting" and "Orphan and Widower". The Heaven Plate is arranged with Zi general added to You time. The Nobleman rides Wei, below it Teng Snake rides Shen, Zhu Que rides You, Liu He rides Xu, Gou Chen rides Hai, Qing Long rides Zi, Tian Kong rides Chou, Bai Hu rides Yin, Tai Chang rides Mao, Xuan Wu rides Chen, Tai Yin rides Si, and Tian Hou rides Wu. The four lessons from right to left: the first lesson is Day Stem Wu, located in Si, with Shen above it, riding Teng Snake; the second lesson is Shen with Hai above it, riding Gou Chen; the third lesson is Day Branch Chen with Wei above it, riding Nobleman; the fourth lesson is Wei with Xu above it, riding Liu He. The three transmissions are Hai, Yin, and Si: the first transmission Hai meets the empty position, representing the wife and wealth, riding Gou Chen; the middle transmission Bing Yin is the official and ghost, riding Bai Hu, falling into the empty position; the final transmission Ji Si is the parent and ancestor, riding Tai Yin.

邵先生曰：其人是孤恤一身，蓋亥加申為用乃六害空亡，是真正孤辰寡宿課，故知其人單獨一人而已。

Zhao Master said: This person is alone. Because the亥 is added to the申 to form the first transmission, which is both the sixth harm and meets the empty void, this is truly a lesson of Guchen and Guasu, so he knows that he is merely alone.

158）黃秀才占行人，庚午生三十九歲，戊申年正月丁巳日亥將未時。（子丑空亡，辰巳落空），重審，從革。 蛇貴 朱酉戌亥子后 六申 丑陰 陰 朱 常 貴 財 辛酉 朱 初 陳未 寅玄 丑 酉 卯 亥 子 空丑 陰 中（空亡） 龍午巳辰卯常 酉 巳 亥 己 兄 丁巳 空 末（落空）（丁神） 空虎

Example 158: Huang Xiucai consulted about news of a person. He was born in the year of Gengwu and is thirty-nine years old. The time was in the year of Wushen, first month, day of Dingsi. The class was cast with the month general of Hai added to the hour of Wei. The day Dingsi belongs to the Jiayin decade, with the empty place falling on Zi and Chou. The branches of Chen and Si on the heaven plate are exactly on the empty place positions. The name of the class is two: "Chong Shen" and "Cong Ge" (the three transmissions You, Chou, and Si form a metal group). The heaven plate was set with the general of Hai added to the hour of Wei. The nobleman is on Hai, with Teng Snake on Xu, Vermilion Bird on You, Liu He on Shen, Gou Chen on Wei, Azure Dragon on Wu, Tian Kong on Si, Bai Hu on Chen, Tai Chang on Mao, Tai Yin on Chou, Tian Hou on Zi. The four lessons from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ding, which is in the Wei palace (the original text mistakenly wrote the day stem as Ji, but Ding and Ji both reside in the Wei palace, and the class remains unaffected), with Hai above it, riding the nobleman; the second lesson is Hai with Mao above it, riding Tai Chang; the third lesson is the day branch Si with You above it, riding Vermilion Bird; the fourth lesson is You with Chou above it, riding Tai Yin. The three transmissions You, Chou, and Si: the first transmission is Xin You, which is the wife's wealth, riding Vermilion Bird; the middle transmission is Chou, which is the son's element, riding Tai Yin, and it falls on the empty place; the final transmission is Ding Si, which is the brother's element, riding Tian Kong, which is on the empty place and is also the "Ding spirit."

邵先生曰：此課亥作貴人加丁，是絕神。亥又來克我，本主行人來，奈緣所幹事未遂，兼以宅上財作文書乘破碎，文書次第未備，尚有更改之意。行年在辰，辰上見申，亥水又生在申，絕神帶生，目下未歸，在三月子日至也。

Master Shao said: In this reading, the亥 water is riding on the Nobleman and is added to the Lodging Palace of the丁 fire. The亥 is the绝神 of the丁 fire; furthermore, it comes to克我, which should indicate that the traveler is about to return. However, the traveler has not yet completed the matters he is handling outside; in addition, the wealth hexagram at the dwelling position has transformed into a文书 and is riding on the破碎 evil star, indicating that the paperwork is not yet complete and there are still plans for changes. The person being divined has their year pillar on辰, and on辰 there is申; the亥 water also has its growth in申. The绝神 carries the life qi, so the traveler cannot return at present and will not arrive until the third month when the子 day comes.

黃占友人過浙幹事，行人是庚午命，午加寅，是行人腳下生氣，蹤跡不定，又過東北幹事也。亥為絕神臨日剋日，主必歸。行年上見申又來生，故不歸。又不合初傳自宅上發用出來，又歸今日支神，在東北上作末傳，宅神反出在彼，是二不歸。日上亥水，病於東北，巳乃水絕，支去彼絕，其人在彼，是三不歸也。後果於三月初九戊子至。 同是占行人，又是一樣論應期，乃是論三合在行年上下。

A scholar named Huang predicted that a friend would go to the Zhong region to handle affairs. The person in question was born in the year Gengwu. The horse (午) is placed on the寅, indicating that the person has life qi beneath his feet and his movements are unstable, and he will also go to the northeast. The亥 is the绝神, which is located on the day stem and also overcomes it, meaning that the person is destined to return. However, the year stem shows申, which comes to generate亥, so he will not return immediately. Moreover, the first transmission originates from the residence position, and finally returns to the day branch god, which falls in the northeast, meaning the residence god has moved out to the outside, which is the second reason for not returning. The亥 water on the day stem is weak in the northeast, and巳 is the absolute end for water, so the day branch moves to that place to reach its end, and the person is also there, which is the third reason for not returning. Later, he indeed returned home on the ninth day of the third lunar month, which was the day Wuzi. Although this is another case of predicting the return of a traveler, the method of determining the time of return is different, focusing on the relationship of triple harmony in relation to the year stem.

先生析曰；亥作貴，又作絕，加未即是加丁，是亥絕來克我。本主克干則行人來就我，奈緣所事未遂者，丁干為我，巳支為後，支亦為他，人則所干，為他人之事。巳臨丑位入陷，主事未成，兼以宅上加酉字，乘雀為文書。孟月酉為破碎，則文書不備。酉為干陰之卯所沖，尚有改意。行年在辰，辰上見申生亥水，絕神變生，現尚未歸，而申辰三合，只少子字，故此定辰月子日歸也。以申為太歲，主年內三合全逢即驗。

Shao Master explained that亥 is riding on the Nobleman and is also a dead god; when placed on 未, it is equivalent to being placed on the Lodging Palace of 丁. A dead god coming to attack me indicates that the person in question is coming to me. Unfortunately, the matter he is trying to handle has not yet been completed. 丁 represents me as the Day Stem, and 巳 represents the rear as the Day Branch, which also represents others. Therefore, what he is handling outside is someone else's matter. 巳 is located on 丑 and enters a depressed position, indicating that the matter cannot be completed. Moreover, the house position has 酉, which is riding on the Vermilion Bird representing documents. In the beginning of the month, 酉 is also broken, indicating that the documents are incomplete. 酉 is also attacked by the Yin spirit of 卯 from the Day Stem, indicating that there is still a need for changes. The year position is on 辰, which sees 申 coming to generate 亥 water, transforming the dead god into life qi. Therefore, the person has not returned yet. 申 and 辰 form a Triple Harmony, missing only 子, so it is concluded that he will return on the day of 子 in the month of 辰. Here, 申 is considered the Tai Su, indicating that within a year, when the Triple Harmony is complete, the prediction will be fulfilled.

159）王知縣占新宰幾時至，己丑年十一月甲申日子將申時。（午未空亡，戌亥落空），元首，潤下，勵德，閉口，驀越。 六朱 陳酉戌亥子蛇 龍申 丑貴 玄 蛇 六 虎 財 壬辰 玄 初 空未 寅后 辰 子 戌 午 鬼 甲申 龍 中 虎午巳辰卯陰 子 申 午 甲 父 戊子 蛇 末 常玄

Example 159: Wang County Magistrate divines when the new county magistrate will arrive. The time is the year Jichou, eleventh month, day Jiashen. Using the month of Zi, the general is placed on the hour Shen. The day Jiashen belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty positions falling on Wu and Wei. The Heaven Plate's Wu and Hai branches are exactly on the empty positions. The lesson has five names: "Original Head", "Moistening Down" (the three transmissions Chen, Shen, and Zi form a water pattern), "Upholding Virtue", "Closed Mouth", and "Sudden Leap". The Heaven Plate is set with the general Zi added to the hour Shen. The nobleman rides Chou, below which Teng Snake rides Zi, Zhu Que rides Hai, Liu He rides Xu, Gou Chen rides You, Qing Long rides Shen, Tian Kong rides Wei, Bai Hu rides Wu, Tai Chang rides Si, Tai Yin rides Chen, and Tian Hou rides Yin. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ji, located in the Yin palace, with Wu above it, riding Bai Hu; the second lesson is Wu with Xu above it, riding Liu He; the third lesson is the day branch Shen with Zi above it, riding Teng Snake; the fourth lesson is Zi with Chen above it, riding Xuan Wu. The three transmissions are Chen, Shen, and Zi: the first transmission is Ren Chen, representing the wife's wealth, riding Xuan Wu; the middle transmission is Ji Shen, representing the official's ghost, riding Qing Long; the final transmission is Wu Zi, representing the parents, riding Teng Snake.

邵先生曰：冬占潤下課，正及時也。新官今已至潤州，值水淺來遲耳。三日得信，雲已到潤州，水淺不能前。蓋發用辰加子作元，子江也。上得辰土克之，故淺。十二月至任者，甲日子加申，子乃十二月太陰，今在申，故主十二月。

Shao Master said: Divining in winter to obtain the "runxia" lesson is exactly in harmony with the season. A newly appointed official has now arrived at Runzhou, but he came late because the water was shallow. Three days later, he received news that he had arrived in Runzhou, and the water was too shallow for him to proceed further. This is because the first transmission initiated at Chen was placed on Zi and multiplied by the Black Tortoise. Zi represents rivers and streams, and Chen earth is pressing on top to overcome it, hence the shallow water. The statement that he will take up his post in the twelfth month is because on the day of Jia Zi, Zi was placed on Shen. Zi is the Tai Yin deity of the twelfth month, and now it is located on Shen, thus indicating the twelfth month.

160）汀州府戴公諱儀占風聞朝廷有文字的否，戊戌年六月乙亥日未將巳時。（申酉空亡，戌亥落空），重審，間傳，寡宿，渉三淵。 陳六 龍未申酉戌朱 空午 亥蛇 玄 后 陳 空 官 空申 陳 初（空亡） 虎巳 子貴 卯 丑 申 午 財 甲戌 朱 中（落空） 常辰卯寅丑后 丑 亥 午 乙 父 丙子 貴 末 玄陰

Example 160: Dai Gong, named Yi, from Tingzhou Prefecture, heard rumors of official documents coming from the court and asked whether they were true. The time was on the fifth day of the sixth month in the year of Wu Xu. The class of the month was Wei, and the class was set with Wei as the general added to the time of Si. The day of Yi Hai belonged to the Jia Xu decade, with the empty space falling on Shen and You. The branches of the Heaven Plate, Xu and Hai, were exactly on the empty space positions. The name of the class had four: "Chong Shen" (Re-examination), "Jian Chuan" (Intermediate Transmission), "Guasu" (Solitary Guest), and "She San Yuan" (Involving Three Depths). The Heaven Plate was set with Wei as the general added to the time of Si. The Nobleman rode on Zi, below which Teng Snake rode on Hai, Zhu Que rode on Xu, Liu He rode on You, Gou Chen rode on Shen, Qing Long rode on Wei, Tian Kong rode on Wu, Bai Hu rode on Si, Tai Chang rode on Chen, Xuan Wu rode on Mao, Tai Yin rode on Yin, and Tian Hou rode on Chou. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson was the day stem Yi, which was in the Chén palace, with Wu above it, riding Tian Kong; the second lesson was Wu with Shen above it, riding Gou Chen; the third lesson was the day branch Hai with Chou above it, riding Tian Hou; the fourth lesson was Chou with Mao above it, riding Xuan Wu. The three transmissions were Shen, Xu, and Zi: the first transmission was Shen, which fell in the empty space, being the official star, riding Gou Chen; the middle transmission was Jia Xu, which was the wife and wealth爻, riding Zhu Que, falling in the empty space; the final transmission was Bing Zi, which was the parent爻, riding the Nobleman.

邵先生曰：七月內必有朝廷文字來，被蒿惱不意而動。果於七月癸巳日文字來，充替河州。蓋傳見勾陳乘歲馬作鬼，又雀太歲，末見貴人，月建前一辰為用。應七月，申是歲馬，帶鬼剋日，申為傳送，又為道路，鬼害故來速也。

Shao Master said: Within the seventh month, there would certainly be official documents from the court, causing unexpected travel and disturbance. On the day of Guisi in the seventh month, the documents indeed arrived, and he was ordered to take over the duties in Hezhou. This is because in the three transmissions, Gou Chen was riding on the year's驿马 and transformed into a ghost, while the Vermilion Bird was located on the year's stem. The final transmission showed the presence of a nobleman, with the god preceding the month builder initiating the transmission. The occurrence should be in the seventh month, because the branch of Shen is the Post-horse of the year, bringing the ghost to attack the day stem. Shen is also the「传送」, which governs roads, and the ghost causing harm leads to a quick arrival.

161）某秀才占赴省試，望得失之信，甲戌日酉將卯時。（申酉空亡，寅卯落空），反吟，斬關，元胎。 蛇貴 朱亥子丑寅后 六戌 卯陰 六 玄 后 龍 兄 戊寅 后 初（落空） 陳酉 辰玄 戌 辰 寅 申 官 空申 龍 中（空亡） 龍申未午巳常 辰 戌 申 甲 兄 戊寅 后 末（落空） 空虎

Example 161: A scholar went to the provincial capital to take the examination, hoping to know the outcome, so he sought a divination. The day was Jiaxu, with the month general You added to the卯 hour. The month general and the hour formed a conflict, so it was called 'Reverse Chant'. The day Jiaxu belongs to the Jiaxu decade, with the empty position falling on Shen and You. The branches Yin and Mao on the Heaven Plate are exactly on the empty positions. The lesson has three names: 'Reverse Chant', 'Cutting the Gate', and 'Original Fetus'. The Heaven Plate was set with the month general You added to the卯 hour. The nobleman rode the Ox, below which the Teng Snake rode the Zi, the Vermilion Bird rode the Hai, the Liu He rode the Xu, the Gou Chen rode the You, the Azure Dragon rode the Shen, the Tian Kong rode the Wei, the White Tiger rode the Wu, the Tai Chang rode the Si, the Tai Yin rode the Chen, and the Heavenly Empress rode the Yin. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson, the day stem Jia is located in the Yin palace, with Shen above it, riding the Azure Dragon; the second lesson, Shen has Yin above it, riding the Heavenly Empress; the third lesson, the day branch Xu has Chen above it, riding the Black Tortoise; the fourth lesson, Chen has Xu above it, riding the Liu He. The three transmissions are Yin, Shen, Yin: the first transmission, Wu Yin, as a brother's yao, riding the Heavenly Empress, falling in the empty position; the middle transmission, Shen, encountering the empty position, as an official star, riding the Azure Dragon; the final transmission, again Wu Yin, as a brother's yao, riding the Heavenly Empress, also falling in the empty position.

邵先生曰：占求官、望文字，榜即至矣，恐在四十九名及第耳。果當日榜至，中四十九名。 先生析曰；蓋課傳俱馬，又乘青龍，作官星，祿又得後，故主得官。天罡加支，望事立至，用事嚴緊，故速來。

Master Zhao said: Using this lesson to divinate about seeking official position and expecting official documents, the announcement will arrive immediately, but be careful that the rank might fall at the forty-ninth place. Indeed, the announcement arrived that day, and he ranked forty-ninth. Master Zhao explained: All four lessons and three transmissions are The Post-horse, and they ride the Azure Dragon and transform into official stars, with the禄神 also receiving the Heavenly Empress, thus indicating the attainment of an official position. The Tiangang (Chen) is placed on the day branch, so the desired thing arrives immediately; the god of the action is closely and tightly arranged, hence it comes quickly.

162）寺僧某占舉請長老，望州中文字到否，辛亥日申將巳時。（寅卯空亡，巳午落空），蒿矢，元胎，勵德。 六陳 朱申酉戌亥龍 蛇未 子空 后 常 陰 虎 鬼 乙巳 后 初（落空） 貴午 丑虎 巳 寅 辰 丑 兄 戊申 朱 中 后巳辰卯寅常 寅 亥 丑 辛 子 辛亥 龍 末 陰玄

Example 162: A monk from a certain temple sought divination to determine whether the state government's documents would arrive regarding the recommendation and invitation of an abbot. The date was the Xinhai day, with the Shen month general added to the Si hour to cast the divination. The Xinhai day falls in the Jiachen decade, with the empty position falling on the Yin and Mao branches. The Heaven Plate's Si and Wu branches are directly on the empty positions. The lesson has three names: "Hao Shi", "Yuan Tai", and "Li De". The Heaven Plate is set with the Shen general added to the Si hour. The nobleman is on Wu, with Teng Snake on Wei, Vermilion Bird on Shen, Liu He on You, Gou Chen on Xu, Azure Dragon on Hai, Tian Kong on Zi, Bai Hu on Chou, Tai Chang on Yin, Tai Yin on Chen, Tian Hou on Si. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Xin, located in the Xu palace, with Chou on top, riding Bai Hu; the second lesson is Chou with Chen on top, riding Tai Yin; the third lesson is the day branch Hai with Yin on top, riding Tai Chang; the fourth lesson is Yin with Si on top, riding Tian Hou. The three transmissions are Si, Shen, and Hai: the first transmission is Yi Si, an official ghost爻, riding Tian Hou, falling on an empty position; the middle transmission is Wu Shen, a brother爻, riding Vermilion Bird; the final transmission is Xin Hai, a son and grandson爻, riding Azure Dragon.

邵先生曰：定得文字，目下便至。蓋初傳日馬乘後，為恩澤神。又月建主州府文字。巳時為用，故不出時見之也。只是長老得了，自卻有災，宜保重。乃虎乘墓加身也。果當日文字至，長老交割了，卻謝州府，中路門轅拱柱顛下，手廢而成疾矣。

Master Zhao said: The documents will certainly be obtained and will be sent here soon. Because the first transmission is the Post-horse of the day stem, riding on the Heavenly Empress, and the Heavenly Empress is a deity of grace and favor;巳 is also the month builder, which governs official documents from the prefectural level. The divination was done at the hour of巳, so the巳 was used, meaning the documents will arrive before this hour. However, although the elder was summoned, he himself is suffering from misfortune, so he should take extra care—this is the white tiger riding on the Tomb Spirit, affecting him. Indeed, the documents arrived that day. After completing the transfer, the elder went to the prefectural office to express his thanks, but on the way, he fell from the arch pillar of the gate and injured his hand, resulting in a chronic illness.

163）張一公占州中相論文字，二月辛卯日亥將寅時。（午未空亡，卯辰落空），昂星，龍戰，勵德。 后陰 貴寅卯辰巳玄 蛇丑 午常 龍 朱 陰 虎 子 戊子 朱 初 朱子 未虎 酉 子 辰 未 父 空未 虎 中（空亡） 六亥戌酉申空 子 卯 未 辛 子 戊子 朱 末 陳龍

Example 163: Zhang Yigong consulted a divination for a matter concerning official documents in the state and prefecture. The time was on the day of Xin Mao in the second lunar month, with the month general亥 added to the寅 hour to cast the divination. The day of Xin Mao belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty position falling on午 and未. The branches of the heaven plate,卯 and辰, are directly on the empty positions. The name of the divination has three: "Ang Star", "Dragon Battle", and "Encouraging Virtue". The heaven plate is set with亥 as the general added to the寅 hour. The nobleman is on寅, with the Teng Snake on丑, the Vermilion Bird on子, the Liu He on亥, the Gou Chen on戌, the Azure Dragon on酉, the Tian Kong on申, the White Tiger on未, the Tai Chang on午, the Tai Yin on辰, and the Heavenly Empress on卯. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Xin, which is in the戌 palace, with未 on top, riding the White Tiger; the second lesson is未 with辰 on top, riding the Tai Yin; the third lesson is the day branch卯 with子 on top, riding the Vermilion Bird; the fourth lesson is子 with酉 on top, riding the Azure Dragon. The three transmissions are子,未, and子: the first transmission is Wu Zi, which is the son's yao, riding the Vermilion Bird; the middle transmission is未, which is the parent's yao, riding the White Tiger; the final transmission is again Wu Zi, the son's yao, riding the Vermilion Bird.

邵先生曰：文字今日必來，果應。蓋昴星課，卯日子加卯，朱雀臨門，主文字立至。又子卯相刑，主其來緊速也。又三傳俱在日辰之上，自主日下必然到也。

Zhao Master said: The documents will certainly arrive today. Later it proved true. This is because of the "Mao Star" divination. On a卯 day, Zi is placed above Mao, and the Vermilion Bird is positioned at the gate, indicating the documents will arrive immediately. Also, Zi and Mao are in mutual conflict, indicating the arrival will be urgent. Moreover, all three transmissions fall on the day stem and day branch, which inherently indicates the documents will arrive on the same day.

164）孟承務占幼童，己酉年二月壬午日戌將丑時。（申酉空亡，巳午落空），元首，元胎。 貴后 蛇寅卯辰巳陰 朱丑 午玄 六 貴 陰 虎 財 辛巳 陰 初（落空） 六子 未常 子 卯 巳 申 子 戊寅 蛇 中（暗鬼） 陳亥戌酉申虎 卯 午 申 壬 兄 乙亥 陳 末 龍空

Example 164: Meng Chengwu cast a divination for a young child suffering from illness. The time was the year Jiyou, second month, day Renwu. The month was Xu, and the lesson was cast with Xu as the month general added to the Chou hour. The day Renwu belongs to the Jiaxu decade, with the empty position falling on Shen and You. The Heaven Plate's Si and Wu branches are exactly on the empty positions. The lesson has two names: "Original Head" and "Original Embryo". The Heaven Plate was set with Xu as the general added to the Chou hour. The Nobleman rode on Mao, below it Teng Snake rode on Yin, Vermilion Bird on Chou, Liu He on Zi, Gou Chen on Hai, Azure Dragon on Xu, Tian Kong on You, Bai Hu on Shen, Tai Chang on Wei, Tai Yin on Wu, Tian Hou on Si. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ren, located in Hai, with Shen on top, riding Bai Hu; the second lesson is Shen with Si on top, riding Tai Yin; the third lesson is the day branch Wu with Mao on top, riding Nobleman; the fourth lesson is Mao with Zi on top, riding Liu He. The three transmissions are Si, Yin, and Hai: the first transmission is Xinsi, representing the wife's wealth, riding Tai Yin, falling on an empty position; the middle transmission is Wuyin, representing the son's fortune, riding Teng Snake, secretly accompanied by a ghost; the final transmission is Yihai, representing the brother's fortune, riding Gou Chen.

邵先生曰：此課主病上熱下冷，上膈雖熱不渴，中間風氣相擊，下部不通，因食冷咸物損肺，遂上喘下痞，今宜補肺通腸。蓋曾寄出家，未曾還願之故。今若寄出家，可以免災，終是衰弱，二十一歲後狀如老人，皮消膚瘦，若癆病狀；二十八歲，不能過也。其子病症，果是上熱下冷，因食冷鯗魚湯與麻參，遂得此症。當初舍在淨安寺，繼而贖歸，遂不安，常若癆怯狀；寄在外祖家養育，瘦弱益甚，不曾娶妻，至紹興十六年四月三日病故，果二十八歲也。

Master Zhao said: This case is primarily characterized by upper heat and lower cold. Although there is heat in the upper part, the person does not feel thirsty. There is a conflict between wind and qi in the middle, and the lower part is blocked. The cause is that the person ate cold and salty food, injuring the lungs, leading to shortness of breath above and obstruction below. At present, it is necessary to strengthen the lungs and promote bowel movement. This child had once been entrusted to a monastery but did not fulfill the vow, which led to this condition. If he is entrusted to a monastery again now, it may prevent disaster. However, his constitution is ultimately weak. After the age of twenty-one, he will be like an old man, with thin skin and flesh, resembling tuberculosis. By the age of twenty-eight, he will not survive. This child's condition is indeed upper heat and lower cold, caused by consuming cold dried fish soup and a type of herb called Ma Shen. Initially, he was left at Jing'an Temple, but later was redeemed and brought back, after which he became unsettled, often appearing weak and emaciated like someone with tuberculosis. He was raised by his maternal grandfather, and his weakness became even more severe. He did not marry and died on April 3rd of the 16th year of Shaoxing, exactly at the age of twenty-eight.

先生析曰；夫日上長生是空亡，申為寺院，虛生是寄舍也。壬受申之虎生，卻去生寅木，木生巳火，巳火克申金，申金受克，走來壬上避之，非本意來生也，故終身瘦弱。申數七，亥數四，四七二十八也。初巳火主上熱，末亥水主下冷，上膈在熱而不渴，中間緣寅木，主風氣相擊，下部不通。又巳火傷申金，肺臟上喘必矣。 初傳論上部，中傳論中間，末傳論下部。就初傳論受子女耶？是就日干上下論耶：

Master Zhao explained that the Day Stem's Growth is exactly at Kongwang, and since the Monkey (申) is associated with temples, this Growth is empty and not substantial, indicating a nominal dedication of the body. The壬 water is generated by the White Tiger in the Monkey, but instead of supporting the壬, it goes on to generate the寅 wood, which in turn generates the巳 fire. The巳 fire then goes on to overcome the Monkey metal. The Monkey metal, being overcome, flees to the壬 for refuge, not out of genuine support, hence the person's lifelong weakness. The number of the Monkey is seven, and the number of the亥 is four, and four times seven equals twenty-eight, which is his lifespan. The initial transmission's巳 fire indicates upper body fever, while the final transmission's亥 water indicates lower body coldness, hence the upper body is hot but not thirsty. In the middle, there is the寅 wood, which indicates wind and qi conflict and blockage in the lower part. The巳 fire also harms the Monkey metal, leading to inevitable shortness of breath in the lungs. Additionally, it is said that the initial transmission concerns the upper part, the middle transmission the middle part, and the final transmission the lower part. As for whether the initial transmission is used to discuss children or the upper and lower spirits of the Day Stem, this point still requires further consideration.

165）王縣丞甲戌生三十五歲占病，戊申年六月甲寅日未將卯時。（子丑空亡，辰巳落空），八專，帷簿，勵德。 六朱 陳酉戌亥子蛇 龍申 丑貴 六 虎 六 虎 鬼 庚申 龍 初（暗鬼） 空未 寅后 戌 午 戌 午 子 戊午 虎 中 虎午巳辰卯陰 午 寅 午 甲 子 戊午 虎 末 常玄

Example 165: Wang County Magistrate was born in the year of Jiaxu, and is thirty-five years old. He consulted about his illness. The time was in the year of Wushen, sixth month, day of Jiayin. The divination was started with the month general of Wei added to the卯 hour. The day Jiayin belongs to the Jiayin decade, with the empty palace falling on Zi and Chou. The branches of Chen and Si on the heaven plate are exactly on the empty palace positions. The name of the lesson has three: "Eight Special" (Jia is lodged in the寅 palace, and shares the same palace with the day branch寅), "Vestry" and "Urging Virtue". The heaven plate was set with the month general of Wei added to the卯 hour. The nobleman is on Chou, with Teng Snake on Zi, Vermilion Bird on Hai, Liu He on Xu, Gou Chen on You, Azure Dragon on Shen, Tian Kong on Wei, Bai Hu on Wu, Tai Chang on Si, Tai Yin on Chen, Tian Hou on Yin. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Jia lodged in the寅 palace, with Wu on top, riding Bai Hu; the second lesson is Wu with Xu on top, riding Liu He; the third lesson is the day branch寅 with Wu on top, riding Bai Hu; the fourth lesson is Wu with Xu on top, riding Liu He. The three transmissions are Shen, Wu, Wu: the first transmission Geng Shen is the official ghost爻, riding Azure Dragon, secretly accompanied by ghost; the middle transmission Wu Wu is the son and grandson爻, riding Bai Hu; the final transmission is still Wu Wu, the son and grandson爻, riding Bai Hu.

邵先生曰：此課日辰皆見午，甲寅二木，皆死於午，那堪中末又是午，初傳又是絕神，六月午為月病符，旺火蝕休木，本宮又克父母，既無父母，亦難為子息，及自身。幸行年在子上燒不盡，三十七行年到寅，鞏難。三十九行年到辰見申，尤難過矣。須先克了子，便乃心病，且作廢人也。王縣丞授邵武軍，是年遭喪男女四人，果成心病不赴任，恣狂而走，至三十七癲痴不知人事，亦不飲食，幾兩月方瘥。三十九上，又復如此，卻不死，四十歲上，太歲到寅死。

Master Zhao said: In this case, both the day stem and day branch are Wu. The stem Jia and the branch Yin, both representing wood, die in Wu. Moreover, the middle and final transmissions are also Wu. The initial transmission, Shen, is still the death god for Jia wood. In June, Wu is the Bingfu, and the strong fire will consume the weak and confined wood. The native's own palace also harms the parents. Since the parents are harmed, it is difficult to preserve children and oneself. Fortunately, the year pillar is Zi, so it has not yet been completely burned. At thirty-seven, when the year pillar reaches Yin, it will be difficult. At thirty-nine, when the year pillar reaches Chen and meets Shen, it will be even worse. It is certain that the children will be harmed first, then the person will suffer from heart disease and become disabled. County Magistrate Wang was assigned to the post at Shao Wu Army. That year, he indeed lost four children, and indeed suffered from heart disease and did not take office. He became mad and ran about everywhere. At thirty-seven, he became痴呆 and unconscious, did not eat, and recovered after nearly two months. At thirty-nine, it happened again, but he did not die. At forty, the year pillar reached Yin, and he died.

先生析曰；蓋上午、辰上午、中傳午、末傳午，共四午來蝕甲寅，是四個月病符、四個天鬼。天鬼常傳四仲神，建寅居酉逆相巡，行年日上如遭著，災禍刑傷病擾人。四個天地轉殺春卯夏午秋酉冬子、四個白虎，所以喪四子，午為心，遇虎故主顛狂。木死於午，故為廢人。天鬼多生於疫病，故死者非二四即五六也。

Master Zhao explained that there is a Wu in the previous stem of the day stem, a Wu in the previous branch of the day branch, a Wu in the middle transmission, and a Wu in the final transmission, making a total of four Wus that consume Jia and Yin. This corresponds to four months of Bingfu and four heavenly ghosts. The mnemonic for heavenly ghosts says: "Heavenly ghosts often transmit the four central deities, starting from the year of Yin and moving in reverse order; if the year of birth falls on the day, calamity, punishment, illness, and suffering will afflict the person." The four Wus also represent four instances of celestial and terrestrial turning kills (spring at Mao, summer at Wu, autumn at You, winter at Zi), which are also four White Tigers. Thus, four children are lost. Wu in the human body represents the heart, and encountering the White Tiger leads to madness; wood dies at Wu, so the person becomes disabled. Heavenly ghosts are mostly related to epidemics, so the number of deaths is either two or four, or five or six.

用五月祿說神煞用六月以得節論。此處論生死，太歲到寅，上見午，為日之死神。 四午字，為死神、天鬼、病神、白虎加之，為脫耗日干甲木之休氣。午為心作昏迷煞，白虎為道路神，故狂而走。

Another method: start with the禄 in May, and for discussing divine omens, use June, both based on the solar terms that have already passed. Here, discussing life and death, the sovereign year is at寅, and there is午 on寅. 午 is the death deity of the day stem. The four 午 characters also serve as death deity, heavenly ghost, and disease deity, with White Tiger added, which consumes completely the already weak and confined energy of the day stem Jia Wood. 午 in the human body represents the heart, transforming into a spirit of confusion; White Tiger is the deity of roads, so the person becomes frenzied and runs about outside.

166）徐孺人己卯生三十歲占病，戊申年五月癸巳日申將卯時。（午未空亡，亥子落空），重審，斬關，孤辰。 空虎 龍戌亥子丑常 陳酉 寅玄 陰 龍 空 蛇 財 空午 蛇 初（空亡） 六申 卯陰 卯 戌 亥 午 兄 丁亥 空 中（落空）（丁神） 朱未午巳辰后 戌 巳 午 癸 鬼 壬辰 后 末 蛇貴

Example 166: Xu Ruren was born in the Jiamao year and is thirty years old. She consulted about her illness. The time was in the Wushen year, fifth month, Dinghai day. The lesson was cast with the Month General of Shen added to the卯 hour. The Dinghai day belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty positions falling on Wu and Wei. The Heaven Plate's Zi and Hai branches are directly on the empty positions. The lesson has three names: "Chong Shen" (Re-examination), "Zhan Guan" (Cutting the Gate), and "Guchen" (Solitary Hour). The Heaven Plate is set with the Shen General added to the卯 hour. The Nobleman is on巳, with Teng Snake on午, Vermilion Bird on未, Liu He on申, Gou Chen on酉, Qinglong on戌, Tian Kong on亥, Baihu on子, Tai Chang on丑, Xuanwu on寅, Tai Yin on卯, and Tian Hou on辰. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the Day Stem Gui, which is in the Chou palace, with午, riding Teng Snake; the second lesson is午 with亥, riding Tian Kong; the third lesson is the Day Branch Si with戌, riding Qinglong; the fourth lesson is戌 with卯, riding Tai Yin. The three transmissions are午, Hai, and Chen: the first transmission is午, which falls on the empty position, representing the wife's wealth, riding Teng Snake; the middle transmission is Dinghai, representing the brother's wealth, riding Tian Kong, falling on the empty position, and also being the "Ding God"; the final transmission is Renchen, representing the official's ghost, riding Tian Hou.

邵先生曰：日上午作蛇見空亡，為偏空。陰人所苦，遂至心下不足，遇飢則氣攻心胸，眼目昏暗，生子多但不實，內一子足多一趾。中年血海敗，五十左右則成血癭，不宜破，破則死矣。在五十四五之間。平生不宜養蠶，恐因蠶得病也。徐孺人之父有妾，即孺人乳母。父死隨孺人在徐司理家，常與司理不合，故孺人得病，以乳母故也。生子十一胎，存三人，內一子多趾。四十一血敗，三年成癭 ，五十四因養蠶夜出胃冷致疾，癭破出血數升而死。

Shao Master said: When the day stem is on the午 branch, and it is occupied by Teng Snake and meets Kongwang, it is called 'partial emptiness'. This indicates being troubled by a woman, leading to dissatisfaction in the heart, feeling hungry and then experiencing heart pain and blurred vision. Although many children are born, they are difficult to raise, and one of the sons has an extra toe. In middle age, the blood sea deteriorates, and around the age of fifty, a blood tumor will form, which must not be pierced, as piercing it will cause death, occurring around the age of forty-four and five. Throughout his life, he should avoid raising silkworms, as he is afraid of getting sick from raising them. Xu Ruren's father had a concubine, who was also Ruren's wet nurse. After the father's death, she lived with Ruren in Xu's family, often having conflicts with the master, so Ruren got sick because of this wet nurse. She gave birth to eleven children, with three surviving, one of whom had an extra toe. At forty-one, her blood declined, and three years later, a tumor formed. At fifty-four, she went out at night while raising silkworms, caught a cold in her stomach, and the tumor broke open, causing several liters of blood to flow out, leading to her death.

先生析曰；蓋日上見午為心，癸水滅午火又空亡，是心受制而不足，午為陰人，空則無位為妾，蛇在午上擾，故知為此陰人所苦。又午為目，蛇擾水制，又空亡，自然昏暗。飢痛者，己卯生人，祿在午，空則亂也。蛇擾故痛。戌土上見青龍，故主多趾。又戌為足也。血敗者，亥坐空亡，又乘天空故也。血癭者，辰加亥為天后，辰堅土，加血上，故為血癭。天后主厭穢，癸水入辰墓，故癭破而死也。

Master Zhao explained that the day stem is seen with Wu, which in the human body represents the heart; the癸 water extinguishes the Wu fire, and Wu also meets Kongwang, indicating the heart is restrained and the blood and qi are insufficient. Wu also represents a woman, and meeting Kongwang means there is no official status, so she is a concubine; the Teng Snake disturbs Wu, so it is known that she is troubled by this woman. Wu also represents the eyes, and being disturbed by the Teng Snake and extinguished by water, along with Kongwang, naturally causes the eyes to become dim. As for the pain when hungry, it is because she was born in the Ji Mao year, with her luck god at Wu, and Wu being empty causes the luck to be disordered; the Teng Snake disturbs, hence the pain. The presence of Qinglong on the Xu earth indicates an extra toe, as Xu also represents the feet. Blood failure is due to the亥 sitting on Kongwang and being multiplied by Tian Kong. Blood tumor is because the辰 is placed on the亥 and multiplied by the Heavenly Empress; the辰 is solid earth, placed on the blood god, thus forming a blood tumor. The Heavenly Empress signifies filth, and the癸 water enters the辰's tomb, so the tumor breaks and bleeds to death.

167）伊秀才占父病，父丙辰生六十四歲，己酉年十月丙申日寅將寅時。（辰巳空亡，辰巳落空），伏吟，元胎，勵德，寡宿。 六朱 陳巳午未申蛇 龍辰 酉貴 蛇 蛇 陳 陳 兄 空巳 陳 初（空亡） 空卯 戌后 申 申 巳 巳 財 丙申 蛇 中 虎寅丑子亥陰 申 申 巳 丙 父 壬寅 虎 末（暗鬼） 常玄

Example 167: A scholar named Yi consulted about his father's illness. His father was born in the year Bingchen and is sixty-four years old. The time was Jiyou year, tenth lunar month, Bingshen day. The divination was started with the month general Yiny added to the寅 hour. Since the month general and the hour are the same, it is called 'Hidden Chant'. The Heaven Plate and Earth Plate are completely overlapping. The Bingshen day belongs to the Jiawu decade, and the empty palace falls on Chen and Si. Under the Hidden Chant, the Heaven and Earth plates overlap, and Chen and Si are exactly on top of the empty palace. The name of the lesson includes four: 'Hidden Chant', 'Original Fetus', 'Cultivating Virtue', and 'Gua Su'. In the plate, the Nobleman is riding You, below which Teng Snake rides Shen, Zhu Que rides Wei, Liu He rides Wu, Gou Chen rides Si, Qing Long rides Chen, Tian Kong rides Mao, Bai Hu rides Yin, Tai Chang rides Chou, Xuan Wu rides Zi, Tai Yin rides Hai, and Tian Hou rides Xu. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Bing, which is located in the Si palace, and sees Si, riding Gou Chen; the second lesson is Si, which sees Si, riding Gou Chen; the third lesson is the day branch Shen, which sees Shen, riding Teng Snake; the fourth lesson is Shen, which sees Shen, riding Teng Snake. The three transmissions are Si, Shen, and Yin: the first transmission Si meets the empty palace, representing the brother's yao, riding Gou Chen; the middle transmission Bingshen represents the wife's wealth yao, riding Teng Snake; the final transmission Renyin represents the parent's yao, riding Bai Hu, and secretly carries the ghost.

邵先生曰：此課自本身傳歸妻宮，妻宮又傳歸父母，六旬向上人，占病不宜見父母。蓋父母既故，故是下世重見父母也。行年與本身並，愛圅曰：六十四歲行年在巳，巳既丙，丙為本身，故云行年與本身並。然則的是六十四歲。因財上及舊事不足，酉年以申財為病符，病符主舊事，的是己酉年占，其本命定丙午年。愛圅又識。以致傷心。中間又是財爻入課，必是財切，兼與妻不足，遂激成病。末傳生氣，此課本主未死，緣父母宮艮山墳，左邊地風吹骨轉，右邊白蟻又入棺，若急移墳，可以延年。否則歸冥矣。

Shao Master said: This divination starts from the self to the wife's palace, and then returns to the parents' palace. For people over sixty years old, when they consult about illness, it is most undesirable to see the parents'爻. If the parents have already passed away, seeing the parents'爻 is like going to the underworld to meet them again. The year of birth and the self are in the same place (the commentator notes: the year of birth is in the巳, which is the lodgment palace of丙, and丙 represents the self, so the year of birth and the self are together; thus it is indeed the year of sixty-four). The illness is caused by dissatisfaction with money and old matters (the commentator notes: the酉 year takes申 as wealth, and申 is the disease symbol, which governs old matters, so it is indeed the year of己酉. His true birth year is丙午). This led to sorrow. In the middle, there is a wealth爻 entering the divination, which indicates pressure from money, combined with discord with the wife, thus causing the illness. The final transmission carries life qi, so this divination does not indicate death. However, because the parents' grave is on the mountain of艮, there is a wind from the left that turns over the bones, and white ants from the right that enter the coffin. If the grave is moved quickly, longevity can be extended; otherwise, he will pass away.

伊父之病，因為子娶婦囊空，不順意、煩心，遂心熱致渴成病，日漸狼狽，兼子又無書舍，愈增煩悶。先生令其移墳，渠及移利方，移意遂決。及開棺視之，則地風吹棺中骸骨顛倒，白蟻滿棺，泥土淤塞，於是易棺移葬，病日漸退，從此安好。次年其子又得一好書舍，雍容而過，安樂八十歲方卒。

I father's illness began because he spent all his money on marrying off his son, leading to many troubles and a restless mind. This caused internal heat and thirst, making his condition worse day by day. Moreover, since his son had no place to study, his worries increased. Master Shao told him to move the grave. He wanted to move it to a favorable direction, so he decided to do so. When they opened the coffin, they found that the wind had blown the bones inside out of order, and there were white ants all over the coffin, with dirt blocking the way. They then replaced the coffin and reburied him, and his illness gradually improved, eventually getting better. The next year, his son obtained a good study house, and their life became more comfortable and peaceful. The old man lived happily until he reached the age of eighty.

先生析曰；蓋丙日寅為父母爻，上見白虎，定是父母墳不安。六旬人見父爻，本不利。然寅為丙之長生，故得不死，而以父母墳斷也。白蟻之凶，乘白虎也。此伏吟上下皆父母，非他占可單用也。余按寅木主風，故云風吹骨轉。 因占病又占出墳墓不吉之論，論得病源由。說出墳墓之災。

Shao Master explained that on a Bing day, the寅 is considered the parent's yao. The寅 also has the White Tiger, which certainly indicates that the parents' grave is not peaceful. For people over sixty, encountering the parent's yao is generally unfavorable; however, since寅 is the long life of丙 fire, it is not fatal, so it turns to the parents' grave for interpretation. Theinauspicious sign of ants is seen from the White Tiger it rides. This is a case of hidden chant, where all the upper and lower elements are parent's yao, which cannot be applied to other cases. Also, note that寅 wood represents wind, so it is said that the wind from the earth overturns the bones. This case was originally about illness, but it turned into a discussion about an unfavorable grave. From this, the root cause of the illness is discussed, and the disaster on the grave is also revealed.

168）張逸士庚戌生五十九歲占病，戊申年九月庚寅日辰將丑時。（午未空亡，酉戌落空）， 朱六 蛇申酉戌亥陳 貴未 子龍 蛇 陰 虎 陳 兄 甲申 蛇 初 后午 丑空 申 巳 寅 亥 子 丁亥 陳 中（丁神）（暗鬼） 陰巳辰卯寅虎 巳 寅 亥 庚 財 庚寅 虎 末 玄常

Example 168: Zhang Yishi was born in the year Geng Xu and is now 59 years old. He consulted about his illness. The time was in the year Wu Shen, ninth month, day Geng Yin. The class was cast with the month general Chen added to the time of Chou. The class pattern is exactly the same as the one in example 135, where Zhang Gong consulted about his shop business. The day Geng Yin belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty positions falling on Wu and Wei. The branches You and Xu on the heaven plate are exactly on the positions of emptyness. The heaven plate was set with the general Chen added to the time of Chou. The nobleman is on Wei, with Teng Snake on Shen, Vermilion Bird on You, Liu He on Xu, Gou Chen on Hai, Azure Dragon on Zi, Tian Kong on Chou, White Tiger on Yin, Tai Chang on Mao, Tai Yin on Chen, and Heavenly Empress on Wu. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Geng, located in the Shen palace, with Hai above it, riding on Gou Chen; the second lesson is Hai with Yin above it, riding on White Tiger; the third lesson is the day branch Yin with Si above it, riding on Tai Yin; the fourth lesson is Si with Shen above it, riding on Teng Snake. The three transmissions are Shen, Hai, and Yin: the first transmission is Jiashen, representing the brother's yao, riding on Teng Snake; the second transmission is Dinghai, representing the son's yao, riding on Gou Chen, and also the 'Ding god' with a hidden ghost; the third transmission is Gengyin, representing the wife's wealth yao, riding on White Tiger.

邵先生曰：此課大凶，上下俱脫，其病恐是洩瀉上得之，自後寒熱往來，必成五癆七傷。又兼翻胃吐食，況日上生水，金去生水，多主冷涎，支上見巳，木生虛火，必心下不寧，遂至此病。兼之白濁，死在二十八日，不然再歷二十八日，難過矣。此課始終見凶神，上下皆盜氣，巳亥俱四數，申數七，四七二十八，兩處皆見，五十六日也。日干為上部，支辰為下部。

Master Zhao said: This reading is extremely ominous, with all things above and below being of a nature that drains and disperses energy. His illness is likely to have originated from a condition of diarrhea. In the future, he will surely experience alternating chills and fever, leading to a state of five wasting syndromes and seven injuries. He will also suffer from vomiting and regurgitation. Moreover, the heavenly stem of the day is connected to water, and metal generates water, which predominantly indicates cold phlegm. The earthly branch of the day is巳, which produces false fire from wood, causing restlessness in the heart region, thus resulting in this illness. Additionally, if his urine is white and turbid, his death will occur within twenty-eight days. If not, another twenty-eight days will not be endured. This reading consistently shows ominous spirits, with all aspects being of a nature that drains energy. The numbers associated with巳 and亥 are each four, while the number for申 is seven. Four times seven equals twenty-eight, and both aspects are present, totaling fifty-six days. The heavenly stem represents the upper part, while the earthly branch represents the lower part.

169）葉八即行醫求占生意，戊申年十二月辛卯日丑將巳時。（午未空亡，寅卯落空），比用，曲直，佚女，寡宿，知一。 陳六 龍丑寅卯辰朱 空子 巳蛇 后 虎 陳 貴 父 空未 后 初（空亡） 虎亥 午貴 未 亥 寅 午 財 辛卯 六 中（落空） 常戌酉申未后 亥 卯 午 辛 子 丁亥 虎 末（丁神） 玄陰

Example 169: Ye Ba, who is a physician, came to consult about business. The time was in the year of Wu Shen, the twelfth month, day of Xin Mao. The lesson was cast with the month general Chou added to the time of Si. The day of Xin Mao belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty space falling on Wu and Wei. The branches of Yin and Mao on the Heaven Plate are exactly on the empty space positions. The lesson has five names: "Comparison and Use", "Curved and Straight" (the three transmissions of Wei, Mao, and Hai form a wood trinity), "Missing Woman", "Guasu", and "Knowing One". The Heaven Plate was set with the general Chou added to the time of Si. The nobleman is on Wu, with Teng Snake on Si, Vermilion Bird on Chen, Liu He on Mao, Gou Chen on Yin, Azure Dragon on Chou, Tian Kong on Zi, White Tiger on Hai, Tai Chang on Xu, Tai Yin on Shen, Tian Hou on Wei. The four lessons from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Xin, located in the Xu palace, with Wu above it, riding the nobleman; the second lesson is Wu with Yin above it, riding Gou Chen; the third lesson is the day branch Mao with Hai above it, riding White Tiger; the fourth lesson is Hai with Wei above it, riding Tian Hou. The three transmissions are Wei, Mao, and Hai: the first transmission Wei meets the empty space, representing the parents' yao, riding Tian Hou; the middle transmission Xin Mao is the wife and wealth yao, riding Liu He, falling into the empty space; the final transmission Ding Hai is the son and grandson yao, riding White Tiger, and is also the "Ding spirit".

邵先生曰：金日得木，滿盤皆財，不合午來化許多敗氣，木又死於午，作貴人偏不利醫貴人，卻有天醫在中傳，地醫在末傳，能制午火，貴人管事，是臨危之病，方來相請。有一婦人害反胃者，醫肝不醫胃；有一小兒中風氣者，通水臟不得治風，依此行人，可以取效也。汝屋上不合著一獸頭東立，人家亦有一獸頭相觸百達人，故財不入耳。葉八郎醫道不甚興，治小兒有效，才治大家便不效，其先人因對面有破山頭，遂以獸頭屋上鎮之，西北之家亦然。在葉氏屋前對沖。

Shao said: On a day with the辛 metal day stem, if the whole chart is full of wood, then everywhere is wealth; but unfortunately the午 fire comes and produces a lot of败气, and the wood dies in the午. The午 is occupied by the nobleman, so it is particularly unfavorable to treat the nobleman. However, the middle transmission has the tianyi and the final transmission has the diyi, both of which can control the午 fire. The nobleman is in authority and manages affairs, so it can be seen that one will only come to call on you when the illness is critical. In the future, if a woman suffers from vomiting, you should treat the liver rather than the stomach; if a child catches a wind stroke, you should promote the water organs rather than treat the wind. If you treat in this way, you will see results. Also, you should not have a beast's head facing east on your roof, as the neighbor's house also has one facing directly, and the two collide and offend passersby, so wealth cannot come in. Ye Bailang's medical skills were not very prosperous, and he was effective in treating children, but he was ineffective when treating large families. Originally, his ancestors, because there was a broken mountain in front, installed a beast's head on the roof to suppress it; the family in the northwest did the same, facing directly towards Ye's house in front.

先生析曰；蓋以白虎立亥在卯之上，是本家屋上之獸頭也。亥本宮上見未，有夜之白虎，是西北鄰家之獸頭也。葉因先生之言，而去之，次年正月初七日，楊七小娘子患翻胃，前請數十醫，經年不效，是日請葉治之，葉思先生之言，遂調治肝經即效，得錢二十餘緡。至三月十八日，徐參議之孫六歲，中風四五日瞑目不動，來請。葉又思先生之言，遂以瀉藥利其水臟，六七日能行，脫然無虞。又獲錢三百餘緡 ，自此醫道大行，遂緣天后在未來加亥，卯來克未，未遂克亥，故主反胃，先因卯克之，卯屬肝經，所以當治肝也。

Master Shao explained that the White Tiger is positioned on the亥 (Hai) branch, and the亥 (Hai) branch is also over the卯 (Mao) branch. The White Tiger represents the image of an animal's head, which refers to the one on his own house. On the亥 (Hai) branch, the original position of the branch is overlapped by the未 (Wei) branch, and on the未 (Wei) branch, there is another White Tiger of the night general. Since the亥 (Hai) branch belongs to the Northwest direction, that refers to the animal head of the neighbor to the Northwest. Hearing Master Shao's explanation, Ye Ba removed the animal head on his own house. On the seventh day of the first lunar month the next year, Yang Qiuxiaomang's wife suffered from vomiting, and she had consulted dozens of doctors for over a year without any improvement. That day she invited Ye Ba to treat her. Ye Ba recalled Master Shao's words and treated the liver meridian, and it immediately improved, earning him over twenty guan. On the eighteenth day of the third lunar month, Xu Canyi's six-year-old grandson had a stroke, and for four or five days he remained closed-eyed and motionless. They invited Ye Ba to treat him. Again, Ye Ba recalled Master Shao's words and used purgative medicine to clear the water organs, and within six or seven days the child could walk and was completely well, earning him over three hundred guan. From then on, his medical practice became very popular. The main cause of vomiting is because the Heavenly Empress is on the未 (Wei) branch and affects the亥 (Hai) branch, with the卯 (Mao) branch attacking the未 (Wei) branch, which in turn attacks the亥 (Hai) branch. Initially, the卯 (Mao) branch attacks it, and since the卯 (Mao) branch belongs to the liver meridian, treatment should focus on the liver.

亥為幼子，亥水生木不成局，則生風。叵導水使行，則風自息矣。未為亥胃覆生在下，故翻胃。一作覆在卯下，故主反胃。愛圅按：未加亥並非受生，則覆在卯下為是。三傳木局，木克土，故治肝木而不治胃土。辛日亥為幼子，加卯六數，是六歲。亥水生木，木主風，故理水臟而不治風木也。白虎在亥，通之為佳，故宜瀉也。

The亥 represents a young child;亥 water nourishes wood but does not form a complete pattern, thus generating wind. As long as the water is guided and flows smoothly, the wind will naturally subside. The未 is the stomach of亥, inverted and located below, hence causing regurgitation; another version states it is inverted below卯, hence indicating reverse regurgitation. Ai Du notes: the未 placed on亥 is not a case of being nourished, so it should be stated as inverted below卯. The three transmissions form a wood pattern, and wood can overcome earth, so the treatment should focus on the liver wood rather than the stomach earth. On a辛 day,亥 is considered the young child, placed on卯, which has the number six, corresponding to six years old.亥 water nourishes wood, and wood is associated with wind, so the treatment should focus on regulating the water organ rather than treating the wind wood. The White Tiger is located on亥, so it is advisable to open it up, hence the use of a draining method.

年月日時俱以前二辰為天醫，對沖為地醫。日地醫從子起順行十二辰。 午剋日，故寅卯為日財，午耗之，亥乘虎自刑又傷午貴。未乘天后為婦人，未又為胃，卯克之，制倒木局，故翻胃。卯為肝，治肝不克胃，六合為小兒。

An additional method: for the year, month, day, and hour, the two preceding branches are considered as Tianyi. The branch that is in opposition to Tianyi is called Diyi. The Diyi on the day stem starts from Zi and counts through the twelve branches in order. Wu is able to overcome the day stem, while Yin and Mao are the wealth of the day stem, which is consumed by Wu. Hai is occupied by the White Tiger and causes self-punishment, further injuring the nobleman on Wu. Wei is occupied by the Heavenly Empress, representing a woman, and also signifies the stomach. Being overcome by Mao, it suppresses the wood element, leading to the condition of reversed stomach function. Mao represents the liver, so treating the liver prevents injury to the stomach. Liu He represents children.

170）樊郎中往治項秀才病，來占。項丁丑生三十三歲，己酉年九月甲子日卯將申時。（戌亥空亡。巳午落空），知一，長幼，度厄。 貴后 蛇子丑寅卯陰 朱亥 辰玄 后 空 玄 陳 兄 丙寅 后 初 六戌 巳常 寅 未 辰 酉 鬼 癸酉 陳 中 陳酉申未午虎 未 子 酉 甲 財 戊辰 玄 末 龍空

Example 170: Fan Langzhong is going to treat Xiang Xiusheng, so he first sets up the divination. Xiang Xiusheng was born in the year Dingchou and is thirty-three years old. The time is on the day of Jiazi in the ninth month of the year Guiyou. Using the month of卯 as the general, it is placed on the hour of Shen. The day of Jiazi belongs to the Jiazi cycle, with the empty position falling on Xu and Hai. The branches of the heaven plate,巳 and午, are directly on the empty positions. The name of the lesson has three: "Know One", "Elder and Younger", "Overcome Misfortune". The heaven plate is set with卯 as the general added to the hour of Shen. The nobleman is on Chou, below it is Teng Snake on Zi, Vermilion Bird on Hai, Liu He on Xu, Gou Chen on You, Azure Dragon on Shen, Tian Kong on Wei, Bai Hu on Wu, Tai Chang on Si, Tai Yin on Chen, Tian Hou on Mao. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Jia, which is in the palace of Yin, with You above it, riding on Gou Chen; the second lesson is You with Chen above it, riding on Xuan Wu; the third lesson is the day branch Zi with Wei above it, riding on Tian Kong; the fourth lesson is Wei with Yin above it, riding on Tian Hou. The three transmissions are Yin, You, and Chen: the first transmission is Bingyin, which is the brother's yao, riding on Tian Hou; the middle transmission is Guiyou, which is the official ghost yao, riding on Gou Chen; the final transmission is Wuchen, which is the wife's wealth yao, riding on Xuan Wu.

邵先生曰：此病人往妻家有私情，因暗中相約，又失去情人所贈之物，遂思慮而得病，久而不治，必成癆怯。日上見酉作勾陳，思慮已傷肌膚，酉為閉口，此事難言也。當時樊亦庸醫，因先生之斷，假託診脈為名，言其病症，人皆驚異以為神醫。

Shao said: This patient had an affair with a woman from his wife's family, and the two secretly agreed. Later, he lost an item given by his lover, and thus became ill from overthinking. If left untreated for a long time, he will certainly develop a wasting illness. The day stem is seen with You and is occupied by Gou Chen, indicating that his thinking has already harmed his skin. You also signifies closing the mouth, meaning he cannot speak about this matter. Fan, the doctor, was originally an ordinary physician, but by quoting Shao's words, he pretended to diagnose by pulse and described the patient's symptoms one by one, and everyone was amazed, treating him as a divine doctor.

蓋項因妻母死，往妻家與舅嫂通，被妻舅知覺，遂歸。舅嫂以手帕贈之，項歸而失去，被妻拾得收藏，項不敢問，思之成病，肌膚消瘦，項既不言，妻亦不解；及聞樊郎中之言，妻乃出帕還之；樊深戒利害，服藥而愈。

At first, Xiang Xiucai went to his wife's family to attend the funeral of his mother-in-law, and had an affair with his wife's mother-in-law. When his wife's brother discovered this, Xiang returned home. His wife's mother-in-law gave him a handkerchief. After he returned home, he lost the handkerchief, which was picked up by his wife and kept by her. Xiang did not dare to ask about it, and after much thinking, he became ill, losing weight. Since he would not speak out, his wife also did not mention it. Only after listening to Fan Langzhong's words did his wife take out the handkerchief and return it to him. Fan then seriously warned him about the consequences, and after taking the medicine, Xiang recovered.

先生析曰；蓋此課日投入四課發用，復傳歸日，循環不斷，支為宅，支上未為妻，四課者，宅內也，是妻家矣。今寅投入四課，加妻爻上作天后，是與妻家婦人通矣。日上酉作勾陳，酉為色，勾為思慮，今得日鬼，思慮已傷肌膚，安得不病？然甲子旬酉為閉口，此事難言。辰為皮，為肌膚，加酉敗氣上，乘元武為走洩，故主消瘦。行年在戌，戌上巳，作太常，常主絲棉，是手帕也。己酉與三合，故主情人之物也。愛圅曰：太常加空，故遺失。明說而安者，行年上巳火能制酉金也。

Shao Master explained that in this case, the day stem enters the four lessons and initiates the transmission, then returns to the day stem, forming a continuous cycle. The day branch represents the house, and the you on the day branch represents the wife. The four lessons represent matters within the house, indicating the wife's family. Now, the yin enters the four lessons and is placed on top of the wife's爻, riding on the Heavenly Empress, indicating an affair with a woman from the wife's family. The you on the day stem rides on Gou Chen: you represents female beauty, and Gou Chen represents contemplation; now it is also the day stem's ghost, indicating contemplation has already harmed the skin, how could illness not occur? In the Jiazi decade, you is the closed mouth god, so the matter cannot be spoken of. Chen represents skin and muscles, placed on top of you, which is a declining energy, and riding on Xuanwu, which indicates leakage, so it indicates thinness. The year of the person is in xu, and xu has si, si rides on Tai Chang, Tai Chang represents silk and textiles, which is exactly that handkerchief; si and ji you form a triple harmony, so it is an item of the lover. Love notes: Tai Chang is placed on Kongwang, so the item will be lost; once the matter is revealed, the illness will be cured, because the si fire on the year of the person can overcome the you metal.

171）某占病戊申年二月初四戊午日亥將戌時。（子丑空亡，丑寅落空），別責，不備，六儀。天鬼；正月在酉，二月在午，三月在卯，巳月在子，五月在酉，依此反覆。 貴后 蛇午未申酉陰 朱巳 戌玄 后 貴 貴 蛇 鬼 甲寅 龍 初（暗鬼）（落空） 六辰 亥常 申 未 未 午 父 戊午 蛇 中 陳卯寅丑子虎 未 午 午 戊 父 戊午 蛇 末 龍空

Example 171: A person comes to consult about illness. The time is on the second day of the second month in the year of Wu Shen, on the day of Wu Wu. The lesson is cast with the month general of Hai added to the hour of Xu. The day of Wu Wu belongs to the Jiayin decade, with the empty positions falling on Zi and Chou. The branches of Tianpan, Chou and Yin, are directly on the empty positions. The lesson has three names: "Bie Ze", "Bu Bei", and "Li Yi". The method of pushing the heavenly ghost is as follows: in the first month, it is in You; in the second month, in Wu; in the third month, in Mao; in the fourth month, in Zi; in the fifth month, it returns to You, and so on in a cycle (the original text says "Si month" here, but it is recorded as such). The Tianpan is set with Hai as the general added to the hour of Xu. The nobleman is on Wei, with Teng Snake on Wu, Zhu Que on Si, Liu He on Chen, Gou Chen on Mao, Qing Long on Yin, Tian Kong on Chou, Bai Hu on Zi, Tai Chang on Hai, Xuan Wu on Xu, Tai Yin on You, and Tian Hou on Shen. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Wu, which is in the Si palace, with Wu on top, riding Teng Snake; the second lesson is Wu with Wei on top, riding the nobleman; the third lesson is the day branch Wu with Wei on top, also riding the nobleman; the fourth lesson is Wei with Shen on top, riding Tian Hou. The three transmissions are Yin, Wu, and Wu: the first transmission is Jiayin, which is the official ghost爻, riding Qing Long, secretly accompanied by the ghost and falling in an empty position; the middle transmission is Wuwu, which is the parent爻, riding Teng Snake; the final transmission is still Wuwu, the parent爻, riding Teng Snake.

邵先生曰：天鬼午，受病鬼之生，犯了東嶽城隍香火神，乃疫氣入宅，主合宅病。蓋寅正春旺之鬼，鬼有氣不止一人，其家七口，病死三人，急告東嶽，餘人遂得免。蓋中末日上三個羊刃殺，所以喪三人。龍到巳午皆名命神，最不利。愛圅按：此句似用晝貴，其故何也？

Shao Master said: The heavenly ghost falls on Wu, and is further assisted by the spirit of the disease ghost, thus conflicting with the incense gods of the Eastern Mountain and the city god, allowing epidemic air to enter the house, which will cause the whole family to fall ill. Yin, being the ghost that is most active in spring, when it has power, will not only harm one person. In this case, seven people in the family fell ill, and three died. Later, they hurried to pray at the temple of the Eastern Mountain, and the rest were saved. The middle transmission, the final transmission, and the day stem together form three Yangren evils, hence three people were lost. The Azure Dragon reaches Si and Wu, both called "life spirits," which is very unfavorable. (Note: This sentence seems to be using the method of Day's Noble, but it is unclear why.)

172）尹邦達庚申生五十歲占妻病，妻同庚。己酉年丁亥日辰將亥時。（午未空亡，亥子落空），重審，鑄印，斬關。 朱六 蛇戌亥子丑陳 貴酉 寅龍 貴 虎 常 六 兄 癸巳 常 初（暗鬼） 后申 卯空 酉 辰 巳 子 子 丙戌 蛇 中 陰未午巳辰虎 辰 亥 子 丁 父 辛卯 空 末 玄常

Example 172: Yin Bangda was born in the year Geng Shen, and is fifty years old. He consulted about his wife's illness, and his wife was born in the same year. The time was in the year Ji You, day Ding Hai. The divination was started with the month of Chen as the general added to the hour Hai. The day Ding Hai belongs to the Jiashen cycle, with the empty positions falling on Wu and Wei. The Heaven Plate's branches Hai and Zi are directly on the empty positions. The lesson has three names: "Re-examination", "Casting the Seal", and "Cutting the Gate". The Heaven Plate was arranged with the general Chen added to the hour Hai. The nobleman is on You, with Teng Snake on Xu, Vermilion Bird on Hai, Liu He on Zi, Gou Chen on Chou, Azure Dragon on Yin, Tian Kong on Mao, Bai Hu on Chen, Tai Chang on Si, Tai Yin on Wu, Tian Hou on Wei. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ding, which is in the Wei palace, with Zi above it, riding Liu He; the second lesson is Zi with Si above it, riding Tai Chang; the third lesson is the day branch Hai with Chen above it, riding Bai Hu; the fourth lesson is Chen with You above it, riding the nobleman. The three transmissions are Si, Xu, and Mao: the first transmission is Gui Si, representing the brother's yao, riding Tai Chang, secretly accompanied by the ghost; the second transmission is Bing Xu, representing the son's yao, riding Teng Snake; the third transmission is Xin Mao, representing the father's yao, riding Tian Kong.

邵先生曰：丁日會起水局，日上子作六合，主孕，恐是鬼胎。眾笑曰：五十何能有胎？先生曰：受氣於秋，何以決？婦在子兮夫立申，今正秋占，及時之課，故主懷孕。只不合丁日會水局，故主鬼胎。空中必有影響，來年二月必見鬼形。尹妻數日後漸安，腹漸大，果是孕。次年二月三日生，乃鬼胎也。生了時時或瓦落，或物響，更不令安居。

Master Zhao said: A lesson on a Ding day will form a water pattern, and the day stem's Zi is accompanied by Liu He, indicating pregnancy, but it is feared to be a ghost fetus. Everyone laughed and said: How can a person of fifty still be pregnant? Master Zhao replied: The qi was received in autumn, so why should we doubt this conclusion? The mnemonic says, "the wife is at Zi, and the husband is at Shen," and now the lesson is being cast in autumn, which is timely, so it indicates pregnancy. However, since the Ding day forms a water pattern, it indicates a ghost fetus. There will certainly be some disturbances in the air, and on the third day of the second month next year, a ghostly form will definitely appear. The wife of the Yin family gradually recovered after a few days, and her belly grew larger day by day, indeed she was pregnant. The next year on the third day of the second month, a ghost fetus was born. After the birth, there were occasional incidents such as roof tiles falling or objects making noises, disturbing people and making them unable to live in peace.

先生析曰；蓋丁日火生於寅，胎在子，子又為子息，更作六合臨日，正應《心鏡》之論，然會起水局為鬼，故曰鬼胎。末見卯與子刑，故次年二月見鬼形也。若他人占行年，不併不見鬼，不可云鬼胎，若不會起申子辰，卻是官星，必生貴子，非鬼胎也。

Master Zhao explained that Ding belongs to fire, and fire is born in寅 and has its embryo in子; 子 is also the son爻 and is accompanied by Liu He, which is on the day stem. This exactly matches the statement in the Heart Mirror. However, this divination forms a water trinity and transforms into a ghost, so it is called a ghost fetus. The final transmission,卯, is in conflict with子, so a ghost form will be seen in the second month of the following year. If someone else were to divinate this, since their age does not align with it and they do not see a ghost, it would not be called a ghost fetus. If it does not form the water trinity of Shen-Zi-Chen, then子 would be the official star, and it would certainly result in a noble son, not a ghost fetus.

173）葉解元丁丑生三十四歲占病，庚戌年六月壬辰日午將巳時。（午未空亡，）元首，進茹。 朱六 蛇午未申酉陳 貴巳 戌龍 蛇 貴 常 虎 鬼 己丑 常 初 后辰 亥空 午 巳 丑 子 子 庚寅 玄 中 陰卯寅丑子虎 巳 辰 子 壬 子 辛卯 陰 末 玄常

Example 173: Ye Jieyuan was born in the year Dingchou, and is thirty-four years old. He consulted about illness. The time was in the year Gengxu, sixth month, Renchen day. The divination was started with the hour of Wu as the month general. The day Renchen belongs to the Jiashen decade. The empty positions fall on Wu and Wei (the empty position section is left blank in the original text). The name of the lesson is two: "Original Head" and "Progressing Vegetables" (the three transmissions are in the order of Chou, Yin, and Mao). The Heaven Plate is arranged with Wu as the month general and Wu hour. The nobleman is on Wu, with Teng Snake on Wu, Vermilion Bird on Wei, Liu He on Shen, Gou Chen on You, Qinglong on Xu, Tian Kong on Hai, Baihu on Zi, Tai Chang on Chou, Xuanwu on Yin, and Tianhou on Chen. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ren, located in the Hai Palace, with Zi on top, riding Baihu; the second lesson is Zi with Chou on top, riding Tai Chang; the third lesson is the day branch Chen with Si on top, riding the nobleman; the fourth lesson is Si with Wu on top, riding Teng Snake. The three transmissions are Chou, Yin, and Mao: the first transmission is Jiachou as the official ghost爻, riding Tai Chang; the second transmission is Gengyin as the son爻, riding Xuanwu; the third transmission is Xinhao as the son爻, riding Tai Yin.

邵先生曰：此課本身雖堅固，不合傳進迤邐脫氣，子與丑合作常，因與人相會飲酒食，而喜樂太過，遂惑風邪。今已七八分了，以行年退一步而就祿，壬水又旺，玄又同途，水既太盛，雖生木不為害，但只補元氣，其風自退。宅上見絕神，三傳丑寅卯，若非行年退卻一步，定見進脫，不可療矣。

Shao Master said: Although the subject himself is strong, the three transmissions have been continuously advancing and gradually draining the energy. The combination of Zi and Chou with Tai Chang is due to excessive gathering and drinking, leading to the invasion of wind pathogen. Now he has recovered about seven or eight parts: his age has retreated one step, thus aligning with his official position, and the Ren water is currently strong. The Black Tortoise is also in the same direction as water. Since water is too strong, even though it generates wood, it does not cause harm. As long as the original energy is replenished, the wind pathogen will naturally subside. The house position shows the绝神, and the three transmissions are continuously advancing from Chou to Yin to Mao. If his age had not retreated by one step, it would have definitely led to an advancing and draining situation, which would be incurable.

先生析曰；大凡壬日行丑寅卯，迄邐進脫，支上又見絕神，必不可治，不問老少皆以死論。惟此課行年在後一位，引退就祿。雖然進其實就退，只不合初傳本命來與子合，太常為燕樂神，過餘遂使風邪入內，以致生病。然喜時令在秋，壬癸水秋生，得亥子相併旺相，必不至死。主今冬得子。若是來年正月節生必貴子。內有暗貴人故也。目下主服，初丑破碎作常是以主之。

Shao Master explained that generally, when the three transmissions on a day of Ren are in the order of Chou, Yin, and Mao, they proceed smoothly and gradually dissipate, and if the day branch also shows the spirit of absolute depletion, the case is definitely hopeless, regardless of age, and should be treated as a death. However, in this particular case, the year pillar falls on the next branch, which indicates a retreat of the body back to its own fortune; it appears as progress, but in reality it is a retreat. However, the initial transmission's original destiny comes to combine with the son, which is not appropriate. Tai Chang is the deity of feasting and joy, and excessive joy allows wind evil to enter the body, leading to illness. Fortunately, the season is autumn, and the water of Ren and Gui gains the growth energy in autumn, and with the presence of Hai and Zi, they are prosperous and strong. Therefore, death is not inevitable, and it indicates that a son will be born this winter. If the person was born in the first lunar month of next year, it will certainly be a noble son, because the lesson contains an implied nobleman. At present, it indicates mourning for a parent, which is due to the initial transmission's Chou branch carrying the broken state and being governed by Tai Chang.

174）韓省干戊寅生三十三歲占子病，子五歲，丙午生，庚戌年七月己亥日午將未時。（辰巳空亡，卯辰落空），元首，退茹，斬關，勵德。 龍空 陳辰巳午未虎 六卯 申常 玄 陰 龍 空 兄 戊戌 陰 初 朱寅 酉玄 酉 戌 巳 午 子 丁酉 玄 中（丁神） 蛇丑子亥戌陰 戌 亥 午 己 子 丙申 常 末 貴後

Example 174: Han Xinggan was born in the year of Wuyin, at the age of thirty-three, and consulted about his son's illness. His son was five years old, born in the year of Bingwu. The time was in the year of Gengxu, seventh month, day of Jihai. The divination was started with the month general of Wu added to the hour of Wei. The day Jihai belongs to the Jiawu decade, with the empty position falling on Chen and Si. The branches of Mao and Chen on the Heaven Plate are exactly on the empty position. The name of the lesson has four parts: "Original Head", "Retreating Vegetables" (three transmissions in reverse order: Xu, You, Shen), "Cutting the Gate", and "Encouraging Virtue". The Heaven Plate was set with the general of Wu added to the hour of Wei. The nobleman rode the Zi, with Teng Snake on Chou, Vermilion Bird on Yin, Liu He on Mao, Gou Chen on Chen, Azure Dragon on Si, Tian Kong on Wu, Bai Hu on Wei, Tai Chang on Shen, Xuan Wu on You, Tai Yin on Xu, and Tian Hou on Hai. The four lessons from right to left: the first lesson, the day stem Ji is placed in the Wei palace, with Wu above it, riding Tian Kong; the second lesson, Wu has Si above it, riding Azure Dragon; the third lesson, the day branch Hai has Xu above it, riding Tai Yin; the fourth lesson, Xu has You above it, riding Xuan Wu. The three transmissions are Xu, You, Shen: the first transmission, Wu Xu is the brother's yao, riding Tai Yin; the middle transmission, Ding You is the son's yao, riding Xuan Wu, and is also the "Ding God"; the final transmission, Bing Shen is also the son's yao, riding Tai Chang.

邵先生曰：此病至危，宅中謝神請醫，費盡千萬錢，而不知病在目前。今主至困而又發吊，手足拳束，口眼歪邪，還是風症否？曰：然。若作風病，其病必死。其病因親王價領出，與冷粽子吃，及歸又吃冷淘面，二物積中，遂發熱，積緊腸塞，致令手足拳束耳。可依此治即安也。韓丈之子，因七月十五僕家裹粽燒紙，遂與食之，歸又吃令淘面，晚遂得病，困重求重請醫，費千萬錢不效，聞先生言，醫遂以陳皮、青皮、烏藥湯治之，便覺身輕，下黑糞三五塊而全愈。

Master Zhao said: The illness has already become very dangerous. The family has been worshiping deities and consulting doctors, spending thousands of coins, yet they do not realize the root of the illness is right before their eyes. Now the child is so exhausted that he convulses, his hands and feet curl up, and his mouth and eyes are twisted - is this being treated as a wind illness? Answer: Yes. If treated as a wind illness, the child will surely die. His illness is due to being led out by a servant, given a cold zongzi to eat, and then eating cold cold noodles, which both accumulated in his abdomen, causing fever; the accumulation and blockage led to intestinal blockage, resulting in the curling of his hands and feet. Treating it in this way will result in recovery. Han's son, on the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month, was taken by the servant's family to wrap zongzi and burn paper, and they gave him a zongzi to eat. When he returned, he ate cold noodles, and that night he fell ill. The condition was severe, and despite repeated consultations with doctors and spending a great deal of money, there was no improvement. After listening to Master Zhao's advice, the doctor used the herbs Chenpi, Qingpi, and Wuyao to make a decoction, and the child immediately felt lighter, passed three or four pieces of black stool, and recovered completely.

蓋己日見戌為同宗，日上見午，火中之物也。巳乃未形似米，以來配宗字，象粽子，加亥水故曰冷粽。太陰老婦，乃僕人之母與之也。酉麥申面，故曰面，玄武主過水，是以為冷淘也。

The principle here is that on a Ji day, seeing Xu indicates the image of the same clan; seeing Wu on the day stem indicates something emerging from fire. Si has not yet formed but resembles a grain of rice; when combined with the character 'zong' (clan), it forms the image of a zongzi (sticky rice dumpling). It is also placed above Hai water, so it is called a cold zongzi. Tai Yin represents an elderly woman, indicating that it is the mother of the servant giving it to him. You governs wheat and Shen governs flour, so it is called flour; Xuan Wu governs crossing water, so it is called cold water noodles crossing the water.

175）蔣六公乙巳生六十五歲占自身不安，己酉年辛酉日巳將寅時。（子丑空亡，卯辰落空），遙克，彈射，勵德，三交，寡宿。 虎常 空申酉戌亥玄 龍未 子陰 蛇 陰 朱 后 財 乙卯 蛇 初（落空） 陳午 丑后 卯 子 辰 丑 鬼 戊午 陳 中 六巳辰卯寅貴 子 酉 丑 辛 兄 辛酉 虎 末 朱蛇

Example 175: Jiang Liugong was born in the year Yisi, and is now 65 years old. He consulted the divination concerning his own unease. The time was in the year Jiyou, on the day Xinyou. The month was Si, and the divination was cast with the Si general added to the寅 hour. The day Xinyou belongs to the Jiayin cycle, with the empty position falling on Zi and Chou. The branches of the heaven plate,卯 and辰, are directly on the empty positions. The name of the lesson has five aspects: "Remote克制", "Projectile", "Encouragement of Virtue", "Three Intersections", and "Solitary Host". The heaven plate was set with the Si general added to the寅 hour. The nobleman is on寅, with the Teng Snake on卯, the Vermilion Bird on辰, the Liu He on巳, the Gou Chen on午, the Azure Dragon on未, the Tian Kong on申, the White Tiger on酉, the Tai Chang on戌, the Black Tortoise on亥, and the Heavenly Empress on子. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Xin, which is in the戌 position, with丑 above it, riding the Heavenly Empress; the second lesson is on丑, with辰 above it, riding the Vermilion Bird; the third lesson is on the day branch酉, with子 above it, riding the Heavenly Empress; the fourth lesson is on子, with卯 above it, riding the Teng Snake. The three transmissions are卯,午,酉: the first transmission is Yimao, which is the wife and wealth爻, riding the Teng Snake, falling on an empty position; the middle transmission is Wuwu, which is the official and ghost爻, riding the Gou Chen; the final transmission is Xinyou, which is the brother爻, riding the White Tiger.

邵先生曰：吾丈年高，尚有此病，何也？凡三交中有空亡六合者，皆不正之合，其患有三：一主吾丈思前妻，二主戀一少婦不在眼前，多方煩燥，遂致下部流利不實；三主長子非橫因成病。今行年在末傳，帶祿居火上，為鬼所弄，不免貪食生冷酸鹹之物。若能如願，尚可活七八年，否則情死定死矣。蔣公欲取一意中人，諸子不肯，心遂躁怒，又大郎一奶子，又生煩躁，遂得下部病。只好酸鹹物吃。後先生勸彼乃郎，取此意中人與之，其病漸減。

Master Zhao said: You are so old and still suffering from such an illness, what is the cause? Any "Sanjiao" divination with Kongwang and Liu He included indicates an improper union, and its three misfortunes are: first, you miss your deceased wife; second, you are fond of a young wife who is not with you, thus feeling very restless and consequently suffering from lower body discharge; third, your eldest son will have an unexpected misfortune, which leads to illness. Now your current year is in the Final Transmission, with the禄神 (favorable deity) located on fire, being manipulated by ghosts, inevitably leading to a craving for cold, sour, salty, and spicy foods. If your wishes are fulfilled, you may live for another seven or eight years; otherwise, if it is due to emotional issues, you will surely die. Master Jiang wanted to marry a woman he liked, but his sons refused, causing him to be restless and angry; additionally, a wet nurse of his eldest son also upset him, leading to an illness in the lower body, and he only craved sour and salty foods. Later, Master Zhao advised his son to marry the woman he liked, and his illness gradually improved.

先生析曰；蓋果至丙辰年死。蓋支上子丑合，而乘太陰，又是夜神，是淫亂合也，卻又空亡，乃虛想其合，而無實效。四課遙克為傳，事主在內。長子非橫，乃卯為長子，作蛇故主非橫。主事初傳空亡，便不行傳，喜得末上行年相接，所以用之，日上丑土得中午生，土遂生金，丑八，故八年也。

Shao Master explained that he indeed died in the Bingchen year. The day branch has Zi and Chou combining, and both are under Tai Yin, and they are night gods, indicating a licentious union. Moreover, they also meet Kongwang, so it is only an empty thought about this relationship without actual result. The Four Lessons use distant overcoming to generate the transmission, indicating the matter originates internally. The eldest son is subject to sudden misfortune because Mao represents the eldest son, and Mao is under Teng Snake, indicating unexpected calamity. The initial transmission, which is the main factor, meets Kongwang, so it cannot proceed normally. Fortunately, the final transmission has the person's age to take over, so it can still be used. The earthy branch of the day stem, Chou, is supported by the middle transmission's Wu fire, and the earth then supports metal; since Chou's number is eight, it is judged to be eight years.

176）蔣七婆戊申生六十二歲占子病，子辛未生三十九歲，己酉年辛酉日巳將申時。 六朱 陳寅卯辰巳蛇 龍丑 午貴 六 貴 朱 后 鬼 戊午 貴 初 空子 未后 卯 午 辰 未 財 乙卯 六 中 虎亥戌酉申陰 午 酉 未 辛 子 空子 空 末（空亡） 常玄

Example 176: A woman named Jiang Qi born in the year Wu Shen, aged 62, consulted about her son's illness. Her son was born in the year Xin Wei, aged 39. The time was in the year Xin You, day Xin You. The divination was cast using the month of Si as the general, placed on the hour of Shen. The day Xin You belongs to the Ji Yin decade, with the empty space falling on Zi and Chou. The branches of the Heaven Plate, You and Xu, are directly on the empty space positions. The structure of the lesson is exactly the same as the 128th example, where Ji Guan person consulted about his house and children. The Heaven Plate was set with Si as the general on the hour of Shen. The nobleman rode the horse of Wu, below it was Teng Snake riding Si, Zhu Que riding Chen, Liu He riding Mao, Gou Chen riding Yin, Qing Long riding Chou, Tian Kong riding Zi, Bai Hu riding Hai, Tai Chang riding Xu, Xuan Wu riding You, Tai Yin riding Shen, and Tian Hou riding Wei. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Xin, which is in the Xu palace, with Wei above it, riding Tian Hou; the second lesson is Wei with Chen above it, riding Zhu Que; the third lesson is the day branch You with Wu above it, riding the nobleman; the fourth lesson is Wu with Mao above it, riding Liu He. The three transmissions are Wu, Mao, and Zi: the first transmission Wu Wu is the official ghost, riding the nobleman; the middle transmission Yi Mao is the wife's wealth, riding Liu He; the final transmission Zi is in the empty space of the decade, representing the son's wealth, riding Tian Kong.

邵先生曰：病因情人或眷屬不足，致得此病，此情人乃官作使女之類，欲見不能，思戀極矣，故生心病。若要病好，須是釋思，更婦人臨別，贈有手跡，他嘗留身畔，須燒了與他另娶方可，否則日漸成癆矣。

Master Zhao said: His illness began from an unhappy matter involving a lover or relative. This lover was sent by the authorities to serve as a maid, and he wanted to see her but couldn't, leading to intense longing and thus a mental illness. To recover, he must let go of this thought. Additionally, the woman gave him something she made herself before parting, which he has kept all along; it must be burned. He should also be given another wife, and only then will he recover; otherwise, his illness will gradually turn into a wasting disease.

蔣七婆之子因喪妻，遂與鄰婦通姦，他丈夫得知，卻典僱與何判院，此人苦思成病，又婦人行時，繡一香囊與之，其子時常觀玩，睹物思人，其病更甚。七婆聞先生之言，遂與彼燒絕，又為彼娶一婦，病果自愈。

Jiang Qi Po's son had an affair with a neighbor's wife after his wife died. When the wife's husband found out, he sold her to He Panyuan. The man became very ill from thinking about her constantly. Before leaving, the woman embroidered a sachet for him, which he often took out and played with, making his illness worse. After hearing Shao Master's advice, Jiang Qi Po burned the sachet and married her son to another woman, and the illness naturally disappeared.

先生析曰；蓋未作後生日，支上午與未合，乃鬼合，便是不正之交，傳退與婦人相離也。三交交易之象，宅上貴人是合入宅去也。末傳是子，行年上丑，子又與丑合，更日辰上實合，末又見空亡合，即是思望懸切，欲合不合，傳退既值空亡，只得在此思想，所以成癆。午未合，子丑合，子午沖，丑未沖，合處相傷，反成不足。子丑又空，是去彼不得見矣。

Shao Master explained that the branch of Wei comes with the Heavenly Empress and is born into the day stem, and the day branch of Wu combines with Wei. Wu is a ghost, so this is called ghost combination, which represents improper association. The three transmissions are in reverse order, indicating separation from that woman. "Three transactions" originally signify exchange and change, but since there is a nobleman in the dwelling position, it means she is being combined with someone else's household. The final transmission is Zi, and the year branch is Chou. Zi combines with Chou, and there is also a real combination between the day stem and day branch. However, the final transmission is an empty combination, which represents longing and unfulfilled desire. Since the three transmissions are in reverse order and also meet an empty situation, he can only be trapped in empty thoughts, thus developing a wasting illness. Zi combines with Chou and Wu combines with Wei, but Zi and Wu are in opposition, and Chou and Wei are also in opposition. The places where they combine actually harm each other, resulting in regret. Zi and Chou both fall into emptiness, meaning even if he goes there, he will not see her.

178）某占病，二月庚辰日亥將辰時。（申酉空亡，卯辰落空），渉害，絕嗣，驀越。 貴后 蛇子丑寅卯陰 朱亥 辰玄 虎 朱 六 陰 鬼 壬午 虎 初 六戌 巳常 午 亥 戌 卯 父 丁丑 貴 中（丁神）（暗鬼） 陳酉申未午虎 亥 辰 卯 庚 兄 空申 龍 末（空亡） 龍空

Example 178: A person came to consult about illness. The time was on the second month, on the day of Geng Chen. The lesson was cast with the month general of Hai added to the time of Chen. The day of Geng Chen belongs to the Jia Xu decade, with the empty position falling on Shen and You. The branches of Mao and Chen on the Heaven Plate are exactly on the empty position. The lesson has three names: "Involvement of Harm," "Loss of Offspring," and "Sudden Leap." The Heaven Plate is set with Hai as the general added to the time of Chen. The Nobleman is on Chou, below it is Teng Snake on Zi, Vermilion Bird on Hai, Liu He on Xu, Gou Chen on You, Azure Dragon on Shen, Tian Kong on Wei, White Tiger on Wu, Tai Chang on Si, Black Tortoise on Chen, Tai Yin on Mao, and Heavenly Empress on Yin. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Geng, which is in the Shen palace, with Mao above it, riding Tai Yin; the second lesson is Mao with Xu above it, riding Liu He; the third lesson is the day branch Chen with Hai above it, riding Vermilion Bird; the fourth lesson is Hai with Wu above it, riding White Tiger. The three transmissions are Wu, Chou, and Shen: the first transmission is Ren Wu, which is the official ghost爻, riding White Tiger; the second transmission is Ding Chou, which is the parent爻, riding Nobleman, and is also the "Ding God" with an invisible ghost; the third transmission is Shen, which falls on the empty position of the decade, being the brother爻, riding Azure Dragon.

邵先生曰：四課俱下賊，絕陰之象。白虎乘午作鬼，男病主三日內死也。何則？無陽氣也。不合灸，又不宜服藥，此是血病。蓋午主心，心主血也。宅中有陰人，死得不明，作鬼為禍。要陰鬼退，須門前社廟作福，午是陰人，乘虎作鬼故也。又午是天之真火剋日，主灸神，乘虎故不宜灸。又是天醫，故不宜服藥。涉害深為用，主久病。若是陰人則死尚可緩。且火加水，主寒熱往來剋日，主癆血。

Master Zhao said: All four lessons are lower elements attacking the upper ones, indicating a disruption of yin energy. The White Tiger is riding on Wu and transforming into a ghost. If the patient is a man, he will die within three days - why? Because there is no yang energy. This illness should not be treated with moxibustion or medicine, for it is a disease of the blood: Wu in the human body represents the heart, and the heart governs blood. There is a woman in the house who died in a mysterious way, transforming into a ghost that haunts; to drive away this ghost, one should perform a ritual at the gate's shrine to seek blessings - because Wu represents a woman, and the White Tiger riding on Wu transforms into a ghost. Moreover, Wu is the true fire in heaven that attacks the day stem, governing the deity of moxibustion. Now it is riding the White Tiger, so moxibustion is not suitable. It is also the Tianyi deity, so taking medicine is also not suitable. Taking the most harmful deity as the initiating transmission indicates a long-term illness. If the patient is a woman, the time of death can be postponed. Moreover, fire on water indicates alternating chills and fever, and it attacks the day, indicating consumption and blood loss.

179）某占病，丁巳日未將寅時。（子丑空亡，巳午落空），重審，鑄印，斬關。 朱六 蛇戌亥子丑陳 貴酉 寅龍 空 蛇 常 六 兄 丁巳 常 初（落空）（丁神） 后申 卯空 卯 戌 巳 子 子 壬戌 蛇 中（暗鬼） 陰未午巳辰虎 戌 巳 子 丁 父 乙卯 空 末 玄常

Example 179: A person comes to consult about illness. The time is on the day of Dingsi, with the month general Wu added to the time of Yin hour to cast the divination. The day Dingsi belongs to the Jiayin decade, with the empty positions falling on Zi and Chou. The branches of the Heaven Plate, Si and Wu, are exactly on the empty positions. The name of the lesson has three: "Re-examination," "Casting Seal," and "Cutting the Gate." The Heaven Plate is set with Wu as the month general added to Yin hour. The nobleman is riding酉, below it is Teng Snake riding Xu, Vermilion Bird riding Hai, Liu He riding Zi, Gou Chen riding Chou, Azure Dragon riding Yin, Tian Kong riding Mao, White Tiger riding Chen, Tai Chang riding Si, Tai Yin riding Wu, Tian Hou riding Shen. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ding, which is in the Wei palace, with Zi above it, riding Liu He; the second lesson is Zi, with Si above it, riding Tai Chang; the third lesson is the day branch Si, with Xu above it, riding Teng Snake; the fourth lesson is Xu, with Mao above it, riding Tian Kong. The three transmissions are Si, Xu, and Mao: the first transmission is Dingsi, which is the brother's yao, riding Tai Chang, falling on an empty position and being the "Ding god"; the second transmission is Renxu, which is the son's yao, riding Teng Snake, secretly accompanied by a ghost; the third transmission is Yimao, which is the parent's yao, riding Tian Kong.

邵先生曰：主病人狂言發喘而死，巳作常為用，主言語。丁日巳用皆火，中又蛇乘戌加巳，是火加旺地，故主發狂。火墓戌，陰氣盡也。凡人以內陰氣為主，陰日養陽，今已絕，則陽氣上攻，而不能生陰，陰絕陽弱，更主發喘，果狂言發喘而死。

Shao Master said: The patient will speak nonsense and die from shortness of breath. The巳 is initiating transmission with Tai Chang, and Tai Chang governs speech. The day is Ding, which shares the same element as巳, both being fire. The middle transmission is Teng Snake riding on戌, which is placed on top of巳. This indicates fire reaching its peak, thus causing madness.戌 is the tomb of fire, and when something reaches its tomb, it signifies the complete depletion of yin energy. The human body relies on internal yin energy as its foundation, which daily nurtures yang energy. Now that yin energy has completely ceased, yang energy rises upward and cannot generate new yin. With yin energy depleted and yang energy weak, shortness of breath inevitably follows. Later, the patient indeed spoke nonsense and died from shortness of breath.

180）某占病十二月丙午日子將亥時。（寅卯空亡，卯辰落空），彈射，進茹，不備。 朱蛇 六午未申酉貴 陳巳 戌后 蛇 朱 朱 六 財 戊申 蛇 初 龍辰 亥陰 申 未 未 午 財 己酉 貴 中 空卯寅丑子玄 未 午 午 丙 子 庚戌 后 末 虎常

Example 180: A person comes to seek divination about illness. The time is on the 12th month, Bingwu day. The lesson is cast using the Zi month general placed on the Hai hour. Bingwu day belongs to the Jiachen decade, with the empty position falling on Yin and Mao. The Heaven Plate's Yin and Chen branches are directly on the empty position. The lesson has three names: "Striking", "Advancing", and "Incomplete". The three transmissions are Shen, You, and Xu in sequence. The Heaven Plate is set with the Zi general placed on the Hai hour. The Nobleman rides You, the Teng Snake rides Shen, the Vermilion Bird rides Wei, the Liu He rides Wu, the Gou Chen rides Si, the Azure Dragon rides Chen, the Tian Kong rides Mao, the Bai Hu rides Yin, the Tai Chang rides Chou, the Xuan Wu rides Zi, the Tai Yin rides Hai, and the Heavenly Empress rides Xu. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Bing, located in the Si palace, with Wu above it, riding Liu He; the second lesson is Wu with Wei above it, riding the Vermilion Bird; the third lesson is the day branch Wu with Wei above it, also riding the Vermilion Bird; the fourth lesson is Wei with Shen above it, riding the Teng Snake. The three transmissions are Shen, You, and Xu: the first transmission is Wu Shen, which is the wife's wealth yao, riding the Teng Snake; the middle transmission is Ji You, which is also the wife's wealth yao, riding the Nobleman; the final transmission is Geng Xu, which is the son's yao, riding the Heavenly Empress.

邵先生曰：定是咳嗽狂言，見鬼見神之狀。蓋三傳金，主肺主嗽，而午火又加丙，午火盛發，心神散亂，故主發躁狂言。鬼神之狀者，申加未，未臨宅，未主鬼神之狀。其人死者，傳歸死墓也。未中有鬼宿。

Shao said: This must certainly be coughing, talking nonsense, and seeing ghosts and spirits. The three transmissions all belong to metal, and metal governs the lungs and causes coughing; and the wu fire is added to bing, so the wu fire becomes strong and erupts, causing the mind to scatter, hence leading to restlessness and talking nonsense. The so-called seeing ghosts and spirits is because shen is added to wei, and wei is located at the dwelling position, and wei is the symbol of ghosts and spirits. This person will ultimately die, because the three transmissions return to the dead and墓 positions - the wei palace contains the ghost mansion.

181）某占兒病，己丑日丑將辰時。（午未空亡，卯辰落空），昂星，掩目，天煩。 虎常 空寅卯辰巳玄 龍丑 午陰 后 朱 龍 常 財 戊子 陳 初 陳子 未后 未 戌 丑 辰 兄 壬辰 常 中（落空） 六亥戌酉申貴 戌 丑 辰 己 兄 丙戌 朱 末 朱蛇

Example 181: A person came to consult about a child's illness. The time was on the day of Ji Chou, with the month general Chou added to the time of Chen. The day Ji Chou belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty position falling on Wu and Wei. The branches of the Heaven Plate, Wu and Chen, are exactly on the empty positions. The name of the lesson has three: "Mao Star", "Covering the Eyes", "Heavenly Distress". The Heaven Plate is set with the month general Chou added to the time of Chen. The nobleman is riding Shen, below which Teng Snake rides You, Zhu Que rides Xiu, Liu He rides Hai, Gou Chen rides Zi, Qing Long rides Chou, Tian Kong rides Yin, Bai Hu rides Mao, Tai Chang rides Chen, Xuan Wu rides Si, Tai Yin rides Wu, and Tian Hou rides Wei. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ji, which is in the Wei palace, with Chen above it, riding Tai Chang; the second lesson is Chen with Chou above it, riding Qing Long; the third lesson is the day branch Chou with Xu above it, riding Zhu Que; the fourth lesson is Xu with Wei above it, riding Tian Hou. The three transmissions are Zi, Chen, and Xu: the first transmission is Wu Zi, which is the wife's wealth, riding Gou Chen; the second transmission is Ren Chen, which is the brother's element, riding Tai Chang, falling into the empty position; the third transmission is Bing Xu, which is also the brother's element, riding Zhu Que.

邵先生曰：昴星課，純陽之象，陰掩其陽，是無陽氣也。辰作常覆日，陰上丑破，末戌加丑，陰氣將盡於戌，陽氣將盡於辰，陰陽氣絕，絕者促也，病人當氣促而短。陽氣將盡，外應虛熱煩躁，又主熱渴。其人果先熱渴，而後喘死。

Shao Master said: "The textbook on the star 'Mao' represents a pure yang image. Now, yin has covered yang, meaning there is no yang energy. The hour of Chen is riding on Tai Chang and repeatedly rests upon the day stem. The place of the yin spirit, Chou, is broken; the final transmission, Xu, is placed upon Chou. Yin energy will be exhausted at Xu, and yang energy will be exhausted at Chen. Both yin and yang energies will be cut off. 'Cut off' means urgency, so the patient should have rapid and shallow breathing. When yang energy is exhausted, there should be external symptoms of false heat and restlessness, and also signs of fever and thirst. This child indeed first had fever and thirst, and later could not breathe and died.

182）吳四公六十四歲占進畜，己酉年九月癸亥日卯將辰時。（子丑空亡，亥子落空），元首，退茹，斬關。 貴后 蛇辰巳午未陰 朱卯 申玄 常 虎 空 龍 鬼 壬戌 虎 初 六寅 酉常 酉 戌 亥 子 父 辛酉 常 中 陳丑子亥戌虎 戌 亥 子 癸 父 庚申 玄 末 龍空

Example 182: Wu Si Gong, aged sixty-four, consulted about acquiring livestock. The time was Jiyou year, September, Guihai day. The class was cast with the卯 month general added to the辰 hour. Guihai day belongs to the Jiayin decade, with the empty positions falling on Zi and Chou. The Heaven Plate's Zi and Hai branches are directly on the Kongwang positions. The lesson has three names: "Original Head", "Retreating Vegetables" (three transmissions in reverse order: Xu, You, Shen), and "Cutting the Gate". The Heaven Plate was set with the卯 general added to the辰 hour. The Nobleman rode巳, below it Teng Snake rode辰, Vermilion Bird rode卯, Liu He rode寅, Gou Chen rode丑, Azure Dragon rode子, Tian Kong rode亥, Bai Hu rode戌, Tai Chang rode酉, Tai Yin rode申, Tian Hou rode未. The four lessons from right to left: the first lesson, the day stem Gui is in the Chou palace, with Zi above it, riding Azure Dragon; the second lesson, Zi has Hai above it, riding Tian Kong; the third lesson, the day branch Hai has Xu above it, riding Bai Hu; the fourth lesson, Xu has You above it, riding Tai Chang. The three transmissions are Xu, You, Shen: the first transmission, Ren Xu is the official ghost yao, riding Bai Hu; the middle transmission, Xin You is the parent yao, riding Tai Chang; the final transmission, Geng Shen is also the parent yao, riding Xuan Wu.

邵先生曰：欲進六畜，而豬牛欄皆不得其所。戌加亥作白虎，大豬入欄反小，只如犬大，兼且多病死傷。牛臨寅地，自是畏鄉，豈能長久？要好移欄到長生西南之地，牛羊豬皆可養之。宅基皆不利畜，牛羊豬雞皆無位，至於犬反要咬豬，貓亦不能捕鼠。

Master Zhao said: You want to raise domestic animals, but the pigpen and cowshed are not placed in suitable positions. The戌 is placed on the亥 and is multiplied by the White Tiger, so large pigs in the pen do not grow big, only as big as dogs, and they are often sick or injured. The ox is located in the寅, which is the direction it fears, how can it be raised long? If you want to do it well, you should move the pens to the Southwest direction of Growth, then the ox, sheep, and pigs will all be raised successfully. This house itself is not favorable for raising animals: the ox, sheep, pigs, and chickens have no suitable places to stay; as for the dog, it will even bite the pigs; and the cat cannot catch the mice.

蓋緣天目在宅，宅中有伏尸，所以不榮。五年之內，伏尸必傷人矣。吳宅自造屋十三四年來，諸畜皆養不得，故占之。當先宅前一半是田，一半是山，其山有古冢骸骨，不知姓名，吳盡撤去造屋，是以不利。後至甲寅三月，宅中屢現火光，怪異並作。吳記先生斷課之語，遂遷別宅居住。大凡占宅，天目加支，多主伏尸。秋以戌為天目，戌數五，故主五年必現影響也。

This is because the heavenly stem is located on the house position, and there is a hidden corpse within the house, causing the livestock to be weak; within five years, this hidden corpse will definitely harm people. The Wu family has lived in this house since they built it, and for thirteen or fourteen years, they have been unable to raise any livestock, so they came to consult. Originally, half of the front of the house was farmland and half was mountain, and there was an ancient tomb on the mountain, whose remains were unknown; the Wu family levelled the mountain to build the house, which caused misfortune. Later, in the third month of the Jiayin year, frequent fires appeared in the house, and various strange phenomena occurred. Wu Sigu remembered the words of Shao Master's divination, and moved to another place. Generally, when the heavenly stem is placed on the day branch in house divination, it often indicates the presence of a hidden corpse. In autumn, the heavenly stem is戌, and the number of戌 is five, so it indicates that there will definitely be some movement within five years.

183）王寺丞占出兵往饒州取馬何故未回，丁亥日戌將卯時。（午未空亡，辰巳落空），重審，四絕。 朱六 蛇子丑寅卯陳 貴亥 辰龍 朱 虎 陰 六 兄 空午 虎 初（空亡） 后戌 巳空 丑 午 酉 寅 子 己丑 朱 中 陰酉申未午虎 午 亥 寅 丁 財 甲申 玄 末 玄常

Example 183: Wang the Imperial Censor divined why the troops sent to Raozhou to obtain horses had not yet returned. The day was Dinghai, with the month general Wu added to the卯 hour to cast the divination. Dinghai day belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty hour falling on Wu and Wei (the original text also notes 'Chen and Si fall empty', but according to this divination, the Heaven Plate branches Chou and Yin are actually on the empty hour, so there may be an error in the original text, and it is recorded as is). The lesson has two names: 'Rechecking' and 'Four Isolation'. The Heaven Plate is set with Wu as the general added to the卯 hour. The Nobleman rides亥, below it Teng Snake rides子, Vermilion Bird rides丑, Liu He rides寅, Gou Chen rides卯, Azure Dragon rides辰, Tian Kong rides巳, White Tiger rides午, Tai Chang rides未, Tai Yin rides申, and Heavenly Empress rides戌. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the Day Stem Ding, which is in the Wei palace, with寅 above it, riding Liu He; the second lesson is寅 with酉 above it, riding Tai Yin; the third lesson is the Day Branch Hai with午 above it, riding White Tiger; the fourth lesson is午 with丑 above it, riding Vermilion Bird. The three transmissions are午,丑,申: the first transmission is午, which falls on the empty hour, representing the brother's yao, riding White Tiger; the middle transmission is己丑, representing the son's yao, riding Vermilion Bird; the final transmission is Jiashen, representing the wife's wealth yao, riding Azure Dragon.

邵先生曰：其馬必被虎傷死矣。五日後兵士報曰：放馬山上吃草，被虎所食。蓋午為馬，乘虎加亥為用，自刑加自刑，上午被亥克，故然。

Shao Master said: That horse must have been killed by a tiger. Five days later, the soldiers reported that the horse was left on the mountain to graze and was eaten by a tiger. This is because in the six domestic animals, the horse is ruled by Wu. Wu combined with the White Tiger and acted upon Hai, initiating the transmission. Wu self-punished and also acted upon Hai, which is the self-punishing branch. The Wu above was also overcome by the water of Hai, hence the verification.

184）遂安官人占失馬，十一月壬午日丑將卯時。（申酉空亡。午未落空），元首，間傳。 蛇貴 朱卯辰巳午后 六寅 未陰 六 蛇 陰 常 子 戊寅 六 初（暗鬼） 陳丑 申玄 寅 辰 未 酉 兄 丙子 龍 中 龍子亥戌酉常 辰 午 酉 壬 官 甲戌 虎 末 空虎

Example 184: Su An's person came to divinate the lost horse. The time was on the 11th month, Renwu day. The lesson was cast with Chou as the month general added to Mao time. Renwu day belongs to the Jiaxu decade, with the empty position falling on Shen and You. The Heaven Plate's Wu and Wei branches are exactly on the empty position. The lesson has two names: "Original Head" and "Intermediate Transmission" (three transmissions: Yin, Zi, Xu, in reverse order). The Heaven Plate was set with Chou as the general added to Mao time. The nobleman rides Si, below it Teng Snake rides Chen, Vermilion Bird rides Mao, Liu He rides Yin, Gou Chen rides Chou, Azure Dragon rides Zi, Tian Kong rides Hai, Bai Hu rides Xu, Tai Chang rides You, Tai Yin rides Wei, Tian Hou rides Wu. The four lessons from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ren, located in Hai, with You above it, riding Tai Chang; the second lesson is You with Wei above it, riding Tai Yin; the third lesson is the day branch Wu with Chen above it, riding Teng Snake; the fourth lesson is Chen with Yin above it, riding Liu He. The three transmissions: Yin, Zi, Xu. The first transmission Wu Yin is the son's爻, riding Liu He, secretly accompanied by ghost; the middle transmission Bing Zi is the brother's爻, riding Azure Dragon; the final transmission Jia Xu is the official star, riding Bai Hu.

邵先生曰：此馬不見矣。午為馬加申道路之上，正行也。被人騎去矣。果然。

Master Zhao said: This horse cannot be recovered. The hour of Wu is associated with horses among the six domestic animals. Now it is added to the hour of Shen, which represents the path, and it is currently in motion. It has already been ridden away by someone. Later, it indeed turned out to be true.

185）某占失馬丁丑日亥將申時。（申酉空亡，亥子落空），昂星，掩目，虎視。 朱蛇 六申酉戌亥貴 陳未 子后 陳 虎 陰 蛇 兄 壬午 龍 初（暗鬼） 龍午 丑陰 未 辰 丑 戌 子 甲戌 蛇 中 空巳辰卯寅玄 辰 丑 戌 丁 子 庚辰 虎 末 虎常

Case 185: A person comes to consult about a lost horse. The time is on Dingchou day, with the month general亥 added to the time of Shen. Dingchou day belongs to the Jiaxu decade, with the empty position falling on Shen and You. The branches of Heaven Plate,亥 and Zi, are exactly on the empty position. The name of the lesson has three: "昴星", "掩目", and "虎视". The Heaven Plate is set with亥 as the general added to the time of Shen. The nobleman is riding亥, below which Teng Snake rides Xu, Zhu Que rides You, Liu He rides Shen, Gou Chen rides Wei, Qing Long rides Wu, Tian Kong rides Si, Bai Hu rides Chen, Tai Chang rides Mao, Tai Yin rides Chou, Tian Hou rides Zi. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ding, which is in the Wei palace, with Xu above it, riding Teng Snake; the second lesson is Xu with Chou above it, riding Tai Yin; the third lesson is the day branch Chou with Chen above it, riding Bai Hu; the fourth lesson is Chen with Wei above it, riding Gou Chen. The three transmissions are Wu, Xu, and Chen: the first transmission is Renwu, which is the brother's yao, riding Qing Long, secretly accompanied by a ghost; the middle transmission is Jiaxu, which is the son's yao, riding Teng Snake; the final transmission is Gengchen, which is also the son's yao, riding Bai Hu.

邵先生曰：馬在東方寺院圍牆內不能出，須從一破門入去，尋見在己卯日也。果於二十五日，於東方寺院從輪藏前破門入牆內尋見。蓋馬屬午，作龍為用，類神在傳也。破門者，午破卯，卯為門也。牆垣者，四土周圍也。

Shao said: A horse was trapped inside the wall of a temple in the east and could not get out, needing to enter through a broken gate. The day it was found was the Jimao day. Later, indeed on the twenty-fifth day, the horse was found entering through the broken gate in front of the wheel藏 in the eastern temple. This was because the horse belonged to the horse sign, which is associated with the午. The午 took the initiative by multiplying with the Azure Dragon, thus the divine category fell into the three transmissions. The term broken gate refers to the午 breaking the卯, while the卯 governs the gate. The term wall refers to the four sides being surrounded by the earth branches.

186）某占失羊，戊子日酉將寅時。（午未空亡，丑寅落空），重審，循環，贅婿，不備。 貴后 蛇子丑寅卯陰 朱亥 辰玄 后 空 空 蛇 財 戊子 蛇 初 六戌 巳常 寅 未 未 子 兄 空未 空 中 陳酉申未午虎 未 子 子 戊 鬼 庚寅 后 末 龍空

Example 186: A person came to consult about a lost sheep. The time was on the Wuzi day, with the You month general added to the Yin hour to cast the divination. The Wuzi day belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty space falling on Wu and Wei. The branches of the Heaven Plate, You and Yin, are exactly on the empty space positions. The name of the lesson has four: "Chong Shen" (Re-examination), "Xun Huan" (Cycle), "Zhu Xi" (Stepson), and "Bu Bei" (Incomplete). The Heaven Plate is set with the You general added to the Yin hour. The Nobleman is on the Chou branch, with Teng Snake on Zi, Vermilion Bird on Hai, Liu He on Xu, Gou Chen on You, Azure Dragon on Shen, Tian Kong on Wei, Bai Hu on Wu, Tai Chang on Si, Tai Yin on Chen, Xuan Wu on Mao, and Tian Hou on Yin. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the Day Stem Wu, located in the Si palace, with Zi on top, riding Teng Snake; the second lesson is Zi with Wei on top, riding Tian Kong; the third lesson is the Day Branch Zi with Wei on top, also riding Tian Kong; the fourth lesson is Wei with Yin on top, riding Tian Hou. The three transmissions are Zi, Wei, and Yin: the first transmission is Wu Zi, which is the wife's wealth, riding Teng Snake; the second transmission is Wei, which is the brother, riding Tian Kong, and it falls in the empty space of the decade; the third transmission is Geng Yin, which is the official ghost, riding Tian Hou.

邵先生曰：子作蛇臨日為用，主非橫事。中末加子作天空，未羊也，加子為六害，羊非水物，不宜臨子，況上又作天空是戊戌土，戌刑未，戌為犬，犬傷羊，子水也。此羊被犬趕入水中，為人宰了，以甕器盛之，藏在廁中，天空無氣為器物，又為汙穢。寅加未，虎又啖食之獸，所以傷羊。不出今日須敗，果當日捉獲。

Shao said: The branch Zi is riding on Teng Snake and is on the day stem, initiating the transmission, indicating unexpected matters. The middle transmission's Wei is added to Zi and is riding on Tian Kong. Wei among the six domestic animals is sheep, added to Zi becomes the sixth harm. Sheep are not water animals, so they are not suitable to be on Zi. Moreover, Tian Kong's original branch is Wuxu earth, and Xu is in conflict with Wei. Xu in the twelve branches is dog, which harms sheep. Zi is water. Therefore, the sheep is driven into water by the dog and is slaughtered, put into a jar, and hidden in the toilet. Tian Kong without energy takes the image of vessels and indicates filth. Yin is added to Wei, Yin in the twelve branches is tiger, which is a fierce beast that eats sheep, so it indicates harm to sheep. This matter will be exposed today. Indeed, the person was caught that day.

187)某占失羊，丁未日未將未時。（寅卯空亡，寅卯落空），伏吟，稼穡。 虎常 空巳午未申玄 龍辰 酉陰 常 常 常 常 子 丁未 常 初（丁神） 勾卯 戌后 未 未 未 未 子 癸丑 朱 中（暗鬼） 六寅丑子亥貴 未 未 未 丁 子 庚戌 后 末 朱蛇

Example 187: A person comes to divinate the loss of a sheep. The time is on Dingwei day, using the month general of Wei added to Wei hour to cast the divination. Since the month general and the hour are the same, the heaven plate and earth plate completely overlap, so it is called 'Hidden Chant'. Dingwei day belongs to the Jiachen decade, with the empty palace falling on Yin and Mao. Under the Hidden Chant, the heaven and earth plates overlap, and Yin and Mao also fall exactly on the empty palace. The two names of the divination are 'Hidden Chant' and 'Cultivation of Crops' (the three transmissions, Wei, Chou, and Xu, are all earth). In the chart, the nobleman is riding亥, below which Teng Snake rides Zi, Zhu Que rides Chou, Liu He rides Yin, Gou Chen rides Mao, Qing Long rides Chen, Tian Kong rides Si, Bai Hu rides Wu, Tai Chang rides Wei, Xuan Wu rides Shen, Tai Yin rides You, and Tian Hou rides Xu. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: all four lessons have Wei with Wei and ride Tai Chang. The three transmissions, Wei, Chou, and Xu: the first transmission, Dingwei, is the son's yao riding Tai Chang, and is also the 'Ding God'; the middle transmission, Gui Chou, is also the son's yao riding Zhu Que, secretly accompanied by a ghost; the final transmission, Geng Xu, is still the son's yao riding Tian Hou.

邵先生曰：伏吟課，其羊定在西南兄弟姐妹親眷家尋之，今日申時可見。果申時在西南方妻姐家尋見。蓋未為羊，上作太陽月將，丁未日又未發用，故在西南。親眷者，未為眷屬者也。伏吟在本位不旺，未乃月將，五月當相氣，故不失。

Master Zhao said: This is a Hidden Chant divination. The sheep must be in the Southwest with relatives or siblings. It can indeed be found by the afternoon hour of Shen. Indeed, at the afternoon hour of Shen, the sheep was found in the Southwest at the wife's aunt's house. This is because the Earthly Branch 'Wei' is the master of sheep among the six domestic animals. 'Wei' is also the Month General, and on the day of Dingwei, 'Wei' is the Initiating Transmission. 'Wei' is located in the Southwest direction, so the sheep is in the Southwest. It is said to be in a relative's house because 'Wei' itself represents relatives. In a Hidden Chant divination, all deities are in their original positions and not in their旺 position, but 'Wei' is the Month General, and in the fifth month it is in its phase position, so the sheep cannot be lost.

188)某占失羊，己卯日亥將未時。（申酉空亡，子丑落空），渉害，比用，曲直，亂首，不備。 朱蛇 六酉戌亥子貴 陳申 丑后 蛇 龍 玄 蛇 兄 癸未 龍 初 龍未 寅陰 亥 未 卯 亥 財 乙亥 蛇 中（暗鬼） 空午巳辰卯玄 未 卯 亥 己 鬼 己卯 玄 末 虎常

Example 188: A person came to consult about a lost sheep. The time was on the day of Ji Mao, with the month general Hai added to the hour of Wei. The day Ji Mao belongs to the Xu旬, with the empty position falling on Shen and You. The branches Zi and Chou on the Heaven Plate are exactly on the empty positions. The lesson has five names: "Involvement of Harm," "Comparison and Use," "Curved and Straight" (the three transmissions Wei, Hai, and Mao form a Wood formation), "Disorder at the Beginning," and "Incomplete." The Heaven Plate is arranged with the month general Hai added to the hour of Wei. The nobleman is riding Zi, below which Teng Snake rides Hai, Zhu Que rides Xu, Liu He rides You, Gou Chen rides Shen, Qing Long rides Wei, Tian Kong rides Wu, Bai Hu rides Si, Tai Chang rides Chen, Xuan Wu rides Mao, Tai Yin rides Yin, and Tian Hou rides Chou. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ji, which is in the Wei palace, with Hai above it, riding Teng Snake; the second lesson is Hai, with Mao above it, riding Xuan Wu; the third lesson is the day branch Mao, with Wei above it, riding Qing Long; the fourth lesson is Wei, with Hai above it, riding Teng Snake. The three transmissions are Wei, Hai, and Mao: the first transmission is Gui Wei, representing the brother's yao, riding Qing Long; the second transmission is Yi Hai, representing the wife's wealth yao, riding Teng Snake, with a hidden ghost; the third transmission is Ji Mao, representing the official ghost yao, riding Xuan Wu.

邵先生曰：春占曲直課，未加卯作龍為用，其羊不失。乃走入他人羊群中，信東方尋之必見。果於東方園內羊群中尋見。 先生析曰；蓋初傳是類神，作龍入傳，加日辰，故不失。

Master Zhao said: If a divination is cast in spring and the hexagram is "Bend and Straight," and if it is not placed on the卯 (Mao) but instead initiates with the Azure Dragon, then the sheep will not be lost, but has run into another flock. One should only look to the east, and it will certainly be found. Later, indeed, the sheep was found in a flock in an eastern garden. Master Zhao explained that the first transmission is the deity associated with sheep, and it enters the three transmissions while riding the Azure Dragon, and also rests upon the day stem and day branch, so the sheep will not be lost.

189）某占失狗，甲辰日戌將寅時。（寅卯空亡，戌亥落空），渉害，炎上，狡童，斬關。 虎常 空丑寅卯辰玄 龍子 巳陰 蛇 龍 后 六 財 庚戌 六 初（落空）（暗鬼） 陳亥 午后 申 子 午 戌 子 丙午 后 中 六戌酉申未貴 子 辰 戌 甲 兄 空寅 虎 末（空亡） 朱蛇

Example 189: A person came to consult about a lost dog. The time was on the day of Jiachen, with the month general Wu added to the time of Yin. The day Jiachen belongs to the Jiachen decade, with the empty position falling on Yin and Mao. The branches Wu and Hai on the Heaven Plate are exactly on the empty positions. The lesson has four names: "Involvement of Harm," "Inflammation," (the three transmissions Wu, Wu, Yin form a fire trinity), "Cunning Boy," and "Cutting the Gate." The Heaven Plate is set with Wu as the general added to the time of Yin. The nobleman is on Wei, with Teng Snake on Shen, Vermilion Bird on You, Liu He on Wu, Gou Chen on Hai, Azure Dragon on Zi, Tian Kong on Chou, Bai Hu on Yin, Tai Chang on Mao, Xuan Wu on Chen, Tai Yin on Si, and Tian Hou on Wu. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ji, located in the Yin palace, with Wu on top, riding Liu He; the second lesson is Wu with Wu on top, riding Tian Hou; the third lesson is the day branch Chen with Zi on top, riding Azure Dragon; the fourth lesson is Zi with Shen on top, riding Teng Snake. The three transmissions are Wu, Wu, Yin: the first transmission is Geng Wu, the wife and wealth爻, riding Liu He, falling on the empty position and secretly accompanied by a ghost; the second transmission is Bing Wu, the son and grandson爻, riding Tian Hou; the third transmission is Yin, falling on the empty position, as the brother and sibling爻, riding Bai Hu.

邵先生曰：白狗尋不見矣。蓋戌為類神，加日雖主自歸，奈何戌與寅雖作三合，又作六合，而寅反作虎在未傳克戌，故尋不得，定被殺了。後知被木排上人殺了。寅作虎克戌，寅木也。遂應木排上人，奇妙至此。蓋卯為排，夾克戌土故也。

Shao Master said: This white dog cannot be recovered. Xu is the class god of the dog, and when added to the day stem, it naturally indicates the dog returning itself. However, although Xu and Yin form a triple harmony and also take the Liu He, Yin is in the final transmission and rides the White Tiger, thus reversing to attack Xu. Therefore, the dog cannot be found, and it must have been killed. Later it was found out that the dog was killed by people working on wooden rafts. Yin rides the White Tiger to attack Xu, and Yin belongs to wood, so the incident should be related to people on wooden rafts. The deduction is precise to this extent. Here, Mao is taken as representing wooden rafts, and together with Yin, they jointly attack Xu earth for this reason.

190）某占失雞，辛亥日子將丑時。（寅卯空亡，丑寅落空），元首，退茹，不備，斬關。 六陳 朱辰巳午未龍 蛇卯 申空 虎 常 空 虎 父 庚戌 常 初 貴寅 酉虎 酉 戌 申 酉 兄 己酉 虎 中 后丑子亥戌常 戌 亥 酉 辛 兄 戊申 空 末 陰玄

Example 190: A person came to consult about a lost chicken. The time was on the day of Xinhai, with the month general placed on the hour of Chou. The day Xinhai belongs to the Jiachen decade, with the empty position falling on Yin and Mao. The Heaven Plate's Chou and Yin branches are exactly on the empty position. The lesson has four names: "Original Head", "Retreating Vegetables" (three transmissions in reverse order: Xu, You, Shen), "Incomplete", and "Cutting the Gate". The Heaven Plate is set with the month general placed on the hour of Chou. The nobleman is on Yin, with Teng Snake on Mao, Vermilion Bird on Chen, Liu He on Si, Gou Chen on Wu, Azure Dragon on Wei, Tian Kong on Shen, Bai Hu on You, Tai Chang on Xu, Xuan Wu on Hai, Tai Yin on Zi, and Tian Hou on Chou. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Xin, located in Xu, with You above it, riding Bai Hu; the second lesson is You, with Shen above it, riding Tian Kong; the third lesson is the day branch Hai, with Xu above it, riding Tai Chang; the fourth lesson is Xu, with You above it, riding Bai Hu. The three transmissions are Xu, You, Shen: the first transmission is Geng Xu, representing the parent's yao, riding Tai Chang; the middle transmission is Ji You, representing the brother's yao, riding Bai Hu; the final transmission is Wu Shen, also representing the brother's yao, riding Tian Kong.

邵先生曰：雞尋不見矣。被犬沖入鄰家，一奴便捉去，殺而食之矣。 先生析曰；蓋戌為用，奴偷也。鄰近人家者，酉為刃作虎，申亦是虎加酉，酉與戌鄰故也。酉為雞，雖類神入傳，加日主自歸，奈何加戌，陽刃殺上作虎，如何得活。

Master Shao said: This chicken cannot be recovered. It was chased by a dog into a neighboring house, where a servant caught it and killed it for food. Master Shao explained: The first transmission starts with戌, which represents a servant stealing it. The reason it is a neighboring house is because酉 is the Yangren and is riding the White Tiger, while申 also has the White Tiger on top of酉. Since酉 and戌 are adjacent, and酉 among the six domestic animals represents a chicken, although the class god enters the three transmissions and is on the day stem which usually indicates returning, it is unable to return because it is on戌, the Yangren, which is further afflicted by the White Tiger. How can it survive?

191）某占捕逃有罪人，己酉年十月癸卯日寅將辰時。（辰巳空亡，寅卯落空），渉害，極陰。 蛇貴 朱卯辰巳午后 六寅 未陰 空 陳 常 空 鬼 辛丑 陳 初 陳丑 申玄 亥 丑 酉 亥 兄 己亥 空 中（暗鬼） 龍子亥戌酉常 丑 卯 亥 癸 父 丁酉 常 末（丁神） 空虎

Example 191: A person came to seek divination regarding the capture of a fugitive criminal. The time was Jiyou year, tenth month, Guimao day. Using the寅 month general added to the辰 hour, the lesson was set up, and the lesson pattern is exactly the same as the previous example 150, where Cao Jiangshi sought divination about a plot. On Guimao day, it belongs to the Jiawu decade, with the empty position falling on Chen and Si. The branches of the heaven plate,寅 and卯, are exactly on the empty position. The lesson names are two: "Involvement of Harm" and "Extreme Yin". The heaven plate with寅 general added to the辰 hour was set up. The nobleman is on巳, with Teng Snake on辰, Vermilion Bird on卯, Liu He on寅, Gou Chen on丑, Qinglong on子, Tian Kong on亥, Baihu on戌, Tai Chang on酉, Xuanwu on申, Tai Yin on未, and Tianhou on午. The four lessons from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem癸, which is in the丑 palace, with亥 on top, riding Tian Kong; the second lesson is on亥, with酉 on top, riding Tai Chang; the third lesson is on the day branch卯, with丑 on top, riding Gou Chen; the fourth lesson is on丑, with亥 on top, riding Tian Kong. The three transmissions are丑,亥,酉: the first transmission is Xinchou, which is the official ghost yao, riding Gou Chen; the second transmission is Jihai, which is the brother yao, riding Tian Kong, and secretly carries the ghost; the third transmission is Dingyou, which is the parent yao, riding Tai Chang, and is also the "Ding spirit".

邵先生曰：此課干來加支，即發用，退歸西北，其人逃往買賣人汪家後空豬圈內藏匿，亥四丑八，去此三十二里，有婢在宅前著孝衣洗酒器，不在可問之，在崩敗東廁內，可往擒之。水日見亥，亥內有壬，壬加水，汪姓也。酉加亥為酒器，酉又為婢，作破碎，乘太常為喪服。

Master Zhao said: In this case, the day stem is added to the day branch to form the first transmission, which proceeds northwest. The person had taken refuge at a merchant's house called Wang, hiding in the back empty pigpen. The number of亥 is four, and the number of丑 is eight, totaling thirty-two, meaning thirty-two li away. There is a servant girl in front of the house wearing mourning clothes washing wine vessels; if he is not in the pigpen, he can ask her, for the person is in the collapsed toilet to the east, and he can go and capture him. Here, water is seen with亥, which contains壬, and adding water to壬 forms the character 'Wang', so the surname is determined as Wang.酉 is placed on亥 to represent the wine vessel;酉 also represents the servant girl, carrying a broken aspect, riding Tai Chang which signifies mourning clothes.

192）李四官占失盜，十月辛卯日寅將巳時。（午未空亡，卯辰落空）,昂星，勵德，龍戰。 六朱 陳寅卯辰巳蛇 龍丑 午貴 玄 空 朱 后 子 戊子 空 初 空子 未后 酉 子 辰 未 父 空未 后 中（空亡） 虎亥戌酉申陰 子 卯 未 辛 子 戊子 空 末 常玄

Example 192: Li Si, an official, divines about a theft. The time is on the tenth month, Xin Mao day. The class is started with the寅 month general added to the巳 hour. Xin Mao day belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty position falling on Wu and Wei. The heavenly plate's卯 and辰 branches are exactly on the empty position. The lesson has three names: "昴 Star", "Lide", and "Dragon Battle". The heavenly plate is set with寅 general added to the巳 hour. The nobleman rides午, below it is Teng Snake riding巳, Zhu Que riding辰, Liu He riding卯, Gou Chen riding寅, Qing Long riding丑, Tian Kong riding子, Bai Hu riding亥, Tai Chang riding戌, Tai Yin riding申, Tian Hou riding未. The four lessons from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Xin, located in the戌 palace, with Wei above it, riding Tian Hou; the second lesson is Wei with辰 above it, riding Zhu Que; the third lesson is the day branch卯 with子 above it, riding Tian Kong; the fourth lesson is子 with酉 above it, riding Xuan Wu. The three transmissions are子, 未, 子: the first transmission is Wu Zi, a son's yao, riding Tian Kong; the middle transmission is Wei, which meets the empty position, as the father's yao, riding Tian Hou; the final transmission is again Wu Zi, a son's yao, riding Tian Kong.

邵先生曰：辛卯日，三傳不行，單只在支干上，初傳是支上之子，中傳是干上之未，末傳又歸支上子。子未相害，雖喜未能制子，無奈未乃旬空，不能剋制，徒作干上空亡，自合失脫也。未空不能生辛金，而辛金反能生支上子水，為之脫氣，故捉賊不得，但初傳自宅發用，末傳又歸宅上，是賊不出門也。當主本家眷屬為腳耳。後卻知是大兄二兄之子，偷回房中，三日後方攜出使用。李四官失錢穀二物。

Master Zhao said: On the day of Xin Mao, the three transmissions cannot proceed beyond the day stem and day branch; the first transmission is the Zi of the day branch, the middle transmission is the Wei of the day stem, and the final transmission returns to the Zi of the day branch. Zi and Wei are mutually harmful. Originally, Wei could control Zi, but since Wei is exactly in the旬空, it cannot exert control, thus becoming an empty亡 on the day stem. Therefore, things naturally get lost. Since Wei is empty, it cannot generate Xin metal, and Xin metal instead goes on to nourish the Zi water of the day branch, resulting in a draining effect, so the thief could not be caught. However, the first transmission originates from the house position, and the final transmission returns to the house position, indicating that the thief did not leave, and it must have been an inside accomplice from the family. Later it was found out that it was the sons of the elder brother and second brother who stole the items and hid them in their own rooms, and after three days they took them out to use. Li Si lost money and grain.

先生析曰；大凡占賊，日傳歸日，辰傳歸辰，皆不是外人，況辛卯日，三傳皆在干支上耶。若末傳出去，庶可向外尋耳。占人行年又在卯上，乃家賊無疑耳。

Master Zhao explained that in divining about thieves, if the matter originates from the day stem and returns to the day stem, or originates from the day branch and returns to the day branch, it is not someone from outside. Moreover, on the Xinmao day, all three transmissions fall on the day stem and day branch. If the final transmission goes beyond, one can look outside. But since the person's age is on the卯 (Mao), it is definitely a family thief.

193）官人寓寺中失婢而占，甲寅日卯將丑時。（子丑空亡，寅卯落空），重審，間傳，斬關，登三天。 后陰 貴未申酉戌玄 蛇午 亥常 蛇 六 蛇 六 財 丙辰 六 初 朱巳 子虎 午 辰 午 辰 子 戊午 蛇 中 六辰卯寅丑空 辰 寅 辰 甲 鬼 庚申 后 末（暗鬼） 陳龍

Example 193: A man who was staying in a temple lost his servant and sought divination. The date was Jiayin (甲寅), using the Mao month general added to the Chou hour. The day Jiayin belongs to the Jiayin decade, with the empty position falling on Zi and Chou. The branches of Heaven Plate, Yin and Mao, are exactly on the empty positions. The lesson has four names: "Re-examination", "Intermediate Transmission", "Cutting the Gate", and "Ascending to the Three Heavens". The Heaven Plate is set with Mao as the general added to the Chou hour. The Nobleman rides on Wei, below it Teng Snake rides on Wu, Vermilion Bird on Si, Liu He on Chen, Gou Chen on Mao, Azure Dragon on Yin, Tian Kong on Chou, Bai Hu on Zi, Tai Chang on Hai, Xuan Wu on Xu, Tai Yin on You, and Tian Hou on Shen. The four lessons from right to left: the first lesson, the day stem Ji rides on Yin, with Chen above it, riding Liu He; the second lesson, Chen has Wu above it, riding Teng Snake; the third lesson, the day branch Yin has Chen above it, riding Liu He; the fourth lesson, Chen has Wu above it, riding Teng Snake. The three transmissions are Chen, Wu, and Shen: the first transmission Bingchen is the wife's wealth, riding Liu He; the middle transmission Wuwu is the son's fortune, riding Teng Snake; the final transmission Gengshen is the official's ghost, riding Tian Hou, secretly accompanied by a ghost.

邵先生曰：此婢走不遠，被一兇徒藏在西南閣子上，只在今日敗矣。辰加寅作六合，甲寅日納音屬水，水墓辰，人皆言斬關課。辰上見魁罡，必主動。近者遠去。殊不知甲寅水墓辰，辰初為傳午為陰婦人，在辰上曰阻關，所以不進。末申作後，是女鬼，加午道路路上，被鬼阻不行。天后主厭翳藏匿。又勾在卯，午乘戌。戌為樓閣，故藏高處閣上，主敗者，內戰也。 果次日於寺西南人家閣上擒之。

Shao Master said: This servant girl will not run far, for she has been hidden by a violent man in the southwest attic. She will be exposed today. Chen is placed on Yin and is covered by Liu He; the Nayin sound element of Jiayin day belongs to water, and the resting place of water is Chen, so everyone calls this a cutting gate lesson. Chen is also the first transmission and Wu is the woman, falling on Chen is called "blocking the gate," so she cannot escape. The final transmission of Shen is covered by Heavenly Empress, which is the image of a female ghost, and it is placed on Wu, which is the road, so she is blocked by the ghost and cannot move. Heavenly Empress also governs concealment and hiding. Adding Gou Chen on Mao, Wu is covered by Xu—Xu governs attics, so she is hidden in a high attic. It is said that she will be exposed today because the lesson forms an internal conflict. The next day, she was indeed caught in an attic in the southwest of a house in the temple.

194）某占失婢，己酉日酉將未時。（寅卯空亡，辰巳落空），元首，不備，閉口，出戶。 陳六 龍未申酉戌朱 空午 亥蛇 后 蛇 蛇 六 兄 癸丑 后 初 虎巳 子貴 丑 亥 亥 酉 鬼 空卯 玄 中（空亡） 常辰卯寅丑后 亥 酉 酉 己 父 乙巳 虎 末（落空）（暗鬼） 玄陰

Example 194: A person came to consult about a missing servant girl. The time was on Jiyou day, with You month general added to Wei time to cast the divination. Jiyou day belongs to Jiachen decade, with the empty position falling on Yin and Mao. The Heaven Plate's Chen and Si branches are exactly on the empty position. The name of the lesson has four parts: "Original Head", "Incomplete", "Closed Mouth", and "Exit Door". The Heaven Plate is set with You general added to Wei time. The Nobleman rides Zi, below it Teng Snake rides Hai, Zhu Que rides Xu, Liu He rides You, Gou Chen rides Shen, Qing Long rides Wei, Tian Kong rides Wu, Bai Hu rides Si, Tai Chang rides Chen, Xuan Wu rides Mao, Tai Yin rides Yin, and Tian Hou rides Chou. The four lessons from right to left: the first lesson is Day Stem Ji riding Wei palace, with You above it, riding Liu He; the second lesson is You with Hai above it, riding Teng Snake; the third lesson is Day Branch You with Hai above it, also riding Teng Snake; the fourth lesson is Hai with Chou above it, riding Tian Hou. The three transmissions are Chou, Mao, and Si: the first transmission is Gui Chou as a brother's yao, riding Tian Hou; the middle transmission is Mao, which falls on the empty position, as an official ghost yao, riding Xuan Wu; the final transmission is Yi Si as a parent's yao, riding Bai Hu, falling on the empty position and secretly accompanied by a ghost.

邵先生曰：此婢不失，但往來處尋之，六里內必見也。日辰三傳俱在陰位，陰主伏匿，巳作虎臨門戶上，其人入門去便止也。蓋己日為尊，酉辰為婢，今加日上，是婢來就尊，日辰相加，所以不走。酉六故不出六里必見。 果往東方六里內尋見，乃失路不能歸也。

Master Zhao said: This servant girl cannot have been lost; she can only be found within six li of her usual places. The day stem and day branch, along with the three transmissions, all fall in yin positions, and yin signifies concealment. The巳 is occupied by the White Tiger, which is positioned at the entrance, indicating that once she entered someone else's door, she stopped. The己 day represents a superior, while酉 and辰 represent the servant girl. Now they are added to the day stem, meaning the servant girl approaches the superior. The day stem and day branch combine, so she cannot escape. The number of酉 is six, so she can be found within six li. Later, she was indeed found within six li to the east, as she had gotten lost and was unable to return.

195）某占婢走失，己未日子將戌時。（子丑空亡，巳午落空），八專，獨足。 貴后 蛇未申酉戌陰 朱午 亥玄 玄 后 玄 后 子 辛酉 后 初 六巳 子常 亥 酉 亥 酉 子 辛酉 后 中 陳辰卯寅丑虎 酉 未 酉 己 子 辛酉 后 末 龍空

Example 195: A person seeks divination regarding a missing servant girl. The time is on the day of Jiwei, using the Zi month general placed on the戌 hour to cast the divination. The day Jiwei belongs to the Jiayin decade, with the empty palace falling on Zi and Chou (the original text also marks 'Si and Wu fall empty', which does not match the current divination chart, but is recorded as is). The name of the divination is two: 'Ba Zuan' (Ji is lodged in the Wei palace, and coincides with the day branch Wei) and 'Du Zu'. The Heaven Plate uses the Zi general placed on the戌 hour to establish the chart. The nobleman rides the Shen, below which Teng Snake rides Wei, the Vermilion Bird rides Wu, the Liu He rides Si, the Gou Chen rides Chen, the Azure Dragon rides Mao, the Tian Kong rides Yin, the White Tiger rides Chou, the Tai Chang rides Zi, the Black Tortoise rides Hai, and the Tai Yin rides Xu. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ji lodged in the Wei palace, above which is You, riding the Heavenly Empress; the second lesson is You above Hai, riding the Black Tortoise; the third lesson is the day branch Wei above You, riding the Heavenly Empress; the fourth lesson is You above Hai, riding the Black Tortoise. The three transmissions are all Xinyou, the grandson yao, all riding the Heavenly Empress, forming a single line.

邵先生曰：獨足課，酉為婢加未，不離身宅矣。兼獨足體，一足焉能動焉，不須尋，當日歸矣。

Zhao Master said: This is a "dú zú" lesson pattern. You (the hour animal) represents a servant girl, placed on Wei, so she does not leave the house. Moreover, the lesson pattern is "dú zú," meaning only one foot, how can it move? There is no need to search for her; she will return by herself that day.

196）某因親事筵會失銀而求占，庚辰日酉將辰時。（申酉空亡，丑寅落空），重審，驀越，引從。 朱蛇 六戌亥子丑貴 陳酉 寅后 后 陳 虎 貴 財 戊寅 后 初 龍申 卯陰 寅 酉 午 丑 父 癸未 空 中 空未午巳辰玄 酉 辰 丑 庚 子 丙子 蛇 末（暗鬼） 虎常

Example 196: A person came to seek divination because he lost silver while hosting a wedding banquet. The time was on Geng Chen day, using You as the month general added to Chen hour. Geng Chen day belongs to Jia Xu decade, with the empty position falling on Shen and You. The heaven plate's Chou and Yin branches are exactly on the empty position. The lesson has three names: "Rechecking", "Sudden Leap", and "Following". The heaven plate is set with You as the general added to Chen hour. The nobleman is on Chou, below which Teng Snake is on Zi, Zhu Que on Hai, Liu He on Xu, Gou Chen on You, Qing Long on Shen, Tian Kong on Wei, Bai Hu on Wu, Tai Chang on Si, Xuan Wu on Chen, Tai Yin on Mao, and Tian Hou on Yin. The four lessons from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Geng, located in Shen, with Chou above, riding the nobleman; the second lesson is Chou with Wu above, riding Bai Hu; the third lesson is the day branch Chen with You above, riding Gou Chen; the fourth lesson is You with Yin above, riding Tian Hou. The three transmissions are Yin, Wei, and Zi: the first transmission is Wu Yin as the wife's wealth, riding Tian Hou; the second transmission is Gui Wei as the parents' wealth, riding Tian Kong; the third transmission is Bing Zi as the children's wealth, riding Teng Snake, secretly accompanied by a ghost.

邵先生曰：寅作后加酉，為隱蔽，酉金類神也，合加支上，日上有丑墓，寅作用，中又未，作墓覆其上，凡見墓則為藏物，有類神，主其物不失，中未墓作天空，主汙穢，那更神作玄武，傳入勾陳，勾陳在酉而敗元武，故主尋之必得。果於廁坑之側尋見。

Master Zhao said: The寅 (Yin) is riding on the Heavenly Empress and is placed on the酉 (You), indicating a hidden situation; the酉 metal is exactly the class god of silver, and it is also added on the day branch. The day stem has the丑 (Chou) as its tomb, so the寅 is taken as the first transmission. The middle transmission is the未 (Wei), which is another tomb, and it is repeated on top. Whenever a tomb appears, it indicates something is hidden; since the class god is still present, it means the thing will not be lost. The middle transmission's 未 tomb is riding on Tian Kong, indicating a place of filth; moreover, the god under the Black Tortoise is transmitted into Gou Chen, and Gou Chen on You can overcome and defeat the Black Tortoise, so it indicates that the search will definitely find the item. Later, it was indeed found next to the toilet.

197）同日酉將午時尋之未見，其子再占。（申酉空亡，亥子落空）， 陳六 龍申酉戌亥朱 空未 子蛇 六 空 后 朱 財 戊寅 后 初 虎午 丑貴 戌 未 寅 亥 鬼 辛巳 常 中 常巳辰卯寅后 未 辰 亥 庚 兄 空申 龍 末（空亡） 玄陰

Example 197: On the same day, when the time reached You (酉) and the hour was Wu (午), the thing had still not been found. His son then cast another divination. On Geng Chen day, which falls in the Jia Xu decade, the empty position (空亡) is in Shen (申) and You (酉). The Heaven Plate's Zi (子) and Hai (亥) branches are directly on the empty positions (底本此处未标课名). The Heaven Plate is set with You (酉) as the general and Wu (午) as the hour. The Nobleman is on Chou (丑), beneath which is Teng Snake on Zi (子), Vermilion Bird on Hai (亥), Liu He on Xu (戌), Gou Chen on You (酉), Azure Dragon on Shen (申), Tian Kong on Wei (未), Bai Hu on Wu (午), Tai Chang on Si (巳), Xuan Wu on Chen (辰), Tai Yin on Mao (卯), and Tian Hou on Yin (寅). The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Geng (庚) located in Shen (申) with Hai (亥) above it, riding Vermilion Bird; the second lesson is Hai (亥) with Yin (寅) above it, riding Tian Hou; the third lesson is the day branch Chen (辰) with Wei (未) above it, riding Tian Kong; the fourth lesson is Wei (未) with Xu (戌) above it, riding Liu He. The three transmissions are Yin (寅), Si (巳), and Shen (申): the first transmission is Wu Yin (戊寅), a wife wealth hexagram, riding Tian Hou; the second transmission is Xin Si (辛巳), an official ghost hexagram, riding Tai Chang; the third transmission is Shen (申), which falls on the empty position, a brother hexagram, riding Azure Dragon.

邵先生曰：其物在廁屋左右。蓋寅加亥為用，末申繫類神，辰作玄武加丑金墓，辰上見天空，主汙穢處藏匿，尋之必見。果於申牌後於廁坑左右尋得，與前課不異。

Master Zhao said: The thing is located to the left and right of the toilet building. Because Yin is placed on Hai to form the first transmission, and the final transmission Shen is exactly the spirit associated with silver; Chen rides the Black Tortoise and is placed on Chou, the tomb of metal, and Chen also sees Tian Kong, indicating it is hidden in dirty places, and searching for it will certainly find it. Later, it was indeed found after Shen hour, to the left and right of the toilet, exactly as predicted in the previous lesson.

198）某婦占失金耳環，十一月己丑日寅將戌時。（午未空亡，戌亥落空），渉害，從革。 朱六 蛇酉戌亥子陳 貴申 丑龍 蛇 玄 虎 六 子 乙酉 蛇 初（暗鬼） 后未 寅空 酉 巳 卯 亥 兄 己丑 龍 中 陰午巳辰卯虎 巳 丑 亥 己 父 癸巳 玄 末 玄常

Example 198: A woman came to consult about a lost gold earring. The time was on the 11th month, Jichou day. The class was started with the month general of寅 added to the戌 hour. Jichou day belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty position falling on午 and未. The branches of the heaven plate,戌 and亥, are exactly on the empty positions. The name of the class is two: "Involvement of Harm" and "Metallurgical Transformation" (the three transmissions,酉,丑,巳, form a metal structure). The heaven plate was set with the寅 general added to the戌 hour. The nobleman is on申, with the Teng Snake on酉, Vermilion Bird on戌, Liu He on亥, Gou Chen on子, Azure Dragon on丑, Tian Kong on寅, White Tiger on卯, Tai Chang on辰, Black Tortoise on巳, Tai Yin on午, and Heavenly Empress on未. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem己, located in the未 palace, with亥 on top, riding Liu He; the second lesson is亥 with卯 on top, riding White Tiger; the third lesson is the day branch丑 with巳 on top, riding Black Tortoise; the fourth lesson is巳 with酉 on top, riding Teng Snake. The three transmissions are酉,丑,巳: the first transmission is Yiyou, the son's yao, riding Teng Snake, secretly accompanied by a ghost; the middle transmission is己丑, the brother's yao, riding Azure Dragon; the final transmission is Guisi, the parent's yao, riding Black Tortoise.

邵先生曰：金環以酉為類神，初傳即加巳上，乃長生之地，不落空亡，又是三合金局，此物乃自己遺失，見在必得。巳為爐灶，酉加之，得蛇亦巳火，當失爐灶灰中。火至冬而死，故云灰中。尋之果於爐下尋見。

Master Zhao said: A gold earring belongs to the酉 (You) category deity. The initial transmission's酉 (You) is placed on巳 (Si). The巳 (Si) is the growth place of metal, and it does not meet Kongwang. It also forms the Triple Harmony of metal; this indicates the earring was lost by oneself and is still present, so it can certainly be found. The巳 (Si) is taken as a stove. The酉 (You) is placed on top of it. The Teng Snake, which is the deity riding on it, itself belongs to巳 (Si) fire. Therefore, it must have fallen into the stove's ashes. Fire dies in winter, so it is said to be in the ashes. When searching, it was indeed found underneath the stove.

199）僧占失度牒，辛卯日酉將辰時。（午未空亡，亥子落空），重審，勵德，贅婿，不備。 龍空 陳戌亥子丑虎 六酉 寅常 虎 朱 朱 玄 財 辛卯 玄 初 朱申 卯玄 丑 申 申 卯 兄 甲申 朱 中 蛇未午巳辰陰 申 卯 卯 辛 父 己丑 虎 末 貴後

Example 199: A monk came to divinate the loss of his official certificate. The day was Xin Mao, with You as the month general added to Chen time. Xin Mao day belongs to Jiashen decade, with the empty position falling on Wu and Wei. The Heaven Plate's Zi and Chou branches are exactly on the empty positions. The lesson has four names: "Re-examination," "Encouragement of Virtue," "Stepson," and "Incomplete." The Heaven Plate is set with You as the general added to Chen time. The nobleman is on Wu, with Teng Snake on Wei, Vermilion Bird on Shen, Liu He on You, Gou Chen on Xu, Azure Dragon on Hai, Tian Kong on Zi, Bai Hu on Chou, Tai Chang on Yin, Tai Yin on Mao, Tian Hou on Si. The four lessons from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Xin, located in Xu, with Mao on top, riding on Xuan Wu; the second lesson is Mao with Shen on top, riding on Zhu Que; the third lesson is the day branch Mao with Shen on top, also riding on Zhu Que; the fourth lesson is Shen with Chou on top, riding on Bai Hu. The three transmissions are Mao, Shen, and Chou: the first transmission is Xin Mao, the wife's wealth, riding on Xuan Wu; the middle transmission is Jiashen, the brother, riding on Zhu Que; the final transmission is Jichou, the parents, riding on Bai Hu.

邵先生曰：被親偷去，火焚了，其人腳跛，手指缺。蓋度牒以朱雀為類神，申為僧人，而元武乘卯合辛，故為親人，辛克卯，故卯遂偷去。知乃是外弟偷去，手足有疾不謬。

Shao Master said: The degree certificate was stolen and burned by a relative. That person was a cripple with a missing finger. The degree certificate is associated with the Vermilion Bird. The monkey represents the monk; the Black Tortoise rides on the rabbit and combines with the metal element Xin, so it is a relative. Xin overcomes the rabbit, so the rabbit stole it. Later it was known that it was his cousin who did it, and that person indeed had disabilities in his hands and feet, exactly as described.

200）知縣宴同僚反失去銀物衣物而占，九月癸丑日卯將卯時。（寅卯空亡，寅卯落空），伏吟，亂首，勵德，遊子，稼穡。 后陰 貴巳午未申玄 蛇辰 酉常 陳 陳 陳 陳 鬼 癸丑 陳 初 朱卯 戌虎 丑 丑 丑 丑 官 庚戌 虎 中 六寅丑子亥空 丑 丑 丑 癸 鬼 丁未 陰 末（丁神） 勾龍

Example 200: A county magistrate hosted a banquet for his colleagues, but lost silver and clothes, so he came to seek divination. The time was the ninth month, on the day of Guichou. The class was started with the month general of Mao added to the hour of Mao. Since the month general and the hour are the same, it is called 'Hidden Chant'. The Heaven Plate and Earth Plate are completely overlapping. The day of Guichou belongs to the Jiachen decade, with the empty palace falling on Yin and Mao. Under the Hidden Chant, the Heaven and Earth plates overlap, and Yin and Mao also fall exactly on the empty palace. The name of the class has five: 'Hidden Chant', 'Disorderly Beginning', 'Encouraging Virtue', 'Wandering Child', 'Cultivating Land'. The three transmissions are Chou, Xu, and Wei, all of which are earth. On the Heaven Plate, the Nobleman is riding Si, below it the Teng Snake rides Chen, the Vermilion Bird rides Mao, the Liu He rides Yin, the Gou Chen rides Chou, the Azure Dragon rides Zi, the Tian Kong rides Hai, the White Tiger rides Xu, the Tai Chang rides You, the Tai Yin rides Wei, the Heaven Empress rides Wu. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: all four lessons are on Chou, with Chou riding Gou Chen. The three transmissions Chou, Xu, and Wei: the first transmission is Jiachou, which is the official ghost爻, riding Gou Chen; the middle transmission is Gengxu, which is the official star, riding White Tiger; the final transmission is Dingwei, which is the official ghost爻, riding Tai Yin, and is also called 'Ding God'.

邵先生曰：其人須在高處，下來作竊，其物必藏在神廟中，未出衙門，今日午時二姓徐王人敗。丁己在未，故主二姓人。癸為日主刑戌，戌為人力，又為高樓宿處，伏吟不離本家也。未為木墓，內有鬼宿乘太陰，主神廟。太陰主隱匿也。人在高處者，元武在申，申為高處也。

Shao said: This thief originally was in a high place, coming down from above to commit theft; the stolen goods must be hidden in a temple, and have not yet left the official compound. Today at noon, two people surnamed Xu and Wang will be exposed. The earth branch Wei contains the day stems Ding and Ji, so it refers to two surnames. The day stem癸 is in conflict with戌, and戌 represents servants, as well as a high building where people stay; a lesson of Hidden Chant cannot be separated from the family. Wei is the tomb of wood, with the ghost mansion within it, and it is also occupied by Tai Yin, so it refers to the temple - Tai Yin naturally governs concealment. The statement that the person is in a high place is because the Black Tortoise is in the position of申, and申 is indeed a high place.

後果於本衙中神廟龕下尋見，乃是樓上打更人偷，丑為官星，勾作刑，故獲。

Later, they indeed found it underneath the shrine in the office building. It had been stolen by the night watchman upstairs. Chou is the official star, and Gou Chen also signifies arrest and punishment, so the thief was captured.

201）某占失銀子，庚午日子將丑時。（子丑空亡，亥子落空），遙克，逆茹，蒿矢。 朱蛇 六辰巳午未貴 陳卯 申后 六 朱 蛇 貴 鬼 庚午 蛇 初 龍寅 酉陰 辰 巳 午 未 鬼 己巳 朱 中 空丑子亥戌玄 巳 午 未 庚 父 戊辰 六 末 虎常

Example 201: A person comes to divinate the loss of silver. The time is on a Gengwu day, using the Zi month general added to the Chou hour to cast the divination. The base text indicates that the empty branches are in Zi and Chou. The Heaven Plate's Hai and Zi branches are directly over these two empty branches (according to the Gengwu day belonging to the Jiazi cycle, the empty branches should be in Xu and Hai, but the base text records them as Zi and Chou, the next example is the same, and it is recorded as such here). The name of the divination has three: "Remote Conquest", "Reverse Consumption" (the three transmissions are Wu, Si, Chen in reverse order), and "Arrow". The Heaven Plate is set with the Zi general added to the Chou hour. The Nobleman is on Wei, below it is Teng Snake on Wu, Vermilion Bird on Si, Liu He on Chen, Gou Chen on Mao, Azure Dragon on Yin, Tian Kong on Chou, White Tiger on Zi, Tai Chang on Hai, Tai Yin on You, Heavenly Empress on Shen. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the Day Stem Geng, located in Shen, with Wei above it, riding the Nobleman; the second lesson is Wei with Wu above it, riding Teng Snake; the third lesson is the Day Branch Wu with Si above it, riding Vermilion Bird; the fourth lesson is Si with Chen above it, riding Liu He. The three transmissions are Wu, Si, Chen: the first transmission Gengwu is the official ghost yao, riding Teng Snake; the middle transmission Ji Si is also the official ghost yao, riding Vermilion Bird; the final transmission Wu Chen is the parent yao, riding Liu He.

邵先生曰：其物在南方爐灶近水邊，溼泥中土藏之，若落水缸畔中，有楊樹傍，乃有木果處尋。後於灶邊水缸下尋見。蓋缸邊者，發用巳午蛇雀。近水泥溼者，乃午未上遁得壬癸水也。類神酉臨火墓作太陰，是以賊不出去也。

Shao Master said: Things are located near the southern stove, close to water, buried in wet mud; or if they fall by the water barrel, then look for them where there are poplar trees and fruit trees. Later they indeed found them under the stove and beneath the water barrel. The mention of the water barrel is because the first transmission initiated at巳 and午, and was accompanied by Teng Snake and Vermilion Bird. The mention of being near water with wet mud is because the water of Ji and Gui emerged from午 and未. The spirit of silver, which is酉, is located on the墓 of fire and accompanied by Tai Yin, so the thief did not take the things away.

202）尋物未見，再占。庚午日子將酉時。（子丑空亡，卯辰落空），重審，高蓋，三交，伏殃，二煩。 陳六 龍申酉戌亥朱 空未 子蛇 蛇 陳 后 朱 兄 癸酉 陳 初 虎午 丑貴 子 酉 寅 亥 子 空子 蛇 中（空亡） 常巳辰卯寅后 酉 午 亥 庚 財 丁卯 陰 末（暗鬼）（丁神） 玄陰

Example 202: The east and west have not yet been found, so another lesson is cast. It is still the day of Gengwu, using the Zi month general added to the You hour. The original text indicates the旬空 is on Zi and Chou. The Heaven Plate's Mao and Chen branches are exactly over these two Kongwang houses. The lesson has five names: "Chong Shen", "Gao Gai", "San Jiao", "Fu Yang", and "Er Fan". The Heaven Plate is set with the Zi general added to the You hour. The Nobleman is on Chou, below it is Teng Snake on Zi, Zhu Que on Hai, Liu He on Xu, Gou Chen on You, Qing Long on Shen, Tian Kong on Wei, Bai Hu on Wu, Tai Chang on Si, Xuan Wu on Chen, Tai Yin on Mao, and Tian Hou on Yin. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson, the day stem Geng is in Shen, with Hai above it, riding Zhu Que; the second lesson, Hai has Yin above it, riding Tian Hou; the third lesson, the day branch Wu has You above it, riding Gou Chen; the fourth lesson, You has Zi above it, riding Teng Snake. The three transmissions are You, Zi, and Mao: the first transmission, Gui You is the brother's yao, riding Gou Chen; the middle transmission, Zi is in the旬空, as the son's yao, riding Teng Snake; the final transmission, Ding Mao is the wife's wealth yao, riding Tai Yin, secretly accompanied by a ghost, and is also the "Ding God".

邵先生曰：物在南方爐灶前，水溼處尋之，乃自家人盜耳。 先生析曰；蓋辰作元武，主僕輩。酉為類神，作勾臨午，更太陰臨水，故主溼處。後果然。凡失物須看類神在傳，或加日辰定見。傳日不出日，傳時不出時，宜秘之。

Master Zhao said: The lost item is in the damp place in front of the southern stove; go there to look for it; it is stolen by one's own family. Master Zhao explained: Chen is riding on Xuanwu, indicating a servant of the same generation; You is the class god of silver, riding on Gou Chen and approaching the Wu; Tai Yin also approaches the water, so it indicates a damp place. Later it turned out to be true. Whenever something is lost, one must check whether the class god is in the three transmissions, or if it is added to the day stem or day branch. If so, the item will certainly be found. If the three transmissions fall on the day, the item will be found that day; if they fall on the hour, it will be found at that moment. This key principle should be kept secret and not easily passed on.

203）某占失舡，十一月朔壬午日丑將卯時。（申酉空亡，午未落空），元首，斬關，間傳。此與遂安官人占失馬同式，見六畜內。 蛇貴 朱卯辰巳午后 六寅 未陰 六 蛇 陰 常 子 戊寅 六 初（暗鬼） 陳丑 申玄 寅 辰 未 酉 兄 丙子 龍 中 龍子亥戌酉常 辰 午 酉 壬 鬼 甲戌 虎 末 空虎

Example 203: A person came to divinate the loss of a boat. The date was the first day of the eleventh lunar month, on a Renwu day. The lesson was cast with the Month General Chou added to the卯 hour. This lesson is exactly the same as the previous one where Suian official divined the loss of a horse, as described in the section on domestic animals. On a Renwu day, it falls in the Jiaxu decade, with the empty position falling on Shen and You. The branches of the Heaven Plate, Wu and Wei, are directly on the empty positions. The lesson has three names: "Original Head", "Cutting the Gate", and "Intermediate Transmission". The Heaven Plate is set with the Month General Chou added to the卯 hour. The Nobleman is riding on Si, below which Teng Snake rides on Chen, Zhu Que on Mao, Liu He on Yin, Gou Chen on Chou, Qing Long on Zi, Tian Kong on Hai, Bai Hu on Xu, Tai Chang on You, Tai Yin on Wei, Xuan Wu on Shen, and Tian Hou on Wu. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the Day Stem Ren, which is in the Hai palace, with You above it, riding on Tai Chang; the second lesson is You with Wei above it, riding on Tai Yin; the third lesson is the Day Branch Wu with Chen above it, riding on Teng Snake; the fourth lesson is Chen with Yin above it, riding on Liu He. The three transmissions are Yin, Zi, and Xu: the first transmission is Wu Yin, which is the Son and Daughter yao, riding on Liu He, and secretly accompanied by a ghost; the second transmission is Bing Zi, which is the Brother and Sister yao, riding on Qing Long; the third transmission is Jia Xu, which is the Official and Ghost yao, riding on Bai Hu.

邵先生曰：船往南方尋之，初八日內見，舡在旱地上，所以不進。寅作合加辰為用，舡在地之象。寅木也，乘合卯乃舡。且今日卯為神類加巳，是在地戶東南上也。寅卯木三數，戌五數，共八，故八日內也。果初八日於東南上尋見。

Master Zhao said: The boat should be sought in the southern direction, and it can be found within eight days; the boat is stranded on dry land, so it cannot move. The trigram Yin is riding on Liu He and is applied to Chen, which is the initiating transmission, exactly representing the image of the boat being stranded on land. Yin belongs to wood, and the Liu He it rides on originally belongs to Mao, which is the boat. Moreover, today the class god Mao is applied to Si, and Si is the earth gate, located in the southeast. Yin and Mao belong to wood, their number is three, and Xu's number is five, totaling eight, so the prediction is made within eight days. Later, indeed, the boat was found on the southeast side on the eighth day.

204）某占失麥面，丁卯日卯將戌時。（戌亥空亡，卯辰落空），重審，鑄印，乘軒。 朱六 蛇戌亥子丑勾 貴酉 寅龍 勾 后 常 六 兄 己巳 常 初 后申 卯空 丑 申 巳 子 子 空戌 蛇 中 陰未午巳辰虎 申 卯 子 丁 父 丁卯 空 末 玄常

Example 204: A person came to consult about the loss of wheat flour. The time was on a Dingmao day, with the卯 month general added to the戌 hour to cast the divination. The Dingmao day belongs to the Jiazi decade, with the empty space falling on the戌 and亥 positions. The卯 and辰 branches on the heaven plate are exactly on the empty space positions. The name of the lesson has three: "Re-examination", "Casting Seal", and "Taking a Carriage". The heaven plate uses the卯 general added to the戌 hour to set up the lesson. The nobleman is on the酉, with the Teng Snake on the戌, the Vermilion Bird on the亥, the Liu He on the子, the Gou Chen on the丑, the Azure Dragon on the寅, the Tian Kong on the卯, the White Tiger on the辰, the Tai Chang on the巳, the Tai Yin on the午, and the Heavenly Empress on the申. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ding, which is in the Wei position, with the子 on top, riding the Liu He; the second lesson is the子 with the巳 on top, riding the Tai Chang; the third lesson is the day branch卯 with the申 on top, riding the Heavenly Empress; the fourth lesson is the申 with the丑 on top, riding the Gou Chen. The three transmissions are巳,戌, and卯: the first transmission is Ji Si, representing the brother's yao, riding the Tai Chang; the middle transmission is Xu, which falls on the empty space of the decade, representing the son's yao, riding the Teng Snake; the final transmission is Ding Mao, representing the parent's yao, riding the Tian Kong.

邵先生曰：據此數是人力勾引來合偷了。後知是人力與對門面店博士合偷了。 先生析曰；蓋巳為爐灶，又鑄印體，太常為博士，亦主酒食，戌為人力，天空亦是兩人力合偷也。申為麥面，故云。

Shao said: According to this lesson, it is a servant who enticed an outsider to conspire and steal. Later it was found out that indeed a servant in the family and a clerk from a shop across the street conspired to steal. Shao explained that the snake represents the stove, and the lesson pattern is 'casting a seal'; Tai Chang represents a shop clerk and is also associated with wine and food; Xu represents a servant, and Tian Kong also symbolizes a servant. Thus, two people of the same kind, servants, conspired to steal. Shen represents wheat and flour, so the loss was determined to be wheat and flour.

205）童秀才壬戌生四十七歲占訟，戊申年丁酉日午將辰時。（辰巳空亡，午未落空），重審，不備，間傳，贅婿。 六朱 陳未申酉戌蛇 龍午 亥貴 陰 貴 貴 朱 財 丁酉 朱 初（丁神） 空巳 子后 丑 亥 亥 酉 官 己亥 貴 中 虎辰卯寅丑陰 亥 酉 酉 丁 子 辛丑 陰 末 常玄

Example 205: Tong Xiaocai was born in the year Renxu and is 47 years old. He consulted about a lawsuit. The time was in the year Wushen, on the day Dingyou. The divination was started with the month general Wu added to the hour of Chen. The day Dingyou belongs to the Jiawu decade, with the empty positions falling on Chen and Si. The Heaven Plate's Wu and Wei branches are exactly on the empty positions. The lesson has four names: "Chong Shen" (Re-examination), "Bu Bei" (Incomplete), "Jian Chuan" (Intermediate Transmission), and "Zhu Xi" (Stepson). The Heaven Plate uses the general Wu added to the hour of Chen to set up the lesson. The nobleman is on Hai, below which is Teng Snake on Xu, Vermilion Bird on You, Liu He on Shen, Gou Chen on Wei, Azure Dragon on Wu, Tian Kong on Si, Bai Hu on Chen, Tai Chang on Mao, Tai Yin on Chou, Tian Hou on Zi. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ding, which is in the Wei palace, with You above it, riding Vermilion Bird; the second lesson is You with Hai above it, riding the nobleman; the third lesson is the day branch You with Hai above it, also riding the nobleman; the fourth lesson is Hai with Chou above it, riding Tai Yin. The three transmissions are You, Hai, and Chou: the first transmission Ding You is the wife's wealth, riding Vermilion Bird, and is also the "Ding God"; the middle transmission Ji Hai is the official star, riding the nobleman; the final transmission Xin Chou is the son's wealth, riding Tai Yin.

邵先生曰：晝貴在夜，夜貴在晝，謂之貴人失位，不宜訟，必主斷理不明。今貴人差迭，主以財結托，及暗通貴人關節。酉作雀，徒然結托，必主又換衙門。行年寅，又為今日父母，主吏人及尊長為鬼。蓋不合寅反加鬼鄉故也。官斷不明，末傳太陰故也。以後彼必葬老陰人於內，太陰作丑為墓故也。

Shao Master said: When the nobleman is in the position of night during the day and in the position of day during the night, this is called "nobleman losing his position," which is not suitable for litigation, and the case will certainly be decided unclearly. Now, two noblemen are overlapping incorrectly, mainly using money to bribe and secretly getting the nobleman's favor. However, with the Vermilion Bird on酉, the favor was given in vain, and it is certain that the case will have to be reviewed again in another office. The year's stem is in寅, which is also the parent's stem of today, indicating that the official and the superior have become ghosts - this is because寅 is opposite to the ghost's territory. The court's decision is unclear because the final transmission is riding Tai Yin. Later, the other party will certainly bury an elderly woman in that land, because Tai Yin is on丑, and丑 is the tomb.

童有房賣田並山，其兄應分取贖，弟反增高價，遂訟於官，買主繫童秀才之姑，自戊申至辛亥六月姑死，彼家果扛姑葬於內，而贖不得。

The Tong family sold a piece of land along with the mountain land. According to the custom, the elder brother should have the right to redeem it. However, the younger brother raised the price instead, leading to a lawsuit. The buyer was actually the maternal aunt of Tong Xiaocai. The dispute dragged on from the Wushen year to the Xinhai year, June. When the maternal aunt died, the family actually buried her in this piece of land. As a result, the land could no longer be redeemed.

206）汪淑儀壬戌生占訟，辛丑日戌將巳時，（辰巳空亡，酉戌落空），重審，勵德，蕪淫。戊申年占。 龍空 陳戌亥子丑虎 六酉 寅常 龍 貴 朱 玄 財 癸卯 玄 初 朱申 卯玄 亥 午 申 卯 兄 丙申 朱 中（暗鬼） 蛇未午巳辰陰 午 丑 卯 辛 父 辛丑 虎 末 貴後

Example 206: Wang Shuyi was born in the year of Renxu. She consulted about a lawsuit, which occurred in the year of Wushen. The time was on the day of Xinchou, using the month of Xu as the general, and the lesson was cast on the time of Si. The day of Xinchou belongs to the Jiawu decade, with the empty positions falling on Chen and Si. The Heaven Plate's branches of You and Xu are exactly on the empty positions. The lesson has three names: "Chong Shen", "Li De", and "Wu Yin". The Heaven Plate is set with Xu as the general added to Si time. The nobleman is riding the branch of Wu, below it Teng Snake rides the branch of Wei, Zhu Que rides the branch of Shen, Liu He rides the branch of You, Gou Chen rides the branch of Xu, Qing Long rides the branch of Hai, Tian Kong rides the branch of Zi, Bai Hu rides the branch of Chou, Tai Chang rides the branch of Yin, Xuan Wu rides the branch of Mao, Tai Yin rides the branch of Chen, and Tian Hou rides the branch of Si. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Xin, which is in the Xu palace, with the branch of Mao above it, riding Xuan Wu; the second lesson is the branch of Mao with the branch of Shen above it, riding Zhu Que; the third lesson is the day branch Chou with the branch of Wu above it, riding the nobleman; the fourth lesson is the branch of Wu with the branch of Hai above it, riding Qing Long. The three transmissions are Mao, Shen, and Chou: the first transmission is Gui Mao, which is the wife and wealth爻, riding Xuan Wu; the middle transmission is Bing Shen, which is the brother爻, riding Zhu Que, and secretly carries the ghost; the final transmission is Xin Chou, which is the parent爻, riding Bai Hu.

邵先生曰：干上旬尾，支上旬首，為一旬周遍格。又名周而復始格。來了又去，去了又來。日上我也，支上彼也，我見卯旬尾，是事了畢。彼見午旬首，其事又起。末傳丑與支上午六害，卯財又乘玄武，到了翻論，才輸財，又被人誆賺。辛墓於丑，丑墓於申，主在外州入獄而羈絆也。他是午火，反生他州獄神，我是卯木，能克獄神。翻至二次，卻能勝也。

Shao Master said: The day stem is at the last position of a ten-day cycle, and the day branch is at the first position of a ten-day cycle, which is called "One Ten-Day Cycle Completes the Pattern" or "Cyclic Reappearance Pattern." Things come and go, and then come again. The day stem represents me, and the day branch represents the other party. On my side, seeing the卯 (Mao) is the end of the ten-day cycle, indicating that the matter has already been concluded. On the other party's side, seeing the午 (Wu) is the beginning of the ten-day cycle, meaning the matter will be restarted. The final transmission (末传) is丑 (Chou), which forms a six-harm relationship with the day branch's午 (Wu). The卯 (Mao) wealth爻 is also riding on the Black Tortoise (玄武), so when the case is reviewed again, just when the wealth is broken, it will be deceived again. The辛 (Xin) metal is buried in丑 (Chou), and丑 (Chou) is also buried in申 (Shen), indicating being imprisoned in another region. The other party is午 (Wu) fire, which goes to generate the jail god in the foreign region; I am卯 (Mao) wood, which can control the jail god. Therefore, even when the case is reviewed again, I can still win.

汪與張氏爭山起訟，汪氏初入狀果勝，張氏翻論至州，汪又上司入狀，送隨州。張又上司翻，告送嚴州司理獄，又入州縣獄，方得了絕。

The Wang family and the Zhang family disputed over a mountain and went to court. At first, the Wang family filed a lawsuit and won. The Zhang family then appealed the case to the prefecture, and the Wang family again filed a lawsuit with the higher authority, and the case was sent to Suzhou. The Zhang family again appealed to a higher authority, and the case was brought to the Yanzhou judicial office, where the Wang family was imprisoned in both the prefectural and county jails before the case was finally settled.

先生析曰；蓋午作貴人，作日鬼臨支，卻是六害，故彼自然失理也。汪氏被人啜了銀一百兩，乃卯作元武臨干也。卯乃閉口，說不得，又不敢問。凡人不識課名，此為一旬周遍格，若辛未日卯加未，午加辛亦然。謀諸事作吉成凶，作凶成吉，惟訟要散，不要關鎖也。

Master Zhao explained that the Wu position is occupied by the Nobleman, and it is also the ghost of the Day Stem, located on the Day Branch, yet it forms the sixth harmful relationship with the Day Branch, so the other party naturally loses the argument. The Wang family was cheated out of one hundred taels of silver, which corresponds to the卯 (Mao) position riding the Black Tortoise and being on the Day Stem; the Mao position also signifies being closed-mouthed, so they cannot speak out and dare not ask further questions. Most people do not recognize this type of divination, which is called the "One Decade Full Coverage Pattern." For example, on the Xinwei day, the Mao is placed on the Wei and the Wu is placed on the Xin, which is the same pattern. Whenever this pattern is used for affairs, what is originally considered auspicious turns into misfortune, and what is originally considered inauspicious turns into auspicious; however, in lawsuits, what is needed is to disperse and not be locked up.

207）陸孔目癸亥生四十七歲占訟，己酉年九月庚申日卯將巳時。（子丑空亡，戌亥落空），元首，勵德，顧祖，間傳。 六陳 朱卯辰巳午龍 蛇寅 未空 六 龍 六 龍 鬼 戊午 龍 初 貴丑 申虎 辰 午 辰 午 父 丙辰 六 中（暗鬼） 后子亥戌酉常 午 申 午 庚 財 甲寅 蛇 末 陰玄

Example 207: A man named Lu, born in the year Guihai, aged forty-seven, consulted about a lawsuit. The time was in the year Jiyou, ninth month, day Gengshen. The divination was cast using the month of卯 (Mao) as the general, added to the time of巳 (Si). The day Gengshen belongs to the Jiayin decade, with the empty positions falling on Zi and Chou. The Heaven Plate's branches Wu and Hai are exactly on the empty positions. The lesson has four names: "Original Head", "Uphold Virtue", "Remember Ancestors", and "Intermediate Transmission". The Heaven Plate was set with卯 (Mao) as the general added to the time of巳 (Si). The nobleman is on Chou, below which is Teng Snake on Yin, Vermilion Bird on Mao, Liu He on Chen, Gou Chen on Si, Azure Dragon on Wu, Tian Kong on Wei, White Tiger on Shen, Tai Chang on You, Black Tortoise on Xu, Tai Yin on Hai, and Heavenly Empress on Zi. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Geng, located in the Shen palace, with Wu above it, riding on Azure Dragon; the second lesson is Wu with Chen above it, riding on Liu He; the third lesson is the day branch Shen with Wu above it, riding on Azure Dragon; the fourth lesson is Wu with Chen above it, riding on Liu He. The three transmissions are Wu, Chen, and Yin: the first transmission Wuwu is the official ghost爻, riding on Azure Dragon; the middle transmission Bingchen is the parents爻, riding on Liu He, and secretly accompanied by the ghost; the final transmission Jiayin is the wife's wealth爻, riding on Teng Snake.

邵先生曰：此課訟有源頭，今乃再發，非驀地生起也。蓋顧祖課，主原有訟根耳。且金日得巳時，又午發用，為天網，此事已不及止，更與人多不足。始終被他害。末寅只管生午火，遂來克身，又是自取其災也。兼為事太過當，故至此。何以知之？行年自會起火局，所以招致。用火自去燒身，甲寅旬見寅，乃第一位公人害你。午為夥計，配一千八百里也。

Shao Master said: This lawsuit originally had its origin, and now it is a case that has resurfaced, not arising without cause - because it is a "Gu Zu" divination, indicating that there was originally a dispute. Moreover, the day of metal meets the hour of si, and with the initiating transmission at wu, it forms the heavenly net, and this matter is already too late to stop. You also have many conflicts with others, and have been harmed from the beginning. The final transmission of yin only serves to generate the fire of wu, which in turn harms oneself, which is self-inflicted misfortune; plus excessive actions, so it has come to this point. How is this seen? Your age will form a fire pattern, thus bringing this disaster - using fire to burn oneself. In the Jiayin decade, the presence of yin indicates that the first official will harm you. Wu represents accomplices. In the end, it will result in being exiled a thousand eight hundred miles.

陸初與徐都院不足，被害窘拾不服，遂至彼來有短事，再被窘拾，遂送至院，眾人又來首。初時陸氏不合強罵眾人，因被從僭。所謂會成火局，乃是他自湊起。又是天網，亦自取也。因彼之身與宅，先見克，則末寅乘勢而生火。若不自招，如何得見此事？事了配鄂州，一千八百里。因午又見午，二九一十八，是其數也。午加申，乃西南方，陽刃破碎加本命，真針也。其青龍加申為退鱗，所以笞背。行年見盛開，則為配軍也。

Lu Kongmu initially had a conflict with Xu Du Yuan, and was falsely accused and troubled by others, feeling不服. Later, the other party caught him at a slight fault and again troubled him, sending him to the court, where others again accused him. At first, Lu Kongmu should not have spoken harshly and insulted the crowd, thus being implicated along with others. The saying that "a fire formation is formed" is exactly what he himself created; and falling into the heavenly net is also something he brought upon himself. Because his own position was originally afflicted, the final transmission's寅 took advantage of this to generate fire. If he had not provoked things, how could he have encountered such troubles? The case was concluded, and he was exiled to Ezhou, a distance of one thousand eight hundred li. This is because the Wu (午) appears again on Wu, and two nines make eighteen, which is the number. Wu is placed on Shen, indicating the southwest direction; the Yangren and Broken pieces are added to his birth chart, forming a true hanging needle image. The Azure Dragon is placed on Shen, called "retreating scales," so he would receive the punishment of being whipped on the back; the year of birth shows a flourishing image, so he is sentenced to military service.

208）林文丙辰生五十三歲占訟，戊申年辛卯日戌將午時。（午未空亡，寅卯落空），比用，曲直，佚女，寡宿，知一。 貴后 蛇丑寅卯辰陰 朱子 巳玄 陳 六 貴 常 父 空未 虎 初（空亡） 六亥 午常 未 亥 寅 午 財 辛卯 后 中（落空） 陳戌酉申未虎 亥 卯 午 辛 子 丁亥 六 末（暗鬼）（丁神） 龍空

Example 208: Lin Wen was born in the year Bingchen, and is now fifty-three years old. He consulted the divination concerning a lawsuit. The time was in the year Wushen, on the day Xinmao. The original text says "Xu general at Wu time," but according to the divination plate, the Heaven Plate Xu is correctly placed on the Earth Plate Yin, making it actually Xu general at Yin time. The day Xinmao belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty space falling on Wu and Wei. The branches of the Heaven Plate, Yin and Mao, are exactly on the empty space positions. The name of the divination lesson has five aspects: "Comparison and Use," "Curved and Straight" (the three transmissions, Wei, Mao, and Hai, form a wood pattern), "Lost Woman," "Gua Su," and "Knowing One." On the plate, the Nobleman is riding on Yin, with Teng Snake riding on Chou, Vermilion Bird on Zi, Liu He on Hai, Gou Chen on Xu, Azure Dragon on You, Tian Kong on Shen, Bai Hu on Wei, Tai Chang on Wu, Tai Yin on Chen, Tian Hou on Mao. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the Day Stem Xin, which is placed in the Xu palace, with Wu above it, riding on Tai Chang; the second lesson is Wu, with Yin above it, riding on the Nobleman; the third lesson is the Day Branch Mao, with Hai above it, riding on Liu He; the fourth lesson is Hai, with Wei above it, riding on Gou Chen. The three transmissions are Wei, Mao, and Hai: the first transmission Wei meets the empty space, representing the parent's yao, riding on Bai Hu; the middle transmission Xin Mao is the wife's wealth yao, riding on Tian Hou, falling into the empty space; the final transmission Ding Hai is the son's yao, riding on Liu He, secretly accompanied by a ghost, and is also the "Ding spirit."

邵先生曰：主有服人爭訟，挾起卑幼，遂乃動眾。夜貴加在日貴，宜暗計囑託，庶可。傳財太盛反化鬼，若要此事了，須至貼幼小財物自止。徒爾有眾，不能成事也。林兄弟三人，又叔伯兄弟四人，分產時，諸弟皆小，所分不均，後兄死，嫂與小弟論他不當，叔伯兄弟從之。

Shao said: This case involves a person in mourning who comes into a dispute, accompanied by a younger relative, thus causing alarm among the people. The nobleman of the night is placed in the position of the nobleman of the day, so it is suitable to use secret strategies to entrust someone to mediate, and the matter may still be resolved. The wealth in the three transmissions is too strong, turning into a ghost; if one wishes to settle this matter, one must compensate the younger generation with money, and the matter will naturally be resolved. A large group of people is of no help in accomplishing the matter. Lin Wen has three brothers, and four uncles and cousins; when they divided the family property, the younger brothers were still young and the division was unfair. Later, the eldest brother died, and the widow and the youngest brother argued that the division was unjust, and the uncles and cousins all supported them.

先生析曰；蓋木局生干上午火，火來剋日，行年上又見寅，日貴午雖是關切，又是鬼。寅木又生鬼，故有事。貼幼子即止者，因宅見亥為幼子，亥水能制午火。然諸木又生於亥，故住與不住，皆由於亥，故必貼幼小方得止也。後果貼幼弟物，諸人皆散。

Shao Master explained that the wood element removes the午 fire from the day stem, and the fire then goes on to harm the day stem; meanwhile, the year pillar also shows寅. Although the午 fire on the day stem is something the nobleman is concerned about, it is also a ghost; the寅 wood goes on to nourish this ghost, thus causing trouble. The reason for saying that supplementing the younger generation can resolve the issue is that the house position shows亥, which represents the younger generation, and亥 water can control the午 fire; also, all the wood elements are born in亥, so whether the matter can be resolved depends entirely on this亥. Therefore, supplementing the younger generation is necessary to conclude the matter. Later, they indeed supplemented some property for the younger brother, and then everyone dispersed.

又論曰：日上太常，是服也。午則婦人，故因嫂而動也。三傳生鬼，動眾之兆。寅加午上，貴人差迭，宜告貴人矣。挾起卑幼，亥水又作六合也。午空無刃，故不必貼婦人。亥能制午，是以貼幼子耳。

Further discussion says: When the day stem is joined with Tai Chang, it indicates mourning for a parent; the hour of Wu represents a woman, so the matter was initiated by the sister-in-law. The three transmissions go to generate the ghost, which is a sign of alarming the people. The hour of Yin is placed on Wu, with two noblemen crossing each other and losing their positions, so it is advisable to report to the nobleman. The phrase 'carrying along a younger relative' is because the water of Hai is also joined with Liu He. Wu meets Kongwang and lacks Yangren, so there is no need to compensate the woman; Hai can control Wu, so it is sufficient to compensate the younger generation.

209）祝秀才壬申生三十八歲占訟，己酉年乙酉日辰將卯時，重審，進茹，龍潛。 虎常 空午未申酉玄 龍巳 戌陰 后 陰 空 龍 父 丁亥 后 初（丁神） 陳辰 亥后 亥 戌 午 巳 父 戊子 貴 中 六卯寅丑子貴 戌 酉 巳 乙 財 己丑 蛇 末 朱蛇

Example 209: Zhu Xiucai was born in the year of Renshen and is thirty-eight years old. He came to consult about a lawsuit. The time was in the year of Jiashen, on the day of Yiyou. The divination was cast using the month of Chen as the general, placed on the卯 hour. (The original text does not mention Kongwang here.) The day of Yiyou belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty hour falling on Wu and Wei. There are three names for the lesson: "Chong Shen" (Re-examination), "Jin Ru" (Advancing and Eating), and "Long Qian" (Dragon Hiding). The Heaven Plate was arranged with the general of Chen added to the卯 hour. The nobleman rode the子, below which the Teng Snake rode the丑, the Vermilion Bird rode the寅, the Liu He rode the卯, the Gou Chen rode the辰, the Azure Dragon rode the巳, the Tian Kong rode the午, the White Tiger rode the未, the Tai Chang rode the申, the Black Tortoise rode the酉, the Tai Yin rode the戌, and the Heavenly Empress rode the亥. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Yi, which is placed in the Chen palace, with the巳, riding the Azure Dragon; the second lesson is the巳, with the午, riding the Tian Kong; the third lesson is the day branch酉, with the戌, riding the Tai Yin; the fourth lesson is the戌, with the亥, riding the Heavenly Empress. The three transmissions are亥, 子, and 丑: the first transmission is Dinghai, which is the parent's yao, riding the Heavenly Empress, and is also the "Ding Shen"; the second transmission is戊子, which is also the parent's yao, riding the nobleman; the third transmission is Jichou, which is the wife's wealth yao, riding the Teng Snake.

邵先生曰：主子賣物，出外賣之，迤邐閒氣成訟，陰人乘勢爭財，少婦從而應之。進茹課遂連綿起事，卻幸我行年自前截住，終為我遏。蓋自酉上見戌，亥子丑年在卯，加寅截住，此名挫鋒，眾議俱解，但前進則勝，畏怕則被攻不止矣。

Master Zhao said: This lesson indicates that the son took things out to sell, but along the way, he attracted trouble and ended up involved in legal disputes. A female relative took advantage of the situation to fight over property, and a young wife joined in from the side. The lesson "Jin Ru" suggests that matters will keep arising one after another. Fortunately, your birth year intercepted this issue from the beginning, and ultimately it can be stopped by me. Because from the hour of You, starting with Xu, the path continues through Hai, Zi, and Chou, but your birth year is in Mao, and it is added on Bing, which cuts it off. This is called "cu feng," meaning the sharpness is broken, and all the discussions will subside. However, you must move forward to win; if you are afraid, you will be criticized continuously.

祝有子將眾物偷賣，其嫂弟之女說知，遂經官訟。祝秀才挽陳公人調停，其事遂止。

Zhu Xiucai had a son who stole something that belonged to everyone and sold it. His嫂子 and his nephew's daughter exposed the act, leading to a dispute that went to the authorities. Zhu Xiucai asked a constable named Chen to mediate, and the matter was finally settled.

210）陸孔目己巳生四十一歲占官事，己酉年己未日卯將丑時。（子丑空亡，寅卯落空），八專，獨足。 貴后 蛇未申酉戌陰 朱午 亥玄 玄 后 玄 后 子 辛酉 后 初 六巳 子常 亥 酉 亥 酉 子 辛酉 后 中 陳辰卯寅丑虎 酉 未 酉 己 子 辛酉 后 末 龍空

Example 210: Lu Kongmu was born in the year Jisi, is forty-one years old, and seeks divination regarding legal matters. The time is Jiyou year, Jiwei day. The lesson is cast using the卯 month general added to the丑 hour. The Jiwei day belongs to the Jiayin decade, with the empty palace falling on Zi and Chou. The Heaven Plate's Yin and Mao branches are exactly on the empty palace positions. The lesson has two names: "Eight Special" (Ji is lodged in Wei, and shares the same position as the day branch Wei) and "Single Foot". The Heaven Plate is set with the卯 general added to the丑 hour. The nobleman rides Shen, below which Teng Snake rides Wei, Vermilion Bird rides Wu, Liu He rides Si, Gou Chen rides Chen, Azure Dragon rides Mao, Tian Kong rides Yin, Bai Hu rides Chou, Tai Chang rides Zi, Xuan Wu rides Hai, Tai Yin rides Xu, and Tian Hou rides You. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ji lodged in Wei, with You above it, riding Tian Hou; the second lesson is You with Hai above it, riding Xuan Wu; the third lesson is the day branch Wei with You above it, riding Tian Hou; the fourth lesson is You with Hai above it, riding Xuan Wu. The three transmissions are all Xinyou, the sons' yao, all riding Tian Hou, consistent throughout.

邵先生曰：己巳生人，見酉乃破碎。今日又是巳日，未即是己，支干又皆敗於酉，酉合巳，象配字，行年便作背後懸針殺，一因奸事，二防官錢，三防酒，必配本州島。蓋獨足不行也。配後當再配西北牢城方止耳。陸漫應之，月餘太守差沽酒，渠夾帶劉宅私酒，又與二夫娘何盼盼憑照，因太守轎出，見他在麵店，太守即搜尋他事蹟，互用官錢五十多貫，及招認奸事，配本州島牢城，後即在通判廳，累與他作鬧，再與何盼盼往來，通判大怒，稟過太守，斷配潤州。

Master Zhao said: Those born in the Jisi year, when they meet You, will suffer from fragmentation. Today is also a Si day, and Wei is the lodging palace of Ji. Both the day stem and day branch are defeated by You. You and Si combine to form the image of "pairing"; the year pillar also forms a harmful needle behind. The first is due to illicit relationships, the second is to beware of misusing official funds, the third is to beware of alcohol, and he will certainly be exiled to his own state. Because of the "single foot" pattern, he cannot go far. After being exiled, he will be exiled again to the northwest prison city, and the matter will be concluded. Lu Kongmu merely nodded in agreement. More than a month later, the magistrate sent him to buy wine. He secretly carried private wine from the Liu family and issued a permit for a woman named He Panpan who had been married twice. Just as the magistrate was leaving in a palanquin, he saw him in a noodle shop and decided to investigate his background. He discovered the misuse of over fifty guan of official funds and admitted to the illicit relationship. Thus, he was exiled to the prison city of his own state. Later, while working in the office of the deputy prefect, he often quarreled with others and continued to associate with He Panpan. The deputy prefect became angry and reported to the magistrate, who sentenced him to be exiled to Runzhou.

先生析曰；蓋獨足課，故在本州島，本年行年加日辰上，卻成飛散之法，既飛散，必再出外方。酉亥丑傳歸西北，乃江海，必潤州矣。況並眾即散，來年行年並聚，遂即飛散。有二巳子，豈一番可了？不合是己巳生末傳飛開，丑加亥是西北海角，亥為點水，酉為門，丑似玉字，點水邊作門，門內有玉，乃潤字也。

Master Zhao explained that this is a "dú zú" lesson, so the first time it can only be in the native province. When the year of birth is added to the day stem and day branch, it becomes a "fēi sàn" method. Since it is dispersed, it must go to another place. The transmission of You, Hai, and Chou goes toward the northwest, which is the land of rivers and seas, so it must be Runzhou. Moreover, when many things gather, they must scatter. Next year, the year of birth will gather again and then scatter. The lesson contains two instances of Si and Zi, which indicate that it cannot be concluded in one step. Moreover, he was born in Ji Si year, and the final transmission has flown away. Chou added to Hai points to the northwest sea corner: Hai represents water, You represents a gate, and Chou's character resembles jade. Water next to a gate, with jade inside the gate, forms the character "Run."

211）某占訟，七月庚午日午將未時。（戌亥空亡，酉戌落空），遙克，逆茹，蒿矢。 陳龍 六辰巳午未空 朱卯 申虎 六 陳 龍 空 鬼 庚午 龍 初 蛇寅 酉常 辰 巳 午 未 鬼 己巳 陳 中 貴丑子亥戌玄 巳 午 未 庚 父 戊辰 六 末 后陰

Example 211: A person came to consult about a lawsuit. The time was on the seventh month, Geng Wu day, with the month general added at the hour of Wei. The day Geng Wu belongs to the Jia Zi decade, with the empty positions falling on Xu and Hai. The branches of the Heaven Plate, You and Xu, are exactly on the empty positions. The name of the lesson has three: "Remote Control", "Reverse Eating" (three transmissions in reverse order: Wu, Si, Chen), and "Arrow". The Heaven Plate is set with Wu as the general added at the hour of Wei. The nobleman rides Chou, below which Teng Snake rides Yin, Zhu Que rides Mao, Liu He rides Chen, Gou Chen rides Si, Qing Long rides Wu, Tian Kong rides Wei, Bai Hu rides Shen, Tai Chang rides You, Xuan Wu rides Xu, Tai Yin rides Hai, and Tian Hou rides Zi. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Geng, located in the Shen palace, with Wei above it, riding Tian Kong; the second lesson is Wei with Wu above it, riding Qing Long; the third lesson is the day branch Wu with Si above it, riding Gou Chen; the fourth lesson is Si with Chen above it, riding Liu He. The three transmissions are Wu, Si, and Chen: the first transmission Geng Wu is the official ghost爻, riding Qing Long; the middle transmission Ji Si is also the official ghost爻, riding Gou Chen; the final transmission Wu Chen is the parent爻, riding Liu He.

邵先生曰：凡占官訟勝負，先以刑德言之，今庚午日，午作龍為用，午火刑勝德，中巳火又助午伐德，末又罡加日本，凶課也，主事未了，又一事發，必吃棒也。果然。

Master Zhao said: When divining about legal disputes, one should first consider punishment and virtue. On the day of Gengwu, the wu fire is riding the Azure Dragon as the initiating transmission. The wu fire is a punishment that overcomes virtue; the fire in the middle transmission, si, also helps the wu fire to attack virtue; and the Tiangang (chen) in the final transmission is placed on the day stem's position. This is a凶课, indicating that one matter has not yet been resolved, and another matter arises, inevitably leading to punishment. Later, this indeed came to pass.

212）某占訟，五月乙未日未將卯時。（辰巳空亡，申酉落空），重審，曲直，狡童。 朱蛇 六酉戌亥子貴 陳申 丑后 玄 蛇 貴 陳 父 己亥 蛇 初 龍未 寅陰 卯 亥 子 申 兄 癸卯 玄 中 空午巳辰卯玄 亥 未 申 乙 財 乙未 龍 末 虎常

Example 212: A person came to consult about a lawsuit. The time was on the 12th day of the fifth month, with the day being Yiwei. The month general was placed on the卯 hour to cast the divination. The day Yiwei belongs to the Jiawu decade, with the empty positions falling on the辰 and巳. The heaven plate's申 and酉 branches are exactly on the empty positions. The name of the divination has three parts: "Rechecking," "Curved Straight" (the three transmissions,亥, 卯, 未, form a wood trinity), and "Cunning Youth." The heaven plate was arranged with the month general 未 placed on the卯 hour. The nobleman rode the子, below which the Teng Snake rode the亥, the Vermilion Bird rode the戌, the Liu He rode the酉, the Gou Chen rode the申, the Azure Dragon rode the未, the Tian Kong rode the午, the White Tiger rode the巳, the Tai Chang rode the辰, the Black Tortoise rode the卯, the Tai Yin rode the寅, and the Heavenly Empress rode the丑. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Yi, which is located in the辰, with the申 above it, riding the Gou Chen; the second lesson is the申, with the子 above it, riding the nobleman; the third lesson is the day branch 未, with the亥 above it, riding the Teng Snake; the fourth lesson is the亥, with the卯 above it, riding the Black Tortoise. The three transmissions are亥, 卯, 未: the first transmission is Ji亥, representing the parent's yao, riding the Teng Snake; the middle transmission is Gui卯, representing the brother's yao, riding the Black Tortoise; the final transmission is Yi未, representing the wife's wealth yao, riding the Azure Dragon.

邵先生曰：一出頭，便被枷錮，後卻無事。蓋申作勾加身為鬼，所以枷錮，卻是日德合，末有龍，故無事。果丙申日被枷，後即疏放。三傳曲直，應先曲後直也。

Master Zhao said: As soon as it appeared, it would be put in chains, but afterwards there would be no further trouble. This is because the Sheng was multiplied by Gou Chen and attached to itself, forming a ghost, hence being chained. However, it also harmonized with the virtue god of the day stem, and the final transmission contained the Azure Dragon, so in the end there would be no incident. Later, on the Bingshen day, he was indeed chained, and then released immediately. The three transmissions formed 'Qu Zhi', which corresponds exactly to the meaning of first bending and then straightening.

213）某占因人力打死欠米錢人解官，辛丑日子將未時。（辰巳空亡，酉戌落空），重審，勵德，蕪淫。 龍空 陳戌亥子丑虎 六酉 寅常 龍 貴 朱 玄 財 癸卯 玄 初 朱申 卯玄 亥 午 申 卯 兄 丙申 朱 中（暗鬼） 蛇未午巳辰陰 午 丑 卯 辛 父 辛丑 虎 末 貴後

Example 213: A person consulted a divination because a servant in his household killed a man who owed rice money and was taken to the authorities. The date was Xinchou, and the divination was cast using the Zi month general placed on the Wei hour. The lesson pattern is exactly the same as in Example 206, where Wang Shuyi consulted about a lawsuit. On Xinchou day, which belongs to the Jiawu decade, the empty positions fall on Chen and Si. The branches of the Heaven Plate, You and Xu, are directly on the empty positions. The lesson has three names: "Chong Shen" (Re-examination), "Li De" (Encouragement of Virtue), and "Wu Yin" (Waste and Immorality). The Heaven Plate is set with the Zi general placed on the Wei hour. The Nobleman is riding the Wu branch, below which Teng Snake rides the Wei, Vermilion Bird rides the Shen, Liu He rides the You, Gou Chen rides the Xu, Qing Long rides the Hai, Tian Kong rides the Zi, Bai Hu rides the Chou, Tai Chang rides the Yin, Tai Yin rides the Chen, Tian Hou rides the Si. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the Day Stem Xin, located in the Xu palace, with the卯 branch above it, riding the Black Tortoise; the second lesson is the卯 branch with the Shen branch above it, riding the Vermilion Bird; the third lesson is the Day Branch Chou with the Wu branch above it, riding the Nobleman; the fourth lesson is the Wu branch with the Hai branch above it, riding the Azure Dragon. The three transmissions are卯, Shen, and Chou: the first transmission, Guimao, is the wife and wealth爻, riding the Black Tortoise; the middle transmission, Bingshen, is the brother爻, riding the Vermilion Bird, and secretly carries a ghost; the final transmission, Xinchou, is the father and mother爻, riding the White Tiger.

邵先生曰：此課凶，然今次卻免難。六年後俱惡死矣。宅上有寡母，乃天空加宅也。又須有一女損目，午為目，被亥克也。天后為用，後遇恩赦免矣。果蒙恩赦而免死編管。六年上二人復打死人，一人自縊，一人刑死，蓋申金入墓也。

Master Zhao said: This textbook is ominous, but this time it can still avoid disaster. However, after six years, both will die violently. There is an elderly mother-in-law in the family who is in the Tian Kong position; there should also be a daughter with eye damage, because the noon hour is associated with the eyes, and now it is being overcome by the亥 water. The Heavenly Empress takes the Useful God, and in the future, if there is mercy, the death sentence can be pardoned. Later, they indeed received mercy and were sentenced to be placed under supervision instead of executed. By the sixth year, the two people killed someone again; one committed suicide by hanging, and the other was executed. This is the fulfillment of the申 metal entering the墓.

214）或占殺死二人如何決斷，壬辰日酉將寅時。（午未空亡，丑寅落空），知一，不備。 朱蛇 六子丑寅卯貴 陳亥 辰后 玄 陳 朱 玄 財 空午 玄 初（空亡） 龍戌 巳陰 午 亥 丑 午 鬼 己丑 朱 中（落空）（暗鬼） 空酉申未午玄 亥 辰 午 壬 父 甲申 虎 末 虎常

Example 214: Someone divined about a case involving the killing of two people and asked how it would be judged. The time was on a Renchen day, with the You month general added to the寅 hour to cast the divination. The Renchen day belongs to the Jiashen decade, with the empty space falling on Wu and Wei. The Heaven Plate's Zi and Chou branches are directly on the empty space positions. The lesson names are two: "Zhi Yi" and "Bu Bei". The Heaven Plate was set with the You general added to the寅 hour. The Nobleman rode on Mao, with Teng Snake on寅, Vermilion Bird on Chou, Liu He on Zi, Gou Chen on Hai, Azure Dragon on Xu, Tian Kong on You, Bai Hu on Shen, Tai Chang on Wei, Tai Yin on Wu, and Tian Hou on Chen. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson has the day stem Ren, which is in the Hai position, with Wu on top, riding on Xuan Wu; the second lesson has Wu with Chou on top, riding on Zhu Que; the third lesson has the day branch Chen with Hai on top, riding on Gou Chen; the fourth lesson has Hai with Wu on top, riding on Xuan Wu. The three transmissions are Wu, Chou, and Jiashen: the first transmission Wu is in the empty space, representing the wife and wealth hexagram, riding on Xuan Wu; the middle transmission Jiachou is the official and ghost hexagram, riding on Zhu Que, falling in the empty space and secretly accompanied by ghosts; the final transmission Jiashen is the parent hexagram, riding on Bai Hu.

邵先生曰：此課大凶，蓋自取亂首也。日加辰作勾，上下夾克，午作元為用，日辰上下皆是自刑，宅上勾陳俱是天罡，罡是鬼，又是死奇，又是日墓，末申又作虎入墓，其凶不可言，恐死不完尸也。後果處決。

Master Zhao said: This lesson is extremely ominous, a calamity brought about by oneself, known as "chaos at the beginning." The day stem is applied to the day branch and multiplied by Gou Chen, with the two parts enclosing each other; Wu is multiplied by White Tiger and initiates the transmission, and both the day stem and day branch are self-punishing. The Gou Chen over the dwelling position corresponds exactly to Tiangang (Chen): Tiangang is both a ghost, a death oddity, and the tomb of the day stem; the final transmission's Shen is also multiplied by White Tiger and enters its tomb—so ominous that it is feared that even a complete body may not be preserved after death. Later, that person was indeed executed.

215）張大郎占官事，丙戌年十二月辛酉日丑將丑時。（子丑空亡，子丑落空）， 陳龍 六巳午未申空 朱辰 酉虎 虎 虎 常 常 兄 辛酉 虎 初 蛇卯 戌常 酉 酉 戌 戌 父 壬戌 常 中 貴寅丑子亥玄 酉 酉 戌 辛 父 己未 龍 末 后陰

Example 215: Zhang Dalang seeks divination regarding legal matters. The time is in the year of Bingxu, the twelfth lunar month, on the day of Xinyou. The class is started with the month general Chou added to the hour of Chou. Since the month general and the hour are the same, it is a hidden chant, with the heaven plate and earth plate completely overlapping. The day of Xinyou belongs to the Jiayin decade, with the empty palace falling on Zi and Chou. In a hidden chant, the heaven and earth plates overlap, and Zi and Chou are exactly on top of the empty palace (the original text does not specify the name of the class here). In the plate, the nobleman is riding寅, below which Teng Snake rides卯, Zhu Que rides辰, Liu He rides巳, Gou Chen rides午, Qing Long rides未, Tian Kong rides申, Bai Hu rides酉, Tai Chang rides戌, Xuan Wu rides亥, Tai Yin rides子, and Tian Hou rides丑. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Xin, which is in the Wu palace, with Wu riding Tai Chang; the second lesson is Wu with Wu riding Tai Chang; the third lesson is the day branch You, with You riding Bai Hu; the fourth lesson is You with You riding Bai Hu. The three transmissions are You, Wu, and Wei: the first transmission is Xin You, a brother's yao riding Bai Hu; the second transmission is Ren Wu, a parent's yao riding Tai Chang; the third transmission is Ji Wei, also a parent's yao riding Qing Long.

邵先生曰：本主徒罪，因發用自刑，乘虎臨門戶也。喜得中戌作常，末天喜乘龍作解神，必有恩赦相救，先凶而後吉也。果然。

Master Zhao said: This textbook mainly indicates imprisonment, because the first transmission's酉 is self-punishment, and it is also accompanied by the White Tiger occupying the gate and door. Fortunately, the middle transmission's戌 is accompanied by Tai Chang, and the final transmission is the Heavenly Joy deity accompanied by the Azure Dragon and transformed into the Relief Deity. There must certainly be an act of mercy and pardon, indicating a change from bad to good. Later events indeed proved to be so.

216）沈保正壬戌生四十八歲占役事，己酉年九月乙丑日卯將戌時。（戌亥空亡，卯辰落空），重審，勵德，天獄。 六陳 朱戌亥子丑龍 蛇酉 寅空 六 陰 空 蛇 兄 丙寅 空 初 貴申 卯虎 亥 午 寅 酉 財 辛未 后 中（暗鬼） 后未午巳辰常 午 丑 酉 乙 父 甲子 陳 末 陰玄

Example 216: Shen Baozheng was born in the year Renxu and is 48 years old. He consulted about a matter concerning conscription. The time was on the day Jiyou of the ninth month in the year Jiyou. The class was cast using the month of卯 as the general added to the hour of Xu. The day Jiyou belongs to the Jiazi cycle, with the empty positions falling on Xu and Hai. The branches of the heaven plate,卯 and Chen, are exactly on the empty positions. The name of the class has three: "Chong Shen" (Re-examination), "Li De" (Encouragement of Virtue), and "Tian Yu" (Heavenly Prison). The heaven plate uses the general of卯 added to the hour of Xu to set the class. The nobleman is on the branch of Shen, with the below Teng Snake on You, the Vermilion Bird on Xu, the Liu He on Hai, the Gou Chen on Zi, the Qing Long on Chou, the Tian Kong on Yin, the Bai Hu on Mao, the Tai Chang on Chen, the Xuan Wu on Si, the Tai Yin on Wu, and the Tian Hou on Wei. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Yi, which is in the Chén palace, with You above it, riding on Teng Snake; the second lesson is You with Yin above it, riding on Tian Kong; the third lesson is the day branch Chou with Wu above it, riding on Tai Yin; the fourth lesson is Wu with Hai above it, riding on Liu He. The three transmissions are Yin, Wei, and Zi: the first transmission, Ji Yin, is the brother's yao, riding on Tian Kong; the middle transmission, Xin Wei, is the wife's wealth yao, riding on Tian Hou, and secretly carries a ghost; the final transmission, Jia Zi, is the parent's yao, riding on Gou Chen.

邵先生曰：保正不能脫手，於道理合當做此役也。酉加乙作蛇官鬼自纏身也。初傳功曹，身已在公了，為保正之後，平安無些子事。你若不認此役，須是監繫，必待認了方釋。又行年與宅上午作太陰，有一人與你陰人是親眷，來與你打關節，反探你口氣，卻去報他，為內鬼也。

Shao Master said: The position of the guardian is a duty you cannot avoid, and by principle it should be you who holds it. The酉 is placed on 乙 and rides on Teng Snake, indicating that the official ghost has come to纠缠 you. The first transmission is Gongcao (寅), showing that you are already in the official domain. Once you take on the position of the guardian, you will be safe and have no troubles. If you refuse to accept this duty, you will be detained and not released until you agree. Additionally, the year and the house position both have 午 riding on Tai Yin, meaning there is a person who is a relative of your female relative, coming to help you get through the situation. In reality, this person is trying to test your attitude and then report back to others - this is an internal ghost.

先生析曰；蓋乙見酉為官所制，蛇是被監勒，初傳寅作天空為官吏，若不認，必入獄，中傳是認了卻無慮，末子作勾陳，是晚而復做也。 沈公之事，皆如其言，自後既脫，九年又做一次。

Master Zhao explained that the wood of Yi is restrained by You, which represents being controlled by an official; Teng Snake signifies being monitored and forced. The first transmission's Yin is riding Tian Kong, representing an official; if one does not accept this duty, he will certainly be imprisoned. The middle transmission's Wei indicates that once accepted, there is no further worry; the final transmission's Zi riding Gou Chen signifies that in old age, he will have to take it on again. Master Shen's case matched every detail as he said. Later he was relieved of this duty, but nine years later he had to take it on again.

217）沈四公庚戌四月十八日辰時生，五十九歲，於戊申年七月二十三日乙巳日午將亥時，（寅卯空亡，酉戌落空），重審，四絕。因爭保正而占。 龍空 陳子丑寅卯虎 六亥 辰常 后 陳 陰 六 子 丙午 陰 初 朱戌 巳玄 未 子 午 亥 財 癸丑 龍 中 蛇酉申未午陰 子 巳 亥 乙 鬼 戊申 貴 末 貴後

Example 217: Shen Sigu was born on the辰 hour of the eighteenth day of the fourth lunar month in the year Geng Xu. He is fifty-nine years old. On the twenty-third day of the seventh lunar month in the year Wu Shen, on the day Yisi, he came to seek divination regarding a dispute over the position of the village head. The day Yisi belongs to the Jiachen decade, with the empty position falling on寅 and卯. The branches酉 and戌 on the Heaven Plate are directly on the empty position. The name of the lesson is two: "Re-examination" and "Four Isolation." The Heaven Plate is set with the month general午 added on the亥 hour. The nobleman is riding the申, below which the Teng Snake rides the酉, the Vermilion Bird rides the戌, the Liu He rides the亥, the Gou Chen rides the子, the Azure Dragon rides the丑, the Tian Kong rides the寅, the White Tiger rides the卯, the Tai Chang rides the辰, the Black Tortoise rides the巳, the Tai Yin rides the午, and the Heavenly Empress rides the未. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Yi, which is located in the辰 palace, with the亥 on top, riding the Liu He; the second lesson is the亥 with the午 on top, riding the Tai Yin; the third lesson is the day branch巳 with the子 on top, riding the Gou Chen; the fourth lesson is the子 with the未 on top, riding the Heavenly Empress. The three transmissions are午,丑,申: the first transmission is Bingwu, which is the son and grandson yao, riding the Tai Yin; the middle transmission is Guichou, which is the wife and wealth yao, riding the Azure Dragon; the final transmission is Wushen, which is the official and ghost yao, riding the nobleman.

邵先生曰：課名重審，末本絕神，不合亥子又來生日，絕中又起，奈何你母勸你休爭，你女又勸，俱不聽，下稍自做，雖得財不善可惡，後有悔。所得之物，可以移翁棺葬此內，必陋貴子，為大和尚。汝葬祖側也。

Master Zhao said: The name of the divination is "Rechecking," and the final transmission is originally the "Absolute Void." Unfortunately, the亥 and 子 branches come to birth the day stem again, so the void gives rise to an opportunity. Regrettably, your mother advised you not to compete, and your daughter also advised you, but you did not listen, and in the end you did it yourself; although you gained money, the source is improper and causes dislike, and you will regret it later. The property you obtained can be used to move your father-in-law's coffin and bury him there, and certainly a noble son will come out later, becoming a great monk. You yourself should be buried next to the ancestral tomb.

沈母乃童氏，其女亦嫁童家。童家服滿，沈公欲爭保正，母與又勸不聽，乃自做了，後童分家，請沈公作主，沈卻於公共內，取一生墳安葬。四年生一兒，為大和尚於廣教寺。

Shen Sigu's mother was from the Tong family, and his daughter also married into the Tong family. After the Tong family had finished their mourning period, Shen Sigu wanted to compete for the position of head of the village, but his mother and daughter both advised him against it. He did not listen and still took the position himself. Later, when the Tong family divided their property, they invited Shen Sigu to preside over the division. However, Shen Sigu set aside a piece of the common property as a burial ground for the living. Four years later, he had a son, and later became a great monk at Guangjiao Temple.

先生析曰；蓋乙以子為母，午為女，亥為父，申為翁，丑為墓，申加之，是為翁墓也。本命庚戌，庚金墓丑，是自亦墓此矣。申為僧，丑為賢，上見貴，是大和尚也。

Master Zhao explained that the wood of Yi takes Zi as its mother, Wu as its daughter, Hai as its father, Shen as its father-in-law, and Chou as its grave. When Shen is placed on Chou, it signifies the grave of the father-in-law. His heavenly stem is Gengxu, and the grave of Geng metal is in Chou, indicating that he himself will also be buried there. Shen represents a monk, and Chou represents a virtuous person. With a nobleman above, he is a great monk.

219）潘道士乙亥生，占住持。戊戌日戌將寅時。（辰巳空亡，子丑落空），遙克，炎上。 虎常 空丑寅卯辰玄 龍子 巳陰 虎 后 蛇 空 鬼 壬寅 虎 初 陳亥 午后 寅 午 申 丑 兄 戊戌 六 中 六戌酉申未貴 午 戌 丑 戊 父 甲午 后 末 朱蛇

Example 219: A Taoist priest born in the year of Yihai came to divinate whether he could become the abbot. The time was on the day of Wuxu, using the month of Xu as the month general, and the course was cast starting from the hour of Yin. The day of Wuxu belongs to the Jiawu decade, with the empty positions falling on Chen and Si. The branches Zi and Chou on the heaven plate are exactly on the empty positions. The name of the course is two: "Remote Control" and "Inflaming Ascension" (the three transmissions of Yin, Xu, and Wu form a fire trinity). The heaven plate starts with the month general Xu added to the hour of Yin. The nobleman is on Wei, with Teng Snake on Shen, Vermilion Bird on You, Liu He on Xu, Gou Chen on Hai, Azure Dragon on Zi, Tian Kong on Chou, White Tiger on Yin, Tai Chang on Mao, Tai Yin on Chen, and Heavenly Empress on Wu. The four lessons from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Wu, which is in the Si palace, with Chou on top, riding Tian Kong; the second lesson is Chou with Shen on top, riding Teng Snake; the third lesson is the day branch Xu with Wu on top, riding Heavenly Empress; the fourth lesson is Wu with Yin on top, riding White Tiger. The three transmissions are Yin, Xu, and Wu: the first transmission is Renyin as the official ghost, riding White Tiger; the second transmission is Wuxu as the brother, riding Liu He; the third transmission is Jiawu as the parent, riding Heavenly Empress.

邵先生曰：大凡僧道占住持，以日為我，支為住持。春得炎上局，卻喜旺相，只是不合陽刃乘后加支，主住持九月與朱姓人交通，遂受刑而出。初傳是鬼，臨婦人上，雖三傳化火生干，然火旺不久便暗，而寅木獨為戌鬼，身上丑作空，正是傳法之空門，目下即成，後因同牒人反來做造，因奸而壞也。潘謀住持，丑作天空，是薦賢空門之象。丑為僧，僧與道同，此住持必成。果五月受貼，六月至觀。宮畔有朱百戶妻，遂與往來，自六月至次年二月共九月，被原與同牒人汪三，使人告發，至官被刑而出。

Master Zhao said: Generally, when monks and Taoist priests seek the position of abbot, they take the day stem as themselves and the day branch as the position of abbot. In spring, if the fire element is in the "Inflaming Upward" pattern, it is favorable as it is in a prosperous and strong state. However, it is not good if the Yangren (sharpness) is combined with the Heavenly Empress on the day branch, which indicates that after serving as abbot for nine months, he will have an affair with a woman surnamed Zhu, and thus be punished and expelled. The first transmission is a ghost, which is on the god representing a woman; although the third transmission transforms fire to nourish the day stem, the fire will not last long and will turn dark, while the寅 wood alone becomes the ghost of the戌. The丑 on the self is combined with Tian Kong, which is the image of an empty gate for transmitting the teachings, so things can be accomplished now; but later, those who were with him on the degree list will turn against him, leading to his downfall due to the affair. Master Pan sought the position of abbot, with the丑 combined with Tian Kong, indicating the recommendation of a virtuous person and the transmission of teachings in an empty gate; the丑 also represents monks, and monks and Taoists are similar, so he will certainly become abbot. Later, he indeed received a letter in May and arrived at the Taoist temple in June. There was a woman named Zhu, the wife of Zhu Bahu, living next to the temple, and he had relations with her. From June to the next February, exactly nine months, he was accused by Wang San, who was with him on the degree list, and was punished and expelled by the authorities.

先生析曰；大凡炎上局，自是有頭無尾，如火之炎，暫時便止，那更合後，遂為失友。午作天后，是婦人，午未字像朱姓，戊日陽刃在午，故主刑，自第四課傳出，故出觀。暗貴作空，故可至觀。既至自然被害也。

Master Zhao explained that generally, the situation of "Inflaming Ascending" originally has a beginning but no end, like a flame that burns for a while and then dies out; moreover, it is combined with the Heavenly Empress, thus becoming "Losing a Friend." The Heavenly Empress is on the position of Wu, which represents a woman. The characters Wu and Wei resemble the character for "Zhu," so it indicates the surname Zhu. The Yangren of Wu day is on Wu, so there is a punishment. The first transmission comes from the fourth lesson, so one is expelled from the Taoist temple. The hidden nobleman is riding the Tian Kong, so one can still reach the Taoist temple; once there, one naturally suffers harm.

一訂云，午乃離朱雀，故姓朱。午未字像朱說非。又曰，後乃婦人，午亦婦也。加支為日之刃，故因婦人受責。在支上是以主得住持而始蒙責。

There is another corrected explanation: the hour of Wu belongs to the trigram Li (Fire) and is also the position of the Vermilion Bird, so it is interpreted as the surname Zhu. The claim that the characters Wu and Wei resemble the character for Zhu is incorrect. It is also said that the Heavenly Empress represents a woman, and Wu itself also represents a woman; when it appears on the day branch and coincides with the day stem's Yangren, it indicates punishment due to a woman. Because it falls on the day branch, it first indicates taking charge of the position, and then brings about punishment.

220）長老常占，己丑年二月癸丑日酉將戌時。（寅卯空亡，丑寅落空），重審，退茹。 朱六 蛇辰巳午未陳 貴卯 申龍 常 玄 常 玄 兄 壬子 玄 初 后寅 酉空 亥 子 亥 子 兄 辛亥 常 中 陰丑子亥戌虎 子 丑 子 癸 鬼 庚戌 虎 末 玄常

Example 220: A senior named Chang sought divination. The time was on the Jichou year, second month, Guichou day. The lesson was cast with the Month General You added to the Xu hour. The Guichou day belongs to the Jiachen decade, with the empty position falling on Yin and Mao. The Heaven Plate's Zi and Chou branches are exactly on the empty positions. The lesson has two names: "Chong Shen" and "Tui Ru" (three transmissions connected in reverse order: Zi, Hai, Xu). The Heaven Plate was set with the You General added to the Xu hour. The Nobleman rode on Mao, below it Teng Snake rode on Chen, Vermilion Bird on Si, Liu He on Wu, Gou Chen on Wei, Azure Dragon on Shen, Tian Kong on You, Bai Hu on Xu, Tai Chang on Hai, Xuan Wu on Zi, Tai Yin on Chou, and Tian Hou on Yin. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson, the Day Stem Gui is located in the Chou palace, with Zi above it, ridden by Xuan Wu; the second lesson, Zi has Hai above it, ridden by Tai Chang; the third lesson, the Day Branch Chou has Zi above it, ridden by Xuan Wu; the fourth lesson, Zi has Hai above it, ridden by Tai Chang. The three transmissions are Zi, Hai, Xu: the first transmission, Ren Zi is the brother's yao, ridden by Xuan Wu; the middle transmission, Xin Hai is also the brother's yao, ridden by Tai Chang; the final transmission, Geng Xu is the official ghost yao, ridden by Bai Hu.

邵先生曰：子作元武加日相合，即作傳，加丑為陽刃大吉，又是僧寺，中傳亥加子作常，亥即元類，作常加子，又是勢害，末虎克日，此課凶矣。必旬日內盜欲入方丈不得，乃入庫下偷三人物，後來干三人命。蓋連茹體也。且損水姓人。

Shao said: If the child (Zi) rides the Black Tortoise (Xuanwu) and is placed on the day stem, and it combines with it, then it is taken as the first transmission; if it is placed on Chou, Chou is both Yangren and Daji (Chou), and also represents a monastery. The middle transmission has Hai placed on Zi and riding Tai Chang - Hai originally belongs to the category of Xuanwu, but now it rides Tai Chang and is placed on Zi, thus becoming a case of riding a powerful force and causing harm. The final transmission has the White Tiger (Baihu) to attack the day stem, making this divination ominous: within ten days, there will certainly be thieves wanting to enter the monastery but unable to, so they turn to steal from the storeroom and steal from three people, later leading to three deaths - because the lesson pattern is connected in sequence. Moreover, someone with a surname related to water will be injured.

果第七日賊入庫，偷監寺副典庫三人物，既覺行者尋蹤往，他客汪家捉獲。將汪氏一鐵椎擊死，因解行者至官獄死。三僧吃棒，一僧患杖死，皆因連茹在不明，末虎作鬼故也。 庫中者，丑為庫也。

Indeed, on the seventh day the thief entered the storehouse and stole the belongings of the head monk, the deputy monk, and the storekeeper. After discovering the theft, the pilgrim followed the trail and caught the thief among the foreign merchants, the Wang family. The thief used an iron mallet to kill Wang, and as a result, the pilgrim was sent to the authorities and died in prison. The three monks were beaten, and one of them died from the杖 injuries. This was because of the connected body (liar) causing confusion and unclear connections, and the final transmission being due to the White Tiger transforming into a ghost. The mention of the storehouse is because the earthly branch 'Chou' represents a storehouse.

221）或占求酒，壬子日申將亥時。（寅卯空亡，亥子落空），比用，三交，高蓋。 貴后 蛇寅卯辰巳陰 朱丑 午玄 玄 空 陰 虎 財 戊午 玄 初（暗鬼） 六子 未常 午 酉 巳 申 子 空卯 貴 中（空亡） 陳亥戌酉申虎 酉 子 申 壬 兄 壬子 六 末（落空） 龍空

Example 221: Someone divined about demanding wine. The time was on the day of Renzi, with the month of Shen as the general, placed on the hour of Hai. The day of Renzi belongs to the Jiachen decade, with the empty positions falling on Yin and Mao. The Heaven Plate's branches of Hai and Zi are directly on the empty positions. The lesson has three names: "Comparison and Use", "Three Intersections", and "High Cover". The Heaven Plate is set with Shen as the general added to the hour of Hai. The nobleman is on Mao, with Teng Snake on Yin, Vermilion Bird on Chou, Liu He on Zi, Gou Chen on Hai, Azure Dragon on Xu, Tian Kong on You, Bai Hu on Shen, Tai Chang on Wei, Tai Yin on Si, Tian Hou on Chen. The four lessons, from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem Ren, located in the Hai palace, with Shen above it, riding Bai Hu; the second lesson is Shen with Si above it, riding Tai Yin; the third lesson is the day branch Zi with You above it, riding Tian Kong; the fourth lesson is You with Wu above it, riding Xuan Wu. The three transmissions are Wu, Mao, and Zi: the first transmission Wu Wu is the wife and wealth爻, riding Xuan Wu, secretly accompanied by a ghost; the middle transmission Mao is in the empty position of the decade, as the son and grandson爻, riding the nobleman; the final transmission Ren Zi is the brother and sibling爻, riding Liu He, falling into an empty position.

邵先生曰：酉加子作天空，支為酒，其酒必敗，器必破，必無酒也。酉為酒加子，酉破子，乃破器也。子水敗於酉，酉金死於子，乘空為虛詐，又傳入空亡，是以無酒。

Master Zhao said: You (metal) is placed on Zi (water) and rides on Tian Kong. The day branch represents wine, so it is evident that the wine must be spoiled and the vessel must be broken, thus no wine can be obtained. You (metal) governs wine and is placed on Zi (water), and You (metal) also breaks Zi (water), which is the image of the vessel being broken. Zi water is overcome by You metal, and You metal dies in Zi; Tian Kong signifies empty words and deception, and the three transmissions also enter Kongwang, so no wine can be obtained.

222）長星見於西方，蔡相公京占應於本身有何吉凶，四月辛未日酉將寅時。（戌亥空亡）（巳午落空） 蛇貴 朱子丑寅卯后 六亥 辰陰 龍 貴 朱 玄 兄 癸酉 龍 初 陳戌 巳玄 酉 寅 子 巳 父 戊辰 陰 中 龍酉申未午常 寅 未 巳 辛 子 空亥 六 末（空亡） 空虎

Example 222: A long star (comet) appears in the west, and the minister Cai Jing asks about the auspicious or inauspicious signs that should be on himself. The date is the 18th day of the fourth month, using the酉 month general added to the寅 hour to cast the divination. The day is the Jiazi decade, with the empty hour falling on the戌 and亥; the heaven plate's巳 and午 branches are exactly on the empty hour positions (the original text does not specify the lesson name here). The heaven plate is set with the酉 general added to the寅 hour. The nobleman is on the寅, below it is the teng snake on the丑, the vermilion bird on the子, the liuhe on the亥, the gouchen on the戌, the azure dragon on the酉, the tiankong on the申, the baihu on the未, the taichang on the午, the xuanwu on the巳, the taiyin on the辰, and the heavenly empress on the卯. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the first lesson is the day stem 辛, which is in the戌 palace, with the巳, riding the xuanwu; the second lesson is the巳, with the子, riding the zhuqiao; the third lesson is the day branch 未, with the寅, riding the guiren; the fourth lesson is the寅, with the酉, riding the qinglong. The three transmissions are酉, 辰, and 亥: the first transmission is the癸酉, representing the brother's yao, riding the qinglong; the middle transmission is the Wuchen, representing the parent's yao, riding the taiyin; the final transmission is the亥, which falls on the empty hour, representing the son's yao, riding the liuhe.

邵先生曰：酉作龍為用，酉於辛為上元真祿。寅乃地下真官，又是天吏，中末又俱自刑，相公目下雖有撓，全罪有赦，將來朝廷必大用，威權震上矣。後庚寅果再入朝大用。

Shao Master said: The酉 (You) trigram is riding the Azure Dragon and initiating the transmission. For the metal of Xin, the酉 is indeed the true禄 (favorable destiny) of the upper origin. The寅 (Yin) is the true official beneath the earth and also the Heavenly Official. Although both the middle transmission and the final transmission involve self-punishment, the gentleman is currently experiencing some disturbances, but the offenses will be pardoned. In the future, the court will certainly greatly employ him, and his authority will be able to shake the court. Later, in the year of Gengyin, Cai Jing indeed entered the court again and was greatly favored.

大凡四上克下，名無祿，天動於上為純陽，主動。若久困在下者遇之而發，居家者出。

In general, all four lessons involve the upper deity overcoming the lower deity, which is called "no fortune." The heavenly weather moves above and forms a pure yang image, indicating movement. Those who have been long trapped in a lower position will rise to prominence, and those who have been idle at home will enter officialdom.

按崇寧五年丙戌春正月慧星出西方，長竟天二月蔡京有罪免為中太乙宮便。大觀元年丁亥春正月以蔡京為門下侍郎，二月戊子加蔡京太師，三月己丑。

According to historical records: In the spring of the first month of the fifth year of the Chongning era, which was the year Bingxu, a comet appeared in the western sky, stretching across the entire sky. In the second month, Cai Jing was found guilty and was dismissed from office, then transferred to serve as the commissioner of the Taiyi Palace. In the spring of the first month of the first year of the Daguan era, which was the year Dinghai, Cai Jing was again appointed as the under-secretary of the imperial gate. In the second month, on the day of Wuzi, Cai Jing was further honored with the title of Taishi. In the third month, on the day of Jichou, the text of the original record is incomplete, and here we merely quote what remains.

《大六壬斷案》元、亨、利、貞四集全

The book "Judged Cases in Liuren" is divided into four collections: Yuan, Heng, Li, and Zhen. By this point, all four collections are complete.