Lianzhen

廉貞如何號獨火？此星得形最高大。高山項上石嵯峨，傘摺犁頭裂絲破。只緣尖焰聳天庭，其性炎炎號火星。起作龍樓並寶殿，貪巨武曲因此生。古人深識廉貞體，喚作紅旗並曜氣。此星威烈屬陽精，高焰赤黑峰頭起。

Why is "Lianzhen" called "Dúhuǒ" (Solo Fire)? Because the form of this star is the most towering. On the top of a high mountain, the jagged rocks are rugged, resembling folded umbrellas, plowshares, or torn threads. It is precisely because it rises sharply like a flame reaching the heavens, with a fierce and fiery nature, that it is called the Mars star. When it rises, it forms the Dragon Hall and the Palace Hall, and the stars Tanlang, Jumen, and Wuqu all originate from it. Ancient people deeply understood the nature of Lianzhen, referring to it as "Red Flag" and "Radiant Qi." This star is fierce and resolute, belonging to the essence of yang, with a high flame-like peak that rises with a reddish-black color.

高尖是樓平是殿，請君來此細推辨。亂峰頂上亂石間，此處名為聚講山。聚講既成即分去，分宗拜祖迢迢路。尋蹤尋跡更尋兒，龍來此處最堪疑。卻來此處橫生嶂，形如帳幕開張樣。二重入帳一重出，四重五重如巨浪。

High and sharp ones are called "Long Lou," while flat and broad ones are called "Bao Dian." Please come here and carefully examine and distinguish them. On the top of the chaotic peaks and among the scattered rocks, this area is called "Ju Jiang Shan." Once the Ju Jiang has formed, the various ridges branch off and go their own ways, each tracing back to their ancestral mountains, traveling far and far. One must follow the trail all the way to find the mountains that are their descendants; the dragon comes to this place, which is most confusing and difficult to determine. It branches out here again, forming another ridge that looks like a tent spread open. Two layers entering the tent, one layer exiting, four or five layers overlapping, resembling continuous great waves.

嶂中有線穿心行，帳不穿心不入相。帳幕多時貴亦多，一重只是富豪樣。兩帳兩幕是真龍，帳裡貴人最為上。帳中隱隱仙帶飛，帶舞低垂主興旺。天關地軸兩邊迎，異石龜蛇過處往。高山頂上有池水，兩邊夾得真龍行。

In the middle of the Zhang mountain, there is a line-like vein running straight through the center; if a tent is not pierced through the center, it cannot produce a prime minister. The more layers of tents there are, the more noble energy there is; only one layer indicates the appearance of a wealthy family. Two tents and two pavilions are true dragons, and the noble person with a vein within the tent is the highest quality. Within the tent, there is a subtle vein resembling a silk ribbon flying out, and the low hanging and dancing of the belt vein indicates prosperity. On both sides, there are 'Heavenly Gate' and 'Earthly Axis' welcoming it, and strange stones resembling turtles and snakes, through which the vein passes. High mountains have pools of water at the top, with the true dragon passing between them.

問君高頂何生水，此是真龍頂上氣。樓殿之上水泉生，水還兩處兩邊迎。真龍卻向泉中過，也有單池在傍抱。單池終不及兩池，池若傾崩反生禍。池平兩水夾又清，此處名為天漢星。天漢天潢入閣道，此星入相居天庭。更有衛龍在高頂，水貼龍身入深井，更無水出可追尋，或有蒙泉如小鏡。

You asked why water can appear on the top of a high mountain. That is actually the gathering of life qi on the true dragon's peak. On the dragon palace and treasure hall, spring water arises, and the water divides into two parts, coming from both sides to welcome it. The true dragon passes through the middle of the spring water; there are also cases where the dragon embraces a single pool. A single pool is not as good as two pools. If the pool water overflows and becomes broken, it brings misfortune. When the pool surface is calm, the two streams enclose it and the water is clear, this place is called "Tianhan Xing." The qi of Tianhan and Tianhuang connects with the stars of Ge dao, and such a star entering the court will be a prime minister, and if it is in the heavenly court, it will be of high rank. There are also guardian dragons on the high peak, with water flowing along the dragon's body into a deep well-like place, and no water flows out to be traced. Sometimes only a small pool of misty spring remains, small like a mirror.

看他辭樓並下殿，出帳聳起生何形。應星生處別立形，此是分枝劈脈證。祖宗分了分兄弟，來此分貪識真性。分貪之處莫令差，差謬一毫千里迥。筍峰貪狼縱橫計，鍾釜枕梭武輔弼。方峰是為巨門程，最要來辨嫡庶行。嫡庶不失出帳形，便是龍家五吉星。廉貞惡石眾所畏，不曉真陽火裡精。

Looking at it as it departs from the dragon pavilion, descends from the palace hall, and rises after leaving the tent, one should observe its shape. When the corresponding "responding star" emerges, it forms another shape, which serves as evidence of the branching and splitting of the ridge lines. Once the ancestral mountain has been separated, it then branches out into the mountains of brothers. At the point where the Tanchang star is divided, one can see the true nature. It is crucial not to make any mistakes in identifying the Tanchang star; a slight error can lead to a vast difference. A sharp peak resembling a bamboo shoot is considered the Tanchang star, while peaks shaped like a bell, a cooking pot, a pillow, or a shuttle belong to the Wugǔ and Fubì stars. Square-shaped peaks indicate the path of the Jumen star. Most importantly, one must clearly distinguish between the legitimate and the illegitimate: if the legitimate and illegitimate are correctly identified and match the shape after leaving the tent, then it is the "five auspicious stars" of the dragon family. The Lianzhen mountain is covered with evil stones, causing fear among people, but they do not realize that it is actually the essence of the true yang fire.

此龍多向南方落，北上眾山驚錯愕。低頭斂衽山朝來，莫向他方妄參錯。凡是星峰皆有石，若是土山全無力。廉貞獨火氣沖天，石骨稜層平處覓。廉貞不生吉星峰，定隔江河作應龍。朝迎必應數百里，遠望鼓角聲鼕鼕。

Lianzhen mountains usually run towards the south, and the mountains to the north are startled and pale in comparison. They bow their heads and lower their robes as if paying homage, coming forward in a respectful manner. You should not mistakenly interpret them in other directions. All star peaks should be accompanied by stone, and if they are purely earth mountains, they have no strength. Lianzhen has a fiery energy that rises straight to the heavens, with stone-like ridges and layers. One should look for its flow in flat and gentle areas. If Lianzhen does not produce a peak of a fortunate star, it must cross rivers and lakes to connect with the "Yinglong" elsewhere. Its facing and responding can be as far as hundreds of miles away, and when viewed from afar, its气势 is like the sound of gongs and drums echoing continuously.

凡見廉貞高聳石，便上頂頭看遠跡。細認真龍此處生，華蓋穿心正龍出。此龍最貴難尋覓，五吉要聳華蓋出。此等真龍不易逢，華蓋三峰品字立。兩肩分作兩護龍，此是兄弟同祖宗。兄弟便為纏護龍，前迎後送生雌雄。

Whenever one sees a stone peak that is tall and sharp like Lianzhen, one should climb to the top to observe the distant ridge lines. Carefully discerning, the true dragon originates exactly here: the one that passes through the center of the "Huagai" formation is the genuine dragon. This kind of dragon is the most valuable but also the hardest to find; it must have five auspicious stars towering high, and the ridge must emerge from beneath the Huagai. Such a true dragon is rare to encounter—Huagai consists of three peaks arranged in a character "品" shape, with two shoulders each producing two protective ridges, which represent brothers sharing the same ancestral origin. The mountains of the brothers serve as the encircling and protecting dragons, with one in front to welcome and one behind to send off, thus distinguishing between male and female dragons.

雌若為龍雄作應，雄若為龍雌聽命。問君如何辨雌雄，高低肥瘠瘦不同。低肥為雌雄高瘠，只求此處識蹤跡。隨龍身上有正峰，時作星峰拜祖宗。但看護送似回龍，又有迎龍如虎踞。

If the female mountain becomes the main dragon, the male mountain will be opposite to respond; if the male mountain becomes the main dragon, the female mountain will bow in submission. How do you distinguish between male and female? Look at their differences in height and thickness: low and thick ones belong to the female, high and thin ones belong to the male. Only in this aspect can you recognize their traces. Along the dragon's mountain, there is a main peak that constantly forms star peaks and turns back to pay homage to the ancestral mountain. Just observe the protective mountain like a dragon turning back, and the welcoming mountain like a tiger crouching.

隨龍山水皆朝揖，狐疑來處失蹤跡。水口重重生異石，定有羅星當水立。羅星外面有山關，上生下生細尋覓。蓋緣羅星有真假，真假天然非人力。羅星旁水便生石，羅星端正最高職。

The mountain and water surrounding the site all bow towards thesite, but the source of the dragon is suspicious and easily lost. Between the water mouths, strange stones appear, indicating the presence of a "Luo Star" standing in the water. Outside the Luo Star, there are mountains acting as barriers. Whether the Luo Star is upstream or downstream needs careful search. This is because Luo Stars can be genuine or false, and their authenticity comes naturally, not by human effort. When the Luo Star is by the water's edge, stones naturally form. A properly formed Luo Star indicates the highest official rank.

廉貞多生顧祖龍，祖龍遠遠是朝峰。更有鬼腳回顧處，護送須生十數里。送龍之山短有後，抱山不抱左右手。纏龍纏過龍虎前，三重五重福延綿。纏多不許外山走，那堪長遠作水口。護送托龍若十全，富貴雙全真罕有。尋龍千萬看纏山，一重纏是一重關。關門若有千重鎖，定有王侯居此間。

Lianzhen is often accompanied by "Gu Zu Long," where the ancestral mountain is far away and becomes the facing peak in front of the site. There are also places where the ghost foot turns back to look, and the protective mountains should extend for several miles. Although the mountains that send the dragon are short, they have support behind them; the embracing mountains only embrace the main body, not the left and right sides. The winding mountains that surround the dragon pass in front of the dragon and tiger sands, and if there are three or five layers, the blessings will be long-lasting. If there are many winding mountains, they must not allow outer mountains to escape, and moreover, they can extend far to form the water mouth. If the protective mountains and the ones that support the dragon are very complete, this is a pattern of both wealth and honor, which is indeed rare. When searching for a dragon, one must pay close attention to the winding mountains: one layer of winding mountain is one layer of gate. If there are thousands of layers of gates locked, there must be a prince or a marquis living there.

廉貞已具貪狼內，更述此篇為詳載。有人曉得紅旗星，遠有威權近凶怪。權星斬砍得自由，不統兵權不肯體。若遇廉貞不起石，腳下也須生石壁。石壁是背面是平，平處尋龍出蹤跡。貪巨武輔弼星行，出身生處是真星。

The principle of Lianzhen has already been explained in the section on Tanlang. Here, we provide a more detailed account. If someone understands the "Red Flag Star," they will know that it appears imposing from a distance but seems ominous up close. It is a star that controls life and death, with the power to cut and strike. It will not remain content if it is not given command of military authority. If Lianzhen appears but there is no stone rising on the mountain, then there must be a stone wall beneath its feet. One side of the stone wall is the back, and the other side is flat. To find the dragon, one must search on the flat side. Tanlang, Juming, Wuqu, Zuofu, and Youbi all come from their original birthplaces, and those are the true star bodies.

博龍換處有九段，此是公侯將相庭。紅旗氣雄威武在，行兵出師駭妖怪。權星威福得自轉，縱入文階亦武威。廉良一變貪巨武，文武全才登宰輔。廉貞不作變換星，潔身亂倫弒君父。

The dragon passes through nine segments where it undergoes transformation, which signifies the emergence of noble families and officials of high rank. The red flag star exhibits a grand and mighty appearance, constantly displaying authority, indicating leadership in military campaigns, capable of subduing even supernatural creatures. The power and fortune of this star are self-generated, so even if it enters the ranks of civil officials, it still carries the aura of military strength. If the star Lianzhen becomes benevolent, it can transform into the stars Ganlang, Jumen, and Wuqu, resulting in the emergence of individuals who excel in both literary and military skills, achieving high positions in the government. However, if Lianzhen remains unyielding and does not transform into auspicious stars, it will only focus on self-purification, disrupting the natural order, and even commit regicide or patricide.

武曲星峰覆鍾釜，鍾釜之形有何故。鍾高釜矮事不同，高即為武矮為輔。二者雖然皆吉星，大小不容有差互。武曲端嚴富貴牢，輔弼隨龍厚薄取。真龍若行五六程，臨落之時剝輔星。如梭如印如皎月，三三兩兩牽聯行。

The star peak of Wuqu is shaped like an inverted bell or a cooking pot. Why is it compared to a bell or a pot? Because the bell is tall and the pot is short, and each represents different characteristics: the tall one is Wuqu, and the short one is Zuofu. Although both are auspicious stars, their differences in size should not be confused. Wuqu is dignified and solemn, indicating wealth and stability; Fu Bi, on the other hand, depends on the thickness of the dragon ridge to determine its form. When the true dragon has traveled five or six sections and is nearing the termination point, it transforms into the auxiliary star. At this time, the mountain shape resembles a loom shuttle, a seal, or a bright full moon, with groups of two or three connected and proceeding together.

前關後峽相引從，峽若多時龍猛勇。博到輔星三四重，仔細來此認龍蹤。貪巨若無輔弼落，高嶺如何住得龍。雖然輔弼是入穴，作穴隨形又不同。穴隨土峰作鉗乳，形神大小隨龍宗。圓龍忽然長拖腳，恐是鬼龍如覆杓。覆箕仰掌是鬼龍，莫來此處失真蹤。請君細認前頭穴，莫使參前失後空。

Before there is a concern, and behind there is a ravine, the path leads continuously and follows along; when there are many ravines, it indicates the dragon's strong and fierce momentum. When the transformation reaches the auxiliary stars of three or four layers, one must carefully recognize the dragon's trail here. If the greedy wolf and the great gate do not have the auxiliary ministers to form the ridge, how can the dragon stay on the high hill? Although it is said that the dragon should fall into the auxiliary ministers to form the site, the site formation varies according to different body shapes. The site follows the shape of the soil peak, forming a clamp shape or a breast shape; the form, spirit, and size should all be based on the dragon it follows. If a round dragon suddenly extends a long foot, it might be a ghost dragon, resembling an overturned spoon. An overturned basket and an uplifted palm are all forms of ghost dragons; do not choose such places, or you will lose the true trail. Please carefully recognize the site ahead, and do not just focus on the front and neglect the back.

問君何以知我落，看他尾後圓峰作。問君知我如何行，尾星搖動不曾停。前官後鬼須細辨，鬼克我身居後面。官星克我在前朝，此是龍家官鬼現。真龍落處陰陽亂，五行官鬼無相戰。水龍博到火龍出，鬼在後頭官出面。

You asked how to know that the dragon has already fallen? Look to see if there is a round hill formed behind its tail. You asked how to know that the dragon is still moving? Look to see if the star at its tail is still shaking continuously. The front "official" and the back "ghost" must be carefully distinguished: the "ghost" refers to the mountain that overcomes me, located behind the pit; the "official" refers to the mountain that overcomes me, facing the pit. This is what is called the manifestation of official and ghost in the dragon's line. The true dragon's falling pulse is where yin and yang are mixed and confused, and the five phases' official and ghost do not actually fight each other. For example, when a water dragon changes to a fire dragon and emerges, the ghost is behind and the official is in front.

坎山來龍作午丁，卻把地羅差使轉。此是陰陽雜五行，不是龍家官鬼辨。龍家不要論五行，且從龍看分脈上。龍奪脈時是鬼氣，鬼氣不歸龍上行。大抵正龍無鬼山，有鬼不出半里間。橫龍出穴必有鬼，送跳翻身穴後環。

The dragon coming from the Kan direction is considered to face the Wu and Ding directions, so some people turn the compass to force an explanation. This is mixing yin and yang into the Five Phases, and not following the original meaning of identifying the dragon's official and ghost mountains. Observing the dragon does not require considering the Five Phases; one should only look at the form and structure of the dragon's body. When the dragon's energy is taken away by another place, that branch is considered ghost energy; ghost energy does not return to the dragon. Generally, the main dragon that falls directly does not have a ghost mountain; even if there is a ghost mountain, it is not more than half a li away. A horizontal dragon that forms a tomb must have a ghost mountain. The ghost mountain sends out, jumps up, turns around, and protects the tomb from behind.

鬼山若長奪長氣，鬼短貼身如抱攔。問君如何謂之鬼，主山背後撐者是。分枝劈脈不回頭，奪我正身少全氣。真龍穴後如有鬼，山短枝多為雉尾。此是真龍穴後星，星辰亦有尖圓體。正龍穴後若有鬼，只只回頭來護衛。

If the ghost mountains are long, they will steal the dragon's vital energy; if the ghost mountains are short and close to the body of the site, they appear to embrace and protect it, which is favorable. You ask what is meant by "ghost mountains"? They are the mountains extending outward behind the main mountain. They branch off and split their ridges without returning, thus stealing the vital energy of the main body and making the true energy incomplete. If there are ghost mountains behind a true dragon site, they should be short with many branches, resembling the tail of a wild chicken. This is the star form behind a true dragon site, and such stars also come in sharp and round shapes. If there are ghost mountains behind a properly falling dragon site, they must all turn back to guard the site.

若不回頭衛本身，此是空亡歇滅地。問君何者是空亡，穴後卷空仰瓦勢。便從鬼上細尋覓，鬼山星峰少收拾。真龍身上護衛多，山山多情來拱揖。護衛貼體不敢離，中有泉池暗流入。要識真龍鬼山短，緣有纏龍在後股。

If the ghost mountain does not turn back to guard itself, then this place is a site of emptiness and decay. You ask what "empty" means? It refers to the situation where the back of the site is hollow and unsupported, like an upside-down tile flipping outward. To determine this, examine the ghost mountain carefully: the star peaks of the ghost mountain are usually scattered and disordered, with no order or cohesion. True dragons are always well guarded, with mountains that all express affection and bow respectfully. The guardians are closely attached to the dragon body and dare not leave, with springs and pools quietly flowing in between. Understand that the reason the ghost mountain of a true dragon is short is because there is another winding dragon behind it providing protection, so it does not need the ghost mountain to support it.

既有纏龍貼護身，不許鬼山空散漫。鬼山真去投江海，真龍氣絕散漫多。如戟如矛亂走去，包裹無由奈他何。龍若無纏又無送。縱有真龍不堪用。護纏多愛到穴前，三重五重福綿延。一重護衛一代富，護衛十里宰相地。

Since there is a coiling dragon closely attached for protection, the ghost mountain must not extend outward carelessly. If the ghost mountain really stretches out continuously toward the river or sea, then the true dragon's energy will be cut off, and there will be many scattered branches. These scattered branches will go in disorderly directions like spears and halberds, making it impossible to contain or manage them, so there is no way to deal with them. If a dragon has neither protective mountains nor sending mountains, even if it is a true dragon, it is not useful. The protective mountains that wrap around should ideally reach before the tomb, with three or five layers bringing continuous blessings. One layer of protection corresponds to the wealth of one generation, and if the protective mountains extend continuously for ten miles, it is the land where prime ministers are born.

兩重亦作典磚城，一重只出丞簿尉。鬼山亦自有真形，形隨三吉輔弼類。九星皆有鬼形樣。不類本身不入相。貪狼鬼星必尖小，武曲鬼星枝葉少。多作圓峰覆杓形，撐住在後最為妙。巨門墜珠玉枕形，貪作天梯背後生。

A double layer of protection can produce officials responsible for a state or a city, while a single layer can only produce minor officials such as county magistrates, clerks, and county commanders. The true form of a ghost mountain is determined by the three auspicious directions and the auxiliary and supportive directions, each forming their own category. Each of the nine stars has its own form of ghost shape; if the ghost shape does not match the star itself, it cannot produce a prime minister. The ghost star of the Greedy Wolf is necessarily sharp and small, while the ghost star of the Martial Curve has sparse branches, often forming round peaks or inverted ladles, which are most effective when placed behind the site. The ghost shape of the Great Gate resembles a falling pearl or a jade pillow, while the ghost shape of the Greedy Wolf appears like a heavenly ladder behind the site.

一層一級漸低小，雖然有腳無橫行。巨門多為小橫嶺，托後如屏玉幾正。弼星作鬼如圍屏，或從龍虎後橫生。橫生瓜瓠抱穴後，金斗玉印盤龍形。輔星多為獨節鬼，三對平如寫王字。三對兩對相併行，曲轉護身皆有意。

The ghost mountains of Tanlang descend gradually, each level lower than the previous, though they have their feet, they do not spread out sideways. The ghost mountains of Jumen are mostly small horizontal ridges, resting behind the pit like a screen or like a properly arranged jade stand. When Youbi forms a ghost mountain, it appears as a circle of screens, or grows horizontally from behind the dragon and tiger ridges; the shape resembles a gourd, embracing the pit behind, and also takes the forms of a golden basin, jade seal, or coiled dragon. The ghost mountains of Zuofu are mostly short, independent hills, three pairs standing side by side, resembling the character 'wang'. These ghost mountains, in pairs or groups of two, wind and turn to protect the pit, showing affection everywhere.

廉文破祿本是鬼，不必問他穴後尾。破祿廉文多作關，近關太闊為散關。關門是局有大小，破祿三星多外攔。祿星無祿作神壇，破星不破為近關。善論大地論關局，關局大小水口山。鬼山形向橫龍作，正龍多是平地落。

The four stars, Lianzhen, Wenqu, Pojun, and Luchun, inherently belong to the category of ghosts, so there is no need to inquire further about the tails they trail behind thesite. Among these, Pojun, Luchun, Lianzhen, and Wenqu often serve as barriers. If the nearby barrier is too wide, it is called "San Guan," which fails to block the qi. The concept of a gate is about the overall situation; the size of the situation varies. Pojun, Luchun, and others mostly act as barriers on the periphery. If Luchun does not carry the quality of fortune, it can only form a shrine for spirits. If Pojun does not show signs of fragmentation, it can serve as a nearby barrier. Skilled practitioners of large-scale land assessment first consider the gate situation. The size of the gate depends on the mountain at the water mouth. The shape of the ghost mountain arises from a transverse dragon, while a straight dragon usually falls on flat land.

平地勢如蜈蚣行，卻長便如橈棹形。停棹向前穴即近，發棹向後龍未停。橈棹向後忽峰起，定有真龍居此地。只看護托迴轉時，朝揖在前拜真氣。大抵九星皆有鬼，相類相如各有四。四九三十六鬼形，識鬼便是識真精。

The form of a level ground dragon is like a centipede crawling, and when its branches extend long on both sides, it forms the shape of a "rào zhào" (oar and paddle). If the rào zhào stops and points forward, it indicates that the site is nearby; if the rào zhào spreads out and points backward, it suggests that the dragon has not yet stopped. If the rào zhào points backward but suddenly rises to form a peak, then this place must surely be where a true dragon resides. Just look for the protective and supporting mountains that turn back and face forward, which indicates receiving the true qi. In general, the nine stars all have ghostly forms, and each similar type has four variations, making a total of thirty-six ghostly forms. Recognizing these ghostly forms means recognizing the true essence of the dragon.

問君如何謂之官？朝山背後逆拖山。此是朝山有餘氣，與我穴後鬼一般。官星在前鬼在後，官要回頭鬼要就。官不回頭鬼不就，只是虛抱無落首。龍穴背後有衣裙，此是關闌多舞袖。雖然有袖穴不見，官不離鄉任何愛。

You asked what is called "official mountain" (guan). It refers to the part of the mountain that extends backward from the main mountain behind the site. This is the residual energy of the facing mountain, similar to the ghost mountain behind the site. The official mountain should turn back to face the site, and the ghost mountain should be close to the site. If the official mountain does not turn back or the ghost mountain does not approach closely, then it is just a hollow embrace with no real convergence. If there are mountains like a flowing skirt spreading behind the site, they are barrier hills, resembling fluttering sleeves. Although there are these sleeves, the site remains hidden; this pattern produces officials that only stay within the local area, no matter how much they are favored, they cannot extend far.

真氣聚處看明堂，明堂裡面要平陽。明堂裡面停豬水，第一寬平始為貴。側裂傾堆撞射身，急瀉崩騰非吉地。請君未斷左右山，先向明堂觀水勢。明堂亦有如鍋底，橫號金船龍虎裡。直號天心曲御階，馬蹄直兮有曲勢。

Where the true energy gathers, look at the Bright Hall. Within the Bright Hall, it should be level and open to the sun. There should be water that pools like a pond inside the Bright Hall. What is most important is that it is wide and level, which is considered valuable. If the Bright Hall is slanted, broken, tilted, or piled up, and the water rushes straight toward the tomb site, flowing quickly and violently, then it is not a good site. Please do not hurry to determine the left and right mountain ridges first; instead, first examine the water flow in the Bright Hall. The Bright Hall can also be shaped like the bottom of a pot: a horizontal one is called "Jin Chuan" (Golden Ship), hidden within the dragon and tiger ridges; a vertical one is called "Tian Xin" (Heaven's Center); a winding one is called "Yu Jie" (Imperial Steps); and a shape like a horse's hoof, although straight, also carries a slight curve.

明堂要似蓮花水，蕩歸左位長公起。蕩歸右處小公興，若居中心諸位貴。大抵明堂橫為貴，其次之玄關鎖是。蕩蕩直去不回頭，雖似御階非吉地。明堂要如衣領會，左紐右衤貴方為貴。或是曰隴與山腳，如此關闌真可喜。

The water in the Bright Hall should be like lotus petals, layered and embracing. If the water flows to the left, the eldest son's branch will flourish; if it flows to the right, the younger sons will prosper; if it gathers in the center, all branches will be esteemed. Generally, the Bright Hall is most favorable when it is horizontal, and the next best is when the water meanders in a zigzag or winding pattern, forming a lock-like structure. If the water flows straight and unimpeded without turning back, even though its shape resembles an imperial staircase, it is not a favorable site. The Bright Hall should be like the collar of a robe meeting together, with the left side resembling a button and the right side like a belt knot, which is considered auspicious (the original character is 「衤贵」, meaning a belt knot, and is transcribed as such). Alternatively, if there are ridges of earth or mountain foot extending in front to block the view, such a barrier is truly favorable.

忽然橫前無關鎖，地劫風吹吉利。請君來此細消詳，更分前官並後鬼。左脅生來笏樣，右脅生來魚袋形。方長為象短為水，小巧是金肥是銀。看此樣形臨局勢，中間乳穴是為真。賜帶鬼形如瓜瓠，二條連移左轉去。回頭貼來侍從官，前案橫交金玉盤。玉盤賜將金盤相，左右在人心眼上。重數如多賜亦多，一重數是金屏帶。

If the front of the site is suddenly open without any closure, the earth energy will be stolen away and the wind will scatter it, making it impossible to be auspicious. The mountain shape on the left side resembles a hand-held jade tablet, and the mountain shape on the right side resembles a hanging fish bag. These kinds of sandy forms that are square and long are called ivory tablets, while those that are short are called water buffalo horns. Small ones belong to metal, and thick ones belong to silver. By observing these shapes, the true site located in the center is the true nest. The ghost shapes like "granting belt" resemble gourds, connected together and turning to the left. Those that turn back to be close to the site are the attendants, and the mountain in front that crosses horizontally resembles a golden or jade plate. A jade plate indicates granting military rank, while a golden plate indicates being appointed as prime minister. Whether it should be on the left or the right depends entirely on one's discernment. The more layers there are, the more rewards there will be: one layer is called "golden screen belt."

二重是屏三金帶，橫轉穴前官轉大。子孫三代垂魚袋，右上三魚虎身外。三代子孫賜金帶，三重橫盤龍外生。四重即是賜金玉，重數如多福最深。此是龍家賜帶鬼，莫將龍向左邊臨。玉幾方屏武曲形，身後是几几外屏。幾屏須要問先後，未有屏先幾後生。幾屏如在後頭托，此是公侯將相庭。

Two layers of the form are called screen, three layers are called gold belt; when they spread horizontally in front of the site, the official rank they indicate becomes greater. If the descendants of three generations all have fish bags hanging, it is because three fish bag shapes are formed outside the right tiger hill. If the descendants of three generations all receive gold belts, it is because three layers of horizontal forms are formed outside the dragon hill. Four layers mean being granted both gold and jade, and the more layers there are, the deeper the blessing. This is what the dragon family refers to as the "granting belt ghost," so do not force the dragon to be entirely on the left side. "Jade several" and "square screen" are both forms of Wu Qu. Behind the site body is the "several," and outside the "several" is the "screen." The order of "several" and "screen" should be clearly determined, there has never been a case where the screen comes first and then the several. If both the "several" and the "screen" are supported behind the site, this indicates a family that produces generals and ministers.

破軍星峰如走旗，前頭高卓尾後低。兩傍失險落坑陷，壁立反裂形傾欹。不知此星出六府，上有三臺遠為祖。然後生出六曜星，貪巨祿文廉武輔。三臺星辰號三階，六星兩兩魚眼挨。雙尖雙圓如貪巨，卻在絕頂雙安排。

The star peak called "Pòjūn" resembles a flag in motion, with its front high and prominent, and its tail low and drooping. On both sides, it loses its steepness and sinks into depressions, with the mountain walls standing straight and the back splitting open, forming a leaning and slanting shape. People do not know that this star originates from the "Liufu" (Six Palaces). Above the Six Palaces are the "Santai" (Three Platforms), which serve as its distant ancestors. From these, the six luminaries are generated, namely Tān láng, Jùmén, Lùcún, Wénqū, Liánzhēn, Wǔqū, and Zuǒfǔ. The Santai stars are known as the "Sānjiē" (Three Stages), while the Liufu stars are paired together like fish eyes in a row. The double peaks resemble Tān láng, and the double round ones resemble Jùmén, both arranged in pairs at the peak of the mountain.

雙尖定出貪狼去，雙圓生出武曲來。上臺中臺下臺出，行到六府文昌臺。文昌六星如偃月，穿星六星似環。平頃上頭生六星，六處微堆作凹凸。凹中微起似六星，生出九星若排列。

The shape of two sharp peaks definitely originates from the Greedy Wolf star, while the shape of two round forms comes from the Martial Curve star. The upper platform, middle platform, and lower platform successively produce lines of energy, continuing along the path to the six ministries and the Wen Chang platform. The Wen Chang six stars form like a half-moon, and the six stars passing through the center form like a chain (this sentence originally had six characters, one is missing, so it is recorded as is). On a gently sloping peak, six small stars arise, with six places slightly raised, forming an alternating convex and concave pattern; the concave areas are also slightly raised, resembling the shape of six stars. The nine stars emerge from here, arranged in sequence.

破軍皆受九星變。逐位生峰形象現。山形在地水在天，真氣下感禍福驗。尊星頓起真形了，枝葉皆是祿存占。尊星雖云有三吉，三吉之餘有輔弼。不知三吉不常生，有處觀來無一實。蓋緣不識破軍星，星說走旗拖尾出。

The star Pojun changes according to the nine stars, and whenever it reaches a position, it forms a peak, each displaying its own form. The mountain shape is on the ground, while the star shape is in the sky. True energy flows from above to below, causing fortune and misfortune to be manifested accordingly. After the noble star suddenly takes its true form, its branches and leaves are occupied by禄存. Although the noble star is said to have three auspicious forms, there are also two auxiliary stars outside the three auspicious ones. People do not realize that the three auspicious forms are not always present, and in many places, there is not even one true form. This is because they do not recognize the form of Pojun star — Pojun is described as resembling a flag in motion, with a long tail trailing behind.

走旗拖尾是真形，若出尊星形變生。與君細論破軍體，逐一隨星種類名。貪狼破軍如頓起，一層一級名天梯。頂尖沖前有巖穴，伸頂猶如雞作啼。頂頭有帶下巖去，引到平處如蛛絲。欲斷不斷馬跡過，東西有顯梭中絲。

The true form of Pojun is called "Zouqi Tuowei" (flag dragging tail); if it originates from the尊星 (honored star), its shape will change and produce different forms. Now I will explain in detail the form of Pojun, classifying and naming it according to the stars it follows. The Pojun transformed by Tanlang resembles steps rising in layers, one after another, called "Tianti" (heavenly steps). The peak is sharp and points forward, with a cave below; the top extends like a rooster stretching its neck to crow. There is a line of energy running down the rock to the flat land, becoming as thin as a spider's silk. It seems to break but does not actually break, like the tracks of a horse's hoof appearing and disappearing; between east and west segments, there is still a thread-like connection remaining.

三吉之星總如此，此處名為吉破地。過坪過水皆如是，定有泉塘兩夾隨。貪下破軍巨門去，去為垣局不須疑。巨門破軍裂十字，頂上微圓欹側取。勢如啄木上高枝，直上高崖石觜露。此星出龍生鼎足，瓜甲巖若雞距。此龍富貴生王侯，五換六移出宰輔。

The stars of the three auspicious origins produce broken military stars in this general way, and such places are called "auspicious broken ground." When they pass over flat land or water, they also appear like this, with springs and ponds necessarily flanking them on both sides. When the broken military star produced by the greedy wolf star transforms into the great gate star, it must form a walled enclosure, and there is no need to doubt this. For the broken military star produced by the great gate star, the mountain body splits like a cross, with the top slightly rounded and slightly tilted. One should take the point of this tilt. Its momentum resembles a woodpecker climbing up a high branch, ascending all the way to a high cliff, revealing a sharp stone tip. At the place where this star originates, there is a shape of three legs standing upright, and the rock's edges resemble the spurs on a chicken's claws. Such a dragon can produce kings and dukes, and after five or six transformations and shifts, it can produce ministers of great importance.

祿存破軍在平頂，兩脅蛇行肋微露。前如大木倒平洋，生幹生枝葉無數。葉中生出嫩枝條，又作高峰下平地。當知為穴亦不遠，護送不來作神宇。武曲破如破櫥櫃，身形臃脹崩形勢。前頭走出雞伸頸，嶺上下來如象鼻。一高一下腳不尖，作穴乳頭出富貴。破軍廉貞高崔嵬，水流關峽聲如雷。輔星破軍如幞頭，兩傍有腳如拋球。弼星破軍如鯉躍，行到平中一時卓。

The禄存 transformed 破军 appears on a flat peak, with two sides like a snake winding and twisting, its branches resembling ribs slightly exposed. In front, it looks like a large tree lying on a flat plain, with many trunks and branches, countless in number. Among the leaves, new branches grow, rising to form high peaks and then falling back to the flat ground. At this point, one should know that the site of the grave is not far away; if the protective mountain does not come to guard, it can only form a temple. The武曲 transformed 破军 looks like a broken cabinet, with a swollen and bloated shape, carrying a collapsing appearance. In front, it extends like a chicken stretching its neck, falling from a hill like an elephant's trunk. Alternating between high and low, but with feet not sharp, it forms a nipple-shaped grave, which is auspicious for wealth and honor. The廉贞 transformed 破军 is high and steep, with water rushing between the passes, making a thunderous sound. The左辅 transformed 破军 looks like a headpiece, with two sides extending like balls thrown out. The右弼 transformed 破军 looks like a carp leaping, standing upright on flat ground.

三三兩兩平中行，直出身來橫布腳。為神為廟為富貴，只看纏護細斟酌。纏多便是富貴龍，纏少只為鐘鼓閣。九星皆有破祿文，三吉之形輔弼尊。平行穿珠鉅貪祿，闌掉尖拖是破軍。吉星之下無不吉，凶星之下凶所存。況是凶龍為不穴，只是閒行引過身。

They move in small groups across the flat land, straightening their forms and spreading out their branches laterally. Whether this place is a shrine, a temple, or a wealthy family's dwelling depends on the number of surrounding mountains that embrace and protect it. The more surrounding mountains there are, the more it is a dragon of wealth and prosperity; the fewer, it is merely a place like a bell tower or drum pavilion. Among the nine stars, all include the Breaker General, the Keeper of Fortune, and the Literary Star. Among the three auspicious shapes, the Minister and Assistant Stars are most esteemed. When they run parallel, like beads strung together, they are the Gate Star, the Greedy Wolf Star, and the Keeper of Fortune. When their branches are blocked and their tips are dragged out, it is the Breaker General. Beneath auspicious stars, there is no inauspiciousness; beneath malevolent stars, malevolence remains. Moreover, malevolent dragons do not form a site, they merely wander idly, guiding the energy flow and passing by here.

縱然有穴必是假，假穴如何保久存。時師只來尋龍脈，來此峽內空低蹲。便指纏護為真氣，或有遠秀出他村。便說朝山朝水好，下了凶事自入門。只緣不識真龍出，前面必出星辰尊。尊星沾了死龍骨，換了破軍廉祿文。

Even if a凶龙 has a穴, it must certainly be a false穴, and how can a false穴 last long? The old masters only focus on searching for the dragon's pulse, and they go to the gully and just wait there in vain; they point to the surrounding mountains and say these are true energies, or they see a fine peak in another village from afar and say the facing mountain and water are all good. If they bury the grave like this, misfortune will come to them naturally. This is all because they do not recognize the true place where the true dragon emerges. The true dragon must certainly have noble stars in front of it. Once these noble stars come into contact with the bones of a dead dragon, they will replace the凶stars such as破军, 廉贞, 禄存, and 文曲.

破軍忽然橫開張，帳裡戈旗出生旺。此龍出作將軍形，前遇溪流為甲仗。破祿形象最為多。枝蔓懸延氣少平。不為尖刀即劍戟，不作蛇行即擲梭。出逢六秀方位上，上與六氣橫天河。六氣變而生六秀，凶星到此亦消磨。

The star Breaker General suddenly spreads out horizontally like a curtain, and within the curtain, the forms of spears, halberds, and banners emerge from the prosperous and vital positions. This dragon ridge forms the shape of a general, and when it encounters a stream in front, it becomes its armor and weapons. The images of Breaker General and禄存 are most prominent, with branches extending and hanging down, the energy being sparse and calm. It does not form a sharp knife but rather a sword or spear; it does not meander like a snake but rather resembles a thrown shuttle. If it appears in the direction of the six flourishing positions, it connects with the six energies above, stretching across like the Milky Way. The six energies change and produce the six flourishing positions, and even凶 stars are worn down here.

凶星消磨生吉氣，定有星辰巨浪波。此是神仙絕妙法，不比尋常格地羅。與君略舉大形勢，舉目一望皆江河。天下江山幾萬重，我見破軍到處是。祿存文曲輔弼星，低小山形總相類。只有高山形象殊，略舉大綱與君議。

The evil stars have been worn down, transforming into auspicious energy, and there must certainly be stars rising and falling like great waves. This is a miraculous method of the immortals, different from ordinary people who merely adjust the compass to fix a position. Now I will briefly mention the general situation: looking around, everywhere is rivers and streams. The mountains and rivers of the world are in thousands of forms, but I see that the Breaker Star is everywhere. The stars of Wealth Storage, Literary Genius, and Assistant Ministers generally appear similar on small hills, but only on high mountains do their forms clearly differ. Here I can only briefly outline the main points for discussion with you.

崑崙山腳出闐顏，只只腳是破軍山。連綿走出瀚海北，風俗強悍人粗頑。生兒三歲學騎射，骨鯁剛方是此間。山來隴石尖如削，盡是狼峰更高卓。此處如何不出文，只為峰多反成濁。高山大隴峰多尖，不似平原一錐卓。

The remaining parts of the Kunlun Mountains extend to the area around Tianyan Mountain, each branch resembling a mountain of broken troops. They stretch continuously to the north of the Hanhai Sea, where the customs are strong and the people are rough and fierce. Children learn to ride horses and shoot arrows by the age of three; their nature is straightforward and upright, a product of this region. The mountains come from Long Mountain, with sharp rocks as if cut by a knife, and everywhere one sees wolf-like peaks, even more lofty. Why does this area not produce scholars? It is because there are too many sharp peaks, which instead make the land turbid. On high mountains and great ridges, clusters of sharp peaks abound, unlike solitary peaks standing alone on plains.

行行退卸大散關，百二山河在彼間。大纏大護到函谷，水出黃河如闕環。低平漸漸出熊耳，萬里平陽漸漸低。大梁形勢亦無山，到此尋龍何處是。識得星峰是等閒，平處尋龍最是難。若無江流與淮水，渺渺茫茫不見山。

The dragon vein retreats and proceeds all the way to Dasi Pass, where the famous hundred and two mountains and rivers of the Guanzhong region are located in this area. The great encircling and protecting ridges extend all the way to Hangu Pass, and the water flows out and merges into the Yellow River, forming a shape like palaces surrounding. The terrain gradually becomes flatter, and when reaching Xiong'er Mountain, the vast flat land becomes even lower. By the time it reaches Daliang, there are no mountains at all. So where should one look for the dragon here? Recognizing star peaks in mountainous areas is not really a great skill; searching for the dragon on flat land is much more difficult. If there are no rivers like the Yangtze or Huai River as references, it becomes indistinct and vague, and even mountains cannot be seen.

河流沖決山斷絕，又無石骨又無脈。君若到彼說星峰，一句不容三寸舌。黃河在北大江南，兩水夾行勢不絕。行到背脊忽起峰，兗州東嶽插天雄。分枝劈脈鍾靈氣，聖賢多在魯邦中。自古英雄出西北，西北龍神少人識。

After a river breaks through, the mountain shape is cut off, with neither stone bones nor visible veins. If you go to such a place and talk about star peaks, you would have nothing to say, and your eloquence would be of no use. The Yellow River is to the north, the Yangtze River to the south, and the two rivers accompany the dragon pulse together, with continuous momentum. When arriving at the back ridge, a sudden peak arises, which is the Eastern Peak of Yanzhou, Mount Tai, towering and majestic reaching the sky. It branches out and gathers the vital energy, so sages and virtuous men mostly emerge from this area of Lu. Heroes have mostly come from the northwest since ancient times, but few people recognize the dragon spirits of the northwest.

紫微垣局太微宮，天市天苑太行東。南龍高枝過總頂，黑頂二山雪峰盛。分出泰川及漢川，五嶺分星入桂連。山行有斷脈不斷，直至江陰大海邊。海門旺氣連閩越，南水兩夾相交纏。此是海門南脈絡，貨財文武相交錯。

The Purple Micro Enclosure, Taiwei Palace, and the Tianshi and Tianyuan Enclosures are all located east of the Taihang Mountains. The high branches of the Southern Dragon extend over the main peak, with two large mountain peaks in the black peak area reaching their peak. From here, two rivers, the Min River and the Han River, branch out, and the five ridges extend into the area around Guangxi and Liang. Although the mountain shape has breaks, the energy of the mountain continues without interruption, extending all the way to the edge of the sea at Jiangyin. The prosperous energy of the sea gate connects with Fujian and Yue, and two rivers on the south side intertwine. This is the network of mountains to the south of the sea gate, where goods, wealth, and the energies of literature and military power intersect and emerge.

何處是貪何處文？何處辨認武曲尊？尋龍望氣先尋脈，雲霧多生是龍脊。春夏之交與二分，夜望雲霓生處覓。雲霓先生絕高頂，此是龍樓寶殿定。大脊微微云自生，霧氣如嵐反難證。生尋霧氣識正龍，卻是枝龍觀遠應。

Where is the greedy wolf? Where is the literary star? And how can we recognize the noble warrior star? To seek the dragon and observe the qi, we must first find the ridge: where there is much cloud and mist, that is the dragon's back. In the middle of spring and summer, as well as at the solar and lunar equinoxes, look at where the clouds and mist rise at night, and go towards that place. The place where the clouds and mist first rise must be at a very high peak, which can be determined as the dragon palace hall. On a large mountain ridge, there will naturally be some clouds rising slightly; if it is only a mist like mountain fog, it is not reliable. If we insist on using mist to identify the main dragon, we are likely to mistake it for a branch dragon, and we can only look for the responding stars from a distance.

此是神仙尋地法，百里羅城不為遠。知此然後論九星，要識九星觀正形。因就正龍行腳處，認取破祿中間行。天下山山有破祿，破祿交橫有地軸。祿存無祿只為關，破軍不破只為闌。關闌之山作水口，必有羅星在水間。

This is a divine method of finding land, and even if the Luo Cheng is far away, a hundred miles or more, it is still not considered distant. One must understand this principle before discussing the nine stars; and in order to recognize the nine stars, one must first observe their true form. By examining the main ridge of the dragon, one can identify the true path of the dragon between the Breaker and the Storehouse. All mountains in the world have Breakers and Storehouses; where the Breaker and Storehouse intersect and cross each other, there is the "axis of the land." If the Storehouse does not carry the quality of fortune, it can only serve as a gate; if the Breaker does not show signs of fragmentation, it can only serve as a barrier. Mountains that act as gates or barriers block the water mouth, and in the middle of the water there must be a Luo Star.

大河之中有砥柱，四川之口生灩。大姑不姑彭蠡前，採石金山作門戶。更有焦山羅殺石，雖是羅星門不固。此是大尋羅星法，識者便知愚未悟。吾若論及破軍星，多是引龍兼作護。大龍雖要大破軍，小龍夾亂破祿文。

There is a Dizhu Mountain in the middle of the Yellow River, and in the mouth of the Jialing River in Sichuan there is Yanyu Heap (the original text was six characters, one is missing, so it is recorded as is). Da Gu Mountain and Xiao Gu Mountain stand before Pengli Lake, and Cai Shi Ji and Jinshan form the gate of the Yangtze River. There are also Jiao Mountain and Luosha Stone, which although also belong to Luo Star, their gate is not solid. This is the method of seeking Luo Star in the great situation; those who understand it can see it clearly at a glance, while those who are ignorant will never comprehend. As for the Broken Army Star, it is mostly leading the dragon forward and serving as a guardian. A great dragon must be paired with a great Broken Army Star, but a small dragon is confused by the Broken Army Star,禄存, and Wenqu Star.

廉貞多是作龍祖，輔弼隨龍富貴生。廉貞若高龍不出，只是為應廉為門。請君看此州縣間，何處不生水口山。水口關闌皆破祿，無腳交牙如疊環。或有橫山如臥虎，或作重重如瓜瓠。禹鑿龍門透大河，便是當時關水處。

The star廉贞 is mostly regarded as the ancestral mountain of the dragon, and the auxiliary stars follow the dragon to generate wealth and prosperity. If廉贞 is too high and prevents the dragon from extending its ridge, it can only serve as the opposite mountain or act as the gate. Please look around the counties and states; where is there a place that does not have a mountain at the water mouth? The mountains that guard the water mouth are formed by the stars破军 and禄存, without any branches, and they interlock with each other, resembling layers of circular rings. Some are a single horizontal mountain, shaped like a lying tiger; others are layered and piled up, resembling gourds. When Great Yu opened the龙门 to allow the Yellow River to flow, that place was exactly where the water mouth was blocked.

大行走出何中府，河北河南關兩所。大河北來曲射東，西山作水如眠龍。馬耳山枕大江口，絕無腳手為神妙。靈壁山來截淮河，更無一腳如橫過。海門二山鎖二浙，兩山相合如環缺。文廉生腳鎖緇流，橫在水中為兩截。

The Taihang Mountains extend down to the area around Hezhong Fu, forming barriers in both Hebei and Henan provinces. The Yellow River comes from the north, meandering eastward, with mountains on the west side enclosing the water, forming the shape of a sleeping dragon. Ma'ershan lies across the mouth of the great river, completely without any projecting parts, which is quite marvelous. Lingbi Mountain stretches out to intercept the Huai River, also without any projecting parts, merely crossing horizontally. The two mountains at Haimen block the waters of the two Zhe regions, the two mountains meeting like a circular ring missing its mouth. The mountains formed by Wenqu and Lianzhen have projecting parts that block the black flowing water, lying across the water and dividing it into two sections.

大關大鎖龍千里，定有羅星橫截氣。截住江河不許流，關住不知多少地。小羅小鎖及小關，一州一縣須有闌。十闌十鎖百十里，定有王侯居此間。鄉落羅星小關鎖，枕水如戈石橫臥。但看無腳是關闌，重數多少分將佐。君如能識水口山，便識天戈並祿破。

Great barriers and locks can control dragons that come from a thousand miles away; there must certainly be a Luo Star blocking the qi flow. It blocks rivers so they cannot flow straight, and holds back the earth qi in great measure. Small Luo Stars, small locks, and small barriers are also necessary; every state or county must have at least one such obstruction. If there are ten barriers and ten locks extending for hundreds of li, there must certainly be a prince or noble residing there. In villages and settlements, the small Luo Stars are just minor barriers and locks, lying along the water's edge like a spear or a stone lying across horizontally. The way to judge them is to see if they do not have feet, which indicates they are barriers. Then, count how many there are to determine whether they are the main barrier, the auxiliary, or the supporting. If you can recognize the mountain at the river mouth, you will also recognize the heavenly spear and the禄存 and破军.