Single coldness

單寒者，孤山獨壟，四面無從，或臨穴孤露而不藏聚者也。楊公云：“龍怕孤單穴怕寒。”故立穴處貴其周密暖固，而忌其單露孤寒也。凡孤寒之穴，主貧窮孤寡，漸以絶滅，不但門戶衰薄而已。此最為凶，不可不慎。其有大龍獨高，入首結穴，而穴間開窩鉗，自能衛穴，不受風吹，所謂登穴煨聚者，又不以此拘。

The term "single cold" refers to a mountain or ridge that stands alone, with no surrounding hills to accompany it on all four sides; or, at the site of the burial mound, it appears isolated and exposed, unable to conceal or gather energy. Yang Yunsong said that dragons fear being alone, and burial mounds fear cold and exposure. Therefore, the location for a burial mound should be secure, warm, and solid, avoiding being isolated and exposed or suffering from cold winds. Any burial mound that is isolated and cold will lead to poverty, loneliness, and eventually extinction, not merely the decline of the family. This is the most dangerous situation and should be taken very seriously. However, there are cases where a great dragon rises alone, towering high and forming a burial mound at its head, with the mound itself shaped like a hollow or a clamp, which naturally protects the burial site from wind. In such cases, the burial site feels warm and gathers energy right from the moment it is reached, and thus is not restricted by this rule.

臃腫者，星辰粗臃肥腫，而不開鉗窩頭面也。凡穴，貴其星辰開面，如人眉目光彩。忌其臃腫粗飽，瀰漫蠻丑。若悞下之，主禍立至，不可不慎。

the so-called "臃肿" refers to stars that are large, bulky, and fat, neither forming a claw-like or face-like shape, nor having a distinct appearance. Any qi point is valuable if the stars form a clear face, like a person's eyebrows and eyes, displaying vitality and spirit; it is undesirable for the stars to be bulky, coarse, and sprawling without boundaries, appearing crude and ugly. If one mistakenly selects such a location, misfortune will arrive immediately, and one must be extremely cautious.

虛耗者，龍氣虛弱，而蛇、鼠因得之以傷耗者也。蓋生氣融聚之處，其地堅寔，物固無能傷耗之矣。惟其虛浮，故螻蟻蛇虺狐鼠之屬，得以穿漏出入，發洩地脈，土虛氣耗而不可用也。蔡文節公曰：“諸家塟書，莫不以蛇窩蟻穴為戒。而時俗輙以掘地得生氣之說飾其非，卒以取禍。”此確論也。

the so-called "virtual consumption" refers to weak dragon qi, allowing snakes and rats to enter and erode the earth's energy. Where life qi converges, the land is solid, and creatures cannot damage it. However, when the soil is loose and unstable, creatures such as ants, snakes, foxes, and rats can dig through, leaking the earth's energy. As the soil becomes weak, the energy is consumed, making the land unsuitable for use. Cai Yuanzheng said: all burial texts warn against snake nests and ant holes, but nowadays people often use the claim of "finding life qi when digging" to cover up their mistakes, leading to misfortune. This statement is indeed accurate.

亦有一等地脈溫暖，而有生氣物，如龜、如蛇、如禽、如獸者，自是不同，不穿窩竇而在數尺之下耳。亦只一二枚。如多則凶。其有穿為虛窟空竉者，則皆有凶無吉矣。

There is another kind of place where the earth's energy is warm, and living creatures such as turtles, snakes, birds, and beasts live in the soil. In such cases, they do not dig holes but merely lie a few feet beneath the surface, and there are usually only one or two of them. However, if there are many, it remains凶. As for those that dig the soil into hollow caves, there will be no good fortune, only misfortune.

傳疑天台方孝儒先生未生時，其父將塟其祖，已預擇某日矣。忽夜夢一朱衣人前跪曰：“聞執事要尊翁之藏於某山之原。然吾九族居此已數百年，子孫蕃衍，不知其數。望執事再緩二月，吾當徙而避之。願以仁恕為心，俯從所請。”言訖辭去。明日起工，即得一穴，闊六丈許，中有赤蛇千餘尾共一穴，其長數尺，蓋所夢之赤衣也。

Let me note down this rumor: Before the birth of Master Fang Xiaoru of TianTai, his father was about to bury his grandfather, and the day had already been chosen in advance. Suddenly one night, he dreamed that a man in red clothes came forward and knelt down, saying: "I have heard that you are going to bury your father on the plain of a certain mountain. However, our nine clans have lived here for hundreds of years, and our descendants are countless. We beg you to delay for another two months, and we will move away to avoid the place. May you have a little mercy and agree to this request." After saying this, the man left. The next day, when they started the work, they dug and found a cave, about six zhang wide, with over a thousand red snakes living together in it. Each snake was several feet long. It must have been the man in red clothes from the dream.

先生之父素不信鬼神事，見蛇，不願亦不憶夢中之言，積薪縱火焚之。有煙一道，直指先生之家。是時母方孕數月，先生生焉，其狀甚異，舌前餂入鼻中。幼穎悟，長師宋景濂，為文滂沛，官至學士，盡忠於君，遭赤九族，蓋蛇氣之報雲。按《孤樹衰談》所記如此。雖其害物之報，寔亦山川毒氣所鍾，故孕育多蛇。從而塟之，亦召奇毒之禍。録之，並以為鑑。

Master Fang's father never believed in ghosts or spirits. When he saw snakes, he would neither move aside nor recall the words from his dreams, but instead piled firewood and set it on fire to burn them. A straight column of smoke rose toward his house. At that time, Master Fang's mother had been pregnant for several months, and after that, Master Fang was born with a very unusual appearance, his tongue long enough to reach his nose. He was intelligent from a young age, and later studied under Song Lian, writing essays that were vast and unrestrained. He held an official post as a scholar, remained loyal to the monarch, and ultimately suffered the fate of being executed along with his entire family. It is said that this was the revenge of those snakes. Note: This account is recorded in "Gushu CaiTan." Although it is said that this was a punishment for harming living creatures, in reality, it was because the poisonous fumes from the mountains and rivers had gathered there, producing so many snakes; then, by burying himself there, he also brought about a strange and deadly calamity. I have recorded this incident, and include it as a warning.

凡開穴見有龜、蛇、蟲、魚之物，切勿妄有所害。況喪生非仁者之德也，慎之。穴中證應之說，術家假此以自神，其於地之吉凶，本無所預。偶或有物，不足為奇。況渉怪誕，明者所鄙，安厝君子切不可泥。

Whenever a grave is being dug and creatures such as turtles, snakes, insects, or fish are encountered, one must never carelessly harm them; after all, killing living beings is not the virtue of a benevolent person, and one must be cautious. As for the notion of 'evidence of response' or 'signs' found in the grave, this is a fabrication used by quacks to make their practices seem divine. In reality, these have nothing to do with the fortune or misfortune of the land itself. Occasionally encountering a few living creatures is not something to be surprised about. Moreover, such talk is considered strange and is looked down upon by sensible people. Therefore, gentlemen who are responsible for burying their elders should not be overly concerned about such matters.

凹缺者，凹陷低缺也。當立穴之處，貴其周密遮障，忌其左空右缺。若適當穴處凹缺折陷，賊風射穴，最為不吉，決主人丁絶滅，左長右幼，受禍親切。《賦》云：“若居山谷，且要藏風。”蓋平洋之地，四面無遮，則索性不畏風吹。山谷之中，忽有凹斷，最為可畏。

The term "gouque" refers to a depression or hollow, missing a part. The location for a site should be surrounded by complete coverage and protection; it is undesirable for the left side to be empty and the right side to be missing. If the site itself is exactly in a depression or break, allowing "zhefeng" (evil wind) to directly hit the site, it is extremely inauspicious, and will certainly lead to the extinction of the family line. If the missing part is on the left, it affects the eldest son; if it is on the right, it affects the youngest son, and the misfortune is most direct. The "Xue Xin Fu" says: if one lives in a valley, it should be able to retain the wind. In flat plains, there is no natural barrier on all sides, so it is actually not afraid of wind; but in a valley, if there is suddenly a depression or break, that is the most dangerous.

如人在廣邈，處處受風，雖隆冬極寒，不能致病。若門隙窗罅，有賊風射入，或刺背吹頭，則其冷如箭，必中其毒。此穴場所以忌凹缺也。

Just as a person standing in the open field is surrounded by wind on all sides, even in the coldest winter it won't cause illness; but if a draft sneaks in through a door or window, piercing the back or blowing on the head, the cold air is like an arrow, surely causing harm. This is the reason why a site is forbidden to be concave or deficient.

亦有似凹缺而非凹缺者，本身龍虎或低或陷，而外山輳集補障，則無所忌。蔡西山所謂“久缺不齊，天地之奇。”以此藏匿大地，使人不識。如鉛山餘員外公祖地，及豐城湖茫李氏、吾邑祝黃門祖地是其格也。圖具下。

There are also cases that appear to be concave but are not actually concave: if the original position of the Azure Dragon or White Tiger is low or sunken, but the surrounding hills gather together to form a barrier, then there is no need to be cautious. As Cai Xishan said, "A long absence and lack of symmetry are actually the extraordinary features of heaven and earth." Heaven and earth use this method to conceal the land, making it difficult for people to recognize. For example, the ancestral tomb of Yu Yuanwai's grandfather in Lian Mountain, the ancestral tomb of the Lim family in Fengcheng Lake Mang, and the ancestral tomb of Zhu Huangmen in this county all follow this pattern. The diagram is attached below.

右地在鉛山，地名新豐，俗呼仙人大坐形。其龍發自統王峰，迢迢奔驣，行數十里。入局頓起芙蓉大帳，落一脈，起雲中金星，飛蛾降勢，成華蓋、三臺，磊落入首，結太陽開鉗上聚穴。穴前平坦數丈，但下臂低伏，龍山高起，右畔凹陷。且穴在山半，俗眼難認。

The land above is located in铅山, with the village name Xinfeng, commonly known as 「Xianren Da Zuo Xing」. Its dragon pulse originates from Tongwang Peak, stretching for dozens of miles; when it approaches the site, it suddenly rises to form a large lotus-shaped hill, and a single ridge descends, forming 「Yunzhong Jinxing」, with the appearance of a moth descending. It forms the shape of 「Huagai」 and 「Santai」, and the ridge falls heavily to the front, forming a gathering site with the Sun Metal Star opening its钳. The area before the site is flat for several zhang, but there is a low depression on the right side, with the Azure Dragon side high and rising, and the right side凹陷; additionally, the site is located on the middle part of the hillside, making it difficult for ordinary people to recognize.

及登穴，夷坦如在平地。而當穴處不受凹缺之風，穴場甚暖。前有帳下貴人、牙刀、金印、天馬、報捷、仙詔、交床、旌節種種貴沙，重重排列。塟後二紀，先出一中宦，日近天顏。員外公鋐，以鄉魁任京職。其父屢膺封誥，壽考康寕。諸孫濟濟，富貴未艾。

When they finally reached the site of the burial mound, it was flat like level ground; and the position of thesite was not affected by cold winds coming from the hollow areas, making the site warm. In front of it there were various auspicious formations such as 「Accounts of the Nobleman in Attendance」, 「Dagger of the General」, 「Golden Seal」, 「Heavenly Horse」, 「Report of Victory」, 「Imperial Edict」, 「Crossed Beds」, and 「Banner and Seal」, arranged in layers. After two generations, a senior court official emerged first, serving daily in the emperor's presence. The family's wealthy son Yu Fu, who had passed the provincial examination first, was appointed to an official post in the capital. His father was repeatedly honored by the court with official titles and lived a long and healthy life. The descendants were all talented, and their family's wealth and prestige were growing stronger.

右地在縣南二里，地名長塘。繫縣龍分結。分龍後，自蛟池山發脈，有五星聚講。乃橫開大帳成五腦，帳中脈磊落棲閃數節，大斷過峽。兩畔太陰、太陽夾照龍脈。復起，連聳四節串珠金星，均勻合格，成太陰文星結穴。只是左右兩臂俱凹缺，似於受風。其寔穴場有太極圓暈奇巧，穴下左右龜蛇捧足，餘氣鋪氈。前有靈泉水，小如鏡，而四季不溢不涸，俗呼驪龍戲珠形，繫亥龍，辛、戌入首，扦卯向。

This piece of land is two miles south of the county town, named Changtang, and is where the county's dragon ridge branches off. After the division of the dragon, the ridge originates from Jiao Chi Mountain, displaying the appearance of a gathering of five stars. Then it spreads out into a large account, with the top forming five heads. Within the account, the ridge is clearly visible, with several sections that are distinct and pass through a bend. On both sides, there are two stars called "Taiyin" and "Taiyang" that illuminate the dragon ridge. Afterwards, the ridge regains its momentum, rising continuously with four sections forming a string of pearls shape, each section evenly proportioned and suitable, forming a "Taiyin Wen Star" site. However, both sides of the site are concave, appearing as if they might be exposed to wind. In reality, there is a太极 circle on the site, which is very ingenious, with tortoise and snake sands on both sides supporting the site. The remaining energy spreads out like a carpet. In front of the site, there is a spring of spiritual water, small like a mirror, yet it never dries up or overflows throughout the four seasons, commonly known as the "Lilong Xizhu Shape." The incoming dragon belongs to the亥 direction, entering from the辛 and戌 directions, and the site is oriented towards卯.

外堂卯水特朝，前向秀峰羅列。繫吾邑馬山舒文同下。課云：“一代伶仃，二代平平，三代四代頗有讀書生。五代六代科甲連登。七代八代田連阡陌，應例奏名。九代十代世沐榮恩。吾宗一女，亦配辰生，直言敢諌，朝野聞名。終當出一才子，俊偉聰明，能文能武，威鎮邊廷。”

Outside the Bright Hall, there is a body of water from the卯direction specially flowing towards the site, and before the site, beautiful peaks are neatly arranged. This piece of land was selected by Shu Wentai from the county's Ma Mountain. His interpretation says: the first generation will be lonely and isolated, the second generation will be ordinary, the third and fourth generations will produce quite a number of scholars; the fifth and sixth generations will consecutively pass the imperial examinations; the seventh and eighth generations will have vast fields stretching across the fields, and according to the regulations, they will register with the court to enter officialdom; the ninth and tenth generations will enjoy honor and favor generation after generation. There is a daughter in our clan who will marry a man born in the辰year, who is straightforward and courageous in giving advice, well known throughout the court and the country; eventually, there will also emerge a talented man, handsome and intelligent, skilled in both literature and martial arts, capable of subduing the border regions.

葬後果初代不利。五代生鎭公，發高科。其孫約齋瀾，丙辰生，登進士，官都給事，諫武廟被撻，直聲振天下，果符直言敢諫之說。其夫人舒氏，馬山先生從侄女，果符吾宗一女配辰生之應。而介軒、靜庵、廉同及太宇諸公，聯登科第，躋顯宦，人丁稅糧隆盛冠邑，果符科甲聯登及田連阡陌之應。今富貴未艾。

After the burial, the first generation indeed experienced difficulties. By the fifth generation, a man named Zhen Gong was born, who passed the high-level examination; his grandson, Yu Zhai Gong named Lan, was born in the Bingchen year and passed the imperial examination as a jinshi, serving as the chief imperial censor. He was beaten with sticks in the court for advising the emperor Wu Zong, and his reputation for integrity and boldness spread throughout the country, fulfilling the saying "speaking frankly and daring to advise." Yu Zhai Gong's wife was from the same clan as the Master of Ma Mountain, being his nephew's daughter, which fulfilled the saying "a woman in our clan married a man born in the year of Bingchen." In addition, Jie Xuan, Jing An, Lian Tong, and Tai Yu all consecutively passed the imperial examinations and entered high official positions. Their family's population and land holdings were the best in the entire county, fulfilling the phrases "consecutive success in the imperial examinations" and "fields stretching across the ridges." To this day, their family's wealth and prestige are still on the rise.

此穴極怪。陳靈泉當日斜時往觀，見日影映出穴畔太極圓暈。予與少峰兄葉理峰、祝際沙亦日斜往觀，果見其妙，始知此穴之貴。

This cave formation is extremely unusual. Chen Lingquan once visited it when the sun was setting, and saw the shadow of the Taiji circle around the cave illuminated by the sunlight. I, along with my friend Shao Feng, Ye Li Feng, and Zhu Ji Sha, also visited it when the sun was slanting, and indeed witnessed its remarkable feature, thus realizing the value of this cave. It is evident that such subtle circular patterns can only be seen when illuminated by oblique light, and cannot be discerned under the intense midday sunlight.

左地在豐城縣東四十里，土名湖茫棲龍山。其龍起自招雲嶺，焰天火星作祖而來。行三十餘里，中間穿田渡峽，出帳入帳，不能悉述。將及結局，頓起星峰，踴躍奔騰，甚是雄偉。到頭直硬劍脊，穴上繃面，微開窩靨。橫放其棺，名曰銜柴葬法。登穴促迫，不入俗眼。

This piece of land is located forty miles east of Fengcheng County, with the local name Lake Mang Xi Long Mountain. Its dragon ridge originates from Zhao Yun Ridge, coming from the "Heavenly Fire Star" as its ancestral mountain, and extends for more than thirty miles. In the middle, it passes through fields and crosses mountain gorges, sometimes emerging from the account and sometimes entering it, too complex to describe fully. As it approaches its end, it suddenly rises into a star-like peak, surging and rushing forward, very majestic. The final section is straight and firm, with the mountain ridge like a sword; the mountain face above thesite is tightly stretched, only slightly opening a small hollow. The coffin should be placed horizontally, and this burial method is called "Xian柴 burial method." Standing on the site of the grave, it feels cramped and confined, not suitable for ordinary people's eyes.

外面檢點，山水聚會。又且結穴之後，白虎星辰頓跌奔去，而結楊都憲祖地。枝腳雖去，卻有回顧。左畔近穴稍空，外邊青龍亦遠轉作正案。當面三臺，席帽重疊。又有鶴仙崗、白湖嶺、帳幕山，如貴人、天馬、錦帳以作遠朝，局勢完固，山水盤桓。

But when going to the outer areas to examine, the mountains and waters converge. After the site is formed, the stars on the White Tiger side suddenly drop and rush away, forming another ancestral tomb for Yang Duxian. Although the branches have moved away, there is still a sense of returning to look after the main site. On the left side, near the site, there is a slight gap, but the outer Azure Dragon comes far around to serve as the main ridge. In front, there are three platforms of mountains, like hats piled up one after another; there are also He Xian Ridge, Bai Hu Ridge, and Zhangmu Mountain, resembling noblemen, Heavenly Horses, and silk canopies, serving as distant prospects. The entire situation is solid, with mountains and waters winding around and not departing.

李氏塟後，幼房連登科甲。次發中房。惟長房不發，因近穴青龍之曠也。後遇明師，教之加土築小青龍，呼為折角蜈蚣形。諺曰：“折角蜈蚣添一角，此去湖茫大發作。”湖茫乃長房也。如此之後，父子兄弟連登科甲。禮部尙書公璣、兵部尙書公遂，皆其長房也。

After the Li family's burial, the youngest branch continuously passed the imperial examinations, then the middle branch, but the eldest branch remained barren, because the area near the tomb site on the side of the Azure Dragon was empty. Later, they met a renowned master who taught them to build a small Azure Dragon by piling up earth, and called this form "the folded-angle centipede shape." There is a proverb saying: "A folded-angle centipede, if one angle is added, will bring great prosperity to the lake." The "lake" here refers to the eldest branch. After this was done, father and sons, brothers, successively passed the imperial examinations. Li Ji, the Minister of Rites, and Li Sui, the Minister of War, both came from the eldest branch.

傳疑異僧辜托者，南昌辜坊辜氏族人也。少出家，居豐城龍門寺。善堪輿，世家名墓多經品題。凡有遺穴，留有讖語。時遊湖茫龍安寺，為李氏卜棲籠山，龍勢直急，中有劍脊。當塟期，約曰：“俟我返龍安寺，鳴鐘方可下殔。”及行至半路，偶龍峭寺鳴鐘。李氏不知，應鐘而下。

Let me note down this rumor: there was a strange monk named Gu Tu, a descendant of the Gu family from Gufang in Nanchang. He left home young and lived in Fengcheng's Longmen Temple, skilled in geomancy. Most famous family tombs had been evaluated by him; any grave site he did not use would come with a prophecy. At that time, he came to Humang Long'an Temple and predicted the site of Qilong Mountain for the Li family: the dragon-like ridge was straight and steep, with a blade-like ridge in the middle. On the day of burial, he made an agreement: when I return to Long'an Temple and ring the bell, then the coffin may be lowered. But when he was halfway there, the bell of Longqiao Temple rang; the Li family, not knowing the situation, followed the bell and lowered the coffin.

時偶有雷震巨聲，而失僧所在。鄉人謂僧被雷所斃，理或然也。廖氏云：“第一莫下劍脊龍，殺師在其中。”托固知之，而卒不能避矣。業是術者，當知所懼。

At that very moment, a loud thunderclap echoed, and the monk vanished without a trace. The villagers said the monk was struck dead by lightning, and perhaps that was indeed the case. Liao Jinjing said: The first precept is not to bury someone beneath the dragon line on the sword's spine, for the calamity of killing the master lies hidden there. Gu Tuo originally understood this principle, yet he could not escape it in the end. All those who engage in such actions should know fear.

夫已上三地，俱後龍甚美，只入穴凹缺，祝氏地左右俱凹缺，李氏地左缺，餘氏地右缺。且穴場隱怪，似乎模糊。而皆葬後榮盛，誠以眞龍大地，乃靈氣所鍾，造化所秘，鬼神所司，非明師莫能扦，非厚德莫能得，非慶緣輻輳莫能信。

The three plots of land mentioned above all have good dragon lines behind them, but at the point where they enter the burial site, there are depressions: the Zhu family's plot is depressed on both sides, the Li family's is depressed on the left, and the Yu family's is depressed on the right; in addition, the burial site is obscure and strange, appearing unclear. However, after burial, all of them became prosperous. This is indeed because true dragon land is a place where spiritual energy converges, hidden by nature's secret power and controlled by ghosts and spirits: it cannot be identified without a master's guidance, it cannot be obtained by those without virtue, and even if all good fortune comes together, one must not doubt it.

嗟夫！蔡文節公云：“端正之穴，齊整之局，人所易識。惟奇怪之形，欠缺之局，為難扦而難信。”蓋天地閉藏造化，不以正形發見，卻示人以丑相，如頑石之中韞藏美玉，識者得之，則為連城之璧矣。

Alas! Cai Yuan Ding said: A proper site and a well-ordered layout are easy for everyone to recognize; only those with strange shapes and incomplete layouts are difficult to pinpoint and hard to gain people's trust. This is because heaven and earth intend to conceal their transformations, unwilling to reveal them through proper forms, but instead showing strange appearances, just like a piece of rough stone containing a fine jade. Those who understand the value can recognize it once they obtain it, and it would be worth a thousand pieces of jade.

瘦削者，當穴處山形不肥彩而弱瘦薄削也。廖氏云“弱是瘦崚嶒”，誠以龍氣微弱，如人氣血衰敗，而形貎萎瘦耳。此等山形，不須尋地。緃是入格之龍，亦只為神棲之地矣。

the so-called "thin and gaunt," refers to the mountain shape at the site of asite being thin and lackluster, rather than plump and radiant. Liao Jinjing said, "weakness is thinness with sharp and rugged features," which is indeed due to weak dragon qi, similar to a person with declining vital energy and blood, resulting in a naturally emaciated and thin appearance. When encountering such mountain shapes, there is no need to search further for a site; even if the dragon pulse itself is qualified, it can only be used as a place for the dwelling of spirits.

突露者，當穴處不藏聚而突露受風也。突露穴多是單寒龍。蓋龍孤則生氣不來，穴露則生氣不聚。庸師無傳，但見一峰獨秀，則以為美。殊不知星峰不出帳下，雖秀非奇，以其孤寒也。

the so-called "tulü" refers to a qi point that is not concealed or gathered, but instead protrudes and is exposed, allowing the wind to pass through freely. Sites that are "tulü" are mostly found on isolated and thin dragon mountains: when the dragon is isolated, the life qi does not come; when the site is exposed, the life qi does not gather. Ordinary geomancers without proper training may see a single mountain peak that appears elegant and take it as a good site, but they do not realize that star peaks that do not emerge from beneath the canopy, although elegant, are not considered extraordinary, precisely because they are isolated and thin.

《坤鑑歌》云：“隴脈低平只一峰，若無開賬號孤龍。此龍只合為僧寺，學道參禪一老翁。”吳公云：“龍無展帳只孤單，秀入雲霄也是閒。若更去為孤露穴，參禪訪道坐寒山。”楊公云：“貴龍重重出入帳，賤龍無帳空雄強。”

The "Kun Jian Ge" says: If the ridge line on the mountain is low and flat, with only a single peak standing alone, and has not yet spread out into a series of ridges, it is called "Gū Lóng" (solitary dragon); such a dragon is only suitable for covering a Buddhist temple, and produces only an old man who studies Daoism and meditates. Wu Jingluan says: If the dragon does not spread out into a series of ridges, it is merely solitary, even if it is beautiful and reaches into the clouds, it is in vain; if it further forms a solitary pit, it can only result in seeking enlightenment and meditation, and sitting in cold mountains. Yang Yunsong says: A noble dragon repeatedly spreads out and returns, while a humble dragon has no such formations, and is merely strong in appearance.

故好星峰必欲其在帳中，貴人不可孤露，所謂“必在簾幙內”也。諺云：“好地如閨中美女，不肯暴頭露面。”天地造化，自然默合。孤寒之龍，前去不為神祠佛殿，必為孤露偽穴，必無下關。緃有下關，必低小不能護穴，謂之假關，最能悞人。若為庸師所惑而下之，主孤寡少亡、僧道緇流而已，不可不慎。

Therefore, good star peaks must be within the enclosure, and the nobleman should not be exposed alone, as it is said, "they must certainly be within the curtain." A proverb says: good land is like a beautiful maiden in seclusion, unwilling to show her face. The creation of heaven and earth naturally conforms to this principle. A lonely dragon proceeding on its way will either become a temple of deity or certainly form a false grave site, and it will certainly lack a proper entrance; even if there is an entrance, it will be low and small, unable to protect the grave, which is called "false entrance." This is most misleading. If one is deceived by an unskilled master and buries the dead in such a place, it will result in orphans and widows, early death of the young, or only producing monks and Taoists. One must be cautious.

若龍成貴格，不幸而孤寒者，如有天然完美之穴，亦有大貴，但多僧道而已。廖氏云：“若還格好只孤寒，僧道做高官。”如黃崗陶眞人父地是此格也。

As for dragon veins that already have a noble pattern, they may still be unfortunate due to being isolated and cold. If there is a naturally perfect grave site, they can still produce great fortune, though mostly it would manifest in monks and Taoist priests. Liao Jinjing said: if the pattern is originally good but lacks warmth and companionship, then it is suitable for monks and Taoists to hold high official positions. For example, the burial site of the father of Tao Zhenren from Huanggang belongs to this pattern.

其地在團風上三十里，土名方一渡。龍自文台山來，甚遠。左源麻城，右源黃安。兩邑兩河夾送，合於大江。二百餘里，巍峨大壟。入局變為平岡，蔓衍數十里，落湖濱，又為平坡數里，如生蛇奔江之勢。復大斷踴起高坡，走馬三臺，左閃一脈，平中有突。突上開口結穴。右砂順水纏過穴前，如眠弓彎抱，十分有情。

That piece of land is thirty miles upstream from Tuanfeng Town, with the local name Fang Yidu. The dragon ridge comes from Wentai Mountain, and the distance is very long: on the left it originates from Macheng, and on the right from Huang'an. Two rivers from these two counties enclose it, eventually flowing into the great river. For more than two hundred miles, it is all majestic ridges; after entering the site, it becomes gentle hills, spreading for dozens of miles, then reaching the lake, turning into a flat slope for several miles, like a living snake running toward the river. Then there is a big break followed by a rise, forming a high slope, which becomes "Zou Ma San Tai" (galloping horse three platforms). To the left, a branch emerges, flat with a protrusion; on top of the protrusion, there is an opening forming the climax. On the right, the sand follows the water's flow, winding around the climax, like a flat bow embracing it, very affectionate.

貼身一水，隨沙纏繞，是為玉帶之沙、玉帶之水。此外復有江水特朝。遠峰羅列，誠亦美地。惜其龍格單獨，結穴孤寒。又係牛金入首受氣，而扦鬼金之向。塟後數年，眞人卻以方術受知於粛皇帝，膺殊寵異典，累官至少師，兼少傅、少保、禮部尙書。大眞人恭誠伯，諡榮康。

There is also a stream of water running closely alongside, winding around together with the sand, which is called "Jade Belt Sand" and "Jade Belt Water." In addition, there is a river specially flowing to pay homage, with distant peaks arranged in order, indeed a beautiful place. Unfortunately, the dragon ridge is isolated and single, forming a lonely and cold burial site; also, the approach is from the direction of the Ox Mansion, which belongs to the metal element, yet the direction chosen is that of the Ghost Mansion, also belonging to the metal element. After the burial, several years later, Tao Zhenren was recognized by the world emperor, received special favor and honor, and held high official positions, including the title of Grand Master, and also served as Vice Minister of Rites, and was granted the title of Grand Master of Honored Virtue, the Marquis of Gongcheng, and posthumously honored with the title of Rongkang.

傳疑黃岡陶仲文為府椽，喪父覓地時，適團風有河伯所官，精堪輿，與之善。謂之曰：“濱江湖岸有大地，可當代腰玉。但此為漁人合旁，宜往圖之。”陶如其言，買舍為易之。及塟，指穴開井曰：“我不識汝福何如，不敢擇時。爾自求兆下殔。”陶睡穴中，掛麻衣於竹籬。陶夢大蟒蛇盤繞其衣，警醒曰：“是時矣！”遂塟，果爾。當代蟒袍玉帶之貴。

Let me note down this rumor: When Tao Zhongwen of Huanggang was serving as an official in the prefectural administration, his father died and he needed to find a burial site. At that time, there was an official in the River God's office in Tuangong who was skilled in geomancy and had a good relationship with him. He told him that near the riverbank there was a large piece of land which could be used to become an official with a jade belt. However, it was adjacent to a place where fishermen were buried together. He advised him to try to obtain it. Tao Zhongwen followed his advice and bought the house to exchange for the land. When it came time to bury his father, the man specified the position, dug a golden well, and said: I don't know how great your fortune is, so I dare not choose the time for you. You should yourself seek a good omen before placing the coffin. Tao Zhongwen then slept in the pit, hung a piece of hemp mourning clothes on a bamboo fence, and dreamed of a big python coiling around the clothes. He woke up and said: The time has come! Then he buried his father. Later, it indeed came true, and he became a high official wearing a蟒袍 and with a jade belt.

破面者，乃當穴處穴星頭面之間掘鑿以取土石，使星辰頭面破碎也。立穴處欲其完固無傷，忌其破碎。蓋破碎氣脈發洩，塟之則有禍無福。凡此者不問龍脈貴賤、眞假，皆不取。縱使龍脈貴秀，朝應情來，明堂水城俱美，不幸而庸夫野人不知所以，徒以土石之便，日夕鑿掘，或深入數尺，或長至丈餘，而正當穴脈，發洩龍氣，則不可用矣。《明堂經》云：“鑿石取土，撼山警神，斷脈洩氣，傷寒損眞，法不可塟，損人致貧。”

The term "broken face" refers to excavating between the head and face of the star at the site of asite, removing soil and stone, and breaking up the head and face of the stars. The location chosen for the穴 should be intact and solid, without any damage; it is most undesirable for it to be broken. If it is broken, the qi flow will be leaked away, and burying there will bring misfortune rather than blessings. Any situation like this, regardless of whether the dragon pulse is noble or humble, genuine or false, is not acceptable. Even if the dragon pulse is noble and refined, and the facing mountains and responding mountains are affectionate, and the bright hall and water city are all excellent, it is a pity that common people do not understand the principles, and dig for convenience, excavating day and night. Some dig only a few feet, others dig more than a丈, and they dig directly on the穴 pulse, thus leaking the dragon qi. This land can no longer be used. The "Classic of the Bright Hall" says: excavating stone and taking soil will shake the mountain body, disturb the mountain spirit, cut off the pulse, leak the earth's qi, damage the original qi, and lose the true opportunity. According to the rules, it is not suitable for burial; otherwise, it will harm people and lead to poverty.

若小可掘傷，不當穴脈，未至已甚，亦可取用，又不如此論也。《發揮》謂“當依醫地法救之。譬如人稍有傷害皮膚，不致腹心之憂，則猶可醫療而愈。若或傷鑿已甚，則不復可為矣。”晉王佑祖墓，相者謂有天子氣。佑鑿之，相者復曰：“猶出折臂三公。”俄而佑墜馬折臂，蓋其鑿處不當脈而在臂，故應折臂耳。

If the injury is only minor and not on the main vein, and has not reached a serious stage, it can still be used, and this case is not considered under this rule. Cai Yuan ding's "Fa Hui" says: one should follow the method of "medical geography" to remedy it. Just like a slight wound on the skin without reaching the abdomen or heart, it can still be healed; but if the injury is very severe, it would be impossible to recover. The ancestral tomb of Wang You of the Jin dynasty was said by fortune tellers to have the aura of a Son of Heaven. Wang You cut it off, and the fortune tellers then said: it could still produce a high official who loses an arm. Soon after, Wang You fell from his horse and broke his arm—originally, the place he cut was not on the main vein but on the "arm," so the result was the loss of an arm.

又有曾經國代鑿毀龍脈，或掘損穴場，既深且闊，乃已傷敗，不可復下。又有水源發洪，崩頹溜路，皆凶不可葬者。既多掘鑿傷敗，生氣耗散者，亦不可塟。凡遇此等，必是龍形虎勢，頗入俗眼，而非正龍眞的之穴。徒以前朝砂水秀麗而亂下之，故塟者子孫皆以衰替，墳墓無主，任人鑿犯，必非佳境。

There is another kind of place where, throughout the ages, the dragon veins have been destroyed or the spirit points have been injured, dug deeply and widely, so that they are already damaged and cannot be used for burial. There are also places where the water source has overflowed, causing mountain collapses and the formation of gullies, which are all dangerous and unsuitable for burial. Any place that has been dug and damaged, causing the life qi to dissipate, is also unsuitable for burial. When encountering such places, the mountain shape may appear as a dragon soaring and a tiger crouching, which can impress ordinary people, but in reality, it is not a true spirit point. This is because the front mountain, sand, and water are beautiful, leading people to mistakenly bury there, so the descendants of those buried there gradually decline, the tombs are left unattended, and are easily invaded by others. Such places are certainly not good.

亦有龍脈穴場皆吉，而亂下傷穴，鑿掘已多，失卻本來面目，不復可為。亦有一種好龍，其穴詭怪，人皆知為好地，而不能定穴。塟者者禍敗，從而改徙，出以與人，甲者既非，乙者又未得穴。前轍既覆，後車不戒，遞遞相承，愈塟愈失，愈傷愈敗。

There are also cases where both the dragon ridge and the burial site are originally auspicious, but they are improperly buried, causing damage to the site. Excessive excavation has destroyed their original appearance, making them irreparable. Another type of good dragon ridge has an unusual and strange burial form. Everyone knows it is a good site, but no one can accurately determine the correct burial position. When a family buries there and suffers misfortune, they change the burial and move away, giving the site to others. Family A fails to get it right, Family B also fails. The previous mistake has already occurred, yet the later ones still do not learn from it. One family after another continues the practice, burying more and more, causing greater loss and greater decline.

術者急於謀利，乃謂向來雖有理塟，正穴皆未下著。今若得之，深鑿金井，則旺氣皆傾以蔭我。殊不知穴既傷敗，地脈已散，譬如人之頭面，穿鑿刈臠，殆無全處。其人生乎？其人死乎？

The fortune teller is eager to make a profit, so he says: "Although there were people buried here before, the true burial site was not properly identified. Now that we have succeeded, we should dig the gold well deeper so that the prosperous energy will fully flow towards our family." But they do not realize that once the burial site is damaged, the earth's energy has already dispersed completely. It is like the head and face being pierced and cut, with hardly any part remaining intact—does this person still live, or has he already died?

故子微乃以掘鑿亂理者，謂之死玄武，不可復用。誠以一乳頭鑿數十墳，或存或沒，破碎如此，雖果是眞龍正穴，奈何傷敗之餘，不可復用。

Therefore, Zhang Zimi referred to places that had been randomly dug and disturbed as "dead Black Tortoise," which could no longer be used. Indeed, having dug dozens of graves on a single hill, some still standing and others already abandoned, the site had been reduced to such a state of disrepair. Even if it were truly a dragon's true tomb, it could not be used again due to the damage and decay.

切不可信時師深塟之說，以為可以聚眾穴之氣，傾眾穴之脈，而悞下深穴，以取敗絶也。況穴法之深淺，自有一定不易之理。當淺而深，氣從上過，豈有過於深龍奪眾穴之氣者乎？斷斷焉無此理也。慎之！

Do not ever believe the old saying of the master of geomancy that "the deeper the burial, the better." Thinking that digging deeply can gather the qi of many graves and redirect the energy of their meridians, people often make wrong grave sites, leading to decline and ruin. Moreover, the depth of burial has its own fixed principles that cannot be changed: if a grave should be shallow but is buried deeply, the qi will simply pass over the top, and there is no way that digging deeply can take the qi from other graves. There is absolutely no such logic. Be sure to be cautious!

又有當穴處曾經鑿基，欲作住場、神祠、書舍。凡此皆已傷敗，發洩生氣，不可遷塟。蓋其鑿必深，其墳必高。欲低下穴，則脈已斷，欲高下穴，則脈已急。假饒不斷不峻急，亦傷破星辰頭面，鋤壞唇口鉗窩。廖金精云：“若還打破太極暈，水蟻便侵棺。”張落魄云：“若將唇口都鋤破，任是神仙也有疑。”

There is another category involving sites where the location of thesite has been dug for a foundation, intending to build a residence, shrine, or study hall. In such cases, the site has already been damaged, having exhausted the life qi. It is not advisable to relocate the burial here. Since the foundation was dug deeply, the tomb must necessarily be built high. If one tries to place the tomb low, the qi line has already been broken; if one tries to place it high, the qi line has already become steep. Even if by chance the qi line is neither broken nor steep, the act of excavation has already damaged the head of the star pattern, broken the lips and the钳窝. Liao Jinjing said: if the太极晕 is broken, water and ants will immediately enter the coffin. Zhang Luopo said: if the lips are all broken, even if a god comes to inspect, he would still have doubts.

況傷敗如此，縱是龍眞穴美，識者見之，不過嘆其可惜而已。若復亂下，必主家道亦如山之斷絶損折，業退祀絶矣。

Moreover, when the damage has reached this extent, even if the dragon is a true dragon and the site is a beautiful site, experts would only sigh with regret. If further burials are carried out carelessly, it will certainly lead to the family's fortune being cut off just like this mountain, resulting in the decline of the family's business, the retreat of their prosperity, and the extinction of their lineage's continuity.