On the Jiwei day, Fei Zhixiang interpreted a night dream from the last volume of Yu Lianhuan and the section "One Needle Sees Blood."

元祐六年六月初二日在楚州天慶觀道士費知祥，年四十二歲云夜夢不吉，卜之。己未日未將未時伏吟。　玉連環末卷　一針見血

In the second day of the sixth month of the sixth year of Yuanyou, a Daoist named Fei Zhixiang from the Tianqing Guan in Chu State, aged forty-two, had a dream that was considered inauspicious at night, and he asked someone to divinate. This day was Jiwei day. Using the Month General 'Wei' placed on the Wei hour to cast the divination, the hour and the time were in the same position, forming a Hidden Chant lesson. This case is recorded in the last volume of Yu Lianhuan and also in Yizhen Jianxue.

龍空虎常／巳午未申　虎虎虎虎　兄 己未 虎／勾辰　酉玄　未未未未　兄 ◎丑 蛇／合卯　戌陰　未未未己　兄 壬戌 陰／寅丑子亥／朱蛇貴後

The Heaven Plate generals are: Azure Dragon on Si, Tian Kong on Wu, White Tiger on Wei, Tai Chang on Shen, Black Tortoise on You, Tai Yin on Xu, Heavenly Empress on Hai, Nobleman on Zi, Teng Snake on Chou, Vermilion Bird on Yin, Liu He on Mao, and Gou Chen on Chen. When the hour is Wei, the twelve branches return to their original positions, forming a Hidden Chant. The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the day stem Ji is located on Wei, and Wei is still occupied by White Tiger; Wei is again occupied by White Tiger; the day branch on Wei is also occupied by White Tiger; Wei is still occupied by White Tiger—thus all four lessons are occupied by White Tiger on Wei, so the lesson pattern shows "White Tiger, White Tiger, White Tiger, White Tiger" in a row. The three transmissions are: the first transmission is Wei occupied by White Tiger, with the hidden stem Jiwei, which is the same as the day stem, making it a brother; the middle transmission is Chou occupied by Teng Snake, since the day is Jiwei and belongs to the Ji Yin cycle, and the Zi Chou cycle is empty, so it is marked "◎", and Chou earth is also a brother; the final transmission is Xu occupied by Tai Yin, with the hidden stem Renxu, which is also a brother. Wei is punished by Chou, Chou is punished by Xu, and Xu is punished by Wei, forming the three punishments, and the danger is entirely here.

劉日新曰：事起吾師，不可飲醉，今夜若聞犬吠，不可看視，恐牆崩地陷。更忌井邊行，道士以為戲耳，不復記念。至晚大醉，忽聞犬吠，驚起見本房光怪如火，恐遺漏盜賊，披衣出逃，觀中人亦皆驚起，事止，獨不見費師，人憶餘言，向井中尋之，則費師已墜井中而死矣。論曰：三傳未丑戌三刑，月日辰皆是未並，而為刃又乘白虎，故凶。費公行年又在未，故應在費公自己。未為酒，為井，故云莫飲酒、莫井邊行。又未為六丁，為天目，為光怪，中丑乘蛇受虎刑，故發聲。末戌乘陰，受蛇刑戌為犬吠。三傳墓殺，課無生意，故主死也。

Liu Rixin said: This matter should be on the master himself. Today you must not get drunk; if you hear a dog barking tonight, you must not go out to look, for there may be danger of a wall collapsing or ground sinking. It is also forbidden to walk near the well. Fei Daoist took it as a joke and turned away, forgetting about it. That night he got very drunk and suddenly heard a dog barking. He was startled and looked around, seeing a fiery light in his room, fearing that there might be a fire or a thief. He put on his clothes and ran out. Everyone in the temple was startled. After the incident, they counted the people and found Fei Daoist missing. Remembering Liu Rixin's words, they went to the well and found Fei Daoist drowned in it. The commentary says: The three transmissions are Wu, Chou, and Xu, which form the three punishments. The month builder and the day branch both align with Wu. Wu is the Yangren of Ji day and is also accompanied by the White Tiger, indicating danger. Fei's age is also Wu, so the matter fell on him. Wu represents wine and the well, so he was warned not to drink or walk near the well. Wu is also the god of the sixth Ding, which governs the heavenly eye and strange lights. The middle transmission Chou is accompanied by the Teng Snake and is punished by the White Tiger, causing the sound of a dog barking. The final transmission Xu is accompanied by Tai Yin and is punished by the Teng Snake. Xu is the dog, hence the barking. All three transmissions are墓杀 (mù shā), and there is no life qi in the entire lesson, hence the death.

乾隆甲子年六月己未日未將未時占陰晴。　牧夫占驗

In the Jiazi year of the Qianlong era, on the Jiwei day of the sixth month, the lesson was cast by placing the Month General 'Wei' on the Wei hour. The hour and its position remain the same, resulting in a Hidden Chant lesson. The divination was about whether the weather would be clear or overcast. This case is from "The Farmer's Divination Verification."

龍空虎常／巳午未申　虎虎虎虎　兄 己未 虎／勾辰　酉玄　未未未未　兄 ◎丑 蛇／合卯　戌陰　未未未己　兄 壬戌 陰／寅丑子亥／朱蛇貴後

The lesson pattern is the same as the previous case: the Azure Dragon is riding on巳, the Sky Void on午, the White Tiger on未, the Tai Chang on申, the Black Tortoise on酉, the Tai Yin on戌, the Heavenly Empress on亥, the Nobleman on子, the Teng Snake on丑, the Vermilion Bird on寅, the Liu He on卯, and the Gou Chen on辰. The hour of未 is added to the hour of未, causing the heavens and earth disks to coincide, which is a Hidden Chant. The four lessons are all on未 with the White Tiger, forming only one image. The three transmissions are: the first transmission is未 with the White Tiger, with the hidden stem Jiwei; the middle transmission is丑 with the Teng Snake, and since丑 is empty in the current cycle, it is marked 「◎」; the final transmission is戌 with the Tai Yin, with the hidden stem Renxu. All three transmissions are of the same type as the stem Ji, forming brothers, and since未 is in conflict with丑,丑 is in conflict with戌, and戌 is in conflict with未, they still form the Three Punishments. To predict weather, use未 as the wind god, and determine rain and wind based on the conflicts and punishments in the three transmissions. The following interpretation is derived from this.

王牧夫曰：天雖晴明，午後主有大風，當拔木號空。風止有小雨，雨止天陰，不久即晴朗。蓋未為風伯，踞於干支主風盈宇宙。乘虎主有力而大，故曰拔木號空。中傳丑，末傳戌相刑，土氣不和，主有小雨。太陰在末，主天陰。三傳純土制水，故不久而晴朗也。午與未合，午后陰生，故驗於午後，一一皆應。凡渡江河咸池殺亦主大風，不可不知。

Wang Mufu said: Although the sky is clear today, there will be a strong wind in the afternoon, powerful enough to uproot trees and howl across the sky. After the wind stops, there will be light rain, and after the rain stops, the sky will turn cloudy, but it will soon clear up again. This is because the earthy branch 'Wei' is the god of the wind, now occupying the position of the day stem and day branch, indicating that the wind fills the heavens and the earth. 'Wei' also combines with the White Tiger, which signifies strength and ferocity, hence the wind will uproot trees and howl. The middle transmission 'Chou' and the final transmission 'Xu' mutually injure each other, causing disharmony in the earth's energy, thus resulting in light rain. The Tai Yin is located in the final transmission, and Tai Yin signifies darkness, hence after the rain the sky turns cloudy. The three transmissions are all earth, and earth controls water, so it will soon clear up again. 'Wu' and 'Wei' are in harmony, and the yang energy begins to rise in the afternoon, hence the prediction is accurate—later events all came true. Whenever crossing rivers or lakes and encountering the killing power of Xianchi, it also indicates strong winds, a point that should not be overlooked.

昔在淮陰六月間，偶至大字店程雨宸世兄處，示以占遇返吟一數問陰晴。余曰：今日未時，西南上雲起有雷聲，風大雨大，一時而至。乃海鹽宗兄仲箎所起之數，斷以明日餘不知也。宗兄雲來日始有風雨，雨宸兄雲存以為驗。今日不驗，則來日以驗。先生一咲而起。餘歸飯後，聞雷聲，雲果起西南，風大於雨，一時而霽。諸人歎服。仲篪兄亦服。問余何以應今日？余曰：此返吟課，其應甚速。

Some time ago in June, I was in Huaiyin and偶然 visited Cheng Yuchen, a younger brother from the Da Zi Store, where he showed me a divination lesson about whether it would be sunny or rainy, using a returning verse pattern. I said: It will be this afternoon, with clouds rising from the southwest, thunder, strong winds and heavy rain, and it will clear up quickly. This lesson was originally cast by my elder brother Zongchi from Haiyan, who predicted it would happen tomorrow. At that time, I didn't know this. Zongchi said the rain and wind would come tomorrow; Cheng Yuchen said, then let's wait and see if it comes true, since it won't happen today, it will naturally happen tomorrow. Zongchi smiled and left. After I had dinner, I heard thunder and saw clouds indeed rising from the southwest, with winds stronger than the rain, and it cleared up quickly. Everyone present was impressed, and Zongchi also admitted he was convinced, and asked me why I predicted it would happen today. I said: This is a returning verse pattern, which is active and the response is very quick.

崇正丁丑年八月己未日辰時經筵講官安慶阮允平太史雲先日吳門申相公以八年講官拜相吾今亦八年枚卜若何？　指南

On the day branch Jiwei of the year Dingchou in the eighth lunar month of the Chongzheng era, Chen Gongxian cast a horoscope for Ruan Yunping, a scholar-official from Anqing who served as a court lecturer. Ruan asked, "Recently, Shen Xianggong from Wumen was appointed as prime minister based on his eight years of experience as a court lecturer. Now I have also completed eight years as a court lecturer. Will I be selected in this great imperial examination for officials?" He then requested Chen Gongxian to cast the horoscope. This case is recorded in the "Six壬 Guide."

空虎常玄／午未申酉　玄 常 玄 常　兄 己未 虎／青巳　戌陰　酉 申 酉 申　子 庚申 常／勾辰　亥后　申 未 申 己　子 庚申 常／卯寅丑子／合朱蛇貴

The Heaven Plate generals are: Tian Kong (Sky Void) rides Wu (horse), Bai Hu (White Tiger) rides Wei (goat), Tai Chang (Imperial Music Official) rides Shen (monkey), Xuan Wu (Black Tortoise) rides You (rooster), Tai Yin (Dark Yin) rides Xu (dog), Tian Hou (Heavenly Empress) rides Hai (pig), Guiren (Nobleman) rides Zi (rat), Teng Snake rides Chou (ox), Zhu Que (Vermilion Bird) rides Yin (tiger), Liu He (Six Harmonies) rides Mao (hare), Gou Chen (Hook Star) rides Chen (dragon), and Qing Long (Azure Dragon) rides Si (snake). The hour of Chen (dragon) belongs to the daytime, and on a Ji (Ji) day, the daytime nobleman is at Zi (rat), so the nobleman is at Zi (rat). The four lessons are arranged from right to left: the day stem Ji is located at Wei (goat), and at Wei (goat) there is Shen (monkey) riding Tai Chang (Imperial Music Official); at Shen (monkey) there is You (rooster) riding Xuan Wu (Black Tortoise); the day branch Wei (goat) also has Shen (monkey) riding Tai Chang (Imperial Music Official); at Shen (monkey) there is You (rooster) riding Xuan Wu (Black Tortoise). The three transmissions are: the first transmission is Wei (goat) riding Bai Hu (White Tiger), the hidden stem Ji Wei (Ji Wei) is the same as the day stem and thus is a fellow, and Wei (goat) is also the Yang Ren (Sheath Blade) of Ji day; the middle and final transmissions are both Shen (monkey) riding Tai Chang (Imperial Music Official), the hidden stem Geng Shen (Geng Shen), Ji earth generates metal, which is the son and grandson. Divination for entering the cabinet and becoming prime minister places great emphasis on the official star. In this lesson, there is no official ghost throughout, but instead the fellow and sheath blade are at the initiating transmission. The conclusion below states that he will ultimately not enter the cabinet, and the root of this lies here.

陳公獻曰：太史雖有公卿推薦，恐不能也。蓋因日比虎刃自他處發用，突有秦人，任風憲兵刑之職者，不由詞館入閣；且中末干支年命俱見羅網，是秦晉梁益之人在中阻隔。又夜貴居本命，太史必賦歸來矣。後果黜。秦中薛國觀先生、蜀中劉宗伯入閣。

Chen Gongxian said: Although Ruan Taishi had the support of high officials, he might still not be appointed to the cabinet. This is because the initial transmission is a companion of the day stem Ji earth, and it is also riding on the 'Yangren' of the 'White Tiger'. Moreover, it originates from another palace, symbolizing the sudden appearance of a person from Shaanxi, who holds the position of overseeing impeachment and military and criminal affairs, not through the proper path of the Hanlin Academy. In addition, the middle and final transmissions, together with the day stem, day branch, and his own birth year, all fall into the 'Luowang' position, indicating obstruction from people from Shaanxi, Shanxi, Hanzhong, and Sichuan. Furthermore, the night nobleman is directly above his birth destiny, and since the nobleman is facing away and unwilling to support him, Taishi can only recite the 'Return to the Country' essay and return home. Later, Ruan Taishi was indeed dismissed, and the ones appointed to the cabinet were Xue Guoguan from Guanzhong and Liu Zongbo from Sichuan.

乾隆庚申年五月己未日申將未時占雲起有雨否？　牧夫占驗／空虎常玄／午未申酉　玄常玄常　兄己未虎／青巳　戌陰　酉申酉申　子庚申常／勾辰　亥后　申未申己　子庚申常／卯寅丑子／合朱蛇貴

In the year Gengshen of the Qianlong era, on the fifth month, the sixth day of the Jiwei, a divination was cast using the month general Shen placed on the Wei position for the hour of Wei. The question was whether it would rain, as the clouds had already risen. This example is taken from "The Shepherd's Divination Verification." The Heaven Plate advances one position ahead of the Earth Plate. The heavenly generals on the Heaven Plate are: "Tian Kong" (Heavenly Void) on Wu, "Bai Hu" (White Tiger) on Wei, "Tai Chang" (Grand Music) on Shen, "Xuan Wu" (Black Tortoise) on You, "Tai Yin" (Grand Yin) on Xu, "Tian Hou" (Heavenly Empress) on Hai, "Guiren" (Nobleman) on Zi, "Teng Snake" on Chou, "Zhu Que" (Vermilion Bird) on Yin, "Liu He" (Six Harmonies) on Mao, "Gou Chen" (Hook Star) on Chen, and "Qing Long" (Azure Dragon) on Si. The hour of Wei is daytime, and since it is a Ji day, the daytime nobleman is on Zi, so the nobleman is exactly on Zi. The four lessons: the Ji earth is lodged in Wei, with Shen on Wei, riding Tai Chang, which is the first lesson; Shen has You on it, riding Xuan Wu, which is the second lesson; the day branch Wei has Shen on it, riding Tai Chang, which is the third lesson; Shen has You on it, riding Xuan Wu, which is the fourth lesson. The stem and branch are both in the Wei position, so the four lessons form only two lessons, and the lesson pattern is called "Ba Zhuang" (Eight Specials). For the "Ba Zhuang" on an odd day, the initiating transmission is obtained by counting backwards three positions from the You in the fourth lesson, which is Wei. The middle and final transmissions both take the day stem's heavenly general Shen, so the three transmissions are: initial transmission Jiwei riding Bai Hu, middle transmission Gengshen riding Tai Chang, and final transmission Gengshen riding Tai Chang.

王牧夫曰：此課主今日午後風雨雷電俱大。蓋八專為體，不辨干支，而水母重重見於其上。未為風伯，又乘白虎劫煞。卯為雷，勾陳加之。巳為電，丁神附之。是以主四者俱大也。主本日者，本日之支發動，未中有丁，主迅疾倏發。是日午後果大風雨雷電至申時止，傳中申不足故耳。再視貴登天門，龍神昇天，丙丁逢空，亦主雨之象。

Wang Mufu said: This lesson indicates that wind, rain, thunder and lightning will all be very strong in the afternoon of today. Because the lesson pattern is "Eight Specials," the heavenly stem and earthly branch are in the same palace, and they are not distinct from each other. The source of water, the metal of Shen, is heavily overlaid on top. "Wei" is the dwelling place of the wind god, and it is also accompanied by the White Tiger and "Jiesha," so the wind is strong. "Mao" governs thunder, and Gou Chen is added upon it, so thunder is loud. "Si" governs lightning, and the "Ding spirit" of the ten-day cycle is attached there, so lightning flashes. Therefore, all four elements are strong. The judgment is made for the same day rather than postponed to later days, because the movement is exactly the day's earthly branch. "Wei" contains the "Ding spirit," which governs rapid movement, so it comes quickly and suddenly. Indeed, in the afternoon of that day, there was a great wind and heavy rain, thunder and lightning, until the hour of Shen did it stop, which is because the Shen energy in the three transmissions has already become insufficient. Also, the nobleman's accompanying spirit is located at the earth plate position of Hai, which is "the nobleman ascending the heavenly gate"; the Azure Dragon also rises together; the two spirits of Bing and Ding also meet Kongwang, all of which are signs indicating rain.

建炎己酉年九月己未日卯將寅時顧孔目甲子生四十六歲占終身。　方本占案／蛇貴／朱午未申酉後／六巳　戌陰　后貴后貴　兄己未蛇／陳辰　亥玄　酉申酉申　子庚申貴／龍卯寅丑子常　申未申己　子庚申貴／空虎

In the Jiayou year of the Southern Song dynasty, during the ninth month of the Jiyou year, on the Jiwei day, a divination was cast using the month general of卯 (Mao) placed on the寅 (Yin) hour. The person being divined, Gu Kongmu, was born in the Jiazi year and was forty-six years old, seeking to know the fortune and misfortune of his entire life. This case is from the "Fang Ben Zhan An." The寅 (Yin) hour belongs to the night, and for the Ji day, the night nobleman is located at申 (Shen), so the nobleman is at申 (Shen). The heavenly generals of the heaven plate are: the Vermilion Bird is at午 (Wu), the Teng Snake is at未 (Wei), the nobleman is at申 (Shen), the Heavenly Empress is at酉 (You), the Tai Yin is at戌 (Xu), the Black Tortoise is at亥 (Hai), the Tai Chang is at子 (Zi), the White Tiger is at丑 (Chou), the Tian Kong is at寅 (Yin), the Azure Dragon is at卯 (Mao), the Gou Chen is at辰 (Chen), and the Liu He is at巳 (Si). The four lessons: the Ji earth is lodged in the宫 of Wei, and at Wei, it is乘 by Shen and the nobleman, forming the first lesson; at Shen, it is乘 by You and the Heavenly Empress, forming the second lesson; the day branch at Wei is乘 by Shen and the nobleman, forming the third lesson; at Shen, it is乘 by You and the Heavenly Empress, forming the fourth lesson. The heavenly stem and earthly branch are in the same palace, so it remains an "Ba Zhuang" lesson. The three transmissions are: the first transmission is Jiwei乘 by Teng Snake, the middle transmission is Gengshen乘 by the nobleman, and the final transmission is Gengshen乘 by the nobleman. Wei is the Yangren of Ji earth, and Shen is the growth of Ji earth, with one凶 and one吉 appearing together, and the entire divination commentary arises from here.

邵彥和曰：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 Yanhe said: The official of the earth element Ji is in the position of Wu. But in this divination, the first transmission is taken from the palace of the day stem's lodgment at Wei, which is exactly the Yangren of Ji earth. If a nobleman entrusts you with the management of money, grain, and wealth, you must be especially careful: first, you must not lose or move the property, second, you must not drink without cause, third, you must not associate with the women of relatives' families. If you involve yourself in any of these three, you will be beaten with a stick. However, after being beaten, you will still receive the care and support of your superior, and eventually attain an official title that matches your status. This is the superior outcome of the growth phase, supported by the nobleman's favor and care. Gu Kongmu was initially assigned by the prefect to oversee financial matters. 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 prefect investigated and found no embezzlement, but still beat him with one hundred strokes. Two months later, Zheng Shilang took office, and Gu was greatly favored. Thus, he established his own property and was appointed as a military officer of the state. Later, he followed Zheng outside for five years and returned with great success.

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。

This is because the earth element Ji is prosperous in Wu, and the Yangren is in Wei, which is also occupied by Teng Snake, indicating a crime caused by an unexpected incident. Wei also signifies family members and alcohol, while Teng Snake represents sticks and rods, so these matters are all fulfilled one by one. Moreover, the Yangren is precisely in the position of the first transmission and initiating transmission. The middle and final transmissions are both on the Longsheng, supported by the Nobleman, so one can still maintain stability. Zheng obtained benefits through bribery, and Gu Kongmu planned and handled it for him, hence his success. Earth can generate metal, and Shen, being the Nobleman, is also the Longsheng of Ji day. Both the middle and final transmissions are on Shen, so the ultimate outcome of his life is determined by this.

乾隆甲戌年亥月己未日寅將丑時，辛未人六十四歲占失賊。　牧夫占驗／朱蛇貴後／午未申酉　后貴后貴　兄己未蛇／合巳　戌陰　酉申酉申　子庚申貴／勾辰　亥玄　申未申己　子庚申貴／卯寅丑子／青空虎常

In the year Jiaxu of the Qianlong era, during the亥 month, Jiwei day, a person born in the year Xinwei, aged sixty-four, came to consult about a theft. This case is from the "Pastoral Divination Verification." The time of丑 is night, and the night nobleman is at申. The heavenly generals on the heaven plate are: "Vermilion Bird" at午, "Teng Snake" at未, "Nobleman" at申, "Heavenly Empress" at酉, "Tai Yin" at戌, "Black Tortoise" at亥, "Tai Chang" at子, "White Tiger" at丑, "Heavenly Void" at寅, "Azure Dragon" at卯, "Gou Chen" at辰, and "Liu He" at巳. The four lessons are: the earth element Ji is lodged in未, and at未, it is申 with the nobleman, as the first lesson; at申, it is酉 with the heavenly empress, as the second lesson; the day branch at未 is申 with the nobleman, as the third lesson; and at申, it is酉 with the heavenly empress, as the fourth lesson. The three transmissions are: the first transmission is Jiwei with Teng Snake, the middle transmission is Gengshen with the nobleman, and the final transmission is Gengshen with the nobleman, which is still the "Eight Special" lesson where the heavenly stem and earthly branch are in the same palace. In divination for theft, the Black Tortoise represents the thief. In this lesson, the Black Tortoise is at亥, and the heaven plate's亥 is exactly at the earth plate's戌 position. This is the key point for inferring the thief's age, number, and the direction where the stolen goods are hidden.

王牧夫曰：八專之課，干支不別，一派寒金，自身又作螣蛇，事由自己疏懶致有此也。財失五百金，必非一人。以玄武論之，乘亥，陰見子，乃少年也。亥數四，當主四人。玄武臨戌，當在西北近水之地。子乘太常，勾陳制之；太陽之陰，又與相刑，告官必為捕役所獲。果於辛酉日因包課之布為認記，因是而獲。同夥者共四人。

Wang Mufu said: This is a "Ba Zuan" divination, where the heavenly stem and earthly branch are not distinguished from each other. The three transmissions are all cold and metallic, and the person who lost the money is riding on the Teng Snake, indicating that the loss was caused by his own negligence. The lost silver amounted to five hundred taels, and the person who took it was certainly not alone. Looking at the Xuanwu: Xuanwu is riding on亥, whose hidden spirit is子, which represents youth, indicating that the thief is a young person. The number of亥 is four, so there are four thieves. The亥 of Xuanwu falls on the earth plate's戌 position, so the stolen goods should be located in the northwest near water.子 is riding on Tai Chang, and Gou Chen is restraining it; the Sun's hidden spirit is in conflict with it, so if the authorities are reported, the thief will certainly be captured. Later, on the Xinyou day, the thief was captured because there was a recognizable mark on the cloth covering the goods, and the accomplices were exactly four in number.

建炎戊申年八月己未日巳將卯時何解元癸酉生三十六歲占子嗣。　口鑑　捷要　方本占案／陳六／龍未申酉戌朱／空午　亥蛇　蛇六蛇六　子辛酉六／虎巳　子貴　亥酉亥酉　子辛酉六／常辰卯寅丑后　酉未酉己　子辛酉六／玄陰

In the year Wushen of the Southern Song dynasty, during the eighth month and the day Jiwei, a divination was cast using the month general Si placed on the卯 hour. This case is found in the texts "Kou Jian," "Jie Yao," and "Fang Ben Zhan An." The Heaven Plate advances two positions ahead of the Earth Plate. The deities governing each position are: "Qinglong" (Azure Dragon) at Wei, "Gou Chen" (Hook Star) at Shen, "Liu He" (Six Harmonies) at You, "Zhu Que" (Vermilion Bird) at Xu, "Teng Snake" at Hai, "Nobleman" at Zi, "Heavenly Empress" at Chou, "Tai Yin" at Yin, "Xuan Wu" (Black Tortoise) at Mao, "Tai Chang" at Chen, "Bai Hu" (White Tiger) at Si, and "Tian Kong" (Heavenly Void) at Wu. The four lessons are: Ji Tu (Earth) is lodged in Wei, with You and the Six Harmonies, forming the first lesson; You has Hai and Teng Snake, forming the second lesson; the day branch Wei has You and the Six Harmonies, forming the third lesson; and You has Hai and Teng Snake, forming the fourth lesson. The three transmissions are all Xinyou with the Six Harmonies, and the only deity involved in the three transmissions is the Six Harmonies. The lesson pattern is called "Du Zu" (Single Foot). You belongs to the trigram Dui (Lake), which represents a young woman, and the Six Harmonies also relate to female marriage, which is the basis for the conclusion that "there will be five daughters."

邵彥和曰：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。

Shao Yanhe said: This divination is called "Duzu" or "Single Foot." If the three transmissions scatter and do not converge, the divination will not come true; now that the three transmissions have merged into one, it will certainly come true. For this divination, the person will have five daughters in the future; if he wishes to have a son, he must adopt one. His age is in the Chou branch, which is in harmony with You, and You conflicts with the Mao branch where the Black Tortoise is located. Thus, a male child will not be formed. He himself also suffers from a condition of intestinal wind and hemorrhoids, which is caused by excessive indulgence in lust. In terms of official rank, he will not be successful. Even if he manages to achieve fame, his lifespan will not exceed forty-eight years.

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。

This is because both the person and the residence, along with the three transmissions, all contain the酉 (You) element. The酉 belongs to the Dui trigram in the eight trigrams, which represents a young girl. The Liu He (six combinations) also uses the酉, which is an image of a woman. Since the three transmissions, the day stem, and the day branch all contain the酉, it is determined that there will be five daughters. The year pillar shows the卯 (Mao), which belongs to the Zhen trigram, representing a young son. The酉 combines with the丑 (Chou) and conflicts with the卯. Additionally, the卯 is occupied by the Xuanwu (Black Tortoise), which signifies theft and wastefulness, so the male fetus cannot take form. The metal of酉 corresponds to the large intestine in the human body, and酉 also governs blood, so there is a condition of hemorrhoids and internal sores. The酉 is a spirit that disperses energy and also relates to sexual desire, while Liu He governs women, so it is determined that he has a strong desire for women. The number of酉 is six, and the number of 未 (Wei) is eight. Six multiplied by eight equals forty-eight, which is the reason for the lifespan.

張世南同日時得此課占訟。　口鑑　直指／陳六／龍未申酉戌朱／空午　亥蛇　蛇六蛇六　子辛酉六／虎巳　子貴　亥酉亥酉　子辛酉六／常辰卯寅丑后　酉未酉己　子辛酉六／玄陰

Zhang Shinan cast this divination lesson on the same day and hour to predict a lawsuit, an example found in "Kou Jian" and "Zhi Zhi." The lesson format is exactly the same as the previous example: the heavenly generals of the heavenly plate are "Qinglong" on Wei, "Gou Chen" on Shen, "Liu He" on You, "Zhu Que" on Xu, "Teng Snake" on Hai, "Nobleman" on Zi, "Heavenly Empress" on Chou, "Tai Yin" on Yin, "Xuan Wu" on Mao, "Tai Chang" on Chen, "Bai Hu" on Si, and "Tian Kong" on Wu. The four lessons remain the same: Ji Earth is in Wei with You on Wei, which is occupied by Liu He; You has Hai, which is occupied by Teng Snake; the day branch Wei has You, which is occupied by Liu He; You has Hai, which is occupied by Teng Snake. The three transmissions remain the same, with three instances of Xinyou occupied by Liu He, forming a "Du Zu" lesson. "Du Zu" means having only one foot, with no way to move in either direction. The interpretation for a lawsuit is derived from this characteristic.

邵彥和曰：兩邊行不得，只好從中自後行。若兩邊爭時不知寧息，公潛地用轎自走去地頭。定解，果如其說。直指引口鑑云：兩邊俱不得力，官當自行，干貴無益，後果縣宰潛往定驗矣。

Shao Yanhe said: If both sides are blocked and cannot proceed, one should personally go back through the middle. If both sides continue to quarrel without stopping, one should secretly hire a sedan chair and personally go to the place where the incident occurred, and the matter will naturally be resolved. Later, it indeed turned out as he had said. The "Zhi Zhi" cites the "Kou Jian" which says: When neither side can be relied upon, the official in charge should personally go to deal with the matter; seeking help from the nobleman is of no benefit. Later, the county magistrate indeed secretly went there and settled the matter, verifying this judgment.

二月己未日亥將酉時張克用商人占遠方買賣。　口鑑　捷要／陳六／龍未申酉戌朱／空午　亥蛇　蛇六蛇六　子辛酉六／虎巳　子貴　亥酉亥酉　子辛酉六／常辰卯寅丑后　酉未酉己　子辛酉六／玄陰

In the second month on the Jiwei day, using the month general亥 placed on the You hour to cast the divination, merchant Zhang Ke asked about business ventures in distant lands. This example is found in the "Kou Jian" and "Jie Yao." The resulting divination pattern is the same as the previous two examples: "Qinglong" is on Wei, "Gou Chen" is on Shen, "Liu He" is on You, "Zhu Que" is on Xu, "Teng Snake" is on Hai, "Nobleman" is on Zi, "Heavenly Empress" is on Chou, "Tai Yin" is on Yin, "Xuan Wu" is on Mao, "Tai Chang" is on Chen, "Bai Hu" is on Si, and "Tian Kong" is on Wu. The four lessons are Ji soil residing on Wei with You on Wei multiplied by Liu He, and You on You with Hai on You multiplied by Teng Snake; the day branch on Wei has You multiplied by Liu He, and You on You has Hai multiplied by Teng Snake. The three transmissions consist of three instances of Xinyou multiplied by Liu He, forming a "Du Zu" pattern. The merchant asked whether he should travel by water or by land, and the interpretation was drawn from the hexagram of You and the physical symbol of Liu He.

邵彥和曰：酉為兌，兌為澤，六合為船隻，利船行。獨足止一足，不利陸行，若船行獲加倍得利。

Shao Yanhe said: You belongs to the trigram Dui in the Eight Trigrams, Dui represents a great marsh and water, and Liu He also governs boats and ships, so it is suitable to travel by water. The "Duzu" divination indicates only one foot, making land travel difficult; if goods are transported by boat instead, double profit can be obtained.

杭州學橋水漲，太尉重起府門及造賃屋房廊請陳相干天民占問己未日戌將申時辛亥命。　一針見血　張本作邵彥和占／陳六／龍未申酉戌朱／空午　亥蛇　蛇六蛇六　子辛酉六／虎巳　子貴　亥酉亥酉　子辛酉六／常辰卯寅丑后　酉未酉己　子辛酉六／玄陰

A big flood occurred in the Xueqiao area of Hangzhou. The Grand Minister wanted to rebuild the official gate and construct rental houses and corridors, so he consulted Chen Guan Tianmin. The date was Jiwei, with the Month General Wu placed on Shen time. The Grand Minister's birth year was Xinhai. This example is from "Yizhen Jianxue," but Zhang Ben records it as Shao Yanhe's divination. The class structure is the same as in previous examples: "Qinglong" is in Wei, "Gouchen" in Shen, "Liuhe" in You, "Zhuque" in Xu, "Tengshe" in Hai, "Guiren" in Zi, "Tianhou" in Chou, "Taiyin" in Yin, "Xuanwu" in Mao, "Taichang" in Chen, "Baihu" in Si, and "Tiankong" in Wu. The four lessons are Ji soil residing in Wei, with You on Wei multiplied by Liuhe; Hai on You multiplied by Tengshe; and the day branch Wei has You multiplied by Liuhe, and Hai on You multiplied by Tengshe. The three transmissions are three times Xinyou multiplied by Liuhe, forming a "Duzu" class. For someone born in the year of Xin, You is their official position and prosperity, so three times You indicates three times official position and prosperity, which is the key to the subsequent judgment of first predicting wealth and honor, then decline.

陳天民曰：獨足課，即亥酉未，辛命得三個酉是三重天祿，三重帝旺，主富貴兩全，官至一品。依朝廷之威勢起造昌盛，尚有三十年大發，太尉大喜。天民退而告人曰：此獨足課，課既不足，傳又不行，終無百年久遠。將來太尉歿後，命既不存，祿旺何在？恐其子孫不肖犯法，此屋沒入官矣。果然。

Chen Tianmin said: This is a "Duzu" lesson. Following the sequence of Hai, You, and Wei, a person born in the Xin year receives three You, which means three times the heavenly禄 (favor) and three times the prosperity (Diwang). This indicates both wealth and honor, with the official position able to reach the first rank. Relying on the imperial authority to carry out construction projects, the situation will be prosperous, and there will be a period of great fortune for another thirty years. The Taewei was very pleased. However, after Tianmin left, he told others: Although this is a "Duzu" lesson, since the lesson pattern is named "Buzu" (insufficient), and the three transmissions are stagnant and unable to flow forward, it is ultimately not a lasting fortune for a hundred years. When the Taewei dies, his year of birth will no longer exist, and where will his禄 and prosperity be attached? I fear his descendants will be unworthy and commit crimes, leading to the confiscation of these properties by the government. Later, this indeed happened.

建炎己酉年九月己未日卯將丑時陸孔目己巳生四十一歲占官事。　方本占案／貴後／蛇未申酉戌陰／朱午　亥玄　玄后玄后　子辛酉後／六巳　子常　亥酉亥酉　子辛酉後／陳辰卯寅丑虎　酉未酉己　子辛酉後／龍空

In the year Jiyou of the Southern Song dynasty, during the ninth month and Jiwei day of the Jianyan era, a divination was cast using the month general placed on the卯 (Mao) at the hour of Chou (丑). The person consulted, Lu Kongmu, was born in the year Jisi and was forty-one years old. He was asking about legal matters concerning litigation. This case is taken from the "Fang Ben Zhan An." The heavenly generals governing the heavenly plate are: "Teng Snake" on Wei, "Nobleman" on Shen, "Heavenly Empress" on You, "Tai Yin" on Wei, "Black Tortoise" on Hai, "Tai Chang" on Zi, "White Tiger" on Chou, "Heavenly Void" on Yin, "Azure Dragon" on Mao, "Gou Chen" on Chen, "Liu He" on Si, and "Vermilion Bird" on Wu. The four lessons are: the earthy branch of Ji (己) is lodged in Wei, with You on Wei and governed by the Heavenly Empress, forming the first lesson; the earthy branch of You has Hai on it and is governed by the Black Tortoise, forming the second lesson; the day branch of Wei has You on it and is governed by the Heavenly Empress, forming the third lesson; and the earthy branch of You has Hai on it and is governed by the Black Tortoise, forming the fourth lesson. The three transmissions are all Xinyou governed by the Heavenly Empress, and the lesson pattern remains "Duzu." For someone born in the year Jisi, You is considered the "Shansha" (fragmentation star), and the three transmissions are all filled with You, which is key to the following interpretation.

邵彥和曰：己巳生人，見酉為破碎。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。

Shao Yanhe said that people born in the year of Jisi would meet the metal of You and suffer from "Shuipu Sha". Today is also the day of Ji, and Wei is the lodging palace of Ji earth. The day stem and day branch are both in You and thus suffer defeat. You and Si are in mutual relationship, and the two characters together form the character "pei". Moreover, the person's year of birth carries the "Behind Needle Sha". Therefore, one should beware of three things: first, private relationships between men and women, second, government money and grain, and third, alcohol. If any of these three are violated, he will certainly be punished by being sent to a local prison. Because the "Du Zu" lesson does not go far, he can only be dealt with locally. After being punished, he will be sent again to the prison in the northwest, and only then will the matter be settled. Lu Kongmu did not take it seriously. A month and a half later, the magistrate sent him to buy official wine, but he secretly carried private wine from Liu's family. He also had private relations with He Panpan, the wife of Liu, and left evidence. Just as the magistrate was traveling in a palanquin, he saw him in a noodle shop and immediately investigated his activities. He discovered that he had misappropriated official money over fifty guan, and after confessing to the affair, he was sent to the local prison. Later, he worked in the office of the deputy magistrate, often quarreling with others, and still had contact with He Panpan. The deputy magistrate became very angry and reported to the magistrate, who sentenced him to be sent to Runzhou.

蓋獨足課，故在本州，來歲行年加日辰之上，與日辰並聚，凡並聚者，必飛散，既飛散，必再出外方。（若何解元占子嗣課行年不加故不飛散）。兼有二巳字，豈一番可了？（不合是己巳生），酉上見亥不離西北，亥乃江海，必潤州矣。況亥為點水，酉為門，酉上見丑土，似玉字，合之成潤字也。

Because it is a "single foot" chart, the first time it can only be matched within the same state. In the following year, the year stem and branch will be added to the day stem and day branch, meeting together with the day branch. Whatever meets together must eventually scatter, and once it scatters, it must go elsewhere. (Like the previous case where He Jieyuan predicted his son, the year stem was not added, so it did not scatter.) Since the person's fate includes two instances of Si, how could it be resolved in one place? (He was born in the year Jisi.) The branch You has the branch Hai, which is located in the northwest. Hai also represents rivers and seas, so it must be Runzhou. Moreover, Hai is three waters, You is the gate, and You also has Chou earth, forming the shape of the character "Yun," which together makes the character "Run."

己未日子將戌時某占婢走失。　方本占案／貴後／蛇未申酉戌陰／朱午　亥玄　玄后玄后　子辛酉後／六巳　子常　亥酉亥酉　子辛酉後／陳辰卯寅丑虎　酉未酉己　子辛酉後／龍空

On the Jiwei day, using the month general placed at the戌 position to cast a divination at the戌 hour, someone asked about a missing servant girl. This case is from the "Fang Ben Zhan An." The resulting divination pattern is the same as the previous example: "Teng Snake" is on the Wei, "Nobleman" is on the Shen, "Heavenly Empress" is on the You, "Tai Yin" is on the Xu, "Black Tortoise" is on the Hai, "Tai Chang" is on the Zi, "White Tiger" is on the Chou, "Heavenly Void" is on the Yin, "Azure Dragon" is on the Mao, "Gou Chen" is on the Chen, "Liu He" is on the Si, and "Vermilion Bird" is on the Wu. The four lessons are: the Ji earth is located on the Wei with the You occupied by the Heavenly Empress, the You has the Hai occupied by the Black Tortoise; the day branch Wei has the You occupied by the Heavenly Empress, and the You has the Hai occupied by the Black Tortoise. The three transmissions are three times Xinyou with the Heavenly Empress, forming the "Du Zu" lesson. In the Six Rats system, the You is the god of servants and concubines. Now it is placed above the day stem and day branch, indicating the person has not left the house, which is the basis for the conclusion that she will return on her own.

邵彥和曰：酉為婢，加干支上，是不離身宅矣。兼之獨足課，一足焉能逃也，不須尋，當日自歸矣。果然。

Shao Yanhe said: You is the master of female servants. Now You is placed over the day stem and day branch, indicating that the person has not left their original place or residence. Furthermore, this is a 'single foot' divination, meaning only one foot is present, so where can she go far? There is no need to search for her; she will return by herself on the same day. Later, it indeed turned out to be true.

崇正辛未年四月己未日辰時東省兵長垣仇庸足先占功名。　指南／朱蛇／六酉戌亥子貴　玄蛇玄蛇　財癸亥蛇／勾申　丑后　卯亥卯亥　鬼乙卯玄／青未　寅陰　亥未亥己　兄己未龍／空午巳辰卯玄／虎常

In the year Xinwei of the Chongzhen era, on the day Jiwei in the fourth lunar month at the hour of Chen, Qiu Yongzhu, a military officer from Changleung in Shandong, consulted about his official career. This case is from the "Six壬 Guide." The heavenly generals corresponding to the various deities on the Heaven Plate are: "Liu He" (Six Harmonies) is in You, "Zhu Que" (Vermilion Bird) is in Xu, "Teng Snake" is in Hai, "Nobleman" is in Zi, "Heavenly Empress" is in Chou, "Tai Yin" is in Yin, "Xuan Wu" (Black Tortoise) is in Mao, "Tai Chang" is in Chen, "Bai Hu" (White Tiger) is in Si, "Tian Kong" (Heavenly Void) is in Wu, "Qing Long" (Azure Dragon) is in Wei, and "Gou Chen" (Hook Star) is in Shen. The four lessons are: Ji soil is lodged in Wei, with Hai on Wei and Teng Snake as its rider, forming the first lesson; Hai has Mao on it with Xuan Wu as its rider, forming the second lesson; the day branch Wei has Hai on it with Teng Snake as its rider, forming the third lesson; and Hai has Mao on it with Xuan Wu as its rider, forming the fourth lesson. The three transmissions are: the first transmission is Gui Hai with Teng Snake as its rider, the middle transmission is Yi Mao with Xuan Wu as its rider, and the final transmission is Ji Wei with Qing Long as its rider. The three characters Hai, Mao, and Wei form a wood trinity. Wood is the official star of Ji soil, so the main structure of this lesson lies in the formation of the official star and the transformation from Teng Snake to Qing Long.

陳公獻曰：此課占功名，將來遠大，非常格也。傳將木局，官星崢嶸，喜本命丁馬恩星以化之，為逢凶化吉也。且木逢初夏，正在榮旺之時，又蛇化為龍，將來事業日新，功名顯赫，不待言矣。後歷任通州，擢南大司農、大司馬，請告歸里。

Chen Gongxian said: This divination is about seeking fortune in official rank, with a promising future, not an ordinary pattern. The three transmissions form a wooden pattern, with the official star towering and upright. It is also favorable that the native's chart carries the "Ding deity" and "Post-horse" these benevolent stars to resolve difficulties, so that misfortune can be turned into good fortune. Moreover, wood is at its most flourishing in early summer, and the first transmission Teng Snake transforms into the final transmission Qinglong. In the future, his career will be renewed daily and his official rank will be prominent, which is self-evident. Later on, he indeed successively served as the governor of Tongzhou, was promoted to the Minister of Revenue in Nanjing and the Minister of War, and finally retired back to his hometown.

崇正甲申年四月初三庚申日酉將辰時如皋銓部李大生先生占燕京安危。　指南／朱蛇／六戌亥子丑貴　白貴白貴　財乙卯陰／勾酉　寅后　午丑午丑　父乙丑貴／青申　卯陰　丑申丑庚　父乙丑貴／空未午巳辰玄／虎常

In the year Jiashen of the Chongzhen era, on the third day of the fourth lunar month, on the day of Gengshen, using the month general You placed on the辰 (Dragon) hour to cast a divination, Li Dasheng, a civil servant from the Ministry of Personnel of the Gaohua lineage, inquired about the safety of Beijing. This example is from the "Six壬 Guide." The Heaven Plate advances five positions ahead of the Earth Plate. The deities governing each Heavenly General are: "Liu He" (Six Harmonies) is at You, "Zhu Que" (Vermilion Bird) is at You, "Teng Snake" is at Zi, "Nobleman" is at Chou, "Heavenly Empress" is at Yin, "Tai Yin" is at Mao, "Xuan Wu" (Black Tortoise) is at Chen, "Tai Chang" is at Si, "Bai Hu" (White Tiger) is at Wu, "Tian Kong" (Heavenly Void) is at Wei, "Qing Long" (Azure Dragon) is at Shen, and "Gou Chen" (Hook Star) is at You. The four lessons are: Geng metal lodges in Shen, with Chou on Shen and riding the Nobleman, as the first lesson; Chou has Wu on it with Bai Hu, as the second lesson; the day branch Shen has Chou on it with the Nobleman, as the third lesson; and Chou has Wu on it with Bai Hu, as the fourth lesson. The three transmissions are: the first transmission is Yi Mao riding Tai Yin, the middle transmission is Yi Chou riding the Nobleman, and the final transmission is Yi Chou riding the Nobleman. The initial transmission's Mao falls on the Earth Plate's Wu, which is the position of "Zei Fu" (the thief's symbol); the Tian Kong riding Wu falls on the Earth Plate's Yin, which is the territory of Yan. The entire divination interpretation arises from these two points.

陳公獻曰：賊自西山出奇，用騾車木韞，先攻西南後攻東北，且有凶變之虞。蓋因賊符自戌發用，克中末干支貴人，而天空臨寅（愚按：寅為燕之分野），此地疏虞，賊必乘虛而入，兩陰神虎鬼克干支及歲君，左右獻城之象。後聞李賊明攻張掖，暗逾東直，城中鼎沸，開門出降，先帝自縊。愚按：虎鬼並顯亦殺克太歲，故主懷宗自縊。

Chen Gongxian said: The bandits will attack from the western mountains with a surprise attack, using mule carts and wooden siege weapons, first attacking the southwest and then the northeast, and there is a hidden danger of sudden change. This is because the "bandit symbol" originates from the Earth Plate position of Xu, initiating the transmission and injuring the middle transmission, final transmission, the day stem, and the day branch's nobleman. The sky is located at the position of Yin (Cheng Shuxun noted: Yin is the territory of Yan), indicating that the area is poorly defended, and the bandits will certainly take advantage of the weakness. The two Yin spirits have the White Tiger transforming into official ghosts, which injure the day stem, day branch, and the year's sovereign, indicating that the close ministers will surrender the city. Later it was heard that Li Zicheng openly attacked the Zhangyi Gate and secretly crossed over the Dongzhi Gate, causing great chaos within the city, with some people opening the gates to surrender, and the Chongzhen Emperor committed suicide. Cheng Shuxun noted: The White Tiger and official ghosts both appear, and they injure the year's sovereign, so it indicates the Emperor Huaizong's suicide.

庚寅年五月初八庚申日申將丑時徐盟鹿占得此課問遠行攜有妻子同往，看吉凶若何？　指南／貴後／蛇子丑寅卯陰　六陰六陰　父壬戌六／朱亥　辰玄　戌卯戌卯　官丁巳常／六戌　巳常　卯申卯庚　子◎子蛇／勾酉申未午虎／青空

In the year of Gengyin, fifth lunar month, eighth day, Gengshen, using the month general Sheng placed on the Chou hour to cast a divination, Xu Menglu received this lesson, asking about the fortune of traveling far away with his wife and children. This example is from the "Six壬 Guide." The Heaven Plate advances seven positions in front of the Earth Plate. The deities governing each position are: "Teng Snake" on Zi, "Nobleman" on Chou, "Heavenly Empress" on Yin, "Tai Yin" on Mao, "Black Tortoise" on Chen, "Tai Chang" on Si, "White Tiger" on Wu, "Heavenly Void" on Wei, "Azure Dragon" on Shen, "Gou Chen" on You, "Liu He" on Xu, and "Vermilion Bird" on Hai. The four lessons are: Geng metal lodges in Shen, with Shen bearing Mao and Tai Yin, as the first lesson; Mao bearing Xu and Liu He, as the second lesson; the day branch Shen bearing Mao and Tai Yin, as the third lesson; and Mao bearing Xu and Liu He, as the fourth lesson. The three transmissions are: the first transmission is Ren Xu bearing Liu He, the middle transmission is Ding Si bearing Tai Chang, and the final transmission is Zi bearing Teng Snake, with Zi falling in the旬 empty position. The first transmission's Xu falls on the Earth Plate's Mao, and the final transmission's Zi falls on the Earth Plate's Si. Geng metal is naturally dead at Zi, and these two positions are key to determining misfortune in the following analysis.

陳公獻曰：男女遠行俱不得意，中途被劫，死於他鄉，有沉溺破舟之虞。蓋因男干女支行入空墓之地，中傳劫煞旬丁刑剋支干，末傳日死加巳，是陽生臨陽絕，合為死字。且壬戌加卯發用，是河井相加，卯受干克，主車船破壞，其禍必矣。近江西百餘里，男女五人被盜而死。

Chen Gongxian said: Both men and women on this long journey will not have smooth experiences. Along the way, they will be robbed, die in a foreign land, and also face the hidden danger of capsizing a boat and drowning. This is because the day stem representing the man and the day branch representing the woman have both entered the Kongwang and Muku areas. The middle transmission carries the Jiesha and the Ding deity of the ten-day cycle, which will刑克 the day stem and day branch. The final transmission is the Death Deity of the day stem, and it is placed on the Si position. Si is the growth of Yang Metal, while Zi is the end of Yang Metal. Growth is in the land of the end, which together forms the character for death. Additionally, Renxu is placed on the Mao position as the initiating transmission. Xu is Hekui, and Mao is the well of water. Together, they form the image of a river and well appearing together. The Mao position is also attacked by the day stem, indicating damage to vehicles and boats. This disaster has already been determined. Later, they reached a place over a hundred miles away from Li Jiang, and five people were killed by bandits.

乾隆己巳年五月庚申日未將子時，女命丁丑生五十三歲占流年。　牧夫占驗／青空虎常／子丑寅卯　合常合常　父壬戌合／勾亥　辰玄　戌卯戌卯　官丁巳陰／合戌　巳陰　卯申卯庚　子◎子青／酉申未午／朱蛇貴後

In the year Jisi (1739) of the Qianlong era, on the seventh day of the fifth lunar month, on the day Gengshen, a lesson was cast starting with the Month General at the Zi hour. A woman born in the year Dingchou, aged fifty-three, consulted about her annual fortune. This case is from the "Pastoral Divination Verification." The heavenly generals on the Heaven Plate are: "Azure Dragon" at Zi, "Tian Kong" at Chou, "White Tiger" at Yin, "Tai Chang" at Mao, "Black Tortoise" at Chen, "Tai Yin" at Si, "Heavenly Empress" at Wu, "Nobleman" at Wei, "Teng Snake" at Shen, "Vermilion Bird" at You, "Liu He" at Xu, and "Gou Chen" at Hai. The Four Lessons: Geng metal lodges in Shen, with Wu on Shen and riding Tai Chang, as the first lesson; Wu on Mao with Xu on Mao and riding Liu He, as the second lesson; the day branch Shen has Wu on it and rides Tai Chang, as the third lesson; and Wu on Mao with Xu on Mao and riding Liu He, as the fourth lesson. The Three Transmissions are: the first transmission is Renxu riding Liu He, the middle transmission is Dingsi riding Tai Yin, and the final transmission is Zi riding Azure Dragon, with Zi falling in the旬空. Xu is the grave of Geng metal's official ghost, and there is no official appearing in the three transmissions. The final transmission's son is also in the旬空 and broken, which is the basis for the subsequent judgment of widowhood and decline of family fortune.

王牧夫曰：婦人占，用起鬼墓，不見官星，乃寡婦也。家本富厚，有模範，因婦人用事，先業漸虧，今便改削愈見衰落不振也。其人云彼夫家夫亡後，尚有數萬金為此婦用，費將盡矣。問流年者，看將來若何耳。余曰：末見青龍子孫為月破，又為囚水，聊且度日而已。蓋戌巳子，亦鑄印也。子去刑卯，卯為日財，乃先成後敗之體，故鑄印以巳戌卯三字為有成也。今得戌巳子，安能有興象乎？故曰不振。干支同體而財無分別，是人用我，我用人，俱不論也。我之財，為他人之財，亦可也。外用內用，終日斧削，豈能不耗？庚與申，內外皆斧也。其象如此，能不衰乎？

Wang Mufu said: A woman came to seek divination. The initiating transmission started from the official ghost's storage, and the overall course did not show the presence of a proper official. This indicates that she is a widow. Her family was originally prosperous and well-mannered, but since she has been managing the household, the ancestral property has gradually declined. Now, with further reduction, it becomes even more evident that the family is in decline. She said: After her husband's death, her husband's family left several ten thousand taels of silver for her to use. Now it is almost spent. Today she is asking about the current year, just to see what the future holds. I said: The final transmission's azure dragon of descendants is on top of the month breaker, and it is water that is restrained, so it can only barely get by. The three transmissions,戌, 巳, and 子, are almost like the pattern of casting an official seal. However, 子 harms卯, and卯 is the wealth爻 of the day stem. This is a pattern of first success then failure. The casting an official seal pattern requires the presence of巳, 戌, and 卯 to be successful. Now we have 戌, 巳, and 子, which is not the pattern of prosperity. Therefore, it is said that the family is in decline. The day stem and day branch are in the same position, and the wealth爻 cannot distinguish between them. It is as if someone uses my wealth and I use someone else's, with no distinction. My wealth becomes someone else's wealth, which is acceptable. Inside and outside, the whole family is like axes cutting away constantly. How can it not be exhausted? Geng is an axe, and Shen is also an axe. Inside and outside are all axes. The pattern is like this, how can the family fortune not decline?

九月庚申日卯將未時占夢。　張本占案／貴后陰玄／丑寅卯辰　蛇玄蛇玄　子◎子蛇／蛇子　巳常　子辰子辰　兄庚申龍／朱亥　午虎　辰申辰庚　父丙辰玄／戌酉申未／合勾龍空

On the 17th day of the ninth month, using the month general placed on the hour of Wei, a divination was cast to inquire about dream omens, as recorded in the "Zhang Ben Zhan An." The heavenly generals on the heaven plate are: "Nobleman" on Chou, "Heavenly Empress" on Yin, "Tai Yin" on Mao, "Black Tortoise" on Chen, "Tai Chang" on Si, "White Tiger" on Wu, "Heavenly Void" on Wei, "Azure Dragon" on Shen, "Gou Chen" on You, "Liu He" on Xu, "Vermilion Bird" on Hai, and "Teng Snake" on Zi. The four lessons are: the first lesson is the metal of Geng, lodging in Shen, with Zi on Shen and riding the Black Tortoise; the second lesson is Zi on Chen, riding the Teng Snake; the third lesson is the day branch of Shen with Zi on Chen, riding the Black Tortoise; the fourth lesson is Zi on Chen, riding the Teng Snake. The three transmissions are: the first transmission is Zi riding the Teng Snake, with Zi falling into the旬空; the second transmission is Geng Shen riding the Azure Dragon; the third transmission is Bing Chen riding the Black Tortoise. The combination of Shen, Zi, and Chen forms a water trinity, and the lesson pattern is called "Run Xia."

斷曰：此課潤下，值時冬旺，吉。蛇主奇怪驚恐，乘子為半夜之神發用，是夢感於三更時候。子在十月為天馬，為游神，為咸池，令人精神恍惚也。然太歲之位，即係萬盛之尊，申祿臨之，上乘青龍，雖有驚夢，不成凶。

The interpretation states that this lesson forms a water pattern through the three transmissions, making it a "moistening downward" lesson. It coincides with the season when water energy is at its peak, indicating good fortune. The Teng Snake signifies strange and frightening things; it is riding on the Zi (which represents the god of the midnight hour). Since it is initiating from here, it shows that the dream was formed during the third watch of the night. Zi in the tenth month is the Heavenly Horse, the wandering spirit, and Xianchi, causing a sense of confusion and dizziness. However, the position of the Tai Sui (the year's ruler) is the supreme and most powerful place. The禄神 (favorable deity) of Geng metal, Shen, is precisely there, and the Azure Dragon is above it. Therefore, although a startling dream was experienced, it will not result in misfortune.

愚按：此課似為祝氏元氏苗姑關氏為宋主占者，然他本未見姑關，疑焉。

Cheng Shuxun remarks: This case seems to be an example of divination for a Song dynasty monarch, recorded by the Zhu, Yuan, Miao Gu and Guan families, but the words "Gu Gan" are not found in other versions, thus raising doubts and requiring further investigation.