Bingzi day

十月丙子日卯將申時上宣諭占邊事。一針見血

On the Bingzi day of the tenth month, with the "Mao" sign as the Month General and the time of divination at Shen, the Emperor summoned officials to inquire about military affairs on the frontier. This example is taken from "Yizhen Jianxue."

蛇朱合勾 　子丑寅卯　合常常蛇　官 丙子 蛇 貴亥　　辰龍　寅未未子　子 癸未 常 后戌　　巳空　未子子丙　父 戊寅 合 　酉申未午 　陰玄常虎

The divination board is laid out in a straight line as shown above. The general at the卯 position is added to the申 hour. The Heaven Plate is five positions behind the Earth Plate: on the Earth Plate positions巳, 午, 未, and 申, the Heaven Plate positions are子, 丑, 寅, and 卯 respectively, each multiplied by Teng Snake, Vermilion Bird, Liu He, and Gou Chen. On the Earth Plate positions寅, 丑, 子, and 亥, the Heaven Plate positions are酉, 申, 未, and 午 respectively, each multiplied by Tai Yin, Xuan Wu, Tai Chang, and Bai Hu. The Earth Plate position辰 is marked with「亥」multiplied by Tian Yi Nobleman, the Earth Plate position卯 is marked with「戌」multiplied by Heavenly Empress, the Earth Plate position酉 is marked with「辰」multiplied by Qing Long, and the Earth Plate position戌 is marked with「巳」multiplied by Tian Kong. The time is申, which belongs to the day, and on a丙 day, the day's nobleman is at亥. The nobleman is located at the Earth Plate position辰, so the Twelve Heavenly Generals are arranged in order. The middle three rows are the Four Lessons, read from right to left: the first lesson is on the day stem丙 (with its lodging palace at巳) with「子」multiplied by Teng Snake; the second lesson on子 has「未」multiplied by Tai Chang; the third lesson on the day branch子 has「未」multiplied by Tai Chang; the fourth lesson on未 has「寅」multiplied by Liu He. The day branch coincides with the day stem's heavenly stem, both being「子」, and the second and third lessons are repeated, so the Four Lessons are incomplete. The right three transmissions: the first transmission「子」is official ghost, with the hidden stemBingzi, multiplied by Teng Snake; the middle transmission「未」is son, with the hidden stemGuiwei, multiplied by Tai Chang; the final transmission「寅」is parent, with the hidden stemWuyin, multiplied by Liu He.

祝泌奏曰：臣詳此課，三上克下，日陰不備，日之支來就日之干，而有客來傷主，主乃藏伏，謂騰蛇在巳，為入穴故也。此課宜固守，若論四課不備，又皆克下，勢在再，惟勾陳是卯，與日干上子，不相傷，而元武屬金，反來克勾陳，又游都在日後，主？添兵未巳，卒戰未利，若固守二三日，無有解圍之期，臣曾占此事，皆見白虎，臨月建。

Zhu Bi reported that: I carefully calculated this divination, and among the four lessons, three of them are instances where the superior deity overpowers the inferior deity. The day's yin lesson is incomplete, and the day's branch 'Zi' has moved to the position of the day's stem. The first lesson, which is Bing fire lodging in the 'Si' position, shows exactly the day's branch 'Zi'. This is an image of an outsider harming the host, and the host can only hide and remain concealed. The phrase 'Teng Snake in Si' means that the Teng Snake, which is associated with 'Zi', has fallen into the position of Bing's lodging palace 'Si', thus the snake returning to its original dwelling, indicating the host's concealment and inaction. This lesson is suitable for holding firm. If we consider that the four lessons are incomplete and all instances of superior overpowering inferior, the situation may still change. Fortunately, Gou Chen is riding on 'Mao', which is in harmony with the day's stem 'Zi' water and wood, without causing harm. Meanwhile, Xuan Wu belongs to metal, which can overpower Gou Chen's wood. Also, 'You Du' is located behind the day's position, indicating that the enemy will continue to increase their forces. (The original text mentions 'Wei Si', where 'Si' is likely a mistake for 'Yi', and '?' indicates a missing character in the original.) A sudden battle would not be advantageous. If we only hold firm for two or three days, we still cannot see the day of relief. I have previously divined this matter, and I always saw Bai Hu riding on the month's stem.

月建者，城邑也，即安豐之境土也。白虎為戎兵動擾，其所乘屬火。今日丙上見子，足以制之，雖錐危而安，惟固守勿輕出戰，遇此三四日，自可保全。若輕動則招憂也。

The term "month builder" refers to a city, specifically the territory of Anfeng. The White Tiger governs military disturbances and is associated with the fire element. Now, on a day with the stem Bing (丙), the "Zi" (子) appears on the day stem. The water of Zi is sufficient to control this fire, so although the situation is dangerous, it will ultimately turn favorable. The word "cone" (锥) is likely a mistake. As long as we remain steadfast and do not rashly engage in battle, enduring these few days will naturally ensure safety. If we act recklessly, we will invite disaster.

愚按祝泌字子涇，善六壬，著有六壬大占，進呈。此課只雲祝氏占安知非祝泌也，故書其名焉。

Cheng Shuxun remarked: Zhu Bi, whose name is Zi Jing, was proficient in the Six Changes divination method and wrote a book called "The Great Divination of the Six Changes" which was presented to the imperial court. The original book only mentioned that this divination was done by "Zhu's family," but how can we be sure it was not Zhu Bi? Therefore, here his name is directly written out.

四月丙子日申將丑時占來意。一字玉連環

In the fourth month on the Bingzi day, with 'Shen' as the Month General and the time of divination at 'Chou', the question is about the purpose of the person coming. This example is taken from "Yi Zi Yu Lianhuan".

合勾龍空 　子丑寅卯　龍陰陰合　官 丙子 合 朱亥　　辰虎　寅未未子　子 癸未 陰 蛇戌　　巳常　未子子丙　父 戊寅 龍 　酉申未午 　貴后陰玄

The divination board is laid out in a row as shown above. The general at the hour of Shen is placed on the position of Chou. The Heaven Plate is five positions behind the Earth Plate, so the positions of the twelve branches falling into the palaces are the same as the previous lesson, but with a different set of Heavenly Generals: on the Earth Plate positions Si, Wu, Wei, and Shen, the Heaven Plate positions Zi, Chou, Yin, and Mao are placed in sequence, each accompanied by Liu He, Gou Chen, Qing Long, and Tian Kong respectively; on the Earth Plate positions Yin, Chou, Si, and Hai, the Heaven Plate positions You, Shen, Wei, and Wu are placed in sequence, each accompanied by Tian Yi GuRen, Tian Hou, Tai Yin, and Xuan Wu respectively; on the Earth Plate position Chen, the Heaven Plate position Hai is accompanied by Zhu Que; on the Earth Plate position Mao, the Heaven Plate position Xu is accompanied by Teng Snake; on the Earth Plate position You, the Heaven Plate position Chen is accompanied by Bai Hu; on the Earth Plate position Xu, the Heaven Plate position Si is accompanied by Tai Chang. The time of Chou belongs to the night, and on a day with the stem Bing, the nobleman of the night is at You. Therefore, the Heavenly Generals move in the order of the Heaven Plate. The middle three rows are the four lessons, read from right to left: the first lesson has the day stem Bing (with its lodging palace at Si) with the position Zi accompanied by Liu He; the second lesson has the position Zi with the position Wei accompanied by Tai Yin; the third lesson has the day branch Zi with the position Wei accompanied by Tai Yin; the fourth lesson has the position Wei with the position Yin accompanied by Qing Long. On the right side are the three transmissions: the first transmission is Zi, representing official ghost, with the hidden stem Bing Zi, accompanied by Liu He; the middle transmission is Wei, representing son and grandson, with the hidden stem Gui Wei, accompanied by Tai Yin; the final transmission is Yin, representing parents, with the hidden stem Wu Yin, accompanied by Qing Long.

徐次賓曰：來意主內外和合之事，又主添妾媵之喜。蓋丑時與日干三合，與日支六合，故言內外和合事也。日上神后水，時上天后水，不言鬼者，緣先鋒門得大吉土，值事門得勾陳土，為今日之子孫爻，以剋死絕之水，水豈能為鬼也。太陰主妾媵，六合主和合婚姻，青龍主喜慶，此課始末俱吉，豈不是和合添妾媵之象也。

Xu Cibin said: The intention of the person coming for divination is about an internal and external harmony, and it also indicates the joy of acquiring a concubine. Because during the divination, the branch 'Chou' forms a triple harmony with the day stem Bing's lodging palace 'Si', making up the metal triad of Si-You-Chou. Also, 'Chou' and the day branch 'Zi' form the六合 (Liu He), so it is said to be an internal and external harmony matter. The day stem is 'Shenhou' (another name for 'Zi'), which belongs to water. At the position of 'Chou', there is 'Shen' on top, and it is occupied by 'Heavenly Empress', which also belongs to water. Water is originally the official ghost of Bing fire, but here it is not considered as a ghost. This is because the 'Frontier Gate'—which refers to the time of divination—has 'Daji' (Chou) earth, and the 'Event Gate'—which refers to the heavenly general on the heavenly plate corresponding to the day branch—has 'Gou Chen' earth. Earth is the son trigram of Bing fire today, which can control this water that has already died out and lost its strength. Since the water is controlled, how can it still be a ghost? 'Tai Yin' governs concubines, 'Liu He' governs harmonious marriage, and 'Qinglong' governs joy. This entire divination is entirely auspicious, which is exactly the image of internal and external harmony and acquiring a concubine.

四月丙子日申將酉時癸巳命人占來意。一字玉連環

In the fourth month on the Bingzi day, with the Shen as the month general and the hour of You, a person born in the Guisi year asks about the purpose of the divination. This example is taken from the Yi Zhi Yu Lian Huan.

龍勾合朱 　辰巳午未　后陰空龍　子 甲戌 后 空卯　　申蛇　戌亥卯辰　財 　酉 貴 ◎ 虎寅　　酉貴　亥子辰丙　財 　申 蛇 ◎⊙ 　丑子亥戌 　常玄陰后

The course plate is laid out in rows as shown above. The general of the hour, Shēn, is placed on the hour of You. The Heaven Plate is one position behind the Earth Plate: on the Earth Plate positions Si, Wu, Wei, and Shen, the Heaven Plate positions Chen, Si, Wu, and Wei are placed in sequence, each accompanied by Qinglong, Gouchen, Liuhe, and Zhuqiu respectively; on the Earth Plate positions Yin, Chou, Zi, and You, the Heaven Plate positions Chou, Zi, Hai, and Xu are placed in sequence, each accompanied by Taichang, Xuanwu, Taiyin, and Tianhou respectively. On the Earth Plate position Chen, the position "Mao" is placed and accompanied by Tiankong; on the Earth Plate position Mao, the position "Yin" is placed and accompanied by Baihu; on the Earth Plate position You, the position "Shen" is placed and accompanied by Tengshe; on the Earth Plate position Xu, the position "You" is placed and accompanied by Tianyi Guiren. Since the time is You, which belongs to the night, and on a Bing day, the night Guiren is at You, the Guiren is located at the Earth Plate position Xu. Therefore, the Twelve Heavenly Generals are arranged in reverse order. The middle three rows are the Four Lessons, read from right to left: the first lesson is on the Day Stem Bing (with its lodging palace at Si) where "Chen" is seen and accompanied by Qinglong; the second lesson is on Chen where "Mao" is seen and accompanied by Tiankong; the third lesson is on the Day Branch Zi where "Hai" is seen and accompanied by Taiyin; the fourth lesson is on Hai where "Xu" is seen and accompanied by Tianhou. The second lesson, Mao wood, overcomes Chen earth, and the fourth lesson, Xu earth, overcomes Hai water, resulting in two instances of upper overcoming lower. Therefore, the one with the same yang attribute as the Day Stem, "Xu," is selected as the initiating transmission, making it a "Bi yong" lesson. On the right side are the three transmissions: the first transmission "Xu" is a son, with the hidden stem Jia Xu, accompanied by Tianhou; the middle transmission "You" is a wife's wealth, accompanied by Tianyi Guiren; the final transmission "Shen" is a wife's wealth, accompanied by Tengshe. Since the day is Bing Zi and belongs to the Jia Xu decade, the void positions are at Shen and You, so the hidden stems are not listed below these two, but marked with "◎" beside them. The final transmission also has an additional mark "⊙" beside it, though the original text does not explain its meaning. The transmissions of Xu, You, and Shen are in sequence and retreat backward, forming a "Tui Ru" lesson.

徐次賓曰：來意本人於家西耕荒地，種麥，至麥熟時，有帶官人來割麥，曰：“是我之地。”相爭到官，勸和，得麥一半，歸其地。

Xu Cibin said: The intention of the person coming is this matter -- he cultivated wasteland to the west of his house and planted wheat. When the wheat was ripe, someone came with officials to cut the wheat, saying, "This is my land." They quarreled and went to the authorities. After being mediated by others, the wheat was divided equally, and the land remained with him.

何以知之，緣酉時與日干三合，故言外。酉為西方，故言家西耕荒地也，酉為日下之財，不言金玉，而言麥者。若婦人占酉財為金玉首飾之類，今老農來占，酉主小麥，既為日下之財，故言麥也。值事門及中傳，上見天乙，故為帶官人。

How is this determined? Because at the time of divination, the branch 「You」 (酉) combines with the lodging palace of the day stem 「Bing」 (丙) to form the triple harmony of Si-You-Chou (巳酉丑), which represents metal. Since triple harmony signifies external matters, the interpretation concerns events outside. 「You」 belongs to the west, so it is said that the farming is taking place to the west of the family's home. 「You」 is the wealth hexagram under the day stem, but instead of referring to gold and silver, it is said to be wheat. The reason is that if a woman were consulting, 「You」 wealth would represent gold and silver jewelry; but since the person consulting is an old farmer, 「You」 represents wheat. Since it is the wealth hexagram under the day stem, it is interpreted as wheat. 「Value Gate」—the branch of the time on the heaven plate, which is occupied by the heavenly general—along with the middle transmission, all show the nobleman. Therefore, it is said that the people coming to cut the wheat are accompanied by officials.

何知相爭到官，蓋日上見天罡，為自己怒惡。時為日貴，中傳又得天乙為動官之象。何知勸和得麥一半，蓋時與日合，卦又得比用，故主勸合。申酉為財而空亡，故主得一半矣。

How do we know there will be a quarrel that goes to the authorities? Because the day stem has the "Tiangang" (a name for Chen), indicating that the person himself becomes angry. At the time of the divination, it is also the nobleman's position on a Bing day, and the middle transmission also receives the nobleman, both of which are signs of disturbance leading to legal matters. How do we know that after being persuaded, only half the wheat is obtained? Because at the time of the divination, it coincides with the day stem, and the lesson pattern is based on the "ratio" relationship, indicating that someone is mediating. The positions of Shen and You are both wealth indicators but both fall into Kongwang, meaning that the amount is reduced by half, hence only half is obtained.

己酉年十月丙子日卯將丑時馮知丞戊辰生四十二歲占升遷。口鑑　方本占案

In the Jiyou year, tenth month, on the Bingzi day, with the 'Mao' trigram as the month general and the time of divination at Chou, Feng Zhi Cheng, born in the Wuchen year, aged forty-two at the time of divination, asked about promotion. This example is taken from the "Koujian" and "Fangben Zhan'an".

朱蛇貴后 　未申酉戌　青虎貴朱　子 庚辰 青 合午　　亥陰　辰寅酉未　兄 壬午 合 勾巳　　子玄　寅子未丙　財 　申 蛇 ◎ 　辰卯寅丑 　青空虎常

The course plate is laid out in a row as above. The general at the卯 position is added to the丑 hour. The Heaven Plate advances two positions ahead of the Earth Plate: on the Earth Plate positions巳, 午, 未, and 申, the Heaven Plate positions are 未, 申, 酉, and 戌 respectively, each accompanied by Vermilion Bird, Teng Snake, Heavenly Ethereal Nobleman, and Heavenly Empress. On the Earth Plate positions寅, 丑, 子, and 亥, the Heaven Plate positions are 辰, 卯, 寅, and 丑 respectively, each accompanied by Azure Dragon, Heaven Void, White Tiger, and Tai Chang. The Earth Plate position 辰 is marked with 「午」 and accompanied by Liu He, the Earth Plate position 卯 is marked with 「巳」 and accompanied by Gou Chen, the Earth Plate position 酉 is marked with 「亥」 and accompanied by Tai Yin, and the Earth Plate position 戌 is marked with 「子」 and accompanied by Black Tortoise. The time is 丑, which belongs to night. On a 丙 day, the night nobleman is at 酉, so the nobleman is located at the Earth Plate position 未. Therefore, the Twelve Heavenly Generals are arranged in reverse order. The middle three rows are the Four Lessons, read from right to left: the first lesson is on the day stem 丙 (with its lodging palace at 巳) with 「未」 accompanied by Vermilion Bird; the second lesson is on 未 with 「酉」 accompanied by Heavenly Ethereal Nobleman; the third lesson is on the day branch 子 with 「寅」 accompanied by White Tiger; the fourth lesson is on 寅 with 「辰」 accompanied by Azure Dragon. The wood of 寅 is overcoming the earth of 辰, which is a case of lower overcoming upper, so according to the lesson of repeated review, 「辰」 is used as the initiating transmission. On the right side, the three transmissions are: the first transmission 「辰」 is a son, with hidden stem Gengchen, accompanied by Azure Dragon; the middle transmission 「午」 is a brother, with hidden stem Renwu, accompanied by Liu He; the final transmission 「申」 is a wife's wealth, accompanied by Teng Snake, with 申 falling in the void, so it is not marked with a hidden stem but is instead noted with 「◎」. The sequence of 辰, 午, 申 advances in order by skipping one position, which is exactly what the statement "ascending three heavens" refers to.

邵彥和曰：登三天，本主升遷之象，但嫌登不過關。關者，日干是也。既不過關，難以升遷。若跳過，則又進銳退速。白虎入宅臨父母，目下必因丁艱而阻。愚按六害主阻隔，課得交車害白虎為喪服之神加於父母之上，故云因丁艱而阻也，況干上又是弔客。且主父母棺內白蟻食壞，以致不利子孫，遂成災咎。服滿之後，雖得一任差遣，恐不能終任矣。

Shao Yanhe said: The three transmissions are Chen, Wu, and Shen, advancing in sequence with intervals, which is called "ascending to the three heavens." This is an omen of promotion, but it is regrettable that it fails to pass through the "gate." The gate refers to the day stem (Bing) which is lodged in Si. Since it cannot pass this gate, promotion is difficult; even if it forces through, it will advance quickly but also retreat quickly. The White Tiger enters the day branch's position through Yin, and is located on the parent's yao. Therefore, there must be obstruction due to mourning for a parent at present. Cheng Shuxun commented: The six harms indicate obstruction. In this lesson, the heavenly stem on the day is not in harm with the day branch Zi, and the heavenly stem on the day branch Yin is in harm with the day stem's lodged position Si, forming "crossing car harm." The White Tiger is also the god of mourning, located on the parent's yao, so it is said that the obstruction is due to mourning. Moreover, the "Wei" on the day stem is also the吊客 (guest) of Jiyou year. Furthermore, the parents' coffin is damaged by termites, which is unfavorable for descendants, eventually leading to calamity. After the mourning period is over, although one may still be appointed to an official post, it is feared that one will not complete the term.

乎服滿得一任者，青龍發用也，不能終任者，中傳得陽刃，末傳即空亡也知丞乃機宜之弟，課象主服不利，彼此相同，機宜課見丙子日干上戌果因阻服未升遷。及舉母棺，欲與父合葬，因起父墳視之，盡為泥水白蟻傷壞，遂不敢葬。續有堪輿人，言此地本吉，因葬高露風不利，若葬低便發。知丞又來占，極斷其不可，而知丞不聽，竟合葬焉。及服滿，授黃州推官，赴任數月，因病假歸，十二月卒。

As for the case where someone is able to take office after fulfilling the mourning period, it is because the Azure Dragon initiates the transmission; but when it comes to not being able to complete the mourning period, it is because the middle transmission has the Yang刃 and the final transmission falls into Kongwang. The initial '乎' is likely a mistake for '夫'. This official is the younger brother of Feng Jiyi. Both their divination charts indicate difficulties in matters of mourning, which are similar. In Feng Jiyi's case, the chart showed Bingzi day stem with Wu on the stem, and later he indeed was prevented from promotion due to mourning obligations. When they started to move his mother's coffin to be buried with his father, they dug up the father's grave and found the coffin completely destroyed by mud and white ants, so they dared not bury him. Later, a geomancer said that the site was originally a good place, but it was not favorable because the grave was too high and exposed to wind; if it were lower, it would be beneficial. The official came again to ask, but I strongly advised against it. He did not listen and eventually buried them together. When the mourning period was completed, he was appointed as the official of Huangzhou, but only a few months after taking office, he fell ill and returned home, dying in December.

夫日干是丙，即身也。辰、午登天，至撞巳而止；末傳雖透過已去，卻是空亡，所謂登不過關，及身而止也。行年未上見酉，再作空亡，逢空則止，運亦盡矣。

The day stem is Bing, representing the person themselves. The three transmissions proceed upward from the辰 and 午, reaching the 'Si' which is Bing's lodging palace, and then they stop. Although the final transmission goes through the Si position, it falls on Kongwang. This is called failing to pass the gate, stopping at the self. His year stem is Wei, and on Wei there is You, which again falls on Kongwang. When encountering Kongwang, movement stops, and thus his destiny comes to an end.

鄭云正時太常遁丁主孝服，正時主目下，上見卯為丙之母，故知其母孺人難久遠也。白虎主喪，寅為丙之父，加子子神后，斷母亦碓究竟寅為父儀墓覆其上，白虎乘之。白虎主白蟻，是父墳內有白蟻滿蝕，不利子孫者，子又為子息，子水病在寅，帶白虎加之故也。

Zheng's interpretation says: At the correct time (the hour of Chou), the trigram Tai Chang is in operation. In the current ten-day cycle, the hidden stem under Chou is Ding, which signifies mourning attire. The current moment is what is directly before us. The position of Chou shows 'Mao'. Mao wood is yin and gives birth to Bing fire, which is the mother of Bing. Therefore, it is known that the mother is not going to live long. The White Tiger indicates death; Yin wood is yang and represents the father of Bing. Yin is placed above 'Zi', which is 'Shenhou'. The original text of the sentence 'the judgment of the mother also concludes that寅 is the father's symbol, with the tomb covering it' is corrupted and difficult to understand. The general meaning is that since寅 represents the father, there is also a tomb deity covering it. The White Tiger is also associated with white ants, so it is concluded that the father's grave is full of white ants. The statement that it is unfavorable for descendants is because 'Zi' also represents descendants, and the sickly place of Zi water is at寅. Therefore, it is unfavorable because寅 is precisely where the White Tiger is placed.

五月丙子日申將午時二十六歲人占失賊。玉連環末卷

In May on the Bingzi day, with the "Shen" trigram as the Month General and the time of divination at "Wu", a man of twenty-six years old inquires about being robbed. This example is taken from the last volume of "Yu Lianhuan".

勾合朱蛇 　未申酉戌　虎玄朱勾　子 庚辰 虎 龍午　　亥貴　辰寅酉未　兄 壬午 龍 空巳　　子后　寅子未丙　財 　申 合 ◎ 　辰卯寅丑 　虎常玄陰

The divination board is laid out in a straight line as shown above. At the time of the hour of Shen, the Heaven Plate is two positions ahead of the Earth Plate, so the twelve branches fall into the same palaces as in the previous lesson, but with a different set of Heavenly Generals: on the Earth Plate positions Si, Wu, Wei, and Shen, the Heaven Plate positions are Wei, Shen, You, and Xu, respectively, occupied by Gou Chen, Liu He, Zhu Que, and Teng Snake; on the Earth Plate positions Yin, Chou, Zi, and Hai, the Heaven Plate positions are Chen, Mao, Yin, and Chou, respectively, occupied by Bai Hu, Tai Chang, Xuan Wu, and Tai Yin; on the Earth Plate position Chen, the Heaven Plate position Wu is occupied by Qing Long; on the Earth Plate position Mao, the Heaven Plate position Si is occupied by Tian Kong; on the Earth Plate position You, the Heaven Plate position Hai is occupied by Tian Yi Gu Ren; on the Earth Plate position Xu, the Heaven Plate position Zi is occupied by Tian Hou. The time of Wu belongs to the day, and on a Bing day, the daytime nobleman is at Hai, so the nobleman falls on the Earth Plate position You, hence the Heavenly Generals move in reverse. The middle three rows are the four lessons, read from right to left: the first lesson has the day stem Bing (with its lodging palace at Si) with the Heaven Plate position Wei occupied by Gou Chen; the second lesson has the Heaven Plate position You occupied by Zhu Que; the third lesson has the day branch Zi with the Heaven Plate position Yin occupied by Xuan Wu; the fourth lesson has the Heaven Plate position Chen occupied by Bai Hu. On the right side are the three transmissions: the first transmission is Chen, representing a son, with the hidden stem Geng Chen, occupied by Bai Hu; the second transmission is Wu, representing a brother, with the hidden stem Ren Wu, occupied by Qing Long; the third transmission is Shen, representing a wife's wealth, occupied by Liu He, with Shen falling in the empty position of the ten days, so the hidden stem is not listed and is instead marked with a symbol ◎.

苗公達曰：主爾父及兄弟度關而遭賊失財，兄被賊傷左目，其賊不能捕也。

Miao Gongda said: The master's father and brothers encountered bandits while passing through a pass, lost their money, and the elder brother was injured in his left eye by the bandits. These bandits cannot be captured.

議曰天乙臨酉門戶不寧，丙以寅為日本，白虎加之，是長上驚危，寅為天梁，卯為天關，惡人在上自然？關，而財遭賊劫，丙以巳為兄，午為弟，日上勾陳為？敵？月作四月節。大殺月厭俱在未。未臨巳主損左目，法以四孟為頭目，寅巳為左，申亥為右，元武上下不戰，又青龍六合飛騰萬里，主賊有庇佑，必難獲也。

It is said that the nobleman, riding on亥, is located on the earth plate at酉, and since酉 governs the gate, the gate is not peaceful. Bing uses寅 as the basis for the day, and the white tiger is on辰, which is superimposed upon it, indicating a sign of the superior being startled or endangered.寅 is called 'Heavenly Beam,' and卯 is called 'Heavenly Gate,' so evil people are likely to act at the gate and beam. Naturally, there will be trouble at the pass, and wealth will be stolen during the passage. Bing uses巳 as the elder brother and午 as the younger brother; the day stem has Gou Chen opposing, indicating an enemy (the original text has two question marks, both missing characters). Although this divination is cast in May, the solar term still falls within April. In April, the great killer and month aversion are both on未, and the heaven plate's未 is exactly on the earth plate's巳, so it indicates injury to the left eye. The method uses the four 'climbing' positions of寅,巳,申, and亥 to correspond to the head, face, eyes, and eyes.寅 and巳 belong to the left, while申 and亥 belong to the right. The spirit governed by Xuanwu and the earth plate spirit beneath it are in mutual generation rather than conflict, and Qinglong and Liuhe are flying a thousand miles, indicating that the thief is protected by someone else, so it is certainly difficult to capture.

己酉年十一月丙子日卯將戌時馮機宜丁亥生二十三歲占前程。口鑑　方本占案 當是寅將酉時，不然即非十一月也。

In the year Jiyou, during the eleventh lunar month, on the day Bingzi, with the month general as Mao and the time of day as Xu, Feng Jiyi, born in the year Dinghai and aged twenty-three at that time, consulted about his future prospects. This example is taken from "Koujian" and "Fangben Zhan'an". Cheng Shuxun's original note states that it should be Yin general added to You time, otherwise it would not match the month general for the eleventh lunar month.

蛇朱合勾 　戌亥子丑　蛇常空蛇　兄 辛巳 常 貴酉　　寅青　戌巳卯戌　子 甲戌 蛇 后申　　卯空　巳子戌丙　父 己卯 空 　未午巳辰 　陰玄常虎

The divination board is laid out in a straight line as above. The general is placed on the hour of Xu, with the Heaven Plate advancing five positions ahead of the Earth Plate. On the Earth Plate positions of Si, Wu, Wei, and Shen, the Heaven Plate positions are Xu, Hai, Zi, and Chou respectively, each accompanied by Teng Snake, Vermilion Bird, Liu He, and Gou Chen. On the Earth Plate positions of Yin, Chou, Zi, and Hai, the Heaven Plate positions are Wei, Wu, Si, and Chen respectively, each accompanied by Tai Yin, Black Tortoise, Tai Chang, and White Tiger. The Earth Plate position of Chen has 'You' accompanied by Tian Yi Nobleman, the Earth Plate position of Mao has 'Shen' accompanied by Heavenly Empress, the Earth Plate position of You has 'Yin' accompanied by Azure Dragon, and the Earth Plate position of Xu has 'Mao' accompanied by Tian Kong. Since the time is Xu, which belongs to night, and the nobleman for the night on a Bing day is You, the nobleman is located at the Earth Plate position of Chen, so the Heavenly General moves in the order of the Heaven Plate. Cheng Shuxun said, 'It should be Yin General at You time.' Yin added to You and Mao added to Xu both advance five positions, but the arrangement of the Heaven Plate remains unchanged. The middle three rows are the four lessons, read from right to left: the first lesson, on the day stem Bing (with its lodging palace at Si), sees 'Xu' accompanied by Teng Snake; the second lesson, on Xu, sees 'Mao' accompanied by Tian Kong; the third lesson, on the day branch Zi, sees 'Si' accompanied by Tai Chang; the fourth lesson, on Si, sees 'Xu' accompanied by Teng Snake. The third lesson, Zi water, overcomes Si fire, which is 'lower overcoming upper,' and according to the lesson of re-examination, 'Si' is used as the initiating transmission. The right side three transmissions: the first transmission 'Si' is a brother, with hidden stem Xinsi, accompanied by Tai Chang; the middle transmission 'Xu' is a son, with hidden stem Jiaxu, accompanied by Teng Snake; the final transmission 'Mao' is a parent, with hidden stem Jimao, accompanied by Tian Kong. The luck of Bing is at Si, and Si is located on the day branch Zi, which is the statement 'Lukingzhi' (lucky position on the branch).

邵彥和曰：此課前程未通愚按支為任，太常破碎加之故云阻服，鄭云陰神見戌，戌是正時，主目下即見喪服，是任必見迴避，定是阻服，服滿後得差，尚有九年端坐，方得出頭，數已盡矣愚按巳為德祿。太常與丑三合，故癸丑年州添差通判，無如仰丘俯仇，故又迴避。

Shao Yanhe said: This divination indicates that the person's future prospects are blocked. Cheng Shuxun commented: The day branch represents the official position he holds, and Tai Chang, which carries the Broken Star ill omen, is superimposed upon it, hence the interpretation that he is obstructed due to mourning. Zheng said: The hidden spirit sees 'Xu', which is the time of the divination, indicating that he will immediately encounter mourning in the present, and this position must be avoided; it is determined to be obstruction due to mourning. After the mourning period, he will be assigned a post, but he will remain idle for another nine years before he can rise, and his lifespan will end there. Cheng Shuxun commented: 'Si' is both the virtue and the禄 (favorable position) of Bing. Tai Chang riding on Si, with Si and Chou forming the Triple Harmony, thus in the year of Guichou, the state will appoint him as a Tongpan. Unfortunately, 'Yang Qiu Fu Chou'—both upper and lower positions involve matters to be avoided—so he is forced to avoid it again.

鄭云初傳是兄弟同官一處，例當迴避，正應畢法所講，權攝不正祿臨支也。蓋卯來克戌，戌去墓丙，丙即巳遂走入宅，為宅所克，此亂首自下犯上，照管堂上孺人，既有大災難治，皆自己命滯，所以如此。

Zheng's explanation says: The first transmission is the brother's hexagram, and brothers who are in the same place serving in official positions should, by convention, avoid each other. This precisely corresponds to the statement in the "Bi Fa Fu" that "the authority is not proper, and the official's fortune is on the branch." Originally, the wood of卯 comes to overcome the earth of戌, and the earth of戌 then goes to bury the fire of丙. The fire of丙 is lodged in the palace of巳, so it enters the day branch's dwelling position, and is instead overcome by the dwelling. This is the case of the first source of disorder, where the lower causes harm to the upper, and it also involves the elder lady in the family. Since there is already a great calamity that cannot be saved, it is all because of his own blocked destiny, so he ends up in this situation.

夫丙火敗於卯，墓於戌，敗神逼克戌墓，戌墓遂來墓日，日遂奔入宅被克，去住不容。日上戌五，宅上巳四，共九數，故主九年。九年後卯主事，卯敗丙，加丙墓上，即是敗木，乃棺槨入墓，自然死也。然卯為今日之母，母先入墓，次及我身矣。

The day stem is Bing fire, which is in the position of Mao, a place of bathing and decline. It is also in the position of Xu, which is a storage place. The declining force at Mao comes to attack Xu, the storage place, and Xu then turns back to bury the day stem. The day stem has no choice but to move into the residence position. Once inside the residence, it is attacked by the residence. The number of Xu is five, and the number of Si (residence) is four, adding up to nine, so it indicates nine years. After nine years, Mao takes charge. Mao is the declining force of Bing fire and also lies above the storage place of Bing. This results in the decayed wood entering the storage place, which is the image of a coffin being buried in the earth, so death is inevitable. Mao is also the mother line of the day, so the mother line enters the storage place first, and then it is the turn of the self.

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

Feng Jiyi was the son of a deputy minister, and was appointed as the governor of Jiangzhou. In December, his mother died, and he had to resign due to mourning. In the year Guichou, he was reassigned as the acting deputy governor of Hongzhou. However, because his son-in-law was appointed as the transport commissioner of Jiangxi, he had to follow the regulations and avoid the post, so he was instead given the honorary post of chief priest at the Chongdao Temple in Taizhou. Twenty months later, he fell ill and died in the year Wuwu.

建炎己酉年閏八月丁丑日，己將酉時，王得俊，辛巳生，二十九歲，占前程。（口鑑）／勾龍空虎／丑寅卯辰　常貴朱空　兄辛巳常⊙／合子　巳常　巳酉亥卯　子丁丑勾／朱亥　午玄　酉丑卯丁　財酉貴◎／戌酉申未／蛇貴后陰

In the leap August of the Jiyou year of the Southern Song dynasty, on the Dingchou day, the divination was cast with the month general added to the time of divination (the original text writes 'Ji general', which should be a mistake for 'Si general'), placed on the You hour. Wang Dejun, born in the Xinsi year, aged twenty-nine, came to inquire about his official career prospects. This example is taken from the "Koujian". The following is the flatly printed divination chart: Si general added to You, the heavenly plate is four places behind the earthly plate. On the earthly plate, Si has the heavenly plate Chou, riding 'Gou Chen'; Wu has Yin, riding 'Qinglong'; Wei has Mao, riding 'Tiankong'; Shen has Chen, riding 'Baihu'; You has Si, riding 'Tai Chang'; Xu has Wu, riding 'Xuanwu'; Hai has Wei, riding 'Taiyin'; Zi has Shen, riding 'Tianhou'; Chou has You, riding 'Guiren'; Yin has Xu, riding 'Tengshe'; Mao has Hai, riding 'Zhuqiao'; Chen has Zi, riding 'Liuhe'. The lodging palace for Ding day is Wei, which has Mao, so the first transmission is Mao added to Ding, riding 'Tiankong'; the second transmission is Mao on Hai, riding 'Zhuqiao'; the third transmission is on the day branch Chou, which has You, riding 'Guiren'; the fourth transmission is You on Si, riding 'Tai Chang'. The three transmissions are: first transmission Si (hidden stem Xin, brother's yao, riding 'Tai Chang'), second transmission Chou (hidden stem Ding, son's yao, riding 'Gou Chen'), third transmission You (wife's wealth yao, riding 'Guiren'). Si, You, and Chou form a metal trinity. The Dingchou day belongs to the Jiaxu decade, with the empty place in Shen and You, so the final transmission You wealth falls into the empty place, and the original text marks it with a '◎'.

邵彥和曰：卯木生丁火，而不知火敗於卯，又天空乘之，是虛生也，虛生不足，而實脫有餘。此下稍功名，不就之象也。卯木不足生丁火，而丁火卻克巳酉丑金為財。初不知巳火兄弟占，酉為財發用則非丁所得也。中傳雖是財庫，無奈酉財在末傳而空，是庫中無財也。末見酉作貴人加宅上，只是下稍買一武官，作名目耳。

Shao Yanhe said: At first glance, it seems that the wood of Mao is generating the fire of Ding, but people do not realize that the fire of Ding is in the position of Mao, which is a place of decline. Moreover, the position of Mao is occupied by Tian Kong, which makes this generation a mere illusion. The power of an illusory generation is insufficient, while the actual loss is excessive. This is the image of someone who attains a lifetime of fame and reputation but fails to achieve anything in the end. Since the wood of Mao is not sufficient to generate the fire of Ding, the fire of Ding turns around to overcome the triple harmony of metal in Si, You, and Chou, treating this metal as its own wealth. At first, others do not understand: the initial transmission of fire in Si is a brother's爻, which signifies competition and loss of wealth. The final transmission of metal in You, although it is the wealth爻 and is initiating the transmission, is not something that the day ruler of Ding can obtain. The middle transmission of Chou, although it is the metal storehouse and should be able to hold wealth, is ineffective because the wealth in You falls in the final transmission and is afflicted by Kongwang, as if there was no wealth in the storehouse at all. The final transmission of You is also accompanied by a nobleman, which is placed on the day branch's position. In the end, this is nothing more than spending money in old age to purchase a military position and merely obtaining a title.

王得俊家富而好學，人頗推重佃，惟以功名是望。及聞此斷，伊不信，曰我自有抝命文章，誰知後過三五舉並無寸進。始覺此課有驗，遂罄帑庫之財，買一副尉，欲圖試，又不中。徐侍郎在？州與他權監洄縣後，因呼為有干，終於此而己。大幾卯木加丁，是真生也，卯木卻有敗火之意，是木太旺，火不能勝，反被木壓滅也。如木敗子，子乃太盛之水反將木泛起，泛則根浮，又何生之有。酉財是空亡，是竭財而買小武官也，但貴在宅，是不仕之官也。

Wang Dejun came from a wealthy family and was willing to study, so the people in his village held him in high esteem. He himself was determined to achieve official rank. Upon hearing this interpretation, he refused to believe it, saying that he had outstanding writings. But afterwards, he failed in several examinations without any improvement. Only then did he realize that the prediction was accurate. He then spent all his family's wealth to purchase a military rank of deputy officer, hoping to gain an official position, but failed the examination for official appointment. Later, Xu Shilang assigned him to manage Huai County in a certain state (the text here is missing one character, written as "? State"), because he praised Wang's ability to handle affairs. Thus, Wang's official career ended there. People generally say that the卯wood added to the丁fire is a true mutual generation, but in fact, the卯wood actually harms the丁fire. If wood is too strong, the fire cannot withstand it and is instead extinguished by the wood. It is like when wood is placed in the子position, which is called "failure," because子is extremely strong water that floats the wood, causing its roots to float and making it impossible to generate and support. The酉wealth falls into the empty position, which exactly corresponds to his exhausting his family's wealth to obtain a minor military rank. The nobleman falling on the house position indicates that this is just a false official title without real official status.

應貢元，丁卯生，四十二歲，占前程，戊申年六月丁丑日午將未時。／青空虎常／辰巳午未　貴蛇空虎　官丙子蛇／勾卯　申玄　亥子巳午　官乙亥貴／合寅　酉陰　子丑午丁　子甲戌後／丑子亥戌／朱蛇貴後

Heavenly Stems: Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, Gui Earthly Branches: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai Trigrams: Qian (Heaven), Dui (Lake), Li (Fire), Zhen (Thunder), Xun (Wind), Kan (Water), Gen (Mountain), Kun (Earth) Glossary: Heavenly Empress = Tianhou Liu He = Liuhe Six Instruments = Liuyi Gou Chen = Gouchen Vermilion Bird = Zhuque White Tiger = Baihu Black Tortoise = Xuanwu Azure Dragon = Qinglong Hekui (Xu) = Heqi Heaven Plate = Tianpan Earth Plate = Dipan Lodging Palace = Jigong Three Transmissions = Sanchuan Four Lessons = Sike First Transmission = Chuchuan Middle Transmission = Zhongchuan Final Transmission = Muchuan Nobleman = Guiren Day Branch = Rizhi Dingmao = Dingmao Jiaxu = Jiaxu Dingchou = Dingchou Wushen = Wushen Teng Snake = Tengshe Tian Kong = Tiankong Tai Chang = Taichang Tai Yin = Taiyin Gong Yuan, born in the year Dingmao, aged forty-two, consulted about his official career prospects. The time was on the day Dingchou in the year Wushen, with the hour of Wei. The Heaven Plate is one step behind the Earth Plate: on the Earth Branch Si, the Heaven Branch Chén is placed, riding on 'Qinglong'; on the Earth Branch Wu, the Heaven Branch Si is placed, riding on 'Tiankong'; on the Earth Branch Wei, the Heaven Branch Wu is placed, riding on 'Baihu'; on the Earth Branch Shen, the Heaven Branch Wei is placed, riding on 'Taichang'; on the Earth Branch You, the Heaven Branch Shen is placed, riding on 'Xuanwu'; on the Earth Branch Xu, the Heaven Branch You is placed, riding on 'Taiyin'; on the Earth Branch Hai, the Heaven Branch Xu is placed, riding on 'Tianhou'; on the Earth Branch Zi, the Heaven Branch Hai is placed, riding on 'Guiren'; on the Earth Branch Chou, the Heaven Branch Zi is placed, riding on 'Tengshe'; on the Earth Branch Yin, the Heaven Branch Chou is placed, riding on 'Zhuque'; on the Earth Branch Mao, the Heaven Branch Yin is placed, riding on 'Liuhe'; on the Earth Branch Chen, the Heaven Branch Mao is placed, riding on 'Gouchen'. The day branch Ding is assigned to the palace of Wei, and on Wei, the Heaven Branch Wu is placed, so the first transmission is Wu added to Ding, riding on 'Baihu'; the second transmission is Wu added to Si, riding on 'Tiankong'; the third transmission is the day branch Chou added to Zi, riding on 'Tengshe'; the fourth transmission is Zi added to Hai, riding on 'Guiren'. The three transmissions are: the first transmission is Zi (hidden stem Bing, official ghost, riding on 'Tengshe'), the second transmission is Hai (hidden stem Yi, official ghost, riding on 'Guiren'), the third transmission is Xu (hidden stem Jia, son's element, riding on 'Tianhou'). Zi, Hai, and Xu move in reverse, forming the pattern of 'retreating connected'. The day Dingchou belongs to the Jiaxu cycle, and Xu is the 'Six Instrument' of this cycle, placed on Hai, which is referred to as Hekui added to the Heaven Gate.

邵彥和曰：令弟年久而得朝郎，奈後不永，吾文雖未第而前程未易量也。此實陰德所至，日後必然位至郎官。應曰何以言之。邵曰此課雖魁杜天門，不作阻隔論，乃六儀扶護，三奇拱秀，小則郎官，大則侍從。因有活人之功，故上天降福，北斗扶身，三光拱照，祿神催逼，即日食祿矣。人見此課，捋謂退連茹不利，殊不知甲戌旬，戌為六儀，戌加亥謂之朝天，亥屬干，干為天，謂之六儀朝天。亥子丑遁得乙丙丁，謂之三奇拱照，午乃丁祿臨干，謂之日祿扶身，且行年並逼白虎，為催官符使，貴人在三奇之中，而前後拱之，此蛇為吉將，名前一先鋒，高甲無疑矣。丁德在亥，戌亥子俱屬陰，故知陰德洪大，神明福佑也。亥為上帝，子為紫微，丑為北斗，是以得上天之降福也。

Shao Yanhe said: Your younger brother endured a long period before obtaining the position of Chaolang, but unfortunately his life was short. You, although not yet admitted to the imperial examination, have a promising future. This is indeed the result of accumulating Yin Virtue, and in the future you will certainly attain the position of a Chaolang official. When asked by Ying Gongyuan why he said this, Shao Yanhe replied: Although this divination shows the obstruction of "Kui Gang added to Tianmen," it should not be interpreted as an obstacle, because it is also protected by the "Six Instruments" and embraced by the "Three Marvels." In the smaller sense, it indicates the position of a Chaolang official, and in the larger sense, it suggests the position of a court attendant. You have the merit of saving lives, so the heavens bestow blessings, the Big Dipper star supports you, the sun, moon, and stars form a triple halo, and the禄神 (Lucky God) urges you from behind, and you are about to receive your official salary. Others who look at this divination say "Tui Lian Ru" which is unfavorable, but they do not know that the day belongs to the Jia Xu sheng (decade), and Xu is the "Six Instrument" of this decade. When Xu is placed on Hai, it is called "Chao Tian" (Facing Heaven). Since Hai belongs to Qian (Heaven), it is called "Six Instruments Facing Heaven." The three positions of Hai, Zi, and Chou emerge the characters of Yi, Bing, and Ding, which are the "Three Marvels" surrounding it. Wu is the禄神 (Lucky God) of Ding day, and it is exactly on the day stem, called "Day禄 God Supporting the Body." In addition, the year's position closely approaches Baihu (White Tiger), which here acts as a symbol of promoting officialdom. The Nobleman is seated among the Three Marvels, and is embraced by the Three Marvels in front and behind. The Teng Snake here also turns into a favorable general, called "Front Vanguard." Thus, passing the first class of the imperial examination is certain. The Heavenly Virtue of Ding is in Hai, and Xu, Hai, and Zi all belong to Yin, so we know he has accumulated deep Yin Virtue and is protected by the divine. Hai is the Emperor, Zi is Ziwu, and Chou is Beidou, so he is able to receive the blessings of heaven.

考之貢元三十八歲時為徽宗宣和七年乙巳北虜犯邊，伊在東京挾友三十餘人，庇護李家宅眷七十餘口，兼不識姓名者三十七人；又以所乘舟及朋友舟載渡諸人，自率友沿岸西走，此所以感動上天，現之於課象也。後貢元庚戌科及弟，授吳縣尉，辛酉除左司郎官，樹禮部郎官。郊祀庚午年五月卒於官，享年六十三歲。

Investigation shows that in the year when Ying Gongyuan was thirty-eight, which was the Yisi year of the Shaoxing era of the Song Dynasty, northern Jin troops invaded the border. At that time, he gathered together more than thirty friends in the capital city of Dongjing, protecting over seventy people from the Li family inside their residence, as well as thirty-seven others whose names he did not even know. He also used his own boat and his friends' boats to ferry these people across one by one, while he himself led his friends along the riverbank westward. Because of such a moving act, heaven responded with a sign of good fortune in the divination texts. Later, Ying Gongyuan passed the imperial examination in the Gengxu year and was appointed as county magistrate of Wu County. In the Xinyou year, he was appointed as a deputy official in the Left Office, later transferring to the Ministry of Rites. In May of the Gengwu year, when the imperial sacrifices were held, he died in office at the age of sixty-three.

建炎己酉年六月丁丑日午將辰時，應寺簿甲戌生三十六歲占前程。（口鑑　方本占案）／勾合朱蛇／未申酉戌　空常貴朱　財酉朱◎／青午　亥貴　巳卯亥酉　官乙亥貴⊙／空巳　子后　卯丑酉丁　子丁丑陰／辰卯寅丑／虎常玄陰

In the year Jia You of the Jianyan era, on the day Ding Chou of the sixth month, the divination was cast with the hour of Chen and the general of Wu added to Chen. The case concerns a person born in the year Jia Xu, aged thirty-six, who is consulting about his future. This example is found in the "Kou Jian" and "Fang Ben Zhan An." With the general of Wu added to Chen, the Heaven Plate is two places ahead of the Earth Plate: on the Earth Plate, the position of Si is occupied by the Heaven Plate's position of Wei, which is occupied by "Gou Chen"; on Wu, it is Shen, occupied by "Liu He"; on Wei, it is You, occupied by "Zhu Que"; on Shen, it is Xu, occupied by "Teng Snake"; on You, it is Zi, occupied by "Nobleman"; on Xu, it is Chou, occupied by "Heavenly Empress"; on Hai, it is Chou, occupied by "Tai Yin"; on Zi, it is Yin, occupied by "Xuan Wu"; on Chou, it is Mao, occupied by "Tai Chang"; on Yin, it is Chen, occupied by "Bai Hu"; on Mao, it is Si, occupied by "Tian Kong"; on Chen, it is Wu, occupied by "Qing Long." The day of Ding Chou has its lodging palace at Wei, and on Wei, it is You, so the first transmission is You added to Ding, occupied by "Zhu Que"; the second transmission is You added to Hai, occupied by "Nobleman"; the third transmission is on the day branch Chou, which is Mao, occupied by "Tai Chang"; the fourth transmission is on Mao, which is Si, occupied by "Tian Kong." The three transmissions are: the first transmission is You (a wife's wealth hexagram, occupied by "Zhu Que," falling into Kongwang, marked with "◎" in the original text), the middle transmission is Hai (a hidden heavenly stem of Yi, an official ghost hexagram, occupied by "Nobleman"), and the final transmission is Chou (a hidden heavenly stem of Ding, a son's hexagram, occupied by "Tai Yin"). The day of Ding Chou belongs to the year Jia Xu, with the empty position in Shen and You, so the first transmission's You wealth is empty.

邵彥和曰：寺簿中年，水作官星，宜為朝郎，人所難及。奈何滿局皆貴人，貴多不貴。而且身與初中貴人皆空，是慕十不得一，徒費心力也。日上發用歸亥官星，末傳丑支為宅神又加亥上，是日去投絕，支來迎絕，兼支上得卯木，丁火敗於卯，丑土死於卯，此非酒色之故。只緣日上太歲作雀，是欲上書言事，然日貴作鬼加歲剋日，上書何益，徒貶竄耳。

Shao Yanhe said: The official record keeper is in the middle of his life. In the divination, water is the official star, which should indicate a position as a court official in the capital, something others cannot match. Unfortunately, there are too many noblemen in the chart, and the presence of many noble spirits actually reduces their value. Moreover, the day stem and the first and middle transmissions of noblemen all fall into empty positions, meaning out of ten hopes, only one can be achieved, thus wasting effort. The day stem's酉 initiates the transmission, leading all the way to the亥 official star; the final transmission is丑, which is the day branch, or the household spirit, and also falls on亥—this indicates the day stem itself is going to a dead end, and the day branch is also coming towards the dead end. Furthermore, the day branch has卯 wood:丁 fire is 'defeated' in卯, and丑 earth is 'dead' in卯. This is not caused by alcohol and women. It is only because the day stem's year ruler is riding on the Vermilion Bird, indicating he wants to submit a memorial criticizing current affairs. However, the nobleman on the day is transformed into an official ghost, and also comes to the year ruler to attack the day, so submitting a memorial is of no use, and will only result in being demoted and exiled.

寺簿驚曰現修書十條欲上，非因此乎。曰獻上即海外客也。寺簿曰某不上此書，其它有何禍福。曰寺簿生平其所虧有二，故滅前程，其一不孝母與母各居，其二寵妾而賤妻，若能改過，則吉，否則壽不永矣。應嘿嘿而去，蓋其所上書中內有一條言內張相劉四相等，或死或竄，實無辜。此時黃太師正忌此言，若上此書竄貶不免矣。夫丁日以卯為母，而酉制之，是不孝母也，本宮見巳，會起酉丑，是與母隔而不同居也。丁日申為妻，臨於午火受制之地，酉為妾反加日發用，而作貴人，是寵妾而賤妻也。丁自敗卯、死酉、絕亥，虧倫傷本，造物不容，何問前程耶。愚按應寺簿想是應貢元之弟，蓋寺薄先占而貢元后占也。

The official was surprised and said: I am now drafting ten memorials to submit, could it be about this matter? Shao Yanhe replied: If you submit them, you will be exiled overseas. The official said: I will not submit this memorial, what other misfortunes or blessings could there be? Shao Yanhe replied: The official has two things to make up for in his life, which have already ruined his prospects: first, he is not filial to his mother and lives separately from her; second, he favors his concubine and looks down upon his wife. If he can change his ways, it will be auspicious, otherwise even his lifespan will be short. The official then silently left. Originally, one of the memorials he was going to submit mentioned that Zhang Xiang and Liu Four Ministers and others had either died or been exiled, which was indeed unjust. At that time, Huang Taishi was most resentful of such remarks, so submitting this memorial would inevitably lead to demotion or exile. In terms of the divination: on a day with the stem Ding, the stem卯 represents the mother, but the metal酉 comes to control卯, which indicates not being filial to the mother; the native's palace sees巳, which combines with酉 and丑 to form a trine, meaning being separated from the mother and not living together. On a day with the stem Ding, the stem申 represents the wife, but申 is located in the fire午, which is restrained;酉 represents the concubine, yet it is placed on the day stem and initiates the transmission, and also rides the nobleman, which indicates favoring the concubine and despising the wife. The fire Ding is in卯 as 'failure', in酉 as 'death', and in亥 as 'extinction', which violates human relationships and harms the root. Even heaven and earth cannot tolerate this, so what about future prospects? (Cheng Shuxun notes: This official should be the younger brother of Ying Gongyuan, because the official made the first prediction and Gongyuan made the later one.)

己酉年閏八月丁丑日巳將卯時王子進庚午生四十歲占宅。（一針見血）／勾合朱蛇／未申酉戌　空常貴朱　財酉朱◎／青午　亥貴　巳卯亥酉　官乙亥貴⊙／空巳　子后　卯丑酉丁　子丁丑陰／辰卯寅丑／虎常玄陰

In the year Ji You, leap August, on the day Ding Chou, using the method of Si Jiang added to Mao time to cast the divination, Prince Wang Jin (born in the year Geng Wu, aged forty) consulted about his residence. This example is from "Yi Zhen Jian Xue." The method of Si Jiang added to Mao is also a movement of two places on the Heaven Plate, so the Heaven and Earth Plates and the previous lesson are exactly the same: the Earth Plate on Si has the Heaven Plate on Wei with "Gou Chen," the Earth Plate on Wu has the Heaven Plate on Shen with "Liu He," the Earth Plate on Wei has the Heaven Plate on You with "Zhu Que," the Earth Plate on Shen has the Heaven Plate on Xu with "Teng Snake," the Earth Plate on You has the Heaven Plate on Hai with "Gu Ren," the Earth Plate on Xu has the Heaven Plate on Zi with "Tian Hou," the Earth Plate on Hai has the Heaven Plate on Chou with "Tai Yin," the Earth Plate on Zi has the Heaven Plate on Yin with "Xuan Wu," the Earth Plate on Chou has the Heaven Plate on Mao with "Tai Chang," the Earth Plate on Yin has the Heaven Plate on Chen with "Bai Hu," the Earth Plate on Mao has the Heaven Plate on Si with "Tian Kong," and the Earth Plate on Chen has the Heaven Plate on Wu with "Qing Long." The four lessons are: the first lesson is You added to Ding with "Zhu Que," the second lesson is You added to Hai with "Gu Ren," the third lesson is the day branch Chou added to Mao with "Tai Chang," and the fourth lesson is Mao added to Si with "Tian Kong." The three transmissions are: the first transmission is You (wife's wealth, with "Zhu Que," empty), the second transmission is Hai (official ghost, with "Gu Ren"), and the third transmission is Chou (son's fortune, with "Tai Yin"). The following interpretation is based on the mutual opposition of the four lessons and the emptiness of the first and second transmissions.

邵彥和曰：第一課與第三課沖，第二課與第四課沖，一課作初傳，二課作中傳，三課作宅，四課作行年。初中又是空亡，主所居之宅，乃五露無環抱之處，前後有路，沖射又有新喪之門在前，東主漏風，西主水直去，多招公事破財，風聲是非，男子先喪，婦人在家，主眾讀書不成，何不急就西方近陰人墳，靠山而居，不然則一紀之內，屋敗絕，人星散矣。

Shao Yanhe said: The first lesson conflicts with the third, and the second lesson conflicts with the fourth; the first lesson is taken as the initial transmission, the second as the middle transmission, the third is considered for the residence, and the fourth for the year of movement. Both the initial and middle transmissions fall into kongwang, indicating that the residence is in a place with no shelter on all sides, no embrace, and roads straight ahead and behind the house. In front of the house, there is a newly mourning family. The east side leaks wind, and the west side has water flowing straight away, thus often causing legal troubles, financial loss, rumors, and disputes. The male head of the family will die first, leaving only the woman to stay behind; the whole family's studies will not bear fruit. Why not move quickly to a place westward near the deceased's grave, with a mountain behind for support? Otherwise, within twelve years, the house will fall apart and the family will scatter.

王是秀才，其宅果在田坡中，一大路自南直下，渠乃騎路？宅。果是前後相剋，東邊曠蕩，更無收束。風不可當，西邊裡辛水，迢迢直去，自入此屋，只是破財，六畜不留，奴婢長走，婦人且有不良之名。占後見斷語切當，遂移過北方，近母墳而居。蓋四課相剋，相沖，更無一行不然此名空沖，主在五露之間居止。卯酉加在南北出入，主沖，行年上巳為風門，中傳亥為水路，末傳在西北角，丑為墳墓，惟此可居，前新喪之門，乃太常加卯也，因乳母死，將丑艮方開門出。一雲丑為墳墓，加亥，丁干見壬德合，故西北言近陰人之墓可居。鄭云丑帶丁，亥沖有壬，丁壬化木，生丁干，又壬為丁之德，故此處可選。愚按此課惟卯丑二支不空，但卯為敗神，不可居，惟丑為日支，支為宅加亥上，故西北可居。

Prince Wang Jin was a scholar, and his family's house was indeed in the middle of the field slope, with a big road coming straight down from the south, and the house was right on the road. The four sides were indeed mutually controlling and conflicting; the east was open and vast, with no convergence or obstruction, and the wind was so strong it could not be blocked; the west side had water flowing far away in a straight line. Since moving into this house, there was only loss of wealth, the domestic animals could not be raised, servants kept running away, and the women had bad reputations. After the divination, he found the statements to be accurate, so he moved to a place near his mother's grave to the north. Originally, the four lessons were both conflicting and opposing, and none of them was free from this, which is called "empty conflict." The owner lived in a place with no obstruction on all four sides. The卯 and酉 were added to the north and south entrances, indicating a shooting direction; the year branch was巳, which is the wind gate; the middle transmission was亥, which is the water path; the final transmission fell in the northwest corner, and丑 was also the grave. Only this direction was suitable for living. The saying that there was a new mourning gate in front refers to "Tai Chang" added to卯; because his family's wet nurse had died, they opened a door from the丑 and艮 directions to carry out the body. Another view is that丑 is the grave, added to亥, and the dry branch丁 met the wet branch壬 for a Heavenly Virtue union, so it is said that the northwest near the deceased's grave is suitable for living. Zheng said:丑 contained丁, and in the conflicting亥 there was壬,丁 and壬 formed wood through mutual generation, which nourished the dry branch丁, and壬 was the Heavenly Virtue of丁, so this direction was chosen. (Cheng Shuxun remarked: In this lesson, only卯 and丑 were not empty, but卯 was the defeated god, and it was not suitable for living; only丑 was the day branch, and the day branch is the house, which was added to亥, so the northwest was suitable for living.)