Chapter on Divination of Lawsuits: Verification Three

占驗三、丙子三月己酉丁卯時，粵東少伯陳秋桃太史，為宗藩建言被逮刑部，占出獄。驀越、重審。（寅卯空，酉戌落空） 后陰 貴 子丑寅卯 玄 蛇常 六陰 財 辛亥 蛇 蛇 亥 辰 常 亥辰 酉寅 印 丙午 空 朱 戌 巳 虎 辰酉 寅己 兄 癸丑 后 六 酉申未午 空 勾龍

In the year of Bingzi, third month, day of Jiyou, and hour of Dingmao, a divination was made. Chen Qiutao, a scholar from Guangdong, was arrested by the Ministry of Justice for submitting a memorial on behalf of the royal family. He asked when he would be released from prison. The lesson pattern belongs to "Moyue" with a secondary review. In this旬, the empty position is in the Yin and Mao branches, and the Heaven Plate's酉 and戌 deities fall into the empty position. The following is the lesson disk for that day: the twelve branches are the Heaven Plate in the square boxes, the twelve Heavenly Generals are noted outside, the middle two columns from right to left are the four lessons, and the rightmost column from top to bottom is the first, middle, and final transmissions, along with their six relations, hidden heavenly stems, and Heavenly Generals. The first transmission is Xin Hai, a wealth爻 riding the Teng Snake; the middle transmission is Bing Wu, an official seal riding the Tian Kong; the final transmission is Gui Chou, a brother riding the Heavenly Empress. The亥 in the first transmission is the post-horse, but it sits on the Chen墓, which is the key to the entire lesson. Therefore, his release will have to wait until the month that opens the storage.

斷：目今不能脫難，交四月甲戌日巳時方出獄。同難諸縉紳皆曰：指日即出，余曰；不然，發用驛馬坐墓（驛馬亥坐辰上也），且赤鳥犯歲君（朱雀戌克太歲子也），如上疏旨意必駁。眾不然其說，三月馮大司寇上疏，旨意駁下，四月上疏，依擬脫離。因四月建沖初傳墓中驛馬，方有出獄之應也。

Chen Gongxian said: At present, one cannot yet escape from trouble, and it will not be until the day of Jiaxu in the fourth lunar month at the hour of Si that one can be released from prison. All the gentry who were imprisoned with me said that they would soon be released. I said otherwise: the initial transmission of the Post-horse is sitting on the墓 (a term for a grave or resting place). The Vermilion Bird is conflicting with the year's ruler, as the branch of the Vermilion Bird, which is Xu, is attacking the year's ruler, which is Zi. At this time, if one submits a memorial to plead one's case, the imperial decree will certainly be rejected. Everyone did not believe this. In the third lunar month, the Minister of Justice Feng submitted a memorial, and the imperial decree indeed rejected it. When another memorial was submitted in the fourth lunar month, the case was finally resolved according to the proposed judgment. This was because the month's ruler in the fourth lunar month stirred the Post-horse in the initial transmission's墓, thus fulfilling the prediction of release from prison.

可見脫難之事，馬星十分重要，以其亦逃脫之意也。凡坐墓則不能動也，合亦然；受沖為動機。 宗藩，皇家宗室，為分封到各處的各代皇帝子孫，如福王朱常洵、桂王朱由榔、唐王朱聿建等。為宗藩建言者，上書請為某宗藩聽某件事說好話，如請求增加封地、提高官階等等。

The commentator points out that in matters of escaping difficulties, the position of the horse star is very important, because the horse also implies the meaning of escape; if someone is sitting on a tomb, they cannot move, and being enclosed in a way is the same, while being confronted is the opportunity for movement. The commentator also explains the term "zongfan": zongfan refers to the royal family's descendants, meaning the descendants of emperors who were granted fiefs in various regions, such as Fu Wang Zhu Changxun, Gui Wang Zhu Youlang, and Tang Wang Zhu Yujian, etc.所谓 replacing zongfan's advice means submitting a memorial to speak well for a particular matter of a certain zongfan, such as requesting an increase in the fiefdom or a promotion in rank.

占驗四、壬午七月甲午日庚午時偶有一客至埂子街寓中，坐定時餘為袖傳課。退茹。（辰巳空，卯辰落空） 勾龍 六 辰巳午未 空 六勾 后貴 父 庚子 后 朱 卯 申 虎 辰巳 子丑 父 己亥 陰 蛇 寅 酉 常 巳午 丑甲 財 戊戌 玄 貴 丑子亥戌 玄 后陰

On the day Jiawu of the seventh month in the year Renwu, at the hour Gengwu, a divination was cast. By chance, a guest arrived at the residence on Gengzi Street, sat down, and Chen Gongxian began to cast the divination lesson while secretly calculating in his sleeve. The lesson pattern belongs to "retreating herbs," with the three transmissions each successively retreating. In this旬, the empty void is in the hours of Chen and Si, and the Heaven Plate's卯 and辰 spirits fall into the empty void palace. The following is the divination chart at that time: within the square, the twelve earthly branches are the Heaven Plate, with the twelve Heavenly Generals noted outside. In the middle, the two columns from right to left are the four lessons, and the rightmost column from top to bottom is the first, middle, and final transmissions, along with their six relations, hidden heavenly stems, and Heavenly Generals. In this lesson, the first transmission Gengzi and the middle transmission Jihai are both parents, while the final transmission Wuxu is the wealth spirit, each riding the Heavenly Empress, Tai Yin, and Black Tortoise respectively. The Zi, Hai, and Wu hours each retreat step by step, forming the image of retreating herbs, indicating that the matters being planned will retreat rather than advance.

斷：公科第中人，非田姓即王姓也，然有朝廷事連累。蓋臨身貴人，必科甲中人；然貴被干克，歲破發用，課傳退茹，是以有獲罪朝廷事。喜初中後陰為恩赦，然而無大咎也。後知為荊州知府王承曾，甲戌進士，以失城逮問，賊破燕京始出。

Chen Gongxian explained: You are a person who passed the imperial examination, either surnamed Tian or Wang, but you are involved in a case with the court. Because the Nobleman is present at your own position, you must be someone who passed the examination; however, the Nobleman is overcome by the Day Stem, and the year's destruction becomes the First Transmission. The Four Lessons and Three Transmissions all show signs of retreat and retreat, so there is an incident of being guilty before the court. Fortunately, the First Transmission, Middle Transmission, Heavenly Empress, and Tai Yin all act as gods of mercy and pardon, so there is no great calamity. Later it was known that he was Wang Chengzeng, a Jiaxu graduate, who was arrested for losing the city, and was only released after the bandits broke through Beijing.

占驗五、癸酉四月癸亥丙辰時，宜興周首輔因陳科長彈論，命醫者周誠生來占，重審。（子丑空，巳午落空） 空虎 龍 戌亥子丑 常 勾后 空蛇 財 戊午 蛇 勾 酉 寅 玄 酉辰 亥午 兄 癸亥 空 六 申 卯 陰 辰亥 午癸 官 丙辰 后 朱 未午巳辰 后 蛇貴

On Guiyou year, fourth month, Guihai day, Bingchen hour, a consultation was made. Zhou Shoufu, a native of Xing, was accused by Chen the head of the department, and he summoned Doctor Zhou Chengsheng to consult the divination. The lesson pattern belongs to the category of repeated review. In this旬, the empty position is in Zi and Chou, and the Heaven Plate's Si and Wu deities fall into the empty position. The following is the divination chart for that day: the twelve branches in the square are the Heaven Plate, the twelve Heavenly Generals noted outside, and the four lessons are listed from right to left in the middle. On the right, from top to bottom, are the first, middle, and final transmissions, along with their six relations, hidden stems, and Heavenly Generals. The first transmission is Wuwu, a wealth deity riding the Teng Snake; the middle transmission is Guihai, a brother riding the Tian Kong; the final transmission is Bingchen, an official star riding the Heavenly Empress. The day stem Gui and the day branch Hai are in the same palace. The positions of the nobleman,禄神, wealth deity, and horse star in the entire lesson are precisely where the following interpretation focuses.

斷：朝官占此，必主去位。蓋因傳將遞克，德不勝刑（德在巳而刑在亥，亥克巳太耳。），主小人進用而君子退位。且貴祿財馬俱逢空陷（貴、財、馬俱在巳，臨子落空；祿子旬空，臨未非落空。），豈能善後乎。又夜貴臨行年（行年必在戌，卯臨之。），即不仕閒官也。六月後，年上日祿天馬沖動身命，是其行期矣。喜四墓覆生，仍有復起之象。果六月準辭，馳驛回里。

Chen Gongxian interpreted that if an official in court comes across this divination, he is bound to lose his position. Because the three transmissions and the heavenly general are successively defeated, the day's virtue cannot withstand the criminal god (virtue is in Si and the criminal is in Hai, Hai heavily defeats Si). This indicates that petty people will gain power while the virtuous are forced to step down. Moreover, the nobleman, the禄神, the wealth爻, and the heavenly horse are all empty and trapped (the nobleman, wealth, and heavenly horse are all in Si, but they fall into the position of Zi; the禄神 Zi itself is empty in the旬, but it is not considered empty because it is on Wei). How can there be a good outcome? Also, the night nobleman is on the personal year (the personal year must be in Xu, coming from Mao), so even if he holds an office, it is only a minor position. After June, the day's禄 and the heavenly horse will clash with his personal year, which is the date he will leave. Fortunately, the four graves repeatedly generate each other, indicating a possibility of revival. Indeed, in June the court approved his resignation, and he returned home by riding the official carriage.

十四年辛巳九月，復入閣，十六年賜死。

The annotator adds: By the ninth month of the Xinsi year, the fourteenth year of the Chongzhen era, this Zhou prime minister was once again recalled to the cabinet, and in the sixteenth year he was赐死 (ordered to commit suicide).

占驗六、丙子二月乙未日己卯時，東省登州戚都司諱司宗者因失機已定重闢八載，占吉凶若何。重審。（辰巳空，亥子落空） 后陰 貴 子丑寅卯 玄 六陰 空蛇 子 甲午 空 蛇 亥 辰 常 酉寅 午亥 財 辛丑 后 朱 戌 巳 虎 寅未 亥乙 官 丙申 勾 六 酉申未午 空 勾龍

On the day of Ji Mao in the year Bing Zi, the divination was performed for Qi Si Zong, a military official from the Dengzhou Military Command in Shandong. He was sentenced to death for mishandling military affairs and has been imprisoned for eight years. He asked about his fortune. The lesson pattern belongs to the category of repeated review. In this旬, the empty position is in Chen and Si, and the Heaven Plate's亥 and Zi deities fall into the empty positions. Here is the daily lesson board, which has the same structure as the previous one: the twelve branches are in the square grid as the Heaven Plate, the twelve Heavenly Generals are noted outside, and the four lessons are listed from right to left in the middle. On the right, the initial, middle, and final transmissions are listed from top to bottom, along with their six relations, hidden heavenly stems, and Heavenly Generals. This lesson is the same as the second one, both on the day of Yi Wei and the hour of Ji Mao. The lesson board is exactly the same: the initial transmission is Jiawu, representing the son's relationship with Tian Kong; the middle transmission is Xinchou, representing the wealth relationship with Tian Hou; the final transmission is Bingshen, representing the official relationship with Gou Chen. The same lesson board, due to the difference in the question, leads to different interpretations.

斷曰：六月遇赦，轉凶為吉。緣長生臨身（亥為木長生，臨日故也，此不以長生坐墓看。），天赦加支，況太歲貴人俱作恩星，罪雖重，亦減輕矣。尤可喜者，傳將遞生，初末暗拱未命（此又不以拱上神論。），仍有公卿推薦，他日出仕之象也。果六月奉命熱審，豁罪謫戍，發京營立功處贖，後辛巳年升甘肅鎮中軍參將。

Chen Gongxian interpreted that in June, there would be a pardon, turning misfortune into good fortune. This is because the long life is on the self (the亥 is the long life of wood, and it is also on the day stem, here not considering the long life sitting in the tomb), and the heavenly pardon is on the day branch. Moreover, the year stem and nobleman are both benevolent stars, so even though the crime is serious, it will be mitigated. Especially pleasing is that the three transmissions and the heavenly general are successively mutually generated, and the first and final transmissions secretly support the year of the native's birth (here also not considering supporting the upper god). There is still an appearance of recommendation by officials and reemployment in the future. Indeed, in June, he was ordered to conduct a hot review, his crime was pardoned and changed to exile and military service, sent to the capital garrison to redeem his guilt, and later in the year of Xinsi, he was promoted to the position of assistant general in the military command of Gansu.

占驗十五、辛未四月戊午辛酉時，山東吏垣宋太斗先生相召占課，雲非己占、代占，玄胎、伏吟。（子丑空，子丑落空） 蛇貴 朱 巳午未申 后 蛇蛇 朱朱 父 丁巳 朱 六 辰 酉 陰 午午 巳巳 子 庚申 后 勾 卯 戌 玄 午午 巳戊 鬼 甲寅 龍 青 寅丑子亥 常 空虎

On the day of Wuwu in the fourth lunar month of the Xinwei year, a divination was performed. The lesson was requested by Mr. Song Taodu, a censor from Shandong, who stated that he was not divining for himself but for someone else. The pattern formed is Xuantai, and the lesson pattern is Fuyin. In this旬, the empty position is in Zi and Chou. The Heaven Plate also has the Zi and Chou deities in the empty position. The following is the lesson chart: the twelve branches are on the Heaven Plate, the twelve Heavenly Generals are noted outside, and the four lessons are listed from right to left in the middle. On the right, the initial, middle, and final transmissions are listed from top to bottom, along with their six relations, hidden stems, and Heavenly Generals. In this lesson, both the upper and lower lessons are Wu added to Wu and Si added to Si, with the Heaven and Earth Plates in the same position, which is Fuyin. The initial transmission is Dingsi, representing parents with the Vermilion Bird, the middle transmission is Gengshen, representing children with the Heavenly Empress, and the final transmission is Jiayin, representing officials with the Azure Dragon. A Fuyin lesson indicates that matters are hidden and unmoving, and a change of fortune can only occur when there is a conflict.

斷：在朝官占此提防臺諫而回還得好 旨歸里。蓋因傳將互克，伏吟丁馬，且太陽無光矣（月將酉臨酉地，是西墜之象也），豈能久居廊廟乎？然喜朱雀德祿生日（朱乘巳作日德日祿臨日），故得好旨歸里。後知為四明諱象坤錢相公所占。果因人言請告而去。

Chen Gongxian interpreted that if a person in office divined this lesson, he should beware of being impeached by the censors, but he would still receive a favorable imperial decree to return home. This is because the three transmissions and the heavenly general mutually control each other, the lesson forms a hidden chant, and the Ding deity and the post-horse are present. Moreover, the sun has already lost its light (the month general is You, which is in the You palace, symbolizing the sunset in the west). How can one remain in court for long? Fortunately, the Vermilion Bird brings the day's virtue and day's fortune to the day stem (the Vermilion Bird is in Si, which is both the day's virtue and day's fortune, and it is directly over the day stem). Therefore, he can receive a good decree to return home. Later it was found out that this was for Qian Xiangkun, a gentleman from Siming. Indeed, he was later dismissed from office due to being criticized.

錢象坤（1559——1640），崇禎二年（1629，己巳）十二月丁丑日以禮部侍郎入閣，四年六月丁未，與周延儒爭吵而致仕。

The commentator notes: Qian Xiang Kun was born in 1559 and died in 1640. In the second year of the Chongzhen era, on the twelfth month of Jisi, on the day of Dingchou, he entered the cabinet as a minister of the Ministry of Rites. In June of the fourth year of Chongzhen, on the day of Dingwei, he resigned from his post and returned to his hometown due to a dispute with Zhou Yanru. He is precisely the person involved in this divination case.

占驗十六、丙子二月乙酉日辛巳時，淮陽巡撫諱振纓浙湖吳公祖，因賊焚鳳靈被逮，刑部已定重闢索占，涉害、天獄，午未空、亥子落空。 蛇貴 朱 戌亥子丑 后 龍陰 陰六 財 乙未 龍 六 酉 寅 陰 未寅 寅酉 父 戊子 貴 勾 申 卯 玄 寅酉 酉乙 子 癸巳 虎 青 未午巳辰 常 空虎

On the day of Yiyou in the second month of the Bingzi year, the divination was performed for Wu Zhenying, the governor of Huaiyang and a native of Zhejiang's Huzhou, who was arrested for the destruction of the Fengyang imperial tombs by bandits. The Ministry of Justice had already sentenced him to death, so he sought divination. The lesson pattern belongs to the category of "involved harm," and the formation is "Heavenly Prison." In this旬, the empty position is in Wu and Wei, and the Heaven Plate's Hai and Zi are located in the empty positions. The following is the divination chart for that day: the twelve branches are the Heaven Plate in the square grid, the twelve Heavenly Generals are noted outside, and the four lessons are listed from right to left in the center. On the right, the first, middle, and final transmissions are listed from top to bottom, along with their six relations, hidden heavenly stems, and Heavenly Generals. The first transmission is Yiwei, a wealth hexagram riding the Azure Dragon; the middle transmission is Wuzi, a parent hexagram riding the Nobleman; the final transmission is Guisi, a son hexagram riding the White Tiger. The Zi in the middle transmission is the Tai sui of the Bingzi year, so the following is interpreted with the Tai sui as the favoring star.

斷：目今必遇赦，在六月便有出獄之徵。蓋因皇恩臨干，天赦居支，又中傳太歲作貴人生日，罪雖至重，亦能轉凶為吉。但嫌戌臨孟位，又為本命，謫戍未能免。後曹大司禮奉命熱審，開豁謫戍。

Chen Gongxian interpreted that there was certainly a pardon in sight, and there were signs of release by June. This was because the royal grace fell upon the day stem, the heavenly pardon resided in the day branch, and the middle transmission's sovereign came as a nobleman to be born with the day stem. Although the crime was extremely serious, it could turn misfortune into good fortune. However, it was regrettable that the戌 was positioned in the first third, and since戌 was also his own destiny, exile to the border was inevitable. Later, when Gao of the Office of Imperial Ceremonies was ordered to conduct the hot review, he indeed pardoned the death sentence and changed it to exile to the border.

熱審，明代錄囚制度，重新審理，一般從輕發落，《明史》載：“每年熱審自小滿後十餘日，司禮監傳旨下刑部，即會同都察院、錦衣衛題請，通行南京法思，一體審擬具奏，京師自命下之日至六月終止，南京自部移至日為始，亦滿月而止。”

The commentator explains "reheating review": Reheating review was a system of reviewing prisoners in the Ming dynasty, during the hot season, where cases were reconsidered and generally dealt with leniently. The "Ming History" records that the reheating review began about ten days after the beginning of summer, when the Grand Secretariat issued an imperial decree to the Ministry of Justice. Then the Ministry of Justice, together with the Censorate and the Imperial Bodyguard, submitted a memorial for approval, and the review was carried out simultaneously by all the judicial offices in Nanjing. In the capital, the review was conducted from the day the order was issued until the end of June. In Nanjing, the review period started from the day the official document was received and also lasted for a full month.

《明史》八年正月，流賊陷鳳陽，毀皇陵。巡撫楊一鵬，（王）應熊座主；巡按吳振纓，（溫）體仁姻也。二人恐帝震怒，留一鵬、振纓疏未上，俟恢復報同奏之，遂擬旨令撫按戴罪。後一鵬棄市，振纓謫配。

The commentator cites the "Ming History" which records that in the first month of the eighth year of the Chongzhen era, bandits attacked and captured Fengyang, destroying the imperial tombs. At that time, Yang Yipeng, the governor, was the examiner of Wang Yingxiong, and Wu Zhenying, the imperial inspector, was a relative-in-law of Wen Tiren. Both feared the emperor's anger, so they withheld Yang Yipeng's and Wu Zhenying's memorials, intending to submit them together with the news of recapturing the lost territories. Therefore, they drafted an imperial edict ordering the governors and inspectors to carry out their duties while bearing guilt. Later, Yang Yipeng was executed and publicly displayed, while Wu Zhenying was demoted and exiled to military service.

此課發用死氣，斗繫日本，為天獄課，甚符問課之意。 三傳遞克，必有人參劾。支加干而克干，為上門亂首，必有人落井下石。焚鳳靈者，明帝之祖墳在鳳陽，專設廬鳳總督以護之，張獻忠、李自成兵發鳳陽，焚其祖墓，守土官失責，被參拿問，應是死罪。 此課之關節，在於太歲作恩星乘貴人，雖臨空害之地，不以凶論也。可見壬學於太歲甚重視，而月建則否。

The commentator analyzes: In this lesson, the first transmission is riding on death qi, and the star is attached to the day stem itself, forming a heavenly prison lesson, which matches very well with the inquiry about litigation. The three transmissions successively overcome each other, indicating certainly that someone will submit a memorial to accuse another. The day branch is added upon the day stem and then overcomes the day stem, forming the image of 'a superior disturbing the head', meaning certainly that someone will take advantage of the situation. The term 'burning the phoenix spirit' refers to the fact that the ancestral tomb of the Ming dynasty emperor was in Fengyang, and the court specially appointed the governor of Lu and Fengyang to guard it. Zhang Xianzhong and Li Zicheng led troops to Fengyang, burning the ancestral tomb of the Ming dynasty, and the local officials failed in their duties and were accused and investigated, and should have been executed. The key point of this lesson lies in the fact that the year stem acts as an auspicious star and rides on the nobleman, although it is located in a place of loss and suffering, it is not treated as凶. This shows that the Six Rats school places great emphasis on the year stem, and is not so concerned with the month builder.

占驗十七、癸未七月丁未丁未時，丹陽葺村盛順因逮進京，舟泊邦關請占，八專、斬關。（寅卯空，亥子落空） 勾龍 六 寅卯辰巳 空 朱龍 朱龍 鬼 辛亥 貴 朱 丑 午 虎 丑辰 丑辰 子 甲辰 龍 蛇 子 未 常 辰未 辰丁 子 甲辰 龍 貴 亥戌酉申 玄 后陰

On the day of Dingwei in the seventh lunar month of the year Guiwei, Sheng Shun, a person from DanYang Qicun, was arrested and transported to the capital by boat, which was anchored at Banguan. He consulted Chen Gongxian. The lesson pattern is eight specialization, and it also violates the cutting gate. In this旬, the empty position is in Yin and Mao. The Heaven Plate has the spirits of Hai and Zi falling into the empty position. The following is the current lesson chart: the twelve branches are the Heaven Plate in the square, the twelve Heavenly Generals are noted outside, and the four lessons are listed from right to left in the middle. On the right, the first, middle, and final transmissions are listed from top to bottom, along with their six relations, hidden stems, and Heavenly Generals. The first transmission is Xinhai, which is the official ghost riding the nobleman. The middle and final transmissions are both Jiachen, which are the sons riding the Azure Dragon. In the eight specialization lesson, the stem and branch are the same position, and the three transmissions often repeat. The month general Chen rides the Azure Dragon and is placed on top of the stem and branch, which is the basis for the following interpretation.

斷：其事定然辯雪，到京公訟前休。蓋因月將青龍加臨干支（八專課，月將辰乘龍臨干支），勾陳生日（勾乘卯生日干丁），官鬼空陷（亥子官鬼臨寅卯落空也），是以公訟辯雪白休息矣。

Chen Gongxian concluded: This case can certainly be cleared up and resolved. When it reaches the capital, the lawsuit will be settled first. Because the Month General is accompanied by the Azure Dragon and is placed on the Day Stem and Day Branch (in the Eight Special Lessons, the Month General in the辰 position is accompanied by the Azure Dragon and is placed on the Day Stem and Day Branch), the Gou Chen also comes to generate the Day Stem (the Gou Chen is in the卯 position, and the卯 wood generates the Day Stem丁 fire). The official ghost is fallen and trapped (the亥 and子 two official ghosts are placed on the寅 and卯 positions and thus fall into emptiness), so the lawsuit can be cleared up and resolved.

自為周相公占課何如，手取棋子三十二枚，以十二除之，餘八枚，亦是此課。曰：己丑命見日墓（丁墓戌臨丑），年乘三刑（命上戌，太歲未，三刑故也），與寅命相去甚遠，烏能無罪？後相國賜死，李賊破北京，盛脫自歸。

Chen Gongxian also cast another divination for Zhou Xiangong to see the final outcome: he picked up thirty-two pieces of chess, divided them by twelve, and had eight left over, and the ones he drew were exactly this lesson. I said: Zhou Xiangong was born in the year Jichou, his birth year's stem is Ji, and the day's墓 is in Xu, which is located in Chou. The current year also involves the Three Punishments, as his birth year is Xu and the heavenly stem of the current year is Wei, which are mutually punishing. His destiny is far from the year Yin, so how could he be innocent? Later, this minister was indeed executed. When Li Zicheng captured Beijing, Shengshun managed to escape and returned to his hometown on his own.

周相公者，前述之周延儒也，《明史莊烈帝紀》曰：“十六年，賜周延儒死。”盛順，周延儒之門客，故為盛順占而想起周延儒。

The commentator explains: here, Zhou Xianggong refers to the Zhou Yanchu mentioned earlier. The "Ming Shi · Zhuanglie Di Ji" records that in the sixteenth year of the Chongzhen era, Zhou Yanchu was executed. Shengshun was a guest of Zhou Yanchu, so when casting a divination for Shengshun, the mind naturally associated with Zhou Yanchu. Such associations during divination often serve as clues to the fulfillment of the prophecy.

占驗十八、丁丑五月甲子日巳時申將，浙上虞顧友與徽友吳子達為人代占吉凶，重審、玄胎，戌亥空、丑寅落空。 龍勾六朱 申酉戌亥 空 未 子 蛇 虎陰龍常 鬼 壬申 龍 虎 午 丑 貴 午卯申巳 父 乙亥 朱 巳辰卯寅 卯子巳甲 比 丙寅 后 常玄陰后

On the day of Jiazi in the fifth lunar month of the year Dingchou, at the hour of Si, with the month general Shen, a divination was made. The person consulted was a Gu surname friend from Shangyu, Zhejiang, who was assisting Wu Zida from Huizhou in divining the fortune of others. The lesson pattern belongs to the category of Reexamination, and the formation is of the Pyrenean pattern. In this旬, the empty position is in Xu and Hai. The heavenly plate has the two gods Chou and Yin falling into the empty position. The following is the current lesson chart: within the square grid, the twelve branches are the heavenly plate, with the twelve heavenly generals noted outside. In the middle, from right to left, are the four lessons. On the right, from top to bottom, are the three transmissions, their six relations, hidden heavenly stems, and the heavenly generals they ride. The first transmission is Renshen, representing official ghost, riding the Azure Dragon. The middle transmission is Yihai, representing parents, riding the Vermilion Bird. The final transmission is Bingyin, representing a companion, riding the Heavenly Empress. The month general, Azure Dragon, and official star all appear together, which serves as the basis for the subsequent interpretation of the conflict among high officials.

斷：月將龍官內戰，必因宰輔窩裡生非而敗事。但龍官與年神生合，斷非尋常可比，嫌干乘飛符，支見游魂，目今人宅必有災非之事。且年命勾神為祟，又丁動刃逢，貴履地網，公訟拘繫必見。喜勾陰生日，事可辨雪。曰：日後何如？予云：喜德神祿馬會入天門，定然位居顯要，忌見旬空，難以久遠。後知為常熟錢牧齋太史也，甲戌（申）歲官至大宗伯。

Chen Gongxian interpreted that the Month General was in conflict with the Azure Dragon and the official star, which surely resulted from internal strife among the ministers and caused trouble. However, the Azure Dragon and the official star also harmonized with the current year's heavenly spirit, indicating that this was no ordinary matter. It was regrettable that the Day Stem was afflicted by a flying symbol, and the Day Branch showed a wandering soul, meaning both people and homes would surely face calamities and disputes. Moreover, the native's year pillar was troubled by Gou Chen, the Ding spirit was activated and met with Yangren, and the Nobleman was standing on the earth net, meaning legal troubles and arrests were inevitable. Fortunately, Gou Chen and Tai Yin were able to nourish the Day Stem, allowing the matter to be cleared up. He asked, "What about the future?" I replied, "It is fortunate that the Day Virtue, the禄神, and the horse star all gathered at the heavenly gate, indicating a future position of prominence. However, the presence of the ten-day void is a concern, suggesting difficulty in maintaining this position for long." Later it was confirmed that the prediction referred to Qian Muzhai, a famous historian from Changshu, who became the Minister of Rites in the Jiashen year.

錢牧齋，錢謙益（1582—1684年）字，1628年曾罷官消籍，1637年遭溫體仁誣陷而被下獄，東林黨人救之，迫使溫於1637年七月辭職，錢於甲申年為南明禮部尚書，次年降清。本命午，行年酉。

The commentator notes: Qian Muzhai was the courtesy name of Qian Qianyi, who was born in 1582 and died in 1684. In 1628 he was dismissed from office and expelled, and in 1637 he was falsely accused by Wen Tiren and imprisoned. The Eastern Forest Party members worked hard to save him, forcing Wen Tiren to resign in July of that year. Qian Qianyi served as Minister of Rites for the Southern Ming in the year Jiashen, and the following year he surrendered to the Qing. His birth sign was Wu, and his age sign was You. These experiences exactly match the divination's conclusion that he held a prominent position but could not maintain it for long.

占驗十九、丁丑七月丁亥日甲辰時，太倉中翰錢是奄占常熟陳南洲逮問事，重審、進茹，午未空、未申落空。 勾六 龍 午未申酉 朱 空 巳 戌 蛇 陰后朱六 財 甲申 六 虎 辰 亥 貴 丑子酉申 財 乙酉 朱 常 卯寅丑子 后 子亥申丁 子 丙戌 蛇 陰后

On Dingchou year, seventh lunar month, Dinghai day, Jiachen hour, a divination was performed. The person consulted was Qian, a mid-level official in the Ministry of Revenue, who was representing Chen Nanzhou from Changshu, regarding an investigation into his case. The lesson pattern belongs to the category of repeated review, and the three transmissions proceed in a progressive manner, indicating a gradual development. In this旬, the empty position is in Wu and Wei. The Heaven Plate's Wu and Shen deities fall into the empty position. The following is the divination board for that day: within the square grid, the twelve earthly branches are the Heaven Plate, with the twelve Heavenly Generals noted outside. In the middle, the four lessons are listed from right to left. On the right, the initial, middle, and final transmissions are listed from top to bottom, along with their six relations, hidden heavenly stems, and Heavenly Generals. The initial transmission is Jiashen, which is a wealth爻, riding on Liu He; the middle transmission is Yiyou, also a wealth爻, riding on Vermilion Bird; the final transmission is Bingxu, which is a son爻, riding on Teng Snake. Shen, You, and Xu proceed in order, hence called "progressive development," indicating that the matter is approaching step by step.

斷曰：占訟最凶，全無救解。蓋因發用皇詔坐空，又蛇虎二墓加臨卯酉，此為冢墓門開，必主重重死喪也。又傳將純劫殺，丁火病死墓絕俱見，原何有救？且年上勾刃帶木，是用刑人執杖，定遭凶死。其後果奉旨廷杖，枷死二人。

Chen Gongxian interpreted that obtaining this divination lesson for legal matters is extremely dangerous and there is no way to escape it. Because the first transmission, the imperial decree, is sitting on Kongwang, and the two tomb deities, Teng Snake and White Tiger, are added upon the branches Mao and You, which is called the opening of the tomb gate, inevitably leading to continuous deaths and funerals. Moreover, the three transmissions and the Heavenly General are all劫killings, with the death, burial, and decline of Ding fire all appearing together, where is there any salvation? Furthermore, the year of the person's birth has Gou Chen accompanied by Yangren and wood, which is exactly the image of an executioner holding a stick, inevitably suffering a violent death. Later, they indeed received an imperial decree for the punishment of beating with sticks, and two people were shackled and beaten to death.

占驗二十、丁丑十一月癸未日日丙辰時，山東撫臺諱懋芳與興化李父母被總鎮劉澤清參劾逮問，占何日脫難，元首，申酉空空、巳午落空。 朱蛇 六 寅卯辰巳 貴 勾 丑 午 后 勾蛇陰虎 官 丙戌 虎 龍 子 未 陰 丑辰未戌 鬼 乙未 陰 空 亥戌酉申 玄 辰未戌癸 官 壬辰 蛇 虎常

On Dingchou year, eleventh lunar month, Guiwei day, Bingchen hour, a divination was made. Shandong Governor Maofang and County Magistrate Li of Xinghua were impeached by General Liu Zeqing and arrested. The question was asked about which day they could be released. The lesson pattern belongs to "Yuan Shou." In this ten-day period, the empty void is in Shen and You. The Heaven Plate's Si and Wu deities fall into the empty void's palace. The following is the divination chart for that day: the twelve branches are in the square grid as the Heaven Plate, the twelve Heavenly Generals are noted outside, and the four lessons are listed from right to left in the middle. On the right, the first, middle, and final transmissions are listed from top to bottom, along with their six relations, hidden deities, and Heavenly Generals. The first transmission is Bingxu, the middle transmission is Yiwei, and the final transmission is Renchen. All three transmissions belong to the category of official ghosts, each riding the White Tiger, Tai Yin, and Teng Snake respectively. Chen, Wei, and Xu are all storage places, so the conclusion states that it is most difficult to clear the case, and only a narrow chance of survival is left by using the first and final transmissions to counteract evil with evil.

斷曰：占訟最難辨雪，後卻虎頭蛇尾。蓋課傳蛇虎鬼賊，又太歲歲破剋日，主君相見責；所喜者，支上皇恩，命乘天赦；又以初末觀之，以凶制凶，反無凶矣。但只今行年恩星洩鬼之氣，明春太歲為救，脫難出禁當在彼時。丑年冬月上疏，新正下旨謫戍。

Chen Gongxian explained: Divination regarding official affairs is the hardest to clarify, but in the end it will be a case of a tiger's head and a snake's tail. Because among the four lessons and three transmissions, both Teng Snake and White Tiger are present along with official ghosts and thieves' spirits, and the sovereign and ministers will both be blamed as the master stem and the master branch are being attacked by the heavenly stem and the yearly destruction. Fortunately, the day branch has imperial grace, and the personal destiny is protected by Heavenly Pardon. Moreover, looking at the first and final transmissions, using a凶 to control another凶, it turns out not to be a great misfortune. However, currently the year's star is leaking the energy of official ghosts, but in the spring of next year the heavenly stem will save, and the escape from prison should happen at that time. Indeed, in the winter of the丑 year, a petition was submitted, and in the first month of the new year, an edict was issued to change the punishment to exile.

占驗二十一、辛未四月癸亥日戊午時，商城諱奮渭熊兵長垣為戊寅命人代占，斬關、稼穡，子丑空、卯辰落空。 勾龍 六 申酉戌亥 空 朱 未 子 虎 貴玄朱后 官 丙辰 后 蛇 午 丑 常 巳寅未辰 鬼 己未 朱 貴 巳辰卯寅 玄 寅亥辰癸 官 壬戌 龍 后陰

On the day of Guihai in the fourth lunar month of the year Xinwei, the divination was performed for a person whose destiny is in the year Wuyin. The case involves a man named Fengwei from Shangcheng, who is acting on behalf of this person. The divination shows a violation of the "Zhang Guan" pattern, with all three transmissions being earth elements, forming the image of farming and reaping. In this旬, the empty position is in Zi and Chou, with the Heaven Plate's卯 and辰 falling into the empty position. The following is the current divination chart: within the square, the twelve branches are the Heaven Plate, with the twelve Heavenly Generals noted outside. In the middle, the four lessons are listed from right to left, and on the right, the initial, middle, and final transmissions are listed from top to bottom, along with their six relations, hidden stems, and Heavenly Generals. The initial transmission is Bingchen, representing the official star riding the Heavenly Empress; the middle transmission is Jiwei, representing the official ghost riding the Vermilion Bird; the final transmission is Renxu, representing the official star riding the Azure Dragon. The characters Chen, Wei, and Xu are all earth elements, forming the image of farming and reaping, and also indicating a pattern of three transmissions all being ghosts. Therefore, the interpretation first states that the case appears to be unfavorable.

斷：課象雖凶，終不為畏。曰：較張逢玄課何如？予曰：張公課好，太歲剋日，君上不喜，須得木姓人求解，方可釋荷也。三傳純官鬼，又關墓覆日，豈不為凶？喜兩貴拱身，福德儀神臨支；又丁馬貴德居命，且是皇恩天詔，定轉凶為吉。其後刑長垣諱覺斯李先生上疏救之，減死謫戍，後知為雲間錢相公也。

Chen Gongxian said: The divination image although dangerous, is ultimately not to be feared. The person asked: Compared to Zhang Fengxuan's divination, which one is better? I said: Zhang's divination is better; this one has the year stem overcoming the day stem, the sovereign dislikes him, so a person with the surname of wood must appear to resolve it, in order to remove the blame. The three transmissions are all official ghosts, the gate and the tomb god cover the day stem, how could it not be dangerous? Fortunately, there are two noblemen supporting it, fortune virtue and ritual spirit are on the day branch; there is also the ding horse, nobleman, and day virtue in the native's chart, and it is accompanied by imperial grace and heavenly decree, surely it can turn danger into good fortune. Later, Li Juos先生 from Changyuan submitted a memorial to rescue him, and the death penalty was reduced to exile. After the fact, it was known that the divination was about Qian Xianggong from Yunjian.

雲間，今上海，明稱松江府。 《明史》（丁卯年）十二月，前南京吏部侍郎錢龍錫（1575——1645）、禮部侍郎李標、禮部尚書來宗道、吏部侍郎楊景辰、禮部侍郎周道登、少詹事劉鴻訓俱禮部尚書兼東閣大學士，預機務。二年（1629）十二月壬申日罷官，三年九月己卯逮下獄，四年五月甲戌朔，庚辰謫戍定海衛，十二年中，兩逢大赦而不宥，弘光間方回鄉，尋卒，年六十有八。

The commentator explains that Yunjian refers to today's Shanghai, known as Songjiang Prefecture in the Ming dynasty. He also cites the "History of the Ming Dynasty": On the Dingmao year, December, the former Deputy Minister of Personnel in Nanjing, Qian Longxi (born in 1575, died in 1645), along with the Deputy Minister of Rites Li Biao, the Minister of Rites Lai Zongdao, the Deputy Minister of Personnel Yang Jingchen, the Deputy Minister of Rites Zhou Daodeng, and the Junior Vice Minister of the Imperial Academy Liu Hongxun, all participated in the affairs of state together with the title of Minister of Rites and Chancellor of the Eastern Study. They were dismissed from office on the Renshen day of December in the second year of Chongzhen, arrested and imprisoned on the Jimao day of September in the third year, and exiled to Dingshai Garrison on the Gengchen day of the first day of the fifth month in the fourth year. Within twelve years, they encountered two general pardons but were not granted clemency, until the Hongguang period when they returned to their hometown and died shortly afterwards at the age of sixty-eight. The commentator cites this passage to confirm the judgment in the lesson regarding reduced death penalty and exile, as well as long-term imprisonment without pardon.

天羅地網欲何之，塞鬼登天可遁馳。傳將見凶干上吉，逃生無困不須疑。 干上子孫傳鬼賊，患門有救便無傷。丁馬最喜加年命，虎鬼臨身禍急防。 有墓昏迷忌兩蛇，無遙混沌防蛇虎（即昴星是蛇虎）。長生月德避之佳，天目直符逃者佳。 暗鬼剋日災患侵，明犬當門（戌加亥上）禍自深。斬關遊子天涯去，內戰天心途路禁。 遠近發用憑休旺（休囚遠旺相近），傳將最嫌逢墓空。天地兩儀須細玩，避凶趨吉用無窮。

The Hidden Retreat Chapter says: If the divination falls into the Heavenly Net and Earthly Trap, where else can one go? Only by the White Tiger and Nobleman ascending the Heavenly Gate can one escape and flee. Although the Three Transmissions and Heavenly General may appear asInauspicious Spirit, as long as the Day Stem's superior is auspicious, one can escape without being trapped, so there is no need to worry. If the Day Stem's superior is the son or grandson and the Three Transmissions are ghosts or thieves, the door of hardship will have rescue, so one will not be harmed. The丁神 andThe Post-horse are most favorable when they are added to the current year or one's own destiny. If the White Tiger brings ghosts and is present, one must urgently prevent misfortune. If there is aTomb Spirit, one will be confused and unable to move; it is to be avoided to see two Teng Snakes. If there is no remote attack in a chaotic divination, one should beware of Teng Snake and White Tiger (the昴星 lesson is when the snake and tiger are at the head). It is best to hide towards the direction of Growth and Monthly Virtue, and to escape by relying on the Heavenly Eye and Straight Symbol. If the hidden ghost attacks the Day Stem, disaster will affect oneself; if the dog is at the gate, that is when戌 is placed on亥, calamity will naturally be severe. The斩关 and游子 patterns indicate that one will travel far away; the internal warfare and天心 patterns indicate that the journey will be blocked. Whether one escapes far or near depends on the state of prosperity and strength—when in a weak and confined state, one will escape far; when prosperous and strong, one will escape near. The Three Transmissions and Heavenly General most dislike falling into the墓 or empty positions. The two principles of Heaven Plate and Earth Plate must be carefully considered, as their use for avoiding misfortune and seeking auspiciousness is endless.

占驗一、甲申五月乙未癸未時，東省費縣諱四知張相公因高鎮兵馬屯北城外，借住府河廳公署，占進退行，蒿矢、連茹，辰巳空、巳午落空。 虎常 空 午未申酉 玄 玄常 空龍 鬼 丁酉 玄 青 巳 戌 陰 酉申 午巳 財 戊戌 陰 勾 辰 亥 后 申未 巳乙 父 己亥 后 六 卯寅丑子 貴 朱蛇

On the day of Jiawen in the fifth lunar month of the year Jiashen, a man named Zhang Si from Feixian County in Shandong consulted a divination. He was staying in the official residence of the Fuhe Hall because the military forces of Gao Zhen were stationed outside the northern city. He asked whether he should advance or retreat, stay or leave. The lesson pattern belongs to "Hao Shi," and the three transmissions are connected as "Lian Ru." In this旬, the empty position is in Chen and Si, and the heaven plate's Si and Wu spirits fall into the empty position. Here is the divination board: the twelve branches are in the square grid as the heaven plate, the twelve heavenly generals are noted outside, and the four lessons are listed from right to left in the middle. On the right, the initial, middle, and final transmissions are listed from top to bottom, along with their six relations, concealed dry branches, and heavenly generals. The initial transmission is Dingyou, representing official ghost, riding on the Black Tortoise; the middle transmission is Wuxu, representing wealth, riding on Tai Yin; the final transmission is Jihai, representing parents, riding on Heavenly Empress. The branches You, Xu, and Hai are connected continuously, so it is called Lian Ru.

曰：東南水鄉居住安穩。蓋因歲貴劫殺臨支，賊符驛馬加干，此地異日還有兵戈擾攘。幸日上羅網逢空，相公必當解脫而去。然昴星乘玄武剋日來年太歲，革故從新，應在酉年必矣。相公遂渡江而南。

Chen Gongxian said: One should move to the southeastern water town for stability. Because the Tai Su and Gui Ren are with the Jie Sha at the day branch, and the Ze Fu and Yì Ma are also on the day stem, there will be military disturbances in the future. Fortunately, the Tian Luo Di Wang on the day stem coincides with Kongwang, so the official will certainly be able to escape. However, the Maoming star riding the Black Tortoise will attack the day stem and the Tai Su of the following year, indicating a renewal. The time of this change will surely be in the You year. Zhang official thus crossed the river to the south.

張四知，山東費縣人，天啟二年進士，貌甚丑，嘗患惡瘍。崇禎十一年廷推閣臣忽及之，得薛國觀援，於十二年入閣為相。庸劣充位而已經，執政四年，為人所謐，十五年致仕，後降於清。

The commentator adds a brief biography of Zhang Sizhi: Zhang Sizhi was from Feixian County, Shandong. He became an imperial scholar in the second year of Tianqi era. He had an ugly appearance and once suffered from a severe skin disease. In the eleventh year of Chongzhen, when the court was selecting ministers for the cabinet, he was suddenly mentioned. With the support of Xue Guoguan, he entered the cabinet as prime minister in the twelfth year of Chongzhen. He was only a mediocre and inferior person occupying the position, and during his four years in office, he was criticized by others. In the fifteenth year of Chongzhen, he resigned from his post. Later, he surrendered to the Qing dynasty.

占驗二、乙酉四月癸亥戊午時，予住淮陰，欲回揚州搬家眷，田百原恩師占課看該城住鄉住，元首、斬關。（子丑空，卯辰落空） 勾龍 六 申酉戌亥 空 貴玄 朱后 官 丙辰 后 朱 未 子 虎 巳寅 未辰 鬼 己未 朱 蛇 午 丑 常 寅亥 辰癸 官 壬戌 龍 貴 巳辰卯寅 玄 后陰

In the year Yiyou, fourth month, day Guihai, time Wuwu, Chen Gongxian, who was living in Huaiyin, wanted to return to Yangzhou to move his family, and asked Master Tian Baiyuan to cast a divination to determine whether it was better to live in the city or the countryside. The lesson pattern belongs to the category of Yuan Shou, and it also involves the offense of Zhan Guan. In this旬, the empty position is in Zi and Chou, and the heavenly plate's卯 and辰 are located in the empty position. The following is the divination board: the twelve branches are the heavenly plate within the square, the twelve heavenly generals are noted outside, and the four lessons are listed from right to left in the middle. On the right, the initial, middle, and final transmissions are listed from top to bottom, along with their six relations, hidden stems, and heavenly generals. The initial transmission is Bingchen, which is the official star riding the Heavenly Empress; the middle transmission is Jiwei, which is the official ghost riding the Vermilion Bird; the final transmission is Renxu, which is the official star riding the Azure Dragon. All three transmissions are earth; the辰 is added to the day stem and initiates the transmission, which is exactly the image of Zhan Guan.

斷曰：此課正宜歸隱住鄉安穩，住城雖有眾賊飛攻，亦不足畏。因遊子斬關（魁罡加日辰發用為斬關課，此正辰加日發用也；而遊子必三傳皆土，見天驛二馬方的，蓋此時仍在辰月，天馬在戌也），發用陽將傳入陰位，理應歸隱之象。住城雖有賊攻，賴支上寅木以敵之（正所謂一人當關，萬夫莫開也。），不若就西北水鄉卜居安穩。及到邦關，船被兵據，入城，史閣部命守西城，城破一家投水未死。

Divination indicates that this lesson suggests retreating to the countryside for stability; although living in the city would bring many bandits attacking swiftly, there is no need to fear. The lesson forms a 'Wandering Son' pattern, and 'Cutting the Gate' is formed when the魁罡 (a specific combination) is placed on the day branch and initiates the transmission. This particular lesson is initiated with the辰 (Dragon) on the day stem. For a true 'Wandering Son' pattern, all three transmissions must be earth elements, and both the Heavenly Horse and the Post-horse must be present. Since it is still the month of辰, the Heavenly Horse is in戌. The first transmission is a yang general moving into a yin position, which naturally indicates a retreat. Although living in the city brings attacks, the寅 wood on the day branch can defend, as it is said that one person guarding the pass can stop thousands. However, it is still better to settle in the water town of the northwest. Later, when he reached the border town, his boat was seized by soldiers, so he had to enter the city. The commander ordered him to defend the western part of the city, but after the city fell, his whole family jumped into the water but survived.

田百原，原名田仰，南明漕運總督。

The annotator notes: Tian Baiyuan's original name was Tian Yang, and he served as the Grand Commissioner of the Grand Canal during the Southern Ming dynasty.

追尋達士詳日德，捕捉逃奴看支刑。德克刑神必易獲，刑剋日德定難尋。 父子夫妻屬六親，還將逐類細詳因。酉婢戌奴觀異姓，空陰兩魁落處真。 盜竊姦淫論賊邪，伏吟主近無依遐。裡數多寡測魁坐（看戌臨何宮上下數乘之），課格善惡定凶嘉。

The chapter on escape says: To search for a virtuous person who has fled, one should examine the day's virtue; to capture a runaway servant, one should look at the day's branch and its punishing deity. If the day's virtue can overcome the punishing deity, it is certain that the person can be caught easily; if the punishing deity overcomes the day's virtue, then it is certain that the person will be hard to find. Father and son, husband and wife belong to different six relations, and one must examine each category carefully to determine the cause.酉 represents female servants, 戌 represents servants; if the person is of a different surname, then these two branches should be considered. The true and accurate location is determined by the positions of Tian Kong, Tai Yin, Hekui (Xu), and Tiangang (Chen), the two great deities. If the case involves theft or adultery, then it should be judged according to the thief and the wicked. If the lesson forms aHidden Chant, the person has fled nearby, is without support, and will not go far. The distance traveled can be estimated by looking at the position of Hekui (Xu); observe where 戌 is located in the palace, multiply the numbers above and below to determine the distance. As for fortune or misfortune, it is determined by the goodness or evil of the lesson's structure.