Volume Thirteen · Collection of Verified Divination Cases from the Country of Mu Nong, Complete One

庚辰三月庚辰日子時戌將，鄉友陳立齋占胡省文庶常朝考可留館否。午、辰、寅。子寅辰午、寅辰午庚。此公不待散館而回，且有不測之憂。蓋因課得顧祖，有得其舊廬之象。且馬至四重，其行必疾，是以知其不待散館而回也。又干上神空亡，喪吊全逢，且作日辰之兩鬼，龍神下賊，官祿俱空，不測之憂，其能免乎？果回籍數月而逝。

In the year of Gengchen, third lunar month, on the day of Gengchen at the hour of Zi, the divination was made using the Xu general. A fellow townsman named Chen Lizhai divined for the candidate Hu Shengwen, who was a junior imperial scholar, to determine whether he would be retained in the palace for further study. The divination chart showed the three transmissions, from top to bottom, as the first transmission Wu, the middle transmission Chen, and the final transmission Yin. The upper row of the four lessons had the upper deities Zi, Yin, Chen, and Wu, while the lower row had Yin, Chen, Wu, and Geng. Reading from right to left as per the traditional format, the first lesson had Geng with Wu above it, the second lesson had Wu with Chen above it, the third lesson had the day branch Chen with Yin above it, and the fourth lesson had Yin with Zi above it. The interpretation stated that the person would return to his hometown before the end of his official examination period and would face unexpected troubles. The divination showed "returning to the ancestral home," indicating a return to his old residence. The post-horse was found four times, indicating a swift journey, so it was known that he would return before the end of his official examination. Moreover, the deity above the day stem fell into the empty position, and the spirits of mourning and condolence joined together, both becoming the two official ghosts of the day stem and day branch. The Azure Dragon was defeated by the earth plate deity below, and both the official star and the禄神 (favorable official) fell into the empty position—how could unexpected troubles be avoided? Later, he indeed returned to his hometown for several months and then died.

庚辰十二月丁未日寅進子將，紹友蕭季思占施南府嵩菽圃太守能調首府否。丑、巳、巳。卯巳卯巳、巳未巳丁。首府必為吳越人所得，太尊未必能調。然卻有別缺署理。且不至一次。蓋因日比月建自別處發用，丑為揚分，是以知為吳越人所得也。中末干支行年得五驛馬，又係皇恩，命上貴登天門，太歲月建，又生其命上神，是以有署理別缺。不止一次也，後果署理鹽法及督糧道事。首府丁公兆祺，江蘇人。

In the year Gengchen, the twelfth lunar month, on the day Dingwei, at the hour Yin, a divination was made using the hour Yin (the original text mistakenly writes 'Yinjin' instead of 'Yinshi'). Xiao Jisi, a friend from the Shaoxing area, cast a divination for Shi Nanfu, the governor of Song Shupu, to determine whether he could be transferred to the position of the capital. The divination chart showed: the first transmission was Chou, the middle transmission was Si, and the final transmission was Si. The four lessons were arranged as follows: on the upper side, Mao, Si, Mao, Si; on the lower side, Si, Wei, Si, Ding. Reading from right to left, the first lesson had Si riding on Wei, the second lesson had Si riding on Mao, the third lesson had Si riding on Wei, and the fourth lesson had Si riding on Mao. The interpretation was: the position of the capital must certainly be taken by someone from Wu-Yue, and this official is unlikely to be transferred. However, there are other positions that he can temporarily manage, and not just once. Because the day builder and the month builder are harmonious and the transmission originates from elsewhere, and Chou is the territory of Yangzhou, it is known that the position will be taken by someone from Wu-Yue. The middle and final transmissions, together with the day stem, day branch, and the year of birth, form five instances of the post-horse, which is a sign of imperial favor. The nobleman is on the heavenly gate, and the year god and the month builder both generate the god of the day, indicating that there will be other positions to manage, and not just once. Later, he indeed temporarily managed the affairs of the Salt Law Office and the Grain Supervision Office. The position of the capital was taken by Ding Zhaoqi, who is from Jiangsu.

辛巳年正月丙辰日午時子將，紹友蕭季思占兩湖總督張筠圃制軍可升調否。巳、亥、巳。辰戌巳亥、戌辰亥丙。太歲乘天空發用，且遁丁神，生其年上神，中值貴人，天詔加臨日干，目一必有召之應。曰，還是內用，是外用？曰：龍神與日干相比是內用。果何官？曰：德神入天門發用，行年上乘白虎，主有威權生殺之柄，必刑部也。果奉詔入京，隨授刑部侍郎，次年轉倉場。

In the year of Xinsi, during the first lunar month, on the day of Bingchen, at the hour of Wu, a divination was made using the Zi general. A friend from Shaoxing named Xiao Jisi divined for the governor of the Two Lakes region, Zhang Yunpu, to determine whether he would be promoted or transferred. The divination chart showed: the first transmission was Si, the middle transmission was Hai, and the final transmission was Si. The four lessons were arranged as follows, read from right to left: the first lesson had Ji (丙) resting on Si, the second lesson had Hai resting on Si, the third lesson had the day branch Chen resting on Xu, and the fourth lesson had Xu resting on Chen. The interpretation stated: the sovereign year was resting on Tian Kong and initiated the transmission, and also concealed the spirit of Ding, which went to generate the spirit of the year; the middle transmission coincided with the nobleman, and the heavenly decree was added to the day stem—this indicates that there will certainly be a summons soon. Someone asked: is this an internal or external use? The answer was: Qinglong was harmonious with the day stem, so it was an internal use. Another question was asked: what official position will he hold? The answer was: the day virtue entered the heavenly gate and initiated the transmission, and the spirit of the year was resting on Baihu, indicating the power to enforce authority and carry out punishments, so he must be in the Ministry of Justice. Later, he indeed received an imperial summons to the capital, was immediately appointed as Deputy Minister of Justice, and the following year was transferred to the Grain Office. (The original text mistakenly wrote '目一必有' instead of '不日必有'.)

以是歲行年上乘日祿故也。辛巳正月丁卯日卯時亥將，裘慎甫司馬占新任陳望坡制軍、溫會僑方伯、鄧解預廉訪三大憲法，尚有更調否。未、卯、亥。未亥亥卯、亥卯卯丁。制臺、臬臺皆到任，藩臺尚有更調。蓋陳為土間，屬未，鄧有刑形，溫則水旁，屬亥，未為干神發用，卯為支神加干，是以知二人皆蒞任也。

(Continuing from the previous entry) The reason for being transferred to the granary the following year is because that year's year stem was in the position of the day's official luck. On the day of Dingmao in the first lunar month of the Xinsi year, with the hour of Mao, the divination used the general of Hai. Qiu Shenpu, the military commander, divined about the new governor general Chen Wangpo, the governor of the province Wen Huiqiao, and the inspector of criminal justice Deng Jieyu, the three senior officials, and whether there would be further transfers. The divination chart: the first transmission was Wei, the middle transmission was Mao, and the final transmission was Hai. The four lessons were arranged as follows: the upper row was Wei, Hai, Hai, Mao, and the lower row was Hai, Mao, Mao, Ding, read from right to left. The first lesson, Ding, was located on the position of Wei, with Mao on top of it; the second lesson, Mao, had Hai on top of it; the third lesson, the day's branch Mao, had Hai on top of it; the fourth lesson, Hai, had Wei on top of it. The interpretation: the governor general and the inspector of criminal justice will both take office, while the governor of the province will be transferred. This is because the character "Chen" has a soil radical, which corresponds to Wei; the character "Deng" has a knife shape; and the character "Wen" has a water radical, which corresponds to Hai. Wei is the initiating transmission on the day's stem, and Mao is the heavenly stem of the day's branch added to the day's stem, so it is known that these two officials will arrive. (The original text has an extra character "fa" below "three senior officials.")

亥貴旬空，又為干陰之缺神，空缺相併，則其缺空矣。且占其一而缺其一，是以知藩臺尚有更調節也。後制臺臬臺俱到任，溫藩臺左遷郎中，江西臬司廉敬升湖北藩臺。

As for Wen the Provincial Governor: Although the亥 position is occupied by the Nobleman, it also falls into the旬空, and亥 is also the position governed by the Day Stem'sYin Spirit, which is called「缺」. When both空 and缺 are present together, this缺 becomes empty. Moreover, since the divination involves three people but one is missing, it is known that the Provincial Governor will be transferred. Later, both the Governor-General and the Inspector-General arrived at their posts, while Wen the Provincial Governor was demoted to the position of Langzhong. The Inspector-General of Jiangxi, Lian Jing, was promoted to the position of Provincial Governor of Hubei. (The original text has an extra character「节」in「更调也」.)

辛巳正月丙子日申時亥將，任淑渠刺史占今年可升遷否。午卯亥申、卯子申丙。申、亥、寅。今年未能，明年春定得升遷。蓋因財官驛馬遞互相生，中傳月將乘貴人，且繫天詔，必有遷轉之事。嫌初中空陷，是以今年未能，明歲行年在亥，乘皇書驛馬，生其日干、龍神，必得升遷。次年正月升安陸府知府。

In the year of Xinsi, first lunar month, day of Bingzi, hour of Shen, using the Hour of Hai as the month general, the governor of Ren Shu Qu channel asked whether he would be promoted this year. The divination chart: first list the four lessons, the top row is Wu, Mao, Hai, Shen, and the bottom row is Mao, Zi, Shen, Bing, read from right to left. The first lesson has Bing on the position of Si, with Shen riding on it. The second lesson has Shen with Hai riding on it. The third lesson has Zi on the day branch, with Mao riding on it. The fourth lesson has Mao with Wu riding on it. Then list the three transmissions: the first transmission is Shen, the middle transmission is Hai, and the final transmission is Yin. The interpretation: this year will not be successful, but certainly promotion will happen in spring next year. Because the wealth爻, official star, and post-horse mutually generate each other, the middle transmission has the month general riding on the nobleman, and it is also the heavenly decree, so there must be a change of position. Unfortunately, the first and middle transmissions fall into empty and hidden positions, so this year will not be successful. Next year, when the year's position reaches Hai, Hai has the imperial decree and the post-horse riding on it, which will also benefit the day stem and the azure dragon, so promotion is certain. In the next year's first lunar month, he was indeed promoted to the position of governor of Anlu Prefecture.

辛巳二月丁亥日午時亥將，任淑渠刺史占乃弟醴渠太守在京候選區，何日可以得缺。酉辰巳子、辰亥子丁。巳、戌、卯。課得鑄印，太常入傳，且太歲乘天空發用，生其年命上神，又為支馬，今年必得銓選。嫌年乘日墓，目下尚不能得，須俟戌月土旺，墓化為庫，得缺當在此時。龍祿居丑，其缺當在吳越之分。果九站臺遷寧波府知府。

In the year of Xinsi, second month, day of Dinghai, at noon, using the hour of Hai as the starting point, Ren Shuqu, the magistrate of Li渠, asked about his brother's appointment as the governor of Li渠, who was waiting for an official post in the capital. The divination chart shows the four lessons arranged as follows: the upper row is You, Chen, Si, Zi, and the lower row is Chen, Hai, Zi, Ding, read from right to left. The first lesson has Zi riding on Ding; the second lesson has Si riding on Zi; the third lesson has Hai riding on Chen; and the fourth lesson has Chen riding on You. The three transmissions are: initial transmission Si, middle transmission Xu, and final transmission Mao. The interpretation states that the divination results in "casting the seal." Tai Chang enters the three transmissions, and with the heavenly stem riding on Tian Kong and initiating the transmission, it goes to generate the life of the person's birth year. The heavenly stem is also theThe Post-horse of the day branch. Therefore, this year he will definitely be appointed. However, there is a concern that the person's birth year is riding on the墓 of the day stem, so the appointment is not yet certain. It will be possible when the month of Xu arrives, as the earth element will be strong and the墓 will turn into a warehouse. The appointment will happen at this time. The Azure Dragon and the day's official salary are in the position of Chou, so the post is in the region of Wu-Yue. Later, it was indeed confirmed that he was transferred to the position of magistrate of Ningbo in the ninth month. (The original text has an extra character "区" after "候选," and "果九月" is mistakenly written as "果九站台.")

辛巳九月己卯日戌時戌將，遠安令祝行村明府奉調節鍾祥，占部復可準否。丑申巳子、申卯子己。巳、戌、卯。課得鑄印，格合天心，太歲發用生其日干，朱陰生太歲，部復必準。嫌太歲受上下夾克，是以今年未能，開正歲建月建與朱雀作三合，方得部文。便命上驛馬夾克，干上幕貴臨年，恐前程未能遠到耳。後部復，果旋有請告之事。

In the year Xinsi, ninth month, day Jimao, hour Xu, using Xu as the general, the county magistrate of Yuan'an, Zhu Xingcun, consulted about whether the approval from the department would be accurate. The divination chart shows the four lessons, with the upper row being Chou, Shen, Si, Zi, and the lower row being Shen, Mao, Zi, Ji, read from right to left. The first lesson has Ji (day stem) with Wei (its hidden stem) on top, the second lesson has Zi with Si on top, the third lesson has Mao (day branch) with Shen on top, and the fourth lesson has Shen with Chou on top. The three transmissions are: initial transmission Si, middle transmission Xu, and final transmission Mao. The interpretation states that the lesson is "Casting the Seal," and the structure also matches "Heaven's Heart." The sovereign's transmission is used to generate the day stem, and the Vermilion Bird's hidden spirit also generates the sovereign—so the department's approval is certain. However, the sovereign is squeezed between upper and lower, so this year will not succeed. It will not be until next year's first month, when the sovereign and the month builder join with the Vermilion Bird to form a triple harmony, that the official document will be received. However, theThe Post-horse (post-horse) in the native's chart is squeezed, and the day stem has the nobleman of the curtain (帘幕贵人) on it, so it is feared that the career will not last long. Later, the department's approval was indeed granted, and soon after, there was an official request for sick leave. (The original text has an extra character "节" in "奉调锺祥".)

壬午二月甲辰日丑時戌將，任淑渠刺史申報祝行村明府疾痊，示覆鍾祥原缺。戌丑申亥、丑辰亥甲。申、巳、寅。官星乘天馬發用，惜為中傳所克，末傳德祿驛馬又屬旬空，又交車互克，主彼此不和，且日干空亡，太歲克命，貴履地網，朱陰又空，必不能允得所請也。後果如所占。

In the year Renwu, second month, day Jiachen, at the hour Chou, using the Xu general, the official Ren Shuqu, who was in charge of the village Zhuxiang, reported that a person's illness had recovered and requested to resume the position of Zhongxiang. The divination chart shows: first, the four lessons are arranged with the upper row being Xu, Chou, Shen, Hai, and the lower row being Chou, Chen, Hai, Jiachen, read from right to left. The first lesson has the Jiachen stem resting on the寅 (Yin) position, with Hai riding on it. The second lesson has Hai with Shen riding on it. The third lesson has the day branch Chen with Chou riding on it. The fourth lesson has Chou with Xu riding on it. Then the three transmissions are: initial transmission Shen, middle transmission Si, and final transmission Yin. The interpretation states: the official star is riding on the Heavenly Horse and initiating the transmission, but it is unfortunate that it is being overcome by the middle transmission. The final transmission has the day's virtue, day's fortune, and the post-horse all falling into the empty period. The day stem and day branch are mutually overcoming each other, indicating mutual discord. Additionally, the day stem falls into the empty period, the heavenly stem is overcoming the personal stem, the nobleman is standing on the ground net, and the Vermilion Bird's hidden spirit is also empty—therefore, the request is certain to be denied. Later, it indeed turned out as predicted.

癸未六月乙巳日亥時未將，穆子羽刺史因案為上司所劾，餘代占課寄之。酉丑申子、丑巳子乙。酉、巳、丑。合局克干，年上又乘蛇貴，應有一番風波，幸三傳俱為天將所制，金局無力克干，干上子水又能脫金生干，化凶為吉。雖嫌交車互克，幸干支上神作六合，始雖齟齬，後終和好也。後果如所占。

On the day of Yi Si (乙巳) in the sixth lunar month of the Gui Wei (癸未) year, at the hour of Hai (亥), a divination was performed using the hexagram of Wei (未). Mu Zi Yu, who was the chief magistrate, was accused by his superior officials due to a case, and I divined a lesson on his behalf and sent it to him. The divination chart: first, the four lessons are listed, with the upper row being You (酉), Chou (丑), Shen (申), and Zi (子), and the lower row being Chou (丑), Si (巳), Zi (子), and Yi (乙). Reading from right to left, the first lesson has the character Yi (乙) on the Chén (辰) and is occupied by Zi (子), the second lesson has Zi (子) occupied by Shen (申), the third lesson has the day branch Si (巳) occupied by Chou (丑), and the fourth lesson has Chou (丑) occupied by You (酉). Then the three transmissions are listed, with the first transmission being You (酉), the middle transmission being Si (巳), and the final transmission being Chou (丑). The interpretation: the three transmissions form the metal triad of Si (巳), You (酉), and Chou (丑), which is able to overcome the wood day stem Yi (乙). Additionally, the year's position is occupied by the Teng Snake and the Nobleman, indicating that there should be some disturbance. Fortunately, the three transmissions are restrained by the Heavenly General, so the metal triad is unable to overcome the day stem. The water of Zi (子) on the day stem can also drain the metal and thus benefit the day stem, transforming misfortune into good fortune. Although there is mutual overcoming between the day stem and day branch, the heavenly stem and earthly branch are connected by the Liu He (六合), indicating that although there may be initial disputes, they will eventually reconcile. Later events indeed confirmed the divination.

癸未二月己亥日午時亥將，王叔臣刺史相晤索占。酉辰巳子、辰亥子己。巳、戌、卯。此課白虎驛馬發用空亡，中傳朱雀又入空鄉，獨存末傳之鬼，且太歲龍神不安，任內恐有不如意之事。曰：在何時？曰：十月。緣亥上凶辰，沖其空印故也。曰：此後如何。曰：明歲乘上乘日祿生其日干、龍神，可以穩坐中流矣。後果如所占。

In the year Guiwei, second lunar month, on the day Jihai at noon, using the hour animal Hai, a magistrate named Wang Shuchen asked for a divination. The lesson was set up as follows: first, the four lessons were arranged, with the upper row being You, Chen, Si, Zi, and the lower row being Chen, Hai, Zi, Ji, read from right to left. The first lesson had Ji, which was associated with Wei, and was occupied by Zi. The second lesson had Zi occupied by Si. The third lesson had the day branch Hai occupied by Chen. The fourth lesson had Chen occupied by You. Then the three transmissions were arranged: the first transmission was Si, the middle transmission was Xu, and the final transmission was Mao. The interpretation said: in this lesson, the White Tiger and the Post-horse started the transmission but fell into Kongwang, the middle transmission's Vermilion Bird also entered Kongxiang, leaving only the final transmission as the official ghost. Moreover, the sovereign and the Azure Dragon were not stable, so in office there would be worries and troubles. When asked when, the answer was October. Because Hai was an evil hour, directly opposing the lost official seal. When asked what would happen afterwards, the answer was that in the next year, the year animal would be occupied by the day's luck, going to birth the day stem and the Azure Dragon, thus being able to steady in the middle. Later, it indeed came true as predicted. (The original text mistakenly wrote '明岁乘上乘日禄' instead of '明岁年上乘日禄'.)

乙酉四月丁巳日巳時酉將，郎牧雲刺史因廣西桂林府出缺，占乃兄靜谷太守可調否。丑酉卯亥、酉巳亥丁。酉、丑、巳。貴神帶驛馬作官星加干，三傳又俁局催之，朱雀乘太歲作月將加支發用，青龍日祿臨年，天喜臨命，皆榮調之征也。又馬至五重，丁神入傳，其慶甚速，。午月必有好音。後果如所占。

In the year of Yiyou, fourth lunar month, day of Dingsi, fourth hour, using the You general, the official Láng Mùyún, who was the acting governor of Guangxi Guilin prefecture, consulted whether his elder brother, Jinggu Tai-shu, could be transferred there. The divination chart: first list the four lessons, the top row is Chou, You, Mao, Hai, the bottom row is You, Si, Hai, Ding, read from right to left. The first lesson has Ding, which is located on the Wei, with Hai on top; the second lesson has Hai with Mao on top; the third lesson has the day branch Si with You on top; the fourth lesson has You with Chou on top. Then list the three transmissions: initial transmission You, middle transmission Chou, final transmission Si. The interpretation: the nobleman, accompanied by the post-horse, also acts as the official star and is placed on the day stem; the three transmissions form a harmonious combination to promote the matter. The Vermilion Bird is riding the sovereign year and also acts as the month general, placed on the day branch to initiate the transmission. The Azure Dragon and the day's luck are present in the year, and Heavenly Joy is on the native's birth star—these are all signs of promotion. Moreover, the post-horse adds up to five layers, and the Ding spirit enters the three transmissions, so the good news will come very quickly, and there will certainly be good news in May. Later it indeed came true as predicted. (The original text mistakenly wrote '合局' as '俣局'.)

丙戌正月癸未日申時子將，鄉友餘篆之占費新橋方伯官運。卯亥酉巳、亥未巳癸。酉、丑、巳。藩臺必有丁媽之事，當回籍也。蓋因發用雖為生我之神，而亥為干之敗氣，且屬旬空，中官星又坐空，命上乘旺相之財爻入於課傳，財爻旺則印爻被克矣，日祿陷空，驛馬加干，是是知有丁媽回籍之事。後果如所占。

In the year of Bingxu, during the first lunar month, on the day of Guiwei, at the hour of Shen, using the Zi general, the divination was made about the official career of a friend named Yu Zhuanzhi concerning Fu Zhengshi, the official in charge of the provincial administration. The divination chart: first list the four lessons, the top row is Mao, Hai, You, Si, and the bottom row is Hai, Wei, Si, Gui, read from right to left. The first lesson has Gui on Chou, with Si riding on it; the second lesson has Si with You riding on it; the third lesson has the day branch Wei with Hai riding on it; the fourth lesson has Hai with Mao riding on it. Then list the three transmissions: the first transmission is You, the middle transmission is Chou, and the final transmission is Si. The interpretation: this official must certainly experience a period of mourning for his father, and return to his hometown to observe the mourning period. Because the initiating transmission is a god that generates me, but Hai is the declining energy of the day stem, and it falls in the empty period; the middle transmission's official star also sits in the empty; the original fate is riding on a prosperous and strong wealth爻, which enters the transmission - when wealth爻 is strong, the parents (imperial seal) are being harmed; further, the day's official禄 is in the empty, and the post-horse is pressing on the day stem, so it is known that there will be a mourning period and return to the hometown. Later, it indeed came true as predicted. (The original text has '丁艰' mistakenly written as '丁妈' twice, and '是以知' mistakenly written as '是是知'.)

庚辰四月庚子日酉時申將，鄉友陳立齋占本科狀元落於何生活上，且繫何姓。戌、酉、申。戌亥午未、亥子未庚。會元應落兩湖、廣西三省，非陳姓即王姓也。蓋因天罡加巳，居翼軫之分野，是以落在兩湖、廣西也。未作貴人臨干，是以知為陳王等姓也。及閱邸報，仍陳公繼昌，廣西桂林人。

In the year of Gengchen, fourth lunar month, day of Gengzi, hour of You, using the Shen general, a fellow townsman named Chen Lizhai asked about the province where the top scholar of the imperial examination would come from and his surname. The divination chart shows the three transmissions, from top to bottom, as initial transmission Xu, middle transmission You, and final transmission Shen. The four lessons are arranged above as Xu, Hai, Wu, Wei, and below as Hai, Zi, Wei, Geng, read from right to left. The first lesson has Geng on the Shen, with Wei above it; the second lesson has Wei with Wu above it; the third lesson has Zi (the day branch) with Hai above it; the fourth lesson has Hai with Xu above it. The interpretation states that the top scholar should come from the provinces of Hubei, Hunan, and Guangxi, and his surname should be either Chen or Wang. This is because the Tiangang (Chen) is placed on Si, which corresponds to the celestial regions of Yi and Zhen, thus indicating Hubei, Hunan, and Guangxi. The Wei, which acts as a nobleman, is placed on the day stem, hence the surname Chen or Wang. Later, when the official gazette was read, it was confirmed that the top scholar was Chen Jichang from Guilin, Guangxi. (The original text mistakenly wrote '落于何生活上' instead of '落于何省'.)

庚辰四月庚子日亥時申將，鄉友陳立齋占本科狀元落於何省，且繫何姓。午、卯、子。午酉寅巳、酉子巳庚。天罡加未，狀元應落三輔滇黔等處。必陳朱等姓也。及閱邸報，仍陳公繼昌，廣西桂林人。且繫三元。餘始疑其不驗。既而思之，旬首發用，即會元之象也。三奇入傳，非三元而何？且干上巳，正荊楚分野也。乃知課之奇妙，非鈍根人所能理會，附書以稔來者。

The same day, which was the seventh month of the Geng Chen year, the seventh day of the Geng Zi month, the divination was done at the hour of Hai. The general used was Shen. Chen Lizhai also divined which province the top scholar of the examination would come from and what surname he would have. The divination chart showed the first transmission as Wu, the middle transmission as Mao, and the final transmission as Zi. The four lessons were arranged as follows: the upper row was Wu, You, Yin, Si, and the lower row was You, Zi, Si, Geng. Reading from right to left, the first lesson had Si on top of Shen, the second lesson had Yin on top of Si, the third lesson had You on top of Zi, and the fourth lesson had Wu on top of You. The interpretation said that the Tiangang was placed on Wei, so the top scholar should come from the capital region, the three auxiliary areas, Yunnan, or Guizhou, and his surname must be Chen or Zhu. Later, when the official gazette was published, it turned out to be Chen Jichang from Guangxi Guilin, who had won the top three positions in the examination. At first, I doubted that this divination was accurate, but upon reflection, I realized that the first transmission of the ten-day cycle indicated the image of the first place in the examination, and the Three Marvels entering the three transmissions could be nothing else but the three top positions. Moreover, the day stem had Si on top of it, and Si is the territory of Jingchu. This made me realize how wonderful the divination chart is, and how it is beyond the understanding of those with dull minds. I specially recorded this for future generations to see. (The original text mistakenly wrote '以稔来者' instead of '以诒来者'.)

庚辰十月辛亥日巳時寅將，王攝三明府占乃弟在陸院試。巳、寅、亥。巳申辰未、申亥未辛。月德驛馬長生作官星發用，天喜臨干，劫煞入辰，太歲朱雀與日相生，主文章高下咸宜，命上寅、年上戌，又與日貴之午作三合，必進無疑。干上未八數，發用巳四數，巳有雙義，重之亦為八也。後果入泮第八名。

In the year Gengchen, on the day Xinhai in the fourth month, at the hour of Si, using the general Yin, Wang, who was acting as the county magistrate for three counties, cast a divination for his younger brother's examination. The divination chart showed the three transmissions: the first was Si, the middle was Yin, and the final was Hai. The four lessons were arranged as follows, read from right to left: the first lesson was Xin on Wu, with Hai on top; the second lesson was Wu with Chen on top; the third lesson was Hai with Shen on top; and the fourth lesson was Shen with Si on top. The interpretation stated that the Monthly Virtue, the Post-horse, and the Growth all functioned together as official stars, initiating the transmission. Heavenly Joy was located on the day stem, while Jiesha entered the day branch. The sovereign year and Vermilion Bird also generated the day stem, indicating that the composition, whether high or low, was appropriate. The personal destiny was on Yin, the year of birth was on Xu, and both combined with the day's noble element, Wu, to form the triple harmony of Yin-Wu-Xu, which assured admission to school without doubt. Further, the number of Wei on the day stem was eight, the number of Si initiating the transmission was four, and since Si had two meanings, it doubled to eight. Later, he indeed passed the examination, ranking eighth.

辛巳五月甲寅日子時申將，紹友陶永成占婚。戌、午、寅。午戌午戌、戌寅戌甲。用合干支，結成火局。但三傳逆合，事有不順。交車互克，格合解離，初期傳妻財，又受上下夾克，干支二陰神，復作自刑，其中有人間阻。且男女行年，合中有刑，又女年從空，空即不能成事也。後果如所占。

In the year Xinsi, fifth lunar month, day Jiayin, time Zi, the divination was made using the Shen general. A friend from the Shaoxing area named Tao Yongcheng consulted about marriage. The divination chart shows the three transmissions: first transmission Xu, middle transmission Wu, final transmission Yin; the four lessons are arranged as follows: upper row is Wu, Xu, Wu, Xu; lower row is Xu, Yin, Xu, Jiayin. Reading from right to left, the first lesson is Jiayin resting on Yin with Xu above it, the second lesson is Xu with Wu above it, the third lesson is the day branch Yin with Xu above it, and the fourth lesson is Xu with Wu above it. The interpretation states: the initiating transmission combines with the day stem and day branch, and the three transmissions form a fire trinity of Yin, Wu, and Xu; however, the three transmissions are in reverse order, so the matter will not proceed smoothly. The day stem and day branch mutually restrain each other, forming the pattern of 'resolving fire'; the wife's wealth in the first transmission is restrained by both above and below, and the two yin spirits of the day stem and day branch also self-restrain each other—there must be someone interfering in the middle. Moreover, the ages of the two parties are compatible but involve restraint, and the woman's age falls into Kongwang, so once it falls into emptiness, the matter will not succeed. Later events indeed confirmed the divination. (The original text has an extra character 'period' in 'first transmission'.)

庚辰九月甲子日寅時辰將，揚友吳益三占六甲。辰、午、申。辰寅午辰、寅子辰甲。所產必男，主十月辰日生產而不育。蓋罡加比日，其為生男必矣。甲午以亥水炎長生，故知十月。命上申、年上子，待干上辰之六合來會局，且辰又為勝光所臨，是以知為辰日也。嫌發用六合加於寅位，為月之死氣所克，恐生而難育也。後果於是日生，二載而殤，

In the year of Geng Chen, ninth month, day of Jia Zi, at the hour of Yin, using the general Chen, a friend from Yangzhou named Wu Yisān divined about a pregnancy. The divination chart shows the three transmissions: first transmission is Chen, middle transmission is Wu, and final transmission is Shen. The four lessons are arranged as follows: upper row is Chen, Yin, Wu, Chen; lower row is Yin, Zi, Chen, Jia. Reading from right to left, the first lesson has Jia on Yin with Chen above it, the second lesson has Chen with Wu above it, the third lesson has the day branch Zi with Yin above it, and the fourth lesson has Yin with Chen above it. The interpretation is that the child will definitely be a boy, born on the day of Chen in the tenth month, but the child will not survive. This is because the Tiangang (Chen) is placed in a position that harmonizes with the day stem, confirming the birth of a boy. The Jia wood is supported by the water of Hai, so the prediction is made for the tenth month. The native's position is covered by Shen, and the year's position is covered by Zi, waiting for the day stem's Chen to form the trinity of Shen, Zi, and Chen. The Chen is also the place where the Shengguang (Wu) is located, so the prediction is made for the day of Chen. However, the initial transmission of Chen is covered by Liu He and placed on Yin, which is attacked by the dead qi of the current month, indicating the child may not survive. Later, the child was indeed born on that day, but died two years later.

辛巳十月壬辰日巳時卯將，鄉友崔仲和占六甲。寅、子、戌。子寅未酉、寅辰酉壬。三傳俱陽，主男。干神一陽二陰，為男也。又三合缺一，格合虛一待用，主午月當產。干支交車六合，懷胎平安。干神上下相生，產亦順利。惟嫌行年上神克其空亡之胎財，恐生而不育耳。果年餘而殤。

In the year Xinsi, on the day Renchen in the fourth month, at the hour of Si, using the general Maoyang, a friend named Cui Zhonghe consulted about pregnancy and childbirth. The divination chart shows the three transmissions: first transmission Yin, middle transmission Zi, and final transmission Xu. The four lessons are arranged as follows, read from right to left: the first lesson has Ren on the亥 (Hai) with You on top, the second lesson has You with Wei on top, the third lesson has the day branch Chen with Yin on top, and the fourth lesson has Yin with Zi on top. The interpretation states that all three transmissions are yang branches, indicating the birth of a male child. The day stem has one yang and two yin elements, with the yang being dominant, also suggesting a male child. The triple harmony formation is missing one element, which fits the principle of 'empty one and wait for use,' indicating childbirth in May. The day stem and day branch form aLiu He (Liu He), ensuring a safe pregnancy. The day stem and its associated elements are mutually generating, indicating a smooth delivery. However, the year's element is attacking the empty胎财 (fetus and wealth), which is worrying as the child may not survive. Later, the child indeed died within a year.

壬午三月乙酉日辰時酉將，鄉友崔仲和為謝為珉妻占六甲。未、子、巳。未寅寅酉、寅酉酉乙。其母必傷，子亦難育。蓋因日墓乘死囚之氣發用，又斗繫日本，不能扶其日干，且三傳遞克，初中空陷，支乘胎神六合加干克干，上門亂首。年命上神，又俱被夾克，是以知其母必傷也。又乙干以巳為子孫，乃乘虎受克，是以知子亦難育也。後產後母子俱亡。

In the year Renwu, third lunar month, day Yiyou, at the hour of You, using the You general, a friend named Cui Zhonghe divined on behalf of Xie Weimin's wife about her pregnancy and childbirth. The divination chart shows the three transmissions: initial transmission is Wei, middle transmission is Zi, and final transmission is Si. The four lessons are arranged as follows: upper row is Wei, Yin, Yin, You; lower row is Yin, You, You, Yi. Reading from right to left, the first lesson has Yi attached to the Chen, which is occupied by You; the second lesson has You occupied by Yin; the third lesson has the day branch You occupied by Yin; the fourth lesson has Yin occupied by Wei. The divination states that the mother will suffer and the child will be difficult to raise. This is because the buried wood of Yi wood is on Wei, which is in a state of death and initiates the transmission, and the Tiangang suppresses the root of the day stem, making it impossible to support Yi wood. The three transmissions are in a cycle of mutual control, with the initial and middle transmissions falling into empty and hidden positions. The day branch You is occupied by the胎神 (fetus god) and Liu He, which then attack the day stem, indicating a violation of order and confusion at the beginning and end. The heavenly stems of the person's age are also all subject to mutual control, so it is concluded that the mother will suffer. Moreover, Yi wood takes Si as its offspring, but Si is occupied by the White Tiger and is thus attacked, so it is concluded that the child will be difficult to raise. Later, both the mother and child died after childbirth.

己卯正月辛酉日辰時亥將，遣人往鄉友宋占鰲處借銀，占可允否。亥、午、丑。亥辰子巳、辰酉巳辛。三傳逆行，干支沖剋，先時似無和洽之意，但月將乘龍發用，又作三奇，中傳貴登天門，天財臨命入辰，復作六合，太歲作財爻臨年，又乘進旺之氣，後必允許。後果如所占。

In the year of Jima, first lunar month, day of Xinyou, at the hour of Chen, using the Hour of Hai as the general, a person was sent to borrow silver from a fellow townsman named Song Zhanao. The divination was to determine whether he would agree. The divination chart shows the three transmissions: initial transmission is Hai, middle transmission is Wu, and final transmission is Chou. The four lessons are arranged as follows: upper row is Hai, Chen, Zi, Si; lower row is Chen, You, Si, Xin. Reading from right to left, the first lesson has Xin resting on Xu, the second lesson has Si resting on Zi, the third lesson has You resting on Chen, and the fourth lesson has Chen resting on Hai. The interpretation states: the three transmissions are in reverse order, and the day stem and day branch are in mutual control and conflict, initially seeming like they would not agree. However, the month general is riding the Azure Dragon and initiating the transmission, and also forms the Three Marvels. The middle transmission has the Nobleman entering the heavenly gate, the heavenly wealth is approaching the personal destiny and entering the day branch, and forms Liu He. The sovereign year also acts as the wealth element, resting on the year's branch, and is riding the gradually increasing and flourishing energy. In the end, it is certain that he will agree. Later, it indeed came true as predicted.

己卯五月丙辰日丑時申將，邵雲亭少府占財。午、丑、申。午亥未子、亥辰子丙。三傳遞生空亡，財爻又入墓地，財何能有？且干支上明暗二鬼剋日，末傳空財，復助其空鬼，又要元武發用，傳入勾陳，為干之脫氣，不惟所求難得。且恐有貪汙敗名，因財致禍之事。後果如所占。

In the year of Ji Mao, fifth month, day of Bing Chen, at the hour of Chou, using the Shen general, the county magistrate Zhao Yunting consulted about seeking wealth. The divination chart shows the three transmissions: initial transmission Wu, middle transmission Chou, final transmission Shen; the four lessons are arranged as follows: upper row is Wu, Hai, Wei, Zi, and lower row is Hai, Chen, Zi, Bing, read from right to left. The first lesson, Bing, is located on Si with Zi riding upon it; the second lesson, Zi, is located on Wei; the third lesson, day branch Chen, is located on Hai; the fourth lesson, Hai, is located on Wu. The interpretation states: although the three transmissions are connected through mutual generation, they all fall into the empty position. The wealth element has entered the tomb, so where can wealth come from? Moreover, there are two layers of official ghosts, both visible and hidden, on the day stem and day branch, which attack the day stem. The final empty wealth element even supports the empty official ghost. Furthermore, Yuan Wu initiates the transmission and passes into Gou Chen, causing the day stem to lose its vital energy. Not only is the money difficult to obtain, but there is also fear of causing disgrace through corruption and trouble due to money. Later events indeed confirmed the divination.

庚辰五月己未日酉時申將，杭友柳耘圃客楚負欠，央友挽江右金粹然擔保，占可允否。卯、午、午。巳午巳午、午未午己。其事必允。蓋因龍神乘官星發用，月將貴人加臨年命。又中末干支，乘建旺之朱雀，生其太歲日辰。又干支上下，交車俱作六合，巳乘六俁成神，作干支之陰神，主有人明暗吹噓，其事必成。後果如所占。

In the year Gengchen, on the day Jiwei in the fifth lunar month, at the hour You, using the Shen general, a divination was made concerning whether a friend named Liu Yunpu, staying in Hubei, who had borrowed money, would be able to get a guarantee from Jin Cuiyan in Jiangxi. The divination showed: the three transmissions were initial transmission Mao, middle transmission Wu, and final transmission Wu. The four lessons were arranged as follows, read from right to left: the first lesson was Ji on Wei, with Wu on top; the second lesson was Wu with巳 on top; the third lesson was Wei with Wu on top; the fourth lesson was Wu with巳 on top. The divination concluded that the matter would certainly be agreed to. This is because the Azure Dragon was riding the official star and initiating the transmission, the month general and the nobleman were both added to the person's birth year; the middle and final transmissions, along with the day stem and day branch, were all riding the Vermilion Bird, which was in its season and strong, to generate the sovereign and the day branch; the day stem and day branch were both connected with each other and formed Liu He; there was also Liu He and Cheng Shen on巳, acting as the hidden spirit of the day stem and day branch. This indicates that someone is advocating for him both openly and secretly, and the matter will certainly succeed. Later, it indeed turned out as predicted. (The original text mistakenly wrote 'Liu He' as 'Liu Yu'.)

庚辰九月丁巳日酉時辰將，餘友柳耘圃遣僕往州城借銀，中可允否。酉、辰、亥。未子酉寅、子巳寅丁。財爻乘貴人發用，又係正時，末傳亥作三奇。龍作長生加臨日干，必得允許。但以發用斷之，不過六數而已。惟嫌式中天財陷空，驛馬又入墓庫，使人必空手而回，其銀當後時寄來也。後果如所占。

In the year Gengchen, ninth month, day Dingsi, hour You, using the Chén general, I divined whether my friend Liu Yunpu's servant could borrow silver from the city. The divination showed: the first transmission was You, the middle transmission was Chén, and the final transmission was Hai; the four lessons were arranged as follows: on the upper side, Wu, Zi, You, Yin; on the lower side, Zi, Si, Yin, Ding, read from right to left. The first lesson had Ding resting on Wu with Yin on top, the second lesson had Yin with You on top, the third lesson had the day branch Si with Zi on top, and the fourth lesson had Zi with Wu on top. The interpretation said: the wealth spirit is riding the nobleman and initiating the transmission, which is exactly the time of the divination; the final transmission Hai also serves as one of the three marvels; the azure dragon is also adding growth to the day stem — it is certain that the request will be agreed to. However, according to the number calculated from the initiating spirit, it is only about six out of ten. It is only regrettable that the heavenly wealth is in an empty position, and the post-horse has entered the storage position, so the person sent will certainly return empty-handed, and the silver will be sent later. Later, it turned out exactly as predicted.

庚辰九月癸亥日未時辰將，紹友餘九如占財。巳、寅、亥。巳申未戌、申亥戌癸。巳作貴人，財爻發用，又乘丁馬，財已動極。嫌末亥遁旬癸，沖剋初傳之財，年命上雖乘午財，又為天將所傷，支上天財，雖為干之長生，又乘元武劫煞，且干支共爭一財，財何能有？後果驗。

In the year Gengchen, ninth month, day Guihai, in the hour Wei, the divination was made using the Chén general. A friend from the Shaoxing area, Yu Jiurú, sought to gain wealth. The divination chart shows the three transmissions: the first is Si, the middle is Yin, and the final is Hai. The four lessons are arranged as follows: on the upper side, Si, Shen, Wei, Xu; on the lower side, Shen, Hai, Xu, Gui. Reading from right to left, the first lesson has Gui on Chou, with Xu above it; the second lesson has Xu on Wei; the third lesson has Hai (the day branch) with Shen above it; the fourth lesson has Shen with Si above it. The interpretation states that Si serves as the nobleman, the wealth element initiates the transmission, and it is also accompanied by the Ding god and the post-horse. The wealth element is already in motion to the extreme. Unfortunately, the final transmission Hai hides the Gui of this旬, which then clashes and controls the initial transmission's wealth. Although the person's row year is on Wu, which is wealth, it is injured by the heavenly general. The heavenly wealth on the day branch, although the day stem's growth, is accompanied by the black tortoise and jiesha. Moreover, the day stem and day branch both compete for the same wealth—how can wealth be obtained? Later events indeed confirmed this.

辛巳四月己酉日戌時申將，湖友蔡光德遣僕州城討取銀兩，占可即付否。卯、丑、亥。巳未卯巳、未酉巳己。不能即付，當從別處兌交也。蓋因龍神乘災民星發用，奈屬旬空，迄邐至末傳，始逢財爻。又遙克為用，傳將間退，末傳亥為圖書，主使人持券而回，向別處交兌也。且三傳缺未，得支上神湊合，其銀必係兩次湊合，後果如所占。

In the year Xinsi, fourth lunar month, on the day Jiyou, at the hour Xu, a divination was made using the Shen general. A friend from Hubei, named Cai Guangde, sent a servant to the county town to collect silver, and the question was whether the other party would pay on the spot. The divination chart showed the three transmissions as initial transmission Mao, middle transmission Chou, and final transmission Hai. The four lessons were arranged as follows: on the upper side, Si, Wei, Mao, Si; on the lower side, Wei, You, Si, Ji. Reading from right to left, the first lesson was Ji resting on Wei, the second lesson was Si resting on Mao, the third lesson was You resting on Wei, and the fourth lesson was Wei resting on Si. The interpretation was that payment could not be made on the spot, and the payment would have to be settled elsewhere. This was because the Azure Dragon was riding the official star and initiating the transmission, but it fell into the旬空 (ten-day void), moving along until it reached the final transmission where the wealth爻 (wealth sign) was found. Additionally, the use was taken by remote control, with the three transmissions and the heavenly general all being in positions that were separated and retreating. The final transmission Hai indicated documents and contracts, so it was concluded that the person sent would only bring back a piece of paper as proof, and the payment would have to be settled elsewhere. Moreover, the triple harmony of Hai, Mao, and Wei was missing one Wei, and it was made up by the day branch's heavenly sign, indicating that the silver would certainly be collected in two installments. Later, this prediction proved accurate.

辛巳正月己未日申時亥將，王叔臣刺史赴省，出門馬斃，因占水道平安否。亥、戌、戌。丑戌丑戌、戌未戌己。干支無傷，水陸平安。惟此行不免有意外之費耳。何以言之？蓋因歲破加月破發用，定主財物耗損費。且干支俱乘日墓，又作三刑，中末又重刑其干支，是以所為不通。以致意外之財重重耗費也。後果因公事未也，復赴省城，耗其多金。

In the year Xinsi, during the first lunar month, on the day Jiwei, at the hour Shen, using the animal亥 as the general, Wang Shuchens, the county magistrate, was about to go to the provincial capital, but his horse died as soon as he left. He therefore consulted whether traveling by water would be safe. The divination chart shows: the first transmission is亥, the middle transmission is戌, and the final transmission is戌. The four lessons are arranged as follows: on the upper row, they are Chou, Xu, Chou, Xu; on the lower row, they are Xu, Wei, Xu, Ji. Reading from right to left, the first lesson has Wei (the resting place of Ji) with Xu on top, the second lesson has Xu with Chou on top, the third lesson has Wei (the day branch) with Xu on top, and the fourth lesson has Xu with Chou on top. The interpretation states: the day stem and day branch are not harmed, so both land and water travel are safe. However, this journey is bound to involve unexpected expenses. Why? Because the year's breaking force is added to the month's breaking force as the initiating transmission, which indicates loss of property. The day stem and day branch are both riding on the day stem's resting place, and they form the three punishments with each other. The middle and final transmissions further heavily punish the day stem and day branch, so the matter cannot proceed smoothly, leading to layer upon layer of unexpected expenses. Later, it was indeed true that because the official business was not completed, he had to go to the provincial capital again, spending a great deal of silver. (The original text mistakenly writes 「公事未也」 instead of 「公事未了」.)

癸未七月戊戌日酉時巳將，祖拭之買舟赴省，占道上平安否。寅、戌、午。寅午酉丑、午戌丑戊。三傳合局，生干支神，上下相生，舟行平安。嫌發用白虎克日，又合中犯煞，支上午為自刑，且繫病符，加於行年，恐采薪之憂，有所不免耳。果主僕俱有疾而回。

In the year Guiwei, seventh lunar month, on the day Wuxu at the You hour, using the巳 general, the question was asked about whether a journey by boat to the provincial capital would be safe. The divination chart shows the three transmissions as initial Yin, middle Xu, and final Wu; the four lessons are arranged as Yin, Wu, You, and Chou above, and Wu, Xu, Chou, and Wu below, read from right to left. The first lesson has Wu resting on巳 with Chou, the second lesson has Chou with You, the third lesson has the day branch Xu with Wu, and the fourth lesson has Wu with Yin. The interpretation states that the three transmissions form the fire triad of Yin-Wu-Xu, which supports the day stem and day branch. The upper and lower parts are in mutual generation, indicating a safe journey by boat. However, the initial transmission Yin is occupied by the White Tiger, which is harmful to the day stem. Within the favorable combination, aInauspicious Sha is also present. The day branch Wu is self-punishing, and it coincides with theBingfu, which is added to the year. Therefore, illness is likely. Later, both the master and servant returned from the journey ill.

庚辰十一月戊辰日酉時寅將，當陽裴正綱占省友袁子仁何日可到。寅、未、子。寅酉卯戌、酉辰戌戊。人已起程，午日可到。蓋因天驛二馬，白虎作官星發用，又係月將，其力甚雄。且寅加酉地，是已度門限也。故知起程，發用寅，干上戌，待午作三合，是以知為午日到也。後果於壬午日到。

In the year Geng Chen, on the 11th lunar month, on the day Wu Chen, at the hour You, using the month general Yin, the divination was made by Pei Zhengguang to determine on which day his friend Yuan Ziren would arrive at the provincial capital. The divination chart shows the three transmissions: the first is Yin, the middle is Wei, and the final is Zi. The four lessons are arranged as follows: the upper row is Yin, You, Mao, Xu, and the lower row is You, Chen, Xu, Wu, read from right to left. The first lesson, Wu, is located on Si with Xu above it; the second lesson, Xu, has Mao above it; the third lesson, on the day branch Chen, has You above it; and the fourth lesson, on You, has Yin above it. The interpretation states that the person has already started the journey, and will arrive on the day Wu. This is because the Heavenly Horse, the Post-horse, and the White Tiger all conjoin with the official star Yin, which is the initiating transmission. Yin is also the month general for that month, and its power is strong. Moreover, Yin is placed on You, which has crossed the threshold, indicating that the journey has already begun. The initiating transmission is Yin, and the day stem is Wu. Only when the day Wu arrives will the combination of Yin, Wu, and Xu form the triple harmony, so it is predicted that the person will arrive on the day Wu. Later, it was indeed confirmed that he arrived on the day Ren Wu.

辛巳十月戊戌日申時卯將，任淑渠刺史占乃弟醴渠公坡度寧波新任，可來荊門相晤否。且何日可有信到。子、未、寅。子巳未子、巳戌子戊。天馬臨行年發用，且加楚分，似有迂道而行之象。便坐旬空，則不來矣。干神歸支，此時業已回家，正時乘龍馬加臨丑地，主子月起程，即赴新任也。天馬帶天雞發用，因坐空，須也旬後方有信到。後果如所占。

In the year Xinsi, on the day Wuxu in the tenth month, at the hour Shen, using the hour Mao as the general, Master Ren Shuqu predicted whether his younger brother, Li Ju, who was going to take up a new post in Ningbo, would first visit Jingmen before going, and when he would receive a message. The divination chart showed: the first transmission was Zi, the middle transmission was Wei, and the final transmission was Yin. The four lessons were arranged as follows, read from right to left: the first lesson had Wu on the position of Si, with Zi on top; the second lesson had Zi with Wei on top; the third lesson had the day branch Wu with Si on top; the fourth lesson had Si with Zi on top. The interpretation stated: the Heavenly Horse is acting on the year and is located in the territory of Chu, suggesting a detour; yet it is sitting in the empty position, so it will not come. The day stem's spirit is returning to the day branch, indicating that the person has already returned home. The hour's spirit is riding the Azure Dragon and the Post-horse, and is located at Chou, indicating that the younger brother will depart directly for his new post. The Heavenly Horse is also accompanied by the Heavenly Rooster, but because it is sitting in an empty position, the message will arrive only after this ten-day period. Later, it indeed came true as predicted. (The original text has an error in the phrase "going to take up a new post in Ningbo.")

壬午二月甲辰日申時戌將，李介庵少府占新任荊門州刺史郎牧云何日可到任。辰、午、申。申午午辰、午辰辰甲。斬關發用，又得龍合，白虎入傳，理應起程而來。嫌發用坐空，始有阻隔，辰前一位巳乘勾陳，必因案件稽留，又格合迴環，主來而又去，且用神離門限甚遠，一時豈能到任？問何日到？曰：末傳白虎，天馬加臨午位，必午月寅日到。果一一如占。

In the year Renwu, second lunar month, day Jiachen, at the hour Shen, using the Xu general, Li Jie'an, county magistrate, divined the day when Lang Muchun, newly appointed governor of Jingmen Prefecture, would arrive. The divination chart showed the three transmissions: first transmission Chen, middle transmission Wu, final transmission Shen. The four lessons were arranged as follows, read from right to left: the first lesson was Jiachen, with Chen on top, the second lesson was Chen with Wu on top, the third lesson was the day branch Chen with Wu on top, and the fourth lesson was Wu with Shen on top. The divination said: the initiating transmission is the cutting-off god, and it also has the Azure Dragon and Liu He. The White Tiger is also in the three transmissions. According to this, he should start his journey. However, the initiating transmission is on an empty position, indicating initial obstacles. The position before Chen, which is Si, has Gou Chen on top, meaning there will be delays due to a case. The chart also fits the pattern of 'circle back', indicating that he will come and then leave again. Moreover, the initiating transmission is far from the gate of fire, so he cannot arrive soon. When asked on which day he would arrive, the answer was: the final transmission has the White Tiger, and the Heavenly Horse is added to the Wu position, so he must arrive on a寅 day in the month of Wu. Later, this prediction proved accurate.

壬午三月戊寅日子時酉將，杭友柳耘圃占伊子果否來楚，何日可到省。寅、亥、申。申亥亥寅、亥寅寅戊。行人尚未起程，至五月方到，即旋歸也。蓋因發用未度門限，子爻驛馬旬空，是以尚未起程，但辰戌加臨年命，又乘天馬，必主也來。五月方到者何？發用寅、年上戌，待午作三合，且又為將軍加臨之地，因課體迴環，故知其來而復去耳。果如所占。

In the year Renwu, third lunar month, on the day of Wuyin at the子 hour, using the You general, a friend from Hangzhou named Liu Yunpu asked about whether his son would come to Hubei and on which day he would arrive in the provincial capital. The divination chart shows the three transmissions: initial transmission is Yin, middle transmission is Hai, and final transmission is Shen. The four lessons are arranged as follows: upper row is Shen, Hai, Hai, Yin; lower row is Hai, Yin, Yin, Wu. Reading from right to left, the first lesson has Wu resting on Si, with Yin on top; the second lesson has Yin with Hai on top; the third lesson has the day branch Yin with Hai on top; the fourth lesson has Hai with Shen on top. The interpretation states that the person has not yet started his journey and will arrive in May, but then will return. This is because the initiating transmission has not yet crossed the threshold, and the son's element and the post-horse are both in the旬空, so he has not yet begun his journey. However, Chen and Xu are added to the person's birth year, and the Heavenly Horse is present, so it is certain that he will come. Why is it said he will arrive in May? The initiating transmission is Yin, and the person's birth year is Xu, waiting only for the Wu to form the triple harmony of Yin-Wu-Xu. Wu is also the place where the great general is located. The lesson pattern is "circle," so it is known that he will come and then leave. Later, it indeed came true as predicted.

辛巳六月乙巳日未時午將，楚省廉藩臺出京，由襄陽登舟赴任，道經沙洋，家人求占何日過境。卯、寅、丑。卯辰寅卯、辰巳卯乙。藩臺已由水道赴任，勿庸守候矣。蓋因退茹逢空，貴人驛馬均不見於課傳，日祿乘飛廉發用，天罡乘天馬加支，支為水道，又為任所且天罡臨巳，在日干之前，主其事已過，是以知其由水道赴任，不用守候。後果如所占。

In the year Xinsi, sixth lunar month, day Yisi, late afternoon, the divination was made using the hour of Wu. A newly appointed governor of Hubei, Lian, had left the capital and was traveling by boat from Xiangyang to take up his post, passing through Shaya. His family asked to determine on which day he would pass through the area. The divination chart showed the three transmissions as卯 (Mao), 寅 (Yin), and 丑 (Chou); the four lessons were arranged as卯 (Mao), 辰 (Chen), 寅 (Yin), and 卯 (Mao) on the upper row, and 辰 (Chen), 巳 (Si), 卯 (Mao), and 乙 (Yi) on the lower row, read from right to left. The first lesson had 乙 (Yi) resting on 辰 (Chen), the second lesson had 卯 (Mao) resting on 寅 (Yin), the third lesson had the day branch 巳 (Si) resting on 辰 (Chen), and the fourth lesson had 辰 (Chen) resting on 卯 (Mao). The interpretation stated that the governor had already traveled by waterway to take up his post, so there was no need to wait. This was because the three transmissions were retreating and empty, and the nobleman and post-horse were not present in the four lessons or three transmissions. The day stem was riding on Fei Lian and initiating the transmission, while Tiangang was riding on Tian Ma and resting on the day branch. The day branch governs waterways and is also his new post. Moreover, Tiangang was on 巳 (Si), which was before the day stem, indicating that the matter had already occurred. Therefore, it was known that he had traveled by water, and there was no need to wait. Later, this proved to be true.

辛巳十月戊午日辰時寅將，任淑渠刺史在沙洋，守候本道勘堤，占何日可到。丑、亥、酉。寅辰丑卯、辰午卯戊。道臺今日戌時可到，不勘堤即行也。蓋因貴人飛廉發用，正時天罡加支，白虎驛馬臨於戌地，且戌又為發用之墓神，是以知今日戌時可到也。天驛二馬不見課傳，丑貴旬空，又與明日之日建相沖，是以知其不勘堤而行也。後果如所占。

In the year Xinsi, on the day Wuwu, at the hour Chen, using the animal Yin as the general, a divination was made to determine on which day the official Ren Shuquan, who was waiting in Shayang for the superior officer to inspect the embankment, would arrive. The three transmissions were: first transmission You, middle transmission Hai, and final transmission You. The four lessons were arranged as follows: the upper row was Yin, Chen, You, Mao, and the lower row was Chen, Wu, Mao, Wu. Reading from right to left, the first lesson had Wu resting on Si, with Mao on top; the second lesson had Mao resting on You; the third lesson had Wu on Wu, with Chen on top; and the fourth lesson had Chen resting on Yin. The divination concluded that the superior officer would arrive at the hour Xu today, and would leave without inspecting the embankment. This was because the nobleman and Fei Lian initiated the transmission, and the heavenly罡 was added to the day branch. The white tiger and the post-horse were located at Xu, which was also the tomb of the initiating god. Therefore, it was concluded that the superior officer would arrive at the hour Xu today. The heavenly horse and post-horse were not present in the four lessons or three transmissions, and the nobleman on You was in the旬空, conflicting with the day branch of the next day. Therefore, it was known that he would leave without inspecting the embankment. Later, this prediction proved accurate.

辛巳十月壬寅日卯時寅將，鄉友戚耐庵占有銀兩寄家，可已到否。子、亥、戌。子丑酉戌、丑寅戌壬。銀信已到家矣。蓋因旺神乘青龍天雞發用，又作三奇，中傳日祿乘月建臨年，天南加干，日財臨命，皆銀信之征也。後果如所占。

In the year Xinsi, tenth month, day Renyin, time Mao, using the general Yin, a fellow townsman named Qi Nai'an consulted about whether the silver sent home had arrived. The divination chart shows the three transmissions as Zi, Hai, and Xu; the four lessons are arranged as Zi, Chou, You, Xu on the upper row, and Chou, Yin, Xu, Ren on the lower row, read from right to left. The first lesson has Xu riding on Hai, the second lesson has You riding on Xu, the third lesson has Chou riding on Yin, and the fourth lesson has Zi riding on Chou. The interpretation states that both the silver and the letter have arrived home. This is because the dominant deity is riding on the Azure Dragon and Tianji, and also forms the Three Marvels; the middle transmission's day's wealth is riding on the Month Builder and is located on the year's position; the Heavenly Horse is added to the day's stem; and the day's stem's wealth is also on its own destiny. These are all signs that the silver and letter have arrived. Later, it indeed turned out as predicted. (The original text mistakenly writes 'Tian Nan' instead of 'Tian Ma'.)

癸未月戊辰日丑時午將，鄉友戚耐庵因半載未得家銀，占何日有信。寅、未、子。寅酉卯戌、酉辰戌戊。己卯日必有信到，且不止一函，蓋因白虎驛馬作位神發用，剋日朱雀，加支作六合，是以知必有信到。年上乘歲月建重迭之人，命上乘青龍，入於中末二傳，是以知不止一函，卯日者何？蓋二馬位神天雞等煞所夾拱之辰也。後己卯日果到二函。

In the year Guiwei, on a certain month and on the day Wu Chen, at the hour Chou, a divination was made. A fellow townsman named Qi Nai'an had not received silver from his home for half a year and wanted to know on which day he would receive a message. The divination chart showed: the three transmissions were initial transmission Yin, middle transmission Wei, and final transmission Zi. The four lessons were arranged as follows: the upper row was Yin, You, Mao, Xu, and the lower row was You, Chen, Xu, Wu, read from right to left. The first lesson was Wu resting on Si with Xu above it, the second lesson was Xu with Mao above it, the third lesson was the day branch Chen with You above it, and the fourth lesson was You with Yin above it. The interpretation stated that on the day Jimao, there would certainly be a message, and it would not be just one. This was because the White Tiger and the Post-horse were both acting as gods of messages and were initiating the transmission, and the Vermilion Bird, which is a god that controls the day, was also attacking the day branch and forming Liu He. Therefore, it was known that the message would arrive. The year's god was resting on the day's god, and the person's own god was resting on the Azure Dragon and entered the middle and final transmissions, so it was known that there would be more than one message. Why was it the day Mao? Because Mao is exactly the one that is between the Heavenly Horse and the Post-horse, the gods of messages, and the Heavenly Rooster. Later, on the day Jimao, two messages indeed arrived.

辛巳正月乙卯日卯時子將，杭友柳耘圃占訪友。丑、戌、未。酉子戌丑、子卯丑乙。貴友蓋有出行之事，此去主半途相見而回。蓋因日德陰神見丁神驛馬，故知其出行之事。傳將乎尾相沖，初中干支空陷，且乙主半道言旋。干支乘空亡之六合，子午為天地之道路，故知為途中相見也。後果如所占。

In the year of Xinsi, first lunar month, on the day of Yimao at the hour of Mao, the divination was made using the Zi general. A friend from Hangzhou named Liu Yunpu consulted about visiting a friend. The divination chart shows the three transmissions: the first is Chou, the middle is Xu, and the final is Wei. The four lessons are arranged as follows, read from right to left: the first lesson is Yi on the Chen, the second is Chou with Xu on top, the third is the day branch Mao with Zi on top, and the fourth is Zi with You on top. The interpretation is: your friend is likely to have an outing, and on this trip, he will meet his friend on the way and then return. This is known because the hidden spirit of the day stem is associated with Ding and the post-horse, indicating travel. The three transmissions and the heavenly general are in opposition, and the first, middle, and final transmissions, along with the day stem and day branch, are in empty and hidden positions, indicating a return on the way. The day stem and day branch are covered by the emptyLiu He, and Zi and Wu are the great roads in heaven and earth, so it is concluded that they will meet on the road. Later, it turned out to be exactly as predicted. (The original text mistakenly writes '乎尾相冲' instead of '首尾相冲', and the sentence '且主半道言旋' contains an extra character.)

癸未七月戊戌日辰時巳將，戚耐庵遣子赴省訪友求文稿，占能得否。亥、子、丑。子亥未午、亥戌午戊。訪友必見，文稿亦得。蓋因課得連珠三奇，成會二神全入課傳，末傳貴人又與命上神六合，必見無疑，朱雀與太歲發用作三合，文稿亦得，勿以克歲為嫌也。後果如所占。

In the year Guiwei, seventh lunar month, on the day Wuxu at the hour of Chen, using the hour animal Si, the divination was made. Qi Nai'an sent his son to the provincial capital to visit a friend and request a written document. The divination was made to determine if the son would be able to obtain the document. The three transmissions were: first transmission Hai, middle transmission Zi, and final transmission Chou. The four lessons were arranged as follows: upper row was Zi, Hai, Wei, Wu, and lower row was Hai, Xu, Wu, Wu, read from right to left. The first lesson had Wu riding on Si, the second lesson had Wu riding on Wei, the third lesson had the day branch Xu riding on Hai, and the fourth lesson had Hai riding on Zi. The interpretation was: visiting the friend will certainly result in meeting, and the document can also be obtained. This is because the divination showed Hai, Zi, and Chou in a consecutive sequence, which is also the Three Marvels. The deities Shen and Hui both entered the four lessons and three transmissions. The nobleman in the final transmission formed a Liu He with the deity of the native's birth. Meeting is certain. The Vermilion Bird and the sovereign deity both initiated the transmission and formed a Triple Harmony, so the document can be obtained. Do not worry because it is said to be in conflict with the sovereign deity. Later, it turned out exactly as predicted.

己卯五月乙亥日丑時未將，紹友祝慕宗有一僕逃逸，遣人追之，占可回否。巳、亥、巳。亥巳辰戌、巳亥戌辰。逃奴不復回矣。蓋因元武驛馬發用，又乘亡神故也。且德生日刑，天空落陷，定主人不可獲。勾陳雖克元武，而元陰實傷勾陰，是陽雖追呼，而陰實為其所制也。其不復回何疑，後果如所占。

In the year of Ji Mao, fifth lunar month, day of Yihai, and hour of Chou, using the general Wu, a divination was made to determine whether a servant of Zhu Mu Zong from Shaoxing could be recovered. The divination showed: the first transmission was Si, the middle transmission was Hai, and the final transmission was Si. The four lessons were arranged as follows: the upper row was Hai, Si, Chen, Xu, and the lower row was Si, Hai, Xu, Chen (the last position 'Chen' is the lodging palace of Yi). Reading from right to left, the first lesson, which is the lodging palace of Yi (Chen), was occupied by Xu; the second lesson, Xu, was occupied by Chen; the third lesson, on the day branch Hai, was occupied by Si; and the fourth lesson, Si, was occupied by Hai. The conclusion was that the runaway servant would not return. This is because Yuanwu and Yimashu were both initiating the transmission, and they were riding on Wangshen. The day's virtue was being harmed by the day's crime, and Tiankong was falling into emptiness. Therefore, it was certain that the person could not be captured. Although Gouchen could overcome Yuanwu, Yuanwu's hidden spirit injured Gouchen's hidden spirit. Although there was a public pursuit and shouting, secretly he was controlled. How could this person return? Later, it indeed turned out as predicted.

壬午四月癸卯日午時酉將，沙洋一民婦攜子而逃，其夫挽人求占。酉、子、卯。酉午未辰、午卯辰癸。此婦逃往正東方，一十五里外尋之。辰日可獲。時為日之妻財，加臨卯上，是往正東方也。午數九，卯數六，是十五里也。酉作勾陳發用，遙克年上之元武，而勾陰克元陰，故尋之可獲也。干上辰，乘空亡之天后，與發用酉作六合，俟辰日填實，即可獲矣。後果如所占。

In the year Renwu, on the day Guimao in the fourth lunar month, at the hour Wu, using the hour animal You, a civilian woman with her child had run away. Her husband asked for a divination. The divination chart shows the three transmissions: first transmission You, middle transmission Zi, and final transmission Mao. The four lessons are arranged as You, Wu, Wei, Chen on the upper row, and Wu, Mao, Chen, Gui on the lower row, read from right to left. The first lesson has Gui on the Chou, which is occupied by Chen. The second lesson has Chen on the Wei. The third lesson has the day branch Mao occupied by Wu. The fourth lesson has Wu occupied by You. The interpretation says the woman ran eastward, and she can be found fifteen li away. On the day Chen, she can be caught. At the time of divination, Wu was the wife and wealth of the day stem, and it was placed on Mao, so it indicates the direction of east. Wu is the number nine, and Mao is the number six, together making fifteen li. The transmission starting with You is Gou Chen, which remotely controls the year animal's Yuan Wu. The hidden spirit of Gou Chen also controls the hidden spirit of Yuan Wu, so she can be found. The day stem's Chen is occupied by the empty Kongwang Tianhou, which forms Liu He with the starting transmission You. When Kongwang is filled on the day Chen, she can be caught. Later, it turned out exactly as predicted.