The Golden Strategies · Twenty-two, Seeking a Guest (with a Gift of Respect)

學得明師，可繼程風於滿座；師非良館，難期賈粟之盈倉。故欲筆耕，先須蓍筮。世為西席，如逢父母必明經；凡占書館，以世爻為西席之位。如臨父，其先生必是明經之人。世在乾坤離三宮，亦然。臨官帶貴，或本宮官伏世下，多是秀才。

Bowing to a wise teacher, one can emulate Chengmen and have all the students inherit the scholarly tradition; if a teacher does not find a good position, do not expect to be as prosperous as a merchant storing grain. Therefore, if one wishes to make a living through writing, one should first cast a divination with the yarrow stalks. "The world line represents the tutor" means that the world line represents the position of the tutor in a bookshop. If the world line is in the parents' position, the tutor must be a learned scholar well-versed in classics; if the world line is in the Qian, Kun, or Li trigrams, it is also the same. If the world line is in the official ghost position and accompanied by a nobleman, or if the official ghost in the same trigram is hidden beneath the world line, the person is likely a scholar.

應乃東家，若遇官爻須作吏。應爻為占館東家主人。若臨官，必是官吏戶役人家；加白虎，則是病人；在三爻現，病在床；休囚受制，則有孝服在身；加玄武，必與盜賊往來。應臨父母加勾陳，種田人家；加朱雀，讀書人家；加白虎，宰殺人家；加螣蛇，工藝人家。

The response line represents the east house. If the official ghost line appears on it, the family is likely to be of officials or those with household duties. The response line is the owner of the schoolhouse being divined. If the official ghost line is present, it indicates a family of officials or those with household responsibilities. If the white tiger is added, the person is sick, and if it is on the third line, they are bedridden. If the response line is weak and confined, it indicates that the person is wearing mourning clothes. If the black tortoise is added, the person is involved with thieves. If the response line is accompanied by the parents line and the hook Chen, it indicates a farming family. If accompanied by the vermilion bird, it indicates a scholarly family. If accompanied by the white tiger, it indicates a family engaged in butchering. If accompanied by the snake, it indicates a family of artisans or craftsmen.

應臨子屬金，僧道作主；加朱雀玄武，是打獵人家；不然，則後生輩也。應臨財爻，更在陰宮，又臨陰爻，而卦無官鬼者，必是婦人作主；有官則是富貴人家。財化財，財化子，做買賣人家。若被月建日辰動爻制伏，乃是奴僕為主。

The response line is on the children line and belongs to the metal element, indicating a family of monks or Taoists. If the response line is accompanied by the Vermilion Bird or the Black Tortoise, it suggests a hunting family, or alternatively, a younger generation. If the response line is on the wealth line, and it is in a yin palace and on a yin line, and there is no official ghost in the hexagram, then it must be a family headed by a woman. If there is an official ghost, then it is a wealthy family. If the wealth line transforms into wealth or into the children line, it indicates a family engaged in trade. If the response line is restrained by the month builder, day branch, or moving line, then it is a family where servants are in charge.

應臨兄弟，平常人家；加朱雀，賭博人家；繫本宮，弟兄姊妹家；繫他宮，朋友鄰里家。若論住宅，依家宅章斷。臨官兮少壯，休囚則貧乏之家；墓庫兮高年，旺相則富豪之主。應爻在臨官帝旺爻，主人必然強壯。如臨墓庫，必是高年。五行無氣，其家貧乏；五行旺相，其家富厚；重加財福，必然鉅富。德性以五類六神參斷。

The response line is in the position of siblings, indicating an ordinary household; if the Vermilion Bird is added, it suggests a family that gambles; if it belongs to the same palace, it refers to a family of brothers and sisters; if it belongs to another palace, it refers to friends or neighbors. If we want to discuss the residence of the family, we should use the method described in the chapter on home affairs. "When the official position is present, the person is young and strong" and the following sentences are based on the prosperity and decline to determine the age and wealth of the east house. If the response line falls on the official position or prosperity, the owner is certainly young and strong. If it falls on the storage, the person is certainly old. If the five phases are weak, the family is poor; if the five phases are prosperous and strong, the family is wealthy. If there is also a wealth line and fortune virtue, it certainly indicates great wealth. As for character and morality, it should be judged by referring to the five types of six relations and six spirits together.

值土火空，無父母；逢金水絕，少兒孫。卦中六親，即人六親。然有兩人繫於一卦者，則彼此六親宜不同矣。又當何以定之？不過生之理而已。且如占館，以應為東家。應爻屬土，火能生土，不拘卦中有無，亦不拘是財官父子，皆作父母斷，生我者故也。應爻屬金，金能生水，不拘卦中有無，亦不拘財官父兄，皆作子孫斷，我生故也。

The response line belongs to earth and the fire line falls into vacancy, indicating that the east house has no parents; the response line belongs to metal and the water line reaches its decline, indicating that the east house has few children. The six relations in the hexagram are originally the six relations in human affairs, but if a hexagram involves two people, the six relations on both sides naturally cannot be considered the same. Then how should they be determined? It is simply by the principle of mutual generation. For example, when divining about a school, take the response line as the east house: if the response line belongs to earth, fire generates earth, so regardless of whether there is a fire line in the hexagram or whether that fire line is wealth, official, parent, or child, it is always considered as the east house's parents, because it is the god that generates me; if the response line belongs to metal, metal generates water, so regardless of whether there is a water line in the hexagram or whether that water line is wealth, official, parent, or elder brother, it is always considered as the east house's children, because it is the god that is generated by me.

如火爻旺空、沖空、動空，主父母不全，衰空必無父母。火化火，兩重父母。帶官鬼旺，以貴斷，衰以病言。帶兄弟，其父好賭博，無廉恥，欠學問。帶財爻，其父不富厚，則業貿易。帶子孫，其父則甚慈善，慷慨有為。餘皆仿此。但不可以六爻總看，當以在應宮者為彼六親，在世宮者皆我六親也。一宮三爻，只餘二爻，此宮不現者，不可遂斷為有無，惟空亡乃是真無也。其貴賤壽夭，性情容貌，依常例推之。他如兄弟妻妾子息，亦仿此推之。

Following the same pattern, if the fire line representing the parents is strong but falls into emptiness, is attacked and falls into emptiness, or is activated but falls into emptiness, it indicates that the parents of the eastern house are incomplete. If the fire line is weak and falls into emptiness, then the parents are certainly both dead. If fire transforms into fire, there are two sets of parents. If the fire line is strong and accompanied by official ghosts, it should be interpreted as a high-ranking official. If weak, it should be interpreted as illness. If accompanied by siblings, the father is likely a gambler, lacks morals, and is uneducated. If accompanied by wealth lines, the father is either not wealthy or engages in business. If accompanied by children lines, the father is kind, generous, and accomplished. The rest should be interpreted in the same way. However, one should not consider all six lines together. The lines belonging to the response line should be considered as the other party's six relations, and those belonging to the world line should be considered as one's own six relations. Each line originally has three lines, but if the hexagram only shows two, the one not shown should not be directly interpreted as present or absent. It is only when it falls into emptiness that it is truly absent. As for matters of status, wealth, longevity, death, temperament, and appearance, they can be interpreted according to the usual methods. Other matters such as siblings, spouses, and children should also be interpreted in this way.

不拱不和，決定主賓不協；相生相合，必然情意相投。世應二爻刑沖剋害，異日賓主不合。加以兄官發動，大凶之兆。若得生合比和，情意必然相投。生而化克，始和終不和；沖而化合，始疏而後密。世與子亦宜生合，則師弟間恩義兼盡。若見沖剋，亦多不睦也。

The World Line and the Response Line do not support or harmonize with each other, indicating that the host and guest will certainly not get along; if they mutually generate and harmonize, their feelings will certainly be in harmony. If the two lines of the World and Response mutually suffer from刑, 冲, 克, or 害, the host and guest will not get along in the future; if furthermore the Siblings or Official Ghost lines are activated, it is a sign of great misfortune. If they can generate and harmonize, their feelings will certainly be in harmony. If generation turns into control, it means harmony first then discord; if 冲 turns into harmony, it means initial distance then closeness. The World Line and the Children Line should also generate and harmonize, so that the relationship between teacher and student will be harmonious; if there is 冲 or control, they will likely have difficulties in getting along.

財作束脩，不宜化弟；占館以妻財為束脩。旺相多，休囚少。要知斤兩，以生成數推之，生旺倍加，絕死減半。在陽宮以生數斷，在陰宮以成數斷。今人但言水一、火二、木三、金四、土五，而不言六七八九十，是舉其生數，而遺其成數也。

The wife and wealth hexagram represents tuition fees, and it is not advisable for it to change into siblings. When divining about a school, the wife and wealth hexagram represents tuition fees: if it is prosperous and strong, there will be more; if it is weak and confined, there will be less. To calculate the exact weight, use the generating numbers and completed numbers of the Five Phases. If the hexagram is in a strong and flourishing state, double the number; if it is in a dead or exhausted state, halve it. In a yang palace, use the generating numbers; in a yin palace, use the completed numbers. Nowadays people only mention one for water, two for fire, three for wood, four for metal, and five for earth, but they do not mention six, seven, eight, nine, and ten. This is only citing the generating numbers and omitting the completed numbers.

獨怕兄弟發動，或財化兄，主束脩不皆入己，必有人抽分費用。不然，則有名無實，亦不能盡取之也。財爻無氣，而遇月建日辰動爻生扶者，束脩雖不多，四季節禮反周備也。易云：天一地二，天三地四，天五地六，天七地八，天九地十，生也。

Binding the student is most feared when the sibling line is activated or when the wealth line transforms into the sibling line, indicating that this tuition fee cannot all be kept by oneself, but someone will take a cut for their own use. Alternatively, it may mean that the payment is nominal and not fully received. Conversely, although the wealth line may lack strength, if it is supported by the month builder, the day branch, or the moving line, then although the amount of tuition is not large, the gifts given in the four seasons will be complete. The Book of Changes says: Heaven one, Earth two; Heaven three, Earth four; Heaven five, Earth six; Heaven seven, Earth eight; Heaven nine, Earth ten. This is the origin of the numbers of generation.

父為書館，豈可逢空。占館，不可以父母為師，當作書館論之。旺相有氣，則有好書館。卦無父或落空，必無書館，事亦難成。若占其年書館有無，全要此爻出現，有氣不空，必然有得。更得應來生合世爻，自有人來延請；世爻生合應爻，及父爻，必須自去訪求，無人相請。

The parents line represents the study hall. If it falls empty, it indicates the absence of such a place. When divining about the study hall, one should not consider the parents line as representing a teacher, but rather as representing the building itself. If the parents line is prosperous and strong, there will be a good study hall; if there is no parents line in the hexagram or if the parents line is empty, there will certainly be no building, and the matter will not be accomplished. To determine whether there is a study hall in this year, one should look at whether this line appears. As long as it has vitality and is not empty, there will certainly be a place. If the response line comes to generate and harmonize with the world line, naturally people will come to invite one. Conversely, if the world line goes to generate and harmonize with the response line and the parents line, then one must go out to seek, and no one will come to invite.

卦無父，而動爻有化出者，不意中有人推薦也。若父化父，必有兩處書館，卦有兩爻亦然。館有定期，而遇父化父，館必兩處。本宮化入他宮，由近及遠；他宮化入本宮，自外以入內也。鬼動合身，須得貴人推薦；官鬼發動，當有間阻。然來生合世身，又主其館必得貴人推薦，而後可成；應如克世，父或落空，雖薦不成。

In a hexagram, if there is no father line originally but a moving line transforms into a father line, it indicates an unexpected recommendation from someone. If a father line transforms into another father line, there will certainly be two possible places for a position, just as if there were already two father lines in the hexagram. Taking up a position usually has a fixed term; if a father line transforms into another father line, the position will definitely be in two places: if the original hexagram transforms into another, it moves from near to far; if another hexagram transforms into the original, it moves from outside to near. "Ghost line moves and harmonizes with the body" means that the official ghost line moves and harmonizes with the hexagram body, which requires a nobleman's recommendation: the movement of the official ghost line usually indicates obstacles, but if it harmonizes with the world line and the hexagram body, it indicates that the position must be recommended by a nobleman to be secured. If the response line harms the world line, or if the father line is empty, then even with a recommendation, the position cannot be obtained.

兄興臨應，決多同類侵謀。凡占學館，應持兄動，必有同道之人爭謀其館；兄臨卦身亦然。若在間爻動，沖剋世，則主有破說，其事難成。官如藏伏，應無督集之人；鬼能生扶父母，故占館以此爻為糾率子弟之人。若不出現，或落空，必主無人聚集生徒，以成學館。其事難成，又主無人推薦。若空而逢沖，伏而提起，必須央浼其人，方許出來糾集。

If the siblings line is strong and occupies the response position, there will certainly be many competitors from the same field. When divining about a school, if the response line holds the siblings and becomes active, there will definitely be people from the same profession competing for the position. If the siblings line is on the intermediate line and clashes with the world line, it indicates that someone may be spreading bad words, making the matter difficult to achieve. "Official ghost hidden" means the official ghost is concealed and not visible, so there is no one to gather students. The official ghost can generate and support the parents, so in divining about a school, this line represents the person who gathers students. If this line is not present, or falls into an empty position, it indicates that there will be no one to gather students and the school will not be established. If it is in an empty position and meets a clash, or is hidden but is then revealed, one must beg that person to take action and gather students.

應若空亡，未有招延之主。應爻空亡，無人延請。更若父不出現，或落空，必難成就。應爻動空化空，是假言作主也。不然，亦主不終其事。凡遇父母臨身，或遇動來生合世身，大吉之兆，主其館易成。有此象而應空鬼動，雖有糾集之人，而無招延之主，宜自開館。若鬼爻空伏，而應來生合，雖有延請之家，而無糾集之人，宜有招致。

If the Response Line falls into an empty position, it means there is no host yet who has invited someone. If the Response Line is empty, no one will come to invite; if the Parent Line is also absent or empty, it is certain that the matter will not succeed. If the Response Line moves and becomes empty or transforms into an empty position, this indicates that someone is pretending to be the host. If not, it suggests that the matter will have a beginning but no conclusion. Whenever the Parent Line is on the Hexagram Body or moves to generate and harmonize with the World Line or the Hexagram Body, it is a great auspicious sign, indicating that it is easy to reach an agreement for the school. If such a situation occurs but the Response Line is empty and the Official Ghost moves, it means that someone has gathered students but there is no host to invite, and it is advisable to start a school oneself. If the Official Ghost is in an empty position or hidden, but the Response Line generates and harmonizes with the World Line, it means that there is a family willing to invite but no one to gather students, and it is advisable to go and recruit students oneself.

動象臨財，難稱意；文書為占館用神。若遇財動，則被克壞。未成者，不能成；已成者，不遂意。世身日月皆忌臨之。若得父持月建，或臨生旺，庶亦可成。空爻持世，豈如心。卦中父母出現，應來生合，而世爻空亡者，非館不成，乃是自不上前，或雖成不去也。應不生合，父母重疊，而世爻空亡者，為有別館，故不成此事。無故自空，必不可成，雖成終不如意。

A moving line with the wealth element on top indicates that things will not go as desired. The official document, which represents the parents' line, is the useful god for this matter. If the wealth line moves, it will harm the useful god: things that were not completed cannot be completed, and things that were completed will not be satisfactory. It is undesirable for the world line, the hexagram body, the day branch, and the month builder to be accompanied by the wealth element. If the parents' line is supported by the month builder or is in a flourishing position, it is still somewhat acceptable. "An empty world line, how can the heart be content?" means that if the world line is empty, things cannot go as desired. If the parents' line appears in the hexagram and the response line supports and harmonizes with it, but the world line is empty, it is not that the position cannot be obtained, but rather that the person is unwilling to take the initiative, or even if it is arranged, they do not go through with it. If the response line does not support and harmonize, and the parents' line is repeated, while the world line is empty, it is because there is another position available, so this one cannot be obtained. If the world line falls into emptiness without reason, it definitely cannot be achieved; even if it is achieved, it will ultimately not be satisfactory.

身位受傷，雖成不利；世身被月建日辰動爻刑剋，雖有可成之象，日後亦不稱意。如鬼爻刑剋，有官非疾病類。間爻有動，縱吉難成。間爻動，事多阻隔，故難成。鬼或化兄，備禮先酬乎薦館；凡遇鬼爻動出兄弟，必得禮物先酬薦館之人，則可成。兄臨世身，亦主先費財物。兄臨應上，則是東家好利，必得禮儀饋送，而後可成也。

If the position of the hexagram body is injured, even if the matter seems to be settled, it will be unfavorable. If the world line and the hexagram body are harmed by the month builder, the day branch, or the moving line, although there may be signs of success, in the future it will not be satisfactory. If the official ghost line harms them, there may be legal disputes or illness. "If the intermediate line moves, even if it is favorable, it will not succeed" means that when the intermediate line moves, there will be many obstacles, so it will be difficult to succeed. "If the official ghost transforms into siblings" means that the official ghost changes into the siblings line, so one must first offer gifts to thank the person who recommended the matter. Whenever the official ghost moves and transforms into the siblings, one must first present gifts to thank the recommender in order for the matter to succeed. If the siblings line is adjacent to the world line or the hexagram body, it also mainly means that one must first spend money. If the siblings line is on the response line, it indicates that the employer is greedy for profit, and one must offer sufficient gifts to succeed in the discussion.

世如變鬼，央人轉薦於東家。鬼爻出現，而世又化出者，必須再得推薦，乃可成。卦無官，而動爻有化出者，初未有人推薦，亦必待央人薦之，則可成。若鬼化鬼，父化父，又主反覆難成。世無生合，謾看白眼之紛紛；凡遇應不克世，父母不空，兄鬼不動，而月建日辰動爻，並不生合世爻者，其事可成。但主人不欽敬，皆以白眼待之也。

If the world line changes into an official ghost, one must ask someone else to recommend it to the east house. If the official ghost has already appeared and the world line transforms into another official ghost, then it is necessary to have someone else recommend it again for success. If there is no official ghost in the original hexagram, but a moving line transforms into an official ghost, it means there was no initial recommendation, and one must wait for someone to recommend it again for success. If the ghost transforms into a ghost or the parent transforms into a parent, this indicates instability and difficulty in achieving success. "The world line has no generation and harmony" means the world line does not receive support or harmony, and thus the person is left to face cold looks. If the responding line does not overcome the world line, the parents are not empty, the siblings and official ghosts do not move, and the month builder, day branch, and moving line also do not generate or harmonize with the world line, the matter can still succeed, but the person does not respect the master and treats him with cold looks everywhere.

福或興隆，會見青矜之濟濟。占館以福爻為門生。旺相多，休囚少。空亡不上卦，雖是其人作主，未必其家子弟也。子化子，生徒必多。帶殺動來克世，日後恐有操戈入室者。衰逢扶起，日加鼓篋之徒；子孫旺相，卻被日辰動爻刑剋，主生徒始雖多集在館，日後漸自減少。子孫休囚，卻繫日辰動爻生合扶起，則主始雖不多，開館後日漸增進也。

The line representing students is prosperous and strong, indicating that many scholars will gather. In divination for a school, the line of students represents the pupils. If it is prosperous and strong, there will be many people; if it is weak and confined, there will be few. If the line of students falls into emptiness or does not appear in the hexagram, even if this family hosts the gathering, the attendees may not be their own descendants. If the line of students transforms into another line of students, it indicates a definite large number of pupils. If the line of students, accompanied byInauspicious Sha (malevolent influences), initiates and attacks the world line, there may be students who later turn against their teachers, using their knowledge against them. "Decay met with support" means that a weak line of students receives assistance, leading to an increasing number of students. If the line of students is originally prosperous but is harmed by the day branch or moving line, it suggests that the number of students starts large but gradually decreases. If the line of students is originally weak but is supported by the day branch or moving line through generation and harmony, it indicates that the number of students starts small but increases day by day after the school opens.

動遇沖開，時減執經之子。子孫爻動，固是吉兆，若被日辰動爻沖散，其徒必有背師而去者。如被世沖散，是先生叱退其徒，非弟子自背其師也。子孫動變空亡，則弟子中有半途而廢者，是歇學，非叛去。

The line representing children moves and is affected by a clash and dispersion, indicating that students will constantly leave. The movement of the children's line is originally a good omen, but if it is dispersed by the day branch or the moving line, some students will definitely leave the teacher. If it is dispersed by the world line, it means the teacher will expel the students, not the students themselves leaving. If the children's line moves into an empty state, it suggests that some students will give up halfway, which means they will stop studying, not rebel against the teacher.

逢龍則俊秀聰明，遇虎則剛強頑劣。子臨青龍，其徒必然聰明俊秀；更逢月建日辰生合，而又臨金水爻者，必有穎悟非常之子。若臨白虎，則多頑劣不馴；發動，其性必野，難以教訓。凡遇青龍，必有禮貌；遇白虎，必不盡禮。

The "子孙" hexagram encountering "青龙" indicates that the student is intelligent and bright; encountering "白虎" suggests the student is strong-willed and unruly. When "子孙" is accompanied by "青龙," the student is certainly intelligent and outstanding. If it also meets the "月建" and "日辰" for generation and harmony, and is accompanied by the metal and water hexagrams, there will certainly be exceptionally gifted students. However, if it encounters "白虎," the student is likely to be stubborn and disobedient; once activated, his nature will be wild and difficult to manage. Whenever "青龙" is present, the student will certainly be polite; but if "白虎" is present, he will not be willing to show proper respect.

陽卦陽爻居養位，座前有劉恕之神童；陰宮陰象化財爻，帳後列馬融之女樂。子孫在陽宮陽爻，而臨胎養及金水二爻，旺相不空，有扶者，其徒必有出類拔萃，如劉恕之神童在門。若在陰宮陰爻，而又化財者，必有女兒受學；不化財爻而在兌宮者，亦有女徒。

A yang line in a yang hexagram falling in the position of fetal nurturing will result in a prodigy like Liu Su standing before the person. A yin line in a yin hexagram transforming into a wealth line will result in female musicians like Ma Rong standing behind. If the children line falls on a yang line in a yang hexagram, and is also in the positions of fetal nurturing and nurturing, along with the metal and water lines, and is prosperous and strong without being empty, then among his students there must be outstanding ones like Liu Su. If the children line falls on a yin line in a yin hexagram and transforms into a wealth line, there will certainly be girls coming to study. Even if it does not transform into a wealth line, as long as it is in the兑宫, there will still be female students.

兩福自沖，鬼谷值孫臏龐涓之弟子；子孫皆合，伊川遇楊時游酢之門生。卦有兩爻子孫，俱動相沖，弟子中，必多不合；更加白虎螣蛇，數有爭鬥。若來傷世，必然責及先生。如遇二爻俱來生合世爻，則門生自盡弟子之禮，尊師重傳，必不輕背其師也。

If two sons' lines clash with each other, it is like the disciples of Guiguzi, Sun Bin and Pang Juan, causing conflict. If two sons' lines harmonize with each other, it is like the disciples of Master Yichuan, Yang Shi and You Zuo, who are in harmony. If a hexagram has two sons' lines that both move and clash, there will certainly be discord among the disciples. If further accompanied by 'White Tiger' and 'Tang She', there will be frequent quarrels. If these lines harm the world line, the responsibility for the conflict will surely fall upon the teacher. Conversely, if both lines support and harmonize with the world line, the disciples will all be respectful and devoted, never easily abandoning their teacher.

世動妻爻，決主親操井臼；世臨財動，是自炊爨，非供膳也。若占供膳，又主供得膳成。惟怕兄動，或雖不動，而持身世者，皆主供不成。大凡占館，遇財爻持世，又主西席家眷同至。

The world line is on the wealth line and it moves, indicating that the master will personally take care of grinding rice and fetching water. When the world line is on wealth and moves, it means the master will cook his own food, not have the host provide meals. If the question is specifically about whether the host will provide food, this also indicates that the food can be provided. However, if the siblings line moves, or if the siblings line is not moving but holds the hexagram body and the world line, then it suggests that the food provision will not be possible. Generally, when a divination about lodging encounters the wealth line holding the world line, it also indicates that the master will need to bring his family along.

應生財值，定然供膳饔餐。財爻臨應生合世身，定主供膳，財為飲食故也。若月建日辰動爻，俱帶妻財，必非一家東道供膳，乃諸生輪流供也。財爻旺相，款待必厚；休囚，款待必薄；財化子，必豐潔；財化鬼，無美味；財化父，必淡薄；財化兄，常食而已。

The Response Line generates and supports the Wealth Line, which indicates that the host will provide food. If the Wealth Line is on the Response Line and comes to generate and harmonize with the World Line and the Hexagram Body, it definitely means the host will provide meals, since Wealth represents food. If the Month Builder, Day Branch, and Moving Line all carry the Wealth Line, then it is not one host providing meals, but rather the students taking turns to provide food. If the Wealth Line is prosperous and strong, the hospitality will be generous; if it is weak and confined, the hospitality will be meager. If the Wealth Line transforms into the Children Line, the food will be abundant and clean; if it transforms into the Official Ghost Line, there will be no delicious food; if it transforms into the Parents Line, the food will be simple and plain; if it transforms into the Siblings Line, it will be just ordinary home-cooked meals.

如索束脩，可把妻財推究；若居伏地，還求朋友維持。凡占取索束脩，以財爻為主。若不出現，不拘伏在何爻下，皆主費力難索。必須浼求朋友，同行取討，則或可得。蓋凡伏藏，須得月建日辰動爻，提起伏神，如同飛神，然後得出為用，故也。

To obtain a retainer's fee, one should investigate the wife's wealth line. If the wealth line is hidden and not visible, one must ask friends to intervene. In all cases of seeking a retainer's fee, the wealth line is the main focus. If it does not appear, regardless of which line it is hidden under, it indicates difficulty in obtaining the fee, and one must request friends to accompany in the request, perhaps only then being able to obtain it. Because any hidden deity must be lifted up by the month builder, the day branch, and the moving line, so that it becomes like a flying deity and becomes visible, only then can it take effect.

出現不傷，旺相生身，名曰吉；入空無救，休囚化絕，號為凶。凡占束脩，得財爻出現，旺相不空，而月建日辰動爻，不帶兄弟傷克，則不缺欠。更得財爻生世合世，大吉之兆。若財雖出現，卻被克劫，或居絕地，或空亡，或變出死墓絕爻，皆不遂意。世持兄克，尤難取討。得子孫旺動，亦好。

If the wealth line appears without being harmed, is prosperous and strong, and comes to generate the world line, this is considered auspicious. If the wealth line falls into emptiness without rescue, is weak and confined, and transforms into a dead position, this is considered inauspicious. In divination regarding the pursuit of wealth, if the wealth line appears, is prosperous and strong, not empty, and the month builder, day branch, and moving line do not bring siblings to harm or restrain it, then the wealth will not be lacking. If the wealth line also generates and harmonizes with the world line, it is an extremely auspicious sign. If the wealth line appears but is restrained or robbed, or is in a dead position, or falls into emptiness, or transforms into a dead, tomb, or dead position, it will not be satisfactory. If the world line is held by siblings and they come to harm the wealth line, it becomes especially difficult to obtain wealth. At this time, if the children line is prosperous and strong and becomes active, the situation is still relatively good.

變出父爻，書債必然償貨物；財動化父，或父動化財，主束脩必無金銀寶物，多是貨物準折，乃有名無實之象。卦中兄弟更動，雜貨物亦不盡得。化成兄弟，硯田定主欠收成。兄弟乃劫財之神。若發動或持世，皆難入手。財化兄，有名無實，或得一半。卦若無財，遇兄化出，則主有人抽分。

The changing of the wealth爻 to the parents爻 indicates that the outstanding repair fee will definitely be settled by goods. When wealth moves to become parents, or parents move to become wealth, it suggests that there are no actual gold or silver in the tuition, but rather goods are used to settle the debt, which is a situation of empty name and no real substance. If the siblings爻 also moves in the卦, even those miscellaneous goods cannot be obtained. "Changing into siblings" means the wealth爻 changes to the siblings爻, indicating that the income from writing will be poor. Siblings are the gods that rob wealth; if they move or hold the main position, the repair fee will be difficult to obtain. When wealth changes into siblings, it is empty name and no real substance, or only half can be obtained. If there is no wealth originally in the卦, but it is produced by siblings, it indicates that someone is taking a cut.

身空應空財福空，必成虛度；凡占束脩，遇卦身應爻，及子孫妻財，或空或不上卦，主束脩無得。蓋財為用神，身為事主，應為諸生父兄，而子孫又生財之神，今皆空休，其能取乎？故成虛度。日克月克動變克，恐受刑傷。月建日辰動變諸爻，皆來刑剋世爻者，占館必不可成。占束脩，恐被諸生父兄呵責，宜慎之。

The hexagram body is empty, the response line is empty, the wealth line and fortune virtue are also empty; this year is certainly wasted. Whenever one divines about seeking a position, if the hexagram body, response line, children, or wealth line falls into emptiness or does not appear in the hexagram, it indicates that one cannot obtain the position. Because wealth is the useful god, the hexagram body is the main subject, the response line represents the parents and elder brothers of the students, and children are the gods that generate wealth. Now all of these are empty and inactive, how can one obtain anything? Therefore, it is said that the year is wasted. "Day branch, month builder, and moving and changing lines all attack" means that the day branch, month builder, moving line, and changing line all attack: if these all attack the world line, then taking up a position will certainly fail; if divining about seeking a position, one might even be scolded by the parents and elder brothers of the students, so one must be cautious.

鬼化財生，非訟則學金休矣；卦中無財，而遇兄鬼文書亂動，有化出財爻，生合世爻者，必須訟訴公庭，然後可得束脩。官爻獨發生世合世，亦然。子連父合，因學而才思加焉。凡占學館，世若衰絕無氣，而遇子孫動化，父母生扶，合起世爻者，主先生才學本不克贍，因教訓子弟，而其才思日加進益。卦有財動則不然。

The official ghost changes into the wealth line to generate and support the world line; without going to court, one cannot obtain the tuition fee. If the fortune does not contain the wealth line, but instead has siblings, official ghosts, and documents in disorder, and among them there is a transformation into the wealth line that generates and harmonizes with the world line, then one must go to court and only then can the tuition be obtained. If the official line alone moves to generate and harmonize with the world line, the situation is the same. "Son connects with parent to harmonize with the world" means that the children connect with the parents to harmonize with the world line, and through teaching, one's intellect increases. When divining about a school, if the world line is weak and lacks vitality, but the children move and change, and the parents come to generate and support the world line, it indicates that the teacher originally had limited knowledge, but through teaching the students, his learning gradually improves. However, if the wealth line moves in the fortune, this interpretation should not be used.

小忍不懲，必至爭長競短；大虧既負，寧不訴枉申冤？欲定輸贏，須詳世應。卦中世應，即狀中原被告人，須看此，則兩邊勝負可知。應乃對頭，要見休囚死絕；世為原告，宜臨帝旺長生。占訟：以世為原告，應為被告。若被告占，以世為自己，應為對頭。應旺世衰，他強我弱；世旺應衰，我強他弱。逢兄遇鬼，雖強理短；臨財持福，雖弱理長。

Small disputes, if not punished, will surely turn into quarrels over who is right or wrong; large losses, once suffered, cannot be left without complaint. To determine who wins or loses in a lawsuit, one must carefully examine the World and Response Lines. In the hexagram, the World Line and the Response Line represent the plaintiff and defendant in the lawsuit. By understanding these two lines, one can know the outcome of the case. The Response Line represents the opponent; it is good if it is weak or dead. The World Line represents the plaintiff; it is favorable if it is in a position of prosperity or growth. In divination for lawsuits, the World Line is the plaintiff and the Response Line is the defendant. If the defendant is the one divining, then the World Line represents himself and the Response Line represents the opponent. If the Response Line is strong and the World Line is weak, it means the opponent is strong and the plaintiff is weak. If the World Line is strong and the Response Line is weak, it means the plaintiff is strong and the opponent is weak. If there is a presence of Siblings or Officials and Ghosts, it indicates strength but a lack of justification. If there is a presence of Wealth or Children, it indicates weakness but a just cause.

相剋相沖，乃是欺凌之象；世爻刑剋應爻，未必我勝，乃是欺他之象；必得鬼克應爻，方為我勝。應爻刑剋世爻，未必他勝，乃是欺我之象，必須鬼克世爻，方為他勝。世應遇三刑六害六沖，兩爻俱動者，是鷸蚌相持之勢，兩不相讓之象。

The World Line and the Response Line mutually controlling and clashing with each other indicate a situation where one is bullying the other. If the World Line is harmed by the Response Line, it does not necessarily mean that I win; it only shows that I am bullying him. Only when the Official Ghost harms the Response Line can it be considered that I win. If the Response Line harms the World Line, it does not necessarily mean that he wins; it only shows that he is bullying me. Only when the Official Ghost harms the World Line can it be considered that he wins. If there is a Three Punishment, Six Harm, or Six Clashes between the World Line and the Response Line, and both lines are activated, then it represents a situation where both parties are holding on to each other, neither willing to yield.

相生相合，終成和好之情。世應生合，原被有和釋之意。世生應，我欲求和；應生世，他欲求和。世應雖生合，而變爻刑沖者，口和心不和也；世應雖沖剋而變爻相合者，始不和，而終和也。生中帶刑，合中帶克，而動空化空者，俱是假意言和，未嘗信任之也。

The World and Response Lines are mutually generated and harmonized, eventually leading to reconciliation. When the World and Response Lines generate and harmonize with each other, both the plaintiff and defendant show a willingness to reconcile: if the World Line generates the Response Line, it indicates my desire for reconciliation; if the Response Line generates the World Line, it indicates his desire for reconciliation. Although the World and Response Lines are generated and harmonized, if the Changing Line involves punishment and clash, it means verbal reconciliation but not genuine harmony; although the World and Response Lines clash and control each other, if the Changing Line is mutually generated, it means initial discord but eventual harmony. If generation includes punishment or harmony includes control, it indicates movement that ends in emptiness or transformation into emptiness, which are all false reconciliations and not sincere, so they should not be trusted lightly.

世應比和官鬼動，恐公家捉打官司；世應比和，亦是和解之象。卦無財，或落空，是財用不給，而欲和也。但得子動，月建日辰不相刑剋，必成和好。若世應生合比和，而官鬼卻動者，主官府捉打官司，不依和議。鬼爻休囚，是主詞人刁蹬。若有制，終成和議。

The world and response lines are harmonious, but the official ghost moves, which suggests the authorities may take action to arrest someone and initiate legal proceedings. Although the world and response lines being harmonious indicates a possibility of reconciliation, if there is no wealth line in the hexagram or the wealth line is empty, it means financial difficulties, so the desire for reconciliation arises. As long as the children line is active and the month builder and day branch do not harm or restrict, reconciliation will definitely succeed. However, if the world and response lines are harmonious but the official ghost moves, it indicates that the authorities will take action against the person, refusing to comply with the reconciliation efforts of both parties. If the official ghost is weak and confined, it suggests that the party initiating the lawsuit is being difficult and causing trouble; as long as it is controlled, reconciliation can still be achieved in the end.

卦爻安靜子孫興，喜親友勸和公事。世應生合比和，而六爻安靜者，不勸自和。世應雖不生合，而子孫發動者，必有勸和之人，和釋兩邊也。與世同宮，及世爻化出，是我親友；與應同宮，及應爻化出，是彼親友；在間爻，則是中證人也。若被世應動克，或鬼旺福衰，雖或勸和，不能依允。卦無子孫，及落空亡，必然無人兜留。

The lines in the hexagram are still and the children are flourishing, which is a good sign as friends and relatives will step forward to mediate the dispute. If the world and response lines generate and harmonise with each other, and all six lines are still, then there is no need for mediation; the matter will naturally resolve itself. Even if the world and response lines do not generate and harmonise, but the children line is activated, there will certainly be someone stepping forward to mediate and resolve the conflict. To determine who this mediator is, look at which line the children are in conjunction with: if it is in the same palace as the world line, or is generated by the world line, then it is a friend or relative of the petitioner. If it is in the same palace as the response line, or is generated by the response line, then it is a friend or relative of the respondent. If the children line is in the middle palace, then it is a neutral party or witness. If the children line is being restrained by the moving lines of the world or response lines, or if the official ghost is strong and the children are weak, then even though someone tries to mediate, both sides will not agree. If there are no children lines in the hexagram, or if the children line is in an empty or fallen position, then there will certainly be no one to intervene or mediate.

世空則我欲息爭；世空我欲息爭，應空他欲息爭。世應俱空，兩願消散，未成訟。世空告不成，應空事無頭緒。初告狀，世空，必有悔心，或遇變故，官司不理；應空，到頭走閃，不成訟。世空恐無主意，不能取勝；應空人不能齊，或對頭躲閃，不能結訟。

The World Line is empty, indicating that I want to settle matters peacefully. If the World Line is empty, it means I want to drop the lawsuit; if the Response Line is empty, it means the other party also wants to drop the lawsuit. When both the World and Response Lines are empty, both sides are willing to avoid conflict, and the lawsuit cannot be filed. If the World Line is empty, the lawsuit cannot be filed. If the Response Line is empty, the matter lacks clarity. Just as the lawsuit is about to be filed, if the World Line is empty, the person will surely feel regret or encounter unexpected events, and the authorities will not accept the case. If the Response Line is empty, in the end the other party will avoid or hide, and the lawsuit will not proceed. The World Line being empty also indicates uncertainty on my part, leading to failure in the case. The Response Line being empty suggests that the opposing party cannot gather together or that the adversary is hiding, and the case cannot be concluded.

應動則他多機變。世動我必使心用謀。若化鬼，或化兄，回頭刑剋，反為失計。應動他有謀略，加月建，必有貴人倚靠；反傷世，必致大禍，宜世空避之則吉。間傷世位，須防硬證同謀；鬼克間爻，且喜有司明見。

The Response Line is activated, indicating that the other party is cunning and changeable. When the World Line is activated, I must be careful and use strategies; if it transforms into an Official Ghost or into Siblings, it will later harm itself, which is actually a mistake. When the Response Line is activated, it shows that the other party has schemes; combined with the Month Builder, it certainly means that the other party has a Nobleman to rely on. If it turns against the World Line, great disaster will follow, and at this time it is favorable for the World Line to be empty, so as to avoid trouble. As for the lines 'If the intermediate line harms the World position, be cautious of a witness colluding with the other party; if the Official Ghost harms the intermediate line, it is fortunate that the authorities will clearly see through the deception,' these refer to the intermediate line's witness. If the witness harms me, I should be cautious that he is colluding with the other party as a witness; if the Official Ghost harms the intermediate line, it is fortunate that the authorities will clearly see through the deception.

間爻為中證人。生世合世，必然向我；生應合應，則必向他。與世沖剋，與我有仇；與應沖剋，與彼有隙。若旺爻生應，衰爻合世，是助彼者有力，助我者無功。或靜生應，動克世，是向彼者雖不上前，怪我者偏來出頭也。若沖剋之爻反去生應合應，或與應爻比和，須防彼與中證人同謀陷害；若得鬼爻剋制，或被日辰沖散合住，是官府不聽其言，我得無事。間爻若受三刑六害，沖剋，中證必遭杖責。

The intermediate line represents a middle person or witness. If it generates the worldly line and harmonizes with the worldly line, it certainly supports me; if it generates the responding line and harmonizes with the responding line, it certainly supports him. If it clashes and controls the worldly line, it indicates enmity towards me; if it clashes and controls the responding line, it indicates a rift with him. If a strong line goes to generate the responding line, and a weak line comes to harmonize with the worldly line, then it is beneficial to him and unhelpful to me. Or if a static line generates the responding line and a moving line controls the worldly line, it supports him without showing itself, but blames me suddenly. If the line that clashes and controls me instead goes to generate the responding line or harmonizes with the responding line, or if it harmonizes with the responding line, one should be cautious that the other party and the middle person are colluding to frame me. If the official ghost controls it, or if it is dispersed by the day branch or harmonized with, then the authorities will not listen to him, and I will be safe. If the intermediate line is subjected to three punishments, six harms, or clashes and controls, the middle person will certainly be punished.

身乃根因事體，空則情虛；卦身一爻，乃詞訟根由。旺則事大，衰則事小；動則事急，靜則事緩。空亡不出現，皆是虛捏事故。飛伏俱無。毫釐不實；旺相空亡，一半真假。要知為何起訟，以所臨六親斷之。

The hexagram body represents the cause and nature of the lawsuit. If it falls into an empty position, the matter is inherently false. The hexagram body is the root of the lawsuit: when it is strong and prosperous, the matter is significant; when it is weak, the matter is minor; when it is active, the matter is urgent; when it is still, the matter is slow. If the hexagram body falls into an empty position and does not appear, it indicates a fabricated incident. If neither the flying god nor the hidden god is present, there is no real evidence. If the hexagram body is strong and prosperous but falls into an empty position, then half of the matter is true and half is false. To understand the reason for the lawsuit, one should look at which of the six relations it is associated with.

如臨父母：是田房樹木，或為尊長起訟。臨兄：爭財鬥毆，門戶役事，或為兄弟朋友起訟。臨子：是漁獵六畜，僧道醫藥，卑幼起訟。臨財：是婚姻財物，妻妾奴僕起訟。臨官：是撇青放火，人命賊盜官災，或功名徭役起訟；婦人占，必為夫事；若臨螣蛇，則是被人牽連之事；持世切己事，臨應他人事。

When the Hexagram Body falls on Parents, it indicates disputes over land, houses, trees, or matters concerning elders. When it falls on Siblings, it refers to quarrels over property, fights, disputes among families, or conflicts with siblings and friends. When it falls on Children, it relates to hunting, livestock, monks, Taoist priests, medicine, or disputes involving younger family members. When it falls on Wealth, it concerns marriage and property matters, or disputes involving spouses, concubines, or servants. When it falls on Official Ghost, it indicates cases of poisoning, arson, injury, murder, theft, official troubles, or lawsuits over official positions and labor service. If a woman is consulting the divination, it definitely concerns her husband's affairs. If Official Ghost falls on 'Teng Sha', it signifies being involved in someone else's affairs. When the Hexagram Body holds the World, it refers to personal matters. When it falls on the Respondent, it refers to matters concerning others.

父為案卷文書，伏須未就。卦無父，案卷未成；父母旺空，文書未就；休囚空亡，其事不成。如帶刑爻，或臨敗病，必多破綻。化財亦然。化兄還欠筆削。死墓衰絕，皆不濟事。若被月建太歲沖剋，上司必要駁。太歲月建作合，上司必吊卷。有沖散，或克破，皆不依允。

The parents' hexagram represents official documents. If it is hidden and not visible, the documents have not yet been processed. If there is no parents' hexagram in the hexagram, the documents are not completed. If the parents' hexagram is strong but falls into an empty position, the documents are not yet finalized. If it is weak and confined and also falls into an empty position, the matter will not be successful at all. If the parents' hexagram is accompanied by a criminal hexagram, or if it is in a state of failure or illness, the official documents will certainly have many flaws. If it transforms into a wealth hexagram, it is the same. If it transforms into a siblings hexagram, the documents still need further revisions. If the parents' hexagram falls into death, burial, decline, or destruction, it will not be helpful. If it is clashed by the month builder or the year ruler, the superior authority will definitely reject it. If it is combined by the year ruler or the month builder, the superior authority will definitely review the case files. In any case of clash or destruction, the approval will not be granted.

鬼作問官，克應則他遭杖責；官為聽訟官。克世我遭責，訟必他勝；克應他遭責，訟必我勝。世應俱被傷，原被皆受責。若鬼爻雖刑剋，而文書卻有情，杖責須有，罪名則無。日為書吏，傷身則我受刑名。

The Official Ghost represents the official handling a case. If it goes to attack the Response Line, the other party will be beaten. The Official Ghost is the official who hears cases: if it attacks the World Line, I will be punished, and the case will be won by the other party; if it attacks the Response Line, the other party will be punished, and the case will be won by me; if both the World and Response Lines are harmed, both the plaintiff and defendant will be punished. If the Official Ghost comes to attack, but the Document Line is in harmony with me, then I will be beaten, but no charge will be brought against me. As for the phrase 'the Day Branch is the clerk, injuring the body means I will receive official punishment,' it treats the Day Branch as the clerk in the office, and if it injures the World Line, I will suffer official punishment.

日辰能救事，能壞事。原被皆要此爻有情，則必有人看顧。若臨庭爭訟，則當以此爻為吏書。生合世爻，於我有益；生合應爻，於彼有益。沖剋應，沖壞彼事；沖剋世，沖壞我事。又如鬼動克世，而得日辰剋制，沖散合住者，是官府有怒於我，卻得傍人一言解之，而得寬宥也。

The day branch can both help and harm a situation. Both the plaintiff and defendant need this line to be harmonious in order to receive support. If the case has already reached court, this line should be regarded as a clerk: if it generates or harmonizes with the world line, it benefits me; if it generates or harmonizes with the response line, it benefits the other party; if it clashes or controls the response line, it damages the other's case; if it clashes or controls the world line, it damages my case. For example, if the official ghost line becomes active and controls the world line, but the day branch controls, disperses or harmonizes it, this means that the authorities were already angry with me, but fortunately someone spoke up to mediate, leading to leniency.

逢財，則理直氣壯；占訟，以財為理。臨世我有理，臨應他有理。臨世而休囚死絕，我雖懦怯有濟；臨應而鬼來刑害，彼雖有理，而官府不聽。若遇兄，則主不能分辨。如占下狀，則財為忌爻。或發動，或持世，或值日辰，或帶月建，皆主不成。

In a divination chart, if the wealth trigram appears, it indicates a strong and justified position. When divining a lawsuit, the wealth trigram represents "reason": if the wealth trigram is in the world line, it means I have the reason; if it is in the response line, it means the other party has the reason. If the wealth trigram is in the world line but is weak and confined, I may be timid and fearful, but the matter will eventually have a resolution. If the wealth trigram is in the response line and there are official ghosts that punish and harm it, even though the other party has the reason, the authorities will not listen. If the siblings trigram appears, it indicates that the argument is unclear. However, if the divination is about whether a lawsuit can be filed, the wealth trigram becomes a hostile god: if it is active, holds the world line, is on the day branch, or is accompanied by the month builder, it indicates that the lawsuit cannot be filed.

遇兄，則財散人離。兄弟，破敗耗散之神。若在身世爻上，事必干眾；動則廣費資財；更化兄，或加白虎，必主傾家蕩產，財散人離。臨應爻，則以彼斷之。世入墓爻，難免獄囚之繫；世爻入墓化墓，或臨鬼墓，卦象凶者，必有牢獄之禍。墓爻衰弱，是箍禁籠中。臨白虎，在獄有病；自空化空，死於獄中。

When the hexagram encounters the siblings line, it indicates the dispersal of wealth and separation of people. The siblings are the deities of destruction and depletion; if they fall on the hexagram body or the world line, the matter will certainly involve many people; once it starts, there will be great expenditure of money; if it further transforms into siblings, or is combined with the White Tiger, it will certainly lead to the ruin of the family, dispersal of wealth, and separation of people. If the siblings fall on the response line, then it should be interpreted according to the situation of the other party. "World line entering the tomb line" refers to the world line entering the tomb, inevitably leading to legal troubles: if the world line enters the tomb, transforms into the tomb, or is located on the ghost tomb, and the hexagram is ominous, there will certainly be legal troubles. A weak tomb line indicates being locked up in a cage; if it is combined with the White Tiger, it indicates illness in prison; if it falls into the void or transforms into the void, it indicates death in prison.

官逢太歲，必非州縣之詞。鬼在本宮內卦，本州本縣詞；本宮外卦，事在本府；第五爻，撫按三司；六爻，事幹省部。外宮外卦，必發於外縣他州官問。官逢太歲，必干朝廷；逢月建，必涉臺憲。

The official ghost line, if encountering the year's master, indicates that the legal case will not be limited to the county or prefecture level. If the official ghost is in the inner trigram of its own palace, it refers to disputes within the local state and county; if in the outer trigram, the matter will escalate to the prefectural level. If it falls on the fifth line, it involves the governor, the inspector general, and the three departments. If it falls on the sixth line, the case concerns the provincial and central government offices. If the official ghost is in the outer trigram of another palace, the case will definitely be transferred to another county or state for trial. If the official ghost meets the year's master, it certainly involves the imperial court; if it meets the month's master, it certainly involves the advisory and supervisory offices.

內外有官，事涉一司終不了。官不上卦，無官主張。內外有官，權不歸一。主事體反覆，必經兩司，然後了事。不然，則有舊事再發，或被他人又告。官化官亦然。空則勿斷。上下有父，詞興兩度始能成。官父二爻不宜重見，主有轉變不定之象，其事必主纏綿，率難了結。如占告狀，遇有此象，再告方成。若月日動變，諸爻俱帶文書，重疊太過者，雖告數次，亦不能成。

The inner and outer trigrams both contain the Official Ghost, indicating that the matter involves two departments and will ultimately not be resolved. If the Official Ghost is not present in the trigram, there will be no official in charge; when both inner and outer trigrams contain the Official Ghost, the authority is not centralized, leading to repeated changes in the case, which must go through two departments to be settled. Alternatively, it may indicate a reopened case or a new accusation from someone else. If the Official Ghost transforms into another Official Ghost, the situation remains the same; if it falls into an empty position, this interpretation does not apply. "When both upper and lower trigrams have the Parents, the case must be filed twice before it can be resolved" means that when both upper and lower trigrams contain the Parents trigram, the lawsuit must be filed twice. If both the Official Ghost and Parents trigrams appear again, it indicates an uncertain change, and the matter will be entangled and difficult to resolve. If one is divining about a lawsuit and encounters this trigram, another lawsuit must be filed. If the Month Builder, Day Branch, Moving Line, and Changing Line all carry documents and overlap excessively, then even after multiple lawsuits, the case will still not be resolved.

官父兩強，詞狀表章皆准理；妻財一動，申呈訴告總徒勞。凡欲上表申奏，申呈告訴等事，皆要官父兩全，有氣不空，則准理，缺一便不成。最怕財動則傷父，必不可成。若父雖旺相，財爻持世，或父動化財，皆主詞理未善，宜更改可成。卦無財爻，月建日辰帶財，亦不能成。

The Official Ghost and Parents hexagrams are both strong, indicating that the wording of the petition and the official documents will be approved and accepted. However, if the Wealth hexagram moves, then the submission and complaint will all be in vain. For any matters involving submitting petitions or filing lawsuits, both the Official and Parents hexagrams must be present, with vitality and not falling into emptiness, in order for the matter to be accepted. If either is missing, the matter will not succeed. The most dangerous situation is when the Wealth hexagram moves to harm the Parents hexagram, which definitely means the matter will not be successful. If the Parents hexagram is strong but the Wealth hexagram holds the main position, or if the Parents hexagram moves and transforms into the Wealth hexagram, this indicates that the petition or complaint is not well reasoned and needs to be revised before it can succeed. Even if the Wealth hexagram is not present in the hexagram, as long as the Month Builder or Day Branch carries the Wealth, the matter will still not succeed.

父旺官衰，雀角鼠牙之訟；父旺相，官休囚，詞狀幞頭雖大，事實細，故乃鼠才雀角之訟。父旺官空，或有父無官，主同狀雖善，官府卻不放告受詞。變衰動旺，虎頭蛇尾之人。凡世應旺動，是有併吞六國之勢。若變入死墓空絕，乃先強後弱，虎頭蛇尾之象。應以彼言，世以己言斷之。

The parents are strong while the official ghost is weak, indicating minor disputes like those involving mice's teeth and sparrows' beaks. When the parent line is prosperous and strong but the official line is weak and confined, the lawsuit may appear grand in form but the actual case is very trivial, hence called a dispute over mice's teeth and sparrows' beaks. If the parent line is strong but the official line is empty, or there is a parent line but no official line, it suggests that although the petition is well written, the authorities will not accept it. "Transformation from decline to prosperity, a person with a tiger's head and a snake's tail" refers to when something starts strong but turns weak later. If the world and response lines are strong and active, they originally have the momentum to conquer six states; but if they transform into death, burial, emptiness, or decline, it indicates a beginning strong and ending weak, like a tiger's head and a snake's tail. The response line determines the other party, while the world line determines oneself.

世若逢生，當有貴人倚靠；應衰無助，必無奸惡刁唆。世爻衰弱，遇月建日辰動爻生合，必有貴人扶持，彼亦無可奈何。應爻遇之，是彼有人扶持，我亦不能制勝於彼也。間爻生合，可得中證人力。鬼生合，得官府中人力也。

If the world line receives support and assistance, it naturally has a nobleman to rely on; if the response line is weak and lacks support, there will be no wicked people inciting from the side. If the world line is weak and meets the month builder, day branch, or moving line to generate and harmonize, there must be a nobleman to support it, and the other side will be helpless. If the response line meets such generation and harmony, then he has someone to support him, and I cannot overpower him. If the intermediate line generates and harmonizes, one can receive assistance from a neutral witness; if the official ghost generates and harmonizes, one can receive assistance from someone in the government.

無合無生，縱旺何殊獨腳虎；有刑有克，逢空當效縮頭龜。應爻旺動，若無一點生合者，彼雖剛強有謀，乃是獨腳之虎，不足畏也。世無生合，是我勢孤無助。若遇月日動變，刑剋世爻，其象最凶。得世在空爻，謂空避。如訟未成，不告為上；若已成訟，當效縮頭之龜，勿與對理可也。否則必遭罪責。應逢刑剋而避空者，是彼有躲避之計，我亦不能施其謀也。

If there is neither a connection nor a generation, even if it is prosperous and strong, it is still just a lone tiger; if there are both punishments and restrictions, encountering an empty position should be like a turtle retreating into its shell. If the response line is prosperous and strong and becomes active, but there is no generation or connection, then although it is strong and resourceful, it is still just a lone tiger, not worth fearing. If the world line has neither support nor connection, then I am isolated and without support; if further punished by the month builder, day branch, moving line, and changing line, the卦 is most dangerous. At this time, if the world line is exactly on an empty line, it is called "empty avoidance": if the case has not yet begun, it is better not to sue; if the case has already started, it should be like a turtle retreating into its shell, not facing the opponent in court, otherwise there will certainly be punishment. Conversely, if the response line encounters punishment and restriction and avoids by falling into an empty position, it means the opponent has another plan to hide, and I cannot carry out any strategy.

兄在間中，事必干眾；兄弟在間爻，詞內干犯牽連眾多。動則中證人貪索賄賂。沖剋應爻，索彼之財物也。兄弟逢空，事雖干眾，到官者少。化官傷世，若不用財買囑他人，必被其害。父臨應上，彼欲興詞。父母為文書。臨世，我欲告理；臨應，他欲申訴。動則事已行矣。化入死墓空絕，必不成事。若逢合住剋制，必有阻留者。

The brothers' line is sandwiched between the intermediate lines, indicating that this matter will certainly involve many people. When the brothers' line is in the intermediate position, the lawsuit will involve many implicated parties. If it becomes active, the witnesses will be tempted to take bribes. If it clashes and controls the response line, it means trying to demand money from the other side. If the brothers' line is empty, although many are involved, few will actually go to court. If it transforms into the official ghost line to harm the world line, then without paying to bribe others, one will certainly suffer losses. "Parents line is on the response line, the other party wants to file a lawsuit" means that the parents' line is on the response line, indicating the other party intends to file a lawsuit. The parents' line represents documents, if it is on the world line, it means I want to file a lawsuit; if it is on the response line, it means the other party wants to appeal. Once it becomes active, the matter is already in progress. If it transforms into death, tomb, emptiness, or decline, the matter will certainly not succeed. If it is combined with or controlled by another line, there will be someone obstructing and delaying the matter.

父動而官化福爻，事將成而偶逢兜勸；父空而身臨刑殺，詞未準而先被笞刑。凡占告訴，遇官父兩動，其事可成。若父化子傷克官，或官化子刑沖父，必主身到公門，將投詞而有人兜勸。若父化空亡墓絕，官鬼刑剋世爻，或帶自刑，或被日辰沖剋，告狀且不准，先遭杖責也。若官父皆旺，而有此象，雖被杖責，事必可成。

The parents' line moves and the official ghost transforms into children, indicating that when things are about to succeed, someone suddenly intervenes to stop it. If the parents' line is empty and the hexagram body is afflicted by a punishment, the case hasn't even been decided yet, but the person has already been beaten. In any case of litigation, if both the official and parents' lines are active, the matter will succeed. However, if the parents' line transforms into children to harm the official line, or the official line transforms into children to punish the parents' line, then it means the person has already reached the gate of the official's office, about to submit the complaint, but someone comes up to mediate. If the parents' line enters an empty or dead position, and the official ghost punishes the world line, or if it involves self-punishment, or is punished by the day branch, then the complaint will not be accepted and the person will be beaten first. However, if both the official and parents' lines are prosperous and strong, then even though the person is beaten, the matter will eventually succeed.

妻動生官，須用資財囑託；父母有氣，不帶刑害，不臨敗病，不被沖剋，則詞理中式，事必可成。若鬼休囚死絕，亦難准理。遇有財動生扶，可用資財謀幹，然後有望。若訟已成，卦有此象，必須用財囑託官吏，姑待鬼爻生旺月日，方能成事。更遇子孫發動，仍復無氣，雖費資財，亦無所益。

The wife and wealth爻 moves to generate the official ghost爻, which means one must use money for requests and arrangements. If the parents爻 is strong, without punishment or harm, not in a failed or sickly position, and not being clashed or controlled, then the petition is properly formatted and the matter will surely succeed. If the official ghost is weak and confined or in a dead position, it will be difficult to get approval. In such a case, if the wealth爻 moves to support the official ghost, one can use money to plan and arrange, and then there is hope. If the lawsuit has already begun and the hexagram shows this situation, one must use money to bribe officials and patiently wait for the month and day when the official ghost is strong and flourishing, then the matter can be resolved. If the children爻 also moves, and the official ghost is weak, then even though money is spent, it will be of no benefit.

世興變鬼，必因官訟亡身。世持鬼，我失理；應持官，他失理。世變鬼，恐因官事而喪命；應變鬼，以彼斷之。無故自空，亦有大難。若世臨鬼爻克應，或應臨鬼克世，主兩邊俱有罪責。鬼在世，我做招頭；鬼在應，他做招頭也。

The World Line moves and transforms into the Official Ghost, indicating fear of dying from this legal dispute. If the World Line holds the Official Ghost, it suggests I am at fault; if the Response Line holds the Official Ghost, it suggests the other party is at fault. If the World Line transforms into the Official Ghost, it warns of possible death due to the legal matter; if the Response Line transforms into the Official Ghost, then the other side should be considered. If the World Line falls into the void without cause, it indicates a major disaster. If the World Line is afflicted by the Official Ghost to attack the Response Line, or if the Response Line is afflicted by the Official Ghost to attack the World Line, it suggests both parties are at fault. If the Official Ghost is in the World Line, I am the main offender; if the Official Ghost is in the Response Line, the other party is the main offender.

子在身邊，到底不能結證；官伏世下，訟根猶未芟除。卦身臨福德，其事必不見底；出現發動，隨即消散。若占散事，得子動或世空，皆吉。惟怕本宮鬼伏世下，則訟根常在。目下雖不成訟，至官旺相月日，仍舊舉發也。

The line of children is beside the hexagram body, indicating the case will not be resolved; the official ghost is hidden beneath the world line, meaning the root of the dispute has not been removed. The hexagram body is associated with fortune and virtue, suggesting the matter will not have a clear conclusion. If the line of children appears and becomes active, the lawsuit will quickly dissipate. If the focus is on how to conclude this matter, then the activation of the line of children or the world line falling into emptiness are both favorable. Most dangerous is when the official ghost of the same trigram is hidden beneath the world line, meaning the root of the dispute remains: although there is no lawsuit currently, when the month and day arrive when the official ghost is prosperous and strong, the old matter will resurface again.

墓逢日德刑沖，目下即當出獄；歲挈福神生合，獄中必遇天恩。世墓鬼墓爻動，皆是入獄之象。若得日辰刑沖剋破，目下即當出獄，不久禁錮也。在獄占卜，最喜太歲生合世爻，主有天恩赦宥。月建生合，上司審出；日辰生合，有司饒恕；父母生合，必須申訴而後獲免也。

If the墓爻 meets the punishment and clash of the day branch, it indicates immediate release from prison; if the sovereign brings the god of fortune to generate and harmonise with the world line, it means certain pardon from the heavenly grace while in prison. When the world line and ghost line爻 are activated, it signifies imprisonment. If the day branch punishes, clashes, controls or breaks these lines, release is imminent and not prolonged. When divining while in prison, the most favorable situation is when the sovereign generates and harmonises with the world line, indicating heavenly grace for pardon. If the month builder generates and harmonises, it means being summoned by the superior for review and release. If the day branch generates and harmonises, it means leniency from the local authority. If the parents generate and harmonise, it means one must file a petition before being pardoned.

若問罪名，須詳官鬼；凡卜罪名輕重，以鬼爻定之。旺則罪重，衰則罪輕。帶刑加白虎旺動克世，金受極刑；火主充軍；木主笞杖；水土徒罪。須以衰旺，有制無制斷之，不可執滯。

If you want to determine the severity of a crime, you must carefully examine the official ghost爻. In all divination regarding the seriousness of a crime, the official ghost爻 is used to judge: if it is prosperous and strong, the crime is severe; if it is weak, the crime is minor. If it carries punishments and is combined with the White Tiger and is prosperous and active, attacking the subject, then if it is of the metal element, the punishment is capital punishment; if it is of the fire element, the punishment is exile; if it is of the wood element, the punishment is caning or beating; if it is of the water or earth element, the punishment is imprisonment. You must also consider its strength and weakness, and whether it is restrained or not, and not stick rigidly to rules.

要知消散，當看子孫。要知消散日期，若福動鬼靜，以子孫生旺月日斷；鬼動福靜，以官墓月日斷。二爻俱靜，若鬼旺福衰，以鬼爻墓絕日斷；福旺鬼衰，以沖動福爻日斷。二爻俱動，若福有制伏，則看鬼爻；鬼有制伏，則看制伏之爻。見官日則專看鬼爻；出獄日期則看破墓月日，或生合世爻月日。卦象既成，勝負瞭然明白；訟庭一剖，是非判若昭彰。

To determine when a legal dispute will be resolved, one should look at the Children line. To predict the date of resolution: if the Children line is active and the Official Ghost line is quiet, use the month and day when the Children line is strong and flourishing. If the Official Ghost line is active and the Children line is quiet, use the month and day when the Official Ghost line enters its tomb. If both lines are quiet, and the Official Ghost is strong while the Children is weak, use the day when the Official Ghost reaches its墓绝 (tomb and decline). If the Children is strong and the Official Ghost is weak, use the day when the Children line is disturbed. If both lines are active, and the Children is restrained, look at the Official Ghost line; if the Official Ghost is restrained, look at the line that restrains it. As for the day when the case will be heard in court, focus on the Official Ghost line. As for the day of release from prison, look at the month and day when the tomb of the Official Ghost is broken, or the month and day when the Children line harmonizes with the World Line. Once the卦象 (divination diagram) is established, the outcome is clear; once the court makes a judgment, the truth and falsehood will be evident.