Seeking fame.

書讀五車，固欲致身於廓廊，胸藏萬卷，肯甘遁跡於丘園。要相國家，當詳易卦。父爻旺相，文成擲地金聲；鬼位興隆，家報泥金捷喜。財若交重，休望青錢之中選；福如發動，難期金榜之題名。

Reading ten thousand volumes of books is originally for entering officialdom and serving in the court, who would be willing to contentedly die old in the mountains. Whether one can assist the state depends on this divination. Practically speaking: first find the parents'爻 — it represents articles and examination papers; if it is prosperous and strong, then one's thoughts are clear and lofty, and writing is as solid as stone and resounding as sound. Then find the official ghost爻 — it represents official rank and position; if it is flourishing, then good news will arrive at home. Conversely, one must also recognize the twoHostile God: if wife and wealth爻 are repeatedly activated, they will overcome the parents爻, causing the articles to be unqualified, and one should not expect every piece to be selected; if children爻 is activated, it will overcome the official ghost爻, cutting off the official rank first, and thus the honor of being listed on the imperial examination list becomes hopeless. These four lines are the general principle for seeking fame and official position.

兄弟同經，乃奪標之惡客；日辰輔德，實勸駕之良朋。兩用相沖，題目生疏而不熟；六爻競發，功名恍惚以難成。月克文書，程序背而不中，世傷官克，仕路窒而不通。

In actual divination, one must also pay attention to three aspects: first, the siblings爻, which represent competitors in the same examination, striving for the prize; if the day branch comes to generate and support the useful god, then it is a good friend encouraging me to proceed to the examination. Second, if the official ghost and parents, the two useful gods, are in mutual conflict, the questions will be obscure and unfamiliar; with all six lines competing to activate, the mind becomes confused, and the prospects for official rank become uncertain. Third, if the month builder overcomes the parents, the composition will deviate from the established style and fail to pass; if the world line instead harms the official ghost, the career path will become blocked.

妻財助鬼父爻空，可圖僥倖；福德變官身位合，亦忝科名。出現無情，難遂青雲之志；伏藏有用，終辭白屋之人。月建克身當被責，財如生世必幫糧。

There are also two instances where misfortune can turn into good fortune: first, although the wife and wealth element moves, it turns away to support the official ghost, and the parents element exactly falls into an empty position (empty means it is not affected by the wealth element), thus it may be fortunate to pass the examination; second, although the children element moves and transforms into the official ghost, and it also harmonizes with the hexagram body, it can stillwith difficulty obtain a scholarly rank. Furthermore, observe the relationship between the official ghost and the world line: although the official ghost appears but has no connection with the world line, lofty aspirations are difficult to achieve; although the official ghost is hidden but still has the power to promote, eventually one can escape from a humble background. In addition, if the month builder comes torestrain the hexagram body, taking the examination will result in punishment; if the wife and wealth element comes to support the world line, there must be someone to help with travel expenses and food.

父官三合相逢，連科及弟；龍虎二爻俱動，一舉成名。殺化生身之鬼，恐發青衣；歲加有氣之官，終登黃甲。病阻試期，無故空臨於世位；喜添場屋，有情龍合於身爻。

The best auspicious signs are of two kinds: when both parents and official ghost are in triple harmony, it indicates continuous success in the imperial examinations; when both azure dragon and white tiger lines are activated, it signifies immediate fame and success. The next best is when malevolent influences transform into official ghost that generates the hexagram body, but one can only attain a low rank; if the current year's ruler joins a vital official ghost, one will eventually pass the first-tier examination. Additionally, two details should be considered: if the world line falls into emptiness without cause, it indicates illness that delays the examination; if the azure dragon sincerely combines with the hexagram body, it suggests smoothness and good fortune in the home.

財伏逢空，行糧必乏；身興變鬼，來試方成。卦值六沖，此去難題雁塔；爻逢六合，這回必占薦頭。父旺官衰，可惜劉蕢之下第；父衰官旺，堪嗟張奭之登科。

Now consider three layers: if the wife and wealth are hidden and also fall into the empty position, the expenses for the exam journey will certainly be insufficient; if the hexagram body moves and transforms into the official ghost, one must personally take the exam to achieve success. In the hexagram structure, if six clashes appear, the journey to the bell tower for the exam will be difficult; if six harmonies appear, one will certainly rank high in this examination. As for the misalignment between the article and the official position, there have been two extreme examples throughout history: when the parents are strong but the official ghost is weak, the article may be good but there is no official position, as was the case with Liu Ruan of the Tang Dynasty who failed to pass; when the parents are weak but the official ghost is strong, the article may be poor yet one can still pass the exam, as was the case with Zhang Shi of the Tang Dynasty who succeeded.

應合日生，必資鶚薦；動傷日克，還守雞窗。世動化空用旺，則豹變翻成蝴蝶。身宮化鬼月扶，則鵬程連步蟾宮。

The last two contrasts: if the response line comes to harmonize and the day branch comes to generate, one must have a strong force like an eagle recommending; if the moving line harms and the day branch controls, one must return to the study hall to read diligently, with no immediate success. If the world line moves but turns into an empty void, even if the useful god is prosperous and strong, that beautiful transformation of a leopard will turn into a butterfly flying away; if the hexagram body's palace turns into an official ghost yet receives support from the month builder, then one will achieve great success, advancing step by step to win the moon palace.

更詳本主之爻神，方論其人之命運。雖賦數言，總論窮通之得失，再將八卦，重推致用之吉凶。

The examples given above are general rules; when dealing with specific cases, one must also examine the strength and decline of the heavenly stems and earthly branches associated with the particular line of the hexagram, in order to accurately assess a person's fate. Although this essay is brief and only discusses the overall trends of success and failure, specific cases still require re-casting the eight trigrams and six lines to judge fortune and misfortune based on actual circumstances. The method is fixed, but people differ; this is the consistent meaning conveyed throughout the different sections of The Golden Strategies.

為國求賢，治民之本，致身輔相，祿養為先。旺相妻財，必得千鍾之粟；興隆官鬼，定居一品之尊。子若交重，當慮剝官削職；兄如發動，須防減俸除糧。

Selecting virtuous individuals for the state is the fundamental aspect of governing the people, and scholars seeking to establish themselves in official positions must first have a salary to sustain their lives. Therefore, in the matter of holding an official post, both position and salary are of equal importance: the official ghost爻 governs the position, and the wealth爻 governs the salary. In actual divination, the order of consideration is first to examine the strength and prosperity of these two factors— if the wealth爻 is prosperous and strong, then the salary will be abundant, and if the official ghost爻 is flourishing, then the position will reach the highest rank. Next, one should look at the two hostile gods: if the children爻 is repeatedly active, it will overcome the official ghost, and one should beware of being dismissed from office; if the siblings爻 is active, it will overcome the wealth爻, and one should beware of a reduction in salary.

父母空亡，休望差除宣敕；官爻隱伏，莫思爵位升遷。月建生身，當際風雲之會；歲君合世，必承雨露之恩。世動逢空，官居不久；身空無救，命盡富危。

Now looking at three points: the parents'爻 represents imperial edicts and documents; if it falls into emptiness, there is no need to wait for official appointments. If the official ghost爻 is hidden and does not emerge, then aspirations for promotion can be set aside. If the month builder generates the hexagram body, it signifies a time of great opportunity and favorable circumstances; if the sovereign year combines with the world line, it indicates receiving the grace and favor of the sovereign (the sovereign year represents the sovereign). Conversely, if the world line becomes active but falls into emptiness, the official position will not last long; if the hexagram body falls into emptiness without support, one's lifespan is nearing its end, and even if wealthy, there will be danger.

鬼化福沖當代職，財臨虎動必丁憂。日辰沖剋，定然誹謗之多招；鬼煞傷身，因見災殃之不免。兄爻化鬼無情，同僚不協；太歲加刑不順，貶謫難逃。卦靜世空，退休之兆；身空煞動，避禍之徵。

Further considerations on advancement, retreat, departure, and retention: If the official ghost changes into children, which then conflict (children overcome the official), the position will be taken over by others. If the wealth hexagram is accompanied by the white tiger and becomes active (wealth overcomes parents, the white tiger signifies loss), it indicates the necessity of mourning the parents and resigning from office. If the day branch conflicts and overcomes, there will certainly be much slander. If the official ghost and malevolent stars injure the hexagram body, calamity is unavoidable. If siblings change into the official ghost and have no connection with the world line, there will be discord among colleagues. If the year star adds punishment and is not in harmony with the world line, demotion is inevitable. If all six lines are still and the world line falls into emptiness, it is a sign of retirement. If the hexagram body falls into emptiness and malevolent stars become active, it is a sign of avoiding disaster and stepping down.

身邊伏鬼若非空，頭上烏紗終不脫。財空鬼動聲名震，而囊篋空虛。官旺父衰職任高，而衙門冷落。職居風憲，皆因月值官爻；官在貳司，只為鬼臨傍位。

The hexagram body is accompanied by the official ghost, and as long as it does not fall into emptiness, the official position can be retained. If the wealth is empty while the official ghost is active, there may be a great reputation but the treasury is empty, leading to a bleak official position. If the official ghost is strong but the parents are weak (parents represent official seals and government offices), the position may be high but the government office is cold and deserted, indicating a position that is famous but not real. If the position involves supervising discipline, it is often because the month builder coincides with the official ghost. If the position is an assistant or deputy role, it is because the official ghost is not in the main position but appears in the adjacent line.

撫綏百姓，兄動則難化愚頑；巡察四方，路空則多憂驚怪。出征剿捕福德興，而寇賊殲亡。鎮守邊陲卦爻靜，而華夷安泰。奏陳諫諍，那堪太歲刑沖；僧道醫官，豈可文書發動。但隨職分以推詳，可識仕途之否泰。

In the end, according to one's duties, we should analyze accordingly. If one holds the position of安抚百姓 (pacifying the people), siblings are active (indicating disputes and disturbances), and the foolish and untaught people are difficult to influence. If one holds the position of巡察四方 (inspecting all regions), the fifth line (road) is empty, indicating many unexpected troubles and strange occurrences on the road. When sending troops to suppress rebels, if the children's line is strong, the rebels will be eliminated (children overcoming official ghosts, where ghosts represent bandits). When defending the borders, if all six lines are calm, both Chinese and foreign people will be at peace. When making a memorial to advise the emperor, one must be most careful about the year's master (太岁) coming to harm or conflict—conflicting with the year's master indicates offending the sovereign. For officials in religious, official, or medical positions, their profession is based on the children's line, and it is most dangerous if the parents' line becomes active and harms the children. In summary, according to each person's duties, one can clearly determine whether their career path is smooth or blocked.

居貨曰賈，行貨曰商，總為資生之計。蓍所以筮，龜所以卜，莫非就利之謀。要問吉凶，但看財福。財旺福興，無問公私皆稱意；財空福絕，不拘營運總違心。

Sitting merchants and traveling traders are both means of making a living, and divination through yarrow stalks, turtle shells, and other methods are also ways of advising people in their pursuit of profit. When seeking fortune, only two factors are considered: wife's wealth represents the wealth itself, and children represent the source of wealth. If wife's wealth is strong and children are flourishing, whether dealing with public or private matters will go smoothly. If wife's wealth is weak and children are absent, no matter how one tries to manage affairs, it will feel unsatisfactory. When actually divining, first determine the strength and weakness, as well as the reality or emptiness of these two lines. Already half of the success or failure is decided.

有福無財，兄弟交重偏有望；有財無福，官爻發動亦堪求。財福俱無，何異守株而待兔；父兄皆動，無殊緣木以求魚。月帶財神，卦雖無而月中必有；日傷妻位，財雖旺而當日應無。

If you have only one of them, there is still a chance: if there are children but no wealth, having many siblings activated can be hopeful—siblings generate children, and children generate wealth, thus connecting the source. If there is wealth but no children, the official ghost can be sought—wealth generates the official, and the official protects the wealth, so it won't be stolen by siblings. If neither is present, it's like waiting by a tree for a rabbit; if both parents and siblings are activated (one cutting off the source of wealth, the other stealing the capital), it's like climbing a tree to fish. Additionally, there is a difference in time: if the month builder carries wealth, even if the hexagram lacks wealth, there will certainly be some within the month; if the day branch harms wealth, although wealth is strong, it will not be obtained on that day.

多財反覆，必須墓庫以收藏；無鬼分爭，又怕交重而阻滯。兄如太過，反不克財；身或兄臨，必難求望。財來就我終須易，我去尋財必是難。

The wife's wealth in the hexagram appears too much and becomes unstable, requiring a storage to contain it. If there is no official ghost in the hexagram, there is no one to block the siblings from competing for the wealth. However, if the official ghost is strong, it may consume energy and create obstacles. If the siblings are too strong, it will reach an extreme and instead fail to overcome the wealth. If the world line is occupied by the siblings, the person himself becomes a thief of wealth, making it difficult to obtain wealth. In summary, if the wealth爻 supports the world line and combines with it, the wealth comes to me easily; but if the world line goes out to support the wealth, it will be difficult to obtain.

身遇旺財，似取囊中之物；世持動弟，如撈水底之針。福變財生，滾滾利源不竭；兄連鬼克，紛紛口舌難逃。父化財，必辛勤而有得；財化鬼，防耗折而驚憂。

When the hexagram body meets a prosperous and strong wealth trigram, obtaining wealth is as easy as taking it out of a pocket. If the world line is seated and activated by siblings, seeking wealth is like fishing for a needle in the water, which is in vain. If children transform into wealth trigrams and generate wealth, there will be a continuous and abundant source of wealth. If siblings are connected with official ghosts, they will both harm wealth (one causing loss of wealth, the other bringing misfortune), leading to disputes and conflicts. If parents transform into wealth trigrams, there will be hard work followed by rewards; if wealth trigrams transform into official ghosts, one should beware of losses, financial setbacks, and unexpected worries.

財局合福神，萬倍利源可許；歲君逢劫煞，一年生意無聊。世應二爻空合，虛約難憑；主人一位刑傷，往求不遇。徒空持鬼，多因自己遲疑；日合動財，卻被他人把住。

The third line forms a combination of the Wealth line, and also harmonizes with the Children line, indicating a profit of ten thousand times; if the line of the year meets the Robbery Sha, business will be slow that year. Although the World and Response lines are harmonious but both fall into emptiness, it is an unreliable agreement; if the line of the person you are seeking is harmed, you will not find him when you seek him. If the World line is empty and sits on the Official Ghost, it is mostly due to one's own hesitation causing mistakes; although the Wealth line moves, it is held by the Day Branch, meaning the wealth is controlled by others.

要知何日得財，不離生衰旺合。欲決何時有利，但詳春夏秋冬。合夥不嫌兄弟，公門何慮官爻。

To determine the favorable time, there are only two lines of oral诀: to know which day one will gain wealth, one should look at when the useful god is born, when it turns strong, and when it meets a harmonious element (decline waits for strength, harmony waits for conflict, emptiness waits for reality); to judge when it is beneficial, one should see in which season of spring, summer, autumn, or winter the wife's wealth is in command. As for what to avoid, it also depends on the context: if one is合伙 doing business, seeing siblings in the hexagram does not need to be avoided — after all, it is about cooperating with others; if one is seeking profit in an official position, seeing official ghosts in the hexagram does not need to be feared — that is exactly his profession.

九流術士，偏宜鬼動生身；六畜血財，尤喜福興持世。世應同人，放債必然連本失；日月相合，開行定主有人投。應落空亡，索債者失望；世遭刑剋，賭博者必輸。

Continuing with explanations by industry: Those engaged in fortune-telling and medicine, among the nine categories of itinerant craftsmen, are actually suited when the Official Ghost moves to generate the hexagram body — since they rely on people's worries and ailments for a living. Those involved in livestock breeding and slaughter, which are referred to as 'blood money' trades, especially favor a situation where the Children's line is strong in the world position — as the Children represent domesticated animals. When the World and Response lines share the same Five Phases (as if they were the same person), lending money will certainly result in being unable to recover even the principal. When the day branch, month builder, and the world position are in harmony, setting up a shop will certainly attract customers. If the Response line is empty, creditors will find nothing. If the World line is harmed or restrained, gamblers will certainly lose.

鬼克身爻，商販者必遭盜賊；間興害世，置貨者當慮牙人。停拓者喜財安而鬼靜；脫貨者宜財動而身興。路有有官休出外，宅中有鬼勿居家。

Official Ghosts restraining the Hexagram Body indicate that merchants transporting goods will encounter thieves; if the intermediate line becomes active and harms the World Line, caution is needed when purchasing as middlemen may interfere. Those storing goods for future sale prefer the Wealth line to be still and the Official Ghosts also still—stillness allows goods to be stored longer; those eager to sell should have the Wealth line active and the Hexagram Body vigorous—movement facilitates quick sales. The same hexagram can have opposite fortune depending on the direction of trade. Additionally, if the line representing roads has Official Ghosts, avoid going out; if the line representing the house has Official Ghosts, avoid staying at home.

內外無財伏又空，必然乏本；父兄有氣財還絕，莫若安貧。生計多端，占法不一，但能誠敬以祈求，自可預知其得失。

The inner and outer trigrams do not show the wealth hexagram, and the hidden god also falls into the void. Thus, there is no original capital at all. The parents and siblings hexagrams have some vitality, but the wealth hexagram is in a dead position (its escape path is taken, and the劫神 is in control). It is better to give up striving and be content with poverty. There are many ways to make a living, and the methods of divination vary, but as long as one sincerely and respectfully seeks, one can naturally foresee the gains and losses. This statement still aligns with the book's main principle of "sincerity brings results."

人非富貴，焉能坐享榮華；苟為利名，寧免奔馳道路。然或千里之迢遙，夫豈一朝之跋涉。途中休咎若個能知，就裡災祥神靈有準。

A person is not born into wealth and honor, so how can they sit idly and enjoy prosperity? If one pursues fame and fortune, they cannot avoid traveling along the way. However, a journey of thousands of miles cannot be completed in a single day. Can we know whether the path ahead is auspicious or ominous? Only by divination can we seek a clear answer from the divine. In the art of divining travel, the World Line represents the traveler himself, Parents represent luggage, Wealth represents funds, Official Ghost represents dangers on the way, and Children represent benevolent deities.

父為行李，帶刑則破損不中；妻作盤纏，生旺則豐盈足用。世如衰弱，那堪水宿風餐；應若空亡，難望謀成事就。

The Parents line represents luggage and belongings. If it is afflicted by a刑 (crime or punishment), the luggage will be damaged and unusable. The Wealth line represents money and expenses. If it is strong and prosperous, there will be sufficient funds for the journey. If the World line is weak, how can it endure the hardships of traveling? If the Response line falls into an empty state, the matter being pursued will not succeed, as the Response line represents the destination or the person being sought.

間爻安靜，往來一路平安；太歲克沖，行止終年撓括。世傷應位，不拘遠近總宜行；應克世爻，無問公私皆不利。

The relationship between the World Line and the Response Line is clear and unobstructed (there are no obstacles on the way), so traveling back and forth will be safe. However, if the Tai Su (the current year's stem) comes to clash or conflict with them, the whole year will be hindered in all movements. If the World Line is able to overcome the Response Line (I control it), it is suitable to travel regardless of the distance. If the Response Line overcomes the World Line (it controls me), it is unfavorable for both official and personal matters.

八純亂動，到處皆凶；兩間齊空，獨行則吉。世動訂期，變鬼則自投羅網；官臨畏縮，化福則終脫樊籠。

A pure hexagram is cast, but all six lines are in disorder, leading to misfortune wherever one goes. Both intermediate lines are empty (no companions, no obstacles), so traveling alone is actually auspicious. If the world line moves, it determines the time of departure. If it transforms into an official ghost, it means falling into a trap. If the world line is connected to an official ghost and hesitates to move, but then transforms into children (children overcoming official ghosts), eventually one can escape from the trap.

靜遇日沖，必為他人而去；動逢間合，定因同伴而留。世若逢空，最利九流出往；土如遇福，偏宜陸地行程。

The world line is usually still, but if it is stirred by the day branch (暗动), this journey must be for someone else. If the world line is naturally active but is restrained by an intervening line, it is certainly because of a companion that the journey is delayed. If the world line falls into an empty position, it is most favorable for those in professions like fortune-telling or medicine to travel (empty means no restrictions). If the earth line meets the children line (earth represents land, children represent the god of fortune), it is especially suitable to travel by land.

鬼地墓鄉，豈堪踐履；財方父向，卻可登臨。官挈玄爻刑剋，盜賊驚憂；兄乘虎煞交重，風波險阻。

The direction where the official ghost is located and the direction of the storage are both places to avoid. The direction of the wealth and the direction of the parents are places where one may go. The official ghost is accompanied by the white tiger and is causing punishment and suppression, indicating there will be thieves disturbing the way. The siblings are riding on the black tortoise and are causing repeated disturbances, indicating there will be winds and waves blocking the path.

妻來克世，莫貪無義之財；財合變官，勿戀有情之婦。父遭風雨之淋漓，舟行尤忌；福遇和同之伴侶，謁貴反凶。

The wife wealth line is attacking the world line, so one should not desire money that comes from improper sources on the way. The wife wealth line combines with a person and transforms into the official ghost line, so one should not be tempted by many affectionate women met on the way. The parents line represents rain (here meaning heavy rain and wind), and those who are traveling by boat should especially avoid it. The children line represents harmonious companions on the journey, but if the trip is to visit a nobleman, the children line becomes harmful because it attacks the official ghost line, and the nobleman will not be seen.

艮宮鬼坐寅爻，虎狼仔細；卦見兄逢蛇煞，光棍宜防。鬼動間中，不諧同侶；兄興世上，多費盤纏。

The Gen hexagram (Gen meaning mountain) has the official ghost sitting on the Yin line (Yin belongs to the tiger). On the mountain path, one should be cautious of tigers and wolves. In the hexagram, siblings meet the evil spirit snake, so one should beware of shady characters on the road. The official ghost is activated on the intermediate line, indicating disharmony with companions. The siblings line is activated in the world position, meaning more expenses for travel.

一卦如無鬼煞，方得如心；交爻不見福神，焉能稱意。主人動遇空亡，半途而返；財氣旺臨月建，滿載而回。但能趨吉避凶，何慮登高涉險。

In the entire hexagram, if there is no official ghost or evil spirit, this journey will be to one's satisfaction. Among all the lines, if there is no child or fortune god, how can one be content? If the line representing the person one is seeking to meet becomes active but falls into the empty state, the journey will have to be abandoned halfway. If the wealth line is strong and meets the month builder, then one will return with a full load. In summary, as long as one can seek good and avoid evil (avoiding the direction of the ghost and going towards the direction of wealth), why fear climbing mountains and crossing rivers?

人為利名，忘卻故鄉生處樂；家無音信，全憑周易卦中推。要決歸期，但尋主象。主象交重身已動，用爻安靜未思歸。

People are concerned with fame and profit outside, forgetting the peaceful days of their hometown. With no news from home for a long time, they can only rely on the divination of the Zhou Changes to predict. To determine the return time of a traveler, one should look for the Useful God, which represents the main image. If the person is leaving, take the corresponding Six Relation as the Useful God. If the Useful God is active and has moved, it indicates the person has already started traveling; if it is still and unmoving, it suggests the person has no intention of returning yet.

克速生遲，我若制他難見面；三門四戶，用如合世即還家。動化退神，人既來而復返；靜生世位，身未動而懷歸。

The period for the useful god to overcome the world line is quick, while the period for the useful god to be generated by the world line is slow. If the world line overcomes the useful god, they will rarely meet. The third line is the door, and the fourth line is the window. If the useful god combines with the world line (or falls on the door or window line), it means they are about to arrive soon. If the useful god moves but turns into the retreating god, it indicates that the person has already started but then returns. If the useful god is still and generates the world line, it means the body has not yet moved but the mind is already thinking of returning.

若遇暗沖，睹物起傷情之客況；如逢合住，臨行有塵事之羈身。世克用而俱動，轉往他方；用比世而皆空，難歸故里。

The useful god is quiet but is secretly conflicted by the day branch, indicating that he is stirred by the scenery outside and feels homesick. If the useful god is restrained by a combination, it means he is hindered by worldly matters before he departs. If the world line conquers the useful god and both lines are active, it suggests that he has moved to another place. If the useful god and the world line have harmonious elements but both are empty, it indicates that he will have difficulty returning to his hometown.

遠行最怕用爻傷，尤嫌入墓；近出何妨主象伏，偏利逢沖。若伏空鄉，須究卦中之六合；如藏官下，當參飛上之六神。

People going on long journeys most fear that their useful god is harmed, especially if it enters the tomb (which means being trapped and unable to move). For those going on short trips, it is not bad if the useful god is hidden, and in fact, they prefer it to meet a clash — a clash means they can start moving. If the useful god is hidden in a place of emptiness, one should check if the hexagram contains the six harmonies to provide guidance. If the useful god is hidden beneath the official ghost, one should refer to the six beasts associated with the flying god that is above it, to understand what obstacle is involved.

兄弟遮藏，緣是非而不返；子孫把持，由樂酒以忘歸。父為文書之阻滯，財因買賣之牽連。

The useful god is hidden and covered by the siblings' hexagram, indicating being hindered by disputes and words. If the useful god is controlled by the children's hexagram, it means being addicted to drinking and enjoying oneself without thinking of returning. If the useful god is hidden under the parents' hexagram, it indicates being delayed by official documents and affairs. If the useful god is hidden under the wealth hexagram, it means being involved in trade transactions. By observing which of the six relations the useful god is hidden under, one can know the reason for its absence.

用伏應財之下，身贅他家；主投財庫之中，名留富室。五爻有鬼，皆因途路之不通；一卦無財，只為盤纏之缺乏。

The useful god is under the response line's wealth line, indicating marrying into another family. The useful god entering the storage of wealth indicates staying to work in a wealthy household. The fifth line (road position) has an official ghost, meaning the road is blocked and not passable. If the entire hexagram lacks the wealth line, it means there is a lack of funds and one cannot return.

墓持墓動，必然臥病呻吟；世合世沖，須用遣人尋覓。合逢玄武，昏迷酒色不思鄉；卦得游魂，漂泊他鄉無定跡。

The useful god is held by the storage, and if the storage moves, the person will certainly be ill and groaning in pain. If the world line and the useful god are sometimes in harmony and sometimes in opposition (the message is intermittent), someone should be sent to search for them. If the useful god combines with the black tortoise, it indicates indulgence in alcohol and pleasures, and a lack of thoughts about one's homeland. If a wandering soul hex is cast, it means being away from home, with an uncertain and wandering path.

日並忌興休望到，身臨用發必然歸。父動卦中，當有魚書之寄；財興世上，應無雁信之來。

The day branch and the hostile god arise together and are strong, so do not expect to hear from him. If the hexagram body is on the useful god and the useful god is active, then he will definitely return. If the parents' element is active in the hexagram (parents represent letters), there will be a letter arriving (using the ancient folk song "A guest comes from afar, leaving me a pair of crucian carp"). If the wealth element is strong in the position of the world (wealth overcomes parents, overcoming the element that represents messages), then there will be no news coming.

欲決歸期之遠近，須詳主象之興衰。動處靜中，含蓄許多凶吉象；天涯海角，羈留多少名利人。

To determine the nearness or distance of a return, one need only closely examine the strength of the useful god: when it is strong, the return is near; when it is weak, the return is far. If it is active, the return is quick; if it is still, the return is delayed. When it meets a harmonious element, it waits for a clash; when it clashes, the return arrives. Between movement and stillness, there are many signs of good or bad fortune. Across the seas and mountains, countless people have been detained for the sake of fame and profit. These two lines conclude this chapter and also reflect the consistent style of The Golden Strategies: first stating the method, and finally sighing about human emotions.

凡卜買船，斷同船戶。六親持世，可推新舊之由；諸鬼動臨，可識節病之處。初二爻為前倉，要持財福；五六爻為後舵，怕見官兄。

When divining about buying a boat, the method is the same as when divining about a boat owner. By observing which of the Six Relations holds the 'shi' (the subject), one can determine whether the boat is new or old and its origin. By looking at which line the Official Ghost is in and which line it is moving from, one can know which part of the boat has a problem. A boat has a front and a back: the first and second lines represent the front cabin, which should be occupied by Wealth or Children. The fifth and sixth lines represent the rear part and the rudder, and it is most dangerous to see Official Ghost or Siblings there.

父作梢公，不宜傷克；龍為舟尾，豈可空刑。螣蛇辨索纜之堅牢；白虎為帆檣之順利。交爻皆吉不傷身，四海遨遊無阻滯。

The Parents'爻 represents the boatman and helmsman, and it should not be harmed or restrained. The Azure Dragon's爻 represents the stern of the boat, and it should not be left empty or subjected to punishment. The Qilin Snake's爻 represents the ropes and cables, and by observing its strength and decline, we can know if the ropes are secure. The White Tiger's爻 represents the sail and mast, and by observing whether it has vitality or not, we can know if the journey is smooth. If all these爻 are favorable and do not harm or restrain the World Line, then the boat can sail freely across the four seas without any obstacles.