Chapter 62: Success and Fame

（內詳發年考時發案收試補廩廷試武試封蔭投麾從軍委署草野求名仕途大象升信升時是期升方是地是官筮官補官援例久任身安薦獎開復上書獻策條陳慮參防後大計告養履危揭參交代雜職裁缺公議國務四十問）國家以文章取士，則凡大小試，皆以文書為用，故父母喜日月旺相，惡破散絕空，飛而無助，虛抱經綸，伏而有填，定升廊廟，安鄉遇克，將飛而墜，絕處逢生，已棄復收，象凶而吉者遇其時，象得而失者違其令也。唯文書臨建臨破，不同此例。得名在我，世不可空，主試在公，官不可失。

This chapter details forty topics including the year of rising to fame, examination dates, the announcement of results, the selection of outstanding candidates, the appointment of廪生, the palace examination, military examinations, petitions for official titles and hereditary privileges, joining the military, being temporarily appointed, the quest for fame by commoners, the overall trend in official careers, news of promotion, the timing of promotion, the direction and location of promotion, the office held, divination of official rank, filling of official positions, following precedent for official appointments, long tenure, safety in office, recommendations and commendations, restoration of former posts, submitting petitions, offering strategies, presenting memorials, worries about being accused, preventive measures after the fact, periodic evaluations, taking leave to care for parents, facing dangers, being exposed and accused, handing over duties, miscellaneous positions, removal of posts, public discussion, and state affairs. Since the state selects officials based on literary merit, all examinations, large or small, use the文书爻 as the useful god. The parents爻 are favorable when they receive the support of the day and month and are prosperous and strong; they are unfavorable when they encounter destruction, dispersion, decline, or emptiness. If the parents爻 appear in the hexagram but lack support, it indicates a person with great ability but without opportunity; if the parents爻 are hidden but later become filled, it certainly leads to a high official position. If the parents爻 are in their proper position but are attacked, it means a talent that is about to rise but first falls; if the parents爻 are in decline but then revive, it means someone who was discarded but later taken back. If the hexagram is凶 but the outcome is吉, it is due to a favorable time; if the hexagram is吉 but the outcome is bad, it is due to violating the time. Only when the文书爻 is exactly on the month builder or exactly on the month breaker does this rule not apply. Achieving success depends on oneself, so the world line should not be empty; the examination is conducted by the government, so the official爻 should not be displaced.

（求名者，以父母為用爻，官備世實則吉。飛而無助，如未建辛日，得漸是也；伏而有填，如午建戊午日，得大畜是也；安鄉受克，如亥建甲寅日，得乾是也；絕處逢生，如申建乙巳日，得震之隨是也；遇其時，如卯建丁亥日，占秋試得大過之井是也；違其令，如寅建辛亥日，占春試得師之坤是也。遇時，謂考期官文值月建，違令，謂考期官文值月破。若文書以象學業，今值月建，後逢月破不壞，今值月破，後值月建不全。）

(Note: For seeking fame and success, the parents' line is considered the useful god. If the official line is complete and the world line is strong, it is auspicious. 'Flying without support' refers to a situation like when on a day of the month of Wei with the day of Xin, the hexagram is 'Gradual'. 'Hidden but filled' refers to a situation like when on a day of the month of Wu with the day of Wuwu, the hexagram is 'Great Accumulation'. 'Being secure but being attacked' refers to a situation like when on a day of the month of Hai with the day of Jiayin, the hexagram is 'Qian'. 'Dying in the end but being reborn' refers to a situation like when on a day of the month of Shen with the day of Yisi, the hexagram is 'Zhen' changing to 'Following'. 'Meeting the right time' refers to a situation like when on a day of the month of Mao with the day of Dinghai, one divines about the autumn examination and the hexagram is 'Great Excess' changing to 'Well'. 'Violating the command' refers to a situation like when on a day of the month of Yin with the day of Xinhai, one divines about the spring examination and the hexagram is 'Military' changing to 'Kun'.所谓 'meeting the right time' means that when the examination date arrives, the official line and the document line are exactly in the month builder.所谓 'violating the command' means that when the examination date arrives, the official line and the document line are exactly in the month breaker. If the document line represents academic performance: if it is currently in the month builder, even if it later meets the month breaker, it will not be harmful; if it is currently in the month breaker, even if it later meets the month builder, it cannot be completely successful.)

有謂六沖不吉，曰否，或應阻其考也。有謂合處逢沖不吉，曰否，或臨試而值變也。有謂悔沖不吉，曰否，或慮得名而有事也。有謂隨墓助傷不吉，曰否，或名成而疾病驚惶相纏也。有謂二分不吉，曰否，或求名而兩適兩就也。有謂兄動不吉，無非奪標之嫌，子動傷官，無非囑託之輩，財動克父，無非賄賂之夫，唯在官文兩強，仍可得志。科舉古占，得乾震則吉，乾天震雷，以應元首聲名，然皆憑於父搖官發，化變飛騰，若父失官空，寧辭渝落也。（已以八者，求名雖不宜見，若得官文旺備，或先阻礙，而後成名。）

Some people say that when the Six Clashes appear, it is not auspicious. In fact, this is not necessarily the case; it may simply mean that there could be obstacles preventing the outcome. Some say that when a conjunction is followed by a clash, it is not auspicious. In fact, this is not necessarily the case; it may simply mean that something unexpected happens at the time of the examination. Some say that when the resulting hexagram involves the Six Clashes, it is not auspicious. In fact, this is not necessarily the case; it may simply mean that after achieving success, there may be other troubles. Some say that when a ghost enters a grave or helps the ghost to harm the body, it is not auspicious. In fact, this is not necessarily the case; it may simply mean that although success is achieved, illness and anxiety accompany it. Some say that when the hexagram is divided into internal and external parts, it is not auspicious. In fact, this is not necessarily the case; it may simply mean that when seeking a position, there are two possible places to go and both are acceptable. Some say that when siblings are active, it is not auspicious; this is merely indicating that someone may compete for the position. Some say that when children are active and the official star is involved, it is not auspicious; this is merely indicating that someone may request a favor. Some say that when wealth is active and it harms the parents, it is not auspicious; this is merely indicating that someone may offer a bribe. As long as the official star and the official document star are strong, one can still achieve success. According to ancient methods of divining for the imperial examination, receiving the hexagrams of Qian and Zhen is auspicious: Qian represents Heaven and Zhen represents Thunder, indicating the position of the sovereign and the fame of the name. However, all these depend on the movement of the parents, the activation of the official star, and the transformation and movement of the changing hexagram. If the parents lose their position and the official star falls empty, one will still inevitably fail. (Note: The above eight points, although not desired when seeking a name, are not necessarily bad if the official star and the official document star are both strong and prosperous; it is merely that there will be initial obstacles, followed by eventual success.)

是故拔元拔首，父母建於日月，補增補廩，妻財並於豐隆。世居父旺，曾經揣摹之成，應坐父興，當賴風簮（？）之助。動衰變旺，喜後勁之文，動旺變衰，惜強弩之末。進神則上其名，退神則下其等。爻爻相助，文章粲於斗牛，象象來生，姓氏懸如日月。兩官兩父，旺則連登，衰則再試也。猝病懷憂，誠是隨官入墓，越規受恐，寧非助鬼傷身。父壞而帶騰蛇，近憂降辱，財動而臨白虎，遠應丁憂。衰居龍雀，長詩字而短文章，廢坐勾元，隳誦讀而耽酒色。世投月破，恐病阻試期，身犯旬空，忌心慵塵務。有氣有傷，小有瑕庛之戾，無根無倚，大嫌荒謬之篇。

Therefore, to select the top candidate, the parents' hexagram must be in the proper position of the day's builder and the month's builder; to add new students to the broad category and to the廪膳 category, the wealth hexagram must be in a prosperous place. If the parents' hexagram is strong and in the world line, it indicates personal effort and study; if the parents' hexagram is strong and in the response line, it indicates reliance on others' recommendations. When the parents' hexagram turns from decline to prosperity, it is favorable as the writings are strong; when it turns from prosperity to decline, it is regrettable as it is like a strong bow at the end of its strength. If it transforms into an advancing god, the rank rises; if it transforms into a retreating god, the rank falls. If all hexagrams assist, the writings shine like the star of the Bull; if all images support, the name is high like the sun and moon. Two official hexagrams and two parents' hexagrams: if they are strong and prosperous, they will be consecutively successful; if they are weak, they will need to take the exam again. Suddenly falling ill and being anxious is indeed being led into the grave; violating rules and being startled is not just helping the ghost but harming oneself. If the parents' hexagram is damaged and accompanied by the snake, there is near worry of being demoted; if the wealth hexagram is active and accompanied by the white tiger, it indicates distant mourning and mourning period. If the parents' hexagram is slightly damaged but has some strength, it is only a minor flaw in the writings; if the parents' hexagram has no root and no support, there is a great suspicion of nonsense in the writings.

如筮發跡何年，官衰補助其官，父衰補助其父，兩現而強其弱，一伏而露其藏，實世而是其時也。（如父旺官衰，以助官之歲為期，官旺父衰，以補文之年為發。官文兩現，若有一衰，則生助所弱之爻，如酉建壬戌日得革，丑年發甲是也。官文一伏，後遇露其藏，如亥建乙卯日得旅，而辛卯發科是也。既問第而復問年，或世空當應實世爻之歲。）

If you are divining the year of success, if the official line is weak, take the year that supports the official line; if the parents line is weak, take the year that supports the parents line; if both lines are present but one is strong and the other weak, take the year that strengthens the weaker one; if one line is hidden, take the year it becomes visible; if the world line is empty, take the year that fills the world line. (Note: if the parents are strong and the official line is weak, take the year that supports the official line; if the official line is strong and the parents are weak, take the year that supports the documents. If both the official line and the documents are present and one is weak, take the year that supports the weaker one, for example, in the month of You and day of Renxu with the hexagram of Change, the person passed the first class examination in the year of Chou. If either the official line or the documents is hidden, take the year when it becomes visible, for example, in the month of Hai and day of Yimao with the hexagram of Travel, the person passed the examination in the year of Xinmao. If both the question of passing the examination and the year are asked, and the world line is empty, the result should be in the year that fills the world line.)

筮考何時，維司官鬼，發案何時，兼詳父爻，收試遺生，專依繫象，空散無憐才之心，破絕少廣羅之量，最忌克世，慮有殺刑。（凡按考獨視官，發案掛榜，並視官文。繫象即官爻也，帶病不收，克世即怒。）有糧可補，世空財壞嫌無，允廩可幫，鬼克官亡嫌駁。成乎，同於謀事，攘乎，類於奪物也。（官空破而及克世爻，是文宗不允，指是缺而能成，貞合沖、世應空、財官失，則不就。憂人來攘、頂名寄籍同類，應不克世，無相奪也。）

When divining the time of an exam, only the official ghost line is considered. When divining the time of the announcement of results, both the official ghost line and the parents line should be taken into account. When divining whether candidates who were not selected will be admitted, focus solely on the official ghost line. If the official ghost line is empty or scattered, it indicates the examiner lacks compassion. If the official ghost line is broken or in a state of decline, it suggests the examiner is not willing to accept many candidates. The most dangerous situation is when the official ghost line is harmed by the world line, which indicates the possibility of being punished. (Note: When divining about exams, only the official ghost line is considered. When announcing results, both the official ghost line and the official document line should be considered. The term "systematic image" refers to the official ghost line. If the official ghost line is sickly, the candidate will not be admitted. If the official ghost line harms the world line, it indicates the examiner is angry.) To divinate whether there are quota positions available for supplementation: if the world line is empty or the wealth line is ruined, it suggests there are no available positions. To divinate whether the supplementation will be approved: if the official ghost line harms the world line or the official ghost line is lost, it suggests the application will be rejected. To divinate whether the supplementation will be successful, it follows the same pattern as divining about matters. To divinate whether someone else will take the position, it follows the same pattern as divining about theft or competition. (Note: If the official ghost line is empty, broken, or harms the world line, it indicates that the examination authority will not approve. If divining whether a specific position can be filled: if the primary hexagram has六合 (Six Harmony) but the harmonious position is conflicting, the world line and response line are empty, or the wealth and official ghost lines are misplaced, the position cannot be filled. If worried about others taking the position or using someone else's name and place of origin, as long as the response line does not harm the world line, no one will take it.)

廷試擢第，專以官鬼旺相為要，日月並見而掄元，時令旺相而高第。世不宜空，文不宜陷，官爻旺而歲五生，利見召對之榮，文鬼壞而隨三墓，憂有不測之辱也。最嫌子動，為卑我品秩，復忌兄搖，為奪吾上第。官伏動扶，疑得位而未任，卦沖世破，恐臨試而不前，官絕遇生，偶逢新例之擢，父衰得助，復有考選之榮。（此以官鬼為甲第，父母為對策，歲五，即歲群五爻，三墓，即命墓世墓身墓也。）

The ranking in the palace examination depends mainly on the prosperity and strength of the official ghost line: if the official ghost line is supported by both the day builder and the month builder, it will win the top position; if it is in its prime season and prosperous, it will rank highly. The world line should not be empty, and the document line should not be buried. If the official ghost line is prosperous and strong, and both the year builder and the fifth line support it, there will be honor of being summoned for the examination. If the document line and the official ghost line are ruined and follow the three graves, there will be worry of unexpected disgrace. It is most disliked if the children line is activated, as it will lower the rank; also, it is forbidden if the siblings line is activated, as it will take away the high rank. If the official ghost line is hidden but supported by a moving line, it is suspected to have obtained the position but not yet taken office; if the hexagram meets the six clashes and the world line meets the broken line, it is feared that the examinee will not be able to take the exam. If the official ghost line is in decline but receives support, it is an accidental opportunity to be promoted by a new regulation; if the parents line is weak but receives support, there will be honor from another examination. (Note: Here, the official ghost represents the rank, and the parents represent the examination essay. The term 'sui wu' refers to the year builder and the fifth line; the term 'san mu' refers to the birth star entering the grave, the world line entering the grave, and the self line entering the grave.)

武試貴乎官，英雄得錄用也，世不空而父不陷，便利虎閨。請蔭請封，戒五爻之傷世，及官鬼之克身。父乃玉牒，不可破空，世是謀躬，不可虛陷。（如為父母子妻，則世空不忌。）投麾效力，貞沖鬼動則不錄，官爻空破散絕則不用，為名則官旺為佳，為利則財官並重，世不可病，官不可克。入伍從軍，以身命為要，世象強良，冒鋒鏑而成功，官爻旺相，拔行伍而拜爵，官爻克世、助傷隨墓，弗宜見之。署篆委鎮者，筮成類謀差，世應空、貞合沖，及官不可病，筮利同服役，官壞財虛，徒勞馳驟，官來克世，且慮 釁生。

In the examination for military officials, the official ghost line is crucial, as it represents the image of a hero being appointed; as long as the world line does not fall into emptiness and the parents line is not in decline, it is favorable for the military examination. When requesting a title or an official position through recommendation or hereditary privilege, one should avoid the fifth line harming the world line, and the official ghost line attacking the self. The parents line represents the official documents and seals, so it should not be broken or empty; the world line represents one's own plans, so it should not be empty or in decline. (Note: If one is seeking a title or position for parents, children, or spouse, then the world line falling into emptiness is not a concern.) When serving in the military and striving to make contributions, if the primary hexagram shows six clashes and the official ghost line is active, one will not be appointed; if the official line is in emptiness, broken, scattered, or in decline, one will not be appointed. If one seeks fame, the official line should be strong and prosperous; if one seeks actual benefits, both the wealth and official lines should be strong. The world line should not be in poor condition, and the official line should not be attacked. When joining the military and serving, the self's condition is crucial: if the world line is strong and healthy, one can bravely face danger and achieve merit; if the official line is strong and prosperous, one can be promoted from the ranks and receive a title. If the official line attacks the world line, or if it assists the ghost line and harms the self, or if it follows the ghost line into a tomb, these are all unfavorable. When acting as an official or being entrusted to govern, determining whether one can succeed is similar to seeking a position: the world and response lines should not be empty, the primary hexagram should not be in six harmony but then have a clash, and the official line should not be in poor condition. When determining if there is benefit or not, it is similar to seeking a position: if the official line is damaged and the wealth line is weak, then one is just running around in vain; if the official line attacks the world line, one should also worry about troubles arising.

匹夫好勇而筮曰：吾生平功名何如？若官旺則有特授之官，世空則成妄想之咎，隨官入墓，助鬼傷身，則戒覆家亡軀之禍，當勉於守正也。（後世用才無方，亦備此占。）

A common man who is brave and comes to seek divination asks: How will my official rank and achievements in life be? If the official line is prosperous and strong, there is a chance of being specially appointed to an official position; if the world line falls into emptiness, then it is just a fantasy; if it meets the situation of following the ghost into the tomb or assisting the ghost to harm the body, one should be cautious of calamities that may lead to the destruction of the family and personal ruin. One should strive to maintain righteousness. (Note: Later generations employ people without strict restrictions, so this divination is also provided for such cases.)

既食祿於天家，而筮仕途，皆以官為用神，喜居日月，人仰照臨，喜居旺相，物沾時雨，喜值生扶拱合，如倚長城而馳康莊，忌值破空散絕，空則失職，破則敗事，絕則解任，散則削籍矣。子孫動而防公議，別衰旺以定重輕，兄弟發而減傣糧，分喜忌以言凶吉。長生官而知宦境之遠達，帝旺臨官而知仕路之升遷，衰墓死絕，而知官道之否，進神則升爵升階，退神則降祿降級。變墓絕而動生扶，日月克而動變生，皆為安象。洩氣動而元神靜，升信杳然，元神發而用象搖，遷音乃至。

Once one has received salary from the court, the official line is used as the useful god in divination regarding official career. It is favorable if the official line is in the position of the day builder or the month builder, like the people looking up to the illumination of the sun and moon. It is favorable if the official line is strong and vigorous, like all things receiving timely rain. It is favorable if the official line is supported by generation, assistance, mutual support, or union, like relying on the Great Wall to travel smoothly on a broad road. It is unfavorable if the official line meets broken, empty, scattered, or absolute positions: being empty means losing duty, meeting broken means failure in affairs, meeting absolute means being dismissed, and being scattered means being stripped of official status. If the line of children is activated, one should be cautious of public criticism and impeachment, with the severity determined by the decline or strength. If the line of siblings is activated, one should reduce salary, with fortune or misfortune determined by preference and aversion. If the official line is in the position of growth, it indicates a promising official career; if it is in the position of prosperity or officialdom, it indicates promotion in official career; if it is in the position of decline, tomb, death, or absolute, it indicates obstruction in official career. If the official line transforms into an advancing god, it indicates promotion in rank and title; if it transforms into a retreating god, it indicates reduction in salary and rank. Even if the official line transforms into a tomb or absolute position but is supported by an activated line, or even if it is overcome by the day or month but is supported by an activated or transforming line, it is considered a stable situation. If a line that drains the official line's energy is activated while the origin god is quiet, the news of promotion will be absent; if the origin god is activated and the useful god is also activated, the news of promotion will arrive.

（子乃官之忌神，動則克官，若官旺子衰，或有小過；或子旺官衰，乃受其禍。兄弟非官鬼所忌，但嫌克官之元神，應見罰傣降級之憂。爻得官鬼獨旺，不用元神，亦當順利升擢。卦中或遇子財皆動，官得三象貪生，反屬大吉。）

The children are the hostile gods of the official ghost; once they move, they will overcome the official. If the official is strong and the children are weak, there will only be a minor mistake; but if the children are strong and the official is weak, then the children will bring trouble. Brothers are not inherently hostile to the official ghost, but they are disliked because they overcome the official's origin god, the wealth. This indicates worries about reduced salary and demotion. If the official ghost alone is strong, it does not need the support of the origin god to achieve promotion smoothly. If both the children and the wealth move in the hexagram, the official will receive the support of the children generating the wealth and the wealth generating the official, resulting in a layered mutual generation. In this case, the official will forget the harm and focus on the benefit, leading to great good fortune.

自占世爻，蓋不可空，空則當升而未遷，有位而無司，在任而居閒，帶罪而立功也，他占則否。隨官入墓，助鬼傷身，仕宦之所忌也，衰旺皆凶。六合六沖，非仕宦之所忌，沖而旺相，三月之淹，合而休囚，五年之滯。猶有晉升為吉，屯蹇為凶，亦不可遺也。（凡占晉升屯蹇四象，值言吉凶，無論官鬼。）

When divining for oneself, the World Line should not fall into an empty position. An empty position indicates that one should be promoted but is not, holds an official position without actual duties, is in office but has nothing to do, or is trying to redeem past mistakes. If divining for others, this is not a concern. Being led into the tomb by the Official Ghost and assisting the Official Ghost to injure oneself are the greatest taboos for officials, regardless of whether the condition is prosperous or weak. The Six Harmony and Six Clashes are not inherently taboo for official positions. If a clash occurs while the condition is prosperous and strong, it only causes stagnation for three months; if a harmony occurs while the condition is weak and confined, it may cause stagnation for five years. Additionally, the hexagrams "Jin" and "Sheng" are auspicious, while "Zun" and "Jian" are inauspicious. This point should not be overlooked. (Note: Whenever divining about official positions and encountering the hexagrams "Jin," "Sheng," "Zun," and "Jian," one should directly judge the fortune as auspicious or inauspicious without further consideration of the Official Ghost.)

問升遷，卜得日月之官，則超遷也，得旺相之官，則平升也，得休囚之官，則未轉也。旺相而動尤速也，休囚而靜更遲也。遇空失望，遇破阻謀，遇散枉求，遇絕難始，遇世空而弗遂其占也。毋謂官伏，得助亦升，毋謂子動，得日月亦升，毋謂沖合，得交重亦升，毋謂隨助，得旺相亦升。（專考官爻，代占不忌世空。）

When asking about promotion, if the official sign is the same as the day builder and month builder, it indicates a promotion beyond one's rank. If the official sign is prosperous and strong, it means a promotion at the same level. If the official sign is weak and confined, it suggests no promotion. If the official sign is prosperous and active, the promotion is especially fast. If the official sign is weak and inactive, the promotion is slower. If the official sign is empty, there is disappointment. If it is broken, there are obstacles in planning. If it is scattered, there is no result. If it is at its end, it is difficult to start. If the world line is empty, the prediction does not come true. Do not think that a hidden official sign means no promotion—promotion is still possible with support. Do not think that the children sign being active prevents promotion—the official sign with the sun and moon can still promote. Do not think that encountering a clash or combination prevents promotion—the official sign with multiple activations can still promote. Do not think that following the ghost into the tomb or helping the ghost to injure oneself prevents promotion—the official sign being prosperous can still promote. (Note: This passage focuses on the official sign; when predicting for others, the empty world line is not a concern.)

其升何時，值月為法，逢生旺而會推，遇扶助而高擢。再筮是期，世實官崇，非復他日也。（如兩官一強一弱，其弱值月則升，如亥建壬戌日，占遷得豐，季冬始升是也。一官必求值月，可以占驗，如長生臨官，得官有氣，亦可升遷，生助之月亦然，而不若值月為最，長生次之。）

To determine when someone will be promoted, one should refer to the official line (官爻) in relation to the month. If the official line is in a favorable or strong month, it indicates being recommended or promoted together. If it is in a supportive month, it suggests being elevated quickly. If a specific day is further considered, as long as the world line (世爻) is strong and the official line is powerful, there is no need to wait for another day. (Note: If there are two official lines, one strong and one weak, the promotion occurs when the weak one is in the month. For example, if a divination is done on a Renxu day in the亥 month, resulting in the卦 of 丰, the promotion happens by the end of winter. If there is only one official line, it must be in the month for the prediction to be accurate. If the official line is in the long growth (长生) or officialdom (临官) position and has vitality, promotion is also possible. Months that support the official line are also favorable, but they are not as accurate as the month when the official line is present. The long growth position is the next best.)

其升何方，官屬為法，屬金而當升任於西土，屬木而當治事於東方，屬水而當齊民於北海，屬土而當秉政於中央，屬火而當為化於南隅也。（不拘官爻衰旺，及十二支神，大略以五行分之多驗，如戌建戊申日，占何方得革，以支神言，則以丑官東北，未官西南，後應擢河南中土，其他仿此。）

When asking about the direction to which one is promoted, one should refer to the Five Phases of the official element. If the official element belongs to metal, one should be promoted to the west; if it belongs to wood, one should govern the east; if it belongs to water, one should manage people in the north; if it belongs to earth, one should govern from the center; if it belongs to fire, one should exert influence in the south. (Note: One need not be concerned with the decline or strength of the official element, nor with the twelve earthly branches. It is most accurate to roughly divide according to the Five Phases. For example, if one divines on the day of Wu Shen and the month of Xu, and receives the卦 of Change, and if the official element is the earth branch Chou (丑), it would be in the northeast, or Wei (未), in the southwest; but later he was promoted to Henan, which is the central earth. Other cases can be similarly inferred.)

若獨發離宮，關南柱石，單搖坎卦，塞北屏藩。其在巽也，興教化於東南，其在乾也，立功名於西北。兌當隴蜀，震偏齊魯，艮行遼薊之漠，坤來秦晉之疆也。（凡獨發，則以八宮斷方數，其他則以五行斷地利也，舉天下而言之，弗拘鄉、任。）

If the official element arises alone in the Li hexagram, it indicates a minister who is a pillar in the southern region; if it arises alone in the Kan hexagram, it indicates a defensive barrier in the northern frontier. If it arises alone in the Xun hexagram, it indicates going to the southeast to promote education and moral teachings; if it arises alone in the Qian hexagram, it indicates establishing fame and reputation in the northwest. If it arises alone in the Dui hexagram, it indicates moving to the regions of Long and Shu; if it arises alone in the Zhen hexagram, it indicates being located in the areas of Qi and Lu; if it arises alone in the Gen hexagram, it indicates traveling to the border areas of Liao and Ji; if it arises alone in the Kun hexagram, it indicates going to the border regions of Qin and Jin. (Note: Whenever the official element arises alone, the eight hexagrams are used to determine the direction; in other cases, the Five Phases are used to determine the geographical advantage. This is referring to the whole country, not limited to one's hometown or current location.)

一世官則以禽宿為分野，一伏官則以飛神為地方，然占官而不占世也，既仕以官為象，而不執世。（卦中一爻官鬼復居世上，當用演禽二十八宿分屬、何處、祿仕是也，如亥建戊寅日，卜升方得同人，亥官居世，京房降宿危星，後擢齊地分野。卦內無官，當求伏官之上飛神，以為任所是也，如酉建乙巳日，占升方得頤，丙戌世伏己酉官，後擢西北，餘仿此。）

If the official ghost爻 is exactly on the world line爻, use the division of the twenty-eight constellations to determine the place; if the official ghost爻 is hidden, use the flying god above it to determine the place. However, in this case, what is being divined is the official position rather than the world line: once one has an official position, use the official ghost爻 to take the image, without being rigidly attached to the world line爻. (Note: If there is only one official ghost爻 in the hexagram and it is exactly on the world line爻, use the method of the twenty-eight constellations to determine where one should be appointed. For example, on a day of Wuyin in the month of Hai, asking about promotion, the hexagram is 'Tongren': the water official ghost爻 is on the world line. According to Jing Fang's method, it belongs to the constellation of Wei, and later he was indeed promoted to the territory corresponding to Qi. If there is no official ghost爻 in the hexagram, seek the flying god above the hidden official ghost爻 to determine the place of appointment. For example, on a day of Yisi in the month of You, asking about promotion, the hexagram is 'Yi': the world line爻 is Bingxu with a hidden Jiyou official ghost爻 beneath it, and later he was promoted to the northwest. The rest follows the same pattern.)

歸魂屢復舊任，游魂嘗履新途。六沖伏藏則遠，六合出現則近，內近地而外遠方，初接壤而六邊鄙也。（凡卦中只一官爻，在內為近，在外為遠，初爻近，六爻遠，餘爻類推之。若遇內外兩官，則考其卦，游魂六沖伏藏應遠，歸魂六合出現應近。蓋一官以內外分遠近，兩官以卦象分遐邇。）

If the hexagram is a returning soul hexagram, it often indicates returning to the old position; if it is a wandering soul hexagram, it usually means taking a new path. If the hexagram meets the Six Clashes and the official line is hidden, the position will be far away; if it meets the Six Harmony and the official line appears, the position will be near. If the official line is in the inner trigram, it is near; if it is in the outer trigram, it is far. If it is in the first line, it is adjacent; if it is in the top line, it is remote. (Note: If there is only one official line in the hexagram, the one in the inner trigram is near, and the one in the outer trigram is far; the first line is closest, the top line is farthest, and the other lines follow this pattern. If there are official lines in both the inner and outer trigrams, then examine the hexagram structure: if it is a wandering soul hexagram, the Six Clashes, and the official line is hidden, the position will be far away; if it is a returning soul hexagram, the Six Harmony, and the official line appears, the position will be near. Thus, with one official line, the distance is determined by whether it is in the inner or outer trigram; with two official lines, the distance is determined by the hexagram structure.)

有指而筮得是地乎，貞沖合沖、官壞世空，則非食祿之方。有卜考選升調，而筮得是官乎，世實官旺，則為應拜之職。（考職選官，升任調缺，或指是地是官，而筮同此法。）

If someone specifies a place to ask whether it is the right place: if the primary hexagram shows six clashes, or if the harmonious relationship is broken by a clash, or if the official line is weakened and the world line is empty, then it is not a place of prosperity. If someone asks whether it is the right official position regarding an examination, appointment, promotion, or transfer, and specifies a particular position: if the world line is strong and the official line is prosperous and strong, then it is the position that should be appointed. (Note: this method applies to cases involving examinations, appointments, promotions, transfers, or specifying a particular place and position.)

概占當得何官，則專察官爻，以八卦而別其屬之部曹。（乾為天官，古稱冢宰，木天之臣，屬朝廷禁內雜職，及廄馬之司。坎為冬官，古稱司空，總河總漕之務，司臺諫，屬天下之水利者。艮為閽寺，司晨門之吏，防禦備衛之僚，治獄禁，屬礦藏寶庫錢局之類也。震為春官，古稱宗伯，師傅太子東宮，或總試總裁，及司宗廟祭祀禮樂文章之官也。巽為天使，及司上林，奉命申四方者，上差之僚佐也。離為夏官，古稱司馬，專耳目之權、糾彈之事，一為端門之輔，修史之文明也。坤為地官，古稱司徒，司天下農事，有土之官也，疆場社稷之任，母后之內臣爾。兌為秋官，古稱司寇，司言語，職刑罰，通章疏，主上膳之事也。）

In general, to determine what official position one is destined for, one should specifically examine the official position line, using the Eight Trigrams to determine which department it belongs to. (Note: Qian represents the Heavenly Official, also known as the Grand Minister, which is the Ministry of Personnel, a close official to the court, also responsible for miscellaneous duties within the palace and the management of horses. Kan represents the Winter Official, also known as the Minister of Works, which is the Ministry of Works, responsible for overall river management and transportation, and also oversees the imperial censors; all duties related to water conservancy throughout the country fall under its jurisdiction. Gen represents the Gatekeepers, who are officials in charge of the palace gates and security, also assistants in defense and punishment, managing prisons, mines, treasuries, and coinage. Zhen represents the Spring Official, also known as the Minister of Rites, which is the Ministry of Rites, serving as the tutor to the crown prince, or as the chief examiner, and is responsible for the management of ancestral temples, rituals, music, and literature. Xun represents the Imperial Envoy, also in charge of the Imperial Garden, serving as those who convey imperial orders to all directions, belonging to the category of senior officials assigned on special missions. Li represents the Summer Official, also known as the Minister of War, which is the Ministry of War, specifically in charge of intelligence and the supervision and investigation of officials, and can also serve as an assistant at the gate of the palace or as a civil official responsible for historical records. Kun represents the Earth Official, also known as the Minister of People, which is the Ministry of Revenue, responsible for all agricultural affairs throughout the country, being an official related to land, and bearing the responsibility of border defense and the state's well-being, and can also refer to officials within the imperial harem. Dui represents the Autumn Official, also known as the Minister of Justice, which is the Ministry of Justice, responsible for speech, punishment, and the handling of memorials and petitions, and also oversees the imperial kitchen affairs.)

以六爻而辨其位之高卑。（凡官在初爻為散缺，一為本鄉官守。在二爻為縣邑，一為諫議大臣、相國學士。在三爻為守牧，一為三司首領，及大衙門隨從之官。在四爻為司道，一為九卿六曹，及近君之臣也。五乃君象，非臣所居，惟代天巡狩之官，及欽命欽差者當之。六爻為貴戚之鄉，及宗廟功勳之臣、高尚之士、輔相王府之官、四圍之股肱也。武途封職，其義相類。）

Using the six lines of the hexagram to determine the rank of official positions. (Note: The official line in the first line indicates a position of leisure or a local official in one's own hometown. In the second line, it represents a county official, which can also be a court advisor, prime minister, or scholar. In the third line, it signifies a prefectural or provincial governor, which can also be the head of the three departments or a subordinate official in a major government office. In the fourth line, it represents a regional official, which can also be a high-ranking minister in the nine ministries or a close attendant to the emperor. The fifth line represents the imperial position, which is not occupied by a common official; only those who act as imperial inspectors or are specially appointed by the emperor can hold this rank. The top line represents the noble family's territory, as well as officials of great merit in the ancestral temple, virtuous scholars, officials assisting the王府, and key ministers surrounding the court. The principles for granting military ranks are similar to these.)

以五行而分其官之職掌。（凡金官必司兵事，或執刑衡。木官必司工務、禮樂苑囿、車輿舟楫，及桑麻、製造之事。水官必司江淮河海，及水利鹽務、稅餉漕儲。火官必司文章、參劾、祭祀，及冶鑄、喉舌之權。土官必司土地農田、社稷邊疆，及陵寢、屯守之柄也。）

Using the Five Phases to determine the responsibilities of an official. (Note: A metal official must be in charge of military affairs or hold the authority of punishment and measurement. A wood official must oversee construction, rituals and music, gardens, carriages and boats, as well as mulberry and hemp cultivation and manufacturing. A water official must manage the rivers and seas, water conservancy, salt production, taxation, and the storage and transportation of grain. A fire official must be responsible for literature, impeachment, worship, and metallurgy, as well as the power of speech and diplomacy. A soil official must oversee land and farmland, state shrines and borders, tombs, and the authority of garrisoning and defense.)

以六神諸監，而參考其官之政事。（青龍則其政清耀，文章詩賦清花之府也。朱雀則其政剖斷，諫議善惡，折辨是非，言路之官也。勾陳則其政田土，興教勸農，治寇保民，一方之牧也。騰蛇則其政傳宣，往來馳驟，浮沉體察，差遣之利也。白虎則其政威武，掌生殺之權，秉軍旅之事，刑罰之宰也。元武則其政水利，司捕司謀之象也。文昌為翰林，官符為有司，天馬為欽差，天獄為禁吏，斗木獬，巡方之官也，尾火虎，兵權之主也，星日為馬，聖傳之司也，亢金龍，文章之相也。大抵五行六爻八宮為經，六神諸星為緯以參之。）

Using the Six Spirits and various stars and malevolent influences to refer to the official's governance. (Note: If the official's爻 is accompanied by the Azure Dragon, the official's affairs are refined and illustrious, belonging to the office of literary composition and poetry, a clear and important position. If accompanied by the Vermilion Bird, the official's affairs involve judgment, advice on good and evil, and discerning right from wrong, which is the office of the speech and remonstrance. If accompanied by Gou Chen, the official's affairs concern land and fields, promoting education and moral teachings, encouraging agriculture and sericulture, suppressing bandits and protecting the people, which is the position of a local governor. If accompanied by the Snake, the official's affairs involve communication and transmission, traveling back and forth, understanding the situation above and below, and benefiting from being assigned duties. If accompanied by the White Tiger, the official's affairs involve military might, holding power over life and death, and managing military affairs, which is the office of administering punishment. If accompanied by the Black Tortoise, the official's affairs concern water management, and also represent the management of arrests and military strategy. If accompanied by the Wen Chang star, it is the position of the Hanlin Academy; if accompanied by the Official Symbol, it is the position of the administrative office; if accompanied by the Heavenly Horse, it is the position of an imperial envoy; if accompanied by the Heavenly Prison, it is the position of a jailer. The Star of the Wood Tortoise is the official who tours the regions; the Tail of the Fire Tiger is the official who holds military power; the Star Day Horse is the official who conveys the imperial commands; the Azure Dragon of the Celestial Dragon is the official of literary affairs. In general, the Five Phases, the Six Lines, and the Eight Palaces form the main framework, while the Six Spirits and the various stars form the cross threads, which are to be examined together.)

日月以像之，世應以度之，君臣以位之，是故獨發論宮，一爻論位，兩現而求諸屬，俱無而考諸伏與變，伏占飛神，變占八宮，伏變這法，亦可離位屬也。欲知當世之官守，以象求之，雖代有更名，理不遠矣。（凡官臨日月建，若非社稷之臣，定是直節科道之官。官爻持世為正印，臨應為左右之職。五爻為君，非御史而當寵幸之臣；二爻為大臣，為宰相，而為國家之儀表。官爻獨發，但論八宮，官爻一位，但論六爻，官爻兩現，但論所屬，卦無官鬼，則求伏上飛神，以位屬辨之，卦有動象，則求所變官爻，以八宮別之。）

Confirm with the day and month, measure with the world and response lines, and arrange according to the positions of officials and ministers. Therefore: if there is only one official line, it is considered according to the hexagram's palace; if there is only one official line, it is considered according to the position of the line; if two official lines appear together, seek their corresponding five phases; if there are no official lines in the hexagram, examine the hidden god and the changing line—the hidden god is considered according to the flying god above it, and the changing line is considered according to the eight palaces it transforms into. The methods of hidden god and changing line can also be examined separately from the positions of the lines and the five phases. To know the current titles of officials, use these images to seek them; although the names of official positions have changed through the ages, the principles remain similar. (Note: If an official line is on the day or month builder, it is not a high-ranking official but rather a straightforward and bold official in the censors' office. If an official line holds the world position, it is a real official position; if it is on the response line, it is a deputy position. The fifth line represents the ruler, which is either a censor or a favored official; the second line represents a senior minister or prime minister, who is the model of the country. If there is only one official line, it is considered according to the eight palaces; if there is only one official line, it is considered according to the position of the six lines; if two official lines appear, it is considered according to their corresponding five phases; if there are no official lines in the hexagram, seek the flying god above the hidden god and use the positions and five phases to distinguish; if there is a moving line, seek the official line it transforms into and use the eight palaces to distinguish.)

補官起服、援例納粟，戒世空而反遁也。圖差代役、選缺參房，問成乎，沖不利謀也，世不利空也，官不利壞也，問財則不利財虛，問辱則不利官克世也。或筮久任乎，三沖游魂則不久，官壞而罷職，世空而解組，官克世而參謫。或筮履任身安乎，隨墓助傷，及任乃病，世破鬼發，臨政抱災也。（久任以官為官，身安以官為病，卜筮用爻，妙在變爾。）

When considering appointments, serving out a term and then being reinstated, or following examples to make contributions, one should be cautious if the World Line falls into an empty position, which may lead to retreat. If asking about the possibility of getting a post, acting as a substitute for someone else, applying for a position, or visiting an official office, if the outcome is whether it can be achieved: encountering a clash is unfavorable for planning, the World Line being empty is unfavorable, and the Official Ghost being damaged is also unfavorable. If asking about money, it is unfavorable if the Wealth Line is weak. If asking about whether one will be insulted, it is unfavorable if the Official Ghost overpowers the World Line. If asking about whether one can hold a position for a long time: encountering the Six Clashes or a wandering soul卦 indicates a short tenure; if the Official Ghost is damaged, one will be dismissed from office; if the World Line is empty, one will be relieved of duties; if the Official Ghost overpowers the World Line, one will be impeached and demoted. If asking about whether one's health will be safe after taking up a post: encountering the Official Ghost entering its tomb or assisting the Official Ghost to injure the body indicates illness upon taking up the post; if the World Line is broken and the Official Ghost is activated, one will face misfortune during governance. (Note: When predicting a long tenure, the Official Ghost represents the official position; when predicting health, the Official Ghost represents illness—divination uses lines flexibly according to the situation, which is the beauty of divination.)

求薦獎，而遇官文破壞，恐薦賢之不力，鬼象克世，慮獎餙之非真。世值空亡，求榮不遂，望擢難遷。謫官開復，亦同此推。（民間坊匾、旌表、冠帶、衣巾、鄉賢、鄉飲等事同類。）面聖上書，叩閽獻策，遁不可遇也。見六沖而上下睽隔，受五克而披君逆鱗，五位傷而忠言逆耳。若條陳於將相，喜官興而忌克世也。（五克謂五爻克世，五位，謂五爻空破絕散也。）

Seeking recommendation and promotion, if the official line or the document line is damaged, it is likely that those recommending virtuous people will not exert effort. If the official ghost line harms the world line, there is concern that the reward and commendation are not sincere. If the world line is in the state of empty亡, seeking honor will not be achieved and promotion will be difficult. For an official who has been demoted seeking reinstatement, the same reasoning applies. (Note: Seeking things like牌坊匾额,旌表,冠带,衣巾,乡贤名分, and乡饮酒礼 in the folk context all fall under the same category.) Submitting a memorial to the emperor or appealing directly to the throne to present strategies, if the《遁》hexagram appears, it is not auspicious. Encountering the six clashes indicates a separation between superiors and subordinates; being harmed by the fifth line signifies offending the emperor's anger; the fifth line being injured represents advice that is contrary to the emperor's will. If making suggestions to ministers or high officials, it is favorable for the official line to be strong and unfavorable if it harms the world line. (Note: The term 'five line harm' refers to the fifth line being in an empty, broken, absolute, or scattered state.)

夫在任而防參罰，惡子動而好官興，世空則離任。離任而慮後患，好子動而惡官興，世空則無事。大計之問，求官鬼之無瑕，索世爻之有氣，官臨日月生扶，定膺卓意廉能之選，子孫動而有降職之憂，兄弟搖而有罰傣之議，兼逢官破，致仕還鄉。養親給假，告病休官，若官克世而被惡，官爻破絕空散，誰明高蹈之懷，世象隨墓助傷，反受風塵之縛。任亂地而求身安，隨墓助傷、世窮鬼發非祥，任危邦而求爵顯，官隆世實則吉。（設如治河防決，忌鬼動鬼克，抽稅徵商，忌應空財壞。考卷有瑕用父母，徵徭無用妻財，在占者志此用此，志彼用彼也。）

When in office and fearing being impeached or punished: evil is when the children' s line is activated, good is when the official ghost line is strong; if the world line falls empty, one will have to resign. If already resigned and worrying about future consequences: good is when the children' s line is activated, evil is when the official ghost line is strong; if the world line falls empty, there will be no trouble. When divining about a major assessment: the official ghost line should be flawless and the world line should have strength; if the official line is on the day or month and receives support, one will certainly be selected as outstanding and clean. If the children' s line is activated, there is worry of demotion; if the siblings line is activated, there is talk of penalty on salary; if the official line also meets the month break, one must retire and return home. When divining about requesting leave to care for parents, or resigning due to illness: if the official line overcomes the world line, one will be disliked by superiors; if the official line is broken, in decline, falls empty, or is scattered, who can understand my desire to retire and live in seclusion? If the world line meets the official line entering the grave, assisting the official line to injure the body, one will still be tied down by worldly affairs. When serving in a chaotic place and seeking safety: encountering the official line entering the grave, assisting the official line to injure the body, or the world line being poor while the official line is activated, are all inauspicious. When serving in a dangerous country and seeking promotion: if the official line is strong and the world line is full, it is auspicious. (Note: For example, in managing a river to prevent a breach, one should avoid the official ghost line being activated or overcoming the world line; in levying taxes and collecting commerce, one should avoid the response line falling empty or the wealth line being ruined. If there are flaws in the exam paper, use the parents line; if there is no result in conscripting labor, use the wealth line. In short, whichever aspect the diviner focuses on, use the corresponding useful god.)

凡公揭參疏，猶詞訟也，先占上意從違，次考應爻生克。何時交代，官鬼墓絕、子孫生值以為期；何時官來，毋拘士庶僚役，官鬼生旺以為實。覓人代署，應空誰為代之，或從官，或從人，用爻當晰也。（官來，指其爵也，人代，指其人也，用爻微細如此。）

Whenever someone publicly reports a case or submits a memorial to impeach someone, it is similar to divining a lawsuit. First, determine whether the superior's opinion will be approved or rejected. Then examine the response line and its interactions of generation and destruction. If the question is about when the official will resign, use the day when the official ghost enters its tomb or reaches its end, and when the children line receives support. If the question is about when a new official will take office, regardless of whether the person seeking the divination is a scholar, commoner, or colleague, use the time when the official ghost is strong and flourishing as the actual time. If looking for someone to take over the official position, if the response line is empty, there will be no one to replace you. Here, either the official line or the human affairs line is used as the response line, and the useful god must be clearly distinguished. (Note: Asking about 'official coming' refers to the position, while asking about 'person taking over' refers to the person—this level of distinction in selecting the useful god is very precise.)

太醫、僧綱、道紀，所喜惟官旺財備，所戒乃鬼克世空，以及隨助也。）（凡占雜職皆同此。）衙門裁革，止察官爻，公議短長，惟求鬼象，國務行止，專從五位也。（官旺則不裁。公議將行之事，鬼破則中止。興革損益，得君命為行止，五爻克世，則不行也。）

Divination for positions such as the Imperial Medical Office, Buddhist Patriarchate, and Taoist Records Office: what is favorable is the official line being prosperous and strong, and the wealth line being complete. What is to be avoided is the official ghost overcoming the world line, the world line falling into emptiness, following the ghost into burial, and assisting the ghost to injure the body. (Note: this applies to divination for all miscellaneous official positions.) Divination for whether a government office will be abolished: only examine the official line. Divination for the merits and demerits of public opinion: only seek the image of the official ghost. Divination for whether state affairs will proceed or be halted: focus solely on the fifth line. (Note: if the official line is prosperous and strong, the office will not be abolished. If the official ghost meets the breaking line, the matter will be halted. For matters of promoting benefits and removing evils, or adjusting systems, the decision depends on the imperial decree; if the fifth line overcomes the world line, the matter will not proceed.)

古之治國者，莫難於知人，知人善任，而庶事有濟，況於營家治生者乎？任僕以財為用，任人以應為尊，三沖則鮮克有終，克世則中懷不利。任長以父，任幼以子，任士以福，任臣以應，因其任而為用也。以生世為忠良，克世為奸惡，空則無能，或不為我力，散則無心，或不從我用，破不一向，絕不先勞也，縱生世而不得其力。任文以父，任賈以財，任畜牧以子孫，任交遊以兄弟，而應象皆不可病。蓋應為根本，藝為枝葉，應空破，雖父旺而不文。

In ancient times, governing a country was most difficult when it came to knowing people. Only when one could recognize people's abilities and assign them appropriately could things be accomplished. How much more so for those managing their households or making a living? When employing servants, the wife's wealth line is the useful god. When employing outsiders, the response line is most important. If there is a six clash, few can have a good ending. If the useful god overcomes the world line, that person is harmful to me. When employing elders, use the parents line; when employing younger people, use the children line; when employing scholars, use the children line; when employing subordinates, use the response line—choose the useful god according to the person's status. If the useful god generates the world line, that person is loyal and virtuous. If the useful god overcomes the world line, that person is deceitful and wicked. If the useful god is empty, that person is incapable or unwilling to exert effort. If the useful god is scattered by a clash, that person is indifferent or does not obey. If the useful god is broken, that person lacks determination. If the useful god is in a state of decline, that person is unwilling to exert effort first—these situations even if the useful god generates the world line, the person's actual strength cannot be obtained. When employing scholars, use the parents line; when employing merchants, use the wife's wealth line; when employing those who raise livestock, use the children line; when employing those who travel and socialize, use the siblings line. The response line is fundamental, while skills are like branches. If the response line is empty or broken, even if the parents line is strong, that person cannot be competent in literary matters.

六親之推，父母為才能，弟兄為詭詐，子孫為善良，妻財為術技，官鬼為強梁也。先忠後侫者，子化官，先奸後義者，鬼化財也。（必因生克，而後言吉凶。）六神之推，帶青龍而生，則得彈鋏之賢，隨青龍而克，則惟藏刀之詐。虎生世者，剛而直，虎克世者，勇而暴。雀生世者，辯而忠，雀克世者，侫而奸。武生世者，智而敏，武克世者，巧而賊。騰蛇生克，分損益之虛浮，勾陳克生，分善不善之遲滯也。（若來生世，雖凶亦吉，如來克世，雖吉為凶。）

From the Six Relations: the Parents'爻 indicates someone with ability, the Brothers'爻 indicates someone cunning, the Children'爻 indicates someone kind, the Wealth'爻 indicates someone with skills, and the Official Ghost'爻 indicates someone domineering. If the Children'爻 transforms into the Official Ghost'爻, it indicates someone who starts loyal but later becomes deceitful. If the Official Ghost'爻 transforms into the Wealth'爻, it indicates someone who starts deceitful but later becomes righteous. (Note: it is also necessary to combine with the relationships of generation and overcoming before determining fortune or misfortune.) From the Six Spirits: if the Useful God is supported by the Azure Dragon and generates the World Line, it indicates obtaining a virtuous person like Feng Xuan, who recommended himself by playing the zither. If the Useful God is supported by the Azure Dragon and overcomes the World Line, it indicates a deceitful person who is cunning behind a smiling face. If the White Tiger generates the World Line, the person is strong and upright; if the White Tiger overcomes the World Line, the person is brave but fierce. If the Vermilion Bird generates the World Line, the person is eloquent and loyal; if the Vermilion Bird overcomes the World Line, the person is eloquent but deceitful. If the Black Tortoise generates the World Line, the person is intelligent and quick; if the Black Tortoise overcomes the World Line, the person is crafty and sly. The relationship of theTeng Snake (Winding Snake) between generation and overcoming distinguishes whether the result is beneficial or harmful, and whether the person is superficial. The relationship of theGou Chen (Hook Star) between generation and overcoming distinguishes whether the person is virtuous or not, and whether the person is slow and dull. (Note: if a spirit generates the World Line, even if it is a凶神 (malevolent spirit), it is favorable; if it overcomes the World Line, even if it is a吉神 (benevolent spirit), it is unfavorable.)

動於八宮，則察八宮之情，坐於五行，則推五行之性，星煞詳之，衰旺考之，則人之賢不肖，可藉蓍而得也。（八宮專論獨發，五行六神諸星，惟論用爻所值，如動於乾，生世為剛健，克世為驕恣；發於坤，生世為柔順，克世為阿逢；在震，生世為正直，克世為暴戾；在巽，生世為伶俐，克世為風從；在坎，生世為智巧，克世為奸險；在離，生世為明識，克世為浮燥；在艮，生世為篤實，克世為疑滯；在兌，生世為和悅，克世為諂侫。

The Useful God (用神) moving in which palace should be examined in that palace's nature; sitting in which Five Phases (五行) should be analyzed according to that Five Phases' characteristics. Then, carefully reviewing the stars and evils, and examining the decline or strength, one can know whether a person is virtuous or not through the divination with the yarrow stalks (蓍卦). (Note: The eight palaces focus on the unique爻 that is expressed; the Five Phases, Six Spirits (六神), and various stars are only considered according to the爻 that the Useful God occupies. For example, if the Useful God moves in the Qian Palace (乾宫): supporting the world (生世) indicates strength and integrity, while overcoming the world (克世) indicates arrogance. If it is in the Kun Palace (坤宫): supporting the world indicates gentleness and compliance, while overcoming the world indicates flattery. In the Zhen Palace (震宫): supporting the world indicates righteousness, while overcoming the world indicates brutality. In the Xun Palace (巽宫): supporting the world indicates cleverness, while overcoming the world indicates being fickle. In the Kan Palace (坎宫): supporting the world indicates wisdom, while overcoming the world indicates cunning. In the Li Palace (离宫): supporting the world indicates clarity, while overcoming the world indicates restlessness. In the Gen Palace (艮宫): supporting the world indicates sincerity, while overcoming the world indicates suspicion and hesitation. In the Dui Palace (兑宫): supporting the world indicates harmony and joy, while overcoming the world indicates flattery.)

水之為賢曰智，為不肖曰賊；火之為賢曰急，為不肖曰縱；木之為賢曰慈，為不肖曰懦；金之為賢曰剛毅，為不肖曰強橫；土之為賢曰敦信，為不肖曰愚蠢也。驛馬之生也，勤於趨走，克也，數於往來；天財之生也，善於生息，克也，善於貪攘；官符之生也，長於智謀，克也，長於訟斗；咸池之生也，能於工技，克也，溺於酒色。生世，則有益於己而為賢，克世，則有損於己而為不肖。

Those belonging to the Water element have the advantage of being intelligent, but the disadvantage of being阴贼 (scheming and secretive); those belonging to the Fire element have the advantage of being agile, but the disadvantage of being unrestrained; those belonging to the Wood element have the advantage of being kind and generous, but the disadvantage of being weak; those belonging to the Metal element have the advantage of being resolute and strong-willed, but the disadvantage of being domineering; those belonging to the Earth element have the advantage of being sincere and trustworthy, but the disadvantage of being dull. If a person is born with the Post Horse (驿马) aspect, they are diligent in travel; if it overcomes the person, they are fickle and changeable. If a person is born with the Heavenly Wealth (天财) aspect, they are good at managing and increasing wealth; if it overcomes the person, they are greedy and plundering. If a person is born with the Official Seal (官符) aspect, they are skilled in strategy; if it overcomes the person, they are prone to litigation and disputes. If a person is born with the Salty Pool (咸池) aspect, they are skilled in craftsmanship; if it overcomes the person, they are addicted to alcohol and lust. In summary, being born with an aspect that benefits oneself is virtuous, while being overcome by an aspect that harms oneself is base.

（內詳喜怒害助測物）事多蒙昧，跡涉嫌疑，人心之誠偽喜怒，物象之有無完缺，善筮者，亦可以意得之。故筮誠偽者，專察用象，疏則用應，親察六親。用空則不實，用破散則非真，用絕則其習不堅，用動則其操不篤。化於生扶子孫，善而可親，化於克沖官鬼，惡而宜避。測人喜怒，用神沖剋世爻，則怨惡相加，空散破絕，則憂喜無實；居白虎而生世，怒而不遷，居青龍而克世，喜不相及；卦沖而爻生，外怒而內悅，卦合而爻克，先喜而後嗔。喜怒之占，生克為重，沖合為輕。

This chapter details various questions such as joy and anger, whether something is harmful or helpful, and measuring objects. Matters are often ambiguous and unclear, with actions involving suspicion. The sincerity or deceit of people's emotions, and the presence or absence of things, can be discerned by skilled diviners through the meaning of the hexagram. Therefore, when judging a person's sincerity or deceit, one should examine the image of the useful god (用神). For those with distant relationships, the response line (应爻) is used; for those with close relationships, the six relations (六亲) are considered. If the useful god falls into the empty position (空), it indicates insincerity. If the useful god is broken (破) or scattered (散), it shows lack of genuine intent. If the useful god is in the absolute decline (绝), it suggests weak moral integrity. If the useful god is active (发动), it indicates instability. If the useful god transforms into a爻 that generates and supports (生扶) or relates to children (子孙), the person is kind and approachable. If it transforms into a爻 that clashes and controls (克冲) the official ghost (官鬼), the person is dangerous and should be avoided. When measuring a person's joy and anger, if the useful god clashes or controls the world line (世爻), it indicates hostility towards oneself. If the useful god is empty, broken, scattered, or in decline, then joy and sorrow are not genuine. If the useful god is in the white tiger (白虎) and generates the world line, it means anger but not directed at oneself. If it is in the azure dragon (青龙) and controls the world line, it means joy but not for oneself. If the hexagram encounters six clashes (六冲) and the爻 generates oneself, it means external anger but internal joy. If the hexagram encounters six harmony (六合) and the爻 controls oneself, it means initial joy followed by anger. When judging joy and anger, the emphasis is on generation and control, while clash and harmony are secondary.

筮為我害乎，克世者是，筮為我助乎，生世者是，然逢空破散絕，則損益咸虛。測物有象，父像文書，財像珍寶，鬼像妖孽，子孫像飛走之物，兄弟像工力之事。有無完缺，以用神衰旺、虛實、破散斷之，則物無遁情矣。

To determine if someone is harmful to you, look for the one that controls the World Line. To determine if someone is helping you, look for the one that generates the World Line. However, if it is in an empty, broken, scattered, or extinct state, then whether it harms or benefits you becomes meaningless. When measuring objects, each has its own symbolic meaning: the Parents' Line represents documents, the Wealth Line represents treasures, the Official Ghost Line represents strange creatures, the Children's Line represents birds and animals, and the Siblings' Line represents man-made objects. As for the presence, completeness, or absence of an object, it is determined by the strength, reality, or brokenness of the Useful God. In this way, objects cannot hide from interpretation.

（內詳僱工倩人去惡防奪防非防病諸問）凡占收僱，三沖不久。收僕備驅役之使，財為用神，是以財神空，身雖從而心不向，財神破散，輕疾病而重喪亡，財神絕衰，不得其用，財神旺而生合世身者，此手足以奉腹心，財神旺而克沖世者，此幹僕而加弱主。故未收而占臧否，止忌三沖財病，雖克不嫌；已收而占去留，亦忌三沖財動，克世當去。（未收之時，財疲生世，吉而不吉，財健克世，凶而不凶。已收之後，如問忠奸去留，克世則負己，生世則盡公，豈能執吉神克世不凶乎？）

This chapter details various questions such as employing servants, hiring people, dismissing bad servants, preventing being robbed, avoiding causing trouble, and preventing illness. When predicting the hiring and keeping of servants, if six clashes appear, it indicates the employment will not last long. When purchasing a servant for service, the wife's wealth is the useful god. If the wife's wealth falls into emptiness, the person may come but will not be loyal; if the wife's wealth meets destruction, it may cause minor illness or serious death; if the wife's wealth is in decline, it will be of no use. If the wife's wealth is prosperous and strong and generates and harmonizes with the world line and body line, it indicates a loyal and devoted servant. If the wife's wealth is prosperous and strong but clashes with the world line, it indicates a capable servant who oppresses a weak master. Therefore, when predicting before hiring, only six clashes and the wife's wealth being in poor condition should be avoided, even if it controls the world line, it is not a problem. When predicting after hiring whether to keep or dismiss, the same applies: avoid six clashes and the wife's wealth being active, and if the wife's wealth controls the world line, it is time to dismiss. (Note: Before hiring, if the wife's wealth is weak but generates the world line, it seems good but is actually not; if the wife's wealth is strong and controls the world line, it seems bad but is actually not. After hiring, if asking about loyalty or whether to keep or dismiss, controlling the world line means being unfaithful, and generating the world line means being loyal. How can we rigidly follow the idea that a good god controlling the world line is not bad?)

察其性情，專於用象，金剛、火強、水智、木仁、土信也。青龍能文，朱雀能言，白虎暴戾而元武奸，勾陳遲鈍而騰蛇浮也。八宮辨之，諸星配之。（用爻獨發而論也，在乾志高，在坤性順，震直巽奸，坎暗離明，艮訥兌侫也。角有蛟志，尾有虎性，奎有狼心，星有驥德也。隨生克衰旺，而言吉凶。）

Observe his nature by looking at the images formed by the lines: if it belongs to the metal element, it is strong and resolute; if it belongs to fire, it is fierce and powerful; if it belongs to water, it is intelligent and resourceful; if it belongs to wood, it is benevolent and kind; if it belongs to earth, it is trustworthy and loyal. Those with the image of Qinglong are eloquent; those with Zhuque are talkative; those with Baihu are fierce and cruel; those with Yuanwu are cunning and deceitful; those with Gouchen are dull and slow; those with Tengshe are restless and impulsive. Then use the eight palaces to distinguish and the constellations to match. (Note: This refers to the case where a single line is used. If the line is in the Qian palace, the ambition is high; if in the Kun palace, the nature is gentle and compliant; if in the Zhen palace, it is upright; if in the Xun palace, it is cunning; if in the Kan palace, it is dark and secretive; if in the Li palace, it is bright and open; if in the Gen palace, it is dull and slow; if in the Dui palace, it is flattering and sycophantic. Those with Juxu have the ambition of a dragon; those with Weixu have the nature of a tiger or wolf; those with Kuixu have the heart of a wolf; those with Xingxu have the virtue of a swift horse. Then determine fortune and misfortune according to the generation, overcoming, decline, and strength of the elements.)

游魂用空者，則有逃亡之變，歸魂用破者，則有回贖之嫌。二父二官，事或兩頭之繫，三刑三破，身常四體之災。世空我疑，間動防阻也。（三破，謂歲月日之破。）僱倩人工，則應為用神，應破絕則不能美其終，應空散而不能謀其始，三沖無定，克世無良。倩蠶織之婦，婦女從財，財不可壞，僱倩從應，應不可病。應來克世，恐害吾事，合沖變沖，不可久留，八純六沖，不可暫用也。欲其去，應克世而不去，欲其來，應受阻而弗來。人可信矣，不為奪乎，應克世而被爭；人可用矣，不受非乎，官動官克而被訟；人可用矣，不有病乎，命墓、應壞、鬼動而患病。

When a divination shows a ghostly phase and the useful god falls into an empty position, the servant may run away; when it shows a returning phase and the useful god meets a break, there is a suspicion that he might be reclaimed by the original owner. The divination has two parents and two official ghosts, suggesting the matter may involve two sides; encountering three punishments and three breaks indicates that the person may suffer from injuries to his limbs. The world line falling into an empty position shows my own doubt, and the intermediate line moving suggests someone may interfere. (Note: "three breaks" refers to the break of the year stem, the month builder, and the day branch.) When hiring craftsmen, take the response line as the useful god: if the response line meets a break and is in a state of decline, he cannot complete the task; if the response line falls into an empty position and is scattered, he cannot even start; if it meets six clashes, his staying or leaving is uncertain; if the response line overcomes the world line, the person is unreliable. For women engaged in silk reeling and weaving: women are represented by the wealth line, and the wealth line must not be damaged; hiring is represented by the response line, and the response line must not be in a bad condition. If the response line overcomes the world line, it may harm my affairs; if there is a clash at the combination or it produces six clashes, the person will not stay long; if it is an eight pure hexagram or a six clash hexagram, even temporary use is impossible. If you want to send him away, and the response line overcomes the world line, he will not leave; if you want to call him in, and the response line is blocked, he will not come. Is this person reliable? If the response line overcomes the world line, he will be contested. Is this person suitable to use? If the official ghost moves and overcomes the world line, he will get into legal trouble. Is this person suitable to use? If his birth stem is buried, the response line is in a bad condition, and the official ghost moves, he will get sick.

（內詳干謁囤積賈肆托本寄貨公門博戲借貸覓物訂會巫醫優娼工技緣募迎客脫產行險索逋奪報發伏造作脫置諸問）凡趨利之占，皆以妻財為用，因事而求，偶兼他象，是故干謁宜官，財官不可喪氣，商旅忌鬼，官鬼豈宜交重。（行商若財爻旺相，或鬼動不值雀武蛇虎，亦為有利，倘妻財空破，即應訟盜驚災。）

This chapter details various matters such as petitioning officials, stockpiling goods, opening shops, seeking partners for business, consignment of goods, seeking profit through official channels, gambling, lending and borrowing, searching for lost items, forming partnerships, divination and medicine, entertainers and prostitutes, craftsmen and skills, fundraising through begging, welcoming merchants, selling off property, taking risks for profit, collecting debts, competing for rewards, uncovering hidden treasures, using others to create things, and selling or acquiring goods. In all divinations concerning profit, the wife's wealth (妻财) is considered the useful god (用神). Depending on the specific matter being divined, other yao (lines) may occasionally be used as well. Therefore, when petitioning officials or powerful people, the official ghost (官爻) should be used, and both the wealth and official ghost lines should not be in a weak or unfavorable state. For merchants, the official ghost should be avoided, and the official ghost should not be overly active. (Note: If the wife's wealth is prosperous and strong, even if the official ghost is active without the presence of the Vermilion Bird (朱雀), Black Tortoise (元武), Flying Snake (腾蛇), or White Tiger (白虎), it is still considered favorable. However, if the wife's wealth is empty or broken, the outcome should be related to lawsuits, theft, fear, or misfortune.)

囤積審脫時衰旺，養育種植類之。脫於春者，宜木象之乘財，售於冬者，惡火爻之為用。（當考所筮之時，亦宜財神有生扶，無破壞，後復遇時，方得厚利，倘占時原屬破散，失救援，縱後遇時，亦利薄也。）財審有蒂，遇時則芳，財神無根，遇時亦常。脫地有定則考時，脫時無定則隨占。（如賈肆之業，止論時下占財衰旺，不可以後來日時為應。）

When storing goods, one should examine the strength and decline of the appropriate time for selling; the same applies to breeding and planting. If selling in spring, it is favorable for the wealth element to be in the wood aspect; if selling in winter, it is unfavorable for the fire element to act as the useful god. (Note: One should also examine the current situation of the divination: the wealth element should be supported and not destroyed. Only when it meets the right time later can one gain substantial profit. If the wealth element was already broken and without support at the time of divination, even if it meets the right time later, the profit will be small.) If the wealth element has a root, it will flourish when the right time comes; if the wealth element has no root, it will be ordinary even when the right time comes. If the place for selling is already determined, then examine the time; if the time is not determined, then refer to the time of the divination. (Note: For those running shops or businesses, only the current strength and decline of the wealth element at the time of divination should be considered, not future days.)

賈肆之問，亦利久長；托本寄貨之問，又利始終。故三沖有始而無終，應爻破散，先忠而後侫，應爻空絕，先親而後疏，應爻克世，懷叵測而侵沒也。四者有一，縱財無克破，亦弗用之。（凡占業得財神旺相，如無夥伴，雖遇三沖，但不久而亦有利可為，惟托寄遇沖，斷無終始，財雖旺相，不可行也。）

Divination for business ventures should emphasize longevity; for those relying on capital investment or consignment sales, it is even more important to have a beginning and an end. Therefore, encountering the Six Clashes indicates a beginning without an end; if the Response Line is broken, the person starts loyal but later becomes deceitful; if the Response Line falls into an empty position and is at its end, the relationship starts close but later becomes distant; if the Response Line overcomes the ruler, it suggests a hidden intention to take advantage. If any of these four situations occur, even if the Wealth line is not harmed or broken, it should not be used. (Note: If a divination for business shows the Wealth line being prosperous and strong, and there is no partner involved, even if the Six Clashes occur, the business may not last long but still be profitable; however, for those relying on capital investment or consignment sales, encountering the Six Clashes definitely means a beginning without an end, and even if the Wealth line is strong, it should not be used.)

趨利公門，當控官心喜怒，求財博戲，須詳應象克生。（官鬼空破，乃官不重也，若克世主有刑責，故財雖旺不吉。應爻克世，乃彼勝我也，財雖旺必先贏後輸。）借貸戒應空，是謂虛諾；覓物忌世空，是謂難得也。畋獵如之。（買貨若遇世空，妻財雖有在卦，亦主難買。）復觀所求，當分其用，飛走之靈，不用財而用子孫，衣服舟車之具，不用財而用父母。

Going to the government office to seek profit, one must understand the official's preferences and anger; gambling for wealth requires careful examination of the response line's generation and destruction. (Note: If the official ghost falls into an empty position and is broken, it indicates that the official holds little weight; if it overcomes the world line, it signifies legal punishment, so even if the wife's wealth is strong, it is not auspicious. If the response line overcomes the world line, it means the other side will win, so even if the wife's wealth is strong, one will first win and then lose.) Divination about loans should avoid the response line falling into an empty position, which indicates empty promises; divination about searching for lost items should avoid the world line falling into an empty position, which means it will be difficult to obtain; hunting is similar. (Note: If buying goods encounters the world line falling into an empty position, even if the wife's wealth is present in the hexagram, it indicates difficulty in obtaining the goods.) Now consider what is being sought, and determine the useful god accordingly: for things like birds and animals, the wife's wealth is not used, but the children are used; for items like clothing and vehicles, the wife's wealth is not used, but the parents are used.

訂會類於謀事，貞合沖則不聚，世應空則不會，財官陷則不成也，為人說合亦然。若筮得會，財當日月可獲也；若筮有終，三沖應壞克世非良也。（財當日月，如酉建丁酉日，占庚子日搖會，得水地比，果獲之是也。再如寅建乙卯日，占何時得會，遇豐之離，其後午月方獲，是財當月也。餘仿此。）

Establishing a society (a form of mutual funding among people called "hui") is similar to divining about planning matters. If the primary hexagram showsSix Harmony (Six Harmony) but the harmonious position meets a clash, the gathering will not come together. If the world and response lines are empty, the society will not be formed. If the wealth line and official line are in decline, the matter will not succeed. This also applies when helping others to arrange such a society. If the divination is about whether one can join the society, the wealth line being aligned with the day builder or month builder indicates success. If the divination is about whether the society can be completed, encountering six clashes and the response line being damaged and overcoming the world line is unfavorable. (Note: The phrase "wealth on day and month" refers to situations like when on a Dingyou day in the month of You, one divines about a Gengzi day and gets the hexagram Water Earth "Comparison," which indeed results in success. Another example is when on a Yimao day in the month of Yin, one divines about when to join and gets the hexagram "Great Illumination" changing to "Fire" — later, in the month of Wu, they joined, because the wealth line was aligned with the month builder. Other cases can be similarly inferred.)

巫醫之利也貴名譽，官鬼為專；優娼之利也貴皷舞，亦官鬼為務。工技之於人事也貴情好，忌應克世；僧道之於緣募也貴悅從，惡應爻空。行次迎客，彼空誰來；脫產求交，應空誰與也，交有所指，則同謀事矣。（或兼用官，或兼用應，而財神不可脫也。）

The profit of witches and doctors relies on reputation, and they focus on the Official Ghost. The profit of actors and courtesans relies on inspiring people's emotions, and they also focus on the Official Ghost. Artisans and craftsmen deal with people, and their value lies in good relationships; they should avoid the Response Line overcoming the Present Line. Monks and Taoist priests collect alms and raise funds, and their value lies in people's willingness to give generously; they should avoid the Response Line falling empty. Merchants on the road welcoming customers, if the Response Line falls empty, who will come? When selling property and seeking a transaction, if the Response Line falls empty, who will take it? If the transaction has a clear object, it is the same as divining for a matter. (Note: These may use the Official Line and the Response Line together, but Wealth is always involved.)

若行險求財，此非營生之本，未言其利，行明其害也。動傷隨墓而害大，應克世而途遇強梁，官克世而路遭羅網，鬼爻發動，虎臥當道。欲往何哉，加元武為寇盜之凶，加朱雀為鬥爭之患，勾陳為攔阻之人，騰蛇為風波之駭，白虎為災疾之危，惟青龍可以凶而吉也。（非分之求，凶多吉少，常身家俱殉，故有戒詞。）

Going against the natural order to seek wealth is not a proper way to make a living; before discussing its benefits, we must first explain its harms. If the moving line injures the body, or if one follows the official ghost into a tomb, the harm is great. If the response line overcomes the main line, one will meet strong adversaries on the way; if the official line overcomes the main line, one will face legal troubles; if the official ghost line moves, it means a tiger is in charge—where can one go then? If the official ghost is combined with the black tortoise, it indicates fierce bandits; if combined with the vermilion bird, it means disputes; if combined with the hook star, it means someone will block the way; if combined with the wind snake, it means unexpected disturbances; if combined with the white tiger, it means danger of illness or misfortune; only when combined with the azure dragon can misfortune turn into good fortune. (Note: seeking wealth in improper ways brings more misfortune than good, often leading to the destruction of one's family and property, hence this warning is established.)

索逋者，應克世為負心，奪報者，兄爻動為攘光。脫者宜動，留者宜靜，發伏藏者宜伏而現，假造作者宜變而建。（發伏，如開礦淘沙取藏之類。假造作，如木匠土工針線機織之類。財臨變爻，復值日月建為吉。）

When pursuing debts, if the response line overcomes the world line, it indicates the debtor is unfaithful. In disputes over rewards, if the siblings line is activated, it suggests someone has taken the credit. If you wish to let go, it is favorable to take action; if you wish to keep, it is favorable to remain still. When uncovering hidden treasures, it is favorable for them to emerge from concealment. When relying on others to accomplish tasks, it is favorable for them to be established through transformation. (Note: "Emergence from concealment" refers to activities such as mining, sifting sand, or retrieving buried items. "Relying on others' work" refers to tasks like carpentry, masonry, sewing, or weaving. If the wealth line is associated with a changing line and coincides with the day builder or month builder, it is auspicious.)

財逢合而當遇，財逢沖而當起，貨人宜衰則易買，貨出宜旺則得價，財逢生旺當徵貴，財逢衰病當徵賤也。（此言貨價貴賤，收發之宜。）財爻絕，得生則脫，財爻空，得填則獲，財爻破，得補則復，財爻無，見時而得，財爻旺，墓庫而收，財爻衰，得旺則長也。化進神者日增，化退神者日減，利厚者財化生，利薄者妻化克也。（此言財爻生克補救之法。）

The wealth element encountering harmony indicates it can be encountered; the wealth element encountering conflict indicates it can be activated. Buying goods is suitable when the wealth element is weak, as weak wealth is easier to acquire; selling goods is suitable when the wealth element is strong, as strong wealth can be sold at a higher price. When the wealth element is prosperous and strong, it should be collected at a high price; when the wealth element is weak and sickly, it should be collected at a low price. When the wealth element reaches its decline, it can only be released with the help of a supportive element; when the wealth element falls into emptiness, it can only be obtained by filling it up; when the wealth element is broken, it can only be restored by replenishment. If the wealth element is not present in the hexagram, one must wait until it becomes valuable to obtain it. When the wealth element is prosperous and strong, it can only be held until it reaches the storage phase; when the wealth element is weak, one must wait until it turns strong to see growth. When the wealth element transforms into the advancing god, it increases daily; when it transforms into the retreating god, it decreases daily. Gaining substantial profit occurs when the wealth element is generated by a yao that benefits me; gaining minimal profit occurs when the wealth element is generated by a yao that harms me. (Note: This discusses the fluctuation of prices for goods and the appropriate timing for buying and selling.) When the wealth element reaches its decline, it can only be released with the help of a supportive element; when the wealth element falls into emptiness, it can only be obtained by filling it up; when the wealth element is broken, it can only be restored by replenishment. If the wealth element is not present in the hexagram, one must wait until it becomes valuable to obtain it. When the wealth element is prosperous and strong, it can only be held until it reaches the storage phase; when the wealth element is weak, one must wait until it turns strong to see growth. When the wealth element transforms into the advancing god, it increases daily; when it transforms into the retreating god, it decreases daily. Gaining substantial profit occurs when the wealth element is generated by a yao that benefits me; gaining minimal profit occurs when the wealth element is generated by a yao that harms me. (Note: This discusses the interactions of the wealth element with other elements and methods of correction.)

游魂財旺宜行，歸魂財衰宜止，六沖宜改圖而得利，六合宜需守而生財。坐世遂本地之求，居應稱他鄉之脫，現於間爻，中途反生息也。（此言脫貨之利。）財衰於內，買宜近鄉，財休於外，置宜遠所。衰而旺，其價先屈而後伸，旺而變衰，其物先金而後土也。卦無財而財且衰，價賤而不得買，卦無財而財且旺，價貴而不能買，惟現而衰，滿心得置，疊而旺，遂意得脫。（此言置貨之宜。）

When a divination shows a ghostly trigram and the wealth line is strong, it is suitable to travel; when it shows a returning trigram and the wealth line is weak, it is advisable to stop. When encountering six clashes, one should change plans to gain benefit, but when encountering six harmonies, one should wait patiently to gain wealth. If the wealth line is on the world line, one should seek profit locally; if it is on the response line, one should go to another place to make transactions; if it appears in the intermediate line, one can gain profit during the journey. (Note: This refers to the benefit of selling goods.) If the wealth line is weak within the inner trigram, it is better to buy goods nearby; if it is weak in the outer trigram, it is better to purchase goods from afar. If the wealth line first weakens and then strengthens, the price will first be low and then high; if it first strengthens and then weakens, the goods will first be very expensive and then very cheap. If there is no wealth line in the divination and the wealth line is weak, the price may be low but one cannot buy; if there is no wealth line in the divination but the wealth line is strong, the price may be high but one cannot afford it; only when the wealth line appears and is weak can one buy with satisfaction; only when the wealth line appears multiple times and is strong can one sell with satisfaction. (Note: This refers to the suitability of purchasing goods.)

脫貨何為吉方，財生之處也，獨發求宮，重見求屬。置貨何為吉方，世生之所而已。（此言置脫吉方。）問何貨為善，無是法也，當分類占之，間有筮焉。財旺則以妻財所屬，財病則以子孫所屬，五行六神而考也。類金者玉石像焉，類水者魚鹽像焉，類火者陶冶像焉，類木者百果像焉，類土者五穀像焉。青龍木利，喜慶為用也，白虎金利，喪屠為用也，元武水利，酒食為用也，朱雀火利，市肆為用也，騰蛇土利，出入為用也，勾陳人事之利，農田為用也。有指而求，無自妄也。（問者意屬何類，然後以象像之，萬弗自逞聰明，以妄言語而誤趨避也。）

When selling goods, the favorable direction is where the Wealth line (妻财) is supported. If the Wealth line appears alone, seek the direction of the hexagram it belongs to. If the Wealth line appears twice, seek the direction according to its Five Phases. When purchasing goods, the favorable direction is where the World Line (世爻) is supported. To determine which goods to trade, there is no fixed method; one should classify and divinate accordingly. Occasionally, it is possible to determine: if the Wealth line is prosperous and strong, determine according to the Five Phases it belongs to. If the Wealth line is weak, determine according to the Children line (子孙). Then examine the Five Phases and Six Spirits. For metal, take the image of jade and stone; for water, take the image of fish and salt; for fire, take the image of pottery and metalworking; for wood, take the image of fruits; for earth, take the image of grains. The Azure Dragon (青龙) belongs to wood and signifies benefits from celebrations; the White Tiger (白虎) belongs to metal and signifies benefits from funerals and slaughter; the Black Tortoise (元武) belongs to water and signifies benefits from food and drink; the Vermilion Bird (朱雀) belongs to fire and signifies benefits from markets; the Coiling Snake (腾蛇) belongs to earth and signifies benefits from transportation and trade; the Gou Chen (勾陈) signifies benefits from human affairs, using farmland as the reference. One must have a clear intention before seeking guidance; one must not make arbitrary statements. (Note: First ask the person seeking divination which category they are interested in, then take the corresponding image; never be overconfident and make incorrect judgments that may mislead others.)

夫子孫生我財，喜有而有喜無，官鬼耗我財，吉安而不喜搖，兄弟克我財，喜靜而不喜動，父母為辛勞，喜抑而不喜揚。凡益財者宜其動，損財者宜其靜也。（此言六親喜忌。）傳言得萃，而經營折本，當為占者之戒云。（京子傳，以萃數缺無補，因戒占求財，興販尤忌。）

TheChildren can generate myWealth, so I rejoice at its presence and do not rejoice at its absence; theOfficial Ghost consumes myWealth, so I prefer its stability and do not rejoice at its movement; theSiblings harms myWealth, so I prefer its stillness and do not rejoice at its activity; theParents represent toil, so I prefer their suppression and do not rejoice at their prominence. Whatever can increase wealth should be active, and whatever can diminish wealth should be still. (Note: This discusses the preferences and aversions of the Six Relations.) It is said that if the《萃》hexagram is divined and business suffers a loss, it should serve as a warning to the diviner. (Note: According to Jing Fang's tradition, the《萃》hexagram indicates a lack that cannot be compensated, thus warning those seeking wealth, especially those involved in trade, to be cautious.)