Military Victory Forecast: 55th Section

凡氣上與天連，此軍士眾強盛，不可擊；若在吾軍，可戰必勝。軍上氣如火光，將軍勇，士卒猛，不可擊；在吾軍，速戰大勝。

If the clouds rise upward and connect with the sky, it indicates that the enemy's army is numerous and strong, and it should not be attacked. If such clouds appear over our army, we should go to battle and are sure to win. If the clouds above the army resemble flames, it signifies that the general is brave and the soldiers are fierce and vigorous, and the enemy should not be attacked. If such clouds appear over our army, we should fight quickly and surely achieve a great victory.

軍上氣如山堤，山上若林木，將士驍勇，不可與戰；若在吾軍，戰必大勝。軍上氣如埃塵粉沸，其色黃白，如旌旗無風而揚，揮勢指敵，我軍欲勝，可急擊之。

The clouds above the army resemble mountains and embankments, with the mountains appearing to have dense forests, indicating that the enemy soldiers are brave and fierce, and it is not advisable to fight against them. If such clouds appear above our army, fighting will surely result in a great victory. The clouds above the army resemble dust and powder swirling up, appearing yellow and white, like banners fluttering in the wind without any breeze, with the movement of the clouds pointing towards the enemy. This is a sign that our army will soon achieve victory, and we should attack quickly.

有雲如三疋帛廣前後大，大軍行氣也。兩軍相當，敵上白氣粉沸如樓，緣以赤氣者，兵銳，不可擊；在吾軍，戰必大勝。

There is a cloud as wide as three bolts of silk, broad both in front and behind, indicating the aura of a large army advancing. When two armies face each other, if the enemy's sky is filled with white clouds rising like palaces, with a ring of red clouds around the edges, it signifies that the enemy's forces are sharp and formidable, and one should not attack. If such a cloud appears over our army, the battle will certainly result in a great victory.

營上氣黃白色厚潤重者，勿與戰。兩軍相當，有氣如人持斧外向，敵戰必大勝。兩軍相當，上有氣如蛇，舉首向敵者，戰勝。

The clouds above the military camp are yellowish-white and thick with moisture; do not engage in battle. When two armies face each other, if the clouds appear like a person holding an axe outward, fighting the enemy will surely result in a great victory. When two armies face each other, if the clouds resemble a snake raising its head toward the enemy, it indicates a victory in battle.

敵上氣如疋帛者，此權軍之氣，不可攻；若在吾軍上，戰必大勝。敵上有雲如牽牛，不可擊。遙望軍上雲如鬥雞，赤白相隨在軍中，得天助，不可擊也。

The enemy's sky has clouds resembling a piece of silk, indicating an army in strong military power and holding command, so it is not advisable to attack; if such clouds appear over our army, we will surely achieve a great victory in battle. If the enemy's sky has clouds shaped like the constellation Cow, it is not advisable to attack. If distant clouds over the enemy's army resemble fighting roosters, with red and white colors appearing together in the army, it signifies that the enemy army has the favor of heaven, so it is not advisable to attack.

敵上發黃氣，將士精勇，不可擊；若在吾軍，可用戰。軍營上有赤黃氣，上達於天，亦不可攻。凡軍營上有五色氣，上與天連，此天應之軍，不可擊。

Enemy forces above have yellow clouds, indicating that their soldiers are vigorous and brave; one should not attack. If such clouds appear above our army, then we can engage in battle. If there are red and yellow clouds above the military camp rising straight to the sky, one should not attack. Whenever there are clouds of five colors above the military camp connecting upward to the sky, this indicates the army has the heavens' support; one should not attack.

其氣上小下大，其軍士日增，益士卒。其軍上氣似堤，以覆其軍上，前後白，此勝；若覆吾軍者，急往擊之，大勝。

Clouds with a small upper part and a large lower part indicate that the number of soldiers in that army is increasing continuously and the troops are being constantly replenished. If the clouds above the army resemble a dike, covering over one's own army, and if they appear white at both the front and the back, it signifies a victory. If such clouds cover one's own army, one should hurry to attack the enemy and achieve a great victory.

夫氣銳、色黃白、團而澤者，敵將勇猛，且士卒能強戰，不可擊。雲如日月，而赤氣繞之，似日月暈狀有光者，所見之地大勝，不可攻。

If the clouds are sharp, yellowish-white, gathered together and moist, they indicate that the enemy's generals are brave and the soldiers are capable of fierce fighting, so one should not attack. If the clouds resemble the shape of the sun and moon, with red clouds surrounding them, like a solar or lunar halo with light, it indicates a great victory for the side where the clouds appear, so one should not attack.

敵上有氣或雲，及在中天而及軍上，有常此氣不變者，堅固難攻。凡雲氣似虎居上者，勝。軍上氣如塵埃、前後高者，將士精銳，不可擊。敵上氣如乳虎者，難攻。

If there is a continuous cloud or mist above the enemy's army extending to the middle heaven and covering the army, this indicates that the enemy's formation is strong and difficult to attack. If the cloud appears like a tiger crouching above, it indicates victory. If the cloud above the army looks like dust rising and forming high peaks in front and back, it indicates that the soldiers are elite and cannot be attacked. If the cloud above the enemy resembles a nursing tiger, it is difficult to attack.

軍上常有氣者，其兵難攻。軍上雲如華蓋，勿往與戰。有雲狀如鳥飛去，所見國戰勝。雲如旌旗如鋒向人者，勿與戰。

When there are often clouds above an army, it is difficult to attack that army. Clouds above an army resembling 'Huagai' (a canopy used on a royal carriage) indicate that one should not engage in battle with them. If the clouds resemble flying birds departing, the country that sees this will achieve victory in battle. If the clouds resemble banners or the sharp edges of weapons directed towards people, one should not engage in battle with them.

兩軍相當，敵上有氣如飛鳥，徘徊在其上，或來而高者，兵精銳，不可擊。夜黑氣出，上有赤氣臨我軍上，敵強我弱，弱能破強，小能擊大，大戰大勝，小戰小勝。

Two armies facing each other, if the enemy's sky has clouds resembling flying birds circling and lingering above, or clouds coming from afar and positioned high up, this indicates the enemy's troops are elite and strong, so one should not attack. If at night dark clouds rise and red clouds cover our army's sky, then even if the enemy is strong and we are weak, the weak can overcome the strong, the small can defeat the large. In a big battle, there will be a great victory; in a small battle, there will be a small victory.

軍上雲如牛馬、頭低尾仰者，勿與戰。軍上雲如杵形，勿戰。望四方有赤氣如鳥，在鳥氣中如黑人，在赤氣中如赤杵，在鳥氣中或如人十十五五，及狀如旌旗在鳥氣中，有赤氣在前者，敵人精悍，不可當。

Clouds over the army resembling cattle and horses with low heads and high tails indicate that one should not engage in battle. Clouds shaped like a pestle also indicate that one should not fight. If one sees red gas in all directions resembling birds, and within the bird-shaped gas there appears a black-clothed person, or a red pestle within the red gas, or people gathered in groups of three or five, or eight or ten within the bird-shaped gas, or flags resembling banners located within the bird-shaped gas with red gas in front, this indicates that the enemy is intelligent and strong, and cannot be resisted.

敵上有雲如山，兵可托。有雲長如引素，前後銳，或一或四，黑色有陰謀，青色兵，赤色有反，黃色急去。日暈，有雲氣入暈中者，隨所入擊之勝。有暈有抱，所臨者勝。

The enemy's sky has clouds resembling mountains, indicating that they can rely on the mountain terrain to deploy their forces. If there are clouds that are long and narrow, like a straight white silk ribbon, with sharp ends at both ends, or only one, or four such clouds: black clouds indicate the enemy has secret plots, blue clouds indicate military action, red clouds indicate rebellion, and yellow clouds suggest a need to retreat quickly. If the Sun is surrounded by a halo and there are clouds entering the halo, then attack in the direction the clouds are entering, and you will win. If there is both a halo and a ring-like halo, the side covered by the halo will prevail.

日暈相交，居止者勝。虹直指，順之而擊，可勝。暈有抱有虹，順抱者勝。日旁半暈，兩頭尖，有戰者，隨所指擊之。

Two overlapping sun halos intersecting indicate that the side remaining stationary will prevail. If a rainbow points directly to a certain direction, attacking in the direction it points will lead to victory. If the halo contains both embracing energy and a rainbow, attacking in the direction of the embracing energy will result in victory. If a half halo appears beside the sun with pointed ends, when engaging in battle, attack in the direction it points.

有氣上黃下白，名曰善氣，所臨之軍，欲求和退，向北，其眾死散；向東，則不可信，眾能為害；向南，將死。敵上氣囚廢枯散，如馬肝色，或如死灰色，或類偃蓋，或類偃魚，皆為將敗。

There is a type of cloud formation where the upper part turns yellow and the lower part turns white, known as 'good air'; wherever this air covers, the army under it tends to seek peace and retreat. If this cloud formation leans toward the north, it indicates that the enemy's forces will suffer heavy casualties and disperse. If it leans toward the east, it suggests that the enemy's request for peace should not be trusted, as their troops can still cause harm. If it leans toward the south, it indicates that the enemy's general is likely to die. When the clouds above the enemy's army appear weak, decayed, scattered, and disordered, resembling the color of horse's liver, or the color of dead ashes, or the shape of an overturned umbrella, or the appearance of a flipped fish, these are signs that the enemy is about to suffer a defeat.

敵上氣乍見，乍聚乍散，如霧始起，此敗氣，可擊；上大下小，士卒日減。凡軍營上，十日無氣發，此軍必敗；而有赤白氣乍出即滅，外聲欲戰，其實或退散。黑氣如壞山墮軍上者，名曰營頭之氣，其軍必敗。

The clouds above the enemy's camp appear and disappear suddenly, gathering at times and dispersing at others, resembling mist just rising; this is the aura of defeat, and an attack can be made. If the clouds are large at the top and small at the bottom, it indicates that the enemy's soldiers are gradually decreasing. If a military camp has no clouds appearing for ten consecutive days, the army is certain to fail. If red or white clouds appear briefly and then vanish, the enemy may claim they will fight, but in reality they might retreat and scatter. Black clouds resembling a collapsing mountain falling over the army are called 'Camp Head Aura,' and the army will certainly fail.

軍上氣如火光夜照人，軍士散亂。軍上氣出而半絕者欲敗，漸盡者走。一絕一敗，再絕再敗，三絕三敗。在東發白氣者，災深。軍上氣如羊形，或如豬形，此是瓦解之氣，軍必敗。

The clouds above the army resemble firelight, shining at night and revealing human shadows, indicating disorder among the soldiers. If the clouds rise but are cut off in the middle, the general will suffer defeat; if they gradually dissipate, the army will retreat. Each break corresponds to a defeat: one break means one defeat, two breaks mean two defeats, three breaks mean three defeats. If the clouds appear in the east and are white in color, the calamity will be especially severe. If the clouds above the army resemble the shape of a sheep or a pig, this is the aura of a collapse and disintegration, and that army will certainly be defeated.

敵上有氣如雙蛇，疾往攻之，大勝。軍上有氣，中似雙蛇守日，急往擊之，勿疑，必大勝。軍上氣如粉如塵，勃勃如煙，軍欲敗。軍上氣五色雜亂，東西南北不定者，其軍欲敗。

Enemy forces above have clouds resembling two snakes; hurry to attack and you will achieve a great victory. Clouds above the army appear with two snakes guarding the Star of brightness and prestige; go to attack immediately without hesitation and you will surely win. Clouds above the army resemble fine powder and dust, appearing as a dense cloud of smoke; this portends that this army will suffer defeat. Clouds above the army display a mixture of five colors, drifting unpredictably in all directions, indicating that the opposing army will suffer defeat.

軍上氣如群豬在氣中，此衰氣，擊之大勝。軍上有赤氣炎降於天，士眾亂，將死。赤氣如火光從天來，流下入軍，軍亂將死。彼軍上有蒼蒼氣，須臾散，擊之必勝；在我軍上，須自堅守。

In the clouds above the army, if there appear a group of pigs, it indicates a sign of decline; attacking will result in a great victory. If there is red gas like fire descending from the sky above the army, it signifies disorder among the soldiers and the death of the general. If red gas like fire light descends from the heavens and flows into the army, it indicates great chaos within the army and the death of the general. If the enemy's army has a pale cloud-like appearance that disperses quickly, attacking them will certainly result in victory; however, if this kind of appearance appears above one's own army, one must hold firm and protect oneself.

軍上有黑氣如牛形，或如馬形，從氣霧中下，漸漸入軍，名曰天狗下食血，則軍散敗。敵上氣如群鳥亂飛，衰氣也，伐之，則我軍勝。望彼軍上氣如懸衣，如人相隨，擊之可得。

There is black mist resembling the shape of an ox or a horse descending from above the army, gradually entering the ranks, which is called "Heavenly Dog devouring blood." This portends the disintegration and defeat of the army. If the enemy's clouds appear like a flock of birds flying wildly, it is a sign of their decline; attacking them will lead to victory. If from a distance the enemy's clouds look like hanging clothes or people marching in line, attacking them will result in capturing them.

望彼軍上氣紛紛如轉蓬者，急擊之。望彼軍上氣色如揚灰，敵欲退去。氣蒼黑亂者，士卒飢。兩軍相去十里外，望彼軍上氣高，而前後白青散者，此敗軍之氣，擊之可得。

Looking from a distance at the clouds above the enemy's army, they are swirling like floating hemp, indicating the need to attack quickly. Looking from a distance, if the appearance of the clouds resembles raised dust, it signifies that the enemy is about to retreat. If the clouds appear dark and disordered, it indicates that the enemy soldiers are hungry. When the two armies are ten li apart, looking from a distance, if the clouds above the enemy's army are high and the front and back appear white and blue, scattered and not gathering, this is the aura of a defeated army, and attacking will result in victory and capturing the enemy.

雲如覆船車蓋者，其軍必敗。雲氣如人頭臨軍營中，戰不勝，流血積溝渠。敵上雲如群羊，如驚鹿，必退走，急擊之。雲如卷席，如疋帛亂攘者，皆為敗，可攻而擒之。

Clouds resembling overturned boats or the canopies of chariots indicate that the army will certainly suffer defeat. Clouds resembling human heads covering the military camp signify a battle that cannot be won, with blood flowing through the ditches. Enemy clouds resembling a flock of sheep or startled deer indicate that the enemy will certainly retreat, so attack quickly. Clouds resembling rolled-up mats or a piece of silk in disorder both foretell defeat, but one can attack and capture the enemy.

雲氣蓋道，蔽蒙晝冥者，飯不暇釋，炊不及熟，急去也。有雲如雞兔臨營者，軍敗走。軍上氣黑而卑如樓狀，軍移必敗。敵上氣如臥人無手足，或似車徊亂不起者，敗，如擊牛，凶敗氣。

Clouds cover the road, making it dark and murky, so that even during the day it looks like night. At this time, there is not enough time to put down a bowl or cook a meal; one must hurry to evacuate. If clouds resembling chickens or rabbits hover over the camp, it indicates the army will retreat. If the clouds above the army are dark and low-hanging, forming the shape of a building, then if the army moves, it will certainly suffer defeat. If the clouds above the enemy resemble a person lying down without arms and legs, or like a vehicle turning around in confusion and unable to move, it indicates defeat; or if they resemble a fallen ox, these are all ominous signs of certain defeat.

敵上氣如雙蛇，如飛鳥，如決堤垣，如壞屋，如人相指，如人無頭，如驚鹿相隨逐，如人兩相向，皆為將敗之氣。凡降人氣，如人皆叉手低頭。又云：如人叉手相向。

The clouds above the enemy's position resemble two snakes, flying birds, a breached dike, a collapsed house, people pointing at each other, a headless person, a startled deer chasing one another, and two people facing each other. These are signs of impending defeat. Whenever there is an aura indicating surrender, it appears as people bowing with their hands together and heads lowered. Another interpretation says it appears as people bowing with their hands together facing each other.

白氣如群趨入長營，連繫結百餘里不絕，而徘徊須臾，氣如黑山，以黃雲為緣者，欲降服之象也。敵上氣青而漸黑者，將欲死。雲氣如人頭者，是將軍失兵眾。

White clouds appear as a crowd rushes quickly into a long encampment, continuing for over a hundred li without interruption, then lingering for a while, forming the shape of a black mountain with yellow clouds along the edges, indicating that the enemy is about to surrender. The clouds above the enemy's camp turn from green to dark, signifying that the enemy commander is about to die. Clouds shaped like human heads indicate that the general will lose his troops.

散軍之氣，如燔生草之煙，前雖銳，後必退，得歲月便擊之必勝。黑氣臨營，或聚或散，如鳥將宿，敵人畏我，心意不定，終必逃背，逼之大勝；若在我軍，善須安撫。

The spirit of a disorganized army is like smoke rising from burning grass; although it may appear strong at first, it will certainly retreat later. If we attack at a favorable time and year, we will surely win. Dark clouds cover the enemy camp, gathering and dispersing like birds returning to their nests, indicating that the enemy fears us and is uncertain in their minds, eventually fleeing and abandoning their position. If we press closely, we will achieve a great victory. If this kind of energy appears over our own army, we should properly comfort and stabilize it.

日暈，有氣如死蛇屬暈者，將軍死，兩軍相當，不利先舉。日傍有赤雲如懸鐘，其下有死將。日暈四方均等，為力停；有缺薄徵細，所臨者敗。

The Star of brightness and prestige has a halo around it, with clouds resembling dead snakes connected to the halo, indicating the death of a general; when two armies are facing each other, it is disadvantageous for the side that attacks first. If there is a red cloud resembling a hanging bell beside the Star of brightness and prestige, it indicates the death of a general on the side beneath it. If the halo around the Star of brightness and prestige is even and equal on all four sides, it suggests that both sides are evenly matched. If the halo has a缺口, becomes thin, or the signs are weak, it indicates that the side under the halo will suffer defeat.

日月暈有背氣，所臨者敗。軍上有白虹及蜺屈者，敗。軍上有白虹及蜺入營者，敗。日暈，氣後至，先去者敗。凡日月暈與氣，以先有者為發，以先去者為敗。軍上有日旁虹蛻及犯逆之，戰者敗。日暈有四缺，在外軍盡散敗。

A halo around the sun or moon with a curved, backward arc, known as 'back qi', indicates failure for the area it covers. If there is a white rainbow and a secondary curved rainbow above an army, it signifies defeat. If there is a white rainbow and a secondary rainbow entering the camp, it also indicates defeat. Within the solar halo, if the cloud vapor arrives later but disperses first, the side that disperses first will suffer defeat. In all cases involving solar or lunar halos and cloud vapor, the one that appears first is the initiator, and the one that disperses first is the one that will fail. If there is a rainbow or a nebulous arc near the sun, and it conflicts with and attacks the solar halo, the side engaged in battle will suffer defeat. If the solar halo has four gaps, the army outside the camp will completely scatter and perish.

白氣從城中南北出者，兵不可攻城，不可屠城。

White vapor rises from the city toward the south and north. The side that uses troops cannot attack this city, nor can they destroy it.

中有黑雲如星，名曰軍精，急解圍去者，有突兵出，客敗。城上白氣如旌旗者，勝。若赤界，其兵精銳不可當。赤雲臨城，有大喜慶。黃雲臨城，有大喜慶。青雲從軍城中南北出者，城不可攻。青色如牛頭觸人者，城不可攻。城中有氣出東，其光黃，此天守城，不可伐，伐者死。白氣從中出，青氣從北入及返回還者，軍不得入城。諸攻城圍邑，過旬不雷不雨者，為城有輔，疾去之，勿攻。

Within the clouds surrounding a besieged city, if there are dark clouds shaped like stars, this is called "military spirit," and the besieging force should quickly lift the siege and retreat: there will be a sudden attack from within the city, and the attacking army will surely be defeated. If white clouds appear on the city walls, resembling banners fluttering, the attacking force will win. However, if there is a red border around the white clouds, it indicates that the defending troops are extremely strong and cannot be attacked directly. Red clouds pressing over the city signify great joy within the city; yellow clouds over the city also indicate great joy. If green clouds extend from the city to the south and north, the city should not be attacked. If the clouds are green and resemble a bull's head colliding with people, the city should not be attacked either. If a yellow light rises from the city toward the east, it means heaven is protecting the city; it should not be attacked, and those who attack will die. If white clouds emerge from the city and green clouds invade from the north then retreat, the attacking army cannot enter the city. Whenever a siege is conducted and lasts more than ten days without thunder or rain, it indicates that the city is protected by a divine being, and the besieging force should quickly retreat and not continue the attack.

城壘氣出於外，如火煙者，主人慾出戰，其氣無極者，不可攻。城上氣如雙蛇者，難攻；若前高後卑者，攻之可拔；後高前卑者，不可攻。赤氣如杵形，從城中出向外者，內兵突出，主人勝。城上有雲分為雨彗狀，攻不可得。其城上氣不見於外者，不可攻。有赤氣從城上出者，兵內勝，宜備之。凡攻城，有諸氣從城出，入吾軍上者，敵家氣也，氣繞城不入者，外兵不得入。日暈，有白虹貫日，其城可攻拔。日暈，有青氣從中起四出者，圍中勝。

The qi emanating from the city walls and fortifications spreads outward, appearing like smoke from fire. If it looks like smoke from fire, the commander of the defending forces intends to fight outside the city. If the qi stretches endlessly without end, it is not advisable to attack. If the qi on top of the city resembles two snakes, the city is difficult to capture. If the qi is high in front and low at the back, the city can be captured. If the qi is high at the back and low in front, it is not advisable to attack forcefully. If red qi appears like a wooden mallet and bursts out from the city, the defending troops inside will break out and attack, resulting in victory for the defending side. If clouds on top of the city split into shapes resembling raindrops and comet tails, the city cannot be captured by attack. If the qi remains within the city and does not spread outward, it is not advisable to attack. If red qi rises from the city walls, the defending troops will win, and the attacking side should be cautious. In general, any qi rising from the city and pressing down on the attacking forces indicates the enemy's strength. If the qi circles around the city without entering it, the attacking forces cannot enter the city. If there is a solar halo and a white rainbow passes through the sun, the city can be captured. If there is a solar halo and blue qi rises from the halo spreading in all directions, the besieged forces inside the city will win.

赤氣在城上，黃氣四面繞之，城中大將死，城降。城上赤氣如飛鳥，城可攻，急擊之，則破走。城上有赤氣如破車，城可攻。城上無雲氣，士卒必敗散。城營中有赤氣，狀如狸皮斑及正赤者，並破亡將敗。城上氣如死灰色及上下出者，城可攻。一云，攻城圍邑，其氣如灰氣出而覆其一軍上者，多病，城可屠；氣出復入者，人慾逃背。

A red cloud covers the city walls, with yellow clouds surrounding it on all four sides; the general inside the city will die, and the city will surrender. If the red cloud on top of the city resembles a flying bird, the city can be attacked; attack quickly, and the defending troops will scatter and flee. If the red cloud on the city wall resembles a broken cart, the city can be attacked. If there is no cloud at all on top of the city, the soldiers inside are certainly going to scatter and disperse. If there is a red cloud within the city camps, shaped like the spots on a leopard's skin or entirely red, it indicates the city will fall, people will die, and the defending general will be defeated. If the cloud on top of the city is grayish and moves up and down, the city can be attacked. Another interpretation says: when attacking a city, if the cloud appears like ash, rising up and covering the head of one's own army, that army will suffer from many diseases, while the city can be destroyed; if the cloud rises and then retreats back into the city, the people inside will want to flee and abandon the city.

攻城圍邑，城上氣聚如樓見外者，攻之可得。望城中氣起而正上赤，可屠。城營上有雲如眾人頭赤色，下多流血死喪。攻城圍邑，其上氣色如灰，一雲灰，城可屠。氣出南北，城可克；其氣出復入城中，人慾逃背；其氣出而東，城可攻；其氣出而西，城可降；其氣出而復其軍上者，士多病；其氣出而高無所止，用日久長。有氣從城外者，兵欲盜攻。

When attacking a city, if the aura above the city walls forms the shape of a pavilion and is visible outside the city, the attack can be successful. If from a distance, the aura rising from within the city is clearly visible, and there is a red color directly above, the city can be destroyed. If there are clouds above the city's fortifications resembling many human heads, red in color, there will be heavy casualties and much bloodshed below the city. When attacking a city, if the aura above the city appears like ash (or gray), the city can be destroyed. If the aura rises toward the north and south, the city can be captured. If the aura rises and then retreats back into the city, the people inside will want to flee and abandon the city. If the aura rises and goes east, the city can be captured. If the aura rises and goes west, the city will surrender. If the aura rises and then turns back to cover the attacking army, the soldiers will suffer from many diseases. If the aura rises high and keeps going upward without limit, the battle will last a long time. If there is an aura coming from outside the city, it indicates that the enemy is planning a surprise attack.

攻城，黑雲臨城者，積土固險之象。黑，水之氣，城池之稱。我據城，敵不能為我攻，故不可攻。又曰：審應而無攻，知難而自止，因可用智不敗。有白氣如蛇，來止敵城上者，急攻之，小緩則失；從其城來指我營者，宜急固守。凡攻城，有白氣繞城而入城者，隨所入，急攻之，小緩則失；從其城來指我營者，宜急固守。攻城，若不雨，濛霧，日死，風至，兵勝。日色無光為日死。

When attacking a city, if dark clouds cover the city, this is a sign indicating the enemy is reinforcing the city's defenses. Dark clouds represent the energy of water, which symbolizes the city. The enemy is defending the city, and our forces cannot break through, so such a city should not be attacked forcefully. Another interpretation says: understand the signs and do not act rashly in attack; recognize the difficulties and stop on your own. With this insight and using strategy, you will not fail. If there is white vapor shaped like a long snake that drifts and stops over the enemy's city, you should attack quickly, for any delay will cause you to miss the opportunity. If this vapor comes from the enemy's city and points directly towards our camp, we should immediately strengthen our defense. In general, when attacking a city, if there is white vapor that circles the city and then enters it, attack quickly in the direction it enters the city, for any delay will cause you to miss the opportunity. If the vapor comes from the enemy's city and points directly towards our camp, we should immediately strengthen our defense. When attacking a city, if it does not rain but mist arises, the sun is dim and dark without light, and there is wind, the attacking side will win. When the sun is dark without light, it is called "day death."

雲氣如雄雉臨陣，其下必有降者。濛雲圍城而入城者，外勝得入。有雲如立人五枚，或如三牛，邊城圍。城上有蛟頭白，內降，城可攻；若有屈虹從外入城中，三日內，城可屠。日重暈而有白虹貫日，圍城客勝。

Clouds forming the shape of a male pheasant looking down upon the battlefield indicate that someone within the army will surrender. Clouds that hover faintly around the city and then enter it signify that the attacking forces outside will win and be able to enter the city. If the clouds resemble five standing people or three oxen, the border city will be surrounded. If a dragon shape appears on the city wall with a white-haired dragon head, people inside the city will surrender, and the city can be captured; if there is a curved cloud like a rainbow entering from outside into the city, the city can be destroyed within three days. If there are two layers of solar halo and a white rainbow passes through the sun, the besieging troops will win.

軍上有黑氣，渾渾圓長，赤氣在其中，其下必有伏兵，不可擊。軍當欲戰，或長相守者。望彼軍上白氣粉沸，起如樓狀，其下必有藏兵萬人，不可輕擊。軍行近山林坑谷之間，當善防之，既是伏兵之地，而上有氣者不疑。雲紛紛綿綿相絞，及似蒿草數尺，車騎為伏兵。雲如布席之狀，及似蒿草尺許，此以步卒為伏兵。伏兵之氣，如幢節狀在烏雲中，或如赤杵在烏雲中，或如烏人在赤雲中。

The enemy's army is covered with dark clouds that are thick, round, and long, with red clouds mixed in the middle. There must be troops hidden beneath them; do not attack rashly. When such a situation occurs, the two armies are either about to fight or will be in a prolonged standoff. Looking from a distance, if the enemy's army has white clouds rising like powdered dust, swirling like a building, there must be tens of thousands of hidden troops beneath them; do not attack carelessly. When marching through mountains, forests, and valleys, one should be well prepared, as these are natural places for ambushes. If there are also clouds above, there is no need to doubt. If clouds are swirling and tangled together, resembling several feet high grass, then the ambush is by chariots and cavalry. If the clouds resemble a spread-out mat and a foot high grass, then the ambush is by infantry. The appearance of hidden troops' clouds may resemble banners and standards within dark clouds, or a red wooden mallet within dark clouds, or a black human figure within red clouds.

黑氣出營南，賊逃吾，復有伏兵，謹候察之，有覆之無遺。兩軍相當，赤氣者伏兵之氣。若前有赤氣，前有伏兵；後有赤氣，後有伏兵；左右亦如之。察審則知伏兵所在。軍上有氣烏色中有赤氣，必有伏兵，不可攻；前有烏氣，後有白氣，必有伏兵，不可攻。有雲如山，兵在外，有伏兵。

Black mist emerging from the southern side of the camp indicates that the enemy is about to flee from our forces, and they have also set up ambushes. One must be cautious in reconnaissance; once the situation is clearly understood, the enemy can be completely defeated without any survivors. When two armies are facing each other, red mist signifies the presence of ambush troops. If red mist is seen in front, there are ambushes ahead; if it is seen behind, there are ambushes behind; the same applies to the left and right sides. Careful observation will reveal the location of the ambush. If the enemy's sky appears black with red mist in the middle, there must be ambushes, and an attack should not be made. If black mist is in front and white mist is behind, there are also ambushes, and an attack should not be made. If clouds resemble mountain ranges, it indicates that troops are stationed outside the camp and there are hidden ambushes.

白氣如瓜蔓連結，部隊相逐，須臾罷而復出，至八九而來不斷，急賊卒至，宜防固之。白氣如仙人衣，千萬連結，部隊相逐，罷而復興，如是者，當有千里兵來，所起備之。

White gas resembles gourds' vines, linking together in succession, with one group following another, dispersing briefly only to reappear repeatedly, occurring eight or nine times with an unceasing momentum. This indicates that enemy troops will suddenly attack urgently, and defense should be reinforced. White gas appears like the flowing robes of immortals, with countless threads intertwined, one group chasing another, dispersing and reappearing, indicating that a large army from a thousand miles away will arrive. One should be vigilant and prepare defenses in the direction from which this phenomenon appears.

黑氣敵上，來之我軍上，欲襲我，敵人吉，宜備不宜戰，敵回，從而擊之，必得小勝；天色蒼茫而有此氣，依日支干數，內無風雨，則所發之方必有暴兵。日克時則凶，時剋日自消散。此氣所發之方，當有使人告急，一人來則氣一條，二人來則氣二條，三人來則氣三條；若散滿一方，則有眾來。期至依支干數，數內有風雨則伏。

Black mist appears over the enemy's army and then drifts to our army's head, indicating the enemy intends to attack us. The situation favors the enemy, so we should be on guard rather than engage in battle. When the enemy withdraws, we should follow closely and surely achieve a small victory. If this mist appears during a time of dim and indistinct sky, calculate the time limit according to the day's stem and branch. If there is no rain or wind within this time limit, the direction from which the mist originates will surely experience sudden military disaster. If the day branch overcomes the hour, it indicates misfortune; if the hour overcomes the day branch, the disaster will dissipate on its own. The direction from which this mist comes will have people coming to report urgent news: one person brings one message, two people bring two messages, three people bring three messages; if the mist spreads fully across an area, it means many people are coming together. The timing is calculated according to the stem and branch numbers. If there is rain or wind within this period, the matter will remain hidden and not occur.

壬子日，候四望無雲，獨見赤雲如旌旗，其下有兵起。若遍四方者，天下盡有兵。若四望無雲，獨見黑雲極天，天下兵大起；雲半天，兵半起，名天溝，三日內有雨，災解。敵欲來者，其氣上有雲，下亦有雲，其下敵必至。雲氣如旌旗，賊兵暴起，暴兵起如虎。雲氣行人，必有暴兵；色白而悴者，是暴兵起。氣如人持刀盾，有雲如坐人赤色，所臨城邑有卒兵至，驚怖，須臾去。

On the day of Renzi, observing the heavens, if there is no cloud in all directions but only red clouds shaped like banners, there will be military action below. If these red clouds spread throughout all directions, then military actions will occur everywhere. If there is no cloud in all directions but only black clouds spanning the sky, there will be a large-scale military campaign. If the black clouds occupy only half the sky, then military action will occur only in half the area; this kind of energy is called "heavenly ditch." If it rains within three days, the disaster will be resolved. If an enemy is about to attack, the energy will have clouds above and clouds below; the enemy below the clouds will certainly arrive. If the clouds are shaped like banners, the enemy troops will suddenly attack; sudden military disaster will have a rising energy like a fierce tiger. If the clouds resemble a person walking, there will certainly be an unexpected military disaster; if the energy appears pale and withered, it also indicates sudden military action. If the energy resembles a person holding a knife and shield, and there are clouds resembling a red person sitting, the city covered by this energy will have sudden troops arriving, causing temporary panic, but they will quickly retreat.

赤氣如人持節，兵未息。雲如赤虹，有暴兵。白虹出長盡，有暴兵流血。有雲如人行止不崩，有暴兵。赤雲如火者，所向兵至。天有兵氣狀如疋布、經丑未者，天下多兵，赤者尤甚。有雲如胡人列陣，天下兵起。天有白氣廣六丈、東西氣竟天者，兵起；青者有大喪。白氣如帶道竟天，有暴兵。有雲如疋布竟天，天下兵起。有雲如疋布持捧，兵起民流。有雲如豹四五枚相聚，國兵起。四方清霽，獨有赤雲赫然者，所見之地有兵起。

Red clouds resemble a person holding a symbol of authority, indicating that military affairs have not yet ceased. Clouds resembling red rainbows indicate an unexpected military disaster. A white rainbow appears, stretching almost to the end, indicating sudden military action and bloodshed. If clouds resemble a person walking, stopping, yet not dispersing, there will be sudden military action. Red clouds so red as fire indicate that military forces will move in the direction they point. Heavenly military qi appears like a piece of cloth, stretching across the positions of Chou and Wei, indicating widespread military conflict, especially severe if the color is bright red. If clouds resemble the formation of a barbarian army, military action will arise throughout the land. A white cloud appears wide about six zhang, stretching from east to west across the sky, indicating military affairs; if this cloud is green, there will be great mourning. A white cloud resembling a ribbon stretching across the sky indicates an unexpected military disaster. If clouds resemble a piece of cloth stretching across the sky, military action will arise. If clouds resemble a piece of cloth with a raised center, it indicates military action and the people will flee. If clouds resemble leopards, gathered in groups of four or five, there will be military affairs within the country. If the sky is clear in all directions, but a bright red cloud suddenly appears, there will be military action in the area where the cloud is seen.