#js028

[bookofjin]

Outline of the Treatise on the Five Agents

It’s not entirely random.

The Treatise on the Five Agents in the Jinshu covers in total 3 scrolls, juan 27, 28, 29. The general outline of the JS treatise follows very closely that of the Treatise on the Five Agents in Ban Gu's Hanshu, and in fact much of the introductions have been copied straight from the HS. Because of that I have been able to make use of the analysis of Ban Gu's treatise in B.J. Mansvelt Beck, The Treatises of Later Han to make some rudimentary sense of the JS treatise.

The foundation text of Five Agents divination is the Vast Plan hongfan洪範 chapter of the Book of Documents, said to have been revealed to Yu the Great. You can read Legge's translation of the Vast Plan here:

https://ctext.org/shang-shu/great-plan

The Vast Plan sets out nine prerequisites for good government. Of these, four are relevant to the Five Agents Treatise:

The Five Agents

The Five Affairs

August Perfection

The Numerous Verifications

The Five Agents according to the Vast Plan are Water, Fire, Wood, Metal, Earth. But as will seen below Ban Gu, and hence the JS treats them in a slightly different order: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water.

While the treatise is titled the Five Agents, most space is actually given to the Five Affairs. The Five Affairs are: 1. Countenance, 2. Speech, 3. Sight, 4. Hearing, 5. Thought

These five are then paired with five inward qualities and outward appearances: 1. Reverence and awe, 2. Obedience and orderliness, 3. Clarity and wisdom, 4. Acuity and planning, 5. Intelligence and sageness.

The state of the Five Affairs can be interpreted through the Numerous Verifications. These are 1. Rain, 2. Sunshine, 3. Heat, 4. Cold, 5. Wind, 6. Timeliness.

Sufficient reverence gives timely rain, sufficient obedience gives timely sunshine, and so on.

Conversely, lack of reverence gives constant rain, lack of obedience gives constant sunshine, and so on.

While the HS and JS treat the Five Agents and the Five Affairs separately, Sima Biao pairs them together in his Xu Hanshu like this

1. Wood + Countenance

2. Metal + Speech

3. Fire + Sight

4. Water + Hearing

5. Earth + Thought

The last category of portents, August Perfection, has no obvious connection to the Five Agents.

Based on a relatively quick scan of JS027-029, I've created the following Table of Contents for the JS Treatise on the Five Agents. I leave it as a Topic of Further Study to tabulate which portent sub-categories first appear in the JS, and which are also found in earlier histories.

Scroll 27

General Introduction

Introduction to the Five Agents

Introduction to Wood

Icy trees

Wood snapping

Introduction to Fire

Fires

Introduction to Earth

Failed harvests

Introduction to Metal

Metal behaving unusually (makes sounds, weeps, strange lights etc.)

Introduction to Water

Flooding from great rainstorms and similar

Great floods

Introduction to the Five Affairs

Introduction to Countenance (Reverence and awe, Rain)

Disrespectful behaviour

Numerous verifications of constant rain

Prophetic clothing

Chicken portents

Blue-green omens

Metal unbalancing wood

Scroll 28

Introduction to Speech (Obedience and orderliness, Sunshine)

Disobedient speech

Numerous verifications of constant sunshine (droughts)

Prophetic songs

Visitations of hairy creatures

Dog portents

White aberrations and white omens

Wood unbalancing metal

Introduction to Seeing (Clarity and wisdom, Heat)

Numerous verifications of constant heat

Prophetic grass

Visitations of feathered creatures

Goat portent

Red aberrations and red omens

Scroll 29

Introduction to Hearing (Acuity and planning, Cold)

Numerous verifications of constant cold

Thunderclaps

Prophetic drumming

Fish visitations

Locust creatures

Pig portents

Black aberrations and black omens

Fire unbalancing water

Introduction to Thought (Intelligence and sageness, Wind)

Numerous verifications of constant wind

Prophetic nights

Visitations of naked creatures (worms, caterpillars and similar)

Cow portents

Yellow aberrations and yellow omens

Earth quakes

Mountains collapsing and the earth submerging and splitting

Jia Mi's house sinking into the ground

The ground burning

Introduction to August Perfection

Constant yin

Prophetic shooting

Visitations of dragons and snakes

Horse portents

People portents

#js027 #js028 #js029

[bookofjin]

Drought Portents 2

[The rest of them. Hopefully this and the previous post should help you interpret any droughts in the present age. According to Wikipedia, on average the wettest month in Nanjing is July with 214 mm precipitation and the driest December with 30 mm. From JS028.]

Emperor Yuan's 4th Year of Taixing, 5th Month [12 June – 10 July 321], drought. At that time Wang Dun's usurpation was already evident.

1st Year of Yongchang, Summer [3 May – 29 July 322], a great drought. In that Year's 3rd Month [3 April – 2 May], Wang Dun did the insurrection of Shitou. The two palaces were encroached on [?] and humiliated. The great subjects were executed and put to death. The usurpation transgressed to being without a sovereign. For that reason the drought was particularly considerable.

That Intercalary 11th Month [25 December 322 – 22 January 323], a great drought in the Imperial Capital. The streams and valleys were equally exhausted.

Emperor Ming's 3rd Year of Taining, from Spring [31 January – 28 April 325] it did not rain until the 6th Month [27 June – 26 July].

Emperor Cheng's 1st Year of Xianhe, in Summer and Autumn [18 May – 10 November 326] a drought. At that time Empress Dowager Yu presided over court and took up authority. Telling but not following, and then the punishment of usurping transgressing [?].

2nd Year, Summer [8 May – 3 August 327], drought.

5th Year, 5th Month [3 June – 31 July 330], a great drought.

6th Year, 4th Month [23 May – 21 June 331], a great drought.

8th Year, Autumn, 7th Month [28 July – 26 August 333], drought.

9th Year, from the 4th Month [20 May – 17 June 334], it did not rain until the 8th Month [15 September – 13 October 334].

1st Year of Xiankang, 6th Month [7 July – 5 August 335], drought. At that time Emperor Cheng was inexperienced and young, and did not yet personally do the ten thousand actions. In the government affairs of inside and outside, the generals decided for each other [?]. This was the punishment of usurpation transgressing, drought in continuous years. Arriving at the 4th Year [338 AD], Wang Dao firmly yielded [being] Grand Tutor, restoring his son the enlightened ruler [an expression from the Documents]. After that there was no drought, likely its response. At the time there as Under Heaven widespread drought. In Yuyao in Kuaiji it was especially considerable. A dou of rice was worth 500. People were each other's nourishment [?].

2nd Year, 3rd Month [20 March – 26 April 336], drought.

3rd Year, 6th Month [14 July – 12 August 337], drought. At the time Wang Dao, due to Under Heaven being recently settled, aimed to be honouring and supporting, and did not rely on punishment and penalties. Thereupon robbers and thieves acted publicly, again and again for five years excessive drought. Likewise the response to relaxing the silk ribbon.

Emperor Kang's 1st Year of Jianyuan, 5th Month [9 June – 8 July 343], drought.

Emperor Mu's 1st Year of Yonghe, 5th Month [16 June – 15 July 345], drought. At the time Emperor was clothed in swaddling clothes, Empress Dowager Chu presided over court. Similar to the old affairs of Empress Dowager Mingmu.

5th Year, 7th Month [31 July – 29 August 349], it did not rain until the 10th Month [28 October – 26 November].

6th Year, Summer [23 May – 18 August 350], drought.

8th Year, Summer [1 May – 27 July 352], drought.

9th Year, Spring [20 February – 18 May 353], drought.

3rd Year of Shengping, Winter [7 November 359 – 2 February 360], great drought.

4th Year, Winter [26 October 360 – 20 February 361], great drought.

Emperor Ai's 1st Year of Longhe, Summer [10 May – 6 August 362], drought. At the time Huan Wen was strong and unrestrained, dominating and overpowering the Imperial Court. The punishment of usurpation transgressing.

The Duke of Haixi's 1st Year of Taihe, Summer [26 April – 21 August 366], drought.

4th Year, Winter [16 November 369 – 11 February 370], drought. In Liang province, Spring [24 January – 21 May 369], drought until Summer [22 May – 18 August 369].

Emperor Jianwen's 2nd Year of Xian'an, 10th Month [12 November – 11 December 372], a great drought and starvation. From Yonghe [345 – 356] to this time the succeeding rulers were young and immature. Huan Wen encroached and usurped, employing troops for conquests and attacks. The hundred families were resentful and suffering.

Emperor Xiaowu's 1st Year of Ningkang, 3rd Month [9 April – 7 May 373], drought. At that time Huan Wen entered to pay respect at the Gaoping Mound [the mound of Emperor Jianwen], the whole Imperial Court did obeisance. The response to transgressing usurpation.

3rd Year, Winter [10 November 375 – 6 February 376], drought.

4th Year of Taiyuan, Summer [3 May – 29 July 379], great drought.

8th Year, 6th Month [16 July – 14 August 383], drought.

10th Year, 7th Month [22 August – 20 September 385], drought and starvation. Earlier, in the 8th Year [383 AD] routed Fu Jian, in the 9th Year [384 AD], the various generals annexed the land, there was affairs in Xu and Yu. Uang Laing and Zhao Tong attacked and punished in Ba and Mian. This Year, the 1st Month [27 January – 25 February 385], Xie An again set out to headquarter at Guangling. He sent his son Yan to advance to stay at Pengcheng. Again and again there was military service.

13th Year, 6th Month [20 July – 18 August 388], drought. In the past year [387 AD] the Northern Headquarters dispatched to defend Huling, [from?] Jing province passing through and annexing south of the He [?]. This Year, Summer [22 May - 18 August 388], Guo Quan set up to defend Yewang, and also dispatched the army to rout Huang Huai.

15th Year, 7th Month [28 July – 26 August 390], drought.

17th Year, in Autumn [5 August – 31 October 392], drought lasting until Winter [1 November – 28 January 393]. At that time Liezong [Xiaowu] was humane and forgiving, and trusted and relied on the King of Kuaiji, Daozi. Government affairs were easy and leisurely. Also Ru Qianqiu was Cavalier Consultant, illicitly manipulating the ruler and chancellor to dominate the blessings [?]. Also faction of bhiksuni [Buddhist monks], wet nurses and intimates [?] and the sons of servant girls and slaves attached themselves to intimate acquaintances [?], presiding over the sections and leading the multitudes. Also there were often the sovereign spring examined the prisons [?], not considering their crimes, establishing prosperous prison magistrates, the corrupt tyranny was already considerable. This also was the punishment for usurpation transgressing and not following grievances overflowing.

Emperor An's 2nd Year of Long'an, Winter [27 October 398 – 21 February 399], drought, the cold was considerable.

5th Year, Summer and Autumn [29 April – 21 November 401], great drought.

12th Month [20 January – 17 February 402], it did not rain. At the time Sun En made chaos. Huan Xuan was of two minds [?], and coerced and killed Yin Zhongkan. Then the Imperial Court immediately conferred accordingly the duty of Jing province. Sima Yuanxian also suggested the hundred companions thoroughly make [then?] respect himself [?]. Inside and outside there was disturbance and agitation, troubles of warfare arose. This was the response to everyone's encroaching usurpation, worry and anxiety.

1st Year of Yongxing, 7th Month [15 August – 12 September 402], great starvation.

9th Month and 10th Month [13 October – 10 December], it did not rain, the springs and rivers dried up.

2nd Year, 6th Month [5 July – 3 August 403], it did not rain.

In Winter [November 1 – 27 January 404] also drought. At the time Huan Xuan was extravagant and usurping. In the 12th Month [30 December – 27 January], he thereupon usurped the throne.

3rd Year, 8th Month [20 September – 19 October 404], it did not rain.

4th Year of Yixi, Winter [4 November 408 – 31 January 409], it did not rain.

6th Year, 9th Month [14 October – 12 November 410], it did not rain.

9th Year, Autumn and Winter [13 August 412 – 16 February 413], it did not rain.

10th Year, 9th Month [30 September – 29 October 414], drought.

12th Month [28 December – 25 January 415], also drought. Many of the wells and ditches were exhausted. At that time troubles of army service arose.

#js028

[bookofjin]

Drought Portents 1

[Yang is dry and masculine and an excess of yang leads to drought. Hence droughts are the results of an excess of masculine activities such as warfare or officials usurping authority. From JS028.]

Numerous manifestation of persistent yang, Liu Xiang considers this to be the Spring and Autumn's great droughts. Thus the summer droughts, and sacrifices for rain. The Rites speaks of its great sacrifices for rain. Not wounding twice the grain it speaks of it not raining [?]. Jing Fang's Commentaries to the Changes says:

To desire virtue but not using [it], this is called stretching. Its calamity and desolation is drought. Thus drought is when the yin clouds do not rain, changing then red, because of that the four boundaries. When the host sets out beyond its time this is called broad, thus a drought and it does not grow. When above and below all shelter this is called diverging. Thus a drought and the sky is red [for] three months. At the time there is hail killing the flying birds. When the above [the ruler] hems to seeking a wife this is called usurping. Thus drought for three months and great warmth destroying the clouds. The lord at the lofty towers and offices this is called violating yin and invading yang [?], thus drought and the ten thousand things are eradicated and dies. Several times there are calamities of fire. When numerous ranks exceeds the moderate this is to be usurping, thus drought and the marsh creatures drying out, they are injured by fire.

[The above introduction copied from the HS.]

Emperor Ming of Wei's 2nd Year of Taihe, 5th Month [10 June – 8 July 228], a great drought. In the 1st Year [227], due to response in coming to honour the broad palaces and offices. Also that Spring Emperor Xuan to the south seized Meng Da and set up two commanderies. Zhang He to the west routed Zhuge Liang, and slew Ma Su. Excessive yang from the greatness, also its response.

5th Year of Taihe, 3rd Month [20 April – 18 May 231], from the past Winter, 10th Month [23 November – 22 December 230] to this Month it did not rain. On xinsi [28 April] a great sacrifice for rain.

The King of Qi's 1st Year of Zhengshi, 2nd Month [11 March – 8 April 240], from the past Winter, 12th Month [12 January – 9 February 240] to this Month it did not rain. In the 1st Month of the past year [22 – 20 February 239], Emperor Ming expired. In the 2nd Month [21 February – 21 March 239], Cao Shuang himself inherited the rule, and moved Emperor Xuan to be Grand Tutor. On the outside he displayed respect and reverence, but on the inside he fully desired to make affairs first come from himself [?]. At that time Emperor Xuan's achievements sheltered the Wei court. The response to desiring virtue but not carrying it out.

The Duke of Gaogui district's 3rd Year of Ganlu, 1st Month [10 February – 10 March 258], from the past Autumn [29 July – 24 October 257] to this Month a drought. At this time Emperor Wen besieged Zhuge Dan. The response to the multitudes setting out beyond its time. Earlier in Shouchun, during autumn and summer regular rain drowned the city, and then this drought for the remaining of the year until the city was captured, then a great rain. All considered Dan to have been destroyed by Heaven.

Sun Liang of Wu's 2nd Year of Wufeng [255 AD], a great drought. The hundred families starved. This years troubles of conquest service arose, the army soldiers were resentful and rebellious. This was excessive yang from the greatness, the punishment of labour and service neglecting the multitudes [?]. This service filled the year, for that reason the drought was likewise all year.

Sun Hao's 1st Year of Baoding [266 AD]. In Summer and Autumn [21 May – 14 November], drought. At the time Sun Hao shifted the capital [to] Wuchang. The response to labour and service moving the multitudes.

Emperor Wu's 7th Year of Taishi, 5th Month [and?] Intercalary Month [26 May – 23 July 271], drought. A great sacrifice for rain.

8th Year, 5th Month [13 June – 12 July 272], drought. At that time the Emperor accepted Xun Xu's malefic advise, and stopped Jia Chong [so he] did not return to the western headquarters. And Ren Kai was gradually neglected. The response to above and below all sheltering. Reaching Li Xi, Lu Zhi, Li Yin and others all were in scattered duties, it speaks of nearby virtue not carried out.

9th Year, from the 1st Month [5 February – 5 March 273] a drought, reaching to the 6th Month [2 July – 31 July]. Prayers to the Ancestral Temple, the Altars of Soil and Grain, the mountains and streams. On guiwei [18 July], rain.

10th Year, 4th Month [23 May – 21 June 274], drought. In the past Year's Autumn and Winter [1 August 273 – 24 January 274], gathered and selected the daughters of the ministers and officers, Zhuge Chong and others. This Spring [25 January – 22 April], more than 50 people entered the hall for a simple selection. Also the daughters of captives and lesser generals and magistrates [?], several tens of people. Mothers and children shouted and cried within the palace, the sound was heard from the outside, and made people sorrowful and pained. This was the dangerous accumulating of yin giving birth to yang. The response to the sovereign hemming to seeking a wife.

2nd Year of Xianning, 5th Month [30 May – 28 June 276], drought. A great sacrifice for rain. Arriving at the 6th Month [29 June – 27 July], then timely rain.

2nd Year of Taikang [281] drought, from the past  Winter [9 November 280 – 5 February 281], the drought lasted to this Spring [6 February – 5 May].

3rd Year, 4th Month [25 April – 24 May 282], drought. On yiyou [3 June?]. Decreed the Minister of Works, the King of Qi, You, together with the Master of Writing, Chief Commandant and Intendant of Henan to record examinations of bound prisoners [?], the affair followed rescinding pardons [?].

5th Year, 6th Month [30 June – 29 July 284], drought. In the 1st Month of this year [4 February – 3 March], the sky was in shadows, they loosened and again gathered. Liu Yi sent up a missive which said:

There surely are officials of a pandering faction who are treacherous when thereby serving the Lord [?]. [We] must execute [them] and not pardon [them].

The Emperor did not reply. At that time, Xun Xu and Feng Dan usurped making power and favour. Chaos at court was particularly extensive.

6th Year, 3rd Month [22 April – 20 May 285], drought in the commanderies and states of Qing, Liang#, You and Ji [provinces].

6th Month [19 July – 17 August], drought in Jiyin and Wuling, damaging the wheat/barley [mai麥].

7th Year, Summer [11 May – 6 August 286], great drought in 13 commanderies and states.

8th Year, 4th Month [30 April – 28 May], drought in Ji province.

9th Year, Summer [18 May – 13 August 288], drought in 33 commanderies and states. Drought in Fufeng, Shiping, Jingzhao and Anding, damaging the wheat/barley.

10th Year, 2nd Month [9 March – 7 April 289], drought.

1st Year of Taixi, 2nd Month [26 February – 27 March 290], drought. From the end of Taikang [280 -289] and afterwards, even though proper people filled the court, they were not favoured and relied upon. And yet Jia Chong [d. 282], Xun Xu [d. 289], Yang Jun [d. 291], Feng Dan [d. 286] and others frequently had posts of critical importance. Hence there were no years without drought. [They] desired virtue but did not carry it out, above and below all sheltered. The punishment of the numerous ranks exceeding moderation.

Emperor Hui's 7th Year of Yuankang, 7th Month [5 August – 3 September 297], great drought in Qin and Yong provinces, illness and plague, and starvation in Guanzhong. A hu of hulled grain [cost] 10 000 cash. Because of this the Di and Qiang turned to rebellion. The Inspector of Yong province, Xie Xi achieved defeat. Then starvation and plague came again and again, the Rong and Jin were equally hard-pressed. The Imperial Court was not able to exert itself, the decree heeded buying and selling [to?] each other [?].

That 9th Month [3 October – 1 November], drought in 5 commanderies and states.

1st Year of Yongning, from Summer [24 May – 20 August 301] reaching Autumn [21 August – 16 November 301], drought in Qing, Xu, You and Bing provinces.

12th Month [15 January – 13 February 302] again drought in 12 commanderies and states. Spring that year [26 January – 23 May 301], the Three Kings punished the King of Zhao, Lun. Within 60 days there were several tens of battles. The dead were more than 100 000 people.

Emperor Huai's 3rd Year of Yongjia, 5th Month [24 June – 23 July 309], great drought. In Xiangping county the Liang river's Dan pool was exhausted [?]. The He, Luo, Jiang and Han all could be waded across. That Year's 3rd Month [28 March – 25 April], Sima Yue returned to the Imperial Capital, dispatched troops to enter the palace, gathered the Prefect of the Palace Writers, Miao Bo and others, 9 people, and killed them. Everything the punishment of usurpation and transgression. Also of the various vassals of the Four Regions many in their breasts had no hearts for the Lord. The followers of Liu Yuanhai, Shi Le, Wang Mi and Li Xiong traitorously murdered the hundred families, the flowing blood were completely black-stained [?], also a response to this.

5th Year [311 AD], from the past Winter [8 November 310 – 4 February 311], a drought until this Spring [5 February – 4 May]. In the past year's 11th Month [8 December 310 – 5 January 311], Sima Yue used the acting government to accompany himself, and scolded and dismissed the palace guard, no moderation of lords and subjects.

Emperor Yuan's 1st Year of Jianwu, 6th Month [26 June – 24 July 317], drought in Yang province. In the past year's 12th Month [31 December 316 – 28 January 317], Chunyu Bo unjustly died. This year  there was immediately drought. And in the 1st Year of Taixing, 6th Month [15 July – 12 August], also drought. When Gan Bao say: “After killing Chunyu Bo, drought for 3 years”, it is this. To punish and penalize foolish promotion, the crowd's yin not adhering, then the air of yang prevails, then the punishment of the air of yang prevailing.

#js028

[bookofjin]

Prophetic words gone unheeded

[Also an introduction to a wider group of portents copied straight from Ban Gu’s Hanshu. From JS028. I’m translating 五行 as the “Five Agents” rather than the “Five Elements” ]

The Traditions says:

To tell it and not follow, this is to speak and not govern [?]. He who erroneously usurp, he is punished with persistent yang, he is utmost worried. At the time then there are verses bewitching, at the time then there are scourges of shelled insects, at the time then there are calamities of dogs, at at the time then there are illnesses of the mouth and tongue, at the time then there are white aberrations and white omens. Only wood unbalancing metal.

“To tell it and not follow”, “to follow” is to obey. “This is to speak and not govern”, “to govern” is to rule.

Master Kong says:

The lordly man stays in his room. [If] he sets out and his words are not good, then outside of  a thousand li they disobey him, and furthermore those who are close to him! [?]

The Poetry says:

Like buzzing like the cicada, like boiling like broth.

To speak the high title [with?] orders not obeyed the people's hearts, empty noise confusing and making chaos, then [this is] not being able to rule Within the Seas. The mistake is beyond blunders, for that reason his fault is the blunder of usurpation [?]. To punish and penalize foolish promotion, the crowd's yin not adhering, then the air of yang prevails, for that reason he is punished with steady yang [?]. If drought injures the hundred grains, then there are difficulties with robbers, above and below all grieve, for that reason he is utmost worried.

[If] the lord dries up the yang and is violent and cruel, the subjects fear punishment and clench up their mouths, then an air of hatred and slander issues into songs and rumours. For that reason there are verses bewitching.

The scourge of shelled insects, it is said that the kind of small insects that have shells flying and scattering, are born by the air of yang. In the Spring and Autumn it is zhōng 螽, now they speak of them as huáng 蝗 [both means “locust”], both are of this kind.

In the Changes, Joy [Trigram 8] is the mouth. Dogs uses barking to protect, yet they cannot speak. The air of speech is damaged, for that reason there are calamities of dogs. Some say, in drought years dogs are very mad and dying, and are being strange [?], it is likewise this.

If reaching people, then there is much illness of the mouth and throat with coughing and throat-clearing, for that reason there are illnesses of the mouth and tongue.

Metal is coloured white. For that reason there are white aberrations and white omens.

All say wounds, are illnesses with a metal air. If there are illnesses of a metal air, then wood is unbalancing it. Thus utmost worried, obeys it. Thus happiness is called peaceful serenity.

Liu Xin's Discussing Traditions says if the time then there are the scourge of hairy insects. The explanation uses it as in the western regions of the Heavenly Ornaments, the Triaster lunar lodging [?], there is a Beast [Tiger] Star [?]. For that reason there are hairy insects.

[Everything up to this point copied from the HS.]

At the beginning of the King of Qi of Wei's Jiaping [249 – 253], there were in Dong commandery rumours, stating that a white horse set out from the He to bewitch horses. At night it passed beyond the border of the official shepherds [?] crying and shouting, the multitude horses all obeyed. Next day they saw its tracks, big as [to fill] a hu. It travelled for several li, and returned to enter the He. The King of Chu, Biao, originally was enfeoffed with Baima [lit. “White Horse”]. The Inspector of Yan province, Linghu Yu, considered Biao to be wise and brave. When he heard of these words, he thereupon together with Wang Ling planned to establish him. The affair leaked, Ling and Yu suffered exection, Biao was bestowed death. This was the punishment of telling and not following. The Poetry states:

People's rumours, how is it that it cannot be punished?

[“Sima” literally means “Minister of Horses”]

When Liu Shan of Shu inherited the rank [in 223], Qiao Zhou said:

The Former Ruler's taboo was Bei, its gloss is “Preparing for”. The Later Ruler's taboo is Shan, its gloss is “Confer”. Suppose it says Liu has already prepared, must confer and give the people. It is much like Marquis Mu of Jin and Emperor Ling of Han instructing [their] sons' omens.

Shu in the end fell. This is telling it and not following.

When Liu Bei passed on, Liu Shan was enthroned. He had not yet been buried, and likewise the month had not yet passed. And yet they changed the inaugural to “Establishing Fostering” [Jianxing]. This is telling it and not following. The rites is, that the lord of a state is enthroned for the remainder of the year, and then afterwards changes the inaugural. This is because the hearts of subjects and sons do not endure to have two lords in one year. Now it can be said to be urgent but not knowing the rites or righteousness. Later on they thereupon surrendered.

In the middle of Emperor Ming of Wei's Taihe [227 – 233], Jiang Wei reverted to Shu, losing his mother. The people of Wei made his mother hand write a letter calling out Wei and ordering [him] to turn back. Wei reported the letter and said:

With good fields of a hundred qing, do not plot for a single mu. If only seeing distant aspirations, there nothing to be had in reverting. [?]

Wei passed on and did not escape.

In the 1st Year of Jingchu [237 AD], had the ministers memorialised on the Emperor [Cao Rui] being the Zealous Founder [liezu], he, the Grand Founder [taizu, Cao Cao], and the Exalted Founder [gaozu, Cao Pi] all be not dismantled from the temple [?]. Followed it. But note that in the rules of the Ancestral Temple, the titles of Founder [zu] and Ancestor [zong], all during life the names are not completed to therefore correct their rites [?]. For that reason, even though merits blazons over Heaven and Earth, virtue passing by the Preceding King, there is not be beforehand authority on the decision [?]. This is undoubtedly to tell it and not follow, the mistake considerable [?]. Two years later [in 239 AD], the Palace Chariot quietly drove. Hence in controlling the trifling, government affairs were let loose.

In the time of Sun Xiu of Wu [r. 258 – 264], a man of Wucheng had contracted a wearisome illness. Reaching recovery, when he was able accordingly to make sound and speak, he spoke to one yet heard from another. From the one who was listening to him [?], he did not wake up from the greatness of his voice. From the one hear heard from far off, it was like the person was replying to his words, he did not wake up to the sound of him coming from afar [?]. Departing by the sound of it, turning by [those?] who accompanied him, for a distance exceeding several tens of li. His neighbouring people had a duty to comfort from the outside. For several years it did not return. They therefore took it to have been made to be a duty to yield, fearing accordingly misfortune and happiness [?]. The thing carried they considered to be a demon god, and immediately toppled to take turns bestowing on it. Thus the people likewise did not themselves know by which made it so. The error of words not followed. [I can't make sense of this at all.]

In the time of Wei, they built the Anshi [“Calm Generation”] Hall. Emperor Wu [of Jin] later lived in it. Anshi was Emperor Wu's courtesy name. Emperor Wu always welcomed the crowd of subjects, often discussing peaceful living and regular affairs, not once reaching to pass through the state's distant plans. This was to speak it but not following. He Zeng spoke to his son Zun, saying:

The house of state is without plans for bequeathing it, [he] reaches his own person and that is all. Later the inheritance will be endangered! This will be the grief of [my] sons and grandsons.

From Yongxi [290 AD] and after the royal house gradually became chaotic. By the middle of Yongjia [307 – 313] Under Heaven was in great ruin. When He Sui was killed though without crimes, everything was like Zeng had said.

The King of Zhao, Lun, deposed Emperor Hui to the Jingyongcheng [“Metal Walled Fortress”], and changed the name from Jingchongcheng to the Perpetual Calm [Yong'an] Palace. The Emperor was restored to the throne and Lun was executed.

In Emperor Hui's 1st Year of Yongxing [304 AD], a decree deposed the Heir-Apparent, Tan, to return to be King of Qinghe, and established the King of Chengdu, Ying, as August Brother-Heir, similarly promoted to Palace Attendant, Great Commander-in-Chief, Acting Imperial Chancellor, provided with the Nine Bestowals, and enfeoffed with 20 commanderies, like the old affairs of the King of Wei.

Note that the rites of Zhou transmits that when the state considers the succession it does not consider achievements. For that reason, even with Duke Dan's sagacity, they did not change King Cheng's succession, and by these means the distant cut off covetous desires, perpetuating a single lineage vault. Later generations followed the path, [if they] changed it then there was chaos. Now to plan to violate its actuality [?], the usurpation mishap is already considerably. Moreover [if someone] already is the state's successor, then he ought not to again open his initial fief ground, [or] combine leadership of numerous duties.

This is to tell it and not follow. Advancing and withdrawing is contrary and inconsistent. For that reason when the Emperor had run away and gone past [?], Ying likewise did not in the end. This was his fault in usurping. Later they similarly did not apprehend, and again established Emperor Huai as August Brother-Heir. Huai in the end was refugeed and regicided [?], and did not for long have his throne, also his response. When a decree said: “Altering the ancient and changing the common, no chaos then perish”, this was spoken of.

In Emperor Yuan's 2nd Year of Yongchang [323 AD], the Great General, Wang Dun came down-[river] to occupy Gushu. The hundred families said there moved an insect disease [?], eating a person's great orifice [?!]. After several days it entered the belly. When it entered the belly [you?] died. There was a method to be healed from it, [you] must obtain a white dog's gall bladder and use it as medicine.

From the Huai and the Si it then reached the Imperial Capital. [After] an interval of several days, the hundred families were frightened and agitated. People who entered [?] all themselves said they had already gotten the insect disease. They also said, at the time it began to be outside, [they] must burn with iron to thereby cauterize it. Hence from that [?], those who were burnt and cauterized were seven or eight out of ten.

But white dogs were brutal and costly, arriving at [people] requesting and snatching [them from] each other, their price ten-doubled. Some were themselves saying they were able to do the burning with iron to cauterize [?], were hired to cauterize the hundred families. In a day the managed to do 50 or 60 000, then they tired and afterwards stopped. After four or five days it gradually quieted. The explanation said:

As for the kinds of naked insects and people [?], yet people the rulers [?]. Now it is said that insects eats people, the words originally similar to the kinds of smell, yet injuring and stealing [from] each other [?]. From down and up, to clarify its contrariness.

Surely those which enters the belly, are said to injure because [they are] inside, not because [they are] outside. Dogs have a nature for protecting and guarding, white is the colour of metal. And the gall bladder is used as the master of the martial.

In the revolving of emperors and kings, king and hegemon met at Xu [?, the 11th terrestrial branch, associated with dogs]. The ruler of Xu uses troops, metal is the agent of Jin. Those who burn and heat iron to heal illness, [this] tells surely to leave its kind [?], and come with the combined virtue of fire and metal [?], together to remove the insects' injury.

Note that at the juncture of the Restoration, the Great General originally used belly and heart to accept the trust of Yi and Lü. Yet in the final year of Emperor Yuan, he thereupon attacked the Imperial District. Emperor Ming trusted in closed doors, and also had unusual plans. Thus due to the subordinate disobeying the superior, stomach and heart were rotten on the inside.

When Qian Feng, Shen Chong and others confronted troops from four sides [?], yet they were pushed down by the royal host. For the remainder of the month they were not able to cross the river. The [Commander of] the Palace Gentlemen of the North, Liu Xia, and the Interior Clerk of Huailing, Su Jun led the multitudes of the Huai and Si to accordingly rescue the Imperial Court. For that reason its song said that the head was made in Huai and Si. The soldiers of the Imperial Court using the weak to overpower the strong, criminal people had their heads sent. Hence using white dog gall bladder could be the rescue's result [?].

In the time of the Duke of Haixi [r. 365 – 372], Yu Xi [?,庾晞] within four or five years loved to make dirges, he himself shaking a great bell as he was singing, making left and right equally harmonious. Also when banqueting a gathering he always ordered the artists and performers to do the songs and dances of the people of Xin'an parting them from the words [?], their sound was sorrowful and cutting. At the time people were amazed by it. Later he likewise as a result was defeated.

In the middle of Taiyuan [376 – 396], young boys used pairs of iron to strike at each other in the middle of the ground, naming it the dou family clan. Later Wang Guobao and Wang Xiaobo from within the same family themselves attacked and struck each other.

When Huan Xuan began to change the year to be Daheng [“Great Progression”], afar and near delighted in saying “In two months complete”. For that reason the righteous plan used the Middle Spring to set out. When Xuan usurped the establishment, he again changed the year to be Jianshi [“Establishing the Onset”], using the same as the King of Zhao, Lun. He again changed it to be Yongshi [“Eternal Onset”]. Yongshi again this was the year in which Wang Mang accepted enfeoffment. He first moved Sima Daozi to Ancheng [“Calm Completeness”]. Emperor An yielded the throne, and set out for the Yong'an [“Perpetual Calm”] Palace, enfeoffed as King of Pinggu. The King of Langye, Dewen, became Duke of Shiyang, and also sent to say in the Xunyang Fort. Those who understood all considered it to be telling but not following bewitching the usurpation.

At the beginning of Emperor Wu's [reign, 266 – 290], He Zeng scorned the great officials attending the meals, himself eating privately. His son Shao also went beyond him, but Wang Kai also went beyond Shao. The companions of Wang Kai and Yang Xiu abundantly presented music and beauties, poor and precious were extremely elegant. Arriving at the middle of Yuankang [291 – 299], extravagance and indulgence were completely the custom [?], moving to exalt and surpass each other. The extravagance of Shi Chong [was such] that even when combining Wang and He, he was still the master of the two [?]. When Chong had been executed, Under Heaven was likewise lost and destroyed. The fault of usurping transgressions.

#js028

[bookofjin]

Biography of He Digan

[From JS028. His actually family name would have been Helai]

He Digan was a native of Dai. His family originally was a smaller clan, for generations they were fully loyal. He became a general, and so was praised for impartiality and fairness. Little by little he moved to Great Man of the Northern Section. At the beginning of Dengguo [386 – 395], he and Zhangsun Song were counterparts, he was clear-sighted in listening to investigations, and was loved and respected by people.

Taizu dispatched Digan to deliver 1 000 horses, to agree to marriage with Yao Chang. It happened that Chang died, and Xing was installed, following that he halted Digan and broke off the marriage. Xing's younger brother Ping led a multitude to rob Pingyang. Taizu chastised and pacified him, and seized his generals, Di Bozhi, Tang Xiaofang, and others, more than 30 people.

Middle of Tianci [404 – 409], decreed the Marquis of Beixin, An Tong, to send off Tang Xiaofang to Chang'an. Shelun of the Ruanruan was at peace and close with Xing , and sent 8 000 horses. Just as they crossed the He, Helian Bent Dregs was furious Xing was communicating and on good terms with the state, he therefore rebelled against Xing, and intercepted and detained Shelun's horses. Xing therefore dispatched envoys, requesting to use 1 000 fine steeds to ransom Bozhi, and dispatched Digan to return back. Taizu thought it would make divisions between the two robbers and hence allowed it.

At Chang'an Digan was secluded and shut off, and because of that he rehearsed and recited documents and histories, thoroughly understanding the various classics of the Analects and the Book of Documents. His cultivated deportment and stylish manners had the resemblance of a Ruist.

Earlier, Taizu universally ennobled merited subjects, and Digan, though he was detained by Yao Xing, was bestowed from afar Marquis of Xiangwu, concurrently General of Qin Troops. When Digan arrived, Taizu saw that his words and speech, clothes and dress, were akin to the customs of the Qiang, and considered that he was longing for and practising them. For that reason he was furious with him, and then killed him.

His younger brother Gui likewise was tough, straight, square, and elegant. He and Digan died together.

#ws028

[bookofjin]

Biography of Xun Yi

[From JS039. Sixth son of Xun Yu.]

Xun Yi, courtesy name Jingqian, was a native of Yingchuan. He was the sixth son of Wei's Grand Commandant, Yu [SGZ10]. As an infant he was appreciated by his elder sister's husband, Chen Qun [SGZ22]. He was by nature perfectly filial and in childhood knew fame. He was broadly studied with a widespread reputation, his reasoning and thoughts were thorough and compact. Wei at the time due to his father's merits appointed him Palace Attendant. When Emperor Xuan assisted the government, he saw Yi and was amazed by him, saying “The son of Prefect Lord Xun!” He was selected and designated Cavalier and Attendant Gentleman, and amassed to move to Palace Attendant.

He was Emperor Shao of Wei's lecturer in the classics and was designated Chief Commandant of Cavalry and bestowed the feudal title of Marquis Inside the Passes. He disapproved of Zhong Hui's [SGZ28] Changes as being without reciprocal structure. He also debated with the King of Fufeng, Jun [JS038], on the primacy of benevolence or filial piety, seeing recognition in his generation.

At the time Cao Shuang [SGZ09] monopolized authority. He Yan and others desired to murder the Grand Master of Ceremonies, Fu Gu [SGZ21]. Yi undertook to help and obtained his escape. When the Duke of Gaogui district was established, Yi spoke to Emperor Jing saying: “Now when the Sovereign treads the eastern steps, [his?] way to authority [was] irregular, [we] ought to quickly dispatch envoys to proclaim his power to the four corners and moreover examine the purpose [of those] outside.” Guanqiu Jian [JS028] and Wen Qin as a result did not submit, but raised troops and rebelled. Yi had merit in arranging the punishment of Jian and others, and was advanced in feudal rank to Marquis of Wansui village, with an estate of 400 households.

When Emperor Wen assisted the government, he moved to Master of Writing. When the Emperor summoned Zhuge Dan [SGZ28], he detained Yi for the defence of the headquarters [?]. When Yi's sister's child, Chen Tai [SGZ22] passed on [in 260], Yi replaced Tai as Supervisor and acting [leader] of the Personnel Section. He decline four times and then later accepted the post. Yi inherited Tai's offspring, increasing their virtue and caution [?], arranging and investigating fame and truth [?], manners and customs purified and corrected. In the middle of Xianxi [264 – 265], he moved to Minister of Works and was advanced in feudal rank to Marquis of Jue district.

Yi across the years listened and obeyed ,and filially supported with filial devotion. He left his post due to mourning for his mother, damaging his health to nearly snuffing out his being. Within the seas extolled it. Emperor Wen memorialised, [that they] ought to rely on the Grand Tutor of Han, Hu Guang's mourning of his mother in past affairs, and look after the Minister of Work's fortune and misfortune to guide and follow [?].

When Shu was pacified and it was lifted up to restore the Five Ranks, instructed Yi to settle the rites and ceremonies. Yi sent up to request Yang Hu [JS034], Ren Kai [JS045], Geng Jun, Ying Zhen [SGZ21] and Kong Hao together to edit and change the old texts, and compose and settle the rites of Jin.

At the beginning of Xianxi [264 – 265], he was enfeoffed Marquis of Linhuai. When Emperor Wu trod the eastern steps, he advanced his feudal title to be a Duke, with a revenue estate of 1 800 households. Also a decree said: “Formerly Yu [the Great] instructed the Nine Officials, inscribing and disseminating the Five Teachings, and by means of vastly esteeming the kingly transform, demonstrating to people the path to the rites. We inherited the immense profession, lacklustre in the Great Way, [We] pondered the teachings on the Five Grades, to thereby prosper the Four Seas. The Palace Attendant and Master of Works, Yi, clarifying truly the sincere and honest, pondering in his heart comprehensively the remote, aided brilliantly the Former August, and thereupon has supported Us. He truly has achievements in assisting the instructions and aiding the guidance. [He] ought to take charge of teaching the canons, thereby heightening the harmony of the times. Thus use Yi as Minister over the Masses.”

He was concurrently made use of as Palace Attendant, then moved to Grand Commandant and Commander-in-Chief of All Army Affairs in City Outside the Serrated Gates, setting up a Marshal and 100 personal troops.

Soon after, again a decree said: “The Palace Attendant and Grand Commandant Yi, mild, respectful, loyal and true, when it comes to acting is pure and perfect, broad in the ancient and penetrative in knowledge, unscathed from ageing and greying [?]. Thus use and honour him [?] as Acting Grand Tutor to the Heir-Apparent, Palace Attendant and Grand Commandant as before.”

At the time due to the Just Potency and Great Contentment odes and hymns not being combined, instructed Yi to settle the music. The matter was unfinished, when in the 10th Year of Taishi [274 AD] he passed away. The Emperor grieved, the August Heir-Apparent presided over the mourning, the Two Palaces gave funeral gifts, his rites and salary were increased.

A decree said: “The Palace Attendant, Grand Commandant and Acting Grand Tutor to the Heir-Apparent, the Duke of Linhuai, Yi, was pure, simple and embodied the Way, he loyally allowed to establish the court, successively was minister inside and outside, his thick achievements already esteemed, he taught and tutored the Eastern Palace, admirably planned the wast display. It can be said he acted to return to the Zhou. He had the beginning and he had the end. Unfortunately he has passed away and died, We are very anguished for him. Thus bestow a mild and clear private receptacle, court dress for a single arrangement, clothes clothes for a single inheritor [?]. Posthumously title him Prosperous [kang].”

Also [a?] decree said: “The Grand Commandant did not care for his private gates, his residence is without buildings and houses, the purpose of plain silk, not yet fully displayed [?]. Thus bestow on his house 2 000 000 cash, to cause the erection of a dwelling home.”

At the beginning of Xianning [275 – 280], decreed to debate the sequence of meritorious subjects, wanting them to be coadjutors for banquets in the ancestral temple. Memorialised by the ministers that for Yi and others, 20 people, their merits to be inscribed by the Grand Master of Ceremonies and coadjutor banquets in the pure temple.

Yi clarified the Three Rites and knew the great ceremonies of the imperial court, and yet he was without commitment to the fundamental and straight, only pandering ideas cautiously uniting between Xun Xu [JS039] and Jia Chong [JS040] [?]. Earlier, when the August Heir-Apparent wanted to accept a Consort, Yi sent up words that Jia Chong's daughter bearing and potency were pure and thick, and could thereby take part in the selection. Due to this he suffered ridicule in his generation.

Since Yi was without sons, used his grandnephew [?, congsun 從孫] Hui to inherit. At the beginning of the Restoration, used Yi's elder brother's great grandson Xu¤ as Yi's descendant, enfeoffed as Duke of Linhuai. When Xu¤ passed on he was again cut off. Emperor Xiaowu again enfeoffed Xu¤'s son Heng to continue Yi's lineage. When Heng passed on, his son Longfu [?] inherited. When Song accepted the abdication, the state was eliminated.

#js039