Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 89, Section 88: The Hexagram of Heaven and Earth
Qin Shi didn't think this was a problem at all.

She looked at the Grand Historian with great interest, while Yuan Xin demonstrated in the same way: "Divide heaven and earth to take one person, this is dividing two and hanging one."

"Next, we'll play the four-of-a-kind."

The so-called "divination by four" means dividing the four stalks of yarrow on the left and right sides into a group, and the remainder is the remainder. Adding it to the stalk representing "person" gives "one change".

Take out the remainder and set it aside. Then, hang one and count four again. Repeat this process three times to obtain a single line.

Skillful!

The Grand Astrologer laughed and said, "I consulted the oracle about Your Majesty's marriage, and the result was 'nine'. What do you think, Minister Qin?"

Qin Shi lowered his head and recalculated: "I get six."

The Grand Astrologer stroked his beard: "Nine is the number of old Yang, six is ​​the number of old Yin... Interesting, interesting!"

He calmed himself down and said, "Again."

After repeating this process eighteen times, the two announced the number they had obtained, and both fell silent.

The Grand Historian obtained the number six and nine, which marked the beginning of the extreme of Yang, corresponding to the Qian hexagram.

But when the extreme of yang turns to yin, and the heavens of Qian turn to Kun, it becomes the Kun hexagram.

During the Qin Dynasty, the number six was obtained, which was the beginning of Yin and the Kun hexagram.

Yin transforms into Yang, and Kun transforms into Qian, forming the Qian hexagram.

Qin Shi couldn't understand the number, but six times it was the same number, wasn't that a bit extreme?
Fearing that the divination might be unfavorable and further upset Ji Heng's sensitive heart, she took the initiative to ask, "Grand Historian, why is it necessary to use fifty yarrow stalks for divination, and why is one 'not used'?"

The Grand Astrologer, who was deep in thought about interpreting the divination, paused briefly upon hearing this and then said:
The Hetu (River Diagram) states: "One, two, three, four, and five are the Qi of Heaven, hence they are called the numbers of creation. Six, seven, eight, nine, and ten are the Qi of Heaven that gives birth to all things, hence they are Yin, and are the numbers of completion."

"Five resides in the center, representing the convergence of the energies of heaven and earth. Therefore, five is the generating number of earth, and ten is the completing number of five."

The Book of Documents also says: "Heaven gives birth to water, and earth completes it with six; earth gives birth to fire, and heaven completes it with seven; heaven gives birth to wood, and earth completes it with eight; earth gives birth to metal, and heaven completes it with nine; heaven gives birth to earth, and earth completes it with ten."

The Book of Changes explains: Five is Yang, ten is Yin, and when they come together, they represent the changes of heaven and earth.

"The use of yarrow stalks to ask for divination is because the human energy and the heavens interact, and the result is a hint from heaven, hence the number fifty."

Qin Shi listened patiently, and although she still didn't fully understand, it didn't stop her from taking notes.

The Grand Astrologer had already completed the divination. Seeing her furrow her brow, and then glancing unusually at the King of Qin, who ignored the two of them on the high platform, the old man shook his head.

"As for the 'one that is not used,' the 'one' is Taiji, which gives rise to Yin and Yang, the Four Symbols, and all things."

The Book of Changes states: "The Way of Heaven is fifty, Heaven evolves forty-nine, and one is withdrawn. The withdrawal of one signifies the change of Heaven and Earth, implying that human power may be able to overcome Heaven."

He slowly gathered the yarrow stalks, his lively little old man persona also becoming still, and then, meaningfully:

"The King once said that he was in grave danger during his western tour, but was helped by Qin Qing. Therefore, he used [one] to break [the constellation of Mars guarding the heart], and the fate of Heaven was changed."

Then, holding up the hexagram numbers on the silk scroll, he solemnly bowed to the high-ranking official and said, "Your Majesty, this old minister has interpreted the hexagram."

The two chattered on and on, and Ji Heng had actually heard everything, but at this moment, he still solemnly put down his pen: "What is the explanation?"

The Grand Historian said, "Heaven turns to Earth, congratulations Your Majesty."

The Kun hexagram says: "Original, successful. It is advantageous to be steadfast like a mare."

"How great is the Kun (Earth)! All things are born from it, thus following the will of Heaven. The Kun is thick and carries all things, its virtue is boundless. It is all-encompassing and radiant, and all things prosper."

Qin Jun kept a straight face and pretended not to know that the Queen was himself.

The Grand Historian is too good at praising; this passage is taken verbatim from the "Tuan" commentary, and the praise is unabashed.

Meaning—

The majestic earth nurtures all things, obeying the laws of nature. The fertile soil sustains all life; the earth's virtues are immeasurably beautiful. Rich in content and boundless in its expanse, all things thrive...

But that wasn't all. The old man continued with some praise from classical Chinese texts. Qin Shi listened with a stiff upper lip, and gradually, he even became more thick-skinned and quite at ease.

He proclaimed, "My Queen of Qin is gentle and benevolent, patient and tolerant, like Mother Earth who nurtures all people and all life. The foundation of the nation lies entirely in her heart."

"With this noble person by your side, Your Majesty can be spared the worry of being too strong. Yin and Yang complement each other, and gentleness leads to success, which will benefit our Great Qin for thousands of years."

Qin Shi: ...Hmm. Ji Heng looked delighted, clearly very satisfied.

If it weren't for Qin Shi's still clueless expression, they probably would have praised him in court.

Then he asked, "Qin Qing asked me what the future holds for the Great Qin?"

Qin Shi breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "The Kun hexagram turning into Qian signifies ambition, vigor, and pure Yang, which is an excellent omen."

If things weren't good, the Grand Astrologer wouldn't be so beaming with joy.

Sure enough, the other party had already begun interpreting the divination again:
"Your Majesty, this divination concerns matters of family and state. The original Kun hexagram signifies inheriting the ancestral legacy, representing the yielding and compliant nature of the earth. However, when it turns to Qian, all things and methods require innovation."

He cupped his hands in greeting: "I dare not speak rashly about matters of state. However, according to the divination, Your Majesty should break free from constraints and make bold and decisive decisions."

Now, an auspicious hexagram has been obtained, indicating that the time is ripe to ride the six dragons and rule the heavens; clouds will move and rain will fall, bringing peace to the world.

No wonder he was equally delighted.

The king was also well-versed in the Book of Changes, so he no longer needed to interpret the original hexagrams of Qian and Kun in detail. At this moment, he spoke steadily according to the hexagram in his mind.

But after interpreting the divination, Yuan Xin looked at Qin Qing beside her, who was also happy, and felt a sense of unease and confusion.
Given the king's original temperament, the entire Qin state was inherently ambitious, but also prone to being overly rigid and easily broken.

He had previously calculated the celestial phenomena and found that the vigorous and pure yang energy had reached its extreme, which was extremely dangerous for the country and for the king himself.

However, in his limited view, if Yin and Yang were to shift, for long-term development to take place, the heavens should turn to the earth, and actions should be inclusive to ensure domestic stability.

Why did Qin Qing's divination still yield the Qian hexagram?
Having conquered all six kingdoms, where else can we strive for further expansion?
Above the higher ranks, Ji Heng also maintained a solemn expression:
"I desire to conquer the Baiyue. Is this not in accordance with the will of Heaven and Earth?"

thump!
Before the agile, elderly Grand Historian could even stand up, he simply bowed deeply once more: "Your Majesty!"

The southern campaign against the Baiyue tribes was exhausting and costly, especially since the Baiyue were divided into several tribes, including the Eastern Yue, Min Yue, Southern Yue, Western Ou, and Luo Yue, making the battle lines extremely long!
The soldiers are not accustomed to the local climate and water. It would be unwise for us to attack rashly, Your Majesty!

But he only dared to say these words in his heart.

At this moment, he could only say solemnly, "Your Majesty, since divination using yarrow stalks is used to consult the heavens and the earth, this old minister should bathe, change clothes, burn incense, and calm his mind."

"Only in this way can an accurate divination be obtained."

"How about Your Majesty and I pray for forty-nine days, then I will ask Heaven and Earth on your behalf?"

Qin Shi was still reeling from the shock of defeating the Baiyue, and was speechless.

Because she didn't shower, the divination is inaccurate?

Are the predictions about the queen still accurate?
Ji Heng chuckled, "The Grand Astrologer has served three dynasties, how come he's become more and more timid?"

"What is the purpose of bathing and burning incense? To consult the oracle of Heaven and Earth; sincerity is all that is needed."

"If you're not sincere, then just do what Jiang Taigong did and use divination sticks and tortoise shells!"

Qin Shi couldn't help but want to laugh again—

They consulted the yarrow stalks for divination, asking both questions, but the result still predicted great misfortune for King Wu's conquest of Zhou! Jiang Taigong then pushed the yarrow stalks aside, crushing the tortoise shell, and said: "Withered bones and dead grass, how can you know of misfortune?"

However, the first written record of this event was found in the book "Lunheng" from the Eastern Han Dynasty.

Unexpectedly, although it has not been written into a book, it has a story behind it, which is why the King of Qin used it.

Thinking again about Ji Heng's emphasis on "sincerity," Qin Shi silently kept it in mind.

Last night I learned a little about yarrow stalk divination. I tried it myself and got six old yangs, but I don't understand the I Ching, so I just interpreted it randomly.

The plot here is unavoidable, so this divination is something I made up myself! 【!!! Important!!!】

If any professionals are interested, please feel free to correct me, but I can't discern what constitutes professional expertise, so I'll just use it as is for now. Just enjoy it for fun, don't take it too seriously.

Divide the fourth [she2]

[This chapter is a summary I compiled myself after researching, and unsurprisingly, it took me another afternoon to write!!! It's a bit convoluted, but not profound. We often read novels, so we should all be able to understand it. Every plot point is useful, so it's unavoidable. You can read it a couple of times to pass the time.]

This chapter contains a lot of quoted material, so it's a bit longer than usual, but it's still within the word limit, so don't worry about the extra charge.

Thank you all for your patience!

Exhausted from mental exertion, starving and desperately seeking monthly votes...