Exploring the Accuracy of Divination: Insights into Destiny and Time
During the reign of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, there was a man named Li Chunfeng who was highly skilled in astronomy and calendars, with the ability to accurately predict fortunes and misfortunes. He served as the Grand Historian. In the first year of Emperor Suzong's reign, a relative of his named Li Zhiwei, who excelled in astrology, made remarkably precise predictions. Whenever he performed fortune readings or cast hexagrams, he would detail events down to the exact date and time, never faltering. Old Li lived in the western market of Chang'an.
There was a man named Liu who had come to Chang'an seeking an official position but had been unsuccessful for several years. This year, he managed to gain some influence in the Ministry of Personnel and believed his success was imminent. Hearing about Old Li's highly accurate predictions, he visited the western market to seek him out. Old Li cast a hexagram and smiled, saying, “This year you will not succeed, but next year success will come to you unbidden.” Liu was skeptical, and when the Ministry of Personnel announced the list of successful candidates, his name was indeed absent. The following year, he returned to the capital for the Ministry's examination, recalling Old Li's words. Although he avoided seeking any connections, he was still uncertain and went back to consult Old Li again. Old Li reassured him, “I told you last year that you will definitely become an official, so do not worry.” Liu asked, “If I become an official, where will it be?” Old Li replied, “You will be appointed in the Daliang region. After you obtain the position, return to see me; I have more to tell you.” When the Ministry of Personnel announced the results, Liu was indeed appointed as the county sheriff of Kaifeng. Overjoyed, Liu revered Old Li as a deity and went to see him again. Old Li advised, “When you become an official, do not be overly frugal; feel free to amass wealth. It will not harm you. Once your term is up, you can request a transfer back to the capital, and I will reassess your future.”
Liu remembered Old Li's words and served as the county sheriff in Kaifeng. Originating from an official family, he quickly earned the governor's favor. Following Old Li's guidance, he freely accumulated wealth without reservation, endearing himself to officials at all levels. By the end of his term, he had accrued millions, so he approached the inspector and requested a position to escort taxes to the capital. Upon arriving in Chang'an, he visited Old Li once more. Old Li said, “Within three days, you will receive a transfer.” Skeptical, Liu listened as Old Li insisted, “It will certainly occur; the transfer will be to the district you desire. Once it's completed, come back and see me.” Though half-convinced, Liu complied. The next day, as he delivered the taxes to the warehouse, he witnessed a vibrant, five-colored bird land on the roof, its brilliance attracting a cacophony of other birds. Liu exclaimed, “How strange! How strange!” This commotion drew the palace officials and attendants, who came to witness the spectacle. Someone recognized it and proclaimed, “That is a phoenix!” With that, the five-colored bird promptly flew away, and the other birds gradually dispersed.
The Emperor, informed of the event, saw it as a positive omen and decreed, “Whoever first saw the phoenix shall be promoted by one rank.” As it was Liu who spotted the bird, he was promoted to deputy county magistrate of Kaifeng. Indeed, within three days, he was transferred to that district. Admirative, Liu returned to seek Old Li's counsel on governing. Old Li simply advised, “Continue just as you have.” Liu, upon taking office, continued indulging in greed, amassing wealth once again. When his term ended, he returned to the capital to await further orders and visited Old Li again. Old Li warned, “This time you will receive a proper official position. Do not take things lightly. Be cautious! Be cautious!” Liu was appointed county magistrate of Shouchun.
However, his habits of indulgence were hard to break. Shortly after taking office, he reverted to his old ways, ignoring Old Li's caution, only to soon be dismissed and pursued for embezzlement by higher authorities. Confused, he asked Old Li, “Before, I was told to take more, now I'm warned against it. Both have happened; why the discrepancy?” Old Li explained, “In your past life, you were a wealthy merchant with assets worth two million, who died in Bianzhou, leaving your wealth scattered among the people. Your official roles were meant for reclaiming your old possessions, not frivolous gain, hence no prior consequence. The people of Shouchun owe you nothing; there's nothing more to demand here. Insisting on taking more led to your downfall.” Deeply moved, Liu departed with shame and regret.
Predicting fortunes is not mere superstition; it has roots in antiquity. A person’s fate is predetermined, and those skilled in the I Ching and the Eight Trigrams can foresee it. Fortune-telling exists to remind individuals to live harmoniously with nature. The events we encounter, whether good or bad, are interconnected; they do not occur without cause. To ensure a prosperous future, one should engage in good deeds and accumulate virtue today while refraining from evil.
In reality, fortune-telling is a Taoist practice based on palmistry, facial features, and birth date, yet it has its limitations. The ability to perceive an individual’s past and future, and even societal developments, is a unique skill known as “fate perception.” Many historical figures documented societal rise and fall in prophetic texts, such as Zhuge Liang's "Ma Qian Ke" from the Three Kingdoms period, Shao Yong's "Meihua Shi" from the Song Dynasty, Liu Bowen's "Shaobing Ge" from the Ming Dynasty, and the prophetic poems of enlightened monks and Taoists. These texts have accurately forecasted significant events in subsequent dynasties.