Oracle of Guanyin, No. 16: [Ye Mengxiong Paying Homage to the Emperor]
Version One of the Oracle Poem
Frown and worry will soon be lifted, a small distance away, clouds will part and the sun will appear. Like a piece of jade hidden in mud, a skilled craftsman will lift it from the dust and make it shine.
Version Two of the Oracle Poem
Worry and thoughts will soon be lifted, joy will come from the sky. Like a treasure hidden in filth, a skilled person will recommend it and bring it out of the dust.
[Fate] Middle to High Fortune [Palace Position] Chou Palace
[Oracle Words] This is an image of harmony between Yin and Yang, and all endeavors are auspicious.
[Explanation] No loss at the gain, benefit in the loss, evil people face misfortune, virtuous people find good fortune.
[Divine Insight] This oracle indicates that home and family are not favorable, but personal fortune is good in autumn and winter. Wealth and transactions will succeed, marriage will be successful. There will be false alarm about pregnancy, travelers will arrive, farming and livestock will be fine, missing persons will be found, litigation will be unfavorable, moving will remain unchanged, lost items will be blocked, illness will be resolved through prayer, and graves will be safe.
[Interpretation] Cast aside sorrow and stop frowning, your fate will turn for the better, like clouds parting to reveal the sun. Just as a piece of jade hidden in mud, when a skilled artisan discovers it and lifts it from the dirt, it will be free of dust. There is no falsehood in the gain, benefit in the loss, and virtuous people will find good fortune. This oracle is like jade in the mud; anything encountered with a benefactor will be auspicious. The jade in the mud is a symbol. When you remove the mud, you can achieve good fortune. This means that the time has come. When the clouds before your eyes are parted, the sun will appear. This is the sign of gaining without falsehood, benefiting from loss, and virtuous people finding good fortune. This oracle implies "truthful words are unpleasant." It suggests that the person should remember the source of their blessings. Throughout life, we have people around us who care for us—parents, teachers, friends, etc. They may speak bluntly and honestly, but one must understand that "truthful words are unpleasant," for their intention is to help us act uprightly and firmly, avoiding improper behavior. Always maintain a grateful heart, cherish and repay kindness, and take time to understand. Do not ignore or take it for granted, lest one day the caring person disappears, and only then does one realize their sincere words, leading to regret and sorrow.
[Historical Story] Ye Mengxiong was a Jinshi (highest degree) during the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty. He was brave, loyal, and patriotic. During the Wanli period, he was entrusted with a mission to quell disturbances on the border, which had caused social unrest. However, no one dared to go. Ye Mengxiong was very angry and personally went to court to request permission to lead an army to fight, offering his service to the country. "The Legend of the Dragon Sword" (Summary of Operas).
[Detailed Explanation]
Commentary by Qingliang Yue
Regarding All Matters
This oracle signifies that confusion can be resolved. With the help of a benefactor (expert), you will finally find your treasure.
Love and Marriage
If asking when love will come
The days of frowning and worrying will soon pass, and a matchmaker will find you a good partner, allowing you to smile again.
If asking whether the person you admire can be pursued
You have fallen for him, perhaps unsure how to approach him or if he is suitable. If you pursue him with a virtuous attitude, getting close to him, you will find that he is a great partner.
If asking whether a current relationship can progress or lead to marriage
You have been dating for some time, and your interactions have been respectful. In fact, he is a loyal partner, worthy of marriage.
If love or marriage is in trouble and you ask for reconciliation or restoration
The difficulties in the relationship have left you frowning. Perhaps there was a misunderstanding. If you recognize his good qualities and overlook his flaws, your love can be restored.
Work, Job Hunting, Entrepreneurship, and Career
If asking about job hunting
You cannot find work because of a small obstacle. Once this obstacle is removed, your job search will be smooth. You have hidden skills or strengths that need someone with discernment to appreciate them. Therefore, showcasing your strengths during job hunting can help you find work.
If asking about work, career, or entrepreneurship prospects
During business operations, you may face a bottleneck that makes you frown. You need to display your strengths or have someone who recognizes your abilities. If so, you can overcome the bottleneck in your career.
Exams, Competitions, Promotion, and Election
In competition, those who use underhanded methods will lose, while those who compete fairly will stand out.
Investment and Finance
If investing or managing finances, do so through proper means rather than speculation, to avoid losses.
Business and Trade
If running a business, maintaining good credit will help accumulate more customers.
Real Estate Transactions
Honest dealings are essential for successful transactions.
Health and Illness
For long-term illnesses, it is essential to find the root cause to effectively improve the condition. Please practice more, discover "ignorance," and if you become aware of ignorance, the illness can be improved or cured.
Change and Transition
When facing a bottleneck, do not rush to change. You need someone with insight to recognize you. If so, no change is needed.
Pregnancy and Children
Your fertility is not an issue, but you need more knowledge about reproduction to successfully conceive. You may also need someone experienced to help identify the causes of infertility.
Lawsuits and Legal Matters
This case requires a quality lawyer to clear your name or secure justice. This case involves a villain who will face defeat, while a virtuous party will find resolution.
Searching for Missing Persons or Lost Items
The lost item is hidden well. To find it, you need someone with insight.
Travel and Overseas
If you want to develop abroad, you may encounter some difficulties, but these obstacles can be resolved. Whether you can achieve success abroad depends on meeting someone with insight who can help you rise.
Story of the Oracle Poem One
◇ Ye Mengxiong Paying Homage to the Emperor
Ye Mengxiong (1531–1597), courtesy name Nanzhao, style name Longtang, later changed to Longtan, also known as Huayun. A person from Wanshi坊 in Hui Prefecture (now part of Hui Cheng District, Huizhou City), during the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty, he passed the imperial examination and became the magistrate of Fuching. He served as a chief officer in the Ministry of Revenue and later as a监察御史 (Censor) in the Shanxi Circuit.
In the twentieth year of the Wanli era (1592), the general Bo Bai of Ningxia killed the governor Dang Xin and captured forty-seven fortresses along the river. The Minister of War Wei Xuezeng failed to capture Ningxia, and Ye Mengxiong took over the command, fought bravely, and captured the city. Bo Bai committed suicide. Ye Mengxiong did not boast about his achievements, instead giving credit to Wei Xuezeng and other brave generals. This allowed Wei Xuezeng to regain his position. In his later years, he requested retirement five times and returned to Hui Zhou to build the Hui Long Temple.
Story of the Oracle Poem Two
◇ Emperor Shenzong Restores Hai Rui
Hai Rui, a person from Qiongshan during the Ming Dynasty, courtesy name Ruxian, style name Gangfeng, held the position of Right Censor-in-chief in Nanjing. His academic studies and governance were based on integrity.
He studied poetry and classics from a young age, was knowledgeable and talented, and passed the imperial examination in the 28th year of Jiajing (1550). He first served as a teacher in Nanping, Fujian, later as a county magistrate in Chunan, Zhejiang, and Xingguo, Jiangxi, promoting land survey and tax reform, and repeatedly resolving wrongful cases, fighting against corrupt officials, and earning the people's support.
In the 45th year of Jiajing (1566), he served as a chief officer in the Ministry of Revenue's Yunnan Office, submitting a memorial criticizing the emperor's superstition, luxurious lifestyle, and neglect of state affairs, which led to his imprisonment. After the emperor's death, he was released. In the third year of Longqing (1569), he was promoted to Right Assistant Censor, continuing to punish corrupt officials and suppress powerful families, dredging rivers and building water conservancy projects, and enforcing the "Single Whip" system, forcing corrupt officials to return farmland to the people, earning him the title of "Hai Qingtian." Later, he was marginalized and dismissed, spending 16 years in retirement.
In the 13th year of Wanli (1585), he was reappointed, serving successively as Right Deputy Minister of Personnel in Nanjing and Right Assistant Censor-in-Chief in Nanjing, insisting on severely punishing corrupt officials and prohibiting private bribes.
(This story symbolizes: "A clean official rises, villains fall, corrupt officials are powerless, and virtuous people find good fortune.")
Master's Interpretation Case:
Case One:
Question: Illness
Description:
How to interpret the 16th oracle of Guanyin, asking about illness
[16th Middle Fortune] Ancient saying: Ye Mengxiong paying homage to the emperor [Poem says]: Worry and thoughts will soon be opened, joy comes from the sky. Like a treasure hidden in filth, a skilled craftsman lifts it from the dust. [Explanation]: No loss at the gain, benefit in the loss, evil people face misfortune, virtuous people find good fortune. This is the image of harmony between Yin and Yang, and all endeavors are auspicious. This oracle indicates that home and family are not favorable, but personal fortune is good in autumn and winter. Wealth and transactions will succeed, marriage will be successful. False alarm about pregnancy, travelers will arrive, farming and livestock will be fine, missing persons will be found, litigation will be unfavorable, moving will remain unchanged, lost items will be blocked, illness will be resolved through prayer, and graves will be safe.
Master's Interpretation: Worry and thoughts will soon be lifted, a small distance away, clouds will part and the sun will appear.
Like a piece of jade hidden in mud, a skilled craftsman will lift it from the dust.
(Four-line interpretation: Cast aside sorrow and stop frowning, your fate will turn for the better, like clouds parting to reveal the sun. Just as a piece of jade hidden in mud, when a skilled artisan discovers it and lifts it from the dirt, it will be free of dust.)
No falsehood in the gain, benefit in the loss, and virtuous people find good fortune. This oracle is like jade in the mud; anything encountered with a benefactor will be auspicious.
The oracle says: Like jade in the mud, like obtaining a skilled benefactor. When the opportunity arises, escaping the mud brings good fortune. This means that the current situation is just right. When the clouds before your eyes are cleared, the sun appears. This is the sign of gaining without falsehood, benefiting from loss, and virtuous people finding good fortune.
Transactions – successful marriage – successful wealth – good in winter self – good in autumn and winter home – unstable livestock – fine farming – prayer for prosperity missing persons – found travelers – arrival pregnancy – false alarm graves – safe litigation – unfavorable illness – prayer lost items – blocked move – stay put
Explanation: This oracle implies "truthful words are unpleasant." It suggests that the person should remember the source of their blessings. From childhood, we have people around us who care for us—parents, teachers, friends, etc. They may speak bluntly and honestly, but one must know that "truthful words are unpleasant," for their intention is to help us act uprightly and firmly, avoiding improper behavior. Always maintain a grateful heart, cherish and repay kindness, and take time to understand. Do not ignore or take it for granted, lest one day the caring person disappears, and only then does one realize their sincere words, leading to regret and sorrow.
The problem is not serious. The oracle text exudes a sense of happiness, and according to the situation, the illness will recover quickly.
Case Two:
Question: Love and marriage
Description:
Please help me interpret the 16th oracle of Guanyin.
Meaning of the oracle: Worry and thoughts will soon be opened, joy comes from the sky. Like a treasure hidden in filth, a skilled craftsman lifts it from the dust. Mainly asking about love, I just broke up with my girlfriend and went to pray to the gods. Does this oracle mean my girlfriend will come back to me or a new girlfriend will appear? Thank you.
Interpretation: Worry and thoughts will soon be lifted, a small distance away, clouds will part and the sun will appear. Frowning and worrying, this knot will soon be lifted. It is because you are blinded by the current situation, thus unable to see the truth. Like clouds covering the sun, once the clouds are cleared, even if only a small gap, sunlight will shine brightly. You need to clear the illusion and see the essence to solve the problem. Like a treasure hidden in filth, a skilled craftsman lifts it from the dust.
A treasure buried in filth, but generally, people do not recognize it, mistaking it for filth. How sad! Only those with wisdom and ability can recognize the treasure and extract it from the filth, washing it clean to reveal its preciousness and brightness. The meaning of the oracle is like this. Based on your actual situation, think carefully. It seems your girlfriend is still good. Even if there are problems, you also have the responsibility to educate and guide her. Isn't that "a skilled craftsman lifting it from the dust"? First, you need to do your part well.
Case Three:
I had an argument with my boyfriend, and I wanted to break up. I decided to draw the oracle before making a decision, and I got the 16th oracle. I don't know what it means. I hope someone who knows can answer me. Thank you very much.
Master's Answer: It means there is still hope. The argument may be superficial, and the real issue has not yet emerged. There is danger but also salvation. Do not force things, keep a calm mindset, avoid radical thinking, and talk things through calmly. This way, your behavior will not be abnormal, and your actions will not be impulsive. Everything has a chance of salvation.
