Oracle 74: The Tale of Qin's Defeat and Capturing Three Generals

Version One of the Oracle Poem
Lazy heron flies into a cage, seeking to soar high but falling into a trap. North, south, east, west are all blocked, and this body is worn out with endless regret.
Version Two of the Oracle Poem
Like a goose flying into a cage, wanting to break free but unable to. North, south, east, west are all impassable, and this omen brings deep sorrow.
【Fate】Lowest of the Low, 【Palace Position】Si Palace
【Oracle Words】This oracle symbolizes the image of holding a tiger while crossing a mountain, indicating danger, fear, and peril in all matters.
【Explanation】There are many dangers ahead, and your path is obstructed. If you ask about plans or strategies, they will ultimately be very difficult.
【Divine Insight】This oracle warns of family safety, personal vigilance, cautiousness in seeking wealth, stagnation in business, difficulty in marriage, danger for pregnant women, obstacles for travelers, poor harvests for crops and livestock, difficulties in finding people, loss in legal disputes, lost items hard to recover, illness requiring sacrifice, no need to move, and bad omens for graves.
【Interpretation】It is like a lazy, wild heron that willingly enters a trap, intending to fly high but instead sinking into it. Although the world is vast, all directions are filled with obstacles, leading to exhaustion and endless regret. You cannot advance nor retreat; your fate is adverse. Do not engage in conflict. This oracle represents the image of a heron entering a cage, suggesting that one should remain cautious and stick to the old ways. As the oracle tells the disciple: the image of a heron in a cage means losing freedom. One must stay cautious and watchful. Now is the time for caution. When all directions are blocked, and the body is worn out, it is a time of unbearable circumstances. Be cautious in everything, think carefully before acting. In short, you cannot advance, must retreat, your fate is adverse, do not engage in conflict. This oracle has the meaning of "two tigers cannot coexist." It advises the person involved to be thorough in their thinking. Having confidence and talent is good, but excessive confidence and boldness only make you a target for others, who may wish to eliminate you. If you want to change environments, do not rush to show off or boast about your abilities. Remember, "rivals envy each other," especially when there are direct interests at stake. If your ability clearly surpasses others, you are more likely to attract jealousy and even face unfair accusations. It is better to be modest and cautious, always showing humility and keeping a low profile. Choose partners carefully to avoid conflicts and being caught between two fires.
【Historical Reference】 Wu Yuan, also known as Wu Zixu, was a person from the Spring and Autumn period in the state of Chu. His father and elder brother were important officials in the court. After they were killed by King Ping of Chu, Wu Yuan and Prince Jian's son Sheng fled secretly. Upon reaching the Zhao Pass, the guards wanted to capture them. Wu Yuan and Sheng walked separately through the pass, hiding and being fearful. Due to excessive worry, Wu Yuan's hair turned white overnight. Eventually, Wu Yuan and Sheng escaped the danger and reached the state of Wu.
【Detailed Explanation】
The Essence of This Oracle
Self-imprisonment. Difficulties in both advancing and retreating. Certain defeat.
Comment by Cool Moon
Regarding All Matters
Once you have invested yourself in this matter, you are already trapped in an unavoidable predicament, which will lead to lifelong regret. If you can withdraw early, that is your best decision. If you cannot withdraw, try to relieve the disaster and ease the situation as soon as possible.
Love and Marriage
If asking about when love will come
If you seek a partner, this is a self-inflicted entanglement, a situation of hardship and restraint. It is advisable to avoid it for your own safety.
If asking whether the person you admire can be pursued
Pursuing this person will bring you only suffering. Give up this idea.
If asking whether the current relationship can progress or lead to marriage
Your love is unstable, and your relationship is already difficult. It is not advisable to talk about marriage.
If love or marriage is facing separation or difficulty, asking about reconciliation or making peace
If you have already separated, this is a time to break free from constraints. There is no need to reconcile.
In summary, those who draw this oracle in love should be cautious of emotional violence or suicide if there are any ongoing relationships.
Work and Job Hunting
Starting a Business
If asking about where to find a job or the future of employment
Those seeking work should be careful of traps in the market, which may leave you stuck.
If asking about starting a business or the future of your career
This business is not easy to handle, and there may be significant losses.
Exams and Competitions
Promotion and Election
If asking about the outcome of exams or competitions
This competition may lead to irreversible regrets. Those not participating should consider withdrawing early.
If asking about promotion or career advancement
Will you get promoted? It is advised to give up the idea to avoid getting trapped.
Investment and Finance
This investment may trap you, and you may not be able to escape for a long time.
Business and Trade
This business is not advisable, as it may lead to heavy losses.
Real Estate Transactions
Can this real estate be bought or sold? If you buy it, you will regret it for life. If you sell it, you may suffer huge losses.
Health and Illness
Is this illness treatable? Various treatments may worsen the condition, causing more harm than good. This illness is dangerous. If it is a karmic illness or contagious, please repent to reduce suffering.
Change and Adjustment
If you are currently struggling and want to change, this change will not lead to success, but rather trap you in another cage.
Seeking Pregnancy and Children
Wanting to know if you can get pregnant, it is better not to if possible. If you are pregnant, it may be the beginning of a nightmare.
Legal Cases and Lawsuits
If asking about legal cases, the result is extremely unfavorable, resulting in punishment and loss.
Searching for People and Lost Items
If an item is lost, there is no need to look for it.
Travel and Overseas
If planning to travel abroad, it is a trap that is hard to escape. It is better to cancel your trip to avoid it.
Story of the Oracle Poem One
◇ Qin's Defeat and Capturing Three Generals
King Mu of Qin ignored the advice of his senior minister Jian Gong and sent troops to attack Zheng. He fought against the Jin army at Xiaoyao (between Luoning County and Shaan County in Henan Province).
The Jin army lured the Qin army into a dangerous valley, blocking the front and throwing fire, sulfur, and gunpowder on both sides. The rear of the Qin army was attacked with a loud battle cry, and the Qin soldiers trampled each other, suffering heavy casualties.
Unable to resist, they suffered a great defeat, and three generals were captured.
Story of the Oracle Poem Two
◇ Han Fei Entered Qin and Was Killed
King Qin planned to attack the neighboring state of Han. King Han sent Prince Fei (Han Fei) to request King Qin to withdraw his forces. Unexpectedly, Han Fei became a valued strategist for King Qin.
Li Si, a minister of Qin, was a classmate of Han Fei. Seeing Han Fei gain the king's favor, Li Si, realizing his own inferiority, wrote a letter opposing the king's order to expel foreign ministers (the 'Memorial Against Expelling Guests'), while simultaneously being jealous of Han Fei and poisoning him. He pretended to be friendly with Han Fei, then designed to put him in prison. During a visit, he accidentally left poison for Han Fei, who was desperate to die but could not. (In fact, Han Fei might have been ordered to be released by King Qin.) Thus, Han Fei committed suicide.
Case Study by Master Oracle Reader:
Case One:
On Monday, I broke up with my boyfriend because I couldn't bear it anymore, feeling completely disappointed. By Friday, my boyfriend kept trying to win me back, swearing he would change.
My boyfriend is 40 years old, and the previous conflicts were exacerbated by his personality. I am 28 years old and feel there is a generation gap between us. I am in a dilemma: on one hand, I still have affection for this relationship and want to forgive him. On the other hand, I believe that someone who is 40 years old would have changed long ago, and it's hard to change inherent traits.
I couldn't decide, so I drew a lotus, asking, "Should we get back together or not?" I hope for a detailed explanation.
Sorry, I didn’t split it, otherwise I would add more.
Master Oracle Reader: The meaning for you: whether to reunite or not depends on you. Right now, you are arguing with yourself—part of you says to break up, part of you says to stay. Only you can resolve it.
Personal advice: Break up. Don’t be naive and think age isn't an issue, or height isn't a difference. That’s the mindset of a little girl.
Case Two:
I had an online relationship with a boy for about ten days. At first, he really liked me, calling me many times a day. Later, he said his ex-girlfriend came back to him, and he said he wasn’t sure whether he wanted to date anyone now. I asked the oracle about whether we had a future.
Master Oracle Reader: The Dragon Palace fully agrees with his statement. You two can have a good outcome. Don’t waste your time anymore. In the end, you will be the one who gets hurt.
Case Three:
Recently, because I’m not satisfied with my current job, I want to transfer. Today, I went to the temple again to pray for a sign! (Previously, I prayed several times and got medium or high results, and the 20th oracle was previously drawn.) Today, I prayed to the Bodhisattva about whether this leader could help with the job transfer. The first time I got the 74th oracle, then I felt I hadn’t explained clearly, so I asked again, and got the 45th oracle. What does this mean? Why did the first oracle give a lowest of the low, while the second gave a high one? What do these two oracles mean? Please explain if you know. If you don’t know, don’t say anything. Thank you in advance. If you answer, I’ll add points!
Master Oracle Reader: The implication: You need to calm down, quiet your mind, and remember that there is no perfect job in the world. Any job will have aspects that make you dissatisfied, such as leaders, colleagues, subordinates, abilities, environment, nature, salary, location, etc. Which specific aspect is causing your dissatisfaction? Of course, you know best.
Case Four:
The tale of Qin's defeat and capturing three generals. I asked about my career in 2015, which has been going poorly. My own efforts were insufficient, but this year the pressure is too great, I can't afford to lose. I beg for a solution!
Master Oracle Reader: It is inevitable, and the only way to break through is to change direction and take a new path, which will turn misfortune into fortune and disaster into safety!