Su Shi's Early Life: A Literary Heart Forged in Fire and Water, Joy and Sorrow

Section 1 | Preface

On December 19, 1036 (lunar calendar), corresponding to January 8, 1037, between 5 and 7 AM, a clear cry pierced the dawn in a residence in Meishan County, Meizhou, Sichuan—a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes kicked and announced his arrival. He is the protagonist of our story, Su Shi.

According to the traditional Chinese method of calculating age (xusui), a child is considered one year old at birth, and if a lunar New Year follows, they become two years old in no time.

We have already detailed Su Dongpo's original Eight Characters (bazi) in a previous article. This chapter will focus on his tumultuous life cycles, analyzing key events and environments during each major luck pillar (dayun) to trace the trajectory of his fate and inner turmoil.

Section 2 | First Cycle After Starting Luck: Ren Yin Dayun (1043-1052)

Su Shi's first major luck cycle was the <font color="blue">Ren</font><font color="#00b050">Yin</font> (Water-Wood) dayun. This decade can be further divided into:

• First five years (1043 Guiwei - 1047 Dinghai): Guiwei, Jiashen, Yiyou, Bingxu, Dinghai
• Last five years (1048 Wuzi - 1052 Renchen): Wuzi, Jichou, Gengyin, Xinmao, Renchen

During this stage, the young Su Shi experienced his first major life upheavals.

Event 1: Death of Grandfather Su Xu (1047, Dinghai Year)

• Historical Fact: In the fifth month of the seventh year of the Qingli era (1047), Su Shi's grandfather, Su Xu, passed away.
• Fate Analysis:
  1. Positioning: In the Eight Characters, the Year Pillar represents the ancestral palace. The Partial Seal star (Pian Yin, which gives birth to the self but is of the same gender) typically symbolizes the grandfather (principle: father is Partial Wealth, grandfather is father's Partial Wealth, i.e., the self's Partial Seal).
  2. Original Chart Information: Su Shi's Year Stem is Bing Fire (ancestral palace), and the Month Stem is Xin Metal (Partial Seal, grandfather star). The original chart shows Bing-Xin combination, indicating the connection between grandfather and family.
  3. Activation by Dayun and Year:
     • Currently in the Ren Yin dayun. The Heavenly Stem Ren Water clashes with and restrains the Year Stem Bing Fire (ancestral palace), suggesting impact and instability in the ancestral palace.
     • The year Dinghai (1047):
       • The Heavenly Stem Ding Fire (Wealth for Ren Water) combines with the dayun Ren Water, but the Earthly Branch Hai Water is the strong root (Lu) of Ren Water, greatly increasing water power, intensifying the clash with the Year Pillar Bing Fire (Bing-Ren clash), manifesting the event.
       • The Earthly Branch Hai Water combines with the dayun Yin Wood (Hai-Yin combination), where Ren Water in Hai overcomes Bing Fire in Yin (Bing Fire is in the Year Pillar as the ancestral palace and in Yin as a hidden stem), again echoing ancestral information.
       • The month of death was Bingwu (fire strong), forming a fierce confrontation between the month's fire (Bingwu) and the year's water (Ren, Hai) (water-fire battle), also serving as the monthly manifestation of the event.

---

Event 2: Death of Sister Banian (1052, Renchen Year)

• Historical Fact: In the fourth year of the Huangyou era (1052), Su Shi's sister, Banian, died due to long-term depression and inadequate care at her husband's home.
• Fate Analysis:
  1. Positioning: The Rob Wealth (Jie Cai) and Friend (Bi Jian) stars represent siblings (same generation).
  2. Activation by Dayun and Year:
     • This year is the last year of the Ren Yin dayun (Renchen year).
     • The year Renchen:
       • The Heavenly Stem Ren Water (Friend) arrives, directly activating the dayun Ren Water (Friend dayun) and clashing with the Year Stem Bing Fire (Ren-Bing clash).
       • The Earthly Branch Chen Earth, together with the original chart's Mao Wood (month branch) and the dayun's Yin Wood, forms a Yin-Mao-Chen Eastern Wood Bureau. The strong wood bureau absorbs and drains water energy (water gives birth to wood).
       • Chen Earth is the "water reservoir" (water's tomb), further collecting and weakening water power (Friend star represents sibling strength).
     • Key Action Point: The dayun Earthly Branch Yin Wood (base of Food God) is activated by the year Chen Earth to participate in the Wood Bureau's work. The Wood Bureau drains water (Friend) excessively, and Chen is the water tomb, forming a strong combination image of "water energy being drained and collected." This directly maps to the sibling (Friend) encountering misfortune and severely weakened life force.

---

Section Summary

The Ren Yin dayun (Water-Wood), as Su Shi's initial life cycle, saw its water power (Ren Water) continuously impact the Year Pillar Bing Fire (ancestral palace, light of brightness) through the Ren-Bing clash. Against this backdrop:

1. 1047 Dinghai Year: Water power (Ren's Lu in Hai) reached a peak, and with the month's strong fire (Bingwu), triggered a water-fire battle, ultimately manifesting in the grandfather's (Year Pillar Bing Fire combining with Xin Metal Partial Seal) death.
2. 1052 Renchen Year: At the end of the dayun, wood energy (Yin-Mao-Chen Wood Bureau) became excessive, severely draining water energy (Friend star), and Chen is the water tomb, forming an image of "Friend entering the tomb." This strongly indicated a calamity for a sibling (sister Banian).

This cycle clearly demonstrates the restraint of water (Ren) on fire (ancestral palace Bing) and the excessive draining of water (Friend) by the Wood Bureau (Yin-Mao-Chen), collectively forming the fate background for Su Shi's early experience of major bereavement.

Section 3 | Second Life Cycle: Gui Mao Dayun (1053-1062)

Su Shi entered his second major luck cycle—Gui Mao (Water-Earth/Wood) dayun. This decade is divided into:

• First five years (1053 Guisi - 1057 Dingyou): Guisi, Jiawu, Yiwei, Bingshen, Dingyou
• Last five years (1058 Wuxu - 1062 Renyin): Wuxu, Jihai, Gengzi, Xinchou, Renyin

This was a crucial decade for Su Shi as he moved from youth to maturity, interweaving the glory of passing the imperial exams with the sorrow of losing loved ones.

Event 1: Marriage to Wang Fu (1054, Jiawu Year)

• Historical Fact: In the sixth year of the Huangyou era (1054), 19-year-old Su Shi married 16-year-old Wang Fu according to his parents' wishes.
• Fate Analysis:
  1. Positioning: The Proper Wealth star (Bing Fire) represents the primary wife, and the Day Branch Hai Water is the wife palace.
  2. Activation by Year:
     • The year Jiawu:
       • The Heavenly Stem Jia Wood generates the original chart's Proper Wealth Bing Fire (wife star), enhancing the signal of marital fate.
       • Jia Wood also activates the Hai Water wife palace, a correspondence of stem-branch manifestation.
       • The Earthly Branch Wu Fire (Proper Wealth) secretly combines with the Day Branch Hai Water (wife palace) (Wu-Hai secret combination), symbolizing marriage formation.
       • Simultaneously, Wu Fire clashes with the original chart's Hour Branch Zi Water (Lu, also can be seen as secondary wife palace or self-foundation), indicating a change in life status due to marriage.
     • The previous year Guisi (1053): Si Fire (Wealth star) clashed with the Day Branch Hai Water (wife palace), already revealing the activation of marriage opportunity.

---

Event 2: Passing the Provincial Exam (Juren) (1056, Bingshen Year)

• Historical Fact: In autumn of the first year of the Jiayou era (1056), Su Shi and his brother Su Zhe took the provincial exam in Kaifeng and both passed, with Su Shi ranking second.
• Fate Analysis:
  1. Positioning: Seal star (learning, documents, merit), Food/Injury star (talent, writing, expression).
  2. Original Chart Key: The Month Pillar Yi Mao strong Food God (Wood) is the core embodiment of Su Shi's extraordinary talent (Food God draining elegance, unparalleled writing).
  3. Activation by Year:
     • The year Bingshen:
       • The Heavenly Stem Bing Fire (Proper Wealth) is a favorable element for climate adjustment (Gui born in Chou month, cold and damp, likes Bing Fire to warm the chart), overall luck improves.
       • The Earthly Branch Shen Metal (Proper Seal):
         • Combines with the Day Branch Zi Water (Lu) (Shen-Zi half combination water bureau), the Seal star (merit, exams) closely associates with the self, indicating gaining merit.
         • Secretly combines with the Month Branch Mao Wood (Food God) (Shen-Mao secret combination), representing his outstanding talent (Food God) effectively working and being displayed in the exam hall.

Event 3: Passing the Palace Exam (Jinshi) (1057, Dingyou Year)

• Historical Fact: In the second year of the Jiayou era (1057), Su Shi took the palace exam presided over by Ouyang Xiu and passed, becoming a Jinshi along with Su Zhe, Zeng Gong, and others. This list is hailed as "the best imperial exam list in a millennium," gathering many outstanding talents (e.g., Zhang Zai, Cheng Hao, Zhang Dun). Although Su Shi passed, he did not enter the top three (Zhuangyuan, Bangyan, Tanhua).
• Fate Analysis:
  1. Activation by Year:
     • The year Dingyou:
       • The Heavenly Stem Ding Fire (Partial Wealth) and the dayun Gui Water (Friend) form a heavenly stem clash (Gui-Ding clash), indicating fluctuation.
       • The Earthly Branch You Metal (Seven Kill/Partial Seal):
         • Half-combines with the Year Branch Chou Earth (Kill tomb/Mother palace) (You-Chou metal combination), enhancing Metal (Officer/Kill/Seal) energy, indicating merit, pressure, and documents.
         • Key: You Metal directly clashes with the Month Branch Mao Wood (Food God)—Mao-You clash (Partial Seal seizing Food). Food God represents talent, literary thought, and expression. Although this clash did not prevent him from passing (Metal energy indicates merit), it suggests that his performance or ranking was somewhat suppressed or disturbed (not in top three), with possible twists in the process. This corroborates historical records about his ranking.

Event 4: Death of Mother Cheng (1057, Dingyou Year)

• Historical Fact: In the same year (1057), shortly after Su Shi passed the imperial exam, his mother, Lady Cheng, died of illness at home. The father and sons immediately left the capital to return home for mourning.
• Fate Analysis:
  1. Positioning: The Year Branch Chou Earth is the mother's palace, and the Partial Seal star (Xin Metal) represents the mother (principle: Proper Seal is birth mother, Partial Seal can also represent; moreover, Xin Metal appears in the Month Stem).
  2. Activation by Year (Dingyou Year):
     • Double Impact:
       • The year and dayun Gui Mao form a Heavenly Stem Clash and Earthly Branch Clash (Gui-Ding clash, Mao-You clash). Intense dynamic conflict.
       • Clashing Palaces and Stars:
         • Heavenly stem clash: Ding overcomes Gui, Gui represents Chou, Ding-Gui clash also activates the mother's palace.
         • Earthly branch clash: Mao-You clash also affects Xin Metal mother star, and You half-combines with Chou Earth, activating the mother's palace.
         • The year You Metal half-combines with the Year Branch Chou Earth (mother palace), but You Metal is also the strong root (Lu) of Xin Metal, activating the mother palace while also activating the Xin Metal mother star. The environment of heavenly and earthly clashes intensifies the unfavorable nature of this "activation." Both the mother palace and mother star are injured, a manifestation of the event.
       • Ten Gods Relationship: The dayun Gui Water (Rob Wealth) can also symbolize consuming the mother's energy (Gui Water overcomes Ding Fire, Ding is Xin's Seven Kill, representing the mother's difficulties/pressure). In the Dingyou year, Ding Fire (Xin's Seven Kill) appears in the stem, showing pressure.
     • "Three-Dimensional View of Bazi" Principle: This event again confirms the need to examine Ten Gods and palaces from multiple angles (e.g., Chou Earth palace, Xin Metal star, Gui Water dayun activating Ding Fire), not just a single perspective.

Appendix: Ten Gods Stem-Branch Correspondence Reference (for understanding "Gui also represents Chou")

---

Event 5: First Official Post as Fengxiang Signatory Judge (1061, Xinchou Year)

• Historical Fact: In the sixth year of the Jiayou era (1061), Su Shi took the special imperial exam (higher-level selection), achieved "third class" (highest), and was awarded the position of Grand Court Reviewer and Signatory Judge of Fengxiang Prefecture (equivalent to Executive Vice Mayor of Baoji), taking office at the end of the year.
• Fate Analysis:
  1. Positioning: Seven Kill (Xin Metal) represents career, official position, pressure; Seal star (Metal, Earth) represents appointment, documents, position.
  2. Activation by Year:
     • The year Xinchou:
       • Fuyin of Month Pillar: The year Xinchou and the Month Pillar Xinchou form Fuyin (reappearance). The Month Pillar represents the career environment and official encounters in youth; Fuyin often indicates major changes or events (here, an important official appointment).
       • Combination Image: "Xinchou" is a combination of Kill (Xin) sitting on Seal Treasury (Chou). The Seven Kill (official position, responsibility) receives support and authorization from the Seal star (appointment, power, documents), a typical image of "receiving an official post."
       • Activating the original chart: Xin Metal appears in the stem, activating the Month Stem Xin Metal (career star), Chou Earth activates the Year Branch Chou Earth (Kill treasury), activating Kill energy.

---

Section Summary

The Gui Mao dayun was an important turning point in Su Shi's life, with distinct fate characteristics:

1. Water and Fire Harmony Achieves Merit: In the Bingshen (1056) and Dingyou (1057) years, Fire (Wealth, climate adjustment) appeared in the stem, warming the chart and shining, combined with Metal (Seal) and Water (Friend) circulation, achieving consecutive successes in provincial and palace exams, making him famous.
2. Partial Seal Seizing Food Hides Regret: In the Dingyou year (1057), the Mao-You clash (Partial Seal seizing Food), although he passed the palace exam, he did not enter the top three, indicating that his talent expression was restricted.
3. Metal and Water Stirring Causes Mother's Death: In the same Dingyou year, the dayun and year formed heavenly and earthly clashes (Gui-Ding clash, Mao-You clash), intensely activating the mother star (Xin) and mother palace (Chou), along with the Ten Gods relationship (Gui overcomes Ding, Ding is Xin's Kill), ultimately leading to Lady Cheng's sudden death, turning joy into sorrow.
4. Fuyin Obtains Official Post, First Spread of Wings: In the Xinchou year (1061), the Month Pillar Fuyin, Kill and Seal generating each other (Xin sitting on Chou), marked the landing of a significant official post (Fengxiang Signatory Judge), and the young Su Shi officially began his official career.

The Gui Mao dayun is like a painting interwoven with light and darkness: Mao Wood Food God nourished talent and marital fate (Jiawu marriage), Bing and Ding Fire illuminated the path to merit (Bingshen provincial exam, Dingyou palace exam), while the killing energy of Metal (Xin, You, Chou) brought eternal separation from loved ones (Dingyou mother's death), and finally, in Fuyin, opened a new career chapter (Xinchou first official post). This decade laid the foundation for Su Shi as a literary giant and scholar-official.

Section 4 | Third Life Cycle: Jia Chen Dayun (1063-1072)

Su Shi entered the Jia Chen (Wood-Earth) dayun. The ten years' annual pillars are as follows: First five years: 1063 Guimao, 1064 Jiachen, 1065 Yisi, 1066 Bingwu, 1067 Dingwei; Last five years: 1068 Wushen, 1069 Jiyou, 1070 Gengxu, 1071 Xinhai, 1072 Renzi;

This was Su Shi's young adulthood, yet he suffered successive heavy blows of losing close relatives, and his official career fluctuated accordingly.

---

Event 1: End of Fengxiang Post, Return to Capital (1065, Yisi Year)

• Historical Fact: In the first month of the second year of the Zhiping era (1065), Su Shi's term as Fengxiang Signatory Judge ended, and he returned to Bianjing. At that time, Emperor Yingzong was on the throne (Emperor Renzong had died in 1063). Yingzong appreciated Su Shi's talent and intended to promote him exceptionally to the Hanlin Academy.
• Fate Analysis:
  1. Dayun Background: Jia Chen dayun, the Heavenly Stem Jia Wood (Injury God) appears, indicating change, talent display, but also possibly bringing official disputes.
  2. Activation by Year:
     • The year Yisi:
       • The Heavenly Stem Yi Wood (Food God) strengthens the Jia Wood (Injury God) trend, making talent and reputation more prominent.
       • Key: The Earthly Branch Si Fire (Proper Officer) clashes with the Day Branch Hai Water (self-foundation/Lu) (Si-Hai clash).
         • Clash represents change, ending (leaving post).
         • Si Fire is the Officer star (representing official position, emperor), clashing with the self's Hai Water, also hints at connection with the emperor's (Yingzong) intention to promote ("doing work"), but this "clash" also carries fluctuation, not entirely stable acceptance (later unable to take up new post due to mourning).
       • The first month is Yin month (Yin-Hai combination, activating the self; Yin-Si punishment, intensifying interaction/pressure between Officer star and self), serving as the monthly manifestation of the event.

---

Event 2: Death of First Wife Wang Fu (1065, Yisi Year)

• Historical Fact: In the fifth month of the same year (1065), Wang Fu, only 27 years old, suddenly died of illness, leaving behind a 7-year-old son, Su Mai. This was a devastating blow to Su Shi.
• Fate Analysis:
  1. Positioning: Proper Wealth Bing Fire represents wife Wang Fu, Day Branch Hai Water is the wife palace.
  2. Dayun Background: Jia Chen dayun. The Heavenly Stem Jia Wood can be seen as the "corresponding stem" of the wife palace Hai Water (refer to stem-branch correspondence principle), activating wife palace information.
  3. Activation by Year (Yisi Year):
     • Core trigger point: Earthly Branch Si Fire again clashes with Day Branch Hai Water (wife palace) (Si-Hai clash). Dayun Jia Wood activates wife palace Hai, year Si Fire strongly clashes, violently shaking the marriage palace.
     • Double Blow to Wife Star:
       • Si Fire is the Lu (strong root) of Bing Fire (wife star), but Si-Hai clash means the wife star's root (Si) and wife palace (Hai) fiercely battle, severely damaging the wife star's foundation.
       • Originally, Bing Fire wife star sits on Zi Water (restrained), foundation already weak. The year's Heavenly Stem Yi Wood can generate Bing Fire, but the Earthly Branch Si-Hai clash (Water overcomes Fire) is much stronger than Yi Wood generating Bing Fire, and the clash occurs in the wife palace, directly pointing to the wife's safety.
     • The fifth month (Wu month) is fire strong, seemingly supporting Bing Fire wife star, but actually intensifying the Si-Hai clash (water-fire battle), becoming the monthly manifestation. This image indicates the wife suddenly encountering misfortune in a strong year (foundation destroyed by clash).

---

Event 3: Death of Father Su Xun (1066, Bingwu Year)

• Historical Fact: In the fourth month of the third year of the Zhiping era (1066), father Su Xun died of illness. Su Shi and his brother escorted the coffins of their father and Wang Fu back to Shu, buried them beside their mother's tomb, and observed mourning according to custom.
• Fate Analysis:
  1. Positioning: Partial Wealth star represents father. The original chart does not explicitly show Partial Wealth (Ding Fire), so multiple angles are needed:
     • Palace: The Month Stem Xin Metal (Partial Seal) is the father's palace.
     • Ten Gods: The original chart's Heavenly Stems Bing-Xin combination, occurring in the year and month, with Bing Fire Proper Wealth and Xin Metal Partial Seal in the father's palace combining, could also represent the father from a multi-dimensional perspective.
     • Key Combination: The original chart Hai-Mao half-combines into a Wood Bureau, whose momentum secretly clashes with Xin Metal (Month Stem father palace).
  2. Dayun Activation (Jia Chen):
     • Heavenly Stem Jia Wood (Injury God) strengthens the original chart's Hai-Mao Wood Bureau, and Jia Wood also activates Hai Water to work, increasing the Hai-Mao half-combination Wood Bureau. Moreover, Yi Wood encountering Jia Wood is like a younger brother seeing an older brother, leaning on a big tree, forming a "vine attaching to tree" image, wood energy even stronger, enhancing the Wood Bureau's pressure on Xin Metal (father palace/Month Stem).
  3. Activation by Year (Bingwu), Father Star Appears:
     • Multiple Punishments, Clashes, Harms:
       • The year Wu Fire (Partial Wealth) clashes with the Hour Branch Zi Water (Lu/self-foundation) (Zi-Wu clash).
       • Wu Fire harms the Year Branch Chou Earth (father's palace pillar) (Chou-Wu harm).
       • Wu Fire breaks the Month Branch Mao Wood (Wu-Mao break).
       • Wu Fire secretly combines with the Day Branch Hai Water (Wu-Hai secret combination), actually a restraining combination (Fire overcomes Water).
       • Wu Fire Partial Wealth is inevitably injured.
     • Destruction of Father Star (Wu Fire Partial Wealth):
       • Dayun Chen Earth dims and drains the year Wu Fire (Chen is damp earth dimming fire), weakening fire energy, symbolizing life force (fire) being suppressed.

---

Event 4: Remarriage to Wang Runzhi (1068, Wushen Year)

• Historical Fact: In the first year of the Xining era (1068), Su Shi's mourning period ended. He remarried Wang Runzhi, the cousin of his first wife Wang Fu. Wang Runzhi was eleven years younger than Su Shi and had heard of her brother-in-law's literary reputation since childhood.
• Fate Analysis:
  1. Dayun Background: At this time, he was in the Chen dayun (earth energy dominant, mainly stable, Officer star environment) of the Jia Chen dayun.
  2. Activation by Year (Wushen Year):
     • Heavenly Stem Wu Earth (Proper Officer) appears: Officer star dominates career, status, and also symbolizes a new life order.
     • Core: Application of Image Transformation
       • The original chart's Proper Wealth Bing Fire (wife star) has its Lu in Si Fire.
       • The year Wu Earth (Proper Officer) and Bing Fire (Proper Wealth) share the same Lu in Si Fire (both Wu and Bing have strong roots in Si).
       • Therefore, the appearance of the year Wu Earth (Officer star) can be seen as an "image transformation" of the Bing Fire (wife star) information. This indicates that while official luck (Wu) appears, new marital fate (transformation of Bing) also follows.
     • Earthly Branch Shen Metal (Seal star) combines with the Hour Branch Zi Water (Shen-Zi half combination), symbolizing changes in family structure and the start of a new life.

---

Event 5: Return to Capital, Reinstatement, Involvement in Reform (1069, Jiyou Year)

• Historical Fact: In the second month of the second year of the Xining era (1069), Emperor Shenzong appointed Wang Anshi as Vice Grand Councilor, officially launching the "Xining Reform." Su Shi and his brother Su Zhe had already returned to Bianjing. Su Shi was reinstated to his position in the Historiography Institute, while Su Zhe was assigned to participate in the reform institution.
• Fate Analysis:
  1. Dayun Background: Still in the Chen dayun (earth dayun) of the Jia Chen dayun. Chen Earth is the Kill treasury, symbolizing the official environment and institutional framework.
  2. Activation by Year (Jiyou Year):
     • Heavenly Stem Ji Earth (Seven Kill) combines with the dayun Jia Wood (Injury God) (Jia-Ji combination), representing Injury God being restrained, more favorable for acting within the system (Kill environment).
     • Earthly Branch You Metal (Seven Kill/Partial Seal):
       • Half-combines with the Year Branch Chou Earth (Kill treasury) (You-Chou metal combination), activating the Kill (career, power) system.
       • You Metal is also the strong root (Lu) of the Month Stem Xin Metal (Partial Seal), Xin Metal appearing mainly indicates documents, positions, official appointments (reinstatement in Historiography Institute). This means "activating the original chart's Xin Metal Partial Seal, clear at a glance."
     • Chen dayun (earth) meets year Ji Earth (earth), You Metal (metal), earth and metal generating each other, the overall aura is favorable for holding office in official institutions.

---

Event 6: Opposing Reform, Exiled as Tongpan of Hangzhou (1071, Xinhai Year)

• Historical Fact: In the fourth year of the Xining era (1071):
  • Second month: Su Shi wrote the "Letter to the Emperor," systematically criticizing the new laws, with sincere and concerned words. The emperor was moved but did not adopt them.
  • Fourth month: The court officially appointed Su Shi as Tongpan (Vice Prefect) of Hangzhou. Friends advised him to be cautious in words and deeds.
  • Seventh month: After experiencing political turmoil, Su Shi's initial enthusiasm for officialdom faded. He took his family (Wang Runzhi, Su Mai, Su Dai) and left the capital, first visiting Su Zhe in Chenzhou, then heading to Hangzhou to take up his post.
• Fate Analysis:
  1. Dayun Background: End of Jia Chen dayun, Chen Earth (Kill treasury) influence still present.
  2. Activation by Year (Xinhai Year):
     • Injury God Draining Elegance Shows Talent:
       • The year Hai Water (Day Branch Hai Water Fuyin, self-foundation) generates and combines with the dayun Heavenly Stem Jia Wood (Injury God), forming a Water→Wood (Injury God) strong draining of elegance.
       • This image reflects his extraordinary talent and outspokenness (the "Letter to the Emperor" was brilliantly written, moving the emperor).
     • Injury God Seeing Officer Leads to Demotion:
       • The essence of Injury God (Jia Wood) is to challenge authority and criticize the status quo. Its strong draining of elegance, while showing talent (moving writing), inevitably offended the authorities (Wang Anshi and other reformists), forming a conflict pattern of "Injury God seeing Officer."
       • Result: Failed to obtain an ideal position (Prefect), only a deputy post (Tongpan). The emperor, cherishing his talent, exiled him to Hangzhou, a scenic but politically peripheral location.
     • Hai Water Activation: The year Hai Water activates the Day Branch Hai Water (self), also activates the original chart's Hai-Mao half-combination Wood (Food/Injury), intensifying the image of change and leaving the capital.

Section Summary

The Jia Chen dayun (Wood-Earth) was a period of interwoven sorrow and joy, and drastic changes for Su Shi:

1. Darkest Moment (1065-1066): In the Yisi year (1065), he experienced both leaving office (Si-Hai clash returning to capital) and losing his wife (Si-Hai clash destroying wife palace and star root); in the Bingwu year (1066), fire and earth raged (Zi-Wu clash, Chou-Wu harm, Wu-Mao break, Wu-Hai restraining combination, Chen Earth dimming fire), ultimately leading to his father's death (Su Xun).
2. Regrouping (1068-1069): In the Wushen year (1068), during the Chen dayun, he used "image transformation" (Wu Officer replacing Bing wife) to remarry Wang Runzhi and rebuild his family. In the Jiyou year (1069), the Chen dayun's Kill energy was strong (You-Chou metal combination activating Xin Seal), he returned to the capital and was reinstated, but became embroiled in the reform vortex (Jia-Ji combination, Injury God temporarily restrained).
3. Outspokenness Leads to Exile (1071): In the Xinhai year (1071), Injury God draining elegance (Water→Jia Wood) reached its peak, writing a powerful letter of direct remonstrance ("Letter to the Emperor"). However, the essence of "Injury God seeing Officer" was incompatible with the times, ultimately leading to exile (Tongpan of Hangzhou). Hai Water activation led to a distant journey.

This decade, Su Shi tasted the great sorrows of life (successive loss of loved ones), experienced rebuilding (remarriage) and career ups and downs (reinstatement, involvement in political struggle, exile). The Jia Chen dayun was like a small boat, carrying him from the initial voyage of officialdom in Fengxiang, falling into the abyss of bereavement, struggling to rise after mourning, and finally being pushed by the reform wave to misty Hangzhou. His fate trajectory deeply confirms the talent and unruliness of Wood (Food/Injury), the institutional constraints of Earth (Kill), and the impermanence of Water-Fire (clashes).

Conclusion

Looking at Su Shi's first three major luck cycles—Ren Yin (Water-Wood), Gui Mao (Water-Earth/Wood), Jia Chen (Wood-Earth)—his fate trajectory has already unfolded like a richly colored scroll:

1. Ren Yin Dayun (1043-1052): Bone-Chilling Water, First Taste of Separation
   Water power (Ren) clashed with the Year Pillar Bing Fire (ancestral light), the Wood Bureau (Yin-Mao-Chen) drained all Friend water (sibling bond). Before his childhood was over, he had already lost his grandfather (Dinghai year) and elder sister (Renchen year). Fate set the tone of his life with a biting cold, planting a profound understanding of the impermanence of gathering and parting.

2. Gui Mao Dayun (1053-1062): Water-Fire Stirring, Joy and Sorrow Intertwined
   Mao Wood Food God nourished literary brilliance, Bing and Ding Fire illuminated the examination hall (Bingshen provincial exam, Dingyou palace exam), achieving fame and glory. However, the killing energy of Metal and Water also followed like a shadow: Partial Seal seizing Food (Dingyou Mao-You clash) diminished his edge in the palace exam, the heavenly and earthly clashes (Dingyou clashing Gui Mao) led to his mother's sudden death (Lady Cheng in Dingyou year). At the peak of merit, he faced the abyss of eternal separation from loved ones. Fortunately, the Jiawu year secretly combined with the wife palace, marrying Wang Fu, gaining a trace of warmth amidst the sorrow. Finally, with Xinchou Fuyin Kill-Seal, he began his first official post in Fengxiang, testing his voice in officialdom.

3. Jia Chen Dayun (1063-1072): Wood Shatters Stars, Officialdom Floats and Sinks
   Wood energy (Jia) strengthened the Food/Injury trend, Earth dayun (Chen) dominated the official scene. However, the Yisi year was a double-edged sword: Si Fire clashed with Hai, the opportunity to return to the capital also became the calamity of first wife Wang Fu's death (wife palace and star root both destroyed by Si-Hai clash). The Bingwu year saw fire and earth raging, with harms, clashes, and breaks, ultimately leading to father Su Xun's death (Wu Fire Partial Wealth dimmed by Chen Earth, clashed by Zi Water, broken by Mao Wood). After the darkest moment, the Chen dayun saw the Wushen year, cleverly using the "image transformation" mystery (Wu Officer replacing Bing wife) to remarry Runzhi and rebuild the family. The Jiyou year activated Kill, returning to the capital for reinstatement, but deeply trapped in the reform vortex (Jia-Ji combination, Injury God temporarily restrained). The Xinhai year saw "Injury God draining elegance" reach its peak (Water→Jia Wood), the ten-thousand-word letter of remonstrance shook the court, but "Injury God seeing Officer" was ultimately incompatible with the world, ending with the Tongpan post exiled to Hangzhou, the official path first tasting drift.

These thirty years were a quenching ground for genius and an arena of fate. Water and fire clashed, forging his immortal literary bones; wood and earth clashed, carving his tumultuous official shape; the stars of loved ones fell, tempering his broad-minded nature. When the mist and rain of Hangzhou came into view, a soul that had experienced great joy and great sorrow, great rises and falls, was carrying a body full of wind and frost and undying talent, heading towards his even more magnificent but also more rugged second half of life—where the shadow of the Crow Terrace Poetry Case, the bright moon of Red Cliff in Huangzhou, and the miasma of Danzhou in Lingnan awaited this literatus destined to shine through suffering for millennia.

Section 5 | Fourth Life Cycle: Yi Si Dayun (1073-1082)

Su Shi entered the Yi Si (Wood-Fire) dayun. The ten years' annual pillars are as follows:

• First five years: 1073 Guichou, 1074 Jiayin, 1075 Yimao, 1076 Bingchen, 1077 Dingsi
• Last five years: 1078 Wuwu, 1079 Jiwei, 1080 Gengshen, 1081 Xinyou, 1082 Renxu

This was a decade of officialdom ups and downs and repeated hardships for Su Shi, culminating in the "Crow Terrace Poetry Case" that plunged him into the abyss of life.

---

Event 1: Disaster Relief in Changzhou and Zhenjiang (1073, Guichou Year)

• Historical Fact: In the eleventh month of the sixth year of the Xining era (1073), famine ravaged Changzhou and Zhenjiang. Su Shi, then Tongpan of Hangzhou, was ordered to go for disaster relief, toiling for over half a year until the following summer. Witnessing the suffering of the people, recalling his youthful ambition to help the world and the current harsh reality, Su Shi felt deep disillusionment and confusion.
• Fate Analysis:
  1. Dayun Start: Beginning of Yi Si dayun.
  2. Activation by Year (Guichou Year):
     • The year Guichou: Fuyin of Hour Pillar Guichou (self-foundation, official environment reappears).
     • Key Combination Image: The year Chou Earth (Kill treasury) and the dayun Si Fire (Travel Horse, Officer star environment) form a virtual combination of You Metal (Partial Seal).
       • Virtual You (no solid root): Symbolizes having only a nominal duty title (Partial Seal as empty title) but no real power, fitting his situation of rushing for disaster relief with low rank and heavy responsibility.
       • Virtual combination in Si (Travel Horse): Mainly indicates an image of rushing and toiling ("not on disaster relief, but on the road to disaster relief").

---

Event 2: Transfer to Mizhou, Then to Hezhong Prefecture/Xuzhou (1074 Jiayin Year - 1077 Dingsi Year)

• Historical Fact:
  • 1074 (Jiayin Year) September: Received order to transfer to Mizhou as Prefect, left Hangzhou in October.
  • 1077 (Dingsi Year): First ordered to be Prefect of Hezhong Prefecture, then changed to Prefect of Xuzhou. Arrived in Xuzhou in April. In July, the Yellow River burst its banks; Su Shi led the people in flood fighting to protect the city.
• Fate Analysis:
  1. Transfer to Mizhou (Jiayin Year):
     • The year Jiayin: Strong Injury God year (Jia Wood appears in stem, Yin as root). Injury God indicates change, leaving office ("Injury God year, left the post"), fitting the image of leaving Hangzhou for Mizhou.
  2. Obtaining New Post (Dingsi Year):
     • The year Dingsi:
       • Ding Fire (Partial Wealth) is a favorable climate adjustment element, Si Fire (Proper Officer Lu) is the strong root of Officer star.
       • Si Fire activates the dayun Yi Si's Si (Officer star doing work), indicating obtaining a post with real power (Prefect of Hezhong/Xuzhou).
       • Si-Hai Clash (Day Branch): Again confirms long-distance migration, drastic environmental change (transfer from Mizhou to Hezhong/Xuzhou).
     • Flood Fighting and City Protection (Dingsi Year, July): Fire strong (Dingsi year, Wuwei month) generates earth to control water (flood), his Officer star (Si) energy demonstrated leadership in crisis.

---

Event 3: Transfer to Huzhou, Entangled in the "Crow Terrace Poetry Case" (1079, Jiwei Year)

• Historical Fact:
  • Third month of the second year of the Yuanfeng era (1079): Su Shi transferred to be Prefect of Huzhou. When leaving Xuzhou, the people lined the streets to see him off.
  • Same year:
    • Seventh month: The Censorate (Crow Terrace) impeached him for "satirizing the new laws and slandering the court" in his poems.
    • August 18: Su Shi was arrested in Huzhou and imprisoned, his life hanging by a thread.
    • December 28: The case was concluded; he was demoted to Deputy Head of the Huangzhou Militia (without the power to sign documents, effectively a supervised criminal official).
• Fate Analysis:
  1. Core Year (Jiwei Year):
     • Food God Entering Tomb: The original chart's core talent star—Month Pillar Yi Mao (Food God). The year Wei Earth is the Wood Treasury (i.e., Food God's tomb). Yi Wood (Food God) enters Wei tomb, symbolizing talent (poetry) causing disaster, falling into prison ("a small action made him fall into prison").
     • Seven Kill Unrestrained, Encountering Villains: The year Wei Earth clashes with the Year Branch Chou Earth (Kill treasury) (Chou-Wei clash). Opening the Kill treasury, Seven Kill (villains, lawsuits, death threat) runs rampant without restraint. This is a strong signal of "encountering villains," being framed and imprisoned.
     • Tomb Timeliness: "Once the year passes, the tomb passes"—after the Jiwei year (1080 Gengshen year), the Food God leaves the tomb (Wei no longer dominates as Yi Wood's tomb), the crisis is resolved (released from prison and exiled).
     • Dayun Background: Yi Si dayun, Si Fire is originally favorable, but unfortunately, at the earthly branch, it drains wood and generates earth, nourishing the Seven Kill, making it unrestrained, and the Jiwei year's earth strong (Wei) drains fire (Si), the Officer star loses power, unable to protect him.

---

Event 4: Exile in Huangzhou (1080 Gengshen Year and After)

• Historical Fact: In the second month of the third year of the Yuanfeng era (1080), Su Shi arrived in Huangzhou, beginning four years of demoted life as a nominal Deputy Head of the Militia.
• Fate Analysis:
  • Yearly Luck (From 1080 Gengshen Year): Entering strong Metal years like Gengshen, Xinyou.
    • Metal (Kill) strong restrains the original chart's core useful god Yi Mao Wood (Food God) ("Metal also restrains Yi Wood, the god in charge").
    • Result: Talent suppressed ("don't talk about state affairs"), actions restricted (no power to sign documents), body and mind trapped ("exile"), fitting his period of suppression as a "criminal official" in Huangzhou.

---

Section Summary

The Yi Si dayun (Wood-Fire) superficially shows Wood (Food/Injury) and Fire (Officer) generating each other, but hides deadly opportunities, ultimately becoming Su Shi's "darkest decade":

1. Empty Post, Toiling (Guichou): At the beginning of the dayun, Guichou year virtual combination of You (Partial Seal), setting the tone of low rank, heavy responsibility, futile toil (disaster relief).
2. Migration and Duty (Jiayin→Dingsi): Jiayin Injury God year triggered leaving Hangzhou (transfer to Mizhou); Dingsi Officer star obtaining Lu finally gained real power (Prefect of Xu/Hu), but Si-Hai clash caused constant relocation.
3. Literary Inquisition Calamity (Jiwei): The year Jiwei formed a "deadly combination":
   • Food God Entering Tomb (Yi Wood entering Wei): Poetry caused disaster.
   • Seven Kill Unrestrained (Chou-Wei clash opened Kill treasury, strengthened earth Kill, injured Food God): Villains framed him, he fell into the Crow Terrace, life hanging by a thread.
   • Fortunately, once the year passed, he left the tomb and was exiled (Huangzhou).
4. Stagnation in Huangzhou (From Gengshen): Strong Metal years restrained Yi Wood (Food God), talent imprisoned, reduced to a "criminal official," body and mind desolate.

The Yi Si decade began with the toil of an empty title on the disaster relief road (Guichou), passed through the migration and duty in Mi, Xu, and Hu (Jiayin→Dingsi), suddenly fell into the life-and-death calamity of the Crow Terrace black prison (Jiwei), and finally sank into the long winter of the Huangzhou exile (Gengshen→). Its fate trajectory, from the helplessness of "virtual combination of Seal" to the danger of "Food God entering tomb, Kill treasury breaking," deeply imprinted the fragility and tragedy of genius in the political vortex.

Section 6 | Fifth Life Cycle: Bing Wu Dayun (1083-1092)

Su Shi entered the Bing Wu (Fire-Fire) dayun. This is an important favorable climate adjustment element in his chart (Gui born in Chou month, cold and damp, likes Bing Fire to warm the chart), indicating a decade of renewed vitality. The annual pillars are as follows:

• First five years: 1083 Guihai, 1084 Jiazi, 1085 Yichou, 1086 Bingyin, 1087 Dingmao
• Last five years: 1088 Wuchen, 1089 Jisi, 1090 Gengwu, 1091 Xinwei, 1092 Renshen

Although this dayun is illuminated by fire, the image of water-fire stirring is still hidden within.

---

Event 1: Friend's Visit and Eye Disease (1083, Guihai Year)

• Historical Fact: In spring of the sixth year of the Yuanfeng era (1083), the chivalrous scholar Chao Gu traveled a thousand miles to visit Su Shi in Huangzhou. Chao Gu valued promises and despised death; he had once spent all his wealth to fulfill a friend's last wish. His heartfelt loyalty moved Su Shi. However, in June of the same year, Su Shi suddenly suffered from a severe eye disease. The doctor advised him to abstain from meat, and he wrote about his distress in his notes with self-mockery.
• Fate Analysis:
  1. Dayun Background: Just entered the Bing Wu (Fire) dayun, fire energy rising, overall luck warming up.
  2. Activation by Year (Guihai Year):
     • Friend's Visit (Hai-Wu Secret Combination):
       • The year Hai Water (Rob Wealth) symbolizes friends, peers.
       • The dayun Wu Fire (Wealth/Officer Lu) represents Su Shi's current dwelling and resources.
       • Hai-Wu Secret Combination: Hai (friend) actively combines into Wu (self's environment), vividly reflecting the image of a friend coming from afar to seek refuge.
     • Sudden Eye Disease (Gui Water Restraining Bing):
       • Heavenly Stem Gui Water (dew, yin water) directly restrains the dayun Bing Fire (sun fire).
       • Bing Fire in the human body mainly governs eyes, brightness. Gui Water restraining Bing forms a "water-fire battle," mainly indicating eye injury, inflammation ("suffered eye disease").
       • Earthly Branch Hai Water (great water) aids the evil, intensifying the water restraining fire trend.
       • The year and Day Pillar Guihai form Fuyin, also strengthening the information of self-illness.

---

Event 2: Transfer to Ruzhou and Infant Son's Death (1084, Jiazi Year)

• Historical Fact: In the first month of the seventh year of the Yuanfeng era (1084), Emperor Shenzong issued an imperial edict saying "talent is hard to come by," transferring Su Shi to be Deputy Head of the Ruzhou Militia (still a nominal post). Just as a glimmer of dawn appeared, his infant son Su Dun (less than a year old) died suddenly. The pain of losing a son in old age was like cutting out his heart; Su Shi's "old tears flowed like water," and his concubine Zhaoyun was almost broken.
• Fate Analysis:
  1. Dayun Foreshadowing (Bing Wu Dayun):
     • Chou-Wu Harm (Damage to Offspring): The dayun Wu Fire and the Year Branch Chou Earth (Kill treasury) form a Chou-Wu harm. Seven Kill (Xin Metal) in a male chart also represents sons (especially young sons). This harm plants the hidden danger of damage to offspring.
  2. Year Trigger (Jiazi Year):
     • Official Position Change (Jia Wood Injury God): The year Jia Wood (Injury God) appears in the stem, mainly indicating change, appointment (transfer to Ruzhou).
     • Pain of Losing Son (Zi-Wu Clash Triggers Chou-Wu Harm):
       • The year Zi Water clashes with the dayun Wu Fire (Zi-Wu clash), violently activating the latent "Chou-Wu harm" pattern in the dayun.
       • Simultaneously, the year Zi Water combines with the Year Branch Chou Earth (Zi-Chou combination), directly involving Chou Earth (offspring star) in the clash-harm battle. Moreover, Zi Water activates Wu Fire and the offspring palace Mao Wood, causing Wu-Mao break and Zi-Mao punishment, simultaneously damaging the offspring star and palace.
       • Double Activation: Zi clashing Wu (activating harm) + Zi combining Chou (activating offspring palace), fully activating the destructive power of "Chou-Wu harm" on Seven Kill (offspring star), ultimately leading to the tragedy of infant son's death.
     • Manifestation: The first month (Yin month), wood strong generates fire (Jia Wood gets root), seemingly favorable, but intensifies the conflict (harm + clash) between fire (Wu) and earth/water (Chou, Zi), becoming the temporal trigger for the event.

Event 3: Summoned Back to Capital, Rapid Promotion (1085, Yichou Year)

• Historical Fact: In the eighth year of the Yuanfeng era (1085):
  • Mid-year: On his way to take up the post in Changzhou, Su Shi ran out of funds and petitioned to settle in Yixing, Changzhou, which was approved.
  • August 17: Suddenly received an edict to be Prefect of Dengzhou (Shandong). After only five days in office, he was urgently summoned to be a Gentleman of the Ministry of Rites (central cultural and educational post).
  • After arriving in the capital: Within half a month, he was repeatedly promoted: first appointed Qiju Sheren (imperial attendant, recording imperial words and state affairs), then entered the Yande Hall to participate in confidential affairs. This position was powerful and prestigious.
  • Su Shi's Reaction: Deeply aware that "high positions are cold," fearing that sudden wealth and honor would bring disaster, he actively resigned from the new post.
  • December: Su Shi arrived in Bianjing, fifteen years since he last left the capital (1071). Things had changed, and it felt like a different world.
• Fate Analysis:
  1. Dayun Key: In the Bing Wu dayun (fire strong, climate adjustment), the entire chart's cold and dampness (Gui born in Chou month) is warmed, luck fully recovers.
  2. Activation by Year (Yichou Year):
     • Food God Restraining Kill (Yi Wood Restraining Chou Earth):
       • The year Heavenly Stem Yi Wood (Food God) appears → Talent (Food God) becomes prominent, ability recognized.
       • The year Earthly Branch Chou Earth (Seven Kill) Fuyin of Month Pillar Xinchou → Kill (authority, pressure) reappears.
       • Yi Wood sitting on Chou (Food God restraining Kill): Symbolizes using literary talent to wield power ("Food God restraining Kill effectively"), fitting his rapid promotion based on literary knowledge (Ministry of Rites Gentleman → Qiju Sheren).
     • Bing Fire Warming the Chart (Foundation of Good Luck):
       • The dayun Bing Wu strong fire (favorable climate adjustment) warms the chart → Political winter ends, imperial favor (fire as source of Officer star) returns (after Shenzong's death, the New Party lost power, the Old Party was reinstated).
       • Fire strong generates earth (Chou), also resolves the original chart's water-cold earth-frozen predicament → Official career ice suddenly melts, successive promotions.
     • Warning of Fuyin (Chou Earth Reappears):
       • The year Chou Earth Fuyin of Month Pillar Chou Earth (Seven Kill) → Although gaining power and honor, also hides the worry of old crisis (Seven Kill Fuyin) recurring ("deeply aware that high positions are cold").
       • This Fuyin strengthens his sense of worry, hence actively resigning to avoid the edge (self-preservation).

Event 4: Again to Jiangnan, Prefect of Hangzhou

• Historical Fact: In spring of the fourth year of the Yuanyou era (1089), the court granted Su Shi the treatment of "Vice Grand Councilor" and sent him to be Prefect of Hangzhou. On the day he arrived, he submitted a memorial stating: "The rivers and mountains of my homeland, wherever I go, I feel at home; the elders and remaining people ask about me." This sentence expressed his deep affection for the landscapes and people of the Two Zhe regions. In March, the 54-year-old Su Shi once again set foot on the road south from the capital—a road he had traveled eighteen years before. Time flew by, and revisiting the old place inevitably gave rise to sighs of "aging."

• Fate Analysis: 1. Bing Wu Dayun → Wu Dayun Peak

• 1089 is the "Wu" dayun of the Bing Wu dayun: Bing Fire is the useful god, Wu Fire is the strong root, mainly indicating peak status and reputation.

• Entering the Wu dayun, the original chart's Yi Wood gets strong fire support, literary talent (Food God) and official career (Kill) both achieved, fitting the image of "great fame, high position in a region." 2. Jisi Year → Food God Restraining Kill

• The year stem Ji Earth Seven Kill appears high, showing authority over the day master Xin Metal (or Geng Metal); the chart's Yi Wood Food God restrains Kill effectively, turning evil into good, so he could receive the "Vice Grand Councilor treatment" without substantial opposition from political enemies. 3. Si-Hai Clash → Travel Horse Clash

• Si clashes with the chart's Hai Water, Si is the "Travel Horse." Travel Horse encountering clash mainly indicates transfer, travel, and moving to different places, fitting Su Shi's southward journey.

Event 5: Refused Summons, Then Summoned Again, Factional Strife Forces Departure from Capital (1091, Xinwei Year)

• Historical Fact: In the second month of the sixth year of the Yuanyou era (1091), Empress Dowager Gao wanted to recall Su Shi to the capital as Hanlin Academician. Su Shi understood the dangers of the court (his brother Su Zhe was already in a high position; brothers standing together would surely attract jealousy), so he immediately submitted a memorial strongly declining and requesting to continue serving outside the capital. In May, forced by the imperial edict, he returned to the capital to take up the post. In June, just after taking office, political enemies used old poems to frame him for "slander." Su Shi had anticipated this situation and repeatedly requested to be sent to a prefecture. The Empress Dowager had no choice but to order him to be Prefect of Yingzhou in August.
• Fate Analysis:
  1. Dayun Background: Bing Wu (Fire) dayun is generally auspicious, but the year's evil spirits can trigger turmoil.
  2. Activation by Year (Xinwei Year):
     • Chou-Wei Clash Opens Kill Treasury (Encountering Villains): The year Wei Earth clashes with the Year Branch Chou Earth (Kill treasury) (Chou-Wei clash). Opening the Kill treasury, Seven Kill (villains, slander, political attacks) runs rampant without restraint → Political enemies use old accounts to frame him ("played the old game of reading poems").
     • Xin Metal Appears in Stem (Villains Manifest): The year Xin Metal (Partial Seal) sits on Wei Earth (Kill treasury), symbolizing attacks disguised as documents (Seal) (using poems to fabricate charges).
     • Fire and Earth Dim Light (Good Luck Hard to Resist Year's Evil): Although in the auspicious Bing Wu dayun, Wei Earth (dry earth) combines with and restrains the dayun Wu Fire (Officer star), weakening its protective power → The Empress Dowager, though cherishing his talent, could not withstand the pressure and finally allowed his external posting.

---

Event 6: Frequent Transfers to Yangzhou, Sudden Promotion to Minister, Drastic Change at End of Dayun (1092, Renshen Year)

• Historical Fact:
  • Second month of the seventh year of the Yuanyou era (1092): Su Shi had been Prefect of Yingzhou for less than half a year when he was transferred to be Prefect of Yangzhou.
  • August of the same year: The court urgently summoned him back to the capital (at the time, Emperor Zhezong was about to take personal rule, needing important ministers to assist in the suburban sacrifice ceremony). Su Shi again requested an external post but was denied, and instead was promoted to Minister of Rites (in charge of national culture, education, and foreign affairs), reaching the pinnacle of officialdom. His brother Su Zhe was also promoted to Vice Director of the Chancellery (Vice Grand Councilor). The brothers were prominent for a time, seemingly fulfilling Renzong's prophecy of "peaceful prime ministers."
• Fate Analysis:
  1. Dayun Key Point: This year is the last year of the Bing Wu dayun, at the transition of dayun (Bing Wu → Ding Wei), luck is changing, mainly indicating major changes ("destined to change abnormally").
  2. Activation by Year (Renshen Year):
     • Water-Fire Clash (Ren Restraining Bing): The year Ren Water (Rob Wealth) clashes with the dayun Bing Fire (favorable climate adjustment), mainly indicating repeated events, physical and mental fatigue (within half a year: Yingzhou → Yangzhou → Bianjing).
     • Shen Metal Combines with Si Fire Travel Horse (Image of Toiling): Earthly Branch Shen Metal combines with Si Fire (Travel Horse), and also half-combines with the Hour Branch Zi Water (Lu) (Shen-Zi half combination) → Frequent transfers, tight schedule ("on the road again, submitting memorials").
     • Transition Rising (Hidden Crisis):
       • Although Ren Water restrains Bing, the residual power of the Bing Fire dayun still exists, and with the full support of the Empress Dowager (Seal star) ("promoted to Minister of Rites").
       • However, the energy of Renshen Metal and Water has already appeared, indicating that the next dayun (Ding Wei) will turn from light to dark (foreshadowing Zhezong's personal rule and the resurgence of the New Party).

Section 6 Core Summary: A Decade of Glory and Sorrow Tempered by Water and Fire

Fate Main Axis: Bing Wu double fire as favorable climate adjustment, warming the chart and breaking the cold, but unable to resist the combined attack of Water (Gui, Ren) and Metal (Xin), ultimately forming an image of "auspicious dayun hiding evil opportunities."

I. Fire Dayun Injured: Haze Under the Warm Sun

1. Guihai (1083):
   • Hai-Wu Secret Combination → Chivalrous friend (Rob Wealth) Chao Gu sought refuge, offering warmth in the cold.
   • Gui Restraining Bing + Hai Water Assisting → Water-fire battle in the eyes, eye disease dimmed the light.
2. Jiazi (1084):
   • Zi Clashing Wu, Harming Chou → Triggered the dayun's "Chou-Wu harm" Seven Kill (offspring star) → Infant son died, heart-wrenching in old age.

II. Factional Strife Devours Fire: High Position Hard to Defend Against Hidden Arrows

• Xinwei (1091):
  • Chou-Wei Clash, Earth Energy Increases, Seven Kill Floods → Villains (Seven Kill) used old poems to frame him, using Xin Metal (Partial Seal) to fabricate charges.

III. Extreme Change at End of Dayun: Boiling Oil and Fire Conceals Turbulent Waves

• Renshen (1092):
  • Year of Dayun Transition → Destined for drastic change (three moves in half a year: Ying → Yang → Capital).
  • Ren Restraining Bing + Shen Metal Travel Horse → Water-fire clash, toiling, tired of imperial edicts.
  • Fire Shines at Peak → Empress Dowager supported, brothers shone together (Minister of Rites + Vice Grand Councilor), reached the pinnacle of officialdom.
  • Metal and Water Appear in Stem (Renshen) → Under the glorious prosperity, the murderous intent after Zhezong's personal rule was already lurking.

---

Fate Revelation

The Bing Wu decade was Su Shi's paradoxical dayun of "fire shining but body covered in wounds":

• Fire's Warmth: Melted the cold of Huangzhou (Chao Gu), rose to the peak of Yuanyou (Minister).
• Water's Blade: Guihai injured eyes, Jiazi lost son, Renshen forced moves, piercing the illusion of the favorable element.
• Metal's Darkness: Xinwei clash buried the root of factional strife, Renshen transition foreshadowed a political tsunami.

When the fire of the dayun burned brightest in 1092, it also became the beginning of the ashes—the next Ding Wei dayun (from 1093), the ice age of Zhezong's personal rule, was quietly approaching.

Section 7 | Last Life Cycle: Ding Wei Dayun (1093-1101)

Su Shi's last life cycle: First five years: 1093 Guiyou, 1094 Jiaxu, 1095 Yihai, 1096 Bingzi, 1097 Dingchou Last five years: 1098 Wuyin, 1099 Jimao, 1100 Gengchen, 1101 Xinsi, 1102 Renwu

---

Event 1: 1093, Guiyou Year, Villains' Slander, Left Capital for Dingzhou

The enemy's revenge came quickly. In the third month of the eighth year of the Yuanyou era (1093), less than half a year after Su Shi returned to the capital, someone again accused him of slandering the late emperor. The evidence came from a document Su Shi had drafted seven years earlier, still using the same old tricks of taking things out of context and malicious interpretation. This tired tactic was truly annoying. However, leaving was not easy; Empress Dowager Gao always refused to let him go. It didn't matter; as long as he persisted in resigning, she would eventually allow it. So Su Shi repeatedly failed but kept resigning, and finally, the Empress Dowager approved, sending him to be the Military Prefect of Dingzhou. Finally able to leave, Su Shi breathed a sigh of relief. Approaching sixty, he was determined to retire to seclusion, and leaving the court was the first step. The day the Empress Dowager approved his resignation was probably the happiest day since his return to court. But just as he was happy,

Interpretation: Just entered the new dayun in the first year, Guiyou. Still in the Ding Fire dayun, Ding-Gui clash, then triggered Wei and Chou clash, Seven Kill flooding, Mao-You clash, Seal clashing Food God, Food governs talent, Seal represents documents, again using documents from that year as a reason. These villains never stop.

Event 2: Death of Second Wife, Aged 47

Also in 1093.

Event 3: Demotion

In the fourth month of the first year of the Shaosheng era (1094, Jiaxu year), on the third day of the intercalary month, Su Shi was stripped of his titles of Grand Academician of the Duanming Hall and Hanlin Academician, demoted two ranks, and exiled to Yingzhou in Lingnan as Prefect, charged with "disrespect to the late emperor and slander of the previous dynasty." This was less than a month after Zhang Dun returned to the capital.

Event 4: Death of Concubine

In the seventh month of the third year of the Shaosheng era (1096, Bingzi year), Zhaoyun died of illness at the age of 34. Su Shi was heartbroken. Zhaoyun may not have been the most important woman in his life, but she was certainly the most special.

Event 5: Exiled to Danzhou

On the fourteenth day of the second month of the fourth year of the Shaosheng era (1097, Dingchou year), he was building a new residence on Baihe Peak. In the fifth month, he was demoted to Assistant Officer of Qiongzhou and assigned to Changhua Military Prefecture. By April 17, Su Shi received the order and was exiled to Danzhou. Along the way, he passed the southern foot of Liangshan Mountain, stayed overnight, and then took a ferry. At that time, Su Zhe was also exiled to Leizhou, and the two brothers happened to meet in Tengzhou and traveled together to the Leizhou Peninsula. On June 11, Su Shi bid farewell to his brother and set sail across the sea. On July 13, he arrived in Danzhou. With no place to live initially, Su Shi temporarily stayed in an official residence. Soon, the locals built three rooms for him, which Su Shi named the Guanglang Hut.

Dingchou year, Chou-Wei clash, Ding Fire.

Event 6: Moved to Yongzhou

In the third year of the Yuanfu era (1100), his place of exile was moved to Lianzhou, and then he was appointed Deputy Head of the Shuzhou Militia and resided in Yongzhou. Passing through Guangzhou and Qingyuan, when he reached Yingzhou, he was granted the title of Superintendent of the Chengdu Prefecture Jade Bureau and allowed to reside in any remote prefecture. Emperor Huizong ascended the throne, and Empress Dowager Xiang ruled from behind the curtain. In the fourth month, an edict was issued allowing Su Shi to return north.

Gengchen year.

Event 7: The Last Swan Song of a Literary Giant

In the first year of the Jianzhong Jingguo era (1101), Su Shi was pardoned and returned north, passing through Nan'an Military Prefecture. In the first month, he arrived in Qianzhou. In the fifth month, he arrived in Zhenzhou for the third time. In summer, due to excessive cold drinks, he suffered from incessant diarrhea, and mistakenly took Astragalus, causing his condition to worsen, with "blood gushing from between his teeth like countless earthworms." Mi Fu arranged for him to rest in the Dongyuan Garden and sent Ophiopogon japonicus. On July 28, he died of illness at the Sun family residence in Changzhou at the age of 64. His brother Su Zhe buried him at Xiaoe'mei Mountain in Jia County (Shangruili Village, Diaotai Township, Jia County, Ruzhou). Emperor Xiaozong of the Southern Song Dynasty posthumously awarded him the posthumous title "Wenzhong."