Analysis of Ming Taizu's Short-lived Eight Characters

In ancient China, divination, numerology, physiognomy and geomantic omen all had magical powers. It is said that Zhu Yuanzhang, the Ming emperor, believed in these things.

Zhu Yuanzhang became a monk in Huang Jue Temple in his early years. His position is very low and he is often hungry and cold. Later, his childhood playmate Tang He wrote to invite him to take part in the Red Scarf Uprising. This matter was reported to the Yuan government, and Zhu Yuanzhang panicked and was cornered. According to his article "The Imperial Tomb", he was at a loss when faced with life choices, and decided his future by divination.

The result of this divination is that "the code name of divination is unlucky, so you might as well be fierce." In other words, whether you choose to escape or stay and continue to become a monk, you will run away. Only going to the rebels is the only way out. So Zhu Yuanzhang made up his mind to go to the rebel army, and he began to emerge and eventually became the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

The Five Miscellanies written by Ming Metabolism also recorded a story about Zhu Yuanzhang's superstition of eight-character numerology.

When he became emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang was very worried that others would rebel and compete with him for the throne. Moreover, he thinks that since he can become an emperor, it means that his birthday is very expensive, so people like himself may become emperors. Zhu Yuanzhang became more and more worried, so he sent people to secretly investigate everywhere, "raising people with the same fate" and looking for people with the same birth date.

And I actually found one. Zhu Yuanzhang was very interested after learning about it. He "shouted to kill it" and ordered the man to be taken to the palace at once. He wanted to see if this man looked like an emperor, and he was going to kill him to avoid future trouble.

But when Zhu Yuanzhang saw this man, he was disappointed. It turns out that this person is just an ordinary rural old man, and there is nothing unique.

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly lost his desire to kill, so he chatted with the old man and asked him why he wanted to make a living. The old man replied, "I keep thirteen cages of bees and make a living by selling honey." Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help laughing after listening, and said to himself, "Are the thirteen chief ministers of Daming my thirteen cages of bees?"

Zhu Yuanzhang had a good time, chatted with the old man for a while and asked some questions about the old man. "I returned it generously", and then I gave the old man a generous reward and sent someone home.

Therefore, the Five Miscellanies draws the conclusion that "Lu's theory of destiny is not credible enough", and the theory of eight-character destiny is just an illusory statement, which cannot be trusted. "However, it is difficult to solidify the imperial spirit." Even if the eight characters are the same, the achievements vary from person to person.