《皇極經世》Vol. 10

Interpretation

Volume Four, Part One of Huangji Jingshi, Supplement Four.

Composed by Shao Yaofu of Sanchuan.

“Tracing the Cycles through the Meetings,” Chapter Seven; “Treatise on Observing Things,” Chapter Nineteen.

This chapter arranges historical lineages by year using the sexagenary cycle. The heading’s phrases “the first Jia in the cycle of days,” “the seventh Wu in the cycle of months,” “the one hundred and eighty-fifth Wu in the cycle of stars,” and “the two thousand two hundred and ninth Zi in the cycle of time periods” are numerical markers that represent levels of time in Shao Yong’s system.

The table first lists the years from Jiazi through Gengwu. Beginning with Xinwei, it then gives the succession or regnal-year numbers of the Eastern Zhou, Jin, Qi, Song, Chu, Qin, and other states, marking the names of rulers in their corresponding places. Examples include “Eastern Zhou (King Ping),” “Jin (Marquis Wen),” “Qi (Duke Zhuang),” “Song (Duke Dai),” “Chu (Ruo’ao),” and “Qin (Duke Xiang).” “Duke Hui of Lu,” “Duke Wu of Song,” “Xiao’ao of Chu,” “Duke Wen of Qin,” and “Fenmao of Chu” are also ruler names marked in the table.

The numbers in the table are paired with the sexagenary years to record the historical sequence of each state; within each row, the numbers for each state correspond to its column. The opening entries, “Jiazi, five; Yichou, six; Bingyin, seven,” and so on, are year-by-year increasing numerical markers.

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Interpretation

This passage is a chronological table from the Jing of the Supreme Ultimate (Huangji jingshi). It arranges dates using the sexagenary cycle and numbers; it is not continuous prose. The sexagenary cycle marks years with sixty combinations of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches. The names of states, posthumous titles, and honorifics in parentheses identify the people concerned. The original does not specify which columns the numbers belong to, so the following preserves their original order without further interpretation.

“Two thousand two hundred and ten in the Chou of the Jingshen” is the chronological marker in this passage.

• Gui-si: twenty-three, thirty-three, forty-seven, eighteen, ten, eleven.
• Jia-wu: twenty-four, thirty-four, forty-eight; Duke Xuan of Song, eleven, twelve.
• Yi-wei: twenty-five, thirty-five, forty-nine, twenty-two, thirteen.
• Bing-shen: twenty-six; Marquis Zhao of Jin, fifty-three, thirteen, fourteen.
• Ding-you: twenty-seven, two, fifty-one, four, fifteen.
• Wu-xu: twenty-eight, three, fifty-two, five, sixteen.
• Ji-hai: twenty-nine, four, fifty-three, six, seventeen.
• Geng-zi: thirty, five, fifty-four, seven, eighteen.
• Xin-chou: thirty-one, six, fifty-five, eight; King Wu of Chu, nineteen.
• Ren-yin: thirty-two, seven, fifty-six, nine, two, twenty.
• Gui-mao: thirty-three; Marquis Xiao of Jin, fifty-seven, thirteen, twenty-one.
• Jia-chen: thirty-four, two, fifty-eight, eleven, four, twenty-two.
• Yi-si: thirty-five, three, fifty-nine, twelve, five, twenty-three.
• Bing-wu: thirty-six, four, sixty, thirteen, six, twenty-four.
• Ding-wei: thirty-seven, five, sixty-one, fourteen, seven, twenty-five.
• Wu-shen: thirty-eight, six, sixty-two, fifteen, eight, twenty-six.
• Ji-you: thirty-nine, seven, sixty-three, sixteen, nine, twenty-seven.
• Geng-xu: forty, eight, sixty-four, seventeen, twelve, twenty-eight.
• Xin-hai: forty-one, nine; Duke Li of Qi, eighteen, eleven, twenty-nine.
• Ren-zi: forty-two, twelve, nineteen, twelve, thirty.
• Gui-chou: forty-three, eleven, three; Duke Mu of Song, thirteen, thirty-one.
• Jia-yin: forty-four, twelve, four, twenty-four, thirty-two.
• Yi-mao: forty-five, thirteen, five, three, thirty-five, thirty-three.
• Bing-chen: forty-six, fourteen, six, four, sixteen, thirty-four.
• Ding-si: forty-seven, fifteen, seven, five, seventeen, thirty-five.
• Wu-wu: forty-eight; Marquis E of Jin, eight, six, eighteen, thirty-six.
• Ji-wei: forty-nine; Duke Yin of Lu, two, nine, seven, nineteen, thirty-seven.
• Geng-shen: fifty, three, eighteen, two, twenty-three, eighteen.

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Interpretation

This is a historical chronology arranged year by year according to the sexagenary cycle, using the dating system of The Classic of the Supreme Ultimate’s Governance of the World (Huangji Jingshi). Each row matches a sexagenary year with era names, rulers, or regnal years from different polities. “Zhou,” “Song,” “Jin,” “Qin,” “Qi,” and “Lu” are names of states; the text in parentheses identifies a ruler, as in “Zhou (King Huan)” and “Song (Duke Shang).” The numbers at the end also belong to the table’s dating columns, but this excerpt alone does not reveal the specific headings.

The table begins with “Xinyou,” followed by “Renxu” and “Guihai,” then gives “Jingchen zhi Yin, two thousand two hundred and eleven.” It continues in sexagenary order from “Jiazi” through “Wu Zi.” For example, the “Jiazi” row contains several different dating entries, including “three,” “Jin (Marquis Ai),” and “fourteen”; the “Dingchou” row includes “Jin (Marquis Min)” and “proclaimed himself king.” The table also records names such as Duke Wu of Qin, Duke Chu of Qin, Duke Xiang of Qi, and Duke Huan and Duke Zhuang of Lu.

These numbers should be understood as dating entries or regnal-year records used in the respective columns. Without the original table’s column headings and context, it is not possible to determine from this excerpt alone which polity or specific year each number refers to.

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Interpretation

This section is a chronological table from The Book of Supreme World Ordering (Huangji Jingshi). It records the sexagenary year signs and the corresponding dynasties, feudal states, and rulers’ regnal years; it is not continuous narrative prose. The characters in parentheses combine to form a ruler’s title. For example, “Song (Min/Duke)” means “Duke Min of Song.” The numbers indicate the sequence of regnal years or the number of years listed in the original table. Since the original does not specify what each column represents, the entries below are arranged in their original order:

Ji-Chou: fifty-three, six; Duke Min of Song, forty-nine, seven.

Geng-Yin: sixty-four, seven, two, fifty-eight.

Xin-Mao: seventy-five, eight, three, fifty-one, nine.

Ren-Chen: eighty-six, nine, four; King Wen of Chu, ten.

Gui-Si: ninety-seven, fifteen, twenty-one.

Jingchen zhi Mao: two thousand two hundred and twelve.

Jia-Wu: ten, eighteen, eleven, six, thirty-two.

Yi-Wei: eleven, nineteen; Wu Zhi of Qi, seven, four, thirteen.

Bing-Shen: twelve, twenty; Duke Huan of Qi, eight, five, fourteen.

Ding-You: thirteen, twenty-one, two, nine, sixty-five.

Wu-Xu: fourteen, twenty-two, three, seventeen, sixteen.

Ji-Hai: fifteen, twenty-three, four; Duke Huan of Song, eight, seventeen.

Geng-Zi: King Li of Zhou, twenty-four, five, two, nine, eighteen.

Xin-Chou: two, twenty-five, six, thirty, nineteen.

Ren-Yin: three; Duke Wu of Jin, seven, four, eleven, twenty.

Gui-Mao: four, two, eight, five, twelve, twenty-one.

Jia-Chen: five, three, nine, six, thirteen; Duke De of Qin.

Yi-Si: King Hui of Zhou; Duke Xian of Jin, seventeen; King Du’ao of Chu, two.

Bing-Wu: two, twenty-one, eight, two; Duke Xuan of Qin.

Ding-Wei: three, three, twelve, nine, three, two.

Wu-Shen: four, four, thirteen, fourteen, three.

Ji-You: five, five, fourteen, eleven; King Cheng of Chu, four.

Geng-Xu: six, six, fifteen, twelve, two, five.

Xin-Hai: seven, seven, sixteen, thirteen, three, six.

Ren-Zi: eight, eight, seventeen, fourteen, four, seven.

Gui-Chou: nine, nine, eighteen, fifteen, five, eight.

Jia-Yin: ten, ten, nineteen, sixteen, six, nine.

Yi-Mao: eleven, eleven, twenty, seventeen, seven, ten.

Bing-Chen: twelve, twelve, twenty-one, eighteen, eight, eleven.

Ding-Si: thirteen, thirteen, twenty-two, nineteen, nine, twelve.

Wu-Wu: fourteen, fourteen, twenty-three, twenty, ten; Duke Cheng of Qin.

Ji-Wei: fifteen, fifteen, twenty-four, twenty-one, eleven, two.

Geng-Shen: sixteen; Duke Min of Lu, sixteen, twenty-five, twenty-two, twelve, three.

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Interpretation

Xinyou: The seventeenth year of King Xiang of Zhou; the seventeenth year of Duke Xi of Lu; the twenty-sixth year of Duke Mu of Qin; the twenty-third year of Duke Xiang of Song; the thirteenth year in the Jin state’s chronology; and the fourth year in the Qin state’s chronology.

Renxu: The eighteenth year of King Xiang of Zhou; the eighteenth year of Duke Xi of Lu; the twenty-seventh year of Duke Mu of Qin; the twenty-fourth year of Duke Xiang of Song; the fourteenth year in the Jin state’s chronology; and the second year of Duke Mu of Qin.

Guihai: The nineteenth year of King Xiang of Zhou; the nineteenth year of Duke Xi of Lu; the twenty-eighth year of Duke Mu of Qin; the twenty-fifth year of Duke Xiang of Song; the fifteenth year in the Jin state’s chronology; and the third year of Duke Mu of Qin.

The chronology listed in this section is marked “two thousand two hundred and thirteen from the sexagenary cycle’s Chen position.”

Jiazi: The twentieth year of King Xiang of Zhou; the twentieth year of Duke Xi of Lu; the twenty-ninth year of Duke Mu of Qin; the twenty-sixth year of Duke Xiang of Song; the sixteenth year in the Jin state’s chronology; and the third year of Duke Mu of Qin.

Yichou: The twenty-first year of King Xiang of Zhou; the twenty-first year of Duke Xi of Lu; the thirtieth year of Duke Mu of Qin; the twenty-seventh year of Duke Xiang of Song; the seventeenth year in the Jin state’s chronology; and the fourth year of Duke Mu of Qin.

Bingyin: The twenty-second year of King Xiang of Zhou; the twenty-second year of Duke Xi of Lu; the thirty-first year of Duke Mu of Qin; the twenty-eighth year of Duke Xiang of Song; the eighteenth year in the Jin state’s chronology; and the fifth year of Duke Mu of Qin.

Dingmao: The twenty-third year of King Xiang of Zhou; the twenty-third year of Duke Xi of Lu; the thirty-second year of Duke Mu of Qin; the twenty-ninth year of Duke Xiang of Song; the nineteenth year in the Jin state’s chronology; and the sixth year of Duke Mu of Qin.

Wuchen: The twenty-fourth year of King Xiang of Zhou; the twenty-fourth year of Duke Xi of Lu; the thirty-third year of Duke Mu of Qin; the thirtieth year of Duke Xiang of Song; the twentieth year in the Jin state’s chronology; and the seventh year of Duke Mu of Qin.

Jisi: The twenty-fifth year of King Xiang of Zhou; the twenty-fifth year of Duke Xi of Lu; the thirty-fourth year of Duke Mu of Qin; the thirty-first year of Duke Xiang of Song; the twenty-first year in the Jin state’s chronology; and the eighth year of Duke Mu of Qin.

Gengwu: The twenty-sixth year of King Xiang of Zhou; the twenty-sixth year of Duke Xi of Lu; the thirty-fifth year of Duke Mu of Qin; the thirty-second year of Duke Xiang of Song; the twenty-second year in the Jin state’s chronology; and the ninth year of Duke Mu of Qin.

Xinwei: The twenty-seventh year of King Xiang of Zhou; the period of Xiqi and Zhuozi in Jin; the thirty-sixth year of Duke Mu of Qin; the thirty-third year of Duke Xiang of Song; the twenty-third year in the Jin state’s chronology; and the tenth year of Duke Mu of Qin.

Renshen: The twenty-eighth year of King Xiang of Zhou; the period of Duke Hui of Jin; the thirty-seventh year of Duke Mu of Qin; the twenty-fourth year in the Jin state’s chronology; and the eleventh year of Duke Mu of Qin.

Guiyou: The twenty-ninth year of King Xiang of Zhou; the twenty-ninth year of Duke Xi of Lu; the thirty-eighth year of Duke Mu of Qin; the third year of Duke Xiang of Song; the twenty-fifth year in the Jin state’s chronology; and the twelfth year of Duke Mu of Qin.

Jiaxu: The thirtieth year of King Xiang of Zhou; the thirtieth year of Duke Xi of Lu; the thirty-ninth year of Duke Mu of Qin; the fourth year of Duke Xiang of Song; the twenty-sixth year in the Jin state’s chronology; and the thirteenth year of Duke Mu of Qin.

Yihai: The thirty-first year of King Xiang of Zhou; the thirty-first year of Duke Xi of Lu; the fortieth year of Duke Mu of Qin; the fifth year of Duke Xiang of Song; the twenty-seventh year in the Jin state’s chronology; and the fourteenth year of Duke Mu of Qin.

Bingzi: The thirty-second year of King Xiang of Zhou; the thirty-second year of Duke Xi of Lu; the forty-first year of Duke Mu of Qin; the sixth year of Duke Xiang of Song; the twenty-eighth year in the Jin state’s chronology; and the fifteenth year of Duke Mu of Qin.

Dingchou: The thirty-third year of King Xiang of Zhou; the thirty-third year of Duke Xi of Lu; the forty-second year of Duke Mu of Qin; the seventh year of Duke Xiang of Song; the twenty-ninth year in the Jin state’s chronology; and the sixteenth year of Duke Mu of Qin.

Wuyin: The thirty-fourth year of King Xiang of Zhou; the thirty-fourth year of Duke Xi of Lu; the forty-third year of Duke Mu of Qin; the eighth year of Duke Xiang of Song; the thirtieth year in the Jin state’s chronology; and the seventeenth year of Duke Mu of Qin.

Jimao: The thirty-fifth year of King Xiang of Zhou; the period of Duke Xiao of Qi; the ninth year of Duke Xiang of Song; the thirty-first year in the Jin state’s chronology; and the eighteenth year of Duke Mu of Qin.

Gengchen: The thirty-sixth year of King Xiang of Zhou; the thirty-sixth year of Duke Xi of Lu; the twenty-third year in the Jin state’s chronology; the twelfth year of Duke Mu of Qin; and the nineteenth year in the Jin state’s chronology.

Xinsi: The thirty-seventh year of King Xiang of Zhou; the thirty-seventh year of Duke Xi of Lu; the twenty-fourth year in the Jin state’s chronology; the thirteenth year of Duke Mu of Qin; and the twentieth year in the Jin state’s chronology.

Renwu: The thirty-eighth year of King Xiang of Zhou; the thirty-eighth year of Duke Xi of Lu; the twenty-fifth year in the Jin state’s chronology; the fourteenth year of Duke Mu of Qin; and the twenty-first year in the Jin state’s chronology.

Guiwei: The thirty-ninth year of King Xiang of Zhou; the thirty-ninth year of Duke Xi of Lu; the twenty-sixth year in the Jin state’s chronology; the fifteenth year of Duke Mu of Qin; and the twenty-second year in the Jin state’s chronology.

Jiashen: The fortieth year of King Xiang of Zhou; the fortieth year of Duke Xi of Lu; the twenty-seventh year in the Jin state’s chronology; the sixteenth year of Duke Mu of Qin; and the twenty-third year in the Jin state’s chronology.

Yiyou: The forty-first year of King Xiang of Zhou; the period of Duke Huai and Duke Wen of Jin; the twenty-eighth year of Duke Mu of Qin; the period of Duke Cheng of Song; the thirty-seventh year in the Jin state’s chronology; and the twenty-fourth year of Duke Mu of Qin.

Bingxu: The forty-second year of King Xiang of Zhou; the forty-second year of Duke Xi of Lu; the twenty-eighth year in the Jin state’s chronology; the second year of Duke Mu of Qin; the thirty-eighth year in the Jin state’s chronology; and the twenty-fifth year of Duke Mu of Qin.

Dinghai: The forty-third year of King Xiang of Zhou; the forty-third year of Duke Xi of Lu; the twenty-ninth year in the Jin state’s chronology; the third year of Duke Mu of Qin; the thirty-ninth year in the Jin state’s chronology; and the twenty-sixth year of Duke Mu of Qin.

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Interpretation

This section of the Huangji Jingshi is not continuous narrative prose but a chronological table arranged by sexagenary year. Each line first lists the sexagenary year, then records year numbers and the related feudal states and rulers in sequence. Since the table has no headings, it is impossible to determine what each set of numbers refers to in the chronology.

Wuzi year: nineteen, forty-four, forty-two, seventeen.

Jichou year: twenty-five; Duke Zhao of Qi (the original text marks this as “Qi (Zhao/Duke)”); five, forty-one, twenty-eight.

Gengyin year: twenty-one, six, twenty-six, forty-two, twenty-nine.

Xinmao year: twenty-two, seven, thirty-seven, forty-three, thirty.

Renchen year: twenty-three, eight, forty-eight, forty-four, thirty-one.

Guisi year: twenty-four, nine, fifty-nine, forty-five, thirty-two.

“Jingchen zhi si, two thousand two hundred and fourteen”: the period called jingchen zhi si lasted a total of two thousand two hundred and fourteen years.

Jiawu year: twenty-five; Duke Xiang of Jin (ruler of Jin); sixty; King Mu of Chu (ruler of Chu); thirty-three.

Yiwei year: twenty-six; Duke Wen of Lu (ruler of Lu); two, seventy-one, two, thirty-four.

Bingshen year: twenty-seven, three, eighty-two, three, thirty-five.

Dingyou year: twenty-eight, four, ninety-three, four, thirty-six.

Wuxu year: twenty-nine, five, fourteen, five, thirty-seven.

Jihai year: thirty, six, eleven, fifteen, six, thirty-eight.

Gengzi year: thirty-one, seven, twelve, sixteen, seven, thirty-nine.

Xinchou year: thirty-two; Duke Ling of Jin (ruler of Jin); thirteen, seventeen, eight; Duke Kang of Qin (ruler of Qin).

Renyin year: thirty-three, twenty-four; Duke Zhao of Song (ruler of Song); nine, two.

Guimao year: King Qing of Zhou (Son of Heaven of Zhou); thirty-five, two, twenty-three.

Jiachen year: two, forty-six, thirty-one, four.

Yisi year: three, five, seventeen, forty-two, five.

Bingwu year: four, six, eighteen, fifty-three, six.

Dingwei year: five, seven, nineteen, sixty-four, seven.

Wushen year: six, eight, twenty, seven; King Zhuang of Chu (ruler of Chu); eight.

Jiyou year: King Kuang of Zhou (Son of Heaven of Zhou); nine; Duke Yi of Qi (ruler of Qi); eight, two, nine.

Gengxu year: twenty-two; Duke Wen of Song (ruler of Song); thirty.

Xinhai year: thirty-one, three, two, forty-one.

Renzi year: forty-two; Duke Hui of Qi (ruler of Qi); three, five, twelve.

Guichou year: five; Duke Xuan of Lu (ruler of Lu); thirteen, two, four, six; Duke Gong of Qin (ruler of Qin).

Jiayin year: six; Duke Cheng of Jin (ruler of Jin); three, five, seven, two.

Yimao year: King Ding of Zhou (Son of Heaven of Zhou); two, four, six, eight, three.

Bingchen year: two, three, five, seven, nine, four.

Dingsi year: three, four, six, eight, fifteen.

Wuwu year: four, five, seven, nine, eleven; Duke Huan of Qin (ruler of Qin).

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Interpretation

In the year Jimao: five, six, eight, ten, twelve, two.

In the year Gengshen: six, seven, nine, eleven, thirteen, three.

In the year Xinyou: seven, eight, ten, twelve, fourteen, four.

In the year Renxu: eight; Duke Jing of Jin (“Jing” may instead be “Duke”); eleven, thirteen, fifteen, five.

In the year Guihai: nine, two; Duke Qing of Qi (“Qing” may instead be “Duke”); fourteen, sixteen, six.

Noon of the Jingchen cycle: 2,215.

In the year Jiazi: thirteen, two, five, seventeen, seven.

In the year Yichou: eleven, four, three, sixteen, eighteen, eight.

In the year Bingyin: twelve, five, four, seventeen, nineteen, nine.

In the year Dingmao: thirteen, six, five, eighteen, twenty, ten.

In the year Wuchen: fourteen, seven, six, nineteen, twenty-one, eleven.

In the year Jisi: fifteen, eight, seven, twenty-two, twelve, twelve.

In the year Gengwu: sixteen, nine, eight, twenty-one, twenty-three, thirteen.

In the year Xinwei: seventeen; Duke Cheng of Lu (“Lu” may instead be “Cheng”); nineteen, twenty-two; King Gong of Chu (“Gong” may instead be “King”); fourteen.

In the year Renshen: eighteen, eleven, twelve, thirteen, twenty-five.

In the year Guiyou: nineteen, twelve, eleven; Duke Gong of Song (“Gong” may instead be “Duke”); thirty-six.

In the year Jiaxu: twenty, thirteen, twelve, two, forty-seven.

In the year Yihai: twenty-one, fourteen, thirteen, three, fifty-eight.

In the year Bingzi: King Jian of Zhou (“Jian” may instead be “King”); fifteen, fourteen, four, sixty-nine; Shoumeng of Wu (“Shou” may instead be “Meng”).

In the year Dingchou: twenty, six, fifteen, five, seven, twenty-two.

In the year Wuyin: three, seventeen, sixteen, six, eight, twenty-one, three.

In the year Jimao: four, eighteen, seventeen, seven, nine, twenty-one, four.

In the year Gengchen: five, nineteen; Duke Ling of Qi (“Ling” may instead be “Duke”); eight, twelve, thirteen, five.

In the year Xinsi: six; Duke Li of Jin (“Li” may instead be “Duke”); two, nine, eleven, twenty, four, six.

In the year Renwu: seven, two, three, ten, twelve, twenty-five, seven.

In the year Guiwei: eight, three, four, eleven, thirteen, twenty-six, eight.

In the year Jiashen: nine, four, five, twelve, fourteen, twenty-seven, nine.

In the year Yiyou: fifteen, six, thirteen, fifteen; Duke Jing of Qin (“Jing” may instead be “Duke”); ten.

In the year Bingxu: eleven, six, seven; Duke Ping of Song (“Ping” may instead be “Duke”); sixteen, twenty-one.

In the year Dinghai: twelve, seven, eight, twenty-seven, three, twelve.

In the year Wuzi: thirteen, eight, nine, thirty-eight, four, thirteen.

“Jimao,” “Gengshen,” and the other designations are years in the sexagenary cycle. “Duke Jing of Jin,” “Duke Qing of Qi,” “Duke Cheng of Lu,” and the other titles refer to rulers of feudal states during the Spring and Autumn period. The remaining numbers are listed in the order given in the original; they are presumably values in the columns of the source’s chronology table. Since the excerpt provides no column headings, it is impossible to determine precisely which era or year-count each number represents.

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Interpretation

In the year jichou, the twentieth year of King Ling of Zhou; the fourteenth year of Duke Xiang of Lu; the corresponding regnal years in Jin were fourteen, nineteen, and fifty-four.

In the year gengyin, the twenty-first year of King Ling of Zhou; the fifth year in Lu; the corresponding regnal years in Jin were twenty-six and fifteen.

In the year xinmao, the twenty-second year of King Ling of Zhou; the sixth year in Lu; the corresponding regnal years in Jin were twenty-one and seventy-six.

In the year renchen, the twenty-third year of King Ling of Zhou; the seventh year in Lu; the corresponding regnal years in Jin were twenty-two and eighty-seven.

In the year guisi, the twenty-fourth year of King Ling of Zhou; the eighth year in Lu; the corresponding regnal years in Jin were twenty-three and ninety-eight.

The 2,216 years of “the Unfinished Cycle of the jingchen” (jingchen zhi wei): according to the chronological system of the Huangji Jingshi, this period lasted 2,216 years.

In the year jiawu, the twenty-fifth year of King Ling of Zhou; the ninth year in Lu; the corresponding regnal years in Jin were twenty-four and nineteen.

In the year yiwei, the twenty-sixth year of King Ling of Zhou; the twelfth year in Lu; the corresponding regnal years in Jin were fifteen, eleven, and twenty.

In the year bingshen, the twenty-seventh year of King Ling of Zhou; the eleventh year in Lu; the corresponding regnal years in Jin were twenty-six, twelve, and twenty-one.

In the year dingyou, the twenty-eighth year of King Ling of Zhou; the twelfth year in Lu; the corresponding regnal years in Jin were twenty-seven, thirteen, and twenty-two.

In the year wuxu, the twenty-ninth year of King Ling of Zhou; the thirteenth year in Lu; the corresponding regnal years in Jin were twenty-eight, fourteen, and twenty-three.

In the year jihai, the thirtieth year of King Ling of Zhou; the fourteenth year in Lu; the corresponding regnal years in Jin were twenty-nine, fifteen, and twenty-four.

In the year gengzi, the thirty-first year of King Ling of Zhou; the fifteenth year in Lu; the corresponding regnal years in Jin were thirty, sixteen, and twenty-five.

In the year xinchou, the thirty-second year of King Ling of Zhou; the sixteenth year in Lu; the corresponding regnal years in Jin were thirty-one and seventeen; the ruler of Wu was Zhufan.

In the year renyin, the thirty-third year of King Ling of Zhou; the seventeenth year in Lu; the ruler of Chu was King Kang; the other regnal years were eighteen and two.

In the year guimao, the thirty-fourth year of King Ling of Zhou; the eighteenth year in Lu; the corresponding regnal years in Jin were twenty-nine and three.

In the year jiachen, the thirty-fifth year of King Ling of Zhou; the ruler of Jin was Duke Ping; the other regnal years were twenty-five, nineteen, three, and twenty-four.

In the year yisi, the thirty-sixth year of King Ling of Zhou; the other regnal years were two, twenty-six, twenty-four, twenty-one, and five.

In the year bingwu, the thirty-seventh year of King Ling of Zhou; the other regnal years were three, twenty-seven, twenty-one, five, twenty-two, and six.

In the year dingwei, the thirty-eighth year of King Ling of Zhou; the other regnal years were four, twenty-eight, twenty-two, six, twenty-three, and seven.

In the year wushen, the thirty-ninth year of King Ling of Zhou; the ruler of Qi was Duke Zhuang; the other regnal years were five, twenty-three, seven, twenty-four, and eight.

In the year jiyou, the fortieth year of King Ling of Zhou; the other regnal years were six, two, twenty-four, eight, twenty-five, and nine.

In the year gengxu, the forty-first year of King Ling of Zhou; the other regnal years were seven, three, twenty-five, nine, twenty-six, and ten.

In the year xinhai, the forty-second year of King Ling of Zhou; the other regnal years were eight, four, twenty-six, twelve, seventeen, and eleven.

In the year renzi, the forty-third year of King Ling of Zhou; the other regnal years were nine, five, twenty-seven, eleven, twenty-eight, and twelve.

In the year guichou, the forty-fourth year of King Ling of Zhou; the other regnal years were ten, six, twenty-eight, twelve, twenty-nine, and thirteen.

In the year jiayin, the forty-fifth year of King Ling of Zhou; the ruler of Qi was Duke Jing; the other regnal years were eleven, twenty-nine, thirteen, and thirty; the ruler of Wu was Yuzhai.

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Interpretation

In the Yimao year: the fourteenth year of King Jing of Zhou; the third year of Jiao’ao of Chu.

In the Bingchen year: the fifteenth year of King Jing of Zhou; the fourth year of Jiao’ao of Chu.

In the Dingsi year: the fourteenth year of King Jing of Zhou; the third year of Jiao’ao of Chu.

In the Wuwu year: the twenty-fifth year of King Jing of Zhou; the fifth year of Jiao’ao of Chu.

In the Jiwei year: the thirty-sixth year of King Jing of Zhou; the sixth year of Jiao’ao of Chu.

In the Gengshen year: the fourth year of Duke Zhao of Lu; the seventeenth year of King Jing of Zhou; the seventh year of King Ling of Chu.

In the Xinyou year: the fifth year of King Jing of Zhou; the eighth year of King Ling of Chu.

In the Renshu year: the sixth year of King Jing of Zhou; the ninth year of King Ling of Chu.

In the Guihai year: the seventh year of King Jing of Zhou; the tenth year of King Ling of Chu.

Jingchen zhi Shen: 2,217.

In the Jiazi year: the eighth year of King Jing of Zhou; the eleventh year of King Ling of Chu.

In the Yichou year: the ninth year of King Jing of Zhou; the twelfth year of King Ling of Chu; the sixth year of Duke Ai of Qin.

In the Bingyin year: the twelfth year of King Jing of Zhou; the thirteenth year of King Ling of Chu.

In the Dingmao year: the eleventh year of King Jing of Zhou; the fourteenth year of King Ling of Chu.

In the Wuchen year: the twelfth year of King Jing of Zhou; the fifteenth year of King Ling of Chu.

In the Jisi year: the thirteenth year of King Jing of Zhou; the sixteenth year of King Ling of Chu.

In the Gengwu year: the fourteenth year of King Jing of Zhou; the seventeenth year of Duke Zhao of Jin; the eleventh year of Duke Yuan of Song.

In the Xinwei year: the fifteenth year of King Jing of Zhou; the twenty-eighth year of King Ling of Chu; the seventh year of King Yumei of Wu.

In the Renshen year: the sixteenth year of King Jing of Zhou; the third year of King Ping of Chu.

In the Guiyou year: the seventeenth year of King Jing of Zhou; the fourth year of King Ping of Chu.

In the Jiaxu year: the eighteenth year of King Jing of Zhou; the fifth year of King Ping of Chu.

In the Yihai year: the nineteenth year of King Jing of Zhou; the sixth year of King Ping of Chu; the fourth year of King Liao of Wu.

In the Bingzi year: the twentieth year of King Jing of Zhou; the second year of Duke Qing of Jin.

In the Dingchou year: the twenty-first year of King Jing of Zhou; the second year of King Ping of Chu.

In the Wuyin year: the twenty-second year of King Jing of Zhou; the third year of King Ping of Chu.

In the Jimao year: the twenty-third year of King Jing of Zhou; the fourth year of King Ping of Chu.

In the Gengchen year: the third year of King Jing of Zhou; the fifth year of King Ping of Chu.

In the Xinsi year: the twenty-fifth year of King Jing of Zhou; the sixth year of King Ping of Chu.

“Jiazi,” “Yichou,” “Bingyin,” and the other such designations combine the Ten Heavenly Stems and Twelve Earthly Branches to indicate years. The numbers and ruler titles that follow are corresponding regnal dates in different states. Zhou, Chu, Lu, Jin, Song, Qin, and Wu refer to those respective feudal states. The order of numbers and the ruler labels in the original are somewhat jumbled; the entries above have been arranged only according to their literal wording. The regnal dates for King Jing of Zhou and those of some other states do not agree with one another, so this list should not be treated as a reliable year-by-year correlation.

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Interpretation

This passage from the Huangji Jingshi is not continuous narrative prose. It is a chronological record in table form, arranging years by the sexagenary cycle and listing dates from different dynasties and feudal states, or the years of individual rulers’ reigns.

It begins with the Renwu year and proceeds in order to the Guisi year. Along the way, it records dates associated with King Jing of Zhou, Duke Jing of Song, King Zhao of Chu, King Helü of Wu, Duke Ding of Jin, and Duke Ding of Lu. The phrase “the second thousand two hundred and eighteenth year of the You division of the Chen cycle” is a section marker in the table. After it, the sequence continues from the Jiawu year through the Bingwu year, listing dates associated with Duke Hui of Qin, King Goujian of Yue, and King Fuchai of Wu.

For example, “Yisi: twenty-four, sixteen, fifty-two, twenty-one, twenty-five, twenty; Yue (Goujian)” indicates that the Yisi row contains several chronological numbers and identifies the King of Yue, Goujian. The entry “Bingwu … Wu (Fuchai)” identifies the King of Wu, Fuchai. To determine which column each number belongs to, one must consult the original book’s column headings and layout; the correspondence cannot be reliably reconstructed from this continuous text alone.

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Interpretation

In the Dingwei year, Lu was in the eighteenth year of Duke Ai, the Zhou dynasty was in its twenty-sixth year, and the sexagenary cycle was in its fifty-fourth year. The corresponding regnal years of the other states were, in order, twenty-three, twenty-two, seven, two, and three.

In the Wushen year, Lu was in the nineteenth year of Duke Ai, the Zhou dynasty was in its twenty-seventh year, and the sexagenary cycle was in its fifty-fifth year. The corresponding regnal years of the other states were, in order, twenty-four, twenty-three, eight, three, and four.

In the Jiyou year, Lu was in the twentieth year of Duke Ai, the Zhou dynasty was in its twenty-eighth year, and the sexagenary cycle was in its fifty-sixth year. The corresponding regnal years of the other states were, in order, twenty-five, twenty-four, nine, four, and five.

In the Gengxu year, Lu was in the twenty-first year of Duke Ai, the Zhou dynasty was in its twenty-ninth year, and the sexagenary cycle was in its fifty-seventh year. Qin was in the reign of Duke Dao, recorded in the fifth column; the remaining regnal years were, in order, twenty-six, twenty-five, five, and six.

In the Xinhai year, Lu was in the twenty-second year of Duke Ai, the Zhou dynasty was in its thirtieth year, and the sexagenary cycle was in its fifty-eighth year. Qi was ruled by the Child Ruler. The remaining regnal years were, in order, twenty-seven, twenty-six, two, six, and seven.

In the Renzi year, Lu was in the twenty-third year of Duke Ai, the Zhou dynasty was in its thirty-first year, and the sexagenary cycle was in its fifty-ninth year. Qi was in the reign of Duke Dao. The remaining regnal years were, in order, twenty-eight, twenty-seven, three, seven, and eight.

In the Guichou year, Lu was in the twenty-fourth year of Duke Ai, the Zhou dynasty was in its thirty-second year, and the sexagenary cycle was in its sixtieth year. Chu was in the reign of King Hui. The remaining regnal years were, in order, twenty-nine, twenty-eight, four, eight, and nine.

In the Jiayin year, Lu was in the twenty-fifth year of Duke Ai, the Zhou dynasty was in its thirty-third year, and the sexagenary cycle was in its sixty-first year. The corresponding regnal years of the other states were, in order, thirty, twenty-nine, five, nine, and ten.

In the Yimao year, Lu was in the twenty-sixth year of Duke Ai, the Zhou dynasty was in its thirty-fourth year, and the sexagenary cycle was in its sixty-second year. The corresponding regnal years of the other states were, in order, thirty-one, thirty, six, ten, and eleven.

In the Bingchen year, Lu was in the twenty-seventh year of Duke Ai, the Zhou dynasty was in its thirty-fifth year, and the sexagenary cycle was in its sixty-third year. Qi was in the reign of Duke Jian. The remaining regnal years were, in order, thirty-two, thirty-one, four, seven, eleven, and twelve.

In the Dingsi year, Lu was in the twenty-eighth year of Duke Ai, the Zhou dynasty was in its thirty-sixth year, and the sexagenary cycle was in its sixty-fourth year. The corresponding regnal years of the other states were, in order, thirty-three, five, eight, twelve, and thirteen.

In the Wuwu year, Lu was in the twenty-ninth year of Duke Ai, the Zhou dynasty was in its thirty-seventh year, and the sexagenary cycle was in its sixty-fifth year. The corresponding regnal years of the other states were, in order, thirty-four, six, nine, thirteen, and fourteen.

In the Jiwei year, Lu was in the thirtieth year of Duke Ai, the Zhou dynasty was in its thirty-eighth year, and the sexagenary cycle was in its sixty-sixth year. The corresponding regnal years of the other states were, in order, thirty-five, seven, ten, fourteen, and fifteen.

In the Gengshen year, Lu was in the thirty-first year of Duke Ai, the Zhou dynasty was in its thirty-ninth year, and the sexagenary cycle was in its sixty-seventh year. Qi was in the reign of Duke Ping. The remaining regnal years were, in order, thirty-six, eight, eleven, fifteen, and sixteen.

In the Xinyou year, Lu was in the thirty-second year of Duke Ai, the Zhou dynasty was in its fortieth year, and the sexagenary cycle was in its sixty-eighth year. The corresponding regnal years of the other states were, in order, thirty-seven, nine, twelve, sixteen, and seventeen.

In the Renxu year, Lu was in the forty-first year of Duke Ai, the Zhou dynasty was in its forty-first year, and the sexagenary cycle was in its sixty-ninth year. The corresponding regnal years of the other states were, in order, thirty-eight, ten, thirteen, seventeen, and eighteen.

In the Guihai year, Lu was in the forty-second year of Duke Ai, the Zhou dynasty was in its forty-second year, and the sexagenary cycle was in its seventieth year. Qin was in the reign of Duke Li. The remaining regnal years were, in order, thirty-nine, eleven, eighteen, and nineteen.

This passage belongs to the chronological year-counting in the Huangji Jingshi. It lists the years in sequence according to the sexagenary cycle and records alongside them the regnal years of the Zhou dynasty and the states of Lu, Qin, Qi, Chu, and others.

The Xuchen branch of the cycle, Xu, totals 2,219 years.

In the Jiazi year, Lu was in the forty-third year of Duke Ai, the Zhou dynasty was in its forty-third year, and the sexagenary cycle was in its seventy-first year. The remaining regnal years were, in order, forty, twelve, and two.

In the Yichou year, Lu was in the forty-fourth year of Duke Ai, the Zhou dynasty was in its forty-fourth year, and the sexagenary cycle was in its seventy-second year. The remaining regnal years were, in order, forty-one, thirteen, three, nine, and twenty.

In the Bingyin year, the Zhou dynasty was in the reign of King Yuan, and Lu was in the thirty-seventh year of Duke Ai. The remaining regnal years were, in order, seven, forty-two, fourteen, four, twenty-two, and twenty-one.

In the Dingmao year, the Zhou dynasty was in its second year, and Jin was in the reign of Duke You. The remaining regnal years were, in order, eight, forty-three, fifteen, five, twenty-one, and twenty-two.

In the Wuchen year, the Zhou dynasty was in its third year. The remaining regnal years were, in order, two, nine, forty-four, sixteen, six, twenty-two, and twenty-three.

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Interpretation

In the year Jisi: four, thirty-four, fifteen, seventeen, seven; the state of Wu was destroyed, recorded as the twenty-fourth.

In the year Gengwu: five, forty-one, forty-six, eighteen, eight, twenty-five.

In the year Xinwei: six, five, twelve, forty-seven, nineteen, nine, twenty-six.

In the year Renshen: Zhou, six, thirteen, forty-eight, twenty, twelve, seventeen.

In the year Guiyou: two, seven, fourteen, forty-nine, twenty-one, eleven, twenty-eight.

In the year Jiaxu: three, eight, fifteen, five, twelve, twelve.

In the year Yihai: four, nine, sixteen, fifty-one, twenty-three, thirteen.

In the year Bingzi: five, ten, seventeen, fifty-two, twenty-four, fourteen.

In the year Dingchou: six, eleven, eighteen, fifty-three, twenty-five, fifteen.

In the year Wuyin: seven, twelve, nineteen, fifty-four, twenty-six, sixteen.

In the year Jimao: eight, thirteen, twenty-five, fifteen, twenty-seven, seventeen.

In the year Gengchen: nine, fourteen, twenty-one, fifty-six, twenty-eight, eighteen.

In the year Xinsi: ten, fifteen, twenty-two, fifty-seven, twenty-nine, nineteen.

In the year Renwu: eleven, sixteen, twenty-three, fifty-eight, thirty, twenty.

In the year Guiwei: twelve; Duke Ai of Jin (ruler of Jin), twenty-four; fifty-nine, thirty-one, twenty-one.

In the year Jiashen: thirteen, two, twenty-five, sixty, thirty-two, twenty-two.

In the year Yiyou: fourteen, three, twenty-six, sixty-one, thirty-three, twenty-three.

In the year Bingxu: fifteen, four; Duke Xuan of Qi (ruler of Qi); sixty-two, thirty-four, twenty-four.

In the year Dinghai: sixteen, five, two, sixty-three, thirty-five, twenty-five.

In the year Wuzi: seventeen, six, three, sixty-four, thirty-six, twenty-six.

In the year Jichou: eighteen, seven, four; Duke Zhao of Song (ruler of Song); thirty-seven, twenty-seven.

In the year Gengyin: nineteen, eight, five, two, thirty-eight, twenty-eight.

In the year Xinmao: two, nine, six, three, thirty-nine, twenty-nine.

In the year Renchen: twenty-one, ten, seven, four, forty, thirty.

In the year Guisi: twenty-two, eleven, eight, five, forty-one, thirty-one.

The 2,220th calendrical marker in the sequence of Chen years, Hai: 2,220 (a calendrical number in the chronology table of the Huangji Jingshi, recorded here as 2,220).

In the year Jiawu: twenty-three, twelve, nine, six, forty-two, thirty-two.

In the year Yiwei: twenty-four, thirteen, ten, seven, forty-three, thirty-three.

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Interpretation

The Bing-shen year: the twenty-fifth year of the Zhou dynasty; Duke Dao of Qin was on the throne.

The Ding-you year: the twenty-sixth year of the Zhou dynasty; Duke Dao of Qin was on the throne.

The Wu-xu year: the twenty-seventh year of the Zhou dynasty; Duke Dao of Qin was on the throne.

The Ji-hai year: the twenty-eighth year of the Zhou dynasty, with King Ai of Zhou on the throne; Duke Dao of Qin was on the throne.

The Geng-zi year: King Si of Zhou, also known as King Kao, ascended the throne; the twenty-ninth year of the Zhou dynasty; Duke Dao of Qin was on the throne.

The Xin-chou year: the thirtieth year of the Zhou dynasty; Duke Dao of Qin was on the throne.

The Ren-yin year: the thirty-first year of the Zhou dynasty, with Duke You of Zhou on the throne; Jin entered the period following its partition among the three ruling houses.

The Gui-mao year: the thirty-second year of the Zhou dynasty; Duke Dao of Qin was on the throne.

The Jia-chen year: the thirty-third year of the Zhou dynasty; Duke Dao of Qin was on the throne.

The Yi-si year: the thirty-fourth year of the Zhou dynasty; Duke Dao of Qin was on the throne.

The Bing-wu year: the thirty-fifth year of the Zhou dynasty; Duke Dao of Qin was on the throne.

The Ding-wei year: the thirty-sixth year of the Zhou dynasty; Duke Dao of Qin was on the throne.

The Wu-shen year: the thirty-seventh year of the Zhou dynasty; Duke Dao of Qin was on the throne.

The Ji-you year: the thirty-eighth year of the Zhou dynasty; Duke Dao of Qin was on the throne.

The Geng-xu year: the thirty-ninth year of the Zhou dynasty; King Jian of Chu and Duke Huai of Qin were on the throne.

The Xin-hai year: the fortieth year of the Zhou dynasty; Duke Huai of Qin was on the throne.

The Ren-zi year: the forty-first year of the Zhou dynasty; Duke Huai of Qin was on the throne.

The Gui-chou year: the forty-second year of the Zhou dynasty; Duke Ling of Qin was on the throne.

The Jia-yin year: the forty-third year of the Zhou dynasty; Duke Ling of Qin was on the throne.

The Yi-mao year: the forty-fourth year of the Zhou dynasty; Duke Ling of Qin was on the throne.

The Bing-chen year: King Weilie of Zhou was on the throne; the forty-fifth year of the Zhou dynasty; Duke Ling of Qin was on the throne.

The Ding-si year: the forty-sixth year of the Zhou dynasty; Duke Ling of Qin was on the throne.

The Wu-wu year: the forty-seventh year of the Zhou dynasty; Duke Ling of Qin was on the throne.

The Ji-wei year: the forty-eighth year of the Zhou dynasty; Duke Ling of Qin was on the throne.

The Geng-shen year: the forty-ninth year of the Zhou dynasty; Duke Lie of Jin and Duke Ling of Qin were on the throne.

The Xin-you year: the fiftieth year of the Zhou dynasty; Duke Ling of Qin was on the throne.

The Ren-xu year: the fifty-first year of the Zhou dynasty; Duke Ling of Qin was on the throne.

The Gui-hai year: the fifty-second year of the Zhou dynasty; Duke Ling of Qin was on the throne.

The entries above are chronological records from chapter twenty, “Observing Things,” in volume four of the Huangji Jingshi (Supreme Principles for Ordering the World). “Hui” and “yun” are large units of time used in the book to organize history. This passage follows the sexagenary cycle, listing the Zhou dynasty’s year count and the rulers of associated feudal states.

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Interpretation

This passage is a chronological table from the Jing (classic) Huangji Jingshi, arranged in the order of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches. The headings list, in sequence, “the first Jia of the days in the cycle,” “the seventh Wu of the months in the cycle,” “the 186th Si of the stars in the cycle,” and “the 2,221st Zi of the periods in the cycle.” These indicate the counts and corresponding Stem-Branch designations at the levels of days, months, stars, and periods.

The rows below proceed in sequence from Jiazi, Yichou, and Bingyin, giving the corresponding numbers. Some rows also identify the states and rulers of the time, such as Duke Jian of Qin, King Sheng of Chu, King An of Zhou, and Duke Hui of Qin. Characters in parentheses form part of a ruler’s posthumous name.

The original numbers have no separators, and the columns and layout of this passage are incomplete, so it is difficult to determine exactly what each number refers to. In the order given in the original, the Stem-Branch designations are:

Jiazi, Yichou, Bingyin, Dingmao, Wuchen, Jisi, Gengwu, Xinwei, Renshen, Guiyou, Jiaxu, Yihai, Bingzi, Dingchou, Wuyin, Jimao, Gengchen, Xinsi, Renwu, Guiwei, Jiashen, Youyou, Bingxu.

The annotations include the names and titles Duke Jian of Qin, King Sheng of Chu, Duke Dao of Song, Duke Kang of Qi, Marquis Jing of Han, Marquis Wen of Wei, Marquis Lie of Zhao, King Dao of Chu, King An of Zhou, Duke Hui of Qin, Marquis Lie of Han, Marquis Wu of Zhao, and Duke Xiu of Song.

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Interpretation

This passage from the Huangji Jingshi is a chronological table arranged by the sexagenary cycle. It records the ordinal number corresponding to each year, along with rulers or events associated with the states of Zhou, Jin, Qi, Qin, Han, Wei, Zhao, Chu, and Song. The numbers and arrangement of the original are preserved; the characters in parentheses are variant readings or phonetic annotations, and their precise use cannot be determined from this passage alone.

Dinghai: Eight Jin (Duke / Xiao) Eleven Four Nine Six Six Three One One Six

Wuzi: Nine Two Twelve Five Seven Seven Three Two Seven

Jichou: Thirteen Twelve Six Eleven Eight Eight Three Three Eight

Gengyin: Eleven Four Fourteen Seven Twelve Nine Nine Three Four Nine

Xinmao: Twelve Five Fifteen Eight Thirteen Ten Thirteen Fifteen Ten

Renchen: Thirteen Six Sixteen Nine Fourteen Eleven Eleven Three Six Eleven

Guisi: Fourteen Seven Seventeen Ten Fifteen Twelve Twelve Three Seven Twelve

“Across the Chen cycle, Chou: two thousand two hundred and twenty-two”—the original reads exactly this. It means “Across the Chen cycle, Chou: two thousand two hundred and twenty-two”; “across the Chen cycle, Chou” is a technical term in the chronological table.

Jiawu: Fifteen Eight Eighteen Eleven Ten Sixteen Thirteen Thirteen Three Eight Thirteen

Yiwei: Sixteen Nine, Later Qi (Tai / Duke); Twelve Seventeen; Qin (Chu / Zi), Han (Wen / Marquis), Wei (Wu / Marquis), Zhao (Jing / Marquis)

Bingshen: Seventeen Twelve Twelve Eighteen; Qin (Xian / Duke); Two Two Two

Dingyou: Eighteen Eleven; Qi (Huan / Duke); Fourteen Nineteen; Two Three Three Three

Wuxu: Nineteen Twelve Two Five Two Three Four Four Four

Jihai: Twenty Thirteen Three Six Two One Four Five Five Five

Gengzi: Twenty-one Fourteen Four Seven Two Two Five Six Six Six

Xinchou: Twenty-two Fifteen Five Eight; Chu (Su / King); Six Seven Seven Seven

Renyin: Twenty-three Sixteen Six Six Nine Two Seven Eight Eight Eight

Guimao: Twenty-four Seventeen; Qi (Wei / King); Two Three Eight Nine Nine Nine

Jiachen: Twenty-five; Jin (Jing / Duke); Two Two One One Four Nine Ten Ten Ten

Yisi: Twenty-six; Jin fell; Three Two Two Five Ten; Han (Ai / Marquis); Eleven Eleven

Bingwu: Zhou (Lie / King); Four Two Three Six Eleven Two Twelve Twelve

Dingwei: Two Five; Song (Bi / Duke); Seven Twelve Three Three; Zhao (Cheng / Marquis)

Wushen: Three Six Two Eight Thirteen Four Four Four Two

Jiyou: Four Seven Three Nine Fourteen Five Fifteen Three

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Interpretation

This passage is a chronological table from the Jing of the August Pole and Its Ordering of the World (Huangji Jingshi). It arranges years by the sexagenary cycle and records the reign years of various states or dynasties as a series of numbers. “Song,” “Wei,” “Chu,” “Zhou,” “Qin,” “Han,” and “Zhao” are the names of the corresponding states. The forms in parentheses, such as “Ti/Cheng” and “Yi/Marquis,” may be textual variants in the original or readings from different editions.

Arranged in the original order:

• Gengxu year: Song, “Ti/Cheng,” year ten; Han, “Yi/Marquis,” year sixteen; followed by the numbers “fifteen, ten.”
• Xinhai year: the preceding numbers “six, nine, twenty-one, sixteen”; Wei, King Hui, year five.
• Renzi year: the preceding numbers “seven, thirteen”; Chu, King Xuan, year seventeen; followed by “three, two, six.”
• Guichou year: Zhou, King Xian, year eleven; followed by “four, two, eighteen, four, three, seven.”
• Jiayin year: preceded by “two (Zhou divided/was divided into two)”; followed by “twelve, five, three, thirty-nine, five, four, eight.”
• Yimao year: the preceding numbers “three, two, thirteen, six, four, twenty-six, five, nine.”
• Bingchen year: the preceding numbers “four, three, fourteen, seven, five, twenty-one, seven, six, ten.”
• Dingsi year: the preceding numbers “five, four, fifteen, eight, six, twenty-two, eight, seven, eleven.”
• Wuwu year: the preceding numbers “six, five, sixteen, nine, seven, twenty-three, nine, eight, twelve.”
• Jiwei year: the preceding numbers “seven, six, seventeen, eighteen, twenty-four, nineteen, thirteen.”
• Gengshen year: the preceding numbers “eight, seven, eighteen, eleven, nine”; Qin, Duke Xiao, year eleven; followed by “ten, fourteen.”
• Xinyou year: the preceding number “nine”; the Eastern Zhou established separately; followed by “nineteen, twelve, twelve, twelve, eleven, fifteen.”
• Renxu year: the preceding numbers “twelve, twenty, thirteen, eleven, thirty-three, twelve, sixteen.”
• Guihai year: the preceding numbers “eleven, three, twenty-one, fourteen, twelve, four”; Han, Marquis Zhao, year thirteen; followed by “seventeen.”

“Two thousand two hundred and twenty-three in the Yin position of the Chen cycle” is the marker for this group of dates. In the original, it appears after the Guihai year and before the Jiazi year.

The following years, from Jiazi through Guichou, continue in the same manner, listing reign-year numbers. For example:

• Jiazi year: the preceding numbers “twelve, twenty-two, fifteen, thirteen, five, twenty-four, eighteen.”
• Yichou year: the preceding numbers “thirteen, twenty-three, sixteen, fourteen, six, thirty-five, nineteen.”
• Bingyin year: the preceding numbers “fourteen, twenty-four, seventeen, fifteen, seven, forty, six, twenty.”
• Dingmao year: the preceding numbers “fifteen, twenty-five, eighteen, sixteen, eight, fifty, seven, twenty-one.”
• Wuchen year: the preceding numbers “sixteen, twenty-six, nineteen, seventeen, nine, sixty-eight, twenty-two.”
• Jisi year: the preceding numbers “seventeen, twenty-seven, twenty, eighteen, seventeen, nineteen, twenty-three.”
• Gengwu year: the preceding numbers “eighteen, twenty-eight, twenty-one, nineteen, eleven, eight, twenty-two, fourteen.”
• Xinwei year: the preceding numbers “nineteen, twenty-nine, twenty-two, twenty, twelve, nine, twenty-one, twenty-five.”
• Renshen year: the preceding numbers “twenty-three, twelve, thirteen, twenty-one, thirteen, twelve”; Zhao, Marquis Su.
• Guiyou year: the preceding numbers “twenty-one, thirty-one, twenty-four, twenty-two, fourteen, eleven, twenty-three, two.”

This is chronological-table material, not continuous narrative. Because the text available here does not preserve the table’s column lines and some words are marked as variants, the passage alone does not make it possible to determine which state or dynasty each number corresponds to. The entries above follow the original order without assigning meanings to the columns.

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Interpretation

Jiaxu, Yihai, Bingzi, Dingchou, Wuyin, Jimao, Gengchen, Xinsi, Renwu, Guiwei, Jiashen, Yiyou, Bingxu, Dinghai, Wuzi, Jichou, Gengyin, Xinmao, Renchen, Guisi: these are the sexagenary year designations arranged in sequence. The numbers following each year are chronological data given in the original text. Since the original does not explain what each number represents, they are reproduced as given, without speculation.

The year Jimao names King Xuan of Qi (ruler of the state of Qi); Gengchen and Xinsi are marked “two” and “three,” respectively; Renwu names King Wei of Chu (ruler of the state of Chu); Jiashen names King Hui of Qin (ruler of the state of Qin); Dinghai is marked “the conquest of Yue” and names King Xiang of Wei (ruler of the state of Wei); Wuzi is marked “proclaimed king”; Jichou names King Xuan of Han (ruler of the state of Han); Xinmao names King Yuan of Song (ruler of the state of Song); and Guisi names King Huai of Chu (ruler of the state of Chu).

“Through the Mao of the Chen cycle, two thousand two hundred and twenty-four” is a chronological notation in the original text. Its specific meaning must be understood in relation to the dating system of the Huangji Jingshi.

For the year Jiawu, the numbers listed afterward are “forty-two, sixteen, four, twenty-one, six, eight, twenty-three.”

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Interpretation

This passage consists of chronological table entries from the Huangji Jingshi; it is not continuous narrative prose. The entries are arranged by the sexagenary cycle, with a sequence of numbers following each one. Country names and titles of rulers appear among them. The original does not explain what each number represents, so the sequence is preserved here without adding explanations.

• Yiwei: forty-three, seventeen, five, thirty-two, seven, nine, twenty-four.
• Bingshen: forty-four, eighteen, six, forty-three, eight, ten; King Wu of Zhao or King Ling of Zhao.
• Dingyou: forty-five, nineteen, seven, fifty-four, nine, eleven, two.
• Wuxu: forty-six; King Min of Qi or King of Qi; eight, six, fifteen, ten, twelve, three; King Yi of Yan.
• Jihai: forty-seven, two, nine, seven, sixteen, eleven, thirteen, four, two.
• Gengzi: forty-eight, three, eight, seventeen, twelve, fourteen, five, three.
• Xinchou: King Shen of Zhou or King Jing of Zhou; forty-one, nine, eighteen, thirteen, fifteen, six; King Kuai of Yan.
• Renyin: two, five, twelve, ten, nineteen, fourteen, sixteen, seven, two.
• Guimao: three, six, thirteen, eleven, twenty, fifteen; King Ai of Wei; eight, three.
• Jiachen: four, seven, fourteen, twelve, twenty-one, sixteen, two, nine, four.
• Yisi: five, eight, fifteen, thirteen, twenty-two, seventeen, three, fifteen.
• Bingwu: six, nine, sixteen, fourteen, twenty-three, eighteen, four, eleven, six.
• Dingwei: King Nan of Zhou; ten, seventeen, fifteen, twenty-four, nineteen, five, twelve, seven.
• Wushen: twenty-one, eighteen, sixteen, twenty-five, twenty, six, thirteen, eight.
• Jiyou: three, two, nineteen, seventeen, twenty-six, twenty-one, seven, fourteen; King Zhao of Yan.
• Gengxu: four, three, twenty, eighteen, twenty-seven; King Xiang of Han; eight, fifteen, two.
• Xinhai: five, four, twenty-one, nineteen; King Wu of Qin; two, nine, sixteen, three.
• Renzi: six, five, twenty-two, twenty-two, thirty, seventeen, four.
• Guichou: seven, sixteen, twenty-three, twenty-one, three, four, eleven, eighteen, five.
• Jiayin: eight, seventeen, twenty-four, twenty-two, four, five, twelve, nineteen, six.
• Yimao: nine, eighteen, twenty-five, twenty-three; King Zhao of Qin; six, thirteen, twenty, seven.
• Bingchen: ten, nineteen, twenty-six, twenty-four, two, seven, fourteen, twenty-one, eight.
• Dingsi: eleven, two, twenty-seven, twenty-five, three, eight, fifteen, twenty-two, nine.

“Yiwei,” “Bingshen,” and the other such designations are year names from the sexagenary cycle. Zhao, Qi, Zhou, Yan, Wei, Han, and Qin are country names; the titles that follow refer to their respective rulers. The slashes in the original preserve variant readings or alternative forms of address; deciding between them requires consulting the base text and the surrounding context.

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Interpretation

This passage is a chronological table from the Huangji Jingshi, not continuous prose. Wuxu, Jiwei, Gengshen, and the other entries are years designated by the sexagenary cycle. The numbers after each row belong to the table’s chronological count. Since the original does not name the columns, they are preserved as given; it is not possible to determine what each one represents.

The Guihai row lists the rulers of Chu as “Qing/Xiang,” that is, King Qingxiang of Chu, and the ruler of Zhao as “Hui/Wen,” that is, King Huiwen of Zhao. The slashes in “Qing/Xiang” and “Hui/Wen” indicate variant readings or different forms recorded in the original.

“Jingchen zhi chen, 2,225” is a chronological marker in the table, meaning that “Jingchen zhi chen” corresponds to 2,225.

The Bingyin row lists the King of Han as “Xi/Wang” (written “Han (Xi/Wang)” in the original) and “Mao/Zhaowang” (written “Mao (Zhao/Wang)” in the original). These forms are preserved as written; their precise correspondences are unclear.

The Yihai row records “the destruction of Song” and “Song fell.” “Mie/Song” may mark a variant reading.

The remaining sexagenary year rows and their numbers are entries in the chronological table, recorded as follows:

Wuxu: twelve, twenty-one, twenty-eight, twenty-six, four, nine, sixteen, twenty-three, ten

Jiwei: thirteen, twenty-two, twenty-nine, twenty-seven, five, ten, seventeen, twenty-four, eleven

Gengshen: fourteen, twenty-three, thirty-two, eighteen, six, eleven, eighteen, twenty-five, twelve

Xinyou: fifteen, twenty-four, thirty-one, twenty-nine, seven, twelve, nineteen, twenty-six, thirteen

Renxu: sixteen, twenty-five, thirty-two, thirty-eight, thirteen, twenty-two, seventeen, fourteen

Jiazi: eighteen, twenty-seven, thirty-four, twenty, fifteen, twenty-two, twenty-six

Yichou: nineteen, twenty-eight, thirty-five, thirty-one, sixteen, twenty-three, thirty-seven

Dingmao: twenty-one, thirty-three, thirty-seven, five, three, two, five, nine

Wuchen: twenty-two, thirty-one, thirty-eight, six, four, three, six, twenty

Jisi: twenty-three, thirty-two, thirty-nine, seven, five, four, seven, twenty-one

Gengwu: twenty-four, thirty-three, forty-eight, sixteen, five, five, eight, twenty-two

Xinwei: twenty-five, thirty-four, forty-one, nine, seventeen, six, six, nine, twenty-three

Renshen: twenty-six, thirty-five, forty-two, ten, eighteen, seven, seven, twelve, fourteen

Guiyou: twenty-seven, thirty-six, forty-three, eleven, nineteen, eight, eight, eleven, twenty-five

Jiaxu: twenty-eight, thirty-seven, forty-four, twelve, twenty, nine, nine, twelve, twenty-six

Bingzi: thirty, thirty-nine, fourteen, twenty-two, eleven, eleven, fourteen, twenty-eight

Dingchou: thirty-one, King Xiang of Qi, fifteen, twenty-three, twelve, twelve, fifteen, twenty-nine

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Interpretation

The Wuyin year (the thirty-second year): the twenty-sixth year of the Zhou calendar, the twentieth year of the Qin calendar, the thirteenth year of the Song calendar and the Chu calendar, the sixteenth year of the Qi calendar, and the thirtieth year of the Jin calendar.

The Jimao year (the thirty-third year): the thirty-seventh year of the Zhou calendar, the twenty-fifth year of the Qin calendar, the fourteenth year of the Song calendar and the Chu calendar, the seventeenth year of the Qi calendar, and the thirty-first year of the Jin calendar.

The Gengchen year (the thirty-fourth year): the forty-eighth year of the Zhou calendar, the twenty-sixth year of the Qin calendar, the fifteenth year of the Song calendar and the Chu calendar, the eighteenth year of the Qi calendar, and the thirty-second year of the Jin calendar.

The Xinsi year (the thirty-fifth year): the fifty-ninth year of the Zhou calendar, the twenty-seventh year of the Qin calendar, the sixteenth year of the Song calendar and the Chu calendar, the nineteenth year of the Qi calendar, and the thirty-third year of the Jin calendar.

The Renwu year (the thirty-sixth year): the sixth year of the Zhou calendar, the twenty-second year of the Qin calendar, the eighteenth year of the Song calendar, the seventeenth year of the Chu calendar, the seventeenth year of the Qi calendar, and the twentieth year of the Jin calendar. This was during the reign of King Hui of Yan.

The Guiwei year (the thirty-seventh year): the seventh year of the Zhou calendar, the twenty-first year of the Qin calendar, the twenty-ninth year of the Song calendar, the eighteenth year of the Chu calendar, the eighteenth year of the Qi calendar, and the twenty-first year of the Jin calendar.

The Jiashen year (the thirty-eighth year): the eighth year of the Zhou calendar, the twenty-second year of the Qin calendar, the thirtieth year of the Song calendar, the nineteenth year of the Chu calendar, the nineteenth year of the Qi calendar, and the twenty-second year of the Jin calendar.

The Yiyou year (the thirty-ninth year): the ninth year of the Zhou calendar, the twenty-third year of the Qin calendar, the thirty-first year of the Song calendar, and the twentieth year of the Chu calendar. This was during the reign of the King of Wei; the king’s title is missing from the source. It was also the twenty-third year of the Jin calendar.

The Bingxu year (the fortieth year): the tenth year of the Zhou calendar, the twenty-fourth year of the Qin calendar, the thirty-second year of the Song calendar, the twenty-first year of the Chu calendar, the second year of the Qi calendar, and the twenty-fourth year of the Jin calendar.

The Dinghai year (the forty-first year): the eleventh year of the Zhou calendar, the twenty-fifth year of the Qin calendar, the thirty-third year of the Song calendar, the twenty-second year of the Chu calendar, the third year of the Qi calendar, and the twenty-fifth year of the Jin calendar.

The Wuzi year (the forty-second year): the twelfth year of the Zhou calendar, the twenty-sixth year of the Qin calendar, the thirty-fourth year of the Song calendar, the twenty-third year of the Chu calendar, the fourth year of the Qi calendar, and the twenty-sixth year of the Jin calendar.

The Jichou year (the forty-third year): the thirteenth year of the Zhou calendar, the twenty-seventh year of the Qin calendar, and the thirty-fifth year of the Song calendar. This was during the reign of King Huanhui of Han. It was also the fifth year of the Qi calendar and the twenty-seventh year of the Jin calendar.

The Gengyin year (the forty-fourth year): the fourteenth year of the Zhou calendar, the twenty-eighth year of the Qin calendar, and the thirty-sixth year of the Song calendar. This was during the reign of King Wucheng of Yan.

The Xinmao year (the forty-fifth year): the fifteenth year of the Zhou calendar, the twenty-ninth year of the Qin calendar, the thirty-seventh year of the Song calendar, the third year of the Qi calendar, and the twenty-ninth year of the Jin calendar.

The Renchen year (the forty-sixth year): the sixteenth year of the Zhou calendar, the thirtieth year of the Qin calendar, the thirty-eighth year of the Song calendar, the fourth year of the Qi calendar, and the thirty-third year of the Jin calendar.

The Guisi year (the forty-seventh year): the seventeenth year of the Zhou calendar, the thirty-first year of the Qin calendar, the thirty-ninth year of the Song calendar, the fifth year of the Qi calendar, the thirty-first year of the Jin calendar, and the fourth year of the Qin calendar.

The stage called “Jingchen zhi Si” lasted a total of 2,226 years.

The Jiawu year (the forty-eighth year): the eighteenth year of the Zhou calendar, the thirty-second year of the Qin calendar, the fortieth year of the Song calendar, the sixth year of the Qi calendar, the thirty-second year of the Jin calendar, and the fifth year of the Qin calendar.

The Yiwei year (the forty-ninth year): the nineteenth year of the Zhou calendar, the thirty-third year of the Qin calendar, the forty-first year of the Song calendar, the seventh year of the Qi calendar, the thirty-third year of the Jin calendar, and the sixth year of the Qin calendar.

The Bingshen year (the fiftieth year): the twentieth year of the Zhou calendar, the thirty-fourth year of the Qin calendar, the forty-second year of the Song calendar, the eighth year of the Qi calendar, and the thirty-fourth year of the Jin calendar. This was during the reign of King Xiaocheng of Zhao.

The Dingyou year (the fifty-first year): the twenty-first year of the Zhou calendar. This was during the reign of King Jian of Qi. It was also the thirty-fifth year of the Qin calendar, the forty-third year of the Song calendar, the ninth year of the Qi calendar, the thirty-fifth year of the Jin calendar, and the eighth year of the Qin calendar.

The Wuxu year (the fifty-second year): the twenty-second year of the Zhou calendar, the thirty-sixth year of the Qin calendar, the forty-fourth year of the Song calendar, the tenth year of the Qi calendar, the thirty-sixth year of the Jin calendar, and the ninth year of the Qin calendar.

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Interpretation

This passage is a chronological table arranged by the sexagenary cycle, not continuous narrative. Since it has no column headings, it is impossible to determine what each column of numbers represents. The entries are arranged below in their original order. Slashes in parentheses indicate variant readings in the source; the numbers are reproduced as written.

• Ji-hai: fifty-three, three, Chu (Kaolie / Lie), forty-five, eleven, fifteen, forty.
• Geng-zi: fifty-four, four, two, forty-six, twelve, sixteen, fifty-one.
• Xin-chou: fifty-five, five, three, forty-seven, thirteen, seventeen, sixty-two.
• Ren-yin: fifty-six, six, four, forty-eight, fourteen, eighteen, seventy-three.
• Gui-mao: fifty-seven, seven, five, forty-nine, fifteen, nineteen, eighty-four.
• Jia-chen: fifty-eight, eight, six, fifty, sixteen, twenty-nine, Yan (Xiao / Wang).
• Yi-si: Zhou falls, nine, seven, fifty-one, (falls / Zhou), seventeen, twenty-one, twelve.
• Bing-wu: eighteen, fifty-two, eighteen, twenty-two, eleven, three.
• Ding-wei: eleven, nine, fifty-three, nineteen, twenty-three, twelve, Yan (Wang / Xi).
• Wu-shen: twelve, fifteen, fourteen, twenty-two, twenty-four, thirteen, two.
• Ji-you: thirteen, eleven, fifty-five, twenty-one, twenty-five, fourteen, three.
• Geng-xu: fourteen, twelve, fifty-six, twenty-two, twenty-six, fifteen, four.
• Xin-hai: Lord Hui of Eastern Zhou dies; fifteen, thirteen, Qin (Xiaowen / Zhuangxiang), twenty-three, twenty-seven, sixteen, five.
• Ren-zi: sixteen, fourteen, two, twenty-four, twenty-eight, seventeen, six.
• Gui-chou: seventeen, fifteen, three, twenty-five, twenty-nine, eighteen, seven.
• Jia-yin: eighteen, sixteen, four, twenty-six, thirty, nineteen, eight.
• Yi-mao: nineteen, seventeen, Qin (Shi / Huang), twenty-seven, thirty-one, two, nine.
• Bing-chen: twenty, eighteen, two, twenty-eight, thirty-two, twenty-one, ten.
• Ding-si: twenty-one, nineteen, three, twenty-nine, thirty-three, Zhao (Dao / Xiang), eleven.
• Wu-wu: twenty-two, twenty-four, thirty-three, fourteen, twenty-two.
• Ji-wei: twenty-three, twenty-one, five, thirty-one, Wei (Jing / Min), thirty-three.
• Geng-shen: twenty-four, twenty-two, six, thirty-two, two, forty-four.
• Xin-you: twenty-five, twenty-three, seven, thirty-three, three, fifty-five.
• Ren-xu: twenty-six, twenty-four, eight, thirty-four, four, six, sixteen.

Here, Chu, Yan, Qin, Zhao, and Wei are the names of the feudal states. “Zhou falls” and “Lord Hui of Eastern Zhou dies” record the fall of the Zhou dynasty and the death of Lord Hui of Eastern Zhou, respectively. The bracketed forms such as “Kaolie / Lie” and “Xiao / Wang” reflect variant readings in the source and have been retained as given.

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Interpretation

This passage is a historical chronology arranged year by year according to the ganzhi cycle. It records the years of rule of the rulers of various states in the late Warring States period, the Qin conquest of the six states, and the transition from the Qin to the Han. Numbers such as “twenty-seven” and “twenty-eight” are dates or year counts recorded in the original table and are retained as given. “Jingchen zhi wu, two thousand two hundred twenty-seven” and “Jingchen zhi wei, two thousand two hundred twenty-eight” are section markers.

In the guihai year: twenty-seven; the King of Han (the original has two forms of the name, “Yu” and “An”) was in his fifth year of rule.

Jingchen zhi wu, two thousand two hundred twenty-seven.

In the jiazi year: twenty-eight; King You of Chu was in his twelfth year of rule; six, eight, eighteen.

In the yichou year: twenty-nine; twenty-one, three, seven, nineteen.

In the bingyin year: thirty; twelve, four, eight; King Qian of Zhao was in his twentieth year of rule.

In the dingmao year: thirty-one; four, thirteen, five, nine, twenty-one.

In the wuchen year: thirty-two; five, fourteen, six, thirteen, twenty-two.

In the jisi year: thirty-three; six, fifteen, seven, eleven, four, twenty-three.

In the gengwu year: thirty-four; seven, sixteen, eight, twelve, five, twenty-four.

In the xinwei year: thirty-five; eight, seventeen; the state of Han fell; thirteen, six, twenty-five.

In the renshen year: thirty-six; nine, eighteen, fourteen, seven, twenty-six.

In the guiyou year: thirty-seven; ten, nineteen; the state of Zhao fell; fifteen, the state of Zhao fell, twenty-seven.

In the jiaxu year: thirty-eight; King Fuchu of Chu was in his twentieth year of rule; King Jia of Wei was in his twenty-eighth year of rule.

In the yihai year: thirty-nine; two, twenty-one; the state of Yan fell; two, the state of Yan fell.

In the bingzi year: forty; three, twenty-two; the state of Wei fell; the state of Wei fell.

In the dingchou year: forty-one; four, twenty-two.

In the wuyin year: forty-two; the state of Chu fell; twenty-four; Chu was conquered.

In the jimao year: forty-three; twenty-five.

In the gengchen year: the state of Qi fell; twenty-six; Qi was conquered.

In the xinsi year: twenty-seven.

In the renwu year: twenty-eight.

In the guiwei year: twenty-nine.

In the jiashen year: thirty.

In the yiyou year: thirty-one.

In the bingxu year: thirty-two.

In the dinghai year: thirty-three.

In the wuzi year: thirty-four.

In the jichou year: thirty-five.

In the gengyin year: thirty-six.

In the xinmao year: thirty-seven.

In the renchen year: the Second Emperor of Qin, the second emperor of the Qin dynasty.

In the guisi year: two.

Jingchen zhi wei, two thousand two hundred twenty-eight.

In the jiawu year: Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, entered the Guanzhong region first; King Xiang of Chu, Xiang Yu, entered the Guanzhong region later; the Qin dynasty fell.

In the yiwei year: two, two.

In the bingshen year: three, three.

In the dingyou year: four, four.

In the wuxu year: five, five.

In the jihai year: six; the state of Chu fell.

In the gengzi year: seven.

In the xinchou year: eight.

In the renyin year: nine.

The original passage includes many numbers whose referents are not specified, as well as repeated records of states falling and variant name forms. This passage alone does not make it possible to determine which column or ruler each number corresponds to. The items have therefore been rendered in their original order without assigning them additional meanings.

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Interpretation

Gui-mao year, year 10

Jia-chen year, year 11

Yi-si year, year 12

Bing-wu year, year 13

Ding-wei year, Emperor Hui of Han on the throne

Wu-shen year, year 2

Ji-you year, year 3

Geng-xu year, year 4

Xin-hai year, year 5

Ren-zi year, year 6

Gui-chou year, year 7

Jia-yin year, Han dynasty: Empress Lü installed Emperor Hui’s adopted son as emperor

Yi-mao year, year 2

Bing-chen year, year 3

Ding-si year, Han dynasty: Empress Lü again installed an adopted son as emperor, namely the King of Hengshan

Wu-wu year, year 2

Ji-wei year, year 3

Geng-shen year, year 4

Xin-you year, Emperor Wen of Han on the throne

Ren-xu year, year 2

Gui-hai year, year 3

In the cyclical sequence, the Shen year: 2,229 years (a dating marker in The Classic of the Supreme Ultimate World [Huangji jingshi])

Jia-zi year, year 4

Yi-chou year, year 5

Bing-yin year, year 6

Ding-mao year, year 7

Wu-chen year, year 8

Ji-si year, year 9

Geng-wu year, year 10

Xin-wei year, year 11

Ren-shen year, year 12

Gui-you year, year 13

Jia-xu year, year 14

Yi-hai year, year 15

Bing-zi year, year 16

Ding-chou year, year 17

Wu-yin year, year 18 (Later Era)

Ji-mao year, year 19

Geng-chen year, year 20

Xin-si year, year 21

Ren-wu year, year 22

Gui-wei year, year 23

Jia-shen year, year 24

Yi-you year, Emperor Jing of Han on the throne

Bing-xu year, year 2

Ding-hai year, year 3

Wu-zi year, year 4

Ji-chou year, year 5

Geng-yin year, year 6

Xin-mao year, year 7

Ren-chen year, year 8 (Middle Era)

Gui-si year, year 9

In the cyclical sequence, the You year: 2,230 years (a dating marker in The Classic of the Supreme Ultimate World [Huangji jingshi])

Jia-wu year, year 10

Yi-wei year, year 11

Bing-shen year, year 12

Ding-you year, year 13

Wu-xu year, year 14 (Later Era)

Ji-hai year, year 15

Geng-zi year, year 16

Xin-chou year, first year of Emperor Wu of Han’s Jianyuan reign

Ren-yin year, second year of Jianyuan

Gui-mao year, third year of Jianyuan

Jia-chen year, fourth year of Jianyuan

Yi-si year, fifth year of Jianyuan

Bing-wu year, sixth year of Jianyuan

Ding-wei year, year 7; the reign title was changed to Yuanguang

Wu-shen year, year 8

Ji-you year, year 9

Geng-xu year, year 10

Xin-hai year, year 11

Ren-zi year, year 12

Gui-chou year, year 13; the reign title was changed to Yuanshuo

Jia-yin year, year 14

Yi-mao year, year 15

Bing-chen year, year 16

Ding-si year, year 17

Wu-wu year, year 18

Ji-wei year, year 19; the reign title was changed to Yuanshou

Here, the ganzhi dating system marks years using combinations of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches. “Year 2,” “year 3,” and so on continue the count under the previous emperor or reign title. “Later Era,” “Middle Era,” “Jianyuan,” “Yuanguang,” “Yuanshuo,” and “Yuanshou” are era or dating names.

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Interpretation

The Gengshen year is the twentieth year; the Xinyou year is the twenty-first; the Renxu year is the twenty-second; and the Guihai year is the twenty-third.

“Jingchen zhi Xu” is the two thousand two hundred and thirty-first year.

The Jiazi year is the twenty-fourth year; the Yichou year is the twenty-fifth year (Yuanding); the Bingyin year is the twenty-sixth; the Dingmao year is the twenty-seventh; the Wuchen year is the twenty-eighth; the Jisi year is the twenty-ninth; the Gengwu year is the thirtieth; the Xinwei year is the thirty-first (Yuanfeng); the Renshen year is the thirty-second; the Guiyou year is the thirty-third; the Jiaxu year is the thirty-fourth; the Yihai year is the thirty-fifth; the Bingzi year is the thirty-sixth; the Dingchou year is the thirty-seventh (Taichu); the Wuyin year is the thirty-eighth; the Jimao year is the thirty-ninth; the Gengchen year is the fortieth; the Xinsi year is the forty-first (Tianhan); the Renwu year is the forty-second; the Guiwei year is the forty-third; the Jiashen year is the forty-fourth; the Yiyou year is the forty-fifth (Taishi); the Bingxu year is the forty-sixth; the Dinghai year is the forty-seventh; the Wuzi year is the forty-eighth; the Jichou year is the forty-ninth (Zhenghe); the Gengyin year is the fiftieth; the Xinmao year is the fifty-first; the Renchen year is the fifty-second; and the Guisi year is the fifty-third (Houyuan).

“Jingchen zhi Hai” is the two thousand two hundred and thirty-second year.

The Jiawu year is the fifty-fourth year. The Yiwei year is the first year of the Shiyuan era of Emperor Zhao of Han. The Bingshen, Dingyou, Wuxu, Jihai, and Gengzi years are, in order, the second through sixth years of the Shiyuan era. The Xinchou year is the first year of the Yuanfeng era; the Renyin, Guimao, Jiachen, Yisi, and Bingwu years are, in order, the second through sixth years of the Yuanfeng era. The Dingwei year is the first year of the Yuanping era.

The Wushen year is the first year of the Benshi era of Emperor Xuan of Han. The Jiyou, Gengxu, Xinhai, and Renzi years are, in order, the second through fourth years of the Benshi era and its fifth year, which was the first year of the Dijie era. The Guichou and Jiayin years are, in order, the second and third years of the Dijie era. The Yimao year is the fourth year of the Dijie era and the first year of the Yuankang era. The Bingchen, Dingsi, Wuwu, and Jiwei years are, in order, the second through fifth years of the Yuankang era. The Gengshen year is the sixth year of the Yuankang era and the first year of the Shenjue era. The Xinyou, Renxu, and Guihai years are, in order, the second through fourth years of the Shenjue era.

Here the sexagenary cycle formed from the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches is used to mark the years, alongside the corresponding year numbers and Han era names. Yuanding, Yuanfeng, Taichu, Tianhan, Taishi, Zhenghe, Houyuan, Shiyuan, Yuanfeng, Yuanping, Benshi, Dijie, Yuankang, and Shenjue are all era names from the Han dynasty.

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Interpretation

The Huangji Jingshi, Book Four, Part One

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