A small tale is told in a book written by one of Mao's guards, Zhang Yaoci, as Mao presided over the chaos [during the Cultural Revolution] from his headquarters in Beijing. Mao's grandfather Mao Enpu had been buried in a special tomb, a "dragon's den", with the most powerful kind of feng shui; so powerful, in fact, that there were said to be no more than twelve such sites in all the world. Mao's father Yichang had been a wealthy farmer, and when Enpu died in 1904, Yichang hired the greatest feng shui master of the day to find one of these most powerful dragon's dens. Bu Guo Wu searched for 11 days and located the spot on a mountain called Tiger Resting Hill. When he did, he predicted that the flow of qi from the tomb would make Mao Zedong, who was only a boy of 11, a powerful man in China in 31 years' time, which turned out true to the letter. And with this mighty fortune, reasoned Chairman Mao — even as his Red Guard smashed and burned every feng shui shop and arrested every master who might find a dragon's den for someone else — with this would his future be secure.
Brian Dunning, Feng Shui Today Skeptoid Podcast #50 October 11, 2016
This, in summary is the tale which is presented below. The author believes this is the first time the full story has been translated into English, or indeed, any foreign language. It is called …
毛泽东祖坟风水传说–历史揭密
The Legend of Mao Zedong’s ancestral tomb— Revealing a historical mystery
The Legend of Mao Zedong’s ancestral tomb— Revealing a historical mystery
This is a heady mix of political intrigue, catastrophe, and fengshui— in some places feels like a magic-realist portrayal of 20th century Chinese history. It claims that the meteoric rise of Mao Zedong (Mao Tse-Tung) could be ascribed to Mao’s father siting an ancestral grave in an immensely lucky spot.
The translator is 99 % sure that this story is complete fiction. True, some characters like Mao Zedong ,Chiang Kai-shek and Bai Chongxi are real people. However, he doubts if they ever got up to what the story says they did. In a similar manner he doubts if Bu Guo Wu ever existed. Nonetheless this is a particularly valuable form of fiction. It shows how people in China had attempted to make sense of the near-miraculous changes to their country through equally supernatural means -- fengshui, fate calculation, physiognomy etc. To give an idea of how sudden the transition was, when the wright brothers flew their plane, there was still an Emperor of China, and Mao Zedong became a teenager in the year the last emperor of China, (Puyi 溥儀) was born
Before going on, I should speak for some moments on the Fengshui mentioned
To the Chinese, soil and rocks of the ground are like flesh of a living thing. A subtle energy, called Qi courses through them, just like blood. This Qi moves around in lines and collects here and there, much like blood vessels in a living thing. The "veins" are called the Meridians 脈, （lit. Pulse) and the places where it collects are called Xue (Hsüeh) 穴, which means "Lair" or "Den".
To the Chinese, soil and rocks of the ground are like flesh of a living thing. A subtle energy, called Qi courses through them, just like blood. This Qi moves around in lines and collects here and there, much like blood vessels in a living thing. The "veins" are called the Meridians 脈, （lit. Pulse) and the places where it collects are called Xue (Hsüeh) 穴, which means "Lair" or "Den".
If you built a grave in a suitable Lair, and bury your ancestor's bones in it, you and your descendants would absorb its power and prosper. (The same also applies for buildings in general; building them in auspicious sites allows their living occupants to absorb the energy). It is a job of a fengshui master-- like Bu Guo Wu, to discover such powerful sites. There are several methods of doing so. Bu Guo Wu uses the "Form school" 巒頭 (Luantou) of fengshui, which scrutinises the shape of the landscape. Other methods exist, like using compass directions and numerological calculations. In any case, the two schools do not conflict, and the competent fengshui master would use both.
Note on the text: The primary text was available at this weblink http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_5d53c0210100tk4p.html), but the post has since been set to private.
The translator possessed a copy of a book entitled 名人高官與風水 by 不過午. ( hence Mingren/名人), with which he had amended The punctuation and text in the online version as and when necessary.
The author has been unable to find the source of Dunning’s anecdote. In any case this story and Dunninng’s vary in their circumstance: In Dunning’s story, Bu Guo Wu was commissioned to find the site; in this story, Bu Guo Wu gave it in gratitude to Mao’s father. In turn, the name and form of the fortunate site differ. If the translator does discover the source of Dunning’s anecdote, he hopes to translate it.
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毛泽东祖坟风水传说–历史揭密
The Legend of Mao Zedong’s ancestral tomb— Revealing a historical mystery
The Legend of Mao Zedong’s ancestral tomb— Revealing a historical mystery
毛泽东所以能做开国之君，传说原是命中注定的，故事说来话长，要追溯毛顺生（毛泽东父亲）至死也隐藏在心里的秘密。
Mao Zedong’s political triumph was fated, or so the legend goes. The Story is complex, and to begin, we must find a secret that Mao Shunshen[1] ( Mao Zedong’s father) carried to his grave.
传说某一年湖南旱灾，到处饥荒，人民生活痛苦，颠沛流离，很多人因为抵不住饥饿，到处劫掠。残害民生。社会正是山穷水尽群盗如毛的时候了。
The legend goes, in a certain year, there was a drought in Hunan. Famine struck, and life was harsh and desperate in the utmost degree. To save themselves from starvation, many resorted to robbery, and harming the people in general. Robbers were everywhere, as thick as bristles on a beast.
稻田枯竭，耕地成裂痕，寸草不生，毫无收成。连塘的水也被人强喝，树皮、树叶能割下的都被人抢食，未有被主人屠杀的牛畜，不渴得半死也饿得眼向外翻。往日孩子嬉戏完乐的街道也顿然沉寂，露出死气沉沉的样子。
The paddies dried up; Once lush fields became cracked and parched. Not a single blade of grass was alive. The harvest was non-existent. Indeed, the irrigation ponds were drunk to the very last drop. Whatever bark or leaf that could be cut down was greedily eaten. The cattle that had yet to be slaughtered were half-dead from thirst, and their eyes hungrily wandered about in search of food. The daily sports of the children on the streets were no more, replaced by a solemn and deathly silence
In the eyes of the old and weak men, crouching on the floor, [the innocent wives] and Confucian scholars, the whole Hunan was nothing short of a Hell on Earth. Everywhere the hearts of men were in fear, every human frailty and weakness was on display. That these disasters occurred in such a land, would be certaintly a strange thing indeed.
当时湖南最有名命相学家“不过五”，是梅花神算，对风水命理最精，对能日常生活事情却五谷不分，一窍不通。加上他五十多岁的一把年纪，在这个困难时期，倍觉无助。他平时沉默寡言，对炎凉世态，抱着超然道外的旁观态度，加上他灵验的命相法，使人对他既敬且畏。
当时湖南最有名命相学家“不过五”，是梅花神算，对风水命理最精，对能日常生活事情却五谷不分，一窍不通。加上他五十多岁的一把年纪，在这个困难时期，倍觉无助。他平时沉默寡言，对炎凉世态，抱着超然道外的旁观态度，加上他灵验的命相法，使人对他既敬且畏。
Then, Hunan’s most famous Diviner was Bu Guo Wu [ Not-above five]. He was an expert in the Plum-blossom method of divination, and a master at fengshui. However, regarding everyday matters he was utterly ignorant, and indeed couldn’t care less about them. Coupled with his advanced age ( he was around 50), in this trying time he was utterly helpless.
In more normal times he was a taciturn person, having a cool, detached view of the world. But when coupled with his uncanny ability to read destinies, people respected and feared him.
他的梅花神算，最为/有名/传颂一时，像梅花的五朵花瓣，他每句话只说五个字。 平时谈话如此，给人指引迷津也如此，他高傲的性格使人奈他不何，然而他替省内富贵人家算的生死，问的八字都非常准确，只不过以梅花瓣位准，不过五年。所以甚得盛名，也倍受别人尊敬，不过在这个紧张关头人也自身难保[3]，雪中送炭的毕竟没有一人！更不要说有人来看相算命了。
His plum-blossom divination[4] was celebrated widely in Hunan for a time. Just like the five-petaled plum blossom, he always spoke in sentences of five characters[5], even in ordinary conversation he spoke thus; when giving instructions to the lost he also spoke thus. This lofty manner of speaking alienated him from many, [and he thus earned his keep] by helping the wealthy families of Hunan in predicting life and death. Those who asked Bazi from him found his predictions extremely accurate, or at any rate as accurate as the plum-blossom. They were at most out by five years, as many years as the petals of that flower. He thus attained renown and a measure of respect. But now, in this tense time, it was every man for himself—There was hardly a single person who wold “Send coal amidst the snow”, to say nothing about demand for divination!
饥寒交迫之下，不过五踉踉跄跄向前走，漫无目的，碰到树就猛抓树皮煮充饥，走到河边就猛想抓一把水沾唇，但有水的地方都被人掏尽，所以只能弄得满身污泥，伤痕累累，好不狼狈，走了不知多远，终于支持不住，晕倒地上。
Wracked with hunger and cold, Bu Guo Wu stumbled along. Whenever he encountered a tree, he moved towards it with all his strength. He would strip off its bark, cook it and eat it. Whenever he encountered a river, he would wildly place his hand into it, and then to his lips. But every place where water would normally flow was fetched dry, and all he got was mud. After walking for goodness knows how far, close to death, he collapsed.醒来时，自觉已睡在床上，模糊间听到一些人声，之后又睡着了。不知睡了多久，但朦胧中，感觉自己身上的伤口得到照顾，嘴也不再干渴，知道有人向自己嘴里灌水。日渐身体精神较佳，对周围的人也有些印象，对一个中年男子和一个十三、四岁男孩印象最明显，他们特贝细心。对自己关怀备至，水和干粮都一一照顾到，虽然粮食粗得很，但在这饥荒时候有这些粮食，相算要中农家庭才可以。
When Bu Guo Wu awoke, he found himself on a bed. He could just make out a few sounds, and then fell back asleep. After sleeping for a long while, he woke up in a daze. His wounds were taken care of, and his mouth was no longer burning with thirst. He knew that some benefactor must have placed the water into his mouth. As the days passed, he regained his strength, and began to take notice of the people surrounding him. Most notable amongst them were a man, and a boy of thirteen or fourteen years of age. They looked after him with the utmost care and concern, giving him both food and drink. Even though most of the food was of very poor quality, the fact that the family possessed such food in a midst of a famine must mean that the family was fairly well-off.
From the conversations around him, Bu Guo Wu found out that the family’s head , Mao Shun Sheng (Mao Zedong’s father), was his saviour. No matter in action, or in speech, this man was exuded a simple honesty. Mao [Zedong]’s mother was also a virtuous lady, much more genteel than most farmers wives.
每天清早一男孩必定走来替自己梳洗，动作充满热忱关注。从他活泼爽朗的言谈，知他天真可爱，而且心地善良，踏实朴素；笑语间知道他叫毛泽东，是毛顺生的长子。他还经常伴在父亲身旁，帮助料理自己的处处伤口，一洗擦，一包扎，尽是细心.
Every day, the boy would help him dress and clean. The boy would approach this task with great attentiveness and delight. From conversing with the boy, Bu Guo Wu found him to be lovable, and also had a kind heart. He was also straight and honest. Amidst their delightful conversation, Bu Guo Wu found out his name—Mao Zedong, and that he was Mao Shunshen’s eldest son. The young Mao was oft seen by his father’s side, tending to Bu Guo Wu’s wounds. In both washing and bandaging, he practiced the utmost care.
因为晕倒时下颚撞得很厉害，所以进食甚难，虽然现在已大有好转，但这家人仍轮流喂他进食，每次得劳烦他人轻轻撬开嘴巴，逐一用匙送进嘴里去，需要的都是耐性。但从来没有听到一句嫌弃的话，从来没有受到疏忽负气的对待。尤其毛泽东这个孩子还经常走近身旁，说些天真的孩氣话。读些有趣的小说故事，引得自己也开朗起来。
When Bu Guo Wu fainted, his jaw was struck with great violence. Eating was thus difficult. Even though his condition had improved, the Mao family would still insist on taking turns to feed him. They would carefully open his jaw, and push a small spoon of food into his mouth. The family possessed seemingly infinite patience— He heard not a grumble from them, nor was he subject to any carelessness caused by frustration. Indeed, the young Mao often was by his side, talking to him in a childish manner. Reading some amusing stories, even he began to smile.
When Bu Guo Wu fainted, his jaw was struck with great violence. Eating was thus difficult. Even though his condition had improved, the Mao family would still insist on taking turns to feed him. They would carefully open his jaw, and push a small spoon of food into his mouth. The family possessed seemingly infinite patience— He heard not a grumble from them, nor was he subject to any carelessness caused by frustration. Indeed, the young Mao often was by his side, talking to him in a childish manner. Reading some amusing stories, even he began to smile.
再这样细心的照顾下，伤势日渐复原，，不但可以自己慢慢进食，还可以自己随意走动。一日，毛顺生走到“不过五”面前说：“先生，这场天灾看来还要持续一个时期，我们一家大小如逃起来，定必困难，但你一个人逃出湖南，便较为容易，所以我们已为你准备好一些路费，希望你能逃出这次大灾难吧！”
Under this caring family, his injuries slowly began to heal. He slowly regained his ability to eat, and also to move. One day, Mao Shunshen told Bu Guo Wu “Sir, this disastrous circumstance will last for some time more. It would be difficult for my whole family to flee, but you, Sir, may quite easily flee Hunan. We thus have prepared you a small amount of money, in the hope that you may escape this great disaster ! ”
过了两天，“不过五”便和毛家各人道别。毛顺生送他上路。艰涩难行的路都尽量陪他走过，“不过五”心里十分感动，想：“这家人心地善良，助人不遗余力，从未问我有所要求。正是施恩不望报的真正好人，自问自己从未亏欠别人什么。现在遇得这位救命恩人，今生能凭什么来汇报这大恩大德呢？”
过了两天，“不过五”便和毛家各人道别。毛顺生送他上路。艰涩难行的路都尽量陪他走过，“不过五”心里十分感动，想：“这家人心地善良，助人不遗余力，从未问我有所要求。正是施恩不望报的真正好人，自问自己从未亏欠别人什么。现在遇得这位救命恩人，今生能凭什么来汇报这大恩大德呢？”
After two days, Bu Guo Wu left the Mao Family residence. Mao Shunshen sent him off, travelling along the difficult and stony ground. Bu Guo Wu was touched. He thought to himself
“[7]This family is good to the core. It spared no effort to help me, nor did they ask me anything in return. I am a person who will never forget a kindness done to him, nor am I a person who owes debts of gratitude. How, in this life, can I repay these people whom I owe my life?”]
不觉悲从中来,终于说道:"毛先生,请回去吧,我就是'不过我'，对你的大恩大德会铭记于心。我身为堪舆师，人一生最大的愿望就是找一块好穴地，安置祖先骨殖，希望后人有所成就，但我的命也是你救回来的,如果没有你，我又怎能有什么后人呢? 这真实天意，天意注定福地应该留给福人，我愿意将我找得的佳穴让给你."
Breaking his habitual silence, he spoke thus:
“Mr. Mao, please return to your house. I am Bu Guo Wu, and your act of kindness and virture will be ever recorded in my heart. I am a master of Kanyu[8], and it has been my life-long wish to find a good Lair[9] to bury my ancestors in, in the hope that my descendants will prosper. But to you I owe my life— Without your actions, how can I even have descendants? It is truly the will of Heaven, that I should leave this beneficent place to my benefactor. And as soon as I find it, I shall give it to you”
Translator: an episode seems to be missing here—Bu Guo Wu now starts speaking about the spot in extremely precise detail, implying he has already found it.
“Hunan ought to be a verdant and luscious place. If it was not for this drought, wood and grass would be everywhere, a most beautiful sight. If you travel south, within an hour you will suddenly see a cluster of hills, rising straight up. The ground is rugged, and there are many protrusions.”
但若你留心观察，在中央的一座山不但没有和其他山相互绕缠,还有自己特别的气质形状。它山脉奇突，气势非凡，形状好像一个女子奔向月亮的姿势，灵气十足。秀气洋溢。她一只手向上伸,姿态传神,仿如嫦娥奔月的样子,所以水经注其为"嫦娥奔月"。
“But, if you look closely, in the middle there is not a mountain that is not connected with the others. That mountain also has a peculiar shape. The mountain’s energy is extraordinarily unique and powerful. It resembles a maid flying up to the moon, a posture infused with power and spiritual energy. The maiden extends one hand outwards— just the posture Chang-E assumed when she flew off to the moon. For that reason, the Classic of Water水经 calls this configuration “Chang-E flying to the moon”
每当月亮提升,照亮黑夜的时候,'嫦娥'的头顶被照得发亮,每晚'嫦娥'都在这时候吸取月亮的精华，所以在这时候下葬先人骨骸最适宜。
“As soon as the moon has risen, illuminating the dark night, the moon illuminates Chang-E’s head. Every night, she thus receives the moon’s vital essence. Hence, the bones must be buried at this moment, ”
如果你能在八月十五中秋明月的晚上，月正当圆子时时刻,嫦娥头顶感着月光灵气的刹那,把祖先骨骸放进嫦娥手中石穴中，先人骨骸受月亮精华,得风水恩泽,天地会为之一震，而你的儿子当中定有一人成为开国之君,为真命天子,而且福传三代。
“Upon the night of the Fifteenth day of the eighth month—Mid Autumn Festival—at the very moment the moon has perfected her roundness, bury your ancestor’s bones in a “den” located in the “Hands” of Chang-e. If you do that, your ancestor’s bones will receive the essence of the full moon and reap the benefic action of wind and water. Heaven and earth will shake, and your child will become a Founding Father of a country—A true Son of Heaven—and your family’s fortune will prosper for three generations.”
不过,那个受先人恩宠的儿子，一生的命运就会立刻有所转变,你稍微留意便觉察得到,他的命中注定先苦后甜,青少年要受尽痛楚,但定必有成功的一日，享尽万人之上荣华富贵的滋味;不过就像嫦娥一样，在奔月前吞下仙丹的时候一样是相当辛苦的，到上了月亮，便享到那种满足, 怡然的感觉。
“But, that child of yours, whom you love so much, His life will be one where fortunes will change at a moment’s notice. If you were to look a little into his fate, it is one which is “Bitter first, then sweet”. In his youth he will encounter pain and hardship—But there will come a day, when he will triumph, and receive the praise and glory of millions. Just like Chang-E, who swallowed the elixir in a moment of great pain, this pain only made her flight to the moon all the more satisfactory, all the more glorious.”
但高处不胜寒,都是成功人物的共同滋味,他内心的孤独是难以形容的，也是在所难免的.毛先生，你好自为之吧，我 '不过五' 与你在此惜别了"。说完,便拿着竹枝，一小步一小步地慢慢引领毛顺生来到 "嫦娥奔月" 龙脉之下,仰头指出下葬的方位。
“But It’s lonely at the top as they say: This is the fate of all successful people. Within his heart, Your son will be lonely, but he will not express it—a fate unavoidable. Mr Mao, you are on your own now, I cannot help you further.” Bu Guo Wu took a length of bamboo, and step-by step slowly led Mao Shunshen to the Dragon’s vein[11] beneath “Chang E Flying to the moon”. He raised his head, and pointed out the spot.
"不过五"有长长叹了口气说："天命难违,利弊皆在。'嫦娥奔月'的开国之君孤独自为我是难知，何况他的兄弟姐妹亲戚将来都会因他的成功而早夭。这种相克还会迁连到妻儿身上。何况嫦娥本身是女性,祖先骨骸放下去。风水运气立即发动,你的儿子就会有一个会男生女相。
Bu Guo Wu took a deep breath, and began again:
“The will of heaven is hard to overcome, profit and loss are united. The loneliness of a founding father generated by “Chang-E Flying to the moon” is hard for my mind to encompass. Under such circumstances何况, his brothers, sisters and relatives will all die young, because of his success. Indeed, this evil will even spread to his wife and children. Because Chang-E is female, and you will place your Ancestor’s bones in her, the Fengshui will immediately be activated. But your child will have ‘A male body with a female face’ ”
这种相貌'女相'将会令他孤独一生，在心理上引起了一种//不[12]//平衡。更重要的，最怕'奔月' 的风水被人破坏,影响到 '奔月' 的速度。太快了会令开国之君心理上永远想追求荣华[13],祸害众。太慢了又会令他功成垂败。所以说,这是一个大吉大劫的佳穴,前景如何要看天意了。
“Persons possessing such a physygnomy will lead a lonely life, which will cause a psychological /im/balanace . More importantly, I fear if the fengshui of “Chang-E flying to the moon” is destroyed. That will affect the rate at which Chang-E flies to the moon. If she flies too quickly, then the Founding Father’s mind will be fixated on glory, harming the people. But if she flies too slowly, the operation will fail. All in all, this meridian gives and takes away— How things will play out must depend on the will of heaven”
//[14]我自己所以迟迟不肯把先人骨骸放入穴中,就是不想让我的后人去冒这个险。这一切，我亲眼见到先生你一家人心地善良，福份必足，或者有福来消除这个佳穴的隐灾,但是福是祸都必须冒险，这个后果，毛先生你要计算清楚啊!"//"不过五"真诚地指出了龙穴的来源去脉,才依依不舍的与毛顺生握别。
/“ I myself was unwilling to place my ancestor’s bones inside this meridian, unwilling to expose my descendants to this risk. But Sir, your family is kind and contented. Perhaps your good luck will be enough overcome the disasters I mentioned-- But, no matter if this turns out auspicious or a catastrophe, you must take a risk. Mr. Mao, carefully consider if you can bear it!/
With that, Bu Guo wu carefully pointed out the Meridian’s direction, and unwillingly parted ways with Mao Shunsheng.”
毛顺生回家途中,脑里盘旋着"不过五"刚才说的一番话,心里半信半疑,乍惊乍喜,终于还是忍不住再回头到"不过五"指示的地点细察一番。果然见当中一座山宛如"嫦娥奔月"形态,神奇十足,活活跃现, 他心底暗里惊叫,莫非"不过五"说的全是真话,想宁可信其有,不可信其无,他更相信,自己的儿子个个善良,就算风水有灵,作了皇帝,也决不会祸害人民的,便决定在八月十五晚上把父亲的骨骸移过来。
As Mao Shunsheng walked home, he mulled over Bu Guo Wu’s words, half believing, half sceptical, Half frightened, half delighted. Finally, he decided to return to the spot which Bu Guo Wu pointed out to see for himself. There indeed was a mountain that looked just like “Chang-E flying to the moon”, a most marvellous sight, lively in all its particulars. In his heart he was most astonished—Bu Guo Wu told the truth, down to the smallest detail. He believed that his son, after all was a kind boy. And with the help of this fengshui, will become an Emperor, who would definitely not harm the people. Mao Sunsheng made his mind up—On the Fifteenth day of the Eighth month, he shall move his father’s bones here.
毛顺生一直没有将这件事向家人透露,在中秋那天静悄悄溜了出去,带着父亲的骨骸上"嫦娥奔月"那座山去。初时路还算易[15]行,但越上则越[16]兀突不平,一直爬到"嫦娥"的腰部,天色已晚, /全身已精疲力尽[17]/.虽然平日上过山,下惯田,但是已有一把年纪,加上这座山的石头兀突,形状古怪,有的石头甚圆滑,有些则尖削锐利,如剪刀般锋利,所以大有吃不消的感觉,终于还是找一块圆石坐下休息不一会儿,看见天上的月光已渐渐出现,再看"嫦娥"手臂,虽深知难爬,但还是忍着疲倦再往前行.
毛顺生一直没有将这件事向家人透露,在中秋那天静悄悄溜了出去,带着父亲的骨骸上"嫦娥奔月"那座山去。初时路还算易[15]行,但越上则越[16]兀突不平,一直爬到"嫦娥"的腰部,天色已晚, /全身已精疲力尽[17]/.虽然平日上过山,下惯田,但是已有一把年纪,加上这座山的石头兀突,形状古怪,有的石头甚圆滑,有些则尖削锐利,如剪刀般锋利,所以大有吃不消的感觉,终于还是找一块圆石坐下休息不一会儿,看见天上的月光已渐渐出现,再看"嫦娥"手臂,虽深知难爬,但还是忍着疲倦再往前行.
Mao Shunsheng never told his family about this matter. On the date of the mid-autumn festival, he quietly left the house, carrying his father’s bones towards that mountain. The journey started off fine, but as he ascended up the slope, the ground became more and more uneven. By the time he reached the “Waist” of Chang-E, it was dark. He was exhausted. He had climbed up the mountain before, and was used to working in the fields, but he was getting on in years. The rough terrain did not help either. The stones were protruding, and strangely shaped. Some stones were round and slippery, others jagged and sharp like knives. With most of his strength gone, he found a smooth stone to rest. No sooner did he sit down, he saw the moon slowly rising from the sky. He looked towards Chang-E’s “Hands”. No matter how difficult the climb will be, he must push on.
石头是越来越古怪,奇突、险要、壮美，有些形状简直三尖八角，像一块块未经雕琢的宝石，在月光的照耀下，闪闪有彩。踏上时铿锵有声，清脆悦耳，虽然疲倦，毛顺生对山中的奇妙，还是惊讶十。[18]
The stones became curiouser and curiouser. Some of them possessed strange pointed forms, much like an uncut jewel, sparkling under the beams of the moon. When stepped on, they emitted a sonorous sound, pleasing to the ear. Although tired, Mao Shunsheng could not help but admire the strangeness of the place.
石头是越来越古怪,奇突、险要、壮美，有些形状简直三尖八角，像一块块未经雕琢的宝石，在月光的照耀下，闪闪有彩。踏上时铿锵有声，清脆悦耳，虽然疲倦，毛顺生对山中的奇妙，还是惊讶十。[18]
The stones became curiouser and curiouser. Some of them possessed strange pointed forms, much like an uncut jewel, sparkling under the beams of the moon. When stepped on, they emitted a sonorous sound, pleasing to the ear. Although tired, Mao Shunsheng could not help but admire the strangeness of the place.
走到“嫦娥”手臂，更见奇峰突出，满手臂充满灵逸，刹有着不可侵犯的味儿。但心想为着后人有福，还是鼓起勇气，继续前行。走得不远，忽然一块石头骨碌碌滚跌下山，毛顺生也险些一并跌下去，幸好及时抓住一堆野草，//否则很难不粉身碎骨了[19]//。
By the time he reached Chang-E’s arms, the rocks became even more jagged, even more unusual. The whole area was infused with a strange energy— a feeling that this place must not be intruded . But Mao Shunsheng thought about his descendants’ fortunes, and worked up the courage to press on. But after walking a short distance, a stone suddenly fell down the mountain. He was almost pulled along with it. Only by grasping onto a piece of grass, /did he save himself from being dashed to pieces/
他抹去一把冷汗，精神为之一振，小心翼翼向前爬，一步一惊心，好不容易才走到“嫦娥”的手肘，由于月光不照到这个部位，步履间寸寸惊险，/[20]忽然远远见到“嫦娥”手掌，满心欢喜，忘记了刚才的危险，步履快速，总算吉人天相，重重险阻轻轻渡过，不一会儿，便走到“嫦娥”的手掌了，但衣服已被途中荆棘、桠枝所扯烂，身上还有不少擦伤的痕迹/。
He wiped off his sweat. Frightened by this experience, He proceeded cautiously onwards. Each step forward brought a new terror to him. In great difficulty he finally arrived at Chang-E’s Elbows. The moon had yet to illuminate this place, and each step had to be taken in darkness and in fear. But from a distance Mao Shunsheng spied the Hands of Chang-E. Overcome with joy, and forgetting all danger, he rushed onward. It was an auspicious omen: he had managed to skip by all the terrors and dangers. Not long after, he reached Chang-E’s palms, with his clothes covered in brambles, his walking-stick in splinters and his body scratched all over.
He wiped off his sweat. Frightened by this experience, He proceeded cautiously onwards. Each step forward brought a new terror to him. In great difficulty he finally arrived at Chang-E’s Elbows. The moon had yet to illuminate this place, and each step had to be taken in darkness and in fear. But from a distance Mao Shunsheng spied the Hands of Chang-E. Overcome with joy, and forgetting all danger, he rushed onward. It was an auspicious omen: he had managed to skip by all the terrors and dangers. Not long after, he reached Chang-E’s palms, with his clothes covered in brambles, his walking-stick in splinters and his body scratched all over.
正想卧一会儿，忽然见天上月光正圆，把“嫦娥”的头顶照得闪亮，忽然响起“不过五”的说话，他知道定已到了子时，机不可失，速速把带来的骨骸殖在“嫦娥”手中。刹那间[21]，天上一闪，地面一震，砰隆一声，像天上呼啸。/他的[22]/心里虽然十分紧张，但知道这正是应验了“不过五”所说的，骨骸受着灵气，得了风水的恩泽了。
At this moment, he noticed that the moon has achieved its perfect roundness. It illuminated Cang-E’s head with its brilliant light. Mao Shunsheng remembered Bu Guo Wu’s advice. The appointed hour had arrived—The moment cannot be lost. He swiftly took the bones and placed them in Cang-E’s hands. At that moment, the sky lit up, the earth quaked with a terrifying bang; heaven itself seemed to be screaming. His heart was in fear, but Mao Shunsheng knew that this was exactly as Bu Guo Wu had predicted. The bones would receive the numinous energy of the place , and receive the blessing of Wind and Water.
在“嫦娥”的手上休息了一会，想下山比上山更难，便决定在山上渡宿一夜了。先前的疲倦被天闪地震一扫而空，反而整夜不能入睡，心中记挂家中各人，又想哪一个儿子得着恩宠会成为“真命天子”。忽然，又再三想起“不过五”的每一句话，说即、葬即有所显示，所以十分心急，想知道是哪个儿子有所转变。
After resting for a few moments on Cang-E’s hands, he figured that descending the mountain would be too difficult. Mao Shunsheng resolved to spend a night on the mountain. But as the heavens before him were swept clean by thunder and lightning, he did not sleep a wink all though the night. His thoughts were solely fixed on his family, in particular his beloved son, who would grow up to become “A true Son of Heaven”. His thoughts then turned to Bu Guo Wu’s every word, saying of how miraculous this new tomb would be. His heart was agitated, wondering about how his child’s fate would change.
天一亮，便即下山，飞奔回家，家人见他这个样子，关怀问他昨夜行踪，为了保留秘密，毛顺生只得撒谎说：“昨夜地震，我急躲进山洞，今天才敢走出来，你们昨天感到地震了吗？”家人齐答昨夜也见闪电地震，随后便替他敷治伤口了。（在北京历史文物馆保存的湖南地理志云：湖南当时曾有地震，原因不详）
At daybreak, Mao Shunsheng descended, and hurried home. When his family saw him in this state, they eagerly asked him about last night’s journey. Eager to preserve his secret, he lied, saying “Yesterday there was an earthquake. I thus hid in a cave. I only came out this morning, Did you feel the quake yesterday?” His family agreed unanimously. They then tended to his wounds. ( The Hunan Gazetteer preserved in the Beijing Museum of historical artefacts says “In Hunan, there once was an earthquake. Its cause was unclear”).
毛顺生快快叫齐儿女站在跟前，逐一替他们洗脸，其实看是谁受着恩宠，果然发现顽皮活博得毛泽东面相上有所转变，下巴上突然长出小肉痣一粒，面部见圆，大有变成女孩子相貌的样子，他知道毛泽东受了恩宠将来会是开国之君，便对他更为注意，不久发现他除了在面貌上有所改变外，在性格、言语上已有所改变。
Mao Shunsheng summoned all his children, and washed their faces—such was his love for them. He then noticed mischievous and lively Mao Zedong’s face had changed. On his lower jaw, there grew a small mole, and his face became rounder. All in all, Mao Zedong’s face grew more feminine. At that moment he knew that Mao Zedong, the spoilt child, will indeed become a Founding Father. After that time, Mao Senior looked after his son with even more care. He also noticed that apart from his face, his character and speech also changed.
又一个活波顽皮、憨直无知的男孩慢慢变成一个豪爽翩翩得青年，对国家民族有深厚炽热的感情，思想也变得成熟起来，有满腔热血，充满理想的爱国主义思想，不甘屈就作目前普通农民，愿意将自己的整个生命，全心一致投入革命行列，为国家人民尽自己最大的努力。随着共产党，他参与组织农民起义、农村运动，一次又一次的行动、组织，使他的优异条件获得充分的发挥。
The Lively and innocent boy slowly grew up to become an honest and straightforward youth. He was especially concerned with the common folk of the country. His beliefs became more passionate. He was enthusiastically patriotic. He detested the injustices done to the common folk. He made it his life’s aim, his obsession, to start the Revolution. For the sake of the people of China, he was willing to expend every ounce of strength. He joined the Communist Party, helping to organize the peasants and villages [[in armed struggle??]]. The success of his activities grew from strength to strength. Soon, his activities was winning the praise of his comrades.
又一个活波顽皮、憨直无知的男孩慢慢变成一个豪爽翩翩得青年，对国家民族有深厚炽热的感情，思想也变得成熟起来，有满腔热血，充满理想的爱国主义思想，不甘屈就作目前普通农民，愿意将自己的整个生命，全心一致投入革命行列，为国家人民尽自己最大的努力。随着共产党，他参与组织农民起义、农村运动，一次又一次的行动、组织，使他的优异条件获得充分的发挥。
The Lively and innocent boy slowly grew up to become an honest and straightforward youth. He was especially concerned with the common folk of the country. His beliefs became more passionate. He was enthusiastically patriotic. He detested the injustices done to the common folk. He made it his life’s aim, his obsession, to start the Revolution. For the sake of the people of China, he was willing to expend every ounce of strength. He joined the Communist Party, helping to organize the peasants and villages [[in armed struggle??]]. The success of his activities grew from strength to strength. Soon, his activities was winning the praise of his comrades.
但亦和“不过五”说的一样，毛泽东初期受尽苦头。在四次围剿中，次次死里逃生，都是吉人天相，得着民心。他带领着红军次次告捷，但在第五次，虽然得到村民爱戴帮助，但敌方的火器、人数实在和自己的太悬殊，所以不得不进行了有名的两万五千里长征。
But Just as Bu Guo Wu had predicted, Mao Zedong’s early years were filled with suffering, During the Fourth Encirclement campaign [against the Jiangsi Soviet] on several occasions he escaped death by a hairsbreadth—A sign of a person who was protected by heaven, and has the people’s affection都是吉人天相，得着民心. He led the Chinese Red Army to victory after victory. However, on the fifth occasion, despite having the People’s support, due to want of ammunition and [[the distance between him and his men]] He was obliged to start the celebrated Two-hundred-and fifty thousand li ‘Long march’
长征过程惊险刺激，酸甜苦辣都亲身体会到，人生的五味都深深尝透了。不过，这些苦头还没有挨完，在长征这段漫长岁月里，毛泽东仍受着不少自然的灾害，人为地攻击，饥饿缺乏粮食，伤兵累累，/[23]缺乏装备是经常出现的问题，种种艰辛苦楚，可算历尽，/ 及至长征到延安，才有了基础，有了自己的军队和安全根据地，在长征途中，他得到了权力，奠下了成功的基础。/及后[24]/，经过抗日战争，虽然流了不少血汗，但毛的聪明机智更是意气/[25]风发/，声威逼人。
The Long March was a dramatic time. In the process, Mao personally felt every possible shade and facet of the human experience. However, that was not all. In these long months, Mao Zedong endured numerous natural disasters, attacks by enemy forces, hunger and fatigue.//Lack of equipment was a common occurrence. It was a trying time, but// they eventually reached their base in Ya’an, finding a safe haven for himself and his troops. During the Long March, he achieved much power, laying the foundations for his later success. Finally, during the war against Japan, despite much blood and sweat, Mao’s stratagems caused him to triumph over the Japanese.
传说，当时我又最大权利的蒋介石对风水命相相信甚笃，而且/[26]素/来很有研究，身边常有一班命相家相随，他用人先看相。例如，对刘峙份外优待，即使刘峙无能天下知，但蒋介石说他有福相，是个“福将”，所以仍然任用他。（相传刘峙被刘伯承打败在“淮海战役”亦是风水注定）亦因为蒋介石深谙风水，所以怀疑毛泽东的威猛气势，是得其祖坟风水好，所以才有这样勇猛的后人，而且自问每见到他，不知什么原因，心里总是怦怦跳动，像下级见到上级的紧张，相定是毛的相貌克着自己，所以感到十分顾忌。
传说，当时我又最大权利的蒋介石对风水命相相信甚笃，而且/[26]素/来很有研究，身边常有一班命相家相随，他用人先看相。例如，对刘峙份外优待，即使刘峙无能天下知，但蒋介石说他有福相，是个“福将”，所以仍然任用他。（相传刘峙被刘伯承打败在“淮海战役”亦是风水注定）亦因为蒋介石深谙风水，所以怀疑毛泽东的威猛气势，是得其祖坟风水好，所以才有这样勇猛的后人，而且自问每见到他，不知什么原因，心里总是怦怦跳动，像下级见到上级的紧张，相定是毛的相貌克着自己，所以感到十分顾忌。
Legend has it, that the then-powerful Chiang Kai-Shek was also a believer in Fengshui and the study of Fate. He researched much into the subject. He was frequently followed by an entourage of fate-calculators and physiognmists, who would scrutinize anyone whom he met. For example, Liu Zhi was [unduly promoted], but Chiang Kai-Shek was adamant that he had a “Fortunate aspect”, and thus was a “Fortunate general”, a person which he could use. (Liu Zhi’s subsequent defeat by Liu Bocheng in the Huaihai Campaign was also predestined by Fengshui). Chiang’s knowledge of fengshui also made him suspect that Mao Zedong’s power and fortune was due to a favourable ancestral tomb generating such a valorous descendant. When Chiang met Mao personally, Chiang suddenly became nervous. Chiang’s heart started to palpitate, just like a man who had met his doom. There could have been only one conclusion: Mao Zedong’s [[physiognomy]] was conquering his own.
一日，传说蒋介石请了一群命相家、风水先生在南京城里煮酒论英雄，畅谈个人对风水的种种认识，各种心得，各抒己见。天南地北，东拉西扯，好不快活。兴致勃勃的时候，蒋介石忽然有所感触，向这班命相学家问当今天下，有谁能和他一比高低。当时，命相学家对他的“灵龟降世”相貌，赞叹不已，认为是上天注定的真命天子相，各人啧啧称奇，满是吹嘘奉捧的话，然后，/一命相学家[27]（姓名已不详）/不识趣地对蒋介石说：“记得有一次在重庆见过毛泽东，看他的面貌正是男生女相，这种相貌，在乱世中能逢凶化吉,相传历史上奠下三百年基业的汉代刘邦就是男生女相的,这种相貌对总裁的"灵龟投世"/伏犀骨贯顶[28]/相貌最是相克,所以我认为如果有人和总裁一争天下的话,必是他无疑了."
一日，传说蒋介石请了一群命相家、风水先生在南京城里煮酒论英雄，畅谈个人对风水的种种认识，各种心得，各抒己见。天南地北，东拉西扯，好不快活。兴致勃勃的时候，蒋介石忽然有所感触，向这班命相学家问当今天下，有谁能和他一比高低。当时，命相学家对他的“灵龟降世”相貌，赞叹不已，认为是上天注定的真命天子相，各人啧啧称奇，满是吹嘘奉捧的话，然后，/一命相学家[27]（姓名已不详）/不识趣地对蒋介石说：“记得有一次在重庆见过毛泽东，看他的面貌正是男生女相，这种相貌，在乱世中能逢凶化吉,相传历史上奠下三百年基业的汉代刘邦就是男生女相的,这种相貌对总裁的"灵龟投世"/伏犀骨贯顶[28]/相貌最是相克,所以我认为如果有人和总裁一争天下的话,必是他无疑了."
According to legend, One day Chiang Kai-Shek assembled a group of physiognomists and fengshui masters in Nanjing, to “Warm the wine and talk of heroes”. Each of them merrily discussed about their knowledge of fengshui, experiences and curious cases. They talked far and wide, about everything under the sun. During this merry discussion, Chiang Kai-Shek asked to this group of masters if there is anyone under heaven that can compare with him. They praised his physiognomy, the “Spiritual Tortoise descends into the world” effusively, saying that this is the sign of a true Son of Heaven. All present chattered about this wonder, praising and flattering him. However, one fortune-teller (His name is lost to history) bluntly put it to Chiang “I remember, once in Chongqing I saw Mao Zedong—His physiognomy was “A male body with a female face”—persons with this physiognomy, can turn adversity into fortune. The history of physiognomy records that Liu Bang, founder of the Han Dynasty -- which lasted 300 years-- also possessed “A male body with a female face”, and this physiognomy is capable of destroying the “Spiritual Tortoise descends into the world”. Thus, Chairman, I believe if there is a person who will contend with you for All under heaven, it is clearly Mao.
蒋听后，当场面色一变，十分难看，不作一声，拂袖而去，当场众命相学家见他似是恼怒，个人都吓得死去活来，希望自己语句间没有什么开罪他的地方，得以明哲保身。
Upon hearing this, Chiang Kai-shek’s expression suddenly changed. He was extremely angry. Without saying a word, he threw out his sleeves and left. The assembled masters were extremely worried, everyone scared half to death. They hoped that none of them had said anything against the Chairman. They decided to keep their distance 明哲保身
原来蒋介石心里最忌讳毛泽东，心里早有怀疑毛泽东克正自己的地方，现在这命相学家竟一语道破，把心内早存的隐忧都抓了出来。
原来蒋介石心里最忌讳毛泽东，心里早有怀疑毛泽东克正自己的地方，现在这命相学家竟一语道破，把心内早存的隐忧都抓了出来。
Indeed, Chiang Kai-shek feared Mao Zedong the most. In his heart, he suspected that Mao was somehow destroying his own fate. Now confirmed by the masters, he resolved to air his secret concerns.
蒋心内当然满不是味道，即恼怒又忧心，心情烦躁不已，整晚独自踱来踱去，像鱼骨哽在喉咙里，不吐不快的纳闷。/[29]浑身不是劲，心知大事不妙/，连夜立即召集平时身边的亲信，大开小组会议（陈诚、顾祝同、白崇禧均有参加），亲信们平日的[30]蒋传授，对风水这门学问尚算颇有功夫，经大家商量策划后，认为要破毛泽东风水最好的办法是到湖南，查出他的祖坟，破坏其中风水，便可以削他的锐气，破他的运程。
Chiang was obviously in a bad mood. Angry, [agitated] and alone, he spent an entire night pacing up and down. It was just like a fishbone stuck in the throat—incapable of being spat out or swallowed. /…/ That night, he called a meeting of his aides and followers -- a miniature conference. ( Chen Cheng, Gu Zhutong and Bai Chongxi participated). These persons were already rather familiar with the subject of fengshui. After some discussion, they concluded that the best way of destroying Mao Zedong’s fengshui was to go to Hunan, find out his ancestral tomb and ruin its fengshui. That would surely destroy his drive, and ruin his luck.
于是/[31]传说/蒋介石立刻派白崇禧连同一班风水先生到湖南韶山破坏毛家风水去。传说一群人，浩浩荡荡，到达湖南，但当中没有一个看得出湖南风水的奥妙之处，对着群山村庄，没有一个人明白眼前和其他的乡村山庄有什么不同。
Thus, /or so the legend goes/, Chiang Kai-shek immediately sent Bai Chongxi and a group of fengshui masters to Shaoshan, Hunan, for the sole purpose of destroying the Mao’s fengshui. The legend states that when this band arrived in Hunan with the airs of a conqueror, not one of them could see the wonders of Hunan’s fengshui. Indeed, looking at that cluster of villages, not one of them could see how it differed from any old mountain village.
白崇禧见各人都没法领悟，心里即恐慌不能交差，领不到功劳，又十分[32]焦急，所以便决定从另一处下手，把毛泽东的远近亲戚都抓来问话，希望从审问中获知毛家祖先山坟的消息。抓人他尽力而为，大大小小抓来二百多人来，连小时候和毛泽东谈话和见过面的都抓了来。
白崇禧见各人都没法领悟，心里即恐慌不能交差，领不到功劳，又十分[32]焦急，所以便决定从另一处下手，把毛泽东的远近亲戚都抓来问话，希望从审问中获知毛家祖先山坟的消息。抓人他尽力而为，大大小小抓来二百多人来，连小时候和毛泽东谈话和见过面的都抓了来。
When Bai saw the fengshui masters at their wit’s end, he was worried—How could he submit a report to General Chiang? Was all this effort wasted? Anxious, he tried another tack. He rounded all of Mao Zedong’s relatives—both distant and near, hoping to extract from them some information about Mao Zedong’s ancestral tomb. In his vigour, he rounded up over two hundred relatives, young and old. Even Mao Zedong’s childhood friends were rounded up.
先是审问，再是施刑，但二百多人竟没有一个愿意泄漏毛家祖坟的地方。白崇禧老羞成怒，对这班不肯出卖毛泽东的人痛恨不已。焦急之下，竟把心一横，使出恐怖手段，对再受审问仍然沉默的，仍说不知道的，都全部一一刑囚，一一宰杀。
First he asked them questions, Then he used force. But of the two hundred people, there was not a single one who was willing to let an iota of information about Mao’s ancestral tomb. Bai’s humiliation turned to rage, an extreme rage at these stubborn people. Agitated, he hardened his heart, and used a horrifying stratagem. If they stayed silent once more, or said “I don’t know”, he will torture them one by one, kill them one by one.
先是审问，再是施刑，但二百多人竟没有一个愿意泄漏毛家祖坟的地方。白崇禧老羞成怒，对这班不肯出卖毛泽东的人痛恨不已。焦急之下，竟把心一横，使出恐怖手段，对再受审问仍然沉默的，仍说不知道的，都全部一一刑囚，一一宰杀。
First he asked them questions, Then he used force. But of the two hundred people, there was not a single one who was willing to let an iota of information about Mao’s ancestral tomb. Bai’s humiliation turned to rage, an extreme rage at these stubborn people. Agitated, he hardened his heart, and used a horrifying stratagem. If they stayed silent once more, or said “I don’t know”, he will torture them one by one, kill them one by one.
凡令他觉得讨厌，令他觉得不顺眼的，受的痛苦就更大，鞭打至皮破血流，火烧至浑身焦黑，钩舌根、砍四肢、斩头等活活折磨死，幼弱的因吓破胆而死，尸首遍野。恐怖惨状，使人目不忍睹、闻者鼻酸。（传说六十年代李宗仁曾写信到台湾请白崇禧和他一起回大陆，但白始终未敢答应，原因很可能是他自忖会因风水事件，他和毛泽东结下一个不解的仇怨。）
He himself found the subsequent events too terrible to stomach. [The] sufferings [of Mao’s relatives] were great. They were lashed until their skin broke and bled. They were burnt until their bodies were turned to ash. Their tongues were cut out. Their limbs were broken. Some were beheaded, others tortured to death. The weak died of fright. All their corpses were left into the open. This horrible event is surely too much to bear; reading it makes one’s eyes water ( Legend has it that in the 1960s, Li Chongren wrote a letter to Bai, asking if he would return with him to the mainland. But Bai never dared to reply—Perhaps, this is because reflecting on this fengshui incident, Bai bore an unquenchable hatred against Mao Zedong)
虽然杀死二百多人，但对毛泽东的祖坟依然一无所知，满脑袋的脏思想，又想出一个鬼念头。于是，白崇禧决定将整个湖南山脉破坏、河流挖断，有“龙脉”状的山势，花草树木也尽量烧毁，生机不留，但求破坏湖南的风水。
Despite having killed over two hundred people, they were no closer to finding Mao Zedong’s tomb. After wracking his brains he devised another devilish strategy. Bai thus decided to destroy the fengshui in all Hunan. He diverted rivers. They torched all vegetation on mountains that possessed a ‘Dragon’s pulse’ , leaving not a single living thing behind. This, they hoped, would ruin Hunan’s fengshui for good.
虽然杀死二百多人，但对毛泽东的祖坟依然一无所知，满脑袋的脏思想，又想出一个鬼念头。于是，白崇禧决定将整个湖南山脉破坏、河流挖断，有“龙脉”状的山势，花草树木也尽量烧毁，生机不留，但求破坏湖南的风水。
Despite having killed over two hundred people, they were no closer to finding Mao Zedong’s tomb. After wracking his brains he devised another devilish strategy. Bai thus decided to destroy the fengshui in all Hunan. He diverted rivers. They torched all vegetation on mountains that possessed a ‘Dragon’s pulse’ , leaving not a single living thing behind. This, they hoped, would ruin Hunan’s fengshui for good.
果然在他破脉断河的时候，传说三条连贯“嫦娥奔月”的方位亦受到破坏，使整座龙脉的形势受挫，而且影响颇为巨大。因为“嫦娥”的方位受刺激，血液澎湃，奔月的速度加快十倍，她起的变化直接影响着毛泽东的运势，毛的血液也在沸腾，对国家民族感情从来有增无减，现在这一转变，只有令毛的志气更坚，信心更强。威势更猛，而相克蒋介石的速度也更快更深。本来依风水运势，毛斗倒蒋需三十年苦斗，白崇禧这次代他/早倒霉[33]/，加快速度，由三十年变成三年。
In the process of ruining Hunan’s fengshui, the legend states that the “three direct paths” to “Chang-e flying to the Moon” were also destroyed. The whole shape of the Dragon’s pulse was altered drastically. Chang-E’s surroundings were changed, polluted with blood. The speed of her flight to the moon increased tenfold. These changes directly affected Mao Zedong’s fortunes. Mao’s blood also began to boil. His love for the common folk always increased, and never waned. However, with this change, Mao’s resolved strengthened, his beliefs became firmer. His power became stronger, more ferocious. He hit Chiang Kai-Shek faster and harder. Under the original circumstances, Mao’s battle with Chiang would be a bitter struggle of three decades. With this disaster, Bai accelerated the process—Three decades became three years. [34]
/酝酿/[35]已久的斗争宣告爆发，一面以毛泽东为首，一面以蒋介石所领导的内战终于激烈展开，在这短短三年的时间内，里面虽然充满火药味，但不时有很多斗智斗风水的小插曲穿插其间。蒋介石因为笃信风水，每次出兵也但求找到一处风水好的营地，日常在他身边的亲信就负这个责任，但毛泽东的男生女相克正蒋介石的灵龟相，那班糊涂虫乱找回来的好生地也无济于事了。
The struggle that had been brewing for so long finally flared. As Mao Zedong triumphed, the civil war that Chiang-Kai-shek led soon burst forth in all fury. In those three short years, despite the all-pervading whiff of gunpowder, Fengshui was deployed to military purposes. A faithful believer of Fengshui, Chiang Kai-shek never failed to seek a good site for a camp whenever he set forth. This task fell to his friends and aides, but because Mao Zedong’s “Male body with a female face” efficiently destroyed Chiang Kai-shek’s “Spiritual tortoise”, the “good” fengshui sites selected by the blockheads were to no avail.
在这三年的内战里，毛泽东经常废寝忘食，刻苦策划，日夜不分地深思熟虑各种战略，应付敌人的多端/[36]诡计/。策划解决敌人的各种方法，还要解决粮食供给问题，许多时候还亲自鼓励开荒种田，自己生产粮食，减少补给的不足。种种的劳役都是为着国家，为了理想，支持着他的就是他澎湃的血液，亦是“不过五”所说的，在他踏上成功的宝座以前，需要受尽辛酸，后来才能享到成功的美果的，事实在这三年内战期间，毛泽东的军事领导才能，获得充分的表现，他是一面倒的胜利。
In the three years of the Chinese Civil War, Mao Zedong often neglected food and sleep in planning. Day and night made no difference to strategizing, counteracting the schemes of his enemies. On top with dealing with his enemies, he had to deal with problems of food supply. He was often personally involved in ploughing the fields. He even grew crops of his own to help the shortage. All his labours were for the good of the country, for the greater ideals. His immense drive supported him. Just as Bu Guo Wu predicted, before he stepped onto the Gilded throne of Success and enjoyed its beautiful fruits , he had to endure numerous hardships. Truly, in those three years of Civil War, Mao Zedong’s brilliant leadership yielded immense results—a complete victory.
经过三年内战，胜败已分，蒋介石领导下的国民党军队全军覆没，终于败在中共手下，逃出中国大陆，龟缩台湾；其实根据风水原理，毛泽东应该在三十年时间内才能克死蒋介石的，但因为白崇禧的不仁不义，疯狂屠宰湖南，以至祸及“嫦娥奔月”把她奔月的事件加速，所以把毛泽东克正蒋介石的时间加速，三十年变成三年，毛泽东便把蒋介石打败了。
After the three-year civil war, Victor and loser were already decided. Chiang Kai-Shek’s Kuomintang army was annihilated. Finally defeated by the communists, he fled the Chinese mainland, turtle-like into Taiwan. According to the principles of Fengshui, Mao ought to have destroyed Chiang Kai-shek in thirty years. But because of Bai’s inhumane, insane massacre in Hunan, it accelerated the speed of “Chang-E flying to the moon”. The speed of Mao’s victory was thus increased, Mao defeating Chiang in three years rather than thrity.
经过三年内战，胜败已分，蒋介石领导下的国民党军队全军覆没，终于败在中共手下，逃出中国大陆，龟缩台湾；其实根据风水原理，毛泽东应该在三十年时间内才能克死蒋介石的，但因为白崇禧的不仁不义，疯狂屠宰湖南，以至祸及“嫦娥奔月”把她奔月的事件加速，所以把毛泽东克正蒋介石的时间加速，三十年变成三年，毛泽东便把蒋介石打败了。
After the three-year civil war, Victor and loser were already decided. Chiang Kai-Shek’s Kuomintang army was annihilated. Finally defeated by the communists, he fled the Chinese mainland, turtle-like into Taiwan. According to the principles of Fengshui, Mao ought to have destroyed Chiang Kai-shek in thirty years. But because of Bai’s inhumane, insane massacre in Hunan, it accelerated the speed of “Chang-E flying to the moon”. The speed of Mao’s victory was thus increased, Mao defeating Chiang in three years rather than thrity.
这一败，对蒋确实也有益处，因为原本他是命中注定要被毛克死的，但风水运势加快，快就缺乏“余气”，蒋的“灵龟”是最会耐命的，逃到台湾，在风水上如龟缩入壳中一样安全，而毛一下子发尽气运，现在只是把他大败，再没有余力割龟壳了，蒋才有命在台湾安居下来，替自己留一后路。而且，他事实对风水很有研究，能选择台北为国都，配合其龟相，读者试看台湾形状，不是像一个龟壳吗？/一直以来，运气不差，至现在子孙仍能在台湾安居下来。[37]/
Still, this circumstance helped Chiang. Originally, Chiang’s fate was to be killed by Mao, but because of the acceleration, There was a bit of “Residual Qi” on Chiang’s part. Chiang’s “Spiritual turtle” was thus saved from complete destruction. He fled turtle-like into safety in Taiwan. Meanwhile, Mao, having exhausted all his own Qi, was incapable of slicing open Chiang’s “shell” . Thus, Chiang’s fate had secured him an route out of complete destruction by escaping to Taiwan. Indeed, Chiang must have been extremely knowledgeable in selecting Taipei as his capital—It fitted the turtle image perfectly. Readers, consider the shape of Taiwan – Is it not just like a turtle’s shell?. /All along, his fengshui luck was still good—indeed, to this day, his sons have settled down in taiwan/
至于“嫦娥”，传说因为奔月时速度太快，在接近月亮的时候，头颅顶撞正月亮，险些昏迷过去。这件事后来深深影响毛泽东，也影响整个中国，毛泽东确能成为开国之君，如“不过五”所说得到了成功，但二十年后，“嫦娥撞月”的遗患终于祸害人民。
As for Chang-E, the legend says that she had fled to the moon too fast. When she neared the moon, she struck her head against the moon, and fainted. This incident deeply affected Mao Zedong, and in turn, the whole of China. Just as Bu Guo Wu had predicted, Mao would become a Founding Father, but twenty years later, Chang-E’s “Crash landing” would leave a trail of destruction, harming the people.
毛突然作风有所转变，平时热情爱国的思想变得几乎疯狂，炽热强烈的感情更见走火入魔，处处要激进，样样求快速，像嫦娥的头颅，他脑袋亦受冲击，所以弄出很多伤害民生的运动来，把国家搞的天翻地覆的“文化大革命”，错误领导人民，搞出所谓要红不要专，完全脱离现实的领导方法，又把学校关门，学生整天说要闹革命，要游行，要暴动，整个国家内部产生种种混乱的情形，/[38]这不能不说是毛泽东的疯狂思想/。此外，“大跃进”这些过于急功近利的运动亦同样使人民生活不宁，受尽不必要的苦楚。
至于“嫦娥”，传说因为奔月时速度太快，在接近月亮的时候，头颅顶撞正月亮，险些昏迷过去。这件事后来深深影响毛泽东，也影响整个中国，毛泽东确能成为开国之君，如“不过五”所说得到了成功，但二十年后，“嫦娥撞月”的遗患终于祸害人民。
As for Chang-E, the legend says that she had fled to the moon too fast. When she neared the moon, she struck her head against the moon, and fainted. This incident deeply affected Mao Zedong, and in turn, the whole of China. Just as Bu Guo Wu had predicted, Mao would become a Founding Father, but twenty years later, Chang-E’s “Crash landing” would leave a trail of destruction, harming the people.
毛突然作风有所转变，平时热情爱国的思想变得几乎疯狂，炽热强烈的感情更见走火入魔，处处要激进，样样求快速，像嫦娥的头颅，他脑袋亦受冲击，所以弄出很多伤害民生的运动来，把国家搞的天翻地覆的“文化大革命”，错误领导人民，搞出所谓要红不要专，完全脱离现实的领导方法，又把学校关门，学生整天说要闹革命，要游行，要暴动，整个国家内部产生种种混乱的情形，/[38]这不能不说是毛泽东的疯狂思想/。此外，“大跃进”这些过于急功近利的运动亦同样使人民生活不宁，受尽不必要的苦楚。
A sea-change suddenly occurred with Mao. His love for the country turned almost into madness. Power had now went to his brain. [39] Now everything had to be revolutionary, everything had to accelerate. Just like Cang-E’s skull, his brain was somehow affected . He thus put forth many policies that would harm the people. The country was thrust into the “Cultural revolution” which “Flipped the sky and earth”. In this misguided state, all tradition was eschewed in favour of “Red”, a complete departure from any sensible governance. Schools were closed, and their students were constantly baying for parades, revolution and violence. The whole country was thrown into chaos, / but this cannot be said to be part of Mao’s mad ideas/. Likewise, in the “Great Leap Forward” , the desire for short-term gain, caused completely unnecessary suffering for the common folk. 这种种错误，使人民追随不上的过急，过于激进的步伐，就是“不过五”所谓的灾害了。然而，毛泽东自觉自己是有一套的，他这时候认为自己得不到别人的了解，所以不时表现出孤独、寂寞的神情，到此为止，他的际遇，命运一一应验了“不过五”所预言，只是“不过五”永想不到他发现的“嫦娥奔月”会遭白崇禧蓄意破坏，/[40]气势挫弱，才有这样一次的祸害。这都只能怪白崇禧当日不懂风水，胡作妄为，随便破坏地脉龙气所致，这真使大相学家“不过五”的好意留下深深遗憾/。也可以说是天意不可违了！而中国传统文化中风水奇妙之处也正在此。
The mistake was to make too radical a step, to make changes to the country before the people was ready for them, exactly as Bu Guo Wu had predicted. Meanwhile a set of troubles also affected Mao Zedong. At this time he felt no-one could understand him, and thus became extremely lonely. Until now, his experiences were exactly as Bu Guo Wu had predicted them. However, never in Bu Guo Wu’s wildest dreams did he ever imagine ‘Cang-E flying to the moon’ would be ruined by Bai, // and the weakening the spirit [of the place] which caused this disaster. One can only blame Bai’s ignorance of fengshui on that day, blindly destroying the Dragon’s breath for causing this catastrophe. This was a regret that the celebrated Bu guo Wu always carried. //. Mysterious indeed are the ways of heaven, and wondrous indeed is the power of fengshui.
[3] 名人has 所以甚得盛名；也倍受别人尊敬，“不過五” 在緊張的關頭，也自身難保。
“And thus gained fame, and even a measure of respect. But in this tense time, he could barely protect himself,
“And thus gained fame, and even a measure of respect. But in this tense time, he could barely protect himself,
[4] A form of divination using the I Ching.
[5] Hence his name, Not above five.
[7] The Original Chinese text does not have Bu Guo Wu speak in sentences of five words. I have written a prose translation of the Chinese text in brackets. These are followed by my paraphrase, into groups of five words.
[8] Kanyu, an archaic term for Fengshui.
[9]Chinese: Xue 穴. This refers to a place where Qi collects in a beneficial manner. Burial in such a place would ensure prosperity to the deceased’s descendants. The usual English translation is Meridian is, but a more literal (and appropriate) one is “Den” . This is the ”Dragon’s den” that Dunnig refers to.
[11] The main path, or conduit of Qi in a landscape.
[20] 名人 considerably shortens this passage: 一步一驚心，好不容易才走到“嫦娥”的手掌，滿心歡喜。走近時，己衣亂體傷。”Each step forward brought a new terror to him, In great difficulty he reached Cang-E’s palms. When he arrived, his heart was overcome with joy. His clothes were in disarray, and his body injured…
[22] words omitted by web.
[34] This would mean the massacre mentioned above occurred in 1946.
[38] words omitted by mingren
[39] The Chinese original is 走火入魔, which refers to a kind of psychosis which happens when one acquires spiritual powers too quickly
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