Guanyin Oracle Lot 74: Qin routed, its three commanders captured
The Verse
A lazy wild crane flies of its own accord into a cage; reaching for the sky, it falls into a trap.
Obstacles confound it in every direction, and its worn-down body is left with endless regret.
Translation by MyFate.AI. The Chinese original is the authoritative text.
AI readingYou could have remained free and safe, but have entered conflict or a trap of your own accord. Obstacles lie in every direction, bringing exhaustion and sorrow. Do not seek change for now; stay still and wait for a way out.
The Story Behind the Lot
Qin routed, its three commanders captured
Qin’s defeat and the capture of its three commanders refers to the Battle of Xiao Pass between Qin and Jin in the Spring and Autumn period. Duke Mu of Qin ignored the warnings of Jian Shu. Hoping to exploit an informant within Zheng, he sent an army on a long-distance raid and ordered the three commanders Meng Mingshi, Xiqi Shu, and Bai Yibing to march east. At the state of Hua, the Zheng merchant Xian Gao saw through the plan while pretending to bring provisions to the troops. The plan to attack Zheng failed, so the Qin army could only destroy Hua and turn back. The state of Jin took advantage of its exhaustion and ambushed it at the narrow mountain pass of Xiao. The Qin army had no way forward or back, was completely defeated, and all three commanders were captured. They were later released at the request of Wen Ying, mother of Duke Xiang of Jin, but Qin’s exhausting long-distance campaign and its advance into dangerous terrain had already brought disaster. This is like a wild crane that could have remained free but chooses to fly into a cage, giving up its freedom of its own accord. The oracle uses this story to warn against misjudging the moment and entering a dangerous situation voluntarily: one may be trapped, blocked on every side, and left with no way out. It is therefore the lowest fortune, cautioning against rash action and self-imposed constraints.
The Story Behind the Lot (alternate version)Another traditional version, for reference
Han Fei Enters Qin and Is Killed
Han Fei was a prince of the state of Han in the late Warring States period and a leading thinker of the Legalist school. He wrote works including “Indignation of the Isolated” and “The Five Vermin,” advocating that a state be governed through law, administrative methods, and authority. His writings reached Qin, where King Ying Zheng read them and was deeply impressed, saying, “If I could meet this man and associate with him, I could die without regret.” He then moved swiftly to attack Han in order to obtain Han Fei. Han Fei entered Qin with great ambitions to serve the world and hoped to put his learning into practice. But his fellow student Li Si envied his talent and feared that, if Han Fei were appointed, he would lose his own position. Li Si and Yao Jia slandered Han Fei, falsely claiming that he would always serve Han rather than Qin. The King of Qin believed them for a time and imprisoned Han Fei. Li Si then sent him poison and forced him to take his own life. Han Fei tried to explain himself but was denied an audience. He ultimately drank poison in prison and died, his ambitions unfulfilled. Drawing on the image of a wild crane entering a cage and the story of Han Fei entering Qin, the oracle warns that entering a situation voluntarily can leave you bound and constrained on every side, with no way to advance or retreat and a life of hardship and sorrow ahead. For now, remain still and maintain your composure; do not rush into anything.
Readings by Topic
- Career
- Changing jobs or starting a business now will lead to trouble
- Wealth
- Petty people will obstruct your efforts to earn money, causing heavy losses
- Relationships
- Pursuing a relationship too insistently will only trap you
- Home and Family
- The home is unsettled, with hidden dangers
- Personal Outlook
- You are under pressure and in difficulty; limit your dealings with others
- Health
- The illness may linger and be difficult to cure; serious illness requires professional medical care
- Travel
- Obstacles lie everywhere; it is best to stay home
- Finding Someone
- The person is trapped and difficult to meet
- Business
- A deal may bring losses; do not rush into a partnership
- Pregnancy
- The pregnancy is at risk; pray for blessings and protection
- Legal Matters
- Legal action will bring trouble
- Lost Property
- The item is lost for good and will be difficult to recover
- Relocation
- Moving is strongly discouraged
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