Chapter 307: with translation of chapter title

~30 min read 5,976 words

The first client Yuan Qiu introduced us to was the boss of a real estate company, except he didn't come to us for the feng shui of a property, but for the feng shui of his home.

Translate: "The first client Yuan Qiu introduced us to was the boss of a real estate company, except he didn't come to us for the feng shui of a property, but for the feng shui of his home."

The first client Yuan Qiu introduced us to was the boss of a real estate company, except he didn't come to us for the feng shui of a property, but for the feng shui of his home.

Boss Liu, surnamed Liu, is not only a real estate businessman but also a collector who loves antiques and cultural relics. When I and Pangzi went to his house, we were immediately stunned.

Translate: "This boss surnamed Liu, besides being a real estate businessman, is also a collector who loves antiques and cultural relics. When I and Pangzi went to his house, we were immediately stunned."

This boss surnamed Liu, besides being a real estate businessman, is also a collector who loves antiques and cultural relics. When I and Pangzi went to his house, we were immediately stunned.

Bronze tripods, paintings, porcelain—dazzling arrays. Even without counting precisely, the antiques in the house numbered at least over a hundred. I and Pangzi have also visited some wealthy homes with Uncle QingSong; those rich merchants' homes also had some antiques, but compared to Boss Liu, it's like a petty wizard facing a great wizard.

Translate: "Bronze cauldrons, calligraphy and paintings, porcelain—dazzling to the eye; even without careful counting, the antiques in the house numbered at least over a hundred. I and Pangzi have also been to some wealthy homes with QingSongShu, and those rich merchants' homes also had some antiques, but compared to Boss Liu, it's practically small-time versus big-time."

Dazzling to the eye, even without careful counting the antiques in the house numbered at least over a hundred. I and Pangzi have also been to some wealthy homes with QingSongShu; those rich merchants' homes also had some antiques, but compared to Boss Liu, it's practically small-time versus big-time.

When we first visited Boss Liu's house, his attitude toward us was lukewarm. Why? Because our ages made us look incapable.

Translate: "When we first went to Boss Liu's house, his attitude toward us was neither cold nor enthusiastic. Why? Because I and Pangzi's age really didn't look like we were capable people."

When we first went to Boss Liu's house, his attitude toward us was neither cold nor enthusiastic. Why? Because I and Pangzi's age really didn't look like we were capable people.

However, I and Pangzi didn't really mind. In our line of work, there's a bad habit of judging by age: older feng shui practitioners are more respected, while younger ones are easily suspected of being charlatans.

Translate: "However, I and Pangzi didn't really mind. Our line of work has a bad habit: judging by age. Feng shui daoists, the older they are, the more popular; the younger they are, the more likely people suspect them of being charlatans."

However, I and Pangzi didn't really mind. Our line of work has a bad habit: judging by age; feng shui daoists, the older they are, the more popular; the younger they are, the more likely people suspect them of being charlatans.

"Two young masters, this time I hired you to come and see if there's any problem with the feng shui of this house, and whether it needs fixing." Without much small talk, Boss Liu quickly got to the point.

Translate: "\"Two young masters, this time I hired you to come and see if there's any problem with the feng shui of this house, and whether it needs fixing. \" Without much small talk, Boss Liu quickly got to the point."

Two young masters, this time I hired you to come and see if there's any problem with the feng shui of this house, and whether it needs fixing. Without much small talk, Boss Liu quickly got to the point.

Before coming, Yuan Qiu had already told us that I and Pangzi were the eleventh batch of feng shui masters invited. Before this, Boss Liu had already hired ten batches of feng shui masters, who kept altering the gate, the artificial hill, and the feng shui talismans, making things quite vexing. But no matter how they fiddled, they could never solve the problem for Boss Liu's family.

Translate: "Before coming, Yuan Qiu had already told us that I and Pangzi were the eleventh batch of feng shui masters invited. Before this, Boss Liu had already hired ten batches of feng shui masters, who kept altering the gate, the artificial hill, and the feng shui talismans, making things quite vexing. But no matter how they fiddled, they could never solve the problem for Boss Liu's family."

According to Yuan Qiu, a year ago Boss Liu's family began having inexplicable dreams, in which family members were often crawled over by snakes, insects, rats, and ants, causing the whole family to sleep uneasily and lose their appetite over the past year.

Translate: "According to Yuan Qiu, a year ago Boss Liu's family began having inexplicable dreams, in which family members were often crawled over by snakes, insects, rats, and ants, causing the whole family to sleep uneasily and lose their appetite over the past year."

According to Yuan Qiu, a year ago Boss Liu's family began having inexplicable dreams in which family members were often crawled over by snakes, insects, rats, and ants, causing the whole family to sleep uneasily and lose their appetite over the past year.

I and Pangzi took out a compass and started observing the house's surroundings.

Translate: "I and Pangzi took out a compass and began observing the surroundings of the house."

I and Pangzi took out a compass and began observing the surroundings of the house.

The essence of feng shui lies in 'form' and 'qi'. Form refers to the innate terrain; qi refers to whether the house's orientation matches the environment's feng shui, and whether it shelters wind and gathers water.

Translate: "The essence of feng shui lies in 'form' and 'qi'. Form refers to the innate terrain; qi refers to whether the house's orientation matches the environment's feng shui, and whether it shelters wind and gathers water."

The schools of feng shui consist of 'Form School' and 'Compass School'. Form School focuses on innate terrain, dragon lairs, sand and water. Compass School focuses on house orientation and the Nine Palace Flying Stars. Combined, based on the innate terrain, they apply Compass School to match the house's feng shui with naturally formed mountains and waters, selecting auspicious years, months, days, and hours to build houses, aligning the house's facing to achieve the harmony of heaven, earth, and man. Thus, even though the feng shui world today is divided into Form School and Compass School as two branches, both are indispensable in feng shui geomancy.

Translate: "The schools of feng shui consist of 'Form School' and 'Compass School'. Form School focuses on innate terrain, dragon lairs, sand and water. Compass School focuses on house orientation and the Nine Palace Flying Stars. Combined, based on the innate terrain, they apply Compass School to match the house's feng shui with naturally formed mountains and waters, selecting auspicious years, months, days, and hours to build houses, aligning the house's facing to achieve the harmony of heaven, earth, and man. Thus, even though the feng shui world today is divided into Form School and Compass School as two branches, both are indispensable in feng shui geomancy."

The two schools do not rely solely on one geomancy method; each emphasizes one aspect while using the other as a supplement.

Translate: "The two schools do not rely solely on one geomancy method; each emphasizes one aspect while using the other as a supplement."

The two schools do not rely solely on one geomancy method; each emphasizes one aspect while using the other as a supplement.

From Boss Liu's house layout, it's not hard to see the handiwork of experts who emphasize both Form School and Compass School. Moreover, the land's feng shui is naturally good: ahead lies the Azure Dragon bringing water, behind is an elegant mountain providing support—this is inherently an auspicious site. The house sits on this feng shui treasure land; as long as its sitting and facing harmonize with the feng shui ground, wanting to prosper wealth and descendants is not difficult.

Translate: "From Boss Liu's house layout, it's not hard to see the handiwork of experts who emphasize both Form School and Compass School. Moreover, the land's feng shui is naturally good: ahead lies the Azure Dragon bringing water, behind is an elegant mountain providing support—this is inherently an auspicious site. The house sits on this feng shui treasure land; as long as its sitting and facing harmonize with the feng shui ground, wanting to prosper wealth and descendants is not difficult."

I and Pangzi walked around inside and out several circles, but found no problems; the house's feng shui layout is naturally good, the sitting and facing were also pointed out by an expert, and there are no temples or graves nearby to cause influence, so there shouldn't be any yin spirits causing trouble.

Translate: "I and Pangzi walked around inside and out several circles, but found no problems; the house's feng shui layout is naturally good, the sitting and facing were also pointed out by an expert, and there are no temples or graves nearby to cause influence, so there shouldn't be any yin spirits causing trouble."

I and Pangzi walked around inside and out several circles, but found no problems; the house's feng shui layout is naturally good, the sitting and facing were also pointed out by an expert; and there are no temples or graves nearby to cause influence, so there shouldn't be any yin spirits causing trouble.

After a while, Pangzi said to me, "Hai Sheng, should we ask Boss Liu for his birth characters?"

Translate: "After a while, Pangzi said to me, 'Hai Sheng, should we ask Boss Liu for his birth characters?'"

After a while, Pangzi said to me, 'Hai Sheng, should we ask Boss Liu for his birth characters?'

I shook my head and said, "Probably not needed; looking at his house's layout, the feng shui master who advised him must be very capable—how could they possibly overlook such a simple issue?"

Translate: "I shook my head and said, 'Probably not needed; looking at his house's layout, the feng shui master who advised him must be very capable—how could they possibly overlook such a simple issue?'"

I shook my head and said, 'Probably not needed; looking at his house's layout, the feng shui master who advised him must be very capable—how could they possibly overlook such a simple issue?'

In geomantic feng shui, one must not only examine the feng shui of a residence but also the homeowner's birth characters. One life, two lucks, three feng shui. No matter how good the feng shui of a yang residence, it must also suit the homeowner's birth characters. This is why some people with good feng shui homes become rich and noble, while others with the same home fall to ruin. In the end, if the birth characters don't match, feng shui can hardly help.

Translate: "In geomantic feng shui, one must not only examine the feng shui of a residence but also the homeowner's birth characters. One life, two lucks, three feng shui. No matter how good the feng shui of a yang residence, it must also suit the homeowner's birth characters. This is why some people with good feng shui homes become rich and noble, while others with the same home fall to ruin. In the end, if the birth characters don't match, feng shui can hardly help."

This is the most crucial, yet also the simplest. If a feng shui master can't even handle this simple matter, they might as well quit the profession.

Translate: "This is the most crucial, yet also the simplest. If a feng shui master can't even handle this simple matter, they might as well quit the profession."

This is the most crucial, yet also the simplest. If a feng shui master can't even handle this simple matter, they might as well quit the profession.

In my opinion, this house's sitting and facing, doors and windows, and even the positions of each room, perfectly match the form and the Compass School's Nine Palace Flying Stars; how could such a person possibly overlook the most basic issue?

Translate: "In my opinion, this house's sitting and facing, doors and windows, and even the positions of each room, perfectly match the form and the Compass School's Nine Palace Flying Stars; how could such a person possibly overlook the most basic issue?"

Just in case, Pangzi still asked Boss Liu for his birth characters. He was born in 64, Jiachen year, an East Four Li Trigram fate person. Meanwhile, the house sits east facing north, making it an East Four Zhen residence. Li corresponds to fire, Zhen to wood; the five elements wood produces fire, so the residence supports and strengthens the person. The furnishings inside the house also have no clashing elements; it certainly won't be a case of birth characters clashing with the residence's feng shui.

Translate: "Just in case, Pangzi still asked Boss Liu for his birth characters. He was born in 64, Jiachen year, an East Four Li Trigram fate person. Meanwhile, the house sits east facing north, making it an East Four Zhen residence. Li corresponds to fire, Zhen to wood; the five elements wood produces fire, so the residence supports and strengthens the person. The furnishings inside the house also have no clashing elements; it certainly won't be a case of birth characters clashing with the residence's feng shui."

"Pangzi, do you think his house might have been cursed with a talisman, or that he provoked something outside and brought it back?"

Translate: "\"Pangzi, do you think his house might have been cursed with a talisman, or that he provoked something outside and brought it back? \""

"Pangzi, do you think his house might have been cursed with a talisman, or that he provoked something outside and brought it back?"

At this moment, I thought of these two possibilities aside from feng shui. A talisman, put simply, is a house‑guarding object—like Zhong Kui images, heavenly master images, trigrams; even a leaf or a gourd can serve as a feng shui talisman. But whether it's auspicious depends on how and where you use it; otherwise it's not just inauspicious, it can cause great harm.

Translate: "At this moment, I thought of these two possibilities aside from feng shui. A talisman, put simply, is a house‑guarding object—like Zhong Kui images, heavenly master images, trigrams; even a leaf or a gourd can serve as a feng shui talisman. But whether it's auspicious depends on how and where you use it; otherwise it's not just inauspicious, it can cause great harm."

For example, placing three bamboo leaves to the south in the home can bring peace and good fortune to the family, because bamboo leaves belong to Zhen wood, wood generates fire, and three bamboo leaves represent the number of Li fire; in ancient times there was also a saying that bamboo reports peace. But if these bamboo leaves are placed in the northeast or northwest, they could at any time cause gastrointestinal illness for mother and son. This is a kind of feng shui magnetic field influence that can affect a family's luck.

Translate: "For example, placing three bamboo leaves to the south in the home can bring peace and good fortune to the family, because bamboo leaves belong to Zhen wood, wood generates fire, and three bamboo leaves represent the number of Li fire; in ancient times there was also a saying that bamboo reports peace. But if these bamboo leaves are placed in the northeast or northwest, they could at any time cause gastrointestinal illness for mother and son. This is a kind of feng shui magnetic field influence that can affect a family's luck."

Moreover, feng shui talismans are not necessarily something only insiders can place; even some old pottery makers understand the way of talismans no less than we insiders do.

Translate: "Moreover, feng shui talismans are not necessarily something only insiders can place; even some old pottery makers understand the way of talismans no less than we insiders do."

Moreover, feng shui talismans are not necessarily something only insiders can place; even some old pottery makers understand the way of talismans no less than we insiders do.

Why? Because the ancestor of talismans is Lu Ban himself; he was the earliest to place talismans, and his disciples, who recorded the way of talismans most detailedly in the Lu Ban Book. Lu Ban was born a carpenter, so some old carpenters, even if not his disciples, may not necessarily understand talismans less than a feng shui master.

Translate: "Why? Because the ancestor of talismans is Lu Ban himself; he was the earliest to place talismans, and his disciples, who recorded the way of talismans most detailedly in the Lu Ban Book. Lu Ban was born a carpenter, so some old carpenters, even if not his disciples, may not necessarily understand talismans less than a feng shui master."

I once heard a story: a household surnamed Xu, while building their house, withheld the carpenters' wages and humiliated them in every way. Consequently, the carpenters, resentful, placed a little figure holding a bow and arrow on the beam. Not long after the Xu family moved in, they had nightly nightmares of a bow‑wielding general shooting their hearts every day. Later, the Xu family developed heart disease and died in depression.

Translate: "I once heard a story: a household surnamed Xu, while building their house, withheld the carpenters' wages and humiliated them in every way. Consequently, the carpenters, resentful, placed a little figure holding a bow and arrow on the beam. Not long after the Xu family moved in, they had nightly nightmares of a bow‑wielding general shooting their hearts every day. Later, the Xu family developed heart disease and died in depression."

The scene in that story is remarkably similar to what's happening in Boss Liu's home, so I guessed that his problem might not be feng shui but rather a talisman placed in his house.

Translate: "The scene in that story is remarkably similar to what's happening in Boss Liu's home, so I guessed that his problem might not be feng shui but rather a talisman placed in his house."

The scene in that story is remarkably similar to what's happening in Boss Liu's home, so I guessed that his problem might not be feng shui but rather a talisman placed in his house.

After hearing my words, Pangzi shook his head: "That can't be right; if a talisman had been placed, moving in would have caused trouble right away—you didn't hear him say the nightmares only started a year ago, did you?"

Translate: "After hearing my words, Pangzi shook his head: 'That can't be right; if a talisman had been placed, moving in would have caused trouble right away—you didn't hear him say the nightmares only started a year ago, did you?'"

After hearing my words, Pangzi shook his head: 'That can't be right; if a talisman had been placed, moving in would have caused trouble right away—you didn't hear him say the nightmares only started a year ago, did you?'

"You forgot, some talismans need to be activated by the luck of the year. For example, draw a monster's likeness on a metal lock and place it in the southeast; whenever the owner enters a metal‑luck year, the eldest daughter in the household will meet misfortune and death."

Translate: "\"You forgot, some talismans need to be activated by the luck of the year. For example, draw a monster's likeness on a metal lock and place it in the southeast; whenever the owner enters a metal‑luck year, the eldest daughter in the household will meet misfortune and death. \""

Upon hearing that, Pangzi also thought it made sense.

Translate: "Upon hearing that, Pangzi also thought it made sense."

Upon hearing that, Pangzi also thought it made sense.

"Then let's search everywhere, and incidentally ask Boss Liu whether he had any conflicts when building this house. If not, it's possible he brought something back from outside."

Translate: "\"Then let's search everywhere, and incidentally ask Boss Liu whether he had any conflicts when building this house. If not, it's possible he brought something back from outside. \""

"Then let's search everywhere, and incidentally ask Boss Liu whether he had any conflicts when building this house. If not, it's possible he brought something back from outside."

We searched every corner of the house, especially the beams and such. Unfortunately, we didn't find any talismans, not even any ornaments.

Translate: "We searched every corner of the house, especially the beams and such. Unfortunately, we didn't find any talismans, not even any ornaments."

We searched every corner of the house, especially the beams and such. Unfortunately, we didn't find any talismans, not even any ornaments.

We also asked Boss Liu; he said that when building the house he actually gave the carpenters extra money, so there was no way he'd have a conflict with anyone. Moreover, he's been staying at relatives' place this whole time, so there's no chance he brought back anything unclean.

Translate: "We also asked Boss Liu; he said that when building the house he actually gave the carpenters extra money, so there was no way he'd have a conflict with anyone. Moreover, he's been staying at relatives' place this whole time, so there's no chance he brought back anything unclean."

The second possibility also failed; I and Pangzi really couldn't find the cause, and we reached an impasse for a while.

Translate: "The second possibility also failed; I and Pangzi really couldn't find the cause, and we reached an impasse for a while."

The second possibility also failed; I and Pangzi really couldn't find the cause, and we reached an impasse for a while.

At that moment, Boss Liu instead offered us words of comfort.

Translate: "At that moment, Boss Liu instead offered us words of comfort."

At that moment, Boss Liu instead offered us words of comfort.

"You two young masters, don't overthink it. I've had so many feng shui masters come and look; they kept changing things but still couldn't fix it. Given your age, it's normal not to spot any problem."

Translate: "\"You two young masters, don't overthink it. I've had so many feng shui masters come and look; they kept changing things but still couldn't fix it. Given your age, it's normal not to spot any problem. \""

Perhaps our dedicated attitude moved Boss Liu, and his tone toward us became gentler.

Translate: "Perhaps our dedicated attitude moved Boss Liu, and his tone toward us became gentler."

Perhaps our dedicated attitude moved Boss Liu, and his tone toward us became gentler.

Yuan Qiu also whispered from the side: "Hai Sheng, Brother Weiqiang, you don't need to strain yourselves; if you really can't help, just forget it. I brought you here only to look at the feng shui, and I don't want you to feel embarrassed on my account."

Translate: "Yuan Qiu also whispered from the side: 'Hai Sheng, Brother Weiqiang, you don't need to strain yourselves; if you really can't help, just forget it. I brought you here only to look at the feng shui, and I don't want you to feel embarrassed on my account.'"

Yuan Qiu also whispered from the side: 'Hai Sheng, Brother Weiqiang, you don't need to strain yourselves; if you really can't help, just forget it. I brought you here only to look at the feng shui, and I don't want you to feel embarrassed on my account.'

I gave Yuan Qiu a grateful glance, but I really took charge of this matter. It's the first time I and Pangzi have gone out on our own; we simply cannot lose the reputation of Chan Yi Tang.

Translate: "I gave Yuan Qiu a grateful glance, but I really took charge of this matter. It's the first time I and Pangzi have gone out on our own; we simply cannot lose the reputation of Chan Yi Tang."

I gave Yuan Qiu a grateful glance, but I really took charge of this matter. It's the first time I and Pangzi have gone out on our own; we simply cannot lose the reputation of Chan Yi Tang.

The best way is to experience it, to feel the sensation of being torn by snakes and insects in a dream; only after going through it can one solve the problem at its root.

Thinking of this, I asked Boss Liu if we could stay a night in his house so we could also experience that nightmare.

Boss Liu was stunned for a moment, then said: "Naturally welcome; there are plenty of spare rooms in the house, pick any you like, stay as long as you like."

"Alright, we'll impose then." Pangzi beamed, completely unabashed.

Boss Liu arranged for a servant to cook dinner; I, Pangzi, and Yuan Qiu, bored, wandered aimlessly around the house.

"What fine calligraphy! The brushstrokes have the grand aura of those who splatter ink, the handling of the brush has the expansive interest of those who let the wind flow—what fine calligraphy, truly fine calligraphy." Suddenly, Yuan Qiu's loud shout startled us.

I walked over, and Yuan Qiu was fervently staring at a piece of calligraphy in the display case, which turned out to be the "Participation in Government" scroll by the Song dynasty calligrapher Mi Di.

Pangzi also walked over, saw the calligraphy, and curled his lip: "What's there to look at? It's a messy scrawl, less useful than a cup shaped like a urinal—I don't even want to drink water from it; it could be used to piss in."

Yuan Qiu, hearing Pangzi's such unromantic remark, turned his head and glared angrily. Yuan Qiu's reaction is not strange; when I was in Old Encirclement Village I also saw some old men selling calligraphy, and if they encountered someone who didn't understand calligraphy and made random comments, these old men would often jump up, faces red and necks thick, arguing with others. There's no other reason—only that their love for calligraphy has reached a frenzy incomprehensible to ordinary people.

But after turning his head, Yuan Qiu also froze.

"Eh, Brother Weijiang, that's not a cup, nor a urinal—it's a li gui, a vessel for eating rice."

Pangzi froze for a moment, pointing at the object in the display case and said: "This thing can actually be used to eat rice—you're not joking, are you?"

Yuan Qiu nodded and explained: "This object is called a li gui. Its origin dates back to when King Wu of Zhou attacked the Shang dynasty. Legend has it that on the jiǎzǐ day, when Jupiter was in its position, he announced victory, decisively defeating the Shang; in the forces at Lan, he awarded bronze to an official named Li. That official named Li used the bronze bestowed by King Wu of Zhou to cast this gui as a memorial to his grandfather; since it was cast during King Wu's great victory, it is also called the King Wu's Conquest of Shang gui."

"Just a moment," I shouted, cutting him off while Yuan Qiu was boasting about his strange tales.

"Hai Sheng, you've also noticed the preciousness of this li gui, haven't you?" Yuan Qiu said proudly.

I shook my head, pointing at Pangzi's compass and said: "Pangzi, look carefully at the compass in your hand."

Pangzi let out a sound, lowered his head, and looked at the compass.

"Damn, how could this be, why is the compass needle spinning so wildly."

At this moment, the needle of the compass in Pangzi's hand was spinning extremely fast.

A compass is a tool for geomancy and detecting magnetic fields; the needle in a heavenly pool can become chaotic and spin, and there are only three possible reasons. First, lodestone. Because lodestone has strong magnetism, if many lodestones are placed around the room, they will inevitably disturb the magnetic field and interfere with the compass's search.

Second, because the place is extremely yang or extremely yin, with yin-yang out of balance, going to one extreme, the compass will also become disordered there.

But Boss Liu's house had nothing like a magnetite, and it was even less likely to be an extreme yin-yang location. After ruling out those two possibilities, only the last one remained.

Inside the house there existed some yin-type substance like a spirit, and when the compass encountered these things, its needle became disordered instantly.

When Pangzi took the compass and left the display window, the compass instantly returned to normal; but when brought close again, it became disordered. Everything in the display window were bronze ware, which could not contain iron or magnetite to affect the magnetic field.

"Hai Sheng, could the problem possibly be with this thing?"

"It's a ritual grain vessel." Yuan Qiu added from the side.

"Never mind what big or small ghosts, the problem must be with this." Pangzi pointed at the ritual grain vessel and asked me.

I shook my head and pointed my finger at something beside the ritual grain vessel. Because according to my observation, when the compass approached that thing, its needle became the most disordered.

The thing I pointed to is similar to a rice bin; people call it a jar. If I'm not mistaken, the problem should be on top of that.

Yuan Qiu frowned, then asked Pangzi blankly: "Does this antique have a problem?"

Pangzi also shook his head, looking at me blankly.

I sighed and said: "It seems that you and I have both misplaced the focus—it's not that the house's feng shui has a problem, nor that we've provoked some unclean thing, but because this jar is an antique with spiritual aura, and it is causing the trouble."

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