Xin Qiji

Xin Qiji, courtesy name You'an and literary name Jiaxuan, was a leading poet of the heroic and uninhibited school in the Southern Song dynasty, a dedicated patriot who fought against the Jin dynasty, and the founder of the "Flying Tiger Army." He is celebrated for his impassioned, heroic verse and his profound devotion to his country. His life was legendary, encompassing both valiant military feats against the Jin and outstanding literary achievements. Below, we will delve deeply into the life of Xin Qiji through the lens of BaZi analysis.

BaZi Chart

Verification of Birth Time

Xin Qiji was born during the Mao hour (around 06:00). A Jia Heavenly Stem seated on a Shen Earthly Branch indicates Metal overpowering Wood, revealing a martial, resolute nature that refuses to bow to authority. The presence of Geng and Shen in the Year Pillar carries the aggressive energy of Seven Killings, supporting his fearless uprising and early military accomplishments. The Mao hour forms a Ding Mao configuration, bringing forth the Hurting Officer—a star known for blunt honesty and obvious literary talent. This allowed him to express his ideals through writing but also made him prone to offending the powerful, explaining both his heroic poetic style and the turbulent official career marked by repeated impeachments and reinstatements. The clash between Mao and Shen brought a lifetime of volatility, ups and downs, and constant struggle. Compared to the Wu hour (which would be too blunt and arbitrary), the Yin hour (which would lean too heavily on literary talent), or the You and Shen hours (which would create an overly scholarly Indirect Resource structure), the Mao hour uniquely combines martial strategy with literary brilliance, best matching the experiences and temperament of Xin Qiji's life.

Core Analysis

Xin Qiji was born with a Jia Day Master. His BaZi features an interplay of Shen, Si, Mao, and Ding, presenting a complex structure of mixed Seven Killings, supportive Indirect Resource, and a Hurting Officer channeling his brilliance. This destiny endowed him with both fierce executive power and military genius, alongside extraordinary expressive literary talent. In his early years, the Luck Pillar of Jia Shen brought a Friend, facilitating his uprising, defection to the Song, and independent decisiveness. In his middle years, the Bing Xu and Ding Hai Luck Pillars represented Eating God and Hurting Officer cycles, which benefited his administrative and literary endeavors; however, the conflict between Seven Killings and Indirect Resource led to marginalization at court and repeated fluctuations in his career. In his later years, an Indirect Wealth Luck Pillar brought fluctuations in reputation and public evaluation. Overall, his destiny chart reflects a powerful coexistence of fierce patriotic ambition, literary genius, and a career fraught with hardship.

Trait Analysis

1. Heroic and Resolute: The chart features a mutually generative relationship between Seven Killings and Friend, displaying decisive executive power and a natural talent for military leadership. This is the astrological foundation for his leadership of the uprising and his military successes against the Jin.
2. Extraordinary Literary Talent: The BaZi possesses a combination of a Hurting Officer channeling brilliance and an Eating God providing support, fostering a ceaseless flow of literary inspiration that resulted in over six hundred poems and his uninhibited poetic style.
3. Patriotic Devotion: With Wood as the Day Master, the interaction between Indirect Resource and Seven Killings forged a steadfast aspiration to serve the country, manifesting throughout his life as tireless efforts and strategic proposals for the nation.
4. Political Hardship: The struggle between Seven Killings and Indirect Resource in his structure, along with fluctuating Luck Pillars, made him susceptible to marginalization and impeachment in officialdom, undermining the stability of his career.

Life Timeline

1154

• Taking the Examination in Yanjing, a Youth with Lofty Aspirations: At fourteen, Xin Qiji, following his grandfather's orders, traveled to Yanjing to participate in the Jin dynasty's imperial examination. Though he did not pass, his true purpose was to penetrate enemy territory, reconnoiter the northern terrain and military intelligence, and plant the seeds for an anti-Jin restoration.
• BaZi Analysis: This year fell within the Gui Wei Luck Pillar of Direct Resource. The heavenly stem Gui Water served as a favorable regulating element, signifying the awakening of wisdom and the emergence of beneficial patrons. The Annual Pillar was Jia Xu; the heavenly stem Jia Wood acted as a Friend, clashing with the Geng Metal Seven Killings in the Year Pillar. This formed an image of a Friend resisting Killings, showcasing the youth's fearless and action-oriented personality. The earthly branches Wei and Xu formed a punishment and destruction, indicating unstable foundations in the Luck Pillar and Annual Pillar. This represents the complex environment of this "examination," full of variables and challenges rather than an ordinary scholarly path. The heavy presence of Seven Killings in his natal chart inherently signified courage and an adventurous spirit. Combined with the wisdom and strategic planning of the Direct Resource in the Luck Pillar, this journey—nominally to sit for an exam—was in fact a reconnaissance and training mission fulfilling a special mandate, marking the beginning of his extraordinary life.

1157

• Retaking the Exam in Yanjing, a Perceptive Operative in Hiding: At seventeen, Xin Qiji again took the Jin dynasty's imperial examination. Though he failed to place, he used the opportunity to penetrate the enemy capital and execute his grandfather's strategic reconnaissance directive to "observe the situation closely," laying the groundwork for his future campaigns against the Jin.
• BaZi Analysis: This year was within the Gui Wei Luck Pillar, with the Annual Pillar being Ding Chou. This formed a heavenly clash and earthly clash between the Luck Pillar and the Annual Pillar (Gui vs. Ding clash, Wei vs. Chou clash)—a signal of turbulence and turning points. The native's chart features a Seven Killings structure, which favors the Eating God to control the Killings. The heavenly stem Ding Fire Hurting Officer appeared in the Annual Pillar, representing the display of talent and strategy. However, Ding Fire also clashed with and overcame the Gui Water Direct Resource in the Luck Pillar's heavenly stem, signifying that orthodox official recognition (imperial examination success) was obstructed. Nevertheless, the earthly branch Chou in the Annual Pillar combined with the Zi Water in the Hour Pillar, activating the Ding Fire Hurting Officer and the Mao Wood Yang Blade in the Hour Pillar. The Hurting Officer represents strategy and reconnaissance, while the Yang Blade represents boldness and action. This perfectly corresponds to his mission of conducting reconnaissance under the guise of taking an exam. The symbolic star of the Heavenly Nobleman appeared in the Annual Pillar; although he did not pass the exam, he accumulated vital connections and intelligence within the enemy camp, gathering crucial strength for future turning points in his career.

1162

• Capturing the Traitor Single-Handedly, One Rider Stunning the Realm: Upon hearing that Geng Jing, the leader of the insurgent army, had been murdered by the traitor Zhang Anguo, Xin Qiji furiously led fifty cavalrymen into a Jin army camp of fifty thousand. He captured the traitor Zhang Anguo alive and successfully escorted him to the Southern Song capital of Jiankang for execution, an exploit that made his name renowned throughout the empire.
• BaZi Analysis: This year, Xin Qiji was 22 years old, in the Jia Shen Luck Pillar, with the Annual Pillar of Ren Wu. The natal chart is fundamentally a Seven Killings structure, and using the Eating God to control Killings is its core configuration, representing overcoming powerful enemies through wisdom and bravery. The heavenly stem Jia Wood Friend appeared in the Luck Pillar, strengthening the power and courage of the Jia Wood Day Master, enabling him to dare to fight against overwhelming odds. The heavenly stem Ren Water Indirect Resource, a favorable element, appeared, signifying strategy, assistance from benefactors, and the ability to turn danger into safety. The earthly branch Wu Fire Hurting Officer in the Annual Pillar clashed with the Zi Water in the Hour Pillar, activating the entire chart and igniting his decisiveness and capacity for action. The earthly branch Shen Metal Seven Killings in the Luck Pillar and the Si Fire Eating God in the Month Pillar of the natal chart both combined and punished each other—a fierce image where "controlling Killings" and "taking risks" coexisted. In the Ren Wu Annual Pillar, the Ren Water Indirect Resource dissolved the malevolence of the Seven Killings, while the Wu Fire Hurting Officer provided tactical flexibility and courage in the face of the enemy. Under the activation of the Luck Pillar and Annual Pillar, the Eating God controlling Killings structure in his natal chart erupted during this crisis, culminating in this legendary, historically renowned mission where the few defeated the many.

1162

• Crossing South to Join the Song, Appointed as Rank Nine Clerk and Secretary to the Tianping Military Commissioner: Following Geng Jing's insurgent army in submitting a memorial of allegiance to the Southern Song, Xin Qiji was appointed by Emperor Gaozong of Song as Rank Nine Clerk and Secretary to the Tianping Military Commissioner, officially beginning his official career in the Southern Song.
• BaZi Analysis: This year, Xin Qiji was 22 years old, in the Jia Shen Luck Pillar, with the Annual Pillar of Ren Wu. The natal chart is fundamentally a Seven Killings structure, favoring the Eating God to control Killings. The heavenly stem Ren Water Indirect Resource, a favorable element, appeared, indicating that his talents were easily recognized and beneficial for new opportunities. The earthly branch Shen in the Luck Pillar combined with the Si in the Month Pillar to transform into Water. Water represents the Resource star, signifying documents, the imperial court, and a sense of belonging. This combination perfectly mirrored the act of "submitting a memorial to join the Song," transforming the turbulent Seven Killings (warfare, pressure) into a Resource star (official recognition, legitimate status). The earthly branch Wu Fire Hurting Officer in the Annual Pillar appeared, representing talent, action, and expression, helping him display his abilities and secure the appointment. However, the heavenly stem Jia Wood Friend in the Luck Pillar clashed with the Geng Metal Seven Killings in the Year Pillar, and the earthly branch Wu Fire in the Annual Pillar activated the Ding Fire Hurting Officer in the Hour Pillar. This created an image of a Hurting Officer meeting Direct Officer, hinting that although his career began with an official title, the road ahead would inevitably be fraught with constraints and challenges.

1165

• Presenting the "Ten Strategies of Fine Celery" to the Emperor, Unfulfilled Ambitions Leave Only Regret: Xin Qiji submitted his "Ten Discussions of Fine Celery" (Mei Qin Shi Lun) to Emperor Xiaozong of Song, systematically laying out his strategic vision and military proposals for restoring the nation from the Jin. This demonstrated his outstanding military and political aspirations, though they were ultimately not adopted by the court.
• BaZi Analysis: This year fell at the intersection of the Jia Shen Luck Pillar and the Yi You Annual Pillar. The native's BaZi has a Seven Killings structure, with the Day Master sitting atop Seven Killings, inherently endowing him with a strong sense of responsibility, boldness, and military talent. The Luck Pillar and the Day Pillar formed a Fu Yin (repeated pillar) at Jia Shen, causing inner turmoil and deepening his agony over having no avenue to serve the country. The heavenly stem Yi Wood Rob Wealth in the Annual Pillar combined away the Geng Metal Seven Killings in the Year Pillar, seemingly indicating an introduction by a peer or colleague that allowed him to present strategies to the supreme ruler (Direct Officer). However, the heavenly stem Xin Metal Direct Officer in the Month Pillar clashed with the Yi Wood Rob Wealth in the Annual Pillar, creating a scenario of mixed Officer and Killings. This represented internal disagreement and chaotic decision-making within the court. At the same time, the earthly branch You Metal Direct Officer in the Annual Pillar formed a half-combination with the Si Fire Eating God in the Month Command, allowing his talent for using the Eating God to control Killings to shine, enabling him to write a masterpiece like the "Ten Discussions." Yet, the overall energy of Metal (Officer and Killings) was excessively strong, acting as an unfavorable element. Under such heavy constraints, despite having excellent strategies, he could not find a wise ruler to appreciate them, leaving his lofty ambitions unfulfilled.

1168

• First Official Post in the South, Revealing His Talents at Jiankang Prefecture: After returning to the south, Xin Qiji officially entered officialdom, being appointed as the Assistant Magistrate of Jiankang Prefecture, marking the beginning of his career as a regional official in the Southern Song.
• BaZi Analysis: This year, Xin Qiji was 28 years old, in the Jia Shen Luck Pillar, with the Annual Pillar of Wu Zi. With a Jia Wood Day Master, his natal chart features heavy Seven Killings, forming a structure where the Eating God controls Killings, signifying the wielding of authority and the establishment of merit. The heavenly stem Wu Earth Indirect Wealth appeared in the Annual Pillar; Wealth generating Officer is a signal of receiving an official appointment and securing a position. The earthly branches Shen and Zi formed a half-combination into a Water frame. Water represents the Resource star, symbolizing authority and official documents, perfectly corresponding to his official appointment. The heavenly stems Jia and Wu in the Luck Pillar and Annual Pillar overcame each other, representing a Friend overcoming Indirect Wealth. Although there was competition, the natal chart's strong Eating God controlling Killings allowed him to turn pressure into motivation, enabling him to make his mark in officialdom.

1172

• New Governance in Chuzhou, First Display of Administrative Genius: Xin Qiji was appointed as the Prefect of Chuzhou. Facing a war-torn and devastated region, he implemented a series of pragmatic policies, including reducing taxes, pardoning and resettling displaced refugees, and training a local militia. He rapidly restored the local economy and social order, demonstrating outstanding administrative ability.
• BaZi Analysis: This year, Xin Qiji was in the Yi You Luck Pillar. The earthly branch You Metal Direct Officer in the Luck Pillar combined with the Chen Earth in the Ren Chen Annual Pillar. This "Luck Pillar and Annual Pillar combining with the Officer" is a strong signal of emerging career opportunities and easy official recognition. The heavenly stem Ren Water was an Indirect Resource, a favorable element in his destiny. Furthermore, the Ren Chen Annual Pillar formed a "Shen-Zi-Chen three-harmony Water frame" with the Year, Day, and Hour Pillars of his natal chart. The Water element was intensely strong, and the Resource star's energy was greatly amplified. The Resource star represents authority, documents, reputation, and patron support, and the three-harmony frame signified powerful backing through teamwork and official resources. The symbolic star of the "National Seal" appeared in the Annual Pillar, signifying that his efforts and credibility were officially recognized—perfectly corresponding to his appointment as a regional magistrate to carry out his ambitions. Although the heavenly stem Yi Wood Rob Wealth appeared in the Luck Pillar, and the Xin Metal Direct Officer in the Month Pillar was clashed, implying peer competition and internal pressure, the powerful favorable Water frame dissolved the restrictive power of Officer and Killings (Metal). This allowed him to leverage authority (Officer) through his intellect (Resource), turning challenges into tangible administrative achievements.

1175

• Assuming Command in a Crisis, Suppressing the Tea Bandits in Jiangxi: Recommended by Chief Councilor Ye Heng, Xin Qiji was appointed as the Judicial Intendant of Jiangxi. With thunderous decisiveness, he successfully suppressed the tea merchant rebellion led by Lai Wenzheng, showcasing his outstanding military talent and decisiveness.
• BaZi Analysis: This year, Xin Qiji was in the Yi You Rob Wealth Luck Pillar, with the Annual Pillar of Yi Wei. The natal chart is fundamentally a Seven Killings structure, favoring the Eating God to control Killings. The hidden Ding Fire Hurting Officer within the earthly branch Wei in the Annual Pillar was exactly the regulating favorable element, representing the deployment of wisdom and strategy. The earthly branch You in the Luck Pillar acted as a Direct Officer, appearing alongside the Xin Metal Direct Officer in the Month Pillar of the natal chart. This formed a mixed Officer and Killings situation, indicating that pressure and opportunities coexisted in his career, requiring extraordinary measures (Hurting Officer) to manage. The Annual Pillar brought the Heavenly Officer symbolic star, indicating appreciation and promotion from superiors (the Chief Councilor's recommendation). The Year Pillar and Annual Pillar formed a Geng-Yi combination transforming into Metal (an advancing angle combination), predicting that his efforts this year would finally pay off, marking a critical period for establishing merit and accumulating strength.

1180

• Founding the Flying Tiger Army, Awesome Might in Huxiang: During his tenure as the Pacification Commissioner of Hunan, Xin Qiji overcame all dissenting opinions, petitioned for, and successfully established the elite "Hunan Flying Tiger Army." He recruited 2,500 infantry and cavalry soldiers. With impressive military discipline, they became the standout force among the armies of the Yangtze River basin.
• BaZi Analysis: This year was the last year of the Yi You Luck Pillar, with the Annual Pillar of Geng Zi. The native's BaZi features a Seven Killings structure, utilizing the Eating God to control Killings. The heavenly stem Geng Metal Seven Killings appeared in the Annual Pillar, serving precisely as the regulating favorable element, representing the arrival of opportunities for authority and military command. The earthly branch You in the Luck Pillar formed a half-combination with the Si in the natal chart's Month Pillar, strengthening the Officer and Killings energy of Metal. However, the natal chart's inherent structure of the Eating God controlling Killings was stable, allowing him to transform this immense pressure into actual achievements. The earthly branch Zi Water in the Annual Pillar acted as a Resource star, forming a half-combination Water frame with the Shen Metal in the Year and Day Pillars. Water can transform Killings and generate the Day Master, representing the acquisition of official support and resources. At the same time, the symbolic star of the General appeared in the Annual Pillar, perfectly matching the image of commanding an army and holding an important post. The heavenly stems Yi and Geng in the Luck Pillar and Annual Pillar combined into Metal, further reinforcing the power of Officer and Killings, enabling the native to achieve a major breakthrough in his career and establish a formidable army.

1181

• Assuming Command in a Crisis, Pacifying Jiangxi with the Wisdom of the Eating God: During a severe drought in Jiangxi, Xin Qiji was appointed as the Pacification Commissioner of Jiangxi to oversee disaster relief. He strictly forbade hoarding and profiteering, stabilized grain prices, and effectively mitigated the disaster, for which he received commendation from Emperor Xiaozong of Song.
• BaZi Analysis: This year, Xin Qiji entered the Bing Xu Eating God Luck Pillar, with the Annual Pillar of Xin Chou. Astrologically, the Bing Fire Eating God appearing in the heavenly stem of the Luck Pillar was exactly the most favored favorable element for his Seven Killings structure, representing the full deployment of talent, strategy, and executive power. The heavenly stem Xin Metal Direct Officer in the Annual Pillar combined with the Bing Fire Eating God in the Luck Pillar's heavenly stem (Bing-Xin combination transforming into Water). This is a "Eating God combining with the Officer," signifying a perfect marriage of his talents with official duties—a mark of receiving court appointments and recognition. Meanwhile, the earthly branch Chou in the Annual Pillar combined with the Zi in the Hour Pillar (Zi-Chou combination transforming into Earth), activating the Ding Fire Hurting Officer in the Hour Pillar. The Hurting Officer also governs talent and reformist boldness, aligning with his vigorous, decisive governance style of strictly prohibiting grain hoarding. The Annual Pillar gathered symbolic stars like the Heavenly Nobleman, Heavenly Virtue Nobleman, and Heavenly Officer Nobleman, indicating that his actions received covert protection from benefactors and that his measures aligned with heavenly principles and popular sentiment, allowing him to successfully relieve the disaster and receive imperial commendation.

1181

• Turbulence in Officialdom, Impeached and Dismissed: The censor Wang Lin impeached Xin Qiji for "spending money like dirt and killing people like grass," resulting in him being stripped of all his official positions and retiring to Daihu.
• BaZi Analysis: This year, Xin Qiji suffered a major career setback, with multiple unfavorable astrological factors intertwining. First, his natal BaZi inherently features a Seven Killings structure, with the Direct Officer revealed in the heavenly stem of the Month Pillar, constituting a mixed Officer and Killings. This indicates a susceptibility to disputes and troubles in his career, as well as an unsettled disposition. In 1181, he was in the Bing Xu Eating God Luck Pillar, with the Annual Pillar of Xin Chou. The heavenly stems Bing and Xin combined to form Water; while it appeared to bind the Officer star, the combination did not successfully transform, ironically agitating the Officer star instead. More critically, the Xin Metal Direct Officer in the Annual Pillar's heavenly stem formed a Hurting Officer meeting Direct Officer with the Ding Fire Hurting Officer in the Hour Pillar of his natal chart. This is a classic signal of official disputes and legal troubles, perfectly corresponding to the censor's impeachment. At the same time, the earthly branch Xu in the Luck Pillar and the Chou in the Annual Pillar formed a Chou-Xu punishment, agitating the storehouses of Wealth and Officer, exacerbating the turbulence in his finances and official standing. The Xin Metal Direct Officer in the Annual Pillar was an unfavorable element in his natal chart, and its energy was intensely strong, representing the peak of official pressure and constraints, ultimately leading to his dismissal and retirement.

1182

• Jiaxuan's Retirement, Finding Solace in Nature: Xin Qiji settled at Daihu in Shangrao. Taking the meaning from the phrase "success in life relies on diligence, and farming should be its foremost priority," he gave himself the sobriquet "Layman Jiaxuan" and began nearly twenty years of leisurely retirement. This was a crucial turning point in his life, shifting from active public engagement to finding solace in mountains and rivers.
• BaZi Analysis: This year, Xin Qiji was in the Bing Xu Eating God Luck Pillar, with the Annual Pillar of Ren Yin. Astrologically, the Bing Fire Eating God appearing in the heavenly stem of the Luck Pillar was exactly the most favored favorable element for his Seven Killings structure, representing the full deployment of talent, strategy, and executive power. The heavenly stem Ren Water Indirect Resource was a favorable element, and the Ren Yin Annual Pillar formed a "Shen-Zi-Chen three-harmony Water frame" with the Year, Day, and Hour Pillars of his natal chart. The Water element was intensely strong, and the Resource star's energy was greatly amplified. The Resource star represents authority, documents, reputation, and patron support, and the three-harmony frame signified powerful backing through teamwork and official resources. The Annual Pillar gathered symbolic stars like the Heavenly Nobleman, Heavenly Virtue Nobleman, and Heavenly Officer Nobleman, indicating that his actions received covert protection from benefactors and that his measures aligned with heavenly principles and popular sentiment, allowing him to successfully relieve the disaster and receive commendation. However, the Bing Fire Eating God in the Luck Pillar clashed with the Ren Water Indirect Resource in the Annual Pillar, hinting that despite a comfortable life in his later years, his inner heart could not find peace, and his anxiety over the rise and fall of the nation remained impossible to let go.