The Phenomenon Known as "Taibai Appearing During the Day" Has Been Observed on the Mainland. Is a Change of Dynasty Imminent?

In the early hours of the opening day of the Two Sessions this March, two massive fireballs streaked across the night sky in Beijing, falling from the sky and exploding mid-descent. (Image from the internet)

[People News] On May 24 this year, a netizen in Beijing captured an image of Venus with a mobile phone around 9:30 AM. Similarly, on January 12, a netizen from Tongliao in Inner Mongolia also photographed Venus in the evening while the sky was still bright. After sunset, Venus appeared even more strikingly bright.

In ancient China, Venus was referred to as "Taibai Star" or "Qiming Star, Chang Geng Star". It is the brightest star after the sun and moon, typically visible in the early morning before the sun fully rises or in the evening before the sun completely sets. Once the sun rises, its brightness obscures the sunlight reflected by Venus, making it generally invisible to the naked eye during the day, even though it is present in the sky.

To the ancients, seeing Venus during the day was termed "Taibai appearing during the day"; if it was seen at noon (directly south), it was referred to as "Taibai traversing the sky". Both occurrences were considered ominous signs, foretelling significant events such as wars, coups, and changes of dynasty.

The "Book of Han: Treatise on Astronomy" states: "When Taibai traverses the sky, the world will change, and the people will change their ruler."

Liu Xiang in the Han Dynasty's "Five Records Theory" noted: "(Taibai) traversing the sky and appearing during the day signifies military losses, disloyalty, changes in kings, strong nations becoming weak, and weak nations becoming strong."

The "Kaiyuan Divination Classic" states: "When Taibai appears during the day, the emperor suffers a loss, the world changes kings, and great chaos ensues; this is referred to as traversing the sky, leading to the fall of nations and the flight of the people."

Historical records indicate that the most notable event, the "Xuanwu Gate Incident" of the Tang Dynasty, occurred following the appearance of "Taibai traversing the sky."

According to the "Zizhi Tongjian," in the ninth year of the Wude era of Emperor Gaozu of Tang, Li Yuan, on the first day of the sixth month (Ding Si), Venus appeared in the sky. On the third day (Ji Wei), Venus reappeared. The Grand Historian Fu Yimi, who was responsible for observing celestial phenomena, secretly reported to Emperor Gaozu, stating: "Venus appears at the division of Qin, indicating that the King of Qin is destined to rule the world." This suggests that "the appearance of Venus in the land of Qin signifies that the King of Qin (Li Shimin) will possess the world." 

At the dawn of the Tang Dynasty, various warlords still held sway over many regions of the country. Notable figures included Xue Ju, who proclaimed himself the Emperor of Qin in the northwest; Liu Wuzhou, the dominant force in the northern frontier; Wang Shichong, the Luoyang warlord who claimed the title of Emperor of Zheng; and Liu Heita, the warlord of Hebei. The court's urgent task was to eliminate these factions and unify the nation. Having just ascended to the throne, Li Yuan could not personally lead military campaigns, and Crown Prince Li Jiancheng, as the heir, needed to remain by his father's side to manage state affairs. Consequently, the heavy responsibility of leading the campaign fell to King Qin, Li Shimin. 

King Qin rose to the occasion, risking his life in battle and engaging in campaigns across the south and north. With his exceptional military prowess, he successfully subdued the warlords in various regions. The common people in areas where the Tang army passed welcomed them with incense burners on their heads, kneeling along the route, and there was widespread joy among both the court and the populace. Through his remarkable martial skills and innovative strategies, he stabilised the realm for Li Yuan. It can be said that the Tang Dynasty's territory was entirely secured through King Qin's efforts. In recognition of his achievements, Li Yuan conferred upon Li Shimin the title of "General of Heavenly Strategy," signifying that the emperor no longer dared to act unilaterally, and that this honour was bestowed by heavenly decree to demonstrate respect.

Li Shimin's repeated military successes led to an increase in his prestige, which in turn sparked jealousy from Crown Prince Li Jiancheng and his younger brother Li Yuanji. They frequently slandered him in front of their father, Li Yuan. During Li Yuan's reign, he granted amnesty, enacted new laws, reduced punishments, and eased the burdens on the populace, demonstrating relatively wise governance. He attempted to maintain balance amid the disputes among his sons. However, in later years, he began to heed slanderous remarks, including those from resentful concubines in the harem who were angered after being denied gold and jewels by Prince Qin, which led him to become suspicious of Li Shimin.

Shortly thereafter, Li Shimin was stripped of his military authority and reassigned away from the capital. He was subsequently dispatched on various military campaigns, and later, he was even poisoned by his own brothers, nearly resulting in his death.

After the Grand Historian Fu Yi secretly reported to Li Yuan the omen of 'Tai Bai traversing the heavens,' Li Yuan shared this with Li Shimin, who found himself in a very passive and awkward situation. When Li Shimin later summoned Fu Yi after ascending to the throne, he remarked, 'What you reported before has almost brought me trouble' (from the 'Old Book of Tang,' Biography of Fu Yi), referring to this incident.

Perhaps out of fear of this omen, Li Yuan even tacitly permitted Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji to take action against Li Shimin.

In June 626 AD, Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji conspired to eliminate Li Shimin. Upon learning of this plot, and with the assistance of his brother-in-law Changsun Wuji and other strategists and military leaders, Li Shimin took a preemptive approach and initiated the 'Xuanwu Gate Incident' (named after the Xuanwu Gate at the northern entrance of the Chang'an palace), resulting in the deaths of Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji. On the day of their funeral, Li Shimin wept profusely in front of everyone. Some later historians have referred to the 'Xuanwu Gate Incident' as 'brothers turning against each other, usurping power and seizing the throne,' which is indeed a misrepresentation of history.

Following the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Li Shimin was named crown prince, taking charge of all political matters. In August of that same year, under the direct counsel of numerous ministers, Li Yuan transferred the throne to Li Shimin and assumed the title of Emperor Emeritus. Li Shimin ascended to the throne amid widespread public support, becoming historically known as 'Emperor Taizong of Tang.' The next year, he renamed the era to Zhenguan, leaving a legacy of the remarkable 'Zhenguan Governance' in history.

So, does the recent phenomenon of 'Taibai Daylight' indicate a portent for the political landscape of the Chinese Communist Party? When we consider the various anomalies currently observed in Zhongnanhai, such as Xi Jinping's loss of military authority, the diminishing power of the party, and the rise of Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, these events appear to align closely with this phenomenon. Is mainland China on the brink of an unprecedented dynastic change?

(First published by People News) △