According to the “Xingguo Yijing Sanni Liao Clan Genealogy,” in the fifth year of Yongle (1407 AD), Empress Xu of the Ming Dynasty passed away. Emperor Chengzu had already decided to move the capital to Beijing and temporarily placed Empress Xu’s coffin in the Imperial Palace in Nanjing. He ordered Grand Secretary Zhao Hong of the Ministry of Rites, along with other high-ranking officials, to search for experts in feng shui.
After extensive research and careful selection, they found Liao Junqing, a renowned master of feng shui whose knowledge and wisdom were unmatched。 His expertise in deciphering the stars and planets was legendary, and his ability to harness natural energies was said to be supernormal。
Emperor Chengzu, impressed by Liao’s reputation, summoned him to the Imperial Court。 During their first meeting, Liao demonstrated extraordinary insight into the emperor’s intentions and proposed a detailed plan for selecting an auspicious site for the new imperial capital。
His proposal was met with great enthusiasm by Emperor Chengzu, who immediately approved the plan。 Liao Junqing and his team began their journey to inspect potential sites in Beijing。 Along the way, they conducted meticulous feng shui analysis of various locations, ensuring each site aligned with the natural flow of energy。
One day, during their inspection, Liao Junqing noticed an unusual phenomenon near a hidden spring in the earth。 He carefully examined the area and discovered something extraordinary – three feet below the surface was a stone basin containing a pair of golden carp。
Emperor Chengzu, who had been observing the proceedings, was amazed by this discovery。 He witnessed Liao Junqing’s ability to communicate with nature first-hand when he issued a command in a solemn tone: “Halt the flow of water at once!” To everyone’s astonishment, the spring water ceased instantly。
The emperor was deeply impressed by Liao Junqing’s supernatural abilities。 He declared, ‘You are no ordinary man, but a true feng shui master who commanded the forces of nature and fulfilled my imperial vision。 “
As a token of his gratitude, Emperor Chengzu offered Liao Junqing numerous rewards – titles, gold, and land。 However, Liao declined all earthly treasures, choosing instead to remain a wandering sage。
The emperor was deeply moved by Liao’s humility and integrity。 He composed a poem in his honor, which read:
“An old man from Jiangxi, with stars within his chest,
Predicts the future with precision, never at rest。
Stone carp in a basin, a sign of divine favor,
True words from a sage, a treasure beyond measure。 ”
In recognition of Liao Junqing’s exceptional talents, Emperor Chengzu bestowed upon him the title of “Qinian Jian Wushi Tai Bo,” a prestigious position in the Imperial Observatory。
This extraordinary encounter between Emperor Chengzu and Liao Junqing remains one of the most fascinating tales from ancient China, showcasing the profound wisdom and supernatural abilities of this legendary feng shui master。
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