隨 → 復
Hexagram 17: Following → Hexagram 24: Return
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 2 changing lines (lines 4, 5).
Line 4
九四 隨有獲。貞凶。有孚在道以明。何咎。
Nine in the fourth place means: Following creates success. Perseverance brings misfortune. To go one's way with sincerity brings clarity. How could there be blame in this?
Line 5
九五 孚于嘉。吉。
Nine in the fifth place means: Sincere in the good. Good fortune.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
穆違百里，使孟厲武；將帥襲戰，敗於殽口。
Duke Mu defied the hundred-li rule, sending Meng to deploy Wu; the generals rushed to battle and were defeated at the pass of Xiao.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Thunder rests within the lake, and a cautionary tale unfolds. Duke Mu of Qin defied the counsel of Baili Xi and dispatched generals Meng Mingshi, Xi Qishu, and Bai Yibing on a long-range strike. The army marched to ambush Zheng but was intercepted at Xiao Pass by Jin forces in 627 BC, suffering a devastating defeat. 'Mu defied Baili' — the duke overrode his wisest minister's warning. The generals attacked recklessly and were routed at the pass's narrow mouth. From Following to Return, the verse embodies Fu's painful lesson: when arrogant advance fails, one must return to the starting point, humbled. Duke Mu eventually recovered by listening — true following restored through contrition.
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