Yuan Shikai

Ding (丁) Fire is the Fire of lamps and candles. Seated on Si (巳), it gains its Prosperity position and is strong, and Seven Killings is revealed in the month. Traditionally, “strong Killings” signifies boldness, political scheming and extraordinary methods. Looking back over Yuan Shikai’s life: training the New Army at Xiaozhan, forcing the Qing emperor to abdicate, and maneuvering among rival factions, everything he did carried the decisiveness and calculation of “Killings.” The Eating God in the year pillar points to wit and adaptability, as seen in his skill at winning over all sides and working every angle.

Yet the Seven Killings has neither Resource to transform it nor Eating God to restrain it (judging by three pillars), so its sharp edge lacked a counterweight. His Hongxian imperial venture lasted only eighty-three days before nationwide opposition, and he died of illness soon after, which can be reviewed in hindsight from the angle of “heavy Killings and a strong self, yet little to control or transform it.” This is a structural observation and involves no moral judgment.