釋鑑稽古略續集 1.251

1.251

劉伯溫　諱基。括蒼人。自幼聰明絕倫。凡天文兵法性理諸書。過目洞識其要。甞遊西湖有異雲起西北。光映湖水。時魯道源與諸同遊者。皆以為慶雲。劉曰。此天子氣也。應在金陵。十年後有王者興。我當輔之。諸人以為狂悉去之。惟西蜀趙天澤奇之。以為諸葛孔明之流。是年太祖下金華定括蒼。基乃指乾象謂所親曰。此天命也。豈人力耶。太祖遣孫炎聘之。劉趨金陵。陳時務十八策。上嘉納之楊憲曰。福基於至誠。禍生於反覆。

Liu Bowen, taboo name Ji, was a native of Kuocang. From childhood he was incomparably brilliant. In all books on astronomy, military strategy, and human nature and principle, a single glance was enough for him to thoroughly penetrate their essentials. Once, while traveling at West Lake, unusual clouds arose from the northwest, their light reflecting upon the lake waters. At that time, Lu Daoyuan and his fellow travelers all considered them auspicious clouds. Liu said: "This is the aura of a Son of Heaven, which corresponds to Jinling. Ten years from now, a true king will arise, and I shall assist him." Everyone took him to be mad and all left him. Only Zhao Tianze of Western Shu marvelled at him, considering him of the caliber of Zhuge Kongming. In this year, Taizu brought down Jinhua and pacified Kuocang. Ji then pointed to the celestial signs and said to his close associates: "This is Heaven's mandate; how could it be human effort?" Taizu sent Sun Yan to recruit him. Liu hastened to Jinling and presented eighteen policies on contemporary affairs. The Emperor praised and accepted them. Yang Xian said: "Fortune is grounded in utmost sincerity; calamity arises from vacillation."