Prevod

In the ninth month during the reign of Emperor Cheng of Han, mice south of Chang’an carried yellow straw and cypress leaves up into the cypresses and elms growing on commoners’ graves and built nests there, most of them at Tongbai. There were no young in the nests, but each contained several sheng of dried mouse droppings. Officials discussing the matter at the time thought it might portend a flood. Yet mice are lowly, thieving creatures that emerge at night and hide by day; for them now to leave their holes in broad daylight and climb trees was a sign that people of humble station would rise to rank and prominence. Tongbai was the site of the burial park of Empress Si of the Wei clan. Later, Empress Zhao rose from humble origins to the highest station, much as Empress Wei had done. Empress Zhao remained childless to the end, yet wrought great harm. The following year, there was said to be a portent of a kite burning its nest and killing its young. Jing Fang’s Commentary on the Changes says: “When ministers appropriate stipends for private gain, deceiving and defying their sovereign, the uncanny sign is mice building nests.”