Chapter Four: The Conjunction of Chen and You — The Golden Dragon Playing with a Pearl and the Austere Metal of the Killing Frost

I. Astronomical and Etymological Investigation

Chen corresponds to the third month establishment. The Shuowen states: "Chen means 'to shake' (zhen). In the third month, Yang breath stirs; thunder and lightning quake, and the people attend to farming."

You corresponds to the eighth month general. It resembles a wine jar, and also a closing gate. The Shuowen states: "You means 'maturity' (jiu). In the eighth month, millet ripens and can be brewed into strong wine."

Question: Chen is damp Earth (the repository of Water); You is pure Metal. Earth engendering Metal is perfectly natural. But why should Chen — Earth of the springtime — wholly abandon its Wood nature (the lingering breath of spring) to undergo revolution and transform into Metal$9

II. In-Depth Analysis from the Perspective of High Antiquity

This pair among the Six Conjunctions involves the totemic veneration of the Dragon and the Phoenix in high antiquity.

1. The Astronomical Deconstruction of the Dragon-Phoenix Auspice:
   • Chen is the Dragon — the station of Kang-Metal-Dragon in the eastern sky; You is the Rooster (the common name for the Phoenix) — the station of Mao-Sun-Rooster in the western sky.
   • The conjunction of Chen and You is, in reality, the dominion of Metal-breath.
   • Though Chen lies in spring, within it are hidden Yi-Wood, Gui-Water, and Wu-Earth. You is Xin-Metal.
   • When the Dipper handle points to Chen (Qingming, the Clear and Bright), the Sun lodges in You (the Autumnal Equinox).
   • Why does it transform into Metal$10 At this time the Sun stands at its most glorious in the West (You), and the breath of Metal commands the Way of Heaven. Although Chen-Earth is damp, when it encounters the supremely vigorous breath of pure Metal, the Yi-Wood within is uprooted by Xin-Metal, the Gui-Water is absorbed to rinse and cleanse the metal vessel, and Wu-Earth devotes itself entirely to engendering Metal.
2. The Mechanism of Metal-Transformation — Alloying and Refining:
   • This is not merely Earth engendering Metal; it is a process of "alloying."
   • The Kaogongji (Artificers' Record) discusses casting: one needs an earthen mold and molten metal. Chen is the earthen mold; You is the copper liquid. Only through their union can a great vessel — a bell or a tripod cauldron — be achieved.
   • The Meaning of "Revolution" (conge): The Shangshu, chapter "The Great Plan" (Hongfan), states: "Metal is called 'compliant revolution' (conge)." Ge means change and revolution. The conjunction of Chen and You forcibly redirects the sprouting breath of spring into the austere killing and revolutionary breath of autumn.
3. Citations and Reflections:
   • In the Huangdi Neijing, the Chen-You Metal-transformation corresponds to "Dryness-breath." Dryness is able to overcome Dampness.
   • Historical example: the Warring States strategists of the Vertical and Horizontal Alliances frequently used "Chen-You" as a metaphor for the Horizontal Alliance (lianheng). Chen represents the multitude; You represents the leader. As the constellations cluster around the moon, so is hegemony achieved.

Conclusion The conjunction of Chen and You transforming into Metal is the "Metal of Austere Killing" — and also the "Metal of Revolution." It represents the establishment of authority and the excision of mixed and impure breath. Chen-Earth renounces its own vitality (Wood) to bring forth the keen edge of You-Metal.