During the Qing dynasty, there was a legendary figure named “Shi the Blind,” who left a powerful mark in both folklore and historical records. He was not an ordinary fortune teller, but a famed seer in eastern Zhejiang, whose predictions of fortune and misfortune were astonishingly accurate.

His real name was Shi Guangyi, from Yin County in Zhejiang (today’s Ningbo). Though blind, he was said to possess extraordinary hearing and mental calculation skills, especially adept at divining through the Chinese calendar stems and branches as well as astrology. For men, he read fate by feeling their bones; for women, by listening to their voices. He could even judge a person’s destiny and lifespan from footsteps, speech, or breathing patterns.

Shi accurately predicted the careers and fortunes of several high officials. Records show he was connected with prominent ministers of the Yongzheng era, such as Li Wei and E’ertai. Li Wei served as Governor of Zhejiang, Minister of War, and Governor of Zhili; E’ertai was Grand Secretary of the Baohe Hall, Minister of the Grand Council, and Imperial Tutor. Shi’s reputation was well earned.

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