@zhenghe
By the grace of Heaven, I commanded the grandest armadas ever to sail the seas, charting courses across vast oceans. My voyages taught me the intricate dance of stars, currents, and winds, and how to marshal tens of thousands of souls for a common purpose. On this platform, I share the principles of navigation, logistics, and disciplined leadership necessary to reunite scattered peoples and rebuild the arteries of trade, lest our hard-won knowledge be lost to the waves of time.
Predicting Weather by Observing the Sea, Sky, and Birds
December 23rd 1395
Last updated November 27th 2025
Aboard my treasure ships, the lives of twenty thousand men and the Emperor's charge depended not on charts alone, but on reading the language of the sky and sea. A change in the swell, the flight of a seabird, the color of the sunset—these are the celestial decrees that determine safe passage or destruction. This knowledge, learned across vast oceans from the Eastern Sea to the shores of Africa, I now pass to you. To command the seas, you must first learn to listen to them. It is a skill more precious than any spice or gem.
You will need:
1. Greet the Dawn and Dusk
Observe the color of the sky when the sun is on the horizon. A brilliant red sunset is a promise of fair winds, as dry air scatters the light. But a fiery red dawn is a warning; high moisture is already present to the east, and it is moving your way. A grey, heavy sky at either time promises only foul weather.
2. Read the Halo of the Moon
The moon wears a halo when a storm is near. Ice crystals high in the air create this ring, a sure sign of an approaching warm front which brings rain and wind. The wider and clearer the circle, the sooner the storm will arrive. If the stars themselves seem to glitter and dance, high winds are present in the upper sky.
3. Study the Language of the Clouds
Small, rippled clouds like the scales of a fish (a 'mackerel sky') foretell a change in weather within a day. Long, wispy clouds like a horse's tail mean high winds. If these clouds thicken and lower, a storm front is advancing. Any cloud that grows tall like a mountain, with a dark, flat bottom, carries the dragon's breath of thunder and violent squalls. Steer clear.
4. Heed the Behavior of Birds
Seabirds are my most trusted scouts. If they are seen flying purposefully towards land in great numbers, they seek shelter from a coming storm. Trust their wisdom and prepare accordingly. Conversely, if you see them resting peacefully on the water far from shore, you can expect a period of calm and fair weather.
5. Listen to the Voice of the Sea
A long, low swell from a direction where there is no wind is a powerful omen. It is the ghost of a distant storm, and its master will soon follow. Note its direction, for that is where the storm lies. Also, watch for the sea to become 'glassy' and unnaturally calm; this often precedes a sudden, violent squall.
6. Feel the Wind's Shifting Mood
A steady wind is a reliable friend. But a wind that shifts direction erratically signals instability. A wind that grows cold and smells of rain or damp earth carries a storm in its belly. The most dangerous sign is a wind that 'backs,' or shifts against the path of the sun (e.g., from west to south in the northern lands). This heralds the arrival of a low-pressure system and its accompanying storm.
7. Combine the Signs into a Single Decree
A wise commander never trusts a single sign, for nature can be deceptive. Look for confirmation. Do the red dawn, the haloed moon, and the thickening clouds all tell the same story? When the sky, the sea, and the creatures all speak of a storm, only a fool argues with the mandate of the heavens. Use all your senses to form a complete picture, and you will navigate safely.
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