Chin / Progress

above: Li The Clinging, Flame
below: K'un The Receptive, Earth

The fourth [nine], undivided, shows its subject with the appearance of advancing, but like a marmot. However firm and correct he may be, the position is one of peril.

Line 4 is strong, but it is not in an even place, nor is it central. It suggests the idea of a marmot (? or rat), stealthily advancing. Nothing could be more opposed to the ideal of the feudal lord in the hexagram.