What Is Follow Strong (Cong Qiang)?
Cong Qiang (Follow Strong) is a special state within the Chart Strength system. It refers to a chart where the Day Master and its same-element forces are extremely strong, with virtually no Ke Xie Hao forces (Officer/Killing, Output, or Wealth) present. The Day Master does not need to be restrained; instead, it follows this extremely strong momentum and uses strength itself as its purpose.
Cong Qiang is closely related to the Specialized Prosperity (Zhuan Wang) Structure and is one of the prerequisites for its formation: the Day Master's Five Element is extremely strong, and the chart follows this propensity (e.g., the Bending and Straightening Structure, the Flaming Upward Structure, etc.).
Conditions for Follow Strong
- Extremely Strong Day Master Element: Peers and Seals exist in large quantities; the same element appears frequently in both Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches
- Virtually No Ke Xie Hao: Officer/Killing, Output, and Wealth are extremely weak or absent
- Month Command Supports: The Month Branch is the thriving ground of the Day Master's element, reinforcing the strong momentum
Useful God Direction for Follow Strong
Useful Gods for Cong Qiang (Specialized Prosperity Structure):
- Favorable: Same-element as the Day Master (Peers reinforce strength); elements that generate the Day Master (Seals reinforce strength)
- Unfavorable: Elements that restrain the Day Master (Officer/Killing breaks the strength); elements that excessively drain the Day Master (Output drains qi)
Distinguishing Follow Strong from Strong Day Master
| Shen Qiang (Strong Day Master) | Cong Qiang (Follow Strong) | |
|---|---|---|
| Degree | Day Master relatively strong | Day Master extremely strong, no restraint |
| Structure | Standard Structure; use Ke Xie as Useful God | Special Structure; follow the strong momentum |
| Useful God Direction | Officer/Killing, Output, Wealth | Same element or element that generates the Day Master |
Important Notes
The determination of Cong Qiang (Specialized Prosperity Structure) must be extremely strict. If the chart contains even a single potent restraining star (Officer/Killing), it reverts to an ordinary Shen Qiang Standard Structure, and the Useful God direction becomes completely opposite. When making this determination, the actual strength of each Five Element must be carefully weighed.