Recession, unemployment, underemployment. In 1979, 6% of working population had degrees; in 2019, it was 52%. The Xi cabinet's prime minister Li advised jobseekers to lower expectations -- hoards of advanced degree holders now becoming deliverymen, for instance. As well as loosened restrictions on roadside businesses, resulting in MILLIONS coming out to sell you-name-it and Xi intervening to say, uh... no, we don't really want to go there -- adding to speculation about infighting behind the scenes.

Tremendous flooding and mudslides in Sichuan to the south, as well as weird fish behavior in four provinces ranging from south to northeast. Jumping out of lakes and rivers in droves, interpreted by locals as sign that something tectonic and ominous is taking place.

All contributing to speculation that extensive dam building in recent decades has damaged the nation's feng-shui and disrupted government's mandate from Heaven.