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^

'^^'^ '
Ancient China,
y/7/; \o'
If
TH E SHOO KING,
OR THE

HISTORICAL CLASSIC:
BEING THE

MOST ANCIENT AUTHENTIC RECORD

OF THE

ANNALS OF THE CHINESE EMPIRE ;

ILLUSTRATED BY

LATER COMMENTATORS.

TRANSLATED UY

-"^
x^-"^
WfH.^ MEDHURST, sen.

SHANGHAE:
^/'
PRINTED AT THE MISSION PRESS.

1846.
^54-

/
 PREFACE,

BY THE TRANSLATOR.

The ^ j^Shoo-king, or Historical Classic, is held

in great veneration by the Chinese. It is supposed to
have been compiled by Confucius, from materials which
existed in his days (B. C. 500.) During the reign of
:

i^ ^'^ Che-hw^ng-te (B. C. 220), when the books

were burnt, and the literati buried alive, especial enquiry
was made after the Historical Classic, in order by its
entire demolition to blot out every trace of preceding
emperors, and make posterity believe that the ruthless
monarch of that age was the first who had ever ruled
over China. In consequence of this savage spite
against the Shoo-king, not a single copy of it was any
where to be found ; and when ^ »^ Wan-te, of the
^ Han dynasty, (B. C. 178) wished to revive literature,
and to restore this important historical document to the
world, he was obliged to have recourse to an old mar,
named f^ ^ Fuh-sang, then 90 years of age, residing
at ^^ Tse-n^n-foo, in ll| ^
Shan-tung, who in
the reign of Che-hwang-te had been one of the principal
literati, and who to escape death had put out his eyes
and feigijed idiotcy. The loss of his visual organs, how-
ever, appeared to be no impediment to his communicat-
ing the knowledge of the Shoo-king, for he had the
greater part of it so strongly imprinted on his memory
as to be able to repeat it by heart.
S(eih
One ^^
Chaou-
took down in writing what fell from his lips, and
"\^hen his peculiar dialect rendered his expressions ob-
scure, persons from his native province were brought,
'^^'ho pointed out more definitely the characters intended
 .

IV

by the blind repeater. In this way a great portion of

the book was recovered, and because il wbls penned in
the forir. of writing current in that day it was called the
modern text. Some years afterwards, in the reign of
g^ r^ Woo-te (B. C. 140,) when 7^ 3E Kung-wan^, of
the ^ Loo state, was pulling down the former abode
of Confucius, he discovered a number of books, amongst
which was the Shoo-king, writen in the ancient
character. This having been decyphered by a descen-
dant of tbe sage, called
^^^ K'hiing-gan-kwo, was
published by him, accompanied with a commentary, and
denominated the ancient text, from the form of character
in which it was written. This more recently discovered
copy appears more full than the former one, and forms
the basis .of the present editions of the Shoo-king.
It contains, as will be seen in the translation, 58 sec-
tions ;though it is supposed by many that the original
Shoo-king comprised 100 sections, 42 of which are now
irrecoverably lost. Much of what remains also is
variously mutilated, and chronologically deranged, so
that many passages are obscure and unintelligible, to
ihe Chinese commentators themselves.
Whether the book now presented in an English
.dress be the identical work compiled by Confucius, and
whether that philosopher drew his information from
authentic sources, must be left in a great measure unde-
cided. Eor himself, the Translator does not see any
great reason to be sceptical upon either of these points,
and notwithstanding a rather flippant critique upon the
Shoo-king, conl^iiied in the Chinese Repository for Dec.
1.839, the atithenticily and antiquity of the Historical
-Classic would appear to be as worthy of credit as any
ot the most famous productions of ancient pagan a, u-
thors. 1

Ihe period embraced by the Shoo-king extends to

.about 630 years, from the reign of ^ Yaou, B. C,

235(3, to that of
.A.n
^ at Ping-wang, who died B. C. 72 1
incidental reference, in the commencement of t|ie
'WjL>Ek, ,tp the jstars culminating on the evenings of the
solstices and equinoxes, would place the point at which
the ecliptic crossed the equinoctial 57^ degrees behind
what it was A. D. 1800, thus showing the acje of Yaou,
when the observation is said to have been made, to differ
from the present upwards of 4000 years. It is true
the difference of length between the solar and tropical
years was noticed, and a rate (though erroneous)
assigned to it in China, so early as A. D. 350 ; and
more correctly about A. D. 600. Yet previous to that
period,and still less in thedays of Confucius, the
Chinese do not seem to have been aware of it. To
suppose, therefore, that the whole is a fabrication, and
that the Chinese have dated back the precession of the
equinoxes, in order to exalt the antiquity of their na-
tion, would be to give them more credit for cunning,
not to say science, than they seem really to possess ;
and would make the work of such recent origin, as
by no means to agree with the antique style of the
work. Besides, as the work is quoted frequently in
the Four Books, which a!) writers agree in assign-
ing to the a<>e of Confucius and his disciples, it
miiiii have existed, in some form, before the Four
Books were penned and if the materials from which it
;

was drawn existed before the age of Confucius, then

certainly before the Chinese understood the theory of
the precftssion of the equinoxes, or could, if they would,
have antedated the sign in which the sun crossed the
equator, in order to suit their views. To recur again to
the style of the original, it is confessedly so abstruse
and concise, uhile so many obsolete and antiquated
terms are employed, as to make it differ in toto from
the works ascribed to Confucius* own pen, and still
more from those written by his disciples and successors ;

so that it would appear almost impossible for a person

accustomed to the style of later ages to liave adopted a
phraseology like that of the Shoo-king, or to have pro-
^iluced a work so penned. It may be difficult to prove
to the satisfaction of all parties the high antiquity of the
work referred to, but certainly those who would under-
|/ake to establish the comparative modernness of its ori-
 ti

gin, have taken upon theraselves a much harder task,

and must cope with difficulties of a more formidable
character. The trifling manner in which the critic, a-
bove referred to, has taken up the question, seems to us
the most unlikely method to elicit truth, and we scarce-
ly scruple to assert, that in the same playfal mood gra-
ver and weightier questions might be easily disposed of,
on which hang the eternal interests of immortal men.
Even the Pentateuch of Inspiration, if subjected to a
process of pleasantry, would hardly come out unscath-
ed from the ordeal, and the faith of some well-meaning
persons might soon be overturned, if what they most
venerate were attacked by ridicule.
In a treatise on Chinese music, by the late Mr. Tra-
descant Lay, that gentleman has remarked; " It has
been asserted that the Chinese have no science ; but
of a surety, if we advance in the free and scholar-like
spirit of antiquarian research, we shall be obliged to set
our feet upon the head of this assertion at every step
of our progress." In the exhibition here given of an-
cient and authentic Chinese ideas, the observation of
Mr. Lay will be fully borne out ; without optical instru-
ments, with a mistaken theory, and at a period when
our race was in its very infancy, the Chinese have dis-
played an acquaintance with astronomy, as accurate as
it is wonderful ; which nothing but the most attentive
and long-continued observation could have afforded
them, and which as far as it went is not falsified by the
more splendid discoveries of modern science. The sim-
ple fact of Yaou's having discovered, that an entire year,
reckoned in sidereal time, consisted of 366 days, or that
in the compass of a year the sun fell behind the stars
by a whole circumference of the heavens, is so much in
advance of his age, that we can account for it in no
other way, than by his having received his knowledge
from the antediluvian patriarchs, the length of whose
age enabled them to make observations which would
e.scape the notice of their short-lived successors.
The system of music exhibited in the following pagi^s
is not fully understood, but the more it is examined, tike
 Vll

more it is found to be based on scientific principles. A

cord of 81 lines in length is taken, which when brought
to a certain tension is found by striking to produce a
certain sound. This being divided into thirds, and one
third deducted, is found to give another sound. If this
second cord be divided into thirds, and one third added,
it will produce another determinate sound, and so on ;

as may be seen by a reference to the passage in the Ca-

non of Shun. According to Mr. Lay, melody, with the
Chinese, grew out of harmony, or the reciprocal arrange-
ment of the several notes. The Chinese had all the
materials for a mathematical contemplation of music ;
tubes and strings, proportioned by art were the tutors,
of whom the ear learned to measure out the distance
of one interval from another.
The labours performed by the Great ^ Yu, in the
draining of the land, in order to bring under culti-
it

vation, seem to have been as stupendous and extensive

as they were scientific and useful. Embanking and
controlling the intractable Yellow River, levelling hills
and filling up marshes, were undertakings of no mean
nature, and required for their effectual completion a de-
gree of knowledge and energy seldom met with. To
which may be added, the survey and draining of the coun-
try, extending over an area of nearly 1 ,000 miles eaeh
way, through regions unprovided with roads and bridges,
and over mountains and streams of terrific magnitude.
Surely Yu's knowledge of surveying must have been
far from contemptible, to have effected such gigantic
works, at such a period.
And then we must not omit a reference to the moral
philosophy and political economy displayed in the work
before us ; the lessons of practical wisdom therein con-
tained are applicable to all ages and nations. Even in
enlightened Europe, and at this advanced period of the
world's civilization, something may be learned from the
Shoo-king, and as long as the world retains its distinc-
tion and connection between high and low, rich and poor,
the principles of reciprocal justice and affection, respect
and obedience herein laid down will keep their ground.
 ;

Vnl

^,
_The Historical Classic, howex^er, has one defect, and
that is tii6 want of relig-ion. The Supreme is sometimes
spoken of, atid his superinteildtjnce over the affairs of
men referred to. But then the august Majesty of the
i^kies is net unfrequently identified with the material
heavens, and associated io honour with the supposed
spirits of hills and rivers, and the manes of departed
ancestors and heroes. Love to' the Great God and Fa-
ther of all is never inculcated, and the mode of reconci-
liation WLih an offended God or the fact of a medi-
ation between God and mnn, not so much ?si once hint-
ed at. It constitutes the best specimen of natural reli-
gion, derived from an independent source, with which
T,3 are at present acquainted and yet it is miserably
;

deficient in all that respects the spiritual and eternal

interests of man.
Wlmtever it be, however, it is far from bein^ famili-
ar and intelligible to the generality of the modern Chi-
nese. Amongst those bearing the name of teachers,
few can be found, who have ever he^rd it explained,
or have taken the trouble themselves to unravel it.
It is indeed often committed to memory by school-boys,
as a task, but it is rarely the case that a Chinese urchin
finds his pedagogue in the humour or the capacity to
explain it to him at the literary examinations for
;

bachelors of arts, an acquaintance with the Shoo-king

is not considered necessary to the attainment of a de-
gree, and it is only when the distinctions of masters of
arts or doctors of law are contended for, that the
Shoo-king is used as a text-book among the candidates
thus, with the exception of a few isolated quotations,
and recognized principles, with which all scholars are
familiar, the Shoo-king remains, as to the generality of
the Chinese, a dead letter.
Atranslation of this book has already appeared in
the French language, from the pen of M. Gaubil, re-
vised and corrected by M. De Guignes. That trans-
lation is, however, too free, and in many respects
faulty,and never having been commonly known in
England, it has not been thought a work of superero*
g^tion to lay the following sheets before the Britisfe
public. The obscurity and conciseness of the orig^iual
has rendered it no easy task to present the thoughts of
the ("hinese author to the Euroj)ean reader, so as to in-
terest without misleading. The mutihillvi .s, tran posi-
tions, and omissions to which the text is subject in many
parts has of course increased the obscurity of certain
passag-es and the reader will find, particularly about
;

the middle of the book, many dry and unintelligible

sentences, but passing on, the studc^nt will meet with
some rich a d deep thoughts, which will fully repay him
for the trouble of wading through the more trite and ob-
scure passages
t or the benefit of students in Chinese, the text is
interspersed with the translation, so as to afford a pret-
ty correct clue to the rue.ining of each particalnr cha-
racter. I he desire to preserve tbe original text perfect,
both as to number and disposition of the words, has
mad^ the translation a little more stiff than it otherwise
would have been, but the advantage to the student, it
is presumed, will more than couv^terbalance this defect,
while the generd reader will !»e -ible to proceed with-
out regarding the Chinese chnractev^^.
The translator has thought adviseable to affix to
it

the Historical Classic, a short compendium

of Chinese
history, running through the periods referred to iu the
Shoo-king, and designed to assist the student in taking
a connected view of tne whole.
Having been obliged to steal a few moments of time
from other more weighty and pressing duties, foi the
preparation of the following pages for the press, the
translator throws himself upon the indulgence of the
public ; bein.| more than satisfied, if by this slight
effv)rt, he may bat sticceed in bringing England better

acquainted with China, and establishing a more lively

interest in its claims.

W. H. Medhurst.
Shakghae, Oct. 1846.
 PREFACE

BY THE COMMENTATOR ^ 'jlfc TSAB-QH'HIN,

TUK mSClPLE OF ^^^ ^ CHQOWAN-Ii^UNCI.

la tb^ winter of the 5th jear of

of the 5JS
^^
dynasty, (A. D. 1200,) my master
Sung
Ning^sung,

^^ 4i Choo-w^n-kung ordered me to make a

commentary on the Historical Classic, but in the
ft/llowing year my preceptor died. Ten years after that,
1 brought my work to a conclusion, the sum of which
amounted to thousands and myriads of wt>rds, but alas !

kow difficult have I found it to explain these records.

The regulations of the two autocrats (^
Yaou and
Shiin) with those of the three founders of dynasties
^
(0^
Yu,
rules
^ I'liang, and ^^W^n-woo)^ being the giv^at
aud patterns for the whole worlds are all contained
in these C'lassics,, and how can a superficial view, oi; n
slight acquaintarce be sufficient to display their deep
mysteries t Moreover, born as we are i^fter a laps^ oi
several thousand years, and desiring as we do to e?:plaio
the events thit hiyc^ tciaspired so many qentunes 9go,
we mugt expect to find it difficult. But the regulatiouf
of the two autocrats and the three founders originated
in right principles: the principles of those iUustrioue
men were derived from right feeling, let us but embody
those feelings, and their principles and politics may
certainly be elucidated. How is this "? Why, single-
ness purpose and adherence to the due medium were
(/f

the principles on which Yaou, Shun, and Yu handed the

government over to each other; firmness and perseverance
were the principles which actuated T'h^ng Woo ^4
the respective founders of the Shang and CHiow dynas^
tle«. But whether they advocated valouT or benev6leticej
respectorsinoerity, however varying the terms employ-
ed, the prmciple was one and the same, which was
none other than the elucidation of the wonderful opera-
tions of right feeling. When they spoke of Heaven, they
severely scrutini^d the origin from whence right feel-
ing c^rae if they alluded tt) the people, it was to ex-
:

amine carefully the object towards which this right

feeling was manifested ceremony, music, and pu^»lie
:

instruction evi'iced the display of thiti feeiing ;

while
classics, literHtivre, and intelligent men were the means
of setting it forth. Families being well regulated, the
states properly governed, ijid the empire at peace, this
w ^s the carrying out of this same right feeling. Oh how
abundant, then, are the excellent qualities of right
feeling! The three autocrats and the three founders
of dynasties preserved this ieeling. ^ Ke^ and ^
Show, the last monarths of ino ilea and Shang dynaSr
ties, lost this feeling.
tJhing-wang, the second monarchs of the
^^ fp Ihae-l^ea a??d |j^ ^
above-named
dynasties, after some effort, were enabled to maintain
this feeling. Those who preserve this feeling proir.ote
tight rule, those who lose it produce confusion thu^ :

the difference between good government ar.d wild up*

roar consists in the maintenance or relinquishment of
this feeling. The rulers of subsequent ages, who have
a desire to carry out the regulations of the two autocrats
and the three founders, must not omit to study their
principles and those who wish to embody their princi-
:

ples, must not neglect the right feeling which they dis-
played. But which way is a person to attain to this
right feeling, if he neglect the Historical Classic*?
From the commencement of ray study of this docu-
ment, 1 have dived into its meaning, and examined the
various opinions respecting controverted passages be- ;

ing thus thoroughly versed and acquainted with the

subject, 1 have presumed to decide between conflicting
opinions, but with regard to minute expressions and
abstruse meanings, 1 have very much inclined to the
views of the older commentators. What has been ad-
 xu

vanced on the !Ii

Counsels (in the
^ Two Canons and
first
the
work) has
part of the
:ij:
been fre-
|§[ Threfr

quently corrected hv my tutor, the richness of whose

remarks are still fresh, and his memory affecting hut ;

the whole commentary having been suggested by my

preceptor, I have not taken any particular notice, when

quoting his words. The records of the four dynasties

(viz. the times of Yaou and ^hun, with the ages of
Hea, Shang, and Chow) are divided into six hooks, the
style indeed differing according to the periods treated
of, but the regulations uniform, as the principles on
which they acted. 1 he feelings of perfect men are ex-
hibited in these Classics, as the delicacy of the painter's
hand is apparent in works of art : which without a
minute and deep acquaintance with the subject is haidly
discernible.
Ihis commentary, although it may fail in exhibiting
the minuteness of feelir.g displayed by Yaou, Shun, Yii,
T'hang, W^n, Woo, and Chow-kuug, \et with regard to
the re< ords of those worthies, and in explaining the an-
cient books, may have succeeded in pointing out the
general meaning of their ideas.
^ Written in the 15th year of Ning-tsung, in the 3rd
month, I5th day, (A. D. 1210), at the Bohea hills, by
Tsae-ch'hin.
 CONTENTS.

Book L The Book ©f Yu : or the days of Yaou

and Shun.
Section I. The Canon of Yaou. page I
Section 1 1 The Canon of Shun 13
Section 1. 1 The Counsels of the Great Yii. 41
1

Sectjon IV. The (JounseU of Kaou-yaou. .. 58

Section V. Concerning Yth and Tse^h 65
Book 11. The Book of Hea or the ilecord of the
:

Hea dynasty
"
Section 1. The tribute of Yii 82
Section II. The oath of Kan 119
Section HI. The song of the five children. 121
Section I v\ The chastisemeuts intlicted by
Yin 125
Book III. Book of Shang or the Record of
1 he :

the Shang dynasty.

Section I. The oath of T'hang 129
Section II. The annunciations of Chung-
hwuy 131
Section HI. The announcement of T'hang. 137
Section 1 V. The instructions of K 140
Section V. 1 he first p :rt of the history of
rhae-kea 145
Section VI. The second ditto 148
Section VII. The third ditto 150
Section VIll. The possession of single-eyed
virtue 152
Section IX. The first part of the history of
Pwan-kang 156
Section X. The second part of ditto 162
Section XI. The third p .rt of ditto. .,•».. 166
Section XII. The first part of the orders of
Yn^ 1G8
Section XIIT. The second part of ditto. . . 171
Section XlV. The third part of ditto 173
Section XV. The daily sacrifice of Kaou-
tsung , 176
 XIV

Section XVI. The western Lord's conquest

ofLe
Section XVIL TheCouat of W^i. ......
Book IV. The book of Chow, or the liecor<i« of
m
177

the Chow dynasty,

Section I. The first part of the Great oath» 182
Section 11. The second part of ditto 185
Section HI. The third part of ditto ]88
Section IV. Military completion. 193
Section V. The Great Plan. • . , . 1 97

Section VI. Ihe hound of Le. 209

Section V 1. 1
'1 he golden-edg^ed casket. . .211
Section VUl. The ]2^reat a ouourt cement. .. 216
Section IX. The decree delivered to the Count
of Wei. 222
Section X. The announcement to K'hang. 224
Section XI. The announcement respecting
wine. .........,.**.... 232
Section XII. The good material. 238
Book V. The Hook of ("how continued.
Section I. The announcement of C'haou. . . 241
Section II. The announcement at L5,% . . ^ . . 248
Section III, The numerous officers. . . . 256
Section IV. Qn avoiding luxurious ease. 261
Section V. Respecting Prince Chth 266
Section VI. The decree respecting Chung of
Tsae 273
Section ATI. The numerous regions. **•• 275
Section VIII. The establishment of govern-
ment. ... ....... •., 282
BoD^k Vl. The Book of Chow concluded.
Section i. The otJicers of the Chow dynasty. 288
Section II. On Keun-chin 292
Section lU. The retrospective decree 295
Section IV. 'ihe announcement of K'hang-
wan^. 302
Section V. The commands to Peth v. 304
SecttouVI. OnKeuny^y. 308
Section Vll. The command to Kung. , 310
Section VIII. Leu's code of punishments. .. 312
 , .

SeqtiQn IX. The decree addje&sed to the

Marquis of W^n. 322
Section X. '1 he oath at Pe 324
Section XI. The oath at Tae 326
Extract from Chinese History.
The emperoi Yaou 329
The emperor Shun. . . 335
The Hea dynasty 338
Ihe Shang dynasty ,..•.. 350
The Chow dyanRty 368
Appendix A. Chinese ConsteUations. . • ^ . . • , 399
Appendix B, Chinese Astronomy 403
 XVI

OENEAIOCJICAL TABLE OF YAOU AND SHUN.

Hwang-l^

Ch'hatig-e Heueii.gaou

m
Ch'hiien-lieuh Heuen

^
Pih-yih KwSn Te-shen Te kah
f

m m ^
Yu, the founder Kin g-tang K'l>e Seg Yaou Che
of the Hea dynasty

Eg
wang It
I I

f c
New n
B

k "8
a
§
ET.
o
3
Of}
Koo-sow 3

il
Yu Shun
Wan-wang T'hang
of the of the
Chow dynwsty. Sbang dynasty.
 SHOO
THE HISTORICAL
# II KING.
CLASSIC.
BOOK 1.
THE ^ BOOK OF ^ YU.*
llEFERRING TO THE DAYS OF YAOU AND SHUN.
SECTION 1.

THE ^ CANON ^ OF YAOU. f

^ Now J^ on examining into *j^ the ancient

^ ^
^^mperor ^ we must
Yaou, say, that he was
>& vastly
H^ Tieritorious,^ reverential, and ^ intel-

hgent; Jhib ;^ external accon^plishments and ,^ in-

ternal reflections were -^ ^ easy and unconstrained; §

he was ^ sincerely ^ respectful, and ^ capable of
1^ yielding, while his ;/^ fame ^ extended to the
29 four ^
distant quarters, reaching^ ^to J^; hea-
yaw above and ~p earth beneath.
* Yu was the designation assumed by Shun, when he obtained tlis
Empire. The Book of Yu contains altogether five sections. The
canon of Yaou, although recording the affairs of that monarch, yet
having b^^en composed by tlie historians of Shun, has been comprised
in the book of Yu, or Shun. The canon of Shun, with what foliows,
was composed by the historians of the Hea dynasty, on which acceunt
it ought to have been called the book of Hea. Indeed Confucius, in
his History of his Own Times, frequently quotes this book under the
title of the book of Hea ; while some ascribe the book of Y^u to the pea
of Confucius himself.
f Yaou is the name of an ancient Emperor, who began to reign
B. C. 2,3oo. Thin section records the affairs of Yaou, while lucceed-
ing generations, considering that the matters herein contained are wor-
thy of being held up as constant laws, have commonly inculcated
The section is therefore called the canon of Yaou.
thera as such.
IThe historians being about to detail the atfajrs of Y'aou com-
menced by saying, that having examined the character of the Em-
peror in question, they found his virtues to be great and universally
diffused, asabove described.
§ "Easy and unconstrained " means that the excellencies of his
virtuous nature proceeded from a spontaneous principle, and were
by no means forced. The virtues of common men are anything but
natnrHl, and they being impeded by the lusts of other things;, are o-
2 THE CANOaN of YAOU.

He was ^ able to gQ display his ^ superior ^

virtue, )^ in order ^ to bind closer ^ the nine |f^

degrees of kindred ;* ^ the nine ^ kindreds ^ be

ing ^
illumined the ]§*
rendered harmonious, he ^ equalized and
people of the Imperial domain
^ -
j^ ;

his own people

"gf ^ ^
g^ having become intelli
gent, ^tj he"^
harmonized the |^ various states o ^
^
the Empire, and the^ black-haired
^
people, jj^ oh
how were they
agreement. J
^
reformed by this ||| cordia

He 75 "^ commanded ^ He and

t^^» Ho,§ JJJ ii

^ ^
reverent accordance with ( the motions of ) th<

^ ^
expansive le}^ by numbers
heavens, arrange (
and ^represent (by instruments ) the revolutions of th<
^ moon, and ^
sun ^ ||
stars, with the ]p

bliged to force themselves to exercise reverence, without poseessin:

it in reality; while wishing to manifest yielding, they are unable
but Yrou did all these things naturally, hence he was truly respe ct
ful,and thoroughly yielding. Confucius said, "Heaven alone is great
and none but Yaou is able to imitate Heaven." Hence the historica
classic, in detailing the virtues of the ancient •oveieigns, consider
none more accomplished than Yaou, and in praising the virtues ol
Y'aou, no expressions can be found more complete than these.
* The nine degrees of kindred include all from the great grea
grandfather to the great great grandson, with the collateral degree
of relationship.
f The Imperial domain was a portion of territory under the imrae
diate control of the Emperor; the various states were under separat
chiefs who paid fealty to him as their sovereign.

J This means that Y^aou carried out his virtue from his own per
son to his family, and then to his states ind his Empire ; by whicli hi
attained the appellation ef " vastly meritorious.
"

§ He and Ho were officers who superintended the calendar and astro

nomical instruments, while they made known the times and seasons
Ey the former is meant the book in which they recorded their calcula
tions ; and by the latter the instruments wherewith they surveyet
the heavens, such as the sphere and scale, or tube mentioned in i

srt'txcqnent section.

Ij
T commentators, is the essence of the male prin
e sun, say the
and revolves round the earth once every day.
of nature, Th<
moon u the essence of the female principle, and comes into con
junction M'ith the sun once a month.
^ The stars consist of those in the 28 coiistellationB, which ari
 THE CANON OF YAOU. 3

lunar mansions, * and then ^X^ respectfully to

municate J\ to the people the (J^ seasons
^ com-
( adapt-
ed for labour. )
He then ^ separately J -^ directed ^ He's'frll
younger brother ^
to reside at |1|^ Yu-e, § ^ ^ called
the ^ Orient !^ Valley, where he might ^ respect-
fully ^ hail the JH rising Q sun, ^ adjust and |^
arrange the ^ eastern ( or vernal ) f^ undertakiut^'S. ||

notice the 1^ equalization of the ^ days, ^ and whe

ther the ^ star ( culminating at ni^ht fall ) was rh ;

( middle constellation of the ) ,^ bird, **JJJ in order

fixed, and
tlie Venua, Mars, Jupiter, and Satuiii.
planets, Mercur}',
* The lunar mansions are the points where the sun and moon come
into conj unction, which divide the circumference of the heavens into
twelve parts.
f The seasons for humau labour refer to the times of ploughing and
reaping, on which all other undertakings depend.
% This and the three following paragraphs refer to the division of
labour after the completion of the calendar, in order to verify its cal-
culations, lest some error might have inadvertently crept in. Some
r aay, that in the former paragraph the commission was given to the
elder He and Ho, while here particular directions are issued to the
second and third brothers of those individuals. Others think, that He
and Ho were the names of officer*, not persoui ; and those subse-
quently mentioned were the assistants and sub-assistants of the form-
er. It is not quite clear which opinion is the true one.
§ Yu-e is the place, afterwards mentioned in the
" Tribute of
Yu, " and is the modern Tang-chow, in Shan-tung, situated in Lat.
37. 43. N. Long. 4 40. E. of Peking. The Orient Valley was the
name of the post where the Younger He resided for while his office
;

was at the capital, Yu-e was the place where he had to ascertain the
times and seasons, and where the eabt'^rn gnomon was set up. At Yu-e,
on the morning of the vernal equinox, just as the sun was rising, he
observed the shadow it cast on i'.s first issuing forth.
" The eastern undertakings " refer to works which ought to be
II

commenced in the months of spring, when the labours of the year o-

riginated the exacl period for undevtakiiig these was arranged accor-
:

ding to the terms recorded in the calendar, which was then delivered
to the proper officer to be communicated to the people.
The equalization of the days refers to the time of the vernal equi-
•f[

nox, when the days wereofa medium length between summer and
winter. The day at that season comprised fifty quarters, ( of 14 mi-
nutes and 24 seconds each ) the length of the day only
;
is mentioned,
from which may be inferred that of the night.
^ The jBi bird star refers to the seven constellations of the southern
4 THE CANON OF YAOtJ

(o §^ hit the centre of ji^ mid ^ spring ; he

might also observe whether the ^ ^people began
to :jfff disperse abroad, and whether jf^ birds and ^
beasts were beginning to ^pair and ^
copulate.
He ^ ^ commanded ^
further He's j^ third
brother ^ and |^
to reside at the^ southern border, *
2p fo adjust ^ ^
arrange the southern ( or sum-
mer) If^ transformations,-]- §^ respectfully to
the extreme limit ( of the shadow,) J when
notice ^
the
f|
quarter, which go under the denomination of the ;^^v^ red bird.
" Tang Yih-hing has calculated that the lunar mansion called ^Si
y^
**Quail fire, " ( or Cor Hydra, corresponding with the constellation
Ijeo, of western nations ) culminated in the evening of the vernal e-
quinox ( in the days of Yaou.) For a further illustration of this, see
an account of the Chinese zodiac, and a table of the stars cul-
minating on each of the four seasons, according to the canon of
Yaou, in appendix A, at the end of the volume.
[If Cor Hydra culminated at sun-set on the day of th« vernal equi-
nox in the time of Yaou, the constellation on the meridian at noon
of that day must have been Pleiades in Taurus. Now as by the retro-
cession of the equinoxes the Ptnrs of the zodiac go back a whole sigft
in 2000 years, it would take 4000 years for the sun to be in Pleiades
at the time of the vernal equinox, which is about the time when Yaoi*
is said to hsve flourished, and affords a strong confirmation of the
truth of Chinese chronology. For Pleiades is 56 degrees and one third
from the point where the ecliptic crossed the equinoctial A. D. 1800,
and as the equinox travels backwards 50 minutes and one tenth per
annum, it would take about 4000 years for Pleiades to be in the ze-
nith at noon of the vernal equinox. Referring to Chinese records,
we find that Yaou's reign closed 2254 years before Christ, which
added to 1800 makes 4054; and a retrocession of 56 degrees and
one third at 50 minutes and one tenth per annum would give 4050.]
Transla/or,
* " The southern border " denotes the region of Cochin China.
Chin thinks, that after these words should be inserted the phrase
** "
called the resplendent capital.
" southern transformations " is meant that in the summer
f By the
months things come to perfection, which renders midsummer the
most suitable time for making changes. A certain section of the his-
torical record has it " southern performances, " referring to that as
the most suitable time for doing things.
" Respectfully to notice the extreme limit " is what the Book on
I
the Ceremonial of the Chow dynasty calls" noticing the extreme limit
of the days, in s\immer and winter ; " for at noon of the summer sols-
tice they sacrificed to the sun, and noticed the length ot its shadow,
which at that period was five inches to a gnonora often, at the place
 TrrE CA>JON OF YAOU. 5

days attain ^ their utmost length, * aiiJ ^ tlie star

in the zenith is that denominatedjjl^ " Fire " : -j- in JJt)^

order to fix ]£ the exact period of ^ mid ^summer, J

^ ^
"\Th3n the people Q disperse themselves more
^
widely, and birds and i^ beasts begin ^ to moult
and ^ cast their skins.
He ^ then distinctly '^ commanded ^4 ^^^'^
'fl*
younger brother ^ to dwell Q in the west, at a place

P^ called the
'^
B;?}^ dark ^ valley, where he might ^
respectfully attend upon the j^ setting (^ sun, §
and 2p equalize ^
and adjust the j^ western ( or
autumnal ) ]J^ completions, notice the equaliza- || ^
tion of the ^
nights, H and see whether the cul- ^
minating* star was J^ emptiness** (Aquaiius), iJC ^^^
order J^ to adjust frj? mid fjl^ autumn, -J-f when ^
which was called the middle of the world, ( viz. the centre of China )
* The longest day in summer, at the point of observation, consisted
of 60 quarters ( of 14 minutes aud 24 seconds each. )
f The star " tire " is the central star of the seven constellations of

the eastern quarter, called the ^" j|§ " azure dragon. " This star is

identical with the lunar mansion called *' great fire, "
/% yC
or
the heart of Scorpio, which star culminated on the evening of the
summer solstice.

X That which they had to adjust was the extreme limit of light in
the summer solstice, of which noontide is the exact position.
§
'*
To attend upon " means to escort a guest on his departure with
the necessary ceremoiiies ; on the evening of the autumnal equinox,
just as the sun was setting, he was to notice its shadow.
The wes^tern completions, refer to the works which ought to be
II

completed when tilings are brought to perfection in the months of

autumn.
% *' Tlie equalization of the nights" refers to the length of the
night at the autumnal equinox, when it would, b^ just at a medium
between summer aiid winter. At such a period night and day would
e:ich comprise 50 quarters ( of 14 minutes 24 seconds.) The nights
only are quoted, but from this may be inferred the length of the days.
** The star called " Emptiness, " or beta in Aquarius, is the central
Btnr of the seven constellations of the northern quarter, called the ^i
Su Black warrior. " It was the culminating star on the evening of
**

the autumnal equinox.

ft He was required to adjust the autumnal equinox, because that
 6 THE CANON OF YAOU.

the ^ people would be more ^ at ease, * and the

^j birds and ^ beasts woukl be ^ sleek and ^
plump, -j*

He ^ farther -^ directed ^|J He's jj;3j third bro-

thei-
^ to dwell at the ^^ northern "^ region, J
Q
called the
1^ ^ dismal city, where he might ^
pro-
P^^^y ^aadexamine the ^ reiterations and ^ altera-
tions, § see whether, when the Q days were at
the ^ shortest, ||
the ^ culminating star was ^
Pleiadtjs, H J^ in order to j£ adjust f|t mid ^ win-
ter, ** when
]^ the gandpeople would ^ remain at
home, tt and ^ birds i^' beasts get their f^
down and ^ hair. J J

period was the centre of the dark principle of nature.

* The heat being passed, people felt more at eaae.
f The birds and beasts were sleek and plump, because their hair
having dropped off, and their coats being changed, they would appear
smooth and glossy.
I
*'
region " refers to the waste land of the north,
The northern
which denominated the " reviving region," because all things, when
is

they come to this point die and revive, like the waxing and waning
of the moon. At this place the sun seems to sink into the ground,
and all forms become dark, hence it is called the dismal city.
§
*'
Reiterations and alterations, " refer to things which should be
renewed and altered, when In the winter months, the business of the
year is finished, and old things are set aside and exchanged for new.
The day at the shortest comprises 40 quarters, (of 14 m. 24 s.}
(I

^J Pleiades is the centre of the seven constellations of the western

quarter called the ^ j^

" white tiger." At the winter solstice
this is the star culminating in the evening.
** He was said to adjust the winter solstice, because mid- winter
was the extreme of the dark principle of nature, and midnight the
chief seat of that principle.
ff The people would remain at home, on account of the cold.
+1 The birds and beasts got downy coats, to keep them warm. The
Emperor having commanded He and Ho to construct the calendar
and prepare the instruments, separately appointed difi'erent regions
and aeaions, where they might severally verify the truth of their ca-
culations, and ascertain whether any error had arisen in the process.
Thus careful was the Sage in reverently observing heaven, and la-
l)ounng diligently for the people, in order that his plans might not
contradict the designs of Heaven, nor his government miss tbe proper
seasons for human labor. The Chinese commentator remarks, according
to the foregoing statement, at the time of Yaou, the sun in the winter
 THE CANON OF YAOU.

r^ The Emperor Q said, ^ Listen! ']^you ^ He

I
and ^tl Ho; ^ an entire year * consists of^ three
solstice
Jgg Beta of Aquarius, and the star culminating in the
was in

evening of that day was §fz Epsilon of Pleiades ; at present tlie sun
in the winter solstice is in -^ Sigma of Sagittarius, and the evening

culminating s^^ar is Alge»ib ^§

thus the culminating stars are not
;

the same. Now tlie circumLrence of the heavens ( or the true solar
year) is divided into 365 and a quarter degrees, while the ( tropical )
year consists of 365 days and a quarter. In the circumference of the
heavens, however, the odd quarter exceeds by a little the quarter of
a degree, while in the tropical year it falls somewhat short of a
quarter of a day ; hence the celestial degrees constantly revolve in an
even path, with a little freedom, while the days of the year move within
this orbit and are rather contracted. Thus the body of the heavens
(or the sidereal year) is gradually shifting towards the west, and the
tropical year as slowly varying its position eastwards. This varying

position of the tropical year is what^^"~*y3" Tang Yih-hing

calls the annual deviation. The ancient almanacs were brief and care-
lessly got up, so that the rate of deviation was not therein settled ;
whilst they merely corrected and altered according to their observation
of the times and seasons, in order to bring the whole to accord with

the course of the heavens Yu-hi, of the

; until j^ ^gp ^^ ^p
Eastern Tsin dynasty, ( A. D. 350)
distinguished the revolution
first

of the heavens, ( or the sidereal year, ) from the course of the tropical
j^ear, and establishevl the rate of error, in order to trace back the vari-
ations, from vrhich he concluded that the recession was about one

in 50 years. 'JnJTJ^ yC ^^o Ching-t'heen considered this too much»

a^id therefore doubled tne years, when he found that the rate of re-
cession was too small. Until ^ij jH^ Lew Cho, of the (^ Suy dy-
nasty, ( about A. D. 600 ) adopted the medium between the two cal-
culations, viz. 75 years, as nearer the truth. But this also is not
very exact, we however insert it here.
[ According to Herschel the equinoxes recede 50 minutes and one
tenth annually, which would take about 72 years to recede a degree ;
but the Cninese degree of the Heavens is to our's ns I to 1.01458,
wliich would bring the above cnlculation a little nearer; though the
Chinese writer does no'- profess to be exact. The comtnentator was
the disciple of Choo-wan-kum^, and wrote about the beginning of
the 1 Sth century ; in his time he says, the sun in the winter solstice
was inSigma ol Sagittarius, and the evening culminating star was Alge-
nib, when the equinox was about seven degrees from its position in
A. D. 1800, and nearly 50 from what it was in the time of Yaou. ]
Translator.
* According to the commentator, the body of the heavens is a com-
plete sphere, 365 degrees and a quarter in circumfciencc j it re-
8 THE CANON OF YAOU.

gf handrecl •;^ ^ sixty '^ and ;^ Q days do

six ;

you therefore J^ employ an ^ intercalary ^ month

^ to settle 15) the four fl^ seasons and

Regulate at the
complete
i^ame time
^
]^ the tropical year. "ff^

^ with exactness the 1^ hundred kinds of X labour,

and your
§B
'0 abundant j^ merits will be ^ universally
diffused.

volves round the earth, turning to the left, or cast, und makes a com-
plete revolution each day, with one degree over. The sun accompa-
nies the heavens, but moves a little more slowly, hence the sun in
its daily course makes one revolution round the earth, but does not
come up with the heavens ( or the stars) by one degree. After 365
days and 235-940ths, ( or 365 days and a quarter ) the sun comes
into conjunction with the heavens, and constitutes a solar year, or the
space travelled by the sun. The moon accompanies the heavens, but
is a little more slow every day falling short of the fixed stars by 13
;

degrees, and 7 19ihs. After 29 days and 499-940ths it comes into

conjunction with the sun \n twelve such conjunctions we obtain of
;

whole days 348, with 5988 fractions, which divided by 940 gives 6
wh(jle days, plus 348 ; this added to the former, makes 354 days, and
348-940ths, constituting a lunar year, or the space travelled by the
moon. The ancient year (derived perhaps from Noah) has l2 months,
each consisting of 30 days, whic'i makes 360 days, as the usual
period of a year. But the solar year, when the swn comes into con-
junction with the heavens, has an excess over the ancient year of 5
days and235 94 Oths, to complete the terms into which the year is
divided : while the lunar year, or the moon coming into conjunction
with the fun, has a defect of 5 days and 592-940ths, to make it cor-
respond with the new moons and the lunar quarters ; now from the
excess of the full terms of the solar year, over the lunations of the
lunar year, the intercalary month is produced. Thus the intercalary
days of ea(;h year are generally speaking 10 days and 827-940Lhs,
and those of three years amount to 32 days and 60l-94i)ths. In
five years the intercalary days woul 1 be 54 and 375-940ths ; and
in 19 years there would be seven intercalary moons, which would
make the solar and lunar years exactly even, and constitute a complete
cycle. Hence if there be no intercalary month in three years, then
one of the months of spring would enter into the summer quarter,
and the seasons would begin to be unsettled, while the llth moon
would be brought into the 12th and the whole year be gradually
disarranged. Should we collect the;«e errors, and miss three in-
tercalary months, then all the months of spring would pass into sum-
mer, and the seasons be entirely unsettled. If twelve intercalary
months be omitted, then the first year of the cycle would pass into
the second, and the years be altogether wrong ; which might be
truly called years of confusion, when summer and winter would be
interchanged, and husbandry, Jsilk- cultivation, and such like bccupa-
 THE CANON OF YAOU. 9

ij^ The Emperor |^ said, ^ Who will ^ enquire

for one who, ^ com[)lying with [|^ these times,
^
may })e elevated j^f to employment ? jjj^ ^ Fang-
tse 13 said, ||[^ ^ Your son and heir, jfc C'hoo,
* ^
r^ The Em-
is beginning 0J^ to display intelligence. -j-
{leror ^ said, ^ Tush !
|| he is insincerej and |^ li-

tiginis ;§ hJ ^ can he do t 1|

'"^ The Emperor Q said, p^ Who will ^^ enquire

some one,
for ^ who can aci^oid with ^ my mode of
:^ managing liusiness ?-
^^ Hwan taou Q said,

^ Excellent ^ IC
! there is the Superintendant of
works, *[^ whu hns just jl^ consolidated his affairs,
and ^ displayed S^ merit. *^ 1 he Emperor ^ said,
0^ '1 ush ! when there is ^ nothii.!? to do, "^ he can
talk ; but ^
employ him, and he belies his pro- ^
fesssion, while he has only
respect, )^ up to 5^ heaven- **
the resemblance of ^^ ^
^ The b^mperor Q
said, ]^ Oh! you President of

K -|S ^^^ ^<^"^ eminences, ff /§^]^ the swellini^ Jit y^y

tions would all rrus;s their })roper peason. 'i'hereloie lor these odd
days it is necessary to insert an intercalary moiitli occasionally, when
the seasons will not be disarrunaed, and the works of the yeisr will
be completed. Thus the various officers may be reii:ulated, and the
merit oftlie astronomer be widely extended. For further remarks ori
this subject see note B. in the Appendix.
* Tan Choo was Yaou's son and heir.
f
*'
He is be L'imiinij: to be intelli.:ent, " means that his mind is
unfolding with clearness, and that therefore he may be elevated to
office.

J
•'
Insincere " means that his mouth does not utter the words of
truth and faithfulness.
§ " Litiiiious
" means that he is fond of wrangling:.
In this we see Yaou's extreme penetration and uprightness : he
II

knew weli that his son was vicious, and he would not for the sake of
one individual trouble a whole empire.
^ " The superintendant of works " was a sort of hereditary officer
in ancient times.
** The meaning of the phrase " up to Heaven," is not clear ; it re-
sembles an expression in the following section, hence we suspect that
erroneously i)iserted here.
it is

ft
" The four eminences," literally " the fo>ir mountains," is the
name of an office, filled by an individual, whc piesided over the affuiis
c
 ;

10 THE CANON OF YAOU.

fiood, * '^ |"|] occasions hurt ;
«}^ )^ it spreads far and
•wide,
the
'^ \i encompasses
mounds
|.lj the hills,

and expansive
and ^ overtops
1^ ;
J§ -j^ vast ^g it rises
up to 5^ heaven ; so that *7^ the lower ^ neople '^
^1^ lament and sigh. ^ If there be any ^ persons
of ability, ^1 will set them ^^ to manage this matter.

^ The
They H all
f said, 'jj^ Lo, i| ^ there isKw^i. J !

Jgi Emperor ^ said, Hf Tu^h I

O^j^ nonsense !

5^ he disobeys ^ orders, § and j^ ]^ com.

ruins his
panions. -^ The President fEj said, ^
^ Not with,
standing-. ^
||
just try if he ITf can manage 7J this
matter 2i ^^^^J- ^ ^The Emperor H said,
fj^ Go ;

^^t ^ gl^ take care. ** For '^ nine ^ years

^^
of the princes of the four mountaiiis, or the four quarters of the Era-
ph'e. [ In the da3's of Yaou, the Chinese recognized four great moun-
tains in China ; since the time of the Chow dynasty they speak of
five. ]
^

* The swelling floods were occasioned by waters issuing forth, and

having no vent, they inundated and overwhelmed the country. [ This
probably aiiudes to the overflowing of the Yellow River, before a vent
was made, for carrying off its superabundant waters into the sea.]
•j- '*
All " means all the courtiers, with the President at their head.

\ " Kwan " was the name of a nobleman, whom they admired and
recommended to the Emperor.
§ " Disobevs orders,
" literally squares th£ orders^ means that he
opposed the imperial commands, and did not execute them. Wang-
she says, when a thing is round it revolves, but when square it stops
to square the orders, therefore, is the same as to say, he impeded the
proclamations of government. For Kwan was quarrelsome and self-
opinionated, disobeying the commands of his superiors. He was also
on bad terms with his companions, injuring men and destroying
things, hence he could not be employed in this undertaking.
II
what this word means in the original, but
It is not exactly clear,
it is convey the idea, that although the Emperor had re-
supposed to
jected Kwan, j-et the President wished to put him forward, whether
or not.
^ The President wished Yaou just to try Kwan in this matter on-
Iv, because among the courtiers there was not one more capable than
lie, therefore it was as well just to try him in this affair admitting ;

that he was able to drain off the waters, but seeing that he was not
prepared to do anything else, they must not look for perfection in
him.
** Thus Yaou sent him to regulate the waters, and cautioned him
wilji R •
^ take care " far having such a great responsibility on Lim,
:
 THK CAMON OF YAOU; U
he laboured, but ^ did not ^ accomplish anythiug. *
'j^ The Emperor |^ ^ Oh! you
sild, p5) -g. Pre-
sident of the four eminences, ^ have now been :^ I

on ^ the throne "i^ + ^ seventy

and years ; since
'Ji" y^'i
id ^^'^ ^^^^^
]® ^ my
^^ follow out regula-
tions, ^* i uill resigi; ^)^ my fg t throne to you.
-g Ihe i'resident said, Q With my ^ poor
^
imperial
qualities, 3^
ihrone.
I ^ho(lld disgrace
I'he Emperor El .eplied.
only »f^' the
'jlfc H^ Brinp;
to light those
those of
who are in ^^ brilliant station.^
we
and ^
set forth (|j] )|g low rank. [ till tind o.ie
of sufficient virtue tj succeed.] ^^ All the cour-
tiers ^ then addressed the ^ ^ b.mperur sayin^r,

;j^ There is a |^ solitary individual,

J ::^ in a "7^
mean station, ^ called ]^ ^ Yu-shun. 1^ Ihe Em-
peror B said, ^ Good -J» 1 have
!
|^ heard of him ;

but ^OfiiJ how are his qualities'? ^ Ihe President

PI said, ^ He is a Idirad man'-§ ^ ^ son, his father

ii^ is stup'd, and -flj his motherjj || insincere, while

^ 8eang (h s ! rother) 11 is ^X overbearing ; but

he ^has l)een aide ||<^ to harmonize them 1*/^ by his
3^ filial piety, so that thcv have ^3S oiadually ad-
vanced towards ^ helf government, and ^ have not

he must not remit the most serious attention. The Sage's cautions are
laconic, but expressive.
* During these nine years tlie E.npsror thrice examined Kwan's
operations, and finding that he had failed in his endeavours, he degra-
ded him.
f Tan Choo, the son of Yaou, was a dejjenerate child, and most of
the ministers were inadequate to the undertaking, therefore Yaou,
wishing to elevnte some one to the throne, preferred the President.
X One who is unmarried is called a solitary individual.
§ A man without eyes is said to be blind : and Shun was called the
son of the blind man, because his fisther Koo-sovv, not regulating iiis
mind by the dictates of virtue and rectitude, was doltish, and men-
tally blind.

II
The niut'erhero meiiTonrd was ijis step mother,

H Seang, tlie brollurof )^hun, was his half brother by a second

niuniai^e.
12 THE CANON OF YAOU.

^ gone extreme
to the ^ ^lengths of wicke(1ness. *
'1 Emperor Q
he ^ had said, 1 not heiter :j^ take
him l^i^ ^ on marry my dau2:hter3^
trial! I will
to g^ tins man, and ttius '|g observe )^ his ^fl] ma >.-

ner of acting -p with my ZH two -^ daughters, j*

Having thus Ji arranged matters, jii^ he sent down

his ZH two "^ daughters ^ to ^\u J|Aj Kwei jiiy, +
and jj^ mariied them "^ to
J^ (or Shun;) when
^ the Emperor said to them, §jf ^ Take care !
§

* This means, that Shun was unhappily connected with thtpe

relatives, but hewas able to harmonize them by his virtue, and cause
them gradually to regulate themselves by goodness, so that they did
not proceed to great and outrageous wickedness.

f The two daughters were X'K ^E Go-hwang, "the im-

called

perial damsel," and "^ ^^ ^^J^^ yi"g' " the flowery maid." Tsang-
tsze has said, that these two daughters were directed to serve him, in
order to observe how he would act at home ; for in the intimate
and private comm.unications which take place between husband and
wife, are contained the principles of good government, the conse-
quences of which are very important: therelore in judging of people
no plan is more useful than this.
I Kwei is the name of a river, which flows near the district of

i^\ JK. ^^ tu"&» ^^ the county of Jh\ ^ Ho-chung. It rises in

the j^ Leih mountains J\rid f^ows into the Yellow river. The Urh-
j'^ay north bar.k of a river is called
Dictionary sajs, the juy ; ^W
juy^is also the name of the point of land where a tributary stream
flows into a larger river. This Kwei-juy was the residence of Shun.
*' Take care " was addressed to Yaon's daughters,
§ and conveys
the same idea with the expression in the Book of Ceremonies, where
the bride is addressed saying;'' go home to your family, and be careful
and respectful." How much mfare should the Emperor's daughters,
wjien married to a common man, display the utmost cfire and caution.
 THE CANON OF SHUN. 13

SEC1 ION II.

TiiK jBl cA^o^ OK l^p sm N.*

\E^ :^^
Einpeior ^
Now
^him,
01.
f^ examiiuTig
we may
"jif

say,
the ancient
that in him was
^
j£]
^ a repetition ^ of glory, "^ co: formable ^ to ihe

^{* former ruler ; he was J^ deeply "^ wise, ;^ accom-

plished, aid Rj^ intelii^^ent, ^]^ harmonious and ^^res-
pectful, ^l^ sit; cere and ^ upright ; so that his 2^ re-
tiring f^ Airtue ^ canic to the Emperor's ^ cogni-
zance, imoj^ thus 'pjj' he appointed h>m to fni<)fFice
J^»j^ f
He was j^
canons, J unlil
careful |^J
to ])e:iulify

^ canons
^1 the five ^
J£ the live ]?r^ coidd all
f^
he obeyed ;
he was charged
^"^ ^vidi [^ the \rt-
rious j-^ calculations, and "§' the various ^^ calcula-
^
tions f^ were seasonably
f^ arranged § he was ;

commissioned to 1^ receive the strangers ^ at the

pl| four
P^ gates, 1|
and all who enteied |JtJ the tour

* This first paraijrraph is omiUed in the older editions, and the

the second paragraph is joined on to the last parni^raph of the pre-
cedir.u- section. In the 6th century of the Christian era, this para-
graph was supplied, and is ihought to be spurious. The style
and phrastoloiiy are indicative of a modern date.
f This means that Yaou hi.vinij manifested his glory. Shun also dis-
played an excel lence, so that he could combine with Yaou ; his virtue
is particuiiirized as profoundly dtej) and tridy wise, perfectly accom-
plislu'd and brightly intelligent, harmoniouslj^ blending and re-
ver ntly respi ctful, thoroughly sincere and really upright. Having
these four unobtrusive qualities he was reported to the Emperor, who
conmiissioned him to fill an innportant office.
X The five canons mean the five constant virtues, such as afiee-
tion between parents and children, righteousness between sovereigns
and subjects, distinction of duties between husbands and wives, order
between superiors and inferiors, and sincerity among friends and as-
sociates. For at thistinie Sliun was employed as public instructoi.
§ This refers to the various calculations wliich he had to make whi n
he arranged tlie affairs of government. This office existed only in ilie
time of Yaou and Shun, and is similar to the situation of prime minis-
ter under the 0!>ovv Dynasty.
11
The four gates, were the gates of tlie palace which opened to-
wBids the four quarters. The ancients t)y hospitality endeavoured to
attract the neighbouring states. Thtis the princes severally came iroin
their respective countries, and Shun w as ordered to entertain tl.era.
14 THE CANON OF SHUN.
I
P^ gates, ^|§: were rei dered harmonious; finally

j^ he was sent ( on pul)llc business ) "p to the "j^

great ^ mountain's f'M^f, and though ^|] fierce )^
winds and ^thunder j^ htorms prevailed, ^ he did
not ^
swerve from the Jight path.*
ij^ The Emperor Q said, ;j^ Come, '^ you ^
Shun !
^^ having studied ^ your actions, and ex- ^
amined W your words, T fi?,d that J^ your "p" conver-
sation ^ has been "3]*|^ meritoiious, for^ these
three
/^
^ yenrs ;

imperial jil throne. ^$

f^ yo ! can therefore |j^ ascend the
Shua, however, |^ declined
^ in favour oi
f^ the more virtuous, ^ and would
not ^succeed to the throne.
Subsequently, on the IE first j^J month, and the J^
first g decade (B. C. 2286,) Shun ^ received j^ the
conclusionf ( of Yaou's government) ^ in ( the temple
of ) ^ the accomplished ||§^ ancestor. J

( Shun ) 1^ examined the 3^ pearl-e^lbelliJ^h-

then
ed § ^
sphere, and the 5E gem-constructed ^
This oflPice was connected xvilh that of the chief President.
* History relates that Yaou sent Shun into the hills and forests,
among the rivers a:id marshes and thoug'h violent winds and thunder
;

storms prevaikd, Shun did not miss his way. Soo-slie says, that at
that time the inundations were still injurious, so that Yaou despatch-
ed Shun to the hills and Avoods, to take an observation of the plains
and marshes, when a violent storm arose. All the attendants were
alarmed and lost their presence of mind, but Shun did not stray. Was
it not because his capacity far surpassed that of other men, and per-

liaps it might be that J|fe J\^ Divine Providence and the

immortal god^ assisted him? 1 should say, that equanimity and belf-
jjj^ ^
possession, on falling in with such violent storms and unusual changes,
could only be attained by a man really intelligent, truly wise, and
determined not to be thrown off his guard. ( Chinese commcnlaloi'. )
f This means that Y'aou concluded the business of ruling, and
Shun succeeded him.
X The accomplished ancestor refers to Yaou's first ancestor, though
it is not clear what particulir person is here meant.
§ The word here employed me;ins a beautiful pearl, with which
the sphcie was embellished which represented the motion of the
Heavens.
 THE CANON OF SHUN. 15

scale, II ]>^ in order ^ to arrange the -^ seven ]^

controllers.

II
Tlie scale here spoken of was a tube made of a precious stone,
which was fixed transversely, in order to observe and arrange the
motions of the seven controllers it was like the quadrant of the pre-
;

sent day. The seven controllers are the sun, moon, and five planets ;
t*»ese seven travel round the heavens, sometimes slowly and some-
times rapidly, sometimes with and sometiuics contrary to the fixed
stars, as rulers in the matter ofgoverment. The wh'^le passnge
implies that Shun, on heini,' first assjociatcd with Yhou in the throne,
and setting about the regulation of affairs, began to examine the
sphere and scale in order to arrange the sevea controllers this being ;

the prime requisite in constructing the calendar and adjusting the

seasons of husbandry. The commentator goes on to say, with re-
ference to the body of the heavens there are three theories ; the

first is called the j"^'!

§^ complete pelvis, the second the JQ^ f;§J

proclaimer of night, and the tlrrd |jJ^ y^

the eutiie heavens. The
theory of the proclaimer of night has altoijether no advocates, and we
do not know what was its form. According to the theoi*j of the
complete jn-'Ivis^, the heavens were thought to be like an inverted bowl,
with the norih pole in the centre. The centre was represented as ele-
vated, and the four sides as depressed while the sun and moon travel-
;

led round on the side. \\'hpn the sun was near and visible it consti-
tuted day, and when the sun was far oft' and invisible, it was called

night. ^*- ^|£ Tsae yung on examining the form of the heavens ac-
cording to this theory considered, that there were many omissions, and
mistakes. The theory of the entire heavens is as follows. The form
of the heavens is like a biid's egg, with the earth in the midst, and the
heavens environing it all around, as the albumen surrounds the yolk.
It is round as a pellet ball, hence the expression, *'the circumference of
the heavens," meaning that its sub>tance is globular. According to
this theory the heavens are half above the earth, and half below; that
part of the heavens which is above the earth, and is visible, is 182 de-
grees and a half with a fraction over that which is underneath the
:

earth, is the same. The north pole rises above the earth 36 degrees,
while the south pole sinks beneath the horison 36 degrees. The
Sung eminence exactly under the centre of the heavens, and lies di-
is

rectly south of the north pole 55 degrees. South of that, again, 12

degrees, is the path of the sun in the summer solstice ; south of that,
again, 24 degiees, is the sun's course in the vernal and autumnal e-
quinoxes still further south, 24 degrees, is the sun's place in the
;

winter solstice. From the thence southwards down to the horison is

31 degrees only. Thus from the summer soUtice to the north pole,
is 67 degrees, the v(;vnal and autumnal equinoxes are removed 91
degrees; and the winter solstice 1 15 degrees; this is the general
reckoning. The north and south poles are merely two points, a-
 16 THE CANON OF SHUN.

round which the heavens, with the stm. moon, and star?, oblquely re-
volve. This must have been the system adopted l>y the ancients,
which was lost in the ^J Tsin dynasty ( when the books were burnt

B. C. 220 ; ) bnt daring the r^i?n of tlie Emperor ^ Woo, of the

^ Han dynasty, (B. C. 139.) ^ T> ^i Lolk Hea-l.ung began to re.

construct the instruments, an i

^^ ^ ^f y^ Seen-yu Wang-Jin
inarUod them off into degrees. In the reign of _gL 'r0* Seuen te (B. C-

7'^) hTC ^f ^ Kang Show-chang-. melted brass and made a repre-

sentation of the heavens, ^^hi1e ^^ ^| Tseen L6, of the >L yj\^

Pih Sung dynanty (A. D. 450,; ai^o cast an aimiliary sj l,ue m
brass with a tube or t^cale eigbt cuVits long, and one ii-cb in diame-
;

ter. The diameter of the outer circle was eight cubits, and the circum-
ference 25 cubits and a fraction. It could be turned round and looked
through, in order to ascrrtain the position of the sun, moon and stars ;
th s was the same witli the pearl-garnished S})here, and the lem-con-
ftructed tube which had been iiancieddoMU fn ni antiquity. Duri'ig
succeeding ages the system became gradually more miimte and xact: (

until in the present ( viz. the yj^ Sung) dynasty ( A. D. 1200)

an armillary sphere was constructed of three rings. The outer ring

was called, y>

"R*" |^ "The figure of the six cardinal points,"
viz. east, west, north, and south, with the zenith and nadir. For a
horizon they used a single black ring, on which was engraved the 12
lunar mansions, with the various points of the com})ass, in order to
ad ust the horizon, and fix the four quarters east, west, north, and
south. In a slanting direction frcni this ^ere fixed tAxollacK rings,
on the back of vhich Mere enL;ra^en the degrees of distance from
the poles ; these rings divided the lu avens into two parts just
across the horizon, hnlf of them being beneath, and half above,
fastened at the north and south poles, to f( rm the ceie^tiili Uieridian.
In an oblique direction from these, was })laci d a red ring, on the back
of which was engraven tlie degrees of the equinoctial, in order to
divide the heavens equally, and to cut the meridian at right ansjles ;
half of this was also above, and hnlf beneath the horizon, vhile it was
fastened on the east and west sides of the horizon, to constitute the
base of the heavenly latitudes. These three rings within and without
were joined together, and rendered immoveable. The ring which re.
presented the celestial meridian, at the north and south poles wps
provided with round naves, Mhichwere hollow in the centre, and
were turned inwards, in order to support the inner rings, one of \\hich
called ZZ^ 1^ or " the three luminaries, " bore the figures of the

heavenly bodies and the other, called the [Zy ^J!^ or " universal
;

traverser," had depicted on it the four points ot the compass. Thus

the zenith and nadir, with the four points of the compass could
he examined On which account it was called the figure of the six
cardinal points.
The next smaller ring of the instrument, to be described, was call-
 THE CA^ON OFSHUN. /7|

Shun ^ then offered a ^ sacrifice of the same

class (with the border sacrifice) * ^ to the J:: *^ Su-

ed HZ ]^ j^ the figure of the three luminaries, or sun, moon, and

stars, ( corresponding with our solstitial colure.)
was fixed in a slanting direction, and consisted of a double black
It
ling, on which was engraved the degrees of distance from the poles ;

on tlie pivot passed thro^u^h the nave of the celestial meri-

outsid(% ils
dian, ruid on the inside, it supported the ecliptic and a moveable equi-
noctial. This equinoctial was a sin-^le red ring, corresponding with
the celestial base of the parallels of latitude ; there Wd^ also engra-
ven on it the degrees of the 28 constellations, audit was joined to
the double black ring at the east and west. The ecliptic was a single
yellow ring, also marked with the degrees of the constellations, and
obliquely inclined from the centre of the equinoctial, with which it
was joined and fastened at the east and west; havinaf the half with-
in, to represent the sun's path after leaving the vernal equinox, and
half without, to represent the sun's course after passing the autumnal
equinox. There was also a single white ring, ( tha equinoctial co-
lure), to receive the conjunction of the rings, and prevent them from
slipping down. Machinery was fixed underneath, moved by water,
which set the whole in motion day and night, according to the revolu-
tion of the heavens from east to west, to represent the motion of the
heavenly bodies. Thus the sun, moon, iind stars could be examined,
and hence it was called the representation of the three orders of hea-
venly luminaries.
The innermost ring of the armillary sphere was called, the y^ 3^
universal traverser. It also consisted of a double black ring ;

~'*,
like the construction of the J^ '^^ three luminary ring. It pas-
sed through the nave of the celestial meridian. Within the rings,
from side to side, and passing through the centre, there was to each
ring a straight bar, which externally pointed towards the two naves ;

and just between these, in the exact centre, there was a small orifice
to receive the axis of the gem- constructed tube, and cause the tube
not only to move round from east to west, together with the ring, but
also to be elevated and depressed at any given point toviard the north
and south, at the convenience of those who waited to make their ob-
servations of the times and because it could traverse,either to the east,
;

west, north, or south, it was called the universal traverser. This is

a general view of the armillary sphere.
Chin Kwo says, according to the old plan, these rings were engra-
ven on the one side with the degrees of the heavens, and provided en
the other side, with silver nails, for the convenience of those who ob-
served the heavens in the night season, as they could not examine
the instruments with their eyes,on account of the darkness, and there-
fore felt it with their hands. Perhaps it was on this account, that the
ancients adorned their sphere with pearls.
* The border sacrifice was the usual offering presented to the 6x-

D
18 THE CANON OF SHUN.

preme Ruler, j[^ he presented a pure offering to ^

the 7"^ six ^ o'ljects of veneration,* he looked ^
with devotion ^ towards Jj the hills ))\ ;ind rivers, f
and |/^ glanced around ^ at the ^hostof |^ spirits.:};
He then i^ collected the ^ five ^ kinds of seep-
tres;§ and at ^ the expiration of the j^ fir<t month

75 he gave Q daily ^J audience to the pC| four §

pansive heavens ; but now, when out of the usual course they sacri-
ficed to heaven, they employed similar ceremonies to those used at

the border sacrifice, hence it was called ^^ luy, or one of the same
class.
* The objects of veneration in sacrificing were six, viz. the seasons,
heat and cold, the sun, the moon, the !=tars, and drought.
The hills and rivers referred to the most celebrated hills and migh-
•j-

ty rivers, such as the five mountains and the four streams. He look-
ed towards them and sacrificed, hence he is said to have looked with
devotion towards them. Ji

} The host of spirits refers to the ancient worthies, whose graves

were on the mounds and hills. The whole sentence implies, that
Shun havina: received authority at the termination of Yaou's reign,
and examined the nstronomical instruments, sacrificed to the superior
and inferior gods, in order to announce his association in the throne.
§ These sceptres, or sigr.ets, were for the sake of verification ;
( they were made of some kind of precious stone, and carried in the

hands by ancient governors, as the signals of authority.) ^^ A

Duke held a fj^ ^^
pillar sceptre, [ which is described as a flat
oblong piece of stone, about 9 inches lon<r, rounded at the top, and (en-

compassed by a border, see No 1] fl^ A

marquis held a |g 3E
straight sceptre, [ which is described ws resembling the former, u-

bout 7 inches lonn-. with the border only half round, see No. 2. ] -f^
An crooked sceptre, [ which is represented as
earl held a 3"^ 3E
similar to the preceding, also seven inches long, only a little bent

see No. 3. ] -jp A

vi. count held a §p^' ag £?rain- besprinkled slab,
[ this is described as round, with a hole in ttie centre, and marked
with stalks of corn over the surface, see No. 4] ^A baron held a }^
^g rush- garnished slab, pictured like the former, only co-
£ this is

vered with reeds instead of corn, fsee No. 5 : tiiis and the former were
five inchen in d ameter. ] The five ranks of nobles held these, in or-
der to see if their signets corresponded with that of the Emperor,
and thus Terify their identity. According to the Ceremonies of the
Chow DyLasty, the Emperor held a § signet in the shape of a cap,
by his vhtue
^hea he gaye audi? nee to hie cobles j to signify that
 }IE CANON OP SHUN. 19
eminent chiefs and the ^
host of 'J^ governors,* af-
ter ^vhich hs ^
gave back 3^ the sceptres to the ^
^ various )g chiefs.
—
^ Every went year, in the

eastward "^
second ^ month,f the
on a tour of inspection
monarch ^^
•^* among the tiefs ;+ when ^ he arrived ^ at '^ ^
the monarch overspread and capped the empire ; when the nobles first

received their appoint mpnts, the Emperor gave theni ^^

sceptres,
the heads of which were ouliquely pointed, whilst underneath the Em-
peror's cap or signet there was an oblique incision, which in size,
length, and breadth corresponded to the tops of thtiir sceptres so that, :

on the Jiohles coming to audience*, the Emperor could place tJie cre-
vice ref^^rred to on the tops of their sceptres when, if they did not
;

fit, their holders wei-i considered impostors.

* Chin-tsze says, the coUecting the five kinds of sceptres, was in or-
der to identify the live ranks of nobles. What preceded this was tiie
work of the tirst month, when this mouth was completed, then the
nobies from all parts arrived ; some were nearer, and others more
distant, and therefore they came, some sooner and others later ; hence
the monarch gave audience every day, and not as on great occasions,
when a general audience was appointed for one particular day ; for he
wished to receive them by little and lii^Icj, that the enquiry and ex-
amination might be fully completed.
•f-
The second month here cneans the 2d month of the year on
which tlie tours of inspection were undertaken.
that when the iimperor visits the nobles,
J Mang-tsze has said,
it is called a tour of inspection, because it was undertatien with a view

of inspecting the ti ts or territories which the r.obies held.

J L.
20 THE CANON OF SHUN.
Tae-tsung, • he ^ set fire to the pile, and ^ took
^
-I*

a survey of the outline of the landscajie,^ in order

to sacrifice to the jil ^i^ls and )\\ rivers ;
J he ^ then

§1 gave audience ^ to the eastern )^ chiefs, who

brought their 5S five kinds of ^E gems, § their ^
tricoloured ^ silks, ||
their HI two ^^' living,^ and
—* one ^ slaughtered animal,** as presents of
ceremony. After which the monarch ^harmonizedf'!'
th« l^four seasons, and the ^ new moons, JE squared
P the days of the month, (@] and rendered uniform ^
the notes of music, ]^ the measures of length and ^
capacity, with ^ the standard weights. J J l^i addition

* Tae-tsung refers to the^^§ PJ great mountain, situated in tlie

province of Sban-tung, Lat. 36. 30. N. Long. 1. W.
f The pile was fired in order to sacrifice to heaven.
j He surveyed the outline of the land, in order to sacrifice to the
hills and rivers. For according to the contour of the hills, was
arranged the order of sacrifices of living animals or silk, or prayers
or invocations were ofiered. The spirits of the five mountains, for
instance, were viewed as in the rank of dukes ; those of the four
great streams, as in the rank of marquises ; while the rest were con-
sidered as merely equal to earls, viscounts, and barons.
§ The five gems allude to the five kinds of sceptres which the no-
bles held.
II
The tricoloured silks were as follows , a light red silk was held
by the heir apparent of a prince : the son of a duke held a sombre-
coloured silk ; the chief of an annexed territory held a piece of a yel-
low colour.
^ The two living animals were these a noble led a lamb, and a
:

great officer a wild goose.

** The one dead animal, was a wild fowl, which was held by a
scholar. The five gems, three different colours of silk, the two living,
and one dead animal, were intended as presents when waiting on
a siiperior. There is a transposition in the text here, the presents of
ceremony being placed after the adjustment of the measures and ce-
remonies ; [in the above translation , however, the due order has
b'^^n followed.]

tl This means that if any irregularities had arisen in the countries

of tite chiefs, as to terms and seasons, the naonarch harmonized and
sijuared them.

JJ The notes of music are twelve, called the ^^ mS yellow tube,

**ie yZ ^ great arrow, the J^ ")f^ lady

^ij foreign law, the
bathing, ^^ the flou-

rishing guest, the ^^ ^^ §J unshot arrow,

 —
THE CANON OF SHUN. 21

the jTZ 5 great spine, the J^ S double tube, the 'J^ Q mid-
dling spine, the q^ 5»^ forest tube, the
j^ ^ soull lern spine,

and the )/^ ^J

responsive tube. Six of these are adjusters, and
six are regulators ; all the twelve tubes are three lines and a little
more in diameter, and the circumfereuce of the bore is nine lines,
or nine-tenths of a Chinese inch. '1 he length of the yellow tube is
nine inches from the great spine, both the adjusters and the regula-
;

tors interchange, and become gradually smaller, unto the responsive

tube, which is the smallest. Slnin made use of these to regulate
music, and mark off* the sounds ; thus the long ones had a deeper, and
the shortones a higher sound ; the deep tones were gruff and protract-
ed, while the higher ones were clear and rapid. The Emperor made
use of the same tubes to examine measures of length, and to calculate
extension ; thus of the 90 lines which made up the length of the yellow

tube, one line was considered as one yp punt; ten punts made an ^J
inch ; ten inches a /^ covid or foot , ten feet a "y^ staff, and ten
staffs a 5 Further he employed the same tube to examine
I
chain.
measures of capacity and to arrange quantities ; thus the fistula
of the yellow tube, which contained 1,200 middling-sized grains

of black millet, was considered a ten pipes made a

-^ gill, ten gills made a "jf pint, ten pints 3t
n" gantang, or

-"

i^^ Pi
© iv
1^

^ s 3u -1

;7
-t H- ^>
^ ^> K9
^
V^
>^ ji^

^ ^ ^ J
 22 THE CANON OF SHUN.

(^ he arranged gg the five jg

to this ceremonies,
and ^0 assimilated 5g the ^wq kinds of || imple-
mentsj- used on those occasions. ^ Ihis done /J he
^ returned.+ In 5[£ the fifth ^ month he ^ went
southward J^ on a tour of inspection ^ among the
fiefs, and when ^
he arrived ^at the southern -^ ^
hill, § he ji\] imitated ^
the Tae mountain fj§ ceremo-

peck, and len gantanirs a |j^ or hundredweight.

nioiil, HetVen took
the same and to weii^'h light and heavy things;
to -afljust the ste'i!y;ird
thus thel,200 grains of millet which the fistula of the yellow tube con-

tained weiglied 1*?

j/j^^ penny weii^hts; of these twofi^^tula, or 24 penny-
weights, made an p^ ounce, 16 ounces made a /p Chinese pound,
30 pounds made a ^J quarter, and four quarters made a Jpif hun-
dredweiyht. This was the way in which the yellow tube became the
foundation of a variety of things. If in the dominions of the notjles
there was ought irregular, the Emperor examined and reduced it to
uniformity. The errors of the seasons and new moons arose from
the accunmlation of the excess of da}s, and the law for adjusting them
proceeded frtmi the general to the more minute. Weights and
measures received their regulation fiom the instruments of music, and
in arranging these, first the main things and then the subordinate ones
were attended to. Thus the text speaks of adjusting the days after
the seasons and new moons were harmonized, and of regulating the
notes of music before the weights and measures were calculated; for
such is th.e proper order.
* Th«^ five kinds of ceremonies were the rites of worship, th*^ solem-
nities of funerals, the iiospitalities used towards guests, the arrange-
mer.ts of armies, and the celebration of marriage. Shun arranged
these, in v:rder to render the manners of the empire uniform.
f The five kinds oi imf)lements, were the implements of the five
ceremonies ; according to the Ceremonies of the Chow dynasty, there
were six kinds of implemetits and six presents ot ceremony, which
were also similar to tlie laws handed down by i^iiun.
}
*'
This done he returned" means, that having oftered the ac-
customed sacrifices, and given audience to the noi)les, rendered uni-
form the beginning of the years and months, assimilated the regula-
tions, and arranged the five kinds of ceremony, wjth their imphiments,
all this havintr been completed, he did not proceed further east, but
travelled in a westerly direction, and then turned southward ; hence
it is said, having done this, he returned.

§ The southern hill was the jSj Hwing hill in Hoo-nan, Lat.
27. 30. N. Long. 4. 15. W. of Peking the western hill was the
;

i^ Hwa mountain ( in Shan-se, ) Lat. 34. 30. N. Long. 6. 30. W.

the northern hill was the I'M h4 Hang hill, on the borders
 '

THE CANON OF SHUx\. 23

nies. lathe /^ ^ig^^^h ^ month he |§ went west-

ward ^ on a tour of inspection ^among the fiefs, and
\vhen ^ he arrived ^ at the ^ western ^ moun-
tain, tjiff he did as ^ before. In the "^T^—
eleveuth f[ mouth he ^jj moved northward, ^ to
make a tour of inspeciion among ihe fiefs, ^ and
on 3s l^is arrival ^ at the±|^ nortiier.i -^ hill, ^^ he
imitated ^ the western |^ ceremonies. After this |§
he returned, and ^ arrived ^ at the temple of the
^
a
polite 5J3| ancestor, *
single victim, j*
where he ^ offered up 5}^

In 31 five ^ years the Emperor made --^ one

^
tour of inspecti<>n ^ among the fiefs, and in the same
period ^ the host of ]p nobles Q had four ^]
audiences, J ~^l to report and ^ announce iJ/^ by
'^ word, § when he HJ^ clearly ^ exami?ied 1^
of Shen-se aud Clith-le, Lat. 37. 30. N. Lorl^•. 2. 30. W. In the
2d month he went eastward, in the 5ih montn southward, in the 8th
month westward, and in the llturaonth northward: toward each
point at proper season.
its
* The is supposed to he the same with the accom-
polite ancestor
plished ancestor. Some say, however, that the accomplished ancestor
was the forefather of the polite ancestor; there is, however,now no pos-
sihility of determining tiiis matter.

f A sinule victim, mean^^ one ox. The ancient monarchs, on go-

ing- forth, regularly announced it in the temple of their ancestors, and
parents ; whilst on their return, they also proceeded to the temple
and ^ave information. For, as filial children, they could not hear to
consider their p?irent» as dead ; wherefore they inf:^rmed them of their
departure, and presented them^ieh es to them on their return.
X Witllin five years t!\e Emperor made one tour of inspection and
the nohles came four times to audience for on the year succeeding
;

that of the tour of inspection, the nobles from the eastern region came
to visit t!u; Em[)eror in his domain ; the next j'ear the nohles from
tlie sonth came ; tlie year after, the nohles from the west ; and on
the fourth year, the nobles from the north came then ag^ain on the
;

next year the Emperor went on his tour of inspection. Thus, al-
though the Emjieror and his nobles differed in dignity, yet for eve-
ry visit made tnere was a return, and no compliments were paid
without a reciprocation ; in this way superiors and inferiors associa-
ted together, while far and near were harmoniou«»ly united.
§ " To report and announce bv word" means that he required
each to set forth an expl-uiatioa of the acts of Uia governracnt ; wlien.
 24 THE CANON OF SHUN.

merit, and rewarded with "^ carriages

into their J^j
and ^^ robes those who J^ had j^ distinguished
themsekes.
Shun ^
first divided the Empire into +>^.Z^

twelve ji\ districts, * and ^} appointed the -j- ^ H^

account was good, he proceeded to examine clearly into their
if t!ie
deserts and in case they had merit, he rewarded them with chariots
;

and robes, in order to distinguish them. But should their account

be unfavourable, he would still instruct and try to improve them.

The twelve districts were ^ ^ Ke, Yen, ^ Tsing,"/^

Tseu.
Yew,
^J King, || Yang, ^ ^ Yu, Leang, pg Yung, ^
Ping, and 'g* Ying.
3|-j^ The territory of the Empire, dur-
ing the time of Yaou, was divided into nine districts only, viz. Ke,
Yen, Tsing, Tseu, King, Yan^, Yu, Leang, and Yung. When Yu
drained off the waters, and settled the tribute, he followed the old ar-
rangement ; until Shun ascended the throne, when, considering the
regions of Ke and Tsing to be too extensive, he first marked off the

ground about the @ Hang hill, to the east of Ke, and formed the
district of ^ Ping ; while the region of j^^ Pih-e and ^
^ Woo.leu, to the east of that, constituted the district of
|^ Yew ;

again he
Tartary,
divided the parts about
^^
Leaou-tung, ( Manchow
) to the north east of Tsui- (or Shan.tung) and established
the district^ of Ying. While the real district of Ke consisted of tiie
territory within the bend of the Yellow river which has been since
;
called the region east of the river.
[ The following is a sketch of the position of the various places
mentioned above, as far as can be ascertained, according to the maps
of ancient and modern times
Ke, same as T'a^ yuen,
in Shan-se, Lat. 37. 53. N. Long. 3. 55. W.
Yen „ Yen-chow, „ Shan-tuug, „ 35. 41. N. „ 0.33. E.
Tsing „ Tsing chow, „ do. „ 36. 44. N. „ 2. 15. E.
Tseu „ Tseu chow, „ Keang-soo, „ 34. 15 N. ,, 1. E.
King „ King chow, „ Hoo-pth, „ 30. 26. N. „ 4 25. W.
Yang „ Yang chow, „ Keang-soo, „ 32. 26. N. „ 2. 55 B.
Yu „ Ho nan, „ Hooian, „ 34. 43. N. „ 4. 5. W.
Leang,, Han chung, „ Shen-se, „ 32.55. N. „ 9.12. W.
Yung „ Se.gnan, „ Shen-se, „ 34 16. N. „ 7.38 W.
Yew „ Yung ping, „ PXh-chlh-le „ 39. 56. N. „ 2. 23. B.
Pmg „ Chin-ting. „ do. „ 38. 25. N. „ 1. 53. W.
Imii „ Leaou-tung, from 40. to 42. N. and from L to 9. E.
Thus it appears that the territory of China in those days did not
extend farther than from the Yang-tsz^-keang to the great wall,
and from Shen-se to the eastern sea, or 12 degrees of latitude, and
as many of longitude.]
 THE CANON OF SHUN. 25

twelve
deepened
(
presiding ^enii)
j|j the channels, t
|1| of the hills ; he also
^
He
criminal
then ^
laws, §
gave intimation
together with the
1^ JJ/ of the ^ ]||J

'JjfC (commutation
for) banishment, and t^ the mitigation of the
J[
five kinds o[^]\ punishment: besides which he ||

ordained that
chastisement for public
K| the whip^ {^ should be the
oflicers, that the
^
birch
fflj

ilf\* f^
should be ^ ]f||
for the flagellation of scholars,
and that (certain
should be for those
consideritions in) ^ money
'1^ |^ jjl] whose offences might
be ransomed. ** In cases ot*^ mistake or }f^ mis-
* This means that in each disfrict he desitrnated one particular hill,
the genius of which might be the guardian of the district.
f This intimites that he led out the streams of the twelve districts.
But although Shun divided the territory into twelve districts, we find
that in the time of the Shang dynasty (B.C. loOO} there were l>iit
nine. Thus this division into twelve districts did not continue
long, and we do not know at what time they were again merged into
nine.
I
** To give intimation " is as when Heaven intimates any thing
by sig-nsforlhe instruction of mankind.
§ Thecriminal laws respected the five usual modes of punishraent,
viz. marking the face with ink, slitting the nose, maiming the feet-
castration, and decapitation, which were intended for primary offen-
ders and great abominations, such as killing and wounding men,
burglary, adultery, and dissolute behaviour all which were crimes ;

that could not be forgiven.

II
" Bmishment " me mt sending them to a distance, and '* miti-
gation " cases of lighter offences, when although
was employed in
men rendered themselves liable to punishment, yet tlie circum-
stance of the cace might call for compassion, or there might be
some doubt in the application of the law ; it was also applied to those
who belontred to noble families, or had acquired previous merit, and
who ought not therefore to be punished severely ; in all these instan-
ces mitigation might be employed.
A
^ piece of leather tied to the end of a stick constituted a whip,
which was applied to offending officers while the birch and the broom
;

were enployed treatment of lighter offences.

in schools, for the
** In offences of a very trivial ciiaracter, which might subject any
one to the whip or the birch, when the circumstances of the case ©r
the construction of the law afforded any ground for consideration,
then a ransom in money was allowable. These five sentences pro-
ceed from the graver to the more trivial offences, and are drawn up
in regular gradation.
E
 !

26 T1I£ CANON OF SHU2*.

fortune, he ^ ordered them to be |^ forgiven ;

*
but when any »)^ prcjiumed, or ^ repeated their
offences, they were to be ^ jfjj
punished, with dc;ith.-t'

fX U^ ^^ CPTcful bow-ever, said he, j^)^

I
^ be careful

f^ and in the ]p| 7^ adininistrition of the criminal

Idw »|3^ ^ lean to the side of mercy J
He 'Jjf^
banished § ^tfc
HI the Superintendent of

* Ii* cases of mista^^e and itiadverleDce, or calamity and misfor-

tune, although men rendered theni-Jelves liable to punishment, thtre
was no occasion to wait for commutation, miti|jat!on, or ransom, but
they were to be immediately forgiven.
f When, however, men presumed on their wealth or influence, and
ptirposely repeated their offences, then although their crime miirht
otherwise be mitigated or ransomed, yet such mitigation was not to
be allowed, nor such ransom r< ceived, and the punishment was to
be certainly intlicted. These two sentences, proceed first from the
heavier to the lighter, and then, from the more trivial to the graver
offences ; for this weighinir of circumstances in the administration
of criminallaw, is what is called " consideration independent of the
statute." Th se seven sentences carry out the treneral idea of the
sage with respect to the establishment of law, and the regulation of
puRishments from beginning to end.
J sSeeing that there was a great difference between the more trivial
and graver offences, points which might be insisted on, and those
which might be passed by, the open and easily discerned, with tlie
dark and difficult cases, the sage did not omit to add " Be careful !
and in the administration of law, be merciful ;" for tlie slight shades
of difference between the liu-ht and heavy offences should each have
some claim upon our consideration, according to the fixed princijdes
of the invariable laws of DIvme retribution, and the words " be care-
ful, " *' be merciful, coming in between, show the real disposition of
'"

the sage to spare human life.

According to the foregoing text, the five punishments might be
commuted or mitigated, h.ut could not be bought off with money ;
duroig tiie Chow dynasty no regulation of this kind existed, until the
code drown up by Jpj Leu-hing exhibited the five classes of
j^
fines ; we suspect, however, that these were instituted by yf^ ZIZ
Muh-wani:(B. C. 1000,) but they were not according to the cor-
Jrect system of trimioal law for should a peri^on be ransomed when
;

he ouiiht to be punished, it would be an improper ind-iUence and ;

fehould there be a doubt in the case that would lead to acquittal, then
lo require a ransom, would be an excess of seveiity. Besides which,
U affords the rich an opportunity of escaping by some lucky hit, while
the poor would suffer misery, which would not be just.
§ ** To banish" means to send any one far ftway, aa water flows
Way never to return.
 ,

TIIK CANON OF SliUr/. 2*

Worlis ^
to lh(^ 0^ dark
jj]^ islaiul, ;^j[ he detcined*
••^1

(I
5^^ Ihvan.taou =J^ at the i^ Tsnng |1) hill,
ove away t (the sovereign of) ih^zzi ^^^^'^e "^ Meaou
he ^
^ ^ to
j]i San-wei, and |ft| reduced to extremi-

^'t §f^
^^'^'^'^
T «^ ^^le ^ Yh J.) mountain which ;

[ZQ
^*
"I' ^ otiV'ndtTs hav'iiuj been disposed of, jfj] then
7'^~y-^:he wliol'^ e?ni)ire ||^ universally f^ acqine-ced.§
Aft'^r Zl ~j'* iw'o.yty^ and /\ ei^ht$^ years,
(B. C. 225) the ^whenEnperor Yaou 75iS.^f <ie-
parf(^d this life,!]
^^ the people ^^ felt as
if ^ they had L)si^ ^
a father or mother,^ and
for ^ three f|^ years ail within the gt] four J§ seas ^
stO[)[)ed & ^ sH( need /^^ the eight kinds of Tnusic.**

* "To dttain"' means to coiiiine a person to one place u itiiout

permittiii'^ li'in to i^o el.-^ewhere.

f
*'
To
dri\e away'* means to ex[)el and confine.
;|;
•'
To
reduce to extremity" means to seize and distress a person.
Tliu^ accordiuLT to rtie aggravation ol" their offences, he dealt with
them diiferc n'^iy. F'M- the m.itter of the Superintendent of Works, with
the ati'.'iirs of K\Nan and Hwan-tuou, see a former section. Meaou
was t' e n'uiie of a state in Keang'-nan, uetween the districts of Kin^
and Yang. Tiii- iuha bit ants of that rej^ion depended on their fast-

r.esses and st ried up reh(dlion. Tlie dark ishind is a reirion on the

northern border. A
ha -itahle spot surrounded l)y water is called an
island. Tsnng' was a hill on the southern border, in tiie present

JM ^i\ Le-chow. Lat. 29 37. N. Long. i. 55. W. The San-wei

IS a region in the west ; while the Yu mountuia i^ on the eastern
border.
§ t.diin-tsze says, that when Shun punished th'^se four mr)lignants
the fault rested with themselves ; whnt i)lame could rest on Shnri ? It
was because tfiese men did soinething which was rt'])r( hensibie, that
he was justly angry with them, but t; e nund of a sate is not naturally
wrathful; a sage is anyry at that which rouses every man's indig-
nation, and thus the w hoie world acquiesces.
The expression employed for departure, viz. to ascend and de-
II

PCinid, denotes that at death tlie intellectual spirit asc^-nds to hea\en,

and the animal soul descends to tlie earth. (Chine sc Coihii'ftiialor }
^ " Felt as if they had lost a father or mother," means that they
mourned for him as such, duriny- a p-^riod of three years.
** The piii'ht kinds of music refer to those musical instru'iitMita

which were formed of meial, stoi\e, cord, bamboo, calabash, enrtheu-

ware, leather, and wood. The whole sentence implies that Yaou's
flaeelike virtues were so gr:;»t and ex[)ansive, and his favours so iy-
Imndant and liberal, that all within the four seas regarded him with
28 THE CANON OF SHUN.

Jl l£On the 1st theTCQ first day

month, and of the
month, Shun ^ ^ proceeded ^ lo llie '^JfR au-
cestorial temple.*
Having f^ consulted ^
with (the presirlent of) p^
the tour -^eminences, j^ he threw open |Z9 the four

P^ gates ( ofthe palace), 9^ eulightened |JCJ ail ^ eyes,

and ^ encouraged the diffusion of gQ universal ^^
information, j*

He '^
shepherds
consulted with the
(or goveriiors,) J ^
i^ :^ ZI
saying,
twelve
-^ ^
^
Oh
(how important is) the sustenance (of the people) ! do
you 'j^ respect ^ the seasons (of husbandry ).§
^
Be gentle 3^ towards the distant, and ^^ capaci-

deep interest According to the Book of Ceremonies, tlie inhabi-

tants of the imperial domain, were to put on mourninar for the Empe-
ror for three months, while those heyond the royal territcry were not
to mourn at all but on the occasion referred to, those who oiiglit Jo
;

have mourned three months, mourned as for a parent ( for three years,)
and those who had no need to mourn, stopped a»id silenced th^^^r
instruments of music. Yaou ascended the throne when he was only
16 years of age, and reignei 70 years after which he made trial of
;
'.

Shun for three years, and being old refrained from all iiiterferonee
with the affairs of government for 28 years, at the end of which time
he died, having been on the throne altogether 101 years.
* After Shun had mourned for Yaou three years ha began to at-
tend to the affairs of government, and therefore proceeded to the an-
cestorial temple to announce the :^am^ W
len he heca ne a co-sove-
reign with Yaou he informed the gods, and now he announced his
accerssion to the throne.

f Shun, having
announced the circumstance in the temple and
ascended the throne, deliberated on the affairs of government with
the General President, while he opened the gates of the palace on
all sides, to induce the talented men of the empire to come to hun.
At the same lime he enlarged the opp(»rtu!iities of observation for
ti\e people in every quarter, while he removed the impediments to
knowledge throughout the empire.
I The officers who fticd
and nourish the people are called shep-
herds ; the twelve shepherds, were the governors of the twelve
districts.
§ According to Uie royal regulations, the sustenance
of the people
was of primary importance, and in the
business of husbandry atten-
tion to the proper seasons ranked first in oider Shun's meaning?;

was, that in order to procure food for th.e people, it was necessarv
to avoid interfering with the seasons devoted to agriculture.
 I

TUK CANON OF SHUN. 29

tate
jg the near ;
he »f$ khid to the ^.virtuous,
and te^taitlifiil to the
JQ good, fjfl while you || rcot
out ff A ^Ji^se who harhour mischief;
then even
^^
tlie

and
^
baibariaus will
be su' 'missive.
lead on each other
jJU
^ Shun ^^ Oh said, you (President of) the IJCJ
four-^ ^
eniinenceb! if there at y |g that can
^
elevate ^
Em|eror'b ;^ ^
and merit, ffiE carry out
^ the (formei j
business, 'f^ 1 will cause him
^ tooccuiy '^ the station of universal ^ calcula-
tor (Prime Minister),^
and M
to throw light on ^ every
afiiiir, render sivbservient ^ all kinds of
things.
^ ^
I1iey all replied,
fg Lord ^ Yu^
who now
-f^ fills the sitmit'on of "^ ^
Surveyor
General.
§ (is the man ) *^ The Emperor said, ^
^ Right! ^^ Oh-^ Yu! -Jji; you have already 3p
equalized
7|v the water and j^ land ;
f^ but ^^ in
this situpti' n you i^ ^
must exert your utmost ef-
fort. -^ Yu ^ bowed f^ and bent down "^ his
he^d to the ground, wliile he ^ declined ^ in
f.tvour of H Tseih ^ and See, g wiih ^ |^
Kaou-Yaoujl ^ The Emp^ior |3 .^aid,

* 'lu be kind, means to soothe lliera by lilerality ; to ca[)Hcitute,

-^ Right!

means to render them proficient bv exercise. He thus iiitimated tlie im-

portance of attendiny; to both far and near, and having referred to
the subject jj^en^rally,
he afterwards points out nsore particularly how
they were to he treated.
f Wher. these five precepts are suital 1y aUended to, then n('t only
will the middle coimtry l:)e proi^eiiy iroverned, but evcij the barba-
rians will lead on ench other and submit themselves.
I Yu's nnme was ^>( 8ze, he was the son of j§){^ Kwan, the

Lord of ^^ Tsung.
§ The duty of Surveyor General w^as to adjust the land ami waters.
The President and nobles all said. Lord Yu, who now tills tiie office
of Surveyor General, can occuj y the station of Prinie Minister. Tl o
Emperor assented to their recommendafion, and adflresKiii«.' Yu, com-
manded him sHll to fulfil ti.e duties of Surveyor, and unite with th»>^e
the business o. Prime Miuistor thus recording his former merit, and
;

nr!»ine him to new exertions.

li
Tselh held the office of Superintendent of Agriculture. His pri-
 )

30 THE CANON OF SHUN.

nevv^rtheless -Jjjf;
do you ji «!f go and set a])out it.-l-

^- The Emperor Q said, ^ K'he '. (that is Tseih

^ ihe bhick-haired
do
^
you )g
peo[)le are |^ afllicted with
Ij]^
hunger ; ^jf^ Prince f^ TseihJ t# ^^w
^ in their beasous ^ the various kinds -^ of
grain.§
The r^ Emperor {EJ said, ^ See! "^ ^^ the peo-
ple ^ are not ^ harmonious, and ~[£ the five |^^

orders of relationshii || ZfC are not ^ obeyed; -jV^

do you fj^
become p^ ^ Pubbc Instructor, and ^
caref(dl\j- ^;J; diffuse abroad ^ the five ^ pre-

vate name wis ^^ K'he, and his sunianif^ xjlL ^^^ j

'^•^ '*'''^^ ap-

pointed to the government of pp Tae. ^^ Sre was the name of an-

other officer, hi? surname was j* Yu, and he was aj)p(>inted to the

government of j|^ Shang, Tseih and See were both sons of

the Emperor ^^ Kuh, (and hence the brethren ofYaou.) Kaou-

Yaoii was also the name of a minister of state.
" Do yon go and set about it," indicates that he would not ad-
f
mit oi his refusal. In the former pnrt of this chapter Shnn is cal-
led by his name, but in the follo\\ing sections he is styled Emperor ;

for when Yaou was Shun was merely associated with bim iu
old,
the ifovernment, so that as lonsr as Yaou lived, Shun did not take
the title of Emj)er(>r, but after i»is death, Shun ascended the throne,
and was styled accordinijly.
J Those who had both rank and territory were called rrinces.
§ This command was issued in consequence of Yu"s advice, re-
conunendini^ Tseih to at'er.d to his old office, and complete the business
The five orders of relationship are those between parents and
If

children, rulers and subjects, husbands and wives, superiors and

inferiors, friends and associates.

f Aithoucfli the saires are always c.'ir;^fai in Ijusincs, yet this briniJ:
an affi\ir of importance, carefuln^^ss is especially fuforce-l, and gent'e-

iiess inculcalated. For the principle of these five emanatts from the
natural feeiinj; of the human heart, and needs not constraint for its
production, t^ut when men are kept back by the depra\ity of the;r
natural temperaments, or drowned in the obscurity of human lusts,
they begin to be confused in their principles, and ceas;> to love and
o')ey one another. Thus, taking advantage of Yu's dtcliiiing in favour
of See, the Emperor isHue« his commands, directing Soe to take as
before the ch>ux''e of the public morals, further admoiiishiug him to
be careful in diffusing instruction, and gentle in his treatment of the
people, that by softness and mildr.ess, instruction soakiji^- and dis-
tilling, might gradually imbue their minds; and the reality of tlieii
 §

THE CANON OF SHUN. 3|

rrpts ;
* but it all ^ consists in
^ gcntlcKess.
Ihe ^ Emperor H said, ^^ [Ig
Kaou-Yaou !
g
the barbarians ^ disturb the ^ Summer re-
gion ;t while ^ robbers. |])( murderers, ^bandits
and ^ traitors abound ; do 'jj^'' you f^ becojne Hq;
criminal judge, and make use of 3l *^^^ li^'e kinds ffl[
of punishir.ent ^ |^ to repress (lb (3 ir crimes;) in
usijig these ^ five i^ odc-^ of )|^ repressing crime,
there are ^ three g^ pbicesj (for iiiilicliu./ the pe-
nalty ;) while in 35. ^^^^' ^^^'^ (commutations for)
Jj^q
banishment ^
there are, ^ certain places (of exile;)
])ut though there be five ^ ^ cases (in which ba-
nishment is allowed,) there are merely ^ three ^
degrees of distance (to which parties are banished).

heavenly nature would tlms he spontaneously elicited, witliout the possi-

sense oi shame.
bility of cessation, or the least fear of tJneir loshiy^ their
Man^-tsze, Yaou's words, speaks of encouraiiiny-, invitins^,
in (^uotiuii-
helping, strengtheiiinir, assislinir, and aiding the people la their flight,
so tiiat they themselves luii^lit attain to virtue.
* The five precej)ts are, that affection sliould exist between pa-
rents and children, righteousness hetweeji rulers and subjects, distinc-
tion of duties between husbands and wives, order between superiors
and inferiors, and sincerity between friends and associates. Be-
cause in these five there are the principle of suitability, ttiey are there-
fore made the groundwork of instruction.
f Tsauii-she says, that China is the land of civilization and intel-
ligence, hence it is called the region of Plowery Summer.
t Kunir-she consideis that these three phices denote that great
offenders were punished in the open field, that officers of govern-
ment })aid the i)enalty of the law within the court, and mere scholirs
in the market-p'ace. It does notap!»ear what proof he has for this asser-
tion ; we should rather imaeine the meaning to be, that ca})ital offen-
ces were e.\piated in the inarke*-])lace, that c;istration was performed
in a secret apartment, and that the remaining j)unishnienfs were in-
flicted in some sheltered ])lace. For when the offences were not
capital, it was provided, that the criminals Fhould be punished under
cover, lest the wind siiould get into their wounds, and thus accident-
ly occasion death ; which sliowed the benevolence of the Sage.
§ Kung-she considers that great offenders \Neie hanislied to the
four borders , the leas malignant to the outside of the nine dis-
tricts, and the next lighter ones to the d -stance of 1000 le. In this
matter, although we do not see what proof he ha« of he fact, yet ge- t

iirrally speaking it does not appear far from the truth.

 !

32 THE C VNON OF SKUN.

f^ only be thou ^ discriminating, and (people

wdl be) ^ able to jf^ acquiesce.*
The ^ Kmperor H s.-^id, ^ Who is there, that ^
complying (with reason,) will fiitend to -^ my various

X Ihey^all f^ replied,
^orks'^t
The J^ Emperor -^
Chuy
Q
^^
(is the man !J) said, Right
•^ Oh H
Chuy! ^k ^^ y«^ attend to the ^X
public works. Chuy ^ bowed, and ^ bending: ^
down '^ Ids head to the ground, declined ^ ^
in favour of ^
Shoo, j^ff Tseang, and j^ J^ ^
Pih-Yu. The 'i^ Emperor said, '(^ True ^ but I

do you fi^ go, notwithstanding; as ^ you are |^

suited to the undertak'ng.
The i^ Emperor Q said, p^ Who is there, that m
in accordance (with the nature of things,) will take
charge of "^ my J; higher and "^ lower domains, §
]^ pastures and ^ birds and
woods, ^
beasts, ^
a hey ^ all Qj^ Yih
said,is ^
the man. The ?^
Emperor said, -flj Right -^ Ob Yih !
f^ do ^ !

you f^ become ^^ mv forester.^] ^ Yih ^ ^

bowmg ^
bent down ]^ his head to the ground^ and
^ declined ^ in favour of ^i^ Choo, ^ IIoo, ^
iieung jH and Pe.** The Emperor H said,

* account of Yu's declining in favour of Kaou-yaou, the

On
Emperor issued this order to him ; and farther cautioned him to
be discriminating, tbat he might apportion punishments to the of-
fences, and obtain the acquiescence of all.
f The K'heuh-U enumerates six
kinds of works, viz. those on
earth, metal, stone, wood, leather, and brass. According to the
Chow-le, there were works in wood, metal, skin, colouring, and
braiding.
I Chuy is the name of a minister of state,
who was celebrated for
his ingenious devices. Shoo, Tseang, and Pih-Yu, were also mi-
nisters.
§ The upper and lower domains are the hills and forests, the fens
and marshes.
^ A forester is one who takes charge of the hills and marshes.
** These were four ministers who perhaps received rames signi-
fying tiger, leopard, bear, Si.^. because th«y were skilled in eubduing
these wild animals
 ;

THE CANON OF SHUN. 33

frTrue!
suited to the business.
but ^ ^ do you go, fov^ you are i^

Emperor S
^
Tbe
of the) -g
^^ Oh you
four
mountains,
said, ! (President
pg :^ any |g is there one
who ^*
can ^ me =
regulate
^ for the three ce-
They ^
remonies
(is man.)
the
'i
|^
The % Emperor Bl
^ ^ Fih-efall replied,
said, |5r
Right ^^ Oh !

arranger of the
fg Pih
^
! '^
ancestorial temple
do you >}|^ become the ^
$ ]^ day and
^
;

^ night 1^ be respectful, jg f^ be upright and

fi be ^ pure. §
fg Pth ^
bowed and bent ^
down "^ his head to the f?round, ^ declining ^ in
favour of ^ Kwei and f| Lung. The ^ Emperor
H said, -^ True ! but ^ go, and ^^ be thou res-
pectful.
The rf^ Emperor H said, ^ Kwei !
^ I order
•^ you
j^
^
to regulate ^
eldest sons ( of the
music, and ^ teach the ^
nobles ) [^ to be honest fff}
and yet ^ ^ gentle, liberal ^ and yet ^ stern,
Mi fi^n^

M ^
ifj] ]g without oppression, and ^ expedi-
tious
Ij^l
without fi; disrespect. ||
Now ^ Poetry
* The three ceremonies are the ceremonies used in sacrificing to
the celestial gods, feasting the spirits of men, and offering to the
terrestrial deities.

f Pih-e is the name of a minister, whose surname was -jf2 Keang.

Kwei and Lung were also ministers.
J
" The arranger of the ancestorial temple," was the officer who
superintended and arranged the service of the various gods, and he
was thus denominated because he presided chiefly over the ancestorial
temple.
§ When men are respectfal and upright, without the least sel-
fishness or perversion, then their minds will be pure and free from
the filthiness of lust ; so that they may hold intercourse with the gods.
II
When people are straightforward, they are generally deficient
in mildness, thereforehe wishes them to be gentle ; when libera], they
are frequently wanting in sternness, hence he would enforce rigidity
which shows that the Emperor was concerned about their imperfec-
tions and wished to help them on. So also firmness sometimes leads
men into committing acts of oppression, and impetuosity urges them
F
 34 THE CANON OF SHUN.
p" gives expression to the j^ inclination, and ^ in
chanting odes ^< you should lengthen out ^ the
words ; in which case ^ the notes j^ should accord
with ^ the length of the measure. * Make use of the

^ panpipe ^U to regulate ^ the voice, -f

and the )\
on to be guilty of disrespect, hence he wished to guard them against
excesses, and to restrain their feelings ; aiming lo inculcate the above
duties on the young nobks, he intimates that the way to accomplish
it was by laying stress on music just as;
in the Book of Ceremonies
of the Chow dynasty, the chief musician is said to maintain the rules
of harmony, in order to instruct the youth of the nation ; while Con-
fucius speaks of elevating them by poetry and perfecting tiiem by
music. For this is the way to cleanse impurities, and guard against
satiety, it gives impulse to the blood, and freedom to the spirits, while
it nourishes the virtue of inward harmony, and rescues mankind from

the depravity of their natural temperamoits.

* That towards which the mind tends is called the inclination; and
when mind has any bias it will be exhibited in words ; hence
the
it is " odes give expression to the inclination." When the views
said
are embodied in song, the measure will be sometimes long, and some-
times short, hence it is said '' in chanting odes the words should be
lengthened out," Differing in length, the notes will also vary in
being high or low, sharp or flat, hence it is said, " in chanting you

should lengthen out your words." The notes in music are ^

Kung, j^ Shang, ^ Keo, ^ Ching, and ^^ Yu.
speaking, with regard to the notes of a tune, the long and flat are ar-
Generally

ranged under Kung ; gradually becoming more sharp and short, they
enter Shang, after that they merge into Keo, Ching, and Yu ; this is
what is meant by ** the notes being in accordance with the length of
the measure." Having the long and short, the sharp and flat notes,
it will be necessary to take the 12 tubes of the orphean pipe, and

karmonize them, then it will be possible to form the chords and pre-
vent discord. If for instance, the fistula of the "Yellow tube," be taken
for the Kung, then the " Great arrow, " (or the one a third higher)
would be Shang ; the " Lady bathing," (or the third above that )
would be Keo ; while " the Forest tube," (a fourth higher ) would
be the Ching; and the" Southern spine," ( a third higher still )
would be Yu. This is obtained by dividing the numbers which re-
present the notes by three, and adding or subtracting, when, after an
interval of e^ght notes, they will reproduce themselves. The rest of
the pipes may be arranged in the same manner. This is what the
Economy of Ceremony and Music calls, the five notes, the six regu-
lators, and the twelve pipes ; each in its turn may take the Kung as
the key note this is what is called, " making use of the panpipe to
;

regulate the voice."

f When the sounds of the human voice are harmonized, then let
the notes accord with the eight musical intruments, and the music will
 THE CANON OF SHUN. 35

eight kinds of ^
instruments, when you can|^ ^
harmonize the whole, fe but do not ;^Q j^ interfere
with f^ the due order. 1 hen both jjj^ gods^^and"^
IX] en ilX ^Q will approve. +

be invariably harmonious, and without discord or disorder thus ;

the tune may be struck up in the court, or presented in the sa-

criilclal temple, and botii ijods and men will approve of it. The
sages constructed music, in order to animate natural leelings, to
footerhuman talents, to serve spiritual beings, and to harmonize the
various ranks ot* men ; the utility and effects of music were once thus
extensive and deep, but ?ww we have no repetition of these melodies.
How exceedingly lam-ntahle ! [For an illustration of this system,
see the diagram on music]
J The following extract from the L^ Ke may serve to render the a-
bove passage a little more clear.
Text. The Kung may be compared
to the prince, the Shang to
the minister, the Keo
the people, the Ching to matter;^ of bu-
to
siness, and the Yu to things ; when these five are not confused, there
will be no discordance nor interruption of sound.
Commentary. The origin of the live sounds springs from the reo-u-
lation of thQ "
Yellow tube." This tube is 9 ( Chinese ) inches lone,
and each inch has nine lines, which make 81 lines, this is the mea-
sure of the Kung sound. Take away one third, or 27, in order to form
the Ching sound, and you have 54. To the Ching add one third, or
18, and you produce the Shang, which is 72. Deduct from the
Shang one third, or 24, and you have 48, for the Yu sound. To the
Yu add one third, or 16, and the result is 64, fur the Keo sound.
Dividing the numbers of the Keo sound, into three, you have an odd
one remaining, and the calculation cannot go forward, hence the
sounds stop at five this is the order of their nujtual production.
;

The relation of Kung to Ching is then 54-8lllis equal to § or a fifth.

The relation of Ching to Shang is ,, o4-72tlis ,, ,,^ „ afourth.

The relation of Shang to Yu is,, 4S-72th3 ,,
„|„afourth.
The relation of Yu to Keo
48-64ths is „
„ „ f „ a fifth.
Kung belongs to the element earth, and to produce it a cord must
be used of 81 lines in length, which gives the longest and lowest of the
five sounds ; being thus distinguished, it is called the Prince. The
Shang belongs to the element metal, and to produce it a cord is used of
72 lines in length ; its sound is moderately low, hence it c< mes next
in order to the prince, and is called the minister. The Keo belongs
to the element wood, and to produce it a cord must Le used 64 lines
in length the sound being half shrill and half gruff, it occupies the
;

middle of the gamut, it is thrrefore next in order to the minister, and is

'denominated the peoj)le. The Ching belongs to the element fire;
in order to produce if a cord is used 54 lines in length, and its sound
is shrill as therefore after the people comes bwsineas, it is called
;

the business note. The Vii belongs to the element water, and in
 36 THE CANON OF SHUN.
order to produce it, a cord must be used 48 lines in length, which
being the shortest, the sound is shrillest, and as tilings succeed to
business, it is known by the name of the material note. This is the
order of their rank. The five notes originate with the Yellow tube,
which is the Kung ; but the Kung may be interchanged, and all the
other eleven pipes may by turns commence with the Kung. The
Kung, however, must be considered that of the prince, and must not
be janked below the minister. The Shang must be the minister, and
must not precede the prince. The Keo must be ranked with the peo-
ple, the Ching with business, and the Yu with things, each in their
proper order. Should the minister note exceed the prince, the peo-
ple that of the minister, business that of the people, and things that of
business ; then it will not be proper to use a whole note, but a half
note must be substituted ; this is the way in which the eight musical
instruments will accord, and dissonance be prevented.
To illustrate the relation of the musical notes to each other, the Chi-
nese make use of the two diagrams,which are here presented to the
reader. The first exhibits the relation of the five tones to each o-
ther, which is as follows :

I ^
1^ Kung requires a cord of 81 tenths of a Chinese inch m length.

Shang j>
72
Keo J?
64
Ching »>
54

m Yu j>
48
 THE CANOK OF SHUN. 37

Theselliave been aajustcd to the European gamut by J.

H Blet-

tenuan, Esq. as follows ;

5 £
^ ^ •I- n^
o E G B C
The second diagram shews the sounds produced by the 12 tubes
of the Chinese panpipe, in which we trace some reeemblance
to the doctrine of intervals, spoken of by western writers.
*'
When a sonorous body is struck till it gives a sound, the ear, be-
sides the principal sound and its octave, perceives two other sounds
very high, of which one is the twelfth above the principal sound, that
is to say, the octave to tlie fifth of that sound, and the other is the
17th major above the same sound, that is to say, the double octave
of its third major." Thus, if we take the first note of the Chinese

Kainut ^^ , we shall find that the note >p]t ^ is the octave,

^^ a
15'ain
the twelfth, and
the octave.
^H 'JjC ^^^
seventeenth, of which jf8@
38 THE CANON OF SHUN.

The tf^ Emperor said,

f| Oh Lung ! )^ I am
] vexed with those ^ ^ words and
slanderous
^ ^
injurious practices, which ^ and ^ alarm
disturb^ my ^ people,* therefore
I ^ command
^ you
day
^^
and ^
to ssfcjurae the office of
night {ij to issue
^^
^ and
"g" censor,*!-

^ my
j^
receive

^ commands,
genuine.
i]«^ and only (permit to pass) j^ what is

The^ Emperor Q
said, 1^ Oh J^ you Z^-f^

twenty ^
and —
two J^ persons, J ^j^ be respect ^
ful, and
\f^
complying with the proper seasons,^ ^
illumine ^C ^^^ celestial J;^ undertakings.

The octave of the J^ jlg the yellow tube is ^3^"S the forest pipe

„ ^S gi'e^t spine, „ ^ ^ij foreign law.

„ >^ 1^ g^'^^at arrow, „ ^S southern spine

» 5v ^S double tube, ,, ^^ :^ unshot arrow.

5h yiE ^^dy bathing, ,,
Kj^^^responsive tube

rr 3 middle sphie, ,, j^ ^g yellow tube,

flourishing guest, y^ Sf great spine,

great arrow,
forest tube, „ y^ fjj^
foreign law, ,, 55 ^M. double tube.

Q southern spine, ,, Jp ^Ju ^^^J bathing,

unshot arrow, „ 'pp |::^ rniddle spine

5» KB J'JiirPsponsive tube, ,, ^^-^ flourlsli. gnest

* This means that these slanderous persons spoke incon'cctly,
and confounded white with black, so as to agitate men's minds.
f It belonged to the puhiie censor to inspect all orders and instruc-
tions, and if genuine to issue them thus misrepres'^ntations would
;

not prevail, nor falsehoods be relied upon. When r^iports and re-
plies were sent in, he was required to examine them, and if suitable,
he was to forward them to the Emperor ; thus corrupt and licentious
documents would be kept back, and the clues of merit would be
discernible.
:|: The two and twentypersons, were the President, the nine of-
ficers justmentioned, and the twelve governors of districts. Ac-
cording to the Ceremonies of the Chow Dynasty, within were the
Prime Minister and the Chief President, and wfthout were the go-
vernors of districts and the nobles. For the Prime iSIinister took
the superintendence of the corps of otficers, while the Chief Presi-
 THE CANON OF SHUN. 39
Every = three ^ years^^
he examhied into
^
their merits, and rn three :% such examina-
after
tions iflj he degraded and |^ advanced
pid and ^HH intelligent,* until }^ all
the stu- ^
jjf their merits
were ^ universally 1|K spread abroad while he
separated and i[j turned back to back (the princes of)
;
^
the 3 three "j^
Meaou.f
^ ^ ~
^ ^
After Shun was born -|^ thirty years,
he was summoned into ]^ employment ;
-j- for
thirty years ^ he sat on '^ the throne (with Yaou,)
and having reigned 5BL + hfty ^ years alone, he ^
dent took the oversight of the twelve governors. Haviiig comman-
ded them separately, he now gives them some general directions, re-
quiring them to be careful in the discharge of their duties, and in aid-
ing the business of Heaven.
* Three examinations made out nine years, anl after the period of
nine years the intelligence or the stupidity of the men, with the suc-
cess or failure of the business might be ascertained ; he could thus
elevate the well-informed and degrade the dull, while rewards and
punishments being thus clearly and uprightly administered, every man
would exert his strength in meritorious undertakings, and thus the
good qualities of all would be widely extended.
f While he retained the good, he discarded the bad, and banish-
ing them, he made them turn their backs on each other, and sent
them far away. This means that Shun, having commanded his
two and twenty officers, established this mode of examining their
merits, that he might elevate or degrade them accordingly. He
acted as circumstances required, and thus spoke of the results.
We find that the affairs of the Three Meaou (a tribe of independent
mountaineers still existing) are spoken of in the classics, and more
particularly in the sections denominated the ^ Canons, and the

^ Counsels, together with those entitled ^^ Yih-Tseih, -^

^ Yu-Kung, and |§ ]flj Leu-hing. For depending
this tribe,
on their fastnesses, would not entirely submit, sometimes they ac-
knowledged tliemselves as subjects, and sometimes they rebelled, un-
til Shun assumed the reins of government and drove them away.
When Yu drained off the waters, the district (f San-wei was alrea-
dy peopled by them, and the inhabitants of their old capital still prov-
ing rebellious, they refused to work. When Yu c:\me ir.to power, ^

the Emperor commanded them to remove, bnt they still disobeyed

orders, until Yu marched back ids troops, andafter that, they came
to him. Thus he was enabled to ascertain who were good and who
bad, and to divide them asunder the one from the other.
 40 THE CANON OF SHUN.

ascended^ far a wa3^75 and $g died.* (B. C.2201 .)

* Han-tsze says, In the annals of the bamboo books, the death of
kings is always called an ascending, meaning that they ascended to
heaven. The Classics say, according to the Ceremonies of the Yin
dynasty, " the deceased princes ascended and were associated with
heaven," meaning that when they closed their days uprightly, their
virtues were blended with those of heaven. Hence the classic recor-
ding the latter end of Shun says, that he ascended, and afterwards
5t adds, that he died, by which the writer would explain that ascend-

ing means dying. When Shun was 30 years of age, Yaou summon-
ed hira into employment, and having tried him three years, he asso-
ciated him with himself in the government for nearly 28 years, mak-
ing together 30 years, when Shun ascended the imperial throne.
Fifty years after this he died. For in the end of the section, we have
a general view of his beginning and end. History says, that Shun,
being on a visit of inspection, died in the wilderness of ^= ^^
Tsang-woo, but Mang-tszS has said, that Shun died at H^ \j^
Ming-teaou ; we know not which is correct. However the tomb
of Shun is still pointed out in the nine hills of^ |^ Ling-ling.
The following account of the San meaon is extracted from the works
of Magaillans, by the Editor of the Chinese Repository.
The independent mountaineers in Sze-chuen, Yun-nan, Kwei-
chow and Kwang-se, pay no tribute to the emperor, nor yield
him any obedience, being governed by absolute princes, whom the
Chinese call " local lords," and "local officers." Their towns are, for
the most part, so environed with high mountains and steep rocks " as
ifnature had taken a particular care of their fortification." Within
these mountains lie extensive fields and plains, and many towns and
villages. Though they speak the Chinese, " they have a particular
language also, and their manners and customs are likewise somewhat
difFvirent from those of the sons of Han." Nevertheless, adds our au-
thor, "their complexion and the shape of their bodies are altogether
alike ; but as to their courage, you would think them to be quite
another nation :the Chinese stand in fear of them, so that after se-
A eral trials, which they have made of their prowess, they have been
forced to let them live at their own liberty, and to consent to a free
traffia and commerce vfiih them." He gives an account of one of
the chiefs, who with an army of forty thousand men, was beguiled and
destroyed by a^Ohinese usurper :of this catastrophe he himself was
an ey<j-nTtness.
For a further account of this tribe, see the Chinese Repository for
March. 1845.
 tliE GREAT YU'S COUNSELS. 41

SECTION. III.

THE i^ GREAT ^ YU'S |^ COUNSELS.*

^ ^ Now ^ on examining "^ the ancient sag^,

-JZ the Great -^ Yu, Q we may say, that ^ his li-

terature and -^ his doctrines ^ were diffused^

towards the gCj four ^ seas, while ^g^ he respectfully
^ submitted "^ to ij^ the Emperor (Shun.)-]-
Yu ^ said, when |g a prince ^ can feel |^ the
difficulties
"^
of ^ his )^ princedom, and g a minis-
ter is able to appreciate -^ the responsibility of

JP( his ^ ^ stewardship, the government 75 will

be ^ ^
well-regulated, and the black-haired ^
§^
people
The ^ Emperor ^
^ will speedily attain to virtue. J
Good said,
-fj ! and f^ really
^ ^ ^
if you can carry out this excellent W maxim,
then there will be
|^ no virtues ^Jj^
that y^ can be
^
concealed, ^t in the wilderness there will be no
^ ^
neglected ^ worthies, and every ^[J regi on

* Lin-she says, that the historian of Shun, having delivered (he

two Canons, it was found that there vv^as somethiiig incomplete in
them hence he further relates the excellent words, and conversations
;

oil good government, which took place et^esn that prince and his
1

ministers, and thus added the three sections of the Counsels of the
Great Yu, with those of Kaou-yaou, and Yih-tseih, in order to
supply the deficiencies of the two Canons. The edition in modera
characters does not include these sections, while that in the ancient
form of writing does,
|The historian here speaks of Yu, as having diffused his accom-
plishments and instructions throughout the four seas, and then setting
forth his counsels in the presence of Shun, in order to receive his opi-
nion, as the following sections set forth.
XHere we have Y\i respectfully submitting his snggestiuna to
Shun. He meant that when a prince does not dare to make light
of his duties as a ruler, and when a minister does not presume to tri-
obeiience as a subject, being day and night tremblingly
fle witli his

and each fullilling that which devolves

alive to their responsibilities,
on him, then government will be well ordered and exempt from cor-
ruption, and the people, naturally influenced by their exam|)le will
be speedily converted to goodness, without being able to help it.

G
42 THE GREAT Yu'ri COUNSELS.

^ will be thoroughly ^ peaceful ; but in order to

this ^ ^ ^ ^ you must
you must enquire of all,

give up 2i your own ^ opinions and follow the advice

y^ ^ you
of others, must )§ ^
not oppress those
who have none ^ them, ^
to plead for ^ nor reject
^ and |^
the poor Ojly
wretched,^ Em- 'j^^ the
peror (Yaou) ^ ^ is sufficient for these things.*

^ Yih ^ ^ Oh ^ Emperor's ^
said, ! the vir-
tue ^ is and J^
extensive perpetually revolviug ;
j-

7^ he ^is
J^ and
s-igelike, Tj ^® ^ |[]^ divine, '^

dignified,J^ and ^ ^ ^
elegant; so that imperial
Heaven ^ him '^
has regarded J with its decree, e-

ven ^ to ^ extend
^
his authority over |?5] the four
seas,and >^ ^ ~p be ^ the empire's ch'ef.

* Here Shun approves of Yu's words, and intimates that if this

could be accomplished, he would then give free vent to the opinions
of all, and bring about hioi a host of worthies, so that the people of
the empire would all experience his kindness, and invariably attain to
their right position. But except a man entirely loses sight of his
own interests, and complies wilh right reason, loving the people, and
cherisLiug the scholars to the uttermost, he will not be able to ac-
complish this ; and only Yaou is sufficient for such an attainment,
while common men Mnvariably fall short of it. This answer was
an expression of his humility, in which he did not dare to say
that he could accomplish it. From this then Shun's sense of the
responsibilities of his situation might be known.

f Extensive^ means great and unlimited ; revolving^ means travel-

ling round without cessation ; the Emperor's virtue being thus mag-
nificent and all-pervading, his renovations were inscrutable ; thus,
speaking of the greatness of his reforming energy, he is called sage-
like ; speaking of his unfathomable sagacity, he is called divine ; al-
luding to his awe-inspiring majesty, he is denominated dignified and ;

with reference to the iDudding forth of his glories, he is styled elegant.

% Yaou's origin does not appear in the classical record ; tradition

says, that he arose at once from the station of the Earl of /§^ Tang
to be Emperor, and looking Yih's words, it would seem reasonable
at
to conclude thus. A
certain one has said, " that when Shun uses
the word Emperor he refers to Yaou, but when his ministers employ
the term, they allude to Shun himself," hence such expressions as
*'
the Emperor's virtue is faultless," and " let your imperial majes-
ty consider," both refer to Shun. Thus Yih taking advantage of
Shun's honouring Yaou, proceeds to admire Shun's virtue, in order
to encourage him, saying, that not only was this the case with Yaou,
but " your imperial majesty is also thus." Now on examining the
 THi: GREAT YU's COUNSELS. 43

^ Yu Q saitl, to ^ pursue the ^ right way

^ is fclicitou*;, ^ to follow ^ perverse paths ^ is

calaniitous ; fj^ just like ;^;^ the shadow and ^ the

^ Yth H said, tff Oh! 5^ ^ take care If and

ri5lK ^>^ particularly cautious
^^ in unforeseen
circumstances,!^ lest you-^
^
fail in
^^ the applica-
tion of the laws ;^fS[ do not saunter ^ at
^
ease, |^ nor be '/^ excessive ^ in indulging
^ plea-
sure. X ^
I" employing ^ the talented ^ do not
listen g^ to mischief-makers ^;
§ remove f{J cor-
rupt persons ^ without ^^ hesitation. and || ^ doubt-
ful^ schemes ^ do notj^ complete,«[| thus ^ aU
your^ projects f|| will be )£E successful. ^ Do uot
^ violate J^ right principles,]^ in order to ^ seek
gf ^ the people's "^ ^ applause ; but ^ do not n^
quotatiotis here made, with reference to the case in hand, they certair-
ly appear very apposite. But as Yih is carrying out the former sen-
tence, " only the E nprror Yaou is sufficient for these things," it does
not seem proper so .suddenly to drop the idea of Yaeu, and consid(?r
Shun as the object of discourse. Moreover to launch f )rth in the
praises of Shun, without encouraging or vvaramg him, would seem an
excess of flattery, which men could scarcely have reached in those
early times. Therefore the old interpretation, wh'ch makes Yaou the
subject of approbation, is to be preferred.
* The meaning is, that the way of heaven is awe-inspiring felicity ;

and calamity correspond to virtue and vice, as the shadow and echo
follow the substance and proceed from the sound in order to show that ;

a man must not make light of the duties of his station, and to carry
out the idea of the former section.
f He first utters an exclamation, and then lays down a caution, in
order to induce minute discrimination on the part of his audience.
I In unforseen circumstances, the laws are easily set aside and re-
laxed, he therefore cautious against failure on these occasions. In
circumstances of ease arid pleasure, men readily become dissolute, he
therefore guards against sauntering and excess. While he lays
down these three maxims with the view of inspiring care and fear.
§ When the worthless attempt to prejudice you against the vir-
tuous whom you wish to euipioy, it is called m"sc' i?f-making.
To be irresolute in excluding the vicious is called hesitation.
II

% A scheme is a plan of action finding that your actions do not

:

accord with right principles, and being dissatisfied about them, then
do not attempt to carry them out.
 44 THE GREAT Yu's COUNSELS.

oppose^^ the people, ]^ in order to ^ gratify

2tyour ;^ own ij^ inclinations. ^ Be not ^ sloth-

^ ^
ful, nor remiss, and |TC| the surrounding ^ bar-
barians
sovereignty.*
^ will come 3E ^^^ acknowledge your

^ Yu Q said, j^ Oh^ let your majesty ;|t^

consider ! ^ virtue j^^ consists mainly in
^ good J^
government ;
j^ good government
and in nou- ^ ^
rishing Q the people. Let the elements >jj^ of water,
•]•

'J^ fire, :^ metal, yj^ wood, and earth, withi ^

* Once ill a life-time to come to court, is called acknowledging
sovereignty.
When an emperor attends to these eight maxims, morning and even-
ing, cautiously and tremblingly, without negligence of mind, or re-
^-'iissness in business, then the principles of right government will be
more gloriously displayed; and when the distant barbarians witliout
exception r(;vert to him, the submission of the people of the middle
country may be easily conceived.
On examining what Yiti says about these eight maxims we find a
gradation in the;n. For when a prince can maintain the laws, wiih-
^ out giving way ta ease and pleasure, his mind will be correct, his per-

sonal virtues cultivated, and the principles of rectitude will be fully

developed ; then with regard to the talents of men who may, and who
may not bs employed ; also with respect to the rights and wrongs of
business, what may and what may not be doubted of, he is able ta
examine every thing minutely, without the least doubt or darkness.
Thus the mind is illumined and rendered intelligent, and in manag-
ing the businfBSS of the empire, both that which is according to cor-
rect virtuous principles, and must not be opposed, and that which is iu
compliance wl'h right popular feeling, and must not be withstood, he is
able to assign each circumstance to its proper place, without erring-
from right reason, or allo\%iiJg the slightest degree of selfish feeling to
interr sue. This was the object of Yih's profound caution, and the
way by which he enlarged upon the counsels of the gnsat Yu, in urgir»g
a due sense of responsibility, and the following out of the right way.
But if a man do not possess the essentials of virtue, and in discerning
between right and wrong, giving and receiving, if he do not extermi-
nate the selfishness of private feeling, while he desires to be resolute
and unhesitating in practice, he will find that the injurious consequences
will be unspeakable. Cm we then possibly dispense with caution *?
f Yih had in the former section laid down the principles
of caution,
while in this Y"!! sighs aud admires the observation, saying, Let
your Majesty deeply consider what Yih has said ; furtlier remarking
that virtue does not consist in mere goodness, but mainly in perfec-
^*ng govertjrnent. So government is not nserely a system ol laws, but
the ability to nourish the people ; what the following section says, of
 ;

THE GRMA r Vu's COUNSELS. 45

grain, j/^ be /^ well regulated * ]£ adjust the
;

^^
domestic virtueg^t increase M ^ useful cominodities4*
^ ^ promote human existence, § and f^ cause ^
harmony to prevail. || Let these % nine l^f] affairs^ '|^
bef^ well arranged, -^l-iml these nine
them "^ be
^ being arrang-
ed,**^ f^ let music-ft In J^ cau-
set to
tioning ;J^ them use^ ^ good words, and in re- ^
tlie six granaries and the three main things, refers also to the nourish-
ment of the people.
* *' Let water, fire, &c. be well regulated," means that water should
be used to overcome fire fire, metal ; metal, wood
; and wood earth ;

thus producing the five kinds of grain ; perhaps it might be necessa-

ry to adjust any one of these in order to draw ofT superfluities, or it
might be requisite to aid them in order to supply deficiencies, and
thus all the six would well regulated.
" To adjust the domestic virtues" means, that parents should be
f
kind, children filial, elder brethren friendly, younger brethren res-
pectful, husbands upright, and wives obedient, by which means the
people's virtue would be adjusted.
J
" To increase useful commodities" means, tliat artificers
should make implements, while the merchants bartered goods for
money, advance the people's employments.
in order to •
§ " To promote human existence" means, to clothe them in silk and
feed them with flesh, that they might neither be cold nor hungry,
which is the way to foster the people's lives.
II
These six being attended to, the lives of the people would begin
to advance. Bat we must not allow them to live at ease without in-
struction, and therefore we inculcate good principles and disseminate
instruction, in order to adjust their domestic virtues we make la- ;

bour general and get commodities interclianged, in order to increase

useful articles we settle arrangements and are careful about the re-
;

gulations, in order to promote human existence making every thing

;

accord with rif^ht principles to the exclusion of what is perverse, and

then there will be no want of harmony.
II
" The nine afftiirs" refers to the regulation of the six substan-
ces and the observance of the three maxims.
** " Arranged" means that each one of these should be consonant
with reason and not out of order, lest tlu'y confuse the constan t
virtues.

ft
'*
Setting them to music " means to take the arrangement of
these nine affairs, and chant them in a ballad.
The whole me-ms that these nine bein,; carefully attended to, and
harmonized, each one according to its principle, the people would reap
the benefit, and universally sing these souijs, while they rejoiced in life.
But to be first diligent and afterwards neglisfont, is common to human
feelings fearing therefore lest, after a long period of ea>'e and plenty,
;

the spirit of negligence should arise, and tlius the merit already so-
 !

46 THE GREAT YU's COUNSELS.

them fl employ J^sternness;

prv.ving ;2l ^ urge ;;^
them on J^ with -JX^ the nine odes, and ^ ^ cauge
that ^ he no ^
there disaster.*
The r^ Emperor Q said, '(^ Ri^ht ! ^ the ground

^ is now levelled. -j- Hnd ^ the heavens jji^ will com-

l)lete (the production of fruits;) 3^ the six ]^ storesj
and ^ ^ three aiTairs§ are j^ properly y^ regu-
lated, ^ and tea thousand "jlH' generations 5]^ eter-
nally ^ rely thereon (for support ;) [}^ this 75 i^

your 3y[) merit.

The ^ Emperor |E| said, ^ Come ^J^; you ^j Yu
^ I have heea^ seated on the ^ imperial
throne ^ "^"^ thirty ^ and ^ three ^advaucedyears (B.
"fjj^

C. 2223) and ^ am now old and ^^ in

cured be of short continuance, and eventually fail, it was found ne-

cessary to ur^e meii on, as in the following section.
* Those who are dil gent in this matter should be cautioned
in a l^pd mnnner, while the negligent should be strictly warned.
Bit when a thing is produced by constraint it cannot lust long he :

therefore again refers to the song above mentioned, and harminizin<j

it with the twelve panpipes, a:id suiting it to the various notes, he
causes it to be used among the peoj^le, and adopted throughout the
country, in order to exhort ani as.-?ist them, so that they may joyful-
ly drum and dance, run to their husiness and hasten to their work,
without being able to stop themselves and thus the merit achieved
;

in former days may be long: preserved, and continued indestructible.

Ko.she has said, according to the Great Rale of Fitness, the five
elements are merely water, fire, wood, metal and earth ; while grain
does not appear among the number but Yu, considermg that it was
;

essential to the people's subsistence, especially distinguished and

subjoined it.
f The water and earth being duly arranged is called levelling ;
the phrase implies, that when the water and earth are properly level-
led, all things will be brought to perfection.
;|: The six stores are water, fire, metal, wood, earth,and grain ;

these six are the origin of wealth and utility, and are therefore
called stores.
§ The
" three affairs" are the adjustment of the domestic virtues,
the increase of useful commodities, and the fostering of human exis-
tence ; these three are of all hum.an affairs those which ought to
be first attended to, hence they are called the three affairs. Shun,
hearing Yu speak on the arrangements for nourishing the people,
set forth his merits, in order to applaud him.
 THE GREAT YU S COUNSELS. 47

years, so as to be easily
f^ fatigued
with ^ ^ la-
borious duties ; jjl^
but be thou '|^ only careful
^
to avoid ^my negligence, ^ and superintend the af-
fairs of ^ ^]]i people.*
^ aYii said, ^ My ^ |^are abilities not ^
equal to the task, and J^ ^> the people ao not ^
accord with rae ; but ^ f^ Kaou-yaou ^ has vi-
gorously ^ diffused ^ which ^
his virtues, virtues

75 have p^ descended down, and caused the f;^

black-haired ^ people '^ to esteem -^ him. i^
Let your Majesty ;^ nJs consider this :
;^ ^ think-
ing on the person most
mind ret^ts oa him ^
fit for this office,

wo
^^
dispense with
ray
; |^ if 1 ild

this man, ^9S ^ n^y thoughts still recur to him ^

^^
;

when his name is mentioned,^ ^and 1 in-

stantly imagine he would do ; ^ 'j^ \ij^ the
first impulse of my mind is, ^ ^ he that is the
man. fg^ Only ^ let your Majesty ^ think of ]r/j

his merits. •]-

* When a man is ninety, he is called ^g maou, and when a hun-

dred ^J ke. At this time, Shun was ninety. three years of ai^e,
and therefore he could apply these terms to himself saying, be-
ing old and feeble, I feel soon wearied by any fatiguing employment ;

but do you exert your strength untiringly, and take charge of the
multitude of my people thus he appointed i u to take a part in
;

the business of government.

f Here Yu acknowledges that his capacities were not equal to the
office, and that the people did not revert to him. But Kaou-yaou,
said he, " is vigorous in his undertakings and strenuous in action,
so as to establish the fame of his virtue wliile his excellencies reach
;

to the people, and induce them to submit to him. Let your Ma-
jesty think of him, and do not overlook him." Yu then went on
to say, that his own mind was perpetually set on Kaou-yaou that ;

when it was suggested to set Kaou-yaou aside, and to seek for ano-
ther, he still thought of Knou-yaou. That when his name was allu-
ded to, he approved of him, and that the «incere impresion ofhirt
mind was in favour of Kaou-yaou. Thus he thought of him again
and again, and could not remove his approbation from Kaou-yaou.
It was only for the Emperor deeply to consider his merits and as-
sociate him with himself in the throne.
48 THE GREAT Yu'b COUNSELS.

The f^ Emperor
^ my
said, H
|^ Oh Kaou-yaou ^ ^
!

*W^ these 1^ ministers ]^ and people have

not ^
it may be -]P offended against "^ my Jg
regulations, because f^ you f^ have tilled the office

'^f
tt criminal judge, and BJ^ been clear ^
in the
application of 5R the five kuids of ^Ij punishment,
l}/^ in order to ^ aid 35 ^he five points of ^ instrac-
tionj* thus ^^ aiming ^
to establish -^ my
7^ go-
vernment, ffij By punishment ^
you calculate ^
on effecting ^ the discontinuance of j-f|]
punishments,
si^^ ^ l^e people "^ harmonize ^ in t|=l the due
medium.^ This J^ your ^ ^j|l$ Be
is merit.
strenuous in your efforts. -j-

^ j^ Kaou-yaou Q ^ Your Majesty's "^

^ said,

^ without f^
virtue is ^ You come fault.

down to ^ with ^ a
(the people) dignified negli-
gence, ^ji you urge on J^ the multitude ^ with ^
indulgence.]; -g^ "^ you
In inflicting punishments
do not /^ extend them to |^| successors, but '^ in
conferring rewards ^
you perpetuate them "^ to "jtt;

future generations. § :^ You excuse sins of ig- ^

* The government of a sage is carried on by virtue, which is the
foundation of the renovation of the people, while punishmeists are
used merely to assist when instruction fails.
f To a"in at, means to make sure of a matter beforehand. Shun's
meaning was, that *' although it was not possible entirely to avoid
the use of punishments, yet that which he calculated on was to arriv«
at the point where no punishments would be necessary. Then the
people would all accord with the golden medium, until exempt from
every error and defect, punishments would really be dispensed with.
The effecting of all this is your merit ; go forward, therefore, said he,
in your efforts." For he would not listen to Yu's refusal, and yet
admired Kaou-yaou's excellence, in order to urge him onward.
:|:
" Negligent " means " not hurried." When superiors are an-
noying and over particular, inferiors have no indulgence ; and if
they urge the people on too pressingly, then the multitude will be
agitated and disordered.
§ Successors and future generations both refer to posterity, but suc-
cessors to the more immediate, and future generations to the more dis-
tant. The sage did not ascribe the crimes of parents and children
 THE GREAT YU'S COUNSELS. 49

r.orance, -M without regard to ^ tbeir enormity,

while
irrespective
Jfl| you punish
of /]>,
]^
their
presumpiuons offences
lightness.* When |p
^
*in
judgments ^
there exists a doubt, l)^^ you uichne
t) fig clemency; and when :^ cases of merit
f^^
are questionable, f^ you award ^^^ ^^^'^ 2 sub-
stantial (recompense.)-]- J|3.^ Rather than ^ put
to death ^^ an innocent person, ^ These
you would
prefer ^ ^ ^g to err ii irretrularity your
it ^ life-chcrlbhinu ;;^ ^, virtues y^ have instil-
lei themselves ^ into the ^ people's /^ minds,
^^ exerrising which ^ they do not ^jj otTend -^
aLi.tirust ^^ the ofhcers of justice.
J
to each other, wliil- he extended reward"* to future •ieiieratii)iis ; thus
|)('r[)etiiatiiiL'- iiis ii liuiratioii ot" the irood, and cuttitiy- siiort his in-
iiicti-Mison tlie vih-.
* Sins uf IgMorance, nre those whicli are eriingiy c )^^<n!i:ted, with-
out knowing ihem to he wroM_r ; and sms of presumption are those
which are purposely perpetrated, with a full Unowledue of the. r malig-
nity. Sins un^vittin^•ly fdlen into, thoiii;h 'ireat, he would excuse ;

but off.-nces fearle-sly pcrpeU'ated, althouyh small, he insisted on

punishing:. Thi< resenioles thn expression in a former section, " In
cases of mistake or mistortunt^, he ordered then:i to he forthwith forgi-
ven ; hut wher. any presumed, or repeated their ofifmces, they were
l)unis!ipd with death."

f When u:nilt was ascertained, and there existed some doult in

the law, whether the punishment sliould be Ight or heavy, he then
adopted the liyhter infliction ?>nd when a man's merit was clear,
;

but the law had not quite determined whether the reward should be
considerable or trlfliuii-, he chose tlie luore considerable.
I'
According- to the various interpretations of the law, sometimes
a man might either be put to death or spared in such cases, if he :

were capitally punished, there was a tear of involving an innocent

person; and if not visited with condign punishment, one might fail
in being too remiss either of which would he a departure from the
;

strict justice and perfect integrity of a sage, while the slaying of an

imiocent person would b.i m )^t insupportable to t'le mind of a
perfect man therefore rather than put the individual to death, and
;

thus cut short his life. Shun preferred allowing: him to complete his
days, while he himself bore the blame of failinir in the infliction of
due punishment. This shewed the extreme of his benevolence and
kindness, and miuht be denominatpd a life-cherishing virtue. For
the laws of the philosopher had a certain linut, but his kind feeliiigs
were unbounded, hence in inflicting punishments or conferring re-

H
50 THE GREAT Yu's COUNSELS.

^ The Emperor Ef said, fl^ Causing ^ me^ to

obtain jf);
wish J^
n.y in y^ the yrovernment ( of the.

^
coLintry), until every :)/ region J^ $)} is inliaenced
thereby, \\^ this is to be attributed to /} :^ your j;^
ejxcellence. *
r^ The Emperor then said, QCome here,^ Yu ^ I

When ^ ;^X ^he inundation j^ alarmed^ me, you -|-

j^ fulfilled ^
your promise, and ^
accomplished X^
the undertaking, j^ this was entirely -^^ your abi- ^
lity.
J
"^ You could be |^ diligent -=5= in (the busi-
ness of)^|l ^he country, and ^ were able to practice
^
wards, when there was any doubt, he invariably made the la>v bend,
to carry out his gracious intentions, and would not allow the idea
of adhering to the strict precept, to interfere with the display of
humanity. This is the way in which his better feelings maintained
their unobstructed course, and travelled beyond the mere letter of the
law, until their outflowings widely extended themselves, soaking and
saturating into the people's minds, so that the subjects of the em-
pire, universally affected by longing delight, rose up to goodness, and
did not offend against the officers of justice. Kaou-yaou, hearing
Shun applaud his servant's merits, uttered this in order to give all
the ^lory to his superior ;for he did not dare to appropriate admira-
tion to himself, or to account the merit his own.
* For th-* people not to transgress the laws, and for the ruler not
to inflict punishment, this was what Shun desired. " You, said he,
have been able to promote the fulfilment of my wish, in the govern-
ment of the country, so that reformation has spread throughout all
quarters, like the wind influencing and agitatinsr every blade of grsss ;

this is all to be ascribed to your goodness." Here Shun again utters

an exclamation, in order renewedly to admire the excelleHce of
Kaou-yaou.
fAn " inunlatiou" means an extensive flood. The ancient
text reads the descent of waters.
it, Mang-tsze said, " when waters
flow out of their course it is called an inundation ;" as when a
mountain is precipitated, and the waters burst their bounds, while
the outward vent is stopped up, the stream attempting to force its
way, suddenly flows backwards, and overwhelms and inundates to a
boundless extent. Although this calamity commenced in the time of
Yaou, yet when Shun was associated in the government, the evil was
not stopped ; therefore Shun considered it to be a celestial warning
to himself, and did not dare to view it as no concern of his, respecting
which he could make himself easy.
t Yvi sent up his report, and was able to make good his words, he
tried the scheme and was able to complete the affair this is what the
;

sage call* fulfilHng his promise and accomplishing the undertaking.

 Til C GREAT YU'S COUNSELS. 51

economy J^ in your ^ household (expenditure,) /f\*

without heing g ^"^ self-sufficient and f^ elated ; f^
this was also "J^ your ^virtue.*
^- boast, while ~|^ throughout
-^^ You 'j^ alone
the empire
^
did not ^^
^ none could .|k with 'J^
you ^ compete ^| for abi-

li(y ; '^ you j^ aHiie ^ did not ^;j(; vaunt, while ^C

"J^
under Heaven, ^ none could ^ with J^^
you
'^
=Jf
contest JJ^ the palm of merit, -j*
j* 1 ^^ conimend.

Jj your ^ virtue, and ^ admire 75 your^ great

^^# excellence. J ^ :^ The celesti^ii

|^ ^ destibks
:^ rest on j^ your ^^ person; ^
the highest
you j^ eventually

1^ must be elevated 7C to )q ranl<.§

/^ The carnal /jj^ mind ^ iix

j§]J
treacherous, while

3^ the virtuous iCl> feeling

therefore
f^ exists only ^
minute in distinguishing,
in a small
^^
degree;
—yoUuniform
I'C
f^
'j^ and be ' in maintaining, while } 011
^
firmly ^ grasp )^ the due tfl medium J]
* Seeina that Yu could
do this, he was evideiitl\' more capable than
others. But he could be diligent in the king's business and e-
still

conomical in his private expenses ; this was a farther proof of Yu's

capacity.
f Yu being possessed of these two excellencies, and j^et able to a-
void boastiny: of his powt-r, or vaunting his merit, whilst the reality
of his attaintments could not be concealed, Shuu 'ssucd his commands,
requiring him to take part in the throne.
J
" I commend your virtus" means that Yu possessed virtue, and
Shun considered it full and great. " I admire your great merit,"
intimates that Y'li had display ed this merit, and Shun accounted it
excellent and good.
§ " The celestial destinies" refer to the order of succession of kings
and rulers, like the precede'.ce of times and seasons, terms and years.
*'
The destinies rest on you," intimates that you possess the great
merit of accomplished virtue, and therefore it is evident that the fates
have decreed your elevation From henceforth therefore ascend
.

the throne of the great sovereign, and do not refuse. At this time
Shun first commanded Yu to take part in the government, and as Yu
had not as yet ascended the throne he makes use of the expression^

^ 1^
II
" henceforth ascend."
The mind is the perceptive faculty of man, presiding within and
coirespondiug to that which is withoiit. Speaking of it with refer-
ence to its disi)lay in the natural disposition, it is called the carnal
mind ; but ti> atii;g of it in conr.ection with its exhibition in the
principles of rcctitudo, it is culled virtuous feeling. The carnal nn"ii<l
 52 THE GREAT YU S COUNSELS.

M fg -^ "^ words ^
Unauthenticated
^ do not
and ^ |^
listen to; '^ ^
unadvised ||tcoa;ibels do
^
not follow.*
Who "^ ^ can ^
he loved, if ^|i not (he prince ?-

Who nf -^ can Ije feared, if 3>|i not |r^ the peoide^^t

^
If thcMnultitude 7^3)'j5 he without
]g a sovereign
Ahom|g;wiil
b^-^id, f]if honour and they
)g ^ if a prince
^
^|i he without
^ suhjects, i^ there will he .10 one
to defen(l ^)5 the country (for him.)
^^"^ Be res-
^
pectful, therefore!
/Jcaution
you is necessary for

^ ^
that are in who ^
office, should carefully f|^

^
cultivate which that may f^ "pf they desire J
When all within the
29 Q^ ^^^^ 'J^ ^^^s are reduced
and ^
to poverty ^ wretchedness,
1^ the celestial

readily heconies selfish, and is with difficulty broiigiit to generosity,

hence it is said to be treacherous; the virtuous feeling is hardly elicit-
ed, and easily obscured, hence it is said to exist only iti a small deg^ree.
But if a man can be minute in discerninsj things, and does not ijet
mixed up with the selfishness of his natural disposition, moreover if he
can be uniform in maintaining virtue, while he preserves pure the
correctness of right principles, then the virtuous feelin*^ will con-
tinually predominate and the carnal mind will be subjected to it.
In this way tliat which is treacherous will become settled, and that
which is minute will be displayed, until in motion and at rest, in
words and actions, a man becomes exempted from excess or defect,
and can really maintain the due medium.
* *' Unauthenticated" means not verified by antiquity " unad- ;

vised," means not counselled by the generality. Words that can-

not be authenticated, and counsels of a man's own devising; only
resulting from the priv:ite views of an individual, and not in conformi-
ty with public sentiniht, invnriably obstruct good government, and
injure ri-i:bt ruie in a considerably degree. "Words" mean words
in. general, which ra-y not be listened to ; " counsels" mean delibera-
tions on busi^iess, which we are ^hll mon^ cautioned not to adopt.
riio forOTer section having alluded to the maintenance of right feel-
iua s the fo'indation of good goverament, this speaks of the impor-
tance of listening to advice in deciding on business, Tims external
and internal things will assist each other, and the principles of right
rule will be fully prepared.
j- If the people be without a prince, whom will they renerate ? If a
ruler have no subject??, then who
guard the state for him?
will
% " That which they may desire," means all the good which they
can wish or desire. A prince ought to be cai'eftd with res^ird to the
Station he filU, and respectfully aim at that which he ought to det^irc ;
 TUP. GIIEAT YU S COUNSKLS. 53

revenues will come ^ to a

^
perpetual end.* W| On-

M ^
ly U froiTi tlie mouth ff\ proceeds good feei-ng,
juid the sume cause le^.ls ?nen to take up ^ar^s.f
(It is enough!) ^^ my "g" words ^ will not '^ be
repeated. J

^Yii H .said, ;^ repeatedly |> cast lots (among)

3r/| the meritorioiis |^ oflicers, l^
i^ The Em-
and only ^ the sue-
cessfal one jj^ letlnm fjg he folhwed §
peror EI ie{)hed, ^^ Oh Yu the superintendent !
^
^ of diviucitions j^ nlways ^ iirst
f-^J
fixes ^ his
ohjoct, and ^ then l^jj commits the affair ^ to the
decisiou of the yQ great ^ tortoise. Now ^^ my ^
intentions 5£ were previou-ly ^ settled; ||j consult-
ing g,^ Hnd deliherating, '^were of |if| the
all

S'^me opinion, ^ the demons and go'js. I^even they

jj|l^

^ complied, while ^ the tortoise and reeds "^^

harmoniously ^ coii.r d^d. Resides which. |> in divin-

but if Uie least atom of vice sprinij uj) in the mind and corrupt the
^overnni^nt, then the people will he deprived of their rights in great
numhors.
* When the poople within tin' four >eas are reduced to poverty and
wretchedness, then tlie celestiul revenue of the prince will be cut off,
without renewal would not that be most SF.rously aiarminy;? H(rG
;

fehuu earnestly reminds Yu of the preservative or destructive conse-

quences of tranquillizing or endanirering the people, in order to alarm
him; for although he knew thr\t Yu was possessed of tlie fulness of
meritoriotis virtue, and would not proceed to such extremities, yet he
wished him to he treuiblinii:ly alive to the responsibilities of his situa-
tion, without daring to give way to luxurious ease, and cautioned him
in the most minute particulars, by which means he displayed the real
feelinijrs of a sage

f Words proceedinsr from the mouth, produce these various effect!?,

thus serious are the minute sprinii's from which ^jain or loss proceed.
J What I have now comm.iiided you has b'en
weil-advised how :

can I alter my
opinion. Thus he wishes Yu to receive his orders,
aud not to persist in declining.
§ What the emperor had already said was s>i(Ticient to (exhaust the
subject, so that Yu had no srrounds on which to reit-'ratc his refusal ;

but still he requested that lots mitrlit be cast ainotiijflt the meritorious*
officers,and the honours accorded to him or, whom thf fivotirable lot

might hoping that by this means some one would be found

fall ;
to

»U]>ply hia place, and that he would succeed in his refuenl.

 J

S4 THE GREAT \u's C0UNS1«.LS.

ing, /f^ we never ^ repeat the operation ^ after a

favourable reply.* -^ Yu still ^ bov^ed, ^bending
"^ his head to the ground, and steadily refused. Q ^
When J^ the Emucror pj said, do not decline ^ !

iH jiC y^^ alone |^ are most suited to the i^tation.f

TR On the first ^ month, ^ and the first day, J0
early in the mon.in r, (Yu) ^ received (the Imperial)
^ decree ^ in (ihe temple ^ of) jjj^ the divine an-
cestor,^ leading "^ hundred
the ^ *§* officers, just
as at
his reign.
^ j^ the Emperor (Shun's)^ commencement of

The i^ Emperor H said, ^^ Oh -^ Yu ! *}|k on-

ly ^ these ^ "^ Meaou-ites, (the aboriginal in-
habitants of China,) 1^ do not ^ obey f^ do yo\i
;

Yu J^ then '^
t& g<^ 3"^ IE correct them. -^j

* The Emperor meant to say, that according to the rules of the su-
perintendent of divination, it was necessary first to determine the ob-
ject on which the mind was bent, and afterwards to comittit the matter
to the decision of the tortoise (the Chinese mode of divining.)
;
Now,
said he, my mind was ah-eady made \ip, and the councils of all united
to recommend the measure
the gods also were favoiir.ibly inclined,
;

and the and reeds harmoniously coincided; what further ne-

tortoises
cessity, therefore, is there to repeat the divination. Moreover, accor-
dinij to the laws of divinini:, we do not wait to renew the divination,
when the answer is already favourable.
f This means that you only are suited to fill the station of sove-
reign ruler.
J The divine ancestor means, Yaou. Soo-she says, the person
from whom Yaou received the crown was the accomplished ancestor,
ard the individual from svhom Shun obtained the Ihrone was the di-
vine ancestor but when a person receives the cmp re from another,
;

he must announce it ia the temple of him from whom that person

received it. The Book of Ceremonies says, that Siiun offered the

imperial sacrifice to the ^^ mh Yellow Emperor, while he offered

the border sarrifice to the emperor t^? Kiih, the primogenitors sa-

crifice to (1^ 3^ Chuen-heiih, and the ancestorial sacrifice to

Yaou ; thus it is clear t'^at the divine ancestor was Yaou. E\rly
in the morning of the first day of the first month Yu received the
imperial decree to be associated in the throne, iti thti temple of the
divine ancestor, while he led forth the hundred o!!i;;crs, performing
the same ceremonies as when the Emperor Shun first received the
throne- at the conclusion oi Yaou's rci^-n.
 •

THE GREAT Yu's COUNSELS. 55

assembletl ^ the host J^ of princes, and -^ made
a speech ^ to g]]5 the army,
^^ Q saying, you
compact and united ^^ multitude, j^ all 1^ lis-

ten to^^ my ^ ^ How

conunands.
^ ignorant
are these^^ ^ ^
Meaou-ites
5^ I stupid, deluded,
and 7[^^ disrespectful
j^ f^ and ^ ^
! insulting

j^
self-sufiicient, 3§ way
reversingand ^^ the right
destroying:^ ^ ^ men
virtue ;
of superior talent
^ by them)
are (driven Pf and into the fields},
/J>
/V ^
worthless fellows ^
put in jf£ office, until
the people^ have themHeaven^ and down
cast ^^ off refused
to sustain ^
them, while (^ has sent
:;^upon them ^ ^
calamity. ^ Theiefo:e I, Iji^

with ^
^ commands '^
you,numerous ^ ^ have warriors,
received^ them ^— to punish for
their crimes.
unanimity, both as
^
If therefore aim
and
you fnij will at
yfl
75 ^^^iSy^^^i* i^^i^^s

^^
strength, we
a successful issue, j-
^ shall be able
|^ to ensure

For ~ ^
three "^ ^decades Meaou the people of

f Here Shun bursts out into an exclamution saying, *'no\v through-

out the Empire only the ruler of the Meaou- ites (a tribe of moun-
taineers still existing in the heart of China,) refuses to obey instruc-
tion ; do you go and correct his fault." Yu then assembled the
troops of the princes, and addressed them on the ohjt'Ct of the expedi-
tion, saying, " the people of Meaou are stupid and disrespectful, in-
sulting to others, and improperly exalting themselves, opposing the
right way, and corruptmg the constant virtues ; turning the world
upside down, so tliat the people complain and Heaven is incensed.
Therefore it is that I, with you, have all received the commands ©f the
sovereign, to punish the offences of these Meaou-ites. If all you
warriors were but to be united with one heart and effort, we should
then be sure of success." The above is the tenoi of Yu's address.
Lin-she said, when Yaou was old. Shun was associated in the go-
vernment twenty-eight years ; so also when Shun was old, Yu reign-
ed as co-sovereign seventeen \ears. These men sharing in the
throne took a general superintendence of the multifarious business'
of the state, whilst Yaou and Shun filling the imperial throne were
left to their own enjoyment. Any cuse of importance, however,
was still reported to the Emperor. When Yu weat on his expedi-
tion against the Meaou-ites, he was already associated in the govern-
ment ; yet he received hit* orders from Shun, not daring to act on
 56 THE GREAT Yu's CCLNSELg.

resisted i^(t the command-! of the soverelg"n.*

^ ^
Yih then ^^ rendered nssistance to -pij Yii,
^
saying, f^ it is ocly ^ virtue ^ that moves ^
Heaven, ^ there is no ^ dist;uice to wb cli
^^
it does hot ^
extend ;t 5|| fidness f^ ^ '^'^'^-^
tM
diminution, while humility rec^Mves ^ ad- ^ ^
ditions ;
J 3|: this 7/ is
5c ^ way when
lieaven's ;

»^ Oiir Em|)eroi§ ^ formerly ^ dwelt j^ at the

L-jh ll^ mountain, ^ he went ^
fnrth |g into
and g; wept ^
II

the field, and [Ij dai'y ||| cried lo

the ^ soothing
^^ heavens,^ ^P rn a( count
of ^
his fdthei- and mothir ** ^
he bore ; ^
^|i the blame, f-]- and ij| drew on himse'f j^ (he
reproach JJ while he was ||^ respectful ;^ in
;

his own If we mii^ht draw an inference from Yn's

responsibility.
conduct correcting the Meaoa-ites, we should say, that Shun, in
in
putt-n^- to death the four delinquents, also d.)uhtless informed Yaou.
* Yu came upon them with an army for upwards of a month, but
the Meaou-ites were stubborn and would not subniit.
f At this time Yih accompanied Yu or. the expedition, and see-
ing that the Meaou-ites, surrounded l)y their fastnesses, and upheld
by their energies, could not be subdued by terror, he aided Yu 'y
his advice, saying-, that it was virtue alone which could move the
heavens, while the wonders of its influence extended to the most
distant region. Thus his advice was, that Yu should march back his
troops, and bend his attention more jjarticularly to virtue.

X Fulness bringnii^ diminution, and lunnility increase, ace or Is

with the expression of the Yih king, that Divine Providence diminish-
es the full, and replenisnes the humble (Luke. II. 53.)
§ The Emperor here referred to is Shun.

II
The Leih mountain is in the district of jBJ JtJ^ Ho tung, in the

county of "JSj ^ Ho chung. (The present ^ \^ Ping yang,

in V^H l5 Shan-ae province.)
^J Benevolence overshadowinj; the mourners, is called soothinj.
** This means that when Shun cultivated the Leih mountain and
uent forth into the fields, he daily lamented towards the soothing
heavens on behalf of his parents, l)ecause he could not render them
obedient to virtue ; which shews the depth of his feeling and his
strong desire for their good.
ft
*'
Bearing the blame " means, that he blamed himself for it,
and did not dare to consider his parents in the wrcng.
" Drew upon himself the reproach" means that he reproached
XX
himself, and would on no account ascribe the fault to his parents.
I THE GREAT

^
Yu's COUNSELS. 57

business, and waited on liis sire

^ flU Kow-
sow, ^^ penetrated with veneration, ^ rever-
enceand )J^^ awe, until Koo g^ also^ sin-
^
cerely conformed (to virtue ;)
* ^ high degrees
of 1^ J^ move |^
sincerity the gods, j^\ how much
more ^ !^
these "§5 inhabitants of Meaou f ;^ !

Yu ^ bowed at these ^ ^excellent words, Q and

said, -j^ Right ! ^ marched
he then back |||j his
army, and ^ quartered
^^ his troops. 'i^ The
Emperor /J upon this^ and^ greatly diffused abroad
^ his accomplished ^ virtue, whilst they were
^ brandishing ^ the staves ^ and feathers ^ on
^ both sides of the |^ (royal) stair-case, J in the
course of -^ seven 'S] decades ^ i^ the Meaou-ites
>^ come to submit.
§
* This means that Shun respectfully fulfilled the duties of a son,
while he waited upon his sire Koo. Shun was moreover solicitous
and careful in serving his the utmost degree ; until by
parents to
his sincere piety he brought his sire, though so stupid and stubborn,
to submit to virtue.
f Thus Yih enlarged upon the doctrine oi extreme sincerity, in-
timating that even the gods would be influenced thereby, how much
more the people of Meaou.
J These staves and spears were usually held by posture-makers ;
the sides of the royal stair-case were severally appropriated to hosts
and guests.
§ Shim's accomplished virtue did not commence with the with-
drawal of Yu's forces, nor did the Meaou-ites arrive merely in conse-
quence of the brandishing of the staves and feathers but the histori- ;

an referring to Yu's withdrawal of his troops, the relaxing of martial

vigour, the increased attention paid to the diffusion of virtuous instruc-
tion, and the brandishing of staves and feathers, with the utmost har-
mony and absence of all force, intimates that the arrival of the Meaou-
ites occurred at that time. Thus recording the facts of the case, in
order to illustrate the virtue of Shun. At this distance of time,
though several thousand years from the event, we can by this means
gain some idea of the spirit and manners of that age.
58 THE COUNSELS OF KAOU-YAOU.
SECTION IV.

THE COUNSELS OF KAOU-YAOU.

H ^ Now ^ on examining "^ the ancient ^^
Kaou-yaou, (we find him) Let ^ saying, j{j a man re-
ally 5^ carry out ^ his ^ virtuous principles, and
then ^ his counsellors H)^ will be clear, and §^ his
assistants |^ harmonious.* Yu ^
said, -^ Q
Right ! but ^0 ^
how is thnt ^f f-gj ^
Kaou-yaou
3 said, ^ That is an admirable question ; ( a prince)
1^ should be carefulj regarding j^ his own ^ person.
al virtues, and j^ endeavour to^^ think of ^ distant
(plans of usefulness), while he f^ lays great stress on

^ the arrrangement "iljof the nine jj^ degrees of re-

lationship, and then )^ the multitude Bj^ of the intelli-
gent ^ will be encouraged ^ to assist him.§ From
^ the near ^T you may argue ^Yu to the distant, ^ in

^ this (it may be seen.|| ) ^'^ ^ made obei-

sance at ^ these excellent words, ^ and said,

* Kaou-yaou meant that when a

prince can truly follow out his
principles of virtue, then that which his servants advise will be in-
variably clear, and those who aid him will be uninterruptedly cordial.
f Yu here assents to the observation, and further enquires into the
details, while Kaou-yaou admires his enquiring disposition and pro-
ceeds to inform him.
I By a prince being careful, he meant that he should not fail to carry
his caution out to the utmost.
§ When personal virtues are cultivated, there will be no impro-
priety in words or actions ; and when distant plans are formed, then
there will be no shallow nor short-sighted schemes. When stress
is laid on the arrangement of the nine relations, then the affection of
relatives towards each other will b e sincere, and the whole family will
be duly regulated. When the multitude of the intelligent are encou-
raged to assist, then the host of worthies will exert themselves in the
prince's cause, and the country will be well governed.
That is, if personal virtues be cultivated, the family will be regu-
11

lated, the state well governed, and the whole empire tranquillized.
^ These words of Kaou-yaou were uttered with a view of elucida-
ting the idea, that if a prince follow out virtuous principles his coun-
 THE COUNSELS OF KAOU-YAOU. 59

Kaou-yaou ^ You
Q said, j^ say well, for
it consist* in ^ \ mankind, and
a knowledge of ^jQg
ia ^ tranquillizing^ ^ Yu Q
the people.* said,
rrp True !t ^ ^ ^ but wereif this the case, »|^
then ^* even theEmperor (Yaou) ^ attained to it

^^ but with difliculty.

J He who ^jj knows /\
mankind ^ is "^ intelligent, and he who can '^
^^
rule ^ men and ^ tranquillize ^ the people
^|!J
is

^ kind, while the ^^ black-haired p^ race 'j^

would sensible 'j^ of it. But if a man^ ^ can be
wise flfp
and |^ kind, fpj what need ^ ^why gS that he be
concerned about ^^ /;Hwan-taou ^ ^
*?

banish ^j^ ^ the inhabitants of Meaou and flJf why

*?

;^ ^
dread X^ the flattering 'g' words and -^ smooth
^ countenance of (those who harbour) ^{^ great
3£ plans (of wickedness.) §

sellers will be intellig-eut ; wherefore Yu again assented and admii-ed

the mnxim.
* Kaou-yaou, hearing Yu admire his maxim, went on to enlai'ge
on his yet unfinished idea, saying that it consisted in knowing man-
kind and tranquillizing the people ; for to know men is the business
of wisdom, and to pacify the people is the work of benevolence.
" True !" is an expression denoting admiration, without giving
f
full assent to the proposition.
I This means, that if it consist in knowing mankuid,
and tranquil-
lizing the people —
if both these qualities must be alike present, then
even the Emperor Yaou would find a difnculty in accomplishing it.
§ Intelligenee is the essence of wisdom, and kindness the principle
of benevolence ; to be intelligent and kind, is as much as to say, to
kno%v mankind and tranquillize the people ; but if a man be intel-
ligent and kind, he possesses wisdom and benevolence in the liighest
degree, and then a caballish and wicked person, like Hwan-taou,
would not be worth caring about ; then stupid and misled people,
like the inhabitants of Meaou, would Jiot require to be removed ;

while flattering; sycophants, and smooth-faced villains, who conc(;al

extensive plans of wickedness in their bosoms, need not be drcacle-L
All these Uiree would not be able to interrupt our right rule which ;

intimates in a forcible manner, that the meritorious use of benevolence

and wisdom is very great. Some say, that the flatterinff sycophant
alluded to is tlw Superintendent of Works. Yu referred to these three
delinquents, and did not mention Kwtin, because it was proper to con-
ceal the name of his father.
 60 THE COUNSELS OF KAOU-YAOU,

^ j^ Kaou-yaou ^ (Your said, suggestion's)

proper ^
generally speaking
^^there in practice

^ "^ ^ any man

are nine^ when generally"^
;"5lJF
virtues ;
and it is

asserted /^ :^
that ^ possesses virtue,

Ji we ^ might remark Q and say, (Let us have proof

of ^ it) in ^ ^
the performance of this or that
business. ^ \ what
^^']Yii ^
said, jpij in respects ?

^ Kaou-yaou 3 A man ^liberal

said, should be [ji^
yet ^ ^ rigid, pliant f|JJ
yet ;i[^ determined, j;^
^
particular fiS y^^ ^^
respectful, ^^ regular fff] yet
^
reverential, ^
benignant ffp yet |^ intrepid,
straight-forward fflfyet
J^ meek, ^ negligent
yet
m ^ him show
pure, ^|| firm fffl ye and ^ t sincere, cou-
[jjp

rageous^ ^ ^
yet ^upright ;* let that
he ^ ^ possesses and ^^ how constancy, fortu-
he be
nate will ^-j-

He who Q ^ ^daily ^ illustrates the three vir-

would
tues, J ^ morning
(as a great and ^ officer)

* " Liberal yet rigid," means that a man should be enlarged in

his views, yet strict and severe. *'
Pliant yet fixed," means that he
should be yielding, yet determined. "Particular yet respectful,"
means that he should be attentive to little things, yet filled with ve-
neration. " Regular yet reverential," means that he should pay
attention to order, and yet be filled with awe. " Benignant yet in-
trepid," means that he should be docile, yet daring. " Straight-for-
ward yet meek," means that he should be upright, yet mild. "Ne-
gligent yet pure," means that a man should be easy in his manners,
yet maintain integrity. " Firm yet sincere," means that he should be
strong, yet real. " Courageous yet upright," means that a man should
behold, yet a lover of right. flW " Yet" is an expression that gives
a turn to the sense the direct quality having
: been referred to, its
counterpart is spoken of, in order to show that the virtue in question
is not partial, while in every instance it points out the spontaneous-
ness of perfect virtue, and implies that nothing is taken from this to
make up for that.

f When
perfect virtue is displayed in one's own person, and is ren-
dered uniform from begining to end, how highly-favoured is that
scholar !

:j: The
allusion to the three virtues and the six virtues means that
amongst the nine some have three and some six.
 THE COUNSELS OF KAOU-YAOU. 61

(.'\ ^'iiini^ 5^ rcg-alate and gQ iltumiLie^ ^ his family:

he who can be daily |p^ rigid, and fi^ ^ respect-
lui in (cultivating);;^ the six virtues, ^ mi^ht (as a
noble) ^ shed on j(^ the
light affairs of :^ ^ his
country. * But a prince should ^ ^
unitedly re-
reive (men of various degrees of talent) and^ spread
them ^ abroad, then those who possess the ^ nine
ifH virtues )^ would be all ^
engaged in public bu-
siness; the '^ men of superior and inferior talent ^
^ would be installed in *^
the hundred
office ;f g
^ ^|jp
officers would lead on one another,
gf while
the host of m
workmen would »]^ conform to 1^ the
proper limes, J each one ^according-^^ with5Sl ^t^c five

* To " regulate and illumine," antV to shed lii^ht on business,"

boll;convey the idea of managing well the business and affairs of a
family or a state. The influence might diifer in amount, hence the
man of three virtues would be a great officer, and th^ man of six vir-
tues a noble ; but the quantity of virtue an
the dignity of station re-
1

ferred to are both expressed in general terms. Now he who has but
three of the virtues will daily enlighten and eidarge them, and seek to
increase them by display ; while he who possesses six of the nine vir-
tues ought rather to be daily vigorous and respectful, and seek to
augment them by careful attention.
f Tiiough the virtues of men may differ in amount, yet the prince
should combine and receive them all, and thus spread abroad and em-
ploy them, then the men of nine virtues would all be engaged in their
proper business. A
man of superior talents is one of a thousand ; a
man of smaller talents is one of a hundred ; these would all be in office,
thus making the talented of the empire sustain tlie government of the
empire. In the courts of Yaou and Shun, none were forgotten be-
low and no business was overlooked above, thus excellent were their
arrangements.
X Leading on one another, means that they would imitate each o-
ther's examples intimating that when all the officers take each other
;

for patterns, then all those engaged in public works \\ould observe the
proper seasons in order to hasten their bubiness. The hundred offi-
cers and the host of workmen all mean the different persons em})Ioyed
by government speaking of their imitating one another, they are call-
;

ed the hundred officers referring to their hastening to their work,

;

they are called the host of workmen, but really they arc one and the
•same.
 f

62 THE COUNSELS OF KAOU-YAOU.

J^ terms,* so that ^ every one's ^ merit ^ would

be ^ completed.
^ Do ^ not cause (suhordiaates) 5^ to be luxuri-
ous and ^ licentious J ^ in the management of the
^JJcountry ; ^^
alive (to your responsibilities
be cautious and ^^ —
in the course of
tremblingly
one
;)

Q day or H^ two Q days ^ ten thousand |^ springs

of action arise; § ^
let there be no B^ neglect a-
mong the multitude of "g^officers.!!
J&§
Itis^ heaven
ZC that works,
substitutes.^
as for 7^' men ^ they are only fi^ "^

The ^ heavenly ^ arrangement (of the human

* The terms refer to the four seasons.
five The four elements
wood, metal, and water, preside severally over the f )iir seasons^
fire,
while the element earth temporarily presides over each of the fo.ir
seasons in turn. The Le-yun says, spread the five elements over
the foui^seasons ; which is the same idea.
f This means that the hundred workmen being punctual to their
time, every work of merit would be accomplished.
X The word
" cause" here does not mean that a prince actually
orders the thing ; but when superiors do any thing, inferiors are
apt to imitate them. The caution implies, that an emperor should
be industrious and economical, in order to set a good example
to the nobles, and not lead them astray by luxury and lasciviousnes.
§ The springs of action mean the minute c uises of tilings. The
Yih king says, only attend to these minute springs, and then you
can accomplish the great affiirs of the empire ; for the causes of
calamity are wrapped up in trifles, which cannot be foreseen by
common men, but when once displayed, even the wise cannot reme-
dy the evil. Therefore the sage is tremblingly al've to minute evils,
in order to their prevention which is called foreseeing diffiLJultierf
;

in times of ease, and aiming at great affairs by commencing wit!:

small. "One or two days" mo.ans that the time is very short; " ten
thousand springs" implies that the causes of action are extremely
numerous for in the course of one or two days, the causes of things
;

coming and going amount to myriads can we then for a single

:

day giv e way to licentiousness ?

This means that a ruler should not employ men of inadequate
II

talents, and thus cause the officers to neglect the duties of tlieir
stations.
^ "heaven that works," means that a prince manages af-
It is
fairs forheaven, and that which the officers attend to, is none oth ^
than the business of high heaven ; therefore, if perchance a sin;
duty should be neglected, then the work of heaven would be ovc<
looked ; under such circumstances, can we be too cautious ?
 THE COUNSELS OF KAOU-YAOU. 63

relations) ^ has its M statutes, §^ let us correct

^ these our 2 five ^ statutes,and then, SJlf^ 7^
oh the five solidities (of human conduct!)* The 5^
heavenly ^ order (of officinl rank) ^ has its
f|§
ordinances
^
^
;
let there proceed ^ ^ from us jE
these five
how
ordinances, and
constant (the people's habits
then ^^
!)-|" Let us be
oh
f§|
unitedly ^ and "^ conjointly ^^ reveren-
respectful
tial, and then 5ptl pi^ ^
oh hovsr harmonious and
good (v^ill the people be !)J ^
Heaven "p^ encou-
rages f^^the virtuous, but (use) the ^ve kinds 5
of J^ clothing (as rewards,) and then 5S oh ^^
how illustrious vi^ill be the five displays Heaven ^ !

g^ punishes ^ |^ the wicked, but use ^ the five

kinds of Jfi] punishments, and then 3Ej^ ^ how oh
serviceable will be the five applications ! This is all

1^ ^ the business of governments ^ ^ us

;
let
exert ourselves !
^^ let us exert ourselves !
§
^ Heaven's |||[ perception and ^ observation
* The '* arraiigeraent " means the airangement of the relations
which exist between princes and ministers, parents and children,
elder and younger brothers, husbands and wives, friends and com-
panions .

f The "order" means the order of elevation and depression a-

mong the high and low, noble and mean degrees of rank.
J Although statutes and ordinances are appointed and arranged
by heaveH, yet the correcting of them, that they may be regularly
claesified and solidified, and the application of them, that they may be
duly ordered and invariably fixed, rests with us. Therefore princes and
ministers should unite in reverential care and combine in cautious
lespect, be sincerely unanimous without variance, allowing harmo-
ny and good understanding to pervade all classes, then the people
will be moral, affairs orderly, and every thing in its proper place,
which is what is called harmonious and liood.
§ The five kinds of clothing are those used from the ninth degree
of rank, up to the first degree. It means that while heaven en-
courages the virtuous, Ukuo are still the five kinds of dress to dis-
tinguish them so also while heaven chastises the vicious, there are
;

still the five kinds of punishment to correct them for the rewards ;

of rank and the inflictionj? of punishment belong to the business of

the ruler. The prince directs and the ministers enforce, and
therefore all ought to exert themselves, and not be negligent.
64 THE COUNSELS OF KAOU-YAOU.

(may be a^certaind) from Q

our |^ people's 5)| ^
perception and H|| observation. And heaven's ^
^ approval ^
and disapproval (may be known) ^
from ^ our ^ people's 0^ approval and )^ dis-
approval.* There is ^ a connection ^ between
the Jl upper and lower world ^
^^ Oh how ; ^
careful should those be ^
who arc in charge of
dh CO n tries 1-j-
11

are
ji]
in
^- Kaou-yaou ^ said,
accordance with right principles,
^^ My "^^ words
and wf may
^
be J^ carried out :f7 into practice. -^ Yu
said, ^ Right! Jj if this "^ advice ^ were put
in practice, ^
there w^ould be
f^ some good result.
^P^ Kaou-yaou said, -^ Q do not I^ ^ pos-
sess ^fl knowledge, but ,^ oh how I long ^ every
^^y ^^ *^ assist (the Emperor,)
fecting the government. J
^^ in per-

* By heaven's perceiving and observing, it is not meant that we

can notice its seeins^ and hearing, but we take what the people see
and hear, and consider that to be the perception and observation
of Heaven. By Heaven's approving and disapproving, it is not
meant that we can notice its likes and dislikes, but we take the likes
and dislikes of the people, and consider them as the approval and
disapproval of Heaven.
f This means that one uninterrupted principle pervades heaven
and men that which the people's minds dwell on, is that on
;

which heavenly reason is set and in the reverential caution of our

;

minds, we again unite heaven and men, and bring them together.
Can he who possesses the empire be ignorant of the need of
caution ?
I Kaou-yaou here says, that his words were accordant with right
reason, and might be carried out into practice. Yu assents to his
observation, and considers that if this plan were carried out into
practice, there would certainly be some good results. Kaou-yaou
humbly declines the compliment, with a confession of his own
ignorance, saying that he did not dare to scheme after merit but ;

only aimed at daily assisting the Emperor, in order to complete

his government.
 §

YIH AND TSEIH. . 6)

SECTION V.

^ YIH AND ^ TSEIH.*

^ \he Emperor H said, ^ Come ^% Yu
do !
Jj^
you ijp also utter ^ some excellent words. -^ Yu "g"

^ made hbeisance Q and How excellent is^

said, ^|$
but -^ ^can
your Majesty's (requisition) ! I, fflf what
i say? -^ ,S ^™^B 1
|5C|^ every day to put forth
unwearied effort. t ^
p^ Kaou-yanu p| said, ig^ very
well but iW fwj how is that^'? J
!
Yu said. When ^ g
of
>^ the flood :;^X waters yg mounted up to heaven, ^
^ J^and ^
hills
vspreading far and wide, »^
embraced |JL| the
it

over-topped j^ the mounds, "^ the inferior

J^ ^
people were bewildered aoid ^
overwhelmed.
^ ^
I then availed myself of [53 my four ^' convey-
ances, and j^ following )X| the line of hills j-|] I felled

* The copies in both the ancient and modern hand have this section,
but tlie edition in the modern hand joins it with the counsels of
Kaou-yaou. The sentence beginning with " the Emperor said,
Come Yu do you also utter some excellent words;" seems, according
!

to the tenor of the style, to be connected with the last sentence of the
former section for the books of the ancients were written on bam-
;

boos, which did not admit of too many slips being strung to'.rether ;
they therefore regulated and divided tha n into two, without having
anv set intention in so doing. Because in the following sentences
Yu speaks much of Yih and Tseih's helping him to complete his
work, the section is called by their nances.
" Unwearied eftbrt" conveys the idea of exerting the strength
f
without weariness. When Kaou-yaou had set forth his counsels re-
garding knowing mankind and tranqiiillizing the people, the Emperor
called on Yu to state his opinions. Yu bowed, and sighing in admi-
ration of the extreme excellence of Kaou-yaou's advice, said," what
further can I have to say ? I only aim at daily exerting myself to the
utmost in attending to business !" From this we may perceive that
the dialogue between Yu and K
lou-yaou in the former section was
carried on in the presence of Shun.
" how is that.^" intimates that Kaou-yaou wished
I The question,
to enquire how Yu was thus unwearifHliy earnest.
§ Yu former times, when the floods prevailed, and the
referred to
inundations rose to heaven, expanding far and wide, embracing the
hills and covering the mounds ; when also the inferior people were
dismayed and dejected, being extremely distressed on account of the
, calamity of the waters.

J
66 YIH AND TSEIH.

/JsJ the trees. ^ Then in conjunction with ^ Yih

^ I introduced ^ the various kinds ^ ^
of animal
food.+ After this "3^ I 2^ drained off -JIa the
j|)
nine
channels, J and J^ led them
into the p5l f^^r *i^ seas ;
I ^ deepened the 0;^ furrows and y^ canals,§ and
^2 l«^d them into ))] the rivers. ^ In conjunction
^ ^
1|

with ^ Tseiih 1 scattered and introduced jfe the

various
found some
kinds of seed, and (while the people)
-^ in obtaining food,^ (I indulg-
difficulty
still
^
ed them in the use of) ^^ animal
^
food, (as before.) ^
I encouraged^ the interchange of what they ^
* The four conveyances mean, that on the water he went about in
boats, on the land in carriages, on the mud in sledges, while in ascend-
ing hills he availed himself of spiked shoes. These sledges were
made of boards, in the shape of a sieve, and were pushed along the
mud. The spikes were made of iron, in shape like awls, about half
an inch long, ftxed under the shoes, in order to prevent their slipping
when ascending hills. For when Yu drained off the waters, he avail-
ed himself of these modes of getting forward, to cross the hills and ri-
vers, and to travel through dangerous places. At that time the wa-
ters issued forth, and having no vent, inundated and spread them-
selves abroad, so that every p?rt of the level country was under water.
Nothing was visible but the hills, hence he followed the line of hills,
felled the wood, removed obstructions, opened up a way, and after-
wards the work of draining the waters was carried on.
f Before the waters were drained off, the people had no corn to eat,
hence in conjunction with Yih he recommended the flesh of birds,
beasts, fishes, and tortoises, to the people, that]they might have some-
thing to eat and satisfy hunger.
The nine channels, are the channels of the nine districts.
;|:

§ According to the Ceremonies of the Chow dynasty, in the midst

of an acre, every opening a foot wide and a foot deep was called a
furrow; and in the middle of afield, every communication eight cu-
bits deep and sixteen wide, was called a canal. Intervening be-
tween canals and furrows, were water- courses, ditches, and gutters,
all forconveying water through the fields, while the smaller channels
ran into the great ones. Mention is here made of the farrows and ca-
nals, and not of the water- courses, ditches, and gutters, because the
smallest and greatest being quoted, the rest would of course be
included.
II
He first led out the waters of the nine rivers, and made them
flow into the sea ; and then deepened the furrows and canals, and
made them communicate with the rivers.
% The waters having been but just drained and the grain bu t
newly sown, the people had still some difficulty in obtaining food.
 YIII ANE> TSEIH. 67

had ^for what they had rot,^d (taught them) '^^ to

convert their property jg "into cash ;* ^
the ^\hole
of ^ the people J} then had '^ corn to eat, and ^
all ^p the
Kaou-yaou
states

Q
f^ were ;^ well regulated.
said,-^ Rirht grp how worthy of imi-
!
^^
tation are* these *?^ yo^Jr j^ excellent words, -f ^
^ Yu Q
said, Itfis#wellremarked,J^/ but let
your Majesty observe »^ how cautious Jj those ought
to be ^
who are in ^
<iUthority. ^
The Emperor
^ said, -^ True !§ -^ Yii Q
continued, Rest in ^
that point at uhich you it stop
'Jj(;
>|^ only be
; ||
^
* He eiicouraged the })tople to biiiler what they had lor what they
had not, and to convert into money the goods which they had accu-
nmhited.
f When the calamity of the flood was overcome, the people succeed-
ed in sowing the seed, and in obtaining the productions of the hills and
forests, rivers and marshes ; they also interchanged M'hat they hud
for what they had not, in order to supply their wants ; after which the
])eople had corn to eat, and all the states were v/ell-governed. Yu
whilst explaining the idea of unwearied effort, alluded to the particu-
lars of draining the waters from first to last, and from begining to end,
while the idea of caution was really contained in all he said for he
;

wanted the prince and ministers, superiors and inferiors, mutually

to exert themselves, and put away sloth, in order t« maintain good
government to an interminable period Kaou-yaou conssidered that
his words were excellent and worthy of being held up for imitation.

i Yu having expressed
his admiration of Kaou-yaou's observation,
purposely mentioned the Emperor's name, hi order to call his Majes-
ty's attention.
§ " Let those in authority be cautious," means that he who fills the
station of sovereign should be careful; for the imperial throne is be-
set with difficulties if a single thought should be carelessly conceived,
;

it might bring trouble over the four seas and if indifference shouKl
;

be indulged in for a single day it might induce hundreds and thousands

of years of sorrow. The Emperor fully assented ttj this ; and Yu
proceeds to enlarge on the manner in which tkose in authority slioaid
txercise caution, according to what follows.
To stop, means tl at point at which the mind stops
II
When a
,

man's mind is rightly affected, then every business and affair will in-
variably arrive at the point of utmost f;erfection, from which it will
not swerve but the concejition of selfish desires comes up in the inte-
;

rim, and then men begin to be confused about right priucij>le8, and
do not find that wherein they sliould stop. To r*ii»t, means to com-
ply with the correctness of a virtuous mii.d, without being involved in
the hazard of human passions.
 68 YIH AND TSKIH.

minute
assistants be
l|'|| and j^ tranquil ;* ^ and your Jg?
let

]§[ upright ;-]•

j>^ then JJf on every
movement ^ there will be a grand ]|^ responsion :^
of those who ^
your schemes, liX ^" order
wait for
to ^
shew clearly ^
that you have received (the de-
cree) J2 ^
of the Great Supreme, while high Hea- ^
ven, :^ should it \^ again declare -^ its will, would
do ^
it employment of f^ excellent blessinS5^s'.+
in the

^ Q
^ and g
'Ihe Emperor said. Wf Right Ri^(Oh the !

importance of) ministers

and |^ ^
^ attendants !
|^ =^
attendants! ^ Qministers ! Yii rejoined,
^i^ most assuredly.§
'1 he Emperor Q continued.^ You ministers

f^ constitute ^ my ^^ legs and ^ arms, ^my e tr>

and § eyes. ||
-^ Should 1 :[^ wish 3fe ^ to Bid

* To be ''minute," refers to the inspection of the first d splays of

business to be " tranquil," has respect to the examination of the
;

settlement of affairs and is synonimous with the expression after-

;

wards used, *'Let every thing be tranquilly arranged."

f When the attending and assisting ministers also fulfil their du-
ties in adjusting errors and correcting what is amiss then at home ;

and abroad there is a mutualattention to the cultivation of virtue with-

out one failure.

I Under such circumstances there will be no need of action ; hut

should a movement be made, then under the whole heaven there
would be none who would not loudly respond ; indeed they would be
beforehand with the idea, and be anticipating our efforts thus the :

sovereign would shew clearly that he had received the decree from
heaven ; and how could heaven, in the rer.ewal of its declarations, do
otherwise than make an exhibition of the most excellent blessings
towards him.
§ Attendatits are assistants and helpers on the right hand and left.
The word " ministeis" rc-fers to them as individuals the word " at- ;

tendants" has respect to their offices. The Emperor was deeply im-
pressed with the allusion in a former sentence to the uprightness of
assistants, and therefore excl-^imed *'Riuht !" &c. repeating the ex-
pression, in order to shew, that the idea of upright helpers was thus
important, and must not be overlooked. Yu then assented and
approved.
II
This sets forth that ministers are the attendants of the prince.
The sovereign is the head of the state ; and the ruler depends on
his ministers for assistance, as the head requires the use of the arms
and legs, ey; s and ears. The terms employed in the couise of
this sentence, viz. ''assistintf," "acting," "displaying," ai'd "lis-
 ;

YIH AND TSEIH. 69

^ J^ t,he people, -J^ yoa must ^

assist me

^ should I ^^jf
wish ^ to spread ;;f/ my power ^
;^/ abroad, J^ you must 1^ act for me.* -^ Should
1 1^ wish ^ to observe ^ \ ;^ ^ the forms
S
made
by the luicients, such as R the sun, H moon, and
^ Stars,
Jj with the hil's,
fg dragons, and ^ flowery

m monkey,which ^
insects, f '^ were painted ; ^^
with
the ^ the water plant, ;;^^ tbe fire, ^ ;7^
the white ^ rice, the hatchet, and
ffl
the double
hook, which were j^ ,^ embroidered, 1^' by 5£ ^^^
five ;^ colours, i^ "jj^ife
^"^^ variegated ^ on 35. the five
]^ kinds of silk, |^ order to form j]^ court dres-
in

ses, — (should I wish to o' s ;rve these) ]fX ^^ y^^

^ set them forth. t -^ When I
;f|jj
wish ^ to listen

telling," set forth the duties of those who are the arms and legs,
the ey('8 and ears of the prince.
* This means that when I wish to aid my people, then I depend
on you for assistance ajid when I wisli to miike my power felt m all
;

parts of the empire, I rely on you to act tor me.

f The forms here mentioned mean the n'[:resentation of things
on the court dresses. The Yih-Kiiiir sajs, " '^ the Yellow
Emperor, with Yaou and Shun, merely let fall their rohes and
^
garments, and the emj)ire was governed." For they took the
idea from heaven and earth, and made the robes above and the skirls
below ; these were first constructed in the time of the Yellow Em-
peror, and were perfected in the days of Yaou and Shun. In deline-
ating the snn, moon, and stars, they alluded to their brightness;
the hills represented the deities who
gu-^rded the country ; the
dragon was chosen on account of trauHlbrmations ; the flowery
his
insect, (or the wild fowl,) was selected on account of its variegated
colours ; the monkey, or the tiger ape, was taken on account of its
filial piety ; the water plant, as an emblem of cleanliness ; fire, for
its brightness ; white rice, for its nourishing qualities ; the hatch* t-
shaped ornament, as denoting decisir.n ; and the double hook, wiiich
w;is for.aed by t'vo hooks placed !iaG'<. t> bac'c, as denoting dis-
crimination. (Ministers in ancient t mes were represented as turn-
ing their backs on vice and facing virtue, hence the idea of dis-
crimination.) The first six, viz th.i sun, moon, stars, hills,
dragons, and wild fowl, were painted on the robe The next six,
viz. the monkey, w;;ter plant, fire, white rice, the hatchet, and
double hook, were eml)ro'dpred on the skirts ; thus constituting
these the twelve orders of court dress. The six onlers of the ves-
ture were reckoned from top to buttom and the six orders oi the ;

skirt were reckoned from bottom to top. The five colours were
70 THE TWELVE ORNAMENTS ON COURT DRESSES.

^X

^m- $k # n

AE
o
^^

5J
 §

YIH AND Tv^ElII. 71

y^ to the six ^ notes, 31 the five ^ sounds, and the

/\ eight kinds of ^ insrnusical truments, ^ in order
to ascertain whether (my government) is y^ right or^
not,* J5? wlien I take ^ the odes of the court and
^^
the ballads of the village (to see if they correspond
with) 3£ the five "^ sounds,-]- do you then ^ @
listen for me. J
-^ Should 1 ^ act contrary to reason,
Jj(;
do you
g^ help to set me you
right ;
^
must not ^ @ ap-
parently ^ comply, jg, ami when you retire
back-biting 'p' expression.
::^
invent^ some ^jf Take
care, [JtJ you four ^ attendants.

^ All those J^ stubborn and ^ calumnious

^
assertors, ^ if

these upright principles,

they ]^ do not i^ conform to Bi
H f^ then try them by the

green, yellow, purple, white, and black. Whether painted on the

robes or embroidered on the skirts ; the five colours were all inter-
mingled on the five kinds of silk. " Do you display them," means,
do you set forth the order of rank, whether high or low, great
or small, which they designate.
* The six notes refer to the sharp notes, while the six flats not
being mentioned, are supposed to be included. Having these notes,
we discover the sounds : having the sounds, the eight musical in-
struments may be verified. Therefore the six notes, the five sounds,
tind the eight instruments are thus arranged. The doctrine of
sounds corresponds with that of government ; hence we investigate
the sounds, in order to ascertain the nature of the music played ;
we enquire into the music, with the view of finding out the success or
failure of government.

f When poetic efi'usions proceed from superiors and reach infe-

riors, they are called \J4 odes ; when such strains originate

with inferiors, and are heard by superiors, they are called §|^ ballads.
J Do you listen, means do you examine the music, and ascer-
tain the success or failure of my government.
§ This means, when I do anything contrary to right rea-on, do
you help to correct my failings ? Do not flatter me before my face,
saying that I am in the right, whilst behind my back, you blame me
for having done wroni^. You cannot dispense with reverent caution,
whilst filling the offi<:e of royal attendants. This connects the idea
of a former sectic^n that "assistants should be upright," and "Oh
the importance of royal attendants," while it lays a heavy respon-
sibility on Yu.
II
Carrying on the idea of the former section, the Emperor ex-
72 YIH AND TSEIH.

target,* JJ/^ in order to fl^ detect 5^ them, ^ and

scourge-]* them J^ order to "f£ ]^ refresh their me-
in

mories Oh ; ^ the book, f^ how useful is it, "^^ ^

for recording their faults.
J (In employin.^ these
ineRTis)^Ji[ how much do we desire ]j^ simultaneously
^^ to preserve ihem
musician jj/^ be employed |^^ in taking
HI the chief
"="
in
the words
h'fe. § Let

(which he has received,)

fan them in
\if]

their
and constantly
eiri
j^ ^
^should they repent, ^ij
^
;

then ^ ^ recommend j^ ^ and use them ; ^ if

not, ^jj then overawe

J^ :^ them.H
presses his concern lest these stubborn and calumnious fellows
should be unfaithful and dishonest. Calumnies were what Shiin
detested.
* The "target," means the shooting" target. "Detect," means try-
to discover whether they are really stubborn and calumnious or
not. For archery is that whereby we discover virtue. These stub-
born and calumnious fellows have perverse minds which disposi- ;

t ons become incorporated with their several members, and are

diffused through all their motions so that their forms will not be
;

consonant with propriety, nor their motions in accordaiice with

the time of music Uiider such circumstances their hitting the centre
;

of the target cannot be frequent. Scrutinize them in this way, then

you will directly ascartain that they are stubborn and calumnious.
According to the Ceremonies of the Chow dv nasty, the king, at
the great archery matcli, was provided with a tiger target, a bear
target, and a leopard tarijet a prince was furiiishcd with a bear
;

target and a leopard target while nobles and great oificers were fur-
;

nished with a stag target each (jf them had agoo.se, or bull's eye
;

in the centre. A carpenter made the target as broad as high, and

at one t liid of the breadth, placed a ijoose in the centre. The an-
cient ceremo ;ies were not very different from these.
f He directed them to be scourged, which was the punishment of
the schools, that they might remember their duty and not forget their
failings.

J He also wrote down their past delinquencies and recorded them

in a book ; as the village officer, according to the regulations of the
Chow dynasty, at certain times wrote down the people's filial piety,
and fraternal affection,with their friendly amity, conjugal tenderness
au'l attention to learning.

§ The sage could not endure hastily to reject men on the score of
stubbornness and calumny, and therefore employed these three me-
thods of instruction, to develop**, their energies, and display their
efforts, so that they might forsake the evil, revert to the good, and
thus enjoy life together in this sublunary state.
With regard to these stubborn and quarrelsome fellows, the sage
II
 YlII AND ToElJI. 73

^j Yu Q said # ui^ Is tint ri-ht •?* Railier if^T

let your Majesty's -^ glory (l>e .liaised)
5c :^ T
throughout the empire, even to the ^ ^ -Jjif |^
corners of the sea. and to the^ ^ blue distant pros-
f>ect,
-f
so that ^ the myriad ^j] of states, and
^^
the virtuous among the people, 5^-b would all 'j^ be-
come ^ your Majesty's g subjects. f^ Only ^
letyour Majesty fl$;^ elevate these men, and ^
when they send up their reports, |^ receive l^-^ ^their
testimony ; 0]^ set forth ]^- the whole j^, arcordmg to
'^ their merits, (and reward them with) '^ chariots
pnd )jg dresses, l^ in order to ^render them constant.
%^ Who then ^ would dare Jf, to be deficient in
|||
yielding *? who would g^ dare ::j; to fail in gj; re-
spectful
JJH compliance*^ ^ Should your Majesty
;;;j^ not ^ act thus, then thoy would ^ all he corrupt
j^ alike, and Q every day (would witness)^ reports
cf ^ unworthy "^ f)roceedings.J

liaviiiy: tried to arouse their eneri»ies and efforts, and to devcdope their
inclination to return to g )od, he further cotmn^inded the chief music^n,
to take the odes which had been communicated to hini. and perpetual-
ly reiterate order to see whether those persons iiad really re-
them, in
formed or not. had refonndd, tlien lie would advance and
If they
employ them ; but if not, then he would overawe them by punish-
ment, la order to sihe^v that the instriictioas of the sa^e, leit no maan^
untried. W.ieu there w ts no help f )r it, th -n he overawed the;n thus ;

rehictant was he hghtly to reject men. All tins was especially the bu-
siness of Lung, but here he dh'ccts Lord Yh to take a general charge
of the matter.
* Shoo-she says, that the expression, "Is that right !" intimates
that while the mouth assents the heart does not.

f The blue distant prospect, means that which looms great, and
appears distant.
X Although Yu assented to the Em-)eror's words, yet he withheld
from tiiem
his full consent while he intimded, that to overawe the
;

obstinate and caiumnioiis fellows by terrors, was not so good as to

illuminate them by virtue; let the Emperor's virtues sliiuefort-i
and extend throughout the empire, unto the corners of the SRas, till
the blue distant prospect were everywhere enlightened ; then the
displays of virtue being thus distant, who, throughout the my-
riad states, and amongst the virtuous people, woidd not be iufluencod
by a longing desire to risu up, and wish to become the sub-
 74 YIH AND TSEIH.

,% Do not ^ be like
^^ Tan-choo, who was
fjt disrespectful, * 'j^ who only ^ in leisurely
^
sauntering about ^ took delight, and in ^ in-
sulting and g oppressing (the people)
^ f^ busied
himself; ^ no matter ^ w^hether by day or ^ by
night,
there
H^^ he was incessantly acting thus
was no ;^ water
; ^ where
( he insisted on)
f=j moving a-
long ^ his boat, and ^^ by depraved associations
Jg
he corrupted ^ ^ all at home (so that Yaou) fl^
;

proceeded ^ )^ ^
to cut off his succession.
f ^ 1

|(J
took warning ^ ^ and g
by %
this, having wed-
ded ^ at '^ the Too )lj mountain, I spent ^3^ ^
^ only four days there ; § when (my infant) ^ Ke
jects of your Majest)- ? Let your Majesty therefore elevate and em-
ploy these alone. When they send up a report, do you receive their
statements, in order to ascertain their requirements; display the
whole according to their merits, in order to set forth their accom-
plishments ; reward the capable and encourage the virtuous, in
order to render their remuneration liberal. Under such circatnstan-
ces who would dare to refuse their subjection to virtue, or presume
to refrain from purity and sincerity of mind, while they respectfully
accorded with the wishes of their superiors ? then what need would
there be to concern yourself about these obstinate and calumnious
fellows ? But if your Majesty should not act thus, then these
ministers whom you now employ, both far and near, would be of the
same spirit, leading on by lies and disrespect, and daily proceeding-
to unworthy conduct. How then would the stubborn and calumni-
ous fellows be the only objects of concern ?
* According to the records of Han, Yaou placed his son yj^ Choo _

at TT" 5^ Tan-yuen, to be the ruler of it; thus Tan was attached to

his name, on account of the country he governed.
f Tan-choo was unfilial, therefore Yaou gave the empire to Shun,
and did not give it to Choo hence it is said, he cut off his succession.
;

Chin-tsze has said, that of all the sages none were so distinguished as
Shun ; yet Yu cautioned Shun so far as to say, ) not be like Tan- D
choo, fond of idle sauntering and practicing insult and oppression.
Now though a man were ever so stupid, yet he ought to know that
Shun was not addicted to these, and can we suppose that Yu was ig-
norant of it. But this was the mode of cautioning those who were
in high authority used in ancient times.
J Here Yu speaking of himself, says that he took warning by Tan-
choo's wickedness, and did not dare to saunter idly about.
§ The Too mountain is the name of a region, to the north-east of
the present ^^ Show-chow district. Lat. 32. 34. N. Long.

1
 YIH AND TFLIH. 75

fondle over
sobbed
him
ffp
;
ind

f^
Jg
I
cried,
only ^
-f^ I i^
considered
impor-
did not
^
tant ]^ Jb ?^ the business of ieveUing the ground *
Moreover assisted )^ in completing
5l5§ I
5[ the five
3gla^^s of tenure,-]- g -^ to the distance of ^ five
=j^thousand(le.)J *|H In every district (I appointed)
:z: twelve
-f* :;j'^] (ijp officers ;
§ ^}y beyond these dis-
tricts, ^ even to gg the four ^ seas, )^ everywhere
^ I established 5l the five
^ elders ^ each
of whom ^ has attained
"^
^ bome ^
;||

merit (in
pursuit of virtue;) but the people of Meaou
stubborn, ar.d ^ will not ^]^ goto 2E work,
your Majesty ^ 1^ uZ reiiect on this.^ t^
0. 16. E. of Peking. Yu married the daughter of a man at the Too
mountain and four d'<»ys after his marriage, he went off
; to regulate
the waters.
* Ke was the Bon of Yu, after the birth of whom Yu had no lei-
sure to think about his wife and child, and only considered of great
and urgent importance, the measurements relative to the work of
levelling the ground. Mang-tsze says, that Yu was eight years a-
broad nn the public service, during which time he thrice j)a*^ssed his
own door without entering it.
f The five tenures are tl,e I^J Teen, ^ How, ^^ Suy, ^
Yaou, and ]^ Hwang tenures. This implie.s that he not only at-
tended to tiie ievellinii: of the country, but according to the distance
or nearness of the various regions, lie assisted in completiiu'- tlie regu-
lations for the five tenures. To reguhite the borders of the empire
is the business of the prince, and not what a minister can presume to
do of his own accord ; hence he says, that he assisted in completing
the tenures.
" Five thousand le.'' means that every tenure extended 500 le
J ;

thtis the territoriesincluded within th^ five tenures, east, west, north
and south, were mutually distant 5000 le.
§ " The twelve ofRcers" mean that over every one of the twelve
districts he established a nobleman, as officer, bidding them mutually
guard, in order to restrain the rest of the chiefs.
II
Beyond the nine regions, bordering on the four seas, in every
part, he separate!)' established five elders as superiors, to take the
general charge of the country. The regulations of the sage in super-
intending the empire, were thus minute in what was within, and
difrusi\e with re^-urd to the external regions.
^ He meant by this, tliat while the twelve officers and the five
elders guarded the governors within, and fenced off the foreigners
» ^ Tiii AJNiJ .
.

^^T^P^^^lti «^t-s (The people's) 5^ comp . aice t\I.ii

M m ^"y virtuous rules, jj^ -s entirely to be ascribed

75 ^ f§
11^'''''' ^^^^^'t in1^ arranging matters but ;

^fa^ Kaou-yaou ^^ has jnst

g^ respectfaliy received
PMyouT ft^ arnmgernent,
the forms of fflj punishment
^^ and ^^ superuide:!
wtdch he
^
;
fj^ in is't^j^J
cle^r-y disciiminative *

^ Kwei H
beat r?^ the sounding
^aid, g When they tnpoed and^
^C stone, f and ^struck ^'nd|^
swept ^ the harp ?^ and lyre, J*^ in order to |^ ac-

"witiiout, alloftUern following a meritorious line of conduct ; tlie tnree

Miaou alone were stubborn and disresp'^cttii!, refusin<^ to go to tiieir
work ; which circumstance rendered the Einperor atixions
* The E nperor replied, That the ccnpliarice of all within the four
R'^as with my virtuous instruction is entirely to be ascribed to j'our
meritorious arransrement. "With regard to those who are stubborn
a III disobedient, Kaou-yaou has just reverently received your merito-
rious arrang-ement, and is ensrm:ed in displaying- the iorms of puni'^h-
ment, in whicii he is clearly discriminative, suiting the penalty to t'le
offences, in order to overawe the rebellious. In the former sentence,
Yu wishes Shun to relax the terror of the whip, and to extend the
influence of liis accomplished instruction ; here tii« Empe^-or infers,
that notwithstanding Yu's meritorious arrangement haJ already pro-
duced such effects, yet were a number of stubborn fellows who
tiiere
would not go to work, Meaou, in which case it
like the people of
was impossible to dispense with punishment. A
certain person hns ,

sugijested, thatif the vicious and obstinate Meaou-ites were not to !)e
subdued by armies, and in suite of military force resisted the im])eri-
al will, it was not likely that Kaou-yaou's display of punishm(Mit
could effct their subjection ; but such an objector is evidentlv ig-
norant of the order in which the sage, employed military expedi-
tions and judicial inflictions, while he knows nothing ot the history
of i^hun's dealings with the people of Me>aou.
These words of the Emperor wore uttere.l before Yu was associated
in the throne, and are not to be placed subsequent to the expedition
against Meaou. For he first overawed them by putiishment, and ii»id-
ing them still unwilling to submit, he ordere«l Yu to go and set them
to rights. When he could not subdue them by force, he took Yth's
advice, and paid an increased attention to virtuous instruction, where-
UDon the Meaou-ites saaie undor subjection, and he parted them a-
snnder. These words of Shun, although placed at the end of the
'J'hree Counsels, ought really to come in before Yu"s association
in the throne.
f stone, means the sonorous c-em, (formed of a piece
The sounding
of precious stone or jade, suspended in a frame, which on being
struck emitted a pleasant tinkling sound )
ANCIENT MLSICAL IKSTUUMENTS. 77

t
78 YIH AND TSEIH.

cord with the chant, * then (the spirits of) |f{J| the
ancestors^ and progenitors ^ cirne down ^ and
visited ;
(ai the same time) ^^
Principal seat,-]-^ and the host
the guest of Shun ^
tilled the {S J^ of no-
bles ^ virtuously g^ yielded ;
J
"^^ at the bottom of
^
the hall were the pipes |^ f^ and tambours, §
which
checked;^
^ were
by the
brought iiito unison jJh or snddeiily
and the sto[)|)er,^ while
rittie g^
^ ^
|1

theorg;in** and the bell

])J^
indicated ^ the
interludes, -ff Upon this .^ the birds ^ and l}easts

* AL the c;>in!iieacemeiit of the pjrtbi-rnance, tfiey raised the song

at the head of the hill, while the musicians selected those sounds
which were shrill and clear, in harmony with the human voice hence ;

*'
it is said, in order to accord with the chant;" for they tapped an I
beat the sonorous stone, and struct and swept the sounding lyre,
in order toaccompany the chantin": song.
f The guest
of Shun was Tan Choo for aft r the death of Yaou,
;

he was entertained by Shun, and s it on the principal seat to assist in

the sacrifice.
I The host of officers yielding to each other's virtue, shews that
there was no want of harmony amongst them.
§ The tambour was like a drum but smaller, it wis furnished with
a handle, on shaking which, the two pellet-; which were attached
struck the instrument.
II
The rattle was like a varnish tub, two cubits four inches in diame-
ter, and two cubits eight inches deep in the centre was a hammer,
;

joined by a handle to the bottom, which on being pushed struck the

tub to the right and left.
^ The stopper was in form like a crouching tiger, on the back of
which were 27 indentations alon^^ these protuberances they drew a
;

style made of wood about a foot long. Wiien the tune was to begin,
they shook the rattle, in order to make all the instruments strike up
in unison and when they were about to conclude they drew the
;

style alonii the stop, to make the muse hold up. For both these
were instruments for regulating the time of music.
** The organ was made of a calibash, into which a number of
pipes were inserted they also fixed a cross piece in the end of each
;

pipe. (Thisoriran is described by Ml'. Lay, as a collection of tubes,

varying in length, so as to utter sounds at harmonic intervals from
each other; apart from the tubes is a sort of wind-chest, being a
simple bowl, into the top of which the tubes enter, and are held in
their position. The tubes are of five different lengths, and corres-
pond ill appearance to the scale of five sounds. See the Chin se Ile-
pository for May 1839; and the plate on the opposite page.)
ff Above it is said that the music was intended to accord with the
human voice, and here it is said " to indicate the interlude; ;" the

I
 !

YIH AND TSEIII. 79

If^ ^ we^e set in motion* ; and when ^ they played

the nine airs of Shun's music, J^ the male
fitJ)$L
their
and female phoenix
gambols.f
5|^ came forth ^ with

expression being used antithetically, for the music was played durino-
the intervals of the song.
* This means that the sound? of the music not o ily ind i-mc^d the
gods, hut even t!ie igiioiMut birds and be ists led each otlier on, and
danced and frisked about
f The phoenix was
th>"i most intelligent of the feathered tribe ;
'*
their coming forth with their j£anhols," m3ans that they also skip-
ped about, and put themselves in various attitudes. certain person A
has said, that as the form of the organ was like a bird's wing, and as
the ornam'Mits of th'3 bell-stand resemMed beasts, therefore, whe n
these instruments were played as an interlude, it is said that the
birds and beasts were )v'ed. m
Anotli t wr.ter suggests, that Shim
made the organ to appear like a phoeiix, tlie sound and shape of the
instrument resembling that bird, to indicate the harmony of his mu-
sic how could it really be that th^i birds and beasts, with the male
:

a id female phoenix, were ret in motion, and came frisking about'? To

these observations the commentitor replies, that the writers do not
seem to have been aware of the wonderful and all-pervading influ.
ence of the sounds of music. Why ^Q
Paou-pa merely drum-
med upon his harp, and the wandering tishes came out to listen ; while
IR
pasture;
^
Pih-yay swept his lyre, and six horses looked up from their
besi les which there are numerous instances on record of
sounds producing a felicitous influence and affecting animals. How
much more when Shun's virtue caused harmony above, and Kwei's
music diffused concord elow, so as to influence both gods and men,
I

is it worth while harbouring a doubt that the birds aud beasts frisked

and gambolled about

We have read, that^4»L Kwei-cha, whilst listening to the mus'c
of the dynast v, aud witnessing the performance of this piece,
Chow
exclaimed. It is the essence of virtue the very summit of excel-
;

lence like h iaven which overspreads all, and earth which sustains
!

every thing for the powers of nature, although exhibiting the fulness
;

of virtue, can add nothing to this. Now the music of Shiin when
played up, affected the spirits of the invisible world, and the shades
of progenitors came to tiie entertainment it moved the occupants
:

of this present scene, and the host of officers yielded to virtue ; a-

mongst interior things it btirred up the brute creation, and the phoenix
gambolled, and the dnmb animals danced about ; the only thmg
which wrought all these was the virtue of Shun,
^which like
upon
heaven and earth overspread and sustained all nature. This music
was handed down for more than a thousand years, when Confucius,
hearing it in the Tse country, was so affected, that for three months
he did not know the taste of flesh, exclaiming, I never thought that
fO Yin ANE> TSEin.

^ Kvvei 13 ^ii'l, 7j^ wbilst -^ I av;is ^p striking

^ the stone ^f.]-

and t jj.ping :jfj
the stone,* J5* ''^'

H/i the beasts-i- ^

led eadi otiier on f| to g«mbol,
^
and nil ^
the ofiicers j^ were sincerely
|g banno-
niops.
^|j* The Emperor then ]|f invented and ff^ compo-
sed ^ an ode, Q to tlie effect ^
that men should
be careful (to preserve) ^
;^ Heaven's lf^ decree,-*:
ff^ be U^
constantly on their guard, and be |i| ^
iTiinute in every particular ;§ J} a:.d then ^ he san;,
Q s:i3'in^, )^£ ^ "When the members of the govern-*
men; ^^ (aredelighted to swerve,) ^g "j^ the bead
of the state
T
II

^^
the various public undertakings,
will be aroused to action,
)@G. ^
and
will pros,
^
per." ^ 1^ Kaou-yaou bowed with^ ^ his
hands, and thei |^ bent down "^ his head, ^ ex.
music could have produced such an effect npon nie. If such wa^
t!ie ca'^ein the days of Confiiciu'^, wliit mist have been the power
of the performance in the age of Shun !

* There were s)n(>ro. is stones of various sizes, hence some were

struck hard, and others gently tapped, Of the eight kinds o: m isi-
cal instruments, those made of stone, are alone referred to because ;

the sound emitted from stones constituted tiie lowest njte, whicli was
t!ie most diliicult of all to hanwouize. But wheii the sound pro I loi^d
by the instrume:its of stone was in h;irtno;iy, th;3H the symplionies
elic'ted by those made of metal, silk, i)am!)oy, calabasli, earthenware,
leather, and wood, would douMless accord.

f Above mention is made of birds and beasts, and her.^ n^fereuce is

made to the beasts alone, becatise there are generally reckoi.ed ti».-e
kinds of beasts, the horned, the adipose, the naked, the feathcr;jd, and
the scaly tribes, all of which may be termjd brutes.
J Tiie reason of this charge is, that the decree of Heaven is
not invariably fixed in one family, while order and confusion, tran-
quillity and hazard follow close on the heels of each other ; intima-
ting that although at that moment right rule might be established,
public works completed, ceremonies rendered orderly, and music
harmonious, yet if care and fear were not perpetually maintained, then
negligence and indifference would spring up ; and if every minute
particular were not strictly enquired into, then trouble and calamity
would speedily arise; heuce the necessity of caution.
§ Here Shun, being about to give out an ode, first sets forth the
object of the ode.
jj
*'
Members of government," literally arms a'.id legs, mean
the ministers of the crown.
 YIIJ AND TFIIH. 81

claiming "^ in loud terms, ^ snying, ^ ^ Think

On this
^
(the sovereign)
in the
!

commencement
^^ fj^ should take the lead
of affairs, »^ and he
careful ahout 75 ^^s ^l regulations. * ^ «^ Be
respectfully cautious ;
^frequently ^ enquire into
7^ ^ the completion of affairs.t ^ ^ By all
means be cautious.']; /J He then connected ^ ^
and completed the ode, ^ ^
saying, " when j^ "^
the head of the state Bj^ ^ is intelligent,
^ ^ and the
members of government ;g; ^
will be virtuous,

^ ^ all the affairs || t^ will be prospej^ous." ^

Again f)f he chanted Q saying, " If the "^ head
7^
^^
of the state rJc ^^ annoyingly particular, ^^ ^
the members of government ^^ will be indifferent,
and ^ ^
every thing ^^ will fall into ruin.§

'"i^ The Emperor ^

bowed Qand said, Excel- ^
lent! ^ go your way, ^ and ^j^ be respectfully cau-
tious. 11

* This means that the prince should take the general lead of his
in setting about any undertaking, and be careful respecting
officers
th« maintenance of the regulations for when men are bent on
;

commencing an affair, they easily get into bustle and confusion ;

hence the need of extreme caution.

f In commencing an affair, frequently enquire into its successful
operation, then you will experience the result of trial and verification,
and be exempt from the evils of misrepresentation and concealment.
X He repeats the caution, because in commencing business and in-
specting its progress, we ought to be deeply cautious and free
from carelessness.
§ This means that when a prince interferes annoyingly with a mi-
nister's duties, then ministers will become indifferent, and not holding
themselves responsible for the issue of affairs, every thing will fall
into confusion. On this account besets forth his warning. Shun
in his ode had laid the burthen on the ministers, and Kaou-yaou in
carrying out the idea, threw the responsibility on the prince for the ;

rule of Shun consisted in princes and ministers mutually sharing

their responsibilities ; an attainment which perhaps cannot now bo
reached.
II
The Emperor bowed and returned the compliment, while li.'
approved of the sentiment and said, do you eo and attend to your
duties, but be particularly respectful.

L ,
 J

THE HISTORICAL CLASSIC.

BOOK IL
THE BOOK # OF HEA.* S
OR, THE RECORD OF THE HEA DYNASTY.
SECTION I.

THE TRIBUTE ^ ^ OF YU.t

^ Yu ^ divided dh the land, and ^ following
\l^ the range of hills T|J he cut down the wood, ^ ^
fixing as boundaries J'^ the high Jj hills and great ^
)|j channels.

* Hea was the national title assumed by Yu, on his ascending

the throne. This book contains four sections. The " Tribute of
Yu" was composed in the time of Shun, and is joined on to the Book
of Hea, because Yu's attaining the empire originated with the un-
dertaking here referred to.
f Wt»en superiors take anything of their inferiors it is called taxa-
tion, and when inferiors present anything to their superiors, it is
called tribute. In this section both taxation and tribute are referred
to, and •* tribute" alone is mentioned in the title of the section,
because, as Mang-tsz^ says, ** Under the Hea dynasty, the average
of fifty years was taken to determine the tribute ;" that is, the tribute
was ascertained by comparing the medium of several years to find a
regular sum ; thus tribute was the general title of the tax on land
during the reign ©f Hea. The editions in both the modern and an-
cient hand writings contain this section.
J He divided the land into nine provinces, fixing upon the high hills
and the lar^e rivers to distinguish the boundaries of each province :

thus, the ^ Tse and p^ Ho (or yellow) river formed the boundary
of y^ yen, (the southern part of Shan-tung)
the sea on the east,
;

and the 'pj Tae mountain on the west, formed the boundary of
^^
Tsing, (the northern part of Shan-tung) ; the ^ Ilwae river on one
side, and the sea on the other, formed the boundary of
southern part of Keang-soo) the ffi
^ Yang, (th

; :;^ Hih-shwuy, Black water,

and ^^ the western arm of the Yellow river, formed the boundary
of ^ Yung, (the central part of Shan-se)

Hang mountains
; the ^J King and the
fitf formed the boundaries of the fflj King country,
(the modern Hoo-pih); the sea and the ^J? Tae mountain formed
the boundary of ^ Tseu, ( the northern part of Keang-soo) ; the
i

.U-: I

!*'> l^' A':?'^^,

/ >»•**£

V^'T"-

/I
^ d^

ilH^
M\J \A'
 t^t

NL-.
WW^' f-m •^^1

1^

;^^>1''^

•>i
t
M

n^
^r

:r' _ '/

r :.rwrfe
/^--.v

f
^^'i '
il « ' -.-
> M
,.. : ui.
•
,,,: . ;, «..
 THE TRIBUTE OF YU. 83

with respect to ^ j\\ the Ke province:*

0^ Having ^ commenced the work ^ tl| at Hoo-
kow,-]*

mountain and the 'infilo, or yellow formed the boun-

JP\ K'uvT river,

dary of J^ Yu, (the preseiit Ho-nan) the ; ^ Hv\a and ^ Yang

hills, together with the ^^ /J^ Black water, formed the boundary of
Loang, (the southern part of Shen-se).
(See the Canon of Shilun.
page 24.) About that time the
in'indations flowed abroad, and the
boundaries of the various regions could not be distinguif^hed, until Yu
divided the land into nine provinces, f )llowingthe chain of hills, and
according with the advantages of the country, he cut down the fo-
rests and cleared away the roads, in order to regulate the matter. He
also fixed upon the liighest moiintuns and the largest rivers as cer-
tain boundaries. These three thin^^'s constitute the most important
items of Yu'iB merit in draining the land, there ore the writer of the
Classic sets them down first.
* The Ke province (or Shan-se) was the Imperial domain, surround-
ed on three sides by rivers, for lay to the west of tne river of the
it

Yen province, to the east of that part of the YeUo%v river which borders
the Yung province, and to the north of that part of the same river
which borders the Y'u province all the other eight provinces have
;

their borders mentioned and not the Ke province, because the others
being described this may be known.

f Hoo-kow (situated in Lat. 36. 15. N. Long. 6. oW. of Peking,)

is the name of a hill, situated on the south of the /05 Keuh district,

corresponding with the present department of |]^ >>sih. (Lat. 36.

40. N. Long. 5. 32. W.) near the district of "^ Kdh, (Lat.
36. 6. N. Lat. 5. 55. W. of Peling). On examining this pas-
sage we finl that the Ke province, or the territories of the imperi-
al domain, was the place where Yu first received the command to
drain off the waters, and where he was rt quired to commence the work.
He began his work therefore at Hoo-Uow and the adjacent places, in
order to cut off the force of the Y'ellow river, hence it is said '" having
commenced." But the order in which Yu originally set about the
work of draining the waters was to begin at the lower part of
the streams; hence he observed the following cours*^ ; Yen, Tsing,
Tseu, Yang, King, Yu, Leang, and Y^ung. The Yen province was
fvrthest down the stream, theretbre he took that first ; while the
Yung province was farthest up the stream, therefore he attended to
that last. Y^u ust^d to say " I have cleared out the nine rivers, and
led them into the sea;I hive deepened the canals and led their wa-
ters into the river;" thus the beginning and ending of his labour con-
sisted in first drainifig off the waters of the nine rivers into the sea,
that the great body of the fluid might have a vent; after which he
deepened the finals, that the smaller streams miglit find their level ;
 ;

84 THE TRIBUTE OF YU.

He Jl^ directed the course of the waters ^ near the

Leaiig 7^ and |^ Ke hills ;*

1^ And having set in order -jl^

(^ the plain of
Tae-yuen, ^ he extended his improvements ^ to -g
^At the south of the Yo mountain, f
!^ 1^ Tan-hwae J ^ he carried out f^ his mori-

in both of which cases he commenced with the lower part of the

stream, in order to spread it out and cut off its violence. Those who
read the account of YiVs operations, and wish to ascertain the order
of his work, ought to pay particular attention to this.
* These are the names of two hills in the province of Ke (Shan-se)
the Leang hill is tlie same with the Q^ Leu-leang ; that range

of hills situated on the north-east of the department of

/J5 Shth, the
modern ^^ Woo-paou, Lat. 37. 35. N. Long. 5. 57. W. of Pe-

king.
L6ng-mun
^ '^ 3pit Leu-puh-wei used
pass was not yet opened, nor the Leu-leang
to say, when
hill
the /rjg
excavated,
P^
the river flowed out above the pass of I 4 Mang-mun. The 5S
I^ung pass is about Lat. 35. 45. N. Long. 5. 55. W. of Peking ;
near which is a part of the range of the Leang hills. The pass of
Mang is situated Lat. 36. 20. N. Long. 6. 20. W. of Peking, on
the west bank «f the Yellow River. ^J* |g* Le-taou-yuen says, 7C
that the rocks of the Leu-leang hills are high and precipitous, and the
Yellow river flowing by dashes along, so as to agitate surrounding na-
ture ; this is the reason why Yu, having finished his business at
Hoo-kow, set about directing the course of the waters at the Leani=r

hill. The 8^ Ke hill is situated in the department of ^J^

*)f{
Fun-chow, Lat. 37. 19. N. Long. 5. 15. W. of Peking. P>om t.ie
Koo-ke hill issues the ^^ Shing water, which flows north-easterly
till it reaches the river Fun.
f He is said to have arranged that region, as taking up the labours
of his father ^^ Kwan. The plain here spoken of refers to the region

east of the river, near the prefecture of JJ^ ]^ Tae-yueu, the capi-
tal of Shen-se, Lat. 37. <I5. N. Long. 3. 55. W. of Peking. The
-fe Yo. means the Great Y'o mountain, situated in the district of -gg
Ho, Lat. 36. 30. N. Long. 4. 30. W. of Peking. The south of a hill
is called |^ Yang, and there is at present a district called Y6-yang
(Lat. 36. 25. N. Long. 4, 20. W.) where Yaou held his capital.

The jf^ Fun water rises in >^ j^

Tae-yuen, passes to the eastward
of the great Y^o mountain, and then flows into the Yellow river.

X Tan-hwae is the name of a place, situated in the prefecture of '^^

Hwae-king, Lat. 35. 6. N. Long. 3.28. W. of Peking. It is

I
 J

\^
THE TRIBUTE OF YU, 86
torious work, ^ even
=f until the
j@ ^ river
IJiing chang.*

^ The i soil (of the province) v^as

^ white ^
clay it

^ 1^ Its revenue j^ was J; of tne first class

Jt of
the superior kind, ^i^ occasionally mixed ; while ^its
E3 fields f {I
middling kind.
were of the medium class ^ of the

a level counUy, lying to the east of the ford ]^'^ Mang-tsin,

and to the west of the 7^ {"f Tae-hin^ mountain ; the pj^ Lae wa-
ter issues from it to the west, and the
water to the east. ^L Ke
At
that time, when the great inundation encompassed the hills, and over-
topped the mountair.s, it was very difficult to complete any work in
the level country, tlicrefore it is said *'
he carried out his meritorious
work."
* The Hang-chang is the name of a river. The geographical re-
cords says, that there are two Chang rivers, one coming out of the
^2|S Lo-ping district, Lat. 37. 35 N. Long 2. 40. W. of Pe-
king ; the name of this water is ^^ ^^L Tsing-chang, or the clear

Chang. The other river issues out of the '^ j^,^ Fa-kew hill, in

the ^ "^ Chang-tsze district, Lat. 36. 5. N. Long. 3. 50. W.

of Peking. This is
'J^ i^ Tsuh-chang, muddy Chang.
called the
f When earth is not formed iato lumps it is called clay ; soft
mould is also called clay. The minister of instruction of the Chow
dynasty pointed out tw< Ive sorts of clay, and ascertained their appro-
priate seeds, in order to instruct the husbandman
in planting and
Bowing. He kinds of grain and nine
also distinguished the five
classes of soil, in order to regulate the impost on land for the whole
empire ; thus, in teaching the people to plant and sow, and in regu-
lating the tribute according to the character of the soil, it was neces-
sary first to distinguish the sorts of ground. But there are two
things to be attended to in observing the soil ; first its whiteness,
and next its clamminess. For the method observed by cultivators in
manuring the ground, ia to use cow-dung for the light red and hard
soils ; for the deeper red to use the dung of sheep, for a loamy soil that
of does, and for slippery and marshy soils that of bucks ; thus they
monured and regulated their fields according to the colour and cha-
racter of the soil. Tsang-she says, we are not to suppose that the
whole of Ke province consisted of a white clay, but he gave thi:^ de-
signation to it, because tlie greatest part of tiie soil was oi that
colour.
X Revenue is that which the cultivators furnish whether grain, rice,
,

arms, or chariots. he revenue of the imperial domain was of the

'1
 ;

86 THE TRIBUTE OP YU.

The ^ H^ng f were

and ^
led through their proper chnnnels, and the -j^ great J
Wei rivers ^ ^
highest kind, occasionally inix(!d with that of the second sort. The
cultivated tields were only of the fifth class ; thus the revenue was
higher than the character of the fields might warrant by four de-
grees, because the land was extensive and the people numerous,
liin-she says, that in the Ke province the revenue was greater than
might be expected from the soil because the Ke province was the ter-
ritory of the royal domain, under the immediate superintendence of
tlie Emperor, who levied a tax upon the corn-floors, the flowi^r and
the kitchen gardens, with the tields, marshes, forests, and such like.
The rest of the provinces all paid the tax on fields only, hence their
cultivated laud was superior to the revenue obtained. On examining
the nine kinds of revenue derived from the nine provinces it appears,
that they took the general income arising frona each province annually,
and comparing it with the quantity produced in all the nine, they rec-
koned nine kinds of revenue it was not that certain kind of fields
;

were required to produce a certain amount of revenue. In the Ke pro-

vince no mention is made of the tribute basket, because that province
constituting the region of the imperial domain, there was no necessi-
ty for a tribute basket. The
nine kinds of revenue were as follows
first, the first ; second, the medium clas:*i of
class of the superior kind
the superior kind ; third, the lovver class of the superior kind ; fourth,
the best oi the middling kind ; fifth, the medium of the middling kind;
sixth, the lowest of the middling kind ; seventh, the best of the inferi-
or kind , eighth, the medium, and ninth, the worst of the infv'rior kind.
* The Ha ag river springs out of the northern valley of the 'j^ jX|
Hang mountain, in the Keuh-yang,
district oi jijq [^ in the pro-
vince of Pfh-chih-le, (Lat. 38. 39. N. Long. 1. 45. W. of'Pe-

king.) On the east it enters the

"J^ Kow water, and then flows on

till it arrives at the }^ [^ Kaou-yang district, (Lut. 38. 44. N.

Long.
v^rater.
0. 38. W. of Peking,) where it enters into the ^ Yih

f The Wei water, issues from the north-east part of ^yg; Line- ^^
show district, (Lat. 38. 18. N. Long. L 76. W. of Pekmg. It

flows easterly into the J^ y'2 Hoo-to, which passing, it also enters
the Yth water.

X The great plain, according to ^^ ^ Sun-yen, is the ^ v^

Kwang-o marsh,
Yellow river
to the
passes,
north c^f
(Lat. 37. 30.
^p ^
2v
Keu-luh, by which the
Long. 1. 20. W. of Pe-
king, ij^ y^ Chin -she hewever says, that Keu-luii is very iar
from the ancient bed of the Yellow river ; and since that river never
did pass by the fl^jl Hing districts (Lat. 37 .7. N. Long.L 50. W.)
it -is wrong to suppose that it flowed as far as the Kwang-o marsh
 THE TRIBUTE OF YU. 87

1^ plain J^ was f^ rendered capable of cultivation.*

^ The island ^ foreigners (brought)
]^ furs
and 1^ turning !^ to the
H^ in token of subjection :

light at J§ ^
Kee-shth, (or the stone tablet,) "^ they
entered ^ into ^ the Yellow river, f
of Keu-luh. According to the ^ 7^ Urh yay dictionary, a high

and level place is called

[ ^ and when mention is
Luh, a plain ;

made of the great plain, it intimates that on all sides, there were nei-
ther hills nor mounds, but that the country exhibited one wide out-

stretched plain. In the time of Yu the Yellow river passed by

J^
Chen, or |^ j]] K liae-chow, (Lat. 35. 46. N. Long. 1. 12.

W. of Peking,) and ^B ^^
Chang-tih, (Lat. 36.
^'^^^^^g, o»*

7. N. and Leng. I. 56. W. of Peking,) from whence it took a

northerly course but its course now is nearly west and east between
;

the 34th and 35th parallels of latitude, till it enters the sea. The
opinion that the great plain is situated somewhere between the dis-

tricts of
)fP Hing, or lljl^ '^ Shun-tih, and Jg Chaou, and
Shin, the modern Ar.
Jjpjij a^
Ching-ting foo, is nearly right, (say
from Lat. 37. to 38. N. and Long. 1. to 2. W. of Peking.)
* When the calamity of the inundation had ceased, th*^ widely-
extended plains were rendered capable of cultivation. The Hang
and Wei waters were small, but the ground they travelled over was
distant ; the great plain was level and near the Yellow river, hence
Yu attended to the draiiiina; of these, after he had decided on the
character of the fields and the revenue.
f Kee-shih, according to the geographical record is on the south-
west of 1^ Jgg^ Le-ching district, to the south-west of the mo-
dern »|^ ^ Yung.ping, (Lat. 35. 45. N. Long. 2. 30. E. of Peking,)
near the mouth of the Yellow river. (N. B. The word jBj Ho, river»
is used in the original, by which is generally meant the Yellow
river ; but as the Yellow river fails into the sea in latitude 34. N.
and the place at present referred to is in latitude 39. N. some
might doubt whether the Yellow river be really intended here ;
but from various parts of thl.s work it would appear, that the Yellow
river has greatly shifted its coarse since the time of Y''u, and the
ancient maps describe it as disembogueiiig itself into the sea, some-

where about the present gulf of J-U JS ^^ Pih-chih-le from ;

which it would be rc-asonnble to conclude that the Yellow river is in-

tended in this passage.) ^^
'jy\ Ke-chow being situated in the
north, when
persons arrived with tribute from the northern sea, they
entered the Yellow river, went towards the south, and then turned
westward ; Ke^-shih was situated just at the place where they turned
off to the right ; hence it is said, that Uiey turned to the right at
88 THE TRIBUTE OF YU.

the Yellow river

^f The Tse river and 'Jp| f^ for-

med the boundary of the ^ Yea ji^ province ;

(the
south- v^estern part of Shan-tung.*)
% The nine ^ rivers ^ were then ^^ed through
their proper ch^mnels.f

Kee-shih. Chin-she says, that r^h Ke was the imperial metropo-

lis,being bounded on the east, west, and south by the Yellow river.
(N. B. The Yellow river does not now bound the Ke province on
the east if it did then, the river must have shifted its coarse.)
: The
other provinces, in forwarding their tribute, reached their destination
by sailing up the Yellow rivejr ; therefore it was not necessary to
mention those three sides. But on the northern boundary there
were )^ Han and ^St Leaou, (Shing-King, or Leaou4ung,)
and on the right were the regions of Jj^ "^ Pih-ping, 7^^^ ^f
Yu-yang, and 1^ /^ Shang-kClh ; which countries were watered
by the JM
Leaou, the J^ Sen, the Hoo, and the ^^ Yth
J^
rivers, two latter are in Ckih-le province,) all of which flowed
(the
from the high lands in the centre, and did not communicate with the
Yellow river ; hence it was necessary to corae from the northern
sea, and afterwards to get into the Yellow river. Moreover, I^
lylXi Le-ching borders on the sea, having a range of stones like a
passage, several miles in extent ; at the top of the hill there is a hirge

ptone like a pillar, which -^

flS Wei-chaou thinks to be Kee-slith,
or the stone tablet. Near that hill the Yellow river formerly emp-
tied itself into the sea, theref3re it is recorded that they brought
the tribute by the way of the Yellow river. After a long succession
of generations, however, this region was gradually swept into the
sea, and the coast for upwards of 100 miles has disappeared.
* The border of Yen-chow, on the south-east, was the T^e river, and
on the north-west, the Yellov^r river ; which river now flows to the
south of Yen-chow. Soo-she, observing that the distance between
the Tse and the Yellow river was not great, ima<^ined that the border of
Yen province extended over the Tse to the south-east ; but the com-
mentator, however, thinks that the Yellow river formerly flowed far-
ther to the north, so that the border of Yen-chow in a northerlj^ di-
rection extended to Ke^-shth, the teritory on the right of the Yellow
river ; afterwards the region of Keeshih having been swept into the
sea, the Yellow river shifted its course farher south ; in this way the
Tse and Yellow rivers approached each other, and Soo-she's opinion
is not to be received.

f The nine rivers were 1st, the

fE S^ Too-hae, 2nd. the jS^
^ T-hae-she; 3rd, the ^^ Ma-keg, 4th, the § If Fuh-foo,
5th, the ^^ Hoo-soo,6th,the^^ Keen-ke^, 7th, the f>l
 ;j _Je,.;4i^ jL1J_Z^

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 -

THE TRIBUTE OF YU. ^9

7^ Kr-n.pwan ; 8th, thc^ ^^^ Kih-tsin ; whilst the usnar stivara

of the Yellow river constituted the ninth. The fanner literati, not
adverting? to the Htream of the Yellow river, divided the ^^ Keen
nnd thp ^ Ktieinto two. Accordi'ig to the Geographical Record, the

^^^
easterly
Poj-hae was tlie J^ 'j!2 Hoo-to river, (flowing in a north
d rection throui^h tue |,rovince of Pih-chih-le, till it joins
the Pih-ho, atTheen-tsin, Lat. 39. 10. N. Long. 0. 40. E. of Pe-

kni''.) The Universal Georrraphy says, that it flows thronij-h

J^ )j\^
Tsa'ng-chow. TM. 38 22. N. *Loiig. 28. E. of Peking, to the

south of the ^'rtilTsin-.che. Lat. 38. 35. Lon^. 0, 25 E. N

of Peking, (a stream running parallel witli the former on the sciuh.

east, and joinincr the Pih-ho, nearly at the same nlaco ) Tlie }'^ J^
Ma-kee. Yuen-ho places on the south and east of Piiii,' yu"n,
'^ J^
L;it. 37. 15. N. Long. 0.
8. E. of P^^king. The Kuccird of Geo-
graphy states, that it flows through [fB jSj^'^hang-ho, Lat. 87- 23.

N. Long. 0. 50. E. of Peking. The ^ |f Fuh-foo, is in

^ j\]

Tth.chQW, Lat. 37 32. N. Long. 0. 3. W. of Peking. The i^ ^

Hoo-800 flows through the district of ^ jj N&n-p'he, Lat. 38.

8. N. Long. 0. 17. E. of Pekirig.) It also pa.sses by ^ j(^ Tunsr-

kwang, (Lat. 37 58. N. Long. 0. 12. E. of Peking-)
^
The
^ Keen-kee, also passes by ^K^^n p'h^; and the ^^
Keu-pwan is to the south-east of ^ |^ Lo-ling, Lat. 37. 48 N.
Long. 0. 50. E. of Peking, and passes by the district of "^ ^
Tth-plng, Lat. 37. 34. N. Long. 0. 36. E. of Peking. The ^
^ rs:ih-tsin river, is on the en-t of ^ j^ Lo-ling, and flowing

north-westerly,
pze river is unknown.
it enters ^ jW
troni tne
rsang-chow. The ;j^ Tae-
Han dynasty to the present day,
^
men have been very minute in their enquiries after the nine rivers;

but though Jg§ Han was so near the times of old, still they could only
find out three ; ]^ Tang, by collecting the sayings of suc-
the men of
cessive yenerations and accumulated traditions, found out six of them
;

jwajr 1^ ^§ Gow-vang-wS,n added another; but either he recorded

a new nver under aji old name, or one and the pame region was vari-
ously denominated on examining his ?itatementa we find m them a
:

semblance of right, while they are really wrong, without any evidence
that can be defended on ; at length their erroueousness becoming ap-

parent, ^Ec [Q Pan-ko6 took the Iloo-to to be the Too-hae,

forgetting that iit.o-to never had any connection with the ancient
•

Yellow
Tuh-ma
river.
^^
Han
Yo-sze too'' the Ma-kee to be the J^ '^
of the dynasty, and ^J4 ^\ Ch'hing-she, not beirgable
M
90 THK TRIBUTE OF YU.

to ascertain these streams with exactness, suggested that ^§ Hvvan>

the Duke of ^^ Tse, had stepped
up eight out of the nine rivers, to
extend his own dominions. But turning and stopping streams was
expressly forbidden in the Tse country ; thus it would appear that
Duke Hwan had no hand in this work. Moreover, supposing the
waters of these rivers to have been turned aside, their channels also could
not have been entirely obliterated. Thus we must conclude that all
these are unfounded assertions. Bat ^S ^J Ching-sh^, considering
that the region of these nine rivers has all been immersed in the sea,
points to Kee-shih, or the stone tablet, as the proof of it ; thus he

reckons the region from the north of the present

fjg j]\ Tsang-chow,
Lat. 38. 22. N. Long. 0. 28. E. of Peking, up to the border of

^^ Yung-ping, Lat. 39. 56, N. Long. 2. 28. E. of Peking, a

distance of five hundred le, as the territory formerly watered by the
nine rivers, but since overwhelmed by the sea ; (the modern gulf of
Pih-chihle) ; on which account their traces are not preserved. At that
time when the district referred to was not yet overrun by the ocean,
from the present sea-shore in a north-easterly direction, for 500 le,
there was a level plain watered by these nine rivers ; in this territory
of five hundred le, Kee-shih, where the ambassadors turned to the right
as in the former section, was the very place where these nine rivers
emptied themselves into the sea. The Kee-shth, or stone pillar, is still
standing on the north-west shore. Thus the channels of the nine
rivers, having been shifted, can be with difficulty ascertained ; but the
stone pillar, being built from the foundation to the summit of mas-
sive material?, could not be overturned or overwhelmed. In the pre-
sent day, throughout the provinces of Yen and Ke, there are no traces
of these stones, but just on the south of Yung-ping there is a hill
called Kee-shih, still to be seen in the middle of the sea, about 500 le
from shore, standing erect, and visible at some distance. (Probably
Sha-luy-teen ?) Then from the ancient Yellow river, from what is
now the bed of the sea, towards the north, in a slanting direction, the
stream was divided into nine ; but now the bed of the river is clearly

buried under the ocean, ztlt fS^ Wang-hwang, of the Han dynas-
ty, says, that formerly heaven poured down incessant rain, while the
north-east wind blew, and the waters of the ocean overflowed the land,
immersing several hundred le of territory to the south-west ; thus the
region of the nine rivers was buried under water. j^ ^^ Jfj^
Le-taou-yuen also says, that the nine rivers up to Kee'Shih were to-
gether overrun by the sea. The literati of succeeding generations
have only thought of seeking the nine rivers in the level country, and
did not advert to the existence of Kee-shih as a verification of the
above hypothesis ; hence the various opinions that have prevailed
on this subject, without coming to any just con^plusion. For when
the region of the nine rivers was not in existence, and when they were
determined to chisel it out, it was natural that they should wander
wide of the mark, and not find out the truth.
 THE TUIBUTE OF YU. 91

The Luy-hea region ^having been ^ form-

ed into a marsh, *
^ The Yung
united; |
-and the )^ Tseu waters were "^ pi

^1 he mulberry il ground ^ having been

^
supf.lied with silk-worms, ^ the people ^ descend-
ed from J]Q the hills ^ and dwelt j[^ in the plains. J

M db ^'^^ ^^^^^
i^^^
^^^^' rr<>vii;ce) was M a Idack ^
loam, 1^* herbage '|^ was §|; luxuriant, and
its !^
^ ;^its trees f^ were j^ tall. §

^ ^ Its cultivated fields '|^ were tj=J ~[> the worst

of the middling kind, j^ its revenues
1|
were ^ ^
Luy-hlia ison the north-west of jj^ 'Jrj Pc-cho\v district, Lat.
35. 48. N. Long. 0. 55. W, of Peking. Tliey say, that a spirit dwells
ill this marsh, with a dragon's body, and a man's cheeks ; should any

one drum on its belly, thunder is heard. It is the original

^J ^p
Hea march, and <-n account of the thunderings called Luy-hea.
When the inundations prevailed, the waters flowed into this marsh,
which not bein^ able to contain them, allowed them to spread abroad;
after the waters were regulated the marsh was fonned.

f Any water that flows out of the Yellow river is called Yung, and
the same issuing from the Tse river is denominated Tseu.
J The nature of the silk-worm is to aiikor damp, hence it was not
till the waters were abated that t'le silk -worms couid be reared. The
nine regions equally depended upon this source of profit, and the
Yen province alone is mentioned, because Yen, (or Sh mtung pro-
vince,) was adapted for the mulberry. Much of the ground in that
country was low, and when the inundation prevailed, the people all
went and dwelt in the high lands but at this time they began to
;

come down into the plains.

§ Throughout the nine provinces, towards the north-west there
were many hills, and towards the south-eas,t many rivers in the hilly ;

regions it was natural to expect much grass and wood, so that it was
not necessary to mention it the three province of Yen, Tseu, and
;

Yang, were situated far down on the extreme south-east so that the ,

land was low, damp, and thoroughly saturated with water when the ;

inund.tion prevailed herbs and small plants would not grow, but the
productions of the soil were either luxuriant or long, or thick, or tall,
or bushy, therefore especial mention is made of the vegetation in
these three provinces, to show that the land was levelled, the waters
drained, and the trees and herbs were permitted to follow their na-
tural tendencies,
The character of the fields was of the sixth grade, and tlie revenue
II

of the ninth grade. The revenues of the Yen "district, though thus
92 THB TRIBUTE OF YU.

proportionate,
^~
and ^ when it had been worked -j-^
thirteen
the other provinces. *
^ years, /} it Was JSJ assimilated to

]^ Its "^ tribute consisted in )^ varnish M and

silk, t ^vhii(^
Pf their |§ tribute- baskets were tilled
with 1^ stuffs TJr of various colours J
With these ^ they floated ^ down "^ the Tse
]^
and T^h rivers, ^ till they came ^ to ihe
f^ bel-
low river §
The j^ ^e I ^ and the Tae mountain j^ formed
(the boundaries of) ^ Jfj
Tsing-chow ( the north-
eastern part of Shan-tUDg.) [[

email, were said to be proportionate, because in rulins^ the Empire the

lighter the burden of taxation the more just for the people.
* They worked the soil for thirteen years before that province was
put on a level with the other provinces, because Yen was near the
tumultuous rushings in the lower part of the Yellow river the wa- ;

ter dashed about and flowed with rapidity, while the ground was lew!
and the calamity ot the inund ition was the more
soil loose, so that the
distressing. Now
though the waters were drained off, vet the low
damp and moisture was not entirely remedied, so that the ground was
exteusive but the people thinly scattered, while the means of obtain-
ing a livelihood were rare ; on which account it was necessary to
work the fields thirteen years, before the rulers could levy an impost
in the same way with the other provinces.
f Tribute consists of the peculiar productions of the soil paid by
inferiors to superiors ; the Yen province was adapted for the produc-
tion of varnish ajid silk, hence they paid tribute in these article^?.
I The baskets here mentioned were made of bamlwo, and were
used by the ancients for carrying presents. St'uFs of various colours,
means that they were embroidered with different colours.
§ The Tab was an arm of the Yellow r^ver. The Ke province
was surrounded on three sides by the Yellow river, hence when they
got to tlie Yellow river, they readied the imperial domain.

According (o the geographical record, theT ah river rose in iJ\ y^

Woo-yaug, the modern ^J Jjli^ Chaou-chinL', Lit. 36. S.N.Long.
0. 43. W. of I^eiving, and passed on to |
^^ Tseen-shing, the
modern ^^ 3(f L5-gnan, Lat. 37. 5. N. Long. 2. 10. E. of Peking,
whete it entered the sea.
Tsing-chow, Lat. 36 42. N. Long. 2. 14. E. of Peking, was
II

bounded on the north-east by the sea, and on the south-east by th«

Ta<3 njii^uut&iQ.
 I(

^ .

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^Vi
^o>
4^
I y
I

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^'^^

p'^

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S'9

?,i:

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 -t m^-

m. '% I I
If
^/^
!^^*t^
J
^.
 d,

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I
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 ft

i 4 4^ 4h
/^

$'
X

W
X
 THE TIlIBl/TE OF YU. 93

i^ ^
The territory of Yu-e gg having been ^
divided by land-marks, *

the
Jl^
r
The Wei ^^ and Tsze rivers
proper ^ channels.
(flowed through)
^
-I*

^ ifc The soil (of the province) was ^ a white

{^ loaui,
WHste and
while that on the
briny. J
^ sea 'J^ shore was ^
)|^

PJ Its ^cultivated fields ^\% were Jt ^C the

loAer sort of the superior kind, while
wa^ X^ J^ the first class of the middling kind.
^ ^ its revenue
§
^ Its ^ tribute ronsi^ted in |^ salt,
j^ grass-
cloih, and JIJ ^
the various [)roductiorjs of the sea,

fg but ^
mixed together. From fjjjl |5^ the valley of
the Tae mountain (they brought) ^ silk and ^hemp,
^ lend,
"^^i
the fruit of the pinr, and '^ r;ire ;g stones,
ihe ^ Lae mountain ^ foreigners j^ formed ^ pas-
tures , II J^ wliile their |^ tribute- baskets ( were
stored with) ]^ the \\ild mulberry and ^,i^ silk.
^
* Yu-e is the present ^^yfj Tani^-chow, (Lat. 37. 48 N. Lon^j.

4. 35. E. of Peking,) and is Uie same wita the Yu-e mentioned in the
(Janoii of Yaou.
f The Wti'i rivor rises in the Wei mountain, at the north-east of
'^'"
the district of jf I Keu-chow, Lat 35.35. N Lonij. 2. 50. E.
of Peldi»<;. from whence it flows northward to ^f ]^^ Chang-yih,
(Lat, 36. 50. N
Long. 3. 13. E. of Peking.) The Tsze^vater
rises in the )J^ |j-)Ynen hill, 70 le south-east of ^j^ )\\ Tsze-chiien
district, (Lat 36 43. N. Long. L 40. E. of Peking.) From
thence -t flows eastward to the district of ^p yjQ Show-kwane,

(Lat. 36.
the Tse.
55 N. Long. 2. 30. E of F\king.; where it enters
Mention is here made of tfie natural channels of these
^
rivers, because the inundations haviiig abated, the waters flowed
tlirough their original beds.
J This salt ground could be boiled down and formt'd into siilt.
§ Thus the character of the fields was of the third, and the revenue
derived trom them of the llh grade.

II
The Lae mountain is in ^j^ TPj Lac-chow, Lat. 37. 10. N,
Long. 3. 40. E. of Peking.
^ The tenacity of th.e silk produced Hy the mountain mulberry wai
•uch tts to adapt it for the string* of harps and guitar*.
 §

94 THE TRIBUTE OF YU.

With these 5^ they floated ^ down ^ the ^^^u

river, and ^ entered
'^
^ into -^ thV.Tse.*

Jg The sea and the Tae mountain, 2^ with "Jp

the river Hwae f^ were (the houndaries of) ^ ^jfl

the Tseu province, (formed of the southern part of

shantung, and the north of Keang-soo.)-]-
^^ I he Hwae and -]]f E waters were ^ ^C I'^gula-

ted.J
^ The Mung and ^^ Yu mountains ^ were
then ^ brought under cultivation.

* The river Wan

rises in the district of
IS^ Lae-^\oo, (Lat. ^K
36. 16. N. Long. 1. 25. East of Peking ;) irom whence it flows
in a south-easterly direction and ent(TS the Tse, near the dis trict o

tf* ^|J Chung-too, the modern ^ Jt Wan-shiing, Lat. 35. 50.

N. Long. 0.E. of Peking. The^H Isze river (referred to

18.
in a former section,) rises on the north of the Yuen mountain, in the
district of Lae-woo, and flows in a north-easterly direction into the
sea, while the river Wan issues from the south side of the same hill,
and runs in a south-easterly direction into the Tse. It does not say
that they sailed on till they entered the Yellow river, this having
been mentioned in the description of Yttu province.
f The province of Tseu is bounded on the east by the sea, on the
south by the Hwae river, and on the north oy the Tae mountain ;

it is not added, that on the west this, province was bounded by the

Tse river, because the Tseu province lies oa the south oi tiie Tae
mountain, to the east of the Tse, and on the north of the said hill,
the eastern bank of the Tse constitutes the bor iers of the Tsing
province ; hence the Tse, not being a boundary suiBciently distinct,
it is passed over.

X The Hwae river rises on the borders of the ^||j Yu province.

and it flows between ^^ Yang, and ]y^ Tseu, when it be-

comes a considerable river at the time of the inundation the calami-
;

ty was most extreme in the Tseu province, hence the draining of

the Hwae is mentioned in the account of that province. The E
water rises in the ^^ Gae mountains, near the district of
y'f 7j\
E-shwuy, (Lat. 35. 46. N. Long. 2. 33. East of Peking.) it t^ows
thence in a southerly direction, till it comes to the south-east of
2[i Hea.pei, where it falls into the Sze. (Lat. 34. 30.
*T\ ']I?9
N. Long. L 55 E. of Peking.)
§ The Mung mountain is in the district of ;^ Pe, Lat. 35. 50.
N Long. L 40. E. of Peking.) The Yu mountain is in the
 J

THE TRIBUTE OF YU. 95

3^ The great if plain ^ was made ^ a Re-

servoir (of water.)*
^ The eastern J^ ]^ was low
and level.f
plain ^
^ i"^The soil (of thewas red jj^ and
province) ^
clayey hut fertile while the grass -^ and trees
; ^
^jf
hecame gradually ^
thick and bushy.
^ ^
Its

dling kind
cultivated fields '[^ were Jt
of the superior class,
the mid-
while
^
]^ its j.J^ re-
venue was fp rfl the middling kind of the medium
class. §

^ Their ^ tribute j^ consisted of jb earth

5E of five different ^ colours : ||
>]^ ^t M% ^^^

districtof Hfi] ll| Keu-san, (Lat. 31. 32. N. Long. 2. 56. E*

of Peking.)
* This was the name of a marsh situated to the north of the
distiict
of Peking.)
of ^WhenBf Keu-y^v, (Lat. 35. 27. N. Long. 0. 10. W.
water collects anywhere, and afterwards flows on,
it is called a reservoir. As soon as the Tse river arrives at the
district of ^^ ^^ Shins^-she, it is divided into two, the sonthern-

most of which ^pj Ho, and the northernmost ^^ Tse.

is called
One of these streams flows south-east, and the other north-east,
until it enters the marsh of j^ .^J* Keu-y^y ; thus the great
plain absorbing the stream of the Tse, the collection of water is
very great.

f The Eastern plain forms the department of Jpji Ji\ Yun-chow.

same with the district of
It is the J^ '^
Tung-ping, (Lat. 36. 7. N.
Long. 0. 3. East of Peking,) and has frequently been troubled
with inundations, so that the inhabitants have several times removed
their city. The expression *' low and level," intimates that al-
though the inundation had passed away, it was still very low in the
level country. Subsequent generations, on account of the evenness
of the land, have called it the
t When the soil is adhesive, it is called
3C ^
Tung-.ping, or eastern fl at.
clayey ; adhesive clay
is also slippery like grease. The nature of the soil being adhesive
and slippery, fine and close, it was beaten and moulded, and worked
up into vessels.
§ This means that the land was of the second, and the revenue de-
rived from it of the fifth ^rade.
Though the soil of the Tsen province was generally red, yet
II

earths of the five colours were occasionally to be met with, on which

account they were made up fur tribute. The record of the Chow dy-
 1
96 THE TRIBUTE OF YU.

variegated feathers of the wild f >wl from the valley

of the Yu mountain, * the ll||l |^ Mlt^ single-
stemmed DryandrR. from the south of the Yth moun-
tain,-]- Jj^ -J^ >^ ^ the floating- musical stone from
the banks of the Sze river, J ^ ^ 4^ ^ P^arl
oysters and {earls brought by the foreig^H^rs "who
dwelt at the liwae river, ^
together with jS ticih § ;

)^ their jH tr-bnte-baskets were filled with black ^

silks, and II |j|5 ^
checquered sarcenets.^[

nasty says, that when the princes of the empire received the decnes
from the house of Chow, thty erected a threat altar in the centre of
the country, the wall of which, on the east, was huilt of hlue earth,
that on tlie south of led earth, that, on the west of white earth, f^ud
that oil the north of black earth, while the Cr^ntre was plaisterod
witli yellow earth. When they were about to construct this altar,
the princes dui^ up some of the earth in their own quarter, inclosed
it in yellow mud, and wrapped white rushes, as the d(»siifnation
it in
of their territory. This is the reason why they hrousjrht as tribute
the five coloured earths, and this the use to which they were a|)])lied.
* The varieii^ated feathers of the wild fowl exhibited the five diffe-
rent colours, and were u-^ed for standards and banners; besides which
the cirria^(;s, cloths, and implements of the ancients were frequently
adorned with these feathers.

f The YTh mountain is situated to the west of the Jfl Pei district,
(Lat. 34. 30 N. L )ni? I. 55 E. of Pek.) whde the ran<,'e stretches
asiarasLat. 35 30 N. Loui?. I.IQ E. of Peking. The wood
of the Dryandra is considered fit for harp^ and ifuitars.

J The Sze water water rises in the Yvt i^ Pei-wei hills in the

district of i0 :?I^ Sze-shwuy, (Lat. 35, 48. N. Loni?. 1.4. E. cf

Peking-.) At the hea'l of the river there are four mountains, hei'ce
the name ol the river ^PQ Sze, which menns four waters. It flows

first to the south-west, past the city of ^y Pang-, and then to the
south-east near the distiict |^ ^S Hea-p-ei, (Lat 34. 30. N. Long.
1. 55. E.) where it enters the
/^l i-fwae. The floating stones ap-
peared on the brink of the river as if they vyere floating. These' were
called musical stones, because they were first formed into musical in-
stuments, and then brought as tribute.
§ The pearls were to adorn their robes of ceremony, and the fish
were for sacrifice.
The black silk here denotes silk of a reddish kind of black.
II

^ The sarcenets were woven with a black woof and a white warp,
and were worn when mourning was ended.
 IclJ

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liz^ iA EI
 j

THE TniHUTE OF \U. 97

^ They floated with these ^ on ^j^ the Hwae ^j}^

and Sze rivers,
*
^ until they arrived "5^ ^t the ^
Yellow river.

J^ The Hwae and the sea »|>^ formed the

river *J^
boundaries of j[^ j^ Yang-chow. (The southern part
of Kearg-nan, and the northern part of Keangse. •\)
l^he %^ ^
P<>ing-le lake %% having been form- ^
ed into a reservoir, J
1^ The southern ^ birds f|^ had then a place ^
to settle in. §

^ The three jX rivers ^ having 7v entered (the

sea,) II

* The llX^ Peen water (a branch of the Yellow river) after receiv-
ing' various tributary streams, arrives at ^^ Mung, (Lat. 35. 50. N.
Long. 43. E.) where it is called the
1. Yung river, and flows ^^
easterly into the Sze ; thus, the Hwae and Sz^ communicated with
the Yellow river, because the Yung reached to the Sze.
f The boundaries of the Yai)g province extended northward to tha

Y^ Hwae river, and south-eastward to the sea.

X The Pang-le
tsih, Lat. 30. 2.
lake on the east of the district of ^^
is Pang-
N. Long. 0. 10. E. it unites the waters of the Yang.
^
tsze-keang on the west and east, and strides over the counties of ^^
^ Nan-chhang, Lat. 28. 37. N. Long. 0. 35. W. j^ 'jf

Yaou-chow, (Lat. 28. 59. N. Lonor. 0. 20. E.) and

(Lat. 29. 31. N. Long. 0. 25. W.)
Nan-kang,
It is otherwise called the
^^
§ Tiie southern birds are those that migrate to the south, such as
wild geese ; which in the present day haunt the islands of the Po-
yang lake, in flocks of hundreds arid thousands. The waters of the
marsh havhig been formed into a reservoir, and the islands cleared,
the birds obtained a resting-place,- and followed the dictates of
their nature.

[|
The ^5j yjl Sung-keang river, (Lnt. 31. Long. 4. 35. E.)
after flowing about 70 le, divides into two; the north-east branch, ex-

tending to the sea, is the river ^^ /H Leu-keang, while the south-

east branch is called ^^ 7^ Tung-keang river, which together with
the original j^ "/H Sung-keang, form the three rivers. The adja-
cent region is still called the mouth of the three rivers.

N
98 THE TllIBUTE OF YU.

m The disturlied^marsh^having
^^ The smaller and
bamboos y^M
^^gj larger
been^stilled,^
g^vverc then
^ ^
multiplied,
]^ f^ the grass (of the marsh)
grew ^ ^ was '^f^ became
luxuriantly, and its
7f^ trees
:^ M
tall, ti f^ ^^^^^ ^ muddy.
i^^ so^^ still

]^ ^
The cultivated fiehis (of the province) 'j^ vere
^ "^fC the lowest kind
of the inferior order, and f^ its

^ rev^n^^^s _tl were ~p

the superior kind of the lower
order, Jz ^
mixed with the grade immediately abov'e
1-' 4-

Its ^ tribute f^ consisted of^^j^

precious st0!ies,
the
three kinds of metal, § ^^

^
||

small and f^ large bamboos, ^j ^ ivory, hid(-^.

^^
feathers, % and 7J^ wood. **
hair, f^ The ^^
foreigners from the island (brought) J}^
grass-cloths
^ ;

while p[ their ^
baskets (were supplied with) ^
weaving ^
cotton, ff «nd ^
their -^ bundles filled

* The disturbed marsh, is the jS^ Tae-hoo, or the Great Lake,

'/{jfl
(Lat. 31. N. Long. 4. E.) about 50 le south-west of the district of
J^l^ Woo-heen, Lat. 31. 20. N'. Long. 4. 10. E.) The waters of
this lake were frequently troubled, and with difficulty pacified, on
which account their being rendered calm is especially noted.
I The waters having beeu drained oflf the islands of the lake, the
bamboos began to flourish.
J Thus the cultivated fields were of the ninth grade, and the reve-
nues of the seventh class, mixed with the sixth.
§ The three kinds of metals were gold, silver, and copper.
These were handsome stones resembling gems, which might be
II

uKed for sacrificial vessels.

^ The smaller bamboos were used for the shafts of arrows, and the
larger for the pipes of musical instruments
; as also for checks, in wri-
ting agreements.
** The ivory w^as obtained from the elephant, and the hides from
the rhinoceros ; both adapted ioi ornamenting chariots and armour;
while the leathers and hair were intended for standards and ban-
ners. The foreigners came from the islands in the south ; probably
Chusan.
ff The cotton h^r-^ spoken of is obtained from the cotton tree, and
can be made into cloth. That from the south was fine and good, it
was also called ^^ ^
keth pei. The foreigners from the south-
eastern islands, brought grass-cloths for tribute, while they put the
fin«r cotfon into baskets.
 '-'
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-V il

"H~

r-^
^'?^'
/v *^ ^-

•^fi-7.,,^.,-__QV;5r>— T'l-e'

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* r^;>-:.t- a-.;r-,r-.^

..•<^..

^i;^,^''^!;:^!

«i/^3:
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l"3^"ii^i
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 J

J.N r^

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yA>

f:. .,.%
•/?>. i '-|/|3^'>p«-«=?fi'.t
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 TIIL: Till BUTE ,0F YU. 99
with ti smaller a.d|ll| larger oranges; ^vhich
|| they
were allowed to bring ^as
tribute. *

tQ- 'iliey followed the stream ^ down ^ the

Yaii-^^-tsze-keang
])assed on ^ to the
']/^ into the sea.

jg
and from thence
Hwae j^ and Sze rivers,
^
f
ffO The King hill /^ with the jff |^ south of the
Hang mountain f^ formed the boundaries of f^lj f|^
King-chow, + (the present Hoo-kwang.)
;^'ihe Yang-tsze-keang and the ^-^ Han rivers
^
% The ^
uniting j^aid their court
^] to the sea.
§
nine jCC rivers were JL well ^ regulated. 1|

* BeintjT " allowed to bring," means

they were required to
that
wait fur the orders of the court before they brought their tribute; and
that it was not the usual annual offering.
f It IS not said that they proceeded to the Yellow river, because
that had been already spoken of in treating about Tseu-chow. In the
time of Yu, the Yang-tsze-keang and the Hwae rivers were not con-
nected, therefore the tribute-bearers went out into the sea. In the
time of the state ^ Woo, (A. D, 229.) the 3^ J^ Han canal
was first dug, which the men of (^ Suy enlarged at ISrjm
Yang-chow, Lat. 32. 26. N. Long. 2. 50. E. from Peking. (A.
D. 600.) so that boats and vessels could pass between the Keano-
and f:lwac rivers. These two streams are now connected by the
Grand Canal.
The boundaries of King-chow, on the north, reached to the Kina^
:|:

mountain, (Lat. 3L 20. N. Long. 4. 30. and on the south W}

extended to the south of the Hang moimtain, Lat. 27. 30. N. Long.
4. 20. W. (Thus forming the centre of Uoo-kwnnsr.)

§ The Keang and Han united their streams at yTj King-chow, ^J

(Lat. 30. 26. N. Long. 4. 25. W.
from P^knig,) some distance
from the sea, yet because their waters v^ere settled, and flowed on
witliout further obstruction towards the ocean, it is said that they
went to pay their court to the sea, as the princes of the empire
paid liomage to their sovereign. ^^
II
The nine rivers refer to the present "jjfl] ^§ Tung-ting lake,
(Lat. 29. N. Long 4. W.) The Record on Geography says, tliat

the basin of E^ Pa-ling, and ;^ JfQ Seaou-seang, was in the

midst of the nine riveas,

Lon;?. 3. 33. W.) Now
in
the
^ ji\ Yo-chow. (Lat. 29. 24. N.
Tnug-ung lake is just on the north-
west of that city, thus it is well asceriaianed th it the nine rivers of the
text were none oth* r than the lake of Tung-ting. At present the wa-
ters of I'iiie rivers do empty themselves iijto that lake> hence its name.
 100 THE TRIBUTE OF YU.

The ^i^ To and ^ Tseen waters ^ having been

^ led out in their proper channels. *

'S i "^^^ ^^^^ ^^ '^^^ Y^" marsh (appeared) and ^

that ofthe Mung f^ was brought under ^ ciiliva-
tion. t
J^ ^ The soil (of the province) »]{g was ;^ ^ still

muddy ^
: its fE| fields f^ belonged to ^T l^ the
middling class of ihe lower series, and ]^ its f]|^ reve-
nue Jl "f* to the lower class of the upper series. +
^ Its ^tribute consisted of^ feathers,:^ hairs,
@' ivory,
kinds of metal. §
^ hides, \^ and the
Also the wood of the ^i^ hui] tree
^H \fn ^^^ree
[,

for
f^ bows, ^
with the cedar ;fg and cypress be-
^
;

sides BJl grinding and whetstones, stone arrow- ^

heads, ^ and cifinabar. «j^ Likewise
@ |^ the
Kwaii-lo bamboo |^ and the Hoo wood (for the shfifts
of arrows.) ^ ^|J The men of the three region.-jj
]^
«n bringing ^ their tribute ^^ were fam(;us f >r
these. -^ In their bundles |^ and baskets v^ is
the^ ^ Pandanus, 51 while J^^ their j^ baskets
* The overflowings of the Yang-tsze-keang were called To, 9.\A
those of the Han river were denoinii.'atpcl Tseen.

f The marshes and jungles of the ^Ij

^W King-chow were callt'd
Yun and Miina:, being about 8 or 900 ie square, slretchi-ig over the
district of ^ ^5 Hwa-yung, (Lat. 29. 30. N. Long. 4. 10.

W.) :^ JH Che-keang, (Lat. 30. 24. N. Long. 5. 4. W.) and

other places.
X The
soil of King-chow biding similar to that of Y'any-ohow, its
fieldswere only one grade better, while the revenue was much higher;
because the territory was extensive, and human laliour abundant.

§ The tribute of yp| King-chow was in many respects si-

^^
milar to that of Yang-chow, but in the enumeration of the productions

of Kino--chow, feathers and hair staid at the head of the list, as '/:^

*JL y^ Han-kung-slie would say, putting the best first. While

the Yang province was productive of gold and tin, the King province
yielded most cinnabar and silver.
)!
It is known what these three regions were.
not
^ The Pandanus was a flag or rush with three ribs, and provided
with thorns it was used in saciificing, wherewith to strain wine.
;
 ^^< ^ n I

>^-^

I'-
z. ^n77^^"

^u ;;if^-ft

-'^^.^^

tr- //vV. '>-x . .v>.

/>^ -^^ ^/^!if,t*-^ -^.v'^l,^;fr;/'

L I
^.^**^ 1-^^^

^'.f- V.

"r\ / ! \r:

^-fyVSor"'"^ -K

^1-
;

e-' ^r.VT
 ^1

~m d
 •

p.

$,t<

- '/y^y'.j^-

?^:

1.--+^^

.^1 -1

W^ -:
t ^^'# I lY^''^ '

^. F 4 i
"H
ii^ i^i/^)^...
,/

'"—
V--:
 THE TRinUTK OF YU. iQl
were storel with ^bl.ck and
and if^ silk fringes.
l)earls,
If red Silk,
Occa.j ,na]!y from
^ coarse
-Jl yx
the nine rivers
the great ^
|^
tortoise.*
they brought ^ and preseated i^

W.th these 'j^ they flonted

=f down fc the Kean^
m ^h^ To, Jf the Tsin,and the Haa, 7^
;,dien ^
they crossed over ^^ to ^j^ die Lo, and
came "^ g
to the
^
southern part ^Jnjf of the Yellow river, -j-

fflj 'Ihe King mountain *]Bf and the Yellow river

if^
formed the boundaries of
(tlo-nan, and part of Hoo
^
the Yu province. + j\\
f)ih.)

_ The ^/ iy
§j^JAj|JjJl t'e-i, ^ and y^ Keen **
li.iviiig bundled ii up, they still put it in caskrts, to show their re-
spect for la the present day, the di-trict of
it.
]|]t Ma-yan'.^. !^
(I/.it. 27. 38. N. Long. 7. 10. W. of Peking,) prodn^^^y such flags.
The tortoise here referred to was upwards of a cnhit in diameter,
and was considered the guardian of the country, li could not always
be obtained, on which .iccount they did not invariably bring it as an
arilcle of tribute but when thev happened to catch one, they were
:

required to take and present to their superiors.

f It is difficult to ascertnin the cour»5e of their voyage down the
four streams here mentioned, but it seems that generally speaking
they came from the Keang and To, and entered the Tsin and Han.
The Han river had no connection with the Lo, hence they were o-
bli-4-ed to quit their boats and travel overland, uiitil they got to the Lo,

from whence they proceeded to the Yellow river.

X The borders of Yu-chow, on the south-west stretched to the King
mountain, and on the north to the Yellow river.

§ The j5^^ E water rises in the ra*!^ J^ Fleung-urh (Bear's ear)

hill, (Lat 33. 35 N. Long. 4. do. W.) whence it passes in a

north-easterly direction to the south of the district of ^^ [^ Lo-

yang, (Lat. 34. 40. N. Long. 4. 20. W.) after which it runs
northward into the Lo.
This ^tf- Lo water, rises in a hill in the district of [^ jfl ^li^n'^'-
W
II

chow, Lat. 33. 5L N. Long. 6. 34. i'roui Peking, from whence

itflows to the district Kung, Lat. 34. 53. N. Long. 3. 25. W-
of^
and enters into the Yellow river.
^[ The Teen water rises on the north-west of the
Ho-nan district.
I^t. 34. 43. N. Long. 4. 5. W, from whence it flows to he 'district

of ^
to the
grp Y^n-sze, Lat. 34. 45. N. Long.
Lo.
3. 42. W. and falls in-

** Tlie M Kiien water rises in the south-east of the di>frict >»f

 102 THE TRIBUTE OK YU.

streams Having been ]/^ led "^ into ^ the Yellow

river.

^ The Yung* ^ and the Po f streams ^ hav-

in.cz been |§ formed into a reservoir ;

^ He then led ^ the Hoij: ^ marsh |»J to ^

the vlaiig ^ reservoir.§

Wt i 'i^^ soil (of the proviuce) '\^ was ^ clayey,

while that in "*]> the lower J;;; region J^ i]^ was of
a loose mould. II

gf Its tg cultivated fields f^ were ^ J: the supe-

rior kind of the middling class, hut ]^ its ^ reve-
nues were t^ mixed, and J^ ^ the middling kind
of the superior class. ^f
Hf The "^ tribute was J^ varnish, ^ liemp, **^
the liner and ^ coarser knids of i^rass-cloth ; ]^
their baskets were filled wit^ ditTerent co-
loured flos-silk |^ and silky cotton ; while ^ the'y

W\ 3t Sin-gnan, Lat. 34. 45. N. Lon^. 4. 26. W. and soon

falls intothe Lo. T!ius the E, Tiien, and Keen, fall into the Lo,
and the 1^6 empties itself into tiie Yellow river; tho-i^-Ji it would ap-
pear from the text as if all four streams separatel3? entered the Yel-
low river.

* The IjJp Tse water, flowing from the "y^ Mang district, Lat.
34. 55. N. Long. 3. 37. W. used to enter the Yellow river from the
north, and dashmg across the stream, poured itself out on the -^onth,

and formed the Yung, five le west cf the district of

to the 3e|s ^^
Yung. tsih, Lat. 34. 56. N. Long.4 W. of Peking. At (ue-
2.
sent, however, tlie Tse water merely enters the Yellow river, and d )es
rot pass over to the south, but there is a fiojd-gate to let off the super-
fluous water.

f The *jj5C P^ ^^'^s o"® °^ ^^*^ raars'ies of j^ '}f| Yu-chow-

X The Ho marsh is in tbe-district of ^p *)\\ Tsaou-chow, Lat.
34. 56. N. Long. 0. 50. \V.

§ The Mang resMvoir is in the district of J.^ Yu-chlng, J^

Lat. 34. 38. N. Long. 0. 20. W.
II
The colour of the soil is not alluded to, because it was dlvcrsc.
•[[ Thus the fields were of the fourth, and the reveaucg of the
second mixed with the first order.
** In the time of the Chnv dynasty the varnish forests were puhject
to a tax, of 25 percent, but here varnish is reckoned as tribute,
 ii t-ntsmn *r •-oBji^jKii

^"3^

H
U^./T

T
.^.f

V.'

tH'\->
'a- \ ^1

>//-

1 i ^tl5^/^'"V
m-t
h tmi
 ^^i-^y;
^^^x

:^k;^^

i;

.V. .-.^^^ffe*

-^-^ .-^^ ,^-J^M^'

O '^

SK2:^^v S\N

*^^:iu :
\

-^x
^ r
[
iHw rmi^^—u
 nti y\ 1 y^^y.-ir y. *'
\J -^

V .:
^ i :•':
>.Jd:^ VO'/'^Y ^"^^

./r--

^ ^^r <c, ^

r
 THE TRIBUTE OF YU. 103

were permitted "ff to bring as tribute

for smoothing the musical stones.*
^^ files

With these -J^ they floated ^ ^ ^

do^vn the Lo,
and thus came ^
to ']nj the Yellow river,

1^ fl? The H va-y4n- hill, M

and
^fC the II ih-
-f

shwuy water 'j^ formed the ])oundary of the :^ jj\ Lcang

province. J (comprisino-Sze-chuen, with partof>hen-se.)
il^
broiio'ht
The Mia and i^ Pwan
under cultiv :Uion.§
hills
Ijg
having been g
J*^
rhe To|l and J^ Tsin H ^ were ^ led through
their proper courses.

^ The Tsae»* and ^ Vlungft hills :^ were sacri-

ficed to, 2p
having as been levelled.

because the J^ Yu province under the Chow

dynasty was part
of the imperial domain, and in Yu's time,
did not form a part of
it

tiie sovereign's private land. From this we may see tlie reason, why
no mention is made in this book of any tribute from the Ke ])rovince.
* These files fjr rubbing down the musical stones wore not always
needed, hence they were not brought as a constant article of tribute,
but only when required.
f The Yu province was very near the metropolis; those on the
east side of the province had only to enter the Yellow river, while
those from the west of the province floated down the Lc, to the
great stream.
J The border of the L'Jang province on the east reached to the
south of the ^
UJ Flowery hill, TLat. 34. 30. N. Long. 6. 25. W.)
and on the west extended to the j^ -*l^ Black water, (Lat. 32, 15. N.
Lon- 13 25. W.) .vs^^JY

§
31. 38.
The Min
N
hill is
Lonir.
situated in the district of
12. 32. W.) The Pwan
^ hill
\M
is
Min-san, (Lat.
in the prefec-

ture
W.
of ^^
of P.^king.)
Kung-ch'hang,
^
(Lat. 31. 53. N. Long.
y^_.
11. 42.

II
These streams are tributary the "JJu Keang and
to Han /^
rivers. The To r ver flows into the great Keang, to the west of

the district of )^ Pe, (Lat. 30. 47. N. Long. 12. 15. W.)
% The Tsin water flows towards the Keang to the sonth-west
of the prefecture of *vg il44 Keu chow, Lat. 30. 53. N. Long.
9. 45. W. ^^ ^'*

** The Tsaehill is in the prefecture of ^j"l^ Yay-chow' (Lat.

30. 3. N. Long. 13. 25. W.)
ft The Mung hill is in the district of
30. 10. N. Long. 13. 22. W. of Pek iug.)
^ jlj Mlng-san, (Lat.
104 THE TRIBUTE OF YU.

5fU At Ho and ^ E, ]f^ he carried out to the

utmost i^ his meritorious work. *

)pf dt ^^he soil (of the province) was ^ wore slatish

Ig and l)l;ck ; ^^ the cultivated fields l]'^ 7:

JC^the superior kind of the lower class, while )^ the |^
revenue was "]C Fp the middling kind of the lower
S ^' mixed
clas**, with the kind above and below it. -j*

H ^ Its tribute consisted in 3^ aiusical gems,

^ ^^ ^
iron,J silver, steel, ^ stone arrow-heads,

^ musical stones, ]|| f| bear's and Jg ^ fox's

skins, ^ with tanned ]5; leather. §

FQ they
Setting out from 13 {^ the Se-king hill,

followed the course of ;^ the 5^ II wan river,

and ^
came -J^ floating "^ down -j^ the Tsin, crossed o- ^
ver "^ to ^ the Meen stream, '^ entered-^ into 7^
the Wei, and pL ferryed ^ across ^JflJ the Yellow
j'iver.ll

* E and Ho were the names of places : to the west of Yen-taou in

^^ j]\ Yay-chow there is the Ho river, E ridge, which are

and the
probably the places referred to. says thkt E and Ho are tlie
One
names of two rivers ; the Ho water flows to the north of the district of

^^
E
Yung-king, (Lat. 29. 52. N. Long. 13. 40. W.) The
water rises to the east of the prefecture of Pa jj\ Pa-chow,
(Lat. 3L
50. N. Long. 9 42. W.)
f Thus
the fields were of the seventh order, and the revenues cf
the 8th, mixed with the 7th and 9th.
"l
Iron is here mentioned hefore silver, because the advantnges de-
rived from iron are greater tkan those of silver ; some people have
consiiered a blacl s nith equal to a prince.
§ The Leang province was overrun with wild animals, thus the
skins of bears and foxes could he made up into fur drcs^tes, or their
hair manuf\ictured into coarse cloth. From the frequent mention of
musical gems and musical stones, in this and other provinces we may
gather that at that time among the musical instruments those made
of stone were considered of most importance.

II
The Se-king hill is in the prefecture of yj\ T'haou-chow,
*J)|j
Lat. 34. 35. N. Long. 12. 56. W. The Hwan water rises on the
south of the Se-king Min-chow-wei, Lat.
hill;
/H ^I
in "Jl^ 34.
4. N.Long. 12. 28. W. of Peking. When ^ the Han river first
 '>' ^
i^^) i.

1^ -^l ,^^5"T~^^^}'"T# 'r^-V

Sk' / \
TWOTBRT'^nPTans
4
H^< ^'\fV ^^-^^^
 ;•
*m ji Cir «ii. r \ '
-n iflfc \

/
K^t
m<^
r

i
ii^?^ 'n
 VtJ
pfl
^-
2,

WV^
/«^
iT<Cv.'<X^- >C<^ ^^^^v-.

^^
w/

:aXM

4 I
—

I'm • I
y^

'1^^

"1" ^^
± dp -t\%ID X. S; *
m^s^^ ^yp-~

>/L

'.^<^//..J
Z'^]%--
t-

I
'^^ ,
r.\ '— xy>i
'ill ^v>. :^ ^1^. .
 THE TRIBUTE OF YU. 105

the ^
/K Hih-shwCiy (Black water) and the
western bend JpjJ of the Yellow river j^f. constituted
^
the boundaries of the |^ Yung-chow* province- ^
(Shen-se, Kan-suh, and part of Sze-chuen.)
The 1^ Y6 1^ water ^ was led oat to the
west, f
•j^ The King J water ^ belonged to the ^^ Wei §
and J^ Juy streams* ||

'Ihe Tseth ^ and 7^ the Tseu ** waters

^ '

rises it is called ^g|f Yang ; after flowing some distance to the south-

east it receives the name of ^"J Meen, until it arrives at the re^^ion

of Han, when it is denominated the ^^ ^^ Han meen.

* The border of the Yung province extended westerly to the Black
water, (Lat. 33. N. Long. 13. W.) and easterly to the western
river, (a pait of the Yellow river running north ard south, in Long.
6. W. ) so called because it lay to the west of the Ke province.
f Near the hills of the western sea, or Blue Lake, (Lat. 36. 45. N.
Long. 16. 30. W.) there are divers streams dispersed abroad, which
have no strength to bear even a straw, and in which the smallest
substance sinks to the bottom ; hence they are called the s^^ >([^
Yo-fchwuy, weak waters. One says, that these stream are in the
district of jjjfij -j^ San-tan, in the county of -^ J?^ Chang-yih,
(Lat. 38. 30. N. Long. 15. 40. W.)
X The King wa ter runs to the west of the "/^ ^^ King-yang dis-
trict, (Lat. 34. 30- N. Long. 7. 40. W.) whence it flows south-

easterly, and enters the Wei at the district of J^ (^ Kaou-ling»

(Lat. 34. 30. N. Long. 7. 22. W. of Peking.)

§ The Wei river rises in the district of ^j^ Wei-yuen, (Lat. JP

35. 8. N. Long. 12. 6. W.) whence it flows westerly and enters

the Yellow river, at the district oi

N. Long. 6. 30. W.
^ J^ Hwa-yin, Lat. 34. 35.

II
The Juy water rises in the county of J;^ Ml
Foo-fung, Lat.
34. 20. K. Long. 8. 35. W. whence it flows easterly into the
King. These streams were connected together, hence they are said
to belong to each other.
K The 1 seih water comes from the north-eastern boundary of the
district of I^]*^ Tung.kwan, Lat. 35. 6. N. Long. 7. 25. W.

whence it flows to the district of }3| jlj} Yaou-chow, (Lat. 34. 56.
N. Long. 7. 33. W. of Peking) and unites with the Tseu.
** The Tseu water rises on the north-west of thft rlistru-f of Q^
o
106 THE TRIBUTE OF YU.

Fung 7^ water

to (on being brought under cultivation), which was al-

were m [ficed

so the case with the ^

j^ Chung-nan and f^. Shun- ^
wuh, ^ even ^ to the J^ ]% Neaou-shoo hills.
J
]^ In the plains }^ and swnmps ^ he carried out
^ his meritorious work ^
even "^ to ^ the Choo
Pf wilderness. §
The region of ^ the three
)§J Wei having been ^
i^ rendered habitable, ^
"^ the three tribes of the
Meaou-ites (attained to) ^ great ^ merit. \\

^ E-keun, Lat. 35. 28. N. Long. 7. 17. W. of Peking, after

which it unites with the Tseih, at the district of ^^ Vy| Yaou-

chow, and then both flow tosrether to the district of Chaou-
yih, Lat. 34. 48. N. Long. 6. 30. W. where they ent^r the Wei.
* " Led out," means led out into the Wei.

f The Fung water rises in the district of ^^ Hoo, Lat. 34 8. N.

Long. W. whence
7. 50. it fl.owg north-easterly to the district of

^^Han-yang, Lat. 34. 20. N.Long. 7. 50. W. and enters

the Jl Wei.

t The King iiill is in the district of Q^ Fooplng, Lat. 34.

42. N. Long. 7. 20. W. The Ke hill is in the district of 1^ J-l
Ke-san, Lat. 34. 20. N. Long. 8. 50. W. The Chung-nan hiU
is ui the district of ipjj 5i Woo-kung, Lat. 34. 20. N. Long. 8.
24. W. The Shun-wuh hill is in the same district. The Neaou-
shob hill is west of the district of '/^ J^ Wei-yuen, Lat. 35. 8. N.
Long. 12. 8. W.
§ The level region here referred to is in vji Pin-chow, Lat. ^S
35. 5. N. Long. 8. 26. W.
The region of the three Wei was the place to which Shiin banish-
II

ed the Meaou-ites, but the exact position of that region is not known.
The banishment of the Meaou-ites occurred before the draining of
the waters ; and at the time of Yu the Meaou-ites attained to great
merit by rendering it habitable. It appears that Shun had banished
the Meaou-ites on account of their extreme wickedness, and establish-
ed those who were a little less corrupt in their old city. Now those
who had been transported had attained to great merit, while the inha-
bitants of the old city had become proud and unsubmissive. For
 THE TRIBUTE OF YU. 107

^ ih The soil (of the province) '|^ was ^

yellow ^^ clay.*
cultivated fields
1^ Its EE|
f^ were J^ the superior
sort J:; of the first quality, while
j|f its |^ revenues
were tjil ~]^ the lower kind of the medium sortf.
gS^ Its ^ tribnte |§ consisted in S^ % the Kew-
liu gems f^ ^ ^^nd the Lang-kan pearls.
With these
5 untd
^ they floated
=f from ^ JQ
TseTh.
shin, they came ^ to
f| p^ I/iiig-mun, (the
dragon gate) Q on the western branch
J^ of the Yel-
low river,
Wei J^ and
^ and met the Juy.J
=J^ at (the conjunction cf)
J^
the
(Ihey brought) ;^^ hair-cloth and furs from
^ )§ Kwan-Iun,
whilstam ontr^
^ ^western^and |^ |^ Keu-sow;
the
Seih-che,
barbarians g|J he
completed ^ his merit. §

the old residence of the Meaou-ites was among the fastnesses of the
mountains, the air of which produced such independent feelings. In
the present day, when any of these m'^untaineers go on a predatory
excursion, and are caught and questioned, they commonly assert that
they belong to the clan of Meaou ; is it not likely that these are de-
scendants of the original Meaou-ites? C Commentator J .

* Yellow is the proper colour of earth. The soil of the Yung

province being yellow clay, the cuiti'>ated fields far exceeded those
of other provinces.
f Thus the fields were of the first order, and the revenues deriv.J
from them of the sixth order ; this was because the territory was con-
tracted and labour deficient.

X The Tseih-shth
Lung-che; Lat "36. 10.
hill is in the bord^^r of the
N. Long. 14. W.
district of
The Lung-miin
|f^ ^
hil

is in the prefecture of "/BJ ^-^ Ho-cbung, Lat. 35. 40. N. Long,

W. There were two ways of bringing tribute from the Yung pi -

vince; those on the north-east boundaries came from Tsctb.-shlh,

down to the western arm of the Yellow river; while those from t.!ie
south-west border met at the conjunction of the Wei and Juy rivcrK .

§ At the Kwan-lun hill is the source of the Yellow river. Stth-

che is the modern Thibet; Keu-sow is in the same direction, to the
westward of Kan-suh. These three regions sent fur dress-^s as tri-
bute, which are generally classed under hair-cloth and r.:: '

The Yung province having been drained, the remnant ofYO"

hours extended to the region oi the western barbarians, hei
notice oi" them 's here added at the end.
 108 THE TRIBUTE OF YU.

Yu then ^
traced the hills from fijf K'hSen * J^
and ll^ Ke, ^
up =f to ^] the King jij mountain f ;

he then j^ crossed ^
over ^]pj the Yellow river nt
^
|lj Hoo-k'h6w,J and (traced the course of) the "^ ^
Luy-show hills,§ "P to theM ^
Js^^ I'ae-yo moun-
tain and then of
;
J^ ::!iand M
Te-cho6, 1|
^jf ^eih-
ching tower,^ ^
M ^PTae-hing3E M Wang-iihand **
*o hill,

also of the 5(5^ ^ mountains,"|-|- the

te |i| H^ng hill,
n M up ^ ^ to ;ej| Kee-shth,
where (the chain) /\ was ^ J^ lost in the sea.
(He observed fg ^
the direction of) the Se-king,§§

* This with what follows points out the range of the hills. The
K'heen, Ke, and King mountains are all in the Yung province CSlien-
Re and Hoo-pih). The K'heen hill is in the department of
Lung-chow, Lat. 34. 48. N. Long. 9, 30. W. and is by some tliouuht
yyj ^
to be the same with the Lung hill, a little to the westward of that de-
partment.
f For an account of the Ke and King hills, see the description of
Yung- province (page 106.)
I The Hoo-k'how, Tae-yo, Te^choo, Seih-chlng, Wang-uh, Ta^,
hing, and Hang-san, are all mountains in the Ke province (Shen-sc.)
For an account of Hoo-k'how, Tae-yo, and Kee-shih see the des-
ciiption of that province.

§ Luy-show is in the district of tHJ ^ H6-tung, the modern ^|]f

j^ Poo-chow, Lat. 36. ] 8. N. Long. 5. 25. W. of Peking.

jj
Te-cho6 is a stone in the midst of the stream of the Yellow river,
in form like a pillar; it is situated in [5c/'H ^'^en-chow, Lat. 34.
45. N. Long. 5. 18. W.
1)

N. Long.
Seih-ching
4.
is

10.
in the district of
W. The peaks
]^ ^ Yang-ching, Lat.' 35. 26.
of the hill are like a citadel,
hence the name.
** Wang-uh is in the north-eastern part of the district of T^ |±q
Hwan-keiih, Lat. 34. 58. N. Long, 4. 40. W.
the form of the
hill is like a house, hence the name.

ft The Ta^-hing mountains are north-west of the department of 'j^

^ Hwa^-k'hing, Lat. 35. 6. N. Long. 3 30. W.

Jl The Hansr hill is in the south-west of the district of pi} |^
Keuh-yang, lat.^38. 45. N. long. 1. 45. W.
§§ The first four of these hills occur in Yuner-chow, the rest are
inYu-chow. The Se-kins- hill is lat. 34. 45. N. lon£?. 12. 10 W.
 THE TRinUTK OF YU. 109

^ gChoo-yu, andTae-hwa
^ t m ffi Nea6ii.sho6 hills,

^ Heung-urh,
ii{) ^ to the "js^ mountain, J also that of
:^
Ihe Tf^ ^^J and ^ ^ Wae-fang, jj

^He
TuQg-pih ^ MT j^ ^ hill, ^« far as Pei-wci.**
^ fi^^ Po-chung
then ^
traced the hill,
"l-f
as ^ far Jj its ++ and
the ^^] King-san hill ; the
p^ ^ Nuy.fang,§§ Ig -^
range of the as far as the

± Td-pe^^IJ hill. 111!

^^ lU/iLl^ From Min the south of the hill i[[^

^
(he observed the contour of the country) "J^ as far
as ^ the •**
|1] where he
H^nsf-san mountain, ^j^
crossed the ^ ^
'JX^
nine ^X, riverSjj-f •[• even to the

* The Choo-yu hill is in the department of ^p Tsin, lat. 34. 36.

N. long. 10. 46. W.
|- The Neaou-shoo hill is in lat. 35. 15. N. Ion?. 12. 20. W.
I The Tae-hwa mountain is in the district of ^^ V^ Hwa-yin,
lat. 34. 35. N. long. 6. 25. W.

§ The Heung-urh (Bear's ear) hill is in the department of ^q jfj

Shang-chow,in lat. 33. 51. N. long. 5. W.
The Wae-fanc,^ is in the district of
II

30. N. long. 3. 25. W.

^^ Tang-fung, lat. 34.

32.
^ The
15.
Tung-pih
N. long. 3.
hill is in
10. W.
the district of fl^ ^ Tung-pth, lat.

*^
long. 5,
Pei-wei
15. W.
is in the department of ^ Hea, lat. 35. 10. N.

The Po-chung hill is in the Leang province, in the depart-

ft
ment of Lung-se, lat. 34. 55. N. long. 11. 40. W.
||| p'
II The King-san is the southern range of that
name, in the dis-

trict of
^^ Nan-chang, lat.

King-mftn,.
31. 47. N. Ion?. 4. 45. W.
§§ The Nuv-fang is in the department of ^J P9
lat.

31. 5. N. long. 4^^ 18. W.

The Ta-piig is in the department of Ilin-yang, lat. 30. 34.
liJI

N. long. 2.. 16. W.

^^ TheMin-liilliainlat.Sl. 38. N. long. 12 32. W.
«*® The Hang mountain is situated in (he dlstiict of fl^ ill
Hang-«an, 27. 14. N. long. 4. 10. W.
lat.
neighbourhood of Ihe Tung-tmg
ttl The nine rivers are in the
lake, lat. 29. N. long. 4. W.
tn The Foo.te("^!i.yuen hill is supposed to be in the district (^f
fe
110 THE TRIBUTE OF YU.

He then ^ led out ^ Y6 shwuy (weak wa-

-f]^ the
ters) * g ^ as far as ^|g Ho le f while |^ the
;

rest
Jj^ of its stream was >\ -^ guided into the
Lew-sha, J (or moving sands.)
^
J^
^ He led out the ® 7^. Hih^shwuy (Black water)
^^ as far as the ^ j^ San-wei hill, until JT^

^F it entered the f^\ southern J§ sea.§

^ He then led out the ']Pj Yellow river from ^ ;;Cl

Tseih-shih, ^ "^ as far as ^§ P^ Liing-mun

^
;

southward he conducted it "^ as far as

Hwa-yin,^ and then "^ eastward 35~F t<^ IR^ ^
Te-choo,** '^ and further east ^ ^
"J^ to
Mang-tsin, \-\ where flowing ^^ towards the east
^
it passed
^
Jj^ the point of h-ind
formed by the 1^6,;

^ Tih--nan, lat. 31. 18. N. long. 2. 53 W. But the Foo.

tseen yuen was only a diminutive hill, so that its position canriot be
exactly ascertained, while it is very probable that both the hills
and rivers have had different names in ditFerent ages of the world.
* Here begins the account of his deepeiiing the channels oi the ri-
vers. For a description of the Yo-shwuy, sec the account of the
Yung province, page 105.
f The II6-le hill is in the north-west of the district
*
of J^ |^
Ch'hang-yih, lat. 38. 30. N. long. 15.40. W.
J The movinsT sands are 80 le to the west of Sha-chow, lat. 40. 15.
N. long. 11. 30. W. of Peking these sands shift with the winds,
;

hence the name. The work of deepening the channels commenced

after that of observing the hills, and as both mountains and streams
originate in the north^^west, so Yij in his work of draining the land
began in that direction, tnk'ng theK"heen and the Ke first among the
hills, and the Yo-shwijy fir.st among the waters.

§ The Black water rises in the district of Chan?-yih, whence it

flows past the San-wei hill, and emjities itself into the southern sea.
II
The Tseih-i^hih hill and the Lung-mun pass, are mentioned in
the account of Yung-chow, page 107.
^ For Hwa-yin, see page 109.
** Te-cho6 is described in page 108.
If Mang-tsin, or the Mang ferry, is situated in Lat. 34. 47. N.
Long. 3. 50. W.
11 The tongue of land formed by the confluence of tb.e T o water,
with the Yeliow river, is a little to the eastward of the district of

^ Kung, (Lat. 34. 53. N. Long. 3. 25. W.) The Lo enters

the Yellow river from the south-east, while the Yellow rivers flows
 THE TRIBUTE OF VU. HI
MT even to :;^ t£ Ta-pei ;
* then j^ taking a
northly direction ^ it passed the ^^ Keang 7!^ wa-
ter,
t M ^^P 3^^ I^ Ta-luh
to
;
J X still more
it
channels, §
to the north ^
which
^ it spread into the jf^ nine
'/[Tf
afterwards |t] united:^ and for-
med 5^ thebackward^fjow, and then ^^ disem-
^
II

bogued itself-^ into the sea.

^
^ ^ Po-chung ^ he
l-Vora led off the ^^| Yang
river^ j^ '^ 5^ where towards the east, it became
j^ Han ^the ^ ; still further to the eastward ^ it

formed ^ the -J^ Tsang-lang ^:;'jv water,** whence

on from the west, hence it is said, that it crosses the tongue of land
formed by the Lo river towards the east.
* Ta-pei, meaiis a hill newly thrown up some think it is si- ;

tuated in f^J^ Sew. woo, (Lat. 35. 16. N. Lon^ 2. 52. W.)
others that

fW
it is to be found in the district of

N
^^ Le-yang, or
/ll Seun-chow, Lat. 35. 45. Long. I.W. 43. of Peking.

"j^^
t The Keang-shwuy is in

Paou-ting, Lat. 38. 53. N. Long. 0. 55. W.

the prefecture of
^^ Sin-too, or

It seems
that tlie course of the Yellow river in later ages differs much
from
the direction it took in the time of Yii and according to some
;

there is still in the district ofWji Nee,

Chang-tih, (Lat. 36. 7. N. Long. L 23. W.) some trace of the
or the modern ^^
former river which then flowed to the north-east, straight out into
the sea. The Keang water pases through Sin-too, and flows norther-
ly into the bed of the old Yellow river.
X Ta-klh (in Lat. 37. 16. N. Long. L 22. W.) is mentioned
in the account of Ke-chow.
§ For the Kew-iio (nine rivers) see the account of Yen-chow ;
(from which it appears that they occupied the site of the modern
gulfofPih-chih-le.)
The river with the backward flow is supposed to refer to the
II

tide coming up from the sea. The region of the nine rivers, however,
being now ingulfed in the sea, the river with the backward flow
which was below it is certainly no longer in existence. The
river higher up divided into nine streams, and lower down it united
into one, which is frequently the case with waters.
^ The Yang river comes out of the Po-chung hill, in the prefec-
ture of in ^
whence it tiows to Woo-too
Lung-se, (Lat. 35. 55. N. Long.
(Lat. 33. 30. N. Long.
U.
12.
38. W.)
W.) and
becomes the Han river
** Forty le to the north of Woo-tung hill, Lat. 32. 42. N. Long.
 112 tHE TRIBUTE OF YU.

passing Ly tlie ^^ San-she,*j ^ even 1§ to ;;^

f Ta-pe^, 1 1^ ^^ flowed southward and 7^ entered
fj^ into JH the Yang-tsze-keaig ;J then again 1^^ east-
ward ^
it turned into the marsh, j^ and formed ^ and
^^ the Pang-le lake, § ^ more to the east-
ward still ^ it formed il;j the northern part of ^
the Yang-tszo-keang-, ||
and finally 7^ entered ^ into

From i!i^ the Min ^i| hill (in Sze-chuen) ^ he led

^ the Y^ang--tsze-keang ^ towards the east, ;^l] where
it branched off ^^ and formed ^ the To.** 3C ^^i"-
ther ^ ^to the east
J* ^ it reached to the Le ;-|-|-

j^ ^
passing through ^ the nine streams (the
Tung-ting ^ "^
lake,) J^ ^ Tung- it proceeded to

ling ;Xt^ and j^ on

eastward tfe it gently flowed,
the north '^joined ^ ^ to the revolving waters ;

^ ^
further to the eastward it formed the t|J ^X.
Chung-keang, ^ and ^ J§ entered into the sea.

5. 25. W. there is an island in the middle of the Han river, called

Tsang-lang, and the stream flowing near it is called the Tsang-lang
wa ter.
* The San-she water is in the department of ^^ \^^ Gnan-luh,
(Lat. 31. 20. N. Long. 4. W.) .

f Ta-pee is situated to the north of J^ 1^ Han-yang, Lat.

30. 34. N. Long. 2. 17. W.
J The Han river enters the Keang at H^in-} ang^.
§ The Pong-le marsh is the modern ^^ |^ Po-yang lake,
jl
It is not clear what is meant by the northern Kean?.
^ The Keang enters the sea near the department of i^ T'hung,
Lat. 32. 3. N. Long. of Peking. E.
* The To is
4. 18.
a separate branch of the Yang-tsze-keang in Sz^-
chuen.

If The Le river rises in the west of the district of jpj J^ Woo-

ling, Lat. 29. 1. N. Long. 5. 10. W. whence it flows to the north-

west of if^ ^y Chang-sha, and enters the Keajig at J^ jj\ Shin-

chow, Lat. 28. 22. north, Long. 3. 52. W:

Jt Tuntf.ling is the same as

•— ^
R u». Pa-ling, lat. 29. 24. N. long.
3. 38. W.
 THE tRIBIJYc OF YU. 1 13

^ He then traced the ^ Yuen ;;]< water, * ^ ^J^

as it flowed to the east, j^ and fDrmed pf the Tse, f
after which >\ entering ^
into yj^f the Yellow river,

^ it overflowed ^
and constituted the t^ Yung j|T ;

towards the east Jfj it appeared aqjain ^ at |^] JX^

1 aoii-^<'ew i]^ on the north side ; ^ further ^ east-
waril ^ it passed on ^"^ ^ Ho 3C
to ;
^"^^ agai i

^ i(j on the north-east ^ it joined on to the ^

VVa;i ; 5C ^^^ ^^^^^ ^
further ifj to the north-east ^
it entered ^ into the J^sea,
^ He then led J^ the Hwae river J ^ from ^
;jQ Tung-pth ^ towards the east, ^ to unite ^ w J^'i

the Jpg Sz3 and 7)f Krivers;§ (from whence flowing)^

still eastward, ^ it entered "^ into the J^ sea.

* The Yuen water is the same with the Tse at its rise it re-
;

ceives the former, and as it flows to the east it obtains the latter name.

f The Tse water I'ses to the south-east of ~l't j^ Wanf,'-uh hill,

in the district of
W.
;§ ^
After proceeding for some distance
Hang-lieuh, Lat. 35.
it
N. Long. 4 46.
5.
disappears, and comes

out again in the district of ^Jg Tse-yuen, Lat. 35. 7. N. Long.

^f
3. 50. W. This water lias two heads that to the eastward is ,

700 paces in circumreience, and its depth is unknown, while that to

the westward is 685 paces round, and ten feet deep ; they unite their

waters and flow to the district of "/iQl Wan, Lat. 35. 2. N". Long.
3. 12. W. where they constitute tl^ Tse, and enter the Yellow
river. After this the Tse pours out to the south of that river and

forms the ^ Yung, Lat. 31.55. N. Long. 2. 50. W. Subse-

quently it proceeds to the north of f-^J pp| Taou-k'hew, or |-^J i^

TinLT-taou, Lat. 35. ll.N. Long. 0. 40. \V. and again goes on to

y^ ^0-tsih, Lat. 35. 15. N. Long 0. 45 W. flowing north-

easterly to the district of ^p 7^ Show-chang, Lat. 36. 8. N. Long.

0. 20. W. where it unites with the ^^ Wan water, and near the dis-

trict of "^ 1% Po-hing, Lat. 37. 15. N. L ong. 1 55. E enters the

sea. At this point it is called tho

^^J^ Tsing-ho.

The Huae ^| Lat. 33. 6. N.

I river rises in
j^J ISan-yang,
Long. 3. 56. W. but Yu only guided its course from ^^ >fH
Tung-plh, Lat. 32. 15 N Long. 3. 10. W.
§ The Sze water is in Keang-uau province, and the E in Shan-

p
 ^

114 THE TRIBUTE OF YU.

He likewise led -]^ the Wei river Q from ^

Neaou-shoo hill, * at the
|^ /C Tuiig-heue peak,
whence ^flowing eastward -ff^it united ^with >^ the
^^'^^g",
XKing^"^^ further ^ '^ east itcombinevl ^- with
@ the ^ ; further^
still eastward ^ it pass-
ed the^^Tseih and ^ Tseu, and
7^ entered ~J^ into
j^ the Yellow river.

^ He also guided the course of j^ the Lo river

from j#^^ ];^ Heung-urh hill, whence ^ itfi on the
north-east ^ it united ^ with ']|^ die Keen and J^
the 'leen, ^4 ^"^^ further^ eastward '^ j«i"ing ^
with 'j^ the 5C^g^^^" pursuing
b^, il^a north-easter- ^
ly course, >^^ it entered -^ into -Jpf the Yellow river.f

3/L The nine j\\ provinces having been thus |g] ^

conjoined, pi) the four ^ bays |5£ rendered ^ habi-
j^ and sacrificed
table, -fl^ the nine \1| hills ^|] cleared
to, ^the nine )|| rivers Jj^ deepenedJ^ and drained,
"]fL while the nine j^ marches jj£ were f^ well-banked,
(all within) fD^ the four )^ seas '^ wa.s rendered com-

pact 1^ and united. J

[JhJ I he six ]j^ stores (comprising the five metals

and grain) J{^ having been fully f]^ attended to, ]^and
the general i prodnctipns of the Jroil ^ exchanged
TF* and adjusted, J^ he took especial ^ Wr care of

ung ; E enters the Sze, and the Sze pours itself into the Hwae.
the
* The Neaoii-shoo hill is in Kan-siSh, Lat. 35. 10. N. Long.
12. 20. W. from thence the Wei flows into Shen-se province,
where it joins the Funyr, Lat. 34. 15. N. Jjong. 7. 45. W. and
the King, Lat. 34. 25. N. Long. 7. 28. W. and enters the Yel-
low river, Lat. 34. 45. N. Long. 6. 22. W.
j- The Heung-urh hill is that part of the range situated in the dis-

trict of
^^ Loo-she, Lat. 34. 4. N. Long. 5. 42. W. The
course of this river may be easily traced in the map of H6-nan, where,
aftvr uniting with the streams a^ove«.named, it enters the Yellow ri-
ver, Lat. 35. N. Long. 3. 15. W.
^ This presents a general view of what has been treated of in the
preceding sections, showing that the various provinces, seas, rivers,
and lands were all regulated and arranged.
 THE TRIBUTE OF YU. 115

the wealth of the country |^ and the imposts all of ; ^

which ^
were classified according to~ the three i^
kinds of soil, and thus )^ he completed \^ the reve-
nues t^ of the middle region. * ^^
§^ He conferred i lands ^ and surnames. "I*

(then said he) jjjj^

let them respectfully place
^
my 1^ virtue ^
before them, and then TfJ they will
notjg transgress ^)^ my ^^ rules of practice.
J A ^1-
To the distance of^ five"^ hundred |^jle was ^
^§ the region of feu lal tenure, (within th<At space) ~^
for the first
of W^
hundred Uthe revenue ||^ consisted
le |^
^^^ entire plant of the grain ; ZZ f'^'" the second
'^ hundred ^ le |^ they had to pay §^ the gr -in

with half of the straw, ^ for the thirJ "^ hundred

|g
le i^ they h id to bring^
these rendered
the grain in the ear ;
^
while nil feudal service ; |Z9 for the
fourlh "i^ hundred ^ ^"^ le they paid the errain in the
husk ; a' d ;^ for the fifth hundred ^ le (they
])ri)Ught in) /jv th j rice ready cleaned. §

* The that which produces wealth ; and s )ils are called ge-
soil is
neral, when they are adapted far other thiiiifs esidos strain ; of these
'

soils there where a lit ions;, and it was m^ccs^ iry that productions
ij^'

should he interchauiz^ed an i adjusted ac<;oiding' to the fertility or har-

renness and the elevation or depr^sion of the soil, in order
to sustain the bu.^iness v>f agriculti^. Noticing, therefore, the
articles produced on the several soils, he took especial care that the
impost should he levied accordingly.
i He conierred lands, in order to settle the various states, and sur-
names in Older to establish the line of ancestry.
^ Yu having drained the land, settled the revenues, and establish-
ed the princes of the empire, his regulations were fixed, and his work
WMS completed. At that time it was only necessary to set a good
exami)le to the empire in virtue, and then the whole world would be
constrained to follow his line of conduct.
^ The reiiion of the feudal tenure is included within the imperial
domain. This region extended 500 le all round the royal city.
Those who lived within the first hundred le, being near, had to liring
the grain with the whole of the straw; those who lived within the
range of the next hundred le, had only to bring half of the straw.
The next in ord r hro'iijht merely the ears of corn with no straw.
The more distant inhabitants brought the corn beat out of the ear ;
116 THE TRIBUTE OF YlT.

(To the distance of) ^ five "j^ Imndre^l |^ le be-

yond this was jt^ 3S ^^^^ I'ei^'oji of tl^e -loble's tenure.
The first ^ hundred ^ ie of this ^ was allotted to

the great ofiicers ; .HI the second "^ liiin(lr-.\l ^ ie to

M the baronial ^|I domain, ^ and the thrive ]i[' hun-

dred ffi le beyond to the ^^ princes of tlie em-
pire. *
']\) the distance of ^"gf hnndred
5£ five
le (be-
yond ihe tenure of the nobles) lay ^^ j]^ tiu^ tranquil
^
tenures of th^se
; S ^
three "g" hundred ^^ ^^ere

measured ^ ^^Z^ two "^ h

instruction
off

; ^ ^
and
for the encouragemr'nt of literary
imlied h? f*r

^
the incitement of ^ wai like defei.ce.-j*

(To S ^
the distance of) ^ five hundred le be<

yond ^ J^jl ^ ff
vvas the restricted tenure, three hun-
dred ^ Q" le of^ which vvas allotted to the foreii^ners.
atid ZZ two hundred JJ le to the i transpojted
cofivicts X
and the fartliebt oi"al! brouulit the clenn husked rice. Thuf; the dis-
tnace ol'theu" dwelhng was taken into consideration and tie nnposts
of the people were heavy or lik'ht accordinirly This speaks of the
rt ifion ot" the feudal tenure bein^; divided into five classns, (A Chi-
nese le is gencr dly reckoned at 360 (doui le) paces, of 5 covids each;
(it has howiiver bi^en fixed by the ./esuits at 250 le for a de^ri-e.)
* Beyond the reijion of the l^idal tes'.nre. lo the distance of 500
le on all sides hiy the lands h< ;d in fee by the d.-pendant lords.
Those of minor ran'K are nienlioned fii'^t. asid the hiifher one's last;
because the laiirer states could ward off exter.uil a^j^ressions, and the
smaller states could trnuquiilize internal dej)eudants. Tijis speaks
of the l)aronial tenures beint,^ divided nito three classes.
f These tenures were called tianqui!, beciiis*? they u^radual'.y rt^c -iled
from the imperial domain, from which they were distant lUOO ,
'•

and were yet just a« far removed from the wild temm^s outs dc,
thus occupying a middle space between tliein hence tins re<_jion ;

was divided between civil and military objects, tiie former to pro-
mote internal n.'Sfulation, and the latter to maintain external trancpiil--
lity. Thus particular was the s.ige inlaying out the territory of the
flowery empire.
j The restricted tenure was far removed from the imperial domain,
and was entirely inhabited by foreigners, w!iosc laws and civilization
were inferior to those of China. They are called tlie restricted
tenures, beuimse it was necessary to bridle and restrain them.
 TlIK TRiniJTR OF YU. 117

(To the distance of) ^i five "^ hundred le be- ^

yond ^
|])J
was the wild leniirc, three "Q* liuiidred
^
Si '^* <>^ which was o<oaj)ied hy ^^^ barbariaLS, and
^ three "j^ hundred M
^^ ?Mt ^^Y hanished felons. *

VJt On the east these lemaes J^ g'adually advanced

J- to the j^ sea, on the west fjj they extended

g^
•^ to ^It V^j'''

^
the liocitintrsands. ^jj on the north
^
and south equally, ^ Yu's fame and ^ the in-

* This rugioti was still I'urllier removed t'roiu tlie imperial domain,
hence the chis-rfic speaks of
lightly it. Because f its wilderness
(

state, was culled tlio

it wild lenure. Thus
appears that each te-
it

nure was 500 le hroid, Ktid the five to^'^eiher made out 2.500 le each
way, or In)m iiurtK lo south, and fVoni east to west 5000 le but ;

from ^ JW Ke-chow, Lat. 37. 52. N. Lon^. 3. 50. W the

crt]Mt*il, up to the northern boundary, even including the hills of -^

tp Yun-chunt?, Lat. 38. 45. N. Lona^. 4. W. we apprehend that
there are scarcely so many as 2.500 le ; and supposing we allow that
space, yet it is all a sandy desi-rt, without an)' traces of veg^etation ;
while the east and south, from wjiich the greatest revenue comes, are
put down as restricted and wild tenur 's. So that this account does
not a])pear to tally with the aj>{)earance of the couiitry. But we rather
think that the fertility or unproductiveness of certain soils, has dilfer-
ed in ancient and modern thnes. Thus at the time of Shun, the ter-
ritory north of Ke-chow was perhaps not so wild and desert, as we
tind it in subsequent times. So in like manner, the reg on of Che-
Veang, and Fuh-keeii, which was formerly a low jun^:le inhabited by
barbarous t)il)es, is now a rich and populous country; for we can-
not judi,'-e of the ferlility or barrenness of soils, from the observ itioii
of one single period. In tiie time of tht^Chow dynastv, there were nine
tenures rouud tlie capital, each consist ini^ of 500 le, which innludini^
the royal domain occupied a space of 5000 le each wav, «nd stretched
over an area of 10,000 le in diameter. Thus beini; double that of
YiVs tenures. The records ofthi^ Hdn dynasty also say, that the
empire at that time extriidt d 9,000 le Irom east to vest, ai;d 13,000
le from ncrth to s(»nth. () this account former literati have imagi :ed
•>

that Yds t»-nures were ratiier coMlricted, while tho-<e of l-.'how and
Han were stretched too far or thai the measures of ancient and mo-
;

drrn times differed in length, or that Yu measured in a direct liui',

while those after him calculated the distance from the roads travelled
by men, neither of which opinions can now be dccidt'd in the affirma-
tive. (N. B. From an examination of Yu s labours as recorded
in the ])resent chapter we tind, that tht^ territory suhj>'ct to t!ie Chi-
nese days extended from Lat. 27. to 40.
in his and from Lonif. N
15. W. to 2. E. which at 250 le to a degree will only give 3,0o0
le in one direction, and 4,000 le in the ot! er of this distance Ke- ;

chow may be considen.-d the centre i'voiu east to west, but by no meant
118 THE TRIBUTE OF YL^

fiuence of his iislructioii^ g^ spread out 1o the

-J-* f|

four ^^ i^eas. ^^ Yu t],eii

^ presonted ^ his dark
(oloLired ^ mnce, and "^ aimouiiced "^ the ^ com-
})letion of his ^ work.*

from horth to south ; mid YiiV tenures, instead of being too contract-
ed, are in fact too much extended.)
* First the writer speaks )f tlie extension of the five tenures, and
next of the ditfasion of his fame and instruction ; for liws a. id reiJ:uia-
t oils may h ive tlieir limit, hdt the intlut nee of renovating princj)! s is
inexhaustible. Black is the colour of water; hence the mace, or
badge of office, held by Yu was of a dark colour.

DIAGRAM OF THE FIVE 'lENUKES.

JIH-S.

JTU

B.'^m
m
"ST

ft) IM^I
:— -g?\§ 5^;5l

m^

^-^ :^'

It ^^i i|

I
.
I
I
 f

THE OATH OF KAN. 119

SEC'IION II.

™*^' OATH tl^^ OF KAK *

C.
There was i;^
2194)^75 when
a great
(the
S^ ^ -^
Kmperor)^
war in Kan, (B.
s immoned :^
his six ^^[J generals.
EE The King H said, ^ Qh >C $will^^\]^
^^ A vou
men in charge of
administer to you an oath.
the Bi\ legions! ^ 1

^;^^ Thepeopl^t YexN-

Hoo ^ elements4
have contemptuously
f;^ destroyed ^ the
five ^ and ^ negliL^ently ^ rejected
m the three jE regulations , § '^ heaven f^ has
e mployed me ^ to exterminate ^ and destroy ^
Kan is the name of the countrv. helonging to the ^ /|^ Yew-
hoo people,
7. 42. W.)
the district of of
in ^
Hoo, (Lat. 34. 8. N. Long.
The oath was admimsLered to the troops, to shew the
stern severity with which the Emperor punished the rebels, and to
combine the efforts, and arouse the energies of the people. Both
the earlier and la^er texts contain this chapter. According to histo.y
it apj)ears that when }\\x K he ascnded the throne, the people of

^^ Bj Yew-hoo would
J not submit, and were therefore destroyed.
The ground of their disaffection was, that Yaou and Shun had deli-
vered the reigns of government into the hands of the most worthy,
while K'he inherited his fatiier's throne.
These generals were the rulers of the six districts, who in peace
|-

had nothing to do beyond attending to the governments of their vari-

ous provinces, undtr the controul of the minister of instruction ;
but in war they had each to had out a legion of their fellow subjects,
amounting to 12,500 men, under the charge of the commander-
in-chief. In ancient times when rebellious occurred in the various
regions, the respective lords of those districts were charged with
quelling them ; should they fail in so doimi-, the Emperor went in
person to set things to rights. The imperial troops are said to
punish the refractory, and no^ to engaije in war as with equals; here
liowever, K'he having headed the army in person, it is said, that
*'
war in Kan," which is au intimation that the
there was a great
people oi Yew-hoo were very powerful and audacious, so as to pre-
sume t© wage war with the Emperor.
X The five elements arc met d. wa'er, wood, f.re, and earth.
§ The three regiil..tions, are the iirrauL-emeuts reg'irding the
commencement nglectiug th.se, means that they
of the year ; their
did not acknowledge the same new year with the govrrnment. Thiif;
thty offended against heaven, and heaven decreed their extcnuinaliou.
 f

120 THE OATH OF KAN.

tleir ^ lives ; ^ imw ^ ^ f do but ^ respect-

the punishment decreed
tully fy cany out 5? ii f^
hy heaven.
If ;^ on the left 3^ you do not '^ attend ^ to ihe

husncss ^ of the left, then ^l})ii

sow ^
do not ^
regard ^ the decre*^ ; if you "^^ on the right ^
do not ]^ adend ^ to the business ;^ of the right,
then -j^ you do not^ regard the decree ^
and ^ ;

^^ if the charioteer ^^ does not follow his ^ ^

horse's ;^ j£ correct course, -j^ then you ^ do i.o^

^^1 regard 1% the decree.

^ If you obey -^ the decree, '^* I will reward you
-^ in front of the jjj^ ancestorial temple, but /f\ ^
if you disobey
before the
'di? 1 will order you
altar of the e^ods of the land
pj to be slain
and grain
^
jjji; ;

and -^ I will
||J
then '/^ ^ §Jj put to death your
W'ives and children.

* Tne left rigiit here mean the left and right hand side of the
and
chariots. The
ancients had three persons in each war chariot ; one
on the left to attend to arc'iery, ot»e on the riiiht to manage the
charij^e ; with the charioteer in the centre, to guide the horses. If
these were not st verally to attend to their proper business, they
would it.duce de'eat and therefore the sovereign charges them
;

with their several duties, in order to prevent the least negligence.

f When the Emperor went on his rounds of inspection, he took
with him the tablet of (he ancestorial temple, together with the
shrine of the gods of the land and grain, to shew that he did not
])resunit to follow his own inclination in rewards and punishments.
He added, that if they disobeyed the decree, he would not only put
them to death, but also involve their families in ruin because war ;

is a serious affair, and if the military regulations a»e not severe,

there would be no means of keeping the host in order, or of urging

them on to glory.
 THESON^ OF THE FIVE CHILDREN. 121

SECTION 111.

31 ?
THE SONG OF THE FIVE CHILDREN.*
;t %k

^ )^ T'liae-kaugf ^ f^ was like a corpse on

the throne,+ and ^J^ ^
by addictedness to plea*
sure § obliterated
j^ Hf ^ ^ his virtue the
^ hnd where ^
;

black-haired ^
])eople every a dis-
position to revolt, ^ ^ he and up
>nj but gave himself
to ^
sauntering" ffi without ^ went restriction,
a-hunting
for a
'f^^^j}^^
hundred days
beyond
ij^ 2;^
^^ the river Lo,
without returning. (B. C.
21G9.)
^ §^ )^ ^ E, the prince of Yew-keung, Q see-

^ ^
II

ing 1^
th.^t the peo[)le could not endure (his
^
rule), drove (V'hae-kang) -J^ beyond ^ the Yel-
low ^ river.

^ S A His
Jif (T'hae-kang's) five younger
^
brethren ^ attended their -E^^ mother J,<;j(
while
she ^j^ followed (her son), ^ and waited for him ^
* These five children were the younger brethren of ~J^
^^
T'hae-kang. The text in the modern hand has not this song, though
that in the older form of writinghas it.

f T'hae-kang was the Fon of

X
^
K'he.
" Like a corpse," means that he sat on the throne without
attending to business, like the person who personifies the dead at
funeral sacrifices,
§ Other kings of this dynasty had indulged occasionally in pleasure,
but they did it in moderation, and studied the interests of th e
the people in theiramusements ; not like T'hae-kang, who revelled in
del^its and obliterated his virtue when the people shewed some
;

symptoms of disaft'ection, he still had no notion of reform, but gave

himself up to hunting excursions without restraint. Thus T'ae-kang
deprived himself of his crown.
E is the name of a famous archer. Some say, that E was the
II

name of the chief archer under the Emperor ^! Kuh, on which ao*
count every good archer since that time was called E.
^ This man seeing that the people could not endure the misrule of
the negligent sovereign, drove T'hae-kang bevond the north of the
Yellow fiver, and afterwards dethroned him.

Q
122 THE SONG OF THE FIVE CHILDREN.

^^^ ^7l^ ^^^ j^i'^ction of the river L6. The 35

live ^ )^
younfir men then lamen- all ^ set up their
tation, anH
:iv: "^^ quoted
?5^ ?^ ^^^«

warning, J^, in order ff< to hnm ^j^ a song. *

Great Yu s

•^ The tirsl said — ^^^ our great ancestor ^

^ said ^1 'u his instruciions, that the people 1^ ^
ought to be cherished
trampled under foot;
^ IJfand must not he "p
, ^
•}•
J^ the peogle ^fjf- are ^pTf^
the foundation of a country ;^ when the foundatitn
g
*?*
is firm ^|5 the country
consider that
^
is is trir.quil. J

^
iE ^C T» throughout the empire,
j^
—
every stupid ^ clown i'^ and simple ^^ dame

— ^^
can severally ^ surpass -^ me ;
§ (now if I)

a single J^ individual ^ frequently ^ err, ^ ;^

i^ ^ then what need is there to wait for open com-
plaints, -i^ ^ ^H
i^ it not better to calculate be-
forehand on secret dirsiitisf-iction *?
jj
-f* When I
^
come before ^[^ the millions ]^ of the people, 1 feel

* The five their ancestorial temple and na-

young men^ observing
tive altars in danger, without the possibilitj'^ of rescue ; nvA mother
and son, elder and younger brethren separated, without any chance
of restoration, could not restrain their sorrow and regret, vexation
and spite thus they expressed their feelings in an ode, and on
;

searching for the causes ol tneir coutitry's ruin, could not but ascribe
it to their neglect of ancestorial inslruction.
Tliis i-^ a part of the instructions of Yu,
j
Princes and people-,
with respect to rank, differ in degree, as the clouds are elevated a-
bove tiie soil ; but speaking with reference to feeling, then they are
nuitually necessary to each otiier's tranquillity , as the members of the
body depend on one another for the n.taintenai.ce of life. Therefore
when mucli stress is laid on rank, the praties become more and ||ore
separated when feeling is consulted, they are more closely united.
;

Consulting feeling the people are cherished, building on lank they

are trampled under foot.
J Moreover the people are the foundation of a
country ; when the
foundation is firm, the country will be tranquil ; but if the foundation
be insecure, then although the country be powerful as Tsin, and
rich as Suy, it will nevertheless be destroyed.
§ Here the five children are speaking in their own persons.
(]
When
a sovereign loses the hearts of his people, he become* a
private individual, and against such a solitary individual every stupid
•lowQ cAii contend with success.
 ;

THE BONO OF TIIK FIVE CHILDREN. 123

l^ as much anxiety, ^ >^s ifone ip] with rotten

^
reins ;^ |^ were eniding 7*^ six ^ horses.* ^ Thu's
for 0!ie who is
J\^
the peo|)le's ^
J;:;
sunericr, jof ^
how can he ^ dispense with ^^ respectful caution *?+

^ The ZH second ^ said, f)|)

The instructions ( of
our ancestor) ^ ;;^ state. ^ that when at home (a
prince) f^ iruhi!<resiu ^^ to^^ the dissipation of lust,
^
huntinj^
ana abroad |^ is

when he Ins
addicted
a foiulness
the pleisures of
; "j^ J^ for wiiie,
and ^ an excessive att.'ichment ^ to muMC, together
with 1^
have —
lofty ^ i^ domes |]^ and sculptured walls,
^ even if

he
he
^^
gj^ch^^ce
hut one
'^^ nfhis
-J--
o{' ^^^ all tiiese,

tliere will avoidin^T^

}io ruin.

^ The = thud H
Taou ^
Formerly '^f^M
the prii.ce of
said, '1^
'i r.ng, held possesion ot li^ this

^ Ke ;^ ^ now })rovince
^ ; but (the ruler of it)

has ^ ^lost ^^ thrown

fhe ri-^ht way, ^'^^ into

^ ^
disorder ^ the
/J ^y canons and rules, whicli
]^ he has brought himself ^ to ruin 7^ ^'^^ ^de-

solation. +
:^ The [ig f mrth s id, SH How clearlylfl^ in-
telligent ;
ivas our jjjg ancestor, § || f|J ]^ §=
* Rotten reins easily break, and six liorses are soon tViglitened :

therefore rotten reins are not adapted for curbing such a team ; V>y
which is represented the extreme danj^er and fearfulness of high sta-
tions ; is it possible therefore that a ruler can dispense with caution ?

\ When the people's minds are dissatisfied, it is not necessary to

wait for the display of that bad feeling before we become aware of it
but we ought to calculate upon it ere the matter has assumed a shape
and form.
I Yaou was originally the earl of Tang, and had his capital at
Taou, hence he was called Tang, the chief of Taou. Yaou handed
over the government to Shun, and Shun delivered it to Yu, all of

whom Ke-chow (^K^jjH T*a^-ynen,in Shense.)

held their capital as
Yaou, Shun and Yu
mutually yielded and i»ossessed the empire, accor-
ding to the one settled principle ol right reason now T'hac-kang had ;

lost that principle, and thrown the regulations of the state into dis-
order, by which mians he involve J hin)self in ruin.
§ The ancestor here referred to is Yu.
124 THE SONG OF THE FIVE CHILDREN.

the sovereign often thousand states !

^ he possessed
^An ^ rules and ^j] regulations, ^^ which he handed
do ^ to his
^ j^ posterity ^^ he rendered uni-
;

form J[p the weights,* ^W and harmonized ^^] the mea.

sures, of which at 3E ^^^ royal ^ palace jllj a
standard specimen wa^ kept. ^ (this man-]- how«
ever) ^
has carelessly dropped ^
the clue of ^ ^
government, hy which means
i^
§
he has overturned the
ance.slorial temple |S and cut off the jjjl^
sacrifices.

^ Ihe 52; fifth p .aid, 111 Wg^ Alas ! -^j whiiher

^ shall i retired
-f* While I ^ -^ think on |g
my sorrows, ^ all the ^whom people -^ are enemies ~^
to me, "^^ ^ and on shall I ^ depend !

^ P^ "^ ^^^"^^ distressed "J^ is my ;JJ^ mind |§

am ashamed, ^'^ through dis-
!
^
i blush ^'^'1^ and
regard ;pf ot his ^J^ virtue, ^
and though ^^ I repent,
^ of what ^ avad is it '?
J

* The various weights here referred to are, the f^ Shih, or ntone^

of 120 catties, (160 lbs. avoirdupois) and the Kin, or quarter,
of 30 catties, (40 lbs. avoirdupois) ; these were the most im-
^
portant of the five kinds of weights.
\ This man refers to T'hae-kang.
\ The individual here speaking alludes to T'ae-kang, and yet uses
the first personal pronoun, out of delicacy and kindness, not being
willing to reprove h;s elder brother directly.
 TIIK CHASTISEMENT INDUCTED BY YIN. 125
SECTION IV,

THE CHASTISEMENT )|[^ ^ INFLICTED BY YI N.*

\% Whc^n
throne,
^ ^ Chun^-k'ang ||
C. 2,158) (nnd ruled over
first ascended the
'Jji:
( B. all within)
|5L;J the fonj- J§ seas,
/IL ^^ the earl of Yin ^ was
directed
(Atthatnne)^
^ to taV e coinmand >^ |f]J of the army, f
lie and ^U Ho /^ had neglected
^ their ^ duties. ^own and
jjl addicted themselves to
wine ^ m PC ^^eir ^ cities, when )g
the earl of Yin ^ received 5E the royal -^ commandti
)||[

15^ and went fif to cha. tise them. +

The earl ^
then announced to the mnltitnde, ^ ^
E3 saying, tl^ Oh all you my :^ "^ hosts, i? the
!
^
sage
^f has han led down |^ his counsels |]||^and
instructions, ^^ which are clearly |i^ verified, and
^
fully adapted ^"^ for tranqndiizini^(the people) ; ^ the

* Yin ia the name of a state, "f^ j^ Chuiii^-k'hang lived at a

time when the Hc-a dynasty beg'an to decline (B. C. 2,158)

E had already seized the government of the country, so that li'e
tranquillity or danger of the state was entirely in his grasp, yet
Chung-k'hang was able to give direction to the earl of Yin, to take
command of th army and th earl of Yin kn»^>w how to receive the
•
; -

decree of Chung-khang, in order to punish offenders. Thus, though

he co\[\(X not punish E for his irregularity, and point out the crime
of^'^ lie and 4^ Ho in forming wicked
cuhals, yet at the critical
moment, when the fates of the country were in jeopardy, he could
raise an army and chastise offender?;, shewin<r that rites and ceremo-
nies, punishments and corrections, proceeded d rectly from the em-
peror. The edition in the modern hand has not tiiis section, but
that in the ancient form of writing h is it.
f Chung-k'ang was the younger brother of T"ae-k'ang when he first :

ascended the throne he directed the enil of Yin to take command of

the army, and the next year he ovd led him to chastise He and Ho; the
historian, in speaking of this affair, adinnvs the firmness of Chung-
k hang in getting the miiitary force under his control, and issuing or-
ders for the correction of the negligent chiefs.
J He and Ho's offence, although ascribed to wine, consisted main-
ly in caballing with E, anfl joining him in his wickedness therefore
;

the earl of Yin received the royal commands to go and clip his wings,
•0 that during the wholo of that reign, E could not do as he pleased
126 THE CHASTISEMENT INFLICTED BY YIN.

former -ft kin^s "^ were eKtremely ||| observ.int ){

jf^ celestial J^ warnings. |^ their servants J^ and

])eoi)le ^^ were also al)le ^ to niaiiitiiin *^ a constmt
^ rei^arU to the laws ; while ^ the varioUvS ^ offi-

cers {^ lerA |j| iheir aid, j^ and the )^ priiicc

f^
attained ^ to clear 0^ illumination. *

^
i:^ ICvery year. ^ i:i the first month ^ of
spring, ^ \ d her?iLl jj/^ with a 7J\^
wooden ^ helf
^fej perambulated^ about the ^ ro ids, (inviting) 'S*
the olilcers and ^|[j
public instructors
and calling on
;jfQ
^ to correct
each other's errors, JQ the working
classes, ^ while at'ending to ^^ the bllsi^e^s of
'^
mechanics, Xj( to ^^ reprove (all extravagancies ;)

adding that ^ if any were ^ wanting in ^ re-,pe(;t

(in not cornmunicatitig their views) j\l the state ^S

had '^ ]fffj punishment for theni.-|-
a settled

f^t^^ At that time ^

He and fH Ho ^g per-
verted J^ their own ^ up principles, jjjj^ ^^ ^'^^^ ciisor-

derly gave themselves ^ to ^ wine ; ^ *^

neglecting the duties of their office j^^ /^and quitting
their posts, jS^ whilst they began |^ to confuse ^
* The celestial warnini^s refer to eclipses oi the to be obser- sun ;

vant of these means, to be tremllinii^ly anxious attending to thein

cakulations, that strange calamities miglit he foreseen And avoided.
When the sovereign was carefully observant of celestial sii/ns, and
his subjects constantly obeyed the laws, wiiile the officers att^uided
to their various duties in assisting tke prince, then the prince would
neither fail in private virtues, nor public conduct, and thus become
truly intelligent. It appears that eclipses were considered signs
of tlie weakness of the sovereign and the violence of his subjects, and
gave warning of the u-^urpatioiis of E ; He and Ho, who were the
astronomical officers, caballed with E, and would not give information
of the sign, which rendered their condut^t unpardonable.
I To reprove a prince in difficult circumstances, is called respect ;
thus if ttie officers, teachers, and workmen failed to conciit and
admonish their sovereign, it would be accounted disrespect ; for
which crime there was a settled punishiuont ; how much mor- for
neglecting the duties of an oiilee, deserting a post, and confounding
the ct lestial regulationa.
 THE CIIASTlSEMKNr INFLICTEB BY YIN. 127

the celestia^ll reguLtlons* and ^g ^ disregard jy^

their especial
month
H business.
^ /J Thus ^ in the third

fjj of autumn^, J^ f^ on the first day of the

month, there was a J^ conjunciion of the sun and moon,
^ without being -|(| fully combined, "^ >n ^ the cou-
siellation of Fang (the head of Scorpio,) t ^ when
the blind mu^ici-ms ^ proceeded to be^t ^ tlie
drums,+ while ^ =^ the inferior ministers
^ gallop.
ped off, and ^ \H6.§ the people in ofhce ;^ ran to help.
^ lie and 5^0 however, J^ seemed dead to
the duties of ^ their
'j|* ofUce,
[^ not having ^
heard ^ lor know^n cf it, ^
and being stupidly iM
deceived ^ as to the ^ celestial ^ appearances, iJ/
they thus -f^ involved themselves in a crime which
the ancient 3^ kings jJl punished v^ith death.
^
|^ ^^
^ The regulations of government H say, (that when
the astronomer*^ ^
^ ^ ^' were before their time.
^
they w^ere to be killed ^ without ^ respite, !^ '/^

9^ :^ and that when they were behind the time,

they were also to be put to death 49| without ^^
^
mercy.
* The celestial regulations, reler to the astronomical calculatioDS
of the sun, moon, and stars ; tor from tlie time of Yaon and Shun,
ever since He and Ho had been ordered to conduct the calculations
and represent the conrt^e of thi? heavenly bodies, their descendants
had for successive ag-es attended to these duties, without throwinuf
anything into confusion ; but ai liie period referred to, some mis-
takes had bcLTun to creep iii.
f Accordnig to the record of Tang^, an eclipse occurred in the
5th year of ^^ j^ Chung-i^'han-, (B. C. 2153.) (Chinese his-
tory records tliis to have hanpene 1 in the 2ad year of Chung-k'anir,
(B. C. 2156.) Pere Gaul il sa\ ^. tliat an eclipse really occuried
in the constellation refeiied to, B. C. 2155 )

I The ancients, on the occat^u.n of an eclipse, used to beot the

drums, and make use of }>resLiil.;, La order to rescue the celestial
luminaries.
§ They are said to iiavc g\diopped n.M 1 run off, to indinale what a
calamity an eclipse was considered the Emperor wns terrified
:

above, and the ministers and people ran backwards and forwards
below ; thus anxious were the) to rescue the sun, while He and Ho,
tl»e astronomical officers, sat like corpses at their posts, as if they had

never heard nor known anything about it. JNow such a remurkablc
128 THE CHASTISEMKNT INFLICTEO BY YIN.

^ Now ^ I P^ with ^ you ^ ghosts, ^

all

hdvo received commands ^ to ^

execute the celes-

tial
^
punishments ; M /^ i ^
youtherefore all

warriors p] uniting 3;(/ your stren^th|in aid of the

royal ^
housr, (j^ should still farther co-operdie ^
v/ith -^ me ^ in respectfully ^ 5v ?*
carrying on ^^^
Emperor's J^ dread ^ commands. ^ When fire

^ blazes l!|^ j^ on Kwan

the top of the ^3^ hill,

gems and ^ pebbles ^ ^ consumed. Hut

are alike
should 5c a celestial % agent
j^ ^ due
thus exceed
bounds, he would be ?^ more fi<>rce -^ than |^ the
raging ^y^ fire.* I theVefore |^ kill M^^^ MMl
chief rebel alone ; his ^ associates ^and follower^^
|SI 1do not 5t^ meddle with ; only those ^ who have
been long ^
inured ff to filthy
should all f^ ^' be renovated.
^ ^^
habits,

?4 "? Oh yes when discipline

!
^
one's ^kindness, atiairs will ;f^ assuredly
exceeds
succeed;
^ *^ §f
but when ^
indulgence gets the better of ^
j^ one's
]^ firmness, there will "j^ certainly |Sj be no ^ me-
ritorious issue.

^ ^^ Do you then J^ dt soldiers

exert yourselves.
J^ ^ and take warning. •]•

eclipse as this having occurred, while these men were ignorant ot

it, involved themselves
the)' in the crime of being behind the
proper season.
* This means, that should an agent of Heaven be thus indis-
criminate in the execution of venareance, making no diiference be-
tween the good and the bad, but killing all alike, the injury inflicted
would be greater than that of a violent conflagration, which burns
up precious gems and common pebbles together.
f Jn the army discipline is of the highest importance, and in mili-
tary laws there should be no lack of severity ; if severity prevail,
the business will certainly be accomplished, but if kindness rule
the day, then the work will fail.
 7

THE IIISTOmCAL CLASSIC.

BOOK 111.
THE BOOK [g ^ OF SHANG,*
on THE RECORDS OF THE SHANG DYNASTY.
SECTION 1.

THE OATH g OF T'ANG.t

^^
(B. C. 1795) S The Q
king said, -^ Come hi-
thcr,
H ^ my g
you 3$J hosts of |BE people, and ^ || all
listen to words ; ^^ it is not ^ that I,
•^ the worthless one, ^ would dare fj to set about
/J^

f^ ^L this disorderly proceeding ; J but ;^ g the

sovereign of Hea ^
has frequently |^ offended, and
^ heaven -^ has commanded me to exterminate ^
^ Now him.
^ ^ you ^^ hosts of people, you ^ Q
are saying, ^J^ our )^ prince ^ has no »]^ pity on^
us^ ^ all he sacrifices ^ ^ our agricultural ^
S
;

business, Hfl and ^J goes to cut off Jg and correct

the sovereign of Hea § Now ^ I
f'^ have been ^
hearing ^ all
^^ your ^ murmurings ; but g^
»
took
^
it
Keg first founded the state of
for the designation of hie dynasty.
^ Shang, and ^
r'anj?-
This book contains 1
sectione.

t T'ang's name was |^ L^, and hie surname :^ Tsz^. When

^^ Kee, the last king of the ^^ Hea dynasty was oppressive and
tyrannical, T'ang undertook to correct him ; the pe;>ple of ^g
P6, his capital city, were averse to the service, wherefore T'ang
announced to them his motive for commencing offensive operations.
The editions in the ancient and modern hands both contain this
chapter.
J Speaking according to human affairs generally, for a minister
to attack his prince, is a disorderly proceeding ; but when Heaven
issues its decree to exterminate a tyrant, then one who takes up the
cause is a celestial agent and no rebel.

§ The people of ^§ Po were contented with the virtuous go-

vernmeat of "J^ T'ang, and y^ Kee's oppressions did not affect

^hem th^efore they knew nothing of ^^ Hea's offences, and
;

R
 •

130 THE OATH OF t'aNG.

the ruler of Hea^ has| p^ -transgressed, and -^ I

^ dread J:; ^ the Supreme Ruler, so that ^ ft

1 dare not ^> refuse j£ to correct him.
4" Now fp: you :g are S sayhig, 5 ||^ ^0Why
^
What are the offences of Hea to us""*? ^
If?^';^
the king of Ilea
the stren«;th of his people, and
^^
has entirely exhausted ^"fl
^
has been exceeding-
ly severe ^J in inflicting punishments
on the ^^
citizens of Hea so that J^
; the ^
multitude have ^
become ^^ indolent and -gl disunited,* pj ^
sayincf,

tThis^^Q sun, ^
when wilt thou ^
expire -^ !

^^ T^i we would fain perish| together with

you !
t ^ Ilea's ^ ^ ^gobeing
conduct such, ^ g^^
I now feel )12^ compelled ^ to against him.
—
f^ If you (^ $j| join in helping -^ me,
still

a single )^ individual, ^
to carry out jj^ heaven's' ;^
^inflictions,-^ ^I^vill ;:^greatly ^-reward J^you;
of this ^
you te need not "^ '^ doubt, ^^ as I
^ shall not -^ break ^
my word. But if you ^
;^ refuse to ^
comply with the 'g' words of the ^
oath, -^ I ^1] will ^^
'^ put you to death with
your children )S} ; ^
assuredly no pity shall ^^
be shown.
were averse to the trouble of correcting [lim ; while on the contrary
they conceived that T'ang had no compassion for them, in interrupt-
ing their husbandry, and urging them to attack Hea.
* Here T'ang quotes the words of the people of Shang, and replies
to them, saying, " Hea has laid such heavy burdens on the people,
even to their exhaustion ; and has punished them so severely even
to tyranny, that his subjects, being disgusted at his conduct, have be-
came indolent in their work and divided among themselves."
f Kee had been in the habit of saying, I hold the empire as securely
as heaven possesses the sun, should the sun expire, then may I also
be destroyed. The people being much annoyed at their ruler, pointed
to the sun and said, when will thou, Oh sun, expire ! would thai it
might once be ; we would fain perish with thee.
 THE ANiNUNCiATION OF CHUNG-HWUY. 131

SECTION 11.

THE ANNUNCIATION OF CHUNG-HWUY.*

^5; 'Ihe arromprishocl |^ T'ang f ^ banished ^
Kee ^ ^
having
to the soulheni
a feeling of shame, gj
^ Tsaoii, +
ff;g
but ^^
llfT j!^ he said, -^ 1

^ fear lest ^
fururejjjh generations i^ should take
]|^ TTie ^ ^
to be P a subject for animadversion.
§
^ )j^ Chung-hwuy
following announcement,
7^ then
[Ej
f^ drew up |^ the
and said, fj^^ H^ Alas
|| !

fg it is
^ heaven ^ that has formed ^ mankind
:^ vvith ^ various pas: ions, and ^ if there be no
one 3E to prcsiie over them, they soon get into
J^ ^^
confusion ;
f^ but ^^ heaven ^ has also produced
lliBB ^^^ intelligent, l^^ to regulate them. ^ Now
^^ Uie I'uler of Hea f^ having confounded f^ vir-
tue,
misery
i^ ^
the
;^but Heaven Tj
people have been involve I in ^y^ j
"^

|^ has conferred
EE <^ii y^Lir
Majesty ^ ^ and wisdom, |§ jE
courage ^^ ^^^ "p ^*

* Chung-hwii}^ was a descendant of ^^

j^P He-chung-, and prime
minister to 'j0j T'haiiLr.
f Flis military work having been ompkited, he was called the ac,
couiplished T'hang.

X The southern Tsaou was in the district of jOI Leu-keang, ^^

Lat. 31. 16. N. Lon?. 0. 49. E. Kee ran away to that place, and
therefore T'han^ banished him thither.
§ Although T'ang's punishing Kee was in obedience to heaven, and
in compliance with the wishes of men, yet having succeeded to Yaou,
Shun, and Yu, who gave up the empire to each other, he felt a little
uncomfortable in his mind, and was ashamed that his virtue was so
unlike that of the ancients, besides which he was afraid lest subse-
quent ages should make a handle of the affair and ca^t reflections
upon him.
II
Chung-hwuy being apprehensive lest T'ang should be overcome
with shame, prepared this announcement to clear up his doubts.
^ With a sigh he exclaimed, Ah men are born with eyes, cars, nose,
and mouth, and have the passions ot love and hatred which if uncon- ;

trolled strive together, and get into confusion. But heaven has also
produced intelligent men, to regulate and restrain their disorders.
 132 THE ANNUNCIATION OF CHUNG-IIWUY.

correct index for ^ the myriad^ states, and ^^ to

carry on ^ Yus ^ ancient fjg legulalions. *

;^ This is because you ^ have followed^ his

^
constant laws, and ^ reverently ^
compiled with
^ 1^ the decree of Heaven.

3S The king of Hea ^ has ^ transi^resssd

^ IS ^^y ii^ venting a false (decree of) Ji: high ^C hea-

ven, -j-
i^ in order :^ to diffuse -^ his commands ^
among ''p the people,
^
this the Supreme has con- ^
sidered "^ ^ improper, ^ and commissioned ]^
Shang ^ to receive -j^ the decree, p^ making use of
him ^ to enlighten |^ the |^ hosts of people. J

(The sovereign of Hea) contemned^ ^

the \vi*e,
and jJfiJ attached himself to ^
the mighty, W
which
substantially ^^ increased ^
^ Shang) was his followers. Y V nen

^ ^ ^first our state (of established^

^S
-p under the ruler of Hea, we were considered
^m ^^^ ^ as tares amongst wheat, and |^ ^
W and
7$^ chaff in the midst of grain, so that /]> both
small 3/^ great among us ^ ^j^ were alarmed.

f^ ^
and we were
i-i:#
without exception jjjj^ afraid -f
lest we should be involved ^J^ in some wrong S accusa-
tion; ^1 how much more ^^ has our (prince's) ^
virtue and ^ his words, J^ so worthy of ||g ^ being

* Though Kee had succeeded to supreme power, he yet allowed

himself in stupid and disorderly practices, involving the people in ca-
lamity, and thus lost that by which he might control them. But
the people cannot be without a head ; therefore heaven has conferred
on T'hang bravery and wisdom, that is, courage to undertake and
skill to contrive, without which he could not have settled the empire.
" Heaven" is employed with reference to the visible
f The word
heavens, and the word " Supreme" with express allusion to the
ruler of those heavens.
^ Kee knevv that the people's minds were alienated from him, and
therefore pretended to act under the authority of heaven, in order
that he might beguile the multitude. This heaven disapproved of,
and directed Shang to take the reins of government in his hand, iu
order to enlighten the people.
 THE ANNUNCIATION OF CHUNG HWUY. 133
liBtened to, (become the su])ject of envy and hatred.) *
f^ Only let your ^ Majesty :^ not g become too
familiar with ^and music and ^women, li^^uor^ hoard
up ^ wealth ^ij gain ; ^j where virtues ^ are
abundant, +^ be lavish in bestowing oflices, 5^ and ^
where merit
rewards.
is plentiful,^ be profuse in your ^
In employing J\^ people, (be as generous)
^
J^
^^ as if you were dealing with 2
yourself and in C^ ;

reforming Jj^ your own misdeeds, "^ ^ do it with an

unsparing hand. ^ If you can '^ be thus liberal ^
and -ft l)enevolent, ^ you will be fully '^ confided iu
>)^ by the. millions of ^ the people, f
/5 When @fQ the baron of K6 j^l^ treated as enemies
^|o| those who brought him presents, T'aug :^ com-
menced 'f[E his warlike operations ^ at ^ Ko. +
When ^ on the east ^]£ he subjugated his foes, j5^
the western p^ barbarians j^ complained, and when
^ on the soutli ^ he attacivcd his enemies, f]^ the

*This means tliut when we were formerly under the Hea dynas-
navSty, we were detested by Kee, who wished to cut us off as the
tares are rooted out from among- the wheat, and chaff separated from
tiie strain ; he longed to hoe and sift us, and would hardly allow us

to exist. The people of Shang were thercfoie universally alarmed,

lest they shouli he involved in some false charge ; how much more
would T'ang's virtuous words, which were so worthy of universal re-
gard, be envied and abhorred by Kee.
•j-Chun^-hwuy does not seem to think it sufHcient to avoid lust and
avarice, but considors it necessary for a prince f'oundin;^ a d}''-
nasty to be invested with the purity of celestial virtue, and to be en-
tirely exempt from the least atom of seliishness. Wtten a monarch
bestows appointments as if they \\'--.tc conferred on himself, then eve-
ry good quality in another will be readily acknowled'jed and when ;

he reforms his vices unspariny:ly, then the faults of others will be uni-
versaliy corrected. But who other than a sage could refraim from
envying the abilities of others, or be particular in not sparing
his own vices.
X The baron of K6 had refused to offer sacrifice T'angsent persons
;

to enquire the reason, when he said. It is because wc have nothing

wherewith He then ordered the people of his
to provide offerings.
city Po to them, and the old and young to carry them pre.
plough for
Bents. But the ruler of Ko killed his young people ; upon which
T"ang went to attack hina and thus tiie campaign commenced at Ko.
:
134 THE ANNUNCIATION OF CHUNG HWUY.

northern ^^ foreigners ^ murmured, Q saying-J[^

Why ^ does he only ^ fe^
negh-ct -f^ us ? ;JC
^The people \vh;;rever he ^ ^
went, byfamily fa-

mily, jfQ ^
roi;l;rati!]ated euch other, saying, Q ^
We wait for^ our f^ prince when J^ cur prince ;
^
comes ^ he will j^ revive us. 'ihus ]^ ji^ the
people's ^honoiinng of j^^ Shang J^ >}% g1^ ^
had already existed of a long time. *
fi^l
If you assist^^ the talented (among your no-

bles) $l|| and help ^^ the virtuous, ]^ promoting ^

the faithful, ^ and advancing ^ the good
whilst |]| ;

you connect together || the weaker princes J^ and op-

pose ^ the stupid ones, Jj'ot depriving ^[^ the disor-
derly (of their temtory,) fj^arid punishing ^ the fu-
gitives ; — if you thus ^ fullovv up "^ the vagabonds,

gj and strengthen ^ who remain

those faithful, then

^|S your empire J^ will

^ ^Jady be prosperous, f
If your virtues |E| be ^ renewed, ^ the
myriad ^'|J states f{| w:il
f^ cht-ri.^li kind thoughts to-
wards you but if ^^ your mind
; is self f^ Q
satisfi-

ed, the
desert you. J
^
nine degrees uf jj^ relatives Jj -.viil ^|
5E Let your Majesfy f^ exert yourself
^ to di^^day "j^ magnanimous virtue, -^ and es- ^
tablish l=p the doctrine of the due medium ^ among
* ijclbre the army of T'ang arrived, the people everywhere corn-
phiined saying, why does he postpone our deliverance ; and where-
evei he went, the women and children congratulated each other say-
iuy, we have been waiting for our prince a long time, when our prince
corner he will revive us. This fact, that the people of other states
considered T'ang as their own prince, and waited for his coming, shews
that tlie inhabitants of the whole empire had long wished to be sub-
ject to iiis sway,
f Chung, hwuy having attempted above to remove T'ang's scruples,
now begins to exhort and encourage him. By helping and pro-
moting the capable and virtuous, he would show his approbation of
the good ;while by opposing and punishing the cortnpt and aban-
doned, he would skow his detestation of the bad by "which means :

the country would be brought into a flourishing condition.

 THE ANNUNCIATION. OF CHUNG-HWUY. 135

^
your
the people
affairs,
;

JJ?
J^ by
and by
^
|^
rectitude ^l] arrarging
propriety ^|j correcting
^i^
your mind, aud then ^ you will bequeath ^ abun-
dance :^ to future ^generations.* -^ I ^ have
heard it Q said, ^^ He who can ^ for himself %
obtriin ^ :^ an adviser 36 ^ill reign, while |g he
W'ho imagines J^ others ^ not to be Q^^ equal
to himself"^ will perish ;
j^he who is fond of ^ma-
king enquiries
man
|[|] will have
wlio trusts to himself
^ abundance, while ^
J^ the ^)J will >]> dwindle
away to insignificance. •)*

^ \^ Alas ! ou wish
j^ to be careful about j|f
if V

the ^ 'l^you
results,
commeuceraent.J
have only to attend to
If you ^jf promote >^ those
the ^
^j^^

who 1^ regard propriety, and overturn §

those ^
* If your virtues be daily renovated, then the surrounding states
although extensive will universally cherish a regard for you, but if
you be inflateJ with self-satisfactioe, then your very relatives al-
though near will desert you.
f The due medium is that which all men possess alJKe, but unless
the sovereign establish the principle, the people will not be able of
themselves to hit the centre ; while propriety and rectitude are the
means cf settling it ; righteousness regulates affairs, and propriety
corrects the heart, thus internal and external virtues being combined
the due medium is established.
J But in order to accomplish this learning is necessary, and
therefore Chung-hwuy quotes a saying of the ancients to the effect,
that when a man looks out for an adviser, it shows that he is sensible
of his own deficiencies, and of the excellencies of others ; thus he
yields up his mind to their direction without contradiction. Now
from the Emperor down to the plebeian, there never was a man who
discarded good counsel and prospered ; although he might be born
a sage, he must still have a teacher. Later generations faUing short
of the ancients have not only lost sight of the right doctrine, but
have been deficient in their regard to instructors.
§ Having exhorted him in the former section, Chung-hwuy here
sighs and says, The way to guard against evil results, is to consider
affairs at the beginning he who in the commencement is careless,
;

will never become careful in the secpiel. In this whole chapter the
great object of Chung-hwuy "s announcement seems to have been
threefold ; first he speaks of Heaven's appointing rulers, and as
Kee had opposed the will of the Supreme, he treats of Divine Provi-
136 THE ANNUNCIATION OF CHUNG-HWUY.

who are dark and ^ tyrannical, ^ respectfully

^
honouring ^5 *^^ celestial ^ way ; then you will j}^
perpetually f^ maintain 5^ t^ the decree of Heaven
(in favour of your own family.)
deuce deciding in favour of T'ang, who could not refuse the appoint-
ment ; then he alludes to T'ang's virtues as sufficieut to gain the
confidence of the people, who had lont^ been in favour ©f his rule ;
lastly he refers to the difficulty of fulfilling the duties of a prince, and
the variAbleuess ol human opinions, with the general course of Pro-
vidence in rewarding the good and punishing the bad ; in order to
show that he who had now received the dominion from Hea, bad not
been actuated by selfish motives, but by an inexhaustible compassion
for the people, ; thus comforting T'ang and removing his scruples :

in all which the fidelity and affection of Chung- hwuy are very
conspicuous.
 THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF t'HANG. 137

SECTION 111.

Wj m
THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF T'ANG. *
3^ The king |§ returned Q from "^ conquering
^ Hea, (B. C. 1,765) ^ and arrived ^ ^ at Po,

where he made this |^ general ^ announcement ^

to all j^ the states. 5E The king H said, ^ Oh ^
you people ^ of the various -ff states \1^^ in your
collective capacity, ^ |^
carefully me, *"*
listen to ^
a single \ individual, |^ in my announcement. ^W
It is ^ the Great Jt ^ Supreme |^ who has confer-
red ^ the due medium ^ on *]|C these inferior ^
people, ^^ leading them to comply with ^Q the in-
variable dictates l|'^ of a virtuous nature, but ^ in oi
der to enable them jj^ peacefully to follow ^ the
right way >J^ j^ rulers are requisite, f
But ^
3E ^^^ '^i^.^ of Hea '^ has obliterated
all traces of virtue, /^^ and commenced 1^ the reign
^
of terror, J^»j^
in order ^ to spread ]^ tyranny ^ a-

mong ^ you, ^jj^ ^ the people of the myriad

* T'ang having punished the ruler of -^^ Hea, returned to ^g

P6, his own city, where the princes of the empire came to pay their
court to him, and give an account of the dominions under their
Bway ; T'ang therefore made this announcement, to show how he
intended to carry on the new dynasty,
\ When Heaven sends down its decree, and furnishes men with
the principles of benevolence, rectitude, propriety, wisdom, and truth,
without the least deflectiveness or partiality, this is what is called
the due medium. When men receive this decree, and obtain the
principles of these five virtues born with them in their hearts, this is
what is called, a virtuous nature. Being actuated by the spontaneous

influence of these principles, to put in practice these five virtues,

thi& is is called the right way.
what With reference to the due me-
dium as sent down from Heaven, there is no deflectiveness in it ;
when men follow the spontaneous influence of this, they certainly
possess a constantly virtuous nature. Bnt with regard to natural
temperament, then doubtless some are more clear, and others more
muddy, some pure and others mixed ; hence the necessity of huma»
rulers, in order to makp men peacefully follow the right way.

s
138 HE ANNOUNCEMENT OF T HANG.

States ; whilst ^ you, '^if^ j^ the people of all

experiencing 1^ his |2^ wicked ^inflictions,
states, .^
^^^ and unable to bear ^
their bitterness and ^
poison, "^ have unitedly ^
announced your in- ^^
nocence 'f before J2 the superior ~|^ and inferior jjj^
spirits and |^ demons.* ^C ^
And Providence, |g
which blesses ^
the good jjtjlj and punishes '/^ the bad,

p^ has brought down i^ calamities on ^ ^

Hea, J[5J^
in order ^^ to set forth his ^ ^
evil conduct.

0^ Therefore ^
I, >^j^ -j^ the insignificant one, ^
have received ^
Heaven's -^ decree, and H^ dis-
played )^ intimidating power, ^
not 5j^ daring ®J
to forgive his cri^nes.
"^
1 ^
have presumed also ^ to

use in sacrifice a sombre-coloured ^i victim, -f^

and ventured flQ ^ to proclaim ^ it to J:;
high
recoun-
J^
heaven, and jjj^ divine Jff power, J
to the |§
ting ^ the misdemeanours of ^ ^ Hea. ^ There-
upon J^ 1 requested ^2 ^
the chief of the sages §

^ ;^ to aidjiiie with ^ J^
Jj his energies, so that
we might ^ in conjunction with^ ^^ you people

1^ seek for a renewal of f^ the celestial decree (iu

our favour.)
And T owJt; bigh ^ heaven ^
has really >f^ pro-
tected n[^ the inferior ^
people, while ^
7^ the
great offender ||^ has fled f/^ and submitted ^ 5^ -^
The decisions of heaven are not ^ ^
erroneous.
Since that time ^
energetically as ^ ^
plants tJ^

* This means that when ^^Kee^ of the Hei dyuafity, had losf
every feeling of kindness, and given himself up to slaughter and
cruelty, the people of the empire felt his oppressions to be as bitter
as wormwood, and as poisonous as the scorpion's sting, so that they
could no longer endure it; but represented their wrongs to the gods of
heaven and earth, with the hope of deliverance.
f The sombre victim was offered, because the Hea dynasty prefer-
red a black colour, and the rites had not vet been changed.

X The chiei of sages, refers to y^ ^~ E-yun.

§ The divine power means earth.
 THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF t'iIaNG. 139

and treo^, have the myriads of the

^[^ people
J^ '{{\

truly'^^S «P^>^i"!3 up and flourished *

Heaven has thus j^ commissioned -jf*
me, — a
single J^ individual, f:|:
to hanrtonize 'M and pacify
^' all you ^P states ^ and fimilies. || Now ^ I

y^ do'not ^ know^ but what ^ )^ have

powers above "p and
1 ofTcnded
•^ atrainst J^ tlie below. 1 hus

^^ I tremble f§^ if^ and

^ some
>nn apprehensive^ ^ .,s if

^ Whenever
m -p
aiumt to fall i' to deep v)J| al)yss.t

j=tL ^ ^improper
5^ f 1 establish |J the stp.te»
^
^
1 shrill not ^ follow^ regulations,
^
nor ^[J aoproximate jl^ ^ to disrespect or lireutious-

^
ness. Do ^ ^ you all maintain your J^ffi invari-
ahle laws, Vj^ in order ^ Heaven's ^ ;^ to receive

excellent decree. J
^ you :^ # If be ^ gc crood,
fl^ I will not
presume ^^ ^ and should
to hide il,*^ guilt rest
on ^ my ^^ own ^ ^ ^
person, 1 will not dare ^jfj^

toexcuse myself f^ ^^ submit1 shall only to

the J^ ^
inspection Su;)reme of the
mind. 'j^ 'Ur

^11 Should any you ^~/f myriads

of states^ of
ffi ^
transgress, blame let "^ me, —
the rest on *
• a
sin§ie^ -^
individualshould -—
; but I, » a single j\,
individual, :j^
IP ^
offend, ^
let it not p' involve
you ^^
n| nf Oh
the multitude of states.
§
you truly be-
yes ! (^ if ^g can fi^ \t
lieve this,
/J then ^ we also ^ shall have ^ a hap-

py conclusion.
* High Heaven having U'uly protected the people, KiJe absconded
and submitted.
f The higher the responsibility, the greater the anxiety.
I The fate of Hea dynasty being now d.'termined, the fortunes
the
of T'hang were new, hence he talks about establishing the state.
§ Since Heaven has entrusted me with the emj)ire, should the
oeo-
ple trans^rress, it will be the prince's fault ; but should tho ruler
offend, the people can have nothing to do with it.
 140 THE INSTRUCTIONS OF E.

SECTION IV.

THE INSTRUCTIONS ^ f}\]

OF E.

ti TB fE 0" ^^e first year of T'hae-kea's reig-n (B.

C. 1,753), -p:^— hi the twelfth f] month^t^ Jt
and the second day, ^^ E-yun |^ sacrificed ^ to

^ the former king.J ^ ^ and presented 3E ^ *^^^

successor to the throne,

Iff respectfully ^ to wa't
upon ^
his jfifi imperial ancestor.
f^ @^ )g
The princes of the two nearer tenures )^ were all 1^
present ; ^ 'gp while the various officers j^^ gave
a general account Q of their affairs, j^ in order
^ to wait for orders
^ ^ from the prime minist- r.
^^Eyun 75 then H^ clearly"^ unfolded ^]| the
meritorious jjj|[ ;;J^
ancestor's )j^ accomplished vir- ^
tues, ]^^ in order =i|| to give instruction "^ to 3E

the new king ; §

^ Saying, «| *^ Oh yes !
^ in former times
^
* ^
!5>C T'hae-kea having succeeded to the throne ^^ y*"
E-yun composed this chapter for his edification. The edition in the
more modem hand has not this section, while that in the ancient form
of writing has it.

f The Shang dynasty had established the 12th month for the
beginning of the year ; for althougli the three dynasties differed in
the month commencing the year, yet they all dated their reckoning
for
from the month
first for the giving of audiences, he summoning of
;

assemblies, the distribuling of the calendar and the fixing of times

aid seasons, were all done on the first month of the year and thus :

the first month was the commencement of reckoning.

I Tl)e
" former king," refers to T'hang.
§ Among the ancients, when the king dwelt in the house of mourn-
ing, the prime minister took charge of the sacrificing, and announced
the succession in the ancestorial temple ; he also took charge of
the government and gave audience to the host of oflScers. T'hae-kiia

w as in mourning yp ^TT Chung-jin, at which time E-yun sacri-

for
ficed to the former king, and presented T'hae-kea as the successor ;

while he fixed the commencement of the new year. In waiting on

the aricestois, he acted on behalf of the king, and announced the
circumstance in the ancestorial temple ; in receiving the reports of
the various officers he represented majesty, and gave audience to the
subjects.
 THE INSTRl'CTIONS OF E. HI
S ^ M abundant ^^e first kin^s of the Hea dynasty -ff
^
possessed
there were no
^ |^, virtue ; at that time
^^
5^ celestial j^ calamities ; the spirits
|lj of the hills j|| and rivers, with ^ the demons jjjlip

and gods, ^fj: also were ^ ;^ invariably ^ tranquil,

g and as also ^ the birds ^ and beasts, jfS fishes'
^ tortoises , )^ who were all ^ the same ^
^ but the ^ ^ successors ( of those virtuous kiigs)
;

^ did not I^ imitate their example, wherefore M

high 5^ Meaveia p^ sent down 5^ calamities, -(^ and
borrowed ^ the hand ^ ^ of our prince, "j^ who
possessed -^ the celestial decree. (Kee) j§ commeni.
ced doing the things ^ which led to his being at-
tacked ^ U^ j^ Ming-teaou^whilst
at ^ our prince
^ began (his right rule) |^ at »^ Po. *
^j^ But the founder of ::^ our ^ Sh mg 3^ dynasty
^ diffused [Ig and displayed || his holy ^ courage,
f^ instead of^ oppression }.)^ exerting ^ liberality,
60 that ^^ g the myriadsj^ of ihe people sincerely
^ ^
regarded him. Now 3b your majesty's |§|
handing down ^ ^ ^ your :^ virtue i!^ invariably
depends ^ commencement
on the of your reign ; in
order to J^ ^ you must
establish affection,
»f||
comm^ence ^ must own
with ^ promote
your relatives ;
to

^ respect, »|<^ you

•^ own begin with your el-

ders ^;
fir.st -^ ^
display these virtues in your fa-

* The ode has said, The mirror tVr tke Yin or Shaiig dynasty was
not far distant ; for an exhibition of its fate was displayed by the
preceding dynasty of Hea. That which Shang was called upon to
contemplate' being the house of Hea ; E-yun commenced his dis-
course by pointing out the fate of thai line of princes. As long as
Hea's firi kings were abundant in virtue, Heaven's dt^cree still
lingered with them, but their descendants not treading in their foot-
steps, they were overturned, which mii^ht operate as a warning
to T'hae-kea, if he did not follow the viituos of the accomplisheil
T'hang. Ming-teaou was the capital of the Hea -princes, as P6 was
that of the house of Shang.
 :

142 THE INSTRUCTIONS OF E.

mily ^ and state, ^

and afterwards ^ extend
them to allwithin |5] the four seas.* ^
?4 "? ^^ y^^ $fe *^^^ former gg king
•
|| com-
menced fl^ by cultWiting the
^^ regulations for
human conduct ^
he listened to |^ reproofs
;
^
and did not P^ refuse advice ^fc the old people ;
^
f^ he also ^ coincided with ; ^ dwellinvr in a Jt
superior station ^ he could be ^ y^ and
intelligent,
when occupying
M^
an inferior post ^ he
he could i)e

J^ faithful ; in treating with others,\ ^ did

not >)^ seek j\^ perfection ; ;^ in examining\^ himself,
^ he felt as if [^ he had not
^^ attained to virtue
^
;

Jjjt^ thus he went on ^ until ;^ he gained controid

over the ^ myriad of f|i states. ^
This f^ was -^
gjjdifhcult mdeed! t
^ He extensively >j^ sought after "^ intellis:ent >\
nl^n,
f^ that they might afford aid ^
-J^ to you ^
^ |§^ his successor. fj^\
He regulated '^ official ]f1j

punishments, as a j^ warning ^ to those '^ who

were -^ in office, ^ saying. Should you ^ ^ dare
tohave 'jS constant ^ dancing -^ in
^ your your man-
sions, g^ and sinuing
or drinking ^ ^ ^ in
dwellings, 8^ which |^ might be called 35 conjuring

* This intimates the importance of being Ciirel'ul at the begfinning"

and in order to begin well and- fraternal respect are

filial piety
essential. These virtues are naturf\lly possessed alike by all, and
need not be inculcated in order to their establishinent in the mind.
Let respect and affection commence in the do:nestic circle, and they
will be embodied in €very thing else ; thus we love our own parents,
so as to extend it to the parents of ethers we respect our own elders,
:

«o as to reach to the elders of others ; and commencing with our own

household, we carry out the principle to a whole state, until it reaches
to all under Heaven.
f The regulations for human conduct comprise the
duties of the
thrie principal relations, and the five constant virtues, which are
the esseiice of respect. In the former section he had been aiming
to get T'hae-kea to establish the virtue of love and respect, here he
f?peaks of the excellencies cultivated by the accomplished T'hang.
These virtnous principles had not yet been obliterated ; Kl'e had
niorely set thein aside, and Thang revived and cultivated them.
 THE l^STRL'CTIO^S OF E. 143

J3^ tricks^;* Jg; should you dare

:^ to be ^^ addicted
^ to "^ coye^ousuess ^
and lust, and i\\^ be con-
stant ^ ^
in sauntering g^ and bunting, 11^ wbich
^^ might
should you presume
be denominated
m
^ dissolute M, babits
fj^ ;

:^ indulge in f^ revilings at
§1 the sage's "^ words, 5^? and oppose ^^ the faithful
0^ and sincere
those who dejiabt
, J§ while you keep at a distance
in f^ virtue, i^ and cultivate inti-
^
macies with f^ refractory ^ youths, ^ which ||
might be called f£ disorderly ^ manners; '|5^ should
itbe that ^
of these ^
three kinds of ^manners "j^
and ten sorts of
—f^g vices, ^|5 a magistrate or officer ^
^ have one -^ in his person, ^
his family ^
||2Ji will ^ —be ruined ; and should ^]1 ^ the ruler of a
btate y^
try ij^ will
have
be
one "f in ^ ^
his person,
~p
his coun-
"t destroyed, -j*
|^ if the inferior
ministers ^ do not [^ help (to keep their prince from
these) ^ their
Jpj punishment is ^ branding. ^
This is

young people
a statement
^ and
|)|| for the instruction
scholars.
"^ of ^
?S *^ ^^ ^ y^^ • ^^t the new ^ sovereign
be careful of ^ own ^ his conduct, ^ "^ and think
jjfff

on these things, g These sacred |^ counsels J^ J^

are of great extent
extremely
^ ,
this excellent ^advice ^
]^ clear.J <I^ But Jl?^ Supreme
is the
liuler ^ *^
is not invariable § in his decree, f'^

* Conjarers are always dancing and singing, hence those who are
fond of such amusements resemble th( m.
f At that time Tae-kee wislied to live dissolutely and follow
corrupt habits, but Eyun spied his incipient desires, and therefore
applied him with these exhortations.
X Here E-yun sighs and says that Tde-kea ought respectfully
to meditate on the warnings just given against the three corrupt habits
and the ten vicious practices ; for the advice is important and not
to be neglected.
§ " Not invariable," mi ans that the decree of Heaven Boraetimes
leaves one family and is conferred on another. Therefore he ought
not to neglect little >irtues, for the respect of ten thousand states
144 THE INSTRUCTIONS OF E.

Gq
'^
those who do ^ good ^^ he will send down
a hundred jji^ blessings, while f^ on those who do
yf\ ^evil ^}$i^ he will send down "^ manifold |^
calamities. ^
Do you \\^ only ^
in the practice of
virtue fS] n t consider >Jn the little ones Cas beneath
your notice,) and ^
the myriads ^^I of states >Jl(^ will be

led to ]^ congratulate you ; ^ and do you f^ in ^

i© perperttating bad thii gs |^ not consider 3^ the
great vices (as those alone which are to be avoided,)
lest you should ^ ruin ^ your ^ family.

springs from their accumulation ; neither oui^rht he to avoid merely

great offences, for the overthrow of dynasties are not exclusively
caused by glaring errors. For virtues must accumulate before they
can be perfect; and vices though small, are much to be dreaded.
 THE FinST PART OF THE HlSTOilY Ot T'HiLS-KEA. 145

SECTION V.

THE FinSr PART OF THE HlSTOUt 01" T^AfeKEA.

tH ^ The new ^ monarch ^ would ^ not coxrW

ply ^ with Pol' f^j A-h^ng.
•

/^ ^ E-yun f^ composed ^ then a written decla-

ration, Q $^ The
saying, ^ ^ former king attentive-

ly ^ ^
regarded ^ -^ "J^ Heaven's
"}?
bright decree,+
J^^ in order to 3^ obtain the favour of Jfc the upper
and nether powers, jff^ the celestial fjj^ and terres-
trial ^
gods, ^d: who the deities preside over the land
and ^^
grain, with the spirits of the ancestorial
temple ^ :^ he was
; in all this invariably J0^ IK
respectful ^ Heaven |^; ^ ^ noticed his virtues,
^ and made him ^ ^use of to sustain the great
-^
myriad '^
^ and
decree, ^ and ^ soothe tranquillize the
states.
'fH While^ 1 19 was personally
^ enabled 1^ ;^ to assist jp{ my g^ prince, and ^
settle ^Ip the multitude, J^ by which means the ^
new 3E king J 3S ^^^ ^^^^y ^ obtained ^ the foun-
dation 5^ and clue (of universal empire.)

f^ Now ^ I 1^ myself^ haye from the first

^^ observed ^ the western ^ city S of Hea,§

that ^ ]^ as long as it was sincere, ^^ it gave

* A-hang,**
the adjuster," id by some thought to be the name of
an under the Shang dynasty ; other? think that it "was the pri-
office
vate designation of E-yun. The historian, being about to record
the declaration of B-yun-, first mentioned this circumstance, in order
to introduce it.

f The
bright decree, is the declared will of high Heaven, enjoinei
on mankind to respect a prince ; wlien the reference is to Heaven,
then it is called the bright decree, but when the reference is to men,
then it is denominated splendid virtue.
J The former king alludes to the accomplished T'hang, and
" the
new king" to Tlia^-kea.
§ The capital of the Hea dynasty was to the westward of P5, hence
he calls it the western city of He4.

T
146 THE FIRST PART OP Til S HISTORY OFT'h\E-KEA.

promise of eDdurance ; :^Q its ministers ^fjp also '[^

j^ augured a long continuance. j^ But after- ^
wards §f ^
the subsequent princes of that house
^ were not able ^ ^
^^ to perpetuate their rule,
^ their ministers gf|> ^ ^
also were not such
as could continue.* ^ ^ Let your present Majesty,
therefore, take warning*, ^"^^ ^^ cautious in
J^ r^ qjfj
fulfilling
^ your ^ manner unbecomini^J^a
)fl^
royal duties ; ]^ should your
Majesty ^ act in a prnce,
^i you will brinsf disgrace |^ on your jjj^ ancestor. •]•

^
1 he king j^ looked upon these as common- ^
place expressions^ ^
and did not^ [^ regard them. J
'^ ^ W^ ^
K-yun When
7J t^^6^ spoke, saying.

$^ the
morning 2
^
former 3E king, in the sombre twilight
of ^ obtained great illumination of mind,
^ he sat still
J^ f^to Ji dawn wait for the (that he
might put his views ^^ in practice) ;
he sought
and accomplished
j^
on every side j^ for intelligent

^
scholars, ^ f^ \
to instruct and lead forward his
^ Do
descendants. ^ not you, therefore, transgress
his "^ decree, i^ and thus ensure ^ your own.
overthrow.

I Carefully 75 cultivate ^ |^ the virtue of econo-

my, 1^ and think only f^ of distant
'[^ plans. § ^
^ When \M. the forester ffi 3B draws the thimble

* The preceding moiiarchs of that dynasty by their fidelity carried

out their rule to a happy close, and their servants were also able to
conduct things to a good issue. This quality was wanting in Kee,
the last prince of that house, and his ministers were like him.
I T'ae-kea
seemed to think that E-yun was sufficient to sustain the
burden of the empire, and thus, however dissolute he might be, he
fancied that his minister would be able to preserve the country from
ruin ; therefore E-yun referred to the circumstance of ministers also
failing, in order to break up his selfish notions, and destroy his vain
confideuce.
This is a remark of the historian.
;|:

g T'a6-kea failed in being extravagant, and was destitute of any

widely-extended schemes ; therefore E-yun addressed him thus.
 THE FIRST PAKT OF THE HISTORY OF T*HAE-KEA. 147

ofhis bow-string,y£ hetLirns=^ to examine whether

^J the but end of the arrow be fixed according ^ ^

to rule
^|J and ;
then ^ let'? %. ^j^ Be respectfully
cautious, theref)te, ^ about thut in which ih your
juiaJ res's,
that hid)
^ and liuitate jT^ yniv jjj£ ancestors \]JQ
in
v\
fj they have do:,e/tj| the i
g^ shall'i \^
be '1-^^!^ <hiighted, ;^and ten thousand "jji;
generations
^ will ^^ ripphiiul.

3^ '^^^ kbig
^ was not yet ^ able to ^ reform.
>(f E-yun ^ R
then adde,!, |g Th TJ is Tf s
^
an unrighteous course, '^ t:^ Ij^Jl
a^*^ custom wiK
^
soon become a second nal are. ^ *^ I must liot ^1^
bnn
let customed ^ be
^^a ^^
Jj]^
disobedient peo-
ple. He housed ^
therefore ']^ (ihe prii.cp) in ^
•g* thelung ^ ^ where he might
pab^ce,* be near
^ gg
the forfner he ^ king, whibst received hi>i f)|l

^ he mi^ht
in.st; uctio!!, that not f-^ be left ~|]i: all his
lifi^-
3^
^oi'g 1" error.

3E ^'ibe king we^^t t.)

||;|
'i^''
the pib.ce of Tu ig,
^ ai ^
d spent ^ Isis tim in niouroiag, until he was
^
al.)le

virtue,
at ^M length 'jf^ sincerely to incline to
j*

* Tung was the tomb cf ^Xi Wi Ctriiu^-t'hang'.

I T'hae-kea dwelt at the palace of Timar, where E-yun brought

him near to the tomb of the former kiui^, and aroused his virtuous
mind, thus being separated from bad associates, so as to exclude all
tilthy piactices, he was enabled finally to re vert sincerely to virtue.
 148 THE SECOND PAHT OF THE HISTORY OF t'h AE-KEA.

SECTION VI.

THE SECOND PART OF THE HISTORY OF t'hAE-KEA,

^ It was H in the third

f^ year (of T'hae kek's
reign,)
-f* ::^ZZ on the twelfth ^ month,^ and the
first day, (B, C. 1,750.) ^^ that E-yunt^ ^ took
the crown ^^ and robe, and escorted ^
the ^ new
^ sovereign |^ on his return '^^ to ^^' On ^
which occasion f^ he composed a statement, ^ Q
saying, ^
When the people ^]; are without )p a
prince, ^ they have nothing wherewith ^ they may
W ^ and when
serve
correct ^
each other, JjJ^

the sovereign
in order to
without
pre-
life
J^ ; ^^ is

^ ^
subjects, he has nothing Ji/^ wherewith
J^ to
control (23 'j^ the surrounding regions. It is because

^ High 3S Heaven ^ f^ ^ has a kind regard for

]^ Shang
the ^ dynasty, that it has given i^| our
new ^ ^ ^
prince ^ ^
ability to complete his
virtue^ ; ^ truly this
^
is "tHt an everlasting
U^ The and inexhaustible
^^ jj^ benefit. *

^ ^ made
king ^ obeisance, and
bowed head "j^ his ^ -^
to the ground, saying, 1, >j>
•^-^ ^ was
the insignificant one, awake not 3j^ clearly
^ f^^^ Q ]^
to became
virtue,' ^^ and thus dege-
nerate, my ^ by ^
lusts breaking through right
rule, and j^^ by ray dissoluteness §i^ offending against

IM 3^
propriety, i^A ^^ ^^ down ^ condem-
to hasten

^ This means that as a people cannot do without a prince, so a

sovereign can still less do without subjects. When T'hae-kea first
began to reform, E-yan made known this sentiment, shewing
the extent both of his joy and apprehension. Now T'ha^-kea who
was before inured to unrighteousness, could not have turned so
uddenly by mere human effort ; it must have been becausQ the ce-
1 estial decree had a favourable aspect towards the house of Shang,

and thus secretly influenced the mind of the new monarch, so that he
could carry out his natural virtues to the utmost.
 THE SECOND PART OF THE HISTORY OFT'hAE-KEA.149

nation ^ my own fg "^

J^ upon person. ^ If Heaven
^^ @
occasions |§ an evil, it may still be ^
borneup g when we
against, but ourselves f^ bring
down '^ ^ have
calamitiy, ftf ^^^^^ is no ^ escape.
IJ^ past,^
In vNhat is 1 opposed [i? my ^
^ and
tutor's :;i |))1 instructions, have not ^
been able
^
(to display care) ^
at
/J^f
the beginning- ; j^ but
J^
Btill

would aim
@ ^
relying
^ on ^^^
at f|| securing )i^ a
his saving
good
virtue,
(^ 1 j^ conclu-
sion.

^^ E-yun tliCn
bowing down "^ his liead
^^to the ground,
made obeisance,
^and saying,
^
j^ He who cultivates |^ his own ^ person, j^ and
is ^ "^
sincere -^
in tLe practice of virtue, while he
harmonizes ^ with his inferiors,
gQ »j-^ is an in-
telhgent
J^ ^ The
prince. ^ was ^ former king
considerate^ ^and kind ^ and to the distressed

^
impoverished, so that J^ ^
the people submitted
to his^ ^ and ^
decree, none ^ were to be found
who were ^ not ^ Moreover ^ when
delighted.
he ^ ^
obtained ^
rule over a state,
]^ his neigh-
bours /5 Qthen ;^ We said, ^ j§ wait for our
prince,when )^ ^ ^
our prince comes, there will
be no
f3 ^
punishments. ^ be Let your Majesty
urgentj^ ^
in the practice of virtue, ||, and regard

73 your ^l| distinguished ^ ^

jfji
ancestor, never
moment ^
for a way ^
g'ving to ease and indolence.
^ ^
In serving :^
your predecessors ,§. think of
^
filial piety, ^C
in associating with your inferiors
jg
think of^ fi
respect, ^ ^^^^^
in surveying ^.^"

jectsf^ manifest feg clear-sightedness, and

f^ in lis^

teningto ^ virtue
f§ display
Hg H^
intelligence,

then shall^1
^r
3E
contemplate
without |^^
TJL yourJ^Majesty's
satiety.
excellencies
 150 THE LAST PART OF THE HISTOKY OFT'hAE-KEA,

SECTION vn.

THE LAST PART OF THE HISTORY OF t'iIAE-KEA.

^^S E-yiin t^ a^ain "^^ armounced ^ ^ to ihe

kir.g", saving, H^^ R^ Oh yes! ^'"fl^ Heavea
:te has no ^| la^tiiig attacijmeiits (to one particulir
family,) ^ but to those who can mHriifest ^^ respect,
»|^ it continues ^ attached. ^ The people ^
have no unwavering
"1^ regard ^ (for any singhi^

prince,) f^ but they have a regard ^ ^

towards
those who possess 'fn benevolence. ^ The demons
jjjtjl and spirits ^
do not ^
invariably J^ accept of
sacrifices, ^ but they acce})t ^ of tho.-.e -^ who cm
be 1^ sincere. * 5C tS M^ ^^^^^^' diliicult then
is it to fill the imperial throne 1

^ Where virtue exisis, fp there alone is -^^ right

rule ; -^ where there is no ^ virtue ML CO fusion
p.

prevails, .^fi With

jf^ the weil-J:«w'"rne i assncl- ^
ate yourseivei;.^ and your w^iys j-^ ~fC will invariably

^ be prosperous ; J^ with ^£ the disorderly [p] ui ite,

^ and your business |t^ -i^ wil! assuredly "g fail.

^^
whom ^
From beginning
you associ
to

tte,
end, '^
and vou
tako care
will be
P( wi!h
f^ |:ljj 0j^
a most
king
intelligent
was
^ prince.
4' himself
^ Ihe former ^
[}^ perpetually UJJeiiertin
»[f^ |;^
in rendering respeclfui )pf his ^
virtue, 5^ and thus he

* connection with tJeaven, respect is mentioned, because

III

Heaven the residence of the principle ot reason, and in every word

is

and act, with reference to Heaven, there must not he the least atom
of disrespect. In connection with the people, benevolence is men-
tioned, because the people look up to their prince for protection, and
the poor and destitute rely entirely on him for comoassion. In con-
nection with the gods, sincerity is mentioned, because where there is
no sincerity there is no object of worship ; sincerity is first establish-
ed here (in our hearts,) and then tlie gods descend there (to tiieir
shrines.)
 THE LAST PART OF THE HISTORY OF t'hAE-KEA. 151

could
J;; i^ th^ Supreme.
@g share the honours of
4^ Now B^your present Majesty i^ inherits :^ and
possesses ^ the hononrable ^ same clue, j^ therefore
persist ^ in aimi igat ^ o^C the thing. ^ If
one wishes ^Jo rise jlj high, i)^>.hemust ^ com-
mence from "^^ a low position ; ^ if one desires
[^
to trudge i^ to a distance. >J^k he must g begin from
^ that which is near. M Do not ^ slight ^^
the business of the people, ^j'^ but consider -^^ their
difficulties: iil^ do not -^ be at ease ]^ ia your f^
station,
f^ but reflect on
)§J its perils. »^ Consider
carefully j^ what the re»,ults will be, ^ while yet at
^ ^
the beginnini^ of affiir,.
^ When "g advice
is
^ -^ your
opposed to you il^;^ feelinii^, jj^^ should
5|t '"^^ek ^ ^
for its counterpart in the ri^ht w^ay ;

"^ and when ^ ^ observation^^ are agreeable to

your own J^
yij; you
incUnations, i)^> should jj^ seek
forthem ^ amongst ^^ ^ pernicious
^^ doctrines.

Wf- Oh yes
^J ! ^ how
witnout you reflection ^}l can
1^ and ^
obtain, j^ prompt without'^ how action
can you ^ — one A" man jQ
succeed. Let the be
greatly j^ and ^ good,myriad f^ the states jjij^

will be ^ ^ The
perfected. j^ must J^ prince not
l\y ^ ^ words
disputatious ^^ throw into confusion

^ old BSJ; and g

regulations, |^ must the minister
not i^ sake
for the
Hhe bus completed
$\ and
of favour gain, j|r

remain ^
in office after 3^ his

work, then
fp ^ fi: the country^ will continue
most ^
assuredly in "j^^ prosperity.*

*At this time T'hae-Uea's virtue was greatly advanced, and

E-yun had formed the intention of retting.
152 THE POSSESSION OF SINGLE-EYED VIRTUE.
SECTION \'I11.

THE POSSESSION OF SINGLE-EYED VIRTUE. *

^ ^ E-yun J^ having f^ restored the \j^ supreme

command f^ ^ '^^ ^^'s prince, ^ and being about ^
to announce ^ his resignation, J^ f$^ set forth
^
^
these warnings ^ in the cause of virtue ;

H Oh
Saying, BJ|
«f ^ P IS yes! It is difficult

tomake Heaven,-^
account of ^ ^ as its decree is not
^ But who
invariably (fixed in one family). he is

]^
constant in ^ ^ his Pf virtue will maintain his

j^ (hold of) the throne f^ ^he ; should, however, his

virtue^ *^ fail ^^ of being constant lit T^i

will lose the nine provinces.

^3g The Hed ^ '^

last sovereign of the dynasty
was ^
unable ^ and
to carry out a uniformity of virtue,

{§ became
he ^
disrespectful jj^ to the gods op-
^
pressive ^ ^ Hea.
to the people, so that Imperial
ven ^ would ^ not (Heaven) retain him- in power,

^ then looked abroad^ i^

throughout '^ all quar-
ters^ who
for those out^ and
could open lead forth
'^^
—
its ^ decree, aimed
while they regarded 5Jt ^"^^
at single-eyed^ virtue, \^^ in order that it might
f^ set them |^ 3£ to preside over the gods (instead of
Hea.) \\^ Then
"^
^ I 15 ^1^°®' ^— together with •]§
T'ang, )^ both possessing this ^ single-eyed :^
virtue, ^ could r^i gratify the ^ yg^ mind of Heaven,
^ and receive 5^ Heaven's ^ clear '^ decree, J^ in
order 1^ to possess ^3ftj ?$1 iSll ^^^ multitude of the

IJ 7 E-yun, being about to retire from office, and apprehensive

lest T ha^-kea's virtue should of being pure and sincere ; or fear-
fail
ing lest he should employ improper persons, added this section, and
the historians, selecting a single expression from the whole, called it
" the possession of single-eyed virtue." The edition in* the modern
hand has not this section, but that in the ancient form of writing has it.
 THE POSSESSION OF SINGLE-EVF.D VIRTUK. 153

nine regions.^ Thus !^ we changed ^ \^ new the

hy
year fixed Hea the dynasty. *
^^ wns
It ^ Heaven^ was partial^
not that
toour^^Shang 5^ Heaven ^
dynasty, »f^ })iit
has a regard^ — ^
for single-eyed vinue. ^[^ It
was ^ Shang J^
not that ^ ~p sought favour from
the common J^ ^^ §people, ^ but the people re.

verted^ — to ^' his sincere virtue.

^ When f^ — virtue is single-eyed, JJj enterprises

f5 ^ =^
will he invariably ^ when '^ successful, prin-
ciplesZI ^ ^
ai-e equivocal,
j^ undertakings
will invariably |X| be calamitouswe ^ ; *|^ conceive
and
that prosperity [X] ^ ^ adversity are not errone-
ously ^ \ men
dispensed ^ Heaven
to ; j^^ but

P^ sends down (j^ calamity, jjj^ and confers blessings

J^ according
to
f^ men's qualities.
'^ Now 1^ ^
your present Majesty, ^ having
newly |^ obtained ^f the ^ decree, j^ he should
particular^ renewing ^ your^
in
^ virtue ;
but

5iJ let beginning and end ^ — be

vour ^ * uniform,
thusJ^ you Q will^' your
dailv renovate attainments.
men ^
>|2 In entrusting ^^ employ with office on-
ly^ be ^
and
the wise TJ" ^ :^ and talented ,
let your at-

tendants f^ men.
the right g kind J\^ of
The duty of a minister^ _t is, in acting for those a-
bove him, ^ ^
to aid his ^ and virtuous prince, "]>
in acting for helow him, ^
those ^ to befriend
the people. :Mc. How ^ and
difficult then is it, ^
how »^
a suitable man.
careful should you be,
of — uniform
'f^
to look out
conduct.
for
^
j^ and oiiC '

^ Virtue ^ bas no »^ invariable ^ rule, ^ hut

fixes on ^ that which is good j^ as ^ its law ; ^
* The rhantfing the period for beginning the >ear was an act cf
Bovea-eigu power, and indicated the possession of the empire.
u
154 THE POSSESSION OF SINGLE-EYED VIRTUE.

goodness ^ ^— ^
has no »f^ constant resting, place,
but it
^
accords
=J= with perfect sincerity. *
rr ^ myriad ^
Let ^ *g Q
the clans universally
s^y*
yC ^ow 3E
wJj greatwonls ^^^^ y<>ur Majesty's

X ^
«ii^ —
again^ How 3^
say, ' sincere is your
!

mind ^ You
Majesty's ^£^ j^ ! are able to s( it!c
^^^
EE ^ patrimony
iJl,
^he ^ and of the former kins^s,
everlastingly
of all
)^ promote
the
^ ^ ;^ ^
people.
to the lives

H^ W^ Oh yes
-tl "ffi:^ ! ^^n>n ancestorial tem-
ple of seven generations, wj jJiC^you may| ^f see f^
the results of virtue ;
^^ /^ -^ and in the chief
^
over a myriad yeoraen, ^ Jj^^ you may ^^see the
effects of good government. •]•

j^ A prince ^^ without ^^ subjects |^ will have

no one 'f^ to direct, ^
and a people ^|^ without )^
a ruler ^ will have no one to serve. ^
Do not ^
@ ]^ enlargfc yourself, J,^ in order to ^ strais^hten

^ others ; 25 ;5^ should each yeoman ]7C ^ and

* '* No invariable rule" means that it does not pertinaciously ad-
here to one single plan. Virtue is the general appellation for good-
ness, and goo Iness is the real practice of virtue. Virtue unites all
the acts of goodness, but if it does not rest in some one good action,
then it fails in obtaining the principle of one root spread out into ten
thonsai;d branches. Goodnes.s originally springs from sincerity, but
if it does not harmonize with perfect sincerity, then it is unable to
comprehend the mystery of tea thousand ramifications proceeding
from one root. In an ex.tended sense it is to be sought in more acts
of goodness than one ; in a confined view you find it in the principle
of extreme singleness of purpose. This is the order of doctrines in
the sacred school of philosophy from beginning to end, very similar to
what Confucius says about one idea running through the whole.
When T'hae-kea had arrived at this pass, he was })ermitted to hear
this doctrine ; how dif^T-rent from the reformation of common men !
This sentence is even more minute and abstruse than the expression
in the classic of Shun about the essence of oneness. {Chinese com-
mentator.
f An Emperor has seven ancestorial temples, three for the line
of fathers on the left, and three for the series of sons on the right,
which together with the temple of the first ancestor in the centre
make seven. After aeven generations relationship ceases, and the
 TIIK POSSESSION OF SINGLE-EYED VIRTUE. 155

matron ^ not ^ mcceed Q ^ in carrying out their

virtues to the utn^ost, ^^ then the ruler of the
people P^
perfect "J^ his
^
will fail of persons
merit.
with whom ^ to

^l
flhrine is romov'jd ; but it mast be a virtuous sovereign, that can
prevOMt the reinoMil e^trlier therefore it is said, in the ancestorial
;

t^Mn[>l(* of seven tjenerations, you m.ty see tlie results of virtue. The
E iiperor preside.s over the myriads of peo))le, but he must attend to
government and education, in order effectually to suIxIum men's
minds, and render them chferfully siibmissive therefore it is said, in
;

thi^ cbiff over a myriad yveiaen, you can see the eifects of good go-
vernment.
156 THE FIRST PART OF THE HISTaRY OF PWAN-KANG.

SECTION IX.

THE FIRST PART OF THE HISTORY OF PWAN-KANG.*

M M. Pwan-kang ^ ^ were wisl.ed to remove ^ ^ to

Yiu, ^ )• but the people disinclined .^ to

proceed ^ ^ new to the settlement ; whereiij^on ^

he ^
generally ^ addressed the multitude ^ of the
disaffected, Ji^ and gave forth 3^"^ the words of

the following oath ;

S Saying, ^ our ^ former king (Tso6 yth) ^

came, ^ and ^ removed ^ ^^ his capital hither,
(viz.^ toK^ng)^ regard ^ ^ out of for us people,

^ lest bewe should ^ entirely

^J destroyed ; but
now ^ ^^ we cannot ^ mutually [^ aid e;ich other

J;J^
in obtaining ^a livelihood ; moreover [> the di-
vination, |g on being consulted, Q says, ^ 1 his
(land) is not -j/^ adapted for pf us. Whenever 5fe
the former i kings ^ had any ^^ important affair

* So: ^5 Pwan-kang was the younger brother ot

f^ ^ Yuiig-

ke& : from the time that the Emperor j[)h ^t Tsoo-yih estabiislud

his capital at ^( Kang, the city was injured by the inundntioiiP of

the Yellow river ; Pwan-k&ng therefore wished to remove his capital
to ^J but the great families and hereditary clans, being
Y''in,

conltiiittdwith their situations, found itdiflicull to remove, and there-

fore spread abroad insinuations against it while the people scattered ;

and driven about, were deceived as to their true interests, and mani-
fested some reluctance to remove to the settlement marked out for
them. Pwan-kSng, therefore, in these sections, sets before them the
advantages of removing, and the disadvantages of rt maining. The fir^t
and second sections weie delivered before the removal, and the
latter one afterwards the first was intended for the host of ministers,
:

the second for the common people, and the third one for the
officers. The earlier and later editions, both have these sections, but
in the m'^re recently discovered text, the three are joined into one.
(Pwan-kang tiourished B. C. 1,400 there were fourteen sovereigns :

and about 350 years bet>vecn him and T'hae-ke&.)

t Yin is the modern district of j^fifli Yen-sze, (Lat. 34. 42.

I*j. 'Long. 3. 38. W.) in the province of Ilo-nan.
 TIIK FIRST PART OF THE II18TOUY OP PWAN-KAMG. 157

to manage, ^^ llu-y resju'ctfuly ^ and cautiously

(coiibulteil) ^ iSjt the will of lle;iviiu |jy divination ;

^ in this, fl!^ nevertheless, ^ they did not aim'at

^ constantly
hand
j^ niuking themselves eawy,
'^ did they wish to remain
^ nor on
the other perpetu-
ally ^ in their own ^ cajjital : so that ^ -^ up to
this tune (the sovereign has resided in) ^ live ^IJ
different states f ^ ^^^ ^ 'f we do not ^ cum-
ply ^
with -^ the ex.nnple ol' the ancients (in rorao-
ving.)S we do not ^fl know hut Heaven ^^ ^
will g^ cut off our lives ^
^| tiow much less |E| ;

cnn we be said ^^ to be able ^ to follow up ^ ^^

-V 5JJ the ardent ze.il of the fjrinei kin'^s.
^
As ^
felled 7|C ri trees -^ again
|| ^
sprout forih, + ^
m ly Heaven pi -^ perpetuate ^
our -^ good fortune in this^ ^
^^f new citv ^
in order ^ to connect ^ and renew ;^ ^ ;^ ^ ^
the
;

the gre:\t inher tance <.f former kings, and

J^
extend ^ tranquillity to ^ "^ the four qmrter< of
the WM^rld.

^ ;^ Pwan-liii ^
'j: in
^ impnrlin:^ ir.structioa
to ^ the people, ^ commenced /J ^ with those
in ]^
(5! oili<'e, them
'm u: icr'jjj to remi-.d coii«>iaiuiy

^ of former ^g matters,
J£ ^^ and correct their
rules of coniiuei, |^ ^: saying. ^ oj^ Let no one
presume f;f{;
to suppress ^}^ \ 1^^^ the remon-

Accordiiiif to lliis it wo'ild apj)e.ir, thai ttie forraer kings in their

remo*^al weie in Uie habit ot consulting the orav le.

j The tive states above ref<>rred to, are supposed to mean "^
T'hansr's removal to t^ Po, y^ J Chi'msr-ting'e to "^ Heaou,

M S^ ^
^
yih's at
H6-tan-kea's dwelling at ;f3 Seang, [f|l 21 Tsoo-
Kang, and ^
j^ Pwan-kang's removal to f^, Yin.
to
^J( Kang, and the new shooting
The felled trees refer to forth
t

)j5^ Yin : meaning that having now removed from Kang to

^ Yin, we are like felled trees again budding forth.

153 Tiis Fiiisr pAar op the history of pwan-kang.

strances of the inferior people. ^ ^ It is the king's

command ^ ^ that ^
all hidiscriminateiy should
repair ^ ^
sit once to the court.*
3E Ihe ^ king Q ^ Come uo it were -j- said,

iit yo'^Mt -^ and ^

multitudes. ^^ I will give
y<>u g)|| ^ ^
instruction ;
do you Sj^ discard y jf
your ^\i;:

gance ^j^ and

^ and
selfish '^
feelings,
indolence. J
avoid arro-

"^ Formerly ^ my S 5*^ royal predecessor >j][^ •['^

^ ^
studied onlyemploy ^ ^^ members to the of
^
ancient famdies 1^
king ^^ ^ annoimced ;^ what was
iEVlhe i^ ^^^^ government.
jf^ to be done,
^ and f§ conceal |^^ his :j'^ inten-
they forbore to

tions ^ ;
the king ff[ em[»loyed
3S the utmost
§^
respect (in his measures, and his ministers) |^ did not

* The soil of i'|J/[^ Kung, Ibougli low and saltish, still had the
advantage of bein<i well- \va.(>! -red there-fore the lower class of
:

people were put to mucli inconvenience l)y being; obliged sometimes

to quit their dweil'ngs, wiiile tlie great families amassed wealth and
valuables. Thus the situation was not favourable to the interests of
the poor, while it was to those of the rich, so that these latter were
^ismclined to remove, and spread abroad various insiiuiations respect-
ing- the measure. The common people, not knowing their true in-
terests joined in the complaints, but amongst them were some who
could distinguish between An-'s true advantajies and disadvantages,
and therefore wished to remove^ These, however, were constantly
brow-beatim, and kept back by those in office, so that thry c&\\\d nut
make known their grievances to the sovereign. Pwan-kang was
aware of this, and therefore, in iiif^trncting the people, commenced
with those in office for their instruction,
; he did not invent
a new set of regulations to correct their minds, but pointed them 5to
the old aifairs of the former kings, who removed their capitals
froui place to place, in order that he might bring them to follow
the right rule.
f
" 4lS it were," implies that these were not his exact words, but
that they conveyed the general idea of what he uttered.
^ Should they be insolent to their superiors, they would be un-
Aviiling to remove, and if fond of ease, their removal would be
impossible ; both these feelings, therefore, must be discarded. Al-
though these words were addressed to the multitude generally, they
were intended more particularly for the host of ministers ; for thus lie
instructed the people, commencing with their officers.
 THE FIRST PART OF THE HISTORY OF PWAN-KANG. 153

:^ allow theinselves ^ -g- to utter error eous words

^ thus the people ^ aliaineci ^ a great ^ reforma-
;

tjon. 4^ But now -^

ou H;^ J^ are given ap to cla-
n

inorous detractions, Se.jg]^~)i^ ,n oider lo gain a

hazardous and shallow confidenee with the people, -?»
1 re; l^v ^ kuow J^ what you wouUl
Ij^ do not
fjf
be 1^ talking about.
^^ ^ ^ it is not tlint 1

^ aim
wish abandon ^ ^^
to ip this virtue, but yi( you
^ at cor^cealin^
-^ — \ mv
^^ excellence ; ;;:j^ yoii do not
i^ venerate -^ person, but 1 (can dis-
cern your ijn^ perfections) ^ ^s clearly as one sees
wj^ -^
tire. |^ '•) 9*1^ i^ioreover, by the unskiifulnesj^

1^ my of f^ }»lans 7^ ^ have originated this mistake.

^^ As ^,|5| ^ the cord :^ when^^-g is oi: the net, so

there are f^ j^ ^
proper rules of [)roceeiiing. there
will no ^
be ^ M husbandtnan
couhL-^ion. ^^ '^'^^

3^ and employs
cultivates (33 ^be held, 'j/j his strength

^ Jy ^
in agriculture, may ^ he then anticifjate

^ a harvest. -J^ If you ^^

views, ;^^ aivl practice "^ real |«^
conld S|^ re )re3s
7^
your Il> selfish

virtue -J*
towards ^
the people, as well as -J* ^
^
^ ^
towards your relatives and friends, ^C justly
7^ might you ^s;^ ma^ndfy "^ your w^ords, sayingr
that you ^ ^ accumulated^
possess v'rtue. 75
"J^-*

But you "^ do not -^ dread ^ ^ the great evils (of

inundation) ^ remove)
which ^far ^ spread and ne^.r ; and
(are unwilling to 'jj^ Tike the slothful ^ hus-
bandman, ^ who makes inn'iself ^^ easy, ^ and
does not ^ exert himself ^j^ ;y^« in laborious occu-
pations, ^ nor )j|f
cultivate 0^ |^ his acre^, ^ thus

^^•^ You
^ he ^ cannot expect ^ any rice ^ or millet.
do ;;:f^
not -p^ harmonize (wdth speakin,^)=^
good g' words ^ to "j^ j[j: the people, 'j^ but -JJj;

you ^
of your own accord produce ^ ^ mischief,

73 and thus |§r involve yourselves jjfj^in evils ^ J^

160 THE FIRST PART OF THE HlSTOItY OF PWAN-KANO.

and ^
villainies, so as ^ ^^ to bring calamities
^
oil
Pf own ^
your [)errions. J^ ^ Having- thus ^
set anexample^ of wickedness "^ to ^ the people^

75 you ^ have experienced I^ 'j-jn] the evil effects of

the same, and now -^ your
blaming .^ yourself, ^
fiif of what ^ |g Looking
use is at |J^ these ji^
it?
poor ^people, |^ should any of them mutually ^^ ^
address you ^
with j^ complainini: remonstrances, ^
^ 1^ as soon as they begin to speak, !^ you are rea-
dy wnth ^
your erroneous ll| declarations (and if you
think to terrifv the peoole thus)
;

are you not much

^]
^
,

more afraid"^ of me, ^1] 73 who can affect the

shortness ^ ^ your
or length Why
"^ of lives *?
^J^
>^ ^ do you not rather -^ present their complaints
^ me, to ^ mutuallv JJ spreading
ff^ instead of
abroad ^ such ^
J^^ J^ by which you
vain surmises,
agitate andJjJQ ^ !^ involve Though the multitude.
you were ^ ^ ;^ like a ^ ^ fire 1]^ ragini? over
^wj which
the plain, ^^ ^ people dare not appro -ch.

^ ^^ TTf vou yet ^ be yon ^aU

still could beaten out
and extinguished. Fhus f^ |f ^1] ^ it is that

§ f^ ^ j^
create uneasiness for yourselves
^^ ;
it is

liut-^I :^ am
that ^ in fault.

^
ing effect
^
ffi Ctie-jin
men
Ef h
we want them ^
A.s to
is "g" a saying to the follow-

J^ :
fj^^ j]^
old,=§ ^^ we would
hut as to tools ^ have them not

H"^Formerly
old,
f^ but new.* fjf
^ my ^ 3E ^ mutually
and 73 Predecessor
your f^ TJ and
grandfathers ^ ^ fathers
2^ both ^
shared and ^ ^ ^ how dareon
ease toil ;

1 then ^
^ They ^ ^
exercise unjust inflictions
you ^ "(ly^ ^ made account ^ your
for ages of

• When men have been long craployed in any business they be-
come experienced but tools, after much use, are spoiled ; therefore
;

it would be better always to have old hands and new implements.

 THE FIRST PAUT OF PWAN-KANG. 161

progenitor's^* loyally, ^ T> and I vvill not |^ conceal

^ your ^
virtues. ^ Now ^ \
^K ^ present
great sacriHces ^ to ^^ the former 3£ kings, while "^
your
meut
|g ancestors
^ |^ |^ $ ;^
of them, ff< and whether they send down
snare in the enjoy-

fg
blessings ^^ or jj^ calamities, -^ I iJlp also >f> do not
^ dare Ji] ^
Jffj to ^ methods
employ ungracious
towards you*
•^ ^^ have informed ^ you ^
I ^ of the diffi-

removing
culties of same ; ^ (with the firmness) as p.^
an archer ^ j^ settles his intention (in shooting.)

^ Do you f^ ^ a^ed \
]j;Jj]^

^ not disesteera the ^5$

and ^ ^
experienced, orphans^
nor despise ^\; the
and young ^
^7] the each one you ^
;
^
let of excel
'n It^tl^et^'Uties and
of his office,
exert your utmost stren^^lh, Jj^ whilst you comply with
^ {t, 7^ /i

"^ my —\individual j^ ^[ suggestions. ^

i]£ :^ No matter whether^ more dist-uitly ^ or
nearly related, |^ those w^ho commit f^ crimes fj)[
shall be punished ]^ Jp, with
death, ^ while those
who practice
ness blazoned abroad.
^ virtue ^ MSo
-^ shall
that for the
have their good-
nation ;;^
^^
to be t)^ good »j^ will depend 'Jit
on you ^^ hosts of
ministers,
it
but ^
w'll be in consequence of
if the nation ';^ be ;:^
-^me, — Aa '
f|(^
vicious, 'j^
single indi-
vidual, ^ j^ neglecting f^ P^^i^^ments.
ilk M^ Let all of you it '|# fi; make known^
my words ; g ^ from this time M "T ^ H
and henceforth, :^ let each one of you ^ respectfully
attend p{| to your ^ business, ^ fulhl the duties
75
of your ^
office, ^ and regulate 75 Y""^ H conversa-
tion,
f3 punishment /^
f:)r is near to ^ your^^ per-

sons, ^ H^ and regret will be unavailing.

 1C2 THE SECO.ND PART OF PWAN-KANG.

SECTION X.

THE SECOND PART OF THE HISTORY OF PWAN-KANG.

M J^ Pwan-k^ng f^ then arose, j^ and '^ cross-

ed ^ Yellow he
the river, I^^ in order J^ ^ to remove
the people ; J^ whilst ^ mildly addressed p^ ^
the people ^ that would not ^ follow,
|^^ publicly
•^ declaring his sentiments ^ with the utmost ^ sin-
cerity, ^:^ ^ and telling them ^ i#all to co^we
to him, ^ without ^ rudely :^ ^
intruding into
the royal j||| precincts; after this ^ ^ Pwan-kang 7^
trose up
people,
^ and set forward the march ^ of the

13 Saying, g^ ^ Listen attentively ^ to my "^

words, ^ and do not ^^ disregard ^^ my ^ com-
mands.
}^ \^ Oh yes, ^ formerly ^ my f^f ^ predeces-
sors ^::^ invariably 'fH attended to g^ the peo-
ple's interests ^
with respectful care, j^ whilst they
sustained ^ their prince -^ with mutual ^ sympha.
%. v^i^thusthey rarely :y; failed in '^^ sur. ^
mounting together 5^ ^
the un favourableness of
the seasons.
When 1^ the Yin (or Shang) dynasty ^ was sub-
jected to 7v great ^ calamities, ^ the former SE
kings ^ did not ^ study their own ease,
|^ jj^ f^
in that which they undertook,
^
jjj^ but considered
removal.
^
the people's ^)J
interests in their 3^
^ ^"gWhy do you ^ not, therefore, >§J consider ^
our former )§ ]^ king's ^ remembrance ; ^
whenever we have respectfully interested ourselves ^
in you, f^ and directed ^
you to remove, j^ it was
because ^
we rejoiced
perity with you. It is ^
not
^^
in sharing mutual pros-
-^ because you :^ have
 THE SECOND PART OP PWAN-KAMG. 163

^ committed any offence, ]^ and are amenable ^

to^ punishment, (that we inflict this removal
upon yen.)
^
•^ And if I
^^ have called upon you '^ to
come ^ to this ^ new ^ city, jff it is also ^ mainly
7^ on your ^ account, JLJ/^ that we may 3E g^'^atly
^
promote ]§??
your own
J^ wishes.
4^ Now -j* 1
jf^ aiTi
1^ trying !::( /j^ to remove

you (from a dangerous position) 4^ in order to settle

^
^ and compose ^
the ^jl nation, '^ but you (lo ^
not ^ sympathize with j)^ niy ii
j|J^ fl^ S mental
/} and
anxieties, ^ ;;f^ genc^Mily I^ nc^rlert ^ to
make known 75 yoi^r to feelings, which, fj( respect-
^'^i^y
;t5 pi'oi"P^^<^^ ^X ^>y 'hfc sincerity, ^
would influ-
ence ^ me *-" the one man. I5ut you f^ are
J\^ ^
^ 1^ perverting and g ^
distressing yourselves, ^
just as ^in loading -^/g- a vessel, if you ^^ do not ^
^ acc'Td with (the proper time), _^ you will endanger
]^ the ^
cargo. ^
'[y^ Now the sincerity which you

ought to manifest (towards superiors) ^ ^ is not car-

ried out, l]'!^ so that you ^ mutually involv^e us all

J.^ '^^ in one common calamity.

^ ^$fc gjj If
you do not examine into this matter, but vainly ^ ^
vex yourselves, ^
how will all this -j^ diminish your
distress.

*J^
You ^> do
order to }§^ provide against
not ^^ form distant plans
the ij^ calamity (of not
J[5]( in

7^
removing). ^^^ 1 hu.s \ou ^ very much |^ encou-
rage yo\irselv€S ^ in sorrow. J^ Now ^^ you
rejoice in the possession of -^ pre^icnt good, reganl-
less of^ the future, j^j^ fwf how can you ^f^ look for

life ^ from J^ above.

^ Now -^ command
"1* 1 y^^ *"" '^ ^^^^ ^"^
^
"Jj^i*

thing, ^ff: do not allow

j^ fllthy thoughts to arise

i^i to ^"your own ^

destruction f^ lest People ; A
164 THE SECOND PART OF PWAN-KANO.

^ draw aside J^ your ^

bodies, j^ and pervert J^
jour *la minds. -^
have aimed (by this measure)
1

^ to procui-e |g a prolonafruion 7^ of your

-ff^ lives ^
from ^
Heaven. iitSK "^^
^^^vv is it that liav.^ 1

sought to overawe yon with ujajesty 1 hr/e 'X^^^xkt '?

^
it ^ merely to promote ^ ihe preservation *^^ of yoii

^^ all^ ^ I
;^ think of ^ our %^ former ffp^ 'di-
vine
5^
)^ ;^
ancestors
prince's
; -^ and
»^
1
labouring in behalf of
am thus ^ mainly
^ enabled
your
~jl^

^ to nourish ^:| you (by this removal), )^'j^ because

I contemplate ^ you ^
in this light (as their
descendants.) ^ if you err ^
in [[^ government,

H^ and ^ ^
coiitinue Ions: in this place, "fgj
our
exalted)^ ^ J^ prince
down p^ punishments ^ and
^^ will extensively send
H ^ saying
calamity,
*
Why do ]^ yon thus injure 3)c ^^J
J;^b P^^P^^
'^

i^ you ^
If j^ myriads do of people 7^ -^n
^^ not
in ^
a lively and manner ^ active co-operate -j*
with me, — man,
*
^
the one }\, same §|^
>|V>^ in this
design, then^ pnnces ^
our former will severe-
ly M upon youj^ ^^ punishment and
jJ^ in6ict 'Jj(^ ;)^
ca]amit\% ^ ^^ Why do you ^
saying, J not co-
operate with^ my young ijj ^ you 3^^ descendant J:{^

same
in this ^^ Thus ^
undertaking ? while
^ ^
fail in ^ J; above ^ wdl
virtue, they from
^j punish •^^ you, and J^ you ^ will not d^
be able ^S ^^ escape.
Formerly
•jg*
^
my $g )g predecessor |^i^ la-
boured for 75 your ji^ ancestors 75 3i^ and forefa-
thers, '^ and you ^
together f^ ijecome J^ ^^
the people of my charge
J^ but if you conceive 5^$
; ^
* The old capital Kang had b^en devastated by inundations,
and unless tbey reinoved, injury would accrue to the people thus ;

they would fail in governiuent, by staying too long in that place.

Thy " exulted ancestor" refers to T'hang.
 THE SECOND PART OF OF PWAN-KANG. 165

injurious ^ll thoughts ^ in 75 your i(<\ minds, ^ my

$i£
pre<1ecessor
)^ ^ who comforted 75 J^^^^ JJIS ^""
cestors 75 PC ^'^^^ forefathers (will know and resent
it,) 75 ili ^^^^^^^ your ancestors Jj and forefathers ^
75 i|)j themselves will cut off and ^
reject -J^JC you,

3j^ and
to these
iiot^
*-j^
save
my
75 you trom death.
(ministers) ;j^
^
^^ iNow p.s
who have charge ofS[j
regulatins: iEj[ the government,
|^ an.,] are associated
with me ^i in the throne, ^
75 should they hoard up
M 3^ pearls aud gems, y5 then their [jj^^ ancestors 75
and ;^ forefdthers ^
73 '•vould urgently^ complain
:^]^ to my j^ exalted ]§ pre lecL»ssor,* observing, j^
that ihey are inflicting^ severe J|l] punishments --f^
on these ^ our ^ descendants ; ^ thu< indnciTn.i:

^ my exalted jg predecessor ^ 7^ extensively i^

pi^ to

currences.
])ring down upon them ^ f,^ infelicitous oc-

R^^3^ Flear then ^^ -f* I hnve now

! informed ^
Vit you ^
'^ of ihe diiliculties (attending my scheme
of removal) do you therefore
; 'perpetually '^ ^
respect ^ my great )|]^ anxieties ; M: let us not '^
he mutually ^§^ <^p:^rated J^ to a distance, j^ hut
do ytm ^ share with me |||j in my schemes ^ and
cogitations, J^^ in order to ;^ ^ comply with my
suggestions, ^ each one of you ^^^ estahlishing tfl

the due medium ^ in 75 y^'^^ 'C> uiinds. 75 ^

Should there be any ^-^ ^ either u:irigh^eo\is ^\ 5S
or unreasonable persons, ||g (;vei turning )^ and trans-

gressing 7f\ ^ without fear^ ^ and when of)-

portunitles ^ ^ occur committing acts of villainy ^

and treachery, ^I 75 will §|] cut oi! their noses
f^^J^H^ and exterminate them, without '^ leav- ^
ing the least residue ^
or support,^, and will not fijl
allow them to ^
remove their posterity^ to =^ ^
* Tlie exalted predecessor refers to the accomplished T'han<j.
] 66 THE THIRD PART OF PWAN-KANG.

this gf new g settlement. |t =gi Go then I

^^
be lively and active, ^ and ^ 1
}|f
will ^ JiJ^

make use of th'S "/^your ^ removd, ^J^ perpetually

^ to estal?li^h J^ your '^ families*

* Just pmod of l^inoval people were still thinking- of

at the
their settlement, aud hid not exj)urieuced tiie iadvaiitasres of
old
the new one ; hence he exliortc^d tiiem to be lively and active, to
rouse thtmsfdves from their indolence, anJ hasten to the perfor-
mance of their duties.

SECTION XI.

THE THIRD PART OF THE HlSTOHY OF PWAN-KANI.

^^ Pwan-kang J^ ^ having removed, ^ he
fixed 1^ f^ ^ the dwellings of the peo[)le, J^ whiie
he 5E ^ ^
^<^y^i^ted their various stations,
,^ ^
and comforted"^ ^ the uuiititiule, ^ saying, |te
Do not be j^ trifling 1^ and indolent, ^ l)ut exert
yourselves ^ to establish -j^ the great 1^ decree.
4^ Now ^ ^ have ^ 1 >]^^ dis[)lHyed the feel-
ings of my ^
heart and j^ and
'ff reins, fully ^
informed ^ you Q ^ would ^ my neo[>le of j"]^ jjf^ de-
sign :
f£] ^
not that blame ^ youJ l|^ all,

^^ only do you not ^ encouraafe ^ wr^ithfid

feelings,
—f/Jj ]^ nor combine to.^ether ^
^Form to l)hime
•^ me * a single

S
>\ ind vidnal. "j]^ ^ 'rly

our 5fe fir>t king ( Fha ig) ^f washed ^^ to e\-

C^'^'i
^)J 2^the merit?; of tliose wli had j)r-cjded hin. )

^ aiad theief)nj removed ^

to J,] th.^ hiii (P6); ^
1^ where he subdued ^ )ur .!X| ^ inconvenient es
(arising from frequent inundati9»:s.) ^ and displayed
1^ his splendid merits ^ in |^ our fji st«te. ^
But now (at Kang) ^
our ^people ^j ^^ ^re 'bro-
ken up 4jf ii and scattered ab<mt.
without any tixed settlement; p^ and yet yoii ^^ say
^^ 'WJ&M
H^ to me, .j|| Why ^ HJ do you agitate ^ all ^
 THE THIRD PART OF PWAN-KANG.
167
the people ^ on the subject ;^§ of removar?
^ way ±1 »^
It is in this
Supreme that the Ruler
^ |S ^ IS about
^ ^ to
;^renew our first
(fit ances-
tor's

^ |L p
virtue,
^
and e:<tend right rule to our
^
state.
;^ Whilst
I, with a few of you
||
really
f^ ^
respectful ministers,
^ would reverently
preserve^ ^ ^ ^
the people's live^ and fix a
-^
perpetual ^ ^ new g
residence in ihis city.

^
'^
7^
Surely
to reject
\ I,
.Jrfi the junior, ^[^ would not wish
Pf |^ your 1^ would counsel entirely, but
make ^ every ^ ^
use of your good advice ;
for
you 0, ^do not
clare^ and to resist )> the oracle,

}fj only -^wish ^ ^ to enlarge this great domain.

R^^Oh that! ^ /(fl
you dependent princes.
:^
Iifp nobles, 'g'fjfj^;^^ X. ^"^ others in office,

wi "^ would but sympathize with me |^ in my ^

anxiety. 3. 1 have I^ :^ exerted myself to the utmost,
IHI ^o select '^ ^
and lead you on, do you therefore
;^ consider ^ with care ^^ ^ the multitude of
^
my
peojde. )|)^ 1 ^ will not ^ sustnin those who
are fond of ^ amassing wealth, ^t ^"^ ^'^''^' boldly ^
display my regard (for the people ) ^ in encouraging
4? their I'velv activity ; ^ while those who nourish
/\ mankind, |J^ and scheme for ^ :2l the people's 'j^
secure ^ habitation, 7^ I will employ ^
and respect.
^ Mow ^:l$^^ since I ^ have brought forward
@|f and made you acquainted ^ with )|j^
my jg
intention, ^
whether you accord with my views or ^
not, ^
::^ do not ^
f^iil #C ^o regard (my words.)
^ Do not H
be given up to the ^ ^
amassing of
wealth ^
and precious things but be lively ^ ,
^
and active, ^
and you will certainly ]^ display merit
(before the people.) ^ Respectfully ^J
^
diffuse the
and
Mfi virtue which befriends the people, eter-

nally
J^ cherish
— singleness ijj^ of mind.
168 THE FIRST PART OP THE ORDERS OF VUE.
SECTION XI 1.

THE FIRST PART OF THK ORDERS OK YLE. *

3E Tlie kii\g ^ continued^ mourning- (B. (J,

l.^'-^^)^!^ ^^ ^^^^ portals of grief = for three jjjg

years ; ^ and aft.^r he had ^ laid aside ^ his mourn-
inc^- i^b ^^ ^
iu> refused ^ speak, t until
to the H
hosts of 1^ ministers J^aW fj^ reironstrated with ^
i the kiug, g saying. F|| tP^ Oh yes ^Q Zl lie who!

attains to know^ledge Q is called H^ ^ intelligent :

SH ^' ^^^^^ man "^ should certainly f^

an intelligent
he ^1] a law (to others). "^ The Emperor j^ is ^
^ lord over the myriads ^( of states, while "^ the
-"Jlil

hundred^ officers -^ receive^ his rule. 3E Your

majesty ^
in speaking »j^^ can
f^ issue -^ your com-
mands ]^ hut in refusing "^ to speak,
;
your minis- ^
ters "p and suhiects have nothing ^
wherewith ^
^ to ascejtain ^ your made will.

^ The king ^ f^ Q use of ^ writing j^j, to

f^- announce his viev\s, saying, Jj/ vSince I p i£

came to preside ^ ^ over the four ~ff quarters, ^
1 J^ have heen api rehensive ^^ lest jny virtue ^
* Tills chapter records the words of I'n"! >^ Kaon-tsung:, or J0J[

J Woo-ting gJJ Yue. The first chap-

in commandiiifi: his teacher
ter contains an account of the ohtaining of Yue, and his appointment
as Drime minister. The second chapter gives an account of Yue^a
advice after his appointment and the third chapter refers to Yue's
;

discourses on learning The edition in the modern character does

not contain this section, but that in the ancient fonn of MTiting has it.
f When a piince died, it was usual for the hundred officers to as-
pemble together, and receive orders fr6m the prime minister while :

the new sovereign continued mourning, and remained in the portals of

grief for three years this was the ceremony on the deatli of a pa-
;

rent. When
Seaou-yih, and the usual
jif] jj^ Kaou-tsung had buried his father ''J^
t rm of mourning had expire 1, he still refused
^
to speak ; iiis ministers thought that this was going to an excess, and
therefore remonstrated as above.
 TUB KIllST PART OP THE OIIDEUS OF YUE. 169

f^hould not ^
resemble (that of my predecessors) ;
^
f^
while
on this account 1^ I did not "g speak,
Avas leverently ^ meditating, and
^ and
I
,g think-
^^^g 7^0^ tl^6 J'i^^it ^-^way, I dreamed i^ that the
Supreme Ruler ^ conferred me § on an excel-
lent 505 assistant, ^ ft *^ W who should speak for
me.
75 He then ^
minutely explained
pearance (of the person seen in his dream),
^ ^
the ap-
"^
and di-
rected J^ that J}^ a likeness (should be drawn,) d5 and
that on all sides ^
search should be made -^ throush-
out ^ "p the empire ;
(when it was found) that g§;
Yue, ^ who dwelt ff- ]p in the Foo-yen
J^ if wil-
derness, 'f^ possessed ^ some resemblance (to the
projected figure).
^ Upon this i: he appointed him f^ to be ;(Q
prime minister, ^ and the king ^
placed him ^
before ;^ his ^^ ^ attendants. *
^ He then ^ him ^ ^ Morning
directed saying,
;^ and ^ you communicate ^
evening do instruction,

l^J^ ^
in order ^ me ^ to aid in the practice of
virtue.

^ofWhen am ^ I ^ likemake (blunt) metal, I will

use
wish ^
y^ you f^ |^ ^ when
as a grind-stone : 1

gto cross ^ em-

a great ))\ river, I will
ploy ^j^you f^ ^ ^^ my ^ ^
as oar if the year
^
;

^
is one of great
j^ j^ youdrought, I will use
f^ ^as ^
a plentiful shower.
j^ Unfold 73
dew my
^ and
y<^^^ /ii» mind, therefore, be-

)J^ Jj;^ heart (with its influence).

* According to history it appears, that when (^ yj^ Kaou-tsung

obtained Yue, he conversed with him, and finding that he was really
a sage, elevated him to the highest dignity the classic does not
:

mention this for the sake of brevity ; for not to converse with a man,
and suddenly to make him prime minister, would be quite unreason-
able, iHe thus made him both his mixiister and tutor.
w
 THE FIRST PART OF THE ORDERS OP YUE. 170

^ Just like ^ medicine, ^ Ualess it be so strong^

gg as to make ODe giddy,^]^ the ^ disease i^ will
not^ ^
be remedied ;
and as j^j^ when walking
barefoot, ^ man if a does not j^ look well ^ to his
goings, ^ J^ ^ his foot will be -j^ wounded *
f^ Do ^ you together with 73 y^^^r ^ fellow-offi-
cers, I^ ^ be unceasingly |gj /£> unanimous i^ in
aiming" [M to correct 75 your jp^ prince, ^
and cause
him i^ to follow ^
the ancient 33 kings 5^ thus ;

let him tread in the footsteps ^^ of our 1^ elevated

)j^
ancestor, JJ^ in order to ]^ tranquillize >)^ the myriads
^ of the people.
5| rtf Oh yes ift ^ you
^ 1^and ! do respectfully
regard this
be ^ good a
^^
my decree,
result.
^ then there will

^ Yu^ ^ ^ 3E
then Q
replied to the k'ng, say-
ing,f^ Wood,
tIC ^ by ^ the application of the car.
becomes
penter*s line, §)J jj^ straight ; )]^ and a prince,
^ ^
following becomes Jg
advice, g|]
j^ a sage.
When ^ ^
the prince ^
is a sage,
^ the ministers
without-^ ^ :^
express orders ^ receive his will.
Who ^ would
then ^ p^ dare to refuse a respectful
^ compliance with
3E j^ jjj^
your majesty's excellent
-^ commands, f
* By the former simile he meant to say, that the sharpest remon-
strances of his servant would not be unpalatable to him ; and by the
second, he intended to shew the importance of caution in regard to
his personal behaviour.
f Kaou-tsung ought to have been concerned to get instruc-
tion to himself, and not to have enjoined it on his minister to give
him advice ; when a prince can really comply with remonstrances,
his ministers, without his suggestion, will be ready to aid him with
their views.
 THE SECOND PART OP THE ORDERS OF YU«. 171
SECTION Xlll.

THE SECOND PART OF THE ORDERS OF YUE.

,^ 1^ Yu^ r^eived ^
orders || to take the gene-
ral oversight^ "p of the hundred ^ officers.
/}
Whereupon j|| he sent in his admonitions 5^ to 3E
the king, ^^ saying, ^^ tt^^ Oh yes ! t^ an intelli-
gent 'BE king respectfully
^ complies with ^^ ^M
the will of
and fixing
Heaven,^ in
^ his capital
establishing f]i the states,
; ^ while he settles the
^
various grades of jp"
^
3£ chief rulers, ^^ and de-
pendent princes, in addition i^
^^
to great
^^
officers and various chiefs, ^ j^ not that he
would ^ secure the ease ^and indulgence (of the one
great man,) ij^ but ]^ that he might ^L controul the
irregularities ^ of the people.

fl 55 Heaven alone !§ §9 is thoroughly intelli-

prpiit, •^ and only S^ a perfect ruler can take that ^
^ for his pattern |^ in which
;
case the ministers ^
^ ^
are respectfully
comply
obedient, j^ and J^ the peo-
good government. *
ple fj^ 3^ with
f^ OIt is ^ ^
speech that produces shame, 'j^
and ^ ^ weapons ^ ^ war \% give rise to ; while
5^ ^ !^ ^
the robes of honour lie in the chest (wai-

^ ^ sword
ting lor the proper objects,)
f^ and the
^
of justice (must only be used) after a close inspec-

^ ^
tion of the 35 individual : let your Majesty
1^ be
J^ ^ careful ^ in these matters, be sincere
^ 5£
in this ^"<^ J^ fiH
clearly intelligent, then you
will be
]^ ^ ^ invariably
f excellent,

f^ 7{^ Adjusting ^jj irregularities :^ depends en-

H«^aven sees and hears every thing, and is therefore invariably
just in its dealings ; when a prince imitates Heaven in its intelli-
gence, and acts with uniform justice, then the ministers will be obe-
dient, and the people submissive.
t Speech is for the adorning of the person,
but if lightly employed
172 THE SECOND PART OF THE ORDERS OF YUE.

tirely ^ *^ on those who are in office ; ^ only those

officers ^ J5t w^^ ^^® not ^ partial flj^ to their own
familiar ones, {^ J^ are fl^ capable and only ;
^
those nobles
proper actions
^ J^ who are not
J^ are ^
virtuous men.
^^
g'^i-^y (>f im-

f^
{^Consider ^ that which is good Xj/^ iuorelerto
^ action, ^ and in acting \^ try to hit ^ tlie right

^^ time. ^ When a man thinks '^ himself ^

good, (he lays aside all efforts to improve,) JJ and thus
destroys J^f his ^ goodness; ^ when he boasfs of ^
his ^^ ability, (he discourages others from aiding
him,) ^ and ^ 5^ thus loses his merit, 'j*^ When
a man ^ ^attends particularly to every proper busi-
ness 73 ^ ^ fM ^^ ^^ ^"'^^^y prepared, ^ f)§ and
when ^ he
fully ^^prepared avoids calamity.

1^ Do ^ H'of
not open the sluices favouritism, ^^
and j^
thus get ^ do insulted ;
not jH^j
be ashamed ^
to acknowledge a fault, j-^ and thus persist 3}^ in er-
ror. »j|| According to ^
that ^^ in which )^ a man
rests satisfied, ]^ ^ will the business of hi-^

government '{^ be ^^ pure (or the contrary.) ^

When a man contracts defilement 'J* i^^ i|E sacri- ^
ficing, 8^ this |^ may be ascribed 1^ to want of ^
respect ; jjj^ when ceremonies j^ are burdensome ^Ij
they result in ^[^ confusion, ^ and the service of |jj^
the gods will then^ be ^ difficult. *

it induces shame weapons are for the defence of the body, but
;

wantonly moved, they bring on war. Robes of honour are those by

which we distinguish the virtuous, but they must be carefully kept in
the chest, and not bestowed on slight grounds the sword of justice ;

is that wherewith we punish oiTenders, but we must be cautious

in examining the individual, and not thoughtlessly inflict chastise-
ment if the king can be careful in these four matters, his govern-
;

ment will be invariably excellent.

* It seems that the customs of the Shang dynasty were very
superstitious, and n^J yf^ Kaou-tsung, it is possible, had not yet
divested himself of the force of habit ; thus in his religious ceremonies
he had probably been excessive.
 !

THE THIRD PART OP THE ORDERS OF YUE. 173

The S^ing S said ^ *^ Excellent !

|g; Oh Yu^
75 your p
advice ff must be gg followed
]^ had ;

you ;^ not been ]g thus sage -^ "g your advice, m

"5^ 1 [^ should not
(.^t.e iTie
have heard anything
to practise.
^
to in- ^
-fj
f^ Yu^ ^ bowed ^ "^ and bent down his head,
Q saying, ^^ It is not ^\\ ^ that the knowing ^
is difiicult, 44* li ^->"^ doing (of a thing) i\^ is
tlie

^^ difficult ^ ;
if your Majesty ifjfc would but be-
lieve this, ^ there would be no ^ o])striictions, -[^Q

and you would sincerely "^ comi)ine ^ with ^ the

former ^ kings )]5^ in perfecting ^ your virtue. '[^
^
IfJ^
'q' Had I not advanced these suggestions,
^
^ ^ 1 should have been to blame.

SECTION XIV.

THE THIRD PART OF THE OIIDERS OE YUE.

The 3E ki^n H ^said, ^ Come hither, -J^ you

Yu^ '^ ; I, ^
/J^ -?• the insignificant one, formerly
^ ^ under "^^ Kan-pwan, ^ which
Studied after

7i 7^ "^
I ]^
retired ^ to the waste wilderness,
^ and went ^ and
then ^ dwelt on the borders of
Yellow
frij ^^le from ^ whence ^river, ||| I repair-
ed ^ Po g and
to the city of ^^ ; yet after all

^ have
1
^ not attained to celebrity.
^ But you communicate
do ^]^ f)|)
instruction -J*
to ^ my J^ mind ^ f^ ;
as in the manufacture
°^ M if sweet and^ do you |^ ^
wine, constitute
the ^
fermenting ^ saccharine ingredients ;

or as f^in making ^ the ^ ^ of agreeeble soup,

do you
you ^
be |^'1*^ ^ and ^ -^
the salt the prunes ;
do
in endeavour
your intercourse ji^ to poli.li
 174 THE SECOND PART OF THE ORBERS OF YUK.

me, f^ by no means -^ ^ give me up ^ and

^
;

then I shall '[^ be able j|| to follow out

yj your
|)|| instructions. *

^ Yue Q said, 3E Oh king !

\ men z^ seek
for persons ^ of extensive ^ information, (as their
ministers,) B^ and then *}^ they can establish ^ ^
affairs i^ but do you study
; the "^ ancient ^
lore,
J^ and you ;^ will
fj|j
succeed in your under- ^
takings. In business ^ not ^j]j to imitate ^^ ^
the ancients, JJ)f and yet ^ to aim at
^ perpetuating
•j^ one's
yet heard of
family,
j*
^ t£ ^ ilJSC
is a thing I never

f^ But 1^ in study cultivate ^ an humble ^

disposition, ^ and seek to maintain ^ incessant ^
effort ; ]^
perpetually advancing.
thus your j^ improvement y5 will be
-^ Sincerely 1^ reflect
^
-^
on ^ this, 3^ and virtues ^ will accumulate ^
in ^ your f^ person. +
•is
'^^
S^ instruct others
5^ think then
^^
beginning and end (of
is the half of study.
jjj^ on the j^
learning )^ while you are constantly employed in ^
^ study,
and then your f^ virtues ^ ^ will be
cultivated f§ ere you are /^ aware.
§
* la the making of wine, if the fermenting ini:redients preponderate,
it will be too bitter ; and ifthe saccharine matter be excessive, it will
be too sweet : but when both are properly adjusted, the wine w'll be
perfect. compounding soup, if there be teo much salt, it vvill
So in
be briny, or an abundance of prunes, too sour
if the two, however, ;

must be just in due proportion, and the soup will be excellent.

f When a prince seeks for men of extensive information, he de-

pends on others but when he studies the ancients, he gets these
:

resources in himself.
J When a man is of an humble mind, it ia as if he had not yet mas-
tered his object ; and when he is ardent in study, it is as if he had
not yet attained to perfection ; stooping to learn from others, and
indefatigable in exerting himself, then his attainments will be like
the bursting forth of a fmmtain, constant and interrupted.
§ When in the commencement we learn for ourselves, this is
learning ; and wheh in the sequel we teach others, this is also
learning : if we think only upon the fonndation and aim of study
175 THE DAILY SACRIFICE CP YUE.

^ Reflect T ^
«" the former ^
kings, as to
^
their perfect ^^ example, ^
and you will be
^ per-
petually ^ without fg fau!t^
j^ Thusfg;!^ ^
shall be able
|jf respectfully
;;]< to receive
(your views), and you on all sides ^ ^
will look about for talented ^ and gifted men,^ JfjJ
who may be appointed ^ ^^ to the various offices
of tate.
!>

3E The king H
said, ll| nf Oh
fi Yae |Z5l ;^ !
^
1^ should the people withm the four seas J^ all f\[
look up to my ^ virtue, ^ ^
it will be entirely

owing 75 to your ^
instructions.
^ Legs jg^ and anns
f^ are necessary to constitute
\ a human body, ;g and virtuous ministers f]^ g
ere essential to ^ a wise prince.

1^ Formerly
adjudicator (E-yun)
^ JE the first corrector ^^ and
f^ succeeded in elevating f^ my
3fe 3E progenitor (Tang), 75 a^d said, -^ if 1 ^ ^
^ and
cannot j^ make If my /^ prince '[^ like Yaou ^
^ Shun, i^ l^ in my mind /[^ ^^ I feel as much
ashamed, as if ^ ^
I had been beaten "3^ in
— "ffj the
public market; * ^
and were one single subject
^ fail^ in obtaining his rights, ^j] he would
to
Q
exclaim, R^ *' That T* ?^ ^s my '^ fault."
fj§
Thus he aided ^
my 5J| illustrious jjjg, ancestor j^ in
attaining merit -^ equal to ^ high 5c Heaven. ^
Do you ^ therefore g^ intelligently f^ assist ^
me,
^ f^ and let not j^ ^ the great adjudicator ^ en-
gross ^ all the excellencies ^ [^ of the Shang
dynasty.

j^ J^ A prince, ^^ without ^
virtuous ministers

!)f^
cannot 3<C govern the country '|^ virtuous
; ^ and
ministers ^
without f^ a suitable sovereign can ^
and constantly keep our minds bent upon it, then our virtues will be
improved without our being aware of our attainments.
 THE DAILY SACRIFICE OF YUE. 176

find no one ^ ^ ^ May you ^

to associate with.

1^ but continueTJ ^ -^^ zE ^-O imitate the former

kings, ^ and ^ ^ "^
thus perpetually tranquillize the
people. 1^ Yue ^ bowed, ^ down and bent
his head, g ^and ^
saying. I will dare to respond to
your views myself, ^ ^^^ proclaim abroad
your imperial majesty's -^ commands.
f^ excellent

SECTION XV.

THE DAILY SACRIFICE OF KAOU-TSUNG. *

^ Kaou-tsung ^^ ^
"j^j offered the daily sacrifice,

^ ^ when by ^^ there passed a crowing f^ wild

fowl, -f

(His minister) jjj|^ Q Tsoo-ke Q f^ We must

said,

^ first :^ correct 3E ^^® ^i'^g^ *^^ then jg seek to

adjust ^ his ^ business. J
73 He therefore |jj| admonished ^ the 3E king ^
saying, f'^ ^^ Heaven surveys ^the inferior ^ ^
people, .^ and according
||f to their righteousness ^
1^ sends down :^ :;^ long life,^
contrary , ^i it is not 5^ that Heaven
or the
wishes to
^^^^
destroy ^ the people,
cut off-^ their own
^ but the people ffj midway
^^ lives.
§
g The people ^having ^neither ^complied with
^ Heaven^
virtue, nor |^ acknowledged f| their crimes,
5c ^ has already prepared ^
a certain -^

This contained in the edition written in both the ancient and

is
modern hands.
f This was considered an ill omen, sent to reprove the Emperor for
Bacrificing improperly.
J Kaou-tsung had presented frequent sacrifices in his paternal tem-
ple, which were contrary to strict propriety, hence this prodigy was
sent.
§ It seems that Kaou-tsung had been asking for length of days,
and Tsob-ke meant to say, that long life did not depend on praying,
but on rij^ht conduct.
 THE WESTERN LORD's CONQUEST OF LE. 177

intimation ]£ to enable them to correct

||f their
J^ ac-
tions;
*
Q y^^ ^
75 ^"^ y^^ '^^y' ^^'^^^ ^^ that
jj^ to
O us.

I® ^' Oh ^ when king "^ makes

yes ! the a point
ofi^ ^
regarding ^ ^^ the people, there will as-
suredlybe ^ ^[ ^ ^g andabun-
a celestial posterity, the
sacrificing^ would
matter of merely ^ not be
dant-^ ^ in the parental temple,

* This certain intimation alludes to the omen, which was sent to

alarm and arouse the prince. Tso6-ke meant that the king ought
to have taken warning from the crowing pheasant, and not have con-
sidered it as an accidental occurrence, in order to excuse himself.

SECTION XVI.

THE WESTERN LORD's CONQUEST OF LE. *

gg.The western fQ lord having^ conquered^ ^

the Le country, (B. C. 1,140), jjg Tsoo-e jgj ^ "in

^
some alariii ^
hastened
^
to announce it -^ to

the king,
EI ^ ^ Oh our^^^ Heaven ^ -^
Sayingr^ Heaven son of !

^ having
|^ ^ and cut off Yin dynasty's fate,

;^ ^ men
the principal
^ jjj the chief of the
^
diviners
good fortune
^ presume
do not
i* is not that
^
^f) to speak of
the former
5K ;§^ 3E kings
^ ^ ^
have failed 5J^ to help us J\^ their successors,

jj^ ^
but your ^ by
majesty dissoluteness j||^ and
follv
^ § ^ -^ Heaven own
^9s cut off your hopes.
j^ Therefore ^ ^^ has rejected us, ^fj^

* The western lord refers to ^fci Wan-wang; ^^ L^ i^ the

name of a country, in the region of Jt

Hoo.kwan.
^
Shang-tang, and IgS^^w
According to history, when Wan-wdng escaped from
confinement at ^ S^ Yew 14, he offered up tlie territory of jS"!??
L6-se, and the Emperor ^tj Chow presented him ^'ith bows, aj^d

X
 178 THE WESTERN LORD's CONQUEST OF LJBL

:j|"and ^ happy ^
we have no more meals ; (the
people also) ^^ do not J^
5^ consider '[^ the correct
^
dictates of their nature, ^ whilst they neglect to
comply ^ with ^ the accustomed regulations.
4^ Now ^^ ^ ^ ^ our people invariably |^j^

^
long for Q
the termination (of the dynasty,) saying,

5c^ Why -l^

Heaven P^ does not
down send J^^ its

terrible ^ The
infliction? '^decree extraordinary
(to ^ why
overthrow the state) ^ come does it not '?-|-

-^ Now 3E ^ Oh
what ^
as to the king, is he ^pj to us"?

aE The ^ t^king ^^ my
said, «,1| ye^, but as to
i^ ^life, -^
>J>, )^ is on ^
not its fate dependent
Heaven '?

^ Tso6-e"]^
Ifl Q B| B^ A-
then retired saying,
las 75 !
1^ ^
y ^^^ ^ crimes are plentifully spread
out^ Jt 75 Heaven ^
on you
high, ^ ^nd yet can ascribe
.^your ^ fate
-J- to
I
J
'

^ When Yin ;J^ comes

the |^ dynasty ^"p to a
^
speedy termination 75 ^ they will point to your
^
affairs, no ^ you
and in ^ case will avoid dis-

^ ^ own ^J
grace in your country.

battle-axes, directing him to use his own discretion in correcting a-

buses, whilst he appointed him to the rank of western lord. No soon-
er had Wan-wang received this commission, than the people of Le
became disorderly , whereupon he raised an army, attacked, and con-
quered them. JHH, ^* Tso6-e perceived from this that the influence

of the j^ Chow over which Wan-wang presided, was daily

state,
increasing, the more so since the conquest of the L^ country ; and
that, as the vices of the tyrant Chow were not repressed, the rising

power of the western lord would affect the ffy^ Yin dynasty, therefore
he hastened in alarm to the king, to see if perhaps he might reform
him.
* Having no happy meals, intimates the approach of famine.
f History says, that the people were so embittered by the tyranny
of Chow, that they desired the overthrow of his rule, saying, why does
not the celestial decree to send down calamities on the Yin dynasty
•peedily come.
X He meant by this, that although the people might long for his
<lownfall, yet bis life depended entu-ely on the decree of Heaven.
 THte COUNT OF WEI. 179
SECTION XV 11.
THE COUNT l^i^ OF WEI. *

^^ Jh 1^ QhWei
ing effect my
^H The lord of spoke to the follow-
principal /> j^jj and junior
teachers !
:

^ the Yin dynasty ^ 1^ cannot, -^ it is

probable, %l correct?^ and rectify ^ the surrounding
^ regions ; ^ our jf^
j^ first ancestor (T'hang) car-
ried out (his merit,) ^ ^ and it was |^ displayed on
Jlhigh, but ^ we ^ |^
have been -/^ immersed
and intoxicated ^ ^g f^ and with wine, have thus
m confused ^ and ^ ^ -^ overturned our virtues
in these "J^ succeeding generations, f

^ (The people of) the Yin dynasty, ^ :|; without

^
exception, >J^ both small and great, ^ are given
up ^ ^ to robberies and villainies ;
^+ ^^
the nobles |i|i

who ^ ^
^ ^
^fp lead each other on to lawless
actions ^ ; }{^
while those
commit- have
ted offences 75 ^ *@ commonly ^
^^^ ^^^ apprehen-
ded ; ^
thus >J^ the small ^ people ;;^ are instiga-
ted (to evil,) and ^ become ^
;j:^ mutually
j|| foes
to each other. ^ Now Yin ^ |x^ the dynasty, in its

J^ sinking J^ and ^ ruin, resembles the condition

of those ^^ who have to cross
body "j^ a great of
water, ^ ^ J^
|ffl£ without
^H^ ford or shore
;;J^

Yin ^ ^
;

so that the fall 4^

of Q "f^ is at hand.

* th4 Wei was the name of a state ; the lord of that state was

called ]§5^ K'h^, and was

by a coiicubine.
the
The lord of Wei
^ Zj eldest son of
was bitterly grieved to see
Te-yih,

the expected fall of the Yin dynasty, whereupon he consulted with

^t ^^ Ke-tsz^, and J;^

~| Pe-kan : the dialogue between
whom is here recorded.
( The principal teacher was JT^ -jp Ke-tsz^, and the junior

teacher
was
}^ -p Pe-kan.
disorderly,
This means that the tyrant
and that there was no expectation of
^
his
Chow
settinjj
the empire to rights. He speaks of himself as having been intexica-
ted with wine, because he pref<^rred bluraing himself, to attaching
any fault to the prince.
180 THE COUNT OP WEI.

He ^ Oh my
further said, ^ and
6]^ principal l^ijj
ju-
Dior teachers ^^ We have
I
^ |£ {fj manifested
insanity, *^§?^so ^
that the elders of our house
^ and now ®
have escaped "J*^ to the wilds ;

you ^ ^
neglect '^ and to point out inform -j*

us
How
^^ is this %
of the ^ J^p^^
approaching ruin.

-^ The
||jp ^
principal teacher 3 addressed him,
saying, 3E "f ^^ ^Y 5C P^^^^ce I ^leaven being a-

bout ^ p^
in angerdown
Yin
to ^
send f/^ calamities
has
in order to devastate j^^ the j^ ^)^ country,
just JS. excited (the ^ immersed §^
ruler) to be
and ^ yg f
intoxicated with wine,

75 He p^ ^ which ^ he
does not fear that
ought n^ and
to dread, ^ ^ has opposed the old
and ^ men, "1^^
experienced who "i^^^^ '^^^h those
have been long in ^ Moreover ^
office. )J^ the
people ofYin /J ^ ^ and andaway ^steal carry jjj^
^^ ^
the divinity-devoted, ^ §4 pure, perfect
sacrificial which
animals, ^ (those in office) allow
J^ to ^ be ^ and them ^
secreted, let be eaten
fl^ with impunity.
^ Looking down upon J^ }|^ the people of Yin,
^ we ^ find who government
that those exercise over
them ^ act like enemies,
f^ in exacting the duties;
thus
them
Q
(Now
as enemies.
^^
they induce (the people)
and a prince
to regard
ministers doing
this) !^ without
3^ ^ ^
relaxation, their crimes are

* His saying " we," and not the tyrant Chow, is like the former
sentence, in which he charges himself with drunkenness.

f This with what follows was uttered by I^ "jp* Ke-tsze. With

reference to the
^"J Chow, it was on account of his irre-
tyrant
gularities that sent down calamities ; but with reference
Heaven
to the people of the empire, then Chow's irregularities were the
result of the celestial decree. Ke- tsz^ thus ascribes these things to
Providence, in order to show his respect and fidelity to his sovoreign.
 THE COUNT OF WEI. 181

united ^ ia ^— one : until ^ many ^ are emacia-

ted with hunger,
formation.
^ and there is none |^ to give in-

The 1^ Shang (or Yin) dynasty ^ :^ 5^

-^
having now fallen into calamity, J^ ^ ^
I will arise
and share '^ its §^ downfal ;
^^ should the
Shang dynasty ^^ ^
be overturned, ^j^ I 1^ will
^Gver ^
become ^^
servant to another I ; ^
would advise ^^
your highness, however, {jj to get
out (of the country) 5^ and escape. * ^ ^
I on a
former occasion ^ by my suggestions ^)] injured
-^ you ; now 3E
but '7' '^ 7°^^ highness )^ do not
{tj escape,
-f

^ our royal
]^ house will ^^ become
extinct.

Q Let each one i^ rest (in what his mind feels to

be his duty,) \, that every man Q ^JC may present
himself pure^ before ^ the former 3^ kings.
^
For myself ^ do 1 not ^ intend f^ ^ to escape.

He advised the prince to escape, as the dynasty ought not

*
to be left without a successor should the lord of Wei avoid the
;

danger, he would be able to keep up the sacrifices on behalf of

his ancestors.

f Formerly Ke-tsze, considering that the lord of Wei was

the eldest son, and also virtuous, advised the emperor Yih t©
nomiuate him as his successor. The emperor, however, did not
comply, and on the contrary set up Chow ; Chow ©n this account
was embittered against him ; thus the suggestions of Ke-tsze turned
out to the injury of the prince.
 BOOK IV.
THE BOOK )^ OF CHOW, ^
OR THE RECORDS OF THE CHOW DYNASTY.
SECTION 1.

THE FIRST PART OF THE GREAT OATH.*

l]'^ On
-1-:]^= 13th i^year (B. C. 1,121,)
the
^iii -^ -^ there was a great assembly (of
the spring,
the barons) at ^ ^
j^ Mang-tsin. f
3E When the king £] .^aid, +^ ^
Oh my -^
friendly ^|J states, ^ and
high ^^ ^ captains ! it

has fallen ^ ^
to me to manage ^ )^ these affairs,
do all of you -^t warriors, therefore, ^ ^ attentively
listen ^ my
to tins oath. §

'1^ife5S Heaven and ^^^ earth are -ffi the

parents of all things \^ A i^ ^ J^ ^
; nien are
the most
the most truly
intelligrent

3^
part
^of sublunary
men j^ become
intellectual of
thing's ;

|D|[

yQ chief )§ jQ rulers, ^ and the chief

j^ ruler is

^ 3!^ -j^ the parent of the people. ||

* When Jt\[ ^t Wob-wang attacked the JtX, "i^in dynasty, the

historians recorded the words of his oath, at the great assembly

of the lords at \fq '

^p
Mang-tsin, and entitled the section
**the Great oath :" the first part was uttered before he crossed
the Yellow river, and the two latter after he had crossed that
stream. The edition in the modern hand-writing has not this sec-
tion, but that in the ancient hand has it.

t Mang-tsin is in Lat. 34. 47. N. Long. 3. 52. The 13th W.

year here mentioned is by some considered as the 13th year of

]^C3b Woo Wang's reign, and by otiiers the 13 years are thought
to consist of nine years of 3{^ '^" Wan-wang's precedency, and
three or four years of Wob-wang's dominion after his succession.
"l
The historian calls him king by anticipation.

§ He is about to inform them of his object in attacking jpq Shang,

and therefore desires their attention.
Thus Heaven and Earth produce all things, but the best of these
II

is man, and of the men thus brought forth the sages are the chief:

these are principally distinguished that they may rule the people, and
•mbody the feelings of Providence in cherishing mankind;
 THE FIRST PART OF THE GREAT OATH. 183

4* 3E ^ ^
Now Sh6w, the ruler of Shmg,
fj^
has been disrespectful J:: 5^ towards high Heaven,
^
(^ and thus brought down j^ calamities upon these ^
lower ^ Immersed
people. *

^jj^}^ in wine, g ^ and disordered

by lust, fjr he dared ^ to practice ^ g and
tyranny
oppression ; Ji K offenders J^ were made to involve
jjf^ their relatives,
^ J^ and offices D/^ were rendered
-tJhereditary in f^imilies,
^
while he onlv thought
f^ ^
of palaces
dikes and
and build ing^^.^ terraces
pools
and groves, ^
j^ '/[{[ , j^ with extravagant ||g ap-
j)arel, l^l ^ to the injury ^ and ruin ^
of you ^
^ ^ all At the same time
people. he burned ^
and ^ roasted ^^the faithftd ^
and horn st, ^l] flay-
ing ^J and ripping open ^
pregnant ^^ women ;
Bo that ^
5C high Heaven J^ ^ became incensed,
-^ and ordered^ my ^ accomplished ^ ^ predeces.
sor (Wan-wang) ^ reverently ^ to sustain the
celestial ]^ dignity ; -j^ but while his great |^ merit
^ ^ was still incomplete, (he died.)
^ ^ Therefore I,
/J> ^ the insignificant one, ^
J^
Fa, by the reverting to me ^ of you ^ friendly

^ ;^
estates and high 7^ captains* 1^ have shewn iEj^

the tendency of his government "J^ over j|f the Shang

dynasty; f
i^
^>ut
f^ ^
Show (the tyrant) j^ :^ has
the slightest disposition reform
not 4!J^
to ;
75
but on the contrary ^^ l^e sits on his heels, ^ and
refuses ^ to serve Jt 'jjf the Supreme Kuler, |^
with the celestial fij^ and terrestrial gods ; ^ neglect-
ing |5lc the ^ ^ ^ them ;i^ temple of his ancestors ^ Jfi
without sacrificing to ^ while the sncrificial

Show was the name of the tyrant f^ Chow. This means that
Chow was oppressive and did not act as the parent of the people.

f Eight hundred barons deserting the Shang

dynasty and reverting
to Chow, shews the character of the tyrant's government.
184 Till' FIRST PART OF THE GREAT OATH.

animals ^^
and meat-offerings are given over ^
^ to be consumed by jXj villains^ and robbers J^ ;

at the same time Q

be exclHims, *' I "^^ possess ]^ ^
the peo{)]e, and ^ ^
the decree in my favour," and
all this 1^ without repressing ^ ^ his f^ insolence.
^ Heaven ^
out of compassion to the ~p inferior
^ people ff< has appointed -^ over them ^ princes,
S
\^ and given ^
them "^ inbtructors, \% that

^
^^cy '"^'^y
i^ -t ^ Supreme ^
^^^^^^ the in che-
rishin^ ^^ and ^
tranquillizing
^ the four qaarterj^
(of the world.) Thus ^^ with regard to the guilty
^
gH or the innocent, "f* >^
transgress JPf ^is Jgwill
how :^
!
dare we :^ ^
|g]-j^ When the strength (of contending parties) is

equal, ^ |^ let us measure each other's virtue ; |^

f^ should virtue be equal ^^ let us estimate the
justice (of our respective claims.) * ^ Show, (the ty-
rant) l^S^ji^ thousands and millions of servants,
^^as

^^^^^^^^y l^ave all thousands and millions

*K^^ M'l!i>
of miods. "^ I have only ^
sand followers, ff^ but they are all of"
three thou- ^ ~ —^
one )\I;^
mind.
1^ Shang's crimes "^ ^
are ^ and
pervading- o-
verflowing,
^C ^ ^^ ^^^^ Heaven has given cotn-
mand ^
f|^ to destroy ^ him -^ ; if I do not )|]§
o-

bey ^ Heaven, ^
(the will of)
^ \^ njy guilt
will be^ equal to his.
^ and ^
"5* ^-^J"^"? the insignificant one, day
night jjj{^
tremble ^ having
ij^ with apprehension ;
received^ ^ my
the decree ^ from accomplished
^ have^
•predecessor, ^
I sacrificed J;; to the Su-
preme ^ and made
hauler, -^ ^you offerings to the gods
of thej^ and land and now ^ ^
grain ; Jjl^ with

* This is a proverbial expression, used by warriors when about to

enter into a contest.
 THE SECOND PART OP tHE GREAT OATH. 185

^ multitudes, ^ I will carry out ^ ;5l ^l] the inflic-

tions of Heaven,
5^ When Heaven ^ sIioavs compassion ^ towards
^ the people, J^l^Wf which the peo-
^j^ '«hen that
j»le desire ^ heaven >|2S ^viii ^
grant it jj^ to them ;

do ^ yoa fpj
therefore ^Qi} assist -^ me, -— a single

X individual, ^^ ^^^^ lastingly j^ cleanse (all within)

[5) the four ^ seas ; [^ -Jj^
this is now the time, ^
nj* ^ and the opportunity must not be lost.

SECTION II.

THE SECOND PART OF THE GREAT OATH.

'Ilk
On )j$ ^
the 2Rth day of the first month, EE the
king •JC halted on the ^ ^j| north of the Yellow ^
river, ^
and the host )^ of uobies Ij( with 1]^ their
followers ^ havinp: "^ assembled, 3£ his majesty 73
then ;f'd)
inspected ^(^ the troops, jjjf
and ^ uttered the
following oath:
e laying, Ol t^ Oh !
19 ± ^ J^kU you of the
western land, )^ universally |§ listen ^ to my ^
words,
fijl have ^ he,u-d =^ th;it good \ men, j^J ia
practising ^ virtue, ^^ iind ^ the days "^ J^ insuf-
ficient ; !><) and wicked j\^men, ^ in the perpetration

of ^^ ^ vice, also
fj| find Q the days :^ J^ too
short ;

vigorously^
S §; -^ ]§f
practises
now Show,
^"^
the king of Shang, "Jj
inegularities, |^ ban-

^ and
ishing discarding ^^ the old and venerable,
fl)^ and coritracting J;(^ intimacies ^ wiih iniquitous
j^ men,^ wantonly §^ getting intoxicated, ^ and
giving loose ]^ to his oppressions. ^ ~fC His subjects
'f'lj >i ^^^ corrupted by him, ^^^ until they form ca-
bals, f^ and contract -^ feuds ; ^ relying :f^ on au-
Y
186 THE SECOND PART OF THE GREAT OAttt.

thority ^ '^ they destroy one ariother,

^
^^ while
the innocent ^ appeal to Heaven, |^ and the vi-
cious 1^ qualities (of the ruler) ^^ become noto-
rious.

*j^ But 5? Heaven ^ cherishes a regard ^ for the

people, ^
f^ and ^the true sovereign reverently re-

ceives^ ^ ^^ When Ke^,

the celestial decree.
of the Hea ^^ dynasty, ^ ^ refused compliance
with Heaven, ^ and ^ spread abroad poison "7*

^
through the inferior ^T'ang
75 Heaven states,
-f^ !%•

^
directed ]j)$the accomplished |^ go down to

1^ and ^ ^ cut off Hea.the decree in favour of

"
f^ Now ^Show's IP ^ ^J^those crimes surpass
of^ KeeJ^lJ
man, ^
^ and degrading 7C exj)elling ^he
principal"^ honest ^ and "Q
* injuring oppres-
sing^ the counselling
|^ f ^ assistant, saying,
thathe ^ he ^ 1^
himself Hea-
possesses the decree of
ven (in his favour^ ;) is also iii the habit of saying,
^ ^ ^ need ^^no "^
that respect f not be observed ; fl
further,^ ^
that sacrifices f^ and are of use;

^
finally, ^ no '^injury. ^
that oppression inflicts

§^ But which he may

the mirror (in discern his fate)

f^ :^ is ^ :^
not be ^
far off, it is to seen in the
instance^ 3^ king Hea. ^ Heaven ^
of the of
has now^ employed -^ me 3d
J.^^ ^ *^ regulate the
people ^ ^ my ;
dream '^ ^ my corresponds with
|> ^
divinations, thus there is a repetition "J* of 'fj^
on
favourable omens, ^^ andjji^ j^ in our attack
Shang we must ^
if^ succeed.
^ Ihe Show :^tyrant |g j^ and has millions
masses^ common- ^
ofmen, who have ^ place all

estraBged /J^ minds and ^ scattering ^ qualities

* The honest man reft^rfe to the Lord of Wei.

f Tb« ceHnselling tiseistttnt is Pe-kati.
 ;

THE SECOND PART OF THE GREAT OATH. 187

"^ 1 ^
have ^L © A 'i^ ^^^ ministers capable
of quelling disorders, ^ who ^re of united »lj^ views
j^ and similar ^ dispositions. Thus |^ although 7^
he may have ^^
people extremely near, ;^
j^
they are no|; to be conipared ^
J^ to my benevolent
men.
^ Heaven's f^ (may beviev^rs from ascertained) j|

^ ^people's
our ^ ^ and views; ^ Heaven's dis-
criminations(may be known) Q from ^ ^ our sub-
^
ject's Q j^ The
discriminations. now ^ people
^
are already blame ^
casting ^ on me,"-* the one
^ man, my
(for delaying 4^ now,
operations), there-
must ^ go
fore, 3)^ I ij^ forward.

^ My ^ military\% must ^
operations here
commence, f^ ^ uponwicked
whilst IJ^ |g
enter his terri-

;^
tories, away ^
to take ^ that }><J
tyrant

-$^my fd^ attacks

f^ ^1 T #
will be extended, ?lf
^ Hmore
jd glorious than those of T'hanc^.

;^ ^ Be ^ ^ Oh-^
stimulated to exertion, ray war-

riors ^ ^
but do not
3^ still be without fear;

^
!

^ ^
rather ^ w^
seize (the idea) that are unable

to cope with him. ^ ^ though ^ were His people '|^ are appre-

hensive, M^
^ HS^Iw^^Ohl as
you P^^^^^"^ do
their horn
brought low. /}
one ^ ~ and be
effort,
Bl^then
of one i\i2 inind,

willyou establish
fC ?^ y<^^^ ^ ®- "™^'^^*' '''^ ^"^^

tend ^ it to distant -j^ ages.

188 THE THIRD PART OF THE GREAT OATH.
SECTION III.

THE THIRD PART OF THE GREAT OATH.

^ On time^ the 0^ morrow, ^ of the king the

75 ^
took ^
a general;^ review of his six §|p legi.
ons,and ^ then made known S^
clearly the follow-
ing oath^ to all J^; his warriors ;

gc The Q king«| B^ Oh you ^ ® i ^

said,

^ men brave ^ Heaven ^

of our western country,
^exalted ^
possesses which Pf regulations, in their

^ j^Shang,^
kind are ^ j^ 3Eand
"^
splendid Show, ;
but
the king of ^ ^ has despised
^J scorned
^ being
the five *J^ cardinal virtues, T^ dissolute, in-
"^ ^ and
dolent, ^^ he him-
disrespectful, |^ has cut
^from 5C
self off Heaven, ^ and
*he protection of
j^ enmity ^
contracted ]^ common with the people.

ffl9^;^M He has chopped off the legs of

those who early in the morning waded through
the streams, * §!]
heart of the virtuous
WA
/2l '^ ^^^ ripped open the
man f 'f^ he has made use of
;

j^ punishments merely ^^ to kill and slaughter, ^

thus ^ diffr.smg poison ^
and pain over (all within)
pg the four ^
seas ^
he has honoured -f^ and con-
fided in ^ ;

the treacherous [HI and depraved,

j^
while he has banished S|S and degraded l^jj] his instruc-
tors j^ and guardians j^ he has set aside
;
and ^
discarded i& laws }fl] and regulations, while he has ^
confined ^
and enslaved J£ the upright "Jtl scholar ;J
* Seeing some crossing- the water early in the mornintr, in the
month of winter, he said th-it their legs must be well adaoted for stand-
ing the cold, and therefore had them cut off for his inspection.
""p* Pe-kan strenuously admonished the tyrant, wl. en
f J;;^ j^
Chow enraged said, *' I have heard that the henrt of a sage has seven
orifices , " wherefore he cut open Pe l<an. to look at his heart.

J The upright scholar refers to ^t^ ':f' Ke-tsze.

 THE THm» PART OF THE GREAT OATH. 189

^P the sacrifices to heaven

^ and earth ^f; he has
uot j^ attended to,
^ the ancestorial ^ temples '^
have i.ot been ^ relrcshed with offerings :
j^ he has
irvvented ^strange J$ ingenuities ^ *

and waaton
X^ tricks i.:^i|a
^^ to please the female sex;*
therefore Jti^ the ^ Supreme Ruler, not )lg approv-
ing of him, ^ '^
has determined
;]i)J^ down ^ on sending
this
JJ ^ ^
calamity
do you ^ :

^ streimously
aid ^ me, \ ^
a single individual, in respectful-
ly ff ^
carrying out ^ the celestiJ*! inflictions.
-^ X The ^ have p'
ancieuis
H which a proverb,
says. ^whoHe who me ^ )p my
soothes ^Jf is prince,
)g he ^ oppresses
i| ;^ 3^ n^c ||J is niy foe ;

the abandoned t ^ Show fellow 'JJ^if^ has greatly

f^
your
i>racticed

"ta:
]^
^ eternal
enemy.
7} he
^
^
oppression,

:}:^
'is
in planting
therefore
virtue,
^ we
Jg
are anxious y|^ to nouri^h it,
|^ in abolishing
vice, 1^ the main thing is J^ to root it
therefore -^ I, the insignificant one,
>>J^y
up ;
|g have
^
extensively i^ employed g| all you warriors^^±
^ to exterminate
all you soldiers
J^ yoar ||| enemy
i; Oh
ii do you j^ emulate (the virtue of)
!
^^;

those who 5^ practice ;^ daring and boldness, JJJ ^

in order %
to perfect the design
7} of your 1^ prince
^ should your merit be great ^ ^ you
you will meet
;

with ^a libera! *^ reward, ^ but if do not }g

lead on in the path of virtue
licly ^
executed.
^^ you will be ^ pub-

* The Record of Remarkable Females says, that the tyrant ^^*j Chow
greased a brazen pillar, under which he put burning charcoal he then ;

ordered criminals to walk ov«?r the same, and when the wretches fre-
quently fell into the fire, his mistress xR tj Ta-k^ would lauj^li.
Thus the punishment of tlie burning pillar was merely intended to
please his concubine.
f An abandoned fellow is one whoia Heaven has decreed to out off,
and men consented to <oriake.
 !

190 THE OATH AT MUH.

^ yes
^f' Oh
'1^^ my -^ accompli«hed
1 an- ^
cestor ^
resembled :^ 5^, the splendid shi- ^ ^
ning of the sun and moon, j^ displaying brightness ^
through |?5l all '^ quarters, but more conspicuously ^
•^P in pp the western jb region. Thufi ^ it is only
^ our ^ state of ^ Chow |^ that can extensively
^ receive (the homage) ^ of the numerous >^ pro-
vinces. ^ Should 1 ^ conquer ^ the tyrant
Show, ^^ it will not be -^ owing to my ^ military
ardour, ']»^ but to ^ my ^ accomplished ^ parent's

^^ innocency ; g; and should Show ^ prevail

^
over me, ^ it will not be )j^ my ^ honoured
:^ parent's
^ |g fault ; f^ but because ^ ^ I,
/J>
the insignificant one, ^ am deficient in ^ goodness.

SECTION 1\.

^ AT MUH.THE OATH ^^ *

^ On
^^ was day 3d ^
the 4th of the month, Vj^
before dawn, ^
it yet
j^ ^ came the king early

^ Shang
inl i]5 the borders of the
t<^
^ if country,
Muh, 7^ ^ where
to the desert of he proclaimed this
oath. 3E His ;£ hand
Majesty in his left ij^ held
^
fif a yellow ]^ ^ Q
hatchet, while his right grasped
^ ^ ^sign, and j^
a white J[^ brandishing it,
he
Oh
^^
men
said,

you
p dt 5^ A
It

of the west
is a long journey,

^ The g t^ Oh :^ my -^
kiiig said, ! friendly

f^jj ^
states, ^ ^
and high captains, with those
who ^
contronl "^ |^ affairs, the minister of public
^ J^
instruction, ^ the minister of war, g*] and the

* ^5!C^^"^ ^s the name of a country, south of ^^ Chaou-

ko ; which is the present fp:i Tae district, in ^^ ^^ Wei-hwuy.
jSa 3E Woo wang having assembled his troops in the wilderness of
Muh, administered this oath before the engagement.
 THE OATH AT MUH. 19]
minister of pu>)lic works *
;
3g you squires fM and
vassals,
^^
with the rulers of thousands
you guardians of the gates,
=f ^M
H^C;^ and rulers of
hundreds ;

SKenng,
Together ^ you men with
^ Shuh, of Yiing,
%
^d Po t^
^ Mow, ^ Wei. ft f^ y^ A Loo. P.1ng,
Raise your :J^ javelins,
;
^f J:|i^ prepare
g your =p
^
xC and ^
shields,
^ erect your spears,
•^ whilst I
^ administer this oath.
3E The Q king then said,
/^ The '^ "j^ ancients
have ^ a proverb,
|| The hen ^
v\hiGh says,
|l;
does not announce)(usnallv
morning the
J^ ; ll[l^f^
but when hen ^ ^ crows
a dawn, ^"^ at »|^ it is

^ Now^ f Portentous for the family.

^ 3E^ Show, king Shang, \^i% the of

W >^ S listens women

only to the advice^of ;
+ J§»
he ^
improperly ^
disregards ||^ the jjfjj
arrange-
ment ^ ^
of sacrifices, recompensing without (his
ancestors ^ he ;) ^ and ^ S ^
wrongfully discards )i^
-^ ^
the offspring of his royal father, his younge^^
brother by the same mother, 3JC not dealing with
them ^ according to the right way ; /^ while j^ HQ
/^ ^^ ^S^ and vagabonds laden
fugitives
with crimes, from all quarters, these he hon- ^ ^
^
ours, j^ these he promotes, these he con- ^ ^
* These three ministers of state were tire noblei in the employ
of Woo-wang.
t When Woo-wang"attacked ^"J ChoW, there "were 800 ^nobles,
who without previous arrangement assembled around him but on ;

administering the oath to his troops, he merely mentioned these ei^ht

states, because they^ were near to his western capital, and had
formerly been subjected to his controul.
X The Record of Reinarkaliie Females says, That Chow
was 80 fond
of wine,*ard given up to pleasure, that ^he would never quit jthe

side of
bled
Jtfi S
Ta-k^ ; those whom Ta-ke approved of he enno-
those whom she hated, he ulew ; and abided ^entirely by th«
;

advice of his concubine.

l92 THE OATH AT MUH.

fi.les in, -^ and those ^ he employs; ^ yea these I*^

^ he constitutes ^^ srreat officers i ^[5 ^^^^^ ^"'^'

hies, ^ allowini^ them |^ to oppress ^ and tyrannize

^ over^ ^ "^ the peon!(> ; J^^ and hecome ^ traitors

yQ and
vdlains in |^ ^ the citv of Shang.
4v Now T I ?| ^'«^ # ^i^ve ^ respectfully f}
undertaken to carry out ^1^^ the inflictions of
Heaven ; 4^ ^ J^^ therefore in this day's opera-

^
tions you should not
^|j 'J^ exceed y>^ gX «ix
and then ih halt
^
i^j or seven steps (in the charge, )j^

^ ^ and
be energetic
dress. *
1
^^ Oh my warriors, ^] ^

::fs Also do not fg =f exceed ^ >fj^

four ^ f^
or five blows in the attack, 7^ j^ or most
at six ^ -fj^
or seven blows, 75 ^"^ t^^" it ha't ^ ^ and dress ;f

W) H^ exert yourselves, ;^ ^ Oh my bnive fellows !

^
j^ Fmulbte ^9 military ardonr, ^f|
]^ like
tigers,
^fj
and ||^ I'aiuhers, jjH hke f^ hears
^H ^^nd
^hyenas. "^ ^ ^ when you attack the borders of
bhang ^ ; ^ ^ who
do not ru:^h on those are wil-
ling^ to may f^ become
surrender, ]))^ that they ser-
vants^i to "^ ^^
our western country. |;(|
stimu-

^^
lated to exertion,Oh my men !

Those ^ you who 1^of

^J| do not exert your-
selves,^ down ^ ^ own ^
will bring on
jfjjf

your
persons^^ and destruction ruin.

* He here instructs them in the mode of advancing: and receding,

whilst charging the enemy, that they might guard against a tumultu-
ous rushing on the foe.
t He here points out the method of attack, in order to caution them
against disorderly fighting.
 MILITAUY COMPLETION. 193
SECTION V.

MILITARY ^ ^ COMPLETION. *

On — the first }\ month, 3E j^ on the second

day of the month, ^ ^ soon after ^g ^
the wane of
the former moon, ^ and further ^^ on the morrow,
^B on the third day, 3^ the king ^ early in the
morning ^ set out g from |^ Chow "^ to go ^ -^
to the attack ^ of Shang.

I^ He then set forth j^ ;^ || the crimes of

Shang, ^
and announced -^^ to
Heaven jg- and Empress j^ Earth, )^Jf
^ Imperial
^
^^ as well as
to the surrounding ^
famous vl| ^iHs ^j^ and great
)ll rivers, Q saying, {^'^^^'^ 1, the descen-
dant of the virtuous, J^ S H Fti, the kin^ of Chow,
}j^ have occasion ^
to inflict -^ a great j£ correction
g= on j^ Shang. -^ Now |g ^^
Show, the king
of Shang, ^has been regardless of the right ^
^^J' 1^ ^ oppressing 5? Heaven's i,^ creatures, ^
1§ and injuring ^ J^ the people ; !^ whilst he has
become 5^ "~|>
^who
^ 3E the chief of all the vagabonds
in the empire, ^ ^(wild are collected (in his courts)})^ as
beasts) in thickets. There-
(fishes) in pools, and
fore ^ I, >|> ^ the insignificant one, ^ having ^
obtained 'fi J^ virtuous advisers, presume ^^ ^^S" ^
pectfully
Supreme
to ^
receive the commission Jz of the
in order to suppress
«j^ Ruler, )^ J^ §[,

* The historians here record Woo-wang's going to the attack, after

which he returned the animals sacrificed to the gods, and informed
the princes, which circumstances, together wi.h the affairs of his
government, form one section and because in the course of the
;

chapter the words " military completion" occur, they make this the
title of the section. The modern edition has it not, but the ancient
one has it. ,. , .
not caWed
f This first month is the medern 12th month: it is
the new year, and only
*'
the first month," because Shang establish-
ed the new year in the 12th month.
z
194 MILITARY COMPLETION.

confusecl^ ^^
counsels ; let then the flowery
nation, ^^ |S
and
^^
the surrounding barbarians,
invariably^ you and follow '{^ comply.

JH Only ^ f^ rnayf^ he ^ ::^ gods ena-

bled ^ -^ to help '^ me,
^^ ]xX in saving the mil-
lions^ ^ f^ ^ and On 28th
of the people, jjj^ not bring dis-
grace on your divinityships. ^ ^j^ ]3/ the
day of themoon, I st ^ ^j|j "ly troops crossed the river
35^atMang-tsin: ^^ 2nd moon, on the 3rd of the
^ drew up my army
1 |^ -J* on ^\] the borders
^^
of the Sh'ang country, ^ ^{ to wait for Heaven's
exterminating t% ^ ^ dawn day
On decree. the 4th of
the second moon, ^ ^ ^ before the of day,
Show ^ ^ '^ ;^and 5^ them :^
led out his hosts as thick as
trees in the forest, ^ collected in

!^ Muh. ^ But
the desert of :^ ^ they did not
oppose themselves ^ ^ my ^ on to soldiers ; the
contrary |ft the front^ ranks "^J inverted "j^ their
weapons, i^ and ^
attacked -J* ^^^^^^ '^^ the rear,

J-y( j^
until ^ -^
they fled then ^ the blood
; flowed
-^
(sufficient) to
^ ^ and by
floirnt :|^ a post,
our onearming 5^ ^ empire "^ was the extensively

^ 73
settled. hen we 'J^
|^ 'j^j^ reversed Shanf^'s
government, [^ and ^ ^in politics followed the
old rule ^ ; ^ ? opening^ ^ Ke-tsze's prison,
and honouring ^ men, and
J::^^"^ Pe-kan's grave, 5E5i4 while I

respected j§J Shang's^ ^ intelligent the

poor villagers.
the property
^ ^and^ 7^
Afterwards I dispersed

^:jf
accumulated at Luh-tae, ^^ distri-
buted ^;|^;;^^ the corn collected at Keu-keaou ;^
^ ^
^ ^
thus conferring great benefits on all within
the four
J§ seas, (fjf until the myriads
people 1^ cheerfully gg submitted.
of the ^
]|f When the ^ fourth j| moon ^ began^ to
display Qfl her brightness, 2 the king ^ came Q
 .

MILITARY COMPLETION, 195

from ^
Shang ^ ejen "^ to ^ Fur^, * J} when
military operations, jl^ and cul.
jg he put a stop ]^ to

tivated :^ literature, ^returningthe war-horses ^

^ ^ to |ij ;^ ^
the south of the
flowery mountain,

^ and letting go the draught-oxen ^ in

?y^^^;<i ^
^ the wastes of the peach groves ;-|- while he ^
announced 5^ ~I> to the empire ^ the cessation of
^^ military service.

U When ^ (the moon) had hegun fi^ to wane, ^

^ ^ and
^hundred
the neighbouring states the great chiefs,
# together with X the 'Q' officers
^
received ^ commands ^ ^ Chow.
the of

T^ ^-^^ the 18{h day of the same moon, |jP he

offered si*crifices
T^ in
]^ ^ the temple of Chow, ^
^ the barons of the noru-er states,
f^ ||fand the lords
of the bo der province^, |^ hastened ^ x|? and ran, ^
to hold §^ the wooden ^~ and bamboo vessels, (used
in sacrificing); ^ nf'er three fj days, Jf^ jE^^on
the 21st of the moon, ^ the woods were fired (in honor
of heaven) ^ and (the hills ard rivers) sacrificed to,
^^ to announce publicly gj^ JjjjJ the completion of
the military exploit.
^ ^Q
Iha king then spol^e to the following
effect ^ Oh ^
:
^)| |g |^ you host of princes ! the
^ former
3E ^ king ( How-tseih )
established
^J ^ and
the country -^ opened out the territory
(of Chow). ^ ^J Kunglew ^ (his grandson)
was ^
able "^ to give weight to former ^J^ merit
^•^ 3E 'r'haewang ^
until ^
-;]();;
laid the foun-
dation of
3E 5^ 3£ ^
^he royal and
fortune.-^, Wa>^g-
kwei ^ ^ laboured to promote (the interests of)
* Fun^ was the former capital of Wan-wang, situated near the

present j^ ^
Chang-gan, (Lat. 34. 16. N. Long. 7. 33. W.)
where the temples of th.i fcrnier kinirs of Chow were ercr.tcd.
f The peach erove is the modem Hwa-yin. (Jjni. 54. 3^). N.
Long. 6. 30. W.)
196 MILITARY COMPLETION.

3E the imperial ^ ^
"^ ^ W^n-wang ^
^
house. accom- Further our
plished^ predecessor
^
succeeded
in ^ ^ -^ ^ and
perfecting his
^ merit, greatly
responded 5c to ^
^he celestial decree, in order to

^ ^ JC
soothe Thus ^
the flowery region. the
great^ ^ states^ ^ dreaded
and hispower, /]> the
smaller ^ domains 1^ ^
cherished a regard for his
^ virtue, 'f^ ^
for the ^ space of nine years,
when ;^ ^ ^
the general control of the empire not
being yet^ have ^ 5~
vested in his hands, I, /j^ the in-
^
significant one, ^ undertaken to carry out
]|5|;

his7^ views.
^ Having ^
respectfully received
}^ Heaven's
complete ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ marched
decree, forthwith I

eastward ^ P[ ^ male ^ and

to tranquillize the
when ^
female (subjects of the tyrant), »|^ dt his
warriors 'p^and ^ brought
females ^ in baskets
their^ ^ and
black HS yellow silks, manifesting
thereby
were
^
moved
^ by^ Heaven's Chow 5C ^
that our kings of fiv
SJ alone excellent decree,

fl^ which
on f^ account ^they joined themselves to
our^He ^ ^
great Chow. city of
JlJ
* ^ and
^
then arranged 2 the nobles '}^ into five
ranks, ji divided the territory '[^ acre rding
to ^ ^
three classes ;f ^
appointing j^ he officers
fixed on^ men ^
of talent, employing
in people
^ made
in business ^^
*[|| hemore use of the capa-
ble,^ he on ^
laid stress ^ ^ the people's. five
lessons of instruction,
J and ^
l{5^ paid attention to

* The fives degrees of nobility were dukes, marquises, earls, vis-

counts, and barons.
t The three classes of the divisions of territory were, to a duke or a
marquis a hundred square le, to an earl 70 le, and to a viscount or
baron 50 le.

I The five lessons of instruction refer to the duties existing be-

tween the five human relations.
 THE GREAT PLAN. 197
food, H funerals^^ and sacrifices,
f^ he was liberal
-j^ to the sincere, B^ he distinguished ^ the righ-
teous, ^ he honoured Ig the virtuous,
fg and reward-
ed :j^ the meritorious. Thus he had only^ to let his
robes hang down, ^ and to fold his hands, and
^ "T^ the empire j^ was governed.
fjjj

SECTION \1.
THE^ GREAT ^ PLAN. *

it On the jf ^ = 13th jjlE year (B. C. 1,121,)

S the king ~j^ went to enquire ^ ^ ^ Ke-
of
tsze ; t When 3E the king JTJ seriously ^ addressed
him, ^ saying, fl.| H^p Oh you ^ ^ Ke-tsze
f| !

55 Heaven [^ has secretly ]^ settled "j^ the lower

^ people, T^g aiding ^ and according with ||^ that

in which )^ they rest : ^ but I ^
do not ^p know
^ the
principles
^^ U fij[; arrangement of those invariable

^ -^ Ke-tsze 75 ^s seriously ^ replied, Q saying,

^ ^ have
1

tried to
heard that in^
stop^fc the overwhelming 7]^ waters, and
^ old time, £^ Kwan
f^
;J|5
improperly
elements
g^ interfered with I^ the 31 five
^
the Supreme Ruler Jfj was
; moved ^ ^
^
with indignation, ^ -^ and withheld from him
^ ^
the great plan, with [[/^ ^^^ nine 0^ classifica-

^
tions : thus the invariable -/j^ principles ^ were
* When Yu drained off the great waters, there was given to hina
a book, derived from the river Lo, which was the *' Great Plan."
The historians record that Wob-wang, having conquered Yin,
enquired of Ke-tsze, respecting the celestial way, when Ke-tsze
spread the Great Plan before him. The present and former editions
both have this section.
f Ke-tsze had been used to say, That should the Shang dynasty be
destroyed, he would never serve another. The historians assert,
that after K^-tsze had spread the Great Plan before the king, Woo-
wang promoted him to the kingdom of Corea, and thus he did
not serve another.
198 THE GREAT PLAN.

destroyed, and ^^ Kwan Pj] was @ driven JJ

to death. 75 ^^^"
i^ Yii ^ ^ Yu ^^se as his successor,

^ and Heaven Jj
plan and
gave ^ ^ to Jit the great

^^ ;;/|j P^
the nine chssifications, so that

^ — The
the invariable j^ ^
principles wei^ej!j[ arranged.*

^ first of these pj was, 3S! ^^^ five

^
^
elements ;
ZZ the second in order Q was, '^
a respectful ^ 3L
us^e of the five ^ senses ; 7j^ ^
the third H was, j^ J^ an economical attention to
/\ the eight ^ regulations ; ^ [ZQ the fourth 3
was, '^ a harmonious ^ use of 35 ^^^ ^^e ^g ar-

rangers ; /^S tl)e fifth S was, ^ an established ^

performance of ^ the princely ^ ; perfectio!is ;
^
7^ ^ was, ^ a
the sixth well-re^uiared ^ carrying
out ^ three ^
ofthe virtues ; /J^ -^ the seventh
S was, ^ an ^ intelligent attention to J§ the exa-
mination of ^ doubts ^ /V the eighth ^ was,
^
;

;^ a considerate use of )^ the general verifi-

f^
cations ; fJZ^ ^^® ninth Q was, f|^ an earnest |^
tending towards 3l ^^^^ five jjf^
lilessinj^j^, and ^
an awe-struck f^ avoiding of y?:J
the six ^ extreme
visitations*
— In the
—
first place, there were ^ ^ve ^ the
elements ; • the first (of which) Q was ^ called
water, ZiZ the second Q was */<. fire, ^ the third
Q was TJC wood, 23 the fourth ^ was ^ metal,
5E and the fifth 3 was ±^ earth. >Jl^ Water Q is

described as *]p| dripping fj down, ^^ and fire ^

K'hunsr-she has said, that Heaveti conferred on Yu the divine
tortoise, bearing a book out of the river ; on its back were various
numbers up to nine : Yii arranged them, and completed the nine
species. The Yih-king says, that the Yellow river produced tlie de-
lineation, and the Lo river the treatise, the sage took a pattern from
them, and the merit of draining the waters was completed. On the
head of the tortoise wns the number 9, on the tail 1, on the left side
3, and on the right 7, 2 and 4 formed the shoulders, and 6 and 8
the thighs ; theeevvere the numbers of the L6 book.
 TUB GREAT PLAN. 199

ptAGR.lM OF THE RSCORD|FROM THE RIVER LO,

With th€n ine^ C lassijications.

X- *t -j^ 4^ "^ ki
.'

-^ i4

-6 o

#>
y
'4.
•¥/
3,
4t
 200 THE GREAT PLAN,

as ^ blazing Jb up ; tIC wood Q is sometimes |^

crooked }§; and sometimes straight ; -^ metal Q is
"ow ^yielding ^
and then hard ; while ^ (the
properties of) earth
and reap ing.
^
That which
are displayed
drips "p down
^ in sowing ^
J^ f^ becomes
^brackish (as the sea,)
which blazes Jt up
j{;^ that

ij^ becomes ^
bitter (as soot,) that which is oc- ^
casionally crocked '^ and straight
sour, (as certain vegetables,)
j^ becomes
that which is at ^ ^
times yielding ^
and hard f^ becomes
the taste of some metals,) and
acrid, (as ^
f^ that which is sown

^ and reaped f^ becomes "^ sweet (as corn.)

•^ In the second place, there were
senses, —
the five
the first of which Qf was called |lfg shape,
^ ^
m E} termed ^
the second
Q speech, ^ the third
denominated %% }^ ^ was
sight, the fourth called
^ ^ was
hearine, jj^ and the fifth ,^ entitled think-
'^?- ^* Shape Q may ^ be referred to respect,
^ ig may
speech under be classed fjj^ compliance,
^£ sighi may ranked
1H| ^ be
|^ with clearness,
hearingQ may under ^be arranged
|g perception,
and thought. ^ lEf ^
allied to intellii^rence. Res-
pect ^
f-^ produces veneration,
j^ |j^ compliance
is the foundation of ^ government, Pj^ clearness -^
leads to ^knowledge, |j§ perception j'^ to^ de-
vice, )^ and intelligence j-^ to perfect ^ wisdom.
^ In the third place,
— )\ there were the eight jfjr

regulators the
; was called
first of which
the provider of food, Zl the second ]p| was termed "^
Q ^
the gatherer of property, f the third ^
was de- Q
* When men are first born their external form is completed, after
coming into the world, their voice is heard ; after awhile they can
flee ; subsequent to this they hear ; and in the course of time
begin to think.
that which people have most urgent need of property is
f Food is ;

that on which men mainly depend, hence they are put in the first
and second place.
 THE GREAT PLA'^. 201

nominated jjfU
the presenter of offerings, ^[Q the
fourth Q was entitled

5 ^ ig^ was
the superint-endent of

^
^ ^was
public works, the fifth called the
miaister of instruction, ^ the sixth consi-
dered as a]^ the criminal judge, -ji the seventh ^
was made ^ (the receiver ) of guests, /^ and the
eighth ^ was promoted to be^were general of the army.
Eg In the fourth place,
—^
there ^
which ^ was
the five j&g
arrangers ;

the circuit of the seasons,

the first of
li the second Q
called
was cal-
^
led J3 the
moon, the third ^
was denominated Q
1^ the sun, ES the fourth was termed ^
]^ the ^
stars, 3i ^°^ ^-^^ ^^^h

astronomical calculations.
S
w^s referred to ||j^ the ^
^
^^ ^
j^ In the fifth place, there were the princely
perfections. ^ Let the prince ^ establish "^
the point of perfection, ^ and accumulating g^ the
3tl five kinds of jj]g
blessings,
fl^ let him fj^ diffusive-
ly f^ confer them on ^ ]^ common J^ people
the

'K ^
;

^^^" PC ^^^ 1^ common p^ people, "j^ on ac-

count of ^ his ^ perfections, ^ will afford ^ him
•^ ^ perfect protection.*

This means that the prince ought out to the utmost

to carry
the duties of the human relations. Thus
regard to the relation
in
fiubsistingr between parents and children he should be extremely
affectionate, and then all the parents and children would take him for
a pattern. Thus also with regard to the conjugal and fraternal
rel»tions, let the prince first set a perfect pattern, and the whole em-
pire will imitate him. In this way the suitability of rational princi-
ples being jnya:iably carried out, in every word and action, without a
hair*8 breadth of excess or defect, the point of peifection will be esta-
blished. Now perfection is the foundation of happiness, and happi-
ness is the certain result of perfection ; wherever perfection is esta-
blished happiness will certainly accumulate. But the prince does
not accumulate happiness merely to benefit his own peisoii ; he aima
likewise to disseminate that happiness abroad among the people, so
that every one may be affected and transformed by his example ; this
is what is called diffusing blessings abroad the people. The
among
people seeing this will defend their prince to the utmost, and not dare
to desert him.

A a
2{)2 THE GREAT PLAN.

H. Whenever M ^^^ )^ common ^ peopl^^ ^

avoid ^1 cabals, A ^"^ the officers ^^ keep

from ^^ forming liictions,

@
fi it is solely because

^ ^jj^
the prince
When
f^ has attained
there are any among ^
perfection.
the )^ ^^"^^
1^ ^ and
people gjf g
who display contrivance^ ^^
^
activity, ^ W hen
determination, ;i' 11] 5§? i<l ^L.
your Majesty
^
are not yet
them
^
bear
joined
^ in mind.
to :j§| perfect
aiiy

goodness, /fi
and |^
still not ^ them
:^inveigled
^^ in crime,*

^who wear
the prince 3|| then hand ^
};^ take in ;

countenance,
tlfi

nTl v^hile on those a placid

^ ^ and ^ enamoured ^^
profess ^IJC to be with
virtue, Jj; you do ^ ;^ (p
g|| then confer emolu-
ment. ^ Thus A ^ ^ f^
these people will at-
tain to^ ;^ :^ the perfection of the prince.

^ Do g not ^ and ^^ and

oppress the poor solitary,

ii^-^ nor dread ^ "^1^^ the high

f honourable,

\ -^ When ^ |^ dispb7
officers :^ % capacity
and ^ ^^will ^
activity, |^ promote their views, fjfl

and ^P the country ^ )^ be prosperous. All

^ ]£ A the ^ ^
magistrates being well paid, 'jf

^them
insist on good ^ you ^ ^^
their doing ;
if cannot

t render 1^ j^ comfortable^
^ A ^f ^when
families, these be
own
^ nien
in
will
ffj]
their
soon
involved in and ^
crimes ^ you ^
;
J they
^ ^
are averse to
^^ virtue,f^ althougli
confer them
;;5l emolument, ^ f^
on j|§ M 1^ 'jif

* These are men of mediocrity ; if encouraged, they will prac-

tise virtue,but if neglected, they will sink into vice hence the prince ;

should take them in hand.

I This means, that should the meanest of the people practise virtue,
they ought to be encouraged ; and if the great and noble do wrong,
they must be reproved.
\ When salaries are not regularly paid, and the necesparies of life
not afforded, then men cannot be comfortable at home, and will soon
take improper means to supply their wants.
 THE GREAT PLAN. 203
you will only render yourself an accomplice in their
villainies.

:^ D^
^
In order to prevent partiality
^^ and in-
justice, let

481^
^
(rhe people) follow ^^ the royal
rectitude ; in order to avoid ^^ -^ excessive
attachments, ^ them S]^let
^ obey the royal
doctrines j^ ^ ;
f^ ^
in order to exclude extreme
^ them ^^
M^
antfpathies. let pursue the royal
way. 4^ j^ '^
vVhen they are without partialities
and 3E
ca]).ils, ^ ^^
the royal doctrines will be
enlarged and extended; |Sg^ when ^ party- spirit
'^ and prejudices cease,
3E 5^ way ^4^ the royal
will be easyand ^ 1^ when
unobstructed ; there are
no
course
^ ^
rebellions ^^
and even
nor corruptions,
be straight
the royal
(thus the peo-
j£ j|[ will ;

ple)
^ ^ be vviU ^^ brought to^^ether to perfectio ;,

B^ ^ and ^ will revert |§^ to extreme goodness.

HI tie ^ ^ h^ ^ W
proceeded to observe, ^^^^

the wide-spread inculcation of the princely perfections,

^ none is ^ other than the invariable principle, J§t
and the right kind of ^ i^ ^ PJ
|)|j
instruction ;
it

is also the instruction sanctioned by the

Supreme.
Whenever f^
j{i ^ common ^ the people ^[^

;^ carry out ^Jj; "g" these wide-spread instrucdons, J^

|J|| J^ 1^ they teach them and practise them, J[^ ^
in order to approximate to 3c ^ jSl ^ *^^ splen-

dour of the Son of Heaven ; Q while thej ^y, ^ ^

the emperor f^ is the g people's ^ -^ parent,

J^ J^ and thus he becomes 5^ "F S the ruler of all

suolunary things.
^ In the «ixth place, there are —
^_^
the thi'ee
^
virtues, —the first of which S is called IE M <^ven.

handed justice, ri the second Q is denominat(Ml ilj

^ strict rule, = ami the third j^ is termed g^ ^ a

 ;

204 THE GREAT PLAN,

mild course of government. 2J2

In peaceful and ^
tranquil times, IE ]£ ^e strictly just. When the peo-
ple Hthem by
are obstinate ^^ and unyielding, ^|J ^
rule severity ^ when;
they are harmonious
^ and compliant, ^ ^ govern them with mildness
2fc ^ when they sunk
are deeply in barbarity, |ii||J ^
rule them with rigour ^ and when
;
they are ele-
vated ^ in the scale of civilization,

administration be lenient.
^^ let your

H^ Only the ^
sovereign ^^ should confer j|g emo-
luments, j^ )fl$ aud he only j^ inflict punishments, ^
^^ while to the prince alone 3i
perty of the state ^
the subject
;
belongs the pro-
"^ has nothing ^
^
to do with f^ conferring f§ rewards, f^ inflicting

^ punishments, ^^ or administering the wealth

of the nation.
gg '^ When subjects ^
j^ confer ||g emoluments,
f^ inflict ^
punishments, 3^ :^ or interfere with the
disposal of the public property, ^ ^and then injury
-will accrue ^ to |j|j
their §^ families, |Xj ruin
^
to IJS the-r ^
country. \ When men in office m
are #1 corrupt, ^
unjust, ^ and selfish, ^ the peo*
pie ^ will^ err and J^ transgress.
n2 In the seventh place, there was ^ the exami-
nation of ^ doubts. (When doubts occur) ^ select
j§ it and appoint Y* ^ J^ proper men to superin-
tend the tortoise and reeds, Jjf b^ \\ ^ and let them
divine and prognosticate thereby.
(The divinations) |3 ^ are called, moisture,
Q^
fair weather, ^^ obscurity, ^^ interrupted suc-
cession, ^^
and mixture.
(The prognostics) ^:are termed Q chastity, '|i^

and penitence.
JH^ They are altogether -^J seven, of which |> the
 THE GREAT PLAN* 205

cllvinations 3El ^^e five, and the ^ prognostics fl^ ^

two ;
(all of which are useful)
the errors ©f business.
^;f in tracing out
^
:fe Having appointed ^ the proper A officers
f^
to attend to f> divinations ^ and prognostics, ^
let three \ men ^ carry on the auguries, and
^ — /\ any two them "g
follow of
g)J
;:§^ in their
opinions.

^Jk M ^ Should you ^ any ^ have great doubts,

"**"
^ 75
appeal *& to Y^^^ ^^^^ judgment, ^
and ^ consult ^ /^ --f^
your nobles, as well as
A- ^
y^^'^ ^ people, while yoa attend at the
same time and
\\ to the divinations §^ prognostics.
•^|l| ^" Should you assent, ^fj^ and the tortoise ^
^ and reeds be favourable, i^||l db your nobles ^ ^
^ IJ^ and people all coinciding in the same views,
^
this IS
J^ what |Q is called "^ a grand |^ concord ; in
such cases, J^ your person will be ^
secure, j^Q
^^ and your descendants :^ will be "^ happy. ^
^ ^ Should your own views be favourable to
III
a project, ^j^ ^
and the tortoise and reeds ^^
assent, $|p
people object,
7^ i
while
^
the nobles JS£ and
would be nevertheless favourable.
it
^^
P5 i^ Should your nobles,^ with the tortoise ^
^ 1^ and reeds coincide, )|^ ^l] whde you and ^
^ J^^ the common people are averse to a measure,

^ may it still be felicitous. J^IJ^ '{^ When your

people, ^^ the tort^Hse, ^
and reeds all give a|j^
favourable answer, yij*^!] but you ^
||p ^J^ 5^ and
your nobles scruple about an undertaking, j^ you
tnay yet consider it advantageous, f^ PjJ Should ^
you ISI^and the tortoise assent, ^'^ while the
reeds, ^|l dt ^ the nobles, )^ ^ 33^ and the people
demur, f^ fi^ then internal operations ^ might
be felicitous, ^|v f^ but external uudertakmgs ^
 206 THE GREAT PLAN.

prejudicial.* ^ But when the tortoise ^ and reeds

^ both ^ oppose =3= the views \ of men,
fl^ |^
to remain still =^ would be advisable, ^ f^ and all
active operations ^ should be avoided.
/^ In the eighth place, there are
^ §^ the general
verifications, |^ namely, rain, ^j^ fair weather,
^ g ^ ^ J^ and wiud B ^
heat, cold, ;
all
which
^^
should accord with the proper seasons.
^ come ^
When these five ^
fully prepared, each
^ ^ f^in its
^ ;^ proper order, all kinds of

— ^ ^^^When
vegetables ^ will be exuberant.
either of these are in excess, j>^ it is
bad — :^ ^ when
; they are deficient, [Xjit is also bad.
There are ff^ the favourable
|^ verifications
^
;

M showers ^^^ instance, respect [If p]^

by is followed

seasonable 3d ;
Q^ W^ §^^^^ government,

^ by opportune ^ "^ fair weather ; intelligence,

^;^gby due a Q^ degree of heat; counsel',

^ ^ ^ by modicuma proper ^ and of cold ;

glj
perfection,8^ ^ ISI Q^^ ^^y periodical winds.
The unfavourable verifications Q i£ are these;

^^
dissoluteness, '|g which
H^ ^ by
by is f-l lowed inces-
sant showers ;Q f^ error, »t;g uninter-
rupted clear weather ^ ^ ^ >§ : indolence, '|M
by excessive Q^ heat ^ ^ ;
haste. >{S by ex-
treme cold ^^ and
tual temptists.
; »§ ^ § stupidity, by perpe-

^ We should say,33 ^ examine ^^'^ ^^^ ruler

himself *|^ with regard to^ i the year, ^J^ ^^^^

nobles *[^ with respect to ^ the nionth,f ^l^^ and

the inferior magistrates jf| with reference to the day. ^
^Wlien the years, months, and days, ^
1^ ^ ^
* Internal operations refer to sacrificing', and external ones to war.
f A king's success or fuilnre in virtue would aifect the year,
a noble's the month, and an inferior officer's the day, each one accoid-
ini; to his rank and station.
 jl THE GREAT PLAN. ^ 207

^ do not fail in their seasons, "^ the various kinds of

^ ^ ^ grain will ripen, ;^igoveinment f^ will be

^ ^intelligent, clever g people ^ will be
^
and
promoted, ^ families ^ will be ^p peacefnl
)|^
and settled.

^ When the days, ^ months, ^ and years, !^ ]g|

^ fail in their seasons, "Q the various kinds of ^qrain

J^ wil^ ^ not )j5^come to perfection, y(^ government

f^ will be ^ dark ^ and devoid of H^ intelligence,

-^clever J^P^'oplej^ will remain in ^^ obscurity,

^ and families f^ will ^ not be |^ tranquil.

tte The common S people 'IH are like ^ the
stars ;
*
^W certain stars ^ bring ^ wind, ^
!^ while others ^ produce ]^ rain ;
??L Q H ^
^^
"I*

the course of the sun and moon ^|| points out

the winter ^^ and summer solstice, J ^
J^ and the
moon's ^ travel! irg among ^ the fixed stars ^l] in-
dicates lj>( the approach ^ of wind p^ and rain.
^ In the ninth place, there are 3[ the five kinds
* That is the common people de{->ei)d on their superiors, just like
the stars are attached to the body of the heavens.

f The Constellation ^L. K6 (the hand of Sagittarius) brings

wind, and the constellation ^p Peth (Hyades) brings rain.

J The sun has a middle pnth, htit the moon follows a nine-fold
course ; the middle path of the sun, is the ecliptic. On the north the
moon in its course travels to the eastern part of Tsing (the head
xp
of Gemini,) where it reaches its limit towards the (north) pole : on

the south

it is farthest
it goes to
removed from
^ New (the

the north pole

head of Capricornus,) where
on the east it travels to
;

the constellation ^ Keo, (Spica Virginis :) and on the west to

^ Leu, (the head of Aries,) both equi-distant from the poles.

The nine courses of the moon are

^^ the blac^^ath, on the

north of the ecliptic, where it comes out twice ; aSthc red path,
(the equ ir.(ctiai) on the^outh of the ecliptic, where it comes
out
^
twice; ^M tht- vvh'tr; path to the west of tho ecliptic,

^° ^^^ ^'^^^ ^^ ^'^^

where
ecliptic,
it

comes out twice ; ff J|t ^^^ ^^"^® ^^^^*

^ SB
'

^hich, together with <l^e ecliptic

where it comes cut twice ;
208 THE GREAT PLAN.
—* H
^^ ^
of happiness, one of which is call eti
jljg
longevity, Zl El the second ^ riches, the
third ^•^ tranquillity, ^^ the fourth ^^^f ^
the love of virtue, 3S. a^^^l the fifthQ ^ a discovery
j^ of the proper termination '^ of lite.
jS;; The six @ extremities are, —- 19 first, |)^

an untimely ^ and early ^ death, rn Q secondly,

^ sickness, ^ g| thirdly, ^ sorrow, gSl Q fourthly,

^ poverty, 51 Q fifthly, ^ hardihood in sin, ^r;; El

and sixthly, ^ indulgence in iniquity.

itself, make nine courses. When the sun is at the extreme €outh,

^^ ^p at the tropic of Capricorn, it forms the winter solstice ;

when it is at the extreme north, }^ 5t ^^ the tropic of Cancer,

it forms the summer solstice. Travelling between the south and

north, easterly to p^ Virgo, and westerly to 3^ Aries, it forms

the vernal and autumnal equinoxes. The moon, from </, ^p the
commencement of spring (February 5.), to^pypthe vernal equinox,
follows the azure path ; from jE ^ the commencement of autumn,

(Aug. 9.) to the $\ yj* autumnal equinox, it follows the >\hite path ;

from IL ^^ the commencement of winter ( Nov. 8) to the ^^ ^£

winter solstice, it follows the black path ; and from the </^ ^j

commencement of summer (May 7.) to the ^^ ^fi summer solstice,

it follows the azure path, (the equinoctial.) Hence it is said, that
the courses of the sun and moon produce winter and summer. When
the moon goes to the north-east, and enters the constellation K^, ^^
(Sagittarius) there is much wind ; when it travels to the souUi'West>

and enters the constellation ^p Peih (Hyades) then there is

much rain ; hence it is said, that the moon in its journey among the
stars produces wind and rain.
[N. B. From the above representatioa of the sun's place at the
four quarters of the year, it would appear, that the calculation must
have been made when the equinoxes were 30 degrees distant from the
point where they now are, or about 2000 years ago. The nine-fold
course of the moon appears to refer to the inclination of the lunar
orbit, and ascending and descending nodes, where they cut the
to the
ecliptic. A plan of the nine-fold path of the moon, as drawn by the
Chiaese, will be found attached.]
 ;

tHlE HOUND OF LE. 209

SECTION VII.

^ ^ OF
THE HOUND LE. *

1^ ^the
Al.'er
j^ conquesl of the Sha-j dynasty
(B.
^ ^ ^
C. 1,120), thoroughfares were
opened ^ ^
to ft^ the nine kinds of foreigners, J\
and the eight tribes of ^^ barbarians^ g§ jjf^ when the
people of the western Le state J^ sent p^ as tribute
^ ^a lar^e hound f whereupon -j^ ; the great ^
guardian J^ j^ composed ^^
a piece on the hound
ojf Le, ^ ^1| ^ 3E to admonish the king
Saying, tl|
|5] ^f Oh
H^ when an intelli-
yes !

gent ^ prince '^ is careful ^

in the cultivation of

virtue, \^ ^
the barbarians from all quarters ^^
come to pay their respects, ^
/^ no matter whether
^ far ^ or near, ^^ and present ;;^ ^ such
things as their countries produce, ||| consisting main-
ly of )Jg
apparel, eatables,^ ^
and implements ^
for use.

35 The king J^ then Hg displays the (things @

which his) virtue ;^ has brought^ -jp before ^
^ )^ ^P the princes of other clans, (to induce them)
^ ^ not to neglect ^ their Hg duties ; ^ whilst
he divides ^ the gems 3E ^^^ precious things ^ a-
niong f^ ^ @expand
;^ same the rulers of the clan,^ ^
to lead ^them ^ to their friendly feehng ;

thus \ ^ people ^ ^ will not despise the ar-

j^
ticles,

virtue.
^^^ but them esteem as the result of

When ^ ^
a ruler's >^ ^ '^
virtue is complete
he none
insults ^^ ; ^-^ should he insult the great,

The western Le country sent a hound as tribute, "pq ^^

Chaou-kung thought that it ought not to be received, and thereioie
composed this piece in order to caution Woo-wang. The modern
edition has not this section, but the older one has it,
f-
This hound was four cubits high, and trained to catch people,
hence it diffV.red from common dogs.

£b
210 THE HOUND OF LE.

PI he will not ^
get them
sympathies (upon him ;) >f!^
^ and
exhaust J^ /^ their
to

f^ should he insult
*>]> A^1^6 lower classes, ^ he will be unable J^^ to
induce them ^ to put forth ^ their 'Jj energies (in
his service.)
When a man ^ does not ^ seek to gratify ^ his
ears
correct.
@ and eyes, "gf all his ^ projects f^ will be
^
3^ Trifling with 7^ men, §^ you lose ^ your in-
fluence 3^ trifling with
; things, ^ ^ you miss ]§
your aim.
J^ Let yonr aim 1^ iM ^
be settled by virtue, ^
and your intercourse (with men) Ji^ 3§[
ted on good principles.
be conduc- ^
]^ Do not f^ attend to ^^ unprofitable things,
^ to the neglect of ^^ that which is profitable,

^ and then your merit 75 will be complete ^ ^

S
;

do not "^ esteem strange commodities, ^ to the ^

disparagement of fj^ useful things, ^
73 ^^^ *^^^ ^
your people j5^ will have a sufficiency, j^ Dogs JH and
horses, ^ ^ unless in the j^ countries 'j?^ suited to

^
their nature, cannot j§ be reared ; thus if
scarce ^ ^ birds and rare ^ ^beasts are not
bred ^ ^ in your country, ^ and yoa do not ^
set a ^
value on foreign ^ commodities, ^|j then
^ ;^
strangers will be )9f
Let that which
rectified.

J\you esteem >f^ be^

virtuous men, §1) then

^ your near neighbours ;^ will be tranquil-

lized.

HI ^ Oh yes !
Mi by day :j^ and by night ^ be.
ware of ^ in anywise ^ neglecting ^ diligence.

5R Do not 1^ sparej^ a little ff labour, j^ lest in

the end ^
you spoil
in piling up Jj a mound
^
great |j§ achievements ; j^
fathoms in height, ^
jjj nine
35l!|your work ^
may fail —* for a single basket of ^
 THE GOLDEN-EDGED CASKET. 211
earth. *
^
^
Sincerely ^ follow out ^ this advice,
and then
their ^
the living
hearths,
^ people ^ may protect §P
f^ and 75 you will -g; gg perpe-
tuate your dominion to future generations,
f
* Referring to the accepting of the dog, which
would maTthe
merit of his previous achievements.
tA sovereign is the spring of myriads of transformations,
hence
if there be the least atom of impeifection,
it communicates endless
injury to the living people, and the foundation of the
prince's fortunes
IS overturned.

SECTION VI 11.
^ ^ EDGED CASKET.
THE GOLDEN- *

^ Having ^ subdued ]^ Shang the dynasty, i::^

on the second ^ and ^ king became ^

year, the ':^ in-
disposed, ^ disconsolate.
m The two in^ dukes Q ^
(his brothers) f said,
Let ^ :^ on
us ^ ^
behalf of the king reverently
\\ prognosticate.

W\ & Chovv-kuDg ^ ^ not*^ said, It is proper

^^^ M
kings (by such
^ ^g
grieve (the spirits of) ^g
a public ceremony.)
our former

^ onChow-kung*75 ^ l^^ 1^~ then took the busi.

ness ^ and
himself, ^ constructed three al-
tars, [^ with
iP ^ he
their terraces
jg ;
also built
another altarJ^ ^^
^
on j^ gj the south, fronting
the north, -^ where Chow hung himself St^
stood : ^ and having erected ^
the auspicious stone^
^ and holding ^ gem (which was the badge of
the
his authority,) 75 ^^ "w P^^y^^ t^ >{5;i T'hae-wang,
* iK 35 Woo-wang was unwell ; and ^
-2^ Chow-kun^,
considering that the royal house was not yet established, nor the

]^^ Yin dynasty entirely subjugated, entreated his three royal an-
cestors, that he might be allowed lo die in the stead of Wob-wangf.
Both the editions have this section.

t These were 7^ ^ T'had-kung and Q^ Chaou-kung.

212 THE GOLDEN-EDGED CASKET.

3E ^ Wang-kwei, ^Sj 3E and W^n-wang, (his three

ancestors.)
^ The historian 73 then [flj
recorded )T|£]]is
pray-
er,^ to the following effect l|'^^ Your 7C chief
:

^ 1§ and"^ grandson, such a one,* ^

has met with )^ a se-
vere violent j^ sickness and on ; ^ ^
you S ^ three kings ^^ depends ^ your great
-^ j51 descendant's ^ cause "^ with 5$ heaven, f
(But if it cannot be otherwise,) then l^ take me H[
Tan + f^ instead of ^
;;^ ;§• such a one's person.
^
^ My 'fl benevolence ^
is equal to that of my
forefathers I possess
; ^
many abilities ^
and ^ ^
many ^accomplishments, ^^ andean^ seive ^
the demons jjj^ and gods. 75 ^^* y^*^^ TG ^^^^^ ^
grandson y^J is ^ not like ^ me, ^ jj^ v/ith my
many talents ^^
and many capabilities, neither ^
f ^ can he Jf serve ^
the demons and gods § ^
73 He ^
has received the decree "^ in the i n- ^
perial ^
hall, ^J and diffused
f^ assistance E9 over
the four ^ ^
quarters, ^
w^hile ^^ he is able to

^ ^
tranquillize ^ your descendants "5" in ~l> this
^
lower © 3^ ^
world, so that jJl the people of all
parts
j^>f% ^ ^ and universally fear venerate him.
RiSf Ohthen! ^ ^]t^ do not j^letfall the

^
heaven-descended 1^ precious decree (in his favor,)
and ^ ^
then fjj our ^ first king jf^ also will per-

^ have some ^
petujilly on j^ and one to rely re-
vert to. II

* This refers to Woo-wana^.

f After the word heaven, there appears to be something omitted.
j Tan was the name ot Chow-kung' himself.
§ Chow-kung doesnot saj- this in a self- boasting spirit, but
with the view of getting himself to be taken away to serve his ances-
tors in the other world, instead of Woo-wang.
This refers to the, sacrifice'?, which the royal ancestors would
ij

tnjoy, if their descendants continued in power.

 THE GOLDEN-EDGED CASKET. 213
^Now ^^I will
IP go and ascertain ^your
will ^ from JQ the great ^ tortoise ; ^)^ if you
1^ comply with ^ my siigajestions, |fe I will Jv;^ ^
take ^ the gem |& and 3^ sceptre, and returning ^
-^ wait ^ your -^ commands (for the king's reco-
very) ; ^
but if you 7^ do not |^ comply with my ^
requests, ^ 1 /} will ^
put by ^
the gem |a and
g| sceptre, (as of no
more use.)

—^ ^
73 He then [^ divined ^
by the three tortoises,
'
^
making one repetition, when the was result
^
successful; ^ ^ and examined
he opened the lock
^ ^ which ^-
the book, same ^ also gave ;j^ the
favourable ans.ver.
^ The duke Q ^
substance (of the prognostics,)
then said, according to the
tbe king's (sickness)
3E
^ I^ ^ is not -^ dangerous.
>J^"^ I, the insig-
^
nificant one, newly ^ having received the decree
^ ;^ from gE the three
f^ ^( ^ kings, will fully
completeJ^ ^ this^ Now '^ scheme. that
which ^ ^^
1 may ^
wait for is, that you consider

^ — \ man Woo-wang.)
our one (

^ When duke ^ the 7^ ^^ M retired, ^^^^ "Pffil

^
the lorm of prayer -^^ in |^]^ edged the golden-
^ t|3 and 3£
casket ; ^ 3 the king on the next
day 75 8 recovered.
when ^ 3E Woo-wang ^ |^
Afterwards died, (B.

C. 1,115)
younger
i^ Kwan-shiih ^and
7j:3j

^
brethren 75 "^
spread
^^
jpt
certain insinuations
his

g
jj^ through E|
the country,
-^
^
to the effect, that

the duke }|^ would be ^s Jflj injuiious to the |^

^ young prince. *
• Kwan-shuh was the younger brother of Woo-wurg, nnd Hie

elder brother of Chnw-kung : his younger hrcthion wrre ^^X

Tsacsbuh and
Chlhg.wung,
H^ Ho-sbuh.
Amoii_, the people of
The yonng prince vvns jjX S.
Shang it was custonnary b)r a
214 THE GOLDEN-EDGED CASKET.

^ J^ Chow-kung J^ ^ two then informed ZI^ the

^ Q
brothers of the king, ^J^Ul ^ saying,
do ^^
Dot way, ^ ^ J^
get out of the 1 shall not
be able ^ ^ 3E
to clear myself before the late
king.
)^ -^ Chow-kung ^ i^ _ then dwelt in the east
two
were
;cp years,
g^
discovered.
^ j^ and^^ the real criminals

"T^ ^ duke 75 ^
After this, Wnam-
^^the "^^^^
ode, ly, to p^ present 3E to the king, ?^^ H
ing it.
ftl li t^i® owl. gf Ihe king ijf also
^ did not ^ f^ dare to blauie ^
the dake. f
^ ^ ^ Heaven
In the autumn, just as the grain was ripe,

^ and ^
not yet 5^ reaped, (sent) ^ a great
storm of ^ when ^ thunder and lightning, j.^ together
with ^wind, 7j^ the grain g
was all ^
beaten down, (and some) ^^^ gre^t 7J^ trees ^ were
^ up by the roots.
torn
country "j^ were very much
^3 7C '^'^^^ people of the
^
alarmed and gg the ;

king J^ with -JC his ^

officer* all hurried i)/^§ ^
to ^open :^ /Jl ^ ^ the record of the golden-
edged casket^ 75 when ^^ they fou»id J^ what ^
Chow-kung had done )^Jf 1^^^ in§ taking the ^
responsibility on himself, f^i;^3E^|^ and the ac-
count of his offering to be a substitute for VVoo-wang.
ZH The two ^
dukes ^
and 3E the king 75 then
P§ enquired ^ of the ^ recording minister, ^ toge-

younger to succeed to an elder brother aftei the death cf Woo-

:

wang, Ching-wang was yet young, and Chow-kung took charge of

the government, hence some people ?>uspected him.

f The owl is a ravenous bird, which rabs tl»e nests of other birds,

and steals their eggs ; this simile was adopted alhiding to jj^ ^^
Woo-kang, the son of the degraded monarch of
)J^ Yin, who had
led the uncles of the late king into a rebellion.
X The king and liis officers went to open the record of the golden-
edged casket, to ascertain the prognostic of the then existing-phe-
lioraenon.
 tllE OOLDEN-EDGED CASKET. 215
Iherwith H^^ the hundred officers,
^ whore-
I)lied,

duke
]g
^
>^ f^
paying,
ol)tained this decree
It is true,
^
indeed,
^but we
that the
; did not
Jg[; dare to ^ speak of it.
///J

S The king ^
then holding ^ the book ^ burst
into y]V tears, H and said, ^ 'i here is ^ no occa-
sion ^
duke ^
|> to divine further- =g^ formerly ^ the
diligently ^ ^
laboured for the royal
^
house, '1^ and 1, ^Jljl ^ j^ the insignificant one,
^^
was not j^ ^
aware of it. 4. Now ^ H eaven ||j
has manifested ^ its displeasure, 1^ to ^ illus-
trate I^^Chow-kung's;^]^, virtue,
ff^ But H)c
I,
>J> y the insignificant one, ^ ^ will jto out in
person ^ to meet him. ^ ^ ^
In our country
and family, jp propriety g^ ^ also;^requires this.
gP The king JlJ
went
^
out ^jj to the border
down ^
;

when Heaven 75 ^^°*

j^ ^ and rain
changed the wind whereupon, f^ the grain g(|
;

immediately ^^
sprang up again. z:2 The two
^ dukes ^
ordered ^\ J[^ the people of the country,
J^ wherever -j^ the large trees ]p)j had ^fallen ^
down, §^to raise them up fjfl and pile ^^
them together
very
; after this
productive.
^ the harvest ^J turned
out ;;^J ^^
2l6 THE GREAT ANNOUNCEMENt;
SECTION IX.

THE GREAT ^ f§ ANNOUNCEMENT. *

'^ rhe Idn- (B. C, ^ 1^ spake
1 1 14.) to the follow

ing effect ^^ Behold

: I ^l extensively f§ announce
to you ^ nriany f\l ^tates^ j^ you ^ to^rether with
^
^ ^
officers, heen commiserated
that 1 have not ; ^
5P for Heaven [^ has sent down ^J a calamity on ^
^ ^ my family, i^ nd would not allow of 4j the
:

^
least delay, ^jt f^ It is a matter of serious con-
-j-

sideration, ^^^^ X y^^"^ *^^* ^^^ inexperien-

ced as I anu ^should have been
i called to succeed ^
m to the unlimited destinies, ^ and these great ^
calculations, )jg and orders of rank, ^ without J^ the
possession ^ of intelligence, J^ or the ability to lead

^ the people on )^ to tranquillity ; ^| how mucti

less H can it be said ~J^ that I ^ have ^^ the capa-
city i^ ^W to know thoroughly ^ -^ the decrees of
Heaven.
j2i Moreover ^
1 JH am but /]> a little child, ^
^ and feel as if ^^ 1 had to cross vH ;5J( a great deep ;

•^ I will »|^ however, ^i go forward, and seek for ^

S^ 15^ J^ thi'.t
which Avill enable me to accomplish it.
* "^CBE Woo-wang, having conquered [^ Yin, appointed J0J
the son of the fallen monarch, to be ruler over the
Wob-kang,
remnant of his people, and directed his three brothers ta maintain
a watch over him. After the death of JE^ ^E Wob-wang, Jf^ dE.
Chtng- wang succeeded, and /31 ^Et Chow-kung became the prime
minister. The three royal brothers spread insinuations to the dispa-
ragement of Chow-kung, intimating that he would iajure the young
prince, when Chow-kung gave up his office, and retired to the
eastern part of the countiy ; after this, Ching-wang discovered his
error, and went out to meet Chow-kung on his return. The three
royal brothers then became alarmed for their safety, and joined Wob-
kang in a rebellion. Ching-wang ordered Chow-kung to go to the
cast and attack them, when he made this great announcement to the
empire. The ancient and modern texts both have it.
f Alluding to the death of Wob-wang.
 tHE GREAT ANNOUNCEMENT. 217

I spread abroad ^'^ the improved regulations,

and extend jltf A^ the decree received hnm my
predecessor. ^ Thus ^ I do not ^ forget ^^ his
great ^^ undertaking, -^^^t ^^r dare I
||[^^,
obstruct 5C 1^ the heaven-descending^ ^ inflic-

tions. *

^ The tranquillizing 3E monarch

bequeathed -j*
^
^^ to ::/C me and valuable
tb^ g^*6at ^
tortoise ^ ;

(by the prognostications of which) I might connect ^

myself with 5^ celestial ^ intelligence. ^]) Now
^ the decree of divination Q has declared, ^ that
there would be ^and gr. at ^ troubles ^ U in the
western Ji land, that p5 i /^ ^^^ people of that
quarter "^Tf^^ would not be peaceful. ^^^
And now we see their stupid commotions.
^ The Yin state /J>^ ig but partially |^ prosperous,
(and yet its ruler) + ^ has rashly ^ ^
presumed
to record events ^ according to his own ^ down arrange-
ment ; § and now that 5^ Heaven [^ has sent

^ inflictions, he,
^fj seeing ^ that our ^ country
^ had ^ a vulnerable point, ^ and that the people
^ were Inngdom
^ not tranquil, Q said, -j* ^
I will bring
back (the to myself) ; ]^ and thus he ex-

^
cited to rebellion his cities ^ against our j^ Chow
^|J dynasty.
>^ Immediately after ^
he made this stupid move-
ment, 4^ H
and on the day following, ^>^ ^ +
^ ten clever men among my people "^^ aided me Ij^
^ to go forward, i|fc
that 1 might soothe ^ and tran-

quillize (my subjects ;) ^ and carry out ^^ the

* Alluding to the punishment to be inflicted on Woo-kung, and

the three dukes.
f Woo-wang.
J This refers to Woo-kang. ^u- .

one, which in China is

§ Or using his own title as tlie imperial
considered as an assumption of supreme power.
Cc
2l8 THE GREAT ANNOUNCEMENT.

meritorious
and when I
work planned Thy my predecessor)
^ undertook y^ this great ^
; *
cffair, ftc
^
BO excellent in ^ "^
its kind,
favourable.
1 (found) j> the prognostics
jf* entirely
^ ^ ^ announce
Therefore ^ my 1 to you,
^ allied
jg princes,^
fjl ^^ together with

^i
the magistrates, and ^ ^ em- officers, persons
ployed, H
a favourable
^
^ -^to this effect,
^
prognostic,
that having obtained

^^
|\ J^ I intend, iu
company
^ you ^
with my march ^jj allies,
-^J""
to

j^ to the attack
|§ ^ of Yin,
vagabond |§ with its
and gm
scattered adherents.
know
(I
|| that)
^ you @; ^)J allied princes,

^ J-
together with ^ and the officers j|p employees,
fl^^ will ^ and ^
without exception retort, saying,
" ^ The ;^ ^
difficulty is great, the people
yfj
^ are ^
still which
unsettled ,
besides (the cause

^ ^
of the insurrection) 3E ^ mem- rests with the
bers of the royal house ^^ and JfJ the families
^
of the princes, Moreover j* -j-
^ young •
our /]-%

^ and
among
^
old
"^
people, together with the respectable
we
us, (all urge) go "Hf (hat should not |[£
on this 3t ^ ^ ^ why
expedition ;
(saying, ) does
not your Majesty act contrary to j> tUe prognos-
"
tications ?

1^ Therefore -^ while I,
^ J^ the inexperienced
one,^ still M, think of |^ the difficulty, Ef I say,

H^ ^ Alas ! ^ should they really ^ how persevere in

this stupid
be the
movement, J i^
widows and
^ ]^ ^destitute
pitiable
among
will state of the
them 1 -^ But I am J^ constituted ^ Heaven's ^
minister, and (Providence) jj has thrown "j^ this
* This refers to the subjugation of the Empire by Wob-wang.
f This refers to the conspiracy formed by the uncles of the king
with Woo-kang.
{ Referring to the insurrection of Woo-kang, and the royal unclea.
 THE GREAT AJ«NOUNCEMENT. 219

gteat 1^ 1^ and ^ upon ^ J^

difficult undertaking
me ^ ; ^ y^ \
therefore I, the inexperienced
one, ^ 1^ @ do ^
'IjS not spare myself; in justice,
however, ^ ^^
you ^ princes, together with
you ^ J^ ^^ officers, ^ and || magistrates, ^}4 per-
sons employed,^ -^ ^ and
should tranquillize me,
say. :^ Do ^ not ^ be distressed with ^J^ anxiety :

^ W^ y^^ ^"^^ ^^ unaccomplished

"^^ leave
75 what ^ your :^ ^
tranquillizmg parent has plan-
ned ^ and laboured at. *

Q Moreover ^1, f^ who am ^ but <J>

a little

child, ^ do ^ ^ not Jl ^ ^ dare to set aside

the decree of the Supreme f Formerly ^ Ruler,
Heaven ^ ^ upon
looked with favour the 'j^ tran-
quillizing^ monarch, ^ and ^ elevated our f^^f*
small ^ state ^1 of Chow (to supreme authority). J
At that time !^ 3E the tranquillizing monarch fH
paid sole attention \\ ^ ^o the divinations, and ^
^
was thus enabled ^ calmly to receive ^ the -^
decree(which him constituted emperor). -^ Now
when 5^ Heaven ^ :^ p| aids our people, ^| how
much more we >/jp should also f^ follow |^ j^ ^^®
l^' Alas
prognostications ? J'c Heaven's^ Bj^ in-
Uj|| I

telligent decree ^
being thus awful, g|g you ought to
aid me^ ^ in enlarging* ^^ our great patrimony. ^
35 The king Q further said, ^ You l|^ are ^ 7^
the old servants (of my father,)
^ you ^ are very ^
capable of ^ ^ examining by-gone affairs ;^ you
^ know the ^i tranquillizing monarch? © ^ Si]
how diligent he was in his operations ? Now when
Namely Woo-wang's subjugation of the empire.
f The prognostications being in favour of the expedition, he looked
on it as an indication of the will of the Supreme.
J The Chow state was originally only 100 square le in extent, and
yet by Heaven's favour they obtained univeral dominion.
220 THE GREAT ANNOUNCEMENT.

5^ Heaven ^^ and hampers

obstructs
we
^aim
^ 59 us,

J^Jf this is just the point where ought to at

perfecting our undertaking. '^ ^ do |^ 1 not
dare>^ '^ ^
to neglect carrying out to the utmost,
!^ 3H ^ schemes ^
the tranquillizing monarch's
and ^
undertakings, -^ (would
therefore I desire)
y\^
extensively ^fj^
to ^ and
transform (the obstinate,)

allied princes.
^^ ^
lead forward (the yielding)
When Heaven ^
amongst my
with
^jJ
assists us
jf^
*yjl ^
a sincere ^
expression of attachment, * bav-
^
in.'; ^ my J^
asceitained this
^
from subjects,
J^ how ^ ]^can I from ^ ^
refrain urging the
former !^ tranquilhzing
complete ihe
^^ men, f HI 3^
scheme which my
^ |fe
to
predecessor has de-
vised'? And when ^ Heaven ^ l/p also JJ^i inter-
feres, and i^
$j] vexing ^ people^
distressing our J^l
(who >§ feel)^ had ^ some
as if they complaint,
T' -^ ife ^^ow can I dare
;^ ^ omit up taking Iff
what ^
the former J^ men
tranquillizing ^ jl^ re-
ceived j^ ^ and completing their excellence.
gg The Q king ^ As ^
continued ^: formerly,
when ^ ]^I set out ^ "^
on the expedition, I

spoke of ^When ^ and

the difficulty, daily
Jg^
rellccted
on ^
it. ^ f^ a father (designing) to build
^ a house,
|^ ]^ down ^
has laid|^ the plan, if

his ^ 75 1^ !^
sons ^ (commence)
will not
the ^{ how much
hail, ^ com-
le«s 'j^ will they
H^ when ^
plete (the building,) ^ or^ a father has
ploughed ^
the ground, ^ 73 ^ "^ if his
how nmch
sons
less "j^ will
will not J^ scatter the seed, ^^|

* The ten clever men coming forward to his help, is what he here
alludes to by the expression of attachment.
f Woo-wang being denominated the tranquillizing monarch, bis
servants were called the tranquillizing men.
X This refers to the insurrectionists who vexed and distressed th«
states, which they had stirred up to rebellion.
 THE GREAT ANNOUNCEMENT. 221

they ^ wait for the harvest ^ Under such circum-

stances, P{^||^# H how will the fathers and
venerable men say, -j* we :^ have^ descendants,
^
who will not |§ abandon g the foundation (which we
have laid *?) 0^ therefore, -^ ^ ^ how dare I ;:j^

neglect, J^ to the extent t\l of my ability,

^ placidly
(carrying out) ^ SE ^^^ tranquillizing monarch's -jf^
great ^ decree.

^
^ own ^
-^ and 75 W
If ;J2^ elder brethren fathers bad
friends,
j^ who |^ attacked their children,

S ^ wouldthem ^^ them ^
their servants exhort not
^ to save 9*
2 m
he king
I ?i ^f Oh ^ ^«aid again, ! en-

^ ^ JP ^ Woo-wang's)
large your views, you^ allied princes,

^
and ^
you ^|1 persons employed. (

^ ^
})riiliant
^
dynasty ( rose to eminence )
^
through the aid of ^ clever men,
by means and 'f^
of *f* the ten who A
individuals, jg ^[j knew and
followed the leadings of Jt the^ Supreme »^ Ruler's ^
decree, ^
until j^ Heaven aided their sinceri-
J^ ^
ty (in conquering Yin.)
you did not dare J^
^ |^
to contravene
At that time
the royal orders,
j^ ^
J^
^) how much more ^ now, 51^ that Heaven P^ has
sent down ^ a calamity ^ upon ^ the Chow f^
dynasty (in the demise of the first monarch,) ^ when
^ these great ^ A. authois of the disturbance |^
press ^ near '^ and mutually jj^ ^ ^
attack )5f)f

the royal house, ^ how is it that you ^ ^ do also

not ^H now perceive 5C ^^at the celestial ^ ^ decree
^ is unchangable ?
•^ I ^ frequently ^ think 13 and say :
^C Heaven
^% is ^ putting an end to ^ the Yin dyniisty, ^
By the and brethren, he meant Woo-wang
fathers by the ;

friends, the four rebellious chiefs; by the children, the people and ;

by the servants, the officers and magiBtrates.

 :

222 THE DECREE DELIVERED TO THE COUNT OF WEI.

like^ ^ ^^y
husbandman,
the (in rooting up the weeds.)
^^M^
work ^ my
should
of ^
]^^
I then not
while Heaven TJf also
field,
j^ complete the

Y^ promotes fjf the excellence of fff the former ^ ^

tranquillizing A- men.
"?*^ ^@ Ja Is it that I am altogether devoted
to divination, ^ ^^^ or that I refuse to comply
with your wishes ^ ^ men, but in carrying out the work of
5^ A" the tranquillizing ^ ^^^ I must have
how much
res-
pect to the 15 jb fixed boundaries ; j^|

^ now
more \\ that the prognostications ^ are all

^ ^
f^ivourable. Therefore ^ 1^ vehemently 1^^
1

^ -^ ^
you
urge on this eastern ^ expedition55 the ;

celestial
arrangements of the
decree ^ cannot f^ err, and |>
f^ the
are all in
prog-noj^tics
ff^"^^
conformity therewith.

SECTION X.

THE DECREE DELIVERED TO THE COUNT OF WEI.*

3E^0 The king (Chiiig-wang) spake nearly as
follows :
^
Oh you, M^S TC "? eldest son of the
king of Yin f <j|| on ! ^
examining "^ the records of
antiquity, ^ 1 feel disposed to honour ^ the virtuous
(Ching-t'hang, the founder of the Yin dynasty,) ^ and
as you resemble him ^ in talent, ^ :^I appoint you
to continue (the sacriiices to your) former ^ king
^
jl^ cultivate ^ his |g rites ^ and f^ be
literature ;

^ a guest ^ ^ in my royal ^ house ^ ^ ;

with
my country )^ be always ^v (and
friendly, continue

* ^ ii Chlng-wan? having put J]^ ^ Woo-kaug to deitth,

appointed the count of fH* Wei

to offer the usual sacrifices to Chinar-t'haiig.
to the district of ^ Sung, in order

f This refers to the count of ^J Wei, who was the eldest son of

the emperor 21 Yih, and the natural brother of the tyrant j^ Chow.
 ,

t!lE DECREE DELIVERED TO THE COUNT OP WEI.

223
thesam^jlgtociistantiitages ^ without ^ end
n| Ij Oh yes !
J^ your ^ ancestor
)^ ]^ Ching-
such ^
fang 5£ attained to veneration,
^ perfection,
]^ enlargement,
Imperial ^ Heaven ^
J^ and profundity
graciously
Jof mind,)
f^ aided him, and
that
^
1^ largely ^ ^he invested him ^^ with imperial
authority
his liberality,
; then
^ and
soothed
suppressed
J^
^
the people
the
]^J^
corrupt
by ^
|fjj j^
oppressors, by which ^jfj his merit j[fq surpassed ^^
that of flf his cotemporaries,
^ and his viitue g was
handed down ^ to his latest
^ descendant.
^You f^ have ^ and trod in >fj|-
followed up ^
^

his gif footsteps, ^ ^

nud long :j?jf possessed a good
gg reputation, if^j^ beinor ^'^
respectful, cautious, ^
and :^ filial, ^and -^ and
as well as reverential respect-
ful 1^ to ^ men, ^
both gods I admire J^
yo^r ^ virtue, ^ and i|
abundant
say, that it is

^ whilst you are not Ijfc unmindful (of your predeces-

Bor.)
Jl; ^
The Supreme Euler has frequently ^
1^ enjoyed (your sacrifices.) "jpt while the lower ^
people (have thereby become)
fdj reverential, and ^
harmonious. ^
1 therefore ^appoint ^you, -=3=^
to be J;: -2^ an arch-duke, to rule over ^ this ^ ^
eastern territory ^ of Hea.
#C tt-^

broad 75 yc>ur
Be respectful !
^ and gro ^ to diffuse a-

p| instructions, '^ be cautious also a-

bout 75 your HM ^ regulations" for apparel;* ^
follow ^ out
^^ the accustomed rules, ji/^ in order
^ to defend 3E tbe royal house ^
"^i magnify 75 ;

your ^|] illustrious jji3 ancestors, ^

be a pattern to J^

* The rulers of 5fC Sung, being descended from an imperial

rites and music peculiar to an emperor in
house, had to employ the

the ancestorial temple of JK[ *fe Ching-t'ang, hence the apprehen-

sion lest they should overstep the bounds of propriety, and usurp
certain appendages of dress to which they were not entitled.
 ;

224 THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO k'hANG.

your :^ ^ people ^ —^; ever establish ^ the {i^

throne, ^ and me
aid -J* a single J\^ individual
*j^ ^ for ages ^ enjoy
f^ (the results of) virtue, !^
to myriads ^\i of states f^ ^ be an example j^ and
;

give ^^ our ^ Chow dynasty ^ no cause of ^j[

dissatisfaction.

Rl «^ Oh yes !
g^ go. }^ and do thou ffj excel ;

^ never ^ setting aside ^ these my ^ commands.

SECTION XL

THE ANNOUNCEMENT )^ fq TO k'HANO. *

]^ On ^
the 3rd J5 moon, f when it first ^ ^
began 6^ wane, to Chow-kung ^^ laid the ^^
foundation, 'f^ and built §]f anew ;;^ the great ]S city,
^ in ^ the eastern ^ country J^ of Lo,
^
From the four 3^ quarters ^ the people ^f^ nume-
rously '^
5ftl congregated, (together with the chiefs of)
^ the How, ^ Teen, ^ and Nan regions, ^ ^
and the Tsae, ^J and Wei (tenures,) ]gf the hundred i
jDfficers 1^ and the scattered ^ population, ^was united-
ly ^ came to see i what business there ^ at

J^ Chow. ]% ^ Chow-kung )^ urged them all on

^ to diligence, and
J^
announced 7^ the completion of the work. J
then ^^ extensively
|g

^
The king (Woo-wang) then spake ^^ to the

following effect : ^ '^ Oh chief of the princes, Jj^ my

* iK ^L K'hang-slmh was the son of "^^^U Wan-wang, and
the younger brother of JpJ "T-* Woo-wang. Wob-wang appointed

him to be the marquis of Wef ; hence this announcement. The

f^
present and former editions both have it.
t The thiid moon is the third month of the seventh
year since
Chow-kung was associated in the government.

X This sentence ought to be inserted before the section of J^ g§

Lo-kaou, or the announcement respecting Ij5.
 THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO k'haNG. 225

^^
Fung. *
younger brother, >]Mhe young ^ man ^ ^
f'0 Think of J^ your great ^ ^
and iUustrions
^
ancestor BE ^ VVau-wang who was ahle ^ QQ to
dispbiy
ishments.
^ his virtue, ^ and to he cautious
f^ ^^ Pun-

^andHe did not ^ dare f^ to insult ^ the destitute

^
it
the widow, ^ ^ he attended to that which
was right to mind, ^^ |ffi he reverenced those whom
itwas his daty to respect, J^ g^ and he was terrible
to those whom he ought to have awed §g thus (his ;

virtue) was displayed ^

before the people, and ^^
he laid the foundation of, and ^
established^ our |^
small § dynasty of Hea ^
our ; one or
until ^ — '

Zi:^two ^3 (friendly) states Ji^ gradually carried out

^ and perfected (the government) ;
the people of our western country »j^
'V'vhile ^ ^-
j® jb
constantly
•|^ confided in ^
and longed after (the reformer) ;
^ this was heard
-J" Jl the Supreme% Ruler ^
when ^ Supreme
the ^
approved, 5^ and Heaven
7^ ^extensively -^ commissioned Waii-wang, ^^
^ ^^
nasty,
to make war on and destroy
fully ^
the Yin dy-
conferring on him Pf the -^ decree
^
(to assume the supreme authority;) j^ when j^ the

^ ^
states^ and ^[cople ^
became g^ duly
arranged. ^ unworthy and
75 ^^^^^ ^ i^k ^^^"^ brother
was ^^ ^
also stimulated to exertion ; thus you,
>|>^ young man, ^ Fung
oh ^ ! :gg are settled over
this ^ i R| eastern region.

^ The H Wf
king ^ Fung J^ do
said, r)h !

you ;^ =^ <^ Now

think of this. ^ (ruling) the
^ ^
people well depend ^ willon ^ reverentially

73 ^
foUowinfir out (the undertakings of) y^^^^* \Vi\i^-

trious^ ^
ancestors ^ what you
connecting
;
have
* Fung was the name of Kang-shuh.

Dd
226 THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO k'iIANG.

heard jfrom him, ^ and complying with his vir- ^

^
tuons words. ^^ Go, therefore,
^^ and extensive-
ly 5}t seek =f after (the records ^ of) Yin's §^ for-
mer ^ wise ^ kings, ^ and make use of (your disco-
veries) j^ to protect ^
and regulate the ^ people.
'^ Do you also widely ^ ^
and extensively ^ en-
quire after |^ Shang's ^ old JjJJ and experienced j^
men^ ^ that you may settle j^ your mind (in what is
good), ^ and know how g|j to instruct (the people).
^(] Do you further make ^ ^ enquiries after ^IJ
the practice of the -^ ^ =1^ 3g intelligent kings of
^ and make
of former times, use of (their plans) ^
^ and
to tranquillize
g protect the people. Thus
you S^T'
will ^ enlarge the celestial principles (in-
^ and by ^
herent in the soul), virtue |gp enriching

75 your own ^ ^'^you person, will not ^

be negli-
gent of ^ these jg royal commands.
35 The king Q n,l| l^ Oh you /|n
continued,
^
young man, ^Fung, *f^ you should feel ( for the peo-
ple, as though) ^
pain affected J^ your own per- ^
son. ^^ Be respectfully c::utious! ^ Heaven,
^ though awful, * ^ yet favours »j5fe the sincere.
^ \\^ The feelings of the people -j^ "^ can be gene-
rally ^ ascertained, /Jx /\ ^1^ ^ut it is difiicult
to keep the inferior populace in a good humour. ^
Go, therefore? ^
and exert J^ your |£^ mind to the ut-
most ;^ ^
do not seek tranquillity, ]^ nor be fond
of 5^ ease ^ and leisure, TJ and then you will be ^
able ^ manage ^
to the people. ^ ^ have I

heard |^it ^ said, that dissatisfactions >p J^do not

originate in ^
from f\^ small
^depend great,
affairs,
jfjp
(but
neither do they ^
on) j([ compliance
arise

^ 3^ or non-compliance with right principles, ^ and

* The awfulness of Heaven refers to the possibility of Providence
transferring the decree, appointing tlie sovereignty to another family.
 THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO k'hANG. 227

on the employment ^^ or non-employment of ener-

getic effort.
g Moreover, J^f^ with regard to you,
>J^ ^ oh
young man, 73 your g^ business '[^ is 5A to enlarge
3E the roynl (virtues;) ^ harmonize them, f^ and cht-
I'i^h
)j5 ^ the people of Yin, '^ that they also if^
may ]^ assist [£ the sovereign, ^ and rest in 5^
Heaven's -^ decree ;
f^ thus they will become ^ a
renovated^ people.
^ The king Q continued, ^ tf? Oh you, ^ Fung,
^ be punishments.^ and
respectful intelligent Jj i^ the infliction

^ of ^ When men ^ commit >|^

a small ^ offence, ^^ if it do not originate ^in error,
75 ^^* III ^^ persevered in j^ to the end, while g
they themselves f^ practice Tf^ unlawful things ^ ^
p^ with express intent ; '^ ^j^^ ^\s then, however
small the offence, J^ you ^ I^ must not ^when men
neglect
^ commit
to inflict condign punishment. Jj "Eyxt

^ -^^ a great ^ offence, it they 3^ do not ^

persevere, 75 l^^t ^]»^if it have originated^ in error, |^
calamity, ^^ or accident, ^ when ^ they have
acknowledged >^ the enormity of ^ ^ their crime,

^ 75 y^^ "^ HT must not put ^ themt^ Oh to death.

S The king H
further said, «^ you, ^
Fung ! ^ let there be ^ regularity (in your inflictions,)

^ and thus ^
Tj you will -j^ greatly enlighten
people), i|g
(your administration) |g and subdue (the
while gj ^ be warned
the people ^ and will $jj
sti-

mulated harmony.
%}A to^ ^^ remove)
you If are (as anxi-

ous remove
to ^
offences as a person is to a

sickness,ff ^ % then^ the people will entirely

^ you would) ^
renounce *^lf
^ -^
their errors. (you protect the
good, as ^ f^ cherish an infant,
then g ^ th ^ : people will be tranquil ^\xi(i well-

governed. ^ you ^ Fung,

It is not ]jl that alone, oh
228 THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO K^HANG.

Jfl] punish J^ people, ^ and kill

J^ people ; therefore
^ do not ^men he rash Jf|J /^ in punishing, ^ nor in
putting ^ to death. *

^^ not J§; from you,

It is ^ Fung, 5C Hof cutting off noses
^^ repeat^
ed, (that the lighter penalties) Ji)] Ijlj

^ and ears proceed, therefore ^ ^ do not rashly

^J
51] Ar deprive men of these members.
3E '1 he king Q
continued with regard to exter- :
^
nal ^affairs, ^ J^ do you
g^ arrange «^ these
^laws ni and let the officers |j]i follow
; those )j^ ^
^ punishments of the Yin dynasty, 'J^ j^ which are
suitable and proper.
X He again Q said :
^ Take important cri^
minal cases 3S to your bosom, ^ and reflect on them
5g[ for five or ;/;; six Q days, ^ ^ come or even flj [1^ for
ten. ^ At the end of the term % |^ to a gene-
ral decivsion ^oa these capital p^ accusations.
^ The king Q continued, j^ Do you (J^ arrange
^ these ;^ legal ^ matters, ^ and
in purishraents

^ decide )|^ ^ according to the regulations of the

Yin dynasty ; ^ observe, however, ^^ righteous

ffii
p^iubhments ^
them
and just ^ ^ but do
inflictions,

not J^l {^ ^^s^ •Jj in own

accordance with your
private views ; J^ ob you, ^ Fung, J^ ^ do you
^ ^ strictly adhere to uprightness. Q Should any
^ ^
say, It is already arranged ;
f^ do you ^
reply,

^^ It does not yet ^ accord with ^ the propriety

of things.
2. Moreover Jj(;
you f^ are but >j\ ^a young man,
^^ ^ ^ and yet there are none ^ who resemble ^
you, ^ oh Fung, jj^ ;i^^ in mind ; while f^ ray |^
* The meaning is, that piinishments .proceed from Heaven, and
that the magistratu is only Meaven's minister,
f It is not clear to what these external affairs refer.
I The term here roentioned is three moulhs.
 THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO k'iIANG. 229
heart
to you.
^^ and my ^ views '|f3|
are 75 ^t\ well kuown

JL Whenever any ^
among the people fS ffi ^
hwolve themselv^ in crime, and become robb^ ^
^ ami thieves, ^
traitors and villains, ^
killing ^
^ and knocknn^ \
peoplejiovv^n, for the sake of ^
-^ property, ^ ^
^ ^
leckless ^f^ and reg-ardless of
death (such persons)
abhorred.
;
^^ are invariably to be

^ The ^ king ^ Oh Fung jg

continued, ! the
principal^ offgnders ^ ::f^ ^i'^ greatly to be abhorred;
5^ how much more f^ who ^ :^ those are unfiliai

^^ ^ when
an^^ unfriendly ^ ! a son does not
j|j^

^
th( r's
respectfully
gg
he
authority,
g^
-^ wounds ^
^
subject (himself)
greatly
to his fa-

;;;^ the
^ ^ mind ^ and when ;^
^ own j^ 5^ TJ ^ ^
patenial ; a father

^g cannot soothe his son, he inflicts

pain^ ^
on his ^ when ^ younger
child ; a
brother^ ^is unmindful 5c |^ of Heaven's clearly,
displayed relations,T5 he ^ ^ |^ fails in respect
towards ^^ ^i his and when
elder brother , Jf^ an
elder brother "^>/j|^ ^ remember ^^
also does not
j^ which
the trouble parents take in nourishing their
children,'^he becomes ^7^ ^ very unfriendly to-

wards ^ younger
his When ^ brother. j»^ things
cjme ^ i^ A.#|| and when
to this pass, IIj;
f^ ||^
thoseunder government
our upon them do not visit

due punishment,
bestowed
;^ ^ ^^^ 'J^^ Heaven-
regulations for the people Jl^ will be greatly
then the

j^ confounded ^ and Q
disturbed. T should say,

therefore,Tj ^do you ^ ^ ^ quickly follow out

SI'PItT] ^he inflictions Wau-waug, adopted by Jflj

and ^"^ ^
punish these^ without mercy.
For who
those £^ do not follow instruttion -j^

there are the great^ ^| how much more

inflictions ;
230 THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO K*HAN6}.

^
it
for
is)
^l^the outside
Dll to instruct J^ the people,
^^
(whose business
and for the
princes,

^ ^
jj^ \ magistrates, and 7)^ M
IS iP minor commis- E
sioned officers, 75 i|ll ^ ®* who diffuse heretical no-
tions ^ TC W
33 ^'^^ ^^^^ purpose of {getting the ap-
plause ofmen ^ who ^
;
do not re^fird (their sove-

reign, ^ ]^ )
make nor use ot* ( his regulations,)
while they J^ ^ B^
distress g^C ^^^'^ prince ; these

7^ § ^
are who and
the people extend wickedness,
\% who ^ me
j

are^ most Q
to Oa abominable.
this account,^ 75 ^^^ ^^ ^ ^^ immediately
follow out ^ which ^ ^ and that is just, put such
persons j^ to death.
^ Moreover j^ ^ should you, as the prince '[fl
and ^ 7fs^
superior, Pf not be able (to regulate)
yourown ^ J^ ^ domestics, with ]||f
your >Jn infe-
rior^ overaweand and jE
officers ^[v outside magistrates, »]^ Init

^ (merely) ]§ ;^ 'j^ oppress them,

thus greatly^ 3E contravening
t^ com- the royal
mands, 75 yo^ employ ^
w^ould thus ^j; a corrupt
course of conduct ^^0 ^ regulate (the country.)
-(^ But you Tfp also
if ^^4^^
could l>e invari-
ably ^ ^ respectful and attentive to the constant
rules, ^ ^
7^ yo'i would ^thereby enrich the
people.^ ^ ^ ;^ Wan-wang's ^
In this
caution (were eminent.)
respect
,^ and 73 f§- 1" enriching
g Q
the people ^ 1^ ^
could you say, i
jf|
have
same
attained to the "^ ^ ; §jj then 1, ^-* the one
man, ^j^J^ should rejoice.

^ king ^ 'ihe ^ Oh Fung you^ further said, ! in-

^
telligently ^ ^ regarding the people, do lead
them ^ same )^
on to ^
happiness and tranquillity. I

also lllpway ^'|^

in the
7^ ^ consider |fx wf
^ the virtue
dynasty, ff\
good Ym
of the former
and employ the same j^
kings of the
to tranquillize
 THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO k'hAnG. 23 I

X and regulate J^
classified (with those kings.)
thelpeoplc, f^ in order $^ to be
^\ How much more 4w
now, J^ when that people have no one ^ ^ to lead
them on^:^ and thus forbear j@ to walk in the right
way. ^ If they are not ^ led oa to virtue,
g|J then
1^
^
there will be no
country.
[Fj^ good government ;3g in ^ the

3E The king B
continued, Oh Fung -^ [, ^ !
j|g
for my own part, 7^ "^ cannot dispense with ^ ^
an inspection (of the ancients ;) ^ and would there-
fore make known
y^f to you ^ 1^ way ;;^ the explanation
of their virtues,
T ^ :^ and the pu-
^ But now f^ ^ff
to inflict
nishments. the People :^^ are
unsettled, ^ and we have
their turbulent i^S dispositions
^ not yet suppressed g^
; J^ those who have led
them, ]^ notwithstanding frequent efforts,^ have not
yet brought them
f^ to a uniformity (of virtue.) ^
Clearly i]^ considering
JC ^
13 ^^^^ inflictions of
^ ^ which
Heaven, are so severe on myself, ^ 1

^^ ^ do not complain. 'j<^ But ]^ |p their

^ ^^ J;
crimes
numerous,
need not be great ?/p ^ ^ ^ how
nor
(in order to bring dowq calamities ;) ^|
much more ^ when it can be said, i^ that (their wic«
kedness)
in
j^
heaven. *
still ^ displays itself ^and is heard -^^
5C
3E The
^
king |5] resumed, g^ tf^ Oh you, ^ Fung,
Ifx be respectfully cautious do not !
^ fp enact
anything ^
(that may excite) murmurs :
^ do not
^ adopt ^ ^
evil counsels, ?f^ nor irregular ^up pro^
ceedings ; ^ in decisions ^^ »j;^ sincerely act to

3i the great ^l] law ; ^ with energetic j® virtue

^
* W()6-wang looked upon the people's crimes as his own, and
considered all iiiilictions on thcin as sent on himself; a few trifling
errors, he thought would he sufficient to bring down Divine dis-
pleasure, how much more such outrageous proceedings as now
prevailed.
 232 THE ANNOUNCEMLKT REGARDING U'lNE.

^ soothe 73 your i\^ miud, ^ examine J^ your (^

attainments, ^ 75 l^ l^y yoiu* plans for distant use-
fulness ;
1^75 ^^e l*^"ieiit, ^ in order that
^ your
1 eople
you ^
Sp may be tranquillized ^
and I \sill Lot
;

^
consider faulty, ^nor cut you off.
3E The Q king further s-^id, S| «^ Oh, alas ^ !

^ you youn^ ^ /]> man, ^Fung f^ consider !

^
that the decree ^ is not ^ '^ invariable! * *^Do
you ;^_^ reflect on this !
^ ;^ let me not ^ cut
you off ^
from the promotion you enjoy M.'^
clearly manifest the decree by which you hold your
; ^75
tenure ; ^
think highly of 7^ what you ^^ now hear,

J^ J^ and peacefidly ^
regulate J^ your people.
^ The king |^ concluded ^
nearly as follows ^ ;

^ ^ Go, Fung do not ^

set aside
I the vene- ^ ^
^
rable regulations, |§ listen to ^ what ^ I tell

'/^ you 75 a^^ ^^^^° -Oil yo^ ^^^^ ^^^^

;
^ K Yin ^^^
people "jJI^ to be a perpetual enjoyment. ^
SECTION XII.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT ^Q f§ REGARDING WINE, f

3E ITie king ^ as it were ^ said, Q)^ Clearly (de-

clare)
state.
^ the great ^ decree ^ to ^ the Mei ^{

75 Your ^ respectful ^ ^ ^ Wan-

ancestor,
kingdom ^
wang,^ laid the foundation ^ of his in

P^ the western jtl region, he ^ where g§

informed
^ and warned J^^P the princes of the states, -jt ^
* This means that the command appointing any one to rule, is not
invariahly fixed in one family or individual.

t >i£ Show, of the f^ Shang dynasty, was madly bent on wine ;

so that the empire became corrupted by him, J^ jt Mei-t'hoo

was the capital city of Shang, hence its demoralization was extreme,
Sudu Wob-wang appointed ^^/Pj K'hang-shiih to rule over
made this treatise in order to instruct him.
that territory, hence he
The ancient and modern editions both contain this section.
 THE ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING WINE. 233

^ ^ Jg
^ noriin^ j^ and ^
Ml e oflicers, together with the assistants
^ and persons employed, evening,
Q sayincj.
fg ^ Jg^wine employed
In sacrificing is

^
;

fS and 5c |^ down
lieaven sent the decree in
the
that they
instance^
first

might
^ use
make to our people fto
principally
f|^
in sacrificing.
it,)

JQ it jjjg

^ wasItHeaven ^^ down ^ that sent this inflic-

tion 01 ^on our f^ and people, * w^hen "j^ great
^[^
confusion occurs, ^ ^ to the destruction of (indivi-
dual) virtue,
^^ Ipj^ wine fg f^it is invariably ^"g
that causes ^ it when
; andso also >l% small ^^C
great^J ^
states
J^ j^ ^are ruined, ij][^ it is also
without wine
exception fgf that ^ |'|| is the fault of it.

"^ S VV^n-wang 1^ informed ^ and instructed >|\

^ young
ihe
^ ]£employed, with
people, together the magis-
trates ^^ and ^ persons ^ forbidding
the constant use of
nVitional occasions
^ wine,
it
^ and when j^ PI on
was drunk, »|^ then only |jl
fjf
in sacrificing : (and iet it be done, saivl he) ^ in a vir-

tuous manner, ^^ g^
so as ^ to prevent intoxication.
He (W^n-wang) '|^ ]g used to say, My ^ ^ peo-
ple ^
led on /J> -^ their juniors f^ il ^to^ to love-

the productions of the soil, when )^ their hearts ^^

were good. 1 bus oUiiht men |^ clearly {^ to listen

to iflS ^ ^and jJl i)I|

the ednstaat instructions of their
ancestors ^ ; /J^
small :fsC ^
and great
— should be one
virtues,

;j> ^ with youn^j people, ^\^' ' and the

same.
Now you people of ^ -jt ^Tef-t'oo, t ^u)
combine
the energies of your ^ ^jj; /J^
bodily member^} 1^ ^
?ind extensively ^ cultivate ^ millet ^ and ^r;iin :

^J^ hasten ^ to serve

P{ your ^ parents ^jj and

* Wine brings calamities on men, and the origift of it is here

ascribed to Heaven, because the working out of misfortunes proceccte
from Heaven. , , .,

f This is the address of Woo-wiing to the people of M«?i-t'hoo4

Ee
234 THE ANNOUNCEMLNT REGARDING WINE.

^ superiors, gg and di^vj^ently ^ lead on "^ your

waggons ^ and oxen. ^^^ to pursue your mer-
^
^ and when ^
cantile affairs to a di tMHC'^ ;
thus ^1 piously
nourishing^ "^ ^ your -Q: parents ; your
^"85^ parents are gratified, Q you may
then j^j^

]>itheand ^ erijoy your abundance, ^ and af er that

f^ make use of |@ wine.

^ j;; Oh you^ Jf -^officers,

j^ -^nd magistrates,

together witli )fi^ ^

(j^ the suy_)erior '^^^d respecta-
ble clas&es,^^ ^ do yon 1^ ^ constantly listen

to ray^ ^
instructions ^ ;
if vou "j^ coidd liberally
^ ^
nourish and ^
your ^
par^^nts 'f^ rulers, then
you
to
73 would
abundance and
^^ ^
be ableand
and
satiety;
^ |Q
to eat drink
to speak of
'f^
greater things,^ ^ you ^ if
^^ could constantly
look into
you
^ and examine
due medium ^
ffe^
the
yourselves,
whe- tosee
of virtue,
ther 1^
possess ]^
j^ ^ and ^
thus could || ^
furnish and present
P| 75
the usual sacrifices, you would ^ ^^^ti ^)^ pro-
mote own ^ ^ enjoyment
your ^£ 7^ of pleasure,
and thus f\^ truly
f| become 3E JE $ ;^ the king's

gg ministers of correct ^ Then ^ you

Inisiness.

would f^also 5S ^ 7C ^
possess the original virtue
of compliance with Heaven, 3C ^ ]^ ^^^^ never be
forgotten^ 3f in ^ the royal house.
^ The king ^ Oh Fung ^
continued, ! in our

|g western
Jt ^
land, |J| the former assistants, viz.

^
^ ^ were ^p^
the princes, ^ and youn^
officers, ?]^ peo-
ple,
\^ J^ comply
enabled '^ ^ to with
Wan-wang's ^ ^ and
instructions, from )j||
refrain
indulging ^ Jg (abundance wine j^
in of) ;
therefore

^ M ^ 4^
I, time."^ have been
at this ^ able
to receive ^ 2^ 1% the imperial decree instead of
the Yin dynasty.
aE The king ^ ^ Oh Fung ^
further said, !
I
 TUB ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING WINE. 235

^ have heard
.ff|
it Q
said, -^ that formerly ^ ^
71:15*^
carried out
^he

^
first wise prince of the Yin dynasty
his sense of dread with regard
^
j^
to Heaven's ^ bright (decree,) and (his apprehension a-
liie common people's (preserving)
l)0iit)
;J^ 1^ th* J^
constant ^ virtues. ^ and maintaining
^ (the exam-
ple of) the ii.telligenl (kings.) Furttiermore g from the
time of ^ the accomi>lished j^ r'hang, )^ even g
nntil ^ emperor 2l Vih, there were those wlu
tiie rfg*

^
pny
could comi)lete 3t the (duties of) sovereign, -^ and
regnrd to :jQ their ministers ; 'j^ while their f^p
^oflicers ^^ assisted them :^ ^ with all due
respect. 'ihesei^did not ^JC dare § ^ lo give
wi^y to indolence ^ ^ and ea.e, ^\ how much ie^s

Q could it l)e said, ^ that they |^ presumed ^ to

f vour ^ drinking.
oreover -^
j^ in ^\^ the outside ^g tenures, a-
raong (^ the ma.qnises,
§J counts. ^ barons,
^J
protecl^^rs,^^ f(^ and lords of states, ; ^ togeth< r

with ^ those in jg the inner !j§ tenures, such as

^
the hundred ^ officers,
^^ the magiscratee,
{^ gg
the secondaries, f^)^^ the sui)ordinates. ^T the supe^.r-

intendents of works, j^ even to "j^ ihe ^ people, J|.

^ and the villagers, j^ there were none ^ who dare 1

'M *^ intoxicate themseives ^ wi^h jf^ wxne, 3j^ aid

not 'j^ only >fC did they not ^
presume to do so,
jff
but also
ing the practice.)
^^ gave themse ves no rest (in combat-
'|^ Thus Bfjf/ 'hey assisted to per- ^
fect 3E the royal ^ virtue.
^J and render it iliustrious;

^ ^
while they indticed j^ the magistrates jjfj^ rever-

^
ently to regard the laws.

^ ^ 1 h ve heard "i/p also \\^ that it has been ^

^ ^ 1^(Show) more^ mule
said,
"monarch
that recently ||i|j the succeeding"
himse'f merry with
33 g^
wine /J^ so that his (^jt
(O.umands^ were not
236 THE ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING WINE.

made manifest ^ ^ to That which

the people.
fjj^
he attended ^ and
to regarded @he^went
was only to ex-
cite disaffection, "^ ^ and without thus on
Reform ; ^ f^p ^^i^ 7^ way giving to excessive

dissolutene&s -J* ^K ^ ^"^^ illicit practices.

f^ In
the pursuit of ^ ^ he were |^ ^
pleasure sacrificed his
dignity,* so that ^ ^ ^ without
the people ex-
ception ^ universally '^ wounded ij^ in their minds,
^ whilst (Show) ^ wildly ^ gave himself ^ o-
ver to yg wine, >]f\ without 'f^ thinking of ^ ^^^reores^
sing J^ his 5^ indulgences ® his ^
i^ mind ^[|was
^ ^
;

so infatuated, /f\ that he did not ^

even regard
death ^ ;
^ his iniquities pervaded |^ ^ the city
ofShang, ^and when ^ the Yin (^ dynasty J^
was ^ he
overthrown ^ f^
did not ^gnc^ve. He
neglected^ make to
^^ ^ ^ ascend
his virtue JTiE
(to
the Supreme) Uke sweet
a ^ ^ Heaven
odour, "or did

hut he greatly
mount up
the report (of his sacrifices^)
^ com-
^ the people
to
to
;

j^ caused J^
P^a"^ iM ^ he with while ^ gave him- the multitude
selfup ^ |g to wine, which ^
the offensiveness of
was ^ J;
perceived
j^sent down ^
Therefore
on -^Heaven
high, jj^
^ on |^ Yin
calamities the d^nHsty,
^ ^ ^X "5^' shewing any towards them,
without pity

^»^ on account of
J^ ®
^ ^because
their dissoluteness ;
it i^

not thatHeaven ^ is oppressive ;

it is only
*^the ^^
people ^ hastened to crime.

3E The kiiigQ ^ Fung -^^ my

Oh said, ! it is not I

ij'^ ^^"^
alone ^ that thu-
f^ mu'tiply aia-

nounceraents ^ ; ^ have §"

the ancients also a
saying, \ men ^ must ;^
to this effect, that not
look into water ^ ylX, ^^ but ^for their mirror,

* Histoi-y relates that Show made a pond of nine and a forest of

flesh,where he caused men and women to run naked after each o^her;
thus in his pleasures he sacriiiced his; diirnity.
 THE ANNOUNCEMENT RKGAHDING WINE. 237
take g mankind ^ /^ Now for their mirror.
|^ '|^
the Yin dynasty having ^ jlj|
^ fallen from their
decree, ^my^ ^f how ^jC:^^ can I avoid taking
them for ^ -^ and mirror,
fl^ thus soothe (the
people of)my time.

^ warn^ I onlyyou ^ say, '/^ should strenuous-

ly ^ and |5 |jj iHc Yin the clever uiinisters of the
dynasty, who (those
j^ mar- hold the tenures of)
quises, ^ -^ ^
counts, and barons, protectors, (to a-
void wine how; ^\ ) ^Z^^ the great
much more
recorder,
J^^ "^ and the inner reconier, with buth of (

whom you are on friendly terms,) ]^ together with

your Iff wise ministers, and g W^Xall the prin-
cipal officials ;
^]|
still further ff^ ^^ those whom
you employ in
flg^ j)\^
sitting down to advise,
and in rising up to act ^| much rather '|^ those who
;
^g ^
are ^
as it were
^
your associates,* jjf the pa- ^
ternal chief of the imperial domain, -^ whose busi- ^
ness it is to diminish transgression, J^^ the father of
agriculture, ^ who subjects j^and preserves (the peo-

P'<^») ^
f>C ^^^^ ^^^^ great sire,
with seitiiug )^the laws
^ who is charged
j^j : and still more than all

these, yj^ you ought |^|] ^ to charge yourself with

vigorously repressing ^ yg the lust of wine.

^ ihe
^^ Ir ^ might
clubs |jf of drinkers ^^
still perhaps announce, (^ saying,
'^ do not you fail ^
( to apprehend,) f all of whom^ you must ^^
L ize 1^ in order ^ to to )^ Chow,
forward them "^^
T* $^^ where 1 may perhaps make away with them.
^ Also f^ with respect to )^ ;^ Yin's 5^ misgui-
ded ^S ^ ^ JZ ministers '}% and olhcials, J^ who ^
are immersed ^ j^ in wiae, you had better
* These refer to the three great olficers, ihe minister of war, the
nunister of instruction, and the minister of public works.
t This refers to tfiosie who n )t only meet to tipple, but ^vho formed
cabala, and promoted rebellion.
238 THE GOOD MATERIAL.

tiot ^ ;^
intsruct
put to them to death,
them.
^ \^ but merely fj;
J^
^^ .")houhl they adopt this your advice, ^ I shall
clearly ^ «nioy (my rule ovor them.) 75 ^^ut ^ if
they do not J^ re^^^ard $!j^^^ the tenor of my in-
structions, •|||theu ^ I,
— ' tiie oue \ man ^ will
not 'fjiJt
compassionate 1f^ nor ^
excn1j)'dte thejn 7?
^
fro?n blame, ^but class them jo] with those '^
who deserve |^ to be slain.

33 The king concluded, ^ Oh Fung ^ ! do you

^constantly |^ listen to ^ my ;^ warnings ^
^ manage
;

(tor if you) do not 75 these »\ officials

well, ^ the people )Pj will soon l>e immersed in ^
Jg wine.

SECTION XIII.

THE GOOD ^ Jl^ MATERIAL *

^ The king ^ said, ^^ Oh Fuag! (

when a chief)

jy, takes )^ the ^

comiron ^
people ^ ^with the

^ subordinate othcers, ^
and harinoniz.^s them with
3^ the great ^ and when
families of his state ;
l)^
he takes gf)f hisown g subjects^ and them renders
attached 3E to the emperor, 'fj^
he m-.y then be consi-
dered ^|J ^ a good ruler of a state.
iil^l^ *!S ^ Should the thought ever arise in your

* This also is a book of amiouiicement fruin Wi)0-waiig to K'ang-

shuh, instructing him in the principles of goveninient, wishing^ him
to carry out the feeling of kindness through all classes, and to dispense
with the use of severe punishments. In the middle of the sectian
occur the words "'* a good m;iteri;vl," and as this expression is suita-
ble to agriculture and house-building, it is therefore used to distin-
guish the chapter. The ancient and modern texts both have it.
Thf^re 'S much, however, that does not mutually accord in this chapter,
tii« former part and the latter not suiting each other; so that it is
thought this ch:ipler is composed of scraps made up by torn and
broken leaves.
 THE GOOD MATERIAL.
239

a. visers,

of war,
^
^g
.nh
nl
and ofpul>lic woiks, in
the ministers of instruction
3^
magistrates i^g and great officers
addition to
(then do you check ;
#
vourself) gj saying, ^Let me
[^ not )g t^nmnlcary
^^ slay A
peoi)le. Moreover a^ prince ^ ^^ $^
i^h()u]d

and
precede others
in affording
^ in manifesting respect
^
encouragement, and this wiTl
lead on ]^ to the
f^ manifestation of resr^ect
f]|^
M
and encouragement, (i)y his subordinates)
^
^ y^^.^
ther f::fc
with regard ^ tr. the rogues and villains,
§^ X
the murderers
^ ^
and innred oifeiiders (of ^
former dynasty,) ^
for ive them, '^ and thus ^ ^
you will display ^^^ the quaiit es of a mild
])rince. ^ Those who maim ^ and injure \ people
^ you may also forgive.
^ 1 he former kings ^ established ^ inspector-+
M for g[ stilling insurrections, ^ on behalf of
^
the people, and charged them, saying, ^- -^ 7H?
Do not injure ^ ^^ )§ nor op-press one another, ^ 4^
^k ^ be reganU'ul of the destitute, '^^' ]^i^ and
find connections for the
people, ly^ J^ and 20 on to bear with them.
widow ;
^^ harmonize the
3E When
the former kings ^^
undertook to imitate
f|l ^
the :hiefs of the state ^ and j^l ^ persons employed,
)^ "^ -^ J^ what was the charge they inculcated ?

^1 ^ but to afford (th'> people) nourishment,

^ j '[^
and repose. |^ From ]^ of old, 5E the kings ^^ ^
have acted thus ^
in your ins[)ection, therefore, j^
;

do you avoid ^X ^^^ ^^^e of j^? severe punishments?

* This {)ara»;rapli, according to the Chinese Commentator, i« in
many parts nnintelliuihle.
f The territory to whic;h
Kan^-<»hijh had been appf)iMted, was the
imperial domain of the former emperor, hence he was called an
inspector ; and Woo-wang here tells him of the object which the lor-
mer kin^js had in appointing^ these inspectors.
240 THE GOOD MATERIAL.

ij^ And ^ As
^ he said, ^ in f^ cultivating the
fields,^ having ^ ^eradicated ^
dihireiitly the
weeds,j^ ^ man ^ let a H- and .spread cut arranL^e

-J^^ ^ and
his ^"g borders ^ As j^ ditches. in

building ^ ^ i^ ^md ^
a house.

^
having industriou&iy
(raised)
man ^
;g
|g
the preparation of
the hiirher
^
plaster

7^ ^
^ As
and
^ having ^
f^
lower walls, jf^
thatch
materials,
it. in
let

se-
a

dulously j^ andplainedglj '\%^ chisselled the timber,

let aman ^ j^ paint^ and
it with red divers colors*

^ Now ^ you ^majesty consider, sayiny:,

^ f^ ^
let

3^ The ^ former kings having industriously

J^ cultivated ^, "^
flj^ intellisfent virtue. and cherish-
^
ed (the distant princes) ^ ^as well as the near ;

^P ^ were
the various states sensible of the benefits
they enjoyed, f^ ^ and :J1 arousing their brotherly
feelinofs ^ -jf
( aine and ^
from all quarters, t/J^

fully ^ g^ used f^ now

intelligent J^ virtue ; let our
later monarchs ^ ^ use ^ these old regulations,
and harmcmize ^ fjj all the states, then there will be
^ :^ -^crreat enjoyment. "I*

^ Heaven ^
Imperial now j^ has delivered

1^ ^
t|=> the people of the @ middle country, toge-
ther with]^
^
12 dt their^ Hands
territory, into the

^ the monarchs
later (Wan and Woo.)
0^ Therefore
3E ^ )^ gomakef
let your majesty •j'^

use of virtue, ^(J harmonize^ and gratify, ^fe be-

fore ^ and be the rereward^ ]S of this mistaken

* The eradication of weeds here refers to the removal of vicious

persons the erection of the walls, to the establishment of a country;
:

and the plaining and chisselling, to the carrying out of regulations.

All of which had been attended to by Woo-wan?. The settling of the
borders, the plastering and thatching, together with the paint^'ng and
adorning, refers to the task to be accomplished by Kang-shuh.
f This paragraph with what follows appears like the style of inferior
ministers sending in cautions to their superiors. It is supposed that
there is some error in the arrangement of the pages.
 ^

THE ANNOUNCkMtN'r OF i^HAOU. 241

people ; f^ ij^ and then they will be pleased that ^

our former :£ sovereign^ has received (Heaven's)
^ decree (to reign).

£^ Having said^ ^
thus much, J^ do you observe
it well
f^ and I can only
; add, ^that I wish ^ ^
^ for :^ a myriad years,
f|| ^
your 3E majesty's ^
^'children ^
i^ and grand- children may perpe- ^
tually j^ preserve g this people.

BOOK' V.

TH'e book of chow CONtmi^ED.

SECTION I.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT ^ |^ OF CHAOU.*

'I'^
On Z:: the second ^ month of the year, (B. C.
1^1^') Wt ^ ^^^^^ the moon had passed tlie full,^^
7^ Q at the expiration of six
days 21 on tlie 2lst ^
^
^ ^ ^
day of the month,, 3E the king set out early
from ^
Chow, and ^
arrived^ at Fung. ^
^Whilst he remained there, "j!^ the gredt' pro- ^
tector (Chaou-kung) $^ preceded^ Chow-kung, ^
In orJer to examine the locality, ^
proceeding, ^
leisurely ^ in his journey ; when ^on the third'
Hr month, 'f^P5 "^
on the thin^ day of tliei riionth,
§^ the new moot just appeared three days ;^^ Q
* Wo6-warig, havitig^ conquered the Shan^ dynaSiy, removed
the regalia of the kingdom fco the city of y-^ Lo. It appears that

it was Woo-wang's intention in his days to settle at Lo, but f^\ Qb^
Chow-kiin? and' fffc'T^ Chlng-wan;^ carried the inteiition into effect,

ani^' "^ ^^ Chaou-kungin reality ordered' th^^'effection of the city.

When was completed, Ching-wansr commenc-
the building of the city
ed his government there and Chaou-kung, taking advantage of
:

ChoW-kung's returrt', n^l^e this book of announcement, that he might

communicate it to the king. Th^ former and laVer editions both
have it.
F f
242 THE ANNOUNCEMENT Of CHAOU.

afterwards, )^ ^^h'di is on the 5th day of the month, ;;^

f^ the ^ came
great protector ^^ ^ j^ Lo, early to

j\where he ^
consiilteH the divination with regard
P^ ^ ^
to the settlement, and having !> obtained a
favourableomen, ^ ^ i^ he laid the plan of the
buildings.

^ ^
After Q days three
^^ mor--, that is

on seventh day
the month, of the -jk^ fj^ the great
protector 73 li^ ^ )Jx employed the multitude of the
^
Yin people ^ ^^
to prepare j{£ the site,
J§^ on the
L6 when J^
tongue of land formed by the 3E ; after
fiveQ ^^days,
month, fn! tbe
that ison the eleventh day of the
was fnUy prepared.
/^ site
On ^
;;§• Q ^
the following day, ^JJ that is on
^&
the twelfth day of the month,Chow-kung $^^
came ^ ^
early to ^ L6, ^l] and thoroughly |||

^=^\
inspected ^'^ new the plan of the city.

^ After ^ ~p S
three days,on the 14th that is

^
day of the month, ffl Jgfe $]J he sacrificed to hea-
^ 12
ven and earth ^
two bullocks and on ||. the ;

next ^ day, )^^

which was the 15th of the moon,
75 fch he sacrificed to the gods of the land^ ^^
in the new city, ^
^— one bullock, ^— one sheep,
^— and or,e pig.

^ -^ 3 ^ -^
Seven days after, that is on the 21 st

)^ -^
day of the moon, Chow-kung 75 ^ early
^
up ^
took ^
the record of service, and issued his com-
)^ ^
i^ands, flil^ I? ^ 'fa
to the princes of the
and
raarquisates, lordships, baronies, of the host of
Yin.
]^ They ^having "^ com miss ionedj^t^ the multi-
tudes of Yin,
undertook the work.
^^
the hosts of Yin 3Sextensively f^

(The vivrk being complete'i) ^Jf ^ the great pro-

tector 75 }j^ j£| ^ ^ ^ ^ WMit out to the prince
 THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF CHAOU. 243
of the various states, y[^ and received their present* ^
of silk, 73 when he again ^ entered, A
^ and gave
t^era f§] ^ to Chow H ^
kung, ^ saying, Let
th« bowing ^ -^ and now make)
prostratino- ([

5g havre place^ before ^ ^ ^

the king, as before
yoar grace ; |§ ^ makingthe
announcements ^ ^
to the people of Yin (in order to their transformation j
^@
^
will
of the business.
now depend upon 75 y^^ur ^jj management

^
?4 ^h
preme Ruler
yes ! ^ Imperial
Jb ^ Sii- Heaven's ^
g^ has changed
(the decree in favour of)

P{ his JQ chief -^ son, (the sovereign) of this ^ ^

great ^
country |5 f^l, 1^ Yin f>| and now ;
^
your Majesty ^
has received -^ the decree to rule,
(which affords)^ U interminable jf£ f?fC happiness,
(and brinsfs with it) TJj^ also ^ 5B boundless f^ 'j^S an-
xiety ; % «? Oh !
4 :^ ^ ffll ^ ^ how can you
dispense with respectful caution.*
5c When Heaven ^ ^ was about 5§ for ever
to terminate ^ ^ "^
the a^reat -^ ^ Ivnasty Yin's
decre^^.

and ^
^ ^ ^ numerous
then ^ Yin's ancient
^
intelligent(came remembrance)kinors. into

^ 5^ Heaven ^
before ^ ;
but ^i^ their succeeding
^ ^^
sovereigns and J^ who subjects, jjg had receiv-
ed JPj the1^ ^^ ^^
decree, ultimately drove wise
men ^ ^
into the shade,
power ^
and placet! the oppressive
in ;
;^fj ^j^
the people tired with tyranny,
iM ^ W( i% and m
"?• ^^^^^ ^^P their wives children
theirarms i^X^'^^ ^'*^ Hea-
bitterly complained to

ven, ^ but on going forth Jjjf

to mal;e their "fc *fj

escape, ^j(j
they were seized, (and brought attain under
the yoke.) ^ Oh how ^ Heaven "^ ^
Ij^ did also

^ E9 >^^
compassiimate the peo[)le of the various

* Tlis with what follows is an auiiounceineiit to Chliig-wanjj ;

which Chow-kiing sent him through Ciuiou-kuiig.

244 THE ANNpUNCEMpj^T OF CHAQy.

^ ^ and
^ who ^ ^
If gions, decree in favour of those
displayed energy in ruling ; therefore 3E Itit

^^
your Majesty earnestly cultivate ^ |^ the vir-

tue of respect.*
^ On surveying 1^ 7^ ^ the former people
^^
of Hea, (we find) ^ that Heaven ^ allowed of ^
their transmitting (the
and protected (that state);
empire)^
(while
to their sons,
the founder
^ of
it) jg turning towards Heaven, ^ discovered
5^ that
Providence ^ was favourable ;
^ ^ now, however,
(that state)^ ^ has lost j^^ its ^ ^ decree. ;jg
:^ ^
^Surveying also Yin (we the dynasty, find that)
55 Heaven ^ has led on that family, (and aided
them)
:^ in rectifying the abuses (of the former government,)

^ while them
it protected ;
(the founder of the
state,)@ Heaven ^
turning towards 3^ found Pro-
vidence ^ ^ t^ now,
also favourable ; however,
^ ^ ]^ having
(that state likewise) ^ has lost its decree.
^ Now ^ ^ young ^ the prince suc-
ceeded him ^ ^
to the throne, ^ij let
^ not neglect
the old^ and H
experienced ministers ;
for it i^ said,

^ ^
that they with ^ are acquainted
>\ our ife" J!^
predecessor's^ ^j how much more ^ when
virtue ;

it be
can :^ ^
affirmed, ^ that they j|^ are able
to read^ g Heaven.
the counsels of 5lj
^ «f Oh :^ 3E ^^
yes ! young the king thoui^h ?\^

^ ^ p^ is and ^ may ^
(Heaven's) chief son ;

^ harmonizing ^
greatly ]|^ succeed pjp^ in /]> the
lower people,^ and promote immediate
'{jf
thus hap-
piness ^ ;
let ]^
your Majesty, therefore, not J;^ pre-
sume f^ ]^to ^delay ^^ the use of respect, but
regard and ^ J^ dread the hazardousness of the
people.

This paragraph according to the Cliinese commentator has ma-

ny diffieulties , the sense given, however, is nearly as abo\ e stated.
 THE ANNQUKCEMEI^T OF CHAOl/. 245

5E I-et thp king 2$J now cpme ^ to carry out (the

authority of) J;; the Supreme ^ Ruler, @ and
Bubdue himself^ jt in t:|:| this central land.
flg
jg.
Tan (Chow-kun^) j^ used to say, ^ he who ^^ esta-
blishes :)s: this great g
from city,
hence ^ can^^ ^
fa be associated with g Imperial
Heaven, ,;^ and ^
carefully j^g sacrifice -^ to
Jt the g-ods above y: and
below ^
he can
; from henceg settle in the ^ ^
due medium, :)(^ and cany out good government.
If the king ^
can act thus :^ in obtaiaiiig
^
the per- J^
feet
people,
'^ decree (of Heaven,)
>^ he now
J^ and regulating g the
will jj^ display the utmost excellence.
3E Let the king ^ tirst ^ bring under subjection

J^ ^^ the managlers of the Yin J^ in

state. order
to associate with ^)^
managers of our Chow dynasty
and aid ^ ||^W i^ i^ ^ the
|p let them regulate
;

j^ and then they will

'1^ their vicious propensities, Q
daily ^j^ advance in goodness.
^ Let the king ^ i^i 1^ v(\^ke a place for respect,

^^ and never ^ neglect ^^ the virtue of re-

verence.
^l^^ Z^ ^^ "^ cannot forbear observing
3t Heathe "^ ^ ^ ^ dynasty ; nor can I help

^^ ^f ^
contemplating 5; theYin dynasty ;
I ;;^
^
^ ^
dare not
^^ Jf advert to and remark on the
ilea dynasty's j^^ bavins: submitted to the celestial
•^ ^^ ^ S ^
decree,
nor do
for a ^ succession
presume to
of years
dwell upon the
;

^^it 1 ^U cu^-

cums.ance "^ ^ JE (;f its nnn-contmuance,

^^ respect
f^ only
tbat IfH^'^JM ^^'^' ^'-^^^ ^^ ^^^^' ^^^"^^^^
7^
it ^ early [^ fell from ^ Its ^ decree. ^ I
q^
^do not dare ^^ I^ to advert to :^ |^ the \in dy-
nasty's ^ having received ^ its celestial ^ decree
^'^ ^ov ^ nnmber
a !^ of years, ^i^^ |^ nor
do 1 ventuie ^^ to recur ^^ JS t<> noii ron-
246 THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF CHAOU.

tin nance ; \^ only that on account of !^ its want of

i^ ]^ ^ the virtue of respect, ^ ^ it early ^ fell

from Pf its ^ decree.

^ Now 3E ^he king
^^ h ivins: inherited ]^ the
•^ (celestial) decree, ^ 1^ I irhould ako say,
^'f^
that
it is (the same decree formerly made in favour of) ^
those Z^ two ^^ dynasties :
|§| let him inherit al-
so ^ their ^ merits, the more especially that now 3E
the king J^ has ^ but recently ^^ come to the inves-
titure of sovereignty.

^ ^^
S4 ^ ^^ '^^
^ just as in the hringing forth
of ^ ^^
children, ^ there is nothing like in
j^
^ earliest^
their Q p^ infancy obtaining for them
^-^ ^ Now
the decree of intelligence. (whether)
^ Heaven I^ ^ ^ has decreed intelligence (for our

^ whether ^
sovereign,) ^ happiness or misery,
-^ whether )§
or ^ (we a succession of years, cannot
-^
tell) ; we know
all ^ can is, the present charac-
ter^ ^ new §^
<'f our dynasty.
(We
1^ arenew now) setiiuig §/f
a ]^ state,
^
therefore 'j'^ let 3£ the kiig ^ |^ be ur,^ent in culti-

vating l^f^the virtue of respect. 3E Should the

^
king f^ ;;Jl J^ attend to virtue, |}f he may solicit

^ He Heaven ^
from a perpetual ^ decree in his favor.
^ who *|*^ tills the station of ^ sovereign, ^
should not on occasion of >Jn the inferior
JU)^
J^ peo-

^
ple's ^ disorderly indidging in illicit ^ ^ prac-
tices, jfj>
13^ presume J^
brin^ them
to kill ^
into an
and slay them,
orderly
^
^^ in order to state.

^ Let the people ^ he rendered obedient (to virtue,)

and thlH ^ will coustitnte ^ his merit.*
"H* He who ')^ occupies ^^ the throne of royal-

* The commeiilator liere remarks, that the people are like water ;

when water overflows, it is an unnatural state of things but ; to at-

tempt to dam up and stop it, oiUy increases the evil. TiCt it be led
out through its pioper channels, and the de«ii-ed end will b« secured.
 TtlE ANNOtJNCEMENr OF CHAOU. 24?
y ^ IStC ^lioiiH be pie-eniii.eEt in virtue then

SUn
'rg Till ^ and
tor'^'^^"^^''^'Z^'
a pattern,
i^ofpeoi,le 73 take him
act out his principles
f-
5c T
throughout the empire, by which means
^2
^ the kuig will be rendered still more illustrioui

± let 1> andboth high low (displ.y) gj the most

intense
^Q
ij]i anxiety, saying,
4^^^^^ M.y
which we
the decree

^ ^ 3: ^ ^
great as
have received fio.n Heaveii be
the successive years of the
^
Hea 5^ ^ ^ and
dynasty, * not interior to /S*
^
^^ the lengthened rule of Yin.
f |J^ I de.ire tbft
EE y^^^ iV^ajpsty^ and /j> the common
^ people'^
may receive
(Chaoukung)i^^
^^^ the perpetual decree of
then bowed
Heaven '

$|]^
and mad e
obeisanre, Q sayint^, ^ l,j]\ your unworthy mi- g
nister,:^ presume Ji^ to take ^;^ your Majesty's ^^^
rebellions ^ subjects, t "^f the hosts
^^ of good
men. § ^ and ^j^ the friendly
^
people, with whom
^ g to maintain 3E your Maje^ty's ^
dignitied
||

^
commands, ^ and enlightened ^
influence. On the
subject of 3E the kind's ^ eventually
^J^ complet-
^^g ^ the decree, S ^ ^' and also becoming illus-
trious, ^^ I ^i do not ^ dare HJj to harhour the least
anxiety, 'j^ 1 only be^ ^ respect ftdly ^ to present

^ my off'erings, f^] ^ aiid assist the king ^^^

3E Df
in soliciting 5^ Heaven's ^j^ perpetual -^ decree.
Hea's rule lasted 400 years.
f The dominion of the Yin family was 600 years.
t The rebellious subjects refer to the disobedient people of Yin,
who had revolted with the thrc^ inspectors.
§ The good men were the officers of the Yin state.
jl
The "friendly people aliuae to the obedient subjects of the
Chow dvnastv.
24vS THE ANNOUNCEMETVT AT LO.

SECTION 11.

THE ANNOU.N CEMENT ^ fS AT LO.*

^ ^ Chow-kiing and ^^(now)

bowed ^ "^ made
obeisance,|^ ^ saying,
^^ ^ I answer return
tomy ^ son ^ the intelligent prince. •)•

^ The seems ^ he
king. Jpl |^ as if did not dare
J^ to ttike (for

founding ^ 1% and
^^ ^
granted) the celestial j^jV decree
for
succeediv.g to
^ settling his state
-j^ the (great) protector
;
/J" but I
have ex-
)f[^ ;;j^

tensively ;jfl inspected ^ the eastern jtl region, where

perhaps ^ the ^ foundation may be laidfl^ ^ ^^
Jo^ (of our princes) becoming the intelligent ruler of

his people.
•^ 1 '\^ on Z^ 5p the I2fh day of the Srd mbnth,+
§ went eayly ^
to 7^ [5fp the capital city of L6,

\\ and divined '/BJ^^ on the north of the Yellow^

river, ^ ?J^
at the junction of the Le water. ^ l

73 again |^ divined at a place 5^>^lf ^ o^i the east^

of the Keen water, ^ ^ >^k and on the west of the
Teen water, § '1*'^
f^ ^ (when the prognostication)
just fell on the Lo ^ 5C
river. I further |n divined

* Tlie city of Lo having been settled, Chow-kuna: sent a messen-

ger to announce the result of the divination vvhich the historian ha.^
:

recorded as the announcement of L6. He has also noticed the dia-

logue which took place between the king and his ministers, and the
orders which Chingwang gave to Chow-kmig, to remain^ ift- the-
government of Lo. The earlier and later editions both have it.
f This with what follows records Chow-kung's delivering the an-
nouncement of the divination to the messenger. His making obei-
sance refers to the ceremony with which Chow-kung despatched the
ambassador. Ching-wang had directed Chow-kung to go and^ lay
plans for the building of the Chow city, when Chow-kung having ob-
tained the divination, returned an answer to the king. He calls him
son out of affection ; and intelligent prince out of respect.
X See the 4th paragraph of the section on the announcement to
Chaou.
§ This is the site of the present district of L6-wang, Lat. 34. 45.
N. Long. 4. 20. W. It was then the capital city of the empire.
 THE ANNOUNCEMfcM AT LO . 217

^ ^C ^ «« the east of the Teen water,

Jpfi ]# )§.
^ when (the progriosticatioM)
then
fell aUo oa the Lo ri-
ver,
f fpJlS I despatched the messeu^-er
[^
withg map a of the region, Jj^ and
||i presented at
the saiTie time |> the result of the divinations.

3E Ih^ ^J"g (through his ambassador) then 3^ S

bowed ^
1^ and made obeisance, saying, Q ^
Your Grace ::f!;; does not fi^ dare to disregard ^^
^j^. Heaven's f^ excellent (decree,) and \rs ^
come :jQ to inspect the settlement,^ which is fb ^
to be J^ 25
i^ ^^ eqnal eminence with our Chow ci-
ty. ^
Your Grace ^ having ^
established the ^
settlement, 'j^ ^ has despatched a messen^^er ta ^
fl and
come, -^ me ^ shew )> the excelljat divina-
which
tions, '[^ ^ are constantly favourable. ^ We
n y^ must ^ ^ both together take the credit of this
business
me ^^ ^ ^ ^
^ Grace ^
; but your has J^ obtained
^
for ^ rfl the glorious decree of
Heaven
venerated for ten thousand times ten thousand
years ; ^^
(I therefore) aerain bow |^ "j^ and
make
"^ w^ords.
obeisance (to thank you) ^ for your instructive

1^^ Chow-kung (having leMirned) Q said, ^

Y^our iViajesty p^fp| should make a commencement
with 1^ the great j^ ceremonies |{^ nnd sacrifices -^
in 1^ the new § city, ]^ and universally |^ arrange
those regarding which ^ there are no written ^
directions.
•^ J ^ have marshalled "g* the hundred X Ma- offi-

cers,"^ and directed them ^ to attend 3E your

The locality here mentioned is about 30 miles to the east of the

former, where a subordinate city was built, for the reception of the
adherents of the former dynasty.
to the mode of divination, in
f This falling on the L6 river refers
which the augurers first drew a line, and then scorching the tortoise
tbund^ ibat it* prognostications fell exactly on that line.
250 THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT LO.

jesty ^ in )^ the Chow city, -^ f^ Q merely ob-

serving, )ffi^ that perhaps ^ there will be ^ some oc-
cas^ion for your service?.
^Now^glet your Majesty
decree, H saying:, " will record
|[J immediately
J^ ^ those
^
de-
fg I

serving of merit, ^ and employ jr/| the most deservinsf

f^ in
let the
7U the principal part
purport of -^ the
jjjg

command
of the

j£j
sacrifice
he. ^
;

Do you
^
§; who have received
"
^ these orders
H liberally
Jgj
as&ist your prince.
55
Greatly fl^ display this record of merit,
^^
(and the public
will entirely
spirit of the people) 73

depend on the way

'Kf
in which you |^
^^
^j(^
T instruct your officers.

IS "? ^'^^ ^^^

forming cabals ^ H^ "5^ Should the youngj
young officers
^ ^|{ then think of
officers,
however, ^
gg form intrigues, :^
not the progress of the evil be like
^^ ^ l/C
which
will

%^ fire, at
first II g^> only sparkles a little, ^ f^ ^>^ and then
bursts into a flame, ^ while its gradual conflagrations
^ $t fg are inextuig^uishable.

K ^ ^ Follow the invariable principle of right,

^ ^ ^ Lo) ar.d settle the affairs of the country, jj^ as

^ 1 f^only
did (at ; J^ ^^ )h1 X make use of
those officers who are now in Chow, ^ and go ^ to
the new ^ city ; ff- let them know ^^ your object,

PJI ^ ^ and go
ligently arouse
to their
"^ T^
respective duties
the meritorious
; BJ^
^
intel-

be
f^ ; li-

beral ;^ and enlarged in your views, )f^ while you

complete ^ the richness (of public morals) ; */^ then
you will ^ perpetually ^ ^
have some one to

applaud.
-^ The duke s^id, Q E you
Ob ^ you fH are mily
^ -^ a young man, ^f^ but must ^ complete tti€

dynasty (c()in*i«nced bv WHn and Woo).

 THE ANNOUNCfiMENT AT LO. 251

^ When you ^
g' when
are f^ respectful,
^ you may as-
certain
to yon (in sincerity),
the hundred
^
and you
princes
may
:^ pay court
g^ also
f^' ascer-
tain -^ when ^ do ^> they not ^
pay court (in sin-
^
cerity.)^ Paying court (consists in) an ahun- ^
d nice
[^ ceremonies ^
of ;
but when the ceremonies
^ do /^ no ^ not equal the presents, 'j|| it may be Ef
^
Raid, ^th.it court is paid. ff| If (the princes)
^ do
incT
not^ bend ^ their
proper court (to yon,) j{^ the common
minds
pay- ^ towards ^
p^ people
'1^ will El
say, ^that there is no need to pay ^
court ; 'f^ and then S^ affairs
fusion
wdl fall into coa- ^ ^
f^ a'>d contempt.
/5 You f^ are J^ ^ my man,
(do you
still a your^g
I therefore) ff iiffuse abroad
!]^ ^ ^>
unwearied
diligence. * |^ and listen, while 1 ^ |^
ceach ']^ you
^ how^ to aid j^ the people (in complying with)

^ the uiichang'-'ible principles of nature ;

f^ Jj S
lOi- should you 3^ ne^^lcct ^ to exert yourself in this,
/"^ your S^ rnle f^ will ^ not be ^^ perpetual.
'1^ Liber.dly j|5^ arrange (the principles of^ Tj your j£
correct ^ fatlier,-|-
f^^ and invarii'>ly ^imitate -^
me, (then the people) w^ill not ^
dare to se*: ^ ^
aside 75 your ^
commands. -/^ Go thou, j^J ^ ^
and be respectfully cautious "^ md now -j* 1 (will ,

retire) ^^ to hct forth

^^ the duties of husban-
dry, f^ There (in Lo) ^ do thou enrich ^ij our J^
peu-^^e, and men ^ will not care ^from what distance
to y(m.
J^ j^ they revert
3E ^'he king ^
as it were 1E| said, 5V your G-rnc^
0^ has distinguished
w^ho am but a child.
>{^ and prot'^ctod -f^
You J§ have^
me,
quoted
Jljl
^
^
* This phrase is obscure to the Chinese Commentator ; he sup-
poses that the iDeanins;: "nuy be as above.
" correct father" is another term for deceased
f The expression
parent.
252 THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT LO.

and enlarged upon (the principles ot) ^ ^ illustrious

virtue, Jjjjj so that "^ I, >)>» the little ^ am
"J' one,
able to display ^fUj ^| the glories W^n andof
Woo, ^ and reverently ^ to correspond to^ the
celestial
^ decree, ^W harmonizing ^ and per[)etu-
ating VS/f^ the people of the four quarters, ^ and
settling ^ their multitudes.
(You have induced me) *j^ to be liberal ^ 7^ ^
in the great
to
ceremony for hououring merit,
summon and arrange (those who should
^ |^ offer)
an I

y^
the chief
J£ sacrifice, )^ universally ^ setting in
order (those rites for which there is) ^ no ^jr written

direction.

«^]i Your ^ Grace^s ^ virtue JS^ brightly 3^

shines ^ J; above and "j^ below, |^ and your dili-
gence "f^ is displayed ^ throughout gg all quar- ^
ters, so that

respectful
^
the people
and harmonious, ^ and
f^ are everywhere
come to greet ||j
f^^
a well-balanced government ; >j^ not ^ erring from

^^W]Pk the instruction so diligently inculcated

by W^n
and Woo. -^ Thus have I, >i^ ? the little

oue, nought else to do, but J^ early

carefully
^ and late
^
jJlJ
to sacrifice.

3E The king ^ further said, ^

your Grace's ^
merit 1^ in aiding ^ and leading me on [^ has beeu
abundant ; ^ do not ]^ cease, therefore, ^ B^ to
act thus.

3E The king H also said, '^ Oh your Grace! "^

I, /]^ the little ^ 5^
^^ one, will retireH]) and ^
superintend ^ ^ Chow, ^
over while 1 order ^
you f^ to me
succeed here at Lo. *
Though the
P3 ^
^*^"^ >[/ q-i^irters are well order-

• When L6 was completed, Chosv-kung wished the king to remove

Jiis c-ntre of the kingdom ; but
capital thither, as being nearer the
his Majesty did not like to give up the former capital ahd abandon
ithe old residence of his ancestors.
 THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT 1.0. 253

ed ^and regulated. ^ we have not yet ^ ^

fixed
upon ^ the triumphant |§ ceremony, 'Sff ^
and thus
"^ are unable ^ to make a suitable acknowledgmeut
^ of your Grace's ^ merit.
Go on ^ to open out Sj^ and enlarge '^ your ^
influence in future, S^ and be a mirror for my
J^ ^
oHftcers ^jp 31 nnd magistrates, thus greatly ^
-(Ij;
pro-
tecting ;^ S; ^K the people whom W^n and Woo
have received, ^^ ^^^^ ^^ y^^^' ^^^^ ^ constituting one
plj of the four ^ upholders (of our dyaasty.)
3E 'Ihrking^ further said, /^ your Grace ^
must stay here, -J* whilst 1 fi ]3 go yonder. ^
Your Grace's ]^ merit |^ will be venerated ^ and
mRP^nitied, f(5 honoured jgj^ and delighted in ;^^
^^ do not you therefore distress me (by quitting
your post
of ^]|^ "^
) ^
the
I
fH fehall not ^ grow weary
business of tranquiilizuig the people;
^
^^ only let not your Grace deprive us of Jfll
your example, and then (the people) \^ in all 'ff
^
quarters i^ will ^
for ages ]^ enjoy the benefit of

(yonr influence.)
1^ %. Chow-kung^ ^ bowing f§ "^ then
made H
obeisance, ^ Your and ^ said, Majesty
has commanded ^* me ^ come -^ to hither, and has
chargedme ^^ 7^ "^ ^^^
to [troiect jJiH.
the peo-
plewhom your literary ancestor received a decree to
govern, ^ 7? ^
as well as y^ur ^jj distinguished
^
how
^^
father Woo-wang ^A ; in undertaking this

my ^^
e^reat i^ \\^ reverential caution!

1^^ young
Let your ^ comeHighness, however,
^
(frequetitly over) ^ new to inspect the settlement,

^ "3^1? and YinV ^"^^ ^^*^^ ^ ^**^ ^ liberal eye the old re-
gulations, |§ ^^ clever people . where,
§1^ if you extend your tioveriiment, you will be- ^
come VS'j^ ^^
the new prince of the surrounding
254 THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT LO.

regions, ff? and constitute yourself )W1

pectful primoorenitor of the Chow dynasty.
^^ ^fe the res-
Theft; [
should say, ^
that if || from f^ this time tfl you
would settle in this central position, and estahlish ^
a good government, the myriad ^ f\} states )^ would
be universally ^
tranquil, f^ ^nd
3G your Majesty
"^ Would )f^ complete your merit. ^
•^ [, ^
Tan, (Chow-kung) JjJ with ^
the nume-
rous -^nobles and ^
managers ^ ^
of affairs, JS|
will pay great regard J^
jjij ^^ ^3<^ to the perfect me-
rit of our predecessors (Wan and Woo,) ^ In order to
answer (to the expectatio.is) ^
of the |tB ^^il^itude.

f^ Thus becoming ^ Chow's ^

true ^
pattern,

^ completing ^
our 3S iH'^strinus
-J» prince (Ching-
waiig's) Jflj example, 75 ^^d .^ carrying out jjl^^ ^
our literary ancestor's ^ virtue.

(The kimr having returned to C^how, Chow-kung

exclaimed,) '^ He has sent ^ a messenger ^^ to cau-
tion )|^ the Yin people, J^ and -j^ directed him at
the same time 5^ to calm "j* my mmd. JjJ^ presenting
me with some ^ and ^^|5j
black millet, fwo cups of
fragrant wine, Q saying, " Let
them take fl^ the pure

IJ^ -^crifice, ^^ bow% ^ ^ makeup obeisance, and

j>jf ^
•^ But
present this excellent offering
I "^ not ^daring |g to retain
to him."
(this hiu'h
compliment )
|[|J jjj^
^ Wan-
offered it up "^ to J^
^ang ^i and Woo-wa: g.
*

Ching-wang) ^
(Whilst 1 prayed, saying, Let be
^
rendered obedient, ^ and
largely systematicallv
Wan and Woo) M may
(following the doctrines of ;

he not
y^ ^ meet Q ^
accidentally with calamity ;

^ ^
for myriads ]^
of years (m^iy posterity) be sa-
tis ^ 75 ^
ded with ^ (may
^^s virtue, and even)

* These were cermonies employed in tl e service of the gods,

which were here uswi towards Cho^r-kung, to testify the king> high
rogard for him.
 *

THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT LO. 255

the Yin jieople 73 ^ ^^d

^^^ out ^ to enjoy longevity.
2
I

Let the king ff send ^ Yin people, Tj

to the
that they may ^ receive j^ orderly (instruction,) and
then ^ for myriads £^ of years ^?
they wiil
^
per.
petually |g look up to this j^^C ^^y son, ^ aud che-
ris (a remembrance of) ^ his virtue.

)-^^ During the 12ih moon,* 3£ the king :j^

happened to be at ^
the nev^ city, v^hen he of- ^ ^
fered the winter ^ sdcrifices ^ at the close of the
year. ^^ 1 o Waivwang (he offered) ^^^ >[:: —
one red con ;^3E ^^"^ ^^ Wo6-^^ang |^
,
also ^ —*
a cow
red after which
; the king ^
gave orders ^
f^ to draw up |UJ the form of supplication, when ^
Yth (the scribe) |jjj^ composed ftj] the j)rayer. (1 he
king) f^ then =^ aimounced J^ >& to Chow-kung, i^
that he should |^ remain behind, (in charge of Lo.)
5E'lhe ^ came ^when
kinor's guests, on the slaying f^ of the
sacrifice, )^ ^ all 3E ; the king X en-
tered into ^ ^ the great hall of the temple, |^ and
poured out the lii)ation.

y The king -^ commanded jg) ^ Chow-kung ^

to remain behind, f^ F[3 ^S ^^^^ ^'^^ ^^^^'^ composed the
prayer, |^ announced it ^ in -p ^I^ the 1 2th J^
moon.
'1''^^ After which ^ -^ Chow-kung
|^ abundantly
^ protected (the people over whom) [^ vVan and ^
Woo ^
had received -^ the decree (to rule),
fg for
"t seven ^
years.

* This with what follows is recorded Uy the historians to completi

the piece.
256 THE NUMBROUS OFFICERS.
SECTION 111.

THE ^UMKR(>US ^ J^ OFFICERS.

*

fft
On H
the Hid month, ^
Chovv^kun^ If/ ^^
began -J* in ^
the new ]^ cit J^- of Lo, J^ "^ ta
announce j^ z£ db ^^ the officers ot the Shan^ dynas-
ty, saying ;

^
^ Thedt numerous king^ ^ Oh ^
has in effect said, you
5^ ^ Yin remaining officers of the dy-
nasty ^ !we ^ cannot ;^ but lament that the au-
tumnal ^ Heavens f ^ ^ have so extensively sent
down ^ "^ ^
calamity Yin ^^ we ^on ;
whilst
possessinfc(
)^ Chow's f^ ^ decree for protecting the
empire,^ have 5c Heaven's B^
received fr^^'" glorious
majesty ^ ( a charge)
3E to carry out the royal

f ^ ^ and
inflictions,
thereby
|^ '^
work ^
completing the
arrange the affairs of Yin,
of )J^ the Su-
preme.
^ p^ Oh you ^ numerous Jh
Therefore, officers,

^ it is^ not ^ kingdom |^

thdt our
/J^
small
would -^dare ^ power ^
to grasp at f^
Yin's decree ;

but ;^ Heaven ^ ^^ has withheld from them,

^ and has really
f^ ^ ^^
refused to sanction ^^^^^
disorders ; ^
gpg while ^ it^ |^
has assisted "s.

How we presume 5^
could aim H to at the throne!

j^ The Supreme !^
'iff ^ common does not give his sanc-

^
tion to any, where ^ except ^ our "f*
^
people (of a state) ^ good
maintain the practice of
principles ; ^ Heaven ^
(in other cases) i\^ clearly
manifests -^ its terrors.

* When the people of Shang wer« removed to L6, there were

among thera some persons in ofRce therefore Chow-kung, at the
;

commencement of his rule there, assembled those officers, and ad-

dressed them in the name of the king. The compiler of the book has
from this circumstance given a title to the section. The earlier and
later editions both have it.

t The autumn was the season for punishing offenders, hence

it is

said that the autumnal Heavens have tent down the calamity.
 tub: numerous officers. 257

f^ ^
M have heard Q it said, Jt ^-^ That the Sii-
prenie Ruler ^| leadsmen
3^ by easy means, ^^
the prince of Ilea, however,
to mildness when
"^ would not
?^ Supreme
yield -^ ^
;
|j] f^ the |?^ sent
-^lown ^ inflictions ^ to make known his intentions ^
to Uf this g Hea ^ ^ ; but not being able to ^
profit ]^y these"^ dispensations of Providence, (the
ruler of that state) ^ became exceedingly ^ disso-
lute ^^ and voluptuous^^ feigning
l|'^ fl^ \t length
boasted as- ^
sumptions. 5C Heaven |^ refused
^ either to regard ^
or listen to him, '|^ and ^ ^
abrogating Tf; the original -^ ^ ^
decree, iullicted

^ Heaven
punishment upon him.
^
^ ^ men '^^
75 ^^^^ "^ directed your first
jjj^
ancestor ^ '^ Ching-t'hang to supersede Hea,
(who then employed) '^ ^
talented to re-
gulate 23 ^^^ ^'^^^^'
/y ^l^tarters (of the empire).
^ From J|5^J^ Ching-t'hang 3g -^ to the time of
^2l Te-yih, (the sovereigns) ^^ universally B^
illustrated ^ virtue, '^ and paid particular attention
to jnfj sacrifices.

3lF f^ Thus 5^ Heaven 3^ greatly ^^ established,

•^
ty
protected, ^ and regulated ^^
the former kings of Yin, Tjp also fSJ did not
the Yin dynas-

; j^ 3E
^ dare ^ to evade (the directions of) the Supreme, ^
while ^^ they invariably g^ seconded 3C Heaven.
^^ in shedding a genial influence (over the people).
:]^ In ^ the present day, however, ^ the last

^ feucceeding- 3^ monarch (of that dynasty) |^ has

very much j^ failed ^ inunderstanding ^^
celestial principles ; j^\ how much less Q
can it be
^
said that he ^ has ||§ attended to, ^ or regarded

^^^ the example of the former kings, |^ in dili-

gently (ruling over) ^ the state. He has been ^

exceedmgly ^ wanton f^ and ^ voluptuous, ^
Hh
258 THE NUMEROUS OFFICERS.

neither f| regarding ^
5C Heaven's manifesta- ^
tions,
^IK "or the object of the people's dread.
*1^^ ^ h^s J:; ]j^ the Supreme Ruler ;^ has with
held ^ his protection, ^
and sent down this ^^
^ extensive ^ ruin.

t^ ^C Heaven 3^ does not bestow the blessing^

on those who ^
do not Hj^ clearly uuderstdud p^ ^
virtue.

J^ Whenever \^ ^ and^herever >|> small "^ or

great^ ^
countries |j^ are ruined ^f^ there is inva-
riably^ ^
some |j^ reason -f for th« infliction.

3E Ihe king ^ H M Oh you

further observed,
^ ^ numerous
Yin's J^ '^ now ^
officers,
*J^
has
our ^ 3i Chow
k'^g of B ^
^E'^^^y properly un-
dertaken ^ f. imposed on him by
the business the
Supreme.
^ When ^ announced him ^J
the decree directed to cut

offj^Yin, ^he arrangement J;lj the (of

^ t^ Supreme.
the affair) to the
^ ^ we ^
But ^ you
have
in this matter
had not
^ house ^
a double f^ ^
object in^ view, of the
royal^ ^
should therefore
^g comply with
our design.
^ ^ M g] f^ ^ you ^ have
I should say, that
exceedingly ^ :^ ^^
transgressed, it is not that
we ^ ^
JJj disturb you, (the evil) has originated in

75 your own l^city. *

We have^p
•J« ^ on 5C
also reflected ^^^ "v^^ys of
Heaven, |P Yin
that "J* in
]^ the country ;::^ there
have been ]^great ^
misfortunes,on solely account
of^ IETheyourking incorrectness.
^ ^ Ho *galso said, I an-
nounce ^ you ^ numerous i
to ^^ officers, -y*

* This refers to the rebelUoa headed by the three inspectors, ia

which the house of Yiii took a share.
 THE NUMEROUS CPPlCEllS. 259

that this my ^^ g^ removing you

—^
to settle
in the west, ^ ^ is
A man,
Dot that I, • the one
^ fjg take delight in I^^
J^ 5^ you rendering unea-
sy»^t^ ^ ^^^t it is
^ do Heaven's 0J^ decree, not
therefore^ oppose; f^ ^ have I could not
dared^ -^ ^ f^ ^
to act otherwise,
you need so
:fjj[

notcomplain me. of

if
'ItYou ^P know ^ $^ also j;% that Yin's fjr-
mer /v men ^ had ^ and ^ andffjj
^ooks records,
that^ Yin the § g -^
dyu;isty superseded that of
Hea.
^ Now ^ you ^ |3 you are still sayipg to -selves,

§ ^ were
the officers of ilea ^ and arranged ap-
pointed^ 3E ^
in (Yin's) ^ royal court, whilst
those3^ who ^ weresubmitted "Q ^ classed with
(and
their fellow officers, be you expect that it should
so now) ^
;
but 1,
— ' the one man, A «}^^only |^
regard ^ ^have virtue
^ in those whom 1 employ,
therefore^ f^ presumed 1^ you 5|J to seek out
^ ^ Heavenly ]§ may^
in the city of Shaog, (and re-

move you -^ to li)), ^ you that t '[^ induce to

reform. ^ Thus am ^ ^
I disposed to pity you,
(butyour ^^ 7^ my |^
not getting appointed) is not
fault P^ *^ ; ^ -^
it is Heaven's decree.
The king Q
-T-* ^ Oh you numerous
further said,

J; =^
officers, ^ when ^ came ^
formerly I from
^ Yen ^ punishment ^
(a city of Shang), I •j^;^ greatly miti-
gated^ yQI^ ^ ^ ^^e capital of the peo-
(who had
ple of your four countries ^ 7^ rebelled) ;

^
still I manifestly the^^ ^
fjj^
carried out celestial

inflictions you ^ ^ from

^ and removed ^ might your
distant abode,}^ ^ and
that you be near,
serve^ ^ ^
in the capacity of subjects, our honour-
Chow) ^
able (house of much ^ with humility.

S The Q king -^ announce ^

also said, I to
 .

260 THE NUMEROUS OFFICERS.

you, ^ ^ numerous -^
Yin's ^ now officers, that
j^ t^ do ^
1
j^ ^ you
not intend to put to|death,

"T* t^^ "^l? ^ but promulgate anew 1 this de-

cree. -^ ^ j^ have ISlow 3^ I
^ built a great
city ^^ y^ here in
J* f^ becauseL6, *
1 did so (the
princes) IZQ ^ quarters ^ had no
in all place -fl^ at
which ^ pay court ^ and
to their because also 'j^

PI your ^ numerous Jb (had no officers, place) jl^

m which ^§ perform your to ^ going ^ duties, in to

and |^ and
fro, ^ me, ^ with much ^
in serving

subjection.

^ Here^here73 you may j^ you, :^ ^ your still possess

-f- lands ; J^ may ^ !^ still tranquilly

^ pursueyou can jK and

y oar occupations them. rest in

j^ If^ ^ ^ Heaven manifest respect,

f|| will -^ extend ^ compassions ^ towardsits you,

^ but you ^^ cannot ^ be

if M-^ ^ respectful, -?>
not only will you ]^ ^ M your lose Jtj lands, but
1 gfip also will ^j; inflict 5^ ;2l "ill
^^^^ punishments of
Heaven ^ upon ^ your own ^^ persons.
^ Now^ you f^ may ^ ^ here i^ dwell in

this
dence
your
]^ city, jf^ and perpetuate
may ^ ^^
^ ^ your resi-

j^ thus you JP[

;
carry on your
operations :^ and enjoy ^ ^ ^
longevity in this
^city of Lo, while "^ /Ja -^ 7^ ^ ^^^ prosptritv
of your little ones ^ \\illarise out of flf your 5§
removal
^ The king ^ said, 5C and 3 said again, ^have
-^
73 ^ ^ This is about the amount of what I

^^^
^o say regarding your residence.
 ON AVOIDING LUXURIOUS EASE. 261

SECTION IV.

ON AVOIDING ^ -^ LUXURIOUS EASE. *

^ Chow-kuDg g
^good said, tjJI nf Oh yes! ^^
the
repress
man fif^ should settle it ^ in his mind ^ to

J^ luxurious ease.

§^ Let him first ^ consider that ^^ '^ agri-

cultural 11^ |g toils % result in 3^ ease, |l] and then
^ he will know }\^ J\^ what the mean man ^ j^
has to depend on for his subsistence.

jj^^ He may observe /Jn X

aniong the lower classes
^^
of people, )|5 how the ^ parents 1^ toil in |^
f^ agriculture
knowing H ^
l^f ^
while the children,
TJ ^\ not
^\\ MH jJl ^^e diffic.ilties of hus-
bandry, 75 ^ indulge
/J |^ themselves
up ; picking
the corruptmaxims ^ f^ and becoming
of the village,
dissolute ^ ;
or if not, glj
Pf they fi^ despise their
^ have no Q
-j^ parents ^ J^ A> These
saying, old people
^ ^ acquaintance (with the world), ^JJ nor
do know (how
they to enjoy themselves.)

)^ ^ C'how-kung ^ «^ Hj Oh further said, yes I

^ j^ 1 have H ^ Chung-tsung^
heard it said, that formerly
among ^^ ^ ^
the kings of Yin. f pf=I

j^ was ^
rigid, ^ ^ and
respectful, reverential,

* Tiuxurious ease is what princes ought to be especially cautioned

against ; frona ancient times nations have been invariably elevated by

diligence, and ruined by luxury. When ^,

Yih was warning ^^
Shun he said, do not wander about in luxurious ease, do not become
corrupted by pleasure ; now Sliuu was a great sage , and if Yih still
thought it necessary to caution him, can the every day princes, nnl (.om-
mon rulers of the present age disregnid his advice. When jfj^ ^^
Chiug-wang first assumed the reins of government, /rCl '^^ »Jhow-
kung was afraid lest he should only think of indulging ^'iniself, and
not aim at repressing luxurious ease, hence he composed this hook
for his instruction. The ancient h\k\ modern texts both have it.

f Chung-tsung if< the snme a** ^1^ jJ^ T'h;ie mow, who began hit
reij^n 636 B. 0.
262 ON AVOIDING LUXURIOUS EASl!.

fearful, ^C'^
§
]^ squaring his life by the celestial
commands, J^ regulating J^Jj the people j|ff with fear
^
@
and trepidation, ^
\vhilst he did not ^j^ dare to
i^i- e way to neglect *^ aad repose. Therefore ^
^m Tt. Chung-tsung enjoyed ^
his crown "ti-f-* ^
for seventy ^
and 3l fi^^ years. ^
^ ^ Also with res[)ect to ^^ Kaou-tsung, *
who g^ in his time ^ for a ^ was
long period com-
pelled to toil ^ ^{v abroad ^ common ®
iu with
<]> X ^^^ meaner class of people,
ascended fj; the throne, 7^ when he (remained)
f^ ^ until he |[[)
g^
at the threshold
^
f^ ot the darkened chamber ^
for three :^ years, ^ without 'g' speal^ing, ^ for he
fH only meditated ^
^ and *§ refused to c mverse ;

(but when he did speak), iS his words 75 ^'^^^

harmonious. He ^^ ^also ^ did not dare to give
way to negligence
!^ ^ or repose, i^ but gloriously
tranquillized^^ Yin the dS ^ ^[S country, so that
/^^ whether from ^ no ^
small -jf^ or great at time
was ^
there ^ murmur ^
a single ^^ ;
therefore
Kaou ^
tsung ;;^ ^ reigned over±i the country "t"
^Soand ^ ^
for fifty nine years.

^ ^ ^
with respect to t H^^ ff[g
Tsoo-kea,
who judged wrong it him ^ for and '[^ to reign, thus
^ ^ remained ^
for a long time <|> a private indi-
vidual ^^ when ^
; he j^ [|p ascended the throne,

^ ^ he knew on what \ mean man >|^ ^ the ;;^

depended for his ^^ and was
subsistence, ^ enabled
to protect^ and ^ ^ common foster
J|^ the people,

* Kaou-tsung
reign, B. C. 1,323.
is
^T
the same as Woo-ting who began to

f Tsoo-kea began to reign, B. C. 1,257 he was the son of fgj ;

Kaou-tsung, and the younger brother of jjjft ]|§ Tsob-kang. His

father wishing to appoint him as his heir instead of his elder brother,
Tsoo-kea thought it improper aud concealed himself among the
common people.
 ON AVOIDING LUXURIOUS EASE. 9f^^

^not^ ^
^ Thus ^ Tsoo-kea ]^ ^ ^
daring to despise ||f^
the destitute
and widows. jp[ en-
joyed ^ =+ the throne ^ and ^ ^^^ ^^^"'^y three
J^ years.
@ From ^were ^ :^ and
that time
^ afterwards jjr
all kings
the ^
that ^ set up.
3(1 ^P^ ^^ ^^^^^
^
lives in ease, j^ and ^l]
^ thus livmir luxuriously
^|[| were
they aware |§ j^ M H
not Tf^ of the toils

ofhusbandry, ^ ^ and were uiutcijuanted with >]\

K ^ "^ ^^^ labours of the people, »]^ while they

^ 1^ gave
life a2^
up themselves to voluptuous enjoy-
nient g ; 1^ from ]^ f^ and that period afterwards
^ some them^ ^ ^
were
there none who ^ e. grayed longevi ty;

E^ of ^ (reigning) -}- ten

1^ years. others

"tr seven /^ ^
or ei>,>ht ;^ 3£ ^^e
~
years, others ;;r^

or six
three
^ years,^ and ^ others only four, * or

£^ years.

^ Chow-kung ^
j^] Oh again said, H,^ ttf yes !

JH^ ^ and there

]^ Chow
»|^ are ^ of the dynasty
3E T'hae-wang and 3E ^ ^ who were VVang-kwei,
enabled Q conduct to humbly ^
themselves ^i'p so
and cautiously.

^ 3E Wan-wang (was J^ mean

also content with)

W. gp and
apparel, most )^ ^
paid attention to the
work ^^
of tranquillizing
and sustaining the people.
He w^as ^jl elegaut
^ g^ and admirably ^ pliaut
respectful,^ whilehe j^ regar(ie(4 the preservation

^ widow,
/}y of the inferior ^ ^^ kind
people, being to the

^ ^ and
destitute, ^ ^ morn-
the from
ing S he gave9 ^ midday,^
"3^ ^^^^ and again till even-
ing,^ ^^ "^
himself no leisure even to
eat, )^ ^ but entirely ^W devoted himself to the

Work harmonizing ^
of myriads ^ the of the people.

* This is not strictly true, but thn expression is only to be taken

in a general sense.
2G4 ON AVOIDING LUXURIOUS EASE.

^ 3E WiiD-wang ^ ^ -^ expend (lid net dare to

money ^ ^ ramhiing
inQ and ]^ hunting, while
he exacted
from ^ Wan-wang ^ ]£ ^
J§|
the states, only tlie

'^
regular ^ 3E middle ^
dues.
J^
the decree to rule 'j^ in Ffl the
^ received
of his life,

]^ and ^
reigned over his ^ country ^L "f^
^^^"^

lifty ^^ Chaou-kungl^
years. *

)^ again said, 5| Wf Oh yes!

IM ^ ^^^^ hence forth ^ let succeeding 3E kings
^)| ^
imitate him, ^
Jfc in avoiding }^ excess
whilst^ travelling ^ and ^ 5^ lounging, -^ whilst
rambling ^ and andglj hunting ; Jjj with regard to
^ JS: the people,
ail 1^ them J£ ;^ let exact only
the just^ dues.
^ them ^ Let not ^ ^Q in their leisure say,
To-day ^
X\j^ let us enjoy 75 voluptuous ease. I^'^^'

this ^^ would what ^ good

not be ^ subjects
could ^ what ^ Heaven ^ would
|)1|
imitate, nor
^ approve 11^ while
/^ (might
the people of the day
he ^
induced) '^
extensively |[l] to follow their f;g
bad example. M Do ^ who wasg^ 35
not therefore ^)e like

^ and
Show, '^ ^
the last king of Yin, con-
fused ^L bewildered, SKl
and allowed himself to
be maddened "^ j^^^ ^ by the influence of wine.
^ Chow-kung Q
^ have Oh
further said, fi^ \Sf yes!

^ 1m heard
Ef -^ ^K it said, ^^^^ ^^^
ancients (though
warned ^ and
advanced
far |^ ^ in virtue) still

|Jll ^
informed one another, while they
mutually -^ ^ and cherished, rendered obedient^ -j^
^ ^ and
taught ^
instructed one the other thus ;

among ^ andwere none ^ who -^

the people there
mutually ^ 5^ seduced deceived their fellows,
j^ ^
nor practised legerdemain.
* Wan -wane lived to be 97 years of age: and began to reign
when he was 47 years old.
 ON AVOIDING LUXURIOUS EASE. %0
itM^M ^^y«u ^}^<^ pi'ince will not listen to this,

A men
tlH^n 7j will |)|) imitate
;^ you, 73 and ^
will

JE
throw
]|1J
into confusion
g[j and disorder
the correct laws of the Ibrmer kings',
un-
^^^
^^
til both small jl^ and great regulations (will
>^J^ be all
changed) if the people
; ^minds
be disregarded
H] then ^
^
and
their
if
ijVv

they be still
^ will rebel,
further neglected,
^ and murmur ^ ;

|(| then |g their

y m
mouths will curse
jjjJi and rail.

M^ Chovv-kung g
again said, 11^ Wf Oh yes 1

^ From 1^ ^ (he time of the kings of Yin, su^h as

^^ Chung-tsung, 2^ ;|5 ^ Kaou-tsung, jg ,J|| ^

and Tsoo-kea, ^ until
^ j^ the sovereign of our
Chow dynasty ^ VYan-wang, 3E
these fg four ^
JV r^rinces |^ have all trodden the paths of wisdom, ^
i^ T^ If any one -^ told ;^ them saying, ^
^ the couimoK people murmur '^ at you, ^ /J>
and §
blame «J>5r you; |jj then they g chiefiy ^ |J; t^
reijected on themselves. |^ ^^^ bore the blrtme of the
murmuring, ^ and said, ^ jJl ^^ '^^ *^^^" ^'^^'^'-'
^ fault.

^^^ When men are truly enabled to act thiis, "^

^ (bey will
'g- to harbour
not be content ^ with not ^ diring
^^ resentment.

iHiM'^B^^^ y<m will not listen to this advice

^ then worthless fellows ^ will ^ perhaps ^ 'j^
practice seduction ^ i;"J and legerdemain, ^ «^yine:,
''
the /\> \ common people ^ •]^ murmur at -^ "^
and blame you" ^l] in which case you, -J^ J^ believ-

^^
;

ing their words ^}^f^4^ ^^^^ i^^^^ reflecting

constantly gif on your royal Ib$ duties, ^ nor ^J^^
[^ i^ expanding vour mind with liberal feelingr»,
^[^
would disorderly ^ punish ^^ the innocent, ^
and kill *K the ^ faultless T'^ until all j^ fp|j
wouM
alike complain, ;j^ ^ and the i»u>rm would galher "^
on J5^ your own ^ person.
li
266 RESPECTING PRIMCE SHIII.

^ Sk Chow-kung Q closed by saying, H| nf Oh

yes,^ '^ succeeding
let the prince :^ ^ ^ 22 *ake
this for his mirror.

SECTION V.

^ |^ PRINCE
RESPECTING SHIH.

^ ^ Chow-kurg ^ Q spoke to the following ef.

^ Oh
^ect, saying, ^ f prince Shih,

^upon^ 5^ Heaven
Alas ! down ^ [1$ has sent ruin
^ 1^ and Yin, |f^ ^ ^ that dynasty having
lost^ -^ its ^ we ^ ^ Chow ^
decree, of have
^ ^ 11^
received one in our favour. should not

1^ presume ^ however. ^ decidedly

we to say, (that
can rely on)
]^ ^ ^ our throne, being perpetually
^ "^
favoured ^ and
with fj^ prosperity ; should
5^ Heaven
^ would ^ would Q
^^
|y| aid us »|^ in very deed, still I

^H
not dare ^
positively to affirm,
that our^ Jti
^^<^ ^ be entirely the result of

^ ^^ iji^ misfortune. J

^
5v^ 5^ y^^ Highness IS
• y^^^^ ^^s been used
^ ^
to say, It^ mainly depends on ourselves, (to
^ "^5p ^
perpetuate the fortunes of a house). 1 ^^so
do not ^ ^ dare to rest too confidently
Jt on *|^
^ Supreme
the decree of the and ^ Ruler, thus fail

^ ^^
perpetually ^to look far forward 5^^ to the
terrible ^"^ murmur ;^
vengeance of Heaven, or imagine that
out^ would
people
f^ never ^ and re-

Chaon-kung having announced his intention of retiring on ac-

count of age, Chow-kung sought to detain him , and the historians
hAve here recorded the terms of his exhortation. There are however
Boany expressions the meaning of which is unknown.

f Shlh was 'pq ^^ Chaou-kung*8 private name, he calls him

prince in order to honour him.
X He here throws out the possibility of their family losing the ^Miw,
through mismanagement, as an inducemeut for Chaoa-kung I© re-
main in oflBce and endeavour to prevent it.
 RESPECriNG PRINCE SHIH. 267

bel.
f^ It does (iis you say) K depend maialy on
the individuals (employed).
^^ ^ If then after
our retiring, ^^ ^ our children i^ and grandchildren
Avho succeed "j^ should be decidedly
of^ Hf^aven above "^^ and
^ ^ incapable
respecting J^ man belovp,
^ and thus repress ^ and
from tuf fall
life
otf
A
the glory of our predecessors, (could you) though ^^
retired to a private dwelling
this.
^
^{J remain ignorant of

To preserve 5C W ^^^ celestial decree in one fami-

ly ^ >§r is not easy, 5^ and Heaven ^ hardly f^g
is

to be calc dated on. J^ But^ wherever the ^-^

decree is lost, it is because men ^^ are unable ^
regularly ^ to arrange ^ and carry out
1^ \ ^ BJ
^ the careful and brilliant virtue of their predecessors.

^^ am At present ^^ '^l'^ ~J" tbe insignificant H

Tan ^ 5j-|; unable 'j^ j£ to set things to rights, *

^ the o()ject I principally attend to '[•'^ is

'^ and CKtend
to take ^
J^ -^ the glory of out former monarch

^
it ^' to ^ our yijl youthful prince (now on the
throne).
^01 would repeat it therefore, ^C ^^^^*^ ^^^ celes-
tiiil arrangements li^
^J*
are not 'j^ t) })e calculated
on^ my ji^ principle f|| is ^ ^^
Jfi to extend the
virtue of the Tranquillizinsr king, ( vVoo- wan g) so ^
thatHeaven jf^ may not ^
be induced i^ to with-
draw "^ "^i ^ ^
^^^' decree received b) his father
W^n-w-ang
^ The duke j^ continued, Gh prince 5l| Shjh ^ !

^ ^ have heard
I
that ^formerly when )j^ j^ ^
the accomplished T'arig
^ was ^
U^ man ^ ^ received the decree,

^ ^l] there
influence^ ^
^ Heaven
such a as K-yun,

;^ who could Imperial 5^^

(by his virtue.) "^ In the time of ^j^J 1^ 'i'hae ke^,

* These are mere compliiueiilary expresHions.

269 RESPECTING PRINCE SHUT.

B^ |l] there ^^ was ^ the same ^ ]\THintaiaer |§j

of the equilibrium.* ^were In the time of "j^ )j^ T'hae-
woo, H^^lJ there ^ ^ such men as >j^ |^ E-
chTh, t and )g Chin-hoo,
on J2 ^^^6 Supreme i^ Ruler
^ who wrought
^ -J* up-
35 )^ Woo- ; while
han ^
j)^ regulated
Royal ^ :^
the household. In
the time of 2;
jfjfl Bf was ^
Tsoo-yih, ||] there "T^
such a man 35 ^ Woo-heen, ^ aud
as in the days
of^T Woo :^
ting (f^l
ML
^Ij there flourished tl'
Kan-pwan. J
(These men) ^ arted out their principles, (and pos-
sessed merit entitling
ranged
them)
in the
^^
whereby ^
annals of fame,
'l'^ I?^ to
they
be ar-
pre-
served ^ and ^ |^ regulated
Yin the dynasty. "^^
Therefore l^^f^in [^ were
the rites of Yin they ele-
vated fJH to
^
be associated with
Heaven in worship,
(wdiile that family ^ number
enjoyed the throne) for a
of^ :^ ^
successive years.
5^ While Heaven ^ 'III them exclnsively afforded

f^ ^
Shang ^ was
^
the protecting decree, |lj the empire of
^ The
replenished with people. "j^
hundred ^
ofiicers of illustrious names, J\, together
with the ^
kirt^r's
^
servants 7ft invariably laid lidid
O! ^, virtue, 0J^ aiul intelligently i^j^ entered into the
anxieties (of the monarch); then would ;]^|5§ ihe inferi-
or officers gp: and
f^^ die lords of the tenures on the
frontiers ^) much nuore
the public service '|*'^^ on this account
^ universally ^^ b"Sten to
virtue
{j^^ ^^,
ffl| was admired. ^ 3^ f^ J^
—
^^i^- was well
pii''^e

^
directed, ^jj and when he, * the 0!>e /^ man had

* The m^intainer of the equiiibrium was E yim : (s('c the coiumaud

g^iven to Yue).
f E-cliTh was thp son of E-yun.
"l
Ch()\v.kui]y alluded to these celebruted (nniist«n's in order to it)'

dace Shaov-kuiig td «ct like thew.

 RESPECTING PRINCE SHIII. 269

any particular ^ business, (such as the undertaliing

of a war, or the calling of a throughout
couucil), ^
gg all
yf quarters ^ to which he was directed \\ hy
divination ^ and prognostics, ^ ^ j^ ^ they
invariably gdve him their confidence.

^ Ihe duke Q sud, ^ Oh prince §)| Shih !

^
Heaven ^ has bestowed longevity ^-p on thoj^e \^hf>

were e(|uitable ||^ and thorough goinsr 'f^ in preserving

^and ^
regulating
dynasty ^
^^
"^ Yin ;
^"^ but the last
prince of that ]^ experienced HeavensJ]^
terrible desolations. Now you ^ /^^ '/^ if will perpe-
tually1^ '^
think of you this, ^1] ^ p^ will obtain
your
a settled decree in Pf ^[ and favour, will thus
regulate
ed
^ and ^ ^ newly J§
enlighten our found-
f\} city.
-^ dnke ^
'ihe ^ Oh ^$ Shih
continued, prifice !

^^ formerly
_h Supreme ^' Huler ^
the
^
cut off
(the Yin dynasty) 1^^ and renewedly stimulated ^
3r J§1 ^ the virtue of the rranquillizing monarch
(Woo-warig). ^H concentrating ^^ the great '^
decree ^ p^his in |j^ {
erson.

Jjg
And perhaps ^ gg Wan-wang j^ ^ wasour ^^ ena-

bled fl^ to cultivate ^\] harmony ^ in this

M Summer land, //p '|^ because :^ he had ^H wan- such

^•'^ ft M as Kth shub. ^^ and as ff^ ^
y.ou,%^andii: jl! ^ San.e-s^n^ ^
^Nan-kung- hke-

wise II §1 lae-teen, i^"' ^ and ^ ^ t^

hwo, .

X He alsoQ added, ^ If they had not

^tJJ^^''
able y£5J5 to associate and lead hin^j^ on in
g^
the comnum ^
prii ciples of instruction, ^^ Wan-
wang ^ wr.uld have had no ^ virtue |^ to trans-

mit ^f- to ^wasA the people of his country

also in r( nsequence of m^'''
:^ 'lil
It P'l''^

'teand protecting decree .that his ...inistcrs)^ mun-

270 RESPECTING PRINCE SHIH.

tained their hold ^ ^ and were

on virtue, led on to

^U ail acquaintance with ^ Heaven's j§^ teriibleness;

75 \it ^ ^^'^« ^^^«y
8S ^ ^
iilustratLd Wan-
waiig's ^ -g^ prii^.ciples,which w'ere conspicuous P
and overspreading ^ until ^ the report reached ^
the Supreme tj^ Holer.
he received "^
fj^ B^f
^^^^
On this account
decree of the dynasty
^
^-f §3l Sfe
Yin.
^ 3E Woo-wang, 'f^ with the assistance of ^
these |7]j| four ^ men * fj^j
was probably led on ^
^f^ to the attainment of Imperial wealth. f^
Afterwards ^ they together with ^ ^ Woo-wang,
^ greatly }|^ availed themselves of ^ Heaven's J^
terribleness, )^ ^J Pt ^ and slew all their foes.
fH
^ 23
Thus these men
four \ ^ rendered illustrious,

^ S Woo-wang whose (excellence) |^ over-

'1^
spread (the Empire), throughout which 3S 1^ ^ ^
his virtue was greatly extended and applauded.
'^ Now ^ with respect -j* to me, x\% ^ the insig-
nificant H. Tan, ^1 teel asif^ fl<»ating ^ on a
mighty Jlj stream; -j^ 1 would therefore ^ go ^
with "J^ you S)| oh bhih, ^ in order to '^ accom-
plish the passage >]> ^ as our young prince |^ ^
is ^ not yet virtually inducted into ^ the throne,

^^^^ does not the burthen greatly devolve on

P^ ^
us'? j{^ Without exertion therefore Zf^ we
^
shall not succeed, j* f you now
1 retire on^^
account of age, ^ virtue ^ will not |^ he transmit-
ted to the people. ^
|jj have already flg ,^
I
^^
ceased to hear the crowing of the felicitous bird,
j^(
how much less (on your departure) can we promise

* Four men oiily are mentioned, because Kih-shuh nas already

dead.
The commentitor acknowledges that here there
I"
is fioiuethnig
wanting and the sense of the originaj iit not clear.
 RESPECTING PRINCE SHIH.
\
271
ourseh^es ^ that we :^ shall l|b be able J^ to extend
our influence any furlher.
-^The duke E| further
^
said, W| tt^ alas! p
prince Sh^i. oh that you ^ would ^ largely cou-
^ II ^
& ^flg
template as your mirror. 'J he de-
cree which wc have received coniair.s indeed
interminai)le f^i ^( exceilenciesT but the.se are also ^
yC
1
g^e^t jl^ :^ difficulties
should recommend
connected with it.
=^ your Highness J^ ^ to
^
aim
at 1^ liberality of feeling ; ^ and ^
let us not J^
allow
way.
f^ \ our successors ^ to err from the right

J^ '] he duke ^ continued, |fj ^ Our late mo-

narch gj; opened out all
/J his ^^^ heart,
73 ^^ 'T^

^^
and imposed cm you a wide command, fp VA"
^
making you the first of suhj cts, sayin^, Do Q
you ^clearly ^/j and energetically
f^ yoke your
self into the service of the young king, ^and ^
abiding "^ in sincerity endeavour ^ to sustain J^
this ;j^ great ^ f^ reflecting on ;^
decree , ^^
the virtue of Wan-waiig, rE ^^^^ largely ^ partici-
pating M^ in his interminai)le ^^ anxieties.

^ The duke Q kept on, ^ Oh prince! ^ I will

speak y^ ynu ^ to in my ^ and do you

sincerity :
-f^
oh Protector f S Shih, ~J^ -j^ :^ i)^ with proper re-

spect (listen to my wo d s) |»J^ ^(which

^ Take for your
beacon
quence
^ Jfx^ *^^
great
^^^^^

^
"^ "^'^
:^ and
disorders,
fell in conse-
deeply
3^
of) its

5^ meditate on ^ 5^ i^ the terribleness of our celes-

tial ruler.

Is it ^ am ^ announcement j^
because 1 lunvorthy -fi^
of credit

that I ^
^ must my |§
thu^ enforce .<? -7^

but I say, (that the accomplishment of

f^
^
the designs of our royal house) ^
depends chiefly
upon us =
,^^ t wo. W^^
iit ^^ y°" ^^^"""'^ ^^^^^
272 RESPECTING! PRINCE SIIIII.

this sentiment g ^ |^ f}^ and say that it depends on

.^ Ar us two •?
-}^ :iiid when Heaven's f:j^ blessings y||
richly g descend, f^^ —^ we tuo shall he ^
:^ unable to sustain the weight. '^ jj(; If yon ^
could but ii^ display respectfid ^ virtue, ^ and
distingni>h :[i^ onr '^ talented ^ people, ^ then
you might ^ hand over the reins of government
^
.A- to sucecosors ^ ^ in prosperous ^^ times.

Hf^ ^ Oh ^^ yes
fil ilf ^e two alone have
1 HA
afforded especial aid (to the sovereign), and thus :^
%ve have 5^ ^ been enabled ^ to arrive "^ at '^ |3
this day's -^ [)rosperity ; ^ let us then j^ all Jj^
comrlete ^ dB^ the work of Wan-wang, ^ by our
^C ^ iDiossHnt perseverance ; ^ greatly
J over*
spreadi' g ^ f^ the corners of the sea ^ ^
and the
region of the risii^.g sun, ^ until there be none
^
who are not ^ j^ humble submission.
led into

^ The duke El continued,^- Oh prince it is Be-

^
cause my discourse -^ ^
is discordant with r iason,

^ ^ ^hat I thus^ n^iterate

f^ my announcements i
-^ am '\^ only
I anxious ^^ about (the coiiti^ ^
nuance of) -^ the celestial decree and (the favour ^
^
of) the people.
^ The duke H closed by saying H^ «^ (4i ^
prince 1
f^ /J You are ^|:| acquainted g^ with the
habits of the peo{)le, )/p that none ^ oflhem '^ j|^
are incapable ]5|f^ at the begining, |^ but do you
^ look well to the j^ end. f^ Carefully ^ comply
with ^ these suggestions :
^ go ^^ and be respect-
ful ^ in the carrying out ^J^ of) our rule.
 THE DECREE REbPECTING CHUNG (fP TSAC. 273
SECTION VI.

THE HRCREE KKSPECTING CHUNG OF TSAE *

fj^ When PI ^
Chow^kiing, fg; the office Med ^
^ hundredof prime mmister, (B. C. 1,106), "[£ ^jid regulated
p the ^ X^^^'^cers, j|:3j the royal uncles
^ g
spread abroad seditious insinuations,
7^ ^ in
consequence of
^
(Chow-kung) 1^
^ |^ ^
putting to death
^
^
Kwan-shuh,
^
Tsae-shuh |p ^
at
to the
Shang- ; he restricted
borders of his state,
^
him 1^ -C ^
JJ|j[^
still allowing seven chariots; ^
he degraded^ J^ -^ lio-shuh to be a J^ A co«i-
mon ^
individual, ^ and for three years ^ did not
"^ him
admit into the rank of nobles. ^ -ftj^ While
Chiin-o: of the Tsae country, ^ ^ being able to dis-
pky U5 respectful fjg virtue )^ ^ Chow-kung ]^ ;

^ made him ^^ dt a noble, j^ ^ and when H6-

shuh /Jdied ^ Anally ^ ^ king ^ charj^ed the

J^ him
to appoint ^ to rule over Tsae.
2E The ^ were,
king, ^ as it^ Oh said, <J>
young man ^ Hoo. f f^^ You ^ are able to fol-
low ^ out lU and
virtue reform ^ manners, J
to

^ *^ whdst you ^
are careful |5f *^^ cultivating the
right way, ^ "^ '^ 1
^
therefore
you order
(to become) an ^ ^ ^ earl in the eastern j; regions;

fi go then 5p ^o the district

75 ^^ which you are
^ appointed,
^^ be and respectful 1

*1^ Chung was the soil of ^ig^ Tsae shuh, when Shiih died,
Chow-kung on account of Chuni> s virtaes, urged Chlng-\v§,ng to ap-
point him to the government of Tsae. This Bection contains Uie
words of tlie appointment. The modern edition has it not, but the
ancient edition has it.
f Hoo was the private name of Chung.
I The virtue he followed out was that of his ancestor
Wan-wung,
and the manners he reformed were those of his futher TSfie-shiili.
Jjj
274 THE DECREC RESPECTING CHUNG OF TSAE.

^ j^ If perhaps you ^ would cover over ^\

^ fg the fuults of your progenitor,
^
you should aim ^
at^^ fidelity ff; and filial piety. If you TJ ^
would ^ surpass ^
the former traces in your ^
own J|p person, ^you must ^
employ diligence ^
without ^^ tlagging, 1^ in order to hand down ^ ^
an example 75 to y«^i* posterity. ^ For this end
§^ you have only to follow J^ your jjj^ ancestor >jr
^
W^ii wang's JiJ^ ^ ^
constant |)j| instru ctions, and
forbear ^ ^ ^
to imitate ^ your parent ;:^ in dis-
obeying^ ^ commands.
the royal

^ 55 Heaven ^
Imperial no ^ has partialities,

*1^^ :^ ^ ^"^ ^^^^ those

who g; are virtuous ; ;iS
the atfections of ^
the people ^ are not invariable,

1^ S J^ "^ ^^t to the kind they willingly submit.

§
^ promote i^ ^
Acts of goodness
|f th^ differ, |k| but
all ^ j^ good government ^ ^ ^^ ;
vices

(g] are dissimilar,

|^ ^ ^ but they all teml ^[^ to
confusion.^ ^ Be you jK ^ therefore ^^ y^^^
guard.
^ Be ^ commencement, and
careful Jj^ at the »]^
]^
consider j^ the ^ end, J^ "^ thus the result will
not^ be ^
disiressing" ;
do <[»^ but if you not consi-
der^ ^ and ^
the^ end, ^ Q
then the sequel will be
weariness exhaustion.
^ Be stimulated
75 ^
1KC *^ ^^^ establishment of
^
merit, live in
Jj peace ^ with your jJQ neighbours
iy»^ harmonizehedge
f"^^'^ a £ around ^ the royal house,

^ ^ ^ with 32a y^^^ brethren of the

same and
clan ; ]^ and
tranquiUize J^ benefit /|^ the
small ]^ people.
^ Follow out Q Fj^ the due medium, and do
pretended cleverness, whereby
^
not f^ aim at |]§ ^9
0. you would confuse ^ the old ]^ regulations, ^
examine ^ what you |^ see |^ and hear, ^ and do
 THE NUMEROUS REGIONS. 275
not \i^ givclieed fl) to one sided
views, gj^ so as ^
to change from your ^
— established principles ^
|J ;

then -f* I the one man, \

would congratu- Jj^ ^
late you.

5E 'I'he king ^ fnrther said, «^ fff Oh thou

>J^
gl
younir man J^ Ho6, '2^ ^ ^ go thy way || and do
^ ^
;

not carelessly reject ^^ aiy ^ words.

SECTION VII.

THE NUMEROUS ^^ RKGIONS. *

*)S
'^^^
S ^^^^ 5^^^
H n^^J^th, (of the year after Ching-
Avang assumed the reins of goverment, B. C. 1,102)
r ^ ^" ^^^'^ 21st day of the mot^th, 3E ^^e king Jj?
came § from ^ Yen ^ ^ -J^
to the metropolis ]^

of ('how.
^ ^ Chow-kung Q said, ^ The king ^ thus
^ commands
issues his ; ^ Ho ^ ! let it be announ-
ced ^ to you ^ of the four ^ and
(^ countries, the
numerous '^ states, l]''^consequence ^
that in your of

g^ Yin f^ rulers ^ having ^ regulated the people

^ and^
^'ell, I have taken the mutter into consideration,
fll
greatly p^ lessened
^f ^ pun-
yow: capital

ishment ; ^ ^ jSl "5;^ of which you ought not to be

ignorant.
•]ft t^ ^ 'I'hey schemed after ,^ ^
the decree ^
of Heaven, ^ and did not tJ'^ perpetually *|^ and

* Wken ^£ Chiiig-wang assumed the reins of governm.Mit,

the ^Yen state, with the J'^ Hwae
wang exterminated Yen, and returning,
foreigners rehelled.
comjio-sed this section.
ChJnar-
It

seems that at that time the Yin people were not the only ouof^ who
(J^jf
fanned the flame of insurrection, th(!rcfore many statef* are addressed.
Both the editions have it.
276 THE NUMEROUS REGIONS.

carefully ^ think ^ on jjj^ the sacrifices (to be offer-

ed to their ancestors.)*
f^ Formerly ^
the Supreme |^ sent down |^ ca-

^
lamities -J^ on the Hea dynasty, while ^ the ruler
^ ^ would ^ ^
of Hea greatly indulged himself in lux-

^
^^^y->"^ ^^
ati^ not speak kindly ^ to

^ the people
75 ;
being 3;^^ utterly )^ dissolute
^
and ^ ^ and
confused, ^ unable for the space of a

single day ;^ to urge himself on ^ »f5^ i^ ^ in

the way marked out by the Supreme. 73 ^^is is

^
what you fl^ P^ have heard.

^ He 1^ ^and speculated '^J^S'^ ^" ^"^^ decree of the

^ which
Supreme, yet could not §^ increase ^^
^M ^^'^* ^^ the people depended for support,
:^
whilst 73 be extensively
people,)^ and
^ brought down ^
multiplied ^[^ the con-
in-
actions (on the
fusions ^^ of China, ^ the causes of these things

^ originated ^ in p^ the internal ^[j disorders (of

the palace,) (in consequence of which) Zjf^^ he was
unable ^ properly ^ to receive ^^ the multitude,
^ and could not ^ greatly *)^ Jg advance ;^ ^ in
respect, ^^ or display liberality -f towards J^ the
people. ?f[C >|<^ There were also
^ ^jj^ ^ some
of the people of
and yet
Hea ^ who were covetous
promoted by him Jb]
^ and
cruel, fj were daily ^Jj
to punish ^ij and cut J ]^
off their fellow citizens, f
3^ Heaven »|^ (j^ on this account 5|t sought for ^
^ a ruler of the people, y^ and -j^ abundantly |^
promulgated ^ the conspicuous |/j]J
and excellent ^
* This means that the Yea people only thought of schemittg alter
the celestial decree, and brought tiiemselves to nrn, without regnrd-
in^ the continuance of thost? sacrifices which they ought to have
offered to their ancestors. One says, the celesMal decree can be
received, but cannot be specuhited on ; to speculate on it manifests
the selfishness of human desires, and not the pubHc spiritedness suit-
'
ed to the decree of Heaven.
f In this
paragTHph there is much that cannot be explained.
 THE NUMEROUS REGIONS. 277

decree ^ him) in favour of ^ the accomplished J^ T'hang

(ordering Jpj to punish ^ and cut off ^j^ ^ the
Ilea dynasty.

fm 5C -^ ^* was not
Hea
that Heaven ^^ so greatly
(afflicted the dynasty,) 73 ^^^ «(^ because J^
looking on ^ your ^ numerous j^T states ;^ witii
their ^ them ^ virtuous
^^ ^
people, he could not
continue ^ ^^ in advantageous [)()sts ; 'j^
while ^ were ^ '^ ^ numerous J^
;;J^
Hea's .espected and
;^
officers, ^ altogether unable BJ^ intelli-
gently ^ ^ and
to protect ^^ profit the people ;

75 ^
hut on the contrary, \^ g mutually oppressed
•^ J^ ^ ^were
the people, so that "§"
hundred out of a
(schemes) j^ "^f^ ^^
to carry out (one prosperously.)
they
^ utterly unable

7^ was m
It ^ only ^ T'hangthe accomplished
^ who ^
could ^ ^ nume-
avail himself of your
rous ^ ^ and making
states, selections from them,

^ § Hea j^ become p^3E

instead of
people.
a ruler of the

•^ He ^ ^
carefully attended to the staff of life,

73 and ^ urged J^ ^
on to exertion, hence his peo-
ple ffl]
him
took i^
for a pattern, ^ and were stimu-
lated by him.
IJ^S'T^ Until the time of i^ the Emperor 2l
Yih (the rulers of Shang) ^ i:^ invariably ^ illus-

trated ^ virtue, '^

and were cautious in punish- ^
ments, g^ by which means also
stimulate their subjects.
^
they were enabled
ffl nil to

^
In important criminal cases, ^ they exter-
minated^ and slew ^ who had committed)
(those
many p^ crimes, jfp by which means also 5^ they
were enabled ^^ to stimulate (the people ;) ^^
they liberated ^^ those who were faultless, ^ by
which means also ^ they were enabled ^ S6 ^^ ^^^"

mulate (the people.)

278 THE NUMEROUS REGIONS.

^ Now ^^
(Chow,) ^ ^
^ with respect to your ^ former
prince he could not, l)/^ though sup-
ported by ^ ^ numerous "^your states, ^ enjoy
3? 3^ ^
the celestial decree (in his favour.)
Hj
?i% ^ ^
Alas ! our king has as it were said, ^
f^ "^ '^^^^ ^^ *^
M ^ y^^^ numerous '^ states, ^^
it w^as not that ^ Heaven ^ had any intention ^
to reject ^5 the Hea dynasty, ^ nor that ^^
Heaven ^ purposely wished ^ to degrade ^ ]^ the

Yin state.

75 But «f>^ it was ^

^ assembled
your last prince J^ who
depending on ^ you ^ ^S* hosts "j^ be-
came very ^ dissolute, @ and speculated on (the con-
tinuance o() ^jj^the Celestial -^ decree, ^ while
he trifled
^^$ in his expressions.
75 *1# WS 'I'lie ruler of China at that time g cal-
culated on (the continuance of) ^ his ]^ government,
(but his measures) did not ^ ^ tend -^ ^ to the
enjoyment (of the throne) hence Heaven sent^ ^
^
;

down this g^ ruin upon him, and another ^|J ^

family
^ :^wascamebecause in his stead.

75 y^
^ ^ ^ ^^j^
later
It

king",
^ your ^ Shangup
gave himself to volup-
dynast\'s

tuousness,^ and still speculated on (the perpetuity

^0 i^ ^is If^ g-overnment, Zf^ while
pure ^ nor improving
he was neither Q
; until ^C Heaven 'J^ ^ sent
down ^ ^ this calamity.

f]^ Even Jg a sage j^ without ;^ reflection f^ will

become ^
a fool, ^^ v\'hile |£ a fool who can ^ ^
reflect fp, may become a sage ^
therefore 5^ Hea- ;

ven ^^ allowed (the tyrant Chow) 3£ the space of

five iji years
^^^ delaying an account of 'x'^
his children, (hoping that) ^
he might eventually fp
become J^ ^
a fit ruler of his people but (C'how)
;

f^ nf would neither ;^ reflect ^ nor listen.

 THE NIMER0U8 xlEGIONS. 279

3C
immerous
^^ ^i^'n Heaven f^
-j^ states, ^s^ greatly
^ sought among
^ you ^
Ift moviDg you by
j^
P who might %
^
its terribleness,
^ some
to bring forward one

^ you ^ numerous
but of
5^
^ ^
receive the regards
Heaven
;>|7 states,
of
there were
;

jg who were worthy

lione
^^ "^ of regard.
fl^l^^BE Our Chow g ki'gfs of alone could
worthily ^^ 1%, receive ^^ the host. and ade-
quately ^ ^
sustain
j^
virtue,
^
only they could
^
superintend the worship of ^j^ the Divine Heavens.
5^ TO ThereforeHeaven S^l^ ^
instructed our
^
(princes,) and them ^ Q
rendered excellent, se-

^
lecting and upon them |5 1%
conferring the decree
had
tliat made been ^ in favour of Yin, to regulate

M ^ numerous
y^iA 'j^ states.
4^Now H5 ^ how could I ^j: dare to multi< ^
P^y iS^ "^y announcements, (but you must consider)
\^ that it was I -^ who mainly ^ mitigated p^ your
pcj four
^ states* ^^ capital punishment.

M -^ -^ Why do ^ ;^not yon also »)^ sincerely

^
display liberality
]^ ^ numeroustowards your
^ ^ Why
'ft states ? ^ ^
^^j do you not aid and
assist^ government ^
the |^ ^ of our kings of
Chow, ^ who ^C ^ -^
possess *^^ celestial decree
-^ Now
in their favour %
^ j^ and that you are still

^ allowed "^ ^
to resid^^ g^ in your dwellings

^
cultivate ^ %^'4\ Why
your fields \
do you
^0^M comply'^ ^
enlarge ;5^ j2l
with the orders of the king,
^^^ decree of Heaven.
J^jl and

^ 75 But you ^ ]g minds

^
^^^
constantly follow un-

^
settled ways, your \(^ have no self-

respect^ 75 , ^ you ^ do not -js^ entirely coincide

with^ 1% ^ /} W^ ^
the celestial decree, but you

^
triflingly ^^ reject j^Tj © that decree ;

yourselves
j^ ^ ^
practice "^^ unlawful things, aini
280 THE NUMEROUS REGIONS.

yet expect ']^ to be believed ^ hy jg the upriiyht.

4ic'lif# On this ^ "^

account 1
^^ ^struct
and warn you ^ ;
^
f^ ^^ on this account I
1^
tremblingly^ p^ ^ and
take the principal ofTenders
imprison them. ^^3 have ^ '^ ^^^^^
1 repeated
^ H and
again
however ^
agam.^
Ij ^ ^ Should you
^my |^
regard eommuted having
not

your ^ ^
capital punishments, i^ will
^ and J^
I

greatlyf^ chastise "J^ exterminate you.

] t is ^ we '^j^of Chow
not that ^ the dynasty hold
to the ^
^j)rincipie "/^
]^ J^ of disquietude, but
^ you ^ ^
'j"^ it is ^ that hasten on to crime.

2 The Q % n^ king said, -^ Alas !

g)^ indeed !

I announce ^ you -^ "^ -^ i

to oiiicers of the nu-
merous ^
states,
^ ^ db many
together "with the

^ now S[ ^ "^
officers of Yin, that you bave has-
tened andto
|^ and ^ ^
fro, served our superinten-
dants S for five |]jl years.
1^ ^
M(»reover have ^ {Q ':^ and
you barons
attendants,
^ Jg /]> ;:/^
and with the host of greater

lect ^ accomplish
to
^ f^ ^
lesser regulators, so that

^your
must
business.
you not neg-

^ your personal f-^ conduct ^^^fl there may be

In
something disBgreea!)le ^^\% be you therefore ^B
^ harmony.
attentive to In your own
;

^ ^ fami-
lies
/f> there may be a want of
concord, ^ ^|SJH ^
^ therefore aim at cordiality, Let your ^ cities

^ ^^
^^
indus-
;^ be intelligent,
f^ and be you
trious
J^ in your affairs.

^ Would you j^ ?p be ^ perhaps rot afraid ^

^
of IXJ an injurious "^ influence, then ^ij be 1.%

^ f^ ^
corJially respectful in (fulfilling the duties

oi)7^ ^ ^ |^ Observe
your stations. also ^7j
^
your ^
intelligent citizens, in order totivail your-
selves ^Y of their aid.
 VHE NUMKROUS REGIONS'. 281

M Vou Tjmay now (^ ?# ^ Lo g| at this city of

fo] perhaps^ maintain your stand,
and strenu-
oiisly^ ^ meEQ cultivate
^ Hea- your fields
;;/;J

while
^
;

ven ^ may |f
^ ^iiuluce to pity you,
and 1 :j|* ^ ^ ^
the possessor of Chovv ||| will
^
materially ^ and
^ aid
you |S 1^ assist ;
se-
lectingand advancing you ;^ ^ ^ in the royal
court
^ ^ may you ^to
; thus I urge on business,
WflM ^^^^^ submit ^
P^^c^ ^^^^^^ ^^^0 in the rank of
^ ^
great officers.

^ The g p^ Oh you ^ numerous

king said, tt^

^ ^^ you ;^ ]^
officers !
^ if cannot be stimulated
»|^L
to by ^ my ^ commands, ^ ^
abide ^1] then
you ^ ^
ff^ will ^ not be able to enjoy (the favour

^ ^ you
of your superiors). All people |j^ will also
^ ^ you do ^
conclude, that not possess (our es-
teem). ^ Should you Tj become ^ 'f^ voluptuous
TO i® ^ numerous
^i^^ perverse,
5^ 3E greatly opposing the
royal^ ^ you
decree, ^ ^|J
then ')^
5^
down
states |5j^ will bring Hea- on yourselves 35 J^
ven's ]^ terribleness ; ^ I also ^|] will g^ carry out

^ :;^ the celestial ^ inliictions, ^j| and remove you

^ very far from ^ youv i. land,

^ The king H said, |1?; do :|; {^ not

I wish
^ to multiply |§ my announcements ; ^ I '^
merely wish |^ respectfully -^ to make known ^ to

you^ my commands.
^ He also said, f^ S This '|g is T^ your ^be-
ginning ;
^^ if you cannot 1^ be respectful in the ^
use of^ harmony, g|| then do no: ^blame me. ^^

K k
282 THE ESTABLISHMENT OF GOVEIlMVIENt.

SECTION VIII.

THE ESTABLISHMENT JJL j{^ OF GOVERNMENT. *

^ Chow-kung (addressing
Ml y^ Q his ministers)
spoke to the following ^ ^ Bow down |^
effect : "j^
^ while you address
and make obeisance, ^ new the

5c ^ emperor 2^ and ^ Whereupon j^ king.

they J^
all "^ iinstructed ^ ^ the king, sa\ing,
Your Majesty's^ ;^ attendants '^ are the constant

fll lords, •^ the regular^ officials, ip 7^ and the

judicial magistrates,
^^ together with the master
of the robes, j^^ and the superintendent of the ar-

chers and chariots (respecting whose appointments you

should be careful). ]^ ^ Chow-kung Q said, tjj^

tt^^ Oh ^^ ! there are indeed excellent officers,

Jjj
•IM ^ ^ how few but are the princes who know how
to manifest anxiety in the appointment of them.
l^J^\Of the ancients ^ who followed out this
plan
Y^ there were ;^ ^ the rulers of Ilea, 7} for

W^ when their house ^ ]^ was

^ men
in a flourishing
condition, fj^they sought after of talent, 1^ who
might pay honour J;; to Supreme
the ^ Ruler ; ^
these trod ^fj the path of knowledge /|^ and were truly
l)l§J sincere ^ ^^'^^mihe practice of the nine
virtues ;
instruct
7J while they5!t could presume o^
and inform J^f their j^ sovereign, El saying,
to ^
^^^ "^ Most worshipful }^ monarch, ^^^ ^ ^
should say, (Be careful) ^
in appointing 73 the ma- $
nagers of your afi*airs, £§ in settling 75 your i]^ su-
perintendents, and ^ in fixing 75 your^ regulators ;

J^ this
f^ will he )^^ to act like a prince. ^ But
if you merely take people ^ by their appearances,

* This pcction instructs Ching-wang in employing men of talent,

and selecting superior officers. The jinclent and modern texts
both have it.
 THE ESrADLlS!IMENT OF GOVERNMENT. 283

f^ accounting them 2^ eminently capable of M in-

structing men ^ in virtue, l||| and /5 thus % appoint
\ them ^75
(to ofhce) then these ^ ^ three situ-
ations (will he filled by)
^ ^ was ^ improper persons.
^ ^ Ke^'s %
propensity -j^
^3 not ffj to en-
P'igefe who had
those ^ been formerly
employed,
^ while he appointed f^^ only ^ ^ ma-
op[)ressive
gistrates
AL^oM
(thus
;
he
with
died)^ ^
without posterity.
yff reference to)^ the accomplished

Pf T'hang,|^ who was advanced ^ ^ promote to

in an eminent Ju Wdegree
^ ^up it^ the glorious
will of theSupreme 73 JS ;
H i^ filling these
three:^ 5^ ^ |P %
offices, he appointed only the
capable g and
; ^in
^^
arranging the three or-
ders of talents,^ JP '^ he esteemed only the clever
^ He and rigidly »j^ adhered to
~ 3g 5^ the g^reat pattern,

^ j^ eiigaged ^ the three kinds of officers,

an' '^
the three ^ :^ Thus
orders of talents.
in ]«] jg ^ •^ he
the city of iShaiig succeeded in
harmonizing -^ ^ own ^ his^ ^ and subjects,
throughout "^ |TCJ he
all 3i
quarteis, If] exhibited
an eminent ^ ^ pattern, for the display of |j§

virtue.

P|Rf Alas!
:^ l5^with ^ regarl to the tyrant
^'^i^w.^ l^is-^ was
conduct f^ violent, only those
who ^ advanced
being to office JflJ were mniderers

^ l§ A /fc ^^"^^ |H "^ M f

oppressors of virtue, |J

these were his allies 73 ;

who ^ ^^
ffi
^^'^^
^^^^J those
were ^ fH ;i A
inured to vice ^"^^ ^^ vohiptiions
habits, 1«1 ^ IMI^
^'1 he Supreme
him
^^'^^^ associated with
th^^n severely
io the

government. iff f|]

punished ;;^ him 75 '"^"^ fP ordered ^us :jf g- to

take possession of China, OP^ [^ ft ^ and enjoy (he

while we she).
decree which Shang had received. 7^
tcred ^
and arranged 'j^ the myriad U clans.
 284 THE ESTABLISHMENT OF GOVERNMENT.

JJjfJThen i^ we come to ^
3g Wan-wang, ^ 3E
and Woo-wang, ^^ who understood fully
the feelings ol the three kinds of superior officers,
^%^
/j^
j^^ and clearly ^
p erceived !^
of the three grades of clever men,
^ '^ «Ur the taler.ts
Jg/^ so as to employ
them igj; in respectfully ^ serving Jt the Supreme »^
Ruler, jj^ and in appointing
ders /[^ and superiors.
^ over the people ^ el-

tV; In establishing
j^ government 'j^ J\^ (here were
the officials, ip ^ the regulators, i^ and the protec-
tors, f^ who atteuded to ^ the three kinds of ^
public business.
Then there were J^^ the superintendeats of arche-
^ ^ /J^^and
ry and chariots,
the master of the horse,
the master of the robes,
|g j^
the master of the

^
household, ^ "^ ^ who
also the attendants superin-
tended'^ hundred
the servants, ^ the kinds of
managers,^ and J^ all the treasurers.
which
Besides were -^ ^
there the governors of

fQ and
the larger >]^ ^ A cunning
smaller cities, the
men, ^ ^
(or priests),WJ hundred 'j^ the kinds of

^^ ^
external managers, ^ the great historian, -j^
and ^ ^ ^^ i
the superintendents of departments,
all whom were
of <;ood men of constant virtue.
Then (among the princes of the empire) they had "p]

^ the minister of instruction, ^ j^ the minister of

war, «J ^
and the minister of public works, 35 toge-
ther with the secondaries ^
and suboidinates.
Further they had ^
the wardens of the E, Wei, ^
j^ Leu, ^
and Chifig foreiy^ners together with n: i^
;

those of the three P6,* [^ ^

and the managers of the
Pan district.
Thus ^
3E W^n-wang f^ was ^enabled to em-
* The three P6 appear to have been situated iti the north-western
part of H6-nan province.
 THE ESTABLISHMENT OF GOVERIsMENT. 285
^\^^^y M^ ^L> the feelings of the three kinds of supe-
rior oIKcers )j and
; was ^ thus enabled ^ to esta-
blish ^ these ^regular
^^ superintendents of
business, and
J^thosepublic K
protectors, 1}^ in order ^
^ to honour ^
who were f^ virtuous.
;^3E Wan-wang, however, ^ did not fl^ ^ inter-
fere ^ with ^ "0 the government proclamations,
^
^ the judicial regulations, ^f^ nor the public pro-
hibitions, 'l^'^
but left it to ^
"^ 5^ the superinten-
dents ^^ and protectors,;^ fJlj to point out (to the
people) ^ what was to be observed ^
and what a-
voided.
Moreover )5^^ with regard to the judicial regula-

ti(ms ^'^and the public prohibilio.s, ^^ Wan-

did not
these.
1^ affect ^fj to know anything ^
,^ ^^
^^^^ "Si Woo-wang ^ carried out »|^ ^
his'(father's) ^
tranquillizing :^ work, and did ^
not 1^ dire ^ to supersede |^ his (oliicers who were
distinguished for their) ^ upright ^ ^
virtue ;
he
n\so followed out \^ his ^ plans, ^ aiid accorded

with (those ofticers who possessed) ^ f^ the virtue of

forbearance, ^ in order :^ unitedly ^ to receive and
sustain ^ 35 thibvery great Spatrin\ony.
^
^i H^ Oh you If -J^ young prince,
rais-
^ ^ nowi^
ed to the throne! |:|| g
4^ from henceforth ^
^
let us establish \^ good government, jl aud for

^
the settlement of attairy (employ) '^ Ar ^^^^ regu-

^^
lators and the protectors ^^ ^ ^ i ^'' ^^s

!li^ ^
^>H ascertain clearly that which they are a-

dapted^ and for, then extensively 75 ^^'^P'<»y

t'*|\'^

f^ in^whom
arranging disorders, ^Q ml ni l4^^^ting ^^
^^ we
the people have recv^ived ; flJ adj;:si-
^H 'g
ing^ ^ ^judicial
our regulatim^
^
and

^
public prohibitions ;
this done, ^IJ let ns nol al
286 THE ESTABLISHMENT OF GOVERNMENT.

low (worthless people) /^ ^ to interrupt ^ their

work.
^ From —^
' a single word -— *^ or expression
(such interruption may arise) ; ^M therefore let us

^ finally '["^ consider these l^i^^i^ scholars

of perfl^ct virtue, ]y^ and employ them 3d ^'^ reg-ulating

$^ ^ ^ whom we have
the people received.
Og nf Oh -^ H. Tan, Q
yes 1 I, having ^ receiv-
ed A^ W ftt ^^^^^^ excellent things from others, )^
^ announce them ^ "^ all to you, oh young prince,
gg^ now elevated to the throne ;
|^ ^ '^ from
henceforth, therefore, do you, ]^"^ the elegant son
;^^ and grandson (of Wan and Woo) J^ ^ avoid
1^ erring'f by interference with |^ 3|jJ the judicial
regulations J^ '^ and general prohibitions, f|| jE J^
and let the correctors of public morals
these things.
'^ manage ^
^ From "^ of old, j^ j^ until the titne of the men
of Shang, !^ jj^ even to ^ our J§j [^ 3E Wan-wang
of the Chow dynasty, ^ in establishing DFJ^ govern-
ment ^ and settling ^ affairs,
^^
thev hive had
protectors^ A*, and reg^ulators, ^1] ^ whom they
were ^
able ;;^ to invest with office, ^ ^ |p ^
and whose talents they could unfold, ^ /^ thus 'f^
directing them ^ to govern (the state.)
W\ In states in general
^|J ^^
there have been
no instances, ^ iEjj^ wherever govenunent has been es-
tablished, ffl j;^ J\^ of e
iploymg flitterers, |)|) as ^
bei^g not a!)le. to accord ^ with ^ virtue,
j^ |^ nor
to become ^^ distinguished ^^ in ^ their "1^; age.

IM 1^ >^ From henceforch, therefore, ^ in establish-

ing [^ right rule, :^ ^ let not ^ »)^^ ^ flatterers
be employed, ^ »]^ but only ^ -j^ hunest men,
^
^ who will stimulate one another )^ to promote the
interests ^-j^ |^ ^ of our country.
 tRE ESTABLISHMEKT CP GOVERNMENT.
287

^KNow you, ± Z^ elegant son

^^ and grand-
so,, the former
th^ne^
mo.wch.)Jf ^ young pnnce
you
^^ on tl^e
^do not |^^ :51 err by in-
lerfering with ^M the judicial regulations,
but ^
leave them
and protectors.
# R^ ;^ to the superintendents
ftJT A:^
•'^^

^^ ^->o you also

|^ regulate ^^ the dress -H
and materiel of the army, ]^^ in order
tread in the footsteps of Yii
p
then
ii| ;^ ^^to
;
')f ff throucrhout
5C F the
of the sea,
^pin, ^evei
^^
^J^ ?#
there will be none "^
to
^who the boarders
do not HB
submit, J^^ in order || to display
^ BE :^ Wkn-
wang's^ :)fc
bright glories, Jj/ and ^ to spread
abroad gj £ ;^ Woo wang's ^ great 5J^ merit.
R| ^ Oh g yes !
1^
^w from henceforth f^ 5^
monaichs
let future

^ and them ^ ^ employ

-^t establish ^ government, 1^
let

stant virtue.
men ^ j^ the of coa^-

]^ ^ Chow-kung ^ were \^ >^ ^ Oh

as it said,
great historian
judge ^ ^
you ! (do
^^ record the case of) ttie

^ ^
Soo-kung, who was ^J^ so cautious
^ adjudging f^
in ^
criminal cases, \^\ in order to
promote 3E ^
the interests fj^ of our ^^ country ;

imitatinghim :^ i]:g do
you be J^ careful in JlJ ar-
ranging ^^ d ai
fj adjusting punishments.
 ;

~
288 BOOK VI.
THE BOOK OF CHOW CONCLUDtl).
SECTION I.

THE OFFICERS OF THE 1^1 "^ CHOW DYNASIY.*

tilS^
soothed ^ myriad ^
ihe
The king of Chow
states, ^ and
(B, C. 1102,) ^
visited j^ >g]
the various tenures, ^ on every side ^ correcting
those ^^ who were unjust, ^ and tranquillizing

g^ the j^ ^
millions of the people. 7^ ^g^ ^
Thus all the princes of the six tenures, ^ >fJ 7|C f^
without exception experienced the effects of his virtue
|§ after which he returned "^f- to the capital ^ ^
of
who
Chow, ^ jE Y& W
regulated the government.
^^^^ superintended the officers

S The king JEl said, ^ ^ ic SJc With reference

to the great principles of former times, let good
^1] ^
government he settled ^^ ^{^ before anarchy com-
mences, ^fP and let states be preserved ^^'^
ere they com.e into danger.
Q He )g ]^ Yaou and Shun
further said, exa- ^
mined "^ the records of antiquity,
established the hundred offices
'^ '|^
"^
?^^tl

were
^ ^
f^ within ;

"g*^ the prime minister pi] -^ and the president of

the princes ; ^fv without ^
were j'H^ the governors
of provinces '^f^ and the lords of tenures thus
the general ]^ government j^ was ^^ harmonious, "^
;
^
and the various ^
states j^ were all S^ tranquil.

S ^ IS The officers of the Hea and Shang dynasties

j^ were double the number, 7]fj> and yet "^ they were
enabled ^ to maintain ^ H^
order ; clearly showinj^?

3E that the (ancient) kings "j^^^ in establishing J^

government ^ did not ^ depend so much upon ^
* Ching-wang having instructed his officers, the historians record
his words, and denominate the section, *' the officers of Chow."
Tlie modern text has it not, but the ancient one has it.
 THK OFFICERS OF THE CHOW DYNASTY. 289
the
of /^
Dumber of ^f
the men.
offices, \^ as upon ^ the chardcter

4^ Now "f* ^ <|^ "? the insignificant one,

f(g am
carefully ||[j ^
sedulous in the cultivation
^
of vir-
tue, g^ day ^ and night (feelinar as if
^
I c«»ul i
^

^
not attain to it ; looking up i|^ to the former
"{^P |ff f^^
generations, ^ ^ I seek to comply with their exam-
ple, Dll in instructing ^ and leading on ||{ my *|^
officers.
Thus iflr we have appointed ^ ^^the great teacher'
^^ the great instructor, jt^ ^ and the protector of
the sovereign ; ^ these ^ are ^^ the three ^
dukes, 1^ who discourse on j^ reason ^ and super-
intend ^ the kingdom, ^ harmoniously jj regulat-
irg ff^^the superior and inferior principlies of na-
ture.
TifHl^yJi''^ ^* ^^ ^^^ however so much neces-
S'c^ry that these offices should
m»m be employed.
all he filled up, f^ ^
/\ as that the proper
Vv e have also ^6? the secondary teacher, /j^ ^
the secondary instructor, /Jf ^ and
who
the secondary pro-
"—
tector (of the prince,) are called the three
^ conspicuous ones. 'Ihese ^ assist -^ the dukes,

5/^ and extend f|j reformation, ^ respectfully 5l£ illu-

minating
— 5^ heaven J^ and earth,
J|^ and aiding ^
me ' the single ^ individual.

^ ^ The prime minister ^ attends to fp7"& the

government of the state, ^ leads on "^ the hundred
the four
'^ ofhcers, i^ and equaliizes (all within) P3
•J§ seas.
g] ^ The minister of instruction
^
^ looks after fjl
^
^ the education of the couutry, diffuses abra-^'l

^
^ the canons regarding the five relations, and
trains ^^ the millions of ^ the people (to their obser-

vance.) ^

^The chief :(Q.bftron j|fe superintends ^ ^

-m a« u
th«

LI
290 THB OFFICERS OF THK CHOW DYNASTY.

public ceremouies, j^ regulates (the respect to be paid

^
to) ^ both gods and men, ^(J and arranges (the
janks of) Jtz superiors "~f> and inferiors.

^ ^ The master of the horse attends to ^ ^^

the military operations of the empire, j^ taking the
control of ^ the six ^j|} legions, 2p and preserving
the tranquillity of ^ the states ^ and kingdoms.
^^The criminal judge ^ takes cognizance of
^ government ^
the prohibitions, |^ scrutinizes
^
and ^
villains clandestine persons, fp] and punishes
^ and
the oppressive ^{^ disorderly.

^^ '^^^ superintendent of public works ^ looks

^
after the
J:;,
territory of the kingdom, ^ locates
Py ^
the four classes of people, and obtains B^ in due
season j^ ^|J the advantages of the soil.
^ ^
These six ^
nobles |^ having their several
^ ^
duties alloted them, command
each takes the of
^ ^ their
^^
subordinate and -^
officers, leads on

^ and
the nine J^
governors of provinces, have until they
enriched Jj^ ^^ renovated ^ the millions of the
people.

g^ Every
tenures •—*
^
have
six3L HS years ^^® ^^® ^^^^^ ^^ *^^
one audience with the emperor,
^^
5C ^
^^^^ ^ more 3E examine 75
^^ ^^x years *^^ sovereign

^ 5^ ^
goes on a tour of inspection, ^] to

]^ ^
the regulations by ^ -^ adopted the superin-
At
dents of the four regions. |§ j^ such times the
^
princes of the empire ^^ ^ upon ;^
severally wait
^ their respective mo-
superintendents, (while the
narch)^ ^
extensively |^ ^ and elevates degrades
thosewho deserve it
3E The king ^ H| Oh said, ^ :^ ttf j^^ let all our

1^ ^ and men
officers ?gf ^ be of rank,
TJ attentive
-^ "51 to the ^ and
offices they hold, J^ be careful
^^ commandg
abowt tho ^ Let they issue. |i^
 THK OPFICKU8 OF THE GHOW DYNASTY. 291

orders once given ^^ be put in practice, ^ JH and

never ^ retracted. J^ Let your ^ public spirit
^
prevail over ^ your private feelings, ^ and the
people Jt will cherish for you Xi ^ ^ sincere regard,
^ Imitate "j^ the ancients ;\ in entering on ^
office,^ deliberate ou ^^l business i^^ according
to ^ the settled regulations, ^ and then government
75 will Jf^ not 5^ fall into disorder. ^^ ^ 1^
The canons and constant laws (of the present dynas-
ty) f^ ]i liip take for your pattern, ^ and do not 1*^
allow $\\ canning P ^ '^
talkers ^[ to throw ofRres
ihto confusion. ^ ^^ Doubts accumulated ^ des-
troy ^ good plans ^ and
j^^ indolence noglis^ence
^ Do ^
;

]^ disarrange jEj^ government. not be

likti jj^ j|9 persons who face the wall, (and see no-
thing), ^$ but in every affair you enter upon »}

be at pains to complete it.

J^ Be careful also, ^ ^ ye tfc nobles :j^

!
^
J^ set your minds ou the exaltation of merit, ^1^
^^ ^ and be diligent in the enlargement of your
patrimony f^ ; ^ be but ^ determined ^ and re.«o-

late, Jj and you ^ vvill avoid ^ future ^difhculties.

^ High station ^ is not j^ intended ^ to encou-

rai^e pride, jj^ and the emoluments of ofhc<- ^ are not
intended ^ to lead to extravagance. ^ Respect

f <ind economy
^* ^ -^
^ '|^ are the virtues (you should cul-
tivate,) =te without making deceit your bu-
siness, f^ ^ Practise virtue, iX^ then y-nir minds
become
J^ will l>e at ease, Q and you will daily fjjf

more excellent ^^ but if )ou resort

;
to deceit, i^J^i ^
your minds »^ will be burthened, Q and yon will l)e-
come daily ^
more stupid.
]^ While basking ^
m favour j^ think nfJe; pc'iil,
thoukfht of
j^ and no instance >f^
in lay asidt^.
f^ th*-

J^ apprehension. For '

^ \vhen yoO discard |^ ap-
292 ON KEUN-CHIN.

prehension ^ you enter into -^ that which is alarming.

^ Put forward ^ the virtuous ^ and yield
^^ to
the talented;
harmonious ; for
^^^ yea let all the
without
7^ fU
oiticers

^ harmony B^ go.
(
e

verment ]^ gets into disorder, ]^ Exalt ^^ tho-e

W ^^1^promote
who are capable i^ '^ o^ office, j^ ^^ aud they
will render you efficieat ;
g^ jt un-
suitable persons, fj^ ^^^ and you will not be
able to mak-e any use of them.
aE The king (=] said, fll 1^ Oh you, ~ three M
@
superintendents of business, with together the
y^
great^ ^^^ W ^^
officers, careful in tulfilliDg

the
your
the duties of
government
^ ^ H^ ^ and station,
entrusted to you, Ij^in order
regulate
to aid
f^
/5 your ]^
tranquillize
you
^^
^
prince ;

and
thus
the millions
will
of the people,
perpetually
ren-
J^
jfJC,

derf^ myriad ^
the fg ^ from ^ states free dis-

satisfaction.

SECTION tl.

ON 1^ ^ KKUN-CHIN.*
gE The king ^ as it were ^ said,
^ g^ Oh
Keun-chin !
fH ^
you are possessed of '^ excellent
^ virtue, :^ being both filial and respectful. |^ ^
And as you are dutiful ^and fraternal ^
-^ towards
/^ your elder f^ and younger brethren, ^fc you can
;^ display the same qualities ^
"^ in government.
I therefore 4it eommand you ^ i^^^
to regulate this ^
our ]^ eastern J]} border. But be cautious !

* Keun-chlu was the name of a minister. Whf»n Ohow-kung re-

moved the refractory people of Yin to the lower capital, he himself
Ruperintended them. After Chow-kunj^'s death, Ching-wang order-
ed Keun-chln to succeed Chow-kuug, aud here we have the com-
mands given him. The historians have recorded the same, and enti-
tled it '• Keun-chin." The modern edition has it not, but the ancient
one has it.
 ON KEUN-CHIN. 293

^Formerly ^^
Chow-kung j^ instructed
^
and protected |g the myriads of
K
the people, so that ^
the populace

^ Go
1^ cherished a regard for ^ ^ his
virtue. thou, therefore, ^ and be caTeful7^
in that which you have -gj to superintend
^^
;

follow out in this respect

and exert yourself flg to
pf the
ilhistrate
-^ ^
constant rules,

I^^:;^|)Ij tlTe
i^tructions of Chow-kung,
^ and then ^ the people
^ jl{,be kept in order.
will

^ have I
^
heard (Chow-kung) |g say, " 3g That
perfect -^ government
|^ ^ and
is fragrant,
^^
influences
|^ 0^ ^ ^the
meatimmoi tal gods ; of-
ferings ^]^
m
have ^ ^ no sweet savour, but resplen-
dent
make
^ virtue *\^ is ^ Do (^ odoriferous." you
then S^ |^ M^'^tkMuse of these in^truc-
tions ofChow-kung, |^ Q ^ be daily |S[; attentive,
^ and
preasure.
^ do not way ^ ^ and
dare (to give to) ease

Common ^
}\j y^ who have ^
people never seen
^ ^
a sage,
sight of one
^
^ who ^ ^ act as if they could not get a
f^ ;
while those
|§ have seen
the sages,
^ ^ gfj? ^ ^ are unable to follow them.
^ Do :^ you J^ ^ therefore
^ be on your guard.
You f"^ are like
J^ "p^ and
the wind, the populace

J^ ^
are like grass, (easilv affected by your influence.)

{5 ^ j^ government ^^^^
In arranging a
there may
is want
it ^
be no
M
of difficulty. iSome
things and
j^ must be abolished, ^ others adopt-
*
ed, ill In going out j\ and coming
in ^ |^ ^J
^ ^ But when
follow the counsels of the majority.
the opinions of the multitude
|^ ^ are uniform, J|lJ

still them
subject to an examination.

^ good ^ scheme ^
^ ^ When you have|^A a nr

^
an excellent ^ plan, go inside and ai.-

nouuce f^ it ^ to your )i^

prince l?^
in his palace ;
294 ON KEUN-CHIN.

f^ 75 and when you Jjj conform ^ to it

=3P^jv with-
out, ^ say, ^ ^ and ^
This |^ scheme this
plan mS^a^AlaslgA ^ my
are the results ^ of )g2l» I'rince's vir-
tue. ^ ^ were ministers all

^ i^ 1^ ^
to act thus, how 352 good and illustrious

would becume
they I

2 The ^ ^ Chow-kung's
|^ Oh
king ^
said, Keun-chin ! do
yo^ f# ?A ^ ^ enlarge 3S f grand
instructions ^ not*^ ; ^ do
f^
rely on your power,
|[

nor presume ^ ^ on your dignity

j^ ; neither take
advantage j^ ^] of the laws Ji^ to pare (the populace.)

^ Be ^
liberal, fljj and yet maintain ^)J a regard to
the regulations, ^
^ harmony. and be free unconstrained Jjj^
^ in the display of
When ^ ^ Qsay, ^the Yin people expose themselves
j^ to ^
punishment, ]^ 1 should punish thtm,
^ tH ^ -^ 13? ^^'^* ^^^

3 ^ Excuse
"^* y^" indiscriminately inflict pe-
nalties ; or should 1 say,
^ them,
f^ ^ 3§ them
medium.
^
do not you altogether let
how- off ;

ever, aim P5 t^
at the due
:^ Should any^ -^ ^
be disobedient to
Jj^^*
your
J^ government, and refuse ^
f|^ "^
to be renovated

t>y *J^your
pj instructions, Jg^ then punish them.
For X5t ^o iJb prevent ]3^ punishment, 75 is the sole
end of g^ punishment.
^ When any are inured ^ ^ to treachery % and
villainy ; ^jj^ when they subvert ^
^ood customs
the constant laws,

^{j and disorder {§1 ; when guilty of

^ these three things, ^ ^ though in a small degree,
^
you must not excuse them.
p^ ^ Do ^ vexed ^and not ^ be angry with
1^ ^
the siupitl
^ nor 7|f; require
perfection^ in
—
. .
^a S'nvle individual.

^ ^^ There
'J^^ must :^ 7^ be patience, in order
to ^ /^ accomplishment
the ^ i^ of affairs ;
there
 Tftt tlETROSPECTIVE DECREE.
295
must be forbeamnce
virtue.
also,
^ TJ ^ for this is a great

MMi^ Distinguish those who attend to their du^

ties, "^ and ^ notice ^ ^those who sometimes ;:^
jl^ neirlect theuj ; fH^ ^ who promote the good, ^ m
order ^
deficient in
to lead out

goodness.
^ ^
tho>e are perhaps
^
J^
'f^ ^ People ^ are naturally gC liberal, g but by
intercourse with others ^ they i^et
^ corrupted.
The reason why ^"^ they resist J: )5jf -^ the com-
mands of superiors, is because they follow ^ their
own ^ predilections, ^ Do you ^ but ^ be
careful, ^ attentiv-e to the laws, ^ aad persevering
^in virtue, ^ and 7j you will [^^ invariably ^
reconvert them, ;^ and truly ^ elevate them -^ to

-j^ great §)|j princi])les. Thus I, -^ the single ^

/s^ individual ^^
shall
'fj^
experience^ much jjjg hap-
piness, ^ ^ you you ^ will j)|c
become excellent, ^
and finally ^ ^^ will be famed ^ through ^
perpetual "jj^; ages.

SECTION III.

THE ^^ RETROSPECTIVE DECREE. *

•}^ In gg the fourth ^ month, (B. C 1078) St «s

the moon began ^^ to wane, 3£ ^^^ king ^^ ^
felt indisposed.

^ ^ On the first day of the cycle, 3E the king 7}

having ^k ^ washed his face :;jlj in water, 3[Q the as-

^
sistants him with^
covered his cap H^ and robes,

^ he
whilst ^ reclined on the pearly |L ^^^^^e.

75 He ^ g then called together ^^ the Great

Protector fI beih. p^ji^ the earl of Juy. jf^ f& the
* Ching-wang, being about to die, ordered his mioieters to eet up

BE K'hang-wAng. The historiBna have recorded the affair, aiv!

^ed it iuto a section. The ancient and modern texU both have it.
 296 THE RETRGSPECTIVE DECREE.

earl of Tung, ^
S^ the duke of Peih, ^^ the mar-
(juis of Wei, ^ ^ the duke of Maoa, ^^ the in-
structors,
f^ gg the principal archers, ^^ the hun-
dred buperiutendeuts,
siness- *
^^ and the managers of bu-

3E '1 he king Q ^ A Us g^ my
ihen said, nj| ! in-
disposition -^ much "^
has very and increased,
"f^
hecoTTie |^ alarming ^ my
; indeed Q sickness dai-
1\ ^ advances to a ^crisis,
^ and since it is so se-
vere ^
and protracted, JIgJ am ^^
i fearful that I

shall not he able solemnly ^ ^Now

"q* to discourse on
the carryinor out ^ -^ my ^
of these views

p{ (1 would particularly) instruct -^ and

therefore,
command you. ^
^
The former ^
sovereigns, tJt ^E Wan-wang
and ^"^ Woo-warig,^ displayed JJ their double ^
g^ory, ^ fixing ^ the dependance of the people,
^
and settuif^ forth ^
instruction, ^ij until the people
^^
were well versed in it; ^
and when once accustomed,
IjC ^
there was no further opposition, ffl
i^ @5 ^
so that they could extend their rule over the Yin dy.ias-
ty,

vour of
^ and
Chow).
concentrate 3^, the great ^ decree (in fa-

:j^ ^ Tne succeeding ;2l ff^ stupid one j-

^^ re.

spectfully ^ received ^Heiven's ^ Majestic (de-

cree), ^ and continuously ^ maintained 3^;^ ^ ;;3^ ^|J
the great instructions of Wan and Woo, ^ without
SJ[ daring ^ confusedly ^ to transgress.

,* Those whose names are inentioiied were the six nobles ; the firs^^

fwas the prime miniBter \^ ^

Shaou-kung, the second the minis-
ter of public instruction, the third the chief baron, the fourth the
master of the horse, the fifth the criminal judge, and the sixth the mi-
niister 01 public works. On common occasions the six nobles only
were gammoned, but as thi«^ was a retrospective decree, all under
them, even to the managers of. business, were called into the royal
presence. >

t This is a humiliating^ expression employed by Chlng-wang to

designate himself.
 THE keirospeciive'^decree.
29/

_^ Now 5^ Heaven }^ has sent down gg sickness.

^ from which 1 apprehend ^ I shall neither
^ rise
^ nor fg recover ; ^ but you f^ perhaps may be
able ^ to illustrate ^ these^my ^ words, ^ ^^
^ ^ him ^ ^
and respectfidly '{^ to 7C ^] preserve the heir ap-
parent C:haou, * gi, greatly assisting in
1^ all his difficulties.
For this end ^ you must ^ render pliant those
at a distance, and make
^^ capable f| those who are
near;^ tranquillizing^ and encouraging >]% both
small 9«C ^"^^ ^^^^*' 1^ throughout all ^P the states.

M ^ ^ hy g
^ imagine A. that men

^
g|] may regulate
themselves |^ dignity and decorum ;
^^
do not you therefore]^ attempt to influence ^ Chaou
3 "^ ^ ^^ ^ by the application of any improper
motives.

^ SB ^
'^^^y -^ having received the decree ^
retired,

^ ^
Jj[J
up and going out ^Sj set their tents
^
in
^ ^
the court-yard but on the next Q day,
S
;

21 that is the second day of the cycle, 3E *he

king ^ died.
The great f^
;;l^ protector 'j^ then commanded jif*

/^ Chung hwan,
^ ^^ ^
and Nan>kung-maAu, ]^
Leu- g
to direct
:^ fH the marquis ofTse, '(S
keih, J^j to take Ii:
=f* 2,000 -j^ spearmen, ^ ^W
A with 100 archers, and go to meet ^ the prince ^
^Ij Chaou, 3*
^ P^ ;^ ^K on the outside
of the south-

^
ern gate, A and introduce him"^ into one of the
wings ^ of the palace, >]3^ where he might as chief
mourner i^ ^ reside in the ancestorial hall.

TP ^«
ed (the historian)
the 4th day of the cycle, '^ he command-
]^ to make (JJ
the book ]|g and the
regulations .

* Chaou was the name of K'ang-wang-.

Mm
298 THE RETROSPECTIVE DECRElfi.

^ After "t seven Q

days more, §5 "pf on the lOtti
day of the cycle, -(^ the earl ^Q (who filled the office
of) prime minister ^
directed -^ the officers to pro- ^
vide^ wood (for the funeral).
^iThe ^ up f^
inferior officers also set the or-
namented ^ ^
screens, j|^ and the tents. *
M
Between ^^
the windows, facing the south,f
they spread out ^ ^
the double
^ basket-work
mats, X with
||| check borders,^ ^
while the flow-
^^y S
geins
-j^J ;XL C^^^^*^^^)
^^^^ t^ble as before.

1^ In the western
the east, §^
ante- chamber,
j^
outg,the
they spread
^^ facing
double rash
]^
^ ^mats, ^
with variegated -^ borders, while the
ornamental ^ tortoise-shell |2} as^ usual /j^ (adorned)
the tabl^.
^ ^ In the eastern ^ ante-chamber; ^ ttf facing the
west, fl
they spread out ^ the double
^,^^ mats
of young bamboos, f
§gems
with party-coloured borders,
^ while carved 3i -^ as usual J|^ (aiiprned) the
table.

g| In the western
^ ^S vestibule, ^ Hf facing the
south, ^ they spread out |g the double^ bam-
boo ]^ mats, iSC i^ with mixed sombre ^
borders,
^ ^
while the varnish as usual Jl^ (set off) the table.

^ ^ Furthermore there were of gems jj the five

^ ^ and kinds, the display of ^ precious things,

* This was done as if Chirig-waiig had been still alive and present.
\ This was the place where he had been accustomed to give au-
dience to his princes and ministers.
% This mat was peculiar te the Emperor in those days.
§ This was the place where he used to sit morning and evening
to hear causes.
This was the place where h« feasted his old servants.
{I

•JHeie he was accustomed to pass his leisure hours. They were

about to communicate the will of the deceased monarch, and not
knowing whether his spirit might be here or there, they laid out all
the mats and tables, as if he had been alive.
 ,

THE RE^RpSPECTJ[VE,D|CRp, , 299

such as fa the red Jf Hife, * ^ the ^t6at
'fj code
'

of morals, g^ the large ^

auspicious stone, i^ gS and
the resplendent sceptre, :j^ all in the
west^ Mp ^
^te-chamber; then there were the large ^
gem, ^
^the common ^gem, ^ the celestial
^ globe'
and JSJ the river map, f :ffi
ante-chamben Then there were
g in the ;^ eastern ^
Ht 3;$^ the Yin country's
m dancing
g habits, ^ the great ^ tortoise, and
gf
ment
the long
as also
gf drum,
^-^-^
^^ in thegg western ^ apart-
; the spear of Tuy,
^fl ;^ ^
the bow of Ho, and
^ ^
ll ;;;^ ^^ the bamboo arrows
of Shuy,
had ^
all in the eastern^ chamber.
Then they the great (or pearly) ^ carriage,
^ on the ^ visitor's (or western) [^ g
stairs, facing
(the south) ^;
the succeeding or (golden) ^ carri-
age :^ on the [I^
[^ eastern stairs, g facing (the
south) ; g^ the outside (wooden and ^
ivory) car;
riages, ^ :£ ^ l^ll ^ before the left hand sid^
chamber, </(Jand the
^ ^Two
;^ M
inferior (leathern)
before the right hand side
^^ carriage,
af)artment. %
^
!ii: men \ ^ in red official ^ caps ^ held
jg a three-cornered halberd,
the front
i; and stood ^ ^ at

p^ gate, ^^ J^ on the inside 1?^ four J^

men ^ in spotted fawn's caps ^
held j^ lances ^
;

Jhjy* with the points outwards, J^ and guarded^

P^ PB tb^ corners of the two stair-cases' -^ one ;'
A
man ^in a great officer's robes, and holding ^
a hatchet, ^^ stood ^in ^ the eastern ^ hall

• This was for erasing errors in writing.

f This was a map iascribed with various numbers, said to be
brought out of the Yellow River by a dragon horce in the time of
Fiih-he.
X These were the king's five carriages ; the pearly carriage was usod
when he sacrificed, the golden one when he appointed chiefs from his
own clan, the ivory one when he set up officers belonging to other fa-
milies ; the leathern one when he appointed the four guardiauw, and
the wooden one when he appointed the chiefs of the border districts.
300 THE RETROSPECTIVE DECREE.

another A man ^ ^ in like robes and holding

^ —
|t]^
an axe, "j^ stood ^in p[ the western hall ; one
A ^ "^an in ^ an ^ official dress held a [spear,
3|jr -^ ^
and stood ^ on the eastern landing-place
J^ man S ^
;

r—* another similarly apparelled, and

^ ^
— ^ K man ^
holding a lance, [g^ stood on the western
landing-place ; ^
whilst one robed like a

3^
stood
^
great officer,
on
^ and holding
the northern
a pointed weapon, J5t

|^
^lljl
side stairs.
The
-Ft ^ hempen ;^ crown ^
king,* with a and
^
a checkered ^
robe, fl^ ascended from the visitor's
^
P|i ±
steps
fp ;
^ ^^ while the nobles and
^ hempen ^
princes of the various states, with caps
^ ^
and black \ and
robes, entered ||[1 repaired
^ The to their stations.

5^ ^ great ^
protector, -j^ the principal his-

^
torian, ^ -^
and the chief baron, were all capari-

^ hempen ^
soned with ^ caps jf^ and red robes.
The
55c great
j^ ^ ^
protector carrying '^|^ the
royal sceptre, and
Jt ^ ^ the chief baron bearing
[hI the cup i^ and the verifying signet, |T^
ascended from the eastern steps, jff The principal
[^ |^ ^
gj
^ ^
^ §
historian, holding a book §
|^ |^ ascend-
ed from the visitor's steps, and advanced to 3E
the king {}]J with the book of the decrees^ ;

S Saying, ^
1 he great /g monarch leaning ^
on ^ the pearly Jl^ table, J^ proclaimed ^this ^
his last ^ decree, -^ directing -J^ you to receive ^
|)lj his instructions, ^^
and rule over J^ fjj the
state of Chow, ^^ following out jl^ the great '^:^

law, ^^H and harmonizing 3^"p the whole empire, ^

thereby ^ responsively ^ exhibiting ;^ Wan-wang
* The king here mentioned was ^^ ^^
K'hanj^-wang, who ap-
peared in a dress partly mourning and partly gay to receive the de-
cree from the former monarch.
 THE RETROSPECTIVE DECREE. 301
^;5^and Woo-wang's ^ brilliant
fl) instructions.

I ^ ^^^^/i'"^ ^ ^^^^'^ ^ bowed down, p, and ri-

I
sing up, :^ he replied, B sayiag,
##-f^^ I,
the insi^niticant one,
>J> ^jp am but a little child,
llg and how shall I be able (like my predecessors)
^
\^
Hi to regulate gt) the four if quarters, ^, in order to
produce ^respect }^ and veneration 5^ ^^^ heaven's
^ terribleness.

73 He then ^ received [sl the cup 3g and the sig-

J
! S
Tiet, which^the king ;::::^ thrice ^
sent in, thrice =
^ olFered, ^i^^ ^.nd thrice
H^ poured out.
J^ The
I
^
chief baron Q then said, ^ It is accepted.

I pic 'i'^^<^ chief -(^ protector ^

then receiv; el
pj the
I ^
cup, j^ descended, and washed it ; J^ he then
took^ another |aj cup, ^and
held the precious ^
emblem, g^
J*j^ in order to respond the libation after ;

^ he |^ ^
this, gave to the attendant lords |^ the
cup,^ and made obeisance ; ^ the king ^ in his
turn ^ made obeisance also.

^ The ^ great protector ^ received |^ the cup,

^ ^
sacrificed and held the cup to his lips, after

which ^ he retired to his place, ^ giving ^^ to

the attending lords [§] the cup, and making- obei-^

sance 3E t^^
;
^^ing made^^obeisance in return.

This done, ^
the great ^
protector {^ descended
removed the vessels
the hail, (and the attendants) jfj^
;

^ j^ the princes of the empire {fj went outside §|

the temple P^ gate, ^ and waited there.
302 THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF K*HANG-WANG.

SECTION IV.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF k'hANG-WANG. *

3E The king 3j went forth ^ and stood at J|| the

front P5 gate,
^f^
on the insfxie. ';fs^ -When the
great ^ protector ^ leading ^^^ ^ the lords
of the western region, >^ entered |§ P9 2Sc ^* *^® ^^^*
of the front ^ate; while
^ ^ ^ Peih-kung ^ leading

^ ^ ;j^ '^ the lords of the eastern region, enter-

ed f^P^:^ ^ They
at the right of the front gate.
^ ^
then arranged ^ ^
the stud of yellow horses

^
with red manes, ^
while the princely visitors held

— Your Ht ^
up ^ 3^ and ^
their sceptres ^ presents, say-
ing, one two g§ ^ who
or ministers, de-

^ i^
fend the frontier, dare to present such articles

^ ^
as their countries *^ yield ;
after wliich they
all ^ ^ bowedagain ^ and made
"^ their heads,
oheisance.^ The ^ who ^
king also, justly inhe-
rited ^ ^ ^ made
the virtues (of his ancestors) o-

beisance in return.

^
;;jJSjThe great ^ f^fQ
protector, together with

^ ^
the earl of Juy, ^ and bowed
both entered ^f^Q
to
made
each other which ^
; after ^ ^ they all again
obeisance
^"]§f with their heads to the ground,
^ and ^ We presume ^
said,
announce 5C ^
^ respectfully to

^ ^
*^ ^^^ Emperor, that Imperial
Heaven changed
g^ has :k,f!^1ix^^ *^^ decree
made in favour of the great Yin state, *f^ and only ^
^1^5 ^^° ^^^ ^^^ °^ *^e Chow country, §^^ ^
^ have been considered worthy to receive it
because they were able iJjS to compassionate §§ the
;
^
western jb land.
* The earlier and later editions both have this, bat the later
editions connect this section with the preceding.
 THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO k'hANG WANG.
303
i# But ^r our recently ^ ascended ^ monarch*
^ to the fullest -^
accorded with reason 4*
extent
in his rewards ^
and punishments, whereby he ^
was enabled ^
^ Aft ^ ^
to establish his ]^ fame,
§f
and to display exceUencies jft which reach
to his successor. ^
Now, therefore,
jesty J^;^S5c be respectfully cautious;
let your Ma- ^
gg spread
^t ^ andiiicrea^se
^|]j the army, ^ and do not
^ let fall
from our ancestors.
^ ig/ iTlI ^^ the rare de<iTee received

; ^
The king ^
as it were ^ said,
)|§ Oh all you
fP lords 1^ and barons
^ —
|^ ^ of the various ten-
ures !

vidual, |1]
fH what
consider
Chaou, ^ you |^
-f^
say to
I, the single
by this
X
announce-
indi-

ment.
^The former ^ sovereigns, ^ W^n g{j and Woo,
gC greatly 2p tranquillized ^ and enriched (the peo-
ple,) ^ and did not ^ severely mark f^ offences;
this feeling ]^ being carried out ^
to the fullest ex-
tent, and being coupled with the Utmost^ since- ^
M
rity 5
throughout 5$ 7;
^
^bey were conspicuously displayed ^ J^
the empire,
^l^ff^ Having also
^^ H i iJl warriors like bears and lions,
>Jn H^
^
S ^^^ ministers divested of double-mindedness,
who
,,^^ ^^^
protected 3d regulated 3E the royal
^
house, 13 they could receive j^ the correct ^ decree
^ from Jfc the Supreme ff^ Euler, while high^^
Heaven ^|))J
accorded with ]^ theirf.-jg principles,
and ^ «||l conferred upon them pg;^ universal rule.
73 They then ^ appointed j^ dependent^ lords,

^^ ^
^ Now -^ my —X^
j^ and established J^ defences f ;:£ ^^^
the sake of us who succeed. one
Z:2 or two 1^ ^ paternal barons !
f^ may ydu be led
^M mutually
'H ^ to consider how ^
95^^,^
.'"'
* The recently ascended monarch, refers to Chlng-wantr. '
..
\',
S04 THE COMMANDS TO PElli

Utile servants of the former dukes

)Jg paid obeisanC<*
^ to y^ 3E ^
niy predecessors, ^ and although
^ minds ^
your persons ^|v /^ may be far removed, J^ yet
let your ^ ^ and :^ upon 3E be invariably set
^
•the royal ^^ house, entering tnto *|U the
^
anxieties ]]^ of your ^ ^
sovereign, do not leave
me ^ ^ ^
the little child to shame.

P -^thednkes, ^
All -^|§ ^ having heard
^{^^ bowed
these comm.ands, ^ and to each other
speedily 3E The ^
jjj retired.
^ king then trek off
^
his crown,and ^^^ mourning
put on his again.

SECTION V.
THE COMMANDS ^ flj^ TO PEIH.*
In-f^T^ZZ the r2th ^ year (of K'ang-wang's
reign, B. C 1,065,)^ in the
on the 7th day of the cycle,
6th month,
^
as the new moon ap-
^ ^^
^H H
peared, ^^
^^^ three days afterwards, on

morning ^
^
the 9th day of the cycle, 3g the king went early
in the from ^ ^
on foot, g| the metto-
Chow, ^ ^
polls of
^ Fung, J^ to him taking with
^\M'^^ Ching-chow, ^
the multitude of com- to

^
mission ^ PeTh-kung |^ ^ and to protect regulate
^
the irdiabitcints ^
in the eastern border.
3E The king ^ then
g| spake to the follownnsj ef-

t ^^
n| «y Oh
fect, my ij; gig paternal teachers !

2 Wan-wang JS^ Woo-wang |^

^^^ spread abroad
^ ^
their great ^ virtue 5^ ^ throui^hout the

^
empire, ^ ^
so that they could |^ -^ receive
the decree which had been madeYin in favour of the
dynasty.

* K'hang-wang having commanded ^S ilS^ Peih-kung to protect

and regulate the inhabitants of the lower city of Chow, these were
the directions given him.
f Peih-kiing succeeded Chow-kung in the office of great teacher,
hence this style of address.
 THE COMMANDS TO PEIH. 305

tt ^^ ^
Cliow-knn.T -j^ atter.ded on % these
former^ ^he^guarded
kings,
and consolidated §^ their ^
fami!}-, ^ whilst against ^ Yin's Jjg re-
fructory
^ ^ and
people, renaoved them ^ S to ?§.
i^ ^
the city of Lo,

g
so that they might he near
^ to
the royal house,
^ffj and be reformed ^=by his
Ijll ^ ^
instructions. After passing over three
ig dozen ^ years, the generation ^ was changed,
customs ^ improved
J^ and its
;
ES ;^ ^ @ until
now no impediment
there is throughout all quarters
^andl, — ^ the single individual, J|<
^ enjoy
tranquillity.

^ Good while ^ principles alternately ^ ^ and

rise
decline, B^ the system of government ^ |^
^ changes according to the prevailing custom. 3j^
M M f^ we menIf do not give credit for their good-
^
ness, ^ the people
fjj;
will have nothing where-
^
with themto stimulate to virtue.

^ ^ ^
But your Grace is possessed of abundant
^ ^virtue, ^ and can also be diligently attentive
/Jn to ^
matters, §p5 aiding
little to enlighten ^ ^
this fourth j^^ generation, Jg correcting appear- §
ances ^
and leading on "JJ the lower classes, ^^
so that they invariably ^ respect |jp your instructive
^ ^ words. while your excellent ^ merit ^ ^
^
exceeds that of the former EE kings, "^ so that T,

^ ? young the child, (have nothing to do but) ^

my
to let garments hang down, fold my hands, ^
JPH and look up )^ for the completion of your renova-
tion.

2 The king J3 further said^fll| llf Ob ^ Mcom-

m
paternal teacher, J^^ I now ^ respectfully ^
* Chow-kun^ lived at a time when pood principles were declining^

until the time of

they again revived.
^^ Kcun-cbin ^^ and Peth-kung, when

N n
306 THE COMMANDS TO PEIH.

inand ^ your Grace, JjJ^

with reference to ^^ ;J^
^ C/how-kuDg*s afifair. ^ "^ Go, therefore, on this

business.
/j^ Signalize ^Ij ^ ^
and separate the wise from
the vicious^ Pf
; ^^
distinguish
good ^ and
their places of a-
bode ^ reward ^
;
the ^^ afflict the
bad ^ ;
up some mark
;2l set ^^ of distinction
to render these ^ and famous, ^ if those do not fol-

low ^ and
Dl| the instructions |^ g^ canons, separate
their^ ^ and fields j^ ^ borders ; causing thus
them J^ ^ and
to fear (the evil) long after (the good.)
^ ^mark
Clearly ^
out ^|t the borders of the impe-
rialdomain,^^ and be ^ ^
careful to strengthen the
^
territory which you have toguard, Jj^ in order to
^ government B9 most ^
tranquillize (all within) the four seas.

jj^ In ^ ^the essential thing

is ^ and commands ^
«!§ constancy, should be dis-
tinguished for|§ ^ being substantial
and important,
^f^ Do be ^ not J^ uncommon fond of things.

|g|^ The manners

amongst them
Shang ^
of the people J|| are
extravagant, ^|J Ff clever talkers fll
are considered ^ men ^ virtuous
^ ;
the remains
of their customs
;^ ^ ^
are not yet obliterated ;
let

^ ;^ ^
your Grace, therefore, consider this.

^ have ^ I ^ ^ ^
heard it said, "(H: ;;§: that
familieswhich have enjoyed hereditary
emolument,
^ by ^ ^
are rarely able
|^ to adhere to pohteness,
J^ ^
but ^ ^
their dissoluteness they prejudice
^ and
virtue, ^
really '{^ disobey
^ the celestial
doctrine,
bauching ^
(§j|j ^
destroying fti reformation
and de-
which ^
excellent things, for ten thou-
sand pi
-jji ^ ages continue the same.

35
iX These ||
^
'1^^^v^
d: Yin
jfe
relied long
^
officers of the
on favour, »|^
and pre-
dynasty,

suming on ^ their extravagance ^

they annihilate
 THE COMMANDS TO PElH. 307

gg righteousness garnishing themselves

;
gg §| so as
to appear beautiful ^ before \men, ^ ^come they are
proud ^f^ and boastful, and will ^ ^ ^
to a bad i^ end. || Although ))5c »U2 their diss"^ ^
lute minds have been kept in check,
yet it is difficult to keep them back from evil.
;^ i]»^ Ig ^
^M^^ If you enrich ^g and can mana<^e till to *

^^
struct them, 'HI iiH then you may lengthen out
their years, f^ ^
Only virtue ^
f|| and righteous-
ness,^ 73 ^ these are
f the great J||
points of instruc-
tion. you do
Tf^ If {^ not follow "]^ the old
pj doc-
trines,^ wherewith ^
flij you |))| will instruct them ?
S The H king H|
fui-thQh -r said, tt^S yes !
^ g]p
my ^ 1^ -^ ^
paternal teacher, the tranquillity or
danger ^ depend
of the state,
»f|^
will on these |§[it
Yin
officers of ^ being neither |^||
too hard nor ^ ^
too soft, (in which medium state) ^ their ^ virtue
would be ;J^ w ell j|^ cultivated.
j^ Only )^ '^ Chow-kung was able ^
to take ^
heed ]^ J^ in the commencement j/f^ only ;
^ f^
^
Keun-chin succeeded in ^H harmonizing
J^ the
^
people in the interim, \^ ^ and Grace your alone
^ ^is enalded to complete
~ The
^ j^ happy
the termina-
tion (of right rule.) three )5chiefs have been
^ \\^ one in heart, |pj and unitedly j^ arrived at ^
J^ perfection 5^ J^ Being imbued wath virtue ig^
government '^§ has been w^ell regnlated, j^ the in-

fluence whereof }|| has extended to the living ^ ^

people, gg 1^ and the foreigners on all sides, 2t ^
with their clothes lapping over to the left, ^ Jp, have
invariably
^ f^
depended on me, >|'% ^ ^ the youngr
child, ^ perpetually 7^ securing ^ abundant jjjg

happiness-
^ YourChow,
Grace ^'j§^ has thu^, fiJJ ^ ''^r the

capital of ^established |GE ^ an inexhaustible

 KEUN-tAY.

patrimony, ^
and you have also acquired
^
an endless "^ fame ^ posterity |)|| will
:
^^
ibilow ^
your jj^ perfect ^
pattern, {^ ;){^ and good
government (will prevail.)
^ \^ Oh yes ^ ^
!
^ do not say, that it cannot
^ be accomplihhed f^ ^ expend ^ your
;
but rfV^

Q ^
^ t^ be ^
heart upon it.
f^ Uo not say, the people
are too few your
(to merit regards), but care-
ful 5§^ in your ^ ^ ^
business. Respectfully
imitate $£ 3E ^ ??{|
the perfect merit of the former
kings, j^ ^^
in order to ^ excel glj former go-
vernments.
SECTION VI.

^ ^ KEUN-YAY.*
3£The king t ^ H spake to the following elfect :

^1^ Oh yes !
^ ^ Keun.yay, ^ ^ your |^ an-
cestor 75 and ;5?i
father "Ht for several generations
j^
were thoroughly ^ ^ and
faithful sincere,
^g la- ^
bouring in behalf of ^ ^the royal house, p^ \\hile
their :^^ ^ accomplished 1^ merit |g is recorded ^
in 3^5^ the great "^ diary.

% But *^ 4" Wan ^ and Woo, ^ ^ Ching

I, the little child, though
^ |^
inheriting that which Jg)^

^ and K'han^ handed down j^ |§- as the clue of

government, /^ S
^ ^^ and ^ who i manage having 3fc ^be ser-
vants of the former kings, ^ can ^fe
and
those on the right and j^[ ^ left, regulate "^jf
all

^^
throughout the four quarters, /ii /§] a^^ y^* dis-
and
tressed ^ {^ on
anxious in mind, as if treading

* Keun-yay is the name of a Muh-wang (B.

minister. ^^ 3H
C. 997) commanded Keun-yaybe the mii^i^ter of instruction, and
to
this section contains his announcement. The modern text wants
it, but the ancient text has it.

t The king here spoken of is ^^ 3E Muh-wang : the grandson

of ^^ i K'ang-\vang, and the son of ^ ^E Chaou-wang.

 KEUN-YAV. 309

/^ a tiger's
ice.
^ tail,
^ or walking ^ upon ^ vernal
'^]C
4^ I now -(^ command || my ^
you, -7^ assistant,

ffe
be )J>t fl^
to
and back-bone ^
my arms
73
and
carry on
legs,

^ ^
i^iiiny heart
the old regu-
;
Jg
lations, ^ and do not ^ disgrace ^
f|g^ your father
and grandfather.
5A J^o y^^ enlarge and ^ diffuse 3El ^he five M.
canons, ^ and respectfully ^ harmonize ^^ij the
moral virtues of the people ; ^ if in own ^
your
person ^ you can be Jj^ correct, j^ none ^ will
dare ^ XE ^^ ^^ incorrect.
tp
^ The people's \]^
minds |^ are not otherwise (to be brought to) the

due medium, f^ than by ;^ your fj^ hitting the ^

due medium yourself
S^^ During the heats and rains of summer, /J^
^
^
the small people f^ only talk of crying out
•^ and complaining ; ^)^^ during the great colds
of winter, /J> ^
the lower classes ijjp also ^^ Q talk
'
about f^^ lamenting and sighing. ^ ^^
^But you 1^
And indeed tliey have their difficulties. if will

^ ^ ^promote consider their hardships, M ® ^ M^ and

seek to ^ 75their ease, the people will be

^ tranquil.
«1 1^ Oh gg ^ S^ how ^5 great and splendid

^ were Wan-wang'sup by ^ ^ and how plans 1

qjj well
were ^^
they followed ^|] W(»6-wang's ef-

forts ^ ! ^ and ^ ^ A
they instructed aided us

)^
their successors ^ Do ;
all their actions jJE were cor-
rect,^ and ^ ^
not one^ deficient. y_ou,

therefore, i^ respectiully ^ set forth 75 ^^^^ir ||| in-

structions, ]^ ^^and imitate ^^ jfe 3E ^l^e former

kings, ^ thus responding to ^ and sipreading abrojd

^ Wcln ^^ andworthy
Woo's ft bright "f^ commands,
be associated ^
with ^
^
MR and becoming to
 310 THE COMMAND TO KUNG.

J^ your ancestors.
^ The king ^continued, ^saying, ^^ Oh
Keun-ya) J^ *)^ do you
! carry out jE ^ the
^ ^
old plans of your predecessors, fl^ 5\ and make ^
them your models of imitation. l^i^Wd ^^® P^" ^
cifying or disturbing of the people
^ ^which will depend
on this. ^ Follow, therefore, 75 ^^^* your |jj|

^^ ^^
have practised, B^ and set
ancestor's
forth the glories of
J^ your J^^ '^ prince's y(^ ^
government
SECTION VII.

THE COMMAND j^ "^ TO KUNG.*

35 The kins> ^Q spoke nearly to the following

effect :
fg |^ Oh Baron Rung I
fi^ ^ I am ^ not
competent ^ by (the want ^
of) ^ virtue, to succeed
to 5fe /\ ^y predecessors, ^ who occupied the sta-
tion of ^ )^ great princes. f^j^lC \% I a"^ alarmed
j^ at the danger of my 4* ^
situation, ^ ^"^ IJ>?
sometimes rise at midnight )^ how
to consider ^^
I am to avoid Pf my ^ faults.

^
Formerly, :gg in the times of -yC ^^^ ^ ^^^
Woo, they were Ji 0^ intelligent ^ and perfect |g
sages ; their /]> small -)^ and great :^ officers jgj ^
all ^ aimed at |^ being faithful and goodg '(^ ; ^
the attendant ^ charioteers, "^ servants, |j^ and fol-
lowers 1^ ^ were also vrithout exception jJE correct

^ men ; ]^ H morning ;^ and evening -^ obeying

5^ and assisting gfjf their ^
prince {t|
whether go- ;

ing out 7^ or coming in, ^ rising J^ or at rest, ^^

they never >fC lost ^ coTimands
their respect ; f^ -^ when or-

ders were issued ;5^ ^ and given, ^ fl"^

Muh-wang commanded f^ ^
Baron Kung to be superinten-
dent of the household, and these were the commands given him. The
modern text has it not, but the ancient text has it.
 ;

THE COMMAND TO KUNG. 311

they were without exception ^ ^ood ; "^^

^ the low-
er classes fdJ were respectful
^ and^ and obedient,
the myriad ^ ^
states jj^ vvere all tranquil.

Y^ But -^ — 1, \ to am
the single individual, de-
ficientj^ ^
in goodness, ^ depend and mainly on
7^ ^ my "^ ^ and
attendants
^ ^ ^^ domestics.
"rfc together with those v\ho are in^ me office, to aid

:^ ^ ^ my in
^correcting ^ my
^ fg my
deficiencies ; adjusting
faults, errors,
:fg and subduing
^ my .^depraved '(^soas ^
»to heart, to enable
me ^ to continue
t^^II my
the meritorious etForts of
predecessors.

^ Now, ^ ^ command ^ f^
therefore, I you
to ^
be the great
JE adjuster (superintendent of the
household,) JE ^ ^ my ^
to set to ris^hts all ser-
vants,
f^ ^ j^ ^
attendants, and ^ charioteers;
that th«ymay encourage 73 *^^ j^ lii' prince's virtue,

^ ^
and mutually ^ ^ what
attend to is neglected.
Be
*t^ ^
careful J^ ^
in selecting your officers

X^
dte do not ly^ regard ^ those of specious discourse
'^ smooth Q
and ^ ^
countenance, temporizing
time-servers^ i^ and ^ corrupt flatterers ;
'f^ but
employ only
"^tt 8^^^ "^^°-
When
j|^ household
|5 JE
officers
^ are correct,
the^ ^prince lEwill be ^ g when
correct ; but
royal domestics^ ^ The )^
are flattering, the sovereign

^ will account himself

|| J^ ^
a sage. king's

g
virtue j|| depends on ^
his officers, want and his
of ^ virtue l]'^ will also g
arise from his officers.

P^ ^ Do you not ^ f^ A
Hjg be familiar
*§
with

55 who
flatterers, up I^ will stop your ears ;;Ji

and ^ and
eyes, Jn induce J^ ^^ their sovereign to

offend against §6 5E ;2l W *^^ regulations of the for-

mer kings.

^A^*^ If you do not esteem men on account

312 leu's code of punishment,

of their personal qualities, f^ '^ ^^ but have res*,

pcct to their wealthy bribes,

^>ou render the offices nugatory,
^^ in this way
^§|f
will '|^^ and
you will show "j^ great ^
^}f|f^ disrespect ^J to your
j3$ prince, in
blame you.
which case f^ "^ 1 shall certainly ^^
^ The king^g Hg »f Oh gj ^ said, be respect-
and
fully cautious, ^TC ^ J^ perpetually aid your )g
^
prince ^ ^
by adhering to the constant laws.

SECTION VIII.
leu's code iS 5fil ^^ PUNISHMENT. *

f^ When Q Leu's -^ decree was issued 3E the

king^ had enjoyed ^ the throne ^ a nunaber of
^ years, which time ^he had be-
(B. C. 950), by
come superannuated ^
and careless, ]^ so that he
conceived the plan f^ of making these laws, J^
]P|
vrherewith |^ to harrass (the people) 23 "[^^ in all
quarters.

3E '^'be ^ "^ ^ Che-yew

king Q said, Dlj According to

^ T^the
the accounts of ancient times, peo-
plef^ ^ were
j^ the JI ^
first to excite ^{^ rebellion,
whence ^ ^ it extended ^ to the peaceable subjects;

^ ^ who became ^ ^
all ^^ robbers and thieves,
^
destroyers ^ ^ and
of righteousness, traitors vil-

^^
lains,
derers.
^ ^ and plupderers mur* hypocritical

®and Meaou ^ ^ were

1^4 '-^he people of ffl
unkind
^ conducted their
government J^ by 5fl]
punish-
ments ; fH they f^ invented 5E the five kinds of ^
7^ Jfll
cruel inflictions, 1^ and called them J^ laws,

* S^^ The marquis ©f Leu, was criminal jutlge of the Empire,

and ^P T^ Muh-wang commanded him to set forth a code of laws'
wherewith to scrutinize the people in all quarters. The historians
have made a section of it. The modern and ancient texts both have it,
 LEU S CODE OF PUNISHMENT. 3(3

g^ that they might put

to death the in-o- ^ ^
<^e^^"

liness
^
^ J,^"^
|[jj
^^^y 3R& commenced J§ their disorder-
by cutting off noses
^\l and ears, ;)|( c^s-
tratin^ |j( and brandmg.
j^ }f Ij And even ^H
those who adhered to the laws, were similarly
^ ^^
treivted, j^ without

had ^ pleas
distinguishuig those
to prefer.
who ^
]p5 he mass of the people
1 thus ^ began ^ i|)f

^
^ ^
to defile one another being dark and
J^ j[^ ;

confused, fQ they did not^l^ centre -^ in fidelity,

]^ ^ but overturned ||^ oaths ^ and contracts.

^ Oppressions
^were
^
spread terror,
put to death,
^ and when mul-
titudes 3/;' they -^announc-
ed ^The^High their innoeence ^ to jt the Supreme.
h ^ Potentate ^ then surveyed p^ the
people (of Meaou), and found ^ i:^ that they posses-
sed not ^^ the fragrance ^ of virtue, but that fftj

their punishments |[j|, emitted ^ an odour i^ that

was 5§ offensive.

^ ^1^ The Emperor (Shun) ^ |^ then compassion-

ated ^
without cause
the multitude, ^ "J^ who were slain ^^
; ^^ recompensing I^ their oppressors,

JUJ^ ^
with his ^own terribleness, J^ he extermina-
ted
^ ^ ^
the people of Meaou,
them and left no
yr ^ amongst
generation "^ succeeding states.

/5 He -^ commanded ^
then |^ Le C'hung and
^ and5^ IS
Afe tx3 cut off the communication between
earth
^^ heaven, interdicting (the pretended)
^ ^ and
descents visitations (of the gods) ; until

^ ^
the multitude :^ ^
of princes, ^ even to
'l^ the subordinate ^
officers, ^ clearly displayed

1^ and '^
aided in carrying out the constant princi-

ples,|^ ^
while the widows ^ solitary and tlie

were ^ not making

debarred (from complaints). *

£* ^Ctiung and ^ ^R I.e were the flAme as He and Ho.

Oo
314 LEU'b CODE OF PUNISHMENT,

^ J^ The~pEmperor ^ with a pure intention fgj

enquired of ^ common the people, whethei
^
the destitute ^ and
'^
widows i;^ had any ^ com-
plaints^ against the Meaou-ites ; for (unlike the
latter) |g his virtue ^ was terrible »|# and inspired
^ awe ^ ;
his virtue g)| was clear, j||^ and produced

fl^ intelligence.
75 He then ^ commanded ^ the three f^ princes

J^ to display their anxious 7^ labours ^ on behalf

of ^ j^ ^
the people, telling ^ communi- Pth-e to

cate ^ the ceremonial rites, in order to "^ff

repress the
excesses^ ^ ^] by :^
of the people the dread of pun«
ishment ;^ Yu ^
directing to kvel the waters

Jl and ^^ and
the land, Jj designate the principal
and
hills )|1 ^ sowing ^
rivers was
;
makewhile Tseih to

linown ^husbandman
mode the ^ and of j^ planting,
that the might
~ The )g ^ J(§ cultivate the ex-
cellent^ grain. ^ three princes having
completed 5^
the people.
^^^^^^^^'
^^
work, they enriched

He also directed j^ the magistrates ^|j to regulate

When the world is regulated by justice and intelligence, the good

willbe happy, and the vicious miserable ; while the people, knowing
from whence their happiness springs, will not be disposed to seek de-
liverance from dark and mysterious things. In the time of |J5| Meaou,
however, the people did not know the grounds of the offences they
might commit, and having no one to whom they could appeal, they
went gadding after the gods, and sacrificing to improper demons :

thus the canons relative to heaven and earth, the gods and men
became mixed and confused, superstitions sprang up, and mankind
became depraved. ^^ Shun's first endeavour, however, was to coirect
men's minds, and therefore he commanded Chung and Le, to arrange
the sacrificial canons ; after which the Emperor alone sacrificed to
heaven and earth, the princes to the hills and rivers, while high and
low, superiors and inferiors, each had their limits, the communication
betwixt earth and heaven was cut off, the distinctions between the
seen and unseen worlds were rigidly observed, superstitious notions
ceased, and the princes and their subordinates, all aided in the main-
tenance of the constant principles. [Chinese Commentator. 'I
p LEU S CODE OF PUNISHMENT. 315

W^ the people J^M '^t. ^ t>y the influence of

punishments, J>jJ
in order to ^ instruct them f^ to
shew respect to ^ virtue.
When f^ ^
such respectful harmony :j^
J^ exists
in the prince, and g^ ^
such clear intelligence ^^ ~p
among his ministers ^ is displayed ^ throughout
[7g ^ all quarters, then the people ^ ::f;
will inva-
riably Jl^M'^Wi^^^ diligent in the practice of vir-
tue. (Should any fail, however,) the magistrate^
73 might P^^ enlighten them JflJ :i by the ^ ^
suitable exhibition of punishments, and
induce the people to follow good government fM by
^^ ^^
aiding ^ the dictates of their constant nature.
Thus ^ ^ the criminal judge ^^ might not only
1^ carry out to the utmost^ ^^ the laws against
the powerful, j^ but also g^ fully enforce them ^
upon ^ the rich, ^i; Being respectful ^^ and reve.
rential in the extreme, ^ ^ he would have no occa-
sion ^ to make choice of g" words ^ in regard to
^
his own private conduct ; 'j^ but ^ being adequate
to the practice of 5^ celestial ^ virtue, ^ he would
be able j'^ to promulgate 71] the great ^ decree, §£
and be associated ^
in enjoyment /^ "][> with those
below him.
3E 1'he king l^.said, ^ Oh you U^J j^ in every

^
part, "S] JH^ the superintendents ^ |Df and judges,
PI ^
are you not
\^ ^ ^ constituted the shepherds

of Heaven 4^ ^ ^ ^ and now what

? have you
to look to^ '?
^is it who
not fl^ this fj^ Pih-e, by

^ punishments;^!^
the wide-display ofjflj leads for-

ward
have you
^ ^ and now ^ M^^
(the people) ^
warning by not
^vhat

to take \% j^ '? is it tliis

Meaou ^ g§ who people, ^ examine neglected to

^ ^ >^ ^ what belonged^ to the criminal cases,

and did not ^ select |g =^ proper ^ j)ersons to look

 316 LKU'S COBt OF PUNISHMENT.

^ 5Einto
3Pi J^ t|^ the suitability of the five punish-
ments ^ ; but (chose) B^ these ^ who depended on
^ their dig^nity, ^
and were greedy of bribes, '^
thus ^
deciding ^fj and managing
J[ the five
punishments )^ gj] tumultuously oppressing =fi^^
^\
the innocent. Jt The Supreme i^
Ruler :^ would
not Ig ^
excuse this, but |f|- attached blame ^
^^ to |g Meaou "gj the Meaou
; people had no ^ ^
^f plea to urge ^^
in mitigation of punishment,
and thus |§g he cut off ]^ their "jg; generations.
/J

3E The king Hsaid, ?4 «^ Oh yes :^ ! ^ ^

think of this, fQ^ my senior uncles 32. ^^'^ elder ^
brethren, ^^
with my junior uncles and ^^
younger brethren, 1^ ^my children
^
and grand- ^^
children, "^ do you all listen
©J to my "^ words ;

J5§E should you ^

have received 3f§ the excellent '^
command (to act as magistrates,) you must ^^ S
^ invariably ^ follow out Jg; that which is satisfy-

ing to your mind, Q and be daily ||f/ diligent. ^

|S1 Do not 3^ leave it to chance f^ to guard against
^ HJ] indolence. 3C Heaven (has appointed these
punishments) ^ to regulate
^^ the people, j^ and
has afforded ^ — us * Q but one day (to make use of
them.) ^ ^ The not persevering in crime, fflj^ll
or the contrary, ^ rests entirely with \
the individu-
al "P^
; do you, therefore, ^^ be respectful, ^ and
concur with 3^ H eaven's
—
^ decree, )Ji^ in ^ aiding
^ me a single \ individual ; ^ although -^ 1

should be disposed to be rigorous, do not you J^ ^

be severe 5|^ and although f/jf I should be inclined to
;

approve ot the parties, ^ do not you therefore f^ ap-

prove of them, jj^ but ^ respectfully (carry out) 5E
the five Jp] punishments, J^ in order J^S^ to complete
^ the three virtues.^ Thus I,
— -* the single \
t>ae, ^ will be ^ felicitated, ^^ and the millions ^
 LEUS CODE OF TUNISHMEKT. 317
of people ^^ will have somewhat to rely on
^
in which case ^ the tranquillity
<|ft will be ^pei"
;

peti;al

2 The king H Wj Oh ^ come you

further said,
;^'fp have that ^ j^ and states
^ territories, 1 ^^i'l
tell
^ you (something
ments.* :^ ^ Now
p about) felicitous
ff|] punish-
^ you ^ engaged that are in
^
tranquillizing 'g'
ifitbenot A
what have you ^
the people, fwj
to select, ^1; the proper person
what have you ^
; fnf
^ to regard,
^1 if it be not pun-
ishments; what have you
jpj ^ ^ to consider, if it
be not^ the extent to
which they will reach i
When ^ ^ ^ ^
both parties are present, glfi
let all judges ]g
the
S || listen to the five kinds of
pleas 5. 1?,
^ if these
^
charges be substantiated,
and unequivocal,
jE
the five kinds
^ then adjust the case to one of
3[ 3[
jfl] of punishments. jjij If these
punishments ^ ^ are not suitable, be
JE let it ar-
ranged ^ according to one of
3E the five kinds of
|3
compensation fg ^ and ;
^ Jg if these do not hit
the case,]£
kinds jSj of mistake.
^
then ascribe it to one of Jj] the five

Jn settling 35 the five kinds of Jigj mistake, however,

"^^ there are evils to be apprehended, viz.
f^ *§;
lest man be warped by influence, 'f(| ]^ by private
a
grudge, f# F^ by female interference, "^ hy ^
bribes, fi| ^ or by solicilation ; i^ |^ let the of-
fence '||| be treated with j;^ evenhamied justice, "^^^
and examine carefully, Jr^ ;^ in order that you may
do you best.
3EJf(I i^l J^ When there is any doubt respecting
the iufiictioa of the five punishments, |^ then ^
* Punishments are disaj^reeable things, hut they are here CMllfd
felicitous, because by the use of th«ni it is h^ped that the future
use of them may be prevented.
318 leu's code of punishment.
exercise leniency ; 3S.f3 7^^ ^"^ viheu there is

any doubt about the propriety of compensation, 1^ ^

stillexercise clemency ^^
but carefully examine,
,

^ ;^ aud exert your utmost efforts.

^^
When a
case is well substantiated, ^ ^
the many will have
confidence in your judgment ^ ^ ;
but appearances
;^ must be consulted ^ te ^ and
if the indict- ;

ment be not clear, '^ |^

do not entertain the case.
M^ Be always ^ under ^C Heaven's
apprehension of
terribleness.
J|5(j

^S^ ^ When doubts exist about the punishment

of branding, ^ and you wish to excuse the individual,

flet him
pay 'gf ^ ^
600 ounces (of silver) g§ ;

^
§P but enquire and ascertain the nature of the
crime p)] ^^ ; ^
when doubts exist about the punish-
ment of cutting off the nose, 9^ and you be disposed
to clemency, let him^ pay '^ double the for-
f^ "f)
mer amount, @§ ^ ^# but look well into the of-
fence
ment of
;
^
^^)J
ham-
^ when
and you
stringing,
about
h
doubts exist
wi.
the punish-
to let the
^^
man off, ^ let him ^ pay as a compensation, '^ dou
ble the former amount, ^ and (something) more,
W^ iH but be sure you inspect the crime *,© ;
^
^ when doubts exist about the punishment of castra-
tion, ^^ and yoQ would exempt the offender, I^ let
him ^ ^
pay 7>^ 'Q'
^^
six times 600 ounces, |^

1^ ^
but be particular about the crime committed ;

^ ^ andpunishment,
of capital
when any doubt about
and
there
man may be
is

the
the infliction
let go,
^fj^

^ him ^
let pay ^ thousand first ^ 600 a times
ounces
ill
^^^^
(of silver,) be
^ Of
noticing the real state of his offences.
but still particular
cases of
branding ^ may be ransomed,
that ^ ;J^
there are
^ one thousand which ; ^.|] beof cases in the nose is to
an4)utated, ^ that may be redeemed, ^^ there are
 leu's code of punishment.
319
one thousand
J may be compensated for,
;
,jf:|]
of cases requiring
ham-stringing,
^^
fl that
there are
hve^ hundred; »^ of cases deserving of castration B
#
=
that may be commuted by fine
there are ;
^^
three IJ hundred;
Qf ^
of capital offences, -^ thTt ^
may be redeemed by fines, there are two ^^ ^ W
hundred.3E Jf|J^;^
.ofpunishments,—=p
^ 1 bus amono the five kinds
there are 3,000 (that may be
thus treated.) (in
undefined cases,) J^ 7?
J;:h |i
class them with those immediately above or
below ; ^
do not f^ enter upon |[^ improper
nor ^
indictments,'
inflict Tf,^ obsolete punishments;
^ ^
'f^ but
^ examine each case ^ according to j^ law, "th^
"^^
and scrutinize
^ ;^
If the superior kind of^flj
to the utmost.

J^ punishments^ has to
be @ mitigated, *]^ ^g employ the next inferior
and if ;

^ a lower kind of ^flj punishment ^

has to be J
rendered more severe, J*^ employ that next above it.
With regard to ^ the lightness ^ or severity |^ of
the §5 redemption (money), ij^be guided by cir- ^
cumstances ^^J and
;
let punishments as well as ^
^ ^
compensations ili "jyi be light or heavy accord,
age
ing to the which men in
*i^^ Thus you live.*
may ^^
adjust what ^ ^ and is irregular, do e-

^ ^ and
very thing in i)roper order, according to its

relative importance.
-^ Redemptions ^ intend>::d for the repression of
do
crime, dji ^2 not and <-'auso people to die, yet some-
times}^ men ^ ^ ^ are punished to a grievous
excess. Therefore
|^ ^ do not (select) artful persons
^ to ^
determine \% employ
^
criminal cases, but
honestmen ^ who
to ^^
decide |p; causes, will

* Thus inacouiitiy i»e\vl> -established light puijishinenls wure to h(5

iiiflictc;}, anarchy heavy ones, and on

in a state of common ofcn«i'»n«

those of a middling kind

320 LfcO's CODK OF PUNlSIIXfENT.

invariably :^ tjt bit tbe due medium. ^ Examine

^ pleadings J* v^ tbat which may be ^ erroneous,
and in cases ^^^ where you have been induced to
refuse compliance, f^ ^you will soon find reason to
comply. "^ Be c()m[)assionate ^ and respectfully
caMtious ^
in the decision of ^j( criminal matters,
^
and clearly J^ opea out /fIj ^
the record of punish-
ment, ^ that all ^m iv consider it, ^ and then
every thing
correct.
^ perhaps will
With regard
Ffl be suitable
]£ and
punishments iMl 13to
JtfflJ
and redemptions,
utmost.
^^
yo must employ scrutiny
Criminal
?

cases J^ being settled

^
J^ to the |||f
(below,) [j^ ^
(the people) will have confidence,
and being reported (above,) fjfl -^ (the prince) wiU
^
rely (on your judgment.) Moreover, JpJ when pun- ^
ishments Ji (^^^ reported) to the higher tribunals, |^
let (the documents) be all complete ; also ^^ in ca-
ses of double offences, ^ where two Jfl] punish u;ents
(have been awarded, let this be mentioned.)
3E The king said, RI ^f T^h yes :^ ;t Sl^ 1

be respectfully cautious !
^
fQ all you nobles j^
of the same clan j^ and of different surnames !
^ I

feel, ^
whilst speaking of these things, much if^ ^
trepidation. ^ 1 am myself^ very cautious ^ in

Jf||
punishments. ^^ and always take into conside-
wen's good qualities }^ jflj in the infliction of
ration
punishments. "^ Now ^C as Heaven (has chosen)
:fg
to regulate ^
the people (in this way), f^ do you
become pE its fellow-worker ^ 'JC among those be-

low you. 03 Be clear ^ and pure ^ in matters .^

^ v\here there is only a single witness ;
S method
il3l ^L
in regulating the people, ^ 7f\ the
invariable

pfl of hitting thedue medium f^^^^is to listen only

to those causes |^ |^ which have a plurality of wit-
nesses a^ but do not
; ^
by any chance fj, follow ^
your private partialities, ^ even ^ in ;i, those cases
 Lf&u's COPIP OF PUNISHMENT. 321
I

^ The
j^ which are sustained by double evidence.
^
^ no profits arising out of judicial proceedings
^
are of Rvalue 'l^ they are indeed}^ an
; accu-
^
mulation ;5^ of crime. ^
followed ^^ ^^Y 1^ ^
calamitous visitations. ^ Be always ^ afraid ^
in awarding ^ compensations ^ it is not that 55
^
;

Heaven fails in tfl uprightness ;

f"^ it is that
A people themselves ^ choose ^ a wretched
^
fate. =^ Were the punishments of Heaven ^
not ^ extreme. ]^ the common ^ people ^ ^
would have no
out "7^ the
^ good j^
whole world. *
government ^^ through-
5^
3E The king 3 said, tf^^Oh yes, ^ my
^ what fu-
ture successors, ^^ from henceforth 'jpf
have-
you ^ to look to, ^^ if it be not the accomplish-
ment of virtue, ^
^ in bringing the people ^jj^to the
tjHdue medium (by ^ Do punishments). you, there-
B3
fore, ^j^pljlisten
carefully me ^ to ;
wise ^^ men

^ by employing punishments jf)] (have attained)

^
g ^^
endless ^ by
^h^ve
applause ; for the use of

3J ^
the five ^ inflictions they all i;f=l hit the
due medium, ^ and ^ attained J^» felicity ;
receive,

^
therefore, ^ happy
the king's gjp multitude, ^
^ and ^
attentively survey these fj^ felicitous Jpj
punishments.

* The Cl^inese comipentator thinks that the close of this paragraph

is obscure.

Pp
 !

322 THE DECREE ADDRESSED TO WAN.

SECTION IX.

THE DECREE ADDRESSED TO THE MARQUIS WAN. *

i Themyking ^ Q
(B. C. 769), spake to the fol-

lowing ^ Oh
effect ;
^^ ^ father, E-ho, -f

how ^
greatly ^ were W^n ^ and Woo
illustrious

^ how intensely ^jM careful BJJ ^ their resplendent

virtue
^ !
^ Jt
^'1' ^^ ^'^^^
^ ^
eminently above,
and was diffused ^ extensively
}^ ^^ "]^ below.
Where upon Supreme j^
J;^ the ^ Ruler concentrat-
ed j^his
stituting
4^ decree ^ on
him the sovereign of China),
;^ 3E Wan-wang, (con-
There
ijf <)^
were also (your ancestors), ^
the former J£ correct
statesmen,
J^ who were enabled 2c to assist ^ ^
and brilliantly ^
to serve ]^ their Jg^ princes. so ^
that
;J>»
both their small -j^ and great plans ^^
and schemes
^ thus 7^
^^
were invariably
our former
carried out; ^^
ancestors '|^ sat peaceably
jfj^
^ on jj[ their thrones.
B,-^ nf- Alas have pity
!
^
-^ on me, /]> the little
y who
child,
d^ ou my first accession have met ^
with 5^ f^tWs^ severe reproof from Heaven, ?^
to the exhaustion ^ of my ^ which
resources, might
have conferred benefit ^ upon ^ J^ common the

* )&l@ j£ YeW"Wang, having been killed by the pHj 555 Keu^n-

jilng Tartars, 3^ Wan, the marquis of "j^ Tsf n, and JpJ Wo6,
the duke of ^P Ching placed the heir apparent, J^ |^ E-kew on the

throne, who took the title of "7^

capitalto the eastward.
i
Plng-wang, and removed the
Ping-wang then appointed the marquis Wan
to be the lord of a region, and gave him the fragrant wine and red
bow, while he issued this decree directing hJm what to do. The his-
torians have recorded it, and formed it into a section. The pregeat
and ancient texts both have it.
* E-ho was the private designation of the marquis Wan ; the king
cfdled him father, because he was of the same clan.
 •

THE DECREE ADDRESSED TO WAN. 323

people # and by ^ ^
the incursions of the Tartars,
my ^ ^ ^^ country
Ip has been severely injured.
Also amongjp my ^ ^^ ^}} officers, there are
perhapsno
g ^^ and ag^ed
men, i^ who experienced

f. M
are clever :0E in their departments
|| ;

while am ^ ^
I myself inadequate (to the duties of
my Q
station). I repeat
who have jfig (of those
it, i|§

^ who
my
stood before)
is
;^ ^
grand-father f'^
and
there »!:§ that compassionates
my |^
father,

)}j^
:^ ^ would
case ^ »|§ n^i Alas !
me- you but display
rit^ me, — \
I
in behalf of
be
should ^ perpetually
:g
^ a single
tranquil
individual,
on fg' the
throne.

X Oh ^ |H ;^ you '^
father
^ E-ho ! are able
to set forth (the glories)
ancestors
7} of yonr ^ illustrious
)]j£
;
^J^ for you
|| have commenced JfjJ by imi-
example >r of Wan -g; and Woo,
tating the
^^
and have united ^ and connected (the fortunes) K
of your g^ prince, thus ^ displaying ^ filial regard
^ for
]^ your former ^^ accomplished prede-
cessor. ^^ You have ^ greatly f^ assisted ^ and
shielded ^
me -j- *n ^ difficulty. (Joncerniiig
^
such as ^ you, therefore, -^ I may ^ con^jratulate
myself
^ The king continued, ;^ Oh g E-
father ^j^
ho ^ f^
! return jj)! and inspect ^ ^ \our host,

J^ and tranquillize ^^ your ^P ^ ^ —

state, while
you ^present in your (aiicestorial
^ ^
temple)
1^ one cup distilled from black millet ; beside.-?
j^^ ^
*— one red bow, jffi 5^ Q an^^ ^^^ I'ed arrows as also
—
;

Jg; ^ one black bow, jg "^^ W

and 100 black
arrows ^ ; jZiJ ]Z5 ^'^^^ ^ team of four horses.
^ ^
Oh my father, -{i n^ g« ;* render pliable ^ those

* According to history it appears, that g^j ^ Yew^wanff married

a lady of ^P sJiin, and begat the iicir apparent .M- 1-3 E-kew. Af-
324 THE OATH AT PE.

at a distance, ^g knd capable g those who are near

M enrich ^ and tranquillize >h the small ^ people,

M and do not 3^ improperly 2p seek your own ease.

^ Inspect and compassionate ^ your ^ capital

^ and complete p| your ^

^ll^
m illustrious f^ virtu«.
SECTION X.

THk OATH tf tf AT PE.*

J^ The duke H said, 1^ Oh J^ my people, M do

not IP make a hoise, M but listen -^ to my
com-
mands. 4H. Previous to ^ this j^ H
^
the Hwae-e and

the ^ ^^Vseu-jung foreigrers 3fe I'^^se up toge-

iher in rebellion.

^^ Brace on well TJ your helmets ^

^nd ^
coats of mail bind
; ^
on 75 your =p clubs, ^^
and let nothing "^ ^
be out of order. Prepare ^
J^ your ^
bows ^ and ^arrows temper J^ your;

j^ lances ^ ^
and spears, sharpen jPj your
^
swords* 57* points,^ ^ and let
^^
not any thing
be out of trim.
^ Now Jl^ we are about J^ to enlarge ^^ the
enclosed pasturage ^ for the cows J|| and horses ; do

terwards he became fond of^§ j^Jl Pacu-sze, when he degraded the

Empress
sion.
^ Shin, and set aside the heir apparent fro'm the succes-
Upon this the marquis of Shin was enraged, and gave presents
to the Tartars, whereby he induced them to attack and kill the king.

The raarquis of Shin then set up the heir apparent, who became ^p^
^C Pthg-wang. Plng-wang considering that the marquis of Shin
had done him a great service in setting hiin on the throne, forgat the
circumstance of the murder of his father, and forbore to revenge it.
On this account he is much blamed by the Chinese Commentator.
* Pe is the name of a place. The Jg Hwae-e and^
Tseu-jung foreigners rebelled at the same time, when the marquis of
^^
'^ Loo went to subdue them. At ^
Pe lie abjured the multitude
hence the name of this section is called the oath at Pe. The ancient
;

And modern texts both have it.

 THE OATH AT PE, 325
you therefore, ^
close /J your ^ traps,
g^ and stop
up 75 your ^^ pitfalls,^ and do not^ dar« to %
injure^ the pasturage. ^^ ^ %\i the cattle in
the feeding grounds be harmed,
suffer ^ the fixed jf|j
punishments.
J^ you ^l] shall
^
!§ When the horses ^ and cows !^ §(^ are at heat,
pT and men ^ or women-servants ^ j|| abscond, ffl
do not
of them
^^
but (bhould
dare^
of
to cross
any you
^
over the hues in pursuit
; people) qjjf reverently
ffi f2S ^ri"g them back, ^ Should
I
j^ will consider about
^ remunerating -j^ you. Tj you troops,
however, ^ cross the lines ^ in the pursuit,
and
not ^ return to your posts, '/^ you glj will
jfj
1^ expe-
rience ^ the fixed ^fl) punishments. Further-
more, ^ let
^
none ^ dare to commit robberies
^ and thefts, 1^ jumping g over walls ^and fences,
^ to steal J^ ^
horses and cows, g^ or decoy EJ
people's men-servants ^ and maidens, (for if you do)
'^ ^^ visited with »j^ the
t5C y^^ i^'J s^^^^ allotted
Jf|j
punishments.
^ J^ On the 1 1th day of the cycle,
^ I
f^ mean
^
do
^^
to attack
you, therefore, collect
the Tseu-jung foreigners
the necessary provisions,
; |1^ Jj
^%1^
^ and do ^ not dare to have ^^ any deficiency,
^ or you |lj shall ^ suffer X severe ]|IJ punish-
tnent. @ ^ The people of Loo (assemble from) ^
the three ^|5 environs and the three ^ ^
J^tho
outskirts,
planks
do you, therefore, collect together
t73
and posts (for constructing mud forts,)
^ up^ for on
the Ihh day,|l5 I t^ intend ^ to throiv the de-
fences ;do not ^ yjC i^ |^ presume to have anything
wanting, ^
or you g|| will ^
experience 4^ |ft a varie-
ty of ^ij punishments, ^p besides death, ig^. llhe
^
Loo Xpeople (also march with the populntion of) .^^i;^
the three $jj suburbs and the three = precincts, ^
jl^ 75 do you, therefore, gather together a q^'an-
^^
 ! f

326 THE OATH AT T HAE.

tity of provender, ^ and do not ^ dare ^^to ha^

any deficie; cy, J^ or you ^Ij shall ^ be subject to "j^
the great ff^l
infliction.

SECTION XI.

THE OATH ^ ^ AT t'hAE.*

^ The duke ^ Oh ^ my ± H
tE] said, officers I

listen M my ^
without ^
^ tumult •?* to oath,

which now announce J^

1 ^ "a M to you, ;;^ ^^ *^^

commencement what have of I to say.

•^ y^ The :^ have ^ Q
ancientfi a saying, to the

^ when
effect, that
f^ people arrive at the pinnacle
of good ^^ fortune, they are apt to follow their
own J^ ^ ^ and
inclinations, much find pleasure in
so doing. ^ ^ ^^reproof, ^
In reproving others they feel
no ^ ^
difficulty, il^ but to receive j^^
and allow it ^R -J^ to take its due course, :^ 1^^^
how difficult is this

^ J^h^ ^ ^rhe trouble of my mind is, H that my

days ^
and months ^^
are passed away, and ^
they seem as if they would not ^ return. ^^
* '^W The Tso-chuen history says, that ^E "? ^^ ^^^^

came from ^jl Chin?, and sent word to the ^p Tsin country, say-
ing The Chin^ people have ordered me to take charge of the northern
:

gate ; if you send an overwhelming force thither, the country will be

yours'. The duke ^^ Muh enquired of ^g ))^ Keen-shuh, what

he should do ? Keen-shuh dissuaded him from listening to the sug-

gestion, but the du^e disregarded his advice ; and sent "Mt Vjfi

Mang-ming, "j^ ^ Yevv-k'heih and ^ Zl Pih-yih, to attack

the Ching country. ^j Seang, the duke of gf Tsi'n, led out his

troops, and defeated the Tsin army in ^5^ Heaou, making

^^
prisoners of its three generals. The duke of Tsih then regretted the
step he had taken, atia delivered an oath to his ministers ; which the
historians have recorded in the present section. The ancient and
moi;dern texts both have it.
f To give him an opportunity of retrieving what he had lost.
 THE OATH AT t'hAE. 327
i|^ lleganUng "^ ^ old and experienced
^^
councillors, ^)J Q we complain ^ that they do not
^ more
comply with -^ our ^ wish ; \% ^ -^
whilst
our modern f\ ^ advisers, ^ hecause they

^ But ^
readily comply with our inclinations, }[^
j^ \*)^

are brouo^ht into close connectiou with us, al-

though ||| these :g should signify ^ their assent to
the measure
^
we adopt, fq]
let us ^ and
still
|^
consult those
then 13 there wifl be no
^^ yellow-haired old
mistake.
men, ^j]

fj{ fg
## ± That ,S; good old officer, ]|^ :;^| although
U^
his strength

^
^^ exhausted, :^ 1 would f^ still
prefer i!^ to have him '(^ ^^ ;^C
^^i^^ yonder
;
^
bold and vigorous yeomen, though they can perform ^
archery^ and ^ ^
horsemanship without deviating
from the rules,
But 1^ ^
^ ^t ^ I %^
fl^ do not deshe.
who those "^ ^
^' ^
*^ by
interrupt goodness
|^ and
their contentious wrangling, cause vir-

tuousmen ^ ^
to ^
swerve from their principles, 1

^ have ^ ^
already^ many too of them.*

8^^ ^ 7^ Deeply reflecting on these matters,

^ be —
»S»
^U should there j\ g, ^ only one minister

^^ who and whose j^ mind

is ^
single-hearted, dte without
^
f[ii
other

^
qualification, f^^ fl^
is up-
rightand ^
honest,who ^ !^^fl could display for-

bearance, aud A ^^ ^^
seeing ^ others possess ta-

^
lents, could feel Q ^
as though ^® bimself pos-

sessed ;J^them X 3^ ; or if
^ oSSx^x^ (attained to)

^ ^
thorough intelligence, mind ^ /i;?
could in his
love 5^ them,^ # ^0 Q ^ ^ (man) 8^^*^^^ ^^^"
thatwhich mouth his ^ could express
^^ ;
this

might be
-^ employed ;:;^ ^my-f IjJ to j^c protect
sons J^ and ^ my
grandsons ^ with black-headed

The good old officer refers to Keen-shCih ; the bold yeoraea to

the three gftnerals ; and the contentious wrangler is Ke-tsaA.
328 THE OATH AT t'haE.

people, iff and

(of the country.)
^ to superintend ^J'lJ ^ the interests

But when \^ other men ^ possess ^ talents

g^ to envy J^Wi ^^^ hate :^ theni ;

\ ;:^ when
other men attain j^ ^ to thorough intelligence, jffl

^g i2l ^^ oppose ^man^\ ^ and prevent their advance-

ment ; ^ such a ^ j|^ could not be ^ em-
ployed Xjt^ ^b ^"^
^^^^^ ^^^ f^ protect ^ my ^^
sons !^ and grandsons, together with ^ my black-
^
headed people ;
>J]p I
should also ^ say,
^^
how dangerous would he be !

^ ^ 5^ P^ 1 he disturbances of a country ^ nfiay

be ascribed ^13 to """ ^^^ -^ '^^^^ ^"^ ^ ^ ^ "^

the glorious tranquillity of a state, jfp f^ A ^ ""*
jJS
also depends on the felicitous conduct of a single indi-
vidual.
 EXTRACT FROM THE
MIRROR OF CHINESE HISTORY,
BEGINNING WITH THE REION OF YAOU*
ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE FACTS RELATED IN THK
8HOO-KING.

THE EMPEROR YAOU, DESIGNATED TAOU-t'haKG.

OutUne of History,
5th cycle, (B. C. 2,35(S,)
^^ The 41st year
was the first
of the
year of the
Emperor ]^ T'haiig, otherwise called ^ Yaou, who
from the marquisate of ^ T'haRg asceDcied the impe-
rial throne,
energetic virtue.
at ^^ Ping-yaiig, and who ruled with

Detail of
E-ke, and name
history. The Emperor's
^I^Fang-heun
surname was ^ ^^
his ^^ ; he \yas the son of |^ ^^K
Kaoii-sin, or the Emperor ^ Kuh ; the younirer brother of tke Em-
peror ^^ (^he ; and the great grandson of ^| 4lH Heen-yuen, or ^^
*rn tl •». vellow Emperor.f Yaoii's mother was a daughter of pi^
^t C'liin-fung, called j^ ^|$ K'ing-too, who having become the
wife of Ki\GU-sin, was affected by the felicitious influence of a red

dragon, and after 14 month's conception, bore Yaou, at jj j^^

Tan-ling. He was brought up in his mother's family, in the couniry
of the marquis of ^* E, after which he removed to Ke ; on-^
this account he was denon)inated E-ke. At 13 ye;irs of age, he
assisted the Emperor ^Jl Che, and having become establislied, here-

• A. D. 1803, closed the 74th Chinese cycle of GO years tiie ;

commencement of which must be placed at B. C. *26'37. Ynou's

reign commenced in the 41st year of the 5th cycle, >vhich must
therefore correspond with B. C. 2,356.
f The yellow Emperor was the inventor of the
cycle,

Qq
336 THE EMPEROR YAOtJ.

ceived an appoktment to the government of |^ Taou.* At his 15th

year he was again appointed to ^^ T'hang,f as the marquis of that

place ; from wirich cause he was denominated Taou-t'bang. The
Emperor Ch^ was nine years on the throne, but ^einy disliked and
rejected, both by gods and men, the barons elevated Yaon to the im-
perial dignity, who at the age of 16 ascended the throne, at Ptng-
yang.J His rule was characterized by vigour, and he established

j5 Yin (the Uth month) to be the beginning of the year.

to
Outline, The Emperor ordered He and H6
draw up the calendar, and to construct a representa-
^ ^
tion of the heavens, in order to assign the proper times
for the labours of the people.

Outline, In the ^Q
42nd year of the 5th cycle,
the 2nd of Yaou*s reign, he ordered He and Ho to
arrange the laws for tiie intercalary month ; to fix the
four seasons, and to complete the year.
Outline. In the )^ ^
45th year of the 5th cycle,
and the 5th of Yaou's reign, the southern barbarians
from i^^
Yu^-shang (Canton) came to court, and
presented a great tortoise.
Detail. The southern barbarians from YuS-Rhang (Canton), with
double interpreters, came to court, presenting a divine tortoise, which
in the course of a thousand years had attained to a size of upwards of
three feet in diameter ; on its back were characters, in the tadpole
style, conveying a record of what had happened since the betrinning ©f
the world ; Yaou ordered them to make a note of it, aud denomina-
ted it th*^ calendar tortoise. In Yaou's palace there grew an herb,

called ^\ J/^ Ming-kee, which from the first to the fifteenth day «f
every moon produced a fresh leaf, nnd from the 15th to the close daily
let fall a leaf. If there was a little superfluity, the leaf was pressed
down but did not fall. As
therefore the moon's age could be ascer-
tained by looking at the plant, it was called the almanack plant.

Outline.
and the 7th of Yat'u's
I^ ^^ ^ the 47th year of the 5th cycle,
reiarn, the unicorns rambled in

* The modern ^ f^ Ting-taou district, of J^ ]\\ Yen-chow

county, in the province of M-j ^^ Shan-tung, Lat. 35. 8. N.
Long. 0. 35. W. of Pekine.

f The modern district of )^ T'hansr, in the county of f;^ ^

Pabu-tlng, in the province of ffi]
Long. 1. 28. W.
^ Chih-le, Lat. 38. 42 N.

J In Shan-«e, Lat. 36. 6. N. Long. 4. 55. W.

 THE EMPEROR YAOU. 331
the suburbs and forests, while the phoenixes nestled in
the banks and galleries.
Outline. In the Zl^P 52nd year of the 5th cycle,
and the 12th of Yaoa's reign, the Emperor went on a
tour of inspection to the regions and hills.

In the §| 2k ^Oih year of the 6th cycle,

Outline.
and the 50th of Yaou's reign, the Emperor rambled
through the cross-ways and diverging roeids, to inspect
the ^ Hwa mountain.
Detail. The Emperor havinsr ruled over the empire fifty years,
rambled through the high wuys and bye ways, when the boys sang a
ballad, saying, " He who has established the multitude of us people is
nont- other than your Eminence ; we know and understand nothing,
but to obey the Emperor s laws." There vvere some old men, however,
who smote the clods, and sang along the roads, saying, *' At sunrise
we engage iu labour, and at sun-set we rest ; we dig our own wells
and drink, we plough our own fields and eat ; what does the Emperor's
strength avail us.** He then made the inspection of the Hwa moun-
tain, when the wardenof Hwa felicilatedhim, saying, *' May the august
individual become rich, enjoy longevity, awd have many sous." The
Emperor said, *' I had rather he excused he who has many sons has
:

many tears ; he who is rich has a load of anxieties, and longevity is

frequently attended with much disgrace." The warden said, '* When
Heaven produces people, it always afibrds them employment, thus
should you have ever so many sons, if you will give them something
to do, what need ycu fear. Be rich, and divide your wealth among
©theis ; then what anxiety will you have. Should the empire possess
the right way, you may prosper with the rest ; but s'lould the world
be wicked, you have only to cultivate virtue, and retire into obscurity;
then when life is done, disgusted with mankind, you depart and join
the genii ; and whilst you ascend yonder brlgiit cloud, and mount to
?'*
the regions of the Supreme, where will be the disgrace

Outline. In the |^ 5)P 40th year of the 6th cycle,

and the 60th of Yaou's reign,
lebrated for hib tilial piety.
^ '^ Yu-shun was ce-

Detail. Shun's mother being dead, his father ^ ^^ Koo-sow

married a^ain, and begat

BOW was partial to the son of
^ Seang Se4ng was proud, and Koh-
his
;

second marriage, trying every now

and then to Kill Slnin Shun avoided the dan-er, but for every
;

tritiinj; fault he was severely punished.

He was, however, obedient
and tniuquil, and did not fail iu his filial duties. He was respectful
l)oing every day
to his parents, and kind to his younger brother ;

rHebrated
serious and careful : ea that at 20 years of age, he leramc

for his filial piety. VVhott he ploughed the ground ul

the ]^5 Leth
S32 tWE EMPrnoii
mountain,* the people of that place all
Yjiotr.

yielded their landmaflcs

i
to

each other. When he fished in the p^

Luy lakc.f the inhabitatifg
mutually resig'ned their dwellings. \V iien he became a potter on the
banks of the Yellow River,| the vessels formed in that region were
neither rough nor porous ; he also made various implements at the ^^
Show and frequently resided at
hill,§ -^^ Fo6-hea ^ but wher-
ever he dwelt a year, the people formed a gathering ; if he stayed tsvo
;}]

years, they built a city and if three, a capital.

;

Outline. In the ^^
4 1st year of the Cth cycle,
and the 61st of Yaou's rei^n, (B. C. 2,195,) the imm-
dations occasioned distress when the Emperor, having
;

first consulted ]^ -^ the President of the Princes, ele-

vated §^ Kwan to office, and appointing him the

Superlotendent of Public Works, ordered him to regu-
late the affair.
Outline. In the
and the 69th of Yaou's r^ign,
^^ 49th year of the 6th cycle,
Kw^n failed ia his at-
tempt to regulate the waters.
Outline. The next year, the Emperor summoned
^ ^ Yu-shun,daughters
en him
and elevated him to office, having giv-
his two in marriage.

Detail. Yaou's son •jj' 7K Tan-choo, was a degenerate child,

on which account the Emperor sought for a virtuous person to succeed
to his throno. He enquired of the Lord President when th^ Presi- :

dent said, There is the solitary individual, Yfi-Shun, the son of Koo-
Bow his father is stupid, his mother insincere, and his youu'^er
:

brother proud nevertheless Shun has harmonized his family by the

;

principl'^s of tihal piety, and prevested them from becoming outrage-

ously wicked. Tne Emperor said, I will try him when he suni- !

moiied iiira to the public service, conferred on him an office, and guve
his two daughters in ravrr.Age to Siiun.

Outline. The Emperor tried Shun in business.

Detail. Yaou,
beint' about to resign his throne to Shun, first
tried liim ia tue m;-vnrtj;e:neiit of business, in order to ascertain his ta-
lents and virtue; wiien 'le ordered him carefully to set forth the five
constant laws, and the five constant laws weie ob. yed. He gave him
a hundred calculations, and the hundred calculations were uniformly
arranged. He set him to receive guests at the four gates of the pa-
* Lat, 35. 25. N. Long. 4. 3o. W.
t Lat. 36. 15. N. Long. 5. 25. W.
I Lat. 36. 36. N. Lon^. 0. 48. W.
5 Lat. 36. Long. 0.

ji
Lat. 37. 3. N. Long. 0. 15. W.
 .

THE IfMPKROn YAOiJ. 333

lace, and the four gates became thoroughly harmonious
all in
He
emf)loyed him at the foot of the great mountain, (to inspect
the mar-
Blics and dry land) amid violent winds, thunders,
and rain, and he
made no mistake
Outline,
houses.
Shun employed the sixteen ^ heads of

Delail. ^ [^ Kaou-yang had eight talented sons, who wfre

celebrated tlironu^hout the em)nre, as the eight joyful ones ; fg^ 35
Kaou-sin also had eight clever children, who were famous in ail tue
world as cniefs. Tiie age ackuowledg-^d their excellence, and
did not allow their names to fall into dirirepute, Shun ord 'red the
eight former to superintend the land, and manage the various afF.urs,
wiiile he directed the eight latter to diffuse instruction in ail quarters.

Outline.
71st of Yaou,
^ *g^ VI. 51st year, bein^ the
(]yc!e
Shiiii banished the four wicked persors.
Dt'fail, The Emperor Jl^ Hung had a degenerate son, called

Jijl Vt*. Hwan-tun ; ^J> ^^ Shaou-haou had an unfilial child,

called ^ij Krf* Keung-Ue ; ffiS JyJ Chuen-lalh, had a wicked off-

spring called |^ ,^/L Taou-wuh and f^pi -JJ- Tsin-yun had a per-
;

verse child called -^ -^ Taou-t'hte, who were denominated the

four wicked ones in tne empire ; all of these were banished tc the
four distant regions.

Outline. 21 ^|^ Cycle YI. Anno 52 Yaou's reign ;

72 ; Shun ordered ^
Y^u to level the land and drain
the waters ; ^
Yih superintended the burning of the
forests ; ^ K'he instructed the people in sowing the
seed ; while ^ See became the minister of instruction,

to diffuse the live precepts.

Outline. V^M ^'- ^^- ^' ^^' ^^^^ '^^5 ^^!^®

first month offspring Ya6u presented Shun to the notice

cf Heaven, and .>hun received the giving over of Yaou's
administration in the temple of his accomplished an-
cestor

B
Outlwe.
piniishments were
Tfc C.
adjusted.
VI. A. 56. Ya6u 76 :
ilie five

Otitline.
tune was invented.
^ 1^ G. VI. A. 57. Yadu 77, the great

Outline. ^'^ C. VI. A. 58. YaAu 78, Shun

334 THE BMPEROR YAOU.
peraixibulated the various regions and mountains. A
divine tortoise bearing an inscription came up out of
the river ^
L6.
Ouiline ^:^
C. VI. A. 60. Yaou 80,
having completed his work in regulating the waters,
Yii, ^
proceeded to settle the nine provinces, and to arrange
the tribute when holding a black gem, he entered in-
;

to the imperial presence, and announced the comple-

tion of his undertaking.
Outline. ^
-5-0. VI 1. A. 1. Yaou 81, the
twelve provinces were first arranged, and twelve hills
appointed as the guardians of the same, while the chan-
nels of the rivers were deepened.
Outline. ^^C. VII. An. 20. Yaou 100; the
Emperor died at the city of ^ YAig.*
Detail. The Emperor, in his capacity of sovereiijn, was as bene-
volent as Hea>en, and as wise as the j^ods ; appro.ichin^ hini he ap-
peare like the sun, and at a distance his form resembled the brijurht
i

clouds. He was ich without pride, and noble without self.i:jdulijence.

i

He Wore a yellow cap and sombre clothes, while he rode in a red

chariot dr iwn by white h )rses the eaves of his tiiatch were not cut
;

even; his rafters were roug^h, and unplaned ; the ends of his beams
were des'titute of cross pieces the great road cnariot (in which he sa-
;

cr ficed to Heaven) was not painted, nor his straw mat ornamented
with a border ; his principal dish of soup was not nicely compounded,
nor was the g:rain he ate carefully cleansed his broth was made of
;

pulse, and he ate out of a clay-dish, aud drank with an earthen spoon;
he was not adorned with gold, silver, pearl or precious stonci*, nor
did he display embroidery and variegated silks ;he regarded not
strange and extraordinary things, nor valued rarities and curiosities :
he would not listen to lascivious airs, nor would he white-wash the
walls and apartments of his palace ; he covered his person with cloth
garments, and guarded against the cold by wearing deer-skins ; vvhile
he never changed his clothes and shoes, until they were entirely worn
out.

Outline.
Shun avoided
^ Hr Cycle
the son of Yaou,
VI 1. An. 22.
and went
dwell on
Yaou 102;
to
the south of the Yellow Hiver hut the people of the
;

empire, instead of following Yaou 's son, followed Shun;

thus Shun ascended the imperial throne.

* The modern
22. W.)
^M Tang-fung, (Lat. 34. 28. N. Long. 3.
 THE EMPEHON SHUN.
335
THE EMPEROR ^ SHUN, DESIGNATED
^ ^ YEW-YU.
Outline, ^^
Cycle Vll. An. 23. (B. C. 2
the first year of the Emperor Shun on the first
254)
month ;

fciid the lirst day, the Emperor visited the

temple of his
accomplished predecessor, and ascended the
imperial
throne, at^
1^^. P^o-pan, while his reign was charac-
terized by stability. *
Detail. The Emperor's surname w as ^J^ Ya6u, his name
Chung-hwa, and he was the son of Koo-sow the Emperor Yaou ek^
^i^
;

vated and employed him, after which he conferred on him the impe-
rial dignity. He was associated in the goverriment 28 years, and af-
ter Yaou was dead and buried, he first ascended the throne, as sole
ruler, at Poo-pan. f

Outline. He inspected the pearl-adorned sphere,

and the gem-constructed tube, in order to ascertain the
motion and position of the sun, moon, and five planets.
Outline. He appointed the nine officers.

Detail ^ Yh was the chief engineer, ^ K'h^ was the direc-

tor of agriculture, ^2 See was the minister of public instruction,

^^
P^ Kaou-yaou was appointed criminal judge, ^ Shwuy was the
superintendent of works, j^ Yih was the warden of the marshes,

fQ 3^ P^^-® was the master of ceremonies, y^ ^ How-kwei was

the chief musician, and
commands ;
^
these were the nine
Lung received and carried out the prince'a
officers.

Outline, ^ Choo
to the tioveniorship of "l^ Tan, in ordei to
(the son of Yaou) was appointed
keep up the
sacrifices due to his ancestors.
Offtline, he Emperor paid homage to his futhrr
'I

^ §^ Koo sow, and appointed his younger brother ^

beang to ^ )^ Ye.v-pe territory.
Outline. -^ Yu, [^ Kaou-yaou, ^ YTh, and
Tseih, assisted the Emperor with tht^ir counsels. J
^ 5g

* The reigns of the various Emperors are said to be characterized

by the various elements, which perhaps has some reference to their
ancient philosophy. Shun is said to have reigned by the influence of
earth, wtjich we have denominated stability.
t The modern jVS J)^^
Poo-chew; Lat. 36. 15. N. I^ong.
5. 24 W.
J Sc« the Shoo-kirg.
 ;

336 THE EMPEROR SHUN.

Outline, The Emperor went on a tour of inspection
to the four mountains and the eight earldoms.
Outline,
year of
X^
Shim's reig-n,
^^y^*^^
the
^^^^-
Emperor sought
^^ ^4. the
for
second
men of
talent,and willingly received reproofs, for which pur-
pose he set up the " complaint board."
Detail. The Emperor encouraged the expression of public opi-
nion, and sought for men of talent, to aid him in his government ; he
was willing to receive reproofs in order to be made acquainted with
h"8 mistakes, and set up a board, on which oeople might state their
complaints, that ali hi.s su>ijects might expose his faults; while he ap-
pointed a dram for those wFio dared to animadvert on hi^ measures,
so that every one had an opportunity of expressing his opinion.

Outline, The Emperor co ustructed a five stringed-

lyre.
Detail. The Emperor played on a five stringed lyre, and sang
the ode of the southern breeze, saying,

" The southern sephyrs sweetly blow,

To ease my people's giief
The southern winds how opportune
To "
bring my son's rilief.

Outline, )^^ Cy. VII. An 25. Shun 3. The

Emperor enqiiired into the people's merits.
Outline. )|^ 1^ ('V. VII. An. ^>7.^ Shun 5. The
Emperor composed the music of {^'Q ^^ Seaou-shaou,
in nine cantos which induced the divine birds to sport
;

and plf^y. The Emperor then ordered Kvvei, the

chief musician, to make a harp of twenty-three strinus.
^
Kwei composed the tune of the nine invitations, the
six ranks, and the six heroes, in order to set forth the
imperial virtue. After which he adjusted the six notes
of music, harm.onized the five sounds, and gave free
passage to the eight winds. |^ |^ Chung-le wished
to make enquiry after more men of th-.s stamp, when
the Emperor said, " one Kwei is enough."
Outline. E^ ^
third triennial examination, the
Cy, VII. An. 31, 8hun 9. at the
Emperor elevated and
degraded men, according to their talentb or dullness.
Outline.
Emperor made
^ :^ Cy. VII. An. o6. Shun 14.
«iu ode-.
The
 THE EMPEROR SHUN. 337
Detail. At that time the stars indicative of fair weather appeared,
the congratulatory clouds arose, when the various workmen hftnno-
sr.ized and sung; in which the Emperor joined, saying,

" The blissful clouds, how bright they shine,

The sacred rites how slow !

The sun and moon their light combine,

And growing splendours show.'*
The eight lords then advanced, and prostrating themselves, replied,
" The lofty skies are clear and bright,
The stars their praises bring,
The sun and moon combine their light.
To magnify our king. "
Outline. XB
The Emperor commanded
Anno 54. Shiiu 32.
Cycle VII.
Yu. to take a share in the
government, and to head the host of officers.
Outline.
^^
Cy, VII. An. 55. Shun 33. Ear-
ly in the morning, on the first day, of the first month
of spring, -^ Yu received the imperial commands in the
temple of the divine ancestor (Yaou), and led on the
various officers, as at the commencement of the Empe-
ror Shun's reign.
Outline. The Emperor commanded -H Yn to ar-
range the great laws and the nine classes ; also to re-
new the division of the empire into nine provinces.
Outline. ^ Cy.J^ VI 1. An. 57. Shun 35. The
Emperor commanded Yii to attack the people of Meaou.
Detail. At Meaou were disobedient
that time the inhabitants of ffi
to the laws, when the Emperor ordered Yuto go and chastise thtra;
after thirty days the Meaou-ites again rebelled, and Yii marched
back
his troops as useless. The Emperor, however, widely diffused a-
broad the principles of accomplished virtue, flourishing the staves and
feathers ou the two staircases of the court, when m
70 days the
Meaou-ites came to submit.

^ ^
Outline.
The Emperor went
Cy. VIII. An. 10. Shun 48.
southward on a visit of inspection,
and died in the desert of ^
Tsang-woo.*
ijf^

Cy. Vlll. An. 12. Shun 50. ^

Outline. ^Jr
^u avoided the son of Shun, and dwelt at the
city ot

^ Yang ; the people of the Empire, however,

revert to the son of Shun, but rever ted to Yii.
did not

* N. Lung. 4 45. \V.

At^^Ning.yu^n,Lat. 25. 40.

Kr
 338

THE HEA DYNASTY.

THE GREAT YU.

Outline,
2,204.
j^ ^
Cycle. VIII. Anno 13. B. C.
The first year of Yu, the sovereign of Hea ;
in the first month of spring, Yu ascended the throne at

^
He
Han * his reign was distinguished by firnaness.
;

adopted the same month for the commencement of

f

the year, and altered the denomination of the year from

tsae, a sidereal, to ^ Stfi/, a solar year.

Detail. The Emperor*s surname was j5K( Sze, and his name 5vl
Wan-mfng ; he was the son of §j^ Kwan, the earl of ^^ Tsung,
and the great grandson o{tf\ fj^ Heen-yuen, the Yellow Emperor.
His mother was a daughter of ^
^p Yew-sin, and her name wag
'ra USew-ke. Yu was nine cubits and two inches high. J The
Emperor Shun exalted Yu. and directed him to succeed to his father's
employments ; in carrying out the duties of which he was eight years
from home ; by land he travelled in a carriage, by water in x boat,
over mudflats in broad- bottomed shoes, like sieves ; and in crossing
mountains he had spikes under his soles, to prevent his slipping ; thus
he opened out the nine provinces, rendered passable the nine public
roads, embanked the nine marshes, and measured off the nine hills.
After this he received the government from the Emperor Shun, and
ascended the throne at Gan-ylh, in the Han country. Of colours he
preferred black, for sacrificial animals he chose those of a sombre hue,
and had standards of a darkened kind.
Outline. The Emperor went on a tour of inspec-
tion, and assembled the princes of the Empire at ^vU
Too-san.
Detail. Yu went lo inspect the south, and assembled the princei
at Too-san ; § Tvhen those who came bringing gems and silks as pre-

* The modern
I The original has it,
^^
Gan-yih, Lat. 35. 5. W. Long. 5. 30.^W.
*' he reigned by the virtue of metal."
^
X The cubit of the Hea dynasty was 10 inches, each of which was
the length of ten grains of millet.

§ The modern JilL JM Fung-vang,

-« Lat. 32. 55. N. Long. 1. 2.
East.
 THE II«A PtNASTY. 339
eents amounted to a myriad states. * Previous to this Yu had mar-
ried the daughter of the chief of Too-san, called

bore him a son named J^

^ Keaou, who
K'he. For four days, K'h& sobbed a-
loud, but Yu disregarded his cries, and only thought of the work
of
levelling the land.

The Emperor composed the music of the

Outline.
Hea dynasty, and established fla^s as the distinction
of rank.

Detail. Yu
commanded ^^ \^
Kaou-yaou to compose an ode,
in nine cantos, to celebrate the completion of his undertaking. For-
merly ^^ the Yellow Emperor invented carriages, ^^
Shaou-haou yoked
therefore, ordered
in oxen, and
Ke-chung
^ Vt Ke-chung added horses
; Yft

be the master of the chariots ; he

to
also appointed feathered standards, flags painted with bears and
tigers, pendants and banners adorned with serpents and tortoises, to
distinguished high and low ranks. He also suspended bells, drums,
musical stones, rattles, and tambours, for the service of the scholars
who came from all quarters ; saying, He who wishes to guide me in
the right way, may beat the drum ; he who can instruct me in recti-
tude may ring the bell ; he who has any business to inform me of,
may spring the rattle ; those who have any complaint to make, may
strike the musical stones ; while those who have a cause t© try, may
shake the tambour. The Emperor moreover said, I am not so much
afraid lest the scholars throughout the empire should be left in the
roads, as I am afraid lest they pass by my door. At a single meal,
Yu has been known to rise up ten times, and during one bath, thrice
to tie up his hair, (in order that he might attend to complaints), and
thus encourage the people of the empire. In former ages people had
manufactured sweet wine and fermented mare's milk ; in the time of
Yu, ^
^y^ E^teih invented intoxicating liquor Yu drank thereof ;

and found it pleasant ; but he removed E-teih to a distance, and de-

nounced strong drink, saying, In after ages, some will by means of
wine ruin theii country. At that time Heaven rained down metal-
"

lic dust for three days, f

Outline. Ta
-y- ^^^^' ^"- ^4- ^^ ^- ^- ^
Kaou-yaou died. The Emperor introduced Yih to the
notice of Heaven. J
Outline,
Emperor
B
^n ^Y' ^^1"- ^^- ^^' ^^' ^-
cast nine tripods.
^^^^

^
* A large definite here put for an indefinite one.
number is
called on
a shower of ashes from some volcano,
t This was probably
•
dust.
account of the shining particles it contained metallic
I That is, made him prime minister.
340 THE HEA DYNASTY.
Detail. Yu received the metal brought by the nine rulers of
provinces, and cast therewith nine tripods, on which were represent*
ed the nine divisions of the empire.

Outline,
Emperor went on a
m^ Cy. Vlll. An. 17,
tour of inspection.
Yu 5. The

Detail. Yu, on going abroad, observed a criminal, when he alight-

ed from his carriage, enquired into his case, and wept over him. His
attendants said. Why does your Majesty pity a criminal, who has acted
contrary to right principles, ? Yu said, ** The subjects of Yaou and
Shun all embodied the feelings of Yaou and Shun, but since I be-
came sovereign, all the people follow their own inclinations ; it is
therefore that I am sorry." Yu t];ien coined money of the gold ob-
tained from the J^ Leih hill, to redeem the children of those people
who had been compelled to sell them for want of food. When Yu
was crossing the Yang-tsze-keang, a yellow dragon lifted up the
boat on its back ; the boatmen were alarmed, but Yu glancing at
Heaven, sighed, saying. Having received the decree of Heaven to
rnle the empire, I have exerted my utmost strength to encourage the
people ; while living, that is my dependance, and dying that is my
home; why should I be concerned about a dragon ? He thus cared
no more for th*^ dragon then if it had been an iguana. In an instant
afterwards the dragon bowed his head, put down his tail, and disap-
peared.

Outline,
Emperor continued
^^ ^ Cyc.
his tour
Vlll. An. 20. Yu.
Yang-
to the south of the
8. The

tsze keang, where he assembled the princes of the em-

pire, and put |5^ ^
Fang-fang to death. After which
the Emperor died at ^^
Kwae-yih.
Detail. When Yu arrived at j^ ^^ Ta-yue,* and ascended
the ^pMaou hill, he called a general convocation, to ennoble the
virtuous, and promote the meritorious, hence he changed the name
of Maou hill, into that of Kwae-ke, the mount of General Assembly.
Thus Yu inspected the region south of the Yang-tsze-keang, and
assembled his officers at the General Assemby hill. Fang-fang
came late, wherefore Yu slew him and cut him in pieces. After this
Yu died at Kwae-ke, and was buried there.

6.
* This is the modern
N. Long. 4. 5. E.
|g ^ Shaou-hing, in Che-keang, Lat. 30.
p
THE HEA DYNASTY. 341
THE «^ EMPEROR ^ k'hE.
OuiUne. ^
1^ Cy. Vlll. An.
This was the first year of K'he, the
21. B. C. 2,196.
sovereign of the
Hoa dynasty when the princes of
; the empire advan-
ced the heir-apparent to the imperial throne.
Ouiline. 71 M Cyc Vlll. An. 22. K'he 2. The
earl ^Yth gave up the government and retired to
his country, when the Emperor personally assumed
the reins of government, and gave a grand entertain-
.ment to the princes of the empire.
Detail, The earl Ylh, gave up charge of the government, and
retired to his own dominion on the south of the I^ Ke hill. When
K'he assumed the reins of authority, and went to ^>J sp^ Kin-tae,f
where he entertained the princes of the empire.
Outline. V^^Cj,
Vlll. An. 23. K'he 3. The
people of !^ /g Yew-hoo fought a great battle at 1^
Kan.
Detail. At that time the people of Yew-hoo, | departed from the
right way, treating contemptuously the five elements, and neglecting
the three periods for commencing the year. When K'he summoned
the six legions to attack them, and a great battle was fought at Kan.§
The imperial troops being unsuccessful, the officers of the six legiona
wished to renew the attack, when K'he said. Our present want of
successs is in consequence of my deficiency in virtue, and the failure
of my instructions. Thereupon he ordered his troops to return to the
capital, where he discontinued the parade of harps and guitars, and
the striking of bells and drums ; while he did not make use of his
usual mats, nor feast on his ordinary viands ; moreover, he treated
his relations and elders with suitable aiFection and respect, honouring
the virtuous and employing the capable, while he (J^ JIJ^ set aside
the gods ; in the course of a month the people of Yew-hoo submitted,
and were exterminated.
Outline. 5£MCy.
Vlll. An. 29. K'he 9. The
Emperor died, and was succeeded by his son T'hae-
kang.

*The
Long.
modern
3. 24. W.
^^ Tang-fung, in H6-nan. Lat. 34 28 N.

fThe modern
Long. 1. 26.
^^
W.
K'hae-fung, in Ho-nan. Lat. 37. 47. N.

t The modern ^ Yew district, in {^^

^e. pnn county,

province of Shen-se, Lat. 34. 5. N. Long. 6. 50. W.

in the

§ The southern suburbs of Yew-hoo.

342 the hea dynasty*

^ ^ t'hae-k'hang.
Outline,5^'g Cyc. Vlll. An. 30. B. C. 2,187.
The year of T'hae-k'hang.
first The Emperor bur-
thened the throne (without fulfilling the duties of his
office,) and did not cultivate the principles of govern-
ment adopted by the former kings.
Outline. ^^Cyc. Vlll. An. 48. T'hae-k'hang-
19. The Emperor went on a hunting expedition to
the south of the river 'J^ Lo, when §^ E opposed
him at the Yellow River, and the five imperial brothers,
escorting their mother, followed after the Emperor, who
then fixed his capital at [^ ^ Yang-hea.
Detail. T'hae-k'hang went a hunting to the south of the L6
river, for a hundred days without returning ; when ^- E, the prince

of '^ ^5 Y^w-keung, because the people could endure it no longer,

opposed him at the Yellow River, on which account he could not
return to his capital. His five younger brethren, escorting their
mother, went after him, and waited for him on the north side of the
Lo river. All his brethren were displeased, and quoted the cautions
of the great -p?! Yu, in an ode which they composed. T'hae-k'hang
having lost his country and being prevented from returning, establish-
ed himself at Yang-hea.*

Outline, ^g^ Cyc. Vlll. An. 58. T'hae-k'hang

29. The Emperor died at Yang-hea, when the prince
^ E
Chung-k'hang.
established T'hae-k'hang's younger brother

i^^ HI chung-k'hang.
Outline. ^)i; Cyc. Vlll. An. 59. B. C. 2,158.
The first year of Chung-k'hang. The Emperor order-
ed the Earl of ff^ Yin to take command of the six le-
gions. During the autumn, in the 9th month, on the
first day of the moon, the conjunction of the sun and
moon, contrary to anticipation, occurred in Scorpio. "I*

Outline. ^Cy. Vlll. An. 60. Chung-k'han g

^:
* The modean T^C
34. 5. N. Long. 1. 28.
^W. T'hae.k'hang district, in Ho-nan, Lat.

an eclipse which was not foretold by the astrono-

f This alludes lo
mers.
 THE HEA DYNASTY. 343
2. The Emperor ordered the earl of Yin to attack the
countries of ^ He and ^ Ho*.
Detail At that time He and Ho (the imperial astronomers)
were
givenuptointemperancet and had entirely
neglected the duties of
then office, so that even the important event of an
eclipse, was bv them
iinascertamed hence the Emperor ordered the earl of Yin
:
to to
° and
attack thom.

lo^^'mu^V^^.^^^-^^- ^"- ^^- Chung-k'hang

16, 1 he JLmperor died, and his son Seang succeeded.

THE ^ EMPEROR ^ SEANO,

Outline. Zl^Cyc. IX. An. 12. B. C. 2,145.
The fisrt year of the Emperor Seang. The capital
was removed
Detail At
to ^ £ Shang-k'hew.
that time the authority of the state had passed into the
hands of prince E ; when ^H Seang having been driven away
^^
by E, fixed his residence at Shang-k'hew ; where he relied on the
aid of his clansmen ^j' ^-^ Chin-keuen and T^ ^> Chin-tsin.

Outline. a&^ Cyc. IX. An. 19. Seang 8. ^

% Han-tsuh slew ^ E.
Detail E, the prince of Yew-keung, availing himself of the aid
of the Hea people, superseded the government of Hed ; but depend-
ing on his own skill in archery, he did not attend to the welfare of the
community, and gave himself up to the chace : he rejected various
faithful ministers, and employed Han-tsuh, who made use of flat-
teries within, and lavished bribes without, gratifying E by hunting,
until all, both at home and abroad, revolted from his authority. One
day, when E was returning from hunting, his domestics killed and
boiled him. E
had usurped the government, and established himself
in power altogether about eight years ; until Tsuh slew him and
reigned in his^stead, without changing the designation of Yew-keung.

Tsiih, moreover, took possession of E's concubines, and begat '/jg

Yaou and ^g He.

Outline, g& ^
Cyc. IX. An. 39. Seang 28. Han-
tsuh killed the Einperor at Shang-k'hew.
Outline, Tsuh ordered -^ Yaou to exterminate
also to kill the
^
Chin-keuen, and t4|jl Chin-tsin;
* He and Ho were the imperial astronomers in the days of Yaou
and Shun, after whose death the office seems to have been cotilinucd
in their families.
344 THE IlEA DYNASTY.

Emperor ^
Seang. The princess |f Min, his Em-
press, was then pregnant, and escaping from ^. Tow,

7^ fTj Yew-jing. ^f
fled to her father's country, at
Mei, an old minister of the Hea dynasty, also escaped
to the country of ^
j^ Yew-kih.

/Jj* ^ shaou-k'hang.
Outline. ^5)pCy..lX. An. 40.B. C. 2,117. The
first year of 8haou-k'hang. In this year ^ Min, the
relict of the Emperor Seang, bore ^ )|| Shaou-k'hang
at %^ Yew-jing. *
Outline. ^^
Cy. X. An. I. Shaou-k'hang 22.
Shaou-k'hang, of the Ilea dynasty, fled from Yew-jing
to ]g Yu.
Detail. Shaou-k'hang was chief of the shepherds at 'j/j Jins^,

when 'j^ Keaou (the son of Han-tsiih, the usurper,) ordered yl^
Shiih (hie minister) to seek after him ; on which account he fled to
where he became the chief cook. The ruler of Yu, named
fYu,
Sze, gave him his two daughters in niarriags. From this time
he was able to display his virtues, and multiply his schemes, in or-
der to gather around him the crowds of the Hea people, and to
encourage the old servants of the state.

Outline. ^ 2.
of Shaou-k'hang of the
^Y- X. An. 18. was the 39th year
Hea dynasty. (See the note
below.)
Outline. ^^ Cy. X. An. 19. Shaou-k'hang 40.
Hea
1^ Me, one of the old ministers of the dynasty,
raised an army,
slew him,
attacked ^ ^j^
when the young king ascended the imperial
Han-tsuh, and

throne. After this the king ordered Keaou and ^

He to be slair, and the old practices of Yu to be reviv-
^
ed. Thus the principles of the Hea dynasty flourished
again, and the princes of the empire all came to court.
Detail. Me, cue of the old ministers of the Hea dynasty, from

Uan-tsuh usurped authority over the Hea dynasty 39 years,

but when Shaou-k'hang was born, the historians, considering that the
dynasty was not yet extinct, called this the first year of Shaou-k'hang.
 THE hea dynasty. 345
the country of Ye^y-klh, collected together the remnants ef Chin-
kwan, and Chin-tsin, in order to exterminate Han-tsuh, and set up
Sha6u-k'hang ; be also ordered 3^ ^I Nyii-gae, (one of the ser-
vants of Sha6a-k*hang,) to make an end of Keaou, at ^ Kwo
^
;

while he directed f|* Kwef-shoo, (Shaou-k'hang s son,) to des-

troy ^^ He and J^ ^^° ^^"* ^^^^ ^^i® state ef Y^w-keung. After
>

this Shuou-k'hang returned to his old metropolis, and the principles

of the Hea dynasty were again revived, while the princes came to
court as usual.

^
g, Cy. X. An. 30. Shaou-^/hang 51.
Outline.
The Emperor appointed his natural son, -1^ Wo6-yu, ^
to thegovernment of ^
Yu^, in order to pay the ac-
customed honours to the grave of the former kin^.
Detail. Shaou-k'hang, being afraid lest the sacrifices at
YCi's grave should be discontinued, appointed his natural son to the
^
government of Yue, and gave him the title of Woo-yu, that thus he
might sacrifice at the tomb of
Kwei-ke.
Yi]l, every spring and autumn, in *^ ^
Outline, l^^p'Cy. X. An. 40. Sha^n-k'hang 61.
The Emperor
cended the throne.
died, and his son ^ i^ Kwei-choo, as-

THE ^ EMPEROR |^ CHOO.

Outline.
was the first
H ^ Choo.X. An.
year of
Cy. 41. B. C, 2,056,

Outline.
Emperor died,
^andM^y- X- An.
was succeeded by
Choo 57.
Hwae. his son
17. Tlie

THE ^ EMPEROR HWAE. :j:^

was
Outline,
the first
^ ^ Hwae.X. An.
year of
Cy. 58. B. C. 2,039,

Outline. Cy. XI. An. 23. Hwae 26. The

]^ J^
Emperor died, and was succeeded by his son Mang.
THE ^ EMPEROR ^ MANG.

Outline.
was the first
X ^ Mang.XI.
year of
^y- An. 24. B. C. 2,013,

Outline,
Emperor died,
^andMwas XL Cy. An. 41. Mang 18.
succeeded by his son So^.
The

Ss
346 THE heA dynasty.

THE »5^ EMPEROR ^ SEE.

OuHine.
was the
g^
year of Se^
first
H
Cy- XI. An. 42. B. C. 1,995;
when the Emperor gave
;

orders to the eastyjrn and western foreig^ners.

Outline.
Emperor died,
^and^was
Cy. XI. An. 57. Seg 16. The
succeeded by his son Puh-
keang.

THE i^ EMPEROR xjC ^ PUH-KEANG.

was the
^
Outline.
first
2jS Cy. An.
year of Puh-keang.
XL 58. B. C. 1,979,

^ ^ and
Outline.
The Emperor died,
Cy. XII. An. 56. Puh-keang 59.
his younger brother Keung,
established himself on the throne.

THE Jj^ EMPEROR ]^ KEUNG.

Outline.
was the first
^^ Cy. Xll. An. 57. B. C.
year of Keung.
1,920,

Outline.
Emperor died,
^andj^ was XIII. in.by
Cy.
succeeded
17. Keung
his son Kin.
21. The

THE "t^ EMPEROR ^ KIN.

Outline,
the. first
^
]g Cy. XIII. An. 18. B. C. 1,899, was
year of Kin.
Outline, ^aCy.
XIII. An. 38. Kin 21. The
Emperor died, and K'hung-ke^ the son of Piih-keang,
was established on the throne.
THE ^ EMPEROR ^^ K HUNG-KEA.
Outlif^e. ^©Cy. XIII. An. 39. B. C. 1,878,
was tho first year of K'hung-kea.

3.
Outline.
The Emperor
^ jg An. 41. K'hung-ke^
Cy. XIII.
and formed swords.
collected iron,
Oujline.
^ )g Cy, XIV. An. 5. K'hung-ke^
27. 3E ^
Choo-kwei, of the ^
Shang state, begat a
son, named
Shang dynasty).
^
Le, (or ^
T'hang, the founder of the
 THE hea dynasty. 347

Detail. ± 5$ Choo-kwei's concubine, J7^ ^ Foo-too, hav-

ing observed a white vapour piercing the moon, bore 'J^ T'hang.

Outline, g? ^
Cy. XIV. An. 9. K'hung-ka 31.
The Emperor died, and his son Kaou ascended the
throne.

THE »^ EMPEROR ^ KAOU.

Outline.
was the first
^ -j^ Cy. XIV.
year of Kaou.
An. 10. B. C. 1,847,

Outline.
Emperor died,
^^
and
Cy.
his soa
XIV. An. 20. Kaou 11. The
F^ ascended the throne.
THE f^ EMPEROR ^ FA.

Ouili7ie. ^^ Cy. XlV. An. 21. F^ 1. B. C. 1836.

The different kinds of foreigners, came to visit at the

Emperor's gate.
Outline,
Emperor died,
dt ^ Cy. XIV. Ar. 39. F^ 19. The
and his son Kvvei ascended the throne.
(This is the same with Ke^).
KEE ^ ^'x KWEI.

Outlitie. y^ ^|1 Cy. XIV. An. 40. B. C. 1,817,

was the first year of Kea.
Outline.
Kung-lew removed the
^ ^ Cy. seat
XV. An.
of his
1. Ke^
government
22. 5V ^J
to |^
Pin.

Detail. Formerly J^ ^^ How-tseih, was promoted to the Q]i

Tae country, * and changed his surname to
Jg Ke, but afterwards
Kung-lew (his descendant) removed to |^ Pin
f here Kuiig-lew,;

although dwelling among barbarians, was able to revive the pursuits

of H6w-tselh, attending- to husbandry, and inspecting the ground,

while from the j^

Tseih and yrl Tsoo streams, he crossed the J^
Wei, those who travelled with hira amas-
to take materials for use :

sed wealth, and those who remained behind accumulated hoards ; the

7.
* The modern
33. West.
5§ ^ Se-gan, in Shen-se, Lat. 31. 15. N. Long.

t The modem ^|K jHj Pln-cliow, in Shen-ee, Lat. 35. 5. N. Long,

8. 26. WeFt.
348 THE HEA DYNASTY.
people depended on his happy influence, and cherished a regard for
him ; thus many followed and supported him ; and from this time the
principlg^ of the Chow dynasty began to flourish.

Outline,
2j ^ <-y- XV. An. 12. Ke^. 23. An
attack was roade on :^ ^ Yew-she, ^
Jj Mung-
at
san,
ror
who presented j^
became extremeJy
^
fond.
Mei-he, of whom the Empe-

Detail. KeS
could straighten hooks and twist iron into ropes ;
hence depending on his powerful strength, he did not cultivate virtue,
but by military engagements afflicted the people. There was one
j^ ^^ Chaou-leang, who instigated the Emperor to act disorderly,
and urged him to be grasping and quarrelsome whereupon he at- :

tacked Yew-she, of Mung-san. Yew-she presented a young female

named Mei-he, of whom Kee became exceedingly fond, and to all
whose suggestions he indiscriminately listened ; for her he made a co-
ral chamber, and an ivory vestibule, with a terrace of precious stones,
and a bed of chrysopras. He also gave himself up to wanton delights,
amidst hills of flesh, and groves of dried meat he also had a pond of
;

wine, on which a boat could float ; where at one roll of the drum
three thousand men drank like oxen, for sport and pastime.

Outline, ySCy.
XY. An. 14. Kee 35. ^^
Choo-kwei, of the state Shang died, when his son ^
Le (called also ^^
Ching-t'hang) succeeded.
Outline. ^
T'hang, of the state |^ Shang, fixed
his settlement, at i^ Po.

Detail. From when

the time ^^
K'h^ was appointed to the
Shang days of Ching-t'hang, the seat of government
state, until the
was removed eight times, T'hang, however, established his residence
at Fo ;* that having been the dwelling-place of the ancient kings.

Outline, jr^ ^ Cy. xV. An. 15. Ke^ 36. ^

T'hang, of the ^ Shang state, employed his troops to
punish ]^ Ko.
Outline.
T'hang, of the Shang
B ^|1 Cy. XV. An.
state, sent a
16. Ke^
messenger with pre-
37. ^
sents to invite
sin. -j*
^^ E-yin, who lived at ^ ^ Yew-
The modern |^ ul Shang-kew district, in Ho-nan. Lat. 34.
15. N. Long. 0. 35. W.
t The modern
N. Long. 1. 45.
^W. |^ Chin-lew district, in H6.nan, Lat. 34. 45.
 THE HEA DYNASTY. 349
Outline.
-J^ T'hang, introduced
Ke^, the monarch of Hea. ^ ^^ E-yin to ^
Z>^/a.7 E-yin went to the court of Hed, and
proclaimed [he
tnnes of Yaou and Shun ; but Kee would not listen.
doc

Outlme. ^ ^Oy. X\.Anl9. Ke^ 40. ^^

E-yin again returned to ^
Po ; (after five ineffectual
efforts, to persuade the prince of Hea to reform.)

Outline, ^
1^ Cy. x\^. An. 21. K^g 42.
^
Ke^, the sovereign of gHea, imprisoned T'hang ^
at the tower of
ted him.
^ Hea, and after a short time libera-

Detail, At that time some huntsmen spread their nets, and in-
closed a field on all sides, in order to exterminate all the
.
animals
therein ; Ching-t'hang, however, went out into the field, and
order-
ed them toremove three sides of the net, sayingr, Let those that wish
to go to the left, flee thither, and those who desire to flee
to the right,
let them escape in that direction but if any of them are thus fated, let
;

them fall into our snares. All the princes south of the river
j|§
Han, hearing of this, said, T'hang is benevolent, even towards brutes,
how much more nill he be kind to men ? whereupon their hearts all
reverted to him. Kee was vexed that T'hang had so effectually
succeeded in harmonizing the princes, and summoning him into hid

yf^ Chiing-tseuen, the tower of

Uiia. Afterwards, however, he let him go.
Outline. ^Q
Cyc. XV. An. 30. KeS 51.
Chung-koo, the great historian escaped to the
^ -^
j^
Shang state.
Detail. Kee dug a pool, and made a night palace, where men
and women lived promiscuously together, where also he remained
three decades, without appearing in court ; upon this Chung-koo, the
historian, holding his charts and plans, went to reprove the monarch
with tears he was not listened to, however, and therefore fled to
;

Shang. "/jj^ ^
Ta-p^ also went to the Shang state, saying, Having
observed two suns, one flaming in the east, and the ©ther setting in
the west, I enquired of K^
5^ Pang-e, who told me, that the wes-
tern sun was Hea, and the eastern Shang, whereupon I reverted to
T'hang.

Outline. ^^ Cyc. XV. An. 31. Ke^ 52. Tlie

Emperor
Kwan-Iung-pang.
put to death a reprover, named ^ H^
350 THE SHANG DYNASTY.
Detail. Kwan-lung-piing sent in a remonstrance, saying, mo- A
narch should be humble, respectful, and sincere ; economical in ex-
penditure, and kind to the people, then the empire would be at peace,
and the shrines of the tutelary deities with the ancestorial temples be
firmly established. But at present, your Majesty is extravagant, and
fond of slaughter, so that the people are only afraid lest you should
die too late. The affections of your subjects are gone, and Heaven
has decreed to withhold its protection ; why do you not reform a lit-
tle ? The Emperor not paying any attention, Pang stood firm, and
refused to retire : when Kee became angry, and slew him.

Outline. The Hea dynasty 4)erished. At that time

two suns fought in the Heavens,* the stars fell, the
great mountain was precipitated, earthquakes occurred,
and the j^ E and J^ Lo streams were exhausted.

THE SHANG DYNASTY.

^ ^^ ching-t'hang.
Outline, Zly^ Cycle XV. An. 32. B. C. 1765.
This was the 1 8th year of Ching-t'hang, (reckoning
from the time when he succeeded to his father.)
Outline, The kin^ having sworn in his troops, at-
tacked ^ Kee, the sovereign of ^ Hea, and banish-
ed him
Detail.
to ^ ;^ Nan-tsaou.
KeS was oppressive and vicious, without disposition to

reform, hence the king swore in his soldiers and attacked Kee. ^^
y^ E yin was his prime minister, and ;gf Q Pe-chang his chari-

oteer, when he fought with Kee at Q^ ]^ Ming-teaou ;f Ke^'s

troops having being routed, T'hang banished him to Nan.tsaou,f
when Kee said, I regret that I did not kill T'hang in the Hea tower.
Outline, j^ J^ Chung-hwuy composed a declara-
tion for the information of the king. (See the Shoc-
king.)
Outline. The king returned from Hea, and issued a
general proclamation to all the states.

* Probably a parhelion.

t Near
Long. 4. 55.
^ W.5^ Piag-vang county, in Shan-se, Lat. 36. 6. N.

J
Long.
The modern
1. 25. E.
^ Tsaoa district, in Gan-hwuy, Lat. 31. 40. N.
 THE SHANG DYNASTY. 351
j
Outline. On
the 3rd month, the king
of Shang as-
cended the imperial throne at
his capital, and estabhshed
P5, where he fixed
his
government, denominat-
^
ing the new dynasty j^ Shang. He also altered the
time of the new year, and changed the colour of
the
garments to white.
Outline, The king arrived at the eastern suburbs,
%vhere he discoursed on the merits and faults of hiJ
princes, established the descendants of Yii, together
vs'ith the posterity of the most meritorious among the
^
ancient sages. He also appointed the kingdoms of
^t ^ Koo-chuh,*
Outline,This
&c. each one in their order.
year there was a great drought.
Outline, pf
great drought.
^ Cy. XV. An. 33. T'hang 19. A
Outline,
The drought
XW
continued.
tly. XV. An
Kee died.
34. T'hang 20.

Outline, )J^^Cy. XV. An. 35. T'hang2l. Still

a great drought ; when the Emperor gave forth the
gold of
^ Jj Chwang'San
for the relief of the people.
to be coined into money,

Outline, 2j -^ Cy. XV. An. 36. T'hang 22. The

same drought.
Outline,
drought.
^^ Cy. XV. An. 37. T'hang 23. Still

Outli7ie, S^aCy. XV.

An. 38. T'hang 2 i. The
drought as before. 1 he Emperor prayed in the mul-
berry grove, and blamed himself for six things, when
the rain fell.

Detail. At that time there had been a great drought for seven
years ; when T'hang went personally to pray in the wilderness ad-
joining the mulberry grove. In his supplication he said, Do not on
account of the negligence of a sinijle individual, injure the lives of the
people. He then blamed himself for six things, saying, Is it that my
government is deficient in economy ? or that my people are not an-
poiiited to proper offices ? er that my palaces and buildings are too

* Koo-chuh is the modern 3v nF Yung-ping county, in Chth-le

province, Lat. 39. 5Q. N. Long. 2. 25. E.
352 THE SHANG DYNASTY.
lofty ? or that female attendants are too numerous ? or that presents
are too frequently sent ? or that flatterers are too many ?" He had
scarcely done speaking, when a great rain descended extending over
several thousand le.

Outline, The Emperor composed a piece of music

on the great advantages obtained.
Detail. When the rain descended, the season was extremely pro-
ductive, and the people of the empire were delighted ; whereupon
the emperor composed an ode on the mulberry grove, called the great
deliverance. He also engraved inscriptions on the implements used,
to serve as a warning and caution to future ages.

Outline.
god of grain.
The Emperor sacrificed to ^ K'he, as the

Outline. X^J^ Cy. XV. An. 44. T'hang 30. The

Emperor died, when his legitimate grandson T'hae-kea
succeeded.

^{^ ^ t'hae-kea.
Outline. )X ^ Cy. XV. An. 45. B. C. 1,753. In
the first year of T'hae kea, called also i^ T'hae-
tsung,the Grand Master, during the winter, in the 12th
^
month, ^^
E-yin oflfered a sacrifice to the former
king, and presented the succeeding monarch before his
ancestor while the hundred officers gave a full account
;

of themselves, and listened to the arrani*ements of the

prime minister. E-yin then clearly discoursed on the
virtues of his glorious predecessor, in order to instruct
the new king. *
Outline. The king went to the palace at
where he continued mourning for his father.
^ Tung,
DetQ,il. The king did not display his native virtue, but subverted
the statutes and regulations of T'hang, whereupon E-yin built a pa-
lace for him at Tung,f where he caused
th**. king to mourn for his
father ; charge of the government, and sus-
5vhilst he himself took
tained the burthen of the country, receiving tlie homage of the princes
of the empire.

Outline. ^"^
Cy. XV. An. 46. The secoad year;
the king still remained at the palace of Tung.

* See the Shoo-king.

f Where was the grave of T'hang, situated in j^ Jf/^ Keiih-yuh

district, in Shan-se, Lat, 35. 38. N. Long-. 4. 54. W.
 ,

THE SHANG DYNASTY. 353

Outline. H)^ Cy. XV. An. 47. The 3r(l year

(luring the winter, in the 12th month, on the 1st day of
the month, E-yin escorted the king back to
Detail. T'hae-kea resided at Tung
^
where he re-
three years :
P6.

p<^nted and reformed himself ; restina; in benevolence, and complying

Nvith rectitude ; when E-yin took tlie crown and robes, to escort
T'ha^-kea on his return to P6. T'hae-kea then increasingly cultiva-
ted virtue, and the princes of the empire all reverted to him, while
he displayed kindness to the people, and did not presume to despise
the widow and destitute.

Outlive. E-yin having given «p charge of the go-

vernment, prepared to announce his retirement from
office, and set forth various admonitions before the
king. (See the Shoo-king.)
Outline.
Th« king
^^Cy. XVI. An. 17. Thae-ke^ 33.
and was honoured in the ancestorial
died,
temple as the "j^
Yuh-ting ascended the
^
Grand Master ; while his son
throne.

^ "^ YUH-TING.
Outline.
first
^ E, Cy. XVI. An.
year of Yiih-ting, king of Shang.
18. B. C. 1719. Tlie

Outline. XS<; ^
Cy. XVI. An. 25. Yuh-ling 8. The
great adjuster E-yin died, and was buried at P6 ; when

^ ^ Kew.tan discoursed on the actions of E-yin.

Outline,
The Emperor
g ^ Cy. XVI. An.
having appointed
died,
46. Yuh-ting
his younger bro-
29.

ther T'hae-kang in his stead.

Ms t'hae-kang.
>feC

Outline. )% )^ Cy. XVI. An. 47. B. C. 1,690, the

first year of T'hae-kang, king of Shang.
Outline. ^ )^ Cy. XVII. An. T'hae-kJ^ng 25.
) I.

and his son Seaou-ke^ ascended the

The Emperor died,
throne.

j]^ ^ SeAOU KeA.

Outline. ZL ^Cy. XVI 1. An. 12.B. C. 1,665, the
firstyear of Seaou-ke^, king of Shang.
Outline. r^^P Cy. XVII. An, 2^. Soaou-ke^ 17.
Tt
354 THE SHANG DYNASTY.

The Emperor died, and his younger brother Yung-ke

was established.

1^ B^^^^'
YUNG-K^.
Outline,
the first year of
^t ^Y-M
Yucg-ke. The
29. B. C. 1,648,
influence
A"-
of the Shang
dynasty began now to decline, and the subordinate
princes, occasionally neglected coming to court.
Outline. ^ffpCy. XVIL An. 40. Yung ke 12.
The Emperor died, and his younger brother T'hae-woo
was established.
"j^ j\ t'hae-woo.
Outline. ^
j^ Cy. XVII. An. 41. B. C. 1,636,
the first year of T'hae-woo, the king of Shang, denomi-
nated the t^ ^
Midway Master. Some ominous ap-
pearances occured at Po while ;
^
j^ E-tseih, (the
son of E-yin), was the king's chief nainister, and great-
ly cultivated the principles of government adopted by
Ching-t'hang.
Detail. T'hae-woo appointed E-tseih to be his prime minister ;
when at Po, the singular phenomena occurred of a mulberry and ^i
sycamore tree growing up together ia the courts, and in one night at-
taining the size of a double span. T'hae-woo was alarmed, and en-
quired of E-tseih. Tseih said, evil omens cannot overcome virtue ;
perhaps there is something deficient in your Majesty's government.
Let your Majesty therefore cultivate virtue, and all will be well.
T'hae-woo listened to tliis advice, and cultivated to a great degree
the virtues of the former kings; and in three days the ominous mul-
berry died away.
Outline. p5 ^
Cy. XVIL An. 43. T'hae-woo 3.
All the vassal princes without exception came to court.
Detail. T'hae-woo personally cultivated virtue, and clearly main-
tained the ceremonies proper for nourishing the aged. He went
early to his levee, and returned late ; he enquired after those who were
sink, and condoled with those who were in mourning ; so that after
three years, ambassadors from distant states, who were obliged to use
interpreters, came to his court, to the number of sixty-seven. There
were also two clever men who assisted him in the gov^erument, thus
the pririciples of the Shang dvnasty again revived.
Outline. )^^ Cy. XVllI. An. 55. T'hae-woo
75. The Emperor died, and received the title ofpfl
Chung-tsung, or Midway Master while his son Chung-
;
^
ting ascended the throne.
 tiie shang dynasty. 355

^X CHUNG-TING.

The
Outline,
first
E ^Cy. XVIII.
year of Chiing-tin^, king of ShaHg.
An. 56. B. C. 1 561.

Outline. ^^Cy. XIX. An. 1. Chung-ting 6.

The capital was removed to ^ Gaou. *
Outline, The
attack on the empire.
^ Lan foreigners made a predatory

The
Outline. ^^
Cy. XIX. An. 8. Chung-ting 13.
king died, wlien a revolution broke out, and the
Emperor s younger brother Wae-jin was set up.
A|^ -it WAE-JIN.

The
Outline, ft ^
Cy. xlX. An. 9. B. C. 1,548.
first year of Wae-jiu, the king of Shang.

The king
Outline.
J^
died
^
Cy. XIX. An. 23. Wae-jin 15.
when the country was again in-
:

volved in rebellion ; and the Emperor's younger bro-

ther H6-tan-kea was established.

M S ^XlX. HO-TAN-KEA.

The
Outline,
first
y^ Cy. An. 24. B. C.
year of H6-tan-kea, the king of Shang ;
1,533.
when
the capital was removed to ^^ Seang. f At this time
the principles of the Shang dynasty began to decline.

9.
Outline.
The king
ZL
died,
^and was XIX.
Cy. An. 32. Hd-tan-ke^
succeeded by his son Tsoo-
ytb.

^ Zl XlX. TSOO-YIH.
Outline. "^
Cy. ^An. 33. B. C. 1,524.
The first year of Tsoo-yih, king of Shang. Desolation
occured at Seang, hence the capital was again removed
t o JjiX Kang. t

* The modern
2. 46. West.
^ |^ Ho-yin, in H6-nan, Lat. 34. 58. N. Long.

L
t The modern
58. West.
^^ Chang-tth, in H6-han, Lat. 36. 7. N. Long.

t
5. 42.
The ^
modei-tt Jfff
West.
Ho-tsin, in Shen.6e,Lat. 35. 38. N. Long.
 THE SHANG dynasty;

Outline. ^
)x Cy. XIX. Ad. 41. Tsoo-j
Desolation occurred at K^ng, when the capital was
removed to Hing, * At this time
jfjj
Woo- ^^
heen, (son of ^ )^ -^Woo-han-tsze,) was prime mi-
nister, and the principles of the Shang dynasty again
revived, while the princes of the empire paid court and
submitted.
Outline, 6p»^Cy. XJx. An. 51. Tsoo-yth 19.
The Ijing died, and Tsoo-sin, his son, ascended the
throne.

fflE ^ TSOO-SIPf.

Outline. 210PCy. XIX. An. 52. B. C. 1.505.

The first year of Tsoo-sin, king of Shang.
Outline. ^^ Cy. XX. An. 7. Tsoo-sin 16.
The king died, and his younger brother Yuh-ke^ was
established.

'K ^ YUH-KEA.
Outline. $^Cy. XX. An. 8. B. C. 1,489, the
first year of Yuh-kea, king of Shang.
Outline.
The king
^^ Cy. XX.
died, the country
An. 32. Yuh-ke^ 25.
was thrown into confusion,
and Tso6-ting, the younger brother of Tsoo-sin was
established,
jjg
7" TSqO-TING.
Outline. P§^ Cy.XX. An. 33. B. C. 1,464.
The first year of Tsoo ting, king of Shang.
Outline. T#Cy. XXI. An. 4. Tsoo-tinor 32. The
king died, a revolution succeeded, and Nan-kang, the
6on of Yuh-kea was established.
^ 'Mi NAN-KANG.
Outline. )j$ ;^ Cy. XXI. An. 5. B. C. 1,432.
The first year of Nan-k^ng, king of Shang»
Outline. ^J^Cy. XXI. An. 29. Nan-kang25.
The king died, another revolution took place, and Yang-
kea, the son of Tsoo- ting was established.

* The modaraffP Hing-tae, in CliXh-le, Lat, 37. 5. N. Lonir.

2. West.
 THE SHANG DYNASTY. 357

^ ^ YANG-KEA.
The
Oittline.
first
^ Yang.
^ ka,XXL An.
year of
Cy. 30. B. c. 1 407
king of Shang. At' this
time the principles of the Shang dynasty gradually de-
clined, and the princes of the empire came not to court
Outline. B^Cy. XXI. An. 36. Y^ng-kea ?!
The king died, and his younger brother Pwaa-kang was
set up.

Mj^ PWAN-KANG.
Outline. ]^ "dF^^^y- XXI. An. 37. B. c. 1,400.
The first year of Pwan-kang, king of Shang. The ca-
pital was removed to J^Yin, which henceforth became
the designation of the dynasty.
Detail. At that time the principles of the Shang dynasty were on
the decline, when it was thought advisable to renaove the capital to
Yin. * The ministers and people all seemed contented with their
old residence, and were unwillinL' to remove, on which account Pwan-
kang drew up a document, to inform his subjects, (of the advantages
of removal), when they reverted to ^^ P6 ; changing the designation
of the dynasty from Shang to Yin. Jfwan-kang practised the rules

of government adopted by
again flourished.
^ '/IS
^^^^"^*^'^^^"®» ^^^ ^^® dynasty

Outli7ie. 'Y1^\]Cy,XXU, An. 4. Pwan-kang 28. The

king died, and his younger brother Seaou-sin was set up.
>]^ ^ SeAOU-SIN.
Outline. )^ M ^y- XXlI. An.
first year of Seaou-sin, king of Yin.
5. B. C. 1372. The
The vigour of
the dynasty again declined.
Cy. XXII. An. 25. Seaou-sin 21.
Outline. ]X^
and his younger brother Seaou-yih was
The king aied,
set up.
^\s ^ SEAOU-YIH.
first
Outline. HU <^y.

year of Seaou-yth, king of Yin.

XXlI. An. 26. B. C. 1351. The

Outline. V^ Cy. XXII. An. 51. Seaou-yth 2(5.

'H*
The old duke, J^ Tan-foo, r emoved from Bb P>" to

3.
* The modern
i5. Weft.
#% Yen-sze/iu llo-nan, Ut. 31. 45. N. Loi.,;.
 358 THE SHANG DYNASTY.

llj^Ke,*
Chow.-f
and changed the name ot his state to
^
Outline, j^ ^and Cycle XXII. An. 53. Seaou-yih 28.
his son Woo-ting ascended the
The king died,
throne.
^
WOO-TING."J^
Outline. 7" H
^y- ^^11- ^«- ^^- ^- ^- ^323. Thd
first year of
j^
or Woo-ting, king of Yin.
^
Kaou-tsung, (the Exalted Master,)
The king continued mourn,
ing, and "^ '^ Kan-pwan acted as his prime minister.
Detail. Woo-ting observed a rigid mourning for his father, and
refused to speak ; he had Kan-pwuii for his prime minister, to whom
all the officers gave a full account of themselves, while they obeyed
his directions.

When
Outline. H^ Cy. XXlI. An. 56. Woo-ting 3.
the period of mourning was ended, the king still
refused to speak, after which he obtained ||[ |^ Foo-
yu^, whom he set up as his prime minister, directing
all his officers to learn of him.
Wooding, having concluded liis mourning, still refused
Detail.
to speak, while he reverently meditated on right principles, and du-
ring that period, dreamed that the Supreme Ruler had conferred
upon him an excellent assistant. He then commanded the people to
draw the portrait (of the person he had seen in his dream,) and search
for him everywhere throughout the empire. Yue was one of a gang
of labourers employed in constructing a dam at j^ j^
Foo-yen,
when being discovered, he was directed to take on himself the office
of prime minister, and superintend the host of officers. The Empe-
ror also had him in immediate attendance on his person, morning and
evening receiving instruction from him, that he might learn his prin-
fciples. Y'u^ then set forth the three sections of the ^^
"fiy Yue de-
crees, (contained in the Shoo-king), for the edification of the monarch.

Outline. ^^
The ambassadors of six
Cy. XXII. An.
states, who were
59. Woo-ting
obliged to use
6.

interpreters, came to court.

Detail. Wob-tiag was sacrificing to ^ /^ Chhig-t'hang,

* The modern flg^ )ll Ke-san district, in Shan-se, Lat. 31. 20.
JSr.Long. 9. 6. W.
f This state afterwards became supreme, under the title of the
Chow dvnastv.
 THE 5HANG DYNASTY. 359
when a pheasant flew in, and settling on the ear of the tripoi, began

to crow. tflfl. tL
Tsob-e took tliis opportunity of admonishing the.
king ; but Woo-ting turned his reflections on himself, and thought
more intensely on the royal way of government ; so that six states,
uping interpreters, came to court : from this time, the feathers of the .

wild fowl were nmch used in court dresses.

Outline.)X
made
?
Cy. XXIII. An. 25. Woo-ting 32.
on the land of demons, (or north-
An attack was
ern Tai'tarii.)

Z)je/ail'The inhabitants of the demon land having become disso-

lute, Woo-ting attacked them, and after three years overcame them,
so that at home and abroad there were no disturbances, and the vi-
gour of the Yin dynasty revived.

Outline, XM XXHI.
An. 34. Woo-ting 41.
^y.

^^ Tan-foo, the old duke of Chow, begat a son

called ^ J§ Kwei-leih.
Outline 7L %
<^y. XXIII. An. 52. Woo-ting 59.
and received as his posthumous title,
The king died,
u
j^ ^
ascended the throne.
the Exalted Master." His sou Tsoo-k^ng

|j]J ^ TSOO-KANG.

The
Outline.
first
^^ Cy. XXIII. An. 53. B. C. 1,264.
year of Tsoo-kang, king of Yin.

The
Outline.
king died,
^ ^and Cyc.
his
XXI II. An 59. Tsoo k^ng 7.
younger brother Tso6-ke^ was
established.

^^ TSOO-KEA.

The
Outline.
first
^^ Cyc. XXIH. An. 60.
year of Tsoo-kea, king of Yin.
B. C. 1257.

Outline. ^^ Oy. XXIV. An. 27. Tsoo-ke^ 28.

^M Kwei-leih, the heir-apparent of the Chow state,

begat a son called ^ Ch'hang.

Detail ifS,^^ T'hae-keang, the old duke's wife, baic her
youngest Ron Kwe{-leih. Kwef-leih married ^C.*^ T'ha^.jin ;
who, with her mother-in-law, was virtuous. T'hae-jin bare a son
called Ch'ang, which child gave some indications of becoming a sag.-.
The old duke used to say, If at some future period my family should
flourish, It will be through the medium of Ch hai)g.

Outline. lan-foo, the old duke of p]

]i;3t;
360 THE SHANG DYNASTY.

Chow
succeeded.
died, and his youngest son ^^ Kwei-lel

Detail. The old duke had three sons ; the eldest was calledJ\
j^ T'hae-pih, second,
the ^^
Chun^-yung, alias,
Yu-chung ; and the youngest, Kwei-leih. T'hae-pih and Yu-chung
J^ ^^
knew that the old duke wished to set up Kwei-leih, in order to con-
vey the. government to Ch'ang ; hence, when the old duke became ill,
under colour of collecting med'cines, they went to the region of
^J
King and ^^ Man,
modern ^^"||| Soo-chow, in Keang-nan,)
(the
where the people of the country did homage to them as princes,
under the title of rtJ:^ Keu-woo.
Outline. Zl ^l Cy. XXlV. An. 32. Tsoo-ke^ 33.
The king died, and his son Lin-sin ascended the
throne.

J^^ LIN-SIN.
The
Outline, j^ ^
Cy. XX
IV. An. 33. B. C. 1,224.
first year of Lin-sin, the king of Yin.
Outline. ^^
Cy. XXIV. An. 33. Lin-sin 6 The
king died, and his younger brother K^ng-ting was
set up.

]^ "J"
KANG-TING.

The
Outline.
first year of
^ ^Rang Cycle XXIV. An.
ting, the
39. B. C. 1218.
king of Yin.
Outline.
The king
^
died,
JEJ^

and
Cyc.
his
XXIV. An. 59. Kang-ting 21.
son Woo-yih ascended the
throne.
^21 WOO-YIH.
Outline. -^[^ Cyc. XXlV. An. 60. B. C. 1197.
The first year of Woo-yth, king of Yin. At this time
the capital was removed to JBJ ij[j H6-pth.*
Outline,
j^ ^
Cyc. XXV. An. 3. Woo-yth 4. The
king went out a hunting, and died between the Yellow
and Wei rivers, when his S9n T'hae-ting ascended the
throne.

Long.
The modern
2. 12. W.
^^ Wei-hwuy, in Ho-nan, Lat. 35. 27. N.
 tHE SHANG DYNASTY. 3G1
Detail Woo-yth was an unprincipled man, aud made images,
which he called 5^ |^ Celestial gods ; with these
he played at
chesp, ordering his people to make them move. The
goda celestial
lost tiie game, when he abused theai ; and making leathern
bags full
of blood, he threw them up and shot at them ; which he called
shoot-
ing at the heavens. One day, whilst hunting between the Yellow and
Wei rivers, he was struck dead by lightning.

^^^ t'hae-ting.

first
Outlijie.
year of
y
1
j)|l Cy.
'hae-ting, the
XXV. An. 4. B. C. 1 193. The
king of Yin. Kwei-lei'h,
the duke of Chow^ attacked the foreigners of the city of
^Yeti.
Outline. g^H. Cy. XXv. An. 6. T'hae-ting 3. The
king died, and his son Te-y^h ascended the throne,

^ 21 TE-YIH.

Oumne. ^^
Cy. XxV. An. 7. B. 0. 1190. The
year of Te-yih, the king of Yin. The emperor
first
ordered Kwei-leih, the duke of Chow, to be the super-
intending loid.
Detail. Kwei-leih, the duke of Chow, had attacked the foreigners

of JJj^ 0^ Che-hoo, and ^^ E-too, when the king gave him a

cup adorned with precious stones, and fragrant wine made of black
millet, by which he was constituted the chief baron.

Outline, pj ^ Cyc. XXV. An. 13. Te-ylh 5. ^

^ Kwei-leih, the duke of ]fl Chow,
g Chang,
died,
(or
and was
^^ Wan-
succeeded by his eldest son
wanff.)
An. 18. Tej'h 12. The
Outlim
western lord of
^ aOhow Cy. XXV.
ruled well the ftj Ke region,
and displayed benevolence in his government.
in the fields,
Detail. The western lord, (Chang) was walking «'««"«"-
be buned
,vhen he saw an old bone, and ordered it to
bone has no owner. The western lorf sa <1, He who
dants said, This
of t''^, ^"'i;''''' ^"j
possessses the empire, is the proprietor ''^"^f of
state ; thus, I an. the owne.
rules over a state is the owner of that
When
the bone; whereupon he buried it.

the empire heard of it they said, If the

west^^rn Ic.d f
I'^»rle l.n''B'>''

' »"

=;"f'
men ! The ^7'^"' '"'^.„ °l^^
bone, how much more will he regard .^f
vo.nu.
truly benevolent, venerating the
aged, compa,s.iona mg t «
condescension. Dunng th.. daj
and treating the virtuous with
Uu
362 THE SHANG DYNASTY.
gave himself no leisure to eat, in order to entertain scholars ; hence
a variety of clever men reverted to him.

Outline, The fabulous birds sang at 11^ \1| K'he-

san. *
Outline, ^ l^ Cy. XXV. An, 21. Te-yih 15.
There was an earthquake at ij)^ K'he, in the region of
^ Chow.
Detail. The western lord was laid up with sickness, for five days,
when an earthquake occurred, which in every direction did not ex-
tCiid beyond the borders. The western lord said, Heaven" exhibits
calamitous omens, in order to punish the guilty ; let us follow after
viitue and reform our lives, perhaps by so doing we shall avoid the
threatened evil. In a short time his sickness was cured.

Outline, 3^ ^ Cy. XXV. An. 29. Te-yih 23.

1^ Ch'ang, the western lord of Chow, be^^at^ F^, (or
Woo-waiig.)
Detail. When Ch'hang was heir apparent, he married a lady of
/^ r^ Yew-sin, called ^AC xM T'hae-sze ; she was not jealous, and

bore ten sons ; the eldest, called |Q F°L ^^ Pih-yth-k'aou, died

young ; the second was called ^^ Fa he was of a gentle disposition
;

and possessed sage-like virtues. The western lord made him his
After him followed
" Tan, who studied under
heir apparent. ^^
;j5J Keih-shuh,
and was benevolent and talented ; the western lord
entrusted him with the government.

The
Outline, ^E
emperor ordered |^
^X^- ^^- 30. T6-yth 24.
^y-
Ch'hang, the western lord, to
oppose the barbarians of ^ Kwan, and to provide
against the ^^ ^^ Yen- wan foreigners.
Outline, pg ^ Cy. XxV. An. 43. Te yih 37.
The king died, and his son ^ Sin, ascended the throne.

Detail Te-yih's concubine bore ^^ "J* Wei-tsz^ ; she again

bore 'ffp |/J Chung-yen ; after which she became empress and
brought forth ^=j^ Sin. Te-yih and his empress considered Wei-tsze
to be virtuous, and wished to fix upon him as the heir appar -nt. The
great hibtorian, holding fast to the laws, contended, saying. Having a
son by your wife, you must not set up the son of a concubine. Wheie-

* Th^ modern ll^ fJj K'hesan, in Shen-se, Lat. 34. 20. N. Long.
S. 6. W.
 THE SHANG DYNASTY.
363
upon the emperor established
successor.
^ Chow, (i. e. ^ i
Sin)
^'ui;, ai nis
at hi,

^^^ CHOW-SIN.
Owjf/m^. y^
cy. XXV. An. 44. B. C. 1153
The year of Chow-sin, the king of
first
Yin.
king opposed reprovers, patronized extravagance,
The ^
and
gave himself up to wine and women.
Detml. Chow was fond of debate, in which he was quick and rea-
dy he was an acute observer ; in strength and energ-y
;
he surpassed
others ; he conld beat ferocious beasts with his hand
; he had cunninff
enough evade reproofs, and volubility sufficient to gloss
to
over hit
errors he boasted himself above his ministers on account of
;
his abi-
lity and he lifted up himself above all the people of the empire
;
on
account of his fame ; imagining that they all rated far below
himself
Chow was by nature very extravagrant, and fond of women and wine!
He was the
tsze sighing, said.
first that
Now
made ivory chop-sticks,
you make ivory chop-sticks, by and bye you"
when ^^ Ke-
must have crystal cups and when you have ivory chop-sticks and
;

crystal cups, you will want to eat bear's paws and leopard's wombs
;
other things also must be in proportion ; all of which should your Ma-
j-^sty require in sufficient abundance, you will endanger the empire.

Outline.
The emperor
^ Cycle XXV.
^attacked An.
people of Ye
the
51., Chow-sin 8.
w-soo, and ob-
tained ;^
woman was
^
Ta-ke, of whom he was very fond this
given up to dissolute pleasure, and increas-
;

ed the severity of the punishments^ so that the people

shuddered with vexation.
Detail. When Chow
attacked -j^ 1^ Yew-soo, the prince of
that country gave him Ta-ke in marriage. This woman obtained fa-
vour in his eyes, and her words were listened to whosoever she lik- ;

ed was honoured, and those whom she hated were slain. The em-
peror then ordered pjjj "Jj^ Sze>keun to institute at -pf Cliaou-
ko,* the music of the northern country, the dance of the northern
^
village, and the pastimes of mutually yielding to each oth r. He also
constructed ^^
the Stag gallery, with chambers and doors of
precious stones ; the gallery was half a mile in breadth, and a thou-
sand cubits high ; it was seven years in building ; heavy taxes were
levied in order to store the stag gallery with wealth, and to provide

^5 tS Keu-keaou with grain. f He marie a collection of dogs and

* The modern Ke district, in Ilo-nan, Lat. 35 38. N. Long.'

:J|£
2. 7. W. The former capital city of Chow.
t Both this gallery and granary were at Ke : the metropolis of
Chow.
 364 THE SHANG DYNASTY.
horses, and curious things, with which he replenished his palace : he
also enlarged ^^ fil Sha-k'hew,* and ^^g^
Yuen-tae.f He
aBserahled a great number of players and musicians at Sha-k'hew,
where he had a pond of wine, and a forest of hanging beef, with nak-
ed men and women pursuing each other in the midst. In the palace
he had nine markets, and spent tiie live-long night in carousing.
When the princes of the empire revolted, Ta-ke thought that the
punishments wers too light, and executions too rare, hen^e the digni-
ty of the throne was not established. On this account the punish-
ments were rendered more severe. Thus she had smoothing irons,
which being made hot with fire, she ordered men to carry, until
their hands were burned besides which a brazen pillar was made,
;

which, being rubbed with grease, was placed across burning coals ;
over this the poor culprits were made to pass, when their feet slip-
ping, they fell into the flames. Ta-k^ observintj: this was highly de-
lighted, and called it the punishment of the roasting spit. All the
people of the empire, however, repined with shuddering.

y g[
Outline, Cyc. XX V. An. 54. Sin-chow 11.
The emperor minced -fl^ Kew, and when
the earl of
the earl of ^|J Go remonstrated, he cut him up into
slices, whilst he imprisoned the western lord at
Yew-le.
]g ^
Detail. The emperor appointed Ch'hang, the western lord, with
the earls of Go and Kew, to be the three dukes, or regents. The
earl of K^w had a daughter, who was sent in to the emperor, when
the young woman not being disposed to admit of familiarities, the em-
peror slew her in his rage, and minced her father. Go instantly and
earnf stly reproved him, when he cut up that earl into sliced meat.
He also ripped up a pregnant woman to look at the foetus, while he
cut off the legs of some nho were crossing the water early in the
morning, to see if the marrow was hard. The western lord, hearing
of these thing?, sighed in secret. j^U f^o^> ^^e earl of Tsung, ^§
being aware of this, informed the emperor, whereupon he imprisoned
Gh'hang, the western lord, at Yew-le.

Outline. Jd^4^ Cyc. XXV. An. 55. Sin-chow 12.

The western lord ol Chow exercised himself in the di-
agrams while imprisoned at Yew-le.
Outlitie. Ei^^Cyc. XXV. An. 56. Sin-chow 13.

2.
* The modern
N. Long. \, 23, W.
^
|^B Ping-heang district, in Chih-le, Lat. 37.

f This place was bounded on the south by J^ K^, and on the

north by flP ^^ Han-tan, which latter was situated Lat. 36, 42.
IN. Long. 1. 50. W. These were both of them separate palaces. .
 THE SHANG DYNASTY. 365
The western lord was liberated, when he presented the
territory west of the river J^ Lo, and requested that
the punishment of the roasting spit might be abolished;
which was acceded to. After which the emperor con-
ferred on the western lord a bow and arrow, together
with a hatchet, indicating that he was at liberty to
punish whomsoever he thought proper.
Detail. ^^^ San-e-sang and ^^
Hung-yaou, two
servants of the western lord, feelinar concerned about h\w, sought out

a beautiful woman from the ^ ^ Yew-sin country, with a speck-

led horse from ^ 5^ Le-jung, and a team of four from ^ ^B
Y^w-heung, with other and curious things, employing
rare j'-p
P«^-chung, a favourite minister of the Yin dynasty, to present them.
W
The emperor was greatly delighted, and said. This one article (the
female) is sufficient to procure the liberation of the western lord, why
present so many things ? He therefore forgave the lord.
Outline. ^ i^ XX Cyc. v'. An. 57. Sir-chow 14.
The state of ^ Yu and 'p^ Juy, adjusted their differ-
ences at )^ Chow.
Detail. The princes of Yu* and Juy,t contended about some
ploughed fields, which dispute having been long unsettled, they a-
greed to wait on the prince of Chow for the sake of arbitration. On
entering the borders, they perceived the ploughmen yielding the fur-
rows to each other, and the travellers giving way to their fellows on
the road; when they entered the city of Chow, they found that men
and women had different pathways allotted them, while grey-headed
persons were not seen carrying burdens in the streets on entering ;

the court, they saw the scholars giving way to the great officers, and
the great officers bowing to the scholars. Upon this the two princes
were moved and said, We worthless fellows, deserve not to tread the
courts of such excellent men. They, therefore, declared common the
fields about which they had been contending, and retired. When the
people of the empire heard of this, forty-two states reverted to the
authority of Chow.
Outline.
The western
^ g Chow,XXV.
lord of
Cyc. An. 58. Sin-chow 15.
obtained the services of Q
fpij
Leu-shang, and appointed him to be his instructor.
Detail. Leu-shang's ancestor was formerly prime minister, and

* The modern
Long. 5. 25. W.
^ |^ Ping-luh, in Shan-se, Lat. 34. 47. N.

The modern Juy-ching, in ditto, Lat. 34. 50. N.

t f^ iJJ^
Long. 6 6. W.
366 THE SHANG DYNASTY.

assisted |^ Yu in draininof the waters. During the rule of Shun,

aud at the comineacement of the Htia dynasty, he was appointed to
the Leu country, and took the surname of Kean^f. ^^
Shang was
the descendant of this man. The western lord being about to go out
a hunting, consulted the divination, when the answer was, that he
should neither get dras^ons nor snakes, neither boars nor bears, nei-
their tigers nor leop:irds, but he should obtain one who could aid a
monarch in attaining extensive rule. In verification of this predic-
tion he met with Leu-shang on the south of the river Wei.* On
conversing with him, he was greatly delighted, saying, " My ances-
tor, T'hae-kung used to say, that a sage would come to Chow, on
which account the Chovv state would flourish. Are you not, Sir, the
very person. My
ancestor, T'hae-kung, has waited for you a long
time." He
therefore denominated him the expectation of T'hae-
kun^, and taking him up into his carriage, returned with him, ap-
pointing him to be his tutor, and calling him "' my master Father !

Shang."
Outline. 21 S <^yc- XXVI. An. Chow-sin 19.
2.

The western lord attacked ^ Tsung,-]- and built the

city of ^ Fung,+ to which he removed his capital.
Outline.
Excellent terrace.§
The western lord of Chow built the 2^
Outline, j^ ^ Cy. XXVI. An. 3. Chow-sin 20.
^ Ch'hang, the western lord of Chow, died, and was
succeeded by his eldest son §^ Fa, (this was ;^
Woo-wang.)
£
Detail. When the western lord was laid up with sickness, he
said to his eldest son, " On oijserving good, be nut slow to practice
it ; when the opportunity arrives, do not hesitate ; and in rejecting
what is wrong, do not let it abide : tliese three are the points at
which virtue rests." The heir-apparent bowed and received instruc-
tion ; after which the western lord died, and was hurried at ^S
Feih, (the modern ftxj
Long. 7. 50. W.)
^ Han-vang, in Shan-se, Lat. 31. 20. N.

Fa,
Outline. ^^
the western lord of
Cy. XXVI. An.
Chow begat
10. Sin-chow 27.
his eldest son |^
Sung.

Long,
* The modern
7. I. W.
*jj| ^ Wei-nan, in Shan-se, Lat. 34. 29. N.

f The modern ^(5 Hoo district, in Shan-se, Lat. 34. 8 N Long.

7. 50. W.
I In the neighbourhood of H^oo, on the hanks of the river Fung.
§ Spoken of by Mencius, built for astronomical purposes.
 THE SHANG DYNASTY.
367
Detail The wesh^rnlc^ra took to wife the
daughter of g j^
Le6-shdncr called
fa
Btand.n,sshe never leaned
^ ;
Yih-keang.
in sitting,
Thi. lady was virtuon.
she never stretched ouV
in
•

her
S^::;:"''' ^'^ ^^^
''"-^^ ^^-^^^
h^r^Lfn" '
^^ ^^^^ - ^^- y-r shi'bo"

Outline,
Ihe western
y
JEL Cyc. XXVI. An. 14. C^hovv-sin 31
lord of Chow went eastward to inspect
the
troops, and conquered
Detail.
Le. ^
The western lord went up to sacrifice at Peih, and after-
t(T\vads
Mang ferry
proceeded eastward to inspect the troops at the
* when he crossed the Yellow river, and in the
;
^k
midst
^
of the stream a white fish jumped into the king's boat.
The king-
stooping down picked it up for a sacrifice. Having crossed the ri-
ver, a fire darted down from above, and again rose up from below
un-
til it came to the king's house, and was changed into a
bird, of a red
colour, with a soothing voice, f At this time the princes of the em-
pire had all revolted from Yin, and reverted to Chow, so that without
previous arrangement 800 chiefs met at the Mang ferry, saying, The
" Y'ou know
tyrant
^"J Chow ought to be attacked. The king said,
nothing of the celestial decree ; it may not be done. " Whereupon
he led his troops back, and returned. But the Le state being unprin-
cipled the western lord raised an army to attack it, which he soon

conquered. JIJH ^^ Tso6-e, being alarmed, hastened to inform the

king (of Yin.) The king, said, '* Is not my life protected by the de-
cree of Heaven " Thus he would not listen.
!

Outline.
)X IC ^y- XXVI. An. 15. Chow-sin 32.
^ j^ Wei-tsze reproved the tyrant, and not bein^ lis-

tened him.
to, left
^^
Ke-tsze also reproved him,
and was imprisoned, when he feigned madness, and be-
came
rant,
a menial,
and died for
j;^
it.
^ Pe-kan steadily resisted the ty-

Detail. The Chow

had a virtuous minister, calle 1 ^f§ f|^
tyrant
Hwuy-pih, who wasof and frequently reproved
a loyal disposition,
his master in plain terms, when Chow, enraged, killed and minced

him. On
the contrary there x/as one i^ ^^
Luy-kMne, a sycophant,
who addressed the tyrant in flattering words; on this man, Chow
conferred gold and eoms, and promoted him rewarding him also with
;

the cultivated lands of Hea. Wei-tsze often remonstrated, but not

being listened to, he departed. Ketsze reproved him, also in vain.

* The modern Mang district, in U6-nan,. Lut. 34 52. N. Long.

3. 50. W.
f These were looked upon a^onienK indicating Jhr f;di d' the YIm
and the rise of the Chow dynasty.
 368 THE CHOW DYNASTY.
A certain person said, You had better quit his service. But Ke-tszS
repVed, *' When a minister reproves, and finding his words disre-
garded, departs, he then displays his master's wickedness, and an-
nounce it himself to the people. This I cannot bear to do." He
then let his hair fall loose, and pretending to be mad, became a slavi.
After which he secreted himself, and played upon the harp to soothe
his sorrows. Common opinion says, that Ke-tsze was too rigid in his
adherence to his principles, Pe-kan urgently remonstrated with the
tyrant, and set before him the difficulties with which the former kings
had to contend, together with the clear indications that Heaven's de-
cree was changeable, and that the dynasty was about to be destroyed ;
beseeching the king to wash his heart, and change his policy. The
minister then prostrated himself before the gate of the palace ; when
Chow became greatly enraged, and said, Pe-kan considers himself a
sage ; I have heard that in a sage's heart there are nine apertures.
Let us cut him open and see.
Outline. The Shang dynasty fell.

THE CHOW DYNASTY.

StS woo WANG.
The
Oitline,
13th year
B
5|1 Cyc. XXVI. An. 16. B. C. 1121.
of Wo6, king of Chow. During the
winter, on the first month, and the 30th day of the cy-
cle, ^ Fa, the king of J^ Chow, led forth his troops,
and assembled the princes, for the attack of f§f Shang,
announcing it at the same time to Imperial Heaven,
and Empress Earth, together with the spirits of the fa-
mous hills and great rivers which he passed.
Detail. The king heard that the tyrant's cruelties had increased
exceedingly, so that he had killed the prince Pe-kan, and Imprison-
ed Ke-tsze ; while Wei-tsze hearing away the sacrificial implements
had fled to the Chow state. Upon this the king generally informed
the princes, saying, The Yin dynasty has committed grievous crimes,
and we cannot refrain from punishing them. Thus he marched
eastward, to attack the tyrant.
Outline, During the spring, in the first month, th^
king of Chow assembled, in great numbers the princes
of the empire at the
in his troops to the
^^ Mang ferry, where he swore
attack of the Shang (or Yin)
dynasty.
Onthe second month, |^ ^
on the 60th day of the
cycle, the king of Chow drew up his troops at the bor-
 THE CHOW DYNASTY. 369^

(ItTS ofthe Shang state and on the following day the

;

tyrant mustered his hosts to the battle at the

]Muh desert. * ^^
Outline. The troops of the Shang dynasty having
been routed, the tyrant ^
Show fled to Luh-
tae, (the Stag Gallery), where he burned himself to
^^
death. The king then ascended the throne, entitling
his dynasty Chow, while he restored the former prin-
ciples of government adopted by Shang.
JJefail. The tyrant, hearing of tlie approach of Woo-wang,
raised an army of 700,000 men to oppose his progress ; Woo-wang
then ordered his preceptor f^ ^X» SI)ang-fo6, accompanied by ahun-
dred men, as champions, with great imp^^tuosity to rush on the tyrant's
soldiers. The troops of the latter, although numerous, having no
mind for fighting, inverted their weapons in the contest, in order to
open out a passage for Woo-wang ; the patriot then ruabod forward,
and the tyrant's troops all fell into confusion. Chow turned his
back and fled, when mounting to the top of the Stag Gallery, he a-
dorned himself with pearls and s6ms, and bnrned himself to death.
Woo-wang, having beheaded jH 5k Ta-ke, raised a tumulus o^er
Pe-kan's grave; he also distinguished the family of
(a
^
fl^ Shang-yung,
vhtuous minister of the Yin dynasty), distributed the grain of K u-
keaou, and scattered the wealth of Luh-tae, (the Slug Gallery) ;
while he sent liome the females of the harem. The men of Yin were
all delighted, saying. The king, with regard to benevolent men, raises
a tunmlus over the grave of one who is dead, how much more will
he honour the living with respect to clever men, he distinguishes
!

the families of those who are gone, how much more will he do for
those that remain with reference to wealth, he scatters that which
!

had been accumulated, then surely he will not collect more and in
!

the case of the female sex, he sends home to their parents those who
are found in the palace, how much less is it to be expected that he
will summon others.

Outlme. The king appointed ^^ Woo-k^n^,

the tyrant's son, to be the earl of ^ Yin; and ordered ^
^ Kwan-shuh, ^tJ:)^ Tsae-shuh, and || ^ H6-shuh,
to be guardians of the Yir State.
Outline. in the 4th month, the
During summer,
king came from |^ Shang, and the princes of the em-
pire received orders from the new dynasty of Chow.

*The modern ^
Kelh district, in ^M-
Wei -hwuy depart-
ment, province ot a6-nan, Lat. 35. 28. N. Long. 2. 12. W.
Yv
370 THE CHOW DYNASTY.
Detail. All the princes honoured the king as 'emperor, when the
new monarch changed the time for commencing the new year, esta-
blishing the month which was the first in the series as the beginning
of the annual period, altering the appellation given to the year, assum-
ing red as the national colour, and directing the crown to be worn with
the robes of state. He then sent back the war horses to the south
of the Flowery Mountain, * and let go the draught oxen in the wil-
derness of the Peach Grove; f he conveyed home the instruments of
war, and wrapped them up in tiger's skins ; he covered the war chari-
ots and armour, and stowed them away in the treasury, in order to
shew the people of the empire that they were not to be used any more.
Outline. The king then made a general appoint-
inent of the princes throughout the empire.
Detail. The king, retrospectively regarding the original sages,

appointed the descendants of the divine husbandman, l||lp

^g Shln-
nung, to the district of ^ Seaou; % the posterity of fj j^ Hwang-
t^, the Yellow Emperor, to the territory of jjjjj Chuh; § the grand-
son of the emperor ^ Yaou to the government of^p} Ke ; j|
the

descendants of the famous ^ Shun, to the region of

the adherents of the Great -p^l Yu, to the department o fl^ Ke. **
g^ Chin ^ ;
and

Thus he promoted all his meritorious officers and wise councillors^

while his preceptor, Shang-foo, was placed at the head of them all^
and appointed to the command of ^ ^^ Ying-kew, ff which coun-
try was called ^^ Tse ; j^] ^ Chew-kung was also established in

pEq -^ Keuh-foo, Jl which was called the @ Loo country; §)§

* Near the district of ^^ Hwa, in Shen-se, Lat. 34. 30. N. Long.

6. 47.West.
t Near the
Long. 6. 31
district of
. West.
^^ Hwa-yin, in ditto, Lat. 34. 35. N.

X The modern I^Wshen-chow, in Ho, nan, Lat. 34. 45. N.

Long.:. 25. West.

§
Long.
The modern
0. 22. East."
^ )^ Chang-tsing, in Shan-tun?, Lat. 36. 43. N.

jl
The modern Pe-klncr,

^ The modern 1^ jjj Clnng-chow, in Ho-nan, Lat. 33. 46. N.

Long. L 26. West.
** The modern iH Ke, in Ho-nan, Lat. 34. 42. N. Long. L
33.West.
tfThe modern
Long. 2. 42. East.
^^
Ch'hang-lo, in Shang-tung, Lat. 36. 46. N.

XX There is a district of this name still in Shan -tung, Lat. 35. 44. N.
Long. 0. 46. W.
 THE CHOW DYNASTY. 371

Siitjntlie duke of \i Shaou, was appointed to the superintendence

of ^ Yen • ; jfj Kaou, the duke of ^ Peih, was fixed at
Poih ; t his uncle |^ Seen, was made governor of ^ Kwan t
^
;

his uncle "J^ Too, was appointed over Tsa^ § his |^

uncle

^
;

fP Chin-to over Tsaou ; H his uncle ^ Woo over ^ Ching ;^

his uncle ^ K'heen over H Ho ; ** and his uncle )^ K'hang,
over ^ Wei.
fj-
Thus he
appointed, of his brethren and relatives*
fifteen persons to different districts, besides more than forty of other
families. After this he distributed the honoured cups, and shared
out the implements employed by the Yin dynasty among the princes.
Outline. The king sacrificed in the ancestorial tem-
ple of Chow, and retrospectively dignified with royal
honours ^^ T'bae-wang, ^^ Wang-kwei, and
^ 3E Wan-wang, after which he
about avoiding the pronunciation of their names.
settled the regulations

Detail. The king sacrificed in the great temple, and settled the
ceremonies to be employed in sacrificing to ancestors ; directing the
avoiding of his predecessor's name, and establishing their posthumous
titles. Thus the base were not classified with the noble, nor tlic infe-
rior with the superior ; while the emperor was referred to Heaven
for his classification, the princes not being permitted to rank with him.

He retrospectively accorded royal honours to the old duke J^ 3c

Tan-foo, who was ^
called ^j?^ T'hae-wang ; while ^^ Kwef-
leih was denominated 3E ^ Wang-kwei, and 3(« ^ Wan-kaou
entitled ^C ^5 Wan-wang.
* Identical with the modern Peking.

t The modern
Long. 7. 50. West.
^ j^ Han-yang, in Shen-se, Lat. 34. 20. N.

The modern ^P i)f| Ching department, in Ho-nan, Lat. 34.

t
46. N. Long. 2. 35. West.

1.
§ The modern
32. West..
^ Tsae district, in Ho-nan, Lat. 32. 45. N. Long.

There is still a district of this name in Shan-tung, Lat. 34. 58.

II

N. Long. 0. 47. West.

^ The modern ^JtWan-shdng, in Shan-tung, Lat. 35. 50.

N. Long. 0. 12. East. o xt t
** See a district of this name in Shen-se, Lat. 36. 34. N. Long.
4. 43. W.
ft The jnodern
Lonsr. 2. 12.
^
West.
St^ Wci-hwuy, in Ho-nan. Lat. 35. 27. N.
372 THE CHOW DYNASTY.

OhtUfie. The king offered a burnt-offering to Jti

the Supreme Ruler, while he contemplated the hills'
and rivers in sacrificing to them, and loudly announced
the completion of his military expedition.
Outline. The king received the warnings of the red
book, which he recorded for his own admonition.
Detail. The king having ascended
the throne, on the third month,
summoned the great officers, and enquired of them, saying, Oh what
is the compendium of excellence, and the general direction for practice,
which can become a constant law for posterity throughout ten thou-
sand ages ? His preceptor, Shdng.foo replied, "It is contained in
the red book, which says. When
respectful care exceeds slothful in-
difference there will be felicity but when sloth exceeds care, ruin
;

will follow when rectitude is more regarded than lust, matters

;

will be agreeable, but when passion surpasses uprightness, calamity

will ensue. In every thing, without proper constraint, affairs will
go wrong, and without due caution, there will be incorrectness ; er-
ror leads on to destruction, but respect lasts for ten thousand ages.
The compendium of excellence, the general rule for conduct, which can
become a constant law for posterity, is contained in the above max-
ims." The king hearing the words of the book, became suddenly a-
larmed, retiring he adopted them as his monitors, writing them on the
four corners of his mat, as well as on his tables, mirrors, tubs, plat-
teis, beams, staves, girdles, shoes, sandals, cups, bowls, doors, win-
dows, swords, bows, and spears, in short on every thing were these
sentences engraved.

Oiiiline. The king enquired about right principles

of Ke-tsze,
great plan."*
when Ke-tsze set before him " ^^ the

Detail. The king having conquered Yin, and released Ke-tsze

from confinement, asked him about celestial principles, when Ke-tsz^
laid before iiim the great plan ; after which the king appointed him

to rule over ^] ^^
Corea, where he had no occasion to acknowledge
himself a subject to the Chow dynasty.

Outline, -j^ ^
Pth-e and ^X Shuh-tse, two old
servants of the Yin dynasty, left the Chow country,
^
and concealed themselves in the "j^ Show-yang
where they starved themselves to death.
hill,
^
Detail. Pih-e and Shuh-tse were sons of the ruler of "fy ^^
Koo-chuh. Their father wished to establish Shuh-tse (the youngest)
as his successor ; but when their parent died, Shuh-tse yielded the
government to his elder brother Pih-e. Pih-e said. It is our father's
command (that you should rule ) and immediately absconded.
:

* See the Shoo-king. Jb^ct. The great plan.

 ;

THE CHOW DYNASTY.

373
Shiih.ts^ also refusing to be acknowledged
as sovereign, fled •

the people of the country set up the second and

attackedtijetyrantof Yin,E and Tse together
son. When WotwW
stopp d Ts hor e^
and set brth he duties of princes and ministers,
in order to rep'ov^
him. The attendants wished to kill them, but
T'ha^.kun^ said
Ihese are righteous men. After which he lifted
them up
moved them. When Wo6.wang had adjusted the confusionsaSd r/
of the
Ym dynasty and the people of the empire had
acknowledged the new
dynasty of Chow E and Tse vvere ashamed of the
transaction, and
concealed themselves in the Show-yang hill ; * being
too righteous
to eat the corn of the Chow dynasty, they gathered
getable (edible ferns) and ate it ; when about to
the Wei ve-
die of huntrer they
^
miide the following ode, ° * ^

Come let us mount yon western hill,

And gather Wei seeds for our fill
A tyrant's come i ' the tyrant's place.
And people know not the disgrace
;
The great Shin-nung, with Yaou and Shun,
Of these old sages, there are none
;
Oh whither, then, shall we return.
Our lives are done ; our fate we mourn.
They then died of hunger on the Show-yang hill.f

Outline, The king established the tythe law.

Outline, The
capital was removed to ^ Kaon.
(The modern g§
N. Long. 7. 30. W.)
^
Se-gan, in Shen-se, Lat. 34. 16.

Outline, Schools were established, and old men

taken care of: while the great military music was
composed.
Outline,
tribute.
The ^ 'j^ Siih-shin tribe came to present

Detail. At that time the various tribes of foreigners, brought the

different articles peculiar to their countries as tribute ; whereupon
the people from Suh-shin presented wooden shafts and stone heads
for arrows, the former about a cubit and a half in length. The king,
wishing to display the illustrious virtue which induced distant stran-
gers to come, bound together the strings of the arrows, sayiny,
This is the tribute of the Suh-slu'n paople.

Outline, ^ ]^ Cycle XXVI. An. 17. Woo-wang

Near the J^ jf | Poo district, in Shen-se, Lat. 36. 18. N.

Long. 5. 22. W.
t While they were gathering the Wei seeds, an old countrywo-
man said. You gentlemen so righteous that you will not eat
are
Chow's corn, but these are also Chow's ferns ; on hearing which
they starved themselves to death.
374 THE CHOW DYNASTY.
14. The westerp strangers presented a hound, when
SJ| ShTh, the duke of
admonish the king.
^
Shaou composed an essay to

Detail. The western foreigners brought a large dog as tribute ;

when the duke of Shaou, considering that a dog was an uncommon

article of tribute, and might easily induce sovereigns to be fond of
strange things, which example ought not to be set before the princes,
composed a treatise called the strangers' dog, as a piece of admoni-
tion for kings.

Outline. The king was sick, when ^ Tan, the

duke of ]^ Chow, prayed to the three former kings,
begging" that he himself might be tuken instead of the
king.
Detail. Woo-wang being ill, the duke of Chow, considering that
the royal house was not yet established, that the subjects of the Yin
dynasty were not entirely subdued, and that the foundation of the
new state might be easily shaken, therefore solicited of the spirits of
T'hae-wang, Wang-kwei, and Wan-wang, that he might be allowed
to die instead of the king. The historian recorded the form of prayer
used by him, and laid it up in the golden-mounted casket. On the
next day, the king recovered.

15.
Outline. ^H Cyc XxVl. An. 18. Woo-wang
During the spring, the king went to inspect the
districts and mountains, sacrificing to the gods, and
giving audience to the princes of the empire.
Outline. ^^ Cyc. XXVl. An. 19. Woo-wang
16. During the summer,
Detail.
^^ Ke-tsze came to

Ke-tsze came to pay court to the Chow dynasty, when

court

passing by the old market of Yin, he was grieved to see the ruins of
the former palace, with the grain growing upon its site. Wishing
to burst out into a loud lamentation, he thought it would be impro-
per, and being desirous of weeping in secret, he conceived it would
be too womanish, therefore he composed the following ode on the ears
of wheat.
How pointed are the ears of wheat !
How beauteous the corn !

But oh that cunning crafty wight,*

Who my advice did scorn !

The remaining subjects of the Yin dynasty, when they heard the
Bong could not refrain from shedding tears.

Outline. SM'^yc. XXVI. An. 22. Woo-wang

19. During the winter, in the 12th month, the king
* Alludinf? to his former master.
 THE CHOW DYNASTY. §75
(lied, when his
eldest son
||| Sung ascended the
throne, while KL Tan, the duke of )fl Chow,
filled
the office of prime minister and regulator of
all the
public works.

]^ 3C CHING-WANG.
Outline, "p^ JJc ^ycle XXVI. An. 23. B. C. 1114.
The first year of Ching-wang, of the Chow dynasty, W
Tan, the duke of ^
Chow, assisted the king
the throne, and the empire was well governed.
to mount

I^etail, Ching-wang was young (only 13 years of age,) and could

not fill the throne, when the Duke of Chow took a share of the
govern-
ment, ascending the throne and regulating affairs ; thus he faced
the
south, and placed the the imperial screen at his back, in order to
give
audience to the princes of the empire. He then inculcated the
principles to be observed by the heir- apparent on his own son
fQ
Pih-k'hin, that Ching-\vang might be made acquainted with the reci-
{%
procal duties of father and son, prince and minister, superior and
inferior. When Ching-wang was in f\iult, be chastised Pih-k'hin,
in order to point out to Chtng-wang what was expected from a young
prince about to succeed to the throne.

Outline, ^
Tan, the duke of )^ Chow, made an
announcement for the information of g^ Shih, the
duke of -0 Shaou.
Detail. At that time, the duke of Shaou was one of the three re-

gents ; y^
from the Shen Ho- nan) and westward, Shaou
district (in
was the principal, while from that point eastward the duke of Chow
presided. Ching-wang being young, the duke of Chow was associ-
ated in the government, and bore the burthen of the country but the ;

duke of Shaou was suspicious of him ; the duke of Chow therefore,

composed the section of the Shoo-king, entitled " Oh prince ShIh V*
and the duke of Shaou was satisfied. (See the Shoo-king.)
Outline. During: the summer, in the sixth month,
they interred ^ 3E Wco-wang at
The king was considered
^ Pe'ih.
of age.
Oatli7ie.
Detail. Having buried Woo-wang, tliey crowned Ching-wang
(as being of age) when the new monarch paid his respects in the
ancestorial temple, and received the congratulations of the princes.

The duke of Chow then commanded jf|)i 5}1 Chiih-yung to compose

a eulogy,^saying, *'
In praying for the kiiii; use intellii-cnt expressions,
but be i)rief." The phraseology of Chiih-yung's prayrr ran thus,
" May the king live near to his people, and far from Hattrrcvs ; inuy
he be sparing of his time and lavish of his Nveallh ;
familiar wiUi the
376 THE CHOW DYNASTY.
virtuous, and giving employment to the capable." The eulogy was
as follows '*
: On a favourable month and a lucky day, your Majesty
was crowned and put away your childish disposition ; having been
adorned with the robe and crown, you have respectfully imitated the a-
zure heavens, and taken the six points for yonr pattern, following
your father and grandfather's example, and thus attaining to eternal
continuance without end."

Outline, The king ordered Pth-k'hin, the eldest son

of the duke of Chow, to be appointed to the .^ Loo
country.
Detail. When Pih-k'hin went to his appointment in Loo, the
duke of Chow addressed him, saying, I am the son of Wan-wang,
the younger brother of Woo-wang, and the uncle of the present king;
thus I am no ignoble person in the empire. Bat during one bath, I
have thrice tied up my hair, and in the course of one meal, I have
three times voided my mouthful, and risen up to attend to scholars,
lest I should miss a single virtuous man in the empire. Now, my
son, you are about to proceed to Loo, take care that you do not on
account of the kiagdora vaunt it over men.

Outline. The three uncles of the king ^ Kwan, ^

Tsae, and ^
Ho, spread abroad certain reports, in
consequence of which the duke of Chow went to reside
in the east.
Detail. Kwan, the king's uncle, with nis brethren circulated re-
ports through the country, saying, " The duke (of Chow) will work
to the disadvantage of the young kinj^:.*' In consequence of this, the
monarch became suspicious of the duke of Chow, when the duke gave
up his appointment, and retired to the eastward, where he took the
three hundred and eighty-four symbols in the book of diagrams, and
attached expressions to each of them.

Outline. T 'K Cycle XXVI. An. 24.

wang 2. The king administered the government, while
Ching-

Chow-kung dwelt to the eastward, when the guilty

persons (who spread the reports) were discovered.

3.
Outlive.
)X ^
Cycle XXVI. An. 25. Ching-wang
Whilst the duke of Chovv dwelt in the east country
he composed an ode, to be presented to the king, called
the owl ditty.*
Outline. During the autumn, there was a great
* The owl is a vicious bird, which plunders nests and eats ^^^^^
from wkiich the writer drew a comparir^on with Wo6-kai>g, Tsae, and
the rest, for attempting the injury of the royal house.
 THE CHOW DYNASTY. 377
t)f wind, accompanied with thunder, when the king
went to meet the duke of Chow, returning from the
storm eastward the monarch had no sooner gone out of
;

tlie suburbs, than a shower of rain beat down the wind.

Detail. Daring the summer, when the grain was fully ripe, and
tiad not yet been reaped, there was a violent storm of thunder and
Jightn"ng, with wind ; the corn was in consequence beaten down, and
some large trees were torn up by the roots. The king was very much
.alarmed, and accompanied by his great officers, all capped and
belted, went to open the gold-mounted casket, when he met with the
•document in which the duke of Chow had prayed to be substituted
for Wuo-wang he held the paper in his hand and wept, after which
:

he went out of the suburbs to meet the duke of Gaow immediately ;

the heaven sent down rain, which allayed the wind, whereupon the
•corn revived, and there was a plentiful harvest.

Outline.he three uncles of the king '^ Kwan,

'J

^ Tsae, and^ Ho, with 1^ ]^ Woo-k^ng rebelled ;

the ^Yen state, with the ^^ ^

Hwae-e, and fjj^ 5^
Tseu-jung foreigners also revolted.
Delail. Ching-wang having met the duke of Chow on his
return, the three uncles of the king became alarmed, and in connec-
tion with the Hwae-e and other foreigners, broke out into open
rebellion.
Outline. The king ordered the duke of Chow to go
eastward to attack the rebels, when the duke made
a general announcement to the people of the empire.
Outline,
forth an army
{g ^
Pih k'hin, the earl
to the attack of the
Loo, led o^^
Hwae-e, and Tseu-
jung foreigners.
Outline. Woo-kang, having been takon, was slain ;

when ^^^ Wei-tsze-k'he was appointed to the

government of the ^ Sung state, * in order to connect
the succession of ^ Yin.
Kwan, was put to
Outline. The kind's uncle, »§•
death at f§] Shang ^
Tsie, another uncle, was
;

while the third uncle f,|

imprisoned at |>p;J|p Ko4in ;

Ho was degraded to the rank of a plebeian. The y^ ^

Yen state was then tranquillized, together with the ]\^

the eastern division uf
5II Hwae-e foreigLcrs, so that
the country was set a t rest.
* The modern j^ fi|5 Shang-k'hew, in UoAw.
W w
 1

378 THE CHOW DYNASTY.

Outline: The duke of ^

Chow having set to rights
the eastern states, returned in triumph, and composed
an ode for the encouragement of the officers and sol-
diers.

4.
Outline. H
B. Cyc XXVI. An. 26. Ching-wang
The king put off mourning for his father, paid his
respects m the ancestorial temple of the former kings,
and then examined the host of officers. The duke of
Chow resigned all charge of the government into the
king's hands ; who, standing: in the centre, administer-
ed the snme, surrounded by the four sages ]^
duke of Chow stood always before him, to lead the
the ;
^
emperor on in the right way; ^6^^ the great duke stood
on the left, to aid the emperor's views; -Q the duke
of Shaou stood on the emperor's right, to brush away
^
his faults while
;
^^
the historian Y^h stood be-
hind him, to take care of any thing that might be for-
gotten ; thus in deliberation no counsel was lost, and
in undertakings nothing went wrong.

6.
Outline. ^^
The king arranged
Cyc. XXVJ.
the
An. 28. Ching-wang
hundred officers, and re-
gulated ceremonies and music.
Detail. The duke of Chow assisted Chlng-wang, and the six
great officers of state regulated the ceremonies, composed music, and
distributed weights and measures, so that the empire was well settled.

Outline, Ambassadors from the

country came to court.
^ ^ Yu^-shang
Detail. On the south of JJq Keaou-che, * is the Yue-shang
j£
country, the people h-om which region, making use of triple inter-
preters came to present a white jungle fowl. The duke of Chow
said, When the virtuous influence of the good man does not affect a
country, he iis not willing to receive presents from that state; and
when his government does not extend to a people, the upright man
is loth to consider them as subjects. The interpreter said, *' The
yellow-haired elders f in our land have made the observation, that
tlie sky has not been charged with furious winds and violent rains,
nor the sea agitated with waves, for these three years ; they have

* 5c 1' Keaou-che is generally taken for Cochin China.

f Old persons have their hair white, but when they becoiue very
old it turns yellow.
 v

THE CHOW DYNASTY.

379
I therefore concluded that in the
middle country (China)
have ainsen a perfect sage on which there must
; account we^ have 'come to pa
our respects." Hearing this, the duke
ancestonal temple: the messengers
of aow
presentej^them in U.e
were, however, ignorant of te
way to return, whereupon the duke gav^
them five dose carriages
each of which was so constructed as to
point to the south; the am*
ba^s^rs mounted
W&
these, and passing through

Lin-yth to the sea shore in about a

^^
Foo-nan. and
year they ai-rived at
the.r country Hence the south-pomting carriages have
always been
used to direct the way and to show the submission
of distant stran.
gers, in order to regulate tlie four quarters of
the world
Outlme. £E:^ Cy. XXVI. An. 29. Ching-wang
7. In the second month of spring, the kin-
command-
ed the great protector, duke Shaou, to inspect the site
of the new capital. In the third mocth, the duke of
Chow came to }§• L6, when the work was commenced,
and the buildings carried on. The king also came to
the new city, and ordered the duke of Chow to remain
behind and regulate the ciiy of Lo.
Detail, la the first

^^
instance Woo-wang founded a city at
^
Haou ;
(the modern Se-gan, in ^^ ^ Shen-se), which he
called -^ /h] the honourable city of Chow, this was the western
metropolis. He was also about to build ^J^ /3 the complete city
of Chow, when he dwelt at Lo, (the modern ^/BJ ^5
In Ho-nan-foo,)
but the work was left unfinished. At this time, the king (Chlng-
wang) wished to carry out the intention of his father Woo-wang, and
(i. e. fix the metropolis) at ^jl ^|l
settle the tripod Hee-jeuh, (or
Lo) when, on consulting the divination, the answer was, *' The dy-
;

nasty shall be handed down through thirty generations, and last se-
ven hundred years.'* In the second month, he ordered duke Shaou
to go first and inspect the site. In the third month, the duke of
Chow came to Lo, when he commenced the work, and began to build,
calling it the royal city. This was the eastern metropolis. He more-
over said. This is the centre of the world ; whither the people from
all quarters bringing in their tribute will find the roads plain and even.
When the duke of Chow had built the complete city of Chow, the
king came to the city Lo, nnd removed the refractory people of Yin
thither, whilst he left the dnke to manage the government. After
which the king returned to Ihd western capital.
Outline, He established (the sacrifices to Heaven
^*) Wi
illustrious
^ Nan-keaou, besides which he founded the
temple (for the service of W^n-wang), and
erected the great altar (in the centre of the country.)
380 THE DYNASr

Outlwe,
-vvaiig 8.
^ H Cyc. XXVI. An.
The duke ofChovv was appointed
30.
to
CTiingv
regulat^
the eastern capital.
Outline. The king commanded ^^ Tsae-chung
to be re-appotnted to Tsae. ^
Detail. Tsae-cliung was the son of Tsae, one of the king's uns
cles. When the royal uncle died, the duke considering that Chung
^Vas virtuous, instruc.ed Chlng-wang to reappoint him to Tsae.

wang
Outline.
9.
^ ^
The king appointed
Cyc. XXVI. An.
his younger
31. Ching-
brother,.

^^ Detail.
Shijb-yu, to be the
The king was amusing
^ {§|
himself with
Marquis of T'hang.
Shuh-yu, when he
clipped a leaf of the flSJ Tung tre3* into the form of a scepter, and
presenting it to Shuh-yu, said, I instal you in office with this. The
bistorian j^ Yih then requested him
to select a day when he would
establish Shuh-yu government the king said, *' I was only in
in his ;

sport with him. " To which the historian replied, *' An emperor
should never say things in sport ; when he utters any tliiag the
historian records it, ceremonies complete it, and music chants it."
On this account the king appointed Shuh-yu to T'hang, who was
thenceforth called T'hang Shuh-yu.
Outline, pg tp Cycle XXVI. An. 33. Chmg-wang
11. When the duke of Chow was at :^ Fung, he
composed a piece against self-indulgence, for the in-
Etruction of the king.
Ouiline. While the duke of Chow dwelt at Fung,
he fell sick, and being about " Bury
to die, he said,

f"6 at
do
)^
not dare to
^
the complete city of
leave the king."
shew that
When the duke ex-
Chow, to
I
pired, however, Ching-waog insisted on interring him
at ^
Peih, in company with Wan-wang, in order to
gliew that he did not presume to look on the duke of
(vhow as his subject. Ching- wang, considering ^that
the duke Chow had acquired merit in the empire,
granted to the duke of the ^
Loo country, generation
after generation, to sacrifice to the duke of Chow, with
the rites and music due to an emperor therefore in ;

the end of summer, in the sixth month, they annually

offered the imperial sacrifice to the duke of Chow, in

* A species of Jatropha.
 THE CHOW DYNASTY. S81
the great ancestorial temple, considering Wan-wang as
the emperor from whom he sprang, and associating the
duke of Chow with him.
Outli7ie. The king ordered ^^ Keur-chin to
regulate the eastern border in
ty of Chow.
)j^ ^ the complete ci-

Defail. The duke of Chow bein? dead, Keun-chln was ordered

to take charge of the complete city of Chow, in his stead.

12.
Outline. X^
The king went
^y^- XXVI. An. 34. Ching-wang
on a tour of inspection, to give au-
dience to the princes of the empire, at the different
mountains, when he put in force the regulations re-
garding promotion and degradation.
Outluie. Jj^)^ Cyc. XXVI. An. 35. Chmg-wang
13. The king enacted the laws regarding the round
money of the nine treasuries.
Detail. Formerly, in the time of Yaou and Shun, and during the
dynasties of Hea and Shang, there were only three sorts of metallic

currency until the time of j^ 2^ ^= T'hae-kung-wang, when

;

the laws regarding the coin of the nine treasuries were established;
the coin was round, with a square hole in the centre ; the weight of
each being calculated according to tha Chinese dram,* and were all
payable at the nine treasuries. Cloth, two feet and two inches in
breadth, and 40 feet in length constituted a piece.

Outline. ^
)^ Cycle XXVI. An. 59. Ching-wang
37. During the summer, in the 4th month, the king
ordered gj| Shih, the great protector, with the rest
of the ministers, to receive the retrospective decree.
(See the Shoo-king.)
Outline. The king died, find his eldest son $l]
Chaou, ascended the throne, under the title of

)^ S k'hang-wang.
Outline.
^-X XXVI. An. 60. B.
C^yc. C. 1077.
The first year K'hang, the king of Chow.
of A gene-
ral announcement was made to the princes of the em-
pire, when they came to pay court at the ^ Fung pa-
lace.

• The Chinese dram was the 24th of a Chinese tael, which was
about \ oz. avoirdupois.
382 THE CHOW DYNASTY.
Detail. When the princes came to pay their respects, the king
issued the announcement of K'hang-, giving them a general view of
the merit established by Wan
and Woo ; after wliich he gave audi-
ence to the princes at the Fun^ palace, and from thenceforth the
chiefs were all submissive.

12.
Outline. ^^
Cyc. XXVI I. An. 1 1. K'hang>wang
During the summer, in the 6th month, the king
ordered the duke
region.
^
Peih to tranquillize the eastern

Outline. )X ^ Cyc. XXVI T. An. 25. K'han^-wdng

26.
died.
The great protector ^ Shth, the duke of §Sha6u,

Detail. From the first, the duke of Shaou regulated the western
region, where he rendered the people quite harmonious. Once the
attendant officers begged leave to summon the people to come to him,
the duke Shaou, said, " To trouble a whole people rather than trou-
ble a single individual, is not according to the principles of our for-
mer prince Wan-wa«g." He therefore went round on a tour of in-
spection through the cities and villages, hearing causes under the 3;^
Tang tree, (a sort of pear.) After this he died ; and men, thinking
of his government, could not bear to cut down the Tang tree ; and
having composed a ballad on the sweet pear, they chanted it.

Outline, The king died, and his son Hea, as-

cended the throne, (under the title of Chaou-w^ng.)
^
Detail. During the ages of Chlng-wang and K'hang-wang, the
empire was so tranquil, that punishments were set aside, and not
used for 40 years.

^ £ CHAOU WANG.
Outline, B2L Cyc. XXVII. An. 26. B. C. 1051.
The first year of Chaou, the king of Chow,

14.
Outline. ^^
Cyc. XXVII. An. 39. Chaou-wang
Fuh, the younger brother of the earl of J^ Loo,
"jf^

killed his chief, duke^j Yew, and set up himself in

his stead.
Outline. H ?P Cyc. XXVIl.passed
An. Chaou-wang16.
51. A
variegated bright light through
^^
the constellation Draco ; while the waters of the wells
^
overflowed the king went on a tour of inspection to
;

the river J^ Han, where he died, and his son J^

Mwan ascended the throne.
Detail. At this time the vigour of the Chaw dynjjsty began to
 THE CHOW DYNASTY. 383
decline ;
the king went southward to inspect his territoiy, aud
rc-
tnriied toconfluence of the
the Tse and ^
1 he people on the shores of the Han pat the king ITi
Hdn' rivers *
board of a ves-
M
sel that u as fastened with glue, so that
when he came to the raid-
die ol the stream, the glue dissolved, and the
boat went to pieces,
thus the king, aud the duke ^ Tsae were both drowned. •

^ ^ MUH-WANG.
Outline. J^ ]^ Cyc. XXVlIl. An. 16. B. C. 1000
the first year of Muh, the king of Chow.

3.
Outline.
The king
^^ Cyc. XXVllI. An. 19. Miih-wang
ordered 3|^ 3^ Keun.yay
to be the chief
minister of instruction, and pih-keung
j^ fp] to be the
chief of the household. (See the Shoo-king.)

17.
Outli7ie.
The king went on an
^^ Cyc. XX VIII. An. 33. Miih-w^ng
expedition westward, when
the people of f^ Tseu rebelled, the king therefore re-
turned aud attacked the Tseu people, whom he over-
came.

by
Detail, There was or e
his skill in driving his chariot,
^ jC Tsa6u-fo6, who pleased the king
and having obtanied eight studs of
horses they went on a hunting expedition to the westward, with
which the king was so delighted that he forgot to return. At that
time ^
le of territory,
Ying, the lord of ^
Tseu,f who possessed only 500 square
by practising benevolence and righteousness, obtained a
red bow and arrows, wheieupon considering it a divine omen, he took
the title of |g ^C Yen-wang; while of the surrounding nobles thirty-
six paid their court to Tseu. When the sovereign heard that the lord

of Tseu had usurped a royal title, Tsaou-foo being his charioteer, he

returned hy forced marches to quell the insurrection ; and having

obtained 5^
the Tsoo state as his ally, he attacked the Tseu country.
The lord ot Tseu, not liking to expose his people to the hazard of a
battle, fled northward to the ^ Pang city,]: whither about 10,000

of his people followed him. When the lord of Tseu was about to die,

* At the city of 5® j^ Han-yang, in Hoo-pih, Lat. 30. 34. N.

Long. 2. 18. W.

t
Long.
The modern
1. I. E.
^ |^ Fung-yang, in Keang-nan, Ltt. 32. 65. N.

X
Long,
The modern
1. 0. E.
^ ')^ Tseu-chow, in Keang-naii, I at. 34. 10 N.
384 THE CHOW DYNASTY.
"^ sa:d, I have relied too much on accomplished virtue, and have nol
understood military tactics, therefore am I brought to this. The
king then appointed l*sa6u-fo6 to the government of the city of

J§ Chaou,* whence his descendants took the surname of Chaou.

Outline, ^^ Cyc. XXX. An. 51. Muh-wangSS.

An attack was made on the 3/^^ K'heuen-juDg fo-
reigners.
Detail, The king being about to attack the K'eu§n-jung foreigners
in the west, (for not contributing to the sacrifices usual on the removal

of a deceased monarch's tablet,) Jl^ M6w-fo6, the duke of

^^ ^^
Tsae, reproved him, saying, You should not do it ; the former kings
illustrated virtue, and did not make a display of their troops. When
soldiers are assembled and put in motion at the proper season,
then their movements inspire awe ; but when military force is always
displayed, people become familiar with it, and familiarity removes fear;
therefore, under the government of the ancient kings, within the iui-
perial domain, was exacted the feudal service ; beyond the royal pro-
vince W'ere "oqulred the baronial dues ; and at th'; passes of the country,
at the out- pests, the ptranger's fealty was accorded ; still further, tiC
foreigners were merely subjected to the restrictions of the court ; while
outside of all, the barbarians did what could be required of those who
occupied the wild wastes. Those who performed the feudal service
aided in sacrificing to the immediate predecessors of the monarch ;
the baronial dues consisted in presenting offerings to the progenitors
of the ruling dynasty ; the stanger's fealty was shewn in sending up
gifts on the removal of the tablets from one temple to another , those
who were merely subject to the restriction of the court forwarded tri-
butes of things necessary for the altar ; and the dwellers in the wilder-
ness merely came to pay court at the accession of a new monarch.
The sacrifices to royal predecessors were presented daily, those to the
imperial ancestors monthly ; those on the removal of tablets quarterly ;
those who sent in tribute came annually ; and those who paid
court on a new accession, only after the death of a monarch. This
was the arrangement of the former kings ; but when neither of these
sacrifices nor presentations were made, then followed capital inflictions
for the punisbnjent of the serfs, soldiers were sent to attack and reduce
the barons to subjection ; or military expeditions weie undertaken a-
gainst the neijligent strangers, or threatening orders were despatched
to the foreigners, or letters of announcement to the barbarians ;
when these orders were issued and the presents still did not arrive,
then the ancient kings redoubled the cultivation of their virtue, but
did not ol)lige the people to go to a distance to fight. Thus those
who were near invariably came, and the distant universally submitted.
Now the people of K'heuen-jung have come to wait on the new

* The modern m Chaou-ching, in Shen-se, Lat. 36. 23. N.

Long. 4. 46. W,
 THE CHOW DVNASTY. S83
'Sovei-eign in fulfilment of the'r duties,
and if vou insist on at.
tacking them for not sacrificing at the removal of
a'tablet, and make
a display of your military preparations, will not
this be to set aside
the instructions of the former kings, and eventually
prevent themeven
from coming to pay ho!na,^re on the accession of a new
sovereic^n The
king, however, would not liste)i, but went forth
to war when he ;

obtained four white wolves, and four white str^gs, and

returned from :

this time those who dwelt in the wild regions

came no more to court.
Outline.
The king drew up
QH Cyc. XX1X„ An. 6. Muh-wang 50,
the code of punishments established
by Bi Leii, for the information of all.

Outline. i^J^Cyc. XXi X. Afl. 11. Muh-wang

55. J^he emperor died at
jfd^ Te-kung, ^ when his son
^ iS ^'^^^^
Detail,
ascended the ihrone.
The emperor, being desirous of gratifying his mind by
travelling round the empire, undertook to go wherever the tranes of
horses and carriages could be found. The fatherly councHlor, ^^'2%
Tse-kuiig, compv>sed an ode, in order to check the royal inclinations;
and his ra-ajesty broagh:. '.-s wanderings to an end at Te-kung.
dfc ^ KUNG-WAISG.
Oatlim. 21:^ Cyc. XXIX. An. 12. B. C. 945.
Kung, the king of Chow's first year.

OiMine. 1J*^ XXIX. An. 1 4. The emperor went

to ramble on the banks of the
Detail.
^ King.
Whilst the king was rambling on the banks of the King
stream,* )^ Kang duke of .^ Meih,t fallowed him, and three
, the
young womeu fled to him for protection. His mother said, " You
should aeiid them to tne emperoi. Among wild beasts three consti-
tute a dock, among men the same number make up a plurality.
Three young women are briuht and beautiful things what virtue ;

have you to be worthy of housini; them. Even the king is not wor-
thy of them, how much less yon, ugly little fellow ! When ugly pig-
mies store up things for themselves, they ai-e sure in the end to smart

fof it.'' The duke ^ K'hang afpropriated the young women

without presenting them to the kii.g; and in one year the
hiriiseil
to

king exterminated the Meih country.

Outline, j^ Cy. XxlX. An. 23. Kung-\Nang
f)J

* This streaiii l-kes its rise in Kan-suh,

fo6,Lat. 35. 34. N. Long. 9. 48. W.
neiir ^ <Jji Ping-ltiwig

t The Meih country is the

Ping-ieang county, Lat. 34. b9. N. Long.
modern ^^ 9.
Ltnc-ta« district in
-5. W.
Xx
3B6 THE CHOW DYNASTY.

12. The king died, and his son Keen ascended;

be throne, under the title of

H ;^ E-WANG.
Outline, y
:^ Cy. XXIX. An. 24. B. C. 93
The first year of E, king of Chow, when the capital
I
was removed to ;^ ^
Kwei-le.*
Outline, )^ ^
Cy. XXlX An. 25. E-wang 2.
The royal house became weak, and poets began to com-
pose sarcastic effusions.
Outline, ^^Cy. XXIX. An. 48. E-wang
The king died, and ^5^ Peih-fang, the younger
25.
bro-
ther of Kung-wang was established, under the title of

^ 3E HEAOU-WANG.
Outline, 3r ^ XXIX.
Cyc. An. 49. B. C. 908.
Heaou, the king of Chow's first year.

Outline, ^
^was XXX. Cyc. An. 1. Heaou- wang 12.
^^ Fei-tsze appointed to the superintendence
of a subordinate city, and proceeded to ^ Tsin.
Detail. Amoiipr the descendants of t^ 35 ^^
Go-lae-kth,
was one Fei-tsze, who was fond of horses, and was skilful in breed-
ing them; the king commanded him to superintend his horses in the
fieldsbetween the *^
K'heen f and j% Wei J rivers. The horses
increased in number and size, whereupon the king promoted him
to be the superintendent of a secondary city in the
^^ Tsin country,
directing him to succeed tof^
cestor of the Tsin dynasty.)
^ Pih-e ;
(this person was the an-

Outline, A great storm of rain and hail occurred, by

means of which the cows and horses died, and the ri-
vers ^
Keang and ^
Han were frozen.
Outline. j^^Cy. XXX. An. 3. Heaou-wang 15.The
king died, when the princes of the empire again set up

* The modern ffli "4^ Hing-ping district, in Se-gan county, Lat.

34. 18. N. Long. 8. 3. W.
f The K'heen river rises in Shen-se province, and ji§[i^3^ Fung-
Beang county, Lat. 34. 25. N. Long. 9. W.

X The Wei river rises also in Shen-se province, and x3£ ^8

Sing-tsaou county.
 .

THE CHOW DYNASTY. .

397
Se^, the eldest s^of ^ ^ E-wang, under the title of

The
Outline, y
^p Cy. XXX. An. 4. B C 893
year of E, the kin^ of Chow.
first
At 'this time
the emperor first descended the hall, and
waited on the
princes,^ when the ceremony of holding audience
was
discontinued.
Outline, g g^
king ordered duke |^ K'heth
Cy. xXX. An. 6. E-w^ng 3. The
to attack the Tartars of
the plain.
Detail. At that time, the holders of the more distant tenures
did
not come to court, on which account the emperor ordered the
duke
K'helh, to head the six legions and attack the Tartars of
"Jt j^
T'hae-yu^n, * and pursue them as far as '^
same county) ; when he obtained 1000 horses,
^
Yu-tseuen (in the

Ojitline,
^ ]^ Cy. XXX. An. 11. E-wang 8.
]tS |!^ Heung-keu, the viscount of ^ Tsoo, attacked
Yung, t M Yang, and ^ Yue, J even to pf Go.§
jfflf

Outline. ^^ Cyc. XXX. An.

The king died, and his son jj^ ^^^ ascended the throne,
19. E-wang 16.

under the title of 3^ Le-wang.

J^
Outline. The king put to death ^ J§ Puh-shin,
the marquis of ^
Tse, and set up his younger brother
^ Tsing, in which affair he shewed his tyranny, and
the poets censured him.

^ geXXX.
LE-WANG.

The
Outline.
^^
Cy. 20. B.
An. 877.
year of Le, the kii^g of Chow. At this time
first
C
the viscount of
ed title of king.
^
Tsoo voluntarily resigned his usurp-

41: The modern T'hae-yuen, in Shen-se province, Lat. 37. 53. N.

Long. 3. 55. W.
f The modern j^f Fang district, in Hoo-pih province, Lat. 32. 1

N. Long. 5. 46. \V.

in the same
I Both of these are situated on the Yang-tsz^-keang,
province.

§ The modern
30. 35. N: Long. 2. 15.
^^ Wob-ch'hang,
W.
in Hoo-pIh province, Lat.
3S3 THE CHOW DYNASrV,

The
Outlhie.
inhabitants of
^g Cy. XXX.
An. 30. Le-waog
Hwae-e invaded the empire
"J^"^
on a plundering expedition, "wh-n the king ordered ^
^ K'heih-chiing to lead an army against them.
Outline. ^^ Cy. XXX. An. 38. Le-wang 19.
|i| Shan, the eldest son of the prince of
led his prince, and set himself up to reign.
^ Tt>e, kil-

•^
OutUnr, The marquis oi Tse removed his rule to ^
Lin-tsze.*
Outline, ^^ Cy. XXX. L^-wangSO. The king
appointed
Detail.
^^
The king
-2^
wa-?
Yung-e-kung to be a noble.
fond of gnin, and became fan:iUiar with
Yung-e-kung ; when the great officer y^ ^^
Juy-leang-fo6 re-
proved the monarch, saj^iiig, " Yuug-e-kung is entirely addicted to
guin, and does not know the difficulties connected therewith. Now
^ain results from almost every thing, and is to be met with through-
out the wide world ; but when a man becomes addicted to it, the
danger is extreme. One who rules mankind should draw forth gain
from its sources, and diffuse it ainoug the gods above and men below,
that both divine and human beings, 'Aitli all other esisteaces, may in-
variably attain to the utmost point of enjoyment, and still there will
arise murmurings and complaints every "day. But if, as now, you aim
to engross the gain for yourself alone, how can it com-
be riifht ! If a
mofi fellow addicts himself to gain, we call and when
him a thief ;

kings practise it, few of them come to a good end. If you emp'ay
Yung-e-kung, the Chow dynasty v ill i)e ruined." The king, how-
ever, would not listen, and appointed Yung-e-kung to be a noble, on
which account the princes of the empire forbore to present the usual
tribute for offerings.

Ot'JHne. 21 ^(1 Cycle XXX. An. 52. Le wang 33.

The Kiniv set people to look out after the revilers of
the gov^ernment and kll them.
Detail. Le- wang was tyrannical and the people of the country

spoke
*'
ill of him
The people cannot en
; when the duke
-are this."
Q
The
Shaou announced, saying,
king \^a-' enraged, and em-
ployed a wizard of .he Wei country to find out those who spoke
^f
ill of the government, and inform him, that he might put them to
death. Thus the people did not dare to speak, but looked on each o-
tber ns they passed along the roads. At this the king was delighted,
and said to duk^ Shaou, " I can put a stop to the fault-finders."
Shaou said, " You have merely dammed up the complaints; but td

,* The modern Lin-tsz^, in Shan-tune province, L»t. 36, ^, N.

Jjt>ng. 2. 4. E.
 TM^ CHOW DYNASTY. 389
utop up people's mouths more dangerous than to dam np a stream
is •

when tj.ef.rce ot the water bursts thedam, and it flows all abroad ii
wdl nitl.ct injury on many. same with the people. There
It is the
fore the best plan with streams is lead them forth aud let them flow
on : and the best method with the people is to give them
Now when the common people ponder over thir ergand
liberty
let them talk.
in
their minds, and alio lY themselves to speak about
them, you shmild
try and carry out their views how could you think of damming them
;

upy If you stop their mouths, should they rise up against us, what
can we do to them ? " The king, however, would not listen,
and
thus the people forbore to give utterance to their sentiments.

Outline.^ j^ )g Cyc. XXX. An. 53. Le-wang 34-

The duke Shaou com{)osed an ode ridiculing the kin^.
All the earls composed poems, sarcastically reproving
their fellow-oflicers, through whom they ridiculed the
king.

The
Outline, f^ Cyc. XXX. An. 54. Le-wang 35.
tyrannical conduct of the king incrctising more
and more, the earl p^ Juy wrote an ode, to reflect
upon him. The common pe«»ple also composed odes
animadverting on the king.
Outline, g^ ^
Cy. XXX. An. 56. L6-wang 37.
The people retjelied, and the kin<< went to dwell at ^
Che * when the heir-apparent
; Tsing, concealed ^
himself in the hcjse of duke Shaou. Q
Detail The
king's disposition being tyrannical and oppressive,
the myriads of the people cQuld endure it no longer, but rose up in
revolt and attacked the kinir ; when the latter fled to Che, while his
eldest son, Tsing, concealed hi'Hself in the house of Shaou : the peo-
ple of the country surrounded the house, when Shaou said, " For-
ui^rly I was ur<^ent in reproving the king, but he would not listen,
until this calamity came upon him. If you now put the heii -appa-
rent to death, will not the kinsr consider that I have acted as his ene-
my, and had a spite against him ? He who serves a prmce >f thp
empire should expose himself to danger on his account witliout bear-
ing malice, an 1 when vexed should not indulge rese:iUn'^nt, how much
less he who serves a king." Having said this, he took his own sou,
and substituted him for the heir-apparent, while the htttr escaped.
Outline.
During the
^^
.spring,
Cycle
the king
XXX. An. 67. Le-wang :i8.
still remained at Che,
while the dukes g Shaou and ^ Chow maraged^ ^e
* The modern i^ He district, in Shen-se, Lat. 36. 31. N. Long.
4. 45. W.
 390 THE CHOW DYNASTY*
government, calling their association " United harmo-

Detail. The two ministers Shaou and Chow, considering that

the heir-apparent, Tsing, was too young to rule, associated together,
and managed the affairs of the country, under the title of *'
Combined
harmony."
Outline.
The king
^g
Cycle XXXI. An. 10. Le-w^ng 51.
died at Che, when the dukes Shaou and
Chow requested the heir-apparent Tsing, to ascend the
throne ; whose title was
la^ S SEUEN-WANG.
Outline, ^]^
Cyc. XXXI. An. 11. B.C. 826.
The first year of Seuen, king of Chow ; at this time the
dukes
tration.
^ Shaou and ^ Chow aided in the adminis-

Detail. Chow and Shaou assisted the king in managing the

government, imbibing the spirit of the former kings 3v Wan, ^^
Woo, 4S5 Ghlng, and ]^ K'hang ; and employing the earl of
^
Shin, with flp |J4 ^^ Chung-san-foo, and 5^ l^P Chang-chung ;
>vhen the princes of tiie empire again paid court to the Chow dynasty.

Outline,
be a great
The
officer,
king appointed ^
\^ Tsin-chung to
and directed him to punish the wes-
tern Tartars. At the same time he commanded ^^
^ E-keih-fo6 to lead an army towards the north, and
to attack the ^^ ^^ Yen-w^n barbarians.
Outline, 2i ^^y^le XXXl. An. 12. Seuen-wdng
2. A
Fang-shuh
drought occurred : when
march soldiers southward, and put to
to
the king ordered 'fj ^
rights the ^] King and §|. Man foreigners. He also
directed j^ Hoo, the duke of |J: Shaou- muh,
head an army and attack the barbarians south of the
to Q
^ Hwae while the king himself undertook to march
;

in person against those north of the J^ Hwae.

Outline, H, ^|] Cyc. XXXI. An. 16. Seuen-wang
6. Agreat drought again occurred. When the king
applied himself to the practice of virtue.
Detail. Seuen- wang, haviug succeeded to the throue after the dis-
play of Le-wang's cruelties, cherished in his mind a disposition to
reduce to order the confusions that prevailed : thus ^Yhen calamities
 ;

THE CHOW DYNASTY. 391

occurred l,e was alarmed and laid himself
out iu the cultivation of
v„tue, with the view ol dispersing those
calamities. The people of
theemp,rewer.del,ghtedth.tthe royal system of
renovation was
again put in practice, and that there was
some one to concern himself
about the people ; while
praise of the kiriif.
ij) ^
Jing-shiSh composed an ode
' in
"*

Outline. Z:
The marquis
^ Cycle. XXXI. An. 22. Seuen-wang
12. of ,^ Loo came to court, and pre-
sented his two sons ^^ Kwo and || He to the king
when the king appointed
J^ He to be the heir-appal
rent to the ruler of ^, Loo. At this time the king
neglected to go m
person to cultivate the thousand
acres.
Detail. The king neglected to cultivate in person the royal field,

when 5C Wan, the duke of |^

K'heih, reproved him, saying,
*' The
great business of the people consists in husbandry ; the sacri-

ficial grain presented to the Jc ^

Supreme Ruler comes from this
source : the increase of the population springs from this : the provi-
ding of necessaries depends on this : harmony and concord arise
hence; wealth and abundance commence here ; liberality and since-
rity are completed by this means. Hence (in former times)
Tseih, was accounted such a great officer, because agriculture was
^
his business ; he did not seek for gain from his subordinates, by in-
terfering with the work of husbandry ; during three seasons of the
year, (spring, summer, and autumn,) agriculture was minded, and at
the remaining season, (winter) military afi*air8 were attended to
;
therefore, in waging war dignity was displayed ; and whilst guarding
the country wealth was amassed. Thus the ancients were enabled to
please the gods and harmonize the people, sacrifices and offerings
were presented in due season, and distributions were made liberally
and abundantly. Now if your Majesty wishes to carry out the chio
handed down by the former kings, and yet rejects their greatest aclg
of merit, neglecting the g'ods, and stinting their offeringi, while you
exhaust the people's wealth how will you attain to happiness or en-
;

joy the use of your subjects ?" The king, however, would not listen.

Outline, 21 ^fc ^J^- ^^^I. An. 32. Seuen-wang

22. The empress
ear-rings to reprove
^ Keang took off her hair-pins and
the king when his majesty be-
;

came more diligent, and revived his government.

Detail. The king was in the habit of rising late, when the ern^
press Keang took off her ornaments, and waited in the harem to re-
ceive her punishment, while she sent her instructress to inform th-a
king, saying, '* In consequence of my want of ttknt, my lord and
392 TTIE CHOW DYNASTT.
roaster hns becorne addicted to sensual delights and forg-etful of
tue, ffiiling in propriety, and holding late audiences. if a pei Now
son is addicted to pleasure, he will certainly become extravagant ;

being fond of extravagance, he will soon exhaust delight, and when

delight is exhausted, confusion will thenceforth arise. It has been
generally observed that the origin of confusions may be traced to the
female members of a family, therefore I presume to solicit my appro-
priate punishment." The king replied, " It is I, that am devoid of
virtue ; I have myself committed the error ; it is no fault of your's."
From this time he became more diligent in government ; attended
early at his levees, and retired late ; so that at length he acquired the
name of the reviver of the dynasty.

30.
OdtUne.
A
^ gp Cycle XXXI. An.man
horse was transformed into a
40.
:
Seuen-wang
and a rab-
bit danced ^ j^^y^e
at Kaou-king.
Outline, ^r ^ XXXI. An. 49. Seuen-wang
39i Thci king western
attacked the Tartars, and fought
at " ^ i^v(

troops weiu defeated.

the Thousand acres,*' when the royal

Outline. -^JlCyc. XXXI. An. 50. Seuen-wang

40. The king numbered the people at ]j5^ {^ TTiae-
yuen.
^ ^ ^

Detail. The king havinLr lost the southern army, numbered the
people in T'ha^ yuen.* T*P ^4 nil Chung-sanftjo reproved him,
saying. The people ought not to oe numi/ered. The ancients^ with-
out numbering the p^:ople knew their account the registrar brought
:

up the acc<;unt of the births ai.d deaths : the superinlender.t of clans

examined into the people's surnames the minister of iustruction
:

was acquainted with the number of conscripts the minister of jus-:

tice knew the amount of felonies the supervisor knew the quantity of
;

various kinds of goods ; the superintendent of works calculated the

amount of pelts the inspector of corn-floors knew what liraiii was
;

coming in, and the head of the granaries was well aware what corn
went out thus the much or little, the births or deaths, tlie income
:

and expenditure could all be ascertained. Again, they knew the

number of the people by the business to which they atter.ded ;
thus the king superintended agriculture in the public field he hunt- ;

ed in the midspring, when there was leisure from husbandry he hoed ;

the ground and reaped the corn also in the public field he took a ;

short hunt in the beginning of autumn, when the corn was well
grown ; and he pursued the pleasures of the chace during winter,
when agricultural labours were finished thas he was familiar with
;

the number of the people. What need had he to count them. To

*
Lang.
The modern
3. o5. W.
^ j^ Thae-vuen.
'
'
in Sben-ije, I.at. 37.
.
35. N.
 tHE CHOW DYNASTY. 393
number the people without any reason is offensive
in the slight of
Heaven * it is injurious to the interests of government,
;
and prejudi-
cial to posterity. The king, however, would not listen to this advice

43.
Outline,
1^
The king put to
Cycle ^ An. 53. XXX I
Seuen-wang
death the great ofEcer i^ \i^
Too-pth when
:^ fg
; Tso-joo contended for him, even
till death.
Detail. The king was about to kill Too-pih, without any fault,
when Tso-joo the friend of Too-pili, contended for him befora
the
king, nine several limes, but the monarch would not accede
to his
request. The king said, " You should distinguish between your
prince and your friend." Joo said, " Wtien my prince is in the
right and my friend in the wrong, I will obey my prince and
slay
my friend ; but when my friendand my prince in the
is in the right
wrong, I will side with my friend, and oppose my prince." The
king enraged said, '' Retract your words and live retain them and
;
die." Joo said, " A true scholar does not deviate from rectitude ta
escape death ; nor will he retract his words to save his life. I will
shew how your Majesty is in the wron?, in order to set the innocence
of Too pih in the right light." The king, however, slew Too-pIh,
and Ts6 joo died for him.

46.
Outline,
The king
Q y^ Cyc. XXXI. An. 56. Seuen-wang
died, and his eldest son yg Nee was
established ; with the title of

fHKl S YEW- WANG.

The
Outline.
first
%^ Cyc. XXXI. An. 57. B. C.
year of Yew, the king of Chow.
780.

Outline. ^ J^ XXX Cyc. 1. An. 59. Yew-waog 3.

The king indulged

Detail.
^ ]^ Paou-she as his favourite.
Formerly the men of ;^^ Paou f committed some of-
fence, and begged to be allowed to send in a female to the king, in or-
der to atone for their misdeeds ; tliig was Paou-sze. In^g ^X
the 3rd year, the king went into the harem, wiiere he saw and became

enamoured of her; from their union jj^ B5 P^^i-^^^i was born.

Outline. Near the western c^pical of Chow, J the
three rivers were disturbed by an earthquake, and the

* See 1 Chronicles XXI. 7.

t The modern J^M Paou-chtng, in Shen-se, Lat. 33. 4 N"

Long. 9. 21. W.

7.
t The modern
31. \V.
2S^ Se^gan, Shcn-sc, in hi*t. 31. 16. N. Long.

Yy
394 THE CHOW DYNABTY.

^ King, ^^ Wei, and

ed, while the ll^ K'he
y^ L6 streams were exhausi _
hill was prostrated.
Detail. Near the western Chow, the three rivers Kinp, Wei,
and L6, were all disturbed by an earthquake, when ffl j^ 3c
Pih-Yang-fo6 observed '*
The Chow dyrxasty is about to perish.
:

The influences of nature are not generally disturbed, and when their
arrangement is disordered, it is in consequence of some confusion
among the people. When the male principle of nature is prostrate,
and cannot come forth, being oppressed by the female principle, and
unable to rise, then earthquakes occur. Now the three streams being
disturbed by an earthquake, it is because the male principle has lost its
position, and is kept down by the female. When the superior princi-
ple is out of place, and is subjected to the inferior, the heads of the ri-
vers will be stopped up and when the heads of the rivers are stopped
;

up, the dynasty must fall. Water and land being duly proportioned,
the people have enough to eat ; when land is not in due proportion, the
people experience a deficiency of the necessaries of life, and then

what else have they to expect but ruin, Formerly when the ff E
and /^ Lo rivers were exhausted, the ^^ Hea dynasty fell ; when
the Yellow river failed the |p| Shang dynasty came to an end ; and
now the state of the Chow dynasty is simillar to that of those two
dynasties towards their close : moreover the heads of the rivers are
stopped, if stopped, they will soon be exhausted. Furthermore a
country depends on its hills and rivers, so that the exhaustion of rivers
and the disruption of mountains is a sign of ruin. When rivers
are exhausted, mountains must fall and the fall of the dynasty will
;

not exceed 10 years such is the number of its seasons.

; He
whom Heaven has rejected, will not exceed the term allotted him."
Thus it appeared that the three rivers being a!l exhausted, and
the v^ K'he hill having fallen in that year, eleven years afterwards
p|£| ^u Yew-wang was overthrown, and the Chow dynasty was re-
moved eastward.
Outline, §^ '^ Cycle XXXI. An. 60. Yew-wang
4. Tpll Ho, the marquis of Wei, composed an ode ^
on repentance, in which he satyrized the kin^.
Outline. AH the ministers composed odes against
calumny, in which they rediculed the king.
Outline. The poets, grieved at the confusions of the
times, and at the unceasing expeditions which were
undertaken, composed some poetical effusions animad-
verting on the government.
Zl i[ Cycle XXXH. An. 2. Yew-wang
Outline.
6. In the 10th month of winter at the new moon, there
was an eclipse of the sun.
 THE CHOW DYNASTY. 395

^ 1^ xXxlI.'An.
Outline.
The king employed ^ ^
Cyc. 3. Yew-wang
7.
•i^ Kea-foomade an ode reflecting
on
Yin-she
him.
; when ^
X
Outline. #Cyc. XXXlI.
The king employed ^ Yew,
An.
the earl of
4. Yew-wang 8.

^P Ching, as
minister of instructon.
Outline )j$g Cyc. XXXll. An. 5. Yew-w^ng
9. In the 6th month of summer, there fell a shower of
sleet.

Outline. The king set aside the empress ^ Shin,

an^d the heir-apparent g^ E-kew ; whilst he made
^ Paou-sze empress, and constituted her son
j(l'X
fQ
^
kew
Pih fuh heir to the throne ; whereupon
fled to the Shin country.
E- ^Q
Detail. When the King deposed the empress and heir apparent,

and E-kew had fled to the 1^ Shin country, the great historian,
Pih-ydug, exclaimed, " The calamity is now complete, and there
^
(>!§f
is no help for it." It appears that Paou-sze would never laugh,
and notwithstandiug the king employed all kinds of means, she stea-
dily refused to smile. Previous to this, the king had agreed with the
princes of the empire, that if robbers made an incursion on his ter-
ritory he would I'ght the fire -beacons as a signal, on seeing which
they were to raise troops and come to his assistance. The king,
wishing to make Paou^sz^ laugh, without any cause ii red the bea-
cons. The princes came and found no robbers, when Paou-sze
burst out into a loud laugh. Paou-sze was found of hearing the
ripping of silk, wherefore the king issued great quantities of silk

to be torn, in order to please her. ^j^ ^5 3C

Kheth-shth-foo
was a sycophant, fond of flattery and gain ; and tlie king made him
a nobleman, at which his subjects were universally displayed.

Outline ^^ Cyc. XXXll. An. 7. Yew-wang 11.

The king attacked the ^
Shin country, when the
marquis of Shin joined the Tartars and made an incur-
sion on the royal domain after which the Tartars blew
;

the king at the foot of E^ iXl L6-san, while ^ Yew

ihe earl of ^p ^hing, died in his defence. The ^ Tsi'n,

^ Wei, and ^
Tsin people hrought troops to the aid
of the sovereign, and quelled the Tartars. 'Ihen, iu
the eld(»st sou of
conjunction with ^^ |^ Keuh-t'huh,
396 THE CHOW DYNASTY.

the king of ^ Ching, they combined to set up th(

former heir-apparent
Detail. The king wishing
^^ E-kew.
to kill the former heir-apparent E-kew,
sought for him in the Shin country ; the marquis of Shin would not
give him up, when the king attacked his dominions ; the marquis of

Shin, with the men of I'] J Tsang incited the western Tartars to attack
the king ; upon this the king fired the beacons in order to summon
troops to his defence, but no troops came, whereupon the Tartars
slew the king at the foot of the Le hill ; they also took prisoner Paou-
8ze, and killed
away
^ Hwan, the duke of ^jl Ching, while they
carried all the valuables of the Chow capital. ^C Wan, the

marquis of ^q* Tsfn, Jj^ Woo, the duke of ^ Wei, and ^g

Sean?, the duke of ^5
Tsin, assembled their troops and rescued
the Chow country, while they subdued the Tartars , after which they
united with K'heuh-t'huh, the heir-apparent of the Ching country,
and went together to the Shin country, to set up E-kew, the former
heir-apparent, wnder the title of Ping-wang. Upon this the western
Chow dynasty fell.
^ 3E PING-WANG.
The
Outline. ^^
Cycle XXX 11.^ An. 8. B. C. 769.
year of Fing, the king of
first Chow, when the ca-
pital was removed to the eastward, and fixed at the ci-
ty of 5^ L6.
Detail. As soon as Ping-wang succeeded he removed the capital
eastward, to the city of L6, in order to avoid the western Tartars. At
this time the house of Chow had dwindled into decay, while among

the princes of the empire the strong swallowed up the weak. The ^^
Tse, ^g Tsob, ^^ Tsin, and ^
Tsin countries became great,
and the government fell into the hands of the lords of the various re-
gions.
Outline. The king appointed ^
Seang, of the
Tsin country, to be a prince of the empire, and gave
^
him the territory about 1^ Ke and
DtUr.ll.
Fung. ^
When the king removed eastward to Lo city, Seang, the
duke oi Tsin, escorted the king with his troops, whereupon the king
elevated duke Seang to the rank of a prince of the empire, and gave
him the territory of Ke and Fung. Thus the duke Seang laid the
foundation of his state, at:d was classed among the eastern princes,
Bending to court the accustomed presents.
Outline. The king also elevated ^^ Ho, the mar-
quis of ^ Wei, to the dignity of duke; and issued a
decree to f^ Kew, the marquis of ^ Tsin.
 THE CHOW DYNASTY. 397
Outline. The ^
Tsln state sacrificed to
the Supreme Ruler at the western altar.*
Jk ^
Outline. 5? pCycle XXXII. An. 10. Ping-wAng
3. 1 he king appointed || ^ Keuh-t'huh, the duke
of gp ( hiug, to be minister of instruction.
Outline. Q xj]} Cycle XXXll.
An. 16. Ping-wang
9. I'he ruler of tlie ^ Tsin removed his capital
state
to the junction of the K'heen and ^^ Wei rivers.+
-jjf
Outline. ^ ^^ C>c. XXXIT. An. 20. Ping-wang
LS. ^ Woo, the duke of f$j Wei, died, when his sou
^ Yang succeeded.
Detail. When the duke Woo was 95 years of age, he still ad-
dressed exhortations to his country, saying, '* From the nobles and
downwards, even to the officers and scholars, whosoever of you are
in my court, do not ye reject me as old and superannuated, but ra-
ther administer to me advice and instruction." Thus when riding in
the carriage, there were the directions of the martial escort when ;

standing to give audience, there were the maxims of the. inferior offi-
cers ; when leaning on the table, there were the reproofs of his in-
structor ; when at home or at rest, there were the suggestions of his
near attendants ; when entering on business, there were the inculca-
tions of the chief musician ; when dwelling at ease, there were the
recitals of the musical performers the historians did not fail to r8-
;

cord, nor the blind bards to chant, in order to ixistruct and direct him.

Farther he composed the gJJ Jj\ Yih-keae ode, to admonish himself,

and when he died, people called him, the sage and philosophic duke
Woo,
Outline. 2j M TsinXXXII.
Cyc. An. 22. Ping-wang
15. The
Detaile.
ruler of
Wan,
^ erected an altar at
duke of Tsin having dreamed, that a yellow
the
%^ Foo.

snake descended from heaven, and came in contact with the earth,
while its mouth pointed to the hills of Foo, J made enquiries of the
historian ^jj^ Tun, who said, " This is a proof of the presence of the
Supreme Ruler; your Highness should sacrifice to him." On this
account he constructed an altar at Foo, and using the three kinds of sa-
animals, he oflEered the great sacrifice to the white emperor.
crificial

19.
Outline.
The king
^ StheCycle
sent
XXXll. An.
people belonging
26. Pin--wang
to the royal

* This was considered an act of usurpation, as the sacrificing to

the Supreme, was solely the royal prerogative.
t Situated in Lat. 34. 16. N, Long. 9. W.
Lat. 36. 5. N. TiOng. 7.
X The modern Foo district, in Shen-se,
10. W.
398 THK CHOW DYNASTY.

domain to guard the frontier of the Shin conntry/

Outline.
21. The
^^ ^Ip cycle. XXX
Isin gained a great victory over
earl of
1 L An. 28. Ping-wansT

the Tartar hordes, and took possession of the territory

westward of the lll^ Ke mountain, while all east of
the Ke reverted to the king.-)*

Outline. ^
]g Cycle. XXXI I. An. 29. Ping-wang
22. The royal house becdme feeble, and the princes
of the en.pire rebelled.

24.
Outline,
The
^^ Cycle. XXXll. An. 31. Ping-wang
palaces in the western capital of Chow fell to
ruin, when the bards composed the ^ j|j| Shoo-le ode.
At this time the
Tsin country
punishment of exterminating the
^ first
three
instituted
grades
the
of
relationship. "

Outline. I^ tp Cyc. XXXll. An. 33. Ping-wang

26. The marquis of ^
Tsin appointed his uncle )^ ^]|5
Ching-sze to the government of ^ '^ Keuh-yuh.J
Outline. )^^
Cyc. XXXll. An. 55. Ping-wang
48. The -J^
Loo country first requested leave to use the
ceremonies employed in the temple for sacrificing to
heaven and earth.
Detail. ^
Hwiiy,the duke of
jang to request leave of the emperor
^ Loo, sent
to use tht
^^ Tsae-
ceremonies employed
in sacrificing to heaven and earth, when the king despatched 3si
J^
Sze-keo to the Loo country : the duke detained him there, and his
posterity resided in that state, from whence sprang the heresy cf

T3^ ^a Mih-teih. From thenceforth the Loo country began to of-

fer the sacrfice to heaven and earth.

* This act is found great fault with by the historians, because the
marquis of Shin had killed Ping-wang's father, and in their opinion,
instead of protecting the king, ought to have exterminated him.
t The Ke mountain is situated in Lat. 34. 20. fN. Long. 8. 52.

Long.
t The modern tf^
4. 47. W.
^ Keub-yuh, in Shen-se, Lat. 35. 42. N.
 APPENDIX A. 399
LIST OF THE 28 CO.YSTELLATIONS,
ACCORDING TO THE CHINESE.

fepica, Zeta, iheta, and Iota, about the skirts cf Virgo.

^^
XL KangS the neck, consists of four stars, in
the shape of a bent bow *
VIZ. Iota, Kappa, Lamba, and Rho,
in the feet of Virgo.

SI Te, the bottom, consists of four stars, in the shape of a measure.

VIZ. Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Iota,
in the bottom of Libra.
^ Fang, the room,
VIZ.
consists of four stars, nearly in a
Beta, Delta, Pi, and
straic^ht line
Nun, in the head of Scorpio. ° '

/L> ^i», the heart, consists of three stars, the middle one of which is
the brightest, viz. Antares, Sigma, and Tau, in the
heart of
Saorpio.
S Wei, the tail, consists of nine stars, in the shape of a hook, viz.
Epsilon, Mim, Zeta, Eta, Theta, Iota, Kappa, Lamba, and
Nun, in the tail of Scorpio.

E Ke, the sieve, consists of four stars, in the form of a sieve, viz.
Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, and Beta, in the fiand of Sagittarius.

^4^ Tow, the measure, consists of six stars, in the shape of a ladle,
like Ursa Major, viz. Mim, Lamba, Rho, Sigma, Tau, and Zeta,
in the shoulder and bow of Sagittarius.

T^ New, the ox, consists of six stars, viz. Alpha, Beta, and Pi, in
the head of Aries, and Omega, with A
and B, in the hinder part
of Sagittarius.

'Ji\ Neu, the girl, consists of four stars, in the shape of a sieve, viz.
Epsilon, Mim, Nun^ and 9, in the left hand of Aquarius.

Heu, emptiness, consists of two stars, in a straight line, viz.

J^
Beta in the left shoulder of Aquarius, and Alpha in the forehead
of Equuleus.

j§ Wei, danger, consists of three stars, in the shape of an obtuse-

angled triangle, viz. Alpha in the right shouldor of Aquariup,
and Epsilon or Enif, and Theta in the head of Pegasus.

^ Shih, the house, consists of two stars, in a right line, viz. Alpha'
or Markab, in the head of the wing, and Beta, or Scheat, in the
leg of Pegasus.

^ Peih, the wall, consists of two stars, in a right line, viz.

or Algenib, in the tip of the wing of Pegasus, and
Gamma,
Alpha in the
head of Andromeda.

^ Kwei, astride, consists of sixteen stars, said to

striding, viz. Beta, or Mirac, Delta, Epsilon.
be like a person
/eta. Eta, Nlim.
Nun, 1 In, Uii,
Nun, Pi, in Andromeda, wijh two Sigmas, lau,
and Psi, in l^iecus.
 400 LIST OF THE CONSTELLATIONS.

^5 I^ow, a mound, consists of three stars, in the shape of an isosceles

triangle, viz. Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, in the head of Aries.

J^ Wei, the stomach, consists of three principal stars, in Musca

Borealis.

^P Maou, consists of the seven stars in Pleiades.

^^ Peih, the end, consists of six stars in Hyades, with Mim and
Nun, of Taurus.
^^ Tsan, to mix, consists of seven stars, viz. Alpha, or Betelgeux,
Beta or Rigel, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, ^eta. Eta, and Kappa,
in the shoulders, belt, and legs of Orion.

]f±j
Tsze, to bristle up, consists of three stars, viz. Lamba, and 2
Phi, in the head of Orion.

jy Tsing, the well, consist? of eight stars, viz. four in the feet and
four in the knees of Gemini.

y^ Kwei, the imp, consists of four stars, viz. Gamma, D-jlta, Eta,
and Theta, of Cancer.

^P Lew, the willow, cowsists of eight stars, viz Delta, Epsilon,

^eta. Eta, Theta, Rho, Sigma, and Omega, in Hydra.

Sn Sing, the star, consists of seven stars, viz. Alpha, Iota, two
Taus, Kappa, and two Nuns, in the heart of Hydra.

2^ Chang,to draw a bow, consists of five stars, in the form of a

drawn bow, viz. Kappa, Lamba, Mim, Nun, and Phi, in the
second coil of Hydra.

g^ Yih, a wing, consists of 22 stars, in the shape of a wing, all in

Crater, and the third coil of Hydra.

^ Chin, the cross bar of a carriage, consists of four stars,

ta, Gamma, Delta, and Epsilon, in Corvus.
viz. Be-

It will appear from the above that the Chinese constellations do not
at all correspond with our signs of the Zodiac, nor indeed are they all
included within 23 degrees north or south of the ecliptic. As for the
grouping of their tstars, and the names assigned to each group, though
arbitrary, they cannot be deemed more arbitrary than the system
which has obtained in western nations, which has as little foundation
either in reason or nature as the Chinese arrangement.
 EXHIBITION OF THE CONS ELLA flONS. I 401

The following is an exhibition of the constellations, as they appear in

the various mouths of the year, which may serve to explain some ex-
pressions in the text and commentary of the Historical Classic.

•uj -B 01 uooj^ -ui d J

"MO ^l^ ^"'^^lo ^'^'!S -^^^'i i^A^^j Su^sx

?^?>^

'^^Capricornus, Aanarius, Pisce*, ^ «>

Tow New Nyu Hea Wei !^hlh Peih *

2
am ^ ^
a. Midnight. 10. p. m.

Hrf Ift ^ suu©HiS«S *oidjoD« 'wajn

^Mltl -^^"*' M^¥^

^i i#¥ft„...l!
?.^»^im!lpn'"'ii!2"«t-^|firl
.

<o

3^Str;» i^:icf =3jl^-

§ Aries, Taurus, G.'»V|^' _
^ fe"^
ff^ ,

nze, Isan-^
Kwei, Low, Wei,Maou, Peih,l

2. a.
m.
m.
^
Midnight.
^
10 p. m.
402 EXHIBITION OP THE CONSTKLLATIONS.
•in MS 01 'uooM ™ *^
Z

Wupj *uiq<
H 'ta \\
J/
*n3H
,^
'^A>j 'MaNJ *a\ox

2i»mSi Autumn ||»2ffl|li'.S

'^

KwKs L§w ^^^^ Chin

TsLig,

a
2. a. m.
^
.Siiiyr, Ctia»»g.

Mduig-t. 10 p.m.
^

•3 J? ¥

S^ljo 1^1 ^rf*"

—
_
1-iil
w
ra,
^
Scotpio
- - I -
SaK'.tta' us
. •
I'l
oo

nju^m
f F
Keo, K'aiig,
6m ^ Ke ^, ui r, Sin. We?,

2. a. to. Midnight. 10. p, m.

 APPENDIX B. 403
ASTRONOMY OP THE SHOO-KING.
[Tlie foUoninsr remarks are from the pen of a Correspondent,
sign,
intr himself 5C
Wiiii, in the Chinese Repository.]
We shall pertiapsmore easily understand what the commentator
means hy the phrase " the s.in comini? into conjunction with the
heavens," if we snhstitute a star for the heavens ; which is the same
thitjir, a-s all t!ie fixed stars perform thciir diurnal revolution in the
sauie tuie, and arii inimoveahle inter se. The earth's motion in its
orbit does not affect the apparent diurnal revolution of the star.-?, which
is ciii>ed hy its in'dtiou on itsaxis. Thi>^ lauf.on of the earth in its
orbit, howevnr, bciti!^ in an ellipse rouiui the sun. nft<-cts ita apparent
diurnal revolution, and irives to the sun an apparent eastxvard motif n
amouijr the fix<d stars, so that as couipared with any star with whicii it
is on the meridian at noon to-day, it \v>Ilti?ive I'u/yed behind, hy their
passing the meri<lian to-morrow, Zm. oo.OODov. mean solar time.
This is what gives rise to the difference bet,veen solar and sidereal
time.
N')W this daily accelora'.ioa of the star will give it pi'^t one revolu-
tion more in tiie year than the sun has made. So that the revolutions
of the star, expressed n sidf^real time (i. e. one revolution of a star for
one diy.) is 366./. Q'l. 9/n. .9.6h'. whereas the true solar year (distin-
irnished from the tropical) is 365/ 6k. 9/1 9.6v. in mean solar time.
Tiiese fractions bein^ exactly equal, it is evident the star and sun
will be on the m3ri lian at the same moment again, or be in coujunc-/
tion, as the commentator calls it ; the star having performed 366 Sic.
revolutions, and the sun 365 &o. revolutions.
With regard to the moon's rate, as compared with the sun, the
following- a calculation of a lunation, or synodioal period of the
is

moon, upon the data iiivea us by the commentator. According

to the commentator, the sun is slower than the stars, but the
moon is thirteen times slower than even the sun it must, there- ;

fore, from the time of otje conjunction lose an entire circumfere;-ce,

plus the space lost by the sun before they can be in conjunction ai^ain.
Th^ space traversed by the sun during this time is, however, un-
known, and must be souirht from the quantities whicli are known,
viz. the lime from one conjunction to anotiier, which is the same in
both ; the rate of the moon's retrocession per diem given by the com-
mentator at 13^7-I9ths, equal to 13^ 368121 ; and the rate of the

sun's, 1 a d-^y. The unknown quantity to be sought for is the

space the sun will retrograde, before the moon, with its irrr3ater velo-
city of retrocession will fall back upon it, which we will suppose to
be represented by .r. We
have then, a: apace traversed hy —
the sur. ; 13'^'36812l = moon's daily retrocession ;
and I. = sun'a
retrocession. as the time is equal ir. the case of both the sun
Now
and moon (viz from one conjuJiction to another, tlie same for both.)
retroces-
the spaces traversed by them resptrctivcly will Iv as their
sions, or velocities. From this we have the folii>vvin^ equntiomi.

A Chinese degree ii expressed by

'^
^ to d!Ht;ngui^h it from «u
English degree.
 . .

^i ASTRONOMY OF THE SHOO-KING.

Mo9ni velocity. Sun's. Circumference. Space trar^rsed hy sun.
13^-368421 ^ : l^ : :
365^-25--a? : X And,
31^-368421—1 • 1
"^
: : 365^25 : ar, from which we have
jf ^ i^^ 365^-25 ^ 365^ 25 = 29 53085, space traversed by sun.
13^-368421— 1^12 •36«42l
'

But the moon, to come into conjunction with the sun, must retro-
grade an entire circumference, plus the space traversed by the sun,
which it does with a velocity of 13 368421 per diem.
A lunation is therefore= 365^-25-h29^-530 85 = 2^.53085 days.

13 368421
29-53085 days
'
=4QQ
29^. 12^. 44 w. 25s\ 26/. >
S differcnceo/
Commentator 29 ^ days=29i. 12A. 44a/i. 25s. 3U
29i. 12^. 44w,. 2*. 52^
S

According to Herschel, a lunation is

49/.
Difference between Herschel and the Commentator is 225.
from the commentator's giving a slight
This discrepancy arises
in our ta-
difference in the rate of motion of the moon from that given
bles. I will h re contrast these rates,
as it may at least serve to give

us some respect for Chinese obtervations, (though we may have but

science,) to note their accuracy in this case ; and
be it
little for their
remembered, that the commentator flourished a. d. 1210,
more
than 600 years ago. / v u
The moon's slowness from its adherence to the heavens, (which

our astronomers call its velocity) is 13 -^ per diem, which expres-

sed in decimals is 13'^-36842l. But the Chinese desrree, (marked

thus our degree as 1 to 1.0145833.

"^(is to And 13-368421 re-

duced to our degrees by this standard gives us for the moon's slow-
13 ''•17626? difference
ness ...
By Herschel, the moon's velocity ^3^ 7640
is 1
S O"* 00014
0""
Chinese sun's slowness 98562
By Herschel, the sun's velocity O"* 98562
where we see the fraction carried out to five figures gives no difference.
With regard to the computation of the number of days in a month,
it seems to have been a prevailing opinion among the ancients that
a lunation or svnodical month lasted 30 days. Noah during the de-
luge, counted 5 months as equivalent to 150 days, at 30 days to one
month. This was its fixed lentirth among the Bibylonians, E'^yptians,
Persians, and Grecians. Hence Hesiod called the last day of the
month " the thirtieth," and so did the astronomer Thales ; and
his cotemporary Cleobulus, another of the seven sages, put forth
riddle, representing the year as divided into 12 months of 30 days
and nights.
The father is one, the sons twelve ; to each belong
**

Thirty daughters, half of them white, the others black ;

And though immortal, yet they perish all."
" Tlj#prifljilive sacred year," says Dr. Hales, "consisted of 12
 AfTRONOMY OF THE SIIOO-KING. 405
months of 30 days each, or 360 (lays. This was in use hefore
the
deluge, as appears from Noah's reckoninj< 5 months, or 150
dayji
from the 17th day of the 2nd month to 17th day of the 7th month/as
expressing the time of the rising of the waters, and 7 months and
10
days more, till they were dried up, and Noah and his family left the
ark, after a residence therein of 370 days till the 27th day of the
2nd
ensuing year.
w» .*nth of the Genesis, chaps. 7 and 8. This was
the original Chalde:an year ; for Berosus, in his histarv of the antedi-
luvian kincTs of Bibylonia, counted their reigns by sari^ or decades of
years ; a sanis, Alexander Polyhister relates, (apud Sycell. p. 32)
was 3600 days or ten years, each consisting of 360 days. After the
deluge form was handed down by Njah and his descen-
this primitive
dants, to t le Chaldems. Egyptians, Phoenicians, Persians, Greeks,
Romans, Indians, and Chinese, as is evident from the testimonies of
the best and m
jst ancient writers, and historians." Hales' Analysis
of (Chronology, vol. 1. p 31.
**
The Chinese year originally consisted of 360 days, as did also the
Mexican, which they divided into 18 months of 20 days each." Sca-
liger, de Emend, Temp, page 225.
*'
The sun and heavens in conjunction," I have translated a solar
year, the explanation of which has appeared in a preceding note, see
page 403. In attempting to adjust the excess of the solar, with the
defect of the lunar year spoken of in p. 8. it is difficult to determine
whether the commentator wished to adjust his intercalations to the
solar or tropical year ; as he makes the year 2Qbd. 6k. ^ which is
neither the one nor the other, hut an assumed period like our Julian
year. It seems a little remarkable that the Chinese should have
made Shall we regard this
their year identical with the Julian year.
as a coincidence ; being natural for each party to throw away eo
it

small a fraction, or conceive rrtther that the Julian year had been
heard of in China, a. d. 1200?
The Commentator makes out 19 years to be a lunar cycle;
thus the ancient year is 360 diys, which substracted from

g»v^8 5^J^ days, the ^^Kh^-ying.orsur.

365|~o^^y^'
plusatre of 24 terms. Ancient year of 360 days, minus lunar year of
354^-l| days, equals ^—^ days, which is the M^ So-heu, or

deficiency made by the new moons and quarters. One year's inlerca-

lation is the sunj of the surplusage and deficiency, viz.

^g^O
The intercalations for 3 and 5
aays4-5m equal 10|1? days.
years are of course obtained by multiplying this sum by the figures 3
and 5 respectively.
The cycle mentioned above is the Metonic cycle, called in tht Com-
mon Prayer Book, the cycle of the Golden number. The calculation
of this cycle, which shows that the ^
M. K'he-ying surplusage and
in 19 ytar., bf.-
tbe ^jjj^ SS-heu deficiency, by 7 intercalations
corae even with the lunar months, may be performed m tw« ways, m
follows.
406 ASTRONOMY OF THE SHOO-KING.
We hive for tlip moon, 19 lunar years plus 7 lunations ; and for
d
the sun 19 vears of 365 clays arwl 6 hours.
Then (19>< 12)-f-7 == lunatio.i'^ 235 X29 53085 6939 7497') days. =
19 Julian years =
365 25 X19 6939 75 days. =
So that the lu i:ir anl solar yenrs will com neuoe ac^:\i as they did i

before, accorlin r to the Cinncise calculatiois with only the sliijht dif-
ference of 2lAf. 36^.
By M .yer's Ta»)les 235 lunation** = 6939/. 16V 32tn 28.-. which
is less ttiin 19 Juha^^. ye-.trs, l^. 27 'i. 32.-. Tne C linese diifereiice
being" so m ich less arises fro n th ir inikin^r a sinirle lunation too
great. I formv'rly calculate I this cycle as ahov% imitation of the
in
western ra»ds of calculating it ; but it has or^corred to me whilst
writing", tliat the commentator m^nt have c-alotdat^d it from his int^r-

cal^tions derived from the ^^ j2. ^^'^^^ yi-»i< surplusage, and Jyi

/hTT S6-heu deficiency, which may be done as fol.ows I vear's inter- ;

8 9 7 8 '^ 7
calation is ^^q~4"q ^^JS for 19 years we have ^^==
;
^^94~J}^
fi <j o
20bQ—^ days. To eqnallize which we have 7 intercalary lunar

months = ^ rrr.i >*^ ' = -^^'^^

rr—f^ ^^ays. These sums arc ex-

actly equal, and this is no doubt the way in which the commentator
calculated the cycle.
" The unsettling of the seasons" results from what we have already
8 2 7 ^
seen. The intercalation for one y^ar is l^^^To ^^^'^» which multii

plied by 3 ijives 3*J^^- — - days ; and this being lost would derange the

correspondence of the seasons with the calendar year more than a lu-
nar month.
"The incompleteness of the year" refers to the loss of the same
motith as the one abovi; mentioned, i)ut in this sentence it is applied
to the year, as in the pri'cedinir. it vvas used to show that its loss
would Uiisfetlle the seasons. Tlie Ciiin se regiilate their year from
th^. winter solstice, which always falls in the 11th month, and this is
the reason why th<* eo ninentator ineutionH the entering of the llth
month into the I2th, to sliow tl»e derangement of the ye*r ; and in a
sentence or two below mentiors its entering a second tima into the
12t'i month to sljo^v the loss of an eirir-i year.
We are inf irmed by Jackson, (vol. U. p. 6^,) that " the mast an-
cient and authentic of the Ciilne^e annals, the ikin (Shoo king^) re- X
lates thit the emperor Yao or Y-vju, in the 70th year of hi?? reiirn,
B. c. 2269, by the assistance of t -'o skilful astronomi^rs Hi and ll),.
reformed the Chinese calendar, and adjusted the lunar to the solar
year of 365 d-ays by the intercalation of seven months in the coarse of
19 years." * „ ^ -i'^
*'
The Egyptian and Chinese accounts," s-\y3 Dr. Hales, " tend
strongly to corroborate^ the Bihylonan or Chaldean astronomical ob-
s 'Tvations of the risings an I settings of the stars, reaching back from
Alexaulr-r's capture of Bibylon, b. c. 333, for 1933 years, which
 ASTR0^OMY OF THE SHOCKING. 407
were sent to Aristotle by his relation Calisthenes, who attended
Alexander on that expedition, accordinu; to Porphyry. This series of
observations, therefore began B. c. 2233, about the accession of Belu8
2nd, who repaired the primitive toxver of Babel, and built an observa-
tory thereon. more probable that the leni,'th of the
It tlierefore is
solar vear, 365 entire days, was ktiowu so early, at least to the Chal-
deans, if it did not originate from them to ti»e neighbouring nations.
And this is confirmed by two remark ible circura.-^tances. The Ist,
that the five supernumerary days were interculated ahke by he Chalde-
ans, Medes, Persians, Egyptians, Grecians. Romans, and evn Mexi-
cans, at the end of their civil year and 2nd, that they were celebra-
:

ted among all these nations with great mirth and feasting. Such
were Sakfu or Suke<i honerai among the B.ibylanians,ordays of ebrie-
ty,' (from the Persic Sakia, "compotdtw," or the Hebrew sakah 'bibit^')
during which, nccordnig to sacred and profane history, Bibylon, was
surprised and taken by Cyrus, as foretold by Jrretniah, ciiaps. xxv.
26, and li. 39 57, and recorded by Herodotus book 1, aiid Xeno-
phon Cyropsedia, book 7. These circumstances evidently indicate a
common origin."
" I append
to this article the following tables, which I believe will
prove useful to students of the laniiuage who may engage in enqu -
ries or calculations relating to Chinese astronomy. Tiiey are ex-

tracted from a Chinese astronomical work called

rhe num'>er of degrees in each of the 28 constellations, where the

sphere is couated 365 degrees.
'
\L^ 2d % 11^ 3dli^ 18^ 4th ^ 5 5th ^iS% 7^^

le^l' 7th^ io!^ 8th^ 24. 9th^ 8.^1()tl.:^12;^^

'O-^mi.m 2o.^i3ti.^ 16."^ 14th ^13!^ 1511^12/'

13:^ 17th^ 13''l8th^J 9.^19thf^l4.^20th^ 2^

g 12'' 22d# 3L 23tl.^ 5:'^24ih^P I7.''25th^ 8.

13-^
18:" 27thft 17!'28th^
when
TheTumber of the degrees in each of the 28 constellations,
which is the diubioii that
the sphere is divided into odQ degrees,
pn A ails at present.
»^ -^
Utg 13.^ 2d % 9.- 3d ^ 16> -Itl,:^ 6.' 5th
%V
<U6..

^
6tl. 18. 7th p 10> 8th 4 2-1-- 9th T 7" 10"'^"-

lO.MSth ®10.^ 13th SIS' 14th PlO.

15il>'^18.-
llihgg
•

16th «: 12. 17th l&-lSth^ll.-19th#16.^20tl'-|;l

^
2l6t -^ lO.c 22d #
31.' 23d ii 2. 24th ^P la-
25il'§f..-

26th 51 18. 27ih II 20. 2Sth ^ la-

408 ARTRONOMY OF THE SHOO-K!^a,
The location and value of the 12 signs of the zodiac.
1 -^ from 2^ 2d.^ to f^ 12th. ^inclusive equals 33^^

2 S from ^ 4th. to
]^ 1st. inclusive equals 30,

3 ^ from ^ 3d. to
^ 13th.*^ inclusive equals 27.

4 f |1 frum J@^ 2d. to M 2d.^ inclusive equals 30."

5 j^ from ^ 10th. to ^ 1st. inclusive equals 28^

6 H. fr(^ra ^ 1^^^- ^°
^ ^^- inclusive equals 30.

7 -^ from ^p 4th. to !;j§ 14th. inclusive equals 36.

8 ;^ from ^i^ 9th. to '^^ 3d. inclusive equals 31.

9 1^ from ^ 7th. to ^ 8th. inclusive equals 30.

10 j^i from ^ 4th. to @ 6th. inclusive equals 30.

l"l ^ from ^ 2d. to '^ 3d. inclusive equals 27.

21 ^ from J^ 12th to ^ 1st. inclusive equals 38.

 403
THE CHINESE ZODIAC.

^^' accompanying
rSlZll'''^'^^^^^^
Chinese Zodiac fell into the hands of
the author and
before issuing the work to the public,
he avails himself
of the opportunity of giving the
benefit of it to his
readers. It will be found to differ
in some degree
from the arrangement quoted from the
Seang-keih-t'hung-shoo, in the preceding pvge^
^ * J§ |g
f^
have not the means at present of deciding
which is
right, but we feel inclined to give
the preference in
point of accuracy to the Zodiac here appended.
llie author of the Zodiac now given has disposed
the
28 Chinese constellations into a circle, the centre of
which is^ccupied by a rough sketch of the stars in the
^ M ia polar regions some of those which are nam-
;

^^
ed are Kochab, in Ursa minor, and ij \^ Zn-
same
ta, in the
pole star.
constellation ; with the i(j
;(jl
Surrounding this rough delineation are
@^
the twenty-four terms, into which the year is divided
arranged in a circle ; these are the >Jn ^ Seaou-han,
little cold, Jan. 8th ; "j^'-^ Ta han, great cold, Jan.
2Ist; 'fE^Le'h ch'hun, the commencement of spring,
Feb. 5th; p^;;^J^ Yu shwuy, copious showers, Feb. 2 1st;
f^^ King chih, the stirring of insects, Marcn 5th;
^^ Ch'hun fun, the vernal equinox, March 22nd;
Ts'hing ming, the fine clear season, April Gth;
J^ j^
^ ^ Kuh yti, the corn-refreshing showers,
commencement of summer,
April

22nd !&§ ;
Leih hea, the
May 7th <j> ; ^
Seaou mwan, the minor completion,
Mang churg, the
or wheat harvest. May 22nd ^flg ;

rice-planting season, June 7th 5i i^^a cho, the

; ^
summer solstice, June 22nd /J> ^^eaou shoo, the
; #
little heat, July 8th § Ta
; :^:
shoo, the groat heat
the commencement of
July 21st- Jit ^Leihtsew,
autumn, Aug. 9th ^^
;
Ch'hou .boo, the relaxation
 4 Id

of heat, Aug. 24th ; ^^ Pi'h loo, the \vhite dews,

Sept. 8th ;
:fj|( ^ Ts'hevv fun, the autumnal equinox,
Sept 24th ; Ig H Han loo, the cold dews, Oct. 9th ;

^ P^ Shwang keang, the hoar-frost appearing, Oct.

21st ; j51 ^ Leih tung, the coramencemeut of winter,
Nov. &th ; §dl> Seaou seue, the little snow, Nov.
23rd jfij; S
^ ^^^^' ^^^ S^^^^ snows, Dec. 8th
^ :^ ;

^ Tung the winter solstice, Dec. 22nd.

che,
circle outside of the one containing the terms, and simi-
In a

larly divided, is a list of the flowers that bloom or droop

at each given season, which is only of importance to
the florist, and of little consequence to the astronomer.
Outside of this ivS a delineation of the nine-fold path of
the moon, described on the 207th page. The middle
(circle, which is thicker than the others, and has various

dark spots described on it, is intended for the ecliptic, or

sun's path, and the other circles intersecting it and
each other in various places are designed to shew the
course of the moon at the points of intersection there
:

are various characters indicative of the possibility, or

otherwise, of an "eclipse occurring at the period of such
intersections ; thus at the time of the ^ ^ Ta han, or
Jan. the 2ist, v^here such an intersection occurs, ^
^
same
the sun may be eclipsed and near about the
place two of the moon's circles intersect each
;

other, where f] ^^^ ttie moon may be eclipsed ;

about the time of ^^

Leth ch'hun, commencement
of spring, Feb. 5th, another bisection of the lunar cir-
cles occurs, where a lunar eclipse m:iy also take place;
passing the eye along the thick line, intended to repre-
sent the ecliptic, the reader will find a place marked by
a black spot, and intersected by two lunar circles, be-
tween the 1^ i]^ Yu shwuy, Feb. 21st, and the || ^
King March 5th, where
chih,
^ H H ^^ ^^^^
sun and moon may be ecHpsed at the vernal
equinox, the lunar paths again cross ieach other, and
;
^^
the moon may be eclipsed ; between the ^^ Ts'hing
 411

ming, April 6tb, and the

^^
Yu kuh, April 22nd
another black spot is found on the ecliptic,
indicating
that the sun may be eclipsed about that period
while ;

over it may be seen an intersection of the lunar

paths,
where the moon may be eclipsed near the -^
Mang chung period, June 7th, another black spot
; M
is
placed on the ecliptic, where it is intersected by
two
lunar paths, and where |^ j^ Mtkl^ the sun and
moon might be expected to undergo an eclipse, but do
M
not about the position of the i^^- 'la shoo, July 2lst,
;

a black spot is found on the ecliptic, where the sun

may be eclipsed, and a little above the lunar paths
cross each other, where the moon may be eclipsed
^
;

at the ^jl^ commencement of autumn, the moon's

paths cross each other, where the moon may undergo
an eclipse ; between the ^^
Ch'hoo shoo, Aug. 24,
.and the g^ Pih loo, Sept. 8th, |3 ^
^'both J^ M
the sun and moon may be eclipsed
|^
tumnal equinox, the moon's paths cross each other,
Au-
; at the ^
near the outside of the circles, where a lunar eclipse
may occur between the
;
^^
Hc\n loo, Oct. 9th,
and the Q p^ Shwdng keang, Oct. 21st, there is a
black mark on the ecliptic, indicative of the possibility
of an eclipse of the sun at that period, while a little
below is a bisection of two lunar paths, where a lunar
eclipse may take place between the /)> §? Seaou
;

seue, Nov. 23rd, and the -j^ Ig Ta seu^, Dec. 8th,

a black mark occurs on the ecliptic, intersected by two
lunar paths, where J^ MfA'^t^k ^.^^^
^^" ^"^
moon might be expected to undergo an eclipse, but are
not eclipsed at the
;

bisection of the raoo!i's paths,

^^
winter solstice, there is a
nearly on the outside of
the circles, where the moon may be eclipsed.
Amongst the nine lunar paths the stars forming the
28 constellations are interspersed, with radii indicating
the space they occupy in the lieavens and in two out- ;

they hold according to^ the

side circles, the posititm
characters, (corresponding to the Kuro-
twelve horary
 412

pean Zodiac,) with the number of degrees taken u

each constellation. Thus to begin with Keo, ^
first of the Chinese 28 groups of stars, we find th:

is situated in Shin, or Libra, of which it occupies

j^
a little more than
2 degrees, while it consists of two
1

stars, viz. 8 pica and Theta of Virgo, instead of four

Btars, as stated on pace 3C9. The next is Kang,

also occupying a little more than 9 degrees of Libra,
^
and consisting of four stars, as in p. 399. The third
constellationis ^
Te, occupying a little more than
one degree of Libra, and 15 degrees of j][l Maou, or
Scorpio the form is the same as stated in p. 399.
;

The fourth is ^ Fang, which occupies a

than 5 degrees of Scoipio, and consists of four stars,
little more

IS in p. 399. The fifth is iCl> Sin, occupying 7 de-

grees of Scorpio, and consisting of three stars. The
sixth is ^
Wei, occupying two and a half degrees of
Scorpio, and fifteen and a half of ^ Yin, or Sagittari-
us, and consists of nine stars. The seventh
which occupies nine and a half degrees of Sagittarius,
is^ Ke,
and consists of four stars. The eighth is Tow,
which occupies four degrees of Sagittaiius, and a little
^
more than eighteen of ^
Chow, or Capricornus, it
consists of six stars.
occupies
The ninth is
little less
New, which ^
than seven degress of Capricornus,
and consists of six or seven stars. The tenth is '^
Nyii, which occupies four degrees and eight- tenths of
Capricornus, and six degrees and tw^o-tenths of -jp
Tsze, or Aquarius, it consists of four stars. The ele-
venth is
J^ Heu, which occupies nine degrees of
Aquarius, and consists of two stars. The twelfth i^^ J^
Wei, which occupies fifteen and a half degrees of
Aquarius, and one degree of Pisces, it consists of three
stars. The
thirteentth is ^
Shih, which occupies a
than eighteen degrees of Pisces, and consists
little less
of two stars in a right line, with a numl)er of smal-
ler ones disposed around them. The fourteenth i»
 413

m
degrees
Peth, which occupies a little
of Pisces, and consists
more than ten
of two stars. The
fifteenth, ^ Kwei, occupies one degree of
and seventeen degrees of )^ Seuh,
Pisces
or Aries •
con!
sisting ot sixteen an irregular sort of cir-
stars, in
cle. The sixteenth, ^
Leu, occupies a little more
than twelve degree of Aries, and consists
of three
stars. Ihe seventeenth, % Wei, occupies one degree
t)f Aries, and thirteen degrees of "g Yew, or Taurus,
consisting of three stars. The eighteenth,^ Maou,
occupies eleven degrees of Taurus, and consists of the
seven stars of Pleiades. The nineteenth, ^
Peih, oc-
copies about five degrees of Taurus, and twelve de-
grees and two-tenths of ^ Shin, or Gemini, consisting
<Jf the six stars of Hyades. The twentieth.
Occupies only half a degree of Gemini, and consists of
^ Tsze,

three sti.rs. The twenty-first, ^

Tsan, occupies nine
degrees of Gemini, and consists of seven stars in Orion.
The tw^enty-second, ^ Tsing, occupies nine degrees
of Gemini, and twenty- one degrees of ^
Wei, or
Cancer, consisting of eight stars in the knees and feet
of Gemini. The twenty-third, ^
Kwei, occupies two
degrees of (cancer, and consists of four stars. The
twenty-fourth,|p|5 Lew, occupies six degrees of Cancer,

and seven and a half of ^

Woo, or Leo, consisting of
eight stars. The twenty- fifth, ^
Si^g, occupies six
degrees of Leo, and consists of seven stars. The twen-
ty-sixth, ^ Chang, occupies ^fteen degrees and four
tenths of Leo, with two degrese of ^
Sze, or Virgo,
The twenty-seventh,
and consists of five or six stars.
^ Yih, occupies twenty degrees of Virgo, and
The twenty-eighth, iji^
coiisists of twenty-two stars.
Chin, occupies nine degrees of Virgo, and nine of
^
two
Shin, or Libra, consisting of four
smaller ones adjoining.
stars, with
ff)

J
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