Database of the Book of Documents

Author: Zhou Wende
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-07-01
Features: "0084 No idleness, no neglect, the four barbarians come to rule." Yu said, "Ah! The Emperor should remember! [88] Virtue lies in good governance, and governance lies in nurturing the people. Water, fire, metal, wood, earth, and grain must be cultivated; rectifying virtue, utilizing resources, enriching life, and promoting harmony must be pursued. The nine functions must be orderly, and the nine orders must be sung. Warning should be used with restorative measures, guiding with authority, and encouraging with the nine songs, so that nothing may be ruined." The Emperor said, "Yes! The land is leveled, the sky is perfected, the six offices and three affairs are well-administered, and eternal prosperity will be relied upon—this is your achievement."
0088(89) The Emperor said, "Approach, Yu! For thirty-three years, I have held the imperial throne, and I am weary of toil. You alone do not grow weary and are my guide." Yu said, "My virtue is not yet complete, and the people do not rely on me. Fu Yao encountered virtue, and virtue descended, and the common people cherished it. The Emperor should remember! Remember this, release this, and the words of this are in this—truly from this, and the Emperor should remember your achievements." [90] The Emperor said, "Gao Yao, among these officials and commoners, none should oppose me. You are the minister of justice, knowledgeable about the five punishments, to assist the five teachings. Expect you to govern, and the punishments should lead to no punishment, the people should align with the middle, and this is your achievement—excellent!" Fu Yao said, "The Emperor's virtue is without error. He governs the lower with simplicity and rules the masses with leniency: punishments do not extend to descendants, rewards extend through generations. Forgiving minor faults, punishing deliberate ones: when in doubt of guilt, lighten the penalty; when in doubt of merit, reward generously; rather than executing the innocent, it is better to err without precedent: the virtue of loving life is deeply rooted in the people's hearts, thus they do not offend the authorities." The Emperor said, "Let me follow my desires to govern, and the four directions will be moved by your virtue." [92] (135)
0097 The Emperor said, "Come, Yu! The floods have alarmed me, and your achievements are truly successful—you are virtuous. You are diligent in the state and frugal at home, not self-satisfied, and you are virtuous. You do not boast, and no one in the world can compete with you in ability; you do not claim credit, and no one in the world can compete with you in achievement. I commend your virtue and praise your great deeds. The mandate of heaven is upon you, and you will ultimately ascend to the high post. The human heart is perilous, the way of the heart is subtle—only by being precise and unified can one truly hold fast to the middle. Do not listen to unfounded words, and do not adopt unconsulted plans. Who is more beloved than the ruler? Who is more feared than the people? Without the ruler, who will the people follow? Without the people, how can the state be governed? Be reverent! Be cautious of your position, and diligently fulfill your duties. If the four seas are in dire straits, the imperial fortune will forever end. Only words can start wars—I will not repeat them." [93] Yu said, "The selection of meritorious officials was auspicious." The Emperor said, "Yu! The divination for officials must first conceal intentions, and the oracle must be consulted. My intentions are set, and the counsel is not in agreement. The spirits and deities will rely on it, and the oracle and divination will align—divination is not repeated for auspiciousness." Yu bowed and declined. [95] The Emperor said, "No! You are harmonious." On the first day of the first month, he accepted the mandate from the divine ancestors, leading the officials as if the Emperor were present. [96] (136)
The Emperor said, "I advise, Yu! The Miao people are not obedient. You shall go and conquer." Yu then gathered the officials and swore to the army: "The splendid multitude, all listen to my command. The Miao people are foolish and ungrateful, arrogant and self-righteous, opposing the way and ruining virtue, with the virtuous in the wilderness and the petty in office, the people abandon their guardianship, and heaven brings calamity. Therefore, I lead you, my brave soldiers, to fulfill the mandate and punish the guilty. You must unite your hearts and minds, and you will surely achieve merit." [97] For thirty days, the Miao people defied the command. Yi and Fei said to Yu, "Virtue moves heaven, and nowhere is it not reached. Pride brings loss, humility brings gain—this is the way of heaven. When the Emperor first went to Lishan and farmed in the fields, he cried out in sorrow to heaven and his parents, bearing guilt and repenting. He reverently met the blind man Gu, and Gu was diligent and reverent, and Gu was indeed as he seemed. His sincerity moved the spirits, and how much more the Miao people!" Yu bowed and said, "Yes!" He dismissed the army and reviewed the troops. The Emperor then spread his benevolent virtue, dancing with the dry and wet feathers on both steps, and after seventy days, the Miao people submitted. [99] (137)