Analects of Yanzi

Author: Lu Shouzu
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-06-01
Features:
Jing Gong Listens to New Music at Night and Yan Zi Condemns Him for Not Attending Court in the Morning
Yan Zi went to court, and Du Jiong stood waiting in the court, gazing afar at sheep. Yan Zi said, "Why does Your Majesty not attend court?" He replied, "Your Majesty did not sleep last night, so he cannot attend court." Yan Zi asked, "Why?" He replied, "Liang Qiu Ju secretly introduced a singer named Yu, who sang music that altered the tune of Qi music."
After leaving court, Yan Zi ordered the Zong Zhu (a ritual official) to arrest Yu according to the rites. When Jing Gong heard about this, he was furious and said, "Why was Yu arrested?" Yan Zi replied, "Because he used new music to corrupt Your Majesty." Jing Gong said, "The affairs of the feudal lords and the governance of the officials, I am willing to entrust to you. As for the taste of fine wine and the sound of music, I hope you will not interfere. Why must music always be old?"
Yan Zi replied, "When music declines, rites follow; when rites decline, governance follows; when governance declines, the state follows. I fear that Your Majesty's deviation from political teachings will lead to the decline of the state. Regarding music and singing, the dance 'Bei Li' created by King Zhou of Shang, and the music of King You and King Li of Zhou, were merely (lewd and vulgar) creations that led to their downfall. Why should Your Majesty take lightly changing the old music?"
Jing Gong said, "Unfortunately, I have the burden of the state, and I spoke without considering the consequences. I am willing to accept your teaching."
[Notes]
① Du Jiong: A name, a courtier of Jing Gong.
(Wang Yang): Gazing afar.
② (Ye Fa): Did not sleep at night.
③ Liang Qiu Ju: A name, a close courtier of Jing Gong. (Jiong): To close, extended to mean secretly.
(Yu): A name.
④ (Bian Qi Yin): To sing music that alters the tune of Qi music.
⑤ Zong Zhu: A title, an official in charge of rituals and prayers. (Xiu Li): To follow the rites.
⑥ (Jiu Li): Fine wine.
⑦ (Jin Shi): The general term for musical instruments like bells and cymbals, here meaning music.
⑧ (Yu): To participate in, interfere.
⑨ (Bei Li): The dance 'Bei Li' created by King Zhou of Shang, later used to refer to lewd music.
⑩ (You Li): King You and King Li of Zhou, both died due to their lewd and tyrannical rule, leading to the downfall of their states.
⑩ (Gu): Merely.
[Translation]
Yan Zi went to court and saw Du Jiong waiting in the court, gazing afar. Yan Zi asked, "Why does Your Majesty not attend court?" Du Jiong replied, "Your Majesty did not sleep last night, so he cannot attend court." Yan Zi asked, "Why?" Du Jiong replied, "Liang Qiu Ju secretly introduced a singer named Yu, who sang music that altered the tune of Qi music."
After leaving court, Yan Zi ordered the Zong Zhu to arrest Yu according to the rites. When Jing Gong heard about this, he was furious and said, "Why was Yu arrested?" Yan Zi replied, "Because he used new music to corrupt Your Majesty." Jing Gong said, "The affairs of the feudal lords and the governance of the officials, I am willing to entrust to you. As for the taste of fine wine and the sound of music, I hope you will not interfere. Why must music always be old?"
Yan Zi replied, "When music declines, rites follow; when rites decline, governance follows; when governance declines, the state follows. I fear that Your Majesty's deviation from political teachings will lead to the decline of the state. Regarding music and singing, the dance 'Bei Li' created by King Zhou of Shang, and the music of King You and King Li of Zhou, were merely (lewd and vulgar) creations that led to their downfall. Why should Your Majesty take lightly changing the old music?"
Jing Gong said, "Unfortunately, I have the burden of the state, and I spoke without considering the consequences. I am willing to accept your teaching."