The Most Venerable Book (Shang Shu)

by Confucius

  ‘For example, on the first day of the third month of autumn, there was a solar eclipse in the constellation of Fang. The blind musicians beat their drums to drive away evil forces while the petty officials rode off in great haste and the people panicked. Through all of this Xi and He sat like corpses, hearing nothing and understanding nothing. They were totally at a loss to explain what Heaven was doing and as a result they have been charged with the death penalty – which has been the consequence of this kind of behaviour from the earliest times. The regulations clearly state that if the eclipse comes after their prediction, then they must be executed. Likewise if the eclipse comes before their prediction, they must also be put to death. And there can be no exception in either case.

  ‘As a consequence, my army and I have Heaven’s authority to punish them. So, my warriors, let’s be united on behalf of our Royal Regime. Together, you and I will carry out the Mandate of Heaven’s Son. When a raging fire roars from the volcano of Mount Gun, it throws out jewels as well as burning stones, side by side. Likewise, when Heaven’s decrees are executed with passion and dedication, the consequences are even more ferocious. Therefore, I will destroy the chief culprits, though I will leave their followers alone. Those who have become corrupted will be reformed. Well, indeed, when order is above compassion, then things can be sorted out. But if compassion is above order, then no good will come of any of it.

  ‘Now my warriors, forward. But take care.’

  THE BOOK OF SHANG

  Tang is the first ruler of the Shang dynasty – later also called Yin, after their new capital. They traditionally ruled from 1766 to 1122 BC. He is later referred to as Tang the Conqueror, as he overthrew the corrupt Xia and set the first model of the Mandate of Heaven moving from one dynasty to another through revolt.

  10

  The Covenant of Tang

  King Tang said, ‘Gather to me all my people and listen carefully to what I have to say. It is not me, ordinary little me, who has the audacity to rise up here. But it is Heaven that has decreed that the ruler of Xia must be executed, because of all his many crimes.

  ‘Now, you warriors, you are telling me, “Our leader has no thought for us and our needs. He summons us from our work and he does this just to punish Xia.” I hear what you say, but the ruler of Xia has sinned and because I am in awe of the Supreme Ruler, I have no option but to undertake this task.

  ‘But I hear you asking, “Of what significance is Xia to us?” Well, the King of Xia has brutally oppressed his people and drained their energy. And the people, why, they have lost all hope and they are crying out, begging, “Is it not time for the sun to die so that we can die also?” So you can see that the ruler of Xia’s lack of virtue leaves me with no option but to go ahead and do this.

  ‘If you, my people, will join me, a simple solitary man, in carrying out Heaven’s decree, then great will be your reward. Do not doubt me, my people. I will not go back on my words. So, if you do not honour my oath and do as I say, my people, I will kill you and all your children. And I will show no mercy whatsoever.’

  11

  The Solemn Pledge of Zhonghui

  When Tang the Conqueror banished Jei to the south, being a virtuous man he was troubled by this deed and said, ‘I am afraid that future generations will speak ill of me because of this.’

  ‘Come now,’ replied Zhonghui. ‘Heaven gives each generation the passions which can lead to disaster if they’re not guided. However, Heaven also gives each generation a number of people who are wise. And in time, they will come to control these passions and impulses. Let’s be frank, the ruler of Xia lost sight of what is virtuous. As a result, the people were living in a state of great fear. This is why Heaven gave our king the courage and the wisdom so he can show the many states of our land how to behave well. He can be guided by the ancient ways of Yu the Great, and therefore he can be worthy of the Mandate of Heaven.

  ‘The King of Xia caused offence by his false claims that he has the blessing of the Supreme Heaven and that, as a result, he has the right to decide what the people should and shouldn’t do. This is not how an emperor should behave and this is why the Shang have been given the Mandate of Heaven – because of our love of justice, and so that we can become the teachers of all the people.

  ‘In order to try and seem to be more in control, the Xia not only ignored the wise people but also ridiculed them – while busily promoting and praising the powerful. This is why we Shang were at first of no significance to the ruler of Xia. We were like weeds in a field of ripe corn. Our people, great or small, lived in constant fear of persecution, even though they hadn’t done anything wrong. Our leader, being a virtuous man, could not help but speak out against it and you can imagine how this led to his actions being publicly criticized by others.

  ‘So our king did not go near wild, licentious parties. Nor was he interested in personal wealth or prosperity. Instead, he gave offices to people who were really virtuous, appropriate to their integrity. And he gave great rewards to people who strove to do good deeds. He knew that if he treated others as he would treat himself; if he corrected himself, as he would correct others who do wrong; if he was truly just and benevolent … Why, then the people would trust him.

  ‘Do you remember how the ruler of Ge attacked those innocent people who were generously bringing materials for the sacrifice? And Tang had to take matters into his own hands? Yet when he restored order in the east, the barbarians in the west complained. When he did the same in the south, those in the north complained, asking, “Why does he ignore us?” No matter where he went, people rejoiced, saying, “We have longed for so long for our prince to come and now that he has, all is well again.” This is why the people’s support and admiration for the Shang is so well established.

  ‘In other words,

  judge who is capable and work with the virtuous;

  pick out who’s loyal and encourage the good;

  support the weak and square up to the stubborn;

  challenge the rebels and chasten the dissolute.

  If you do this, whatever is failing will simply collapse

  while whatever is good will flourish –

  that’s how a country can be run successfully.

  ‘After all, a virtuous ruler who lives like this every day is admired, while a selfish and wilful ruler ends up losing everyone’s affection.

  ‘Let this be seen in you, my King, and the people will be able to perceive such marvellous virtue, the Middle Way of living. Act justly. Think and feel in your heart what is right and then you will set an example for the future.

  ‘As the old saying goes, “He who knows that he needs to learn from the wise will be successful. He who thinks that no one is his equal will fail. He who asks will be rewarded. He who relies on himself will lose.”

  ‘For goodness’ sake! If you want a good ending, ensure a sound beginning. Promote the careful and reject the wastrels and you will be following the Way of Heaven. And as a result, you will be awarded the Mandate of Heaven.’

  12

  The Declaration of Tang

  When King Tang came home after the conquest of the Xia, he came to Bo and there – before all the people – he made this declaration.

  ‘My people,’ said the king. ‘All of you, from every region of the land, listen carefully to what I (a straightforward man) am about to say. The Emperor above all Emperors has endowed every person with a moral sense, and this is their essential, original nature. However, to ensure that they stay true to this essential nature, it is necessary to have rulers.

  ‘The King of Xia lost sight of virtue and became an oppressive dictator. He even oppressed you, my dear people from every region. And when you were no longer able to bear his bitter and poisonous ways, wrought through his cruel regime, you united to proclaim your innocence before everything in Heaven and everything on Earth. You know it is the Way of Heaven to bring good fortune to the good and to curse the wicked. This is why Heaven has brought disaster upon the Xia,
making their terrible sins apparent to everyone.

  ‘This is why I, unimportant as I am, like a child

  have been granted the Mandate of Heaven

  which lights up the whole world with its authority.

  I cannot ignore it or stop doing what is asked of me.

  To prove this, I will now offer this dark-skinned sacrifice

  to highlight the Supreme Heavenly Sovereign Spirit

  and the depths of the crimes of the Xia!

  I have asked the Supreme Heavenly Sovereign Spirit to join me

  combining our strengths, and to request from Heaven

  its authority to be granted to all of you men

  so that together we can vanquish the oppressor! Be assured.

  The Mandate of Heaven cannot fail.

  You, my people, are like the buds and the flowers –

  you have come forth. This is my cause, my reason.

  I must resolve this for once and for all

  simple man that I am, so that all will be well

  for you – and also your families.

  And I worry that I might disturb anything in the cosmos,

  this makes me tremble with anticipation

  as if I was standing on the edge of a precipice …

  In the new world I am creating

  rebellion and conspiracy will not be necessary.

  If everyone follows the laws as given

  then Heaven will bless us in what we do. It is simple.

  If you do what is right, I will know it too.

  And if I make mistakes, I won’t try to exonerate them

  but instead search deeply within myself to make sure

  that all is done according to the heart and mind of Heaven.

  If anyone anywhere does something wrong

  then the responsibility will lie with me

  – I say this again as a straight-talking man!

  And if I do something wrong, you may also be assured

  that no blame will fall on you.

  Come now, let us all strive to be true to this

  and everything will go well!’

  13

  The Teachings of Yi

  Yi Yin is respected alongside Gaoyao as a model of the Confucian-style official.

  It was in the first year, in the twelfth month and on the second day of that month that Yi made sacrifices to the Ancestor Kings and also presented the heir apparent to them. All the princes were there and the officials arrived in order to receive their duties and responsibilities from the king’s minister.

  ‘Come now,’ Yi said, addressing them all. ‘In the past the Xia started off by being worthy, so as a result no wrath descended upon them from Heaven. The spirits of the land and waters were at peace and all life on earth was united – all creatures. However, their descendants did not follow this model, and as a result the Emperor of Heaven sent disasters upon them, through our ruler whom Heaven chose to endow with its Mandate. The uprising started at Ming Tiao and our attack at Bo. Truly, our King of Shang displayed the holiness of his power by freeing the people from oppression and the people celebrated this generous action with joy.

  ‘Now then, arising from such reward for virtue, everything hangs on how you all begin. Start by showing true affection to your own family because if you can show it to them, then you can go on to show it to the State and then to everyone within the boundaries of our land.

  ‘Come now. Our Ancestor Kings reflected on what it is that holds people together. They listened carefully, and they never ignored what they were told but instead followed the advice they were offered. If they were in the highest position, they showed vision; if in a lowly position, they showed loyalty. They took people at face value and reserved criticism for their own faults – and as a result they ruled over all the lands. How incredible was that!

  ‘They gathered around them people who could contribute, not just to their well-being but also to the well-being of all of you, the heirs of all this. They set out the codes of punishment and warned the officials, saying, “If you dare to waste your time holding parties in your homes and drinking yourselves senseless, imagining this gives you magical powers, or if you spend your time thinking only of making a fortune and dreaming of women or if you dissipate yourselves by wandering around or hunting, then you will know yourselves for the disgraces that you are. If you insult the wise, oppose the loyal and true disregard your elders and virtuous people and instead mix with adolescents – then everyone will see you’re in disarray. These sorts of worthless attitudes and evil practices can so easily destroy your whole family. If a ruler did that, his kingdom would be ruined. Any official who fails to prevent such actions will be punished by being branded with irons.”

  ‘Go and teach this to all the young, and to the scholars.’

  14

  Instructions to King Tai Jia, Part I

  King Tai Jia came to the throne following the death of Tang and the previous chapter refers to this new king. Yi Yin is the same person as Yi in the previous chapter.

  When the new king ascended to the throne, he did not follow the ways of the Counsellor and as a result Chief Minister Yi Yin wrote to him.

  ‘The First King paid close attention to the clear Mandate of Heaven,’ he wrote. ‘And as a result he was in perfect harmony with everything in the cosmos. He was in harmony with the spirits and demons, with the gods of the land and of the harvest, with the ancestors and the shrines, all of which he venerated. Heaven studied his every virtue and gave him its Mandate so he could bring peace and submission to all the many regions of this land. Later, Yin was able to assist the ruler in bringing order to the people and this is why you, as the next heir, have inherited such law and order.

  ‘Now I myself, Prince Yin, have seen in the western region of Xia that when it was governed well, all went well for its ministers. However, when it was then governed without reference to good governance, its ministers suffered. So, let your heirs be very careful and note this. Because if they do not, then they will only bring dishonour upon their Ancestor.’

  The young king rejected this advice with a few dismissive words.

  Yi Yin wrote to him again, saying, ‘The First King, long before every dawn broke in the sky, would sit quietly waiting for the sunrise, contemplating and seeking understanding. He filled his court with people who were competent and virtuous so they would guide and instruct him. Do not be so foolish as to ignore this, because if you do it will cause your downfall. Be patient and plan properly for the future. Think how the archer makes sure his arrow is pointing in the right direction before he fires. Choose your target and then follow the model set by your ancestors. Not only will I be pleased but all generations will praise you in the future.’

  The young king was seriously not interested.

  Yi Yin then said to him, ‘This is frankly not good enough. Your attitude has become a bad habit of yours and I can’t just leave you here amongst the dissolute.’

  So he built a palace for the young king at Tong, close to the tomb and shrine of the First King, where he could reflect upon his life so far and reform himself.

  The new king went to the palace and he was distressed by his former behaviour, repenting and bemoaning, until at long last he was able to be truly virtuous.

  15

  The Instructions to King Tai Jia, Part II

  In the third year of his reign, on the first day of the twelfth month, Yi Yin escorted the young king to Bo, where he was formally robed and crowned.

  Yi Yin wrote down the following words:

  A people without a ruler

  can’t live a productive life

  because there is no order.

  A ruler without a people

  can’t govern a country.

  You, my king, have been chosen

  by the Emperor of Heaven himself

  who bestowed on the Shang

  the ability to be virtuous

  – a blessing that will last

  for ten thousand generatio
ns.

  The king covered his face with his hands and kowtowed, saying, ‘I was like a child, unable to see clearly how to be virtuous. I was dissolute, I ignored all that was right and proper. I violated all the precedents and frankly I was rushing headlong into ruin. While it is possible to handle disasters from Heaven, there is no escape from the disasters we bring upon ourselves. My dear teacher, I know that I have spurned your advice in the past. That was how it all began. Now, I wish to benefit from your advice so the future can be so much better.’

  Yi Yin covered his face with his hands and kowtowed and said, ‘If you can really be sincere and virtuous and can follow the will of your ancestors, then you will be a good ruler. The First King cared like a child for the poor and for those who suffered, and as a result the people were happy to obey him – indeed, they did so cheerfully. For example, when he was visiting one area, the people in the neighbouring areas would say they couldn’t wait for him to visit them, because whenever he visited, injustice would cease.

  ‘Dear King, be virtuous. Model yourself on your worthy ancestor. Do not indulge in negligence but instead, when you reflect upon your ancestors, consider the importance of filial piety. When you give orders to those under you, do so gracefully. When planning for the future, make sure you have clarity of vision. When contemplating virtue, listen carefully. Then I will be able to serve Your Majesty without ceasing.’

  16

  Instructions to King Tai Jia, Part III

  Yi Yin once again spoke sincerely to the king.

  ‘Come now, my king. As you know, Heaven does not have favourites. It simply rewards those who are respectful. It is the same with the people. They are not uncritical in their affection because they look to see who is really benevolent. The gods don’t just accept any offering made to them. They only accept those offered with real sincerity. As you know, it’s not easy to sit on the throne Heaven bestows.