The Most Venerable Book (Shang Shu)

by Confucius

  ‘So, let the king come as the Ruler on High wills, to rule this central land,’ Dan said.

  ‘By building this great city, he will be seen as a worthy counterpart of the Emperor of Heaven. He will make sacrifices to the spirits in Heaven and on Earth and then he will rule benevolently from this middle place. By the king ruling well and truly honouring and respecting the Mandate, the people will stay happy.

  ‘The king must start by bringing the officials of Yin under his jurisdiction and making sure they are in line with the actions and decisions of our ministers of Zhou. If this happens, they will be of use daily and if the king does this he will show that he acts virtuously.

  ‘I must not ignore the lessons of history –

  the fates of the Xia and Yin dynasties.

  I must not just say,

  “The Xia had the Mandate of Heaven for many, many years.”

  But neither must I say,

  “It was inevitable that it did not last.”

  ‘What I do know is that through lack of attention to virtue, it did not last as long as it should.

  ‘Likewise, I know that I must not say:

  “The Yin were supposed to have the Mandate of Heaven for many more years.”

  ‘Nor can I say:

  “It could not last.”

  ‘However, the truth is that through a lack of virtue and respect, it ceased long before its time and the Mandate was lost.

  ‘The king has now received the Mandate, the very one that these two dynasties had and lost. I think he should take note of the past but also have proper respect for their virtues as well.

  ‘Actually, it is not that different from bringing up a child. So much of the child’s intelligence is determined not just by what has been decreed but also by the impact of their early life.

  ‘This is why Heaven has decreed insight to him.

  ‘Will he be destined to have good fortune or bad?

  To live for many years or not?

  I have no idea.

  What I do know

  is that this is all just the beginning.

  ‘Starting fresh in this new city, the king must develop the virtue of reverence. For if he focuses on virtue, then Heaven will bless him by continuing the Mandate.

  ‘As king, he must ensure that the people do not behave badly, but he must also ensure that he does not use the death penalty unreasonably. If he rules well, then the virtue of good governance will be visible to all. If he does this, if his virtue is supreme, then throughout the land the ordinary folk will model themselves on him.

  ‘Whether they are the highest or the lowest, everyone should have in common one concern, namely an ability to say, “We have received the Mandate of Heaven: may it last as long as it did for the Xia rather than for as short a time as it did for the Yin!”

  ‘I hope that the way the king rules the ordinary people will show that he is worthy to have received the Mandate of Heaven.’

  Kowtowing, Shao said:

  ‘While I am but a simple minister, yet I am willing to rule over your troubled people. With all your officials and loyal people, we receive your Royal Decree which we will observe with due wisdom and virtue. I have no doubt that the king will receive the Mandate and as a result will become yet more glorious.

  ‘There can be no question but that the king has indeed been given the Mandate of Heaven. This is why I stand here and offer both reverence and alongside this, veneration.’

  41

  The Solemn Announcement about Luo

  The king here is King Cheng, the nephew of the Duke of Zhou and the young king mentioned before. This chapter seems to be recorded exchanges between the king and the Duke of Zhou regarding the new capital city.

  ‘Most illustrious king,’ the Duke of Zhou said, kowtowing. ‘My dear son, I come before you to present my Report.

  ‘It would not have been appropriate for you, the king, to appear to know the limits of Heaven’s Mandate, nor its foundations. However, I as well as the Grand Protector have taken it upon myself to visit the Eastern Lands and to investigate them thoroughly to find a site for the new capital. I can now report that I have found a suitable site for the people’s illustrious leader to settle.

  ‘It was on the morning of the Yi Mao day when we came to the city of Luo and there I consulted the oracle to ask about the area of the River Li which lies to the north of the Yellow River. I then asked the oracle about the areas that lie to the east of the Jian River and to the west of the Chan. And all of the oracles favoured Luo as the site of choice. This favourable outcome was also the case when I consulted the oracle with regards to the east of the River Chan. They all favoured Luo, which is why this humble messenger brings you not only the map but also the oracles.’

  The King kowtowed and replied:

  ‘The Duke, who is always in awe of Heaven, has as a result found where the new capital of the Zhou should be established. The Duke has come as a messenger to me, bringing the oracles in order that I might see for myself that they are auspicious. Let us now both work together. For the Duke has shown that this is good and that we shall be blessed by Heaven for untold generations to come. This is why on hearing these words I have kowtowed.’

  The Duke replied:

  ‘I recommend that you perform rituals in the Yin style at the dedication of the new city but that you drop all the ostentation they used to use. I will order all the heads of the main departments to come to join the King of Zhou and will give them their specific tasks.

  ‘The King now needs to declare his will and he should order that those who are known for their merit will be the first to be chosen to perform the ritual sacrifices. Command them that they must assist you, because you have received the Mandate. By showing your merit and training your officers diligently, you will inspire everyone.

  ‘Embrace them like friends so they will not plot but be like friends.

  ‘Do not let them behave like a fire, which can be smouldering away and then suddenly, and for no apparent reason, can burst into flame. And once it gets going, it cannot be extinguished.

  ‘Follow the proper rituals and activities which you already know. And encourage those who are in Zhou now to come up to the new capital and to work with the others. Encourage those who work hard and apply themselves intelligently. Be generous in your rewards. Build on the existing wealth of the country. This way, your name will be celebrated for generations to come.’

  The Duke continued:

  ‘While it is true that you are only young, it nevertheless falls to you to finish this task. For example, show respect to the princes who have come, but also observe who amongst the many brought tributes. And who did not.

  ‘Likewise, far more will be discovered from watching the performance of the rituals than by just observing the tributes. If there is no sincerity in the performance of the rituals, then we know that the offering of the tribute was also without sincerity. Such behaviour makes the people gossip that such rituals are of no importance and this only leads to discontent and rebellion.

  ‘It is only natural that you depend upon me, my son. So follow my advice. Pay attention to what I will teach you and how I guide you in helping the people to behave properly.

  ‘Let me be clear.

  ‘If you do not do so at this time, then you cannot expect that the gift of the Mandate to you will last very long. If, however, you follow the ways of your upstanding father with true sincerity, and if you follow my advice, then you will not go astray. Nor will anyone go against your commands. So go now and undertake this with proper respect and reverence. Rule with kindness and with generosity and this will ensure that the people will look to you for protection.’

  The King himself now spoke.

  ‘Duke, your wisdom illuminates me, a mere youth. Even someone as young as I am can come to understand the wonders of King Wen and King Wu because of their virtue. By following the Mandate of Heaven we can unify the people, which will ensure peace for everyone across the whole of the country. As
a consequence, I shall now honour people who are worthy. I will ensure that the rituals which will launch this will be undertaken not only with due care but without unnecessary show. It is because of the light of your virtue, Duke, which shines out from the highest places and down to the deepest across the land, that there is tranquillity and prosperity as there was under King Wen and King Wu. This is why I, as just a young man, can now attend to the proper daily rituals. My dear Duke, your Grace’s merit has helped to steer me thus far. May it always continue.’

  The King then said:

  ‘Duke. This young man must now return to the duties that he inherited upon ascending the Throne, but I command that you stay here. While order has been restored across the country as a result of the rites, true veneration still needs to be established again. This means your great task is not yet complete. Set an example to my officials and their hardworking officers by finishing the task and in that way protect the people who were in the care of Wen and Wu. Your example will inspire and help the whole country. I must leave; but you must stay.

  ‘Your efforts, so worthy of note, are devoutly appreciated, but do not try to stop me. You have set before me a model of working tirelessly for the well-being of the people, a model which is vital to me. So long as you stick to it, then everyone throughout the country and for generations to come will benefit.’

  The Duke of Zhou kowtowed. He replied:

  ‘At your command, then, I will stay here. I will honour your command and do everything in my power to protect the people, care of whom your grandfather King Wen received as a Mandate, as did your father King Wu. I cannot think of a greater honour. Please come back regularly to see how things are progressing and to see that the people of Yin are doing well.

  ‘Such attention to detail by a new ruler sets a good example to others and to those who will come to rule Zhou after you. The model of government which is established here, in this central spot of the new capital, will enable the whole country to be at ease. This will mean that Your Majesty will have completed the task set before you.

  ‘Along with all your ministers, I, Dan, will try to further the accomplishments of our forebears and also set an example for future ministers of Zhou. In doing so, I will seek to contribute to your growing wisdom and further the example established by your virtuous ancestor, your grandfather Wen.’

  Later on, messengers came from the King. They carried two casks of black millet-flavoured spirits and a message saying, ‘Warn the people of Yin; take good care of yourself. This is for you to use in the illustrious ritual but also for you to enjoy as well.’

  The Duke replied:

  ‘It is not appropriate for me to enjoy this, so I have offered it instead to King Wen and King Wu. I have asked that they keep watch for us so that the dynasty is kept free from danger and sickness and so that it will last for ever through such virtue and that the people of Yin will live long and successful lives.’

  Then, turning to the messengers the Duke said:

  ‘We thank the King that he has sent you to Yin with his commands. If all goes well, then these inspired commands will inspire us for generations to come. This will mean my son will likewise be honoured for many generations to come.’

  On the Wu Chen day, the king came to the new city and he performed the winter sacrifice, offering a red bull to both King Wen and King Wu. He commanded that Yi compose a prayer of supplication and he also announced that the Duke of Zhou would be remaining there.

  Once the King had overseen the sacrifice of the bulls, he proceeded to the Great Hall and there poured out the libation. The King ordered the Duke of Zhou to stay and Yi recorded this solemn announcement. This all took place in the twelfth month.

  As a result, for the next seven years the Duke of Zhou carried out the instructions of the Mandate which was first given to Kings Wen and Wu.

  42

  The Many Officials

  The king, speaking through the words of the Duke of Zhou, is far from pleased that, having spared the survivors of the dynasty of Shang and moved them to be under his supervision in the new capital, they are complaining.

  The rule of the Duke of Zhou in the new city of Luo began in the third month. He began by making an announcement to the many remaining officials of the Shang kingdom.

  ‘The King himself addresses you, the many officials of the Yin. We can but mourn the many disasters which the Yin brought upon themselves. This happened because the Mandate of Heaven made this decree. Now we, the Princes of Zhou, have had the Mandate bestowed upon us as a consequence.

  ‘Guided by the wisdom of Heaven, we must undertake the role that falls to kings in fulfilling the Mandate against Yin as decreed by the Ruler. Let me make myself quite clear to all of you. Our little country of Zhou did not set out to topple the Mandate of Yin. Heaven itself withdrew it in disgust at the wickedness of Yin. Heaven supported us, otherwise we would never have dreamed of seizing the Throne. And how did we know that the Ruler was opposed to you? Why, even the ordinary people could see it spotlighted by the light of Heaven!

  ‘I have heard it said that the Ruler on High guides through kindness. The Xia failed to live up to this, which is why the Ruler sought to correct them. However they ignored the Ruler’s wishes and became even more degenerate – descending into lewdness and idleness and even trying to justify this kind of bad behaviour. Heaven’s patience ran out and it removed the Mandate and instead sent disasters upon them.

  ‘So it was that the Mandate passed to Tang the Conqueror, who, as commanded, overthrew the Xia and then ruled the country with Heaven’s support.

  ‘From the reign of Tang the Conqueror to the Emperor Yi, all the rulers tried to live virtuously and to undertake the proper rituals. This anxiety not to offend Heaven meant they acted properly and the Yin were protected. The rulers of Yin took care to emulate, but not compete with, the kindness of Heaven.

  ‘But now, it is no longer like that. The last king monumentally failed to live according to Heaven. Just as bad, he failed to try and emulate the ways of the Ancestor Kings of this once great House. Abandoning himself to outrageous behaviour, he wilfully ignored the laws of Heaven and the needs of the people themselves.

  ‘So it was that the time came when the Ruler on High was no longer prepared to protect him and instead sent down terrible disasters. There comes a time when Heaven no longer helps those who fail to shine with virtue. Let us be clear, when a state falls, no matter how great or small, it does so for good reasons.

  ‘You officials of Yin now know why the Ruler has blessed our Zhou kings. The Command was given – destroy Yin – and this we have done and Heaven has been informed. In all our dealings we have been straightforward and your Royal Family should follow our example. I have to tell you, you violated the laws and it was you who attacked us from your capital. When I reflect upon this, I can see clearly that Heaven has punished Yin because you went so spectacularly wrong.

  ‘So now, listen to me, you load of officials.

  ‘You are being sent to the West, but don’t go thinking I am doing this just to upset you. This is happening because it is the Will of Heaven, so do not think of opposing me. I dare not delay.

  ‘Do not think of holding this as a grudge against me. You will recall that it is recorded that the founders of Yin ousted the Xia. Yet you have the audacity to tell me that the officials of Xia were given posts in the Royal House alongside the other officials.

  ‘Well, I am but a simple man who only pays attention to the virtuous ones whom I employ. None of you will be employed until I have sought guidance from the Heavenly Ones of the Shang as to what they wish me to do with you. Your current state has nothing to do with me. It is simply the Will of Heaven.

  ‘The King has said that he wants you all to know the truth. That when I came here from Yen, I worked incredibly hard to try and lift the severity of the penalty that had been laid upon the rebellious people of the four countries. In fulfilment of the Mandate of Heaven, I have now punished you and have brought
you here to be close to the loyal ministers so that you can learn how to be obedient too.

  ‘Let me be quite clear and repeat to you all gathered here. I will not put you to death. That has never been my intention.

  ‘Instead, this is what I command. I have built this great city of Luo to be a place where the whole country can find a focal point and where every prince can come to offer tribute and as the place where my ministers can serve. I invite you to settle here, as esteemed guests. You will retain all your lands, so you can afford to dwell here in honourable peace. Heaven will be kind to you if you show obedience and respect.

  ‘But if you do not, then not only will you lose all your lands, but Heaven will exact revenge against you personally. Therefore, live here in this place and prosper and watch your families prosper year after year. This will happen because you decided to settle here. Do as I say because this arises out of genuine concern that you settle down happily here.’

  43

  Beware Idleness

  The Duke of Zhou said:

  ‘Indeed it is true that the wise man avoids idleness.

  He starts by understanding how hard farming is

  because from this comes the wealth

  and the wealth enables ease and idleness

  and so he understands how hard life is

  for the ordinary folk.

  Believe me, I have seen how hard things really are for the ordinary people.

  While the parents labour hard in the fields,

  their sons have no appreciation for how much work there is

  and instead spend their time in idleness.

  They are rude and disobedient.

  So much so that they despise their parents, dismissing them by saying: “These old people, hear nothing and know nothing!”’

  The Duke of Zhou said:

  ‘I have indeed heard it said that the King of Yin, Tai Wu stood in trembling and fear of Heaven’s Mandate and as a result was both respectful and reverent. Disciplined, he never indulged in idleness and ruled his people with reverent deference. As a result, he was able to rule his kingdom successfully for seventy-five years.