The Most Venerable Book (Shang Shu)

by Confucius

  The king said:

  ‘Indeed, you officials of the many places and you, the many officers of the Yin, you have had five years in which to carry out your responsibilities. You have rushed around, here and there, no matter whether you were senior or junior in your posts, all trying to do what you were told. The problems come because you do not understand the need for harmony – so try being harmonious yourselves. Your own families are torn apart – so start by practising harmony in your own homes. This way, the cities will be fine and all will be well.

  ‘Try and avoid evil and instead fulfil your roles with reverence and care. Doing this will encourage trustworthy people to emerge to work alongside you. As a result, you will then be able to reside here in this city of Luo, to cultivate your lands, and Heaven will then show its favour and kindness to you. On top of this, we, the Zhou, will work with you, supporting and encouraging you in the Royal Court where we invite you to join us. This can only benefit you and mean that you will be ranked high amongst the officials.’

  The king said:

  ‘Indeed, all you officials. If you don’t encourage each other to show proper respect for my Commands, then this dramatically highlights the fact that you will not pay proper respect to this Court. This encourages the people to ask why they should bother with the Court at all. If you turn against the Commands of the king through your being so lazy and perverse, then Heaven’s wrath will descend on all regions and I myself will aid Heaven in this punishment and will exile you all far from here.’

  The king said,

  ‘I have no desire to issue these many proclamations, but I have to set my Commands before you.’

  He added, ‘This is the chance to start anew, but if you will not unite in this way now, then you can’t complain to me in future about what happens to you.’

  47

  The Foundations of Government

  The Duke of Zhou said:

  ‘Kowtowing at the announcement of the Son of Heaven, the king, we declare our loyalty. We, the officials of the king, his staff, officers, judges, Master of the Robes and of the army, have come to support you with our advice.’

  The Duke of Zhou said:

  ‘For Heaven’s sake.

  They all seem so keen

  yet only a few know how anxious they really should be.

  ‘This wariness was known by the ancient ones, even by those of the Xia when it was at its height. This is why they chose those who were able and who venerated the Ruler on High. Because such people valued knowledge and understood the nine virtues, they were willing to bravely confront their Prince, saying:

  ‘ “Kowtowing, oh Prince,

  we wish to say that when,

  as is your right,

  you appoint people,

  make sure you choose carefully for senior posts such as those with key legal and administrative responsibilities.

  Don’t just go by appearances,

  thinking this one looks as if he is wise and virtuous

  and then appointing him.

  If you do this it is likely that all three senior posts will go to unworthy people.”

  ‘However, Jia failed to listen and those he chose were violent and because of this, he had no successors.

  ‘Then there came Tang the Conqueror. During his reign he greatly enhanced the Mandate of the Ruler on High. He filled the three key posts with men of real talent, men known to be capable of the three levels of ability and who really were able to do this. Because Tang adhered to the strictest model of exemplary behaviour, these three officials themselves embodied the three levels of ability. Whether in the city itself or on the distant borders, unity was achieved and virtue was to be found.

  ‘But when Zhou came to power, he embodied violence and those he chose exemplified aggression and oppression which they brought to bear on the affairs of state. He gathered people around him who saw indolence as a virtue, giving them government sinecures. This is why the Ruler resolved to punish him and why we were then given the Mandate that formerly was that of the Xia and had then been given to the Shang. This was in order that we might rule properly throughout the land.

  ‘In consequence of this, both King Wen and King Wu fully understood the significance of the three key posts and the necessity of the three levels of ability. They therefore ensured that they appointed those who were engaged, heart and mind, in their labours. As a result, they reverently served the Ruler on High and held their offices for the good of the people. In carrying out these roles, they were assisted by worthy men at every level of government. This ranged from their personal households, through the legal staff to hundreds of others in minor positions or who were landowners. No matter what level they were at, all were good men.

  ‘The princes themselves had ministers of education, of war and of Public Works who along with their assistants oversaw the minorities to east, south and west as well as the three administrative areas of the Yin.

  ‘The appointments made by King Wen were of able and virtuous men because he could comprehend the hearts and minds of these men. Trusting them, he did not involve himself directly in their edicts and decisions as that was the role of these ministers and their assistants. Such issues of obedience and disobedience as they dealt with were their concern. Nor did he engage himself with law cases or regulations.

  ‘After him came King Wu. He continued the policy of settlement, honouring the tradition of only appointing those who were virtuous and thoughtful. He did not disturb the established officers and their roles.

  ‘Now indeed, you, young man, are the king. The foundation of your government will be based upon those whom you choose to appoint to the key posts. Make sure you really know these men before you offer them such powerful posts. Ensure they have the proper skills to control the government in order to help the people whose well-being has been entrusted to us. They must be able to harmonize all legal and regulatory practices and for this reason there must be no interference by you afterwards. So let us be careful of every utterance and every command, which is why we need to select those who are worthy. Then you can trust them to take care of the people whose well-being is ultimately your responsibility.

  ‘Indeed, I, Dan, have received these teachings from others and I therefore pass them on to you, young man, you who now rule as king. From this time on, you must not engage with the administration of justice or the imposition of regulations. Follow the example of your great forebears and do not get involved. Leave that to those who have that responsibility.

  ‘Throughout history, from the start of the Shang to the reign of King Wen of the Zhou, the foundation of government was based upon those who were appointed to have such responsibilities. Thus they were able to show they were able and worthy.

  ‘No country can succeed in founding a government if it employs those who are false, speak ill or are without virtue. No future generations will thank you for that. So from now on, as you establish your government, do not appoint those who are false, who speak ill of others, but instead appoint worthy people. They will ensure that all goes well: well for the governing of your country and well for the Royal Family.

  ‘Now, son of Wu, worthy grandson of Wen, you, my young man, are king, so do not interfere with the law courts. Leave all that to your appointees. Make sure that those you appoint to the military are good men. Then you will be like Yu the Great, extending your power throughout the land and over all below Heaven, reaching even to the seas themselves. This will lead to everyone acknowledging you as being in the mould of King Wen and reflecting the glory of King Wu. Maybe you will even be considered greater than them!

  ‘Indeed, from now on, only appoint worthy men – so securing the foundation of your government.’

  The Duke of Zhou then said:

  ‘Grand Recorder, revered Su, Minister of Justice, carry out your duties with care so that Our Royal Kingdom’s fortunes will grow from strength to strength. Following these models, always practise moderation when handing down punishments.’

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bsp; 48

  The Officials of Zhou

  The Duke of Zhou has at last managed to retire and here King Cheng takes up full responsibility.

  Seeking to unify the country, the King of Zhou toured the many estates of the nobles and punished those across the country who would not come to Court. Through this, he brought benefits to all the people. All six of the key nobles acknowledged the virtue of his rule and so he returned to the capital of Zhou to oversee the regulation of the offices of his government.

  The king said:

  ‘The wise ones in the olden days knew only too well that it is best to establish a government at times of stability and plan the protection of the country when there is no threat.

  ‘Long, long ago, Yao and Shun appointed a hundred officials and made internal affairs the concern of the Chief Regulator, assisted by the Four Eminent Ones. External affairs were the concern of the administrators of the regions and the lead princes. As a result, all were united and all the myriad states were at peace.

  ‘By the time of the Xia and Shang, the number of officials had doubled yet all was still well. These illustrious kings did not worry when founding their state about how many officials there were, but about whether they were of the highest quality.

  ‘Now I, young as I am,

  seek to respect virtue;

  I concentrate day and night

  on improving myself.

  Because I admire these previous dynasties,

  I not only try and model myself upon them

  but also to teach you about them.

  ‘This is why I have appointed the Grand Tutor, the Grand Instructor and the Grand Protector – the three dukes. They will now teach the way of direct management, of how to regulate yin and yang officials, not always rushing to fill such posts but waiting for the right time and person.

  ‘The Deputy Tutor, the Deputy Instructor and the Deputy Protector are called the Three Alone, who work with the dukes. Their role is to implement changes and disseminate these throughout Heaven and Earth in order to help me, just a simple man.

  ‘The First Minister is in charge of governing the state and has responsibility for the running of all other ministries throughout the land.

  ‘The Minister of Instruction is responsible throughout the state for teaching about matters such as the Five Precepts* in order that the people might understand.

  ‘The Minister of Rituals is responsible throughout the state for overseeing the ceremonies for the deities and humanity and for understanding their significance, no matter how great or small.

  ‘The Minister of War is responsible throughout the state for overseeing the six military divisions and therefore the peace of the country.

  ‘The Minister of Justice is responsible throughout the state for the punishment of the wicked and for handing down the sentences for those who are licentious and rebellious.

  ‘The Minister of Works is responsible throughout the state for the four classes of the people and for overseeing the harvest.

  ‘These six ministries with their diverse roles are also responsible for their assistants and for the direct oversight over the nine superintendents. Through this system, they can reach every person in the state.

  ‘Every six years, the heads of the five tenures will report to the Court in person. At the end of the next six years, the king will make a progress and review how the historic regulations – which have been given to the four nobles who have such responsibilities in each region – are being implemented. In turn, the nobles will review their assistants, helping everyone to fully appreciate the importance of their roles.

  ‘Indeed,’ the king said. ‘Let all my officials and nobles take care to follow their duties and orders properly. Such orders must be acted upon immediately, not delayed or withdrawn.

  ‘If you serve properly,

  then you can overcome ego

  and as a result the people will trust you.

  Look to the past

  to understand the duties you have today.

  Honour the traditions and the laws

  and then the government will not fall.

  ‘Do what is laid down in the statutes of the state. Do not try to play with them using clever speeches, because casting doubts upon such things only leads to disturbance, and this in turn destroys good plans. If you are indolent, then neglect comes in its wake and this will destroy what is right. If you do not study this properly, you will be like someone facing a wall and you will not see that what you do is failing.

  ‘Beware my nobles!

  Your goal should be merit.

  Your standing only increases through diligence.

  If you are determined in what you do

  then you can face the difficulties that will come in the future.

  Watch out!

  High office can lead to pride;

  the benefits of office can lead to extravagance.

  Seek the virtue of unity

  by being respectful and reserved.

  Do not use your position to show off.

  Act with virtue

  and your heart and mind will then be at ease

  and day by day you will improve.

  If instead you practise deceit,

  then your heart and mind will be troubled;

  and day by day you will make more and more mistakes.

  Even when you are delighting in favour,

  be aware that there are dangers

  and so be cautious.

  If you do not,

  then disasters will arise.

  ‘Promote the competent and encourage the officials to be as one. For when they are not all one, the government falls apart. You can take credit for your success if you have appointed good officials, but equally you must take responsibility for failure if you have appointed incapable officials.

  ‘Indeed,’ the king said. ‘The three dukes are those whom you great officials must reverently serve, in order to make sure that there is no disorder in the running of the government. Do this and you will not only help your ruler but you will bring peace to the people and therefore there will be no discord anywhere in the land.’

  49

  Prince Chen

  Prince Chen is one of the sons of the now deceased Duke of Zhou. Here, he takes up some of his father’s former responsibilities.

  ‘Prince Chen,’ said the king, ‘I find that both filial duty and respect are united in you – and this is a virtue. You are filial and friendly to your older and young brothers and this makes me think you will display this in how you will rule the people. I therefore commission you to rule over the Eastern Borders and to show reverence to this commission. The people there remember only too well how the Duke of Zhou used to rule them as both teacher and protector and they honour him for this.

  ‘Go, therefore, and with due care take up this responsibility. Follow his example and ways ensuring that the people are well governed.

  ‘I have heard it said that good government, like a delightful scent, pleases the dear deities. And like incense, it is not the specific object offered but the worthiness of the supplicant which ensures this delightful scent.

  ‘So become one with the ways of the Duke of Zhou and follow them day by day. Do not abuse this post in order to live in an extravagant way.

  ‘Ordinary folk who have never met a sage before obviously have no idea what to expect and therefore when they do meet one they are none the wiser!

  ‘Therefore be careful. You are like the wind and the people like the grass.

  ‘Good government does not come easily.

  Some things must change,

  some things must remain.

  ‘In planning whether to move forward or to stay still, listen to what the people say and if everyone is basically in agreement, then reflect on that. If you have a good idea, bring it first to the attention of the ruler in his Court. This will mean that when you are working it out later, you can honestly say that this is with the agreement of our ruler and in line with his vi
rtue. Imagine how good things would be if every official acted like this.’

  The king said:

  ‘Prince Chen. Pay close attention to the model of the Duke of Zhou. Never use your power to extort nor to exploit through abuse of the laws.

  ‘In your exercise of power

  be gentle

  but without seeming to be weak.

  Look for those to serve

  who in themselves embody harmony.

  ‘If you find the people of Yin to be law-abiding, then when I say “punish them”, do not unduly punish them. Likewise, when I say “forgive them”, do not unduly forgive.

  ‘Seek the middle path.

  ‘Punish those who will not submit to your rule

  or who ignore the regulations.

  The ultimate goal of punishment

  is of course the end of any need for punishment.

  ‘But there are three types of crime which you must not spare,

  no matter how insignificant the offence:

  those who plot to overthrow;

  those who incite rebellion;

  those who challenge established traditions.

  ‘Don’t get upset by those who are foolish

  nor expect everyone to be perfect.

  Be patient

  and you will be successful

  for virtue comes with discernment.

  Note those who do well

  and you will encourage the less successful

  to emulate them.

  ‘Human nature at birth is good but this becomes distorted by the events of life.

  ‘This leads them to oppose what those above them command because they want to follow their own desires. But if you follow the law and act virtuously, you can bring them back to the good and then they will rise so much higher. As a result, I, the simple man, will be very fortunate and your good services will be famous for generations to come.’