The Most Venerable Book (Shang Shu)

by Confucius

  50

  The Affectionate Command

  This is one of the most significant and detailed sections of the book, giving insights into the funereal rites of the Zhou. King Cheng is dying after reigning for thirty-seven years. It is around 1077 BC. The new king is King Zhao, who will become known later as King Kang – see chapter fifty-one.

  The king fell ill in the fourth month, when the moon was waning. On the Jia Zi day, the King washed his face and hands, put on his ceremonial robes and propped himself up on his jade bench. Then he called together all his officials. They all came, the Grand Protector, all the main lords, to the superintendents of the king’s offices.

  ‘Indeed,’ the king then said. ‘I am very ill, much worse than before and soon it will be time for me to go. The sickness gets worse day by day, without any reprieve. I am worried that soon I may not be able to express my intentions regarding my successor. This is why I will speak now. This is what I command you to do.

  ‘Our forebears, King Wen and King Wu, ensured the well-being of everyone and through their glorious actions made sure all were properly instructed. Because of these actions, there was no opposition and the result was that they received the Great Mandate and took over from the Yin. Later, I, the insignificant one, with a due sense of awe received the Order from Heaven. And I have tried to follow the Great Example set by Wen and Wu, never daring to deviate.

  ‘Now Heaven has struck me down with this illness and I fear it will be fatal. So now I set out clearly before you what you must do. You must reverently protect my eldest son and heir, Ji Zhao. Help him through this difficult time.

  ‘Make sure you assist those far off

  as well as those close at hand.

  Bring peace to all,

  throughout the state,

  great or small.

  ‘I know how important it is that one conducts oneself with modesty and this is why Ji Zhao must be guided so he does not give way to rash emotions.’

  The officials, having received their instructions, retired and took up their duties in the Court.

  On the very next day, the king died.

  Then the Grand Protector ordered Zhong Huan and Nan Gong Mao to follow the orders of the Prince of Qi, Lu Ji. The two men with their spears and with a hundred armed guards met Prince Ji Zhao outside the south gate and brought him in to one of the wings of the Palace as he was of course the chief mourner.

  Two days later, he ordered that the rituals be performed and a full Record made.

  On the seventh day after the death of the king, as the Lord of the West, he ordered the officials to provide wood and the necessary materials for the rituals.

  He ordered the proper placement of the requisite screens. These were richly decorated with images of axes.

  Three layers of bamboo mats with black and white silk fringes were placed facing south between the windows and doors. Tables decorated with jade inlays were placed upon the mats.

  On the west side, facing east, other bamboo mats were spread out. These were richly decorated with pictures. Tables decorated with tortoise shell were placed upon the mats.

  In the east, facing west, they placed fine mats made of grass with silk patterned borders. Tables decorated with jewels were placed upon the mats.

  On the west side, facing south, were placed more richly decorated bamboo mats with black silk borders. Tables decorated with lacquer were placed upon the mats.

  It was here that they displayed the Five Jewels alongside the many other treasures.

  These included:

  the Red Knife;

  the Great Book of Instructions;

  the Grand Jade Disc of Fortune

  and the Sceptre of Power.

  All these were displayed on the western side.

  On the eastern side were displayed:

  the Great Jewel;

  the Jewels of the Foreigners;

  the Heavenly Chime Stone

  and the River Charts.

  On the western side were also placed:

  the Ceremonial Robes of the Yin;

  the Great Tortoise Divination Shell

  and the main drum.

  On the eastern side were also placed:

  the Spear of Dui;

  the Bow of He

  and the Bamboo Arrows of Chui.

  The Grand Carriage was beside the Residency while the other three carriages were by the exit staircase, by the left exit and by the right exit.

  Two men in leather caps held halberds, guarding the main gate into the palace. Four men in spotted deer-skin hats held their spears at the ready by either side of the two main staircases, to the east and west of the main hall. One man, dressed in official regalia and holding an axe, stood to the west of the main hall while another man in official regalia and holding a spear stood at the eastern end of the main hall. Holding a spear and also dressed in official regalia stood a man at the western end of the hall, while yet another officially dressed man holding a javelin stood by the main staircase.

  The king, wearing a hemp cap and the brightly coloured regal robes, ascended the Residency staircase followed by the scholarly nobles and princes also wearing hemp caps with their black robes. Upon entering, they took their seats. The Grand Protector, the Grand Recorder and the Grand Master all wore hemp caps and bright red robes.

  The Grand Protector carried the Sceptre of Authority;

  the Grand Master carried the cup and the seal

  and together they ascended the staircase.

  The Grand Recorder brought the King the Record of the Command.

  He said:

  ‘The noble Emperor, reclining upon the jade bench, set forth the Way as his last Command. He commanded you to follow him and continue to guide and rule the Empire of Zhou. Hold fast to the Great Mandate which unites all below Heaven. In this way show the yang light of Wen and Wu and their instructions.’

  The king bowed twice and upon rising said:

  ‘I am nothing,

  nobody,

  just a child.

  How can I rule the four corners of the land

  and assure reverence to Heaven’s glory?’

  He then received the cup and seal. Three times he filled the cup and three times he poured out the libations and three times he replaced the cup. The High Master said, ‘It is accepted.’

  The Grand Protector received the cup, descended and cleaned it and his hands and took another cup while holding his symbol of office and he repeated the libations. Passing the cup to another official, he bowed and the king acknowledged this and bowed in return. The Grand Protector received the cup and reverently offered it, sipping the offering, and then gave the cup to another official and bowed. The king bowed in return. The Grand Protector descended from the hall and the ritual objects were removed. The nobles then also left, passing through the temple gate beyond which they stood in readiness.

  51

  The Proclamation of King Kang

  This is a continuation of the previous chapter.

  The king came and stood inside the main gate while the Grand Protector led out the princes of the west to the left of the gate and the Duke of Bi led out the princes of the east to the right of the gate. The bay horses with their red-coloured tails were brought forth and those in attendance lifted high their sceptres of authority and their gifts.

  They said:

  ‘We who are gathered here,

  we who are your officials,

  we bring you our gifts

  from the far-flung places

  of our homes

  to humbly lay them before you.’

  They then kowtowed and the king, a model of virtue, bowed in return.

  The Grand Protector and the Earl of Rui, followed by everyone else, came forward, kowtowed and said:

  ‘Son of Heaven,

  Imperial Heaven chose to take the Mandate

  from the imperial state of Shang

  giving it to Wen and Wu of the Zhou.

  They proved they were worthy of
receiving it

  because they’d ruled the Western Lands so well.

  The next king, following this example

  both honoured and punished, as is fitting,

  passing this example on to his descendants.

  Now, your Majesty, practise caution

  by increasing the Royal Army

  and never again neglect the mandate

  of your revered high ancestors!’

  The king replied like this:

  ‘Hear this, all you lords and noblemen.

  I, being but a simple man, utter this proclamation.

  Wen and Wu brought peace and good fortune.

  Rather than overreacting to crimes

  they responded to undue punishments.

  They were truthful, and lit up

  everyone around them under Heaven!

  They had officers as brave as bears

  and statesmen who were never two-faced

  who protected and ordered the Royal House.

  So they received the Mandate from the Heavenly Ruler.

  Imperial Heaven guided them on their path

  so they would rule the land well.

  They appointed their leaders to govern,

  and also protect the heirs to the throne.

  So now, all my paternal uncles,

  ensure you behave as well, and collectively

  take on those tasks appointed to you

  by your forebears in service of my Ancestral Kings!

  Although you live long journeys away,

  do not let your hearts and minds wander

  far from the Royal Court!

  Share my anxieties with me

  and the duties that come with them

  so that I, an orphan now,

  will neither feel abandoned by you nor ashamed!’

  All the dukes, having heard this proclamation, bowed to each other and departed. The King took up his crown and once again he put on the mourning robes.

  52

  The Command to Bi

  Three days after the new moon, in the sixth month of the twelfth year of his reign, the King went on foot from the city of Zhou to the city of Feng. He was worried about the people of Cheng and issued orders to the Duke of Bi to protect and administer the eastern border.

  The king said:

  ‘Now, my paternal tutor, the Mandate of Heaven was received by King Wen and King Wu when they showed how virtuous they were to everyone. As a result, the Mandate was removed from the Yin. The Duke of Zhou served my Ancestor Kings well, and with them secured the Royal House. He subdued the rebellious Yin and banished them to the city of Luo. His plan was that by having them so close to the Royal Palace they would be reformed by his teachings. In just one generation – thirty-six years, to be precise – this worked. There was no more conflict in the land, and I, the single man, am at ease.’

  The king said:

  ‘Indeed, Grand Tutor, I now pass to you the duties of the Duke of Zhou and command you to go and discharge them. Make sure you distinguish between the honest citizen and the thug – taking into consideration their context and connections.

  ‘Highlight the evil by emphasizing the good.

  ‘Let it be known that those who disobey will have the boundaries of their land altered and let this instil fear in them, and thus a desire to conform. To make sure the country will remain at peace, secure the borders and strengthen the army bases.

  ‘A government should be constant in what it does and its instructions should be appropriate to the nature of the task in hand.

  ‘Do not allow the exceptional to divert you from the ordinary. This is exactly what happened to the Shang. They delighted in flattery and valued those who were cunning above those who were wise. These traits are still prevalent today, so beware of them.

  ‘I have heard it said that the aristocratic families who for generations have been favoured no longer feel the need to conform. They have as a result become indulgent and disregard virtue – even opposing the Way of Heaven. As a consequence, they set at naught what is good and mock what should be treasured and this bad example has influenced many generations.

  ‘The officials of Yin had taken for granted this way of living and were so confident of their privileged position that they had lost sight of righteousness. They strutted their stuff in the face of others – and of course the end of all this was disaster. Yet still today, despite all that we have done to help their hearts and minds to reform, they are proving difficult to control. The hope is that through proper instruction, their power can be channelled to bring renewal which will shape many generations to come. If you are led by virtue and righteousness, then openness comes through following such great teaching. But if you will not follow these ancient teachings, then where else will you find wisdom?’

  The king said:

  ‘Indeed, Grand Tutor, the well-being of, or dangers for, the state depend on how the officials of Yin react. If they are not dealt with too severely or for too long a period, then it is possible that their virtue will improve.

  ‘The Duke of Zhou always made sure he was well prepared before starting on any venture.

  ‘Prince Chen always found the middle path in all that he did.

  ‘You, Duke, can complete this in your actions, for you three statesmen, being united in heart and mind, have all found the True Way. Together, this True Way and the fact that the government is good for the people means that you can ensure double happiness for all.

  ‘This will even affect the barbarian tribes from all four quarters – those very strange foreigners who, for example, button their coats on the left side – who will without exception trust me, the young child. So, you will build a reputation here in this city of Zhou, which will never fade – fame without end. Your descendants will be inspired to follow your example and will govern in a similar style.

  ‘Listen!

  You must not say

  I cannot do this.

  Instead commit yourself heart and mind.

  Nor should you say

  the people do not matter.

  Pay attention to what you should do.

  With due reverence take as your model the Ancestor Kings and as a result you will complete the excellent example set by your predecessors.’

  53

  Lord Ya

  We are now in the reign of King Mu, who traditionally reigned between 1001 and 947 BC.

  ‘Now, Lord Ya,’ said the king. ‘As you know, the loyal service of your revered ancestors is written for all to see in the Great Records. Generation after generation, they served the Royal House with a true heart and their merit is justly recorded on the great banner.

  ‘I am but a child, yet I have inherited the duties and responsibilities from Wen, Wu, Cheng and Kang. I cannot help but notice that the Ancestor Kings were assisted by their ministers to control the whole land.

  ‘I am so worried and disturbed.

  I feel as if I am treading on the tail of a tiger

  or walking on thin ice.

  This is why I now must command you to assist me;

  to become my arms and legs,

  my heart and my very spine.

  So go now,

  carry out your responsibilities

  and do not bring dishonour on your ancestors.

  Spread abroad the Five Precepts;

  These will unite the people.

  If you are straight with people

  then no one will dare not be.

  If you do not follow the Middle Way,

  then how can the hearts and minds of the people

  be encouraged to do likewise?

  The ordinary people,

  they mumble and grumble through the summer heats and storms. But then they also do this in the winter as well – only this time complaining about the cold!

  How hard life is.

  Reflect upon their hardships

  and therefore wish to ease their burdens.

  Then the people will be at peace.

  ‘Indee
d, the programmes of King Wen were very good. Note how well King Wu carried them forward. They inspire and inform all of us who are their descendants because they are so true and without fault. Follow them with reverence in order to help me follow faithfully my ancestors. This will mean I am worthy of both Wen and Wu and you will have obeyed the commands of your own ancestors.’

  The king added the following:

  ‘Lord Ya. Follow the example and practices set by your ancestors. Whether the government is good or bad for the people hangs on this. So, follow the pattern set by your ancestors of how to govern and this will in turn glorify your ruler.’

  54

  Command to Qiong

  This is also King Mu.

  ‘Earl Qiong,’ said the king, ‘Unlike my forebears, I am not worthy to sit on the throne of the Prince. In fact, such a thought fills me with fear and trepidation.

  ‘I wake up in the middle of the night, wrestling with my anxieties.

  ‘Just think about it. Wen and Wu were illustrious and sagacious. Their statesmen, whether the highest or the lowest, prized integrity and goodness. In fact, all who served them were exemplary, being busy from morning to night with just one concern – to serve their ruler. Whether they were coming in or going out, standing or sitting, they showed nothing but respect. Whatever they decreed, it was for the good and as a result the ordinary people were reverent and everywhere there was contentment. I alone am unworthy. I must rely on my assistants to correct my faults and to confront my errors. In this way I will be able to overcome the falseness of my heart and be able to be worthy of my ancestors.

  ‘Now I command you to act as the Grand Judge and to ensure that all those who serve me behave properly. This will then mean they can help their prince to be more virtuous and so I will be able to overcome my failings.

  ‘But take care in the choice of assistants.

  Do not choose those who flatter

  or who at first sight seem to be good.

  Avoid sycophants

  and choose only those

  who have a good reputation.

  For when those who serve are true,