S02: Excerpts on Sage Kings
The Book of Documents, or the Classic of History, is one of the Five Classics of ancient Chinese literature. It is a collection of rhetorical prose attributed to figures of ancient China, and served as the foundation of Chinese political philosophy for over two millennia. In the following excerpts, you will learn more about three sage rulers: Yao, Shun, and Yu. When reading, consider the following questions:
- What makes Yao, Shun, and Yu ideal rulers?
- What is the relationship between man and god?
- How should societies be organized?
Examining into antiquity, we find that the Emperor Yao was called Fangxun. He was reverent, intelligent, accomplished, sincere, and mild. He was sincerely respectful and capable of modesty. His light covered the four extremities of the empire and extended to Heaven above and the Earth below. He was able to make bright his great virtue and bring affection to the nine branches of the family. When the nine branches of the family had become harmonious, he distinguished and honored the hundred clans. When the hundred clans had become illustrious, he harmonized the myriad states. The numerous people were amply nourished and prosperous and became harmonious. Then he charged Xi and He with reverence to follow August Heaven and calculate and delineate the sun, the moon, and the other heavenly bodies, and respectfully to give the people the seasons… The emperor said, “Ah, you Xi and He, the year has three hundred and sixty-six days, and by means of an intercalary month you must fix the four seasons and complete the year. If you earnestly regulate all the functionaries, the achievements will all be glorious.
It is said, according to ancient records, that Emperor Shun, also known as Chonghua, aligned himself with the will of Heaven. He was wise, virtuous, respectful, and modest. His profound virtue became well-known, and he was appointed to the throne.
Shun carefully observed the five codes of conduct, which were adhered to; he managed the hundred offices, which were orderly; he received guests at the four gates, which were harmonious; he went to the great wilderness, where even strong winds and rain did not confuse him. The Emperor said: “Come, Shun. Consult about affairs and examine words. Once your words and actions are proven effective after three years, you shall ascend to the throne.” Shun declined the offer out of humility and did not accept the position. On the first day of the first month, he accepted the charge from Emperor Yao.
[…]
He set examples of punishment, granting amnesty for minor crimes, and established five types of punishment, including whipping, beating, fines, and exile. He granted amnesty for natural disasters but imposed severe penalties for deliberate crimes. The people were in awe and respected the laws. He exiled Gonggong to the remote island, banished Huan Dou to the high mountains, exiled the Three Miao to the distant wilderness, and executed Gun at Feather Mountain. The four punishments led the entire world to submit.
It is said, according to ancient records, that the Great Yu, also known as Wenming, governed the four seas and reverently served the Emperor. He said, “The ruler can endure hardships for his people, and the ministers can endure hardships for their ruler. Thus, the governance will be well-regulated, and the people will be diligent in their virtues.”
[…]
The Emperor said, “Come, Yu! Remember the flood and my mandate. Complete your achievements, for you are virtuous. Be diligent in the state, frugal in the home, and do not be complacent. You are truly virtuous. Do not be arrogant, and no one will compete with you for ability. Do not boast of your achievements, and no one will compete with you for merit. I commend your virtue and great accomplishments. The mandate of Heaven is upon you, and you shall ascend as the supreme ruler. The people’s hearts are precarious, and the way of the heart is subtle. Be precise and consistent, and maintain the middle path. Do not listen to baseless words, and do not use unconsulted plans. Is it not the ruler who is to be loved? Is it not the people who are to be feared? Without the people, what can the ruler uphold? Without the ruler, who can guard the state? Be respectful! Be cautious in your position, and diligently cultivate what is desirable. If the four seas are in difficulty, the heavenly blessings will cease. Words can incite war, and my words will not be repeated.”
[…]
The Emperor said, “Oh, Yu! At this time, the Miao people are not submissive. You must go on an expedition.”
Yu gathered the lords and swore to the army, “This multitude of people, all listen to my command. These ignorant Miao people, disrespectful and self-admiring, go against the way and ruin virtue. The virtuous are in the wild, and the wicked are in power. The people are abandoned and unprotected. Heaven sends its punishment. Thus, I lead you, the many soldiers, to punish their crimes. Unite your hearts and efforts, and you will achieve merits.”
In thirty days, the Miao people defied the mandate. Yi praised Yu, saying, “Only virtue can move Heaven, reaching everywhere. Fullness invites loss, humility receives benefit. This is the way of Heaven. The Emperor, at the beginning on Mount Li, went to the fields, weeping to Heaven and his parents, bearing the blame and confessing his faults. Reverently appearing before the blind old man, trembling and respectful, the blind old man also approved. How much more so for these Miao people?”
Yu bowed and said, “Yes!” The army returned in triumph. The Emperor then spread his civil virtues, performing the dance of shield and feathers on both platforms. In seventy days, the Miao people were subdued.