When Duke Huan of Ch`i went to attack the Shan-jung, his
route passed through Yen, and the Prince of Yen escorted him
beyond the borders [of his own state].[2]
Duke Huan asked Kuan
Chung, "When one feudal lord escorts another, is it right that he
should go beyond his own borders?"
Kuan Chung said, "Unless it is the Son of Heaven [whom he
is escorting], he does not go beyond his own borders."
Duke Huan said, "Then it was out of fear of me that he
violated ritual usage (li). It is not right that I should be the
cause of [the Prince of] Yen's violating ritual (li)."
Whereupon he cut off his territory as far as the Prince of Yen
had gone and presented it to Yen. When the feudal lords heard
of this, they all payed their respects in the court of Ch`i. The Ode
says,[3]
Quietly[4]
fulfill the duties[5]
of your offices,
Loving the correct and the upright.
So shall the Spirits hearken to you,
And give you large measures of bright happiness.