Annotations to Canon V:—
At the same time of Duke Hsien of Chin, Li-chi enjoyed
the same privileges as the real duchess. She wanted her son,
Hsi-ch`i, to replace the heir apparent, Shên-shêng, and therefore
slandered[39]
Shên-shêng before the Ruler and had him
put to death. Finally she succeeded in setting up Hsi-ch`i
as heir apparent.
The Ruler of Chêng had already installed an heir apparent,
whereas his beloved beautiful girl wanted him to take her
son for the heir apparent. Fearing this, his wife used poisonous
drugs, betrayed the Ruler, and put him to death.
Chou Hsü of Wei was influential in Wei and behaved like
the Ruler. The body of officials and the masses of people
were all afraid of his position and influence. Eventually Chou
Hsü murdered the Ruler and usurped the reins of government.
Prince Chao was heir apparent of Chou. His younger
brother, Prince Kên, was in special favour with the ruler.
Upon the death of the royal father, Kên occupied Eastern
Chou, rose in rebellion and partitioned the original territory
into two states.
King Ch`êng of Ch`u proclaimed Shang-ch`êng heir
apparent. Later, he wanted to take Prince Chih. Therefore,
Shang-ch`ên caused a disturbance, and finally attacked and
murdered King Ch`êng.
According to a different source: King Ch`êng proclaimed[40]
Shang-ch`ên heir apparent. Later, he wanted to set
up Prince Chih. Shang-ch`ên heard about this but was not
yet sure of it. So he said[41]
to his tutor, P`an Chung, "How
can we be sure of the real situation?" "Invite Chiang Yü
to dinner and show him no respect," said Pan Chung. The
Crown Prince followed the advice. Provoked thereby,
Chiang Yü said: "You brute! No wonder your royal
father wants to set you down and set Chih up as heir apparent."
"It's true," said Shang-ch`ên. "Will you be able to serve
Chih?" asked P`an Chung. "No, not able." "Then will
you be able[42]
to take shelter under the feudal lords?" "No,
not able," "Well, then are you able to start a rebellion?"
"Certainly able." Thereupon they raised all the armed soldiers
in the barracks around his court and attacked King Ch`êng.
King Ch`êng asked permission to eat a bear's paw and then
die. Refused permission, he finally committed suicide.
Han Kuei was Premier to Marquis Ai of Han. Yen Sui
was highly regarded by the Ruler. So the two abhorred each
other. One day, Yen Sui ordered men to assassinate Han
Kuei at the court. Han Kuei ran towards His Highness
and held him in his arms. At last the assassins pierced through
Han Kuei and also through Marquis Ai.
T`ien Hêng was Premier of Ch`i. Kan Chih was highly
regarded by Duke Chien. The two hated each other and were
about to kill each other. T`ien Hêng, by distributing private
favours among the masses of people, took over the country,
and finally killed Duke Chien and usurped the reins of
government.
Tai Huan was Prime Minister of Sung. Huang Hsi was
highly regarded by the Ruler. The two disputed in affairs
and abhorred each other. In the long run Huang Hsi killed
the Ruler of Sung and usurped the reins of government.
Hu Tu once said: "If the ruler of a state has a favourite
inside,[43]
the heir apparent is jeopardized; if he has a favourite
outside,[44]
the premier is jeopardized."
The Ruler of Chêng once asked Chêng Chao, "How is the
Crown Prince?" "The Crown Prince is not yet born,"
was the reply. "The Crown Prince has already been set up,"
said the Ruler, "but you said, `He is not yet born.' Why?"
In reply Chêng Chao said: "Although the Crown Prince
has been set up, yet Your Highness loves women and never
stops. Supposing any of the beloved gave birth to a son,
Your Highness would love him, too. Should Your Highness
love him, Your Highness would certainly want to proclaim him
heir apparent. Thy servant, therefore, said, "The Crown
Prince is not yet born.' "
