There was a landslide on Mt. Liang. The Prince of Chin summoned
the Great Officer Po-tsung,[2]
who on the way [to court] ran
into a man pulling a cart. The cart turned over,[3]
and Po-tsung
had his spearman on the right get down, intending he should whip
the man. The carter said, "If you kept on hurrying along the road,
you would [already] be well on your way.[4]
Is it right to travel
without knowing what you are about?"
Po-tsung was pleased and asked where he lived. He said, "I
am a native of Chiang."
Po-tsung said, "And have you heard any news?"
"Mt. Liang has had a landslide that blocked up the River, so
that for three days no water has flowed. This is why you have
been summoned."
Po-tsung said, "What is to be done?"
"The mountain is Heaven's, and Heaven caused it to collapse.
The River is Heaven's, and Heaven caused it to be blocked up.
What can Po-tsung do about it?"
Po-tsung took him aside[5]
and interrogated him. He said, "Let
the prince lead his assembled ministers in donning plain mourning
clothes and weeping. After that, perform sacrifices [to the spirits
of the River and the mountain]. Then the River will flow." Po-tsung
asked his family and name, but he would not tell.
When Po-tsung arrived, the prince asked him [for advice], and
he replied in the man's words. Whereupon the prince wore plain
mourning and led the assembled ministers in weeping. After that
he performed the sacrifices, and the River flowed. The prince
asked Po-tsung how he had known [that he should do this], and
Po-tsung falsely passed it off as his idea without revealing that
he had got it from the carter.
When Confucius heard of this he said, "Po-tsung will be without
posterity, stealing another man's credit."
The Ode says,[6]
Heaven is sending down death and disorder,
And has put an end to our king.
Another says,[7]
Revere the majesty of Heaven,
And thus preserve [its favor].
