Annotations to Canon IV:—
Wang Têng, Magistrate of Chung-mou, once in his
proposition to Lord Hsiang of Chao said: "Chung-mou
has scholars named Chung-chang and Hsü-i, whose personal
appearances are very refined and whose learning is very
erudite. Why does Your Highness not take them into
service?" In reply Lord Hsiang said: "You go to find them.
I will appoint them Middle Officials." Thereupon the
Premier remonstrated with him, saying, "The post of the
Middle Official is an important rank in Chin. Now, appointment
of men of no merit to office is not in accordance with
the constitution of Chin. Your Highness has only heard
about them but not yet seen them, isn't it so?" "When
I took Têng into service," replied the Lord, "I saw him after
having heard about him. The men he has recommended
I will see after I have heard about them, too. This is the way
to use others as my own ears and eyes without cease."
Thus, Wang Têng in one day recommended two Middle
Officials to interview the Lord, who bestowed upon them
fields and residences. In consequence, the people of Chung-mou,
who stopped tilling fields and mowing grass, sold their
houses and farms, and pursued literary studies, numbered
half the population of the fief.
Shu Hsiang sat by Duke P`ing and reported to him on
different affairs. Though the calves of Duke P`ing became
sore and the legs numb, yet he only turned his muscles
around but dared not leave his seat. Hearing about this,
everybody in the Chin State said: "Shu Hsiang is a worthy.
Duke P`ing respected him so much that during the interview
he only turned his muscles around but dared not leave his
seat." In consequence, men in the Chin State who resigned
from official posts and yearned after Shu Hsiang occupied
one-third[84]
the size of the country.
A man of Chêng, named Ch`ü Kung, whenever he heard
enemies were coming, would fear lest he himself[85]
should die
at their hands and also fear lest he himself should be captured
alive by them.
The Father Sovereign of Chao sent Li Tz`ŭ to inspect
Central Hills and see whether or not the country could be
attacked. Upon his return Tz`ŭ reported that the country
could be attacked and that if His Majesty did not strike early
enough, he would lag behind Ch`i and Yen. "Why can
the country be attacked?" asked the Father Sovereign. In
reply Li Tz`ŭ said: "It is because the Ruler is fond of
celebrating retired scholars in rocky caves. For tens of times,
he pulled down his carriage-cover and offered seats in his
carriage when meeting scholars from destitute village gates
or narrow alleys. The times that he paid such courtesies to
scholars wearing hemp clothes as if they were his equals,
numbers hundreds." "According to your description and
estimation," remarked the Father Sovereign, "he is a worthy
ruler. Why then can the country be attacked?" "That is
not so," replied Tz`ŭ, "because if the Ruler is fond of celebrating
retired scholars from rocky caves and employs them
in the court, then warriors will neglect their duties at the
camps; if the superior esteems learned men, condescends to
country scholars, and employs them in the court,
[86]
then
farmers will relax their efforts in the fields. If the warriors
neglect their duties at the camps, the army becomes weak:
if the farmers relax their efforts in the fields, the state becomes
poor. With the army weakened by enemies and the state
impoverished at home, no country ever evades destruction.
Isn't it then practicable to attack such a country?" "Right."
So saying, the Father Sovereign raised an army, attacked
Central Hills, and finally destroyed the country.
