There is a tradition that of old the Jung barbarians sent Yu-yü
on a mission to Ch`in. Duke Mu of Ch`in asked him concerning
the essentials of success and failure [in a state]. He replied, "Those
who held their states in ancient times without exception did it
through respect and economy. Those who lost their states did so
through arrogance and extravagance." Yu-yü continued with a
discussion of the causes of the decline of the Five Emperors and
the Three Kings[2]
and ended up with the conditions that resulted
in the perishing of the common people.[3]
(?) Duke Mu agreed
with what he said. Afterwards he reported to the Nei-shih, Wang
Mu,[4]
"The existence in a neighboring state of a sage is the worry
of its opponents. Yu-yü is a sage. What are we to do?"
Wang Mu said, "The king of the Jung lives in a rustic, out-ofthe-way
place and has never experienced the sounds and sights of
the Middle Kingdom. Let Your Highness present him with female
musicians to deprave his mind and throw his government into
confusion. His subjects will certainly be alienated. To this end,
ask on Yu-yü's behalf to postpone the date [of his return], so that
separation between prince and minister may be effected. After
that we can put our schemes into practice."
Duke Mu approved and had Wang Mu send two troupes of
female musicians to the king of the Jung and ask on behalf of
Yu-yü that the period [of his visit be prolonged]. The King of
the Jung was delighted and granted the request. Whereupon he
set out wine and listened to music, not resting day or night. By
the end of the year he was dissolute and abandoned. Many of his
men and horses died.
[5]
When Yu-yü came back he remonstrated
in vain several times and then left for Ch`in. Duke Mu of Ch`in
met him and conferred on him [the post of] prime minister. As
a result [Ch`in] annexed twelve states and opened up a thousand
li of territory.
6The other texts have [OMITTED] for [OMITTED]; Chou has emended from SY.
