At the time of Duke Ling of Chin the people of Sung killed
[their] Duke Chao.[2]
Chao Hsüan-tzŭ asked Duke Ling for an
army to aid [those loyal to] the Duke. Duke Ling said, "This is
not the concern of the state of Chin."
Hsüan-tzŭ said, "That is not so. The most important thing is
[the relation between] Heaven and Earth; next comes [that between]
prince and subject. [These relations] are the means whereby
accord is brought about. Now they have killed their prince,
and in so doing have turned against [the relation between] Heaven
and Earth and have acted contrary to the Way of man. Certainly
Heaven will visit them with calamity. If Chin, as Executor of
the Covenant, does not go to the rescue, it is to be feared that
Heaven's punishment will come to us. The Ode says,[3]
When among common people there was a death,
I crawled on my knees to help them.
How much the more should one do so when it is the ruler of a
state]!" Thereupon Duke Ling followed his advice by raising
an army. When the people of Sung heard of it they gravely
rejoiced, and the state of Chin daily became more prosperous.
How was this? It came from their punishing the rebellious and
preserving the accordant. The Ode says,
[3]
When among common people there was a death,
I crawled on my knees to help them.
Chao Hsüan-tzŭ is an example of this.
