Annotations to Canon II:—
Among the Weis, there were a man and his wife who once
during their prayer said as benediction, "Give us no misery
but one hundred rolls of cloth." "Why is the benediction so
simple?" wondered the husband. "What? If it be more
elaborate than this, then you might be thinking of buying
a concubine thereby," replied the wife.
The King of Ching wanted the various princes to take up
office in the courts of the neighbouring states. "It is impracticable,"
said Tai Hê. "Why? If I, the King, allow them to
take up official posts in the neighbouring states the neighbouring
states would certainly treat them well," said the King.
"The princes sent out are well received," remarked Tai Hê,
"However, when well treated, they become partisans of the
states that treat them well. If so, such a policy is simply to
induce the princes to the betrayal of their native land to
foreign powers, and therefore is disadvantageous to Your
Majesty."
The clans of Mêng Sun, Shu Sun, and Chi Sun, united their
strength and molested Duke Chao, till they usurped his state
and managed all public affairs at their pleasure. At first, when
the Three Huans[20]
were bearing down upon the Duke,[21]
Duke
Chao attacked the Chi Sun Clan. Therefore, the Mêng Sun
Clan and the Shu Sun Clan consulted with each other as to
whether they should rescue the would-be victim. The coachman
of the Shu Sun Clan said: "I am just a domestic servant.
How can I understand public affairs? Whether Chi Sun
remains in existence or goes into extinction, neither will
gain me anything." The rest said: "If Chi Sun is gone,
Shu Sun will certainly pass out too. Let us rescue them."
So they broke through the north-western corner and went in.
When the Mêng Sun Clan saw the flag of Shu Sun going in,
they also ran to the rescue. The Three Huans thus became
one. Duke Chao could not overcome them but sought refuge
in Chi`i
[22]
and died at Ch`ien-hou.
Kung-shu was Premier of Han and, furthermore,[23]
was on
good terms[24]
with Ch`i. Kung-chung was highly trusted by
the King. Kung-shu was afraid lest the King should appoint
Kung-chung premier. Therefore, he made Ch`i and Han form
an alliance for attacking Wey. And, by conspiring secretly
with the army of Ch`i inside the city of Chêng, capital of
Han, and thereby intimidating his master, he made his own
position secure and consolidated the alliance of the two states.
Chieh Huang was minister to the King of Wey but was
on good terms with Han. Accordingly, he sent for troops
from Han and made them attack Wey. Then he purposely
offered to sue for peace on behalf of His Majesty in order
thereby to elevate his own position.
The King of Yüeh attacked the King of Wu. The King
of Wu apologized and offered submission. When the King
of Yüeh was thinking of forgiving him, Fan Li and High
Official Chung said: "No, it is impracticable. Formerly
Heaven presented Yüeh to Wu but Wu refused the present.
Now if
[25]
we let Fu-ch`a go home, we will incur a similar
calamity from Heaven. As Heaven is now presenting Wu to
Yüeh, we ought to repeat bows and accept the present.
Never forgive him." Thereupon Premier P`i of Wu wrote
to High Official Chung, saying: "When wild hares are
exhausted, tame dogs would be cooked; when enemy states
are destroyed, state councillors would be ruined. High
Official, why would you not release Wu and keep Yüeh in
worry?" When High Official Chung received the letter,
he read it, heaved a deep sigh, and said, "Put the messenger
to death. The Yüeh State and my
[26]
life are the same."
Ta-ch`êng Wu[27]
served Chao and said to Shên Pu-hai in
Han: "Sir, if you would elevate my position in Chao with
the influence of Han, I should elevate your position in Han
with the influence of Chao. In this way you will extend your
sphere of influence twice as large as Han while I will extend
mine twice as large as Chao."
Ssŭ-ma Hsi, minister to the ruler of Central Hills, was on
good terms with Chao and therefore always reported in
secret to the King of Chao the stratagems of Central Hills.
Lü Ts`ang, minister to the King of Wey, was on good terms
with Ch`in and Ching. Once he gave Ch`in and Ching a
secret hint and made them attack Wey. Then he offered to
sue for peace in order thereby to make his own position secure.
Sung Shih was a general of Wey: Wei Chün, a general of
Ching. When the two States took up arms against each other,
both were commanders of their respective armies. Then
Sung Shih wrote Wei Chün a personal letter, saying: "The
two armies are opposing each other. The two flags are facing
each other. Let there be no fighting. After fighting both will
certainly not remain in coexistence. The present crisis is a
personal feud between the two sovereigns. You and I have no
private hatred. Being good to each other, we should avoid
fighting each other."
Pai Kuei was Premier of Wey; Pao Ch`ien, Premier of Han.
The former said to the latter: "If you assist me in Wey with
the influence of Han while I support you in Han with the
influence of Wey, then I will always remain in power in
Wey while you in Han."
