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31 內儲說下六微第三十一

六微:一曰權借在下,二曰利異外借,三曰託於似類,四曰利害有反,五曰參疑內爭, 六曰敵國廢置。此六者,主之所察也。

經一:權借。

權勢不可以借人。上失其一,臣以為百。故臣得借則力多,力多則內外為用, 〔內外為用〕則人主壅。其說在老聃之言失魚也。是以人主久語,而左右鬻懷刷。其患在胥僮之 (權)〔諫〕厲公,與州侯之一言,而燕人浴矢也。

經二:利異。

君臣之利異,故人臣莫忠,故臣利立而主利滅。是以姦臣者,召敵兵以內除, 舉外事以眩主,苟成其私利,不顧國患。其說在衛人之妻夫禱祝也。故戴歇議子弟,而三桓攻昭公; 公叔內齊軍,而翟黃召韓兵;太宰嚭說大夫種,大成牛教申不害;司馬喜告趙王,呂倉規秦、楚; 宋石遺衛君書,白圭教暴譴。

經三:似類。

似類之事,人主之所以失誅,而大臣之所以成私也。是以門人捐水而夷射誅, 濟陽自矯而二人罪,司馬喜殺爰騫而季辛〔誅〕,鄭袖言惡臭而新人劓,費無忌教郄宛而令尹誅, 陳需殺張壽而犀首走。故燒芻廥而中山罪,殺老儒而濟陽賞也。

經四:有反。

事起而有所利,其(市)〔尸〕主之;有所害,必反察之。是以明主之論也, 國害則省其利者,臣害則察其反者。其說在楚兵至而陳需相,黍種貴而廩吏覆。是以昭奚恤執販茅, 而(不)僖侯譙其次,文公髮繞炙,而穰侯請立帝。

經五:參疑。

參疑之勢,亂之所由生也,故明主慎之。是以晉驪姬殺太子申生,而鄭夫人用毒藥, 衛州吁殺其君完,公子根取東周,王子職甚有寵而商臣果作亂,嚴遂、韓廆爭而哀侯果遇賊,田常、 闞止、戴驩、皇喜敵而宋君、簡公殺。其說在狐突之稱二好,與鄭昭之對未生也。

經六:廢置。

敵之所務,在淫察而就靡,人主不察,則敵廢置矣。故文王資費仲, 而秦王患楚使,黎且去仲尼,而干象沮甘茂。是以子胥宣(王)言而子常用,內美〔人〕而虞、虢亡, 佯遺書而萇弘死,用雞猳而鄶桀盡。

參疑廢置之事,明主絕之於內而施之於外。資其輕者,輔其弱者,此謂廟攻。 參伍既用於內,觀聽又行於外,則敵偽得。其說在秦侏儒之告惠文君也。故襄疵言襲鄴,而嗣公賜令蓆。

說一:

勢重者,人主之淵也;臣者,勢重之魚也。魚失於淵而不可復得也, 人主失其勢重於臣而不可復收也。古之人難正言,故託之於魚。 賞罰者,利器也,君操之以制臣,臣得之以擁主。故君先見所賞,則臣鬻之以為德; 君先見所罰,則臣鬻之以為威。故曰:「國之利器,不可以示人。」

靖郭君相齊,與故人久語,則故人富;懷左右刷,則左右重。久語懷刷, 小資也,猶以成富,況於吏勢乎?

晉厲公之時,六卿貴,胥僮、長魚矯諫曰:「大臣貴重,敵主爭事,外市樹黨, 下亂國法,上以劫主,而國不危者,未嘗有也。」公曰:「善。」乃誅三卿。胥僮、長魚矯又諫曰: 「夫同罪之人偏誅而不盡,是懷怨而借之間也。」公曰:「吾一朝而夷三卿,予不忍盡也。」 長魚矯對曰:「公不忍之,彼將忍公。」公不聽。居三月,諸卿作難,遂殺厲公而分其地。

州侯相荊,貴而主斷。荊王疑之,因問左右,左右對曰:「無有。」如出一口也。

燕人無惑,故浴狗矢。燕人,其妻有私通於士,其夫早自外而來,士適出, 夫曰:「何客也?」其妻曰:「無客。」問左右,左右言「無有」,如出一口。其妻曰: 「公惑易也。」因浴之以狗矢。

一曰:燕人李季好(好)遠出,其妻私有通於士,季突(之)〔至〕,士在內中, 妻患之。其室婦曰:「令公子裸而解髮,直出門,吾屬佯不見也。」於是公子從其計,疾走出門。 季曰:「是何人也?」家室皆〔曰〕:「無有。」季曰:「吾見鬼乎?」婦人曰:「然。」 「為之柰何?」曰:「取五(姓)〔牲〕之矢浴之。」季曰:「諾。」乃浴以矢。一曰浴以蘭湯。

說二:

衛人有夫妻禱者,而祝曰:「使我無故,得百(來)束布。」其夫曰: 「何少也?」對曰:「益是,子將以買妾。」

荊王欲宦諸公子於四鄰,戴歇曰:「不可。」「宦公子於四鄰,四鄰必重之。」 曰:「子出者重,重則必為所重之國黨,則是教子於外市也,不便。」

魯孟孫、叔孫、季孫相戮力劫昭公,遂奪其國而擅其制。魯三桓(公偪)〔偪公〕, 昭公攻季孫氏,而孟孫氏、叔孫氏相與謀曰:「救之乎?」叔孫氏之御者曰:「我,家臣也, 安知公家?凡有〔季〕孫與無季孫於我孰利?」皆曰:「無季孫必無叔孫。」「然則救之。」 於是撞西北隅而入。孟孫見叔孫之旗入,亦救之。三桓為一,昭公不勝。逐之,死於乾侯。

公叔相韓而有攻齊,公仲甚重於王,公叔恐王之相公仲也,使齊、韓約而攻魏。 公叔因內齊軍於鄭,以劫其君,以固其位,而信兩國之約。

翟璜,魏王之臣也,而善於韓。乃召韓兵令之攻魏,因請為魏王搆之以自重也。

越王攻吳王,吳王謝而告服,越王欲許之,范蠡、大夫種曰:「不可。 昔天以越與吳,吳不受。今天反夫差,亦天禍也。以吳予越,再拜受之,不可許也。」 太宰嚭遺大夫種書曰:「狡兔盡則良犬烹,敵國滅則謀臣亡。大夫何不釋吳而患越乎?」 大夫種受書讀之,太息而歎曰:「殺之,越與吳同命。」

大成牛從趙謂申不害於韓曰:「以韓重我於趙,請以趙重子於韓,是子有兩韓,我有兩趙。」

司馬喜,中山君之臣也,而善於趙,嘗以中山之謀微告趙王。

呂倉,魏王之臣也,而善於秦、荊。微諷秦、荊令而攻魏,因請行和以自重也。

宋石,魏將也;衛君,荊將也。兩國搆難,二子皆將。宋石遺衛君書曰: 「二(君)〔軍〕相當,兩旗相望,唯毋一戰,戰必不兩存。此乃兩主之事也,與子無有私怨,善者相避也。」

白圭相魏(王),暴譴相韓。白圭謂暴譴曰:「子以韓輔我於魏,我以魏待子於韓,臣長用魏,子長用韓。」

說三:

齊中大夫有夷射者,御飲於王,醉甚而出,倚於郎門。門者刖跪請曰: 「足下無意賜之餘(隸)〔瀝〕乎?」夷射(曰叱)〔叱曰〕:「去!刑餘之人,何事乃敢乞飲長者!」 刖跪走退。及夷射去,刖跪因捐水郎門霤下,類溺者之狀。明日,王出而訶之,曰:「誰溺於是?」 刖跪對曰:「臣不見也。雖然,昨日中大夫夷射立於此。」王因誅夷射而殺之。

魏王臣二人不善濟陽君,濟陽君因偽令人矯王命而謀攻己。王使人問濟陽君(濟陽君)曰: 「誰與恨?」對曰:「無敢與恨。雖然,嘗與二人不善,不足以至於此。」王問左右,左右曰:「固然。」王因誅二人者。

季辛與爰騫相怨。司馬喜新與季辛惡,因微令人殺爰騫,中山之君以為季辛也,因誅之。

荊王所愛妾有鄭袖者,荊王新得美女,鄭袖因教之曰:「王甚喜人之掩口也,為近王,必掩口。」 美女入見,近王,因掩口。王問其故,鄭袖曰:「此固言惡王之臭。」及王與鄭袖、美女三人坐, 袖因先誡御者曰:「王適有言,必亟聽從王言。」美女前近王甚,數掩口。王悖然怒曰:「劓之!」御因揄刀而劓美人。

一曰:魏王遺荊王美人,荊王甚悅之。夫人鄭袖知王悅愛之也, 亦悅愛之,甚於王。衣服玩好,擇其所欲為之。王曰:「夫人知我愛新人也,其悅愛之甚於寡人, 此孝子所以養親,忠臣之所以事君也。」夫人知王之不以己為妬也,因為新人曰:「王甚悅愛子, 然惡子之鼻,子見王,常掩鼻,則王長幸子矣。」於是新人從之,每見王,常掩鼻。王謂夫人曰: 「新人見寡人常掩鼻,何也?」對曰:「不(已)知也。」王強問之,對曰:「頃嘗言惡聞王臭。」 王怒曰:「劓之!」夫人先誡御者曰:「王適有言,必可從命。」御者因揄刀而劓美人。

費無極、荊令尹之近者也。郄宛新事令尹,令尹甚愛之。無極因謂令尹曰: 「君愛宛甚,何不一為酒其家?」令尹曰:「善。」因令之為具於郄宛之家。無極教宛曰: 「令尹甚傲而好兵,子必謹敬,先亟陳兵堂下及門庭。」宛因為之。令尹往而大驚,曰: 「此何也?」無極曰:「君殆,去之!事未可知也。」令尹大怒,舉兵而誅郄宛,遂殺之。

犀首與張壽為怨,陳需新入,不善犀首,因使人微殺張壽。魏王以為犀首也,乃誅之。

中山有賤公子,馬甚瘦,車甚弊。左右有私不善者,乃為之請王曰: 「公子甚貧,馬甚瘦,王何不益之馬食?」王不許。左右因微令夜燒芻廄。王以為賤公子也,乃誅之。

魏有老儒而不善濟陽君。客有與老儒私怨者,因攻老儒殺之,以德於濟陽君, 曰:「臣為其不善君也,故為君殺之。」濟陽君因不察而賞之。

一曰:濟陽君有少庶子,有不見知欲入愛於君者。齊使老儒掘藥於馬梨之山, 濟陽少庶子欲以為功,入見於君曰:「齊使老儒掘藥於馬梨之山,名掘藥也,實間君之國。 君〔不〕殺之,是將以濟陽君抵罪於齊矣。臣請刺之。」君曰:「可。」於是明日得之城陰而刺之, 濟陽君還益親之。

說四:

陳需,魏王之臣也,善於荊王,而令荊攻魏。荊攻魏,陳需因請為魏王行解之,因以荊勢相魏。

韓昭侯之時,黍種嘗貴甚。昭侯令人覆廩,吏果竊黍種而糶之甚多。

昭奚恤之用荊也,有燒倉廥()〔窌〕者而不知其人。昭奚恤令吏執販茅者而問之,果燒也。

昭僖侯之時,宰人上食而羹中有生肝焉。昭侯召宰人之次而誚之曰: 「若何為置生肝寡人羹中?」宰人頓首服死罪,曰:「竊欲去尚宰人也。」

一曰:僖侯浴,湯中有礫。僖侯曰:「尚浴免,則有當代者乎?」 左右對曰:「有。」僖侯曰:「召而來。」譙之曰:「何為置礫湯中?」對曰:「尚浴免,則臣得代之,是以置礫湯中。」

文公之時,宰臣上炙而髮繞之。文公召宰人而譙之曰:「女欲寡人之哽耶? 奚為以髮繞炙?」宰人頓首再拜請曰:「〔臣〕有死罪三:援礪砥刀,利猶干將也,切肉肉斷而髮不斷, 臣之罪一也。援木而貫臠而不見髮,臣之罪二也。奉熾爐,炭火盡赤紅,而炙熟而髮不燒,臣之罪三也。 堂下得(財)(無)微有疾臣者乎?」公曰:「善。」乃召其堂下而譙之,果然,乃誅之。

一曰:晉平公觴客,少庶子進炙而髮繞之,平公趣殺炮人,毋有反令。 炮人呼天曰:「嗟乎!臣有三罪,死而不自知乎!」平公曰:「何謂也?」對曰: 「臣刀之利,風靡骨斷而髮不斷,是臣之一死也。桑炭炙之,肉紅白而髮不焦,是臣之二死也。 炙熟,又重睫而視之,髮繞炙而目不見,是臣之三死也。意者堂下其有翳憎臣者乎?殺臣不亦蚤乎!」

穰侯相秦而齊強。穰侯欲立秦為帝而齊不聽,因請立齊為東帝,而不能成也。

說五:

晉獻公之時,驪姬貴,擬於后妻,而欲以其子奚齊代太子申生,因患申生於君而殺之,遂立奚齊為太子。

鄭君已立太子矣,而有所愛美女欲以其子為後。夫人恐,因用毒藥賊君殺之。

衛州吁重於衛,擬於君,群臣百姓盡畏其勢重。州吁果殺其君而奪之政。

公子朝,周太子也,弟公子根甚有寵於君,君死,遂以東周叛,分為兩國。

楚成王以商臣為太子,既而又欲置公子職。商臣作亂,遂攻殺成王。

一曰:楚成王〔以〕商臣為太子,既欲置公子職。商(人)〔臣〕聞之, 未察也,乃為其傅潘崇曰:「柰何察之也?」潘崇曰:「饗江(芊)〔羋〕而勿敬也。」 太子聽之。江(芊)〔羋〕曰:「呼,役夫!宜君王之欲廢女而立職也。」商臣曰:「信矣。」 潘崇曰:「能事之乎?」曰:「不能。」「能為之諸侯乎?」曰:「不能。」「能舉大事乎?」 曰:「能。」於是乃起宿營之甲而攻成王。成王請食熊膰而死,不許,遂自殺。

韓廆相韓哀侯,嚴遂重於君,二人甚相害也。嚴遂乃令人刺韓廆於朝,韓廆走君而抱之,遂刺韓廆而兼哀侯。

田恆相齊,闞止重於簡公,二人相憎而欲相賊也。田恆因行私惠以取其國,遂殺簡公而奪之政。

戴驩為宋太宰,皇喜重於君,二人爭事而相害也,皇喜遂殺宋君而奪其政。

狐突曰:「國君好內則太子危,好外則相室危。」

鄭君問鄭昭曰:「太子亦何如?」對曰:「太子未生也。」君曰:「太子已置而曰『未生』, 何也?」對曰:「太子雖置,然而君之好色不已,所愛有子,君必愛之,愛之則必欲以為後,臣故曰『太子未生』也。」

說六:

文王資費仲而遊於紂之旁,令之諫紂而亂其心。

荊王使人之秦,秦王甚禮之。王曰:「敵國有賢者,國之憂也。今荊王之使者甚賢,寡人患之。」 群臣諫曰:「以王之賢聖與國之資厚,願荊王之賢人,王何不深知之而陰有之。荊以為外用也,則必誅之。」

仲尼為政於魯,道不拾遺,齊景公患之。(梨)〔黎〕且謂景公曰:「去仲尼猶吹毛耳。 君何不迎之以重祿高位,遺哀公女樂以驕榮其意。哀公新樂之,必怠於政,仲尼必諫,諫必輕絕於魯。」 景公曰:「善。」乃令(犁)〔黎〕且以女樂六遺哀公,哀公樂之,果怠於政。仲尼諫,不聽,去而之楚。

楚王謂干象曰:「吾欲以楚扶甘茂而相之秦,可乎?」干象對曰:「不可也。」 王曰:「何也?」曰:「甘茂少而事史舉先生,史舉,上蔡之監門也,大不事君,小不事家, 以苛刻聞天下。茂事之,順焉。惠王之明,張儀之辨也,茂事之,取十官而免於罪,是茂賢也。」 王曰:「相人敵國而相賢,其不可何也?」干象曰:「前時王使邵滑之越,五年而能亡越。 所以然者,越亂而楚治也。日者知用之越,今亡之秦,不亦太亟亡乎!」王曰:「然則為之柰何?」 干象對曰:「不如相共立。」王曰:「共立可相何也?」對曰:「共立少見愛幸,長為貴卿,被王衣, 含杜若,握玉環,以聽於朝,且利以亂秦矣。」

吳政荊,子胥使人宣言於荊曰:「子期用,將擊之;子常用,將去之。」 荊人聞之,因用子常而退子期也。吳人擊之,遂勝之。

晉獻公伐虞、虢,乃遺之屈產之乘,垂棘之璧,女樂六,以榮其意而亂其政。

叔向之讒萇弘也,為書曰:「萇弘謂叔向曰:『子為我謂晉君, 所與君期者,時可矣。何不亟以兵來?』」因佯遺其書周君之庭而急去行。周以萇弘為賣周也,乃誅萇弘而殺之。

鄭桓公將欲襲鄶,先問鄶之豪傑、良臣、辯智果敢之士,盡與姓名,擇鄶之良田賂之, 為官爵之名而書之。因為設壇場郭門之外而埋之,釁之以雞豭,若盟狀。鄶君以為內難也而盡殺其良臣。 桓公襲鄶,遂取之。

秦侏儒善於荊王,而陰有善荊王左右而內重於惠文君。荊適有謀,侏儒常先聞之以告惠文君。

鄴令襄疵,陰善趙王左右。趙王謀襲鄴,襄疵常輒聞而先言之魏王。 〔魏王〕備之,趙乃(輒還)〔輟行〕。

衛嗣君之時,有人於令之左右。縣令(有)發蓐而席弊甚,嗣公還令人遺之席,曰: 「吾聞汝今者發蓐而席弊甚,賜汝席。」縣令大驚,以君為神也。

Chapter XXXI. Inner Congeries of Sayings, The Lower Series: Six Minutiae

1Of the six minutiae, the first is said to be "authority left in the hands of the inferior"; the second, "difference of ministers in interest from the ruler and their consequent dependence upon foreign support"; the third, "resort to disguise and falsification"; the fourth, "antinomies in matters of advantage and harm"; the fifth, "mutual confusions in position and domestic dissentions for supremacy"; and the sixth, "manipulation of dismissal and appointment of officials by enemy states." These six are what the sovereign ought to consider carefully.

1. On Authority and Position2

Authority and position should not be lent to anybody else. If the sovereign loses one, the minister would turn that into one hundred. Thus, if the minister can borrow power and position from the ruler, his strength would multiply. Should his strength multiply, then men in and out of the court would be utilized by him. If men in and out of the court are utilized by him, then the lord of men would be deluded. The saying is based in Lao Tan's discussion 3 on the loss of fish. For further illustration, a man became wealthy 4 simply after one evening's 5 talk with his influential friend, and an attendant gained prestige because his master had given 6 him a hairbrush. Its contrary is found in Hsü T`ong's remonstration with Duke Li, in Chou Hou's unification of the attendants' sayings, and in the Yen man's bathing in dung.

2. On the Difference in Interest

Ruler and minister differ in interest. Therefore, ministers are never loyal. As soon as the minister's 7 interest stands up, the sovereign's interest goes to ruin. Thus wicked ministers would exterminate their opponents at home by sending for enemy troops and bewilder their lord by enumerating foreign affairs. As long as their private interest is accomplished, they never mind any disaster to the state. An instance is found in the husband's and wife's prayer in Wei. For further illustration, Tai Hsieh discussed the danger of allowing sons and brothers to take up office in the courts of foreign states, the Three Huan families attacked Duke Chao, Kung-shu conspired secretly with the army of Ch`i, Chieh Huang sent for troops from Han, Premier P`i persuaded High Official Chung of his personal interest, Ta-ch`êng Wu 8 taught Shên Pu-hai the way to their mutual advantage, Ssŭ-ma Hsi divulged secret news to the King of Chao, Lü Ts`ang induced Ch`in and Ch`u to invade his native soil; Sung Shih wrote Wei Chün a personal letter; and Pai Kuei taught Pao Ch`ien the way to their mutual advantage.

3. On Disguise and Falsification

Matters of falsification and disguise make the lord of men miss what he ought to censure and make the ministers accomplish their private interests. Thus, the gate-men poured water but I-shê was censured; the Lord of Chi-yang forged the King's order but his two enemies paid for the crime; Ssŭ-ma Hsi killed Yuan Ch'ien but Chi Hsin was censured; Chêng Hsiu said the new court ladies disliked the bad smell of His Majesty's breath and the newcomers had their noses cut off; Fei Wu-chi 9 told Ch`i Yüan to parade weapons but the magistrate censured the latter; Ch`ên Hsü killed Chang Shou but Hsi-shou 10 had to run into exile; and, similarly, when the silo was burned, the King of Central Hills held the innocent prince guilty, and when the old literatus was killed, the Lord of Chi-yang rewarded the assassin.

4. On the Existence of Opposites

If any event happens and has any advantage at all, the sovereign must master it. If it has any disadvantage, he must discern the opposite. For this reason, the enlightened sovereign, in estimating the welfare of the country, would reflect on the advantage when the state has any disadvantage; when the minister has any disadvantage, he would deliberate upon its opposite. The saying is based on the appointment of Ch`ên Hsü to premiership upon the arrival of the Ch`u troops, and on the rise of the price of millet seed because of the granary-keeper's dishonesty. Thus, Chao Hsi-hsü arrested the reed-seller; Marquis Chao-hsi 11 blamed the second cook; Duke Wên found hairs around the roast meat; and Marquis Hsiang offered to proclaim the Ruler of Ch`i Eastern Emperor.

5. On Mutual Confusions in Position

The situation of mutual confusions in position causes disturbances. Therefore, the enlightened sovereign takes precautions against it. For this reason, Li-chi of Chin killed Shên-shêng; the Mistress of Chêng used poisonous drugs; Chou Hsü of Wei murdered his Ruler, Yüan; Prince Kên occupied Eastern Chou; Prince Chih enjoyed His Majesty's exceeding favour, wherefore Shang-ch`ên actually caused a disturbance; Yen Sui and Han K`uei rivalled each other, wherefore Duke Ai encountered rebels; T`ien Ch`ang and Kan Chih, Tai Huan and Huang Hsi, were enemies, wherefore Duke Chien of Ch'i and the Ruler of Sung were respectively murdered. The saying is based on Hu T`u's talk on the two kinds of fondness on the part of the sovereign and on Chêng Chao's reply that the heir apparent was not yet born.

6. On Dismissal and Appointment

What one state works after is to observe secretly the on-going affairs in its enemy states and take advantage of their weaknesses. If the lord of men is not alert, enemies will dismiss or appoint his men. Thus King Wên financed Fei Chung; the King of Ch`in worried over the envoy from Ch`u; Li Chü got rid of Chung-ni; and Kan Hsiang obstructed Kan Mu. For the same reason, Tzŭ-hsü spread rumours wherefore Tzŭ-ch`ang was taken into service; beauties were accepted, wherefore Yü and Kuo went to ruin; a letter was falsified, wherefore Ch`ang Hung was executed; and chicken and pig sacrifices were offered, wherefore all able men of K`uai were exterminated.

Regarding matters of confusion and suspicion and of dismissal and appointment, the enlightened sovereign exterminates them at home but propagates them abroad. Financing the poor and supporting the weak in the enemy states is called "inter-palatial assaults". 12 If the system of three units and basic fives 13 is adopted inside, while observations and informations function outside, then what can the enemy do? The saying is based on the Ch`in clown's secret report to Ruler Hui-wên. For further illustration, Hsiang Tz`ŭ foretold his master the enemies' stratagem to fall upon Yeh, and Duke Ssŭ bestowed a new mat upon the prefect . . . 14

So much above for the canons.

Annotations to Canon I:

High authority is the pool of the lord of men. Ministers are the fish swimming in high authority. Just as the fish once lost outside the pool cannot be recovered, so can the high authority of the lord of men once lost to the ministers not be recovered. The ancient 15 found it difficult to say explicitly, and therefore used the metaphor of the fish swimming in the pool. Now, reward and punishment are sharp weapons. By handling them the ruler controls ministers. By appropriating them ministers delude the sovereign. Therefore, if the ruler let ministers see any reward before he bestows it upon anybody, ministers would sell it as a personal favour; if the ruler let ministers see any punishment before he inflicts it upon anybody, ministers would use it as a personal threat. Hence the saying: "The weapons of the state should not be shown to anybody."

The Lord of Ching-kuo, Premier of Ch`i, once talked with an old acquaintance in an evening, 16 whereupon the old acquaintance became wealthy. Another time he gave 17 one of his attendants a hairbrush, wherefore the attendant gained prestige. Indeed, having an evening's talk and making a present 18 of a hairbrush constitute very little resources. Nevertheless, they are sufficient to enrich men. How much more can authority and position left in the hands of officials do?

At the time of Duke Li of Chin, the Six Nobles were very powerful. Therefore, Hsü T`ong and Ch`ang Yü-ch`iao remonstrated with him, saying: "When chief vassals are powerful and influential, they rival the sovereign, cause disputes in state affairs, and, by accepting bribes from foreign powers, forming cliques at home, and violating the law of the state, intimidate the sovereign, wherefore the state is always endangered." "Right," said the Duke, and accordingly, wiped out three Nobles. Again, Hsü T`ong and Ch`ang Yü-chiao remonstrated with him, saying: "Indeed, to punish certain and not all of the men guilty of the same crime is to make the survivors resent and watch for a chance." In response the Duke said: "In one morning I exterminated three of the Six Nobles. I cannot bear exterminating all of them." "Your Highness cannot bear exterminating them, but they will bear causing Your Highness harm,"' said Ch`ang Yü-ch`iao. To this the Duke would not listen. In the course of three months, the remaining Nobles started a rebellion, and finally killed Duke Li and partitioned his territory.

Chou Hou, Premier of Ching, was influential and dictated to all state affairs. Suspecting him, the King of Ching asked the attendants about his rampancy. In reply all of them said "Nothing!" as though the reply came out from one mouth.

A man of Yen was easily bewildered and therefore would bathe in dogs' dung. The wife of the man of Yen was intimate with a bachelor. Once, when her husband came home early from outside, the fellow happened to be going out from the home. "Who is the visitor"? asked the husband. "No visitor at all," replied the wife, Then he asked the servants, who all said "None!" as though the reply came from one mouth. "You certainly became insane." So saying, his wife bathed him in dogs' dung.

According to a different source: A man of Yen, named Li Chi, would go far away. His wife was intimate with a bachelor. One day he suddenly came home while the fellow was in. Over this his wife worried, so her woman servant said to her: "Let the young gentleman go naked and with his hairs dispersed rush straight out through the door. Then all of us will pretend to have been nothing." Thereupon the young fellow followed the plan and ran out fast through the door. "Who is that man?" asked Chi. "Nobody," replied everyone in the house. "Have I seen a ghost?" "Certainly." "What shall I do then?" "Get the dung of the five animals 19 and bathe in it." "All right," said Chi. So he bathed in the dung. According to another different source he bathed in hot orchid water.

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."

Annotation to Canon III:

One of the Middle Officers of Ch`i, named I-shê, once had a drinking feast with the King. Greatly drunk, he went out and leaned on the gate of the lobby. Thereupon the cut-footed28 gate-man asked, "Has Your Excellency not any intention of giving the remaining drops of wine to thy humble servant?" In reply I-shê scolded him, saying, "Get away! How dare a penalized man ask for wine from his superior?" The cut-footed man ran away. As soon as I-shê left the cut-footed man purposely poured water below the eaves of the lobby gate in the manner of urination. Next day, when the King went out, he rebuked it and asked, "Who passed water here?" In reply the cut-footed man said: "Thy servant has seen nobody. However, yesterday Middle Officer I-shê stood here. The King, therefore, blamed I-shê and killed him.

The King of Wey had two ministers who were not on good terms with the Lord of Chi-yang. Once the Lord of Chi-yang purposely made his men falsify the King's order to scheme to attack himself. Thereupon the King sent out men to ask the Lord of Chi-yang, "Who bears you a grudge?" "Thy servant is not at feud with anybody," replied the Lord, "but he has not been on good terms with two of your Majesty's ministers. Still that displeasure should not have come to this!" The King then asked the attendants about it, and all said, "Of course!" The King, accordingly, censured the two ministers.

Chi Hsin and Yuan Ch`ien were at feud with each other. Ssŭ-ma Hsi came recently to bad terms with Chi Hsin, and so secretly ordered men to assassinate Yuan Ch`ien. The ruler of Central Hills, thinking Chi Hsin was the contriver of the murder, held him guilty.

The King of Ching had a favourite concubine named Chêng Hsiu. As the King newly got a beautiful girl, Chêng Hsiu purposely told her, "The King was very fond of seeing people covering their mouths with hands. Be sure to cover your mouth when 29 you go near to the King." When the beautiful girl went in to have an audience with the King, she, accordingly, covered her mouth. The King asked the reason therefor. "She has already talked about the bad odour of Your Majesty," replied Chêng Hsiu. One day, the King, Chêng Hsiu, and the beautiful girl, all three took seats in a carriage, Hsiu told the coachman to carry out the order definitely and immediately as soon as the King said any word. When the beautiful girl came up very near to the King, she covered her mouth several times. Displeased, the King became very angry, saying, "Cut off her nose!" when the coachman drew out his sword and cut off the beautiful girl's nose.

According to a different source: Once the King of Wey presented the King of Ching a beauty. The King of Ching was greatly pleased by her. His royal concubine, Chêng Hsiu, knowing the King loved her with pleasure, also loved her with pleasure even more than the King did, and among clothes and ornaments selected whatever she wanted and gave them to her. "Madame, knowing I love the new lady, loves her with pleasure even more than I do," remarked the King. "This is the way the dutiful son should support his parents, and loyal subjects should serve the ruler." Knowing the King never thought she was jealous, the royal concubine purposely told the new lady, "The King loves you very much but dislikes your nose. When you see the King, always cover your nose with hands. Then the King will forever love you." Thereafter the new lady followed the advice, and, every time she saw the King, would cover her nose. So the King asked his royal concubine, "Why does the new lady always cover her nose every time she sees me?" "How can I know?" said the royal concubine. The King kept asking her insistently. "Just a while ago," said she in reply, "I heard her saying she disliked to smell the odour of Your Majesty." "Cut off her nose," said the King in anger. As the royal consort had instructed the coachman to carry out any order definitely as soon as the King said any word, the coachman, accordingly drew out his sword and cut off the beauty's nose.

Fei Wu-chi was a courtier of the Magistrate of Ching. Ch`i Yüan newly came to serve the magistrate. The magistrate liked him very much. Therefore, Wu-chi said to the magistrate, "Your Excellency likes Yüan so much. Why does Your Excellency not hold a wine feast at his home sometime?' "Good," said the magistrate, and ordered Wu-chi to prepare a wine feast at the home of Ch`i Yüan. Then Wu-chi told Yüan, "The Magistrate is very militant and fond of weapons. You should be cautious and respectful and quickly parade weapons beneath the hall and in the courtyard." So did Yüan accordingly. When the Magistrate arrived, he was greatly surprised, asking, "What is all this about?" "Your Excellency, be sure 30 to leave here," replied Wu-chi, "as we do not know what is going to happen." Enraged thereby, the Magistrate took up arms, censured Ch`i Yüan, and finally put him to death.

Hsi Shou and Chang Shou were at feud with each other. Ch`ên Hsü newly came on bad terms with 31 Hsi Shou, and so made men assassinate Chang Shou. The King of Wey, thinking Hsi Shou was the contriver of the assassination, censured 32 him.

There was in the Central Hills State a humble prince, whose horse was very skinny and carriage terribly worn-out. Some of the chamberlains who had a private hatred for him made a request on his behalf to the King, 33 saying: "The prince is very poor. His horse is very thin. Why does Your Majesty not increase the food supplies for his horse?" The King did not grant the request. The chamberlain, therefore, secretly set fire to the silo at night. The King, thinking the humble prince was the contriver of the arson, censured him.

There was in Wey an old literatus who was not on good terms with the Lord of Chi-yang. One of the guests of the Lord had private hatred for the old literatus and so purposely assaulted the old literatus and killed him. Considering it a distinguished service to the Lord of Chi-yang, he said: "Thy servant killed him because he had been at feud with Your Excellency." Hearing this, the Lord of Chi-yang, without investigating his motive, rewarded him.

According to a different source: The Lord of Chi-yang had a petty official who was not noticed by his master but wanted to win his special favour. Once upon a time, the Ch`i State sent an old literatus out to dig herbs in the Horse Pear Mountain. In order to render the master some meritorious service, the petty official of Chi-yang went in to see the Lord and said: "Ch`i sent an old literatus out to dig herbs in the Horse Pear Mountain. In name he is digging herbs but in fact he is spying the country of Your Highness. If Your Highness does not 34 kill him, he will implicate the Lord of Chi-yang in the plot against Ch`i. May thy servant then beg to despatch him?" "You may do so," replied the Lord. On the following day the petty official found the old literatus on the shady side of the city-walls and pierced him. At last the Lord admitted him into his confidence. 35

Annotations to Canon IV:

Ch`ên Hsü, minister to the King of Wey, was on good terms with the King of Ching. Once he induced Ching to attack Wey. Then he concluded the peace terms on behalf of the King of Wey. He, accordingly, became Premier of Wey through the influence of Ching.

At the time of Marquis Chao of Han seeds of millet continued expensive and farmers scarcely had any of it. Therefore Marquis Chao sent men to inspect the state granary. They found the granary-keeper had been stealing millet seeds and smuggling a big amount to foreign countries.

When Chao Hsi-hsü was in official service in Ching, once someone set fire to the openings of the state storehouses and silos but it was not known who he was. Thereupon Chao Hsi-hsü ordered officials to arrest sellers of reeds and examine them, and found out they were actually the incendiaries.

At the time of Marquis Chao-hsi, one day when the cook brought in the meal, the soup had pieces of raw liver in it. Therefore, the Marquis sent for the second cook, blamed him, and asked, "Why did you put pieces of raw liver in the soup for me?" Bowing his head to the ground, the cook admitted his capital crime and confessed that he had thereby intended to get rid of the chief cook.

According to a different source: Once when Marquis Hsi was going to take a bath, the hot water had pebbles in it. Marquis Hsi then asked the attendants if anybody would take up the vacancy upon the dismissal of the bath-boy. "Certainly," replied the attendants. "Bring him here," said Marquis Hsi. Then he questioned the man why he had put pebbles in the hot water. In reply the man said: "If the bath-boy is dismissed, thy servant will be able to take his place. Therefore, thy servant put pebbles in the hot water."

At the time of Duke Wên, one day when the cook brought in roast meat, it was twisted with hairs. So Duke Wên sent for the cook and asked him: "Do you intend to choke me to death? Why did you twist the roast meat with hairs?" The cook bowed his head to the ground, repeated salutations, begged for pardon, and said: "Thy servant has committed three capital crimes: He held the grindstone and whetted the knife till the knife became as sharp as the Kan-chiang sword. In cutting the meat it tore the meat but the hairs did not tear. This is the first crime of which thy servant is guilty. Then he held the awl and pierced through the meat chop but failed to see the hairs, which is the second crime. Finally, he kept the charcoal burning in the cooking stove so that all the meat became red and was roasted and well done, but the hairs were not burned at all, which is the third crime. Could there be nobody inside the hall who has been jealous 36 of thy servant?" "You are right," the Duke said, and then summoned all the subordinates inside and questioned them. Among them he actually found out the true culprit, whom he put to death.

According to a different source: Once upon a time, when Duke P`ing entertained guests at a wine feast, a petty official brought in roast meat which was twisted with hairs. Duke P`ing sprang to his feet and was going to kill the cook and allowed nobody to disobey his order. The cook cried to heaven and said: "Alas! Thy servant has committed three crimes, and how does he not know the death penalty for them himself?" "What do you mean by saying that?" asked Duke P`ing. In reply the cook said: "The knife of thy servant is so sharp that bones can be cut just as grass is blown down by winds, and yet hairs were not cut, which is the first capital crime thy servant is guilty of. Roasted with mulberry charcoal, the meat became red and then white but the hairs were not burned, which is thy servant's second capital crime. When the meat was roasted and well done, thy servant repeated moving his eyelashes and looked at it carefully, but the hairs twisting the roast meat were not seen, which is thy servant's third capital crime. Does it seem that there is somebody inside the hall who hates 37 thy servant? If so, is it not too early to kill thy servant so abruptly?"

When Marquis Hsiang was Premier of Ch`in, Ch`i was powerful. Marquis Hsiang wanted to proclaim the Ruler of Ch`in emperor, which Ch`i refused to recognize. Then he offered to proclaim the Ruler of Ch`i eastern emperor. Thereby 38 he became able to proclaim the Ruler of Ch`in emperor.

Annotations to Canon V:

At the same time of Duke Hsien of Chin, Li-chi enjoyed the same privileges as the real duchess. She wanted her son, Hsi-ch`i, to replace the heir apparent, Shên-shêng, and therefore slandered 39 Shên-shêng before the Ruler and had him put to death. Finally she succeeded in setting up Hsi-ch`i as heir apparent.

The Ruler of Chêng had already installed an heir apparent, whereas his beloved beautiful girl wanted him to take her son for the heir apparent. Fearing this, his wife used poisonous drugs, betrayed the Ruler, and put him to death.

Chou Hsü of Wei was influential in Wei and behaved like the Ruler. The body of officials and the masses of people were all afraid of his position and influence. Eventually Chou Hsü murdered the Ruler and usurped the reins of government.

Prince Chao was heir apparent of Chou. His younger brother, Prince Kên, was in special favour with the ruler. Upon the death of the royal father, Kên occupied Eastern Chou, rose in rebellion and partitioned the original territory into two states.

King Ch`êng of Ch`u proclaimed Shang-ch`êng heir apparent. Later, he wanted to take Prince Chih. Therefore, Shang-ch`ên caused a disturbance, and finally attacked and murdered King Ch`êng.

According to a different source: King Ch`êng proclaimed40 Shang-ch`ên heir apparent. Later, he wanted to set up Prince Chih. Shang-ch`ên heard about this but was not yet sure of it. So he said 41 to his tutor, P`an Chung, "How can we be sure of the real situation?" "Invite Chiang Yü to dinner and show him no respect," said Pan Chung. The Crown Prince followed the advice. Provoked thereby, Chiang Yü said: "You brute! No wonder your royal father wants to set you down and set Chih up as heir apparent." "It's true," said Shang-ch`ên. "Will you be able to serve Chih?" asked P`an Chung. "No, not able." "Then will you be able 42 to take shelter under the feudal lords?" "No, not able," "Well, then are you able to start a rebellion?" "Certainly able." Thereupon they raised all the armed soldiers in the barracks around his court and attacked King Ch`êng. King Ch`êng asked permission to eat a bear's paw and then die. Refused permission, he finally committed suicide.

Han Kuei was Premier to Marquis Ai of Han. Yen Sui was highly regarded by the Ruler. So the two abhorred each other. One day, Yen Sui ordered men to assassinate Han Kuei at the court. Han Kuei ran towards His Highness and held him in his arms. At last the assassins pierced through Han Kuei and also through Marquis Ai.

T`ien Hêng was Premier of Ch`i. Kan Chih was highly regarded by Duke Chien. The two hated each other and were about to kill each other. T`ien Hêng, by distributing private favours among the masses of people, took over the country, and finally killed Duke Chien and usurped the reins of government.

Tai Huan was Prime Minister of Sung. Huang Hsi was highly regarded by the Ruler. The two disputed in affairs and abhorred each other. In the long run Huang Hsi killed the Ruler of Sung and usurped the reins of government.

Hu Tu once said: "If the ruler of a state has a favourite inside, 43 the heir apparent is jeopardized; if he has a favourite outside, 44 the premier is jeopardized."

The Ruler of Chêng once asked Chêng Chao, "How is the Crown Prince?" "The Crown Prince is not yet born," was the reply. "The Crown Prince has already been set up," said the Ruler, "but you said, `He is not yet born.' Why?" In reply Chêng Chao said: "Although the Crown Prince has been set up, yet Your Highness loves women and never stops. Supposing any of the beloved gave birth to a son, Your Highness would love him, too. Should Your Highness love him, Your Highness would certainly want to proclaim him heir apparent. Thy servant, therefore, said, "The Crown Prince is not yet born.' "

Annotations of Canon VI:

King Wên financed Fei Chung, made him stay around Chow, and told him to admonish Chow and disturb his mind.

The King of Ching once sent an envoy to Ch`in. The King of Ch`in showed him great courtesies. Later, he said: "If any enemy state has worthies it causes us worries. Now that the envoy of the King of Ching is very worthy, I am worried over it." Then the body of officials advised him, saying: "Win the envoy of the King of Ching to our side with the worthiness and saintliness of Your Majesty and with the resources and generosity of our country. Why does Your Majesty not cultivate deep friendship with him and pretend 45 to keep him in Your Majesty's service? Then, if Ching thinks he is rendering service to foreign states, they will infallibly censure him."

When Chung-ni was governing the Lu State, no one would pick up things dropped on the road. Over this Duke Ching of Ch`i worried. Therefore, Li Chü said to Duke Ching: "To get rid of Chung-ni is as easy as to blow off a hair. Why does Your Highness not invite him to office with big emolument and high position and present Duke Ai 46 girl musicians so as to make him self-conceited and bewilder 47 his ideas? When Duke Ai is rejoicing in new pleasures, he will certainly neglect governmental affairs, and Chung-ni will certainly remonstrate with him. If Chung-ni makes any remonstrance at all, he will certainly be slighted in Lu." "Good," said Duke Ching, and then ordered Li Chü to present girl musicians, twice eight in number, to Duke Ai. Enjoying their dance and music, Duke Ai actually neglected governmental affairs. Chung-ni remonstrated with him, but he would not listen. So Chung-ni left him and went to Ch`u.

The King of Ch`u said to Kan Hsiang: "I want to support Kan Mu with Ch`u's influence and make him premier of Ch`i Is this practicable?" "Impracticable," was the reply. "Why impracticable?" asked the King. In reply Kan Hsiang said: "Kan Mu when young studied under Master Shih Chü. Shih Chü, while gate-man of Shang-ts`ai, neither served his master well nor provided his family well, wherefore he was known throughout All-under-Heaven to be offensive and cruel. Nevertheless, Kan Mu served him with obedience. King Hui is enlightened, Chang Yi is discriminating. Kan Mu has served them and has been appointed to ten successive offices but has committed no fault whatever. This shows Kan Mu's worthiness." Then the King asked, "To find a worthy 48 for the premiership of the enemy state is not practicable. Why?" In reply Kan Hsiang said: "Formerly Your Majesty sent out Shao Hua to Yüeh and in five years could ruin Yüeh. The reason therefore was that Yüeh was then misgoverned while Ch`u was well governed. In the past 49 Your Majesty knew what to do with Yüeh but now forgets what to do with Ch`in. Is he not very quick to forget things?" "Well, if so, then what shall we do about it?" asked the King. "We may as well make Kung Li Premier of Ch`in." "Why is it practicable to make Kung Li Premier?" asked the King. "Kung Li in his youth," replied Hsiang, "was loved and favoured, and grew up to be a noble and an official. Wearing beautiful clothes embroidered with precious stones, 50 holding fragrant grass 51 in his mouth and keeping jade armlets around his hands, he attends to his public duties at the court. Furthermore, he thinks he can gain by a misgovernment of Ch`in."

Wu was invading Ching. Tzŭ-hsü then sent men out to spread rumours in Ching that if Tzŭ-ch`i, were taken into service by Ching, Wu would attack Ching, but if Tzŭ-ch`ang were taken into service, she would leave them free. When the Chings heard about these words, they took Tzŭ-ch`ang into service and dismissed Tzŭ-ch`i from his office. The Wus then fell upon them and triumphed over them.

Duke Hsien of Chin wanted to invade Yü and Kuo and therefore made a present of the team of the Chü breed, the jade of Ch`ui-chi, and girl musicians, twice eight in number, in order thereby to bewilder 52 the ideas of their rulers and disturb their governmental affairs.

When Shu Hsiang was slandering Ch`ang Hung, he falsified a letter from Ch`ang Hung in which the latter said to him: "Will you please on my behalf speak to the Ruler of Chin that it is now time to carry out the agreement I made with His Highness and ask him why he has not promptly sent troops here?" Then he pretended to drop the letter at the court of the Ruler of Chou and left immediately. 53 The Ruler of Chou, regarding Ch`ang Hung as a betrayer of Chou, censured him and put him to death.

When Duke Huan of Chêng was about to raid K`uai, he asked about the able men, worthy ministers, eloquent, intelligent scholars, and daring, gallant warriors, recorded 54 all their names, selected the good fields of K`uai as bribes to them, and wrote down the posts and ranks reserved for them. He then constructed an altar compound outside the city-walls, buried the written documents there, and smeared the sacrificial vessels with the blood of chickens and piglings as though there they had taken an oath together. The Ruler of K`uai, regarding this as a civil disturbance, killed all his worthy subjects. Meanwhile, Duke Huan raided K`uai all of a sudden and took it.

A 55 certain clown at the Court of Ch`in was on good terms with the King of Ching. Besides 56 he was secretly on good terms with the attendants of the King of Ching and at home was highly trusted by the Ruler Hui-wên. Whenever Ching had any stratagem, the clown would hear about it before anybody else did and reported it to the Ruler Hui-wên.

Hsiang Tzŭ, Magistrate of Yeh, was secretly on good terms with the attendants of the King of Chao. Whenever the King of Chao schemed to raid Yeh, Hsiang Tzŭ always heard about it and forewarned the King of Wey. As the King of Wey always took precautions against any sudden attack, Chao had to stop 57 her expedition every time.

At the time of Duke Ssŭ 58 of Wei, detectives by his side were ordered to watch the prefect. Once the prefect opened up his mattress and found the mat seriously torn. That day, when Duke Ssŭ went home, he ordered men to give the prefect a new mat and said: "His Highness has heard you just opened your mattress and found the mat seriously torn. So he is bestowing upon you this new mat." Greatly astonished thereby, the prefect thought the Duke was superhuman.

Notes

1. 内儲說下六徽

2. I remove the topic of each discussion from the end to the beginning.

3. v. Lao Tzŭ's Tao Tah Ching, Chap. XXXVI.

4. With Ku Kuang-ts`ê 主 should be 富.

5. With Yü Yüeh 久 should be 夕.

6. With Kao Hêng 懷 means 賜.

7. With Wang Hsien-shen 故 above 臣 is superfluous.

8. With Lu Wên-shao 牛 should be 午.

9. With Wang Hsien-shen 忌 should be 極.

10. 犀首 was originally the name of the post held by Kung-sun Yen, till it almost became his pen-name.

11. With Ku Kuang-ts`ê 不 above 僖俟 should be 昭.

12. 廟攻.

13. Under the system of Kuan Tzŭ the country was divided into three units for military purposes and the basis of local organization was five families, and two thousand five hundred families formed a county ruled by a magistrate.

14. The text has 廟攻 in the next line as though it were topic of the preceding paragraph. With Wang Hsien-shen this is absurd inasmuch as the work is presupposed to enumerate six instead of seven minutise. Wang thought the two characters continued from the preceding passage, which, however, can hardly make any sense, either additional or separate.

15. Namely, Lao-tzŭ.

16. With Wang Hsien-shen 久 should be 夕, and so throughout this annotation.

17. With Kao Hêng 懷 in both cases means 賜.

18. With Kao Hêng 懷 in both cases means 賜.

19. Namely, oxen, sheep, pigs, dogs, and fowls.

20. The three families descended from Duke Huan of Lu and therefore were frequently called "Three Huans."

21. With Wang Hsien-shen 公偪 should be 偪公.

22. Wang Hsien-shen thought 逐 above 之 was a mistake for 遂 and proposed the addition of 齊 below 之.

23. With Yü Yüeh 有 reads 又.

24. With Yü 攻 means 善.

25. With Wang Hsien-shen 今天 should be 今若.

26. With Wang 吳 should be 吾.

27. With Wang 牛 should be 午.

28. With Wang 跪 means 足. Foot-cutting was a form of penalty.

29. With Wang 為 should be 如, and with Kao Hêng should be 如.

30. With Wang 殆 above 去 means 必.

31. With Yü Yüeh 入 below 新 is superfluous.

32. Wang Hsien-shen suspected 誅 "to censure" a mistake for 逐 "to banish" because Canon Three stated that Hsi Shou ran into exile. I disagree with Wang inasmuch as Hsi Shou could run away from censure as well as from banishment.

33. With Wang Hsien-shen 於 should be added above 王.

34. With Wang Hsien-ch`ien 不 should be supplied above 殺之.

35. With Wang 益 above 親之 seems superfluous.

36. With Wang 疾 means 嫉.

37. With Wang Hsien-shen the Imperial Readings has no 翳 above 憎 .

38. With Ku Kuang-ts`ê 不 above 能 should be 乃.

39. With Wang Hsien-shen 患 should be 惡.

40. With Wang 以 should be added above 商臣.

41. With Wang 為 means 謂.

42. With Yü Yüeh 為 below 能 is superfluous.

43. i.e. among concubines, court ladies, etc.

44. i.e. among subordinate officials, itinerant opportunists, etc.

45. With Wang Hsien-shen 陰 should be 陽 which means 佯.

46. With Wang Duke Ai was Han Fei Tzŭ's mistake for Duke Ting.

47. With Wang Wei 榮 should be 熒.

48. With Wang 相 above 賢 is superfluous.

49. With Kao Hêng 日者 means 往昔.

50. With Yü Yüeh 王 should be 玉.

51. It must have been something like a cigar.

52. With Wang Hsien-shen 榮 should be 熒.

53. With Wang 行 below 去 is superfluous.

54. With Yü Yüeh 與 should be 擧.

55. With Wang Hsien-shen there should not be 七 at the head of this passage.

56. With Wang 有 reads 又.

57. With Wang Nien-sun 輙還 should be 輟行.

58. 嗣君 should be 嗣公.

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