Counsels of the Great Yu

Gao Yao set forth his counsels, and Yu completed his achievements. Emperor Shun further elucidated these principles, and thus were composed the "Great Yu," "Counsels of Gao Yao," and "Yi and Ji." (This passage is not in the original text.)

Examining the deeds of the ancient Great Yu. He said: "The civilizing teachings spread to the four seas, and he reverently received the commands of Emperor Shun."

He said: "When the sovereign finds it difficult to be a sovereign, and the minister finds it difficult to be a minister, then governance will be well-ordered, and the people will strive toward virtue."

Emperor Shun said: "Yes, indeed it is so. Good words are nowhere buried; no worthy person is left untended in the countryside; the myriad states all enjoy peace. This is because one examines the opinions of the many, sets aside one's own bias and follows others, does not oppress those with no one to appeal to, and does not abandon the distressed and impoverished. Only Emperor Yao was able to achieve this."

Bo Yi said: "Ah! Emperor Yao's virtue was vast in its operation, both sage-like and divine, both martial and civil. Great Heaven looked upon him with favor and commanded him, enabling him to encompass the four seas and become the sovereign of all under Heaven."

Yu said: "To follow the right path is auspicious; to oppose it is ominous, like shadow following form and echo following sound."

Bo Yi said: "Alas! Be vigilant. Be cautious before trouble arises; do not lose the standard; do not indulge in idleness and ease; do not overindulge in pleasure. Employ the worthy without duplicity; remove the wicked without hesitation. Do not implement doubtful plans; let all aspirations be bright. Do not go against the right path to seek the people's praise; do not go against the people's will to gratify your own desires. Be not idle, be not negligent; then the four barbarian tribes will come to court and acknowledge the king."

Yu said: "Ah! The Emperor should keep this in mind. Virtue lies in good governance; governance lies in nourishing the people. Water, fire, metal, wood, earth, and grain—all must be regulated and prepared. Rectify virtue, facilitate tools, and enrich livelihoods—all must be harmonized. The nine tasks must be carried out in order; when the nine orders are accomplished, celebrate them with songs. Use good words to admonish, use stern punishments to deter, use the nine songs to encourage, so that they do not deteriorate."

Emperor Shun said: "Yes. The affairs of the earth are settled and governed, the seasons of Heaven are fulfilled, the six treasuries and three tasks are truly regulated, and for ten thousand generations it will be relied upon. This is your achievement."

Emperor Shun said: "Come, Yu. I have occupied the throne for thirty-three years. I am old and approaching decrepitude, weary of the toils of governance. You have always been diligent and untiring; take charge of my multitudes."

Yu said: "My virtue is insufficient to bear this; the people will not adhere to me. Gao Yao has labored to spread virtue widely, and virtue has descended to the people, so they all cherish him. Let the Emperor keep this in mind. Let his thoughts be here, his actions be here, his words be here, and his sincerity be manifested here. May the Emperor consider his virtue and achievements."

Emperor Shun said: "Gao Yao, these ministers and people—none dare to transgress my right path. You serve as the Minister of Crime, clearly applying the five punishments to assist the five teachings, hoping to achieve my governance. The aim of punishment is to make punishment unnecessary, so that the people all conform to the mean. This is your achievement. Strive on!"

Gao Yao said: "The Emperor's virtue has no fault. Govern the people with simplicity; lead the multitude with leniency. In punishment, do not implicate the offspring; in reward, extend it to later generations. For crimes of negligence, even if great, they may be pardoned; for intentional crimes, even if small, they must be punished. When the crime is doubtful, punish lightly; when the merit is doubtful, reward heavily. Rather than killing the innocent, it is better to risk deviating from the norm. The virtue of cherishing life harmonizes with the people's hearts, and therefore the people dare not offend the law and run afoul of the authorities."

Emperor Shun said: "That I can follow my heart's desire and govern the four quarters, and that the four quarters transform like wind bending the grass—this is all due to your excellent merit."

Emperor Shun said: "Come, Yu. The floodwaters warned me, and you truly accomplished the task—this shows your wisdom. You labored for the state and were frugal at home, never conceited or arrogant—this shows your wisdom. You do not boast, so no one under Heaven can compete with you for ability; you do not vaunt, so no one under Heaven can compete with you for merit. I praise your virtue and commend your great achievement. The order of Heaven's mandate rests upon you, and you will ultimately ascend to the position of the great sovereign."

The human mind is perilous and hard to settle; the moral mind is subtle and hard to discern. One must be refined and single-minded, sincerely holding to the mean.

Do not listen to words without foundation; do not adopt plans not consulted upon.

Is not the sovereign the one to be loved? Are not the people the ones to be feared? If the multitude have no great sovereign, whom will they support? If the great sovereign has no multitude, there will be none to guard the state with him. Be reverent! Treat your position with caution; reverently cultivate those virtues worth pursuing. If the people of the four seas are in distress, Heaven's bestowed mandate will be forever cut off. The mouth can speak good words, but it can also raise the scourge of war. My words will not be repeated.

Yu said: "Please divine one by one among the meritorious ministers, and follow the auspicious omens." Emperor Shun said: "Yu, when the officials divine, they first determine the intent, and then command the great tortoise to divine. My intent is already fixed; consultations and plans are all in accord; the spirits will follow, and the tortoise and milfoil will concur. There is no need to repeat the divination for auspiciousness." Yu bowed and knocked his head, firmly declining. Emperor Shun said: "Do not decline. Only you are most suitable."

On the morning of the first day of the first month, Yu received the command in the temple of the Divine Ancestor, leading the hundred officials, just as Emperor Shun had done when he first ascended.

Emperor Shun said: "Alas, Yu! Now the Miao tribe does not submit. Go and punish them."

Yu then assembled the lords and swore an oath in the army, saying: "All you multitudes, listen to my command. The stupid Miao are confused and deluded, disrespectful, insolent and self-righteous, perverting the right path and corrupting virtue. The worthy are in the wilds, the petty are in office; the people are abandoned and receive no protection, and Heaven sends down calamity. Therefore I lead you, all you soldiers, to execute Heaven's punishment and bring the guilty to justice. You must be united in heart and mind, and perhaps you will establish merit."

After thirty days, the Miao people still resisted and did not submit. Bo Yi assisted Yu, saying: "Only virtue can move Heaven; no distance is beyond its reach. Pride invites loss, humility receives benefit—this is the Way of Heaven. Emperor Shun in the past, at Mount Li, tilled the fields, crying out daily to Heaven and his parents, bearing blame and attributing fault to himself, reverently serving his father Gu Sou with caution and awe, and Gu Sou indeed became compliant. Perfect sincerity can move the gods and spirits—how much more so these Miao!" Yu bowed and accepted this good advice, saying: "Yes." He then withdrew the troops and reorganized the army. Emperor Shun then widely spread civil virtue, dancing with shields and feathers between the two steps. After seventy days, the Miao submitted.