Testamentary Charge
King Cheng was about to pass away. He commanded Duke Shao and Duke Bi to lead the various lords in assisting King Kang. The scribes composed the “Testamentary Charge.” (Originally this sentence did not exist.)
King Cheng of Zhou, as his end approached, ordered Duke Shao and Duke Bi to lead the various lords in supporting King Kang. The court historian, based on these events, wrote the “Testamentary Charge.” (This sentence is not in the original text.)
In the fourth month, on the day when the moon first showed its faint light, the king felt unwell.
On the day Jiazi, the king washed his hair and face with water. The attendants helped him put on the crown and court robes, and he sat upright, leaning against a jade armrest.
Then he summoned simultaneously Grand Guardian Shi, the Count of Rui, the Count of Tong, Duke Bi, the Marquis of Wei, Duke Mao, the masters of guards, the brave warriors, the heads of all departments, and the attending officers.
The king said, “Alas! My illness has worsened sharply, and signs of danger increase daily. I have now reached the final moments of lingering life, and I fear I will not have time to solemnly entrust the matter of my successor. Now I carefully instruct and command you.
“Formerly, our former lords King Wen and King Wu displayed radiant, double-folded brilliance, established the laws to be followed, and promulgated their teachings. They practiced these diligently and never transgressed, and thereby were able to overcome Yin and receive the great mandate.
“In later times, I, though young and ignorant, reverently received the awe-inspiring majesty of Heaven, inherited and upheld the great instructions of King Wen and King Wu, and dared not be foolish or overstep them.
“Now Heaven has sent down illness upon me, and I fear I may never rise or regain my senses. You should clearly understand these words I now speak, and with them reverently protect Yuanzi Zhao, and vigorously aid him through these difficulties.
“Be gentle to those far away and kind to those near. Pacify and encourage all the states, small and great.
“I think that if a man brings ruin upon himself through his own deportment and rites, you must not let Zhao, through rashness, fall into improper circumstances.”
After he had finished speaking and received their parting obeisance, the king returned to the inner chamber and had his court robes laid out in the courtyard. On the following day, Yichou, the king passed away.
The Grand Guardian commanded Zhong Huan and Nangong Mao, ordering them to follow the Marquis of Qi, Lü Ji. With two sets of shield and lance and one hundred brave guards, they went to meet the heir Zhao outside the southern gate of the palace and escort him into a side chamber, where he dwelt in sorrow, serving as the chief mourner.
On the day Dingmao, it was commanded to prepare the statutes for the written testament.
Seven days later, on the day Guiyou, the senior minister ordered the officers to prepare the required funeral materials.
The Di officers set up a screen embroidered with axe patterns and laid out the deceased king’s robes.
In the space between the windows, facing south, a double layer of bamboo mat was spread, its border trimmed with black and white patterns, and a jade-inlaid armrest was placed there.
Before the western wall, facing east, a double layer of fine rush mat was spread, its border trimmed with painted designs, and an armrest inlaid with patterned shells was placed there.
Before the eastern wall, facing west, a double layer of sedge mat was spread, its border painted with cloud patterns, and an armrest with carved jade inlays was placed there.
In the western side chamber, facing south, a double layer of mat woven from young bamboo skin was spread, its border trimmed with black silk ribbons, and a lacquered armrest was placed there.
There were five layers of fine jade from Yue, and precious objects were displayed: a red knife, the Great Instructions, a large jade disc, a Wan-gui, and a Yan-gui, all placed before the western wall facing east.
A large jade, jade from the Yi tribes, a celestial sphere, and the River Map were placed before the eastern wall facing west.
The dance garments of Yin, large cowrie shells, and a large war drum were placed in the western chamber.
The dagger-axe of Dui, the bow of He, and the bamboo arrows of Chui were placed in the eastern chamber.
The king’s Grand Carriage was placed in front of the guests’ steps. The Ornamented Carriage was placed in front of the host’s steps. The First Carriage was placed in front of the left side-room. The Second Carriage was placed in front of the right side-room.
Two guards, wearing sparrow-shaped leather caps and holding three-edged spears, stood inside the Bi Gate. Four guards, wearing dark-blue leather caps and holding dagger-axes with blades pointing upward, flanked the sloping stones of the two stairways. One official, wearing a crown, holding a Liu axe, stood in the eastern hall. One official, wearing a crown, holding a Yue axe, stood in the western hall. One official, wearing a crown, holding a Kui halberd, stood at the eastern outer edge. One official, wearing a crown, holding a Qu halberd, stood at the western outer edge. One official, wearing a crown, holding a Rui spear, stood at the side steps.
King Kang, wearing a hemp crown and a lower garment embroidered with axe patterns, ascended by the guests’ steps. The ministers and the rulers of the states, wearing hemp crowns and black lower garments, entered and took their positions.
The Grand Guardian, the Grand Scribe, and the Grand Minister of Rites all wore hemp crowns and red lower garments. The Grand Guardian, carrying the large jade Gui, and the High Minister, carrying the cup and the Mao jade tablet held by the Son of Heaven, ascended by the host’s steps. The Grand Scribe, holding the written testament, ascended by the guests’ steps and read the testament to the king.
It read: “The great former king, leaning on his jade armrest, proclaimed his final testament, commanding you to inherit his instructions, to preside as lord over the state of Zhou, to follow the great laws, and to harmonize all under Heaven, so as to respond to and exalt the glorious instructions of King Wen and King Wu.”
The king bowed twice, rose, and replied, “I, a minute and insignificant youth, how could I possibly govern the four quarters and so reverently stand in awe of Heaven’s majesty?”
Then he received the cup and the Mao jade. King Kang advanced three times, offered libations three times, and set down the cup three times. The High Minister said, “Please drink, Your Majesty.”
The Grand Guardian received the cup, descended the steps, washed his hands, and using a different cup, he poured a libation in return with a Zhang ladle. He handed the cup to the attendant, and bowed. The king bowed in return.
The Grand Guardian received the cup, offered a libation, tasted the wine, and then retired to his position. He handed the cup to the attendant and bowed. The king bowed in return.
The Grand Guardian descended the steps, and all the ceremonial objects were collected. The various lords went out of the temple gate and waited.
The Grand Guardian descended from the hall and ordered that all the ceremonial furnishings be removed. The feudal lords walked out through the main gate of the ancestral temple and waited outside.