Book of Yu: Canon of Yao, Part One

昔在帝堯，聰明文思，光宅天下。將遜於位，讓於虞舜，作《堯典》。

In former times Emperor Yao was on the throne, sharp of hearing and keen of sight, with cultural virtue and thoughtfulness, his brilliance reaching everywhere under heaven. When he was about to yield the throne and hand it to Shun of Yu, the "Canon of Yao" was composed.

曰若稽古帝堯，曰放勳，欽、明、文、思、安安，允恭克讓，光被四表，格於上下。克明俊德，以親九族。九族既睦，平章百姓。百姓昭明，協和萬邦。黎民於變時雍。

Examining antiquity, Emperor Yao was named Fangxun. He was reverent, discerning, refined and thoughtful, his manner relaxed and serene, sincere and respectful and able to yield to the worthy, his brilliance covering the four quarters to their farthest reaches, rising to heaven above and reaching earth below. He was able to make bright his noble virtue (here 'virtue' means the fine and good qualities a person possesses, not a narrow list of moral rules), and with it brought the nine branches of his kin into affection. When the nine branches were in harmony, he distinguished and made clear the hundred officials and clans. When the hundred officials and clans were clear and understood, he brought harmony to the ten thousand states. The common people thereby became harmonious and good.

乃命羲和，欽若昊天，曆象日月星辰，敬授人時。分命羲仲，宅嵎夷，曰暘谷。寅賓出日，平秩東作。日中，星鳥，以殷仲春。厥民析，鳥獸孳尾。申命羲叔，宅南交。平秩南為，敬致。日永，星火，以正仲夏。厥民因，鳥獸希革。分命和仲，宅西，曰昧谷。寅餞納日，平秩西成。宵中，星虛，以殷仲秋。厥民夷，鳥獸毛毨。申命和叔，宅朔方，曰幽都。平在朔易。日短，星昴，以正仲冬。

Then he appointed the Xi and the He, to follow Heaven reverently and carefully, to observe and calculate the movements of sun, moon and stars, and to give the seasons respectfully to the people. He also appointed Xi Zhong separately, to live at Yuyi, at a place called Yanggu. He was to greet the rising sun respectfully, and to arrange and distinguish the spring farm work in the east. When day and night were of equal length and the Vermilion Bird constellations of the south appeared due south, this was used to fix mid-spring. At this time the people dispersed to the fields, and birds and beasts mated and bred. Next he appointed Xi Shu, to live at Nanjiao. He was to arrange and distinguish the summer farm work in the south, and to measure the sun's shadow respectfully. When the day was longest and the star Huo (the Heart mansion) appeared due south, this was used to correct mid-summer. At this time the people lived on high ground, and the birds and beasts had thin feathers and hair. He appointed He Zhong separately, to live in the west, at a place called Meigu. He was to see off the setting sun respectfully and to arrange and distinguish the autumn harvest in the west. When day and night were again equal and the star Xu appeared due south, this was used to fix mid-autumn. At this time the people lived in peace and calm, and the birds and beasts' feathers and fur were neat again. Next he appointed He Shu, to live in the north, at a place called Youdu. He was to observe and arrange winter's storing away of all things and the renewal at the year's end. When the day was shortest and the star Mao appeared due south, this was used to correct mid-winter.

厥民隩，鳥獸鷸毛。帝曰：“諮！汝羲暨和。期三百有六旬有六日，以閏月定四時，成歲。允釐百工，庶績咸熙。”

At this time the people stayed indoors, and the birds and beasts grew fine soft winter coats. Emperor Yao said: "Ah! You Xi and He. A year is three hundred and sixty-six days; fix the four seasons by adding an intercalary month, and so complete the year. Earnestly set in order the duties of the hundred officials, and all works will flourish."

帝曰：“疇諮若時登庸？”放齊曰：“胤子朱啟明。”帝曰：“籲！囂訟可乎？”帝曰：“疇諮若予採？”驩兜曰：“都！共工方鳩僝功。”帝曰：“籲！靜言庸違，象恭滔天。”

Emperor Yao said: "Who can follow the affairs of the times, so that he may be raised and employed?" Fang Qi said: "Your heir Danzhu is open and intelligent." Emperor Yao said: "Hmph! His mouth does not speak loyal and trustworthy words and he loves to quarrel; how could that do?" Emperor Yao said again: "Who can respond to my duties?" Huan Dou said: "Ah! Gong Gong has gathered affairs together and has achieved a good deal." Emperor Yao said: "Hmph! His speech is fine, but when he acts he goes against it; he seems respectful, but in his heart he does not even regard Heaven."

帝曰：“諮！四嶽，湯湯洪水方割，蕩蕩懷山襄陵，浩浩滔天。下民其諮，有能俾乂？”僉曰：“於！鯀哉。”帝曰：“籲！咈哉，方命圮族。”嶽曰：“異哉！試可乃已。”

Emperor Yao said: "Ah! Chiefs of the Four Mountains, the vast flood waters are doing harm, wide and great, surrounding the mountains and rising over the hills, rolling up to the heavens. The people below are sighing; who can bring it under control?" Everyone said: "Ah! Let us use Gun." Emperor Yao said: "Hmph! No, he defies orders and ruins his kin." The Chiefs of the Four Mountains said: "The case is different! Let him try it, and if it does not work, it can be ended then."

帝曰，“往，欽哉！”九載，績用弗成。

Emperor Yao said: "Go, and be careful!" After nine years, the work was not accomplished.

帝曰：“諮！四嶽。朕在位七十載，汝能庸命，巽朕位？”嶽曰：“否德忝帝位。”曰：“明明揚側陋。”師錫帝曰：“有鰥在下，曰虞舜。”帝曰：“俞？予聞，如何？”嶽曰：“瞽子，父頑，母囂，象傲；克諧以孝，烝烝乂，不格奸。”

Emperor Yao said: "Ah! Chiefs of the Four Mountains. I have been on the throne for seventy years; can you use the mandate of Heaven to succeed me in my seat?" The Chiefs of the Four Mountains said: "Our virtue is poor, and we would disgrace the imperial seat." Emperor Yao said: "Examine and put forward those who are in humble and obscure places." Everyone put forward to Emperor Yao: "There is a bachelor in a lowly position named Yu Shun." Emperor Yao said: "Is that so? I too have heard of him; how is he?" The Chiefs of the Four Mountains said: "He is the son of a blind man; his father is stubborn, his stepmother's mouth does not speak loyal and trustworthy words, and his brother Xiang is arrogant; yet he is able through filial piety to bring harmony to the family, and gradually leads them toward goodness, so that they do not sink into wickedness."

帝曰：“我其試哉！女於時，觀厥刑于二女。”釐降二女於媯汭，嬪於虞。帝曰：“欽哉！”

Emperor Yao said: "Let me try him! I will marry my daughters to him and observe his conduct through my two daughters." So he sent his two daughters down to the bend of the Gui River, to become wives in the household of Yu. Emperor Yao said: "Be careful!"

虞舜側微，堯聞之聰明，將使嗣位，歷試諸難，作《舜典》。

Yu Shun was of humble birth; Yao heard that he was intelligent and was about to have him succeed to the throne, and tested him many times with difficult tasks, and so the "Canon of Shun" was composed.

曰若稽古帝舜，曰重華協於帝。濬哲文明，溫恭允塞，玄德升聞，乃命以位。

Examining antiquity, Emperor Shun was called Chonghua, and his virtue accorded with Yao's. He was deep and wise, his patterns bright, gentle and respectful, sincere and substantial; his hidden fine virtue reached up to Yao, and so he was appointed and took his place.

慎徽五典，五典克從；納於百揆，百揆時敘；賓於四門，四門穆穆；納於大麓，烈風雷雨弗迷。帝曰：“格！汝舜。詢事考言，乃言底可績，三載。汝陟帝位。”

He carefully and finely carried out the five constant rules of human relationship (the five canons: righteousness in the father, kindness in the mother, friendship in the elder brother, respect in the younger brother, filial piety in the son), and the five constant rules were all followed; set to oversee all the affairs of government, all affairs were in due order and on time; set to receive guests at the four gates of the Bright Hall, the people who came from the four quarters were all solemn and courteous; sent into the great forest (the deep mountain forest; one reading takes the character for 'forest' as read for 'register', meaning the record-books for registering all government affairs), fierce winds, thunder and rain could not confuse him. Emperor Yao said: "Come, Shun. I have asked about what you have done and examined what you have said, and your words can all be borne out in results, now for three years. Ascend the imperial seat."

舜讓於德，弗嗣。正月上日，受終於文祖。在璿璣玉衡，以齊七政。肆類於上帝，禋於六宗，望于山川，遍於群神。輯五瑞。既月乃日，覲四嶽群牧，班瑞於群后。

Shun wished to yield to one of virtue and would not take the throne. On a lucky day in the first ten days of the first month, he received at the temple of the Cultured Ancestor the throne that Yao had finished with. He observed the jade armillary sphere and jade crossbar in order to bring into order the seven governors of sun, moon and the five planets. Then he made the lei sacrifice to Heaven and to the Lord on High, made the yin offering to the Six Honored Ones (explanations of whom differ through the ages, some saying heaven, earth and the four directions, some the four seasons, cold and heat, and sun, moon and stars, and none is here taken as certain), made the distant sacrifice to mountains and rivers, and offered to all the spirits. He collected the five grades of jade tokens. He chose a lucky month and day to meet the Four Mountains and the governors of the various regions, and returned the jade tokens to the lords of the various regions.

歲二月，東巡守，至於岱宗，柴。望秩于山川，肆覲東後。協時月正日，同律度量衡。修五禮、五玉、三帛、二生、一死贄。如五器，卒乃復。五月南巡守，至於南嶽，如岱禮。八月西巡守，至於西嶽，如初。十有一月朔巡守，至於北嶽，如西禮。歸，格於藝祖，用特。五載一巡守，群后四朝。敷奏以言，明試以功，車服以庸。

In the second month of that year, he made an inspection tour to the east, arriving at Daizong (Mount Tai), and burned firewood as a sacrifice to Heaven. He made distant sacrifices to the mountains and rivers by rank, and then met the lords of the east. He harmonized the months of the four seasons and corrected the number of days, and unified the pitch pipes, measures of length and capacity, and weights. He regulated the five rites (auspicious, mourning, guest, military and celebratory), and the five kinds of jade tokens, three kinds of silk, two kinds of live offerings (a lamb and a goose) and one dead offering (a pheasant) as gifts of audience. The five kinds of jade ritual objects were returned when the business was done. In the fifth month he made an inspection tour south, arriving at the Southern Mountain, with the same ceremonies as at Daizong. In the eighth month he toured west, arriving at the Western Mountain, as at the start. In the eleventh month he toured north, arriving at the Northern Mountain, with the same rites as at the Western Mountain. On returning, he went to the temple of the Cultured Ancestor to report his arrival, offering a single bull. He made an inspection tour once every five years, and in between the lords of the various regions came to court in four groups over four years. They presented their own statements, and he clearly tested them by their achievements and rewarded the meritorious with carriages, horses and robes.

肇十有二州，封十有二山，濬川。

He began to mark out the twelve provinces, set up twelve famous mountains as markers, and dredged the rivers.

象以典刑，流宥五刑，鞭作官刑，撲作教刑，金作贖刑。眚災肆赦，怙終賊刑。欽哉，欽哉，惟刑之恤哉！流共工於幽州，放歡兜於崇山，竄三苗於三危，殛鯀於羽山，四罪而天下鹹服。

He displayed the regular punishments as images for public notice (another reading: applied the regular punishments according to law), used exile to temper the five punishments, flogging as the punishment of the officials, rods as the punishment for instruction, and bronze as redemption penalty. Those who caused disaster through error were pardoned, and those who persisted in evil relying on it were punished. Be careful, be careful, and let there be compassion in punishment! He banished Gong Gong to Youzhou, exiled Huan Dou to Mount Chong, moved the Sanmiao to Sanwei, and condemned Gun at Mount Yu (the character 'ji' is read by some as put to death and by others as exiled to death); when these four had been punished, all under heaven submitted in their hearts.

二十有八載，帝乃殂落。百姓如喪考妣，三載，四海遏密八音。

Twenty-eight years later, Emperor Yao died. The people mourned as if they had lost their parents, and for three years music ceased within the four seas.

月正元日，舜格於文祖，詢於四嶽，闢四門，明四目，達四聰。“諮，十有二牧！”曰，“食哉惟時！柔遠能邇，惇德允元，而難任人，蠻夷率服。”

On the first day of the first month, Shun went to the temple of the Cultured Ancestor, consulted the Four Mountains, opened the gates of the four quarters, made clear what was seen in the four quarters, and gained access to what was heard in the four quarters. "Ah, governors of the twelve provinces!" He also said: "In feeding the people, what matters most is not to go against the farming seasons! Console those far away and befriend those near, treat the virtuous generously and trust the good, but keep far from flatterers, and the barbarians will follow one another in submitting."

舜曰：“諮，四嶽！有能奮庸熙帝之載，使宅百揆亮採，惠疇？”僉曰：“伯禹作司空。”帝曰：“俞，諮！禹，汝平水土，惟時懋哉！”禹拜稽首，讓於稷、契暨皋陶。帝曰：“俞，汝往哉！”帝曰：“棄，黎民阻飢，汝后稷，播時百穀。”

Shun said: "Ah, Four Mountains! Is there anyone who can exert himself in service and enlarge Emperor Yao's work, and let him occupy the post of overseer of the hundred officials and assist in government, who would that be?" Everyone said: "Bo Yu is the Minister of Works." Emperor Shun said: "Good! Yu, you have leveled the waters and lands; put even more effort into this matter!" Yu knelt and bowed with his head to the ground, wishing to yield to Ji, Xie and Gao Yao. Emperor Shun said: "Enough, go and take up your post!" Emperor Shun said: "Qi, the common people are suffering from hunger; take up the office of Hou Ji and sow the hundred grains."

帝曰：“契，百姓不親，五品不遜。汝作司徒，敬敷五教，在寬。”

Emperor Shun said: "Xie, the hundred officials and clans are not on friendly terms, and the five constant relationships are out of order. Be Minister of Education, and reverently carry out the five teachings, the key being generosity."

帝曰：“皋陶，蠻夷猾夏，寇賊奸宄。汝作士，五刑有服，五服三就。五流有宅，五宅三居。惟明克允！”帝曰：“疇若予工？”僉曰：“垂哉！”帝曰：“俞，諮！垂，汝共工。”

Emperor Shun said: "Gao Yao, barbarians are encroaching on the Chinese, and bandits and thieves are making trouble inside and out. Be Minister of Justice; each of the five punishments has its proper place of service, and the five forms of service are carried out in three places. The five kinds of exile each have their place of settlement, and the five grades of settlement fall into three grades of distance. Only through clear examination can there be fairness!" Emperor Shun said: "Who can respond to my affairs of the hundred crafts?" Everyone said: "Chui!" Emperor Shun said: "Good! Chui, be my Minister of Works."

垂拜稽首，讓於殳斨暨伯與。”帝曰：“俞，往哉！汝諧。”

Chui knelt and bowed with his head to the ground, wishing to yield to Shu Qiang and Bo Yu. Emperor Shun said: "Enough, go! Work together in coordination."

帝曰：“疇若予上下草木鳥獸？”僉曰：“益哉！”帝曰：“俞，諮！益，汝作朕虞。”益拜稽首，讓於朱虎、熊羆。帝曰：“俞，往哉！汝諧。”

Emperor Shun said: "Who can respond to me by managing the plants, trees, birds and beasts, above and below?" Everyone said: "Yi!" Emperor Shun said: "Good! Yi, be my Forester." Yi knelt and bowed with his head to the ground, wishing to yield to Zhu Hu, Xiong and Pi. Emperor Shun said: "Enough, go! Work together in coordination."

帝曰：“諮！四嶽，有能典朕三禮？’僉曰：“伯夷！”帝曰：“俞，諮！伯，汝作秩宗。夙夜惟寅，直哉惟清。”伯拜稽首，讓於夔、龍。帝曰：“俞，往，欽哉！”帝曰：“夔！命汝典樂，教胄子，直而溫，寬而栗，剛而無虐，簡而無傲。

Emperor Shun said: "Ah! Four Mountains, who can preside over my three rites (the rites of sacrifice to heavenly spirits, earthly spirits and human ghosts)?" Everyone said: "Bo Yi!" Emperor Shun said: "Good! Bo, be Director of Ritual Order. Day and night be reverent, upright and clear." Bo Yi knelt and bowed with his head to the ground, wishing to yield to Kui and Long. Emperor Shun said: "Enough, go, and be careful!" Emperor Shun said: "Kui! I appoint you to take charge of music and to teach the sons of the nobility, so that they are upright and yet mild, generous and yet dignified, firm and yet not harsh, simple and yet not arrogant.

詩言志，歌永言，聲依永，律和聲。八音克諧，無相奪倫，神人以和。”夔曰：“於！予擊石拊石，百獸率舞。”

(Emperor Shun continued:) Poetry expresses the aspiration, song prolongs the words, tones follow the prolonged song, and the pitch pipes harmonize the tones. If the eight kinds of instruments can be harmonious and not disturb one another's order, then spirits and humans will all be in harmony." Kui said: "Ah! When I strike the stone chimes and lightly tap them, the hundred beasts all follow in dancing."

帝曰：“龍，朕塈讒說殄行，震驚朕師。命汝作納言，夙夜出納朕命，惟允！”帝曰：“諮！汝二十有二人，欽哉！惟時亮天功。”三載考績，三考，黜陟幽明，庶績咸熙。分北三苗。

Emperor Shun said: "Long, I loathe slanderous speech and cruel conduct, which alarm my people. I appoint you Officer of Words, to announce and relay my orders day and night; be sure to be trustworthy!" Emperor Shun said: "Ah! You twenty-two, be careful! Assist in good time to complete the works of Heaven." Achievements were assessed once every three years, and after three assessments, the dim were dismissed and the bright promoted, and all works flourished. He also dealt separately with the Sanmiao.

舜生三十徵，庸三十，在位五十載，陟方乃死。

Shun was summoned at thirty, served for thirty years, and held the imperial seat for fifty years; he died while on a southern tour (one reading takes the phrase meaning 'ascended in the direction' as meaning he ascended to heaven).

〖汩作九共槀飫〗帝釐下土，方設居方，別生分類。作《汩作》、《九共》九篇、《槀飫》。

[Gu Zuo, Jiu Gong, Gao Yu] The Emperor governed the lands below, set up dwellings by direction, distinguished surnames and separated clans. Thereupon he composed "Gu Zuo," the nine chapters of "Jiu Gong," and "Gao Yu."

皋陶矢厥謨，禹成厥功，帝舜申之。作《大禹》、《皋陶謨》、《益稷》。

Gao Yao set out his counsels, Yu accomplished his work, and Emperor Shun explained and elaborated. Thereupon the "Counsels of Great Yu," the "Counsels of Gao Yao" and the "Yi and Ji" were composed.

曰若稽古大禹，曰文命敷於四海，祗承於帝。曰：“後克艱厥後，臣克艱厥臣，政乃乂，黎民敏德。”

Examining antiquity, Great Yu spread his cultural virtue and teachings across the four seas and reverently served Emperor Shun. He said: "If a ruler can regard being a ruler as difficult, and a minister can regard being a minister as difficult, then government can be ordered and the common people will exert themselves in virtue."

帝曰：“俞！允若茲，嘉言罔攸伏，野無遺賢，萬邦咸寧。稽於眾，捨己從人，不虐無告，不廢困窮，惟帝時克。”

Emperor Shun said: "Yes! So it truly is. When good words are not hidden, no worthy people in the countryside are overlooked, and the ten thousand states are at peace. To be able to consult the many, to give up one's own view and follow others, not to mistreat the helpless and solitary, not to discard the poor and distressed, only Emperor Yao could do this."

益曰：“都，帝德廣運，乃聖乃神，乃武乃文。皇天眷命，奄有四海為天下君。”

Yi said: "Ah, Emperor Yao's virtue is vast and in motion, sage and divine, with both martial achievement and cultural virtue. August Heaven favored and appointed him, so that he held the four seas and was ruler of all under heaven."

禹曰：“惠迪吉，從逆兇，惟影響。”

Yu said: "Following the right path brings good fortune, following the wrong brings ill fortune, as sure as shadow and echo."

益曰：“籲！戒哉！儆戒無虞，罔失法度。罔遊於逸，罔淫於樂。任賢勿貳，去邪勿疑。疑謀勿成，百志惟熙。罔違道以幹百姓之譽，罔咈百姓以從己之慾。

Yi said: "Alas! Be on guard! Be watchful when there is no trouble, and do not lose the standards. Do not wander in ease, do not sink into pleasure. Employ the worthy without wavering, and remove the wicked without hesitation. Do not carry out doubtful plans, and let all aspirations be great. Do not go against the right way to seek the people's praise, and do not go against the people to follow your own desires.

無怠無荒，四夷來王。”

(Yi continued:) Do not be idle and do not neglect, and the four barbarian peoples will come to court the Son of Heaven."

禹曰：“於！帝念哉！德惟善政，政在養民。水、火、金、木、土、谷，惟修；正德、利用、厚生、惟和。九功惟敘，九敘惟歌。戒之用休，董之用威，勸之以九歌俾勿壞。”

Yu said: "Ah! Let the Emperor remember! Virtue lies in good government, and the key to government is in nurturing the people. Water, fire, metal, wood, earth and grain must all be put in order; rectifying virtue, facilitating the use of implements, and enriching the people's livelihood must all be harmonized. When these nine works have their order, the nine orders are set into song. Encourage with goodness, supervise with majesty, and further urge with the Nine Songs, so that these do not fall into ruin."

帝曰：“俞！地平天成，六府三事允治，萬世永賴，時乃功。”

Emperor Shun said: "Yes! The earth is leveled and the seasons completed, and the six treasuries and three affairs are truly well governed; ten thousand generations will forever rely on it, and this is your achievement."

帝曰：“格，汝禹！朕宅帝位三十有三載，耄期倦於勤。汝惟不怠，總朕師。”

Emperor Shun said: "Come, Yu! I have been on the throne for thirty-three years, my years are many and I am weary of toil. You have never been idle; come and lead my people."

禹曰：“朕德罔克，民不依。皋陶邁種德，德乃降，黎民懷之。帝念哉！念茲在茲，釋茲在茲，名言茲在茲，允出茲在茲，惟帝念功。”

Yu said: "My virtue is not up to it, and the people will not follow me. Gao Yao has diligently sown virtue, and his virtue has reached down to the people, and the common people cherish him. Let the Emperor remember! The one who is in mind is this man, the one to be set aside should be this man, the one spoken of is this man, and the one from whom trust comes is also this man; I beg the Emperor to remember his merit."

帝曰：“皋陶，惟茲臣庶，罔或幹予正。汝作士，明於五刑，以弼五教。期於予治，刑期於無刑，民協於中，時乃功，懋哉。”

Emperor Shun said: "Gao Yao, among these ministers and common people, none has offended against my right way. You are my Minister of Justice, making the five punishments clear to assist the five teachings. I hope you will help complete my governing; use punishment in the hope of reaching a time when it is not needed, and the people all accord with the middle way; this is your achievement, and you should keep working at it."

皋陶曰：“帝德罔愆，臨下以簡，御眾以寬；罰弗及嗣，賞延於世。宥過無大，刑故無小；罪疑惟輕，功疑惟重；與其殺不辜，寧失不經；好生之德，洽於民心，茲用不犯於有司。”

Gao Yao said: "The Emperor's virtue has no fault; he approaches those below simply and governs the multitude generously; punishment does not extend to descendants, while rewards extend to later generations. Pardon faults however great, punish intentional crimes however small; if the charge is doubtful, make it light; if the merit is doubtful, make it heavy; rather than put an innocent person to death, better to err by failing to keep the regular law. The virtue of cherishing life steeps the people's hearts, and so the people do not offend against the officials."

帝曰：“俾予從欲以治，四方風動，惟乃之休。”

Emperor Shun said: "That I have been able to govern as I wished, with the four quarters responding like the wind, is your fine virtue."

帝曰：“來，禹！降水儆予，成允成功，惟汝賢。克勤於邦，克儉於家，不自滿假，惟汝賢。汝惟不矜，天下莫與汝爭能。汝惟不伐，天下莫與汝爭功。予懋乃德，嘉乃丕績，天之歷數在汝躬，汝終陟元后。人心惟危，道心惟微，惟精惟一，允執厥中。無稽之言勿聽，弗詢之謀勿庸。可愛非君？可畏非民？眾非元后，何戴？後非眾，罔與守邦？欽哉！慎乃有位，敬修其可願，四海困窮，天祿永終。惟口出好興戎，朕言不再。”

Emperor Shun said: "Come, Yu! The flood waters warned me; you accomplished both trust and work, and you alone are worthy. You can labor for the state and be frugal in your household, not self-satisfied or proud, and you alone are worthy. Precisely because you do not boast, no one under heaven can contend with you in ability. Precisely because you do not vaunt your own merit, no one under heaven can contend with you in achievement. I praise your virtue and commend your great merit; the heavenly sequence (the order in which emperors succeed one another) rests on your person, and in the end you will ascend to the seat of the great ruler. The human mind is perilous, the mind of the Way is subtle; be refined and single-minded, and hold faithfully to the middle way. Do not listen to words without evidence, and do not use plans that have not been consulted. Is not the ruler what is to be loved? Are not the people what is to be feared? Without a great ruler, whom would the multitude support? Without the multitude, with whom would the ruler guard the state? Be careful! Be watchful of the position you hold, and reverently cultivate the virtue that can be wished for; if the four seas fall into hardship, Heaven's emolument and seat will end forever. The mouth can speak good things and can also raise arms; I will say no more."

禹曰：“枚卜功臣，惟吉之從。”

Yu said: "Please consult the oracle for each of the meritorious ministers one by one, and follow only the auspicious sign."

帝曰：“禹！官占惟先蔽志，昆命於元龜。朕志先定，詢謀僉同，鬼神其依，龜筮協從，卜不習吉。”禹拜稽首，固辭。

Emperor Shun said: "Yu! When the officials consult the oracle, they first fix their own resolve and then ask the great tortoise for its command. My resolve was fixed first, I consulted and planned with the many and all agreed, and the spirits will also follow; the tortoise shell and milfoil both concur, and divination need not be repeated to seek good fortune." Yu knelt and bowed with his head to the ground, and firmly declined.

帝曰：“毋！惟汝諧。”

Emperor Shun said: "Do not do so! Only you are fitting."

正月朔旦，受命於神宗，率百官若帝之初。

At dawn on the first day of the first month, Yu received the appointment at the temple of Shenzong and led the hundred officials, with ceremonies like those with which Shun had earlier received the end of Yao's reign.

帝曰：“諮，禹！惟時有苗弗率，汝徂徵。”

Emperor Shun said: "Ah, Yu! At this time the Youmiao do not follow instruction; go and attack them."

禹乃會群后，誓於師曰；“濟濟有眾，鹹聽朕命。蠢茲有苗，昏迷不恭，侮慢自賢，反道敗德，君子在野，小人在位，民棄不保，天降之咎，肆予以爾眾士，奉辭伐罪。爾尚一乃心力，其克有勳。”

Yu then assembled the lords of the various regions and made an oath before the army, saying: "Orderly host of officers and soldiers, all listen to my command. These stirring Youmiao are dim and confused and disrespectful, insolent and yet think themselves worthy, going against the right way and ruining virtue; gentlemen are out in the wilds and petty people in office; the people abandon them and they cannot protect themselves; Heaven sends down calamity, and so I lead you, the host of officers and soldiers, to attack the guilty, bearing the words of the charge. You should further unite your strength and will as one, and then you can establish merit."

三旬，苗民逆命。益贊於禹曰：“惟德動天，無遠弗屆。滿招損，謙受益，時乃天道。帝初於歷山，往于田，日號泣於旻天，於父母，負罪引慝。祗載見瞽叟，夔夔齋慄，瞽亦允若。至諴感神，矧茲有苗。”

For thirty days, the Miao people still defied the command. Yi advised and assisted Yu, saying: "Only virtue can move Heaven, and however far away, it can reach. Self-satisfaction invites loss, and humility receives benefit; this is the Way of Heaven. When Emperor Shun was at Mount Li in the beginning, he went out to the fields and cried out to merciful Heaven every day, and also cried out to his parents, taking the blame on himself and admitting his faults. He went respectfully to see Gusou, reverent and trembling, and Gusou too truly became agreeable. Utmost sincerity can move the spirits, how much more these Youmiao."

禹拜昌言曰：“俞！”班師振旅。帝乃誕敷文德，舞幹羽於兩階，七旬有苗格。

Yu bowed in thanks for these fine words and said: "Yes!" Then he drew up the troops and brought the army back. Emperor Shun then spread great cultural virtue, and had shields and pheasant feathers danced between the two flights of steps; after seventy days the Youmiao came and submitted.