Book of Zhou: The Charge to Marquis Wen, Chapter 30

平王錫晉文侯秬鬯、圭瓚，作《文侯之命》。

King Ping gave Marquis Wen of Jin black millet wine and a jade libation ladle, and made the “Charge to Marquis Wen.”

王若曰：“父義和！丕顯文、武，克慎明德，昭升於上，敷聞在下；惟時上帝，集厥命於文王。亦惟先正克左右昭事厥闢，越小大謀猷罔不率從，肆先祖懷在位。嗚呼！閔予小子嗣，造天丕愆。殄資澤於下民，侵戎我國家純。即我御事，罔或耆壽俊在厥服，予則罔克。曰惟祖惟父，其伊恤朕躬！嗚呼！有績予一人永綏在位。父義和！汝克紹乃顯祖，汝肇刑文、武，用會紹乃闢，追孝於前文人。

The king spoke thus: “Father Yihe! How greatly illustrious were Wen and Wu, who could carefully make virtue plain, shining above and spreading to be heard below; and so the Lord on High gathered the mandate upon King Wen. It was also only because the former ministers could assist and make plain the service of their rulers, and plans great and small were all followed, that the former kings could be securely in their positions. Alas! Pity me, the young one, who succeeded to the throne and met with Heaven’s great punishment. Wealth and kindness were cut off from the people below, and invasions and attacks of the Rong greatly damaged our state. As for my officers in charge of affairs, there is none of high years and fine qualities in office, and I cannot manage. I say I hope only for my grandfathers and only for my fathers, that they will care for my person! Alas! There is merit that lets me, the one man, remain securely in position forever. Father Yihe! You are able to continue your illustrious ancestor; you begin by modeling yourself on Wen and Wu, in order to join with and continue your ruler, and to extend filial piety to those of former generations who had cultural virtue.

汝多修，扞我於艱，若汝，予嘉。”

(King Ping continued:) You have done much to put things in order, and in difficulty you have defended me; for one like you, I give my praise.”

王曰：“父義和！其歸視爾師，寧爾邦。用賚爾秬鬯一卣，彤弓一，彤矢百，盧弓一，盧矢百，馬四匹。父往哉！柔遠能邇，惠康小民，無荒寧。簡恤爾都，用成爾顯德。”

The king said: “Father Yihe! Go back and inspect your troops, and make your state peaceful. I give you one jar of black millet wine, one red bow and a hundred red arrows, one black bow and a hundred black arrows, and four horses. Father, go! Pacify the distant and befriend the near, show kindness and security to the common people, and do not neglect peace. Choose and care for your towns, in order to complete your illustrious virtue.”

魯侯伯禽宅曲阜，徐、夷並興，東郊不開。作《費誓》。

Boqin, Marquis of Lu, was living at Qufu, when the Xu Rong and the Huai Yi rose together, and the eastern suburbs could not be opened. He made the “Oath at Bi.”

公曰：“嗟！人無譁，聽命。徂茲淮夷、徐戎並興。善乃甲冑，敿乃幹，無敢不弔！備乃弓矢，鍛乃戈矛，礪乃鋒刃，無敢不善！今惟淫舍牿牛馬，杜乃擭，敜乃穽，無敢傷牿。牿之傷，汝則有常刑！馬牛其風，臣妾逋逃，勿敢越逐，祗復之，我商賚爾。乃越逐不復，汝則有常刑！無敢寇攘，逾垣牆，竊馬牛，誘臣妾，汝則有常刑！甲戌，我惟徵徐戎。峙乃糗糧，無敢不逮；汝則有大刑！魯人三郊三遂，峙乃楨榦。甲戌，我惟築，無敢不供；汝則有無餘刑，非殺。魯人三郊三遂，峙乃芻茭，無敢不多；汝則有大刑！”

The duke said: “Alas! People, do not make a clamor; listen to the order. In times past these Huai Yi and Xu Rong rose together. Prepare your armor and helmets, tie on your shields, and dare not be careless! Prepare your bows and arrows, forge your lances and spears, sharpen your blades, and dare not be careless! Now you must release in great numbers the oxen and horses that are penned and kept, close up your animal traps, and fill in your pits, and not dare to harm the penned animals. If the penned animals are harmed, you will suffer the regular punishment! If horses or oxen stray, or male or female servants run away, do not dare to cross boundaries in pursuit; return them respectfully, and I will consider rewarding you. If you cross boundaries in pursuit and do not return them, you will suffer the regular punishment! If you dare to plunder and seize, climb over walls, steal horses and oxen, or lure away male and female servants, you will suffer the regular punishment! On the jiaxu day I will campaign against the Xu Rong. Store up your dried provisions, and do not dare to let them be insufficient; you will suffer a great punishment! You men of the three suburbs and three outer districts of Lu, store up your boards and posts for wall-building. On the jiaxu day I will build fortifications, and you must not fail to supply them; you will suffer the punishment of leaving nothing over, though not death. You men of the three suburbs and three outer districts of Lu, store up your fodder, and do not dare to let it be too little; you will suffer a great punishment!”

秦穆公伐鄭，晉襄公帥師敗諸崤，還歸，作《秦誓》。

Duke Mu of Qin attacked Zheng, and Duke Xiang of Jin led his army and defeated him at Xiao; after he returned, he made the “Oath of Qin.”

公曰：“嗟！我士，聽無譁！予誓告汝群言之首。古人有言曰：‘民訖自若，是多盤。’責人斯無難，惟受責俾如流，是惟艱哉！我心之憂，日月逾邁，若弗雲來。惟古之謀人，則曰未就予忌；惟今之謀人，姑將以為親。雖則云然，尚猷詢茲黃髮，則罔所愆。”

The duke said: “Alas! My officers, listen and do not make a clamor! I swear and tell you the chief of all words. The ancients had a saying: ‘If people all think themselves right, they will produce much ease and license.’ Blaming others is not difficult; only to accept blame as freely as flowing water, that is hard! The sorrow in my heart is that the days and months pass and seem never to return. As for the counselors of old, I say that before they could even draw near me I resented them; as for the counselors of today, for now I will treat them as kin. Even so, I should still consult these gray-haired elders, and then there will be no faults.”

番番良士，旅力既愆，我尚有之；仡仡勇夫，射御不違，我尚不欲。惟截截善諞言，俾君子易辭，我皇多有之！昧昧我思之，如有一介臣，斷斷猗無他技，其心休休焉，其如有容。人之有技，若己有之。人之彥聖，其心好之，不啻若自其口出。是能容之，以保我子孫黎民，亦職有利哉！人之有技，冒疾以惡之；人之彥聖而違之，俾不達是不能容，以不能保我子孫黎民，亦曰殆哉！邦之杌隉，曰由一人；邦之榮懷，亦尚一人之慶。”

(Duke Mu of Qin continued:) The white-haired good men are already weak in strength, yet I still have them; the brave and vigorous warriors, with no error in archery or driving, I do not yet want. It is only those shallow and glib words that make a superior person easily change his tone and look, and of such I have many! In secret I think: suppose there were one minister, sincere and devoted, with no other skill, whose heart is broad, as if he could tolerate others. When others have skills, it is as if he had them himself. When others are outstanding and wise, he loves them in his heart, not only as if the words came out of his own mouth. One who can tolerate others like this, to protect my descendants and the black-haired people, would be beneficial indeed! When others have skills, he is jealous and hates them; when others are outstanding and wise yet he opposes them so that they cannot get through, this is not being able to tolerate others, and so he cannot protect my descendants and the black-haired people, and that too is dangerous! When a state is tottering and unsafe, it is said to be due to one man; when a state is glorious and secure, it is likewise the blessing of one man.”

帝曰：「來，禹！汝亦昌言。」禹拜曰：「都！帝，予何言？予思日孜孜。」皋陶曰：「籲！如何？」禹曰：「洪水滔天，浩浩懷山襄陵，下民昏墊。予乘四載，隨山刊木，暨益奏庶鮮食。予決九川，距四海，濬畎澮距川；暨稷播，奏庶艱食鮮食。懋遷有無，化居。烝民乃粒，萬邦作乂。」皋陶曰：「俞！師汝昌言。」

Emperor Shun said: “Come, Yu! You too say some good words.” Yu bowed and said: “Ah! Emperor, what is there for me to say? I only think of being diligent every day without slackening.” Gao Yao said: “Alas! How, diligent?” Yu said: “The great flood rose to the sky, vast and surging, embracing the mountains and overflowing the hills, and the people below were sunk and drowned. I rode in four kinds of conveyance, followed the mountain ridges and cut trees to make marks, and together with Yi presented fresh birds, beasts, fish, and turtles to the people. I opened the great rivers of the nine provinces so that they reached the four seas, and dredged the field ditches and channels so that they reached the great rivers; and together with Ji I sowed grain, presenting the hard-won food and fresh meat to the people. I strove to adjust and move what was present and absent, and to trade and store. The multitudes were then able to eat grain, and the ten thousand states began to be governed.” Gao Yao said: “Yes! You should be taken as a model for these good words.”

禹曰：「都！帝，慎乃在位。」帝曰：「俞！禹曰：「安汝止，惟幾惟康。其弼直，惟動丕應。徯志以昭受上帝，天其申命用休。」

Yu said: “Ah! Emperor, be careful of the position where you stand.” Emperor Shun said: “Yes!” Yu said: “Rest in the place where you should rest, think of the subtle, think of peace and health. Let your assistants be upright, and when you make a move, there will be a great response. Wait for the will to be clear in order to receive the Lord on High, and Heaven will again send down a good mandate.”

帝曰：「籲！臣哉鄰哉！鄰哉臣哉！」禹曰：「俞！」

Emperor Shun said: “Alas! Ministers, neighbors! Neighbors, ministers!” Yu said: “Yes!”

帝曰：「臣作朕股肱耳目。予欲左右有民，汝翼。予欲宣力四方，汝為。予欲觀古人之象，日、月、星辰、山、龍、華蟲作會；宗彝、藻、火、粉米、黼、黻，絺繡，以五采彰施於五色，作服，汝明。予欲聞六律五聲八音，在治忽，以出納五言，汝聽。予違，汝弼，汝無面從，退有後言。欽四鄰！庶頑讒說，若不在時，侯以明之，撻以記之，書用識哉，欲並生哉！工以納言，時而颺之，格則承之庸之，否則威之。」

Emperor Shun said: “Ministers are my thighs, arms, ears, and eyes. I wish to guide and help the people, and you assist me. I wish to exert strength in the four quarters, and you go and act. I wish to look at the images of the ancients: the sun, moon, stars, mountain, dragon, and flowered pheasant made into painted decoration; ritual vessels of the ancestral temple, water weed, fire, rice grains, the axe pattern, and the two-bow pattern, embroidered in fine kudzu cloth and applied clearly in five colors with five kinds of hues, made into ceremonial robes; you are to make these distinctions clear. I wish to hear the six pitch-pipes, five notes, and eight kinds of instruments, and from them to examine order and disorder, to proclaim and receive the words of the five quarters; you are to listen. If I go astray, you correct me; do not agree to my face and then speak behind my back after retiring. Be careful of those who attend on the left and right! Those foolish and stubborn ones who offer slander, if they cannot hold their posts, should be made plain by the archery rite, made to remember the lesson by beating with the rod, and recorded in the bamboo records, for I want them all to live on! The musicians pass on the words; those that are timely are made known, those who correct themselves are employed, and those who do not change are punished with awe.”

禹曰：「俞哉！帝光天之下，至於海隅蒼生，萬邦黎獻，共惟帝臣，惟帝時舉。敷納以言，明庶以功，車服以庸。誰敢不讓，敢不敬應？帝不時敷，同，日奏，罔功。」

Yu said: “Yes indeed! The Emperor’s radiance is under heaven, reaching to the common people at the corners of the sea and the many worthies of the ten thousand states, all of whom are the Emperor’s ministers, waiting only for the Emperor to raise them in time. Receive their words everywhere, plainly examine the people by their achievements, and reward the meritorious with carriages, horses, and robes. Who would dare not to yield, who would dare not respond reverently? If the Emperor cannot apply them in time, and the worthy and the foolish are mixed together and promoted day by day, there will be no achievement.”

「無若丹朱傲，惟慢遊是好，傲虐是作。罔晝夜頟頟，罔水行舟。朋淫於家，用殄厥世。予創若時，娶於塗山，辛壬癸甲。啟呱呱而泣，予弗子，惟荒度土功。弼成五服，至於五千。州十有二師，外薄四海，鹹建五長，各迪有功，苗頑弗即工，帝其念哉！」帝曰：「迪朕德，時乃功，惟敘。」皋陶方祗厥敘，方施象刑，惟明。

(Yu continued:) “Do not be arrogant like Dan Zhu, who loved only idleness and wandering, and did arrogant and cruel things. Day and night without rest he made noise, and sailed boats where there was no water. In crowds in his household he committed license, and so brought his line to an end. I took this as a warning, and married at Tushan, and left after four days, xin, ren, gui, and jia. When Qi cried and wailed, I had no time to act as his father, being busy only with the work of measuring the waters and soil. I helped complete the five zones, reaching five thousand li. In each province there were twelve divisions, and outside, near the four seas, five grades of chiefs were set up, each leading and guiding the meritorious; only the Miao people were stubborn and unwilling to take up work, and the Emperor must remember this matter!” Emperor Shun said: “To guide me with virtue is your achievement, so let it proceed in this order.” Gao Yao was just then reverently attending to that order and carrying out the image punishments, very strictly and clearly.

夔曰：「戛擊鳴球、搏拊、琴、瑟、以詠。」祖考來格，虞賓在位，群后德讓。下管鼗鼓，合止柷敔，笙鏞以閒。鳥獸蹌蹌；《簫韶》九成，鳳皇來儀。夔曰：「於！予擊石拊石，百獸率舞，庶尹允諧。」

Kui said: “Strike the ringing stone, the clapper, the zither, and the lute, to accompany the singing.” The ancestors came down and were present, the guests of Yu Shun were in their places, and the lords of all quarters yielded to one another through virtue. Below the hall, the pipes and the hand-drums were played, with the zhu and yu used to begin and end the music, and the reed organ and the great bell alternated. Birds and beasts danced stepping lightly; when the Xiao Shao music was played through nine sections, the phoenixes came and showed their forms. Kui said: “Ah! I strike the stone chime and softly tap the stone chime, and all the beasts follow and dance, and the many officers are truly in harmony.”

帝庸作歌，曰：「勑天之命，惟時惟幾。」乃歌曰：「股肱喜哉！元首起哉！百工熙哉！」皋陶拜手稽首颺言曰：「念哉！率作興事，慎乃憲，欽哉！屢省乃成，欽哉！」乃賡載歌曰：「元首明哉，股肱良哉，庶事康哉！」又歌曰：「元首叢脞哉，股肱惰哉，萬事墮哉！」帝拜曰：「俞，往欽哉！」

Emperor Shun therefore made a song. He said: “Be careful about Heaven’s command (the received text has the old variant “chi” for “chi”), and be cautious in every time and every matter.” Then he sang: “The thighs and arms are joyful! The head is stirred to action! The hundred officials are flourishing!” Gao Yao knelt, bowed, touched his head to the ground, and said loudly: “Remember this! Lead and set up your undertakings, be careful of your laws, be reverent! Examine repeatedly in order to succeed, be reverent!” Then he continued singing: “The head is enlightened, the thighs and arms are good, and all affairs are at peace!” He sang again: “The head is petty, the thighs and arms are lazy, and all affairs fall to ruin!” Emperor Shun bowed and said: “Yes, go, and be reverent!”

禹別九州，隨山濬川，任土作貢。

Yu divided the nine provinces, followed the mountain ranges to open the rivers, and fixed tribute and taxes according to the land.

禹敷土，隨山刊木，奠高山大川。

Yu laid out the land, followed the mountain ridges and cut trees to make marks, and determined the high mountains and great rivers.

冀州：既載壺口，治梁及岐。既修太原，至於岳陽；覃懷厎績，至於衡漳。厥土惟白壤，厥賦惟上上錯，厥田惟中中。恆、衛既從，大陸既作。島夷皮服，夾右碣石入於河。

Jizhou: work at Hukou had begun, and Mount Liang and Mount Qi were also brought under control. Taiyuan had been put in order, reaching south of Taiyue; the Tanhuai region had been completed, reaching the Zhang River which flows crosswise into the Yellow River. The soil here is white and loose, the tax is of the first grade mixed with the second, and the land is of the fifth grade. The Heng and Wei rivers had been brought to flow properly, and the Great Plain Marsh could be cultivated. The island barbarians offered fur clothing, going right around Jieshi and entering the Yellow River.

濟河惟兗州。九河既道，雷夏既澤，灉、沮會同。桑土既蠶，是降丘宅土。厥土黑墳，厥草惟繇，厥木惟條。厥田惟中下，厥賦貞，作十有三載乃同。厥貢漆絲，厥篚織文。浮於濟、漯，達於河。

Between the Ji River and the Yellow River is Yanzhou. The nine channels had been opened, Leixia had become a marsh, and the Yong and Ju rivers joined. On land suitable for mulberry trees silkworms were raised, and the people came down from the hills to live on the plains. The soil here is black and fertile, the grass grows lush and the trees tall. The land is of the sixth grade and the tax of the ninth, and it took thirteen years of work before it equaled the other provinces. The tribute is lacquer and silk, and baskets hold patterned silk fabrics. Boats float on the Ji and Ta rivers to reach the Yellow River.

海岱惟青州。嵎夷既略，濰、淄其道。厥土白墳，海濱廣斥。厥田惟上下，厥賦中上。厥貢鹽絺，海物惟錯。岱畎絲、枲、鉛、松、怪石。萊夷作牧。厥篚檿絲。浮於汶，達於濟。

Between the sea and Mount Tai is Qingzhou. Yuyi had been put in order, and the Wei and Zi rivers had been opened. The soil is white and loose, and the seashore is broad and salty. The land is of the third grade and the tax of the fourth. The tribute is salt and fine kudzu cloth, with sea products of mixed kinds. The valleys of Mount Tai yield silk, hemp, lead, pine, and strange stones. The Lai barbarians engage in herding. Baskets hold silk from mountain mulberries. Boats float on the Wen River to reach the Ji River.

海、岱及淮惟徐州。淮、沂其乂，蒙、羽其藝，大野既豬，東原厎平。厥土赤埴墳，草木漸包。厥田惟上中，厥賦中中。厥貢惟土五色，羽畎夏翟，嶧陽孤桐，泗濱浮磬，淮夷蠙珠暨魚。厥篚玄纖、縞。浮於淮、泗，達於河。

Between the sea, Mount Tai, and the Huai River is Xuzhou. The Huai and Yi rivers had been put in order, Mount Meng and Mount Yu could now be planted, the Great Wilds Marsh had gathered into a lake, and the Eastern Plain was settled. The soil is red, sticky, and fertile, and the grass and trees gradually grow thick. The land is of the second grade and the tax of the fifth. The tribute is earth of five colors, the five-colored pheasant feathers of the valleys of Mount Yu, the single-grown paulownia wood south of Mount Yi, the floating stone chime-stones by the Si River, and the pearls and fish of the Huai barbarians (the received text has a rare variant here, meaning “pin pearls”). Baskets hold black fine silk and white silk. Boats float on the Huai and Si rivers to reach the Yellow River.

淮海惟揚州。彭蠡既豬，陽鳥攸居。三江既入，震澤厎定。篠、簜既敷，厥草惟夭，厥木惟喬。厥土惟塗泥。厥田唯下下，厥賦下上，上錯。厥貢惟金三品，瑤、琨、篠、簜、齒、革、羽、毛惟木。鳥夷卉服。厥篚織貝，厥包橘柚，錫貢。沿於江、海，達於淮、泗。

Between the Huai River and the sea is Yangzhou. Pengli had gathered into a lake, and the sun-following birds dwelt there. The three rivers had entered the sea, and Zhenze was settled. Small bamboo and large bamboo were spread everywhere, the grass grew lush, and the trees were tall. The soil is muddy. The land is of the ninth grade and the tax of the seventh, sometimes the sixth. The tribute is gold, silver, and copper, fine jade and stone, small and large bamboo, ivory, hides, bird feathers, yak tails, and timber. The bird barbarians (one text reads “island barbarians”) wear clothing woven of grass. Baskets hold woven shell-brocade, with tangerines and pomelos wrapped, offered only on receiving the order. Following the Yangtze and the sea, one reaches the Huai and Si rivers.

荊及衡陽惟荊州。江、漢朝宗於海，九江孔殷，沱、潛既道，雲土、夢作乂。厥土惟塗泥，厥田惟下中，厥賦上下。厥貢羽、毛、齒、革惟金三品，杶、幹、栝、柏，礪、砥、砮、丹，惟菌、簵、楛；三邦厎貢厥名。包匭菁茅，厥篚玄纁璣組，九江納錫大龜。浮於江、沱、潛、漢，逾於洛，至於南河。

From Mount Jing to the south of Mount Heng is Jingzhou. The Yangtze and Han rush to the sea as if going to court the Son of Heaven, the Nine Rivers are deep and full, the Tuo and Qian rivers had been opened, the soil of Yunze was exposed, and Mengze too could be cultivated (the received text breaks this as “Yun earth, Meng,” one view holds it should be read together as Yunmeng). The soil is muddy, the land is of the eighth grade, and the tax is of the third. The tribute is bird feathers, yak tails, ivory, hides, and three kinds of metal, chun wood, gan wood, gua wood, and cypress, whetstones, grindstones, arrowhead stones, and cinnabar, as well as mushroom bamboo, lu bamboo, and hu wood; the three vassal states present their own famous products. Boxes of sedge for filtering wine are wrapped, and baskets hold dark red silk and strings of pearls, and the Nine Rivers present large tortoises. Boats float on the Yangtze, Tuo, Qian, and Han, cross the Luo River, and reach the Southern River.

荊河惟豫州。伊、洛、瀍、澗既入於河，滎波既豬。導菏澤，被孟豬。厥土惟壤，下土墳壚。厥田惟中上，厥賦錯上中。厥貢漆、枲，絺、紵，厥篚纖、纊，錫貢磬錯。浮於洛，達於河。

Between Mount Jing and the Yellow River is Yuzhou. The Yi, Luo, Chan, and Jian rivers had flowed into the Yellow River, and Xingbo had gathered into a lake. The Heze was channeled so that its water overflowed into Mengzhu. The soil is loose, and in the low places fertile black earth. The land is of the fourth grade and the tax of the second mixed with the first. The tribute is lacquer, hemp, fine kudzu cloth, and ramie, with baskets of fine silk and silk floss, and whetstones for making chime-stones offered on receiving the order. Boats float on the Luo River to reach the Yellow River.

華陽、黑水惟梁州。岷、嶓既藝，沱、潛既道。蔡、蒙旅平，和夷厎績。厥土青黎，厥田惟下上，厥賦下中，三錯。厥貢璆、鐵、銀、鏤、砮磬、熊、羆、狐、狸、織皮，西傾因桓是來，浮於潛，逾於沔，入於渭，亂於河。

From south of Mount Hua to the Black River is Liangzhou. Mount Min and Mount Bozhong could now be planted, and the Tuo and Qian rivers had been opened. Mount Cai and Mount Meng had been sacrificed to and set in order, and the work at Heyi was completed. The soil is blue-black, the land is of the seventh grade, and the tax of the eighth, mixed with the seventh and ninth. The tribute is fine jade, iron, silver, hard steel, arrowhead stones, chime-stones, bears, brown bears, foxes, wildcats, and woven hides; the tribute of Mount Xiqing comes along the Huan River, and boats float on the Qian River, cross the Mian River, enter the Wei River, and cross the Yellow River.

黑水、西河惟雍州。弱水既西，涇屬渭汭，漆沮既從，灃水攸同。荊、岐既旅，終南、惇物，至於鳥鼠。原隰厎績，至於豬野。三危既宅，三苗丕敘。厥土惟黃壤，厥田惟上上，厥賦中下。厥貢惟球、琳、琅玕。浮於積石，至於龍門、西河，會於渭汭。織皮崐崘、析支、渠搜，西戎即敘。

Between the Black River and the Western River is Yongzhou. The Ruo River had flowed westward, the Jing River joined the bend of the Wei, the Qi and Ju rivers flowed properly, and the Feng River joined the Wei. Mount Jing and Mount Qi had been sacrificed to, and Mount Zhongnan and Mount Dunwu, reaching Mount Niaoshu. The plains and marshes were completed, reaching the Zhuye Marsh. Sanwei could now be inhabited, and the Sanmiao were greatly settled. The soil is yellow loam, the land is of the first grade, and the tax is of the sixth. The tribute is round jade, lin jade, and langgan stone. Boats float from Jishi, reaching Longmen and the Western River, and meet at the bend of the Wei. The people of woven hides at Kunlun, Xizhi, and Qusou, the western Rong, were all settled.

導岍及岐，至於荊山，逾於河；壺口、雷首至於太嶽；厎柱、析城至於王屋；太行、恆山至於碣石，入於海。

Opening the mountain roads: from Mount Qian to Mount Qi, reaching Mount Jing, crossing the Yellow River; from Hukou and Leishou reaching Taiyue; from Dizhu and Xicheng reaching Wangwu; from Taihang and Mount Heng reaching Jieshi, extending into the sea.

西傾、朱圉、鳥鼠至於太華；熊耳、外方、桐柏至於陪尾。

From Xiqing, Zhuyu, and Niaoshu reaching Taihua; from Xiong’er, Waifang, and Tongbai reaching Peiwei.

導嶓冢，至於荊山；內方，至於大別。

Opening from Bozhong, reaching Mount Jing; from Neifang reaching Dabie.

岷山之陽，至於衡山，過九江，至於敷淺原。

From south of Mount Min reaching Mount Heng, passing the Nine Rivers, reaching the Fuqian Plain.

導弱水，至於合黎，餘波入於流沙。

The Ruo River was channeled, reaching Helin, and the remaining waters flowed into the Flowing Sands.

導黑水，至於三危，入於南海。

The Black River was channeled, reaching Sanwei, and flowing into the Southern Sea.

導河、積石，至於龍門；南至於華陰，東至於厎柱，又東至於孟津，東過洛汭，至於大伾；北過降水，至於大陸；又北，播為九河，同為逆河，入於海。

The Yellow River was channeled: from Jishi to Longmen; south to Huayin, east to Dizhu, and further east to Mengjin, east passing the place where the Luo River enters the Yellow River, reaching Dapi; north passing the Jiang River, reaching the Great Plain Marsh; further north, dividing into nine channels, rejoining as the Counter River and flowing into the sea.

嶓冢導漾，東流為漢，又東，為滄浪之水，過三澨，至於大別，南入於江。東，匯澤為彭蠡，東，為北江，入於海。

From Bozhong the Yang River was channeled, flowing east to become the Han River, further east becoming the Canglang waters, passing the Three Shi, reaching Dabie, and flowing south into the Yangtze. East, it gathers into Pengli Marsh, and further east becomes the North Yangtze, flowing into the sea.

岷山導江，東別為沱，又東至於澧；過九江，至於東陵，東迆北，會於匯；東為中江，入於海。

From Mount Min the Yangtze was channeled, east dividing off the Tuo River, further east reaching the Li; passing the Nine Rivers, reaching Dongling, turning northeast and joining at the Hui; flowing east to become the Middle Yangtze and entering the sea.

導沇水，東流為濟，入於河，溢為滎；東出於陶丘北，又東至於菏，又東北，會於汶，又北，東入於海。

The Yan River was channeled, flowing east to become the Ji River, entering the Yellow River and overflowing to become Xingze; flowing east, it emerges north of Taoqiu, further east reaching Heze, further northeast joining the Wen River, then north and east into the sea.

導淮自桐柏，東會於泗、沂，東入於海。

From Tongbai the Huai River was channeled, flowing east to join the Si and Yi rivers, and flowing east into the sea.

導渭自鳥鼠同穴，東會於灃，又東會於涇，又東過漆沮，入於河。

From Mount Niaoshu Tongxue the Wei River was channeled, flowing east to join the Feng River, further east joining the Jing River, and further east passing the Qi and Ju rivers and entering the Yellow River.

導洛自熊耳，東北，會於澗、瀍；又東，會於伊，又東北，入於河。

From Xiong’er the Luo River was channeled, flowing northeast to join the Jian and Chan rivers; further east joining the Yi River, and further northeast entering the Yellow River.

九州攸同，四隩既宅，九山刊旅，九川滌源，九澤既陂，四海會同。六府孔修，庶土交正，厎慎財賦，鹹則三壤成賦。中邦錫土、姓，祗臺德先，不距朕行。

The nine provinces were all unified, the remote lands of the four quarters could be inhabited, the nine ranges had their trees cleared so that sacrifices could be made, the nine great rivers had their sources opened, the nine great marshes had embankments built, and all within the four seas gathered at the capital. The Six Treasuries were well governed, the lands everywhere were reassessed by grade, wealth and taxes were carefully fixed, and all taxes were determined according to the three grades of soil. To the states of the Chinese realm were given lands and clan names, and reverence for virtue was put first: do not oppose what I do.

五百里甸服：百里賦納總，二百里納銍，三百里納秸服，四百里粟，五百里米。

Five hundred li is the Domain of Dian: at one hundred li, grain with its stalks is paid; at two hundred li, ears of grain; at three hundred li, stalks and labor service; at four hundred li, millet; at five hundred li, hulled rice.

五百里侯服：百里採，二百里男邦，三百里諸侯。

Five hundred li is the Domain of Hou: the first hundred li near the royal domain are fiefs of officials, the next two hundred li are the lands of the Nan lords, and the next three hundred li are the lands of the feudal lords.

五百里綏服：三百里揆文教，二百里奮武衛。

Five hundred li is the Domain of Sui: three hundred li to measure out civil teaching, and two hundred li to raise martial defense.

五百里要服：三百里夷，二百里蔡。

Five hundred li is the Domain of Yao: three hundred li to settle the Yi peoples, and two hundred li is the place for the exile punishment of Cai.

五百里荒服：三百里蠻，二百里流。

Five hundred li is the Domain of Huang: three hundred li to settle the Man peoples, and two hundred li is the place of exile.

東漸於海，西被於流沙，朔南暨聲教訖於四海。禹錫玄圭，告厥成功。

To the east it reached the sea, to the west it covered the Flowing Sands, and to the north and south the proclamation and teaching reached the four seas. Yu was granted a black jade tablet, to report the completion of his work.