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Portrait of Yanzi. (Image source: Public domain/Wikipedia)
“Huainanzi” is a work collectively compiled by the Western Han Dynasty royal family Huainan King Liu An and his disciples who collected historical materials and documents. It is also known as “Huainan Honglie” and “Liu Anzi”. Liang Qichao said: “Huainan Honglie is the origin of Taoism in the Western Han Dynasty. Its book is broad and coherent, and it is the best among Han writings.”
“Huainanzi” was written by many hands, has extensive content, and integrates the thoughts of pre-Qin scholars. “Huainanzi” was fully translated into English and Japanese in the 20th century, as well as abridged translations into French and German. It is an important classic in the history of Chinese culture.
This article introduces readers to part of the content of the “Daoying” chapter in “Huainanzi”.
[Original text]Laozi said: “It is square but not cut, honest but not pruned.”
(To the effect) Lao Tzu said: “Behave upright but not unfeeling, and do no harm even though there are edges and corners.”
(1) Yan Zi was kind and adhered to principles
Qi Jinggong asked Taibu: “What is the power of your Taoism?” Taibu replied: “It can make the earth shake.” At this time, Yanzi went to see Jinggong, and Jinggong said: “I once asked Taibu: ‘Your Taoism’ What ability can it make?” He replied: “Can it really make the earth move?” Yan Zi was silent after hearing this. After going out, he went to find Taibu and said, “Earlier, I observed that the guest star was between the two constellations Fang and Xin. There must be an earthquake, right?” Taibu replied, “That’s right.” After Yanzi left, Taibu Bu hurried to Jinggong and said, “It’s not that I can cause the earth to quake, but it’s that the earth was about to shake.”
When Tian Ziyang, a minister of Qi, heard about this, he said: “Yanzi did not answer Jinggong silently because he did not want Taibu to be executed for lying; he went to see Taibu again because he wanted Taibu to admit his lies consciously so as not to deceive Duke Jinggong. Yanzi can be said to be loyal to the emperor and caring for his subordinates.” Therefore, Laozi said: “Behave is upright but not ruthless, and although there are edges and corners, it is not harmful to others.”
Note: Yan Ying, whose courtesy name is Zhong and posthumous title is Ping, is usually called Yan Pingzhong, also known as Yan Zi. He was a famous politician, thinker and diplomat in Qi during the Spring and Autumn Period. Yan Ying has a sharp mind and is eloquent. Yan Ying served successively in the three dynasties of Linggong, Zhuanggong and Jinggong, and served as assistant to the government for more than fifty years. Yan Ying lives a frugal and humble life. He assisted the state affairs internally and repeatedly admonished the marquis of Qi. Externally, he was both flexible and able to adhere to principles. He was not humiliated when traveling as an envoy and safeguarded Qi’s national character and prestige.
(2) Wei Wenhou and Jian Zhong discuss loyal ministers
Marquis Wen of Wei held a banquet in Quyang to entertain the officials. When the wine was in full swing, Marquis Wei Wen sighed deeply and said, “Why don’t I have a loyal man like Yu Rang to serve as a minister?” At this time, Jian Zhong held a cup of fine wine in his hand and offered it to Marquis Wei Wen, saying: “Please give me a cup of fine wine. “Wei Wen Hou asked puzzledly: “Why punish me?” Jian Zhong replied: “I heard that parents who are lucky do not know what a filial son is, and a wise monarch does not know what a loyal minister is. What about the monarch of Yurang? Woolen cloth?”
Marquis Wen took the fined wine and drank it in one gulp. He stopped urging the other party to drink. He accepted the punishment and said: “This is because Zhibo does not have talented people like Guan Zhong and Uncle Bao to help him. That’s why Yurang vowed to avenge him.” “Fame.” So this is also what Laozi said: “A country in chaos has loyal ministers.”
Note: Wei Wenhou was the son of Wei Huanzi and the founder of the Wei Kingdom’s century-old hegemony. Among the Seven Heroes of the Warring States Period, Wei Wenhou was the first to implement reforms, reforming politics, rewarding farming and warfare, building water conservancy, and developing the feudal economy. The later Qin Xiaogong and Shang Yang’s reforms were all based on Wei.
(to be continued)
Editor in charge: Shen Siming Source: Look at China
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