Sima Xiangru had been an official in the court for several years. Then, Tang Meng was dispatched on a mission, and under the cover of darkness, he set off for Yelang and Bozhong with his orders, rounding up a thousand officials and soldiers from the Bashu region. Each county, on its own initiative, dispatched over ten thousand more to handle the food transport, and summarily executed local leaders under martial law. Terror gripped the people of Bashu. Upon hearing this, the Emperor dispatched Sima Xiangru to investigate Tang Meng's actions and reassure the people of Bashu that it wasn't sanctioned by the crown. The imperial edict read:
Hey, Governor of Ba Shu, those barbarians have been running riot for ages, and we've let them get away with it. They’re making life miserable for our officials and soldiers. After the Emperor ascended the throne, he was determined to pacify the people, first stabilizing the Central Plains before marching north to conquer the Xiongnu. The Xiongnu chief got scared stiff and sent envoys begging for peace, tail between their legs. Even far-off places like Kangju and other distant lands sent envoys to kiss the emperor's ring and offer gifts. The Emperor then sent troops to suppress the rebellion in Min Yue and pacify Fan Yu, where the princes came to court to pay their respects. Southern barbarian princes and western Bo chiefs were lining up to pay tribute, desperate to be part of the Han empire, showing their longing and submission to the Han court. The journey's too long and dangerous for them to make it themselves. Those who disobeyed have already been punished, while those willing to submit have not yet been rewarded. Therefore, envoys were sent to pacify them, accompanied by one hundred men from Ba Shu each, bringing gifts, with no intention of fighting or engaging in battle. Word's reached us that you've cracked down with military law, scaring the pants off everyone – kids, adults, and old folks alike! And some counties are even moving food around on their own – that's not what the Emperor wants! The guys who should be doing their jobs have either run off or started fighting each other – that's not how loyal subjects behave!
The men at the border, upon hearing the sight and sound of the beacon fires, quickly grab their bows and arrows, shoulder their weapons, dripping with sweat, afraid of falling behind. Facing the enemy, risking their lives, they never look back, not even for a second, each burning with a thirst for revenge. Do they prefer death over life? These weren't your average folks, loyal to a different emperor than those in Ba and Shu! They were shrewd, putting country before self, and dedicated to their duty. That's why they receive rewards from the emperor, made marquises, and live in luxurious mansions. Ultimately, they leave behind a glorious reputation for future generations, passing down their estates to their heirs, their loyalty and service renowned, living a comfortable and prosperous life, their reputation and achievements immortalized. Therefore, those talented individuals, even if it cost them their lives, will not have any complaints.
Now, they are ordered to deliver tribute to the southern barbarians, only to be killed by those barbarians, or captured while escaping, meeting a shameful end, posthumously branded an "Utter Fool," bringing shame to their ancestors and becoming the laughingstock of the world. The difference in their outlook was stark, wasn't it? But this can't be entirely blamed on those sent to deliver tribute; their fathers and brothers didn't educate them properly, their siblings didn’t guide them well, they lack a sense of shame, and the social atmosphere is poor. It served them right!
Your Highness, you are worried that the messengers and officials may not get the job done like those who bring tribute, and you also feel sorry for the simple folk, so you sent people to deliver letters explaining the conscription to the people, listing the sins of those who were disloyal and died, and blaming the village elders and exemplary sons for not fulfilling their educational responsibilities. It is currently the height of the planting season, and the people are already very tired. I have personally visited nearby counties, worrying that the people in the remote hills and marshes have not heard the news yet. So the order needs to go out to every county immediately, conveying Your Highness's intentions, so please do not delay!
Sima Xiangru reported on the situation of the mission. Tang Meng had already initially opened up the Yelang Road, thus creating a route to the southwestern barbarians. He gathered soldiers from Bashu and Guanghan, totaling over thirty thousand, and spent two full years building the road. However, the road remained unfinished, costing countless lives and an exorbitant amount of money. The people of Shu and some officials in the court felt that this matter was a bad idea.
At that time, the leaders of Qiong, Zuo, and other places heard that they could receive many rewards by trading with the Southern Yi and the Han Dynasty, so they all expressed their willingness to submit to the Han Dynasty, requested to become subjects of the Han Dynasty, and even vied with the Southern Yi. The Emperor asked Sima Xiangru what to do, and Xiangru said, "Qiong, Zuo, Ran, Mang, and other places are relatively close to us, the roads are also easy to travel, and they were once designated as counties in the past, but were abolished after the establishment of the Han Dynasty. Now, if we reopen the roads and establish counties, it would be better than directly managing the Southern Yi." The Emperor thought Xiangru made sense, so he appointed Xiangru as a Zhonglangjiang, let him lead the team on a mission, and also assigned him three deputy envoys, Wang Yanyu, Hu Qiguo, and Lu Yueren, to travel in a four-horse chariot, bringing gifts prepared by officials from Ba Shu to present to the Southwest Yi. When they arrived in Shu, officials below the governor came out of the city to welcome them, and the county magistrate even led the procession, carrying a bow and arrow, the people of Shu felt it was a great honor. Therefore, the nobles of Zhuo Wangsun, Linqiong, and other places all came to visit, bringing cattle and fine wine to celebrate. Zhuo Wangsun was deeply moved, because his daughter married Sima Xiangru; he generously gave his daughter many dowries, as lavishly as he would for a son's wedding.
Xiangru's mission to the Southwest Yi gained a thorough understanding of the region, and the leaders of Qiong, Zuo, Ran, Mang, Siyu, and other places all requested to submit to the Han Dynasty. Xiangru also expanded the borders, reaching the Mo River and Ruo River to the west, and reaching the Ke Lang to the south, opening the Ling Shan Road, building bridges and ferry crossings, and opening the roads to Qiong and Zuo. After returning to the court, the Emperor was very happy.
Many elderly people in Shu, and indeed many court officials, argued that opening roads to the Southwest Yi was pointless. Xiangru wanted to advise the Emperor, but the matter had already been done, so he dared not say anything more. Instead, he wrote an article, adopting the voice of the Shu people to present the pros and cons, and then refuted these arguments to influence the Emperor, while also explaining the results of the mission to the people, to ensure the Emperor's aims were widely understood. The article stated:
Seventy-eight years the Han Dynasty's been going strong, and the Emperor's been showering us with blessings. Things are peaceful and prosperous; the empire's doing great. That’s why the Emperor has sent us on a western expedition, riding the wave of success. Everywhere we go, people willingly submit. We've conquered the west, pretty much.
Now, twenty-seven bigwigs showed up to give the envoy a piece of their mind. They express their concerns, saying, "We heard the Emperor's policy is to be tough but fair, not cut them off completely. Three years and nothing to show for it. Soldiers are beat, the people are tapped out, and now we gotta fight more barbarians? It's too much! Qiong, Zuo, and Xibie have interacted with the Central Plains for so many years that it’s impossible to remember. You can't just bully people into submission, right? It doesn't work that way! We're killing ourselves to please the barbarians. We don't get it."
The envoy responds, "Are you kidding me? So, nothing's changed? I don't wanna hear that. This is above your pay grade, folks. I'm short on time, but here's the gist:
"There are always extraordinary people in the world who can achieve extraordinary things; with extraordinary achievements, lasting merits can be accomplished. Extraordinary things are what ordinary people cannot do. Therefore, at the beginning, people might be scared at first; but once successful, the world will be peaceful."
"In the past, massive flooding caused people to flee in panic, leading to a very unstable life. Yu the Great was anxious, so he controlled the floods by diverting them to the sea, bringing peace to the world. He didn't just do it for the people. He was worried and worked hard, wearing himself out, so his achievements have been passed down endlessly, and his reputation has endured to this day."
"Let me tell you, wise monarchs after ascending the throne are not just concerned with trivial matters, just sticking to the rules and kissing up to the powerful! They will surely have a broad vision, set the stage for future generations. Therefore, they will recruit smart people, be open-minded, and think things through to govern the people of the world well. As the old saying goes, 'All the land is the king's, and all the people are his subjects.' Therefore, in the entire world, from all directions, everyone benefits from a wise king's rule. If there is still a place that has not been reached, a good king would be ashamed."
In our country now, all subjects under his rule have been safe and sound, without any omissions. However, in those remote and inaccessible areas, where people are sparsely populated, the emperor's decrees and influence have not yet reached, and a good social atmosphere has not yet formed. In those places, there is domestic unrest and disregard for law and order; externally, lawlessness, violence, and the suffering of the innocent run rampant. The people in the country complain and say, "We have heard that the emperor of the Central Plains is extremely kind and his grace is widely spread throughout the world; why has he forgotten us?" They yearned for imperial favor, as desperately as a parched land yearns for rain. Could any wise ruler ignore such suffering?
Therefore, the monarch sent troops to the north to attack the powerful Xiongnu and sent envoys to the south to rebuke the strong Yue kingdom. All sides felt the grace of the monarch, and many rulers of small countries came to pay homage, hoping to submit to the court; the number of countries wishing to align with the court was countless. The monarch expanded his territory, built roads, and spread his influence, and even the people in distant lands received the court's care. This brought light and order to these previously neglected regions, thereby stopping wars and hostilities. People all over the world, regardless of distance, could live and work in peace—this, surely, was a glorious achievement.
To rescue his people, restore order, and continue the legacy of the Zhou dynasty—this was the emperor's paramount duty. The people's toil was unending, but it was a necessary sacrifice.
So, the story goes, those who became emperors in ancient times all experienced hardships and toil before finally enjoying a life of luxury. Therefore, accepting the mandate of heaven and taking on great responsibilities is the key! Just as they were about to perform the Mount Tai investiture ceremony, expand Liangfu's fiefdom, play the celebratory music of the Ming and Luan, and announce rewards and gifts in a grand manner, reaching back to the glory of the Five Emperors and the wisdom of the Three Sovereigns. But the onlookers hadn't even grasped the meaning of the ceremony, let alone appreciated the music, and someone, like Jiao Zhongxiang, had already abandoned ship. While the rest were still stuck in the mud, alas, it is truly lamentable!
As a result, the ministers were all at a loss, not knowing how to speak up, each of them sighing and saying, "The virtue of the Han Dynasty is truly admirable—something we little people could only dream of hearing! Although the people are suffering greatly, please lead by example!" However, Sima Xiangru refused to change his attitude, persistently avoiding the question.
Later, someone accused Sima Xiangru of taking bribes, causing him to lose his official position. Over a year later, he was summoned back to the court and became a court official.
Sima Xiangru had a slight stutter when speaking, but was skilled in writing. He often suffered from a chronic illness characterized by excessive thirst, married Zhuo Shi as his wife, and came from a wealthy family. Therefore, he avoided court politics, often feigning illness to stay home, and showed no ambition for power or wealth. One time, he accompanied the emperor to Changyang for a hunt. At that time, the emperor was engrossed in personally shooting bears and wild boars, chasing after wild animals, so Sima Xiangru took the opportunity to submit a memorial. His petition stated:
I have heard that creatures of the same species have different abilities, so people with great strength are called "Wu Huo", those with fast speed are called "Qing Ji", and the brave are called "Ben Yu". I am ignorant and privately believe that if humans are like this, then wild beasts should be the same. Now, Your Majesty enjoys hunting dangerous animals in the treacherous mountains. In case of suddenly encountering a fierce predator with no way out, raising a cloud of dust from the carriage and horses, the carriage cannot return to the camp in time, and people cannot display their skills effectively. Even someone as skilled as Wu Huo or Feng Meng would be helpless. Fallen logs and decaying branches will become obstacles. In this way, the Hu and Yue would rebel, followed by the Qiang and Yi. Wouldn't that be incredibly dangerous? Even if nothing goes wrong, there is no danger, but this is not something the emperor should be close to.
Furthermore, even if the road is cleared before walking and running on a flat road, accidents often happen. Not to mention running in dense thickets and galloping in rugged valleys, enjoying the thrill of hunting fierce animals ahead, but not mentally prepared for unexpected dangers—wouldn't the harm be even greater? To risk the empire for a fleeting thrill, I privately believe that Your Majesty should not do this.
Oh, wise person, who can foresee things that have not yet happened in advance, and a person of wisdom, who can avoid unseen dangers. Calamities often hide deeply and suddenly erupt when people relax their vigilance. It's a risk no emperor should take. As the saying goes, "A rich man doesn't linger under a leaky roof." Although this saying is simple, it explains a great truth. I hope Your Majesty will take my words seriously and consider them carefully.
The Emperor agreed. Later, I went to Yichun Palace and recited a composition for the Emperor to express my sorrow for the misconduct of the Second Emperor. The content of this composition is as follows:
"Ascending the long slope of Dengbi and Tao, entering the majestic Ceng Palace. Facing the meandering Yizhou River, looking at the jagged peaks of Nanshan. Rugged deep mountains opened into a broad valley. The waters flowed endlessly, spreading across the vast plains of Pinggao. Looking at the lush trees, viewing the dense bamboo forest. Eastward to Tushan, then north to the rocky rapids. Finding peace, reflecting on the past. Carelessness cost him his power and his kingdom; blind trust in deceivers led to the ruin of his ancestral temples. Alas! His lack of self-control left his tomb untended, his spirit unnourished in the afterlife.
Later, the emperor appointed me as the Superintendent of the Xiaowen Garden. The emperor liked the whimsical tales I had told before, and since he enjoyed stories of immortals, I said, 'Shanglin Park isn't quite perfect; I have something even better. I once wrote a 'Daren Fu', which is not yet complete; please allow me to present it in its entirety.' I felt that those scholars who cultivated immortality, living between the mountains and wilderness, were all frail and ascetic. This is not the immortal realm that an emperor should pursue, so I presented the 'Daren Fu'. The content of this Fu is as follows:
Imagine, if you will, an extraordinary figure living in the Central Plains region. The place where he dwells stretches for countless leagues, yet he feels it is not large enough! A restlessness stirred within him, thinking that the world is too narrow, so he travels lightly and goes on a distant journey."
He rode in a dazzling, fantastical chariot that ascended into the heavens like a vibrant, swirling cloud. The decorations on the chariot were magnificent, featuring a tall flagpole on top adorned with shiny, colorful flags. He spent over a decade crafting this chariot, and the back was embellished with comet-like adornments, absolutely breathtaking! He waved the decorations on the chariot, their swirls filled with elegant grace, then bursting forth with majestic power. The flags blazed with rainbow hues, streaming behind it as they fluttered in the air. Around the chariot, crimson light flashed, black clouds roiled, the wind howled like a banshee, and mist swirled around it.
This chariot was a vision of pure fantasy! Its body twisted and turned like a giant dragon; the yoke was decorated with red chi dragons and green hornless dragons, their scales gleaming, their bodies writhing with life. The chariot's form swayed with haughty majesty, while the wheels rolled over mountains and rivers, never stopping. The exquisite decorations on the chariot, intricate as a spider's web, seemed to writhe and climb like living things. The chariot flashed past like a bolt of lightning, a gust of wind, and in the blink of an eye, the mist cleared, leaving a bright, clear sky.
He sped all the way and eventually arrived at the realm of Taiyin, seeking the legendary true person. He bypassed winding mountain roads, journeyed east, and passed through thundering waterfalls. He selected the best mythical creatures to pull the carriage and enlisted the gods to guard. He had the Five Emperors clear a path for him and lead him to Lingyang Mountain. On the left was Xuanming, on the right was Qianlei; in front was Changli, and behind was Yuhuang. He also called upon the great gods Boqiao and Xianmen, as well as Qibo and Shangfang. Zhu Rong personally guarded, cleared the road, and ensured safe passage all the way. His caravan was immense, with a vast procession of chariots and horses, surrounded by clouds and mist, and flags fluttering. Jumang led the team to pave the way for him; he was heading to the fairyland in the south!
I crossed mountains and went to the place where Tang Yao lived in the mountains, and also visited the residence of Yu Shun in Jiuyi Mountain. The scenery along the way was truly a kaleidoscope of sights, as complex as a bewildering array, dazzling to behold. Everywhere there were undulating mountains, magnificent and intricate scenery, with mountains, rocks, and trees intertwined and stacked, as colorful as brocade. I passed through thunderous, dark, and humid caves, and walked out of the perilous, rocky crags of Guigu. I explored the vast world, traveled through the Nine Rivers and Five Rivers. I also went to the land of flames, crossed the weak water, and passed through floating water grass and flowing sand. I even ventured to a lush and distant place, where I had Nuwa play the piano and Fengyi dance to provide entertainment. Sometimes, when the sky and the earth were in chaos, I called upon the wind god, Pingyi, to subdue the wind and rain gods and improve the weather.
I looked westward to Kunlun Mountain; it was a desolate yet strangely captivating sight. Then I went straight to Sanwei Mountain. I pushed open the celestial gate and entered the palace of the Heavenly Emperor, bringing back a beautiful celestial maiden. I climbed up Langfeng Mountain, gazing into the distance as high-flying birds circled down. I wound my way up the winding mountain road of Yinshan and finally saw the Queen Mother of the West. Her hair was white, and she wore a jeweled crown, living in a cave. Fortunately, she also had a three-legged crow serving her. Even if I could live forever like her, living for ages untold, I might not necessarily feel very happy. I turned my vehicle and returned to the mortal world, traversing the rugged road. I enjoyed the food in the quiet valley, breathed the fresh air, basked in the morning light, and chewed Lingzhi and Qionghua. Sometimes I flew low, sometimes high, freely soaring in the air like a wild goose. I passed through the reflections of the Pleiades and crossed the rushing flood of Fenglong Mountain. I sped along the road, then descended slowly, flying through the misty fog toward the distance. I experienced narrow and steep valleys and flew out from the northern border. I left the army in Xuanque, surpassed the vanguard, and arrived at Hanmen. Looking down, there was no land beneath my feet; looking up, there was no sky above my head. My eyes were confused, unable to see anything; my ears buzzed, unable to hear anything. Riding on the ethereal air, I flew to a high and distant place, transcending the world alone. Sima Xiangru played "The Great Man's Ode," and the emperor was elated, feeling like he was floating on air, totally spaced out between heaven and earth.
After Sima Xiangru recovered from his illness, he resigned from his official position and returned to his hometown of Maoling to retire. The emperor heard that Sima Xiangru was seriously ill and said, "Sima Xiangru is so ill; send someone to his home to retrieve all his writings, or they'd be gone." So, the emperor sent an official to Sima Xiangru's home. When he arrived, he found out that Sima Xiangru had already passed away, and there were no manuscripts left at home. The official asked Sima Xiangru's wife, who replied, "My husband never left any books behind; others frequently took his writings. Before he died, he wrote a scroll, saying that if someone came asking for books, it should be presented to the emperor." In Sima Xiangru's posthumous work, there was an article about the Fengshan ceremony, which the official presented to the emperor. The emperor was very surprised after reading it.
The article reads:
In the beginning of ancient times, from the vast sky, the people were born. From the earliest emperors to the Qin dynasty, some followed the footsteps of the martial, while others only heard the echoes. Many dynasties rise and fall, too numerous to count. Starting from Xia, Shang, and Zhou, there were about seventy-two emperors who could be recorded. How could a virtuous ruler fail to prosper, while those who acted recklessly could endure?
After reading Sima Xiangru's posthumous work, the emperor admired his talent even more. Even in death, Sima Xiangru's wisdom shines through his writings, inspiring generations to come.
Way back when, even before the Yellow Emperor, the details are so distant that we simply do not know. All we've got are a few scraps from books like the *Book of Songs* and the *Book of Documents*. The *Book of Documents* raves about how brilliant the emperor was and how virtuous his ministers! Therefore, there is no better ruler than Yao, and no more virtuous minister than Hou Ji.
Hou Ji pioneered agriculture in the land of Tang, Duke Liu developed and expanded in the Western Rong region, and King Wen of Zhou reformed the system. As a result, the Zhou Dynasty prospered and flourished until the time of King Cheng of Zhou, after which it began to decline and eventually disappeared after several hundred years. Doesn't that show you how things can go wrong, even after a great start? However, the Zhou Dynasty did not experience any major rebellions, mainly because they valued the experiences and lessons of their predecessors and passed them on to future generations. Their system was simple and easy to follow. The people were prosperous, the laws clear, and the line of succession smooth. Consequently, the foundation of the Zhou Dynasty reached its peak during the reign of King Xuan of Zhou and continued to be glorious during the reigns of King Mu of Zhou and King Gong of Zhou. Looking back, their rise and fall wasn't anything particularly unusual.
However, the emperors of the Zhou Dynasty still had to ascend to Liangfu Mountain and Mount Tai, hold grand ceremonies, establish illustrious titles, and demonstrate their noble status. The Han Dynasty's luck just exploded – it was like a tidal wave, unstoppable, sweeping across the land. All things in the world were nourished, vibrant, and full of vitality. With strong military power, they waged wars everywhere, conquered distant barbarians, quelled rebellions, brought peace and prosperity, and the land blossomed.
So, marvelous beasts and birds were kept in captivity, bizarre creatures were tamed, wheat with six ears per stalk was sent to the kitchen, cattle and sheep with two horns were slaughtered for sacrifice, Zhou Dynasty turtles were caught in Qishan, and dragons of jade and gold were summoned from the marshes. Spirits and deities all came to pay their respects, gathering in the palace. Various strange treasures, ever-changing and wondrous. Truly awe-inspiring! Even with so many auspicious signs, the Zhou emperor still felt it was not enough and did not dare to hold the Fengshan ceremony. A miraculous rain of fish fell upon the Zhou Dynasty and was sacrificed by fire; this was the true auspicious sign! Just because of these omens, ascending the Jieqiu to sacrifice to heaven—wasn't that a bit rash? How reckless to act so hastily!
The Grand Minister stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, you have ruled with benevolence, and justice has been swiftly and decisively served. All vassal states are joyfully presenting tributes, and the Baiyue tribes and other barbarians are respectfully offering gifts. Your merits have been deeply accumulated from the beginning, surpassing all others. The land enjoys prosperity and is blessed with auspicious omens. This is the perfect time to follow the ancient precedent of a virtuous ruler yielding the throne. This is no idle speculation. I believe that altars should be set up at Mount Tai and Mount Liangfu to offer sacrifices to the heavens in a grand ceremony to honor your glory. Heaven will bestow blessings, and this will be a celebration of your achievements. However, Your Majesty, you have hesitated to make a decision. By forgoing the opportunity to worship the Three Deities and conduct a tour of the empire, you are failing to observe the proper rites of kingship, causing unease among your ministers. Some say that Heaven's auspicious signs cannot be disregarded; to refuse would be to miss the opportunity to demonstrate your virtue. Throughout history, emperors have held the Sacrifice and Investiture Ceremony at the right time to usher in a golden age. If you decline, how will posterity remember you among the seventy-two rulers? The cultivation of virtue attracts heavenly blessings, which in turn make the Investiture Ceremony auspicious. This is not a transgression. Therefore, the wise kings of the past never abandoned these rituals. They meticulously observed the rites of Heaven and Earth, inscribing their achievements for posterity. This grand ceremony is a magnificent spectacle, the ultimate affirmation of imperial virtue, and should not be lightly dismissed. I urge Your Majesty to proceed. Concurrently, we should organize the classics, refine their language, and compile a new Spring and Autumn Annals. Expanding the Six Classics to Seven will enrich its content so that future generations may be inspired, and the fruits of virtue may be reaped. The enduring fame of past sage-kings stems from these very actions. I recommend that the keepers of the classics submit these proposals to Your Majesty."
Not provided.
After the emperor heard this, his face went white and he said, "Good! Let us see!" He then began to seriously consider the matter, listened to the opinions of the ministers, inquired in detail about the Fengshan ceremony itself, and extensively consulted relevant classics, collecting a large amount of auspicious records. Then he composed a hymn:
From the sky above, clouds gather thick. Sweet dew and timely rain, fertile lands to roam. Life-giving moisture seeps, what cannot be nurtured! Six stalks of grain, a bountiful harvest!
Not just the rain, but also the nurturing; not only for me, but spreading forth to protect. All things flourish, cherishing and admiring. Famous mountains and clear positions, awaiting your arrival. Oh, great one, do not hesitate!
Ah, look at that magical qilin playing in our king's garden! All white, with charming black spots on its body, truly exquisite! Gentle and peaceful, just like a gentleman. I've only heard its call before; now I finally see it with my own eyes! The route it appears on is completely unpredictable; this is a heavenly omen! In the past, Emperor Shun also received such an omen, and then the Xia dynasty prospered.
Let us also speak of the beautiful qilin, grazing peacefully at Lingzhi. In the tenth month of the lunar calendar, the emperor went to the outskirts to offer sacrifices. The emperor rode in an imperial chariot to receive the blessings of Heaven. This is a grand occasion that has not been seen in three generations of rulers!
And the golden dragon, symbolizing a prosperous reign, soaring into the sky! Its body shines with mysterious colors, radiating brilliant light! The essence of the sun manifests, awakening the people. Historical records state that the Heaven-ordained emperor rides upon such a divine beast!
The appearance of these auspicious signs does not require much explanation. These omens clearly signify the auspiciousness of the Fengshan ceremony.
I carefully observe these phenomena and discover the mysteries of the harmony of Heaven and Earth, influencing and responding to each other. A wise monarch rules with care and diligence. Therefore, during times of prosperity, one must think of decline, and during times of ease, one must think of danger. Even though Emperors Shang Tang and King Wu of Zhou held high positions, they maintained a respectful and cautious attitude. Emperor Shun, despite his high status, constantly reflected on his shortcomings. This humility was the key to their success!
Five years after Sima Xiangru's death, Emperor Wu of Han began to offer sacrifices to the Earth. Eight years later, the official rites at Mount Tai were performed, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere at its foot.
I will not include Sima Xiangru's other works, such as "Letter to the Marquis of Pingling," "Debating with Five Young Lords," and "Treatise on Plants and Trees," but will only select those articles that had a significant impact in the court.
In conclusion, Sima Qian said that "Spring and Autumn" reveals the deepest secrets, "Book of Changes" elucidates principles in an obscure manner, "Da Ya" praises the virtues of kings, princes, and ministers while influencing the people, and "Xiao Ya" satirizes personal gains and losses, also affecting rulers. Although the expressions differ, they all ultimately aim to promote morality. Despite Sima Xiangru's articles being rich in flowery language, his main point is to advise people to be frugal, similar to the admonitions in the "Book of Songs." Yang Xiong believed that Sima Xiangru's articles were ornate and lengthy; despite containing many admonishments, they ultimately only emphasize one theme. Much like playing the music of Zheng and Wei before performing elegant music, isn't that just playing games with language?
