Chiang Lu Mien travelled to visit Chi Che and said, ‘The ruler of Lu asked me, saying, “Teach me.” I refused, but he kept hold of me and I had to say something. I am not sure I chose the right path but I will tell you what I said. I said to the ruler of Lu, “You must be courteous and disciplined. Note and promote those who are public-spirited and loyal; note and oppose those who are selfish and subservient. If you do this, who could possibly wish to be against you?” ’
Chi Che nearly choked with laughter and said, ‘Your words, dear Sir, regarding the Virtue of Emperors and kings, are like the praying mantis waving his arms around in a fury, trying to stop a carriage – pretty pointless. If he followed your advice, he would end up building taller towers in which to store his increasing number of valuables, and the people would just follow his example.’
Chiang Lu Mien was taken aback and said in amazement, ‘I am astonished at your words, Master, but I would dearly like to hear what you have to say on this issue.’
Chi Che said, ‘If a great sage ruled the world, he would free the hearts of his people, make his teachings accessible and change people’s behaviour. He would erase all falsehood and betrayal from their hearts and enable them to act as their own consciences dictate.
It would arise from their very innate natures, yet they would not realize this. If he proceeded like this, why should such a person look up to Yao or Shun for guidance as to how to rule the people, or even bother to despise their methods? He simply wants all to be united in Virtue and in the tranquillity of the heart.’
Tzu Kung travelled south to Chu and as he returned through Chin, he was journeying along the side of the river Han. He saw a lone old man working on his land. The man had prepared the ground and had drawn water from the well and was carrying a jar of water to pour on the earth. Huffing and puffing, he was using up much of his strength and yet had little to show for it. Tzu Kung said, ‘There are machines which can water a hundred fields in one day, for very little effort but with much to show for it. Wouldn’t you like to have one, Master?’
The gardener looked up and said, ‘How does this work?’
He said, ‘It is made from wood, solid at the rear and lighter at the other end and it raises the water just as you would pour it out, or the way boiling water overflows. It is called a well dip.’
The gardener was furious, then laughed and said, ‘I have heard from my teacher that where you have machines, then you get certain kinds of problems; where you get certain kinds of problems, then you find a heart warped by these problems. Where you get a heart warped, its purity and simplicity are disturbed. When purity and simplicity are disturbed, then the spirit is alarmed and an alarmed spirit is no place for the Tao to dwell. It isn’t that I don’t know of these machines, but I would be ashamed to use one.’
Tzu Kung was covered in confusion, hung his head and said nothing in reply. After a while, the gardener said, ‘Sir, who are you?’
‘A disciple of Confucius,’ said Tzu Kung.
The gardener said, ‘Sir, are you one of those types who expand their knowledge so as to try and appear to be a sage, seeking to impress everyone with your superiority, singing sad songs all alone in the hope of becoming famous in this world? It would be better for you to forget your breath and spirit and disregard the care of your body. Then you might make progress! As it is, you cannot care for yourself, so how do you expect to rule the world? Off you go, Sir, and do not disturb my work!’
Tzu Kung was disturbed and nonplussed by all this. He wandered off puzzled and disorientated, and he did not recover until he had travelled thirty li. His followers said, ‘Who was that man? Master, why did you change colour when you saw him and change your bearing so that it took you all day to recover?’
He said, ‘Previously I thought that there was only one true man in the world, because I did not know of this man. I have heard the Master say that in actions you aim for that which is true and in ventures you aim for success. Use little energy but have great results, this is the Tao of the sage. Now I don’t believe this any more. Those who hold to the Tao are endowed with its Virtue. Being virtuous, they are complete in body. Being complete in their bodies, they are complete in spirit. Being complete in spirit, as a result they are in the Tao of the sages. They live in the world side by side with the people, travelling with them, but never knowing where they are going. Their simplicity is mind-boggling! They consider accomplishments, gain, machines, talents, to be inappropriate in the
