The two friends looked at each other and burst out laughing. ‘Huh, how odd!’ they said. ‘This is not what we would call the Tao. In the ancient past Shen Nung had the whole world, and he carried out the ritual sacrifices at the appointed times and with great respect, but he never dreamt of praying for blessings. When sorting out the people, he was true and honest and did what was right, but never expected anything from them. He liked to rule fairly, and when necessary would be stern and strict. He didn’t exploit the failures of others in order to further his own powers. He didn’t use other people’s weaknesses to increase his own strength. He didn’t exploit favourable openings in order to make profit. But now the Chou Dynasty, seeing that the Yin have fallen into disarray, suddenly seize the government from them, asking advice from the leaders and bribing the ordinary people. They have brought out their weapons and offered sacrifices and made pacts with people to try and show how serious they are. They shout their own praises in order to impress the people and they attack just for the sake of gain, which is just to overthrow disorder and replace it with tyranny.
‘We have heard that, even if by good luck the scholars of old lived in peaceful times, they did not shirk public office. However, if they lived in a time of chaos, they tried not to remain in office if they could help it. Now the world is in darkness and the Virtue of the Chou has rotted. Rather than stay here and be associated with it, it is better if we flee and thus maintain our purity.’ The two scholars went north to Mount Shou Yang, where they died of starvation. Now, if men like them have managed to avoid getting any fame or fortune, they did so by being high-minded and conscientious in behaviour, taking pleasure in their own ideas without having to lower themselves to serve the world. This is what these two scholars achieved.
CHAPTER 29
Robber Chih
Confucius was friendly with Liu Hsia Chi, whose brother was called Robber Chih. Robber Chih had nine thousand followers who pillaged wherever they wished in the land, attacking and robbing the princes, breaking into houses, stealing the people’s cattle and horses, seizing their wives and daughters. Having stolen so much wealth, they forgot their families, ignored their fathers and mothers and did not sacrifice to their ancestors. Whenever they rampaged through the countryside, if it was a big kingdom, the people guarded their walls, and if it was a small kingdom, the people fled into their forts. All the multitude of peoples dreaded them.
Confucius said to Liu Hsia Chi, ‘Those who are fathers should be able to set out the law for their sons, and those who are elder brothers should be able to instruct their younger brothers. If a father is unable to set out the law for his son, and an elder brother is not able to instruct his younger brother, then the filial relationship between father and son and between elder and younger brother is pointless. Now, Sir, you are one of the best scholars of this generation, and your younger brother is Robber Chih, who threatens the whole world, yet you have not instructed him well. I am ashamed of you. I suggest I go on your behalf, Sir, to try and advise him better.’
Liu Hsia Chi said, ‘Sir, you have said that a father should set out the law for his son and that elder brothers should instruct their younger brothers. However, if the son will not listen to the father, or if the younger brother pays no attention to his elder brother, then even if someone comes with skill such as yours, what can he do? Furthermore, Chih is a man whose heart is like a gushing fountain, and whose will is like a hurricane, strong enough to see off any enemy and clever enough to gloss over his evil. If you agree with him, he is pleased, but if you disagree with him, he becomes angry and he will curse you with the most foul language. Do not go and see him, Sir.’
Confucius did not listen. Accompanied by Yen Hui as his driver, and with Tzu Kung by his side, he went off to see Robber Chih. Robber Chih was camped with his followers on the sunlit side of Mount Tai, savouring a meal of human livers. Confucius stepped down from the carriage and went to see the officer in charge of visitors.
‘I am Confucius of Lu,’ he said, ‘and I have heard that your commander is a man of lofty righteousness.’ And he bowed twice to the officer.
The officer went in and passed on the message. On hearing this, Robber Chih flew into a great rage. His eyes blazed like bright stars and his hair stood on end under his hat.
‘This must be that crafty one from Lu kingdom, the man Confucius, is it not? Tell him this from me: “You talk away, inventing phrases and eulogizing the kings Wen and Wu. Your hat is so decorated it is like the boughs of a tree and your belt is skin from the ribs of a cow. The more you say, the more ridiculous it is. You eat yet you do not plough, dress without ever weaving. You wag your lips and use your tongue like a drumstick. You just decide what you think is right and wrong and lead the rulers astray, preventing scholars from studying the roots of the whole
