9 Yu Shun

A1.13

The Emperor Yao said: "Alas! Siyue, I have been on the throne for seventy years. Which of you can obey the destiny and succeed me as emperor?" The Siyue replied, "Our virtues are so despicable that we dare not tarnish the throne." Yao said: "Then let's make recommendations, from among all the nobles, relations, and relatives, and even those who live in seclusion, near or far." Everyone said to Yao: "There is a bachelor, who lives among the common people, whose name is Yu Shun." Yao said, "Yes, I have heard about him. What is he like?" Siyue replied, "He is the son of a blind man. His father is stubborn, his mother is viscous, and his younger brother is arrogant, but Shun lived in harmony with them. He fulfilled the principle of filial piety and manage the family so well that they won't go evil." Yao said: "Then I will give him a try." So Yao married his two daughters to Shun and observed his virtues from his two daughters. Shun asked his two new wives to lower their nobility, and live in their home on the north bank by the Gui River, and abide by the ways of being wives. Yao thought this was a good thing. So Yao asked Shun to take the post of Situ, which manages the Five Canons, the five ethics and morals: the fatherly righteousness, the motherly kindness, the elder brother’s friendship, the younger brother’s respect, and the son's filial piety. He did a great job and the Five Canons were all followed and never violated. Then Shun was asked to join the rank of court officials, and with his participation, the affairs of the court officials became orderly. And he was made to greet and receive guests at the four gates of the court. And he kept the four gates in harmony, and gained praise and respect all over, from the guests and the princes, near and far. Then Yao sent Shun into the mountains, forests, rivers and swamps. There were storms, thunders and rains. And Shun was never lost. Yao thought Shun was a saint, so he called him over and said, "It has been three years, you are good at making careful plans, and had them executed well to full completion, your achievements are so obvious for everyone to see. It's time for you to ascend the throne." Shun declined by saying that his virtue was still not good enough, unwilling to accept the throne. Then on the first day of the first lunar month, Shun accepted Wenzu's abdication, Wenzu is Emperor Yao’s name for his temple as Taizu, the grand ancestor.

尧曰：“嗟！四岳：朕在位七十载，汝能庸命，践朕位？”岳应曰：“鄙德忝帝位。”尧曰：“悉举贵戚及疏远隐匿者。”众皆言于尧曰：“有矜在民间，曰虞舜。”尧曰：“然，朕闻之。其何如？”岳曰：“盲者子。父顽，母嚚，弟傲，能和以孝，烝烝治，不至奸。”尧曰：“吾其试哉。”于是尧妻之二女，观其德于二女。舜饬下二女于妫汭，如妇礼。尧善之，乃使舜慎和五典，五典能从。乃遍入百官，百官时序。宾于四门，四门穆穆，诸侯远方宾客皆敬。尧使舜入山林川泽，暴风雷雨，舜行不迷。尧以为圣，召舜曰：“女谋事至而言可绩，三年矣。女登帝位。”舜让于德不怿。正月上日，舜受终于文祖。文祖者，尧大祖也。