32 Xia Qi

A2.23|24|25|26

At this time, Kui, who was in charge of culture and education, began to play music, and the spirits of all the ancestors descended, the princes bowed down to show respect and courtesy to each other, the birds and beasts started to dance gracefully, the music "Xiao Shao" was played nine times and then the ceremony was completed, the phoenix also flew in pairs, all the beasts danced together, and all the officials coordinated in harmony. Emperor Shun therefore sang: "Follow the mandate of the heaven to implement virtuous governance, comply with the seasons and act cautiously." Then he sang again: "The ministers are happy, the monarch is working hard, and the careers of all officials are prosperous!" Gaoyao raised his both hands, bowed down, and spoke loudly and clearly: "Remember this, when taking the lead in doing good things, one must treat laws and regulations with caution and respect!" Then he sang: "The monarch is wise, the ministers are virtuous, and all will be in peace and happiness!" He sang again: "If the king cares only about trivial matters, and the ministers are lazy, then everything is going to be ruined!" Emperor Shun bowed and said, "That's it. Let's work hard!" At this time, everyone in the world regarded the measures and rhythms announced by Yu as their guidelines and respected him as the supreme master of mountains and rivers.

Emperor Shun recommended Yu to the Heaven and made him his successor. Seventeen years later Emperor Shun died. At the end of the three-year mourning period, Yu fled to Yangcheng and gave up his position as emperor to Shun's son Shangjun. All the princes in the world left Shangjun and went to the court with Yu. Yu then ascended to the throne of the emperor and governed the world. His dynasty was named Xia and he was surnamed Si.

After Emperor Yu came to the throne, he recommended Gaoyao to the Heaven and entrusted him with the emperor’s affairs. However, Gaoyao died. Yu granted the lands of Ying, Liu, and Xu to the descendants of Gaoyao. Later, Yu appointed Yi to handle the emperor’s affairs.

In the tenth year of his reign, Emperor Yu went on his hunting cruise in the east and died in Kuaiji. And he left the world to Yi. After the three-year mourning period was over, Yi gave up the throne to Emperor Yu's son Qi (启 ) and took refuge south of Jishan Mountain. Yu's son Qi was virtuous and talented, and everyone in the world hoped that he could be the emperor. When Yu died, although he gave the world to Yi, Yi did not have much time to assist Yu, so that the people of the world were still not convinced. And all the princes in the world left Yi and went to see Qi, saying, "My king is the son of Emperor Yu." So Qi ascended to the throne as the emperor, and this was Emperor Qi of Xia dynasty.

于是夔行乐，祖考至，群后相让，鸟兽翔舞，箫韶九成，凤皇来仪，百兽率舞，百官信谐。帝用此作歌曰：“陟天之命，维时维几。”乃歌曰：“股肱喜哉，元首起哉，百工熙哉！”皋陶拜手稽首扬言曰：“念哉，率为兴事，慎乃宪，敬哉！”乃更为歌曰：“元首明哉，股肱良哉，庶事康哉！”又歌曰：“元首丛脞哉，股肱惰哉，万事堕哉！”帝拜曰：“然，往钦哉！”于是天下皆宗禹之明度数声乐，为山川神主。

帝舜荐禹于天，为嗣。十七年而帝舜崩。三年丧毕，禹辞辟舜之子商均于阳城。天下诸侯皆去商均而朝禹。禹于是遂即天子位，南面朝天下，国号曰夏后，姓姒氏。

帝禹立而举皋陶荐之，且授政焉，而皋陶卒。封皋陶之后于英、六，或在许。而后举益，任之政。

十年，帝禹东巡狩，至于会稽而崩。以天下授益。三年之丧毕，益让帝禹之子启，而辟居箕山之阳。禹子启贤，天下属意焉。及禹崩，虽授益，益之佐禹日浅，天下未洽。故诸侯皆去益而朝启，曰“吾君帝禹之子也”。于是启遂即天子之位，是为夏后帝启。