15 Twelve State Governors

A1.23-1

When entering the mountains and forests, Shun went through strong winds and severe thunderstorms without getting lost, Yao then knew that Shun’s talent was more than enough to be given the world to. When Yao got old, he asked Shun to take over to be in charge of the emperor's duties and to carry out the inspections on the hunting tour. After twenty years of Shun’s performing the duties, Emperor Yao made him to act as the emperor. After eight years of Shun’s acting on behalf of the emperor. Yao passed away. After three years of mourning, Shun gave way to Danzhu, but everyone in the world came to submit to Shun. And Yu, Gaoyao, Qi, Houji, Boyi, Kui, Long, Chui, Yi, and Pengzu have all been promoted since Yao's time, but they have never held any positions. So Shun went to the Wenzu Temple, consulted with Siyue, opened up the four gates, and send off messengers all four directions, and Shun ordered the twelve state governors to discuss the virtues of Emperor Yao, and he also urged his people that the great virtues should be practiced and the sycophants should be alienated far away, and If these were done, even the babarians would be convinced and ready to obey. Shun said to Siyue: "Who can work hard promoting the cause of Emperor Yao? So he can be appointed an official position assisting my work?" Siyue all replied: “Yu is Sikong, the prime minister, who can carry forward the cause of Emperor Yao.“ Shun said: "Well, good! Yu, you are responsible for the control of water and soil, and you must work hard to do it well!" Yu knelt down and kowtowed showing his gratitude, and humbly gave way to Ji, Qi and Gaoyao. Shun said: "That's okay, you'll be allrigh!" Shun said: "Ji, people are starving. You will be in charge of agriculture. Go and teach the people how to sow grains." That official position Ji held later became known as Sinong, and Ji was regarded as a godlike figure. Shun said: "Qi, it is agreed that if the people do not love each other, then the morals are not in harmony, you serve as Situ and please carefully carry out the Five Canons education. To do a good job the key is to be lenient." 

舜入于大麓，烈风雷雨不迷，尧乃知舜之足授天下。尧老，使舜摄行天子政，巡狩。舜得举用事二十年，而尧使摄政。摄政八年而尧崩。三年丧毕，让丹朱，天下归舜。而禹、皋陶、契、后稷、伯夷、夔、龙、倕、益、彭祖自尧时而皆举用，未有分职。于是舜乃至于文祖，谋于四岳，辟四门，明通四方耳目，命十二牧论帝德，行厚德，远佞人，则蛮夷率服。舜谓四岳曰：“有能奋庸美尧之事者，使居官相事？”皆曰：“伯禹为司空，可美帝功。”舜曰：“嗟，然！禹，汝平水土，维是勉哉。”禹拜稽首，让于稷、契与皋陶。舜曰：“然，往矣。”舜曰：“弃，黎民始饥，汝后稷播时百谷。”舜曰： “契，百姓不亲，五品不驯，汝为司徒，而敬敷五教，在宽。”

14 Bakai, Bayuan, and Four Devils

A1.21|22

There were eight talented and virtuous descendants in the Gaoyang family. The world benefited from them and called them Bakai, which means eight joys of harmony. And there were eight talented and virtuous descendants in Gaoxin family, who were called Bayuan by the world, which means eight elements of kindness. The people of these sixteen families had maintained the virtues of their ancestors from generation to generation and have not lost the reputation of their ancestors. When Yao came, he did not use them. Shun appointed Bakai to hold official positions in charge of the land to handle various affairs, which were all handled in an orderly manner. Shun also promoted Bayuan and asked them to spread the Five Canons in all directions, so that the father would be righteous, the mother would be loving, the elder brother would be friendly, the younger brother would be respectful, the son would be filial, the family would be harmonious, and the relationship between neighbors would be also good.

In Emperor Hong's family, there was an unworthy descendant who concealed his benevolence and righteousness, harbored ruthless thieves, and was fond of doing evil. People in the world called him Hundun, the chaos, which means that he was barbaric and uncivilized. And the Shaohao family had a descendant who was unworthy, who broke faith, hated loyalty, and liked evil words. People all over the world called him Qiongqi, which means that he was extremely weird. The Zhuanxu family also had an unworthy descendant, who could not be taught and did not know the good or the bad. People all over the world called him Tao Zhu, which means that he was fierce and stubborn. The world was afraid of these three tribes. When Yao came, he did not get rid of them. And also the Jinyun family had an unworthy descendant who was always hungry for food and wealth. People in the world called him Taotie, which means he was greedy. People in the world hated him, he and the three others mentioned above, together they were called the four devils. And when Shun was greeting and receiving guests from all over the four gates, he exiled all these four evil families and drove them far away to the remote areas to resist the evil spirits. From then on, the four gates were clear, and everyone said that there were no more evil people.

昔高阳氏有才子八人，世得其利，谓之“八恺”。高辛氏有才子八人，世谓之“八元”。此十六族者，世济其美，不陨其名。至于尧，尧未能举。舜举八恺，使主后土，以揆百事，莫不时序。举八元，使布五教于四方，父义，母慈，兄友，弟恭，子孝，内平外成。

昔帝鸿氏有不才子，掩义隐贼，好行凶慝，天下谓之浑沌。少皞氏有不才子，毁信恶忠，崇饰恶言，天下谓之穷奇。颛顼氏有不才子，不可教训，不知话言，天下谓之梼杌。此三族世忧之。至于尧，尧未能去。缙云氏有不才子，贪于饮食，冒于货贿，天下谓之饕餮。天下恶之，比之三凶。舜宾于四门，乃流四凶族，迁于四裔，以御螭魅，于是四门辟，言毋凶人也。