| | Minister of Justice Chen Tang said: "I, Chen Tang, acting under imperial decree, inquired about the matter of sacrifices at the suburbs from Zhong Shu, former Magistrate of Jiaoxi." Zhong Shu replied: "What I have heard is that in ancient times, the rites of the Son of Heaven were none more important than the sacrifices at the suburbs. The suburban sacrifice was usually held on the first Xin day of the first month, because this was meant to precede all deities and hold the most prominent position. According to rites, during a three-year mourning period one does not make sacrifices to one's ancestors, yet it is still considered improper to abandon the suburban sacrifice. The suburban sacrifice is more important than ancestral temple sacrifices, for Heaven is held in higher reverence than human beings. The "Wangzhi" says: 'For sacrifices to Heaven and Earth, the oxen should be as small as chestnuts; for ancestral temple sacrifices, they should be no larger than a clenched fist; and for sacrificial offerings to guests, they should measure one chi in size.' This means that as virtue becomes more refined and beautiful, the sacrificial animals become increasingly modest. The "Spring and Autumn Annals" says: "In Lu, sacrifices to Duke Zhou were made with a white male ox." White was valued for its purity. The sacrificial oxen were purified three months in advance; what was valued was their fatness and cleanliness, not their size. The essential principle of raising sacrificial animals lies solely in ensuring they are plump and clean. Young foals and calves, who are not yet strong enough to compete for the best fodder and feed, would be better off allowed to nurse from their mothers. Minister Tang respectfully asked Zhong Shu: "In Lu, sacrifices to Duke Zhou used white sacrificial animals—was this not in accordance with the rites?" "Zhou Gong's descendants used [white sacrificial animals], while other feudal lords did not." Duke Zhou was a feudal lord among many—why, then, was he allowed to use purely white sacrificial animals?" Minister Zhong Shu replied: "After King Wu died and King Cheng was enthroned, he was still an infant in swaddling clothes. Duke Zhou continued the legacy of Wenwang and Wuwang, completing the achievements of these two sage kings; his virtue extended to Heaven and Earth, and his benevolence spread across the four seas. Therefore, King Cheng regarded him as virtuous and honored him highly." The "Shijing" says: "No virtue goes unrewarded." Therefore, King Cheng allowed the sacrifice of a white male ox to Duke Zhou—this was not permitted to be the same color as that used by the Son of Heaven above, nor did it conform to the standards for feudal lords below. Minister Zhong Shu humbly believed this was a rite of rewarding virtue. Minister Tang asked Zhong Shu: "The Son of Heaven sacrifices to Heaven, and feudal lords sacrifice to the local soil. Why then did Lu have the right to perform a suburban sacrifice?" Minister Zhong Shu replied: "Duke Zhou served as regent for King Cheng, and under his guidance, King Cheng attained sainthood. No achievement was greater than this." Duke Zhou was a sage, and thus had the right to be honored in sacrifices to Heaven. Therefore, King Cheng granted Lu the privilege of performing the suburban sacrifice." Minister Tang asked Zhong Shu: "If in Lu sacrifices to Duke Zhou used a white male ox, what kind of sacrificial animal was used for the suburban sacrifice?" Minister Zhong Shu replied: The suburban sacrifice in Lu also used purely white animals. The Zhou dynasty valued red as the supreme color, but because Lu was granted permission by the Son of Heaven to perform the suburban sacrifice, it used white instead. Minister Tang asked Zhong Shui: "In ancestral temple sacrifices, sometimes a duck is used in place of a goose. Since a duck is not a goose, may it be used?" Zhong Shu replied: "A duck is not a goose, and a goose is not a duck. I have heard that when Confucius entered the Grand Temple, he asked questions about every matter—this was the utmost in caution. Your Majesty personally participates in sacrifices, observing rites of purification and bathing to honor the ancestral temple with great reverence. How then can one substitute a goose for a duck or a duck for a goose? If names and realities do not correspond, to offer such sacrifices at the Grand Temple would not be appropriate, would it not?" Minister Zhong Shu respectfully believed that this was not acceptable. My teeth and hair have grown old, like those of a dog or horse; I beg to be granted permission to retire from office and humbly dwell in obscurity. Your Majesty has been gracious enough to send the Nine Ministers to inquire of me regarding court affairs, yet I am but a foolish and humble man. I am not even worthy to receive Your Majesty's enlightened decree or to offer a fitting response. Minister Zhong Shu, risking his life, respectfully reported thus.
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