| | While Duke Huan was in power, Guan Zhong and Xi Peng paid a visit; after standing there for some time, two cranes flew past them. Duke Huan sighed and said, "Now those cranes sometimes fly south and sometimes north; there is no distant direction in the four quarters of the world that they cannot reach." I have Zhongfu as my minister, just as a flying crane has wings. It is like having boats and oars to cross great rivers. Why hasn't Zhongfu given me even a single word of instruction? Guan Zi replied, "If Your Majesty wishes to become the Son of Heaven or a hegemon and accomplish great deeds," then you must surely begin with its fundamental matters. Duke Huan said, "I dare to ask, what are these fundamentals?" Guan Zi replied, "The people of Qi State are Your Majesty's foundation." The people are greatly worried about hunger, yet the taxes and levies are heavy; the people are very afraid of death, yet the criminal laws and policies are severe; the people suffer greatly from labor, but the ruler's undertakings are not carried out at appropriate times. If you lighten the taxes and levies, the people will no longer worry about hunger; if you ease the criminal laws and governance, the people will no longer fear death; if you conduct affairs in due season, the people will suffer less from labor. Duke Huan said, "I have received your instruction."
|
