威王問於莫敖子華曰：「自從先君文王以至不穀之身，亦有不為爵勸，不為祿勉，以憂社稷者乎？」莫敖子華對曰：「如華不足知之矣。」王曰：「不於大夫，無所聞之？」莫敖子華對曰：「君王將何問者也？彼有廉其爵，貧其身，以憂社稷者；有崇其爵，豐其祿，以憂社稷者；有斷脰決腹，壹瞑而萬世不視，不知所益，以憂社稷者；有勞其身，愁其志，以憂社稷者；亦有不為爵勸，不為祿勉，以憂社稷者。」王曰：「大夫此言，將何謂也？」

King Wei[1] questioned Commissaire Zi Hua[2], saying, "From the time of our former lord King Wen down to that of my hopeless self, has there been anyone who did not give advice in order to receive preferment, or work in order to receive emoluments, but rather did so out of concern for the altars of earth and grain?"

Commissioner Zi Hua replied, "This I am not knowledgeable enough to answer[3]."

The King said, "If not from you, then from whom could learn this?"

Commissaire Zi Hua replied, "What king of person would you like to hear about? There are some who accept only honest recompenses and live in poverty out of concern for the altars of earth and grain. There are some who augment their titles and increase their fortunes out of concern for the altars of earth and grain. There are some who are beheaded or cut in two, closing their own eyes in death and knowing that ten thousand generations of their descendants will never open theirs[4], rejecting all thought of profit out of concern for the altars of earth and grain. There are some who weary their bodies and worry their minds out of concern for the altars of earth and grain[5]. These are those who do not give advice in order to receive preferment, or work in order to receive emoluments, but do so out of concern for the altars of earth and grain."

The King said, "When you say this, to whom do you intend to refer?"

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莫敖子華對曰：「昔令尹子文，緇帛之衣以朝，鹿裘以處；未明而立於朝，日晦而歸食；朝不謀夕，無一月之積。故彼廉其爵，貧其身，以憂社稷者，令尹子文是也。

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Commissaire Zi Hua replied, "The former Lord President of the Privy Council Ziwen[6] wore plain black silk robes to court and deerskins when at home. He would be standing in the royal court before dawn, and when the sun went down he went home to eat[7]. As he ate his morning meal, he had no thought of what he would eat in the evening, and did not have more than a day's worth of grain in storage[8]. Thus if there was anyone who accepted only honest recompenses and lived in poverty out of concern for the altars of earth and grain, it was Privy Counsellor Ziwen.

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「昔者葉公子高，身獲於表薄，而財於柱國；定白公之禍，寧楚國之事；恢先君以揜方城之外，四封不侵，名不挫於諸侯。當此之時也，天下莫敢以兵南鄉。葉公子高，食田六百畛，故彼崇其爵，豐其祿，以憂社稷者，葉公子高是也。

In times past, Duke Zigao of She[9] had an unprepossessing appearance and obscure origins, but his talents made him a generalissimo[10]. He pacified the troubles provoked by the Duke of Bai[11] and brought peace to the affairs of Chu. He expanded the heritage of the former lords by taking possession of the regions beyond Fangcheng[12]. The rulers of the neighbouring domains did not dare to invade[3], and there was no tarnishing of our name among the sovereign lords. At that time, there was no one in All-Under-Heaven who dared send troops into their southern hinterlands[14], and Duke Gao of Ye could support himself with the produce of six hundred arable fields. Thus if there was anyone who augmented his titles and increased his fortunes out of concern for the altars of earth and grain, it was Duke Zigao of She.

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「昔者吳與楚戰於柏舉，兩御之間夫卒交。莫敖大心撫其御之手，顧而大息曰：『嗟乎子乎，楚國亡之月至矣！吾將深入吳軍，若扑一人，若捽一人，以與大心者也，社稷其為庶幾乎？』故斷脰決腹，壹瞑而萬世不視，不知所益，以憂社稷者，莫敖大心是也。

In the past, when Wu and Chu fought at Boju[15], the armies[16] of both sides had closed the distance between them and their infantry had already joined battle. Commissaire Daxin[17] took his driver by the hand, turned to him and, with a heavy sigh, said, 'Alas[18], the month of Chu's demise has arrived[19]! I will push deep into the Wu army. If, with you by my side, I can strike down just one of their partisans - grab just one by the hair[20] - then maybe the altars of earth and grain will survive[21]?' Thus, if there was anyone who was willing to be beheaded or cut in two, closing their own eyes in death and knowing that ten thousand generations of their descendants would never open theirs, rejecting all thought of profit out of concern for the altars of earth and grain, it was Commissaire Daxin. 

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「昔吳與楚戰於柏舉，三戰入郢。寡君身出，大夫悉屬，百姓離散。棼冒勃蘇曰：『吾被堅執銳，赴強敵而死，此猶一卒也，不若奔諸侯。』於是贏糧潛行，上崢山，踰深谿，蹠穿膝暴，七日而薄秦王之朝。雀立不轉，晝吟宵哭。七日不得告。水漿無入口，瘨而殫悶，旄不知人。秦王聞而走之，冠帶不相及，左奉其首，右濡其口，勃蘇乃蘇。秦王身問之：『子孰誰也？』棼冒勃蘇對曰：『臣非異，楚使新造朙棼冒勃蘇。吳與楚人戰於柏舉，三戰入郢，寡君身出，大夫悉屬，百姓離散。使下臣來告亡，且求救。』秦王顧令不起：『寡人聞之，萬乘之君，得罪一士，社稷其危，今此之謂也。』遂出革車千乘，卒萬人，屬之子滿與子虎，下塞以東，與吳人戰於濁水而大敗之，亦聞於遂浦。故勞其身，愁其思，以憂社稷者，棼冒勃蘇是也。

​

In the past, when Wu and Chu fought at Boju, they fought three times and Wu entered Ying[22]. The Lord of Chu[23] escaped, his counsellors all went with him, and the hundred clans scattered. Fenmao Bosu[24] said, 'If I tightened my armour and sharpened my sword, I could stand firm against the enemy and still be killed like an ordinary infantryman. It would be better to give up and go to the sovereign lords.' This being so, he packed some food and set out in secret, crossing high mountains and deep valleys until his shoes were worn through and his knees torn. After seven days, he approached the King of Qin's[25] court. He stood there like a crane, not moving, reciting his troubles during the day and sobbing at night. After seven days, he had still not been able to deliver his report. No water or food passed his lips, his mind wandered and he fell into a faint, no longer aware of his surroundings. The King of Qin heard about this and hurried out to him, without tying up his hair or fastening his belt. With his left hand the King held Bosu's head, and with his right he wet his lips, until Bosu came to himself once more. The King of Qin questioned him personally: 'Who are you?' Fenmao Bosu replied, 'Your servant is none other than Fenmao Bosu, Chu's envoy[26]. Wu has fought with the partisans of Chu at Boju. We fought three times and they entered Ying. Our Lord has escaped, his counsellors all went with him, and the hundred clans have scattered. They sent your humble servant to inform you of our impending demise, and to beg for help.' The King of Qin carefully brought him to his feet[27]. 'We have heard that if a lord of ten thousand chariots offends against a single scholar, then his altars of earth and grain are in danger. Now this can be called just such a situation.' Accordingly he dispatched a thousand armoured chariots and ten thousand troops under the command of Zipu[28] and Zihu[29]. They crossed the border and headed East, fighting the partisans of Wu by the Zhuo River[30] and inflicting a great defeat; I have heard that they got as far as Suipu[31]. Thus, if anyone wearied his body and worried his mind out of concern for the altars of earth and grain, it was Fenmao Bosu.

「吳與楚戰於柏舉，三戰入郢。君王身出，大夫悉屬，百姓離散。蒙穀給鬥於宮唐之上，舍鬥奔郢曰：『若有孤，楚國社稷其庶幾乎？』遂入大宮，負雞次之典以浮於江，逃於雲夢之中。昭王反郢，五官失法，百姓昏亂；蒙穀獻典，五官得法，而百姓大治。此蒙穀之功，多與存國相若，封之執圭，田六百畛。蒙穀怒曰：『穀非人臣，社稷之臣，苟社稷血食，餘豈悉無君乎？』遂自棄於磨山之中，至今無冒。故不為爵勸，不為祿勉，以憂社稷者，蒙穀是也。」

​

After Wu and Chu fought at Boju, when they had fought three times and Wu had entered Ying. When the Lord of Chu had escaped with all of his counsellors, and the hundred clans had scattered, then Meng Gu[32] joined[33] the fray above Gongtang[34], before abandoning the fight and heading for Ying, saying, 'If there is still an heir, then maybe the altars of earth and grain will survive?' Accordingly he entered the palace[35], hefted the books of laws and regulations[36] onto his back and headed off down the Yangtze River, fleeing into Yunmeng[37]. When King Zhao returned to Ying, the five classes of officials had no access to the laws, and the hundred clans had fallen into disorder. Meng Gu offered them the books. The officials took the laws in back in hand and the hundred clans returned to perfect order. Thus Meng Gu's work was as significant as that of those who saved Chu, worthy of a domain and the title of Consul General[38], as well as six hundred fields, but Meng Gu was indignant and said, 'I do not serve people, but the spirits of earth and grain. As long as the spirits of earth and grain are fed with sacrificial blood, why would I worry about titles[39]?' Accordingly he withdrew from the world and went to live on Mount Mo[40] and from that day to this he has desired nothing else. Thus, if there was anyone who did not give advice in the hope of preferment or act in the hope of receiving emoluments, but rather out of concern for the altars of earth and grain, it was Meng Gu."

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王乃大息曰：「此古之人也。今之人，焉能有之耶？」莫敖子華對曰：「昔者先君靈王好小要，楚士約食，馮而能立，式而能起。食之可欲，忍而不入；死之可惡，然而不避。章聞之，其君好發者，其臣抉拾。君王直不好，若君王誠好賢，此五臣者，皆可得而致之。」

The King let out a great sigh and said, "These people lived in ancient times. Among the people of our time, is there anyone like this?"

Permanent Secretary Zi Hua replied, "In the past, the former Lord, King Ling[41], liked thin waists[42], so the officials of Chu starved themselves, needing sticks to stand, and crutches to get up. Though they wanted to eat, they persisted and did not give in. Though death is something loathesome, they continued[43] and did not turn aside. I[44] have heard that if a Lord is fond of archery, then his ministers will all wear thumb rings and wrist guards[45]. Your Majesty clearly does not appreciate the right things; if you sincerely appreciated wisdom, then you would get them - they would come to you."

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[1] King Wei of Chu (339–329 BCE) enjoyed a quiet reign.

[2] Zi Hua was a politician in Chu. Yao suggests that this may actually be a reference to Zi Zhang, based on the fact that his given name is provided as 章 later in the text. Chu bureaucratic titles were different from those used elsewhere in China, but a 莫敖 was the equivalent of a government minister. It originally seems to have been a reference to a watchdog.

[3] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear. 

[4] The commentaries suggest 一 for 壹 here. 

[5] The commentaries suggest that this sentence may be superfluous. 

[6] Also known as Dougu Wutu, Ziwen was a celebrated Chu bureaucrat during the seventh century BCE. Confucius praised his loyalty. A 令尹

was the Chu equivalent of a 相 (Chancellor). The origin of the term is obscure.

[7] Implying that he was not engaged in corruption or subversion, which tended to go on after dark

[8] Reading 日 for 月 here, per the commentaries.

[9] Duke Zigao of She was also known as Zhu Liang. He was a general and politician in Chu, in the fifth and sixth centuries BCE. His conversations with Confucius were recorded in the Analects.

[10] Another Chu title. Literally "Pillar of the State".

[11] Duke Sheng of Bai was a minor royal in Chu, who led a rebellion against King Hui. He was defeated by Duke Gao and hanged himself.

[12] Fangcheng is still called Fangcheng, and is in Henan. At the time it would have been in Northern Chu.

[13] The commentaries disagree with modern translations on the reading of this sentence. We have followed the modern interpretations. However, it could potentially be a reference to the shifty behaviour of the neighbouring lords.

[14] I.e. northern Chu. 

[15] The Battle of Boju took place in 506 BCE. Boju is now Macheng in Hubei.

[16] Reading 軍 for 御, per the commentaries. 

[17] Daxin was also known as Sima Xu, and he as the father of Duke Zigao. He was killed in the battle.

[18] Reading 予 for 子, per the commentaries.

[19] Yao suggests "day" for "month" here. 

[20] Following the interpretation given by the commentaries. The implication seems to be that the enemy has been beheaded and they are collecting the head to prove their achievement.

[21] According to the commentaries 為 here is superfluous. 

[22] Ying was the capital of Chu, near Jingzhou in modern Hubei.

[23] King Zhao of Chu (515–489 BCE) lost his kingdom following the Wu invasion, ordered by King Helü and led by Sun Wu, author of The Art of War. He returned to power with Qin's assistance, but was later killed in a battle against Helü's son, Fuchai. 

[24] Also known as Shen Baoxu, Fenmao Bosu was a politician in Chu. He was related to Ziwen.

[25] Actually Duke Ai of Qin (536–501 BCE). He strengthened Qin's alliance with Chu saving Chu from destruction following the Battle of Boju.

[26] The commentaries suggest that this is another Chu-specific administrative title, but the text is corrupt and it is difficult to work out what it may have been. However, modern translations suggest that it is a reference to some offense on Bosu or Chu's part for which he feels a need to apologise to Qin. 

[27] Reading 之 for 不 here, per the commentaries. In the original version the King tells Bosu that he needn't stand. 

[28] Reading 子蒲 for 子滿, per the commentaries. Zipu is known principally for this episode.

[29] Zihu is also known principally for this episode. 

[30] This was on the border between Qi and Chu. 

[31] Suipu was in modern Suichuan County, Jiangxi. This was far to the Southeast of Chu.

[32] Meng Gu was a general in Chu. 

[33] Reading 結 for 給, per the commentaries. 

[34] It is not clear where this was. 

[35] The commentaries suggest that 大 here may be superfluous.

[36] Reading 離 for 雞. The books were called the 離次之典 (Lici Zhi Dian).

[37] Yunmeng is still called Yunmeng, and is in Hubei.

[38] Literally "Jade Tablet". Another Ruritanian Chu title, it seems to have been a way to grant additional honour to an already-powerful politician.

[39] Reading 余豈患無君乎 for 餘豈悉無君乎, per the commentaries. 

[40] Mount Mo is in modern Wuhan, Hubei.

[41] King Ling of Chu (540–529 BCE). He killed his brother to seize the throne, ruling via threats and violence, and interfering in the affairs of neighbouring states. His subordinates eventually rebelled and he committed suicide. 

[42] The commentaries suggest 腰 for 要 here. 

[43] Yao suggests 就 for 然 here. 

[44] Reading 華 for 章, per the commentaries. If this story is indeed about Zi Zhang, then 章 is correct. 

[45] Reading 決 for 抉 here, per the commentaries. Chinese archers used a thumb draw, and would wear rings to protect themselves.