Section 1: Initial Nine (初九)

"Initial Nine: Without connection, there is no harm. If one is strenuous, there is no blame." (初九，无交害，匪咎。艰则无咎。)

I. Interpretation of the Line Statement Terms.

"Without connection, there is no harm" (无交害): "Jiao" means connection or contact; "Hai" means harm or calamity. "Wu Jiao Hai" means not coming into contact with harm. Initial Nine occupies the beginning of Da You, a firm Yang line in a low position. Although in the time of Da You, it has not yet connected with those above, thus avoiding harm.

One interpretation suggests "Jiao" is a variant of "Jiao" (绞, to twist/entangle), meaning "without entanglement harm."

Another reading connects "Wu Jiao" (No connection) with the next phrase: "No connection, harm is not blame" (无交，害匪咎), meaning without connection to those above, though there might be harm, it is not blameworthy.

"Not blame" (匪咎): "Fei" is equivalent to "Fei" (非, not). "Jiu" means fault or transgression. "Fei Jiu" means not at fault. Although at the beginning of Da You and weak in influence, it is not its fault.

"If strenuous, there is no blame" (艰则无咎): "Jian" means being arduous and guarding oneself diligently. If one maintains an arduous spirit, not becoming arrogant or complacent, then there will be no blame.

II. Analysis of the Line Position.

Initial Nine, a Yang line in a Yang position, is appropriately situated (dangwei). However, it is at the very bottom of the hexagram, the beginning of Da You.

At the start of Da You, possessions are still few; it is the nascent stage of an enterprise. At this point, one must be most cautious, not presuming arrogance simply because of the name "Da You."

Initial Nine has no direct counterpart above it (Fourth Nine is also Yang, so they do not correspond), hence "without connection" (wu jiao). By not connecting with those above, it avoids involvement in the complexities of human affairs, thus achieving "no harm."

III. Why "If strenuous, there is no blame"$18

This question is the most critical. In the time of Da You, everyone enjoys the abundance. Why must Initial Nine alone be "strenuous"$19

Because at the beginning of Da You, the foundation is not yet firm. Although named Da You, the actual possession is meager. If one presumes the status of Da You at this stage, becoming arrogant and indulgent, calamity will certainly ensue. Only by maintaining oneself with an arduous spirit, recognizing the difficulty of starting an enterprise and the greater difficulty of preserving achievements, can one lay a stable foundation at the beginning of Da You.

This aligns with the meaning in the Shangshu, Wu Yi: "Alas! The superior man must not be indulgent. Those who know the hardship of sowing and reaping will then enjoy leisure" (呜呼！君子所其无逸。先知稼穑之艰难，乃逸). Indulging without knowing hardship will surely lead to ruin; only after knowing hardship can leisure be enjoyed. The "strenuousness" of Initial Nine embodies this idea.

Also, the Zuo Zhuan, Xi Gong 11, records when the King’s envoy summoned Duke Wu of Jin and bestowed a mandate; upon returning, the envoy said: "The Marquis of Jin will have no heir! The King bestowed the mandate upon him, yet he was lazy in accepting the auspicious gift. He abandons himself first, so how can he succeed$20" (晋侯其无后乎！王赐之命，而惰于受瑞，先自弃也已，又何能济？) Being lazy upon receiving a mandate leads to the loss of the mandate. If the beginning of Da You is not handled with an arduous and cautious spirit, the Great Possession will ultimately be lost.

IV. The Interpretation by the Xiao Xiang Zhuan.

The Xiao Xiang Zhuan states: "Initial Nine of Da You, because there is no connection, there is no harm" (大有初九，无交害也).

This means the reason Initial Nine avoids harm is precisely because, at the start of Da You, it does not engage in intercourse with those above. No connection means no harm; no entanglement means no chaos. This is the key to preserving oneself in society.

V. Historical Reference.

Let us take the early days of the Zhou people establishing their state as an example. Duke Danfu (Gu Gong) initially resided in Bin, later moving to the area of Qi. In the beginning, possessions were very few. However, Duke Danfu maintained himself with arduousness, diligently cultivating virtuous governance. The Shijing, Da Ya, "Mian" states: "Duke Danfu came, driving his horses towards the morning. He followed the western banks of the water, until he reached the foot of Mount Qi. There he met Jiang Nü, and they came to establish their dwelling" (古公亶父，来朝走马。率西水浒，至于岐下。爰及姜女，聿来胥宇). Although Duke Danfu harbored the ambition to found a state, he acted cautiously, not contending with strong neighbors, but building his foundation with an arduous spirit. This perfectly accords with Initial Nine’s "without connection, there is no harm; if strenuous, there is no blame."