Section 1: The Governance of Emperor Yao and the Image of Da You

The era of Emperor Yao is considered the most ideal period of governance in Pre-Qin legends. Examining Yao’s virtues and achievements, we find they consistently align with the image of Da You.

I. Yao’s "Yielding Obtaining the Position of Honor."

The Shangshu, Yao Dian, states: "Let us examine the past, Emperor Yao: He was called Fang Xun, reverent, wise, civilized, thoughtful, and accomplished; sincerely respectful and supremely yielding" (曰若稽古帝尧，曰放勋，钦明文思安安，允恭克让).

"Reverent, wise, civilized, thoughtful, and accomplished" (钦明文思安安) — Reverent yet bright, civilized yet deep in thought, calm and composed. These virtues are not those of fierce strength but of yielding culture. Yao occupied the position of Son of Heaven with this yielding and cultured virtue, perfectly matching the image of "yielding obtaining the position of honor."

"Sincerely respectful and supremely yielding" (允恭克让) — Sincere and respectful, capable of yielding. The virtue of respect and yielding is especially a manifestation of the yielding way.

II. Yao’s "Great Center."

The Shangshu, Yao Dian, records Yao’s governance: "He clearly understood superior virtue, connecting intimately with the Nine Relations. When the Nine Relations were harmonious, he brought clarity to the hundred surnames. When the hundred surnames were enlightened, he harmonized the myriad states" (克明俊德，以亲九族。九族既睦，平章百姓。百姓昭明，协和万邦).

From connecting the Nine Relations to bringing clarity to the hundred surnames, and from the enlightenment of the surnames to the harmonization of the myriad states, his expansion was layered, without bias or partiality—this is the Way of the "Great Center."

III. Yao’s "Responded to Above and Below."

Yao’s governance resulted in harmony throughout the world and accord among the myriad states—this is the image of "responded to above and below." The Shangshu, Yao Dian, further states: "The common people were transformed into harmony and peace" (黎民于变时雍). People’s hearts united, and the four directions submitted.

IV. Yao’s "Firm and Persistent, Yet Civilized and Bright."

Yao’s virtues of "reverent wisdom and civilized thought" (qin ming wen si) represent the virtue of civilization. Yet Yao was also decisive in action: he appointed Xi He to manage the calendar, appointed Gun to control the floods (though Gun failed later), and passed the throne to Shun rather than his son Danzhu—all of these were acts of firm resolution. Combining firmness with civilization perfectly matches the virtue of Da You.

V. Yao’s "Responding to Heaven and Acting According to the Times."

The Shangshu, Yao Dian, records Yao instructing Xi He: "He then commanded Xi He: 'Be reverent towards the vast Heaven, observe the movements of the Sun, Moon, and stars, and respectfully deliver the proper times to the people'" (乃命羲和，钦若昊天，历象日月星辰，敬授人时). Yao’s governance began with "respectfully delivering the proper times," ensuring the people understood the seasonal sequence and did not violate Heaven’s Dao. This is the concrete practice of "responding to Heaven and acting according to the times."

VI. Yao’s "Stopping Evil and Promoting Good, Conforming to Heaven and Enjoying its Mandate."

Yao knew how to employ the worthy: he promoted Shun from the fields—this is "promoting good." He banished the Four Evils (Hun Dun, Qiong Qi, Tao Wu, Tao Tie)—this is "stopping evil." By promoting good and stopping evil simultaneously, the world achieved great order.

The Shangshu, Shun Dian, records Shun continuing Yao’s governance: "Gong Gong was exiled to You Province, Huan Dou was banished to Mount Chong, the San Miao were exiled to San Wei, and Gun was executed at Mount Yu. With these four punishments, the whole world submitted" (流共工于幽州，放驩兜于崇山，窜三苗于三危，殛鲧于羽山。四罪而天下咸服). Although this relates to Shun’s actions, it followed Yao’s will. The thoroughness of stopping evil ensured the world submitted—this is the model for Da You’s "stopping evil and promoting good."

In summary, the governance of Emperor Yao completely accords with the spirit of the Da You hexagram. Yao, with the soft virtue of culture, occupied the position of honor; he governed the realm using the Way of the Great Center, causing all above and below to submit their hearts; he acted with firmness and civilization, responding to Heaven and acting timely, stopping evil and promoting good, thus conforming to Heaven and enjoying its auspicious mandate, culminating in the great governance of Da You praised throughout generations.