The Essence of the 'Great Treatise A': A Philosophical Inquiry into the Gentleman's Establishment of Life and the Order of the *Yi*

VI. The Cultivation Practices of Pre-Qin Sages

Let us use examples of Pre-Qin Sages to illustrate how "observing Images and contemplating Words, observing Changes and contemplating Divinations" manifested as practices of self-cultivation and governance.

(I) Shun

The Book of Documents, Shun Canon (舜典) states:

"Let us examine ancient times, Emperor Shun, called Chonghua, was harmonious with the Emperor. Profoundly wise and bright, gentle, respectful, and sincere, his dark virtue ascended and was known, and thus he was appointed to the position."

"Jun zhe wen ming, wen gong yun sai, xuan de sheng wen (浚哲文明，温恭允塞，玄德升闻)."

And Analects, Wei Ling Gong:

"The Master said: 'Was not Yao such a ruler who governed without effort$24 What did he do$25 He merely occupied his seat facing South.'"

Shun's governance was "governing without effort"—"merely occupied his seat facing South," meaning he merely maintained his virtuous composure and faced the South (the traditional seat of the ruler).

This "governing without effort" is the highest manifestation of "residing and finding ease" in the order of the Heavenly Way. Shun needed no complex administrative measures; he merely influenced the world through his own virtue—this is the political practice of "Heaven assists him, bringing no harm to anything auspicious."

(II) The Duke of Zhou

The Duke of Zhou is an immensely important Sage in the Pre-Qin tradition.

The Book of Documents, Wu Yi (无逸) (a mandate from the Duke of Zhou to King Cheng):

"Oh! The Gentleman should not indulge in ease. He should first know the difficulty of planting and harvesting, and only then indulge in ease, so he will know how the common people subsist. When one serves the common people, their parents labored diligently in planting and harvesting, but their son does not know the hardship, and indulges in ease, becoming shiftless. When grown up, he insults his parents, saying: 'The people of old had no knowledge.'"

"Jun zi suo qi wu yi (君子所其无逸)." "The Gentleman should not indulge in ease." This is the same spirit as "striving constantly throughout the day, fearful as if in peril in the evening."

The Duke of Zhou assisted King Cheng, established the Rites and Music, laying the foundation for the Zhou Dynasty's long rule. His entire life was a model of "observing Images and contemplating Words when residing, and observing Changes and contemplating Divinations when acting"—during quiet times, he deeply studied the Heavenly Way and human affairs (it is said he formulated the institutions of the Rites of Zhou), and when crises arose, he acted decisively (such as suppressing the rebellion in the East).

(III) Guan Zhong

Guan Zhong assisted Duke Huan of Qi to achieve hegemony, becoming an outstanding statesman of the Pre-Qin era.

Analects, Xian Wen:

"The Master said: 'Duke Huan brought the feudal lords together nine times, not by military chariots, but by the power of Guan Zhong. If only his benevolence had matched that! If only his benevolence had matched that!'"

Confucius held Guan Zhong in extremely high regard, even praising him with the utmost term, "If only his benevolence had matched that!"

Guan Zhong's political practice demonstrated wisdom in "observing Change" and flexible response. He assisted Duke Huan in "nine assemblies of the feudal lords" (Jiu He Zhu Hou 九合诸侯), each time assessing the situation, taking advantage of circumstances, and steering the situation—this is the practical application of "observing their Changes."

(IV) Zichan

Zichan was a famous prime minister of Zheng during the Spring and Autumn period.

The Zuo Zhuan, 30th Year of Duke Xiang (襄公三十年) records:

"When Zichan was in office, he bribed Bo Shi with a city for his service. Zi Dashu said: 'The state belongs to everyone; why single out a bribe for him$26' Zichan replied: 'It is hard not to desire something. If everyone obtains what they desire and follows my affairs, and I secure the completion of the goal, who else will cause trouble for us but them$27'"

Zichan's political wisdom lay in his ability to "guide by taking advantage of the situation" (Yin Shi Li Dao 因势利导)—he did not enforce policy through rigid confrontation but achieved his political goals by satisfying the interests of various parties. This is the practical demonstration of "observing Changes."

Furthermore, the Zuo Zhuan, 18th Year of Duke Zhao (昭公十八年) records that when a great fire broke out in Zheng, Zichan demonstrated exceptional organizational capability and decision-making while managing the disaster relief. He "ordered Gongsun Deng to move the Great Tortoise," "ordered the Shaman to move the ancestral markers to the Zhou Temple and report to the former lords," and "Zichan provided soldiers and ascended the battlements"—all meticulously ordered and executed without hesitation. This is the practical manifestation of "observing their Changes."