Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance
By Sima Guang
Translated by Yiming Yang
Annals of Zhou Book 1 Scroll 1 (continued)
The 22nd Year of King An (380 B.C.)
The state of Qi launched an attack on the state of Yan, successfully capturing the city of Sangqiu.
The combined forces of Wei, Han, and Zhao launched a counterattack on the state of Qi, pushing forward and reaching the city of Sangqiu.
The 23rd Year of King An (379 B.C.)
The state of Zhao launched a surprise raid on the state of Wey, but their attack was unsuccessful.
In the state of Qi, Duke Kang passed away without leaving an heir. As a result, the Tian family assumed control over the entire state of Qi.
The 24th Year of King An (378 B.C.)
The nomadic tribes in the north successfully defeated the army of Wei at the river Hui.
The combined forces of the states of Wei, Han, and Zhao continued their military campaign against the state of Qi and advanced as far as Lingqiu.
In the state of Jin, Duke Xiao passed away, and his son Jujiu ascended to the throne as Duke Jing, assuming the role of ruler in Jin.
The 25th Year of King An (377 B.C.)
The state of Shu launched a surprise raid on the state of Chu and successfully captured Zifang,
Zisi, the grandson of Confucius, recommended Gou Bian to Marquis Wey (the ruler of the state of Wey), praising his ability to lead a troop of 500 chariots. However, Marquis Wey expressed concerns about Gou Bian’s past as a government official, where he was involved in an incident of taking two eggs from people during tax collection. Marquis Wey cited this as the reason for not appointing him as a general.
In response, Zisi conveyed his view to Marquis Wey: “The role of a sage in employing individuals is akin to that of a carpenter working with wood. They recognize their strengths and overlook their weaknesses. Just as a skilled craftsman does not discard a giant tree that may have a few feet of decay while still possessing valuable qualities, so should a ruler in the tumultuous era of the Warring States choose talented individuals and not overlook a capable general due to minor flaws. Such a decision should not be made known to neighboring states.”
Moved by Zisi‘s wisdom, Marquis Wey bowed to him, expressing gratitude for the lesson learned.
Marquis Wei of the state of Wey continued to make inappropriate plans, and his advisers and ministers faithfully echoed his order in unison. Observing this, Zisi couldn’t help but sneer and express his perspective on the state of Wey. He remarked that the lord of Wey did not behave as a true lord, and the ministers did not act as true ministers.
When Gongqiu Yizi questioned Zisi about his statement, Zisi explained his reasoning: ”When a ruler indulges in flattery and fails to heed the counsel of others, the collective wisdom of the people will not be forthcoming. Even if a ruler makes the right decision, not listening will only further discourage the sharing of ideas, let alone everyone second the bad decision and amplify the wrong doing. Ignoring the rightness or wrongness of matters and only seeking praise from others is the epitome of darkness. Failing to consider reason and resorting to sycophancy in order to gain favor is the epitome of fawning. When a ruler is blind and the courtiers are sycophantic, they distance themselves from the people they govern, and the people will no longer be united. If this continues, the country will lose its cohesion.”
Zisi expressed his concerns to the Marquis Wey, saying, “Your governance of the state is gradually deviating from the right path.” The Marquis asked, “Why do you say so?” Zisi replied, “There are certain reasons for it. You speak with a sense of infallibility, and none of your ministers and high officials dare to correct your errors. Similarly, the ministers and high officials speak with a sense of infallibility, and the common people dare not correct their errors. If both the ruler and his subjects consider themselves wise and no one dares to challenge their wisdom, then they will be praised when they are right and followed obediently, but if they are wrong, any correction will get people into trouble. In such a situation, how can goodness prosper? As the Book of Songs says, ‘When everyone thinks themself wiseman, who can tell the crow’s sex?’ Could it be that the relationship between you and your subjects is similar to this?”
Marquis Wen of Han has passed away, and his son has succeeded him as Marquis Ai.
The 26th Year of King An (376 B.C.)
King An of Zhou passed away, and his son Xi ascended to the throne as King Lie of Zhou.
In a significant turn of events, the three influential families of Wei, Han, and Zhao joined forces to strip the Duke Jing of Jin of his power and status. They reduced him to the position of a domestic servant and divided his land among the three families.
Reflection by Rio Grande 
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