立政

The factors determining whether a state is orderly or chaotic are three — execution and punishment alone are insufficient. The factors determining whether a state is secure or imperiled are four — city walls and natural barriers alone are insufficient to defend. The factors determining whether a state is wealthy or poor are five — merely lightening taxes and thinning levies is insufficient to rely upon. Governing the state has Three Fundamentals; securing the state has Four Firmaments; enriching the state has Five Tasks. The ruler must examine three things: first, whether virtue matches position; second, whether merit matches emolument; third, whether ability matches office. These Three Fundamentals are the roots of order and disorder.

The ruler must be cautious about four things: first, one whose great virtue does not extend to benevolence should not be entrusted with state power. Second, one who sees the worthy but cannot defer should not be given a high position. Third, one whose punishments avoid relatives and the noble should not be put in command of troops. Fourth, one who does not favor fundamental occupations, does not cultivate the land's advantages, and levies taxes carelessly should not be given a city to govern. As for the Five Tasks of enriching the state: mountains and marshes not protected from fire bring poverty; drainage ditches not maintained bring poverty; mulberry and hemp not planted and the five grains not suited to their soil bring poverty; livestock not raised and fruits not prepared bring poverty; artisan work consumed by carving and women's work consumed by embroidery bring poverty.

Divide the state into five districts, each with its Director. Divide each district into five prefectures, each with its Chief. Divide each prefecture into ten wards, each with its Captain. Divide each ward into ten neighborhoods, each with its Elder. Ten households form a squad; five households form a file; squads and files all have their heads. Build barriers, block hidden passages, unify the roads, regulate exits and entries, inspect the gates, and carefully manage the keys. The ward keys are stored with the Ward Captain. The gate officers are appointed and open and close the gates at set times. Those who exit and enter at irregular times, whose dress is improper, or who gather in unauthorized groups — the gate officers observe them and report without delay.

Enforce fire regulations, respect the mountains and marshes. Forests, thickets, and accumulated grasses are the sources of wealth — prohibit and release them according to the seasons. The Forester manages woodcutting and seasonal prohibitions. The Minister of Works manages water drainage, dikes, and irrigation. The Field Officer manages the soil, inspecting high and low terrain, fertile and poor land. The District Director manages the villages, inspecting dwellings, tree-planting, and livestock. The Master of Works manages craftsmen, supervising seasonal work. As for sumptuary regulations: measure rank and regulate dress; calculate emoluments and regulate expenditures. Food and drink have their quantities; clothing has its regulations; dwellings have their standards. Even if one has a worthy person's body, without the proper rank one dares not wear that rank's garments.

When the doctrine of abolishing arms prevails, strategic passes are left unguarded. When the doctrine of universal love prevails, soldiers refuse to fight. When the doctrine of preserving life at all costs prevails, integrity and shame cannot be established. When the doctrine of private deliberation and self-aggrandizement prevails, the ruler's commands are not carried out. When the doctrine of cliques and factions prevails, the worthy and unworthy are not distinguished. When the doctrine of gold, jade, and bribes prevails, rank and vestments flow downward to the undeserving. The Seven Observations describe what to look for: when commands reach their effect and the people transform — that is the goal of education. When behavior begins from the invisible and ends beyond reach — that is the goal of training.