幼官

If one dwells in emptiness and guards stillness to manage people and things, people and things will become august. Harmonize the five in seasonal measure: the ruler wears yellow; tastes the sweet flavor; listens to the gong note; cultivates harmonious qi; uses the number five; drinks from the well behind the Yellow Quarter; cooks with the fire of naked beasts; stores warmth and moisture; practices nurturing; opens the qi and clears the passages. When all things open in stillness, form gives birth to principle. To adhere to command, honor the worthy, and bestow virtue — that is the way of the emperor. To practice benevolence in person and act with duty, serving loyalty and employing trustworthiness — that is the way of the king. To carefully plan, display propriety, select officers, and sharpen weapons — that is the way of the hegemon.

If spring enacts winter's governance, there will be frost. If spring enacts autumn's governance, there will be thunder. If spring enacts summer's governance, there will be oppressive heat. At the first twelve-day period, the earth's qi rises — prepare for spring affairs. At the next period, begin plowing. The ruler wears blue, tastes the sour flavor, listens to the jue note, cultivates dry qi, and uses the number eight. Strong states form the inner ring; weak states form the dependencies. Move and none will not follow; rest and none will not accord.

Summer: if spring's governance is enacted, there will be wind; if winter's, leaves will fall and heavy hail; if autumn's, flooding. The ruler wears red, tastes bitter, listens to the yu note, and cultivates yang qi. Autumn: the ruler wears white, tastes the pungent flavor, listens to the shang note, cultivates damp qi, uses the number nine. Close ranks of men and women, repair the village groups, survey stores of provisions. Winter: the ruler wears black, tastes the salty flavor, listens to the zhi note, cultivates yin qi, uses the number six. The series of meetings with feudal lords proceeds from military admonitions through charity, taxation, standardization, and ritual, culminating in grand commands.