封禪 (The Feng and Shan Sacrifices) - Guanzi Chapter 50

管仲諫封禪

Guan Zhong Dissuades Duke Huan

桓公既霸，會諸侯於葵丘，而欲封禪。管仲曰：「古者封泰山禪梁父者七十二家，而夷吾所記者十有二焉。皆受命然後得封禪。」

After Duke Huan had become hegemon and convened the lords at Kuiqiu, he wished to perform the Feng and Shan sacrifices on Mount Tai. Guan Zhong said: 「In antiquity, seventy-two ruling houses performed the Feng on Mount Tai and the Shan on Mount Liangfu, and of these I can record twelve. All received the Mandate of Heaven before being permitted to perform the Feng and Shan.」

Notes

1person齊桓公Qí Huán Gōng

Duke Huan of Qi (齊桓公, r. 685-643 BC) was the first of the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn period.

2context

The Feng and Shan (封禪) were the most solemn sacrificial rites, performed at Mount Tai. Only a Son of Heaven who had received the Mandate could legitimately perform them. Guan Zhong’s refusal reminded Duke Huan that a hegemon was not a Son of Heaven.

以事止之

Halting Him with Practical Objections

於是管仲睹桓公不可窮以辭，因設之以事，曰：「今鳳凰麒麟不來，嘉穀不生，而蓬蒿藜莠茂，鴟梟數至，而欲封禪，毿乃不可乎？」於是桓公乃止。

When Guan Zhong saw that Duke Huan could not be dissuaded by argument alone, he resorted to practical matters: 「Now the phoenix and qilin have not come, auspicious grains do not grow, mugwort and thistles flourish, and owls arrive frequently. To perform the Feng and Shan under these conditions — is this not impossible?」 At this, Duke Huan desisted.

管仲諫封禪

以事止之

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