山權數
Mountain Authority Calculations
桓公問管子曰：“請問權數。”管子對曰：“天以時為權，地以財為權，人以力為權，君以令為權。失天之權，則人地之權亡。”
Duke Huan asked Guan Zhong about the calculations of authority. Guan Zhong replied: 'Heaven's authority lies in the seasons, earth's authority lies in resources, humanity's authority lies in labor, and the ruler's authority lies in commands. If you lose heaven's authority, then the authority of humanity and earth is also lost.'
Notes
1context
This chapter introduces the concept of 'three authorities' (三權) and the ruler's need to maintain grain reserves across feast and famine years. It also contains the famous passage about using turtles and treasures as instruments of state finance.