Wei Xian: The Voice of Integrity in Ancient China
Wei Xian, courtesy name Changru, hailed from Zou in the state of Lu. Descended from Wei Meng, his family originally resided in Pengcheng. Wei Meng served as a tutor to King Yuan of Chu, advising both King Yi and King Wu in succession. When King Wu indulged in debauchery and neglected the proper path, Meng admonished him through poetic verses. Subsequently, he resigned from his position and lived as a recluse in Zou, composing another poem.
His admonitory poem reads:
“Solemn and dignified are my ancestors, our land from the Wei of pigs,
Adorned in dark robes and crimson sashes, with four steeds and dragon flags.
With vermilion bows we march, pacifying the distant and wild,
Uniting the various states to protect mighty Shang,
In succession to the great Peng, our achievements shining bright.
From Zhou to the present, generations have united.
But now, King Wu listens to slander and truly disrupts our state.
With our state disrupted, governance has strayed,
Rewards and punishments no longer from the royal house.
Ministers abandon their duties, the weak are not supported,
The five ceremonial garments are in disarray, the ancestral rites of Zhou neglected.
Our ancestors were humble, moving to Pengcheng,
To raise us, their humble sons, working diligently to farm the land.
Long did we toil in Peng, displeasing the heavens,
Until we looked to the south and entrusted our dynasty to Han.
Under the brilliant Han, all four corners were subdued,
No one resisted, and all the nations were pacified.
Thus, my younger brother was appointed marquis in Chu,
To support our humble servants, only fostered by Wei.
King Yuan, diligent and frugal, purified himself,
Benefiting the common people and accepting the support of his assistant.
Celebrating the country for generations, leaving a great legacy,
Even to King Yi, he followed the family line.
But the edict was not eternal, only the king continues the sacrificial rites,
Accompanied by courtiers, these are the royal subjects.
However, our king does not think to protect and preserve,
Instead of treading carefully, he follows indulgence and revelry.
Dogs and horses are numerous, but they are let loose.
They focus on birds and beasts, neglecting the crops,
The people suffer, the king is pleased.
What he exalts is not virtue, what he cherishes is not repentance,
Only the enclosure is expanded, only flattery is believed.
Those who flatter him are sycophants with grey hair,
How can our king not see this!
Once he belittles his subjects, he seeks escape and indulgence,
Belittling our distinguished ancestors, lightening our burdens.
Alas, our king, the harmony of Han,
Never day or night did he rest, to hear the complaints!
Majestic Son of Heaven, he reigns over the earth,
With clear and wise ministers, he holds the law without regard.
From far away to near, he dares to rely on it,
Alas, our king, why does he not think of this!
Without thought, without reflection,
Increasingly losing, precarious is the state.
Bringing frost without frost, bringing disarray without disarray,
Gazing at our king, never did he practice!
In the beginning, the son of Xian, a venerable man, shall seize his power,
Behold this disaster, a light that does not shine.
Only my sons, they shine with gold, not like a classic.
Xian Cheng, in Pengcheng, is busy managing his mother’s ambitions.
In the first year of the Great Zhou Dynasty, he served as a bachelor.
Assistant, entering the imperial court, gradually promoted to the office of great man, counselor.
The king of the Zhaohong tomb, the posthumous title.
In the fourth year, he replaced Cai Yi as prime minister and appointed the Marquis of Fuyang, who had been in office for many years.
At that time, Xian was more than seventy years old and served as prime minister for five years.
In the third year, I asked for it three years later, and he was honored as the head of the first area.
Xian began to retire.
At the age of 82, the posthumous title was.
Xian’s four children: Fangshan was appointed, and he died early.
The next son, Hong, to the east sea.
Young child Shun is left to live in Lu.
The youngest, Xuan Cheng, returned to the position and returned to his job as prime minister.
The army returned to their positions, but Xuan was promoted to serve as prime minister.
It is also good for old habits and works for school learning.
At first, Xian was a very noble person who could see him, and he never ignored it.
Today, the world is seeking to guide the country, and Xuan is following the legislation.
This is a mention of the discussions of the six regions.
Think again, the resignation of these things, the system will have to be at the time of.
Honor the king, you must do it.
One thing after the other is the reward of the soul and the good deed.
Don’t do it, and it’s the final choice.
Only one person can last.
After studying, he followed the feelings.
The article he first enjoyed, he turned the rest of the art.
The governor of the Great Sea, the frequent fault of his duties, so he’s not much better.
The time is coming, but when he met his brother-in-law, The Xiaoyu Yi said, need to be discussed.
Now you’re a friend.
He read your post.