循吏列传

Sun Shū'ào was a reclusive gentleman of Chu. The Minister Yúqiū recommended him to King Zhuāng of Chu to succeed him in office. Within three months of becoming Chu's Prime Minister, he disseminated teaching and guided the people, achieving harmony between those above and below. Customs flourished, administration was lenient yet prohibitions held firm, officials were free of deceit and corruption, and thieves and bandits did not arise. In autumn and winter he encouraged the people to gather mountain resources; in spring and summer they worked the waterways. Each obtained what suited them, and the people delighted in their livelihoods.

King Zhuāng thought the currency too light and changed it from large coins to small. The common people found this inconvenient and abandoned their occupations. The market officer reported to the Prime Minister: "The markets are in chaos. The people have no peace in their stations; the order of commerce is unsettled." The Prime Minister asked, "How long has this been going on?" The officer replied, "Three months." The Prime Minister said, "Stop. I will have the currency restored to its former state." Five days later, at court, the Prime Minister addressed the king: "Recently you changed the currency, thinking it too light. Now the market officer has come saying that the markets are in chaos, the people have no peace in their stations, and the order of commerce is unsettled. I request that we immediately restore it as before." The king agreed. Three days later the markets were as before.

Without instruction, the people followed this transformation. Those nearby observed and imitated; those farther away looked in all directions and took it as their model. Thus when he received the appointment of Minister three times, he was not glad—knowing that his abilities had earned him the position. When he lost it three times, he did not regret—knowing it was not his fault.

Zǐ Chǎn was a high noble of Zheng. In the time of Lord Zhāo of Zheng, his favorite Xú Zhì was made Minister, and the state fell into chaos. Those above and below were not united; fathers and sons were not harmonious. The Grand Officer Zǐqī spoke to the lord, and Zǐ Chǎn was made Minister. In his first year as Minister, young men no longer idled or behaved frivolously; gray-haired men no longer carried burdens; children no longer worked the fields. In his second year, markets no longer fluctuated in price. In his third year, city gates were not closed at night; goods dropped on the road were not taken. In his fourth year, farm tools were not carried home. In his fifth year, soldiers had no need for military registers; mourning periods were observed without orders being issued. He governed Zheng for twenty-six years and then died. Strong men wept and shouted; old men and children wailed, saying, "Zǐ Chǎn is leaving us—who will we turn to?" Gongyi Xiu was an Erudite of Lu. Because of his high rank and scholarly excellence, he was made Chancellor of Lu. He upheld the law and followed reason, making no changes; the various officials naturally conducted themselves uprightly.

Shí Shē was Minister of King Zhāo of Chu. He was steadfast, upright, incorruptible, and impartial, with no favoritism or evasion. Once while touring the counties, he encountered a murderer on the road and pursued him—only to discover it was his own father. He released his father but bound himself and returned. He reported to the king: "The murderer was my father. To enforce the law through one's own parent is impious; to abandon the law and spare a criminal is disloyal. Your servant deserves death." The king said, "The pursuit failed to catch him—you are not guilty. Attend to your duties." Shí Shē replied, "For a son not to show partiality to his father is not filial piety; for a minister not to revere the sovereign's law is not loyalty. Your Majesty's forgiveness of my crime is your supreme kindness; to accept execution is my duty." He would not accept the royal pardon and took his own life.

Sima Qian remarks: Sun Shū'ào spoke a single word, and the market of Yǐng was restored. Zǐ Chǎn died of illness, and the people of Zheng wept and wailed. Gōngyí Xiu saw fine cloth and drove away his wife. Shí Shē released his father and died, establishing King Zhāo's reputation. Lǐ Lí killed by error and fell on his sword—Duke Wén thereby rectified the nation's laws. Devoted service and principled administration form the foundation of governance. Concern for the people and devotion to the state are what good historians record. Shū'ào and Zǐ Chǎn have been esteemed as wise since ancient times. The episode of pulling up the kale—that was a minor gain; pardoning one's father—that was not righteousness. Lǐ Lí's sword—that was in accordance with the law.

Li Li was the chief judge under Duke Wen of Jin. He wrongfully sentenced a man to death by mishearing the case, then arrested himself and accepted the death penalty. Duke Wen said: ‘Offices have high and low ranks, punishments are light or heavy. The fault lies with your subordinate officials; it is not your crime.’ Li Li replied: ‘I hold the highest office among the officials and did not yield my position to a subordinate; I receive the highest salary and did not share benefits with those below me. Now that I have mistakenly sentenced a man to death and then shift the blame onto a subordinate official — I have never heard of such a thing.’ He declined the order. Duke Wen said: ‘If you consider yourself guilty, then am I also guilty?’ Li Li said: ‘The law of a judge holds: he who errs in punishment is to be punished, he who errs in a capital case is to die. Your Lordship appointed me because I was able to hear subtle cases and resolve doubtful matters, so you made me judge. Now I have misheard and killed a man; my crime deserves death.’ Thus he did not accept the command, fell on his sword and died.

The Grand Historian remarks: With a single word, Sunshu Ao restored order to the market of Ying. When Zichan died of illness, the people of Zheng wept and wailed. Gongyizi, on seeing fine cloth offered, expelled his own wife. Shi She let his guilty father go and then died, thereby establishing the good name of King Zhao of Chu.

Li Li, having mistakenly ordered an execution, fell upon his sword, and Duke Wen of Jin thereby rectified the law of the state. To uphold one's duties and follow reason is the foremost principle of governance. Those who cherish the people and serve the nation are recorded by worthy historians.

Sunshu Ao and Zichan of Zheng have been celebrated as worthies since ancient times. Gongyi Xiu pulled up his sunflowers for the people's benefit; Shi She forgave his father's transgression. Li Li fell on his sword – for so the law required.