吉尺明步

Just a few words

The emperor’s meal was nine shells; the princes had seven, the officials had five, and the scholars had three. The scholars were buried in the third month, and the mourning ended in that month; the officials were buried in the third month, and the mourning ended in the fifth month; the princes were buried in the fifth month, and the mourning ended in the seventh month. The scholars had three Yu, the officials had five, and the princes had seven. The princes sent people to offer condolences, and the next one was: the one who brought the coffin and the offerings and arrived, all finished the work on the same day, and the next one was like this. When a king is ill, he asks countless questions; a scholar asks only once. When a king is with a noble official, he does not eat meat at the funeral, and does not play music at the funeral; when a scholar is with a funeral, he does not play music. When the main coffin is carried, the princes hold the ropes of 500 people, four ropes, all of whom hold their mouths shut. The Sima holds the bell, eight on the left and eight on the right, and the carpenters hold feathered banners to support the coffin. When a senior official is buried, when the main coffin is carried, there are 300 people holding the lead, four on the left and four on the right, and the coffin is covered with thatch.

Good Daughter-in-law in the Tang Dynasty

If one is superior to one's elders, one should not ask their age. When meeting a banquet, one should not take orders. When meeting on the road, one should greet the other, but not ask where to go. When attending funerals, one should not express condolences. When serving a gentleman, one should not hold a zither or draw a line on the ground, and one should not move his hands. When sleeping, one should sit and take orders. When serving an archer, one should draw arrows, and when serving a thrower, one should hold arrows. When winning, one should wash and ask for permission, and the same applies to guests. One should not fight or raise a horse. When holding the carriage of the king, one should sit. A servant should wear a sword in his right hand, carry a good rein, extend it to his face, drag the various hats, and let the reins go up, holding the reins before walking. Asking for an audience does not mean asking to leave. In court, one should say "leave", in banquets, one should say "return", and in military service, one should say "stop". When serving a gentleman, if the gentleman yawns, stretches, carries a scepter, cleans the head of the sword, and puts on his shoes, one should ask how early the day is, and even if one asks to leave, one can do so. Those who serve the king should consider before entering, and if not, then consider again; the same applies to those who ask for leave from others and those who work for others. Yes, so the superiors have no resentment, and the subordinates are far from sin. Do not spy on secrets, do not be intimate, do not talk about old times, and do not play with women. As a minister, there is remonstrance without slander, there is loss without anger; praise without flattery, remonstrance without arrogance; if lazy, promote and assist, if abolished, sweep and replace; this is called the service of the state.

Farmer's Housewife

Phoenix Stone

Duke Xian of Jin died, Duke Mu of Qin sent people to offer condolences to Prince Chong'er, and said, "I have heard that the loss of a country is always here, and the recovery of a country is always here. Although my son is in mourning, the mourning cannot be too long, and the time cannot be lost. You should plan it." He told his uncle Fan, who said, "You should refuse it. A bereaved person has no treasure, but a loving relative is a treasure. What is the point of the father's death? And you think it is profitable, but who in the world can persuade you? You should refuse it." Prince Chong'er said to the guests, "You are kind enough to offer condolences to the deceased minister Chong'er. I lost my father myself, but I cannot cry with you and grieve for you. What is the point of the father's death? If someone dares to have other intentions, it will insult your righteousness." He bowed his head without kneeling, and stood up after crying, but did not hesitate. Zi Xian told Duke Mu of Qin about his death. Duke Mu said, "The benevolent Prince Chong'er! If you bow your head but don't kowtow, you are not yet the heir, so you can't kowtow; if you cry and then get up, you love your father; if you get up without selfishness, you are looking for benefits."

Phoenix Crying to the Ninth Heaven

The Master said: "The world and the country can be equal, the title and salary can be refused, and the sword can be stepped on, but the middle way is impossible."

Heaven Burial Strategy

When the king's carriage is about to start, the servant will hold the stalk and stand in front of the horse. After the carriage is started, the servant will unfold the reins and serve as the driver, and take the two reins from the upper right, kneel down, hold the stalk and separate the reins, drive it five steps and stand. When the king goes out to the carriage, the servant will hold the reins and hand over the reins. The left and right will make way, and the carriage will drive and the horses will be driven. When it comes to the main gate, the king strokes the servant's hand and looks back, and orders the charioteer to the right; the gates and ditches must be walked.