Declination to Throne (1)

1 In the beginning, the human society was a small or medium group with fewer members. Several tribes clustered in a field where a man was elected to be the chairman for solving the common problems existing among tribes and the issues regarding foreign relation. His right and obligation were far from those leaders of the contemporary countries.

2 Several friends organize a tennis team. Usually, they play tennis together and hold a match every month. All activities of the tennis team need to be promoted by a warm-hearted member, so a captain comes out. Besides services, the captain of the tennis team has no other right. Therefore, every time great effort is made in electing someone who is willing to take up the post of captain.

3 The election of Chairman of alliance perhaps is similar to the election of captain of the tennis team. If the Chairman had been like the President of the United States with special airplane, resides in the White House and be protected by a guardian team and employs the budget of dozens of billion dollars, people would have scrambled fiercely for it.

4 Yao attained some achievements in his post but he was painstaking in work and his wife often complained a lot. Hence, he wanted to unload the burden to enjoy the life after retirement as soon as possible. In the first place, he wanted to remise his post to Xu You who was the appropriate candidate due to his sainted virtue. But he was preoccupied solely with his practice so that he was reluctant to take on the post even Yao invited him several times. Yao had to give him up to invite Zizhou Zhifu.

5 Zizhou Zhifu knew that it was drudgery; however, he dared not refuse it directly or Yao would lose face. He said, “Remising the post to me is my honor. I must accept it. But unfortunately, I happen to suffer from hypochondria. Now I am in treatment. I am really sorry. Thank you for your kind invitation.”

6 Emperor is a post that all respect, but Zizhou Zhifu refused it because he wanted to keep fit, avoiding over tiredness. It is reasonable that a man should not hurt himself for worldly affairs.

7 From other aspect, the reason why Yao selected Xu You and Zizhou Zhifu as the emperor was that they had no ambition and selfishness and would not lead the masses to crisis and danger. A man who flatters himself wise or farsighted never is the man should we remise the leader post to.

8 Shun, as the same as Yao, worked for dozens of years. He was so tired and became crookback. His family asked him to resign. Having checked many people for a long time, Shun decided to invite Zizhou Zhibo as the next emperor. Zizhou Zhibo declined it. The reason was as the same as that of Zizhou Zhifu – he was ill and in treatment so he couldn’t accept it.

9 Zizhou Zhibo didn’t accept the great important post that all respected because his life of practice stopped him. The supreme principle of practice is to maintain soundness, tranquility and peace.

10 An emperor who solves problems and being in dilemma between his people. In the works of increasing benefit and eliminating harm make him busy all the day. There is no soundness, tranquility and peace at all. So, man of practice was different in professional consideration from the worldly people.

11 Due to Zizhou Zhibo’s refusal, Shun had to look for others. After appraisal, he decided to invite Shan Juan as the next emperor. But Shan Juan refused too. What’s more, he remarked in brilliant view, “Living in the natural environment, I wear a hide clothes to resist cold in the winter and wear a gauze clothes in the summer. I myself plough in the spring and harvest in the autumn so my family is free from hunger and cold. How easy it is to work in the day and repose in the evening. Why do I look for trouble for myself to accept the post of emperor? Do you think that I like to seek the fame and interest? You really don’t understand me yet as my friend of many years.”

12 In order to avoid being bothered frequently, Shan Juan simply moved to deep mountains to hide. Feeling his days numbered, Shun must find a successor as soon as possible. So he asked Shihu Zhinong, his good friend, to be the emperor. Shun briefed him about emperor’s duty and daily work, wishing that he could take over it without difficulty. After listening, Shihu Zhinong said, “Not all guys can be competent in this post. The duty is so heavy; things are so troublesome. You have to be trapped in conflicts of various interests and feel guilty if making an interest loses. Goodness! It kills me. Only you, diligent and endurable, can stand it. Forget me.”

13 At home Shihu Zhinong thought that a leader of state should govern in non-action for people’s utmost wills, by which the leader is good one and the country be prosperous and stable. However, Shun made out a lot of plans and made himself as busy as bees. He could not be a good leader. If staying in this country for long time, people would confront many problems. So, he took his family to overseas, and never returned to the mainland in his life.