Zeyang (9)

1 When Confucius wrote the book “Spring and Autumn”, he had some doubts about the history of Duke Spirit of Wei.

2 One day he went to consult Datao, Bochang Qian and Xiwei who worked in the historical museum.

3 Confucius asked, “Duke Spirit of Wei was not a good king since he often drunk and entertained, leading a life of shameless dissipation, and was careless the state affairs. His performances in both civil and foreign affairs were neither rhyme nor reason. But the historian still called him Duke Spirit after his death. Isn’t it rather a reclame, based on no truth?”

4 Human is regarded as the best among creatures. Spirit is the most precious part of human. Ancestor’s tablet is called “Spirit Tablet”. What made the duke entitled as Duke Spirit?”

5 Datao was ignorant and his position for history official was paid for. He explained, “It is just a pronoun. That’s all. There is no special meaning.” He could not offer good explanation because of his ignorance.

6 Bochang Qian knew some history of the State of Wei, he explained, “Duke Spirit’s personal life was rather foppish but he nonetheless showed much respect to the sages. For example, someday he bathed with his three concubines in the rear palace at day time. When Shi Qiu, his minister, asked for audience, with support by the servants, he immediately put the robe on, and went rashly to the meeting room to see him. It was really ridiculous to bathe with three concubines in the day time, but when he had to care the state affairs, he dealt with it at once. He didn’t totally disregard the state affairs. So, it was not a serious blunder to entitle him as Duke Spirit.”

7 Xiwei cut in. “Alas! You all don’t know the real reason. The title of Spirit was obtained because of something queer and supernatural happened to him. When he passed away, his family did a divination which showed that he should not be entombed in the royal cemetery but in the suburban dune which is the auspicious place to him.

8 When tomb makers worked in the dune, they dug out a stone coffin. After cleaning the coffin, they found some words on it – Family doesn’t need prepare coffin for Duke Spirit, this stone one is for him.

9 The stone coffin called him Duke Spirit in advance, so historian entitled him as Duke Spirit. Mr. Confucius, don’t you think it proper? Don’t listen to their nonsense.”

10 Going out of the museum silently, Confucius thought that it is the shabby guys like them and their far-fetched explanations that make the historical records full of obscurities.