OF THE TAO EXEMPLIFIED IN HISTORY II 



(7) The use of the mailed fist is not the way to maintain 

 the fruits of victory. — Chao Hsiang Tzu attacked Tse and 

 overpowered him and took his two prefectures of Yu Jen 

 and Chung Jen. The -messenger came to announce the 

 victory and to offer congratulations; and when Hsiang Tzu 

 was about to sup it was noticed that he was of a sad 

 countenance, which being noticed by those about him led 

 them to say, "People find it a matter of joy to become 

 possessors of two cities in a morning. So what may be the 

 cause of the present sadness of the Prince?" Hsiang Tzu 

 replied to them, "The floods of the rivers and streams last 

 only three days at most. Storms of winds and rain pass 

 over quickly. There is no* accumulated merits in our family 

 Chao'; how is it that now in one morning two cities have 

 fallen to me : is not this ominous of disaster. ' ' When 

 Confucius heard of this he said, "The good fortune of the 

 family of Chao must increase. Dejection, or moderation of 

 spirit, is the foundation of greatness, and hilarity is the root 

 of decay! It isn't victory that is difficult, but the main- 

 tenance of the fruits of victory: this is the difficulty. The 

 worthy kings of the past who maintained victory in this 

 spirit handed down their happiness to their successors. Ch'i, 

 Ts'u, Wu Yueh gained victories in their time, but eventually 

 fell into decay, simply because they failed to apprehend how 

 to maintain victory. This can only be done by making the 

 Tao dominant." Similarly Confucius could manipulate the 

 ponderous gate of the Customs, but not by his physical 

 strength (for. he never used force to compel men). It is 

 said that Mei-tzii (who knew no art of war) maintained the 

 defensive and offensive against Duke Yu P'an and brought 

 him to submission, but not by military force. They knew 

 that the effective way of maintaining victory was by looking 

 upon gentleness, Eight not Might, as the strong power, just 

 as Lao Tzu says : 



WHEN THE TAO IS FLUSH AND PUT INTO OPERATION 

 THE RECIPIENT IS UNCONSCIOUS OF ITS OVERFLOW. 



(8) Not Might but Right. — Hui Meng had an interview 

 with King Sung K'ang. He bore his characteristic way of 

 restless feet, of humming, and coughing, and speaking with 

 rapidity. The King said, "What I admire is valour and 

 military conquest. I dislike the principles, 'humanity' 

 and 'justice.' Have you, Sir, anything to instruct me?" 

 Hui Meng replied, "Your servant has a Way according to 

 which even the shafts of the valiant will do it no harm, 

 neither can force however cleverly used succeed against it. 

 Great Prince have yon truly a mind to try it?" The King 

 replied, "Very excellent: Its just what I want to hear- 



