by 歐修梅
The story comes from Records of the Grand Historian: The House of Confucius
Confucius, finding no favor in the State of Wei, resolved to journey west to seek an audience with Zhao Jianzi. However, as Confucius reached the banks of the Yellow River, tidings of the deaths of Dou Mingdu and Shun Hua fell upon his ears. Standing by the river, he lamented, “How splendid the river is, vast and boundless! That I shall never cross it is indeed my fate!”
Zi Gong stepped forward and inquired, “May I ask, Master, what do you mean?”
Confucius replied, "Dou Mingdu and Shun Hua were virtuous ministers in the land of Jin. Before Zhao Jianzi ascended to his power, he leaned upon these men to govern. But when his ambition was fulfilled, he had them slain. I have heard it said, ‘If a land slays the unborn by cutting open the womb, the Chinese unicorn shall not wander its fields; if the waters be drained and the fish taken, the scaled dragon shall not stir the clouds to rain; if the nests be overturned and the eggs destroyed, the Phoenix shall not grace the skies above. Why so? Because the noble abhor harming their own kind. If even birds and beasts shun injustice, how much more should I!”
And so he returned, taking refuge in the town of Zou, where he composed the Zou Melody to mourn their tragic fate.
Confucius, feeling unappreciated in the State of Wei, decided to head west with the intention of meeting Zhao Jianzi, the Chief Minister of the State of Jin. However, upon reaching the banks of the Yellow River, he unexpectedly heard news that Zhao Jianzi had murdered two virtuous ministers of Jin, Dou Mingdu and Shun Hua. Confucius, gazing at the river, lamented, “How beautiful the Yellow River is! It seems that I am destined never to cross you and journey west!”
Zi Gong took a step forward and asked, “What do you mean, my teacher?”
Confucius replied, “Dou Mingdu and Shun Hua were both virtuous ministers of Jin. Zhao Jianzi relied on their talents to gain control of the government. Now that he has consolidated his power, he murders them first. As a saying goes, ‘If there is a place where people cut open the wombs of animals and kill the unborn, the Chinese unicorn will not go there. If there is a place where people drain water to catch fish, the scaled dragon will not bring rain there. If there is a place where people overturn nests to take eggs, the phoenix will never go there.’ Why? It is because noble people do not want to see their kind get hurt. Even birds and beasts know they should avoid cruelty and injustice, let alone me, Kong Chiu!”
So, Confucius returned to Zouxiang and wrote a Tsou Melody in memory of the unfortunate Dou Mingdu and Shun Hua.
This painting depicts the story of Confucius returning swiftly halfway on his westward journey to Zhao Jianzi upon learning the death of Dou Mingdu and Shun Hua.
