plain book

Chapter 1 Original Preface of "Su Shu"

(Song) Zhang Shangying
According to the six chapters of "Huangshi Gong Sushu", according to the "Sushu" given by Huangshi Gongdiqiao in the "Biography of the Former Han Dynasty", most people in the world regard the "three strategies" as correct, and those who have passed them are wrong.

[Translation] There are six chapters in Su Shu written by Huang Shigong of Qin Dynasty. According to the records of Biography of the Former Han Dynasty, Huang Shigong passed this book to Zhang Liang in Diqiao.Many people in later generations believe that this "Su Shu" comes from another military book "San Lue" by Huang Shigong. In fact, this is a misinformation. "Su Shu" and "San Lue" are two books.

In the chaos of the Jin Dynasty, there was a thief who found the zifang tomb, and obtained this book from a jade pillow. There are 330 and [-] words, and there is a secret commandment: "It is not allowed to pass on to people who are not Taoist, godless, holy, or virtuous; if it is not for others People will suffer from it; if they are not passed on to others, they will also suffer from it. 'Alas!Its so prudent.

[Translation] During the Western Jin Dynasty, when the world was in chaos, someone robbed the tomb of Zhang Liang, Marquis of Hanliu, and found this book in the jade pillow under his head. The book has a total of 330 characters.There is a secret precept similar to a mantra in the book: "It is not allowed to pass this book on to people who are not Taoist, godless, holy, or virtuous; Those who pass it on will surely suffer from it." It can be seen how much people attached importance to his book at that time.

Huang Shigong passed on the ovary when he got it, but buried it if he couldn't pass it on.It was stolen more than five hundred years later, and it was the "Su Shu" that was first passed on to the world.However, the person who passed it on especially Huang Shigong's words and ears, and the public's meaning, he can say everything.

[Translation] It is said in old history that after seeing Zhang Liang, Huang Shigong thought that he could make it, so he passed this book to Zhang Liang.But Zhang Liang never met a suitable person to spread the book in his life, so he was buried in the tomb after his death.It took another 500 years before someone robbed Zhang Liangzhi's tomb in the Western Jin Dynasty, and the "Su Shu" began to spread among the people.However, what is circulated among the people is only the simple sentences of Huang Shigong, and the profound essence of this book cannot be understood by those "people who are not Taoist, godless, holy, and virtuous".

Yu stealingly commented, "'The way of heaven and man is not incompatible. The ancient sages are all dedicated. Yao Qin is like Haotian, Shun Qi Qizheng, Yu Xu Jiuchou, Fu said Chen Tiandao, Wen Wang emphasized gossip, The Duke of Zhou set up the officials of the four seasons of heaven and earth, and established the three princes to regulate Yin and Yang. Confucius wanted to be speechless, but Lao Dan established it as nothingness.' "Yin Fu Jing" said: "The universe depends on the hand, and all things are born on the body. The way is as far as Here, ghosts and gods change, none of them can escape my technique, let alone those who are between the degrees of criminal names!"'"

【Translation】In my opinion, the universe and the human world are not independent, but interact and complement each other. The ancient sages and sages were able to understand and try their best to follow the sky.For example, Emperor Yao followed the laws of heaven very respectfully, just like fearing God; Shun followed the way of heaven and followed human affairs, and established seven major political systems, which were followed by later generations; , divided the world into Kyushu; Fu Shuo once told Wu Ding about the natural principles of the way of heaven, which made the Shang Dynasty rejuvenate; King Wen of Zhou combined the laws of the way of heaven with the laws of the world to deduce and develop the gossip; According to the rules of the times, the four officials of spring, summer, autumn and winter were established, and at the same time, the three princes of Taishi, Taifu, and Taibao were set up to reconcile yin and yang; It is summarized as two concepts of "nothing" and "yes".

"Yin Fu Jing" said: "I understand the law of the natural operation of the universe, and understand the law of the unity of all things. I have reached such a height that the natural things and I are one. It’s all hidden in my chest, and I’m in charge. Not to mention trivial things like punishment, name and reality, system, etc.!”

Huang Shigong is also a gentleman of Qin Zhiyin.His book slips have deep meanings; even Yao, Shun, Yu, Wen, Fu Shuo, Zhou Gong, Confucius, and Lao Lao, there is nothing like this.

【Translation】Huang Shigong is said to be an outsider and a hermit in the Qin Dynasty.The "Su Shu" he handed down to Zhang Liang is very simple, but the philosophy contained in it is very profound, even Yao, Shun, Yu, King Wen, Fu Shuo, Zhou Gong, Confucius, and Laozi could not surpass it.

However, Huangshi knew that the Qin Dynasty was about to perish and the Han Dynasty was about to prosper, so he used the "Book" to grant the ovary.As for the ovary, how can you know all about its "Book"!The reason why the ovary is an ovary is that only one or two ears can be used.

[Translation] Huang Shigong knew that the Qin Dynasty was about to perish and the Han Dynasty was about to rise, so he chose Zhang Liang as his student and passed this book on to him.However, although Zhang Liang lived up to his trust and used the wisdom of this book to help Liu Bang complete the great cause of destroying Qin and Xing Han, it cannot be said that he fully understood the mysteries in the book.Zhang Liang has made such a great career and achieved fame, but in fact he only used one-tenth of the wisdom in the book.

"Book" said: "The one who leaks the evil plan will lose." Zifang used it to try to persuade Emperor Gao Han Xin; Hou Yong's teeth are dead; "Book" said: "Decision-making is dangerous for those who are not benevolent." Zifang used it to try to persuade Emperor Gao to give up the six kingdoms; Use it, try to make Si Hao and establish Emperor Hui; "Book" says: "Auspiciousness is good for contentment." The ovary uses it, try to choose to keep it for yourself; "Book" says: "Abstain from addiction, so get rid of tiredness. "Use it in the ovary, try to abandon the worldly affairs, and swim from the red pine nuts.

[Translation] "Su Shu" said: "The one who leaks the evil plan will lose." When Han Xin captured the land of Qi, relying on his own strength and strength, he asked Liu Bang to make him king of Qi.Liu Bang was very annoyed, and was about to explode in front of the messenger, but Zhang Liang stopped him.Because Zhang Liang knew that Liu Bang must not offend Han Xin when he was employing people at this time.So he implied that Liu Bang could agree to Han Xin's request, which made Han Xin defeat Xiang Yu with all his heart.

"Su Shu" said: "Small grievances are not forgiven, but big grievances will arise." When the world was first established in the Han Dynasty, many people complained because they did not receive timely rewards, and some even conspired to rebel.Zhang Liang persuaded Liu Bang to reward Yong Chi as Shi Fanghou first. This man had always been at odds with Liu Bang and had deep opinions.Seeing that Liu Bang rewarded Yong Chi, everyone thought: even this kind of person can be rewarded, so I can't worry about it.From then on, all hearts were settled and a civil strife was prevented.

"Su Shu" said: "Decision-making is at the risk of those who are not benevolent." When Liu Bang was besieged by Xiang Yu in Xingyang, Liu Bang was at a loss. There happened to be a counselor named Li Shiqi, who suggested that Liu Bang entrust the descendants of the six countries destroyed by Qin. , to win the support of these people.Liu Bang also went to the doctor for his illness, so he agreed without thinking too much.But Zhang Liang knew that resealing the descendants of the Six Kingdoms was the beginning of returning to the chaotic era of the Warring States Period, which was against the trend of history.So Liu Bang was persuaded to take back all the printed letters that had been rushed.

"Su Shu" said: "Set changes to power, so untie the knot." After Liu Bang ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor, he made his eldest son Liu Ying the prince, and made his second son Ruyi the king of Zhao.Later, seeing that Liu Ying was born cowardly and mediocre in talent, while the second son Ruyi was extremely intelligent and outstanding in learning, he deliberately abolished Liu Ying and established Ruyi.Liu Ying's mother, Empress Lu, was very anxious when she heard about it.Zhang Liang gave Empress Lu an idea, asking her to ask four hermits who lived in seclusion in Shangshan at that time to persuade her.Liu Bang finally gave up the idea of ​​changing the crown prince, and Liu Ying succeeded him as Emperor Hui of Han.

"Su Shu" said: "Ji Moji is contented." The Han ruled the world, Liu Bang rewarded him for his merits, and asked Zhang Liang to choose [-] households from Qi as a fief.But Zhang Liang knew the danger of high position and power, so he insisted on resigning. He only wanted to be granted the title of Liuxian County, which was called Liuhou in history.

"Su Shu" said: "Abstain from addiction, so get rid of tiredness." After Zhang Lianggong became famous, he adopted this principle of being wise and protecting himself. lived a lifetime.This is the great wisdom of life!
Sigh!Leaving the dregs and dregs is enough to destroy Qin and Xiang and Emperor Peigong. What's more, those who are pure and used, and those who are deep and built!

【Translation】Zhang Liang was able to overthrow the Qin Dynasty, defeat Xiang Yu, the overlord of Chu, assist Liu Bang to unify the world, and establish the Han Dynasty by only using some trivial wisdom in "Su Shu".If someone can fully comprehend the essence of the book and apply it flexibly, what great feats will be created.

Since the Han Dynasty, the study of chapters and sentences has been intense, but there are very few people who know it.Such as Zhuge Liang, Wang Meng, Fang Qiao, Pei Du and others.Although he was named a virtuous minister for a while, as for the way of the king, he was never enough to know it.That's why this "Book" is not passed on to people who are not Taoist, godless, holy, or virtuous.

【Translation】Since the establishment of the Han Dynasty, poetry, poetry and other articles have flourished in society, but very few people can truly understand the Dao of the Universe.Zhuge Liang in the Three Kingdoms period, Wang Meng in the Sixteen Kingdoms period, Fang Xuanling in the early Tang Dynasty, and Pei Du in the Tang Xianzong period, although they were called virtuous ministers and capable ministers by later generations, they still had a vague understanding of what Tao was. I haven't even touched the fur, let alone understood much.This is the reason why this book does not teach "no way, no god, no sage, no virtuous". There are too few talents in the world to create.

That which is separated from existence and non-existence is called "Tao", that which is non-existent and non-existent is called "God", that which has nothing but nothing is called "sage", and that which has nothing but existence is called "virtuous".Those who are not these four, even if they recite this "Book" orally, they will not be able to practice it in person.

【Translation】The grasp of Tao lies in one heart.There is a "Tao" in the trance, and it seems to be "God".Those who have proved the Tao but departed from the Tao, the Tao is the heart, are "saints"; those who have no fruit but want to prove it, have no Tao and heart, and are "sages".If it is not these four types of people, even if they get the "Sushu" and memorize it backwards, they cannot really apply it in practice.

(End of this chapter)