The Dao Is Open website is devoted to the cultivation of Dao (Tao) and De (Te), as exemplified in the works of Laozi (Lao Tzu) and Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu).


Return Home	Laozi's Dao De Jing	Your Dao De Jing	Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)	Links	Meditation	Dao (Tao) is Open Forum	Book List	Other Stuff

Zhuangzi Chapter 30: A Discussion of Swords


	Translated by Nina Correa King Wen of Zhao was fond of swords. Over three thousand swordsmen would come and gather at his gate. They'd engage in sword fights with each other day and night in his presence, and even though the dead and wounded in one year would number in the hundreds, he liked watching them so much that he didn't care. After three years the state started declining in power and the dukes and princes of other states started plotting to invade Zhao. The crown prince, Kui, became worried about this so he summoned his best advisers and said to them: "Whoever can talk the king out of continuing with these sword fights will be given a gift of a thousand pieces of gold." His advisers said: "Zhuangzi would be able to do that." The crown prince sent a messenger to offer the thousand pieces of gold to Zhuangzi. Zhuangzi refused to accept the money, but went back with the messenger to see the crown prince and said to him: "What is it you want me to do that you'd be willing to give me a thousand pieces of gold to accomplish?" The crown prince said: "I've heard that you're an enlightened sage so I sincerely offered the thousand pieces of gold to help with the expenses of your followers. Since you won't accept this respectful gift from me, how could I dare to ask you to do anything?" Zhuangzi said: "I'd heard that what you wanted to pay me for was to get rid of the king's desire for watching swordplay. If I went and talked to the king but he didn't like what I had to say and you were displeased with the results, then I'd probably be tortured and put to death. In that event what need would I have for the gold? If I went to talk to the king and he was pleased with what I had to say, thus pleasing you as well, there wouldn't be anything in the whole state of Zhao I might want that you wouldn't give to me." The crown prince said: "Good point. The only problem with my idea is that the only people the king will grant an audience to is swordsmen." Zhuangzi said: "Yes, that's true, but I'm actually pretty good with a sword." The crown prince said: "That's good. However, the only swordsmen the king will see all have unkempt hair that sticks out at their temples beneath their floppy hats, long tassels hanging from their chin straps and jackets that are cut short in front. They stare angrily and use vulgar language, which is what the king likes. Now if you go see the king with the attire and behavior of a scholar, I'm sure he'll reject you." Zhuangzi said: "I'll go ask someone to find me a swordsman's outfit." After three days he came back to see the crown prince, dressed as a proper swordsman. The crown prince took him to see the king. The king was there waiting for them with his sword unsheathed. Zhuangzi slowly walked through the door and entered the hall. When he looked at the king he didn't bow or salute respectfully. The king said: "The crown prince told me earlier that you wanted to come and teach me something. What is it?" "I've heard that you like swords, so I've brought a sword to show you." The king said: "This sword of yours, how can it stand up against many others?" "My sword can take down a man in ten steps and can keep doing so for three hundred miles without fail." The king smiled broadly and said: "Then there'd be no one in the world who could be a match for you!" Zhuangzi said: "One who uses this kind of sword shows his opponent an opening where he can thrust, allows him to feel confident with approaching that opening, and it isn't until after he's made his lunge that he realizes he's already been stabbed. I'd like to give you an exhibition of how that's done." The king said: "Go and rest in the rooms I've provided for you and wait there for my orders. I'll set up the presentation then request your presence." The king then set up matches between his swordsmen for seven days, and during that time over sixty of them were killed or wounded. He selected five or six of the remaining men and ordered them to stand with their swords at the ready in the lower hall. He then summoned Zhuangzi and said: "Today I'll allow you to exhibit your skills in competitions with these swordsmen." Zhuangzi said: "I've been looking forward to this." The king said: "What type of sword suits you best - a long or short one?" "I can use either of them. However, I have three swords that you might find useful. Would you like to hear about them before we start the exhibition?" The king said: "Yes, I'd like to hear about these three swords." "There's the emperor's sword, the nobleman's sword and the commoner's sword." The king said: "What's the emperor's sword?" "The emperor's sword uses the Yanxi Lake and Shicheng Mountain as its blade, Mount Dai in Qi as its cutting edge, the states of Jin and Wei as its spine, the capital of Zhou in Song as its handguard and the states of Han and Wei as its hilt. (Note: The places mentioned above were within the area known today as China. Yanxi Lake is in Hebei Province in the northwest and Shicheng Mountain is on the border of Fijian and Jiangxi Provinces in the southwest - forming a long blade from north to south. Mount Dai is in the center of Shandong Province directly between Yanxi Lake and Shicheng Mountain - a high ridge forming the cutting edge. The states of Jin and Wei , directly to the south of Zhao were two of the other most powerful states at the time - the blunt edge of the sword that could be used for strong back-up. Zhou was the capital of the state of Song, further south - the area around the city could be used as a handguard for protection. The states of Han and Wei to the southwest blocked the invasions into Zhao from the state of Qin, which was further west - forming a handle which could wield power.) "It's encircled by the four barbarian tribes (to the north, south, east and west). It's contained by the four seasons. It's crowned by the Bei Hai Sea (a gulf in northern China between Liaodong and Shandong peninsulas) and is belted in the middle by Mount Heng (a tall mountain range in Henan Province, central China). It's governed by the Five Elements (metal, wood, water, fire, earth), guided by punishments and kindness, operates through Yin and Yang, is maintained by spring and summer and is motivated to action by autumn and winter. Hold it out straight and there's nothing in front of it. Raise it upwards and there's nothing above it. Point downwards and there's nothing beneath it. Slash it around and there's nothing on any side of it. At its heights it cuts through the floating clouds, and at its depths it severs the layers of the earth's core. Use this sword once and the feudal lords will rectify their misdeeds and the whole world will become obedient. That's the emperor's sword." King Wen became dazed and lost himself for a moment, then he said: "What's the nobleman's sword?" "The nobleman's sword uses clever and brave knights for its blade, honest and upright knights for its cutting edge, worthy and capable knights for its spine, faithful and eminent knights for its handguard, and valiant and heroic knights for its hilt. This sword has similar qualities to the other one. Hold it out straight there's nothing in front of it. Raise it upwards and there's nothing above it. Point it downwards and there's nothing beneath it. Slash it around and there's nothing on any side of it. At its heights it follows the natural curvature of the three bright lights (sun, moon and north star), at its depths it follows the natural squareness of the four seasons and in between it brings peace to all quarters of the world by harmonizing the wills of the people. Use this sword once and it'll resound like a thunderclap throughout the four corners of the country and there'll be no one who wouldn't become obedient and obey the mandates of their ruler. That's the nobleman's sword." The king said: "What's the commoner's sword?" "The commoner's sword is used by those who have unkempt hair that sticks out at their temples beneath their floppy hats, long tassels hanging from their chin straps and jackets that are cut short in front. They stare angrily and use vulgar language. It lashes out at those in front of it. Raise it upwards and it chops off heads at the neck. Point it downwards and it cuts out livers and lungs. Those who use the commoner's sword aren't any different than fighting cocks. In one day their lives can be snuffed out and they're of no use to the affairs of state. Now you have the position of an emperor yet you delight in the commoner's sword. I'm telling you privately that's way beneath you." The king then led him by the hand into his upper hall. While the servant was serving dinner, the king walked in circles around the room three times. Zhuangzi said: "Sit down and rest yourself. The sword exhibition is already over." Thereafter, King Wen didn't leave his palace for three months, and the swordsmen all committed suicide in their rooms. \| Zhuangzi Translation \| Glossary/Index A to N \| Glossary/Index P to Z \| ZZ Links \| ZZ Books \| \| Return Home \| Laozi's Dao De Jing \| Your Dao De Jing \| Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu) \| Links \| Meditation \| Dao (Tao) is Open Forum \| Book List \| Other Stuff \|