In the primal murk, who could fathom or plan?
Fu Xi's diagram, not by beauty, but by nature's span.
A sage with merit, dredged and cleared the way,
Axe in hand, he cut the wild growth, making order hold sway.
No age lacks abundance, no heaven withholds its grace,
For feasting and guarding, yet merit leaves no trace.
He yielded to splendor, for the world's common good,
How to tell of it? 'Hold fast the Mean,' as one should.
Splendor tells his will, and also charges King Wen's fate,
To bear in mind succession, and jointly illuminate that great state.
Vast is Heaven alone, and merit follows its course,
Transcendent virtue and deeds, successors must enforce.
I look and examine, through a thousand years I peer,
Chaos and confusion, none dared cross its frontier.
Heaven will open it, first firmly it must nurture,
Nurtured to richness, the ancients could still recapture.
Not just recapture, but see the nurture's depth,
Trample and surpass it, behold our present step.
In the year jiyou, the second month, renxu day,
Heaven's guard at night strict, crimson court at dawn holds sway.
Solemn the Longevity Emperor, as Heaven looking down,
All lords in their places, receiving the jade-sound crown.
'I, the one man, am weary of toil,' he said,
'Retiring to the north palace, to strengthen kinship instead.
This great treasure so bright, I give to my sage son,
The sage son, wise and keen, Heaven's mandate has begun.
Not sparing power, why not dwell in your merit?
Released yet not dwelling, only the Longevity Emperor's spirit.
The Longevity Emperor's spirit, who can express?
Remembering Emperor Gaozong, my heart feels distress.
At first in his spring and autumn, fifty-six years old,
He enjoyed health and peace, distant blessings to hold.
Swiftly with his son, in secrecy withdrew,
His son, who is he? It's our Longevity Emperor, true.
The Longevity Emperor received it, neither swift nor slow,
Twenty-eight years, the four directions in gentle flow.
State affairs more trusted, population more vast,
In wilds and court, orderly and steadfast.
The sage son's light renewed, like the first emperor's reign,
For ten thousand years, never to change or wane.
What branch without root? What stream without source?
Remember Emperor Gaozong, yielding was hard, of course.
Not just Gaozong in mind, but Ancestor Taizu's thought,
Washing away that era's stench, benevolence in flesh wrought.
Spirit banners blazing, pacifying nine states,
Their chieftains spared, let alone those lesser mates.
Our sons and grandsons, our scholars and officers all,
Do not carve your punishments, consult the written call.
You have good words, then tell me so,
I reward and encourage, why fear any foe?
Not with spear and shield, but with poems and books set,
In that scholar's court, only Confucians are met.
A line of sages, one heart, avoiding war and penalty,
Listening to blunt words, following great strategy.
Inherited by Gaozong, opened by Longevity Emperor,
And reaching our sage sovereign, bright and prosperous ever.
These four principles, have lasted to this day,
Ancestor Taizu, Gaozong, the Longevity Emperor's way.
Not just now, but ancient model's might,
Do not discard that measure, to enjoy peace infinite.
The emperor opens bright hall, all lords come to praise,
The four barbarians united, none dare to raise.
Not stern, not harsh, not shaken, not in dread,
Clarifying old statutes, leaving legacy widespread.
Merit nearing great age, yielded to splendor's reign,
Splendor reaching heights, letting Xia build its domain.
Who like Gaozong, and our Longevity Emperor?
Age with prosperity, yet suddenly dimmed that luster.
Emperor descends to king, deeds not matching virtue's height,
Thus not ranked with Five Emperors, but ancestral to Three Dynasties' light.
Who like our emperor, virtue so sublime?
Glorious title and blessings, both in their prime.
Then the Longevity Emperor, ten thousand years no end,
Three times daily receiving court, dragon robes splendid.
Then the present emperor, rule reaching its peak,
Parental heart at peace, all lands without critique.
Myriad folk sing praises, at home and on the road,
A humble subject makes this ode, for the prosperous abode.