Jing has muddy water,
Within Jing's outer city walls.
Outside the walls, water lies behind,
Called Rear Lake.
Around the lake over ten li,
Yearly accumulates stagnant filth.
Stinking rot, fish and turtles dead,
No planting of wild rice or cattails.
Lord Zheng governed three years,
His governance used gentle warmth.
Year abundant, people came from all sides,
Narrow markets, narrow streets.
The lord then designated the land,
For the people first set forth plans.
If each person acts for themselves,
I also need not manage laborers.
Humble villages heard of it,
Each and all contentedly agreed.
Leading elders and grandsons,
Supporting wives and mothers-in-law.
The strong carry gravel stones,
The old also pluck thatch grass.
Adzes grind片片 snow-flakes,
Mallets sink连连 pearls.
Morning meals spread in courtyard,
Night lodging secures door pivots.
Neighbors nearby inform each other,
Relatives afar call to each other.
Sellers sell by themselves,
Wine-sellers sell by themselves.
Chickens and dogs fill the central market,
People gather like at Qixia capital.
A century-old wasted stagnant place,
Suddenly a vast deep region.
I truly oversee water and land,
Can consider official duties done?
People say lowly tasks are noble,
Value honesty, not flattery.
This truly is a small deed of the lord,
Why use songs of 'pants and jackets'?
Answer: from Tan to Guang,
Even to E and Wu.
Ten thousand li all marshlands,
Dwellers all mired and soaked.
The rich cannot cover themselves,
The poor cannot shelter their bodies.
Should I not sing of this matter,
Taking me as a model?