Classic of Documents
夏書 Xià shū
禹貢 第六 Book Six · Yǔ gòng
禹敷土，隨山刊木，奠高山大川。
Yu divided the land. Following the course of the hills, he hewed down the woods. He determined the high hills and great rivers.
冀州：
With respect to K‘e-chow,—
既載壺口。
he did his work at Hoo-k‘ow
治梁及岐。
and took effective measures at Lëang and K‘e.
既修太原，至於岳陽。
Having repaired the works on T‘ae-yuen, he proceeded on to the south of mount Yo.
覃懷底績，至于衡漳。
He was successful with his labours on Tan-hwae, and went on to the cross-flowing stream of Chang.
厥土惟白壤。
The soil of this province was whitish and mellow.
厥賦惟上上錯，厥田惟中中。
Its contribution of revenue was the first of the highest class, with some proportion of the second. Its fields were the average of the middle class.
恆衛既從，大陸既作。
The waters of the Hăng and Wei were brought to their proper channels; and Ta-luh was made capable of cultivation.
島夷皮服。
The wild people of the islands brought dresses of skins.
夾右碣石入于河。
Keeping close on the right to the rocks of Këĕ, they entered the Ho.
濟、河惟兗州：
Between the Tse and the Ho was Yen-chow.
九河既道。
The nine branches of the Ho were conducted by their proper channels.
雷夏既澤。
Luy-hea was formed into a marsh;
灉、沮會同。
in which the waters of the Yung and the Tseu were united.
桑土既蠶，是降丘宅土。
The mulberry grounds were made fit for silkworms, and then the people came down from the heights, and occupied the ground below.
厥土黑墳。厥草惟繇，厥木惟條。
The soil of this province was blackish and rich; the grass in it became luxuriant, and the trees grew high. Its fields were the lowest of the middle class.
厥田惟中下，厥賦貞。作十有三載，乃同。
Its revenues just reached what could be deemed the correct amount; but they were not required from it as from the other provinces, till after it had been cultivated for thirteen years.
厥貢漆絲，厥篚織文。
Its articles of tribute were varnish and silk; the baskets from it were filled with woven ornamental fabrics.
浮于濟、漯，達于河。
They floated along the Tse and T‘ă, and so reached the Ho.
海、岱惟青州：
The sea and the Tae mountain were the boundaries of Ts‘ing-chow.
嵎夷既略。
The territory of Yu-e was defined;
濰、淄其道。
and the Wei and Tsze were conducted by their proper channels.
厥土白墳，海濱廣斥。
The soil of this province was whitish and rich; near the sea were wide tracts of salt land.
厥田惟上下，厥賦中上。
Its fields were the lowest of the first class, and its contribution of revenue the highest of the second.
厥貢鹽、絺，海物惟錯，岱畎絲、枲、鉛、松、怪石。萊夷作牧。厥篚檿絲。
Its articles of tribute were salt, fine grass-cloth, and the productions of the sea, of various kinds; with silk, hemp, lead, pine-trees, and strange stones, from the valleys of the Tae. The wild tribes of Lae were taught tillage and pasturage, and brought in their baskets the silk from the mountain mulberry.
浮于汶，達于濟。
They floated along the Wăn, and reached the Tse.
海、岱及淮惟徐州：
The sea, the Tae mountain, and the Hwae were the boundaries of Ts‘eu-chow.
淮、沂其乂。
The Hwae and the E rivers were regulated.
蒙、羽其藝。
The hills of Mung and Yu were brought under cultivation.
大野既豬。
The lake of Ta-yay was confined within its proper limits.
東原底平。
The country of Tung-yuen was successfully brought under management.
厥土赤埴墳。草木漸包。
The soil of this province was red, clayey, and rich. The trees and grass became more and more bushy.
厥田惟上中，厥賦中中。
Its fields were the second of the highest class; its contribution of revenue was the average of the second.
厥貢惟土五色，羽畎夏翟，嶧陽孤桐，泗濱浮磬，淮夷蠙珠暨魚；厥篚玄纖縞。
Its articles of tribute were earth of five different colours; with the variegated feathers of pheasants from the valleys of the Yu; the solitary dryandra from the south of mount Yih; and the sounding stones that seemed to float near the banks of the Sze. The wild tribes about the Hwae brought oyster-pearls and fish; and their baskets full of deep azure silks, and other silken fabrics, chequered and pure white.
浮于淮、泗，達于河。
They floated along the Hwae and Sze, and so reached the Ho.
淮、海惟揚州：
The Hwae and the sea formed the boundaries of Yang-chow.
彭蠡既豬。
The lake of P‘ang-le was confined to its proper limits;
陽鳥攸居；
and the sun birds had places to settle on.
三江既入。
The three Këang were led to enter the sea;
震澤底定。
and it became possible to still the marsh of Chin.
篠簜既敷。厥草惟夭，厥木惟喬。厥土惟塗泥。
The bamboos, small and large, then spread about; the grass grew long and thin, and the trees rose high; the soil was all miry.
厥田惟下下，厥賦下上、上錯。
The fields of this province were the lowest of the lowest class; its contribution of revenue was the highest of the lowest class, with a proportion of the class above.
厥貢惟金三品，瑤、琨、篠簜，齒、革、羽、毛惟木。島夷卉服。厥篚織貝；厥包橘、柚，錫貢。
Its articles of tribute were gold, silver, and copper; yaou and keun stones; bamboos small and large; elephants’ teeth, hides, feathers, hair, and timber. The wild people of the islands brought garments of grass. The baskets were filled with woven ornamented silks. The bundles contained small oranges and pummeloes:—rendered when specially required.
沿于江、海，達于淮、泗。
They followed the course of the Këang and the sea, and so reached the Hwae and the Sze.
荊及衡陽惟荊州：
The King mountain and the South of the mountain Hwang were the boundaries of King-chow.
江、漢朝宗于海。
The Këang and the Han pursued their common course to the sea, as if they were hastening to court.
九江孔殷；
The nine Këang were brought to complete order.
沱、潛既道。
The T‘o and Ts‘een were conducted by their proper channels.
雲土夢作乂。
The land in the marsh of Yun became visible, and that of Mung was brought under cultivation.
厥土惟塗泥。厥田惟下中，厥賦上下。
The soil of this province was miry; its fields were the average of the lowest class; its contribution of revenue was the lowest of the highest class.
厥貢羽、毛、齒、革，惟金三品，杶、幹、栝、柏，礪、砥、砮、丹，惟箘、簵、楛，三邦底貢厥名。包匭菁茅；厥篚玄、纁、璣組；九江納錫大龜。
Its articles of tribute were feathers, hair, ivory, and hides; gold, silver, and copper; the ch‘un tree, wood for bows, cedars and cypresses; grindstones, whetstones, arrow-head stones, and cinnabar. There were also the k‘wăn and loo bamboos, and the wood of the hoo tree, of which the three regions were able to contribute the best specimens. The three-ribbed rush was put in cases, which again were wrapped up. The baskets were filled with deep azure and purple silken fabrics, and with strings of pearls that were not quite round. From the country of the nine Këang the great tortoise was presented.
浮于江、沱、潛、漢，逾于洛，至于南河。
They floated along the Keang, the T‘o, the Ts‘ëen, and the Han; crossed over to the Lŏ, and proceeded to the most southern part of the Ho.
荊、河惟豫州：
The King mountain and the Ho were the boundaries of Yu-chow.
伊、洛、瀍、澗既入于河。
The E, the Lŏ, the Ch‘ëen, and the Këen, were conducted to the Ho.
滎波既豬。
The marsh of Yung-po was confined to its proper limits.
導菏澤，被孟豬。
The waters of the marsh of Ko were led to that of Măng-choo.
厥土惟壤，下土墳壚。
The soil of this province was mellow; in the lower parts it was in some places rich, in others dark and thin.
厥田惟中上，厥賦錯上中。
Its fields were the highest of the middle class; its contribution was the average of the highest class, with a proportion of the very highest.
厥貢漆、枲、絺、紵，厥篚纖、纊，錫貢磬、錯。
Its articles of tribute were varnish, hemp, a finer hempen cloth, and coarser hempen cloth. The baskets were filled with fine silken fabrics, and fine floss-silk. Stones for polishing sounding-stones were rendered, when required.
浮于洛，達于河。
They floated along the Lŏ, and reached the Ho.
華陽、黑水惟梁州：
The south of mount Hwa and the Black-water were the boundaries of Leang-chow.
岷、嶓既藝。
The hills Min and Po were brought under cultivation.
沱、潛既道。
The T‘o and the Ts‘een were conducted by their proper channels.
蔡蒙旅平。
Sacrifices were offered to the hills Ts‘ae and Mung, on the regulation of the country about them.
和夷底績。
The country of the wild tribes about the Ho could now be successfully operated on.
厥土青黎。
The soil of this province was greenish and light.
厥田惟下上，厥賦下中三錯。
Its fields were the highest of the lowest class; its contribution of revenue was the average of the lowest class, with proportions of the rates immediately above and below.
厥貢璆、鐵、銀、鏤、砮、磬、熊、羆、狐、貍、織皮。
Its articles of tribute were musical gem-stones, iron, silver, steel, stones for arrowheads, and sounding-stones; with the skins of bears, great bears, foxes, and jackals, and articles woven with their hair.
西傾因桓是來。浮于潛，逾于沔，入于渭，亂于河。
From Se-k‘ing they came by the course of the Hwan; floated along the Ts‘een; crossed the country to the Mëen; then entered the Wei; and ferried over the Ho.
黑水、西河惟雍州：
The Blackwater and the Western Ho were the boundaries of Yung-chow.
弱水既西。
The Weak-water was conducted westwards.
涇屬渭汭。
The King was led to mingle its waters with those of the Wei.
漆、沮既從。
The Tseih and the Ts‘eu were led in a similar way to the Wei;
灃水攸同。
and the waters of the Fung found the same receptacle.
荊、岐既旅，終南、惇物，至于鳥鼠；
The mountains King and K‘e were sacrificed to, and those of Chung-nan and Shun-wŭh were also regulated, and all the way on to that of Neaou-shoo.
原隰底績，至于豬野；
Successful measures could now be taken with the plains and swamps, even to the marsh of Choo-yay.
三危既宅，三苗丕敘。
The country about San-wei was made habitable, and the affairs of the people of San-meaou were greatly arranged.
厥土惟黃壤。
The soil of the province was yellow and mellow.
厥田惟上上，厥賦中下。
Its fields were the highest of the highest class; its contribution of revenue was the lowest of the second.
厥貢惟球、琳，琅玕。
Its articles of tribute were the k‘ew and lin gem-stones, and the lang-kan precious stones.
浮于積石，至于龍門西河，會于渭汭。
From as far as Tseih-shih they floated on to Lung-mun on the western Ho; they then met, on the north of the Wei, with the tribute-bearers from other quarters.
織皮：崑崙、析支、渠搜，西戎即敘。
Hair-cloth and skins were brought from Kwăn-lun, Seih-che, and K‘eu-sow;—the wild tribes of the West all coming to submit to Yu’s arrangements.
導岍及岐，至于荊山，逾于河；壺口、雷首，至于太岳；底柱、析城，至于王屋；太行、恆山，至于碣石，入于海；
Yu surveyed and described the hills, beginning with K‘ëen and K‘e, and proceeding to mount King; then, crossing the Ho, Hoo-k‘ow and Luy-show, going on to T‘ae-yŏ. After these came Te-ch‘oo and Seih-ching, from which he went to Wang-uh; then there were Ta-hang, and mount Hăng, from which he proceeded to Këĕ-shih, where he reached the sea.
西傾、朱圉、鳥鼠，至于太華；熊耳、外方、桐柏，至于陪尾。
South from the Ho, he surveyed Se-k‘ing, Choo-yu, and Neaou-shoo, going on to T‘ae-hwa; then Heung-urh, Wae-fang, T‘ung-pih, from which he proceeded to Pei-wei.
導嶓冢，至于荊山；內方，至于大別；
He surveyed and described Po-ch‘ung, going on to the other mount King; and Nuy-fang, from which he went to Ta-pëĕ.
岷山之陽，至于衡山，過九江，至于敷淺原。
He did the same with the south of mount Min, and then went on to mount Hăng. From this he crossed the lake of Kew-këang, and went on to the plain of Foo-tsëen.
導弱水，至于合黎，餘波入于流沙。
He surveyed the Weak-water as far as Hŏ-le, from which its superfluous waters went away among the Moving sands.
導黑水，至于三危，入于南海。
He surveyed the Black-water as far as San-wei, from which it went away to enter the southern sea.
導河積石，至于龍門，南至于華陰，東至于底柱，又東至于孟津，東過洛汭，至于大伾；北過洚水，至于大陸，又北播為九河，同為逆河，入于海。
He surveyed the Ho from Tseih-shih as far as Lung-mun; and thence, southwards, to the north of mount Hwa; eastward then to Te-ch‘oo; eastward again to the ford of Măng; eastwards still he passed the junction of the Lŏ, and went on to Ta-pei. From this the course was northwards, past the Keang-water, on to Ta-luh; north from which the stream was distributed and became the nine Ho, which united again and formed the meeting Ho, when they entered into the sea.
嶓冢導漾，東流為漢，又東為滄浪之水，過三澨，至于大別，南入于江；東匯澤為彭蠡，東為北江，入于海。
From Po-ch‘ung he surveyed the Yang, which, flowing eastwards, became the Han. Farther east, it became the water of Ts‘ang-lang; and after passing the three great dykes, went on to Ta-pëe, southwards from which it entered the Keang. Eastward still, and whirling on, it formed the marsh of P‘ang-le; and from that its eastern flow was the northern Këang, as which it entered the sea.
岷山導江，東別為沱，又東至于澧，過九江，至于東陵，東迤北會于匯，東為中江，入于海。
From mount Min he surveyed the Këang, which branching off to the east formed the T‘o; eastward again it reached the Le; after this it passed the nine Këang; and flowing eastward and winding to the north, it joined the Han in its eddying movements; from that its eastern flow was the middle Këang, as which it entered the sea.
導沇水，東流為濟，入于河，溢為滎，東出于陶丘北，又東至于菏，又東北會于汶，又北東入于海。
He surveyed the Yen water, which flowing eastward became the Tse, and entered the Ho. Thereafter it flowed out, and became the Yung marsh. Eastward, it issued forth on the north of Taou-k‘ew, and flowed further east to the marsh of Ko. North-east from this it united with the Wăn, and after flowing north went eastwards on to the sea.
導淮自桐柏，東會于泗、沂，東入于海。
He surveyed the Hwae from the hill of T‘ung-pih. Flowing east, it united with the Sze and the E; and with an eastward course still entered the sea.
導渭自鳥鼠同穴，東會于灃，又東會于涇，又東過漆沮，入于河。
He surveyed the Wei from Neaou-urh-tung-heuĕ. Flowing eastwards it met with the Fung, and eastwards again with the King. Farther east still, it passed the Tseih and the Tseu; and entered the Ho.
導洛自熊耳，東北會于澗、瀍，又東會于伊，又東北入于河。
He surveyed the Lŏ from Heung-urh. Flowing to the north-east, it united with the Këen and the Ch‘ëen; eastwards still, it united with the E; and then on the north-east entered the Ho.
九州攸同，四隩既宅；九山刊旅，九川滌源，九澤既陂。四海會同。
Thus, throughout the nine provinces a similar order was effected:—the grounds along the waters were everywhere made habitable; the hills were cleared of their superfluous wood and sacrificed to; the sources of the streams were cleared; the marshes were well banked; access to the capital was secured for all within the four seas.
六府孔脩。庶土交正，底慎財賦，咸則三壤成賦。中邦。
A great order was effected in the six magazines of material wealth; the different parts of the country were subjected to an exact comparison, so that contribution of revenue could be carefully adjusted according to their resources. The fields were all classified with reference to the three characters of the soil; and the revenues for the Middle region were established.
錫土姓。
He conferred lands and surnames.
祇台德先，不距朕行。
He said, “Let me go before the empire with reverent attention to my virtue, that none may act contrary to my conduct.”
五百里甸服：百里賦納總，二百里納銍，三百里納秸服，四百里粟，五百里米。
Five hundred le constituted the Imperial Domain. From the first hundred le they brought, as revenue, the whole plant of the grain; from the second, they brought the ears; from the third, they brought only the straw, but had to perform other services; from the fourth, they gave the grain in the husk; and from the fifth, the grain cleaned. Five hundred le beyond constituted the Domain of the Nobles.
五百里侯服：百里采，二百里男邦，三百里諸侯。
The first hundred le was occupied by the cities and lands of the high ministers and great officers; the second, by the principalities of the Nan; the other three hundred were occupied by the various princes.
五百里綏服：三百里揆文教，二百里奮武衛。
Five hundred le still beyond formed the Peace-securing Domain. In the first three hundred le they cultivated the lessons of learning and moral duties; in the other three hundred they showed the energies of war and defence.
五百里要服：三百里夷，二百里蔡。
Five hundred le, remoter still, constituted the Domain of Restraint. The first three hundred le were occupied by the tribes of the E; the next two hundred by criminals undergoing the lesser banishment.
五百里荒服：三百里蠻，二百里流。
Five hundred le, the most remote, constituted the Wild Domain. Three hundred le were occupied by the tribes of the Man; two hundred, by criminals undergoing the greater banishment.
東漸于海，西被于流沙，朔、南暨聲教，訖于四海。禹錫玄圭，告厥成功。
On the east reaching to the sea; on the west extending to the moving sands; to the utmost limits of the north and south:—his fame and influence filled up all within the four seas. Yu presented a dark coloured gem-stone, and announced the completion of his work.