Page:Sacred Books of the East - Volume 27.djvu/138



1. At the mourning rites for Kung-î Kung-jze, Than Kung (was there), wearing the mourning cincture for the head. Kung-jze had passed over his grandson, and appointed one of his (younger) sons as his successor (and head of the family). Than Kung said (to himself), "How is this? I never heard of such a thing;" and he hurried to Зze-fû Po-jze at the right of the door, and said, "How is it that Kung-jze passed over his grandson, and made a (younger) son his successor?" Po-jze replied, "Kung-jze perhaps has done in this, like others, according to the way of antiquity. Anciently, king Wǎn passed over his eldest son Yî-khâo, and appointed king Wû; and the count of Wei passed over his grandson Tun, and made Yen, his (own) younger brother, his successor. Kung-jze perhaps did also in this according to the way of antiquity." Зze-yû asked Confucius (about the matter), and he said, "Nay, (the rule is to) appoint the grandson ."