21. When the son of Heaven was about to go forth on a punitive expedition, he sacrificed specially, but with the usual forms, to God; offered the Î sacrifice at the altar of the Earth, and the Зhâo in the fane of his father. He offered sacrifice also to the Father of War (on arriving) at the state which was the object of the expedition. He had received his charge from his ancestors, and the complete (plan) for the execution of it in the college. He went forth accordingly, and seized the criminals; and on his return he set forth in the college his offerings, and announced (to his ancestors) how he had questioned (his prisoners), and cut off the ears (of the slain)[1].
22. When the son of Heaven and the princes had no (special) business in hand, they had three huntings[2] in the year. The first object in them was to supply the sacrificial dishes with dried flesh; the second, to provide for guests and visitors; and the third, to supply the ruler's kitchen.
23. Not to hunt when there was no (special) business in the way was deemed an act of irreverence[3] To hunt without observing the rules (for hunting) was deemed cruelty to the creatures of Heaven.
24. The son of Heaven did not entirely surround (the hunting ground)[4]; and a feudal prince did not
- ↑ Compare paragraph 17, and vol. iii, pp. 392, 393.
- ↑ The huntings were in spring, summer, and winter, for each of which there was its proper name. In autumn the labours of the field forbade hunting.
- ↑ Irreverence, in not making provision for sacrifices; disrespect, in not providing properly for guests.
- ↑ He left one opening for the game. This paragraph contains some of the rules for hunting.
