13. The guard maintained during war over the
spirit-tablets in the army showed the deep sense of
filial piety and love. When the eldest son by the
proper wife guarded the temple of the Grand ancestor,
honour was done to the temple by the most honoured,
and the rule as between ruler and minister was
exhibited. When the uncles guarded the most
honoured shrines and apartments, and the cousins
those that were inferior, the principles of subordination
and deference were displayed[1].
14. That the descendants of the five rulers, to whom the temple-shrines were dedicated, were required, so long as the shrine of the Grand ancestor had not been removed, to announce their cappings and marriages, and their death was also required to be announced, showed how kinship was to be kept in mind[2]. While the kinship was yet maintained, that some were classed among the common people showed how mean position followed on want of ability. The reverent observance of condoling, wailing, and of presenting contributions to the funeral rites in articles and money, was the way taken to maintain harmony and friendliness[3].
15. Anciently, when the duties of these officers of the royal or princely kindred were well discharged, there was a constant model for the regions and states; and when this model was
maintained, all knew to what to direct their views and aims[4].
