志异 Draft by Drama box December 2014 (english) | Page 29

Mencius illustrates the culinary model of harmony perfectly. In
Mencius 5A3, we are told about Shun, the legendary sage-king
who successfully brought into harmony a personal dilemma
involving three conflicting values: Shun had appointed his
brother, Xiang, as Prince of Youbi (a town).

Like a good chef who carries out the necessary preparations
and is keenly aware of the right time for certain actions, Shun
made some preparations in advance. Early on, Shun had already
appointed someone else as administrator of Youbi. That way,
when Xiang became Prince, he had no power or control over the
town, and could not do any harm or damage to its people.

Jonathan Sim

Here’s the dilemma that Shun faced: His brother, Xiang, had
tried repeatedly to murder Shun. (1) As king, Shun had to punish
Xiang, but Shun could not bear to execute his own brother. (2)
Nor did Shun wish to dishonour his brother by reducing him to a
commoner. (3) But as king, Shun had to be fair and just. He had to
punish his brother for his crimes.

29
Early Chinese Conceptions of Harmony

and seasoning), and then adding the right amount of each
ingredient at the appropriate time. A good chef is able to bring
into harmony even flavours and ingredients which usually seem
to be at odds, such as sweet and sour pork/fish/chicken, and
even durian ice-cream!