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無鹽鄭重曰：「殆哉！殆哉！」王驚問：「何故？」對曰：「大王有四危殆，一者，內政不修。忠奸不辨。二者，興築漸臺，玩物喪志。三者，忠良隱山，語佞在側。四者，外不修諸侯之禮，內不秉國家之治。」
王曰：「得聆言教，猶如暮鼓晨鐘，苟有寸進，皆君所賜。」於是勵精圖強，招賢納諫，齊國大治，拜無鹽為后。
無鹽鄭重其事地說：「殆哉！殆哉！」殆就是危殆，危險到極點。齊宣王一聽很驚奇，心動問她：「妳為什麼這樣說呢？」鍾離春說：「大王，你有四種危殆：一、內政不修，忠奸不辨；你不知道誰是忠臣，誰是奸臣。二、興築漸臺，玩物喪志：貪圖享受，勞民傷財。三、賢良隱山：賢而有德的人都退位去隱遁於山林之中。諂佞在側：諂媚的人在你的身邊。四、對外，你對諸侯不講禮；對內，你也不設法把國家治理好。以這四種危險的原因，齊國很危險。」
齊宣王聽後便對她說：「我現在聽妳的話對我如暮鼓晨鐘，頓開我的茅塞。假如齊國有什麼進步的地方，都是妳所賜與我的。」於是齊宣王勵精圖強，勉力從事於治國，希望國家強盛。招賢納諫，召請四方賢而有德的人。納諫如流，誰說他有什麼不對，他盡量改過，因此齊國大治。雖然無鹽相貌奇醜，可是她有幫助齊宣王治國的才華。齊宣王拜無鹽娘娘為皇后。
贊曰：
山東無鹽 貌醜心賢
志安齊國 德教女男
百姓稱頌 為民仰瞻
四危轉泰 古今奇觀
「山東無鹽」：山東省無鹽這個女人。「貌醜心賢」：她的相貌雖然醜陋，但是心裡賢慧有德行。「志安齊國」：她志願想把齊國治理好。「德教女男」：她以仁政施德於民，令老百姓受相當的教育。故人相貌的醜俊是外表，要眞有智慧才能眞正幫助老百姓。
「百姓稱頌」：百姓都說她好。「萬民仰瞻」：萬民也都對她很仰慕。「四危轉泰」：四個危殆的階段均轉成平安。「古今奇觀」：這是古今很可觀之事。
又說偈曰：
無鹽天生奇女子 毛遂自薦入王宮
說服宣王修德政 治理國家盡忠忱
轉危為安民幸福 亂極思治邦延年
宇宙變化深莫測 怪誕詭異孔不言
「無鹽天生奇女子」：無鹽天生是個奇女子。「毛遂自薦入王宮」：她毛遂自薦到王宮裡。「說服宣王修德政」：她使齊宣王改過遷善。「治理國家盡忠忱」：她盡上她的忠忱治理國家。「轉危為安民幸福」：轉危殆為平安，人民得到幸福。「亂極思治邦延年」：國家亂到極點，齊宣王想開始治理國家使國家延年長壽。
「宇宙變化深莫測」：天地間造化有種種不同，其中的深奧是變化無窮，難以測量。
「怪誕詭異孔不言」：孔子不講怪誕不逕之談。醜和俊是一般人所執著的。人不能以貌來衡量一個人的才能。
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Text:
Lady Wuyan solemnly responded, "Perils indeed! Perils indeed!" The king asked in astonishment, "Whatever do you mean?"
She replied, "Your Majesty is menaced by four perils. First, there has been no progress in domestic policies, and loyal officials cannot be distinguished from traitors. Second, by constructing pavilions, your Majesty is indulging in amusement and abandoning your aspirations. Third, the loyal and righteous have retreated to the mountains, while the fawning and obsequious are right by your side. Fourth, abroad your Majesty is not exercising proper diplomacy with the other feudal lords, while domestically your Majesty is not focused on the proper governing of the country."
The king replied, "Your words of teaching are like the drums at dusk and the bells at dawn; if I should make any improvement, it would be due to your generous giving." From then on, the king diligently worked to strengthen and improve the country. He sought to employ the righteous and listened to others' exhortations. The State of Qi became well governed, and with adoration the king made the Lady Wuyan his queen.
Commentary:
Lady Wuyan solemnly responded, "Perils indeed! Perils indeed!" Here, the perils she spoke of were ones of extreme magnitude. King Xuan was shocked to hear her words, and out of curiosity he asked, "Why do you say such a thing?"
Zongli Chun [Lady Wuyan] said, "Your Majesty is menaced by four perils. First, there has been no progress in domestic policies, and loyal officials cannot be distinguished from traitors. You do not know who is loyal to you and who is treacherous. Second, by constructing pavilions, your Majesty is indulging in amusement and abandoning your aspirations. Your greedy obsession with pleasure is hurting the people and depleting the treasury. Third, the loyal and righteous have retreated to the mountains, while the fawning and obsequious are right by your side. The officials who are righteous and who cultivate virtue have resigned from their posts to hide out in forests on the hillsides. On the other hand, those people who are insincere are all around you. Fourth, abroad your Majesty is not exercising proper diplomacy with the other feudal lords, while domestically your Majesty is not focused on the proper governing of the country. Because of these four great perils, the State of Qi is in grave danger."
After hearing Lady Wuyan's warning, King Xuan said to her: "As I listen to your advice now, it is like the drums at dusk and the bells at dawn to me, for they have snapped me out of my stupor. If the State of Qi achieves any advancement, it is all because of what you have given me." Thereafter, King Xuan diligently worked to strengthen the country. He put extra effort into governing, in hopes of making his country strong and prosperous. He sought to employ the righteous and virtuous, and welcomed criticism. Whenever someone pointed out his shortcomings, he was sure to make amends. Consequently, the State of Qi enjoyed peace and order.
Even though Lady Wuyan was quite ugly, she had the talent to help King Xuan in governing the country, so with adoration, King Xuan wed the Lady Wuyan, making her the queen.
A verse in praise says:
From Shandong Province came Lady Wuyan.
Although her features were unsightly, her heart was benevolent.
She was determined to bring stability to the State of Qi.
Her virtue influenced both women and men.
The civilians all spoke of her with praise and approval,
And she was deeply revered by all the people.
The four perils were turned into peace.
In past and present, her story is a wondrous spectacle.
Commentary:
From Shandong Province came Lady Wuyan.
Although her features were unsightly, her heart was benevolent. Despite her ugly appearance, she was worthy and wise at heart and practiced virtue.
She was determined to bring stability to the State of Qi. Her intent was to properly govern the State of Qi.
Her virtue influenced both women and men. With benevolent policies, she bestowed kindness upon the people and saw to it that the populace received suitable education. Thus whether a person is ugly or handsome, that is on merely the surface; only with wisdom can one really help out the people.
The civilians all spoke of her with praise and approval. The people all spoke well of her.
And she was deeply revered by all the people. The entire populace admired her highly.
The four perils were turned into peace. The crisis of the four perils was transformed into serenity.
In past and present, her story is a wondrous spectacle. Her deeds are an impressive story for both past and present.
Another verse says:
Wuyan, the lady who was naturally born extraordinary,
Self-confidently volunteered herself to enter the royal palace
And convinced King Xuan to implement policies of virtue.
She governed the country with loyalty and sincerity,
Turning crisis into serenity and bringing good fortune to the people.
When the social discord reached an extreme,
the king wished to bring renewal to the kingdom.
The universe goes through deep metamorphoses
that cannot be fathomed.
Thus Confucius did not discuss peculiar occurrences
and mysterious oddities
Commentary:
Wuyan, the lady who was naturally born extraordinary. Wuyan was an intrinsically special woman.
Self-confidently volunteered herself to enter the royal palace. With self-assurance, she volunteered to join the royal household
and convinced King Xuan to implement policies of virtue. She guided King Xuan of Qi to make amends and change for the better.
She governed the country with loyalty and sincerity. She devoted herself with complete loyalty to governing the country,
turning crisis into serenity and bringing good fortune to the people. She turned adverse conditions to peace and calm, so that the people enjoyed good fortune.
When the social discord reached an extreme, the king wished to bring renewal to the kingdom. At the height of the chaos, King Xuan of Qi began to administer the country, hoping to make it endure longer.
The universe goes through deep metamorphoses that cannot be fathomed. The fates and fortunes in the universe are vast and different; the deep mysteries within it are endlessly changing, such that it is difficult to predict.
Thus Confucius did not discuss peculiar occurrences and mysterious oddities. Confucius did not talk about peculiar and abnormal phenomena. Common people are obsessed with ugliness and beauty. One should not judge the skills and capabilities of others based on appearance.
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