In heaven there is a sea of thunder, gathering into a blue pupil, called "Heaven Has Eyes."
On earth there is a pool of nether abyss, whose reflection makes one feel worlds apart, called "Earth Has Eyes."
Heaven and earth have eyes, yet good and evil go unrewarded. Heaven and earth are utterly blind.
Thus states have laws, promoting and punishing, praising and condemning—observing in Heaven's stead, judging by Earth's authority.
--You Sheng's Notes
Whether the final character in this passage was "judge" or "bear" had always been somewhat disputed. In light of the preceding text, "observe" ought to be followed by "judge." Yet You Sheng's Notes also discussed how "the earth bears bright virtue," so using "bear" here was not without justification.
The reason even such a simple character was disputed was simply that You Sheng, who had written these notes, vanished too abruptly—and You Sheng himself was far too mysterious. The historical record was scant; there was no way to trace further back.
Thus, this set of notes—the earliest complete account of a state system, praised as "the foremost treatise on state systems"—contained many obscure and ambiguous passages.
People could probably only know that this "You Sheng" had been one of those who discussed the establishment of a state system with Jing Grand Ancestor Ji Yusu in those days. Most of the contents collected in You Sheng's Notes were letters written to Ji Yusu.
The whirlpool in the Oft-Sighing River, like a deep and shadowy eye, greatly resembled the eye of the Pool of Nether Abyss from legend.
Just as it appeared—
"It's already sunk!"
Jiang Wang's final shout exploded once more.
This time, it was nothing like the urging and indulgence he had shown when placating Jiang An'an. Every word carried authority, every syllable brimming with fierce