After King Zhuang of Chu won the battle at Heyong, he returned and rewarded Sunshu Ao (Sun Shu‑ao). Sunshu Ao requested barren, stony land along the Han River. According to Chu’s law, fiefs of officials were reclaimed after two generations, yet only Sunshu Ao’s land remained unreclaimed.
The state did not seize it because the land was poor. Thus his descendants maintained unbroken sacrifices for nine generations. Hence the saying: “What is well‑established cannot be uprooted; what is well‑held cannot slip away. Through it descendants keep sacrifices unceasing generation after generation.” This refers to Sun Shu‑ao.
Note
This passage delivers a life‑long governance lesson: modesty and avoidance of excessive wealth prevent envy and seizure; humble long‑term planning ensures lasting family legacy.
Late Warring‑States Legalist philosopher. This passage is from Illustrating Laozi (Yu Lao), his commentary on the *Dao De Jing*. He uses Sun Shu‑ao’s story to illustrate long‑term self‑preservation.
King Zhuang of Chu
Sunshu Ao (Sun Shu‑ao)
Famous wise prime minister of Chu, known for humility, foresight and long‑term family preservation.
Poor‑Land Strategy
Sun Shu‑ao chose barren land on purpose to avoid royal jealousy and others’ covetousness, securing his family’s lasting inheritance.
Well‑Established & Well‑Held (Shan‑jian‑bu‑ba, Shan‑bao‑bu‑tuo)
Daoist principle interpreted pragmatically: modest, low‑profile gains endure longer than extravagant wealth.
Ancestral Sacrifice Continuity
Unbroken ancestral worship symbolizes lasting family fortune and political stability in ancient China.
楚莊王既勝狩於河雍，歸而賞孫叔敖，孫叔敖請漢間之地，沙石之處。楚邦之法，祿臣再世而收地，唯孫叔敖獨在。此不以其邦為收者，瘠也，故九世而祀不絕。故曰：「善建不拔，善抱不脫，子孫以其祭祀世世不輟」，孫叔敖之謂也。
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