The former emperors were considered wise because of their officials. The ancient gentlemen achieved success because of the people. Strength arises from the divine, and the greatest achievements are made by officials, while blessings return to the ruler.

In former times, when the Five Emperors governed the world, their way was clear and bright like the light of the sun and moon, as if replacing night with day. This is the essence of wu wei (non-action) in governance — ruling not through force but through the luminous clarity of virtue. Therefore, their way was consistent from beginning to end; those who brought blessings and teachings for ten thousand generations were only those from the Yellow Emperor downward to Shun and Yu upward.

If a king wishes to follow the way of the Five Emperors without deviation, then he may achieve lasting stability. This vision of enlightened rulership is deeply rooted in Laozi's philosophy of governance through inner virtue rather than coercion.

Primary sources include the Shoushanige Congshu edition, the Zhengtong Daozang (Taoist Canon) edition, and the Mohaijinju edition. Yu Zi's vision of sage governance connects to the ten classic philosophical views of Laozi and the broader history of the origin and development of Taoism.