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[There is less precision in the Chinese than I have thought it

well to introduce into my translation, and the commentaries on

the passage are by no means explicit. But, having regard to the

context, we can hardly doubt that Sun Tzŭ is holding up I Chih

and Lu Ya as illustrious examples of the converted spy, or

something closely analogous. His suggestion is, that the Hsia and

Yin dynasties were upset owing to the intimate knowledge of their

weaknesses and shortcoming which these former ministers were able

to impart to the other side. Mei Yao-ch'en appears to resent any

such aspersion on these historic names: "I Yin and Lu Ya," he

says, "were not rebels against the Government. Hsia could not

employ the former, hence Yin employed him. Yin could not employ

the latter, hence Hou employed him. Their great achievements were

all for the good of the people." Ho Shih is also indignant: "How

should two divinely inspired men such as I and Lu have acted as

common spies?