II Thereupon Yaou commanded the He and Ho, in reverent accordance with their observations on the wide heavens, to calculate and delineate the movements and appearances of the sun, the moon, the stars, and the zodiacal spaces; and so to deliver respectfully the seasons to the people.
He separately commanded the second brother He to reside at Yu-e, in what was called the Bright Valley, and there respectfully to receive as a guest the rising sun, and to adjust and arrange the labours of the spring. "The day," he said, "is of medium length, and the star is in Neau; you may thus exactly determine mid-spring. The people begin to disperse; and the birds and beasts breed and copulate."
He further commanded the third brother He to reside at Nankeaou, and arrange the transformations of the summer, and respectfully to observe the extreme limit of the shadow. "The day," said he, "is at its longest, and the star is Ho; you may thus exactly determine mid-summer. The people are more dispersed; and birds and beasts have their feathers and hair thin, and change their coats."
He separately commanded the second brother Ho to reside at the west, in what was called the Dark Valley, and there respectfully to convoy the setting sun, and to adjust and arrange the completing labours of autumn. "The night," he said, "is of the medium length, and the star is Heu; you may thus exactly determine mid-autumn. The people begin to feel at ease; and birds and beasts have their coats in good condition."
He further commanded the third brother Ho to reside in the northern region, in what was called the Sombre Capital, and there to adjust and examine the changes of the winter. "The day," said he, "is at its shortest, and the star is Maou; thus you may exactly determine mid-winter. The people keep their cosy corners; and the coats of birds and beasts are downy and thick."
The emporer said, "Ah! you, He and Ho, a round year consists of three hundred, sixty, and six days. By means of an intercalanary month do you fix the four seasons, and complete the determination of the year. Thereafter, in exact accordance with this, regulating the various officers, all the works of the year will be fully performed."