」國人憂之。
有咎犯者，見門大夫曰：「臣聞主君好樂，故以樂見。
“Anyone who dares to admonish me about these things,” he said, “will die.” The men of the state were anxious about this.
」門大夫入言曰：「晉人咎犯也，欲以樂見。
A man named Jiu Fan said to the gatekeeper, “I have heard that his lordship is fond of music, so I shall use music to seek an audience.” The gatekeeper entered the palace and said, “A man of Jin named Jiu Fan wishes to use music to seek an audience.” “Show him in,” said Lord Ping.
」平公曰：「內之。
」止坐殿上，則出鍾磬竽瑟。
When the guest was seated in the palace, Lord Ping had bells, chimes, and ocarinas produced.
坐有頃，平公曰：「客子為樂。
」咎犯對曰：「臣不能為樂，臣善隱。
After they had sat for a spell, Lord Ping said, “Make some music, sir.” “I cannot make music,” Jiu Fan replied, “but I am good at riddles.” Lord Ping thereupon summoned twelve officers who were good at riddles.
」平公召隱士十二人。
“This riddle maker makes bold to risk death in offering to serve you,” said Jiu Fan. “As you wish,” said Lord Ping.
咎犯曰：「隱臣竊願昧死御。
」平公曰：「諾。
Jiu Fan extended his left arm and crooked his five fingers.
」咎犯申其左臂而詘五指。
“How do you interpret this?” Lord Ping asked the riddle experts.
平公問於隱官曰：「占之為何！
」隱官皆曰：「不知！
Each of them said, “I don’t know.” “Return to your places!” said Lord Ping.
」平公曰：「歸之。
」咎犯則申其一指曰：「是一也，便游赭畫，不峻城闕；二也，柱梁衣繡，士民無褐；三也，休儒有餘酒，而死士渴；四也，民有飢色，而馬有粟秩；五也，近臣不敢諫，遠臣不得達。」
Jiu Fan then stretched out his first finger and said, “This finger means that the places where Your Lordship goes on excursions are full of colorful designs, but the city walls and gates are not made to look imposing; the second finger means that the pillars and rafters of the palace are covered with embroidery, but the officers and people lack even coarse garments; the third finger means that the court dwarves have wine in excess, while the death-defying men-at-arms go thirsty; the fourth means that the people have a starved look, while your horses have stipends of grain; and the fifth means that your officers in close attendance don’t dare to offer admonitions, while officers in distant places cannot convey their views to the throne.