Chapter 2 Chapter One Shang Yang Reform

Shang Yang (approximately 390 BC-338 BC), surnamed Gongsun and named Yang, was a declining nobleman of the Wei State. His ancestor's original surname was Ji.According to the custom of calling surnames in ancient times, people with status often took the surname of the country or fiefdom, so he was also called Wei Yang.Shang Yang later entered the Qin Dynasty and enfeoffed the land in Shang (now southeast of Shang County, Shaanxi Province) and the fifteenth city of [Wu Wu, east of Neixiang County, Henan Province]. People also called him Shang Yang, named Shangjun. Shang Yang was born in the middle of the Warring States period, and the whole society was in the midst of great turmoil, great division, and great reorganization.The struggle between old and new classes, between classes and strata is fierce and complicated.Reflected in the field of ideology, a group of thinkers or scholars representing different classes, strata and political factions emerged.They explain everything in society and the universe, and publicize their own ideas and theories, forming a situation of "a hundred schools of thought contend".The main schools participating in the contention are Confucianism, Mohism, Taoism, Legalism, strategists, famous scholars, yin and yang schools, strategists, farmers and miscellaneous schools, etc., known in history as "a hundred schools of thought".In the field of thought, the most influential are the top four.When he was young, Shang Yang had worshiped Shi Jiao as his teacher, and Shi Jiao was a miscellaneous scholar.Under the inspiration and guidance of Shi Jiao, Shang Yang dabbled in various schools of thought.At that time, under the guidance of legalism, some countries reformed the past and reformed the past, and a new atmosphere of prosperity and prosperity appeared in some countries, which greatly inspired Shang Yang and made him fall in love with legalism since he was a child. "Jun Lie Biography").

In 365 BC, Shang Yang moved to Wei State.At that time, the Wei State had already carried out reforms under the auspices of Li Kui, the founder of Legalism, weakening the system of Shiqing Shilu, selecting talents and appointing talents, and recruiting talents from all directions; "The two policies promoted the development of social production; the formulation of six chapters of the "Fa Jing", which is the earliest feudal code in my country.Therefore, the state of Wei quickly stood out and became a powerful country among the princes.Then, Wu Qi, the guard of Xihe (now eastern Shaanxi) of Wei State, also carried out reforms to curb Qin State's eastward advance.Because of discord with Marquis Wu of Wei, Wu Qi fled to the state of Chu, where he was reused by King Chu Mourning. He continued to innovate, and the state of Chu became stronger and stronger. Qin State.When Shang Yang arrived in Wei State, Li Kui and Wu Qi had already passed away, but the reforms they initiated had a far-reaching impact.During his stay in the state of Wei, Shang Yang carefully studied and summarized the reform experience of Li Kui, Wu Qi and others.He has great ambitions and is determined to fight for the practice of legalism.

When he first entered the state of Wei, Shang Yang served the prime minister's uncle Cuo (cuo 矬), and became a retainer named "Zhongshuzi" under his sect.As time passed, Gong Shucuo gradually discovered that Shang Yang was quite a talented person.In the future, before he could introduce him to the king of Wei, Uncle Cuo became seriously ill and was bedridden.After hearing the news, King Wei Hui went to visit him in the Prime Minister's mansion in person.King Hui Hui of Wei said worriedly: "If your illness has three ups and downs, what will the country and the country do?" Uncle Zuo replied: "The son of Chen Cuo, Gongsun Yang, is young, but he has geniuses. May the king listen to his opinion." Gong Shucuo thought that King Hui would accept his suggestion, but King Hui shook his head contemptuously and got up to leave.At this time, Gongshu Cuo retreated to the left and right, and said to King Hui: "Since the king does not use Shang Yang, he must be killed, and he must not be allowed to leave the state of Wei." Shucuo is very ill. Wouldn’t it be absurd to ask the government of the widow to follow Gongsun Yang’s opinion?” (The original text can be found in "Historical Records: Biography of Shang Jun") Gongshucuo is well aware of Shang Yang’s talents, so if he were to be killed, The ruthless approach contradicts his own feelings of cherishing the magi.So, as soon as King Hui left, he called Shang Yang to the sick bed and told him: "Today, the king asked who could be the prime minister? I said yes. The king's face was angry. I told the king that since Shang Yang is not used, he should be killed." Your Majesty has agreed, so run away quickly. Otherwise, you will be killed!" After hearing this, Shang Yang said calmly, "King Hui can't obey your orders and appoint me, so how can he obey your orders and kill me?" For the original text, see "Historical Records Biography of Shang Jun"), with his keen insight and self-confidence, he was not afraid of danger and never left Wei State.After that, King Hui neither promoted Shang Yang, nor killed him.Shang Yang lived in the state of Wei for several years, but he was unrecognized for his talents and was melancholy.