Chapter 3 Section 2 Sijian Xiaogong and court debate
Qin State was originally a small country in the west of Shaanxi.In the Western Zhou Dynasty, Duke Xiang of Qin escorted King Ping of Zhou to move to Luoluo (luoluo)yi (now Luoyang, Henan) for meritorious service, and was named a prince. With Qi (now Qishan, Shaanxi) as the center, the power gradually developed.During Duke Mu of Qin Dynasty (659-621 BC), he appointed Bailixi as a doctor, rectified politics, rewarded production, and the country became more and more prosperous, and its territory expanded eastward, bordering on the state of Jin.Because the eastward plan was blocked by the Jin State, the Qin State had no choice but to advance to the Xirong area.In the late Spring and Autumn Period, the social productive forces of Qin State developed considerably, and then began to disintegrate, and private ownership of land came into being.In the seventh year of Duke Jian of Qin Dynasty (408 B.C.), a new tax system called "Chuzuhe" was promulgated, regardless of public or private land, all taxes were paid to the state on the basis of acres of land.In fact, the state has recognized the legitimacy of private land ownership.In 385 BC, Qin Xiangong moved his capital to Li (yue) Yang (now Gaoling, Shaanxi), announced "stop following death", abolished the old custom of martyrdom, and implemented reform measures such as "becoming a market at the beginning" and "serving household registration as a team".However, Qin State was still a slavery society. Conservative slave-owner aristocratic forces intervened in the abolition of the monarch. From Gonggong Li in the late Spring and Autumn Period to Duke Xiao in the middle of the Warring States Period, there were nine changes of monarchs in more than a hundred years, and the situation was turbulent.At this time, the feudal lords of the Central Plains who were in the ascendant of reform all despised Qin, equated it with Di and Rong, and did not form an alliance with Qin.
In 361 BC, Qin Xiaogong came to the throne. The 21-year-old young monarch was deeply aware of the seriousness of internal and external troubles, and was determined to make every effort to change the poverty and backwardness of Qin.Duke Xiao understood that in order to make the country prosperous and strong, the old system that was not conducive to the development of Qin must be reformed.To carry out the reform, first, there must be a stable and good social environment, and second, there is an urgent need for talented counselors, thinkers and politicians who promote feudal reform, both of which are indispensable.Therefore, Qin Xiaogong took measures to ease class conflicts and stabilize the domestic order; at the same time, he issued a decree for seeking talents: "If the guests and ministers can make strange plans to strengthen Qin, I will respect the officials and divide the land with them." ("Historical Records Qin Benji") ") At this time, Uncle Cuo had died of illness, and Shang Yang was overjoyed to hear that Qin State had put up a list to recruit talents.
As soon as Shang Yang arrived in Qin State, he first visited Jingjian, the favorite minister of Xiaogong, and asked to see Xiaogong.Under Jing Jian's recommendation, Duke Xiao summoned Shang Yang in the palace.At first, Shang Yang talked about "Emperor's way" for a long time.Xiaogong was not interested in listening to it, he seemed to listen to it, and dozed off from time to time.Afterwards, Duke Xiao scolded Jing Jian angrily, saying: "Your guest is an ignorant and reckless person, how can he use it?" Jing Jian blamed Shang Yang.Five days later, Shang Yang saw Duke Xiao again, and he yelled "kingly ways", but King Xiao still didn't listen.Shang Yang tested Xiaogong with the "emperor's way" and "kingly way" advocated by Taoism and Confucianism at that time, but Xiaogong ignored him twice.Shang Yang had an idea in mind and asked for a third interview.This time he explained to Xiaogong the Legalist art of strengthening the country "hegemony".Duke Xiao was very satisfied after hearing this, and said to Jing Jian: "Your guest is good, you can talk to him about the strategy of enriching the country and strengthening the army." This conversation enabled Shang Yang to understand Duke Xiao's idea of using "hegemony" to govern the country, which is different from his own. The idea coincides with each other, and I can't help but feel secretly happy.When Shang Yang saw Duke Xiao again, Duke Xiao was very enthusiastic and talked with him very congenially. Duke Xiao gradually moved closer to Shang Yang, and his knees unconsciously touched Shang Yang's seat.The more Xiaogong listened, the more excited he became. He talked for several days without feeling tired.Jing Jian asked Shang Yang curiously: "What reason do you use to hit the heart of our monarch and make him so happy?" Shang Yang said: "I explained to Duke Xiao how the emperor governed the country, taking the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties as examples. It’s too far away. How can a virtuous king be famous all over the world and wait for hundreds of years? That’s why I say the art of strengthening the country, and Duke Xiao will be happy when he hears it.” This was Shang Yang’s first shot after entering Qin Dynasty.
In Qin, it was not easy to carry out reforms with great fanfare.Appointing Shang Yang to carry out reforms will inevitably meet dissatisfaction and opposition from the conservative slave-owner aristocratic forces, and there will be a lot of public opinion in the world.Xiaogong looked forward and backward, a little hesitant.During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, there was a good political atmosphere. When it was difficult for the monarch to make a decision on any major military affairs, he would gather a group of ministers in the court to listen to their opinions in person. The ministers expressed their opinions and even debated with each other.Xiaogong decided to hand over the reform issues concerning the country's future to the courtiers for discussion and to listen to good strategies.
One day, in the court, Shang Yang, Qian Long, and Du Zhi were discussing with Duke Xiao about political laws and seeking ways to govern the country.Duke Xiao said: "It is the duty of a monarch not to forget the country. It is the duty of a monarch to set up laws and establish the prestige of a monarch. Now, I want to change the laws to govern the country, and change the ritual system to teach the people. , I am afraid that people in the world will criticize me!"
When Shang Yang heard this, Duke Xiao was still a little shaken, so he opened his mouth first: "I heard that if you are hesitant to act, you will not be famous. If you are hesitant to do things, you will not succeed. My lord should quickly make the determination to change the law. And don't worry about other people's opinions. When a sage governs the country, as long as it can make the country strong, he will not follow the old system; if it is beneficial to the people, he does not need to follow the old ritual system."
Duke Xiao said, "Good!"
"That's not true!" Qian Long retorted unhurriedly: "I heard that the sages do not change the customs but practice enlightenment, and the wise men govern the country without changing the old laws. Follow the old customs to carry out enlightenment, and success will be achieved without any effort. If you reform the law , do not abide by the old system of the Qin State, and educate the people by changing the ritual system, I am worried that people in the world will talk about you, I hope the king thinks twice before acting!"
Shang Yang said: "What you say is the opinion of the world! Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties have different ritual systems, but they all become kings; the five tyrants in the Spring and Autumn Period have different legal systems, and each has a hegemony. Wise people create laws, but ignorant people Restricted by laws and regulations; capable people reform the ritual system, while mediocre people are restricted by the ritual system. I think you can't discuss major issues with those who stick to the ritual system, and you can't discuss reforms with those who are bound by the laws. My lord, don't hesitate!"
"I heard that without a hundred times the benefit, you can't change the law; without ten times the effect, you don't change the utensils. I also heard that there will be no mistakes in imitating the ancients, and there will be no evil in following the old rituals. My lord must think again. !” Du Zhi objected again.
"Politics and religion are different in the past dynasties. Why should we imitate the ancients? The emperors of different dynasties did not follow each other. What kind of ritual system did they stick to? Fuxi and Shennong educated people without killing people. Huangdi, Yao, and Shun killed people without implicating their wives. As for Zhou Wenwang and Wuwang The situation, the establishment of laws, and the formulation of the legal system according to the actual situation. 'If the world is not governed by the same way, the country does not need to follow the ancients!' Shang Tang and Zhou Wu did not stick to the ancient laws and flourished, Yin and Xia did not change the old rituals and perished!" Shang Yang sonorously refuted This is why Qian Long and Du Zhi are conservative (see "Shang Jun Shu·Geng Fa").
"Well said!" Duke Xiao said firmly, "I heard that people in the back alleys often feel strange when they encounter things, and narrow-minded scholars often argue about things. The things that foolish people like to talk about are just wise people. sad thing. I doubt no more."
Therefore, Qin Xiaogong issued an order to reclaim wasteland, which opened the prelude to Shang Yang's reform.
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