Shang Yang, with the surname Ji, is a public clan of the Wei Kingdom, so it is also called Wei Martingale or Gongsun Martingale. After Yang was in the Qin Dynasty, he was granted the title of Shang Yi, so he was called Shang Yang. He was a famous figure among the Legalists during the Warring States Period. His birth year cannot be determined and he died in 338 BC.
Shang Yang was a student of Li Kui , and was slightly younger than Wu Qi. "Historical Records·Biographies of Shang Jun" records that Shang Yang arrived in Wei first, but the King of Wei did not use it. "The Chronicles of Qin" says that Shang Yang entered the Qin Dynasty in the first year of Qin Xiaogong, and carried out reforms in three years. Nian Xiaogong was killed after his death. "The Book of Shang Jun" originally had twenty-nine chapters, and there are now twenty-four chapters. The old title was "written by Shang Yang", but there are other works of Legalists after Shang Yang. "Han Feizi·Wuzhe" said: "Today's within the territory The people all talk about the laws of governing, collecting, and managing merchants. " Han Fei's Shang and Guan books are of course different from the current version, but it can also be seen that the "Shang Junshu" was written in the late Warring States period. It has been widely circulated.
Controversy over the Qin Reform
Shang Yang was interested in the study of criminal names when he was young. He first came to the Wei Kingdom and became a retainer of Wei Xianggong's uncle Cuo. Before his death, Gongshu Cuo recommended him to King Hui of Wei and asked King Hui to make him his prime minister. He also said that if he is not used, he will be killed and he will not be allowed to leave Wei. King Hui of Wei thought that his uncle was seriously ill and was talking nonsense, so he did not appoint Shang Yang. At this time, Duke Xiao of Qin ordered to seek talents, and Shang Yang came to the state of Qin .
After Shang Yang arrived in Qin, he first lived in the home of Jingjian, a favorite of Duke Xiao. He met Duke Xiao for the first two times and advised him to learn the benevolence and righteousness of Yao, Shun and Yu Tang and practice the so-called emperor's way. Duke Xiao dozed off after hearing this. Afterwards, Duke Xiao said to Jing Jian: Your guest is too pedantic. Shang Yang learned from Jing Jian that Duke Xiao was dissatisfied with him, so he asked Duke Xiao to have a third audience. This time, Shang Yang talked about the art of making a country rich and seeking hegemony. Qin Xiaogong was immediately moved, and the more he listened, the more he liked it. Duke Xiao happily said to Jing Jian: Your guest is really good. After talking with Shang Yang for several days, Duke Xiao decided to re-employ Shang Yang and prepare to implement reforms.
Reform is not a simple matter, and it has caused great controversy among ministers. "Shang Jun Shu·Gengfa" records that Qin Xiaogong discussed the reform issue with Shang Yang and his old ministers, Qianlong and Du Zhi. Qin Xiaogong said: I want to change the laws to govern the country and reform the rituals to educate the people, but I am afraid that the world will talk about me. Shang Yang said: "Doubtful actions have no name, and doubtful deeds have no merit. And those who have the actions of an expert are definitely not in the world. Those who have the worry of knowing alone will definitely see trouble in the people. Fools are secretly in accomplishing things, and wise people see in their infancy." The people should not start with worries, but It can be achieved with success. The most virtuous person is not in harmony with the common people, and the person who achieves great success does not seek for others. Therefore, the sage can only strengthen the country, but he can only benefit the people without following the rules."
Duke Xiao said: Good! Qianlong disagreed. Qianlong said: Sages do not need to change people's customs to promote enlightenment, and wise people do not need to change old laws to govern the country. If you teach according to the people's old habits, you will succeed without much effort. The country is governed according to the old laws, the officials are familiar with it, and the people can live in peace with each other. If we want to reform the law now and not follow the old system of Qin, but reform the ritual system to educate the people, I am afraid that the world will talk about the king of Qin.
Shang Yang criticized Qianlong and said: "What you said is the opinion of the common people. Ordinary people are always content with conservative habits, and scholars are always limited to their own knowledge. These two kinds of people can As an official, you must abide by the law and you cannot discuss matters other than the law with them. The etiquette systems of Xia, Shang and Zhou were different, and they all became royal affairs: The following materials about Shang Yang among the five hegemons in the Spring and Autumn Period are mainly found in "Warring States Policy·Qin Policy". , "Historical Records·Biographies of Shang Jun". They are also different, and they all become hegemons. Therefore, wise people create systems, while ignorant people are controlled by laws; wise people reform rituals, while mediocre people are bound by rituals. We cannot discuss important matters with people who adhere to rituals. Don’t discuss with people who are bound by laws Reform.
Du Zhi also opposed Shang Yang's view, saying: There is no gain a hundred times without changing the rules, and there is no gain tenfold without changing the tools. I have heard that there is no mistake if you follow the ancients, and there is no evil if you follow the old etiquette.
Shang Yang said without compromise: In ancient times, politics and religion were different. Which ancient should we follow? Emperors do not follow the same rules, whose etiquette should we adhere to? Fuxi and Shennong taught the people without killing people; Huangdi, Yao and Shun killed people without asking their wives to sit together. As for King Wen3 and King Wu, they each established laws and regulations based on the situation at that time; they formulated etiquette systems based on the facts. Etiquette and laws must be formulated with the times. Orders must meet actual needs. Weapons, armor, and utensils must be easy to use. Therefore, it is said: There is no need to follow a consistent way to govern the world, and there is no need to stick to ancient laws to facilitate the country. The rise of Shang Tang and Zhou Wu was precisely because they did not adhere to the ancient laws; the demise of Yin Zhou and Xia Jie was precisely because they did not reform the old rituals. From this point of view, those who violate ancient laws are not necessarily criticized, and those who adhere to old etiquette are not worthy of praise. Your Majesty, don’t be confused.
Xiao Gong said: Good! I have heard that in remote alleys, people often feel strange when things happen; when they meet one-sided bachelors, they often argue about things. What a fool is happy about is what a wise man feels pity for; what an arrogant person is happy about is what a wise man is worried about. To those of you stuck with the status quo, I have no more doubts.
Through this debate, the conservative forces represented by Du Zhi and Qianlong failed. Shang Yang persuaded Duke Xiao, who strengthened his determination to reform.
