Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

By Sima Guang

Translated By Yiming Yang

Annals of Zhou Book 2 Scroll 2 (continued)

The 39th year of King Xian (330 B.C.)

The Kingdom of Qin launched an offensive against the Kingdom of Wei, resulting in a siege of the cities of Jiao and Quwo. In response, the Kingdom of Wei surrendered the city of Shaoliang and other territories located on the west bank of the Yellow River to the Kingdom of Qin.

The 40th year of King Xian (329 B.C.)

The troops of Qin launched an invasion of the Kingdom of Wei, successfully crossing the Yellow River and capturing the cities of Fenyin and Pishi. They also managed to sack the city of Jiao during their campaign.

King Wei of Chu passed away, and he was succeeded by his son, who took the throne as King Huai of Chu.

Meanwhile, in the state of Song, Duke Ticheng’s brother, named Song Yan, orchestrated a surprise attack on Duke Ticheng. Fearing for his safety, Ticheng fled to the state of Qi. Following this, Song Yan declared himself the lord of Song, taking control of the state.

The 41st year of King Xian (328 B.C.)

Prince Hua and Zhang Yi of Qin conducted another siege, this time targeting the city of Puyang in the state of Wei. They successfully captured the city during the campaign. However, Zhang Yi, recognizing the importance of diplomacy, persuaded the King of Qin to return Puyang to Wei. In addition to this, he sent Prince Yao to Wei as a hostage to strengthen relations.

Subsequently, Zhang Yi employed his diplomatic skills to lobby the King of Wei. He emphasized that Qin had treated Wei generously and that Wei should reciprocate in kind. As a result, the state of Wei gifted fifteen counties in the Shangjun area to Qin as a token of their gratitude. This diplomatic success led to Zhang Yi‘s promotion to the prime minister of Qin.

The 42nd year of King Xian (327 B.C.)

The ancient tribal state of Yiqu, a historical rival of the Kingdom of Qin, was incorporated into Qin as a county. The lord of Yiqu now became a subordinate under the rule of the King of Qin.

Additionally, the Kingdom of Qin returned the cities of Jiao and Quwo to the Kingdom of Wei as part of a restitution agreement.

The 43rd year of King Xian (326 B.C.)

Following the death of Marquis Su, his son, Zhao Yong, ascended to the throne as King Wuling of Zhao. During his reign, he implemented several important reforms. He established the position of three state professors known for their extensive knowledge. Additionally, he appointed three prosecutors each to the left and right justice departments. King Wuling also paid a visit to a respected advisor of his predecessors, Feiyi, and increased his emolument as a sign of recognition and respect. 

The 44th year of King Xian (325 B.C.)

In the summer season, the ruler of Qin proclaimed himself as a king for the first time, signifying a shift in the state’s status.

During this time, Marquis Ping of Wey passed away, and his son Sijun succeeded him as the new ruler. An interesting incident occurred involving a convict from the state of Wey who had managed to escape to the neighboring state of Wei. In Wei, this convict used his skills to cure an illness afflicting the Queen Dowager. Learning of this, Sijun, the ruler of Wey, decided to bring the convict back to his state and was willing to pay a hefty sum of fifty ounces of gold for his return.

However, the envoys sent to negotiate the convict’s return failed in their mission on five separate occasions. Undeterred, Sijun made a bold decision. He offered the city of Zuoshi in exchange for the release of the convict. His advisors were initially opposed to this, questioning the wisdom of trading a city for a single convict.

Sijun, however, remained resolute in his decision. He said: “You don’t understand. There are no small matters in governance; even the slightest disturbance can lead to chaos. If we don’t uphold the law and ensure that crimes are punished, having ten cities like Zuoshi won’t benefit our state. However, if we maintain the rule of law and hold wrongdoers accountable, the loss of ten cities is insignificant in comparison”

Word of this exchange reached the King of Wei, who commented on the situation: “It does not bode well in opposition to another rule’s will.” He ordered that the convict be put in a prison carriage and returned to Sijun’s state without requesting any compensation, respecting the principles of justice and governance.

The 45th year of King Xian (324 B.C.)

Zhang Yi, leading the Qin troops, conducted a successful raid on the Kingdom of Wei, capturing a place called Shan.

Meanwhile, Su Qin became involved in an affair with the dowager of Duke Wen of Yan. When her son, King Yi of Yan, discovered this, Su Qin was filled with terror. To remedy the situation, he proposed to King Yi of Yan that his presence in Yan did not garner more respect for the kingdom and that other states might admire Yan more if he were to go to the Kingdom of Qi and lead from there. King Yi of Yan agreed to this plan. Su Qin then pretended to have a falling-out with Yan and fled to the Kingdom of Qi. King Xuan of Qi appointed him as his visiting adviser. In this role, Su Qin encouraged the King of Qi to build grand halls, arenas, extensive gardens, and hunting grounds, intentionally worsening the finances of the Kingdom of Qi to benefit their rival, the Kingdom of Yan.

The 46th year of King Xian (323 B.C.)

In a meeting at the city of Niesang, the Prime Minister of Qin, Zhang Yi, convened with the Prime Ministers from the Kingdoms of Qi and Chu.

Interestingly, during this time, the lords of the states Han and Yan both proclaimed themselves as kings. However, King Wuling of Zhao chose not to do so, stating that he saw no reason to claim a title without the substance to support it. He ordered his people to continue addressing him as Lord.

The 47th year of King Xian (322 B.C.)

After the meeting at Niesang, Zhang Yi was removed from his position as the Prime Minister of Qin. He then assumed the role of Prime Minister in the Kingdom of Wei. In this position, Zhang Yi aimed to set an example of submission to the Kingdom of Qin for other states. However, the King of Wei was reluctant to comply with this plan.

In response, the King of Qin ordered an invasion of the Kingdom of Wei and successfully captured the cities of Quwo and Pingzhou. To reward Zhang Yi for his efforts, the King of Qin secretly provided him with additional compensation.

The 48th year of King Xian (321 B.C.)

Lord Jingguo considered building walls and fortresses around his fief city of Xue. However, one of his guest advisers offered a different perspective: “Have you heard about the giant fish in the ocean, my lord? The fish is so large that neither nets nor hooks could do anything to it. However, it becomes the victim of bugs as soon as it leaves the water. Now the Kingdom of Qi is the water to you, my lord. As long as you are in charge of Qi, why bother to secure the city of Xue? Conversely, could you count on the city of Xue even if you build the walls sky-high, if you lost the power over the kingdom of Qi?” Lord Jingguo heeded this advice and gave up the idea.

Lord Jingguo has more than forty sons.  One of them, Tian Wen, despite his humble birth from a lowly concubine, possessed charisma and shrewdness. He advised his father, Lord Jingguo, to invest generously in hiring scholars and experts as counselors. Tian Wen himself played the role of a gracious host, wining and dining these guests extravagantly. As a result, all the counselors couldn’t help but praise Tian Wen‘s charm in front of Lord Jingguo and recommended him as the successor.

When Lord Jingguo passed away, Tian Wen ascended to the position of Duke of Xue, known as Lord Mengchang. Lord Mengchang actively sought out talent from various states, regardless of their backgrounds as exiles, convicts, or outcasts. He provided them with not only employment but also generous compensation, lodging, and support for their families. His food court often hosted thousands of guests, each one of them thought Lord Mengchang treated him specially. He was widely regarded as a benevolent and exceptional ruler, earning fame across the kingdoms.

Sima Guang’s comments: A ruler employs savants in order to serve his people.  As the Book of Yi says: ”A saint nurtures the talented, for the benefit of all people.” The moral character of a learned man moral has the power to shape social norms; the capabilities of a learned man’s abilities and skills can improve the functioning of an administration; the wisdom of a learned man enables them to identify flaws and anticipate future challenges; the integrity of a learned man upholds humanity and righteousness.  On a large scale, a learned man benefits the whole world; On a small scale, a learned man benefits a state or a community.  Rulers, recognizing the value of such individuals, reward them with wealth and titles as a way of nurturing them to benefit the broader population. This approach to staffing is considered wise and effective.

On the other hand, Lord Mengchang put persons on his payroll, regardless if the person is wise or foolish, an angel or a criminal.  That’s abusing the Kingdom’s resources to fund his cronies.  They spread fake accolades of Lord Mengchang, cheating the King above them and corrupting the common people below them.  That’s a treacherous act and it is despicable, like the saying in the book Shu:”Accepting the deserters and renegades makes human sewage.”

Lord Mengchang was sent to the state of Chu for a diplomatic mission, and the King of Chu gifted him an exquisite bed decorated with ivory carvings. He asked his attendant, Dengtu Zhi to oversee the shipment.  Dengtu Zhi did not want to take this chore.  He spoke to a disciple of Lord Mengchang, whose name is Gongsun Xu: ”The ivory bed is such a treasure worthy of thousands ounces of gold.  I could not, even if I sell my whole family, to compensate for a tiny bit of damage.  If you can talk me out of this assignment, I have a precious sword passed down from my ancestors that I’m willing to offer in return.”  Gongsun Xu promised him and went to see Lord Mengchang: ”The reason that all these small states want to appoint you as their prime minister is because you can uplift the poor, revive the fallen, and continue the lineage. They all appreciate your righteousness and admire your incorruptible integrity. But now, upon arriving in Chu, if you were to accept this ivory bed, how can you face the states that have not yet had the opportunity to host you?”  Lord Mengchang agreed.  He politely declined the gift from Chu.  As Gongsun Xu walked out and before he exited the middle court,  Lord Mengchang called him back: ”I saw you hopping out with joy, why were you so excited?”  Gongsun Xu confessed about the sword.  Lord Mengchang then posted an announcement at the city gate, which read: ”Any one who can improve Tian Wen’s reputation and correct Tian Wen’s mistakes, even if you take someone’s bribe for doing it, is urged to come forward with constructive criticism!”

Sima Guang’s comments: It can be said that Lord Mengchang was receptive to counselings.  As long as the advice is good, even coming from ulterior motives, can still be taken, let alone the advice that is offered with selfless honesty.  The book of Shi has a poem: ”Pick collard greens, pick turnip greens; don’t care about the lower stems.” Lord Mengchang possessed the spirit of this.King Xuanhui of Han set out to appoint both Gongzhong and Gongshu to be in charge of the state affairs.  He consulted with his advisor Mu Liu.  Mu Liu was against the idea: ”Don’t do that.  Jin was characterized by the use of the Six Ministers leading to the division into three states. In the case of Qi‘s Duke Jian, he relied on Master Chen Cheng and Kan Zhi, which ultimately led to his assassination. In Wei, they relied on Xi Shou and Zhang Yi, and the lands west of the Yellow River were lost. Now, if you, my lord, rely on two prime ministers, the one with greater power will form factions internally, while the other with less power will seek external influence. Among your ministers, some will build internal factions to influence you, while others will seek external alliances to gain territory. In either case, our state is in danger.”ll form factions internally, while the other with less power will seek external influence. Among your ministers, some will build internal factions to influence you, while others will seek external alliances to gain territory. In either case, our state is in danger.”