Part 34 (1/2)
Gongsun Yang (d. 338 B.C.E.). Also known as Shang Yang or ”Lord Shang.” He was chief minister for Duke Xiao of Qin (r. 361338 B.C.E.) and the purported author of the Book of the Lord of Shang , an important work of the Fajia, ”Legalist School” (see Important Terms). Gongsun Yang is credited with developing the notion of government through ”laws” or ”legal standards” (fa ), in which a ruler establishes clearly defined and easily understood standards of duty and behavior for his subjects, and then motivates his people to accord with them through the use of rewards and punishments. This idea directly influenced the thought of Han Feizi.
Guan Zhong (d. 645 B.C.E.). Guan Zhong was chief minister for Duke Huan of Qi (r. 685643 B.C.E.) and the purported author of the Legalist (see Fajia under Important Terms) work the Guanzi . Under his guidance, Duke Huan became first of the ba, ”Lord Protectors” (see Important Terms). Primarily as a consequence of this event. Guan Zhong was either praised or criticized by later thinkers.
Houji (”Duke of Millet”). Originally an official t.i.tle but now regarded as a proper name for Qi , who served as the minister of agriculture under Emperor Shun (see below).
Huang Di (”Yellow Emperor”). Third of the ”Three Sovereigns” (see Fu Xi above and Shen Nong below). He is credited with the invention of wooden houses, boats and carts, and with the implementation of the earliest forms of writing. His wife is credited with inventing the methods of sericulture (raising silkworms to produce silk).
Huizi (c. 380305 B.C.E.). Also known as Hui s.h.i.+ and along with Gongsun Long (see above) a prominent figure within the Mingjia, ”School of Names” (see Important Terms). Though a prodigious author, few of Huizi's works are extant today. He is most well known for his ten paradoxes, which purportedly show that there is an underlying unity to the universe. He concludes from this that we should show compa.s.sion to all things. Huizi was a friend and perhaps a teacher of Zhuangzi.
Jie (”Tyrant Jie”). Purportedly, the evil last ruler of the Xia dynasty (see Important Periods). His traditional reign dates are 18181766 B.C.E.
Li (”King Li”). An incompetent, cruel Zhou dynasty ruler. He ascended to the throne in 878 B.C.E.
Li Lou . Also known as Li Zhu A contemporary of Huang Di (see above), Li Lou was renowned for his acute vision. It was said that at a hundred paces he could see the tip of an autumn hair. (In autumn an animals hair is thinnest and most fine.) Pengzu . (”Ancestor Peng”). The Chinese Methuselah, purported to have lived seven hundred years.
Robber Zhi (Daozhi ). On some accounts, a contemporary of Huang Di, but more commonly regarded as an infamous and shameless brigand of the Spring and Autumn Period (see Important Periods). Some sources say that he came from Lu, Kongzi's home state.
Shen Buhai (d. 377 B.C.E.). Prime minister of the state of Han under Marquis Zhao of Han (r. 358333 B.C.E.) and an important figure within the Fajia, ”Legalist School” (see Important Terms). Shen Buhai is credited with developing the idea of ”administrative methods” (shu ), an elegant, though somewhat inflexible, system for evaluating the performance of government officials by comparing the objectives or duties that ministers ”name” (ming ) for themselves when they propose an action or accept a government position, with the actual ”form” or ”situation” (xing or ) that results when they carry out said duties. If ”form” and ”name” match, the minister has properly performed his duties and should be rewarded; if they do not match, the minister has failed in his duties and should be punished. This idea directly influenced the thought of Han Feizi.
Shen Nong (”Divine Farmer”). Second of the ”Three Sovereigns” (see Fu Xi and Huang Di above), he is credited with the discovery of the hoe and the plough, the invention of agriculture, and with establis.h.i.+ng the basic inst.i.tutions of trade and commerce.
Shenzi (c. 350275 B.C.E.). Also known as Shen Dao , an important figure within the Fajia, ”Legalist School” (see Important Terms). Shenzi developed the doctrine of ”the power of position” (s.h.i.+ , an idea that directly influenced Han Feizi's thought. According to the doctrine of s.h.i.+, the key to a rulers success lies in his ability to maintain his sociopolitical superiority over his subjects so that he can use the power and prestige of his position to intimidate people into obeying his commands. This idea can be understood as an amoralized, inst.i.tutional version of the earlier notion of government through ”moral charisma” (de ) advocated by the Confucians. But whereas the Confucians maintained that the power of moral charisma is generated through the cultivation of the ruler's character, Shen Dao and Han Fei believed that the power of status is simply a concomitant feature of the rulers sociopolitical position.
s.h.i.+ Kuang (”Music Master Kuang”). A blind musician of the sixth century B.C.E. who, reportedly, could foretell the outcome of a battle by listening to the hoofbeats of the enemy cavalry or the fortunes of a king by listening to the grumblings of his people. He is often cited as the standard for musical taste and a paradigm for connoiseurs in general.
Shun (”Emperor Shun”). Second of the mythical ”Three Sage-Kings” (see Yao and Yu below). His traditional reign dates are 22552205 B.C.E. Renowned for his filial piety, Shuns own father-known as the ”Blind Man”-and stepmother treated him remarkably badly and even attempted to kill him on several occasions in order to benefit his spoiled and generally worthless half-brother. Shuns continued love and respectfulness in the face of this abuse eventually won over his parents and brother, moving them to reform.
Shu Qi Younger brother of Bo Yi (see above).
Sima Qian (c. 14590 B.C.E.). A Han dynasty (see Important Periods) figure who completed the (Records of the Historian), a work begun by his father, Sima Tan. The is the first comprehensive account of Chinese history from its beginnings to the time of composition. It had a tremendous influence on later Chinese views of history and historiography and was treasured as a fount of moral and political exemplars and insights.
Songzi (c. 360290 B.C.E.). Also known as Song Rongzi , Song Xing , or Song Keng , a pacifist who encouraged people to simplify their lives and avoid conflict by minimizing their desires, particularly what he considered to be artificial desires for things such as prestige, wealth, and power.
Tang (”King Tang,” also known as ”Tang the Successful”). His traditional reign dates are 17661753 B.C.E. Defeated the tyrant Jie (see above) and founded the Shang dynasty (see Important Periods).
Wen (”King Wen”). A virtuous va.s.sal of the tyrant Zhou (see below), his name means ”cultured.” King Wen ruled over a state called Zhou (Note that the name of this state, though romanized the same way as the name of the tyrant Zhou-see above-is written with a different graph.) While having good warrant for rebellion, King Wen remained loyal to his ruler, sustained by the hope of reforming him.
Wu , (”King Wu”). His traditional reign dates are 11221115 B.C.E. Son of King Wen (see above). His name means ”martial.” After succeeding his father, he overthrew the tyrant Zhou (see below) and founded the Zhou dynasty (see Important Periods), which was named after the state over which he ruled.
Yao (”Emperor Yao”). First of the mythical ”Three Sage-Kings” (see Shun above and Yu below). His traditional reign dates are 23562255 B.C.E. He is credited with the invention of the calendar, developing rituals and music, and establis.h.i.+ng the basic structure of government. Yao skipped over his own unworthy son and designated a peasant named Shun as his successor, based upon the latter's remarkable filial piety. Yao is said to have trained Shun to rule and shared power with him during the last twenty-eight years of his reign.
Yi Yin . An able minister of King Tang's (see above). According to some accounts, Yi Yin was working as a farmer when his talents were recognized and he was promoted by the king. Others say that he attracted the king's attention through his cooking.
Yi Ya . Famed as a remarkably talented chef who worked in the kitchen of Duke Huan of Qi (see Guan Zhong above). Yi Ya's ability to harmonize various flavors in ways that people in general found delicious and appealing was seen as emblematic of the way sages are able to hit upon those ethical principles and practices that all people approve of and take delight in.
You (”King You”). An incompetent, cruel Zhou dynasty ruler. He ascended to the throne in 781 B.C.E.
Yu (”Emperor Yu”). Third of the mythical ”Three Sage-Kings” (see Yao and Shun above) and founder of the Xia dynasty. His traditional reign dates are 22052197 B.C.E. Yu is credited with overseeing the first successful state efforts at flood control, a remarkably important project given the topography of central China. Yu is said to have so selflessly dedicated himself to this work that he wore off all the hair of his thighs and s.h.i.+ns. In carrying out his duties, Yu is said to have pa.s.sed by his own house three times without pausing, even though he could hear his wife and children weeping over his absence. While cited by many early thinkers, Yu was a particular favorite of Mozi, perhaps because his dedication to public duty seemed to trump his devotion to his own family.
Zhou Gong (”The Duke of Zhou”). Brother of King Wu (see above). According to traditional accounts, when King Wu died, his infant son became ruler of the newly founded Zhou dynasty (see Important Periods). The Duke purportedly served the young king as a wise and virtuous regent and did not attempt to wrest power from him for his own gain. The Duke of Zhou served as a paragon for selfless devotion to the greater good.
Zhou (”Tyrant Zhou”). The evil last ruler of the Shang dynasty (see Important Periods). His traditional reign dates are 11541122 B.C.E. See also the entry for Wen, above.
IMPORTANT PERIODS.
Xia (”Xia dynasty”). Traditional dates: 22051766 B.C.E. See Yu and Jie under Important Figures.
Shang (”Shang dynasty,” also known as the ”Yin dynasty”). Traditional dates: 17661122 B.C.E. See Tang and Zhou under Important Figures.
Zhou (”Zhou dynasty”). Traditional dates: 1122256 B.C.E. Often divided into ”Eastern” and ”Western” Zhou (see below).
Western Zhou (Xizhou ). The earlier part (1122771 B.C.E.) of the Zhou dynasty. Widely regarded as a golden age of peace, stability, and prosperity. See Wen, Wu, and Zhou Gong under Important Figures.
Eastern Zhou (Dongzhou ). The latter part (770256 B.C.E.) of the Zhou dynasty. It began when disgruntled va.s.sals, together with ”barbarian” (i.e., non-Chinese) forces, sacked the Zhou capital and killed the ruling king. Remnants of the Zhou royal family escaped and founded a new capital far to the east at Loyang and installed the king's son as ruler. However, the dynasty never again controlled China.
Spring and Autumn Period (Chunqiu ). The period 722481 B.C.E. covered by the court chronicle of Lu, Kongzi's native state (see Spring and Autumn Annals in Important Texts). This period saw the rise of the inst.i.tution of ba (”lord protector,” see Important Tems).
Warring States Period (Zhanguo s.h.i.+dai ). The period 403221 B.C.E. It began when the Zhou king officially recognized the part.i.tioning of the state of Jin , which had been carved up by and divided among the members of an alliance of other states in 453. Soon after, in 335, the rulers of these and other allegedly ”va.s.sal” states began to usurp the t.i.tle w.a.n.g , ”king” (see Important Terms) which rightfully only the Zhou king could claim.
Qin dynasty . A short-lived dynasty (221207 B.C.E.) that marked the end of the ”Warring States Period” by unifying the various states into a single empire. It is from the name ”Qin” that we get our word ”China.”
Han dynasty . A long lasting and largely stable dynasty consisting of an ”Earlier” or ”Western” and a ”Later” or ”Eastern” period, on either side of a brief interregnum (see below).
”Earlier” or ”Western Han” (206 B.C.E.8 C.E.) ”Later” or ”Eastern Han” (25220 C.E.)
IMPORTANT TEXTS.
The Changes (Yi). A multilayered composition whose earliest strata originate in divinatory texts of extremely old provenance, perhaps as early as the beginning of the first millennium B.C.E. There is little evidence of it playing a major role in the thought of any of the philosophers covered in this volume, though it was known to them in some form. It becomes profoundly important to the history of Chinese thought after the addition of various Appendices. This occurred sometime around the third to second century B.C.E.
The History (Shu or Shangshu . The original text purportedly contained the p.r.o.nouncements and judgments of important figures at critical junctures in history. Along with the Odes (see below) the Shujingwas regarded as a cla.s.sic from the very earliest period. Both were seen as repositories of traditional wisdom and cited as support by a wide range of Chinese thinkers. The present version of the text contains some genuine Zhou dynasty (see Important Periods) era writings, though its purportedly pre-Zhou material remains suspect.