Lord Shang Lord Shang (C.390 - 338 BC) was decended, through a concubine, from the royal house of Wei. His personal name was Yang, his clan name Gongsun, and his ancestors had been of the royal Ji clan. As a youth he was interested in the study of law and served as clan officer under Gongshu Zuo, the prime minister of Wei, who recognized his ability but lacked opportunity to recommend him. When Gongshu Zuo fell ill, King Hui of Wei went in person to inquire after him and asked, If anything should happen to you, what will become of my state? My clan officer Gongsun Yang, although young, has remarkable gifts, replied gongshu Zuo. I hope you will entrust affairs of state to him. The king was silent and prepared to leave. The prime minister sent everyone else away and said, If you do not mean to take my advice and employ him, then have Yang killed. Dont let him leave the country. The king agreed to this, and left. Then Gongshu Zuo sent for Yang and told him regretfully, Today the king asked me to suggest to successor. When I recommended you, I saw disapproval written on his face. So putting my sovereigns interest first, I urged him to kill you if he would not use your services, and he agreed to do this. You must leave without delay, or you will be caught. If the king ignored your advice to employ me, said Yang, why should he take your advice to have me killed? And he did not leave. After this interview King Hui told his followwers, Im afraid the prime minister is in a bad way. He urged me to entrust affairs of state to Gongsun Yang -How absurd! After Gongshus death, Yang heard that Duke Xiao of Qin was trying to recruit men of talent continue the achievements of Duke Mu and recover the territory Qin had lost in the east. He went west to Qin and obtained an audience with teh duke through the offices of his favourite eunuch Jing. Yang held forth at great length but Duke Xiao did not listen and kept dropping off to sleep. The duke afterwards complained to Jing, Your friend is a fool. HOw could I use such a man? When Jing reproached Yang, the latter said, I spoke to him about the emerors way, but he lacks the necessary enlightenment. Five days later, at another audience, he did better, although it still was not what the duke wanted. Duke Xiao complained once more to Jing, who reproached Yang again. I stpoke about the kingly way,said Yang, but he would not accept that either. I must beg for another audience. This time the duke was pleased with Yang but did not take him into his service. After he had withdrawn, the duke told Jing, Your protege is all right. I can talk with him. I spoke of the conquerors way, said Yang, so now he is thinking of using me. I know how to talk with him next time I see him. At their next meeting the duke unconsciously moved forward to sit closer to Yang. He spoke with him without wearying for several days. How did you make such a good impression? asked Jing. My master is delighted. I spoke to him first of the emperors way and the kingly way, drawing comparison with the three Dynasties, Yang explained, But the duke said, That would take too long, I cannot wait. A good ruler should make his mark in the world in his lifetime, not wait for a century to achieve the emperors or the kingly way. I then told him how to make his state powerful, and he was overjoyed. But he will hardly equal Shang and Zhou.
Posted on: Mon, 25 Nov 2013 04:09:55 +0000