Han Wangxi

HAN FEIZI believed that to govern a country, strict laws and harsh punishments must be implemented. The laws should not favor the powerful, the regulations should not be bendable, and rewards and punishments should be clear and trustworthy.

He told a story to illustrate this point. Han Wu, a king of the State of Han (403-230 B.C.), said to his prime minister, Shen Buhai, “The laws and regulations seem to have been established, but they are not easy to implement.”

Shen responded: “The so-called law is about rewarding merits and punishing faults. When governing a country, positions should be granted based on talent. Now that the king has established laws and regulations, they should be followed. If one day, you, my lord, listen to the pleas of those around you and don’t abide by the law, then the implementation of the law becomes difficult.”

The king said, “Alright! From today on, I understand how to enforce the law.”

However, one day Shen requested the king to appoint his cousin as an official. The king was surprised and said: “Didn’t I learn from you to enforce the law strictly? You are putting me in a difficult situation now. Should I comply with your request or violate the principles of governing the country?”

Shen realized his mistake and quickly apologized, requesting punishment. He even felt guilty to the extent that he couldn’t stay in the main room of his house.

In Han Feizi’s essay “Moderation,” he elaborated that the law must not show favoritism towards the noble, and principles should not be compromised. Everyone is equal before the law.

He understood the complexities of the world and thus warned law enforcers to pay attention to three types of people: those close to the king, the influential, and the loved ones. These three tend to disregard the law due to royal protection or their own prominence. He said that these three are the biggest obstacles to impartial law enforcement.

Han also told another story about Duke Ping of Jin. One day the duke and his courtiers drank and had a good time. The duke exclaimed, “Oh, there is no greater joy than being a king! Only his words alone are unquestioned.”

Duke Ping’s musician Shi Kuang, who was blind, played beautiful music and was highly appreciated by the duke. That day, Shi happened to be sitting next to the duke. When he heard the duke’s words, he picked up his guqin and threw it towards the duke. The duke then quickly pulled up his clothes and stood up to avoid it and the guqin hit the wall.

Duke Ping asked, “Who did you try to hit?” Shi replied, “Today, I heard someone speaking ill of me by my side, so I threw my guqin at him.” Duke Ping said, “Oh, the person speaking was me.” Shi then asked, “Really? Was it something you, as a ruler, should say?”

The duke’s attendants suggested, “Your Majesty, you must punish Shi. His audacity is disrespectful.” The duke thought for a moment and said, “Let it go. Let this be a lesson for me.”

It seems that Duke Ping was a wise person who did not get angry or upset because Shi defied him. Instead, he took it as a lesson.

(The author is a cultural scholar.)

(Translated by Shenzhen Daily)