Shangjun Shu Translation and Notes

Author: Shi Lei et al.
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-01-01
Features: Provides a complete translation and annotation of The Book of Shangjun. Shang Yang was a prominent representative of the Legalist school, whose reformist ideas enabled the State of Qin to rapidly grow in strength during his time, laying a solid foundation for its eventual unification of the empire. Shang Yang (395–338 BC), courtesy name Gongsun, was a famous political and military figure of the mid-Zhanguo period. Born into the aristocracy of the State of Wei, he served as a retainer under Gongsun Jie, the prime minister of Wei, before entering Qin in 361 BC and gaining the favor of Duke Xiao of Qin. During his tenure, he implemented reforms, strengthened punishments, focused on agriculture domestically, and incentivized military rewards and penalties ("To reform the laws and punishments, to focus on agriculture domestically, and to encourage rewards and penalties for those who fight and die in battle" - Records of the Grand Historian: Annals of Qin). Shang Yang governed Qin for nearly two decades, transforming it into a wealthy and powerful state, thereby laying the foundation for Qin's later unification of China. For his contributions, he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Shang and henceforth known as Shang Jun, or Shang Yang. After Duke Xiao's death, King Huiwen ascended the throne, and someone accused him of plotting rebellion. The king ordered his arrest and execution, impaling his corpse and exterminating his entire family. The Book of Shangjun, also known as The Works of Shangjun, is a compilation of writings by Shang Yang and his followers from the Zhanguo period, comprising 24 chapters and serving as one of the key works of the Legalist school. Most chapters of The Book of Shangjun deal with military matters, and its main military ideas can be summarized in the following four aspects.
First, it actively advocates for war. It argues that the Zhanguo era was one of military conquest, where "all states with ten thousand chariots wage war, and those with a thousand chariots defend" (Opening and Closing). Under this historical context, war directly determined the survival or demise of a state. To establish dominance and rule the world, one must engage in war, as "the rise of a state lies in agriculture and war" (Painting Strategy). It opposes the arguments of "anti-war" and "shameful warfare," firmly asserting the rationality and necessity of war. "To wage war to end war—though war is necessary, it is still justifiable" (Painting Strategy).
Second, it advocates the combination of agriculture and war. It holds that agriculture is the foundation of military campaigns, as not only does it provide material resources for war, but when people focus on farming, they remain settled and thus fight to defend their homeland. Only by combining agriculture and war can a state achieve both wealth and military strength.
Third, it emphasizes severe punishments and generous rewards to govern the military by law. "Rewards make soldiers forget death, while punishments make them fear life—how can they not be defeated?" (External and Internal). Through punishments and rewards, it seeks to foster a spirit of "enjoying war" among the people. "When people hear of war, they celebrate it, and their songs, daily routines, and even eating and drinking are all about war" (Rewards and Punishments).
Fourth, it proposes specific strategies and tactics. It advocates for vigilance in understanding enemy conditions, acting within one's means, adapting to circumstances, and maintaining flexibility and initiative. It emphasizes caution in military operations, opposing reckless actions, and highlighting the role of morale in battles. In the chapter Military Defense, it explores principles and methods for defensive warfare.
Of course, the military ideas in The Book of Shangjun are inevitably limited by the era and class to which they belong. It glorifies war, elevating it above all else, under the assumption that war can solve all problems—a view that is clearly one-sided. As for the idea that "those who can defeat powerful enemies must first conquer their own people" (Painting Strategy), it reflects the sharp class antagonism between the Legalist school and the masses.
This book's annotations draw on the Selection of the Masters by Chen Shen of the Ming dynasty, the Compendium of the Masters by Gui Youguang of the Ming dynasty, and the Han and Wei Series by Cheng Rong of the Ming dynasty. It also references works such as Discussions on the Masters by Yu Yue, Annotations on the Book of Shangjun by Zhu Shizhe, Annotations and Translations of the Book of Shangjun by Gao Heng, Complete Translation of the Book of Shangjun by Zhang Jue, and Guiding Indicators of the Book of Shangjun by Jiang Hongli.