Salt and Iron Debate: Annotations (Volume 1 & 2)

Author: Wang Liqi (Annotations)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-03-01
Features: Excerpt: The official said, "The Xiongnu are rebellious and unloyal [25], frequently raiding and committing violence [26] on the borders [27]. Preparing for them would exhaust the strength of the Chinese people, while failing to prepare would lead to endless invasion and theft. The former emperor, moved by the long-standing suffering of the border people and the hardship of being captured by the enemy, repaired the barriers and fortifications [28], strengthened the beacon towers [29], and stationed troops to defend against them. Due to insufficient funds for the borders [30], he established monopolies on salt and iron, imposed wine taxes, and implemented the equalization system [31] to boost revenue and support border expenses. Now, those who advocate for their abolition would empty the treasury internally and lack supplies externally [33], leaving the soldiers guarding the borders hungry and cold. How would they be sustained? Abolishing them would be disadvantageous."
The Literary Officer replied, "Confucius said, 'Those who rule a state or a family do not worry about poverty but about inequality, nor about scarcity but about unrest [35]. Therefore, an emperor does not speak of quantity, a feudal lord does not speak of profit, and a high official does not speak of gain or loss [36]. Cultivate benevolence and righteousness to influence them [37], and promote virtue to attract them [38]. Thus, the near ones are close and the far ones are pleased. Therefore, the skilled in victory do not fight, the skilled in fighting do not rely on troops, and the skilled in commanding do not array in battle [39]. By addressing issues in the court, one can repel enemies without engaging in battle [40]. A king who practices benevolent governance is invincible in the world [41], so why worry about expenses?"
The official said, "The Xiongnu are cunning and arrogant, repeatedly invading the borders, harassing and attacking the commanderies, counties, and the commandant of the northern frontier [42]. They are extremely rebellious and lawless [43], and it has been long overdue for them to be punished. Your Majesty [44], showing great mercy, pities the people who lack sustenance [46] and does not wish to expose officials to the fields. Even though some are willing to wear armor and wield weapons [48] to confront the Xiongnu, you now wish to abolish the monopolies on salt and iron, disrupt border finances [50], weaken military strategy [51], and show no concern for the borders. This is not in line with the principle."
The Literary Officer replied, "In ancient times, virtue was valued more than military force. Confucius said, 'If the distant people are not obedient, then repair your culture and righteousness to attract them. Once they have come, then pacify them [53].' Now, you abandon virtue and rely on military force, sending troops to attack them, stationing soldiers to defend them, exposing troops to the elements [54] for a long time, and continuously transporting food. This leaves the border soldiers hungry and cold outside while exhausting the people inside. Establishing monopolies on salt and iron and creating profitable officials [56] to supply them is not a long-term strategy. Therefore, abolishing them is advantageous."
The official said, "In ancient times, those who established states opened the means for agriculture and industry [57], facilitated the exchange of goods, unified demands in markets [58], attracted scholars and people, gathered all kinds of goods, and allowed farmers, merchants, and artisans [59] to fulfill their needs through trade [60]. The Book of Changes says, 'Adapt to change and keep the people from being exhausted [61].' If artisans do not produce, then agricultural tools will be scarce [62]; if merchants do not trade, then valuable goods will be cut off. If agricultural tools are scarce [63], then grain will not grow; if valuable goods are cut off, then finances will be depleted [64]. Therefore, monopolies on salt and iron and the equalization system are used to circulate wealth [65] and balance supply and demand. Abolishing them would be disadvantageous."
The Literary Officer replied, "To guide the people with virtue [67], they will return to kindness [68]; to show them profit, their customs will become shallow. If customs are shallow, people will abandon righteousness and pursue profit. If they pursue profit, the people will be engaged in trade and markets. Laozi said, 'A poor state seems to have plenty, but it is not because of wealth—it is because of excessive desires and restless people [69].' Therefore, a king should uphold the fundamental and reduce the secondary, using rites and righteousness to restrain people's desires, and stock up on grain, goods, and wealth. Markets and merchants should not deal in useless items, and artisans should not produce useless tools [70]. Thus, merchants facilitate the flow of blocked goods, and artisans prepare tools, but these are not the core tasks of governing a state."