"" Modern Version

Author: Xu Keqian
Author Country: China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-03-01
Features: As an important part of "Confucianism and Mencianism," Mencian thought, although superficially praised by feudal rulers throughout history, rarely had any ruler truly follow Mencius's words. Confucianism and Mencianism were merely used as a pretty facade to deceive the common people. Some rulers, however, even refused to pretend to follow Confucianism. When Zhu Yuanzhang read Mencius's discussions on "the people are more important than the ruler" and other remarks on the relationship between rulers and the people, he was furious and ordered Mencius's portrait removed from the Confucian Temple and had eighty-five sections of the Mencius edited out. Building facades, smashing them—these are all tricks played by rulers. Let's join the renowned scholar Xu Keqian to see what Mencius really said.
Excerpt: Advising a greedy and lustful king
In the territory of the state of Qi, at the foot of Mount Tai, there was an ancient hall called the "Bright Hall," originally a place where the Zhou would meet vassal lords during their inspections. By the mid-Warring States period, the Zhou dynasty had declined, and the no longer inspected vassal states, so this "Bright Hall" had become an ancient relic and should be considered a key cultural heritage site in Qi. However, someone suggested to the King of Qi: "Since the Zhou will never inspect vassal states again, why keep this dilapidated 'Bright Hall'? It would be better to tear it down and rebuild it as a luxurious hotel or renovate it into a night club—certainly profitable."
King Xuan of Qi was delighted by this suggestion and thought it perfectly suited his desires. Building a hotel or a night club would not only bring profit but also allow him to indulge in food, drink, and pleasure—what could be better? However, he did not want to bear the blame for destroying cultural heritage. Moreover, the famous Confucian scholar Mencius was in Qi at the time, and if he opposed the plan, he would surely criticize it publicly without hesitation, which would be embarrassing. It was better to first gauge Mencius's opinion. So, King Xuan asked Mencius: "Everyone advises me to demolish the 'Bright Hall,' but I keep hesitating. What do you think—is it better to tear it down or not?"
Mencius replied: "This 'Bright Hall' is the hall of a king. If Your Majesty still wishes to implement the 'Three Policies,' you should not demolish the 'Bright Hall.'"
King Xuan was displeased: "Of course, this old man disagrees. What are these 'Three Policies' anyway? Tell me about them."
Mencius said: "In the past, King Wen of Zhou governed the state of Qi by taxing farmers only one-ninth of their harvest; allowing officials to pass their positions to their descendants upon retirement; inspecting goods at customs and markets only for prohibited items, without collecting taxes; prohibiting fishing and crabbing in rivers and lakes; and not holding the families of convicts responsible. The elderly without wives are called 'widowers,' the elderly without husbands are called 'widows,' the elderly without children are called 'orphans,' and the children without parents are called 'orphans.' These four groups are the most pitiful and impoverished, helpless and alone, and thus require special care. King Wen implemented benevolent governance by first caring for these four groups. The Book of Songs also says: 'The rich and noble pursue prosperity, while the widowers, widows, orphans, and elderly weep in sorrow.'"
To implement the governance of a king, one cannot only focus on the few becoming wealthy and enjoying pleasure but must also continuously establish and improve the social security system to care for those at the bottom of society who have no one to rely on."
King Xuan replied vaguely: "Excellent, excellent! Your words are truly correct."
Mencius asked: "Since Your Majesty agrees with my words, why not implement them?"
King Xuan thought: This man is so tactless! He actually takes my praise seriously, as if I would really follow his advice. So he deliberately said: "I cannot do it. I have a flaw—I am naturally greedy for wealth and cannot help it."
Mencius replied: "Being greedy for wealth is not a problem. Formerly, Zed, the great-grandson of Qi, and Gong Liu, the founder of the Zhou dynasty, were both very greedy. The Book of Songs' Great Elegies includes the poem Gong Liu, which describes Gong Liu. The poem says: 'Grain piled high in storage, dry rations in hand, purse bulging, face flushed. Arrows and spears gleaming, troops marching forward in grand array.' Because Gong Liu was greedy for wealth, he accumulated abundant resources. When it was time to act, those who stayed behind had enough food, and those who went out had full purses, allowing them to accomplish great deeds. If Your Majesty has a greedy flaw, as long as you share the wealth you accumulate with the people, as Gong Liu did, what harm would it do in implementing the governance of a king?"
King Xuan yawned and said: "No, no—I also have a flaw. I am lustful and enjoy women."
Mencius replied: "Being lustful is not a problem. Formerly, Grandfather Danfu, the grandfather of King Wen of Zhou, was very lustful and deeply loved his concubines. The Book of Songs' Great Elegies Mian says: 'Grandfather Danfu was truly charming, riding fine horses with beautiful concubines. In the morning, he ran along the water's edge, reaching the foot of Mount Qi. He found a place to build a new home, accompanying his beloved concubines.'" At that time, under Grandfather Danfu's leadership, girls could find suitable husbands, and no young men were left without partners. If Your Majesty is lustful, as long as you empathize with others and make sure that men and women everywhere are content, what harm would that do? How would it be detrimental to implementing the governance of a king?" (2.5)