Wang Sheng was a man who lived during the reigns of Emperors Wen and Jing of the Han dynasty. He was well-versed in the teachings of Huang-Lao, lived in retirement, and refused to take official office. He was close friends with Zhang Shizhi of Nanyang. At that time, Zhang Shizhi served as the Commandant of the Palace Carriages. When the Crown Prince and the Prince of Liang entered the court in the same carriage, they failed to dismount at the Sima Gate. Consequently, Zhang Shi impeached them for showing disrespect. Emperor Wen approved of his actions and promoted him to the position of Commandant of Justice.
After Emperor Wen passed away, the Crown Prince succeeded him as Emperor Jing. Fearing for his safety, Zhang Shi feigned illness and wished to resign, terrified that severe punishment was imminent. He wanted to seek an audience to apologize but did not know how to proceed. Following Wang Sheng’s advice, he ultimately managed to meet the Emperor and offer his apologies, and Emperor Jing did not hold his past actions against him.
Once, Wang Sheng was summoned to a court assembly alongside Zhang Shizhi and other high-ranking ministers. While standing in the court, Wang Sheng’s sock became untied. He turned to Zhang Shi and said, “Tie my sock for me.” Zhang Shi stepped forward and knelt to tie it for him. After the assembly, someone reproached Wang Sheng, asking, “Why did you deliberately humiliate the Commandant of Justice in the imperial court, making him kneel to tie your sock?” Wang Sheng replied, “I am old and of lowly status, and I knew I could ultimately be of no real help to the Commandant of Justice. Since he is currently the most renowned minister in the empire, I deliberately subjected him to this slight humiliation to elevate his prestige.” Upon hearing this, the ministers all considered Wang Sheng to be a man of great virtue and held the Commandant of Justice in even higher esteem.
Note
Huang-Lao recluse Wang Sheng never took office and aided his friend Zhang Shizhi, a just judge. He advised Zhang to reconcile with Emperor Jing. At court, he bade Zhang kneel to tie his sock, intentionally boosting Zhang’s reputation for humility before all ministers.
Wang Sheng (王生):
A quintessential Daoist recluse of the early Han dynasty. Unlike traditional hermits who completely detach from society, Wang Sheng used his profound understanding of human nature and Daoist wisdom to actively protect his friend, demonstrating that a recluse could still exert a positive, albeit unconventional, influence on the political sphere.
Zhang Shizhi (张释之):
A highly respected official of the early Han dynasty, famous for his strict adherence to the law and impartiality, even when facing the heir apparent. His willingness to kneel and tie Wang Sheng’s sock in public showcases his immense humility and deep respect for his wise friend.
Sima Gate:
“Sima Gate” is an important architectural term in ancient China, referring to the outer gate of imperial palaces, government offices, military camps, or imperial mausoleums. It derived its name because its guarding and administration were typically associated with the official position of “Sima” (Minister of War), who was in charge of military affairs.
There were extremely strict ceremonial regulations regarding entry and exit through the Sima Gate. Anyone entering the palace had to dismount from their carriage and walk on foot upon reaching this gate. Violation of this rule was considered a grave disrespect and would result in severe punishment.
During the Han Dynasty, there was an official position called “Gongche Sima Ling” (Commandant of the Palace Carriages and the Sima Gate), who was specifically responsible for overseeing the Sima Gate, as well as receiving memorials and tribute from across the empire and handling matters of conscription and summons.
Tying the Sock in Court:
This is one of the most famous anecdotes in Chinese history regarding the relationship between political power and spiritual/intellectual authority. By making the highest judicial officer kneel for him in front of other ministers, Wang Sheng created a dramatic spectacle. In ancient Chinese culture, this act paradoxically elevated Zhang Shi’s status, proving that he was a man of such supreme moral character that even a proud hermit would willingly humble him.
Elevating Prestige through Humiliation:
This reflects a profound Daoist/Huang-Lao political philosophy. Wang Sheng understood that in a highly competitive and suspicious court environment, a minister’s greatest defense was not just legal competence, but an unassailable reputation for humility and virtue. He used a seemingly disrespectful act to cement Zhang Shi’s image as a paragon of virtue in the eyes of the public and the emperor.
王生者，汉文景时人也。善为黄老，退居不仕，与南阳张释之交，当时释之为公车令，太子与梁王共车入朝，不下司马门，於是释之劾奏太子、梁王不敬。文帝善之，迁至廷尉。及文帝崩，太子代立为帝，是谓景帝。释之恐，称病欲免去，惧大诛至。欲见谢，则未知何如，用王生计，卒乃见上谢之，景帝不过也。王生尝与释之及公卿召会，庭中立，王生袜解，顾谓释之：“为我结袜。释之前跪而系之。既退，或让生曰：“独奈何廷辱张廷尉，使跪系袜乎？”王生曰：“吾老且贱，自度终无益於张廷尉。张廷尉方今天下名臣，吾故聊辱廷尉，使跪系袜，欲以重之。”诸公闻之，皆贤王生而重张廷尉。
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