Explanation IV
Wang Deng served as the magistrate of Zhongmu. He reported to Lord Xiang of Zhao, saying, “In Zhongmu there are two scholars, Zhong Zhang and Xu Ji. Their personal conduct is highly cultivated, and their learning is very broad. Why does my lord not recommend them?” Lord Xiang said, “If you have seen them, I will appoint them as grand masters.” The chief minister remonstrated: “The grand master is a high rank in Jin. To receive it without merit is not in accord with the intention of Jin’s ministers. My lord has perhaps heard of them but has not yet seen them!” Lord Xiang replied, “When I selected Wang Deng, I both heard about him and observed him. Now what Wang Deng selects, I again accept merely by hearing and without seeing. This means that those who rely on others’ ears and eyes will never come to an end.” In a single day Wang Deng presented two men who were made grand masters, and they were given fields and houses. The people of Zhongmu abandoned their plowed fields, sold their houses and gardens, and followed the men of letters; half the town did so.
Shu Xiang attended Duke Ping of Jin while the duke requested matters of state. The duke’s calves ached, his feet were numb, and he suffered cramps, yet he did not dare to break his seated posture. When the people of Jin heard of this, they all said, “Shu Xiang is a worthy man. Duke Ping honors him so greatly that he endured cramps without changing his seat.” In Jin, those who resigned office and sought patronage, admiring Shu Xiang, became as numerous as hammer-blows.
There was a man named Qu Gong in Zheng County. When he heard that the enemy had come, he was so frightened that he died. When his fear passed, he came back to life.
Lord Father Zhao of Zhao sent Li Ci to inspect whether Zhongshan could be attacked. Li Ci returned and reported, “Zhongshan can be attacked. If my lord does not attack it quickly, Qi and Yan will overtake us.” Lord Father Zhao asked, “Why can it be attacked?” Li Ci answered, “Its ruler delights in meeting men who dwell in caves and cliffs. He tilts the canopy of his carriage and stops his vehicle to visit men in poor lanes and humble alleys; such visits number in the tens. He performs lofty rites and lowers himself before commoners; such men number in the hundreds.” The lord said, “By your words, he is a worthy ruler. How can he be attacked?” Li Ci said, “Not so. If he delights in honoring men who dwell in caves and cliffs and brings them to court, then warriors will grow slack in the ranks. If the ruler exalts scholars and lets commoners occupy the court, then farmers will grow lazy in the fields. If warriors are slack in the ranks, the army will be weak. If farmers are lazy in the fields, the state will be poor. If its army is weak against the enemy and the state is poor within, yet it does not perish, such a thing has never occurred. Is it not proper to attack it?” Lord Father Zhao said, “Good.” He raised troops and attacked Zhongshan, and thus destroyed it.
Note
This Legalist excerpt from Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 32.10 gives multiple anecdotes. It illustrates that excessive honors for reclusive scholars erode farming and military strength, contributing to Zhongshan state’s downfall.
A major Legalist thinker of the Warring States period. He emphasizes state power, law, and practical results, and is suspicious of empty moral reputation.
Lord Xiang of Zhao (赵襄主):
An early ruler of the Zhao house during the late Spring and Autumn period. Here he represents a ruler who promotes men too easily based on recommendation.
Wang Deng, Zhong Zhang, Xu Ji:
Minor figures used to show how quickly fame can turn into official rank and material reward.
Grand master (中大夫):
A high ministerial rank. Han Fei argues that such ranks should be earned by merit, not given for reputation.
“Ears and eyes” (耳目):
A metaphor for relying on others’ reports instead of direct inspection. Han Fei warns that this creates endless chains of unverified recommendation.
Shu Xiang (叔向):
A respected statesman of Jin. Duke Ping’s rigid courtesy toward him shows how rulers’ gestures can shape social behavior.
Duke Ping of Jin (晋平公):
A ruler of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period. His fear of breaking posture is meant to look respectful but produces harmful imitation.
Qu Gong of Zheng County (郑县屈公):
A comic figure who “dies of fear” and then “comes back to life.” The story mocks cowardice and useless scholars.
Lord Father Zhao (赵主父):
King Wuling of Zhao. He sends an envoy to judge whether Zhongshan is vulnerable.
Li Ci (李疵):
Zhao’s observer. Li Ci was a minister of the State of Zhao during the Warring States Period. He was ordered by King Wuling of Zhao to spy on the State of Zhongshan and persuaded Zhao to send troops to attack it. He argues that excessive honor for reclusive scholars weakens farming and warfare.
Men who dwell in caves and cliffs:
Reclusive scholars or hermits. In Confucian and broader early Chinese culture they were often admired, but Han Fei sees them as unproductive.
Zhongshan (中山):
A small state surrounded by Zhao. Han Fei uses its destruction to argue that moral prestige cannot replace military and economic strength.
Farmers and warriors:
Central to Legalist thought. A strong state depends on agriculture and war; scholars, hermits, and empty reputation are seen as distractions.
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