Zhou possessed a jade tablet. King Zhou of Shang ordered Jiao Ge to demand it. King Wen of Zhou refused. When Fei Zhong came to ask for it, King Wen gave it to him. This was because Jiao Ge was worthy while Fei Zhong was wicked. Zhou disliked worthy ministers gaining power in Shang, so it gave the jade tablet to Fei Zhong.
King Wen elevated Taigong from the Wei River bank because he valued worthiness; he supplied Fei Zhong with the jade tablet because he indulged wickedness. Hence the saying: “If one does not honor his teachers nor cherish his supporters, though clever he falls into great confusion. This is called subtle essential wisdom.”
Note
This passage explains that true subtle political wisdom may appear foolish externally; by indulging an enemy‘s corrupt officials, a ruler secretly weakens the rival regime for future conquest.
Late Warring‑States Legalist philosopher. This passage is from Illustrating Laozi (Yu Lao), his commentary on the Dao De Jing. He interprets the Daoist saying as a sophisticated Legalist statecraft trick.
Wise founder‑king of Zhou, skilled in political stratagem against Shang.
King Zhou of Shang
Tyrannical last ruler of Shang.
Jiao Ge
Virtuous minister of Shang.
Fei Zhong
Corrupt, treacherous minister of Shang who brought chaos to the state.
Taigong (Jiang Ziya)
Legendary wise advisor of King Wen and King Wu.
Jade‑Tablet Stratagem
King Wen deliberately empowered Shang’s wicked minister to weaken the enemy state, a classic pre‑Qin political trick.
Subtle Essential Wisdom (Yao Miao)
Han Fei redefines Laozi’s phrase as hidden, cunning statecraft rather than moral confusion.
Legalist Enemy‑Weakening Tactics
Supporting rival states’ villains to undermine their governance.
周有玉版，紂令膠鬲索之，文王不予，費仲來求，因予之。是膠鬲賢而費仲無道也。周惡賢者之得志也，故予費仲。文王舉太公於渭濱者，貴之也；而資費仲玉版者，是愛之也。故曰：「不貴其師，不愛其資，雖知大迷，是謂要妙。」
Leave a Reply