Yue Yang served as a general of Wei and led troops to attack Zhongshan. His son resided in Zhongshan. The lord of Zhongshan had the boy boiled into soup and sent it to Yue Yang. Seated in his military tent, Yue Yang drank a full cup of the soup.
Lord Wen of Wei (Marquis Wen of Wei) said to Sheshi Zan (Dushi Zan): “Yue Yang ate his own son’s flesh out of loyalty to me.” Sheshi Zan (Dushi Zan) replied: “If he can devour his own son, who will he spare?”
After Yue Yang conquered Zhongshan, Lord Wen rewarded his military achievements yet grew suspicious of his character.
Note
Extreme deeds that violate natural human feelings cannot win true trust. A person who disregards family bonds may also be disloyal to his lord.
Late Warring States Legalist thinker. This text is excerpted from Han Feizi, Chapter: The Forest of Persuasions (Part I). He uses this story to discuss loyalty and human nature.
Yue Yang
General of Wei, famous for military exploits but regarded as ruthless.
Lord Wen of Wei (Marquis Wen of Wei)
Ruler of Wei, who valued merit but also guarded against dangerous officials.
Sheshi Zan (Dushi Zan)
A minister of Wei, sharp in judging people’s inner thoughts.
Lord of Zhongshan
Ruler of Zhongshan, who used cruel tactics to demoralize the enemy general.
Cruel Warfare Tactics
In ancient wars, enemies sometimes resorted to brutal means such as harming relatives to break an opponent’s will.
Loyalty and Human Ethics
Filial piety was a fundamental virtue in ancient China. One who abandons family affection was seen as lacking basic morality.
Monarch’s Vigilance
Rulers admired loyal service but feared ministers with extreme and cold-blooded traits, for they might turn against the throne someday.
乐羊为魏将而攻中山，其子在中山，中山之君烹其子而遗之羹。乐羊坐于幕下而啜之，尽一杯。文候谓堵师赞曰：”乐羊以我故而食其子之肉。”答曰：”其子而食之，且谁不食？”乐羊罢中山，文候赏其功而疑其心。
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