This article reviews Emperor Wen of Sui’s enlightened reign. He built Daxing as the new capital, reformed land and census systems, and established charity granaries for famine relief. He pioneered the imperial examination and the Three Departments and Six Ministries structure. His virtuous governance unified China and laid a solid foundation for prosperity.
Yan Hui asked Confucius, “How should one govern a state?”The Master replied, “Use the Xia dynasty’s calendar, ride the Shang dynasty’s chariot, wear the Zhou dynasty’s ceremonial cap, and for music, adopt the Shao and Wu dances. Ban the music of Zheng and keep away from flattering and crafty people. The music of Zheng…
Gongshu Wenzi recommended his own retainer, Dafu Zhuan, to the ruler, and both were promoted together to serve as high ministers at court. When Confucius heard of this, he said, “He truly deserves the posthumous title ‘Wen’!”
Zixia, serving as magistrate of Jufu, asked Confucius about governance. The Master said, “Do not seek speed; do not pursue small gains. If you rush, you will not succeed; if you focus on petty profits, you will never accomplish great things.”
The Master said, “If one can first rectify his own conduct, what difficulty could there be in governing? If he cannot rectify himself, how can he rectify others?”
The Master said, “If a person can recite all three hundred poems of the Classic of Poetry, yet when entrusted with government affairs cannot manage them effectively, and when sent as an envoy to foreign states cannot respond independently—what use is all that learning, no matter how extensive?”