This Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 42 covers two dialogues. It stresses testing officials in low‑level posts, and records Han Fei’s stance: reformers should pursue public benefit via laws despite personal peril, rejecting self‑preserving cowardice.
Wang Anshi (1021–1086) was a preeminent statesman, reformer, and literary figure of the Northern Song dynasty. His courtesy name was Jiefu, and he adopted the sobriquet Banshan (“Half Hill”). Born in Linchuan, Fuzhou (modern-day Fuzhou, Jiangxi Province), Wang passed the imperial civil service examination in 1042 (the second year of the Qingli reign).