Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature
Gongsun Chou questions why scholars eat without farming. Mencius argues their governance stabilizes states and their teachings nurture filial, loyal youth. Their spiritual and political contributions make their labor far more valuable than farming.
Bai Gui proposes a 5% tax rate. Mencius argues this suits only primitive tribes lacking formal governance. Civilized central states need moderate taxation to sustain rituals and officials; overly light or heavy taxes equal barbarism or tyranny.
Peng Geng asked Mencius: “You travel with dozens of carriages and hundreds of followers, eating your way through the feudal states – isn’t that excessive?”
A man named Xu Xing, who claimed to follow the teachings of Shen Nong (the mythical Divine Farmer), came from Chu to Teng and went directly to Duke Wen, saying: “As a man from afar, I’ve heard you practice benevolent governance. I’d like to receive a house and become your commoner.”