Shang Yang, a son of the Wei state named Yang, with the surname Gongsun, originally belonged to the Ji clan. When Yang was young, he liked to study criminal law and the school of law. He once worked as a junior aide under the prime minister of Wei, Gongsun Zuo. Gongsun Zuo knew he was talented but had not yet recommended him. Later, when Gongsun Zuo fell ill, King Hui of Wei personally visited him and asked how he was doing and what was happening with the kingdom. Gongsun Zuo said, "I have a young man under my command named Gongsun Yang. Although he is young, he is very capable. I hope the king can put him in charge." King Hui said nothing. As King Hui was about to leave, Gongsun Zuo dismissed the others and quietly warned Gongsun Yang, "If the king doesn't listen to me and promote you, he'll have your head. Don't give him the chance to arrest you." King Hui just stared at him. Gongsun Zuo thanked Gongsun Yang and said, "When the king asked me who could be the prime minister, I recommended you. The king didn't look happy about it, but he agreed. I told him if he didn't use you, he'd kill you. You should leave quickly, or it will be dangerous." Gongsun Yang replied, "If the king doesn't even listen to you, how could he listen to you to kill me?" In the end, he did not leave. After King Hui left, he told his companions, "Gongsun Zuo was seriously ill. It is a pity. Can you believe he wanted me to entrust the country to Gongsun Yang? What a ridiculous idea!" After Gongsun Zuo's death, Shang Yang heard that King Xiao of Qin had issued an order to find able men nationwide, aiming to follow in Duke Mu's footsteps and expand the territory to the east. So, he came from the west to the state of Qin. He got a meeting with King Xiao through Jing Jian, a favorite of King Xiao.
Lord Xiao met with Shang Yang and talked about state affairs for a long time. But Lord Xiao kept dozing off from time to time and didn't really listen. After the conversation, Lord Xiao angrily blamed Jing Jian, saying, "That guy you recommended seems a bit of a nutcase and hasn't been much help!" Jing Jian told Shang Yang what Lord Xiao said. Shang Yang said, "I used the emperor's approach to persuade the ruler, but he didn't get it."
Five days later, Shang Yang requested another audience. Shang Yang met Lord Xiao again, and this time the conversation was better than last time, but they still weren't on the same page. After the conversation, Lord Xiao once again blamed Jing Jian, and Jing Jian passed on the message to Shang Yang. Shang Yang said, "I used the kingly way to persuade the ruler, but he still didn't understand. Please let me see him again."
Shang Yang went to see Lord Xiao again. Lord Xiao appreciated him more this time, but still did not accept his advice. After Shang Yang left, Lord Xiao said to Jing Jian, "He seems like a sharp cookie; you should talk to him." Shang Yang said, "I used the hegemonic strategy to persuade the ruler, and he seemed interested. If he summons me again, I will know his thoughts."
Shang Yang visited Lord Xiao again. They really clicked, and Lord Xiao didn't even realize he had put his feet on the table. They talked for several days in a row, and Lord Xiao was hooked. Jing Jian asked Shang Yang, "How did you make the Duke so happy? The Duke's really taken to you!" Shang Yang replied, "I used the emperor's approach, comparing the ancient Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties (think of them like really, really old empires) with him, but he said, 'It's too far away, I can't wait that long. Besides, wise monarchs all want to make a name for themselves in their lifetime; how can they wait for hundreds of years to rule the land?' So I used the method of building up the country's power to persuade him, and he was very pleased. But that makes him less virtuous than those old emperors."
After Shang Yang was entrusted with great power by King Xiaogong of Qin, he wanted to reform the laws but was worried about people's opinions. Shang Yang said, "If you keep second-guessing yourself, you'll never get anything done. Hesitation breeds failure. Anyone with vision is bound to face criticism; anyone with original ideas will be laughed at. Fools can't see success coming, but smart people spot the trends early. The common folk might not understand your vision at the start, but they'll sure enjoy the benefits later. Anyone who champions true morality won't be popular; anyone who achieves great things doesn't need everyone's approval. A true leader strengthens the nation, regardless of tradition; a true leader benefits the people, regardless of outdated customs." Xiaogong said, "Good!"
Gan Long replied, "No. A sage will not easily change customs for education, and a wise person will not easily change laws for governing a country. By following customs for education, success can be achieved effortlessly; by governing according to laws, officials are familiar, and the people live in peace and contentment." Shang Yang said, "Gan Long's words are just the same old tired arguments. The average person is happy with things as they are, and academics are stuck in their old ways. These methods can be used for officialdom and law enforcement, but cannot be used to discuss matters beyond the law. The Three Dynasties and the Five Hegemons all had different laws, yet they all thrived. Wise men make laws, and fools obey them; virtuous men change rites, and the non-virtuous are bound by rites."
Du Zhi said, "Don't change the rules unless you're sure it'll be a huge improvement, and don't change your methods unless it's ten times better. Following the ways of the ancients is not wrong, and adhering to rites and laws is not deviating." Shang Yang said, "There is no single path to governing the world, and making a country strong does not necessarily have to follow the ways of the ancients. Therefore, Tang and Wu did not follow the ancient systems to become kings, and Xia and Shang did not change the rites and laws and perished. Those who oppose ancient systems cannot be said to be wrong; and those who blindly follow rites and laws are not worthy of praise." Xiaogong said, "Good!" So he appointed Shang Yang as a top official, and thus Shang Yang's reforms were implemented.
The law said folks had to team up, ten or five to a group, keep an eye on each other, and share the blame if one messed up. If you didn't rat out bad guys, you got your head chopped off. But if you did, you got a big reward. Keeping it quiet got you the same punishment as deserting to the enemy. If you had more than two grown men in your house and didn't split up, your taxes doubled. Guys with military achievements got promoted, but if you got into a brawl, you got punished—the worse the fight, the worse the punishment. Farming and crafts were big deals—produce enough grain or silk, and you got out of doing forced labor. If you were a businessman or bum and poor, the government made you a slave. Royal family members? No military achievements, no place on the family roster. Social status and titles were crystal clear—your rank decided your land, slaves, and clothes. If you did something great, you were a big shot. Rich but lazy? No glory for you. Shang Yang had his laws all set, but he was worried nobody would believe him, so he waited. So, he stuck a huge wooden post at the south gate and offered ten gold coins to anyone who could lug it to the north gate. Nobody bit. He upped the ante to fifty gold coins. Someone did it, Shang Yang paid up, and *then* he announced the new laws. Showed everyone he meant business.
The law has been implemented for a year, and thousands of folks from the state of Qin ran to the capital to complain that the law wasn't working. At this time, even the crown prince broke the law! Shang Yang said, "The law isn't being followed because those in power are leading the violation!" So, he planned to go after the crown prince according to the law. Since the crown prince is the heir to the throne and cannot be punished, Shang Yang punished the crown prince's teacher, Gongzi Qian, and even had the crown prince's master, Gongsun Jia, branded on the face. The next day, all the people of Qin obediently followed the law. Ten years later, life in Qin was good; you didn't find stuff lying around, bandits were gone, and everyone was doing well. The folks bravely participated in wars but dared not fight privately, and the people in the villages all lived in peace. Those Qin folks who initially said the new law was bad now came to praise it, and Shang Yang said, "These people are all rabble-rousers!" and then moved them all to the border. From then on, no one dared to discuss the law again.
Therefore, Shang Yang was appointed as the top minister. He led troops to surround Anyi of the state of Wei and captured it. Three years later, he built the magnificent Jique Palace in Xianyang, and the capital of Qin was also moved from Yong to Xianyang. At the same time, he ordered the prohibition of fathers, sons, and brothers sharing a room. He also merged smaller towns into counties, established county leaders, and set up a total of thirty-one counties. He planned fields, dug canals, and demarcated boundaries, making taxes fairer; he unified weights and measures. Four years after the implementation of the law, Gongzi Qian broke the law again, and Shang Yang cut off his nose. Five years later, the national strength of Qin was strong, and the emperor specially rewarded Duke Xiao, with other vassals coming to congratulate.
Meanwhile, the following year, the state of Qi wiped the floor with the state of Wei in the Battle of Maling, capturing the crown prince of Wei, Shen, and killing the general of Wei, Pang Juan.
In the second year, Shang Yang said to Lord Xiaogong: "The relationship between the states of Qin and Wei is like a life-or-death struggle. Either Wei will destroy Qin, or Qin will destroy Wei. Why do I say this? Wei is located on the western side, a strategic location for transportation, with its capital in Anyi, occupying the advantageous lands east of the Yellow River. When the situation is favorable, Wei advances westward to invade Qin; when the situation is unfavorable, it expands eastward. Now, with your brilliant leadership and strong army, the state has become strong, while Wei suffered a major defeat by Qi in recent years, and its vassals had abandoned it. This is the ideal moment to strike Wei. Wei cannot withstand Qin's attack and will definitely move eastward. If it moves east, Qin can occupy the strategic Yellow River and control the vassals to the east, which is the grand ambition of an emperor!" Lord Xiaogong found Shang Yang's words reasonable and sent him to attack Wei. Wei sent Prince Ang to resist. When the two armies faced each other, Shang Yang wrote a letter to Wei's general Prince Ang, saying: "We were once close friends. Now, as generals of opposing states, I cannot bear to attack each other. Why don't we meet, make an alliance, have a drink, and then withdraw our troops, ensuring peace for both Qin and Wei?" Prince Ang of Wei found Shang Yang's words reasonable. After meeting, signing the alliance, and drinking, Shang Yang had his troops lay an ambush, suddenly attacked, captured Prince Ang, and then defeated the Wei army, returning victorious to Qin. King Hui of Wei, due to repeated defeats by Qi and Qin, with its resources depleted and national strength weakening, was very afraid. He sent envoys to cede the Hexi region to Qin to secure peace. Wei eventually abandoned Anyi and moved the capital to Daliang. King Hui of Liang said: "I regret not accepting the advice of Gongshu Zuo!" After defeating Wei and returning to Qin, Shang Yang was granted fifteen cities in the Hexi region and was honored with the title of Lord Shang.
Shang Yang served as Chancellor of the Qin State for ten years, and many members of the royal family were not pleased with him. Zhao Liang went to see Shang Yang. Shang Yang said, "I heard about you from Meng Langao, and now I want to be friends with you. Can we be friends?"
Zhao Liang said, "Absolutely not. Confucius said: 'A ruler who promotes the talented prospers; one who surrounds himself with the incompetent is doomed.' I am not suitable, so I can't accept your invitation. I have heard: 'To occupy a position that is not one's own is greed for position; to possess something that one does not deserve is greed for fame.' I'm afraid that if I accept your invitation, I will make the mistake of grabbing power and glory."
Shang Yang said, "Do you not support my reforms in the Qin State?" Zhao Liang replied, "You've got to listen between the lines to understand, look within to see clearly, and master yourself to be strong. Shun said it best: 'Being humble is the most important.' You should learn from Shun's approach and stop asking me these questions." Shang Yang said, "Back then, in Qin, Rong and Di customs meant no distinction between fathers and sons—they lived together. Now I have changed this custom, stipulating differences between men and women, and have greatly expanded construction to build the Jique Palace, making it as grand as Lu or Wei. Look at my reforms in the Qin State, and compare them to my achievements with the Five Sheep Doctor; who's the bigger player?"
Zhao Liang said, "A thousand sheepskins aren't worth one fox's pelt; a thousand voices of approval don't outweigh one honest objection. King Wu thrived on straight talk; King Zhou's stubbornness was his downfall. If you don't think you're worse than King Wu, then I ask to speak bluntly and advise you every day without being killed. Can I?" Shang Yang said, "As the saying goes, sweet talk's a lie, but harsh truth's the cure. If you're truly willing to speak bluntly and advise me every day, then you are my good medicine. I'd like to give you a position of importance; is there anything else stopping you?"
Zhao Liang said: "Minister Wu Gui is from a remote area of Jing State. He heard that Duke Mu of Qin was a brilliant and righteous ruler, so he eagerly wanted to meet him. However, he had no money or power, so he became a cook for Qin's nobles, dressed in coarse clothes, and ate simple meals. After a year, Duke Mu of Qin recognized his talent and promoted him from the bottom to the top. No one in Qin State dared to compare with him. He served as Qin's prime minister for six or seven years, defeated Zheng State in the east, helped three different rulers of Jin take power, and once saved Jing State from danger. He promoted education within the country, and the Ba people all offered tribute. He was kind to the other states, and eight tribes pledged their allegiance to him. Hearing of his wisdom, You Yu specially came to request an audience at Hangu Pass. While prime minister of Qin, he never rode in a carriage, even when tired. He didn't use an umbrella in the heat. He walked everywhere, unarmed. His accomplishments and fame were known only to a few, but his virtues were passed down through the generations. After Wu Gui's death, men, women, and children of Qin State all wept, children stopped singing songs, and women grinding rice stopped talking to each other. And that, my friends, is the legacy of Minister Wu Gui!"
Now you see the King of Qin, relying on the relationship with the powerful minister, Jing Jian; this is not a good reputation. As the Prime Minister of the state of Qin, if you don't care about the people's affairs, but instead lavishly build the Ji Que Palace, this is not an achievement. Branding the crown prince's tutor and cruelly punishing the people is accumulating grievances and disasters! Educating the people is more effective than giving orders, and the people imitate the upper class faster than they obey commands. Now you are engaging in superficial displays; this is not a way of education. Your '寡人' (Guǎrén) self-aggrandizement before the King only serves to suppress the noble sons of Qin all day long. The Book of Songs says: "Even a rat has its own form; yet you show no decorum. Why don't you just die, you uncouth brute?" From the Book of Songs, this is not a way to live long. Lord Qian has remained secluded for eight years; you have also killed Zhu Fu and punished Gong Sun Jia. The Book of Songs says: "With talented people, one can prosper; without talented people, one will perish." None of these are ways to gain talented people. When you go out, there are more than ten carriages behind you; your escort carriages are all armed, with strong and powerful men acting as charioteers, and those holding spears and halberds running alongside the carriages. You won't stir unless everything is precisely in place. The Book of Documents says: "Those who rely on virtue will prosper; those who rely on force will perish." Your life hangs by a thread; do you still want to live longer? Why not return to your ancestral lands, plant vegetables in the countryside, persuade the King of Qin to use those hidden talents living in the mountains, care for the elderly and orphaned, respect parents and elder brothers, reward those who have merit, and respect those with virtue? Only then can there be some stability. You still covet the wealth of Shang Yang, indulging in the power of Qin, accumulating the people's resentment. Should the King turn his back on his advisors and not attend court, will it be difficult for Qin to deal with you? Your demise is inevitable!" Shang Yang did not listen to his advice.
Five months later, Qin Xiaogong died, and the crown prince took the throne. Gongzi Qian and his cronies ratted Shang Yang out and sent officials to arrest him. Shang Yang fled to the foot of the Hangu Pass, looking for a room. The innkeeper didn’t know he was Shang Yang and said, "Shang Yang's laws say you gotta register if you're staying the night, mate." Shang Yang sighed and said, "Crikey, the very laws I made got me into this mess!" He had no choice but to flee to the State of Wei. The Wei folk were furious – he'd tricked their general, Gongzi Ang, and smashed their army. No way they'd give him refuge. Shang Yang planned to go to another country. The people of Wei said, "Shang Yang's the big cheese in Qin. With Qin that powerful, the big cheese showing up in Wei and refusing to go home? No way, Jose!" So they sent him back to Qin. After returning to Qin, Shang Yang fled to Shangyi, rattled up his troops, and attacked the State of Zheng in the north. The Qin army was sent to get Shang Yang and killed him at Minchi in Zheng. Qin Huiwang dismembered Shang Yang's body and declared, "No one was more of a rebel than Shang Yang!" Then he wiped out Shang Yang's entire family. Sima Qian said, "Shang Yang was a right nasty piece of work, born without a heart. Trying to win over Xiaogong with fancy talk and royal tricks wasn't really him. He used Xiaogong's favourite to get ahead, then bumped off Gongzi Qian, double-crossed Wei's general, and ignored Zhao Liang's warnings. That'll tell you all you need to know about the bloke – no loyalty, no gratitude." So, yeah, he ended up with a rotten reputation in Qin – and rightly so!
