Why did the ideas of the Fa influence the rise and fall of the Qin Dynasty? Starting from the analysis of "advocating the rule of law and opposing the rule of etiquette"
During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, an unprecedented grand scene of "a hundred schools of thought contended for the ming" appeared, and various academic schools represented by Confucianism, Taoism, Mojia, Legalists, and Bingjia created a brilliant and splendid ideological feast in the process of constantly "contending for the ming." Intellectuals of various schools criticized each other and competed for glory, which not only enriched the academic thinking of the time, but also left an inexhaustible spiritual wealth for future generations.
The degree of ideological openness and academic development at that time not only provided political and ideological weapons for the feudal ruling class, but also laid an inevitable foundation for the development of all walks of life. However, due to the feudal society at that time, no matter which school of doctrine or thought, in order to achieve long-term development, it must meet the needs of the rule of the feudal ruler.
It is precisely for this reason that the legalists, Confucianism, and other schools of thought have stood out in the chaotic situation of "a hundred schools of thought contending." Especially during the reign of the Qin Dynasty, the idea of "Fajia" was even more respected as a "ruling thought". This is in line with the "substitution of the law for etiquette" advocated by the legalists, that is, "advocating the rule of law and opposing the rule of etiquette", which has a very positive effect on the development and strength of the Qin Dynasty.
However, when we see any historical events and problems, we must stand in an objective perspective and apply dialectical thought, only in this way can we more objectively understand the thinking and practices at that time. The Qin Dynasty used the legalist ideology of "advocating the rule of law and opposing the rule of etiquette" from the beginning to the end of the unification of the six kingdoms, which shows that the legalist ideology has a certain enthusiasm.
However, in the last years of the Qin Dynasty, because of the concept of "the law governs the country", the Qin Dynasty was transformed from a "great unification" country, which collapsed during the time of Qin II. The Qin Dynasty was a faithful believer in the ideas of the Fa, and although the Qin Dynasty flourished because of its admiration for the Fa and died because of the implementation of the Fa, this cannot completely negate the guidance and practicality of the "Fa Jia Thought".
I. The Formation and Development of Legalist Thought
The rudimentary form of the Jurist school can be traced back to the Xia and Shang dynasties, but historians generally believe that the ideas of the Jurists were formed in the pre-Qin Dynasty, matured and formed a system during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. The reason for this is that during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the Legalists and other academic schools launched a protracted battle of "a hundred schools of thought".
In order to be able to persuade other doctrines and rulers, the Jurists, represented by Shen Buhao, Shang Martin, and Han Fei, constantly expounded and perfected the teachings and ideas of the Jurists. In fact, the jurist school represents the interests of the emerging landlord class, which takes "rich countries and strong soldiers" as their mission and advocates innovation through changing the law.
The jurist school combines theory with practice, starting from "advocating the rule of law and opposing the rule of etiquette", emphasizing the strengthening of the rights of feudal rulers, and at the same time, advocating the active development of the economy and encouraging "farming wars". The most direct result of this kind of thinking is that the purpose of strengthening and consolidating the dictatorship of the landlord class can be achieved.
The Hanshu Yiwenzhi lists the idea of the Dharma as one of the "Nine Streams". From the perspective of the Legalist ideology, the Dharma-mindedness can be described as all-encompassing. It covers many aspects such as legal thought, ethical thought, social development thought and political thought. If we analyze the ideas of the Dharma from a subtle point of view, it is not difficult to find that this school of thought contains a very rich variety of ideas.
From the monarch to the people, there is not only the concept of ruling the superstructure, but also the practical application of all aspects of society. Politics, law, economics, social reform, finance, currency, international trade and operations research. This is actually the fundamental reason why the rulers of the Qin Dynasty were able to vigorously promote the rule of the Fa.
Second, the influence of Legalist thought on the ZTE of the Qin Dynasty
The reuse of the Shang martingale transformation method during the Qin Dynasty's Qin Dynasty was the "honeymoon period" between the qin dynasty's rule and the thinking of the legalists. According to the actual situation of the Qin state at that time, Shang Martin put forward to Qin Xiaogong the basic idea of governing the country by "advocating the legal family and opposing the rule of etiquette". In order to enable the smooth implementation of the Legalist Ideology in the Qin Dynasty, Qin Xiaogong and Shang Martingale made the Qin people recognize the credibility of the Legalist's rule of the country through the method of "migrating wood and establishing faith".
The Shang martingale transformation method is a model of a strong country in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, in which the transformation of various countries is more thorough and the effect is more obvious. In terms of culture and education, Shang Martin believes that Confucian ideas such as "liturgy", "poetry", "benevolence", "cultivation of goodness", and "filial piety" are not only detrimental to the development of the country, but also easily imprison their ideas and become the culprits of disasters to the country and the people.
Qin Xiaogong not only held a positive attitude toward Shang Martin's proposal to "advocate the legal family and oppose the rule of etiquette", but also strongly supported his law-changing behavior through his right to rule. Shang Martin proposed in "Agricultural Warfare" that "the enemy must be cut down, and not to be poor." In the table to Qin Xiaogong
According to the "Painting Strategy", the "rule of etiquette" advocated by "eating without doing, honoring without fighting, and honoring without a knight" is not only detrimental to the development of the country, but even leads the country to the abyss of destruction.
In the social environment of the Qin State at that time, the Shang martingale transformation method was undoubtedly a progressive initiative. Qin Xiaogong's bold appointment of the Shang martingale transformation law also shows that as the ruler of the Qin Dynasty at that time, he was determined to reform in order to get the country out of the predicament as soon as possible and one day enter the ranks of powerful countries.
With the support of Qin Xiaogong, Shang Martin resolutely advocated the use of the method of "burning poetry and making clear decrees" to crack down on and suppress those who supported "ritual rule". Whether it is Qin Xiaogong or Shang Martin, in fact, what they represent is the interests of the emerging landlord class. The old aristocrats, who advocated "courtesy and governance," were constantly obstructing and destroying the law in order to maintain the status quo and vested interests.
The law-changing activities insisted on by Qin Xiaogong and Shang Martingale are actually the embodiment of the contradiction between the old aristocracy and the new landlord class. In order to be able to smoothly change the law, Shang Martingale, under the instructions of Qin Xiaogong, continuously cultivated talents who could support the change of law and innovation. "Let his strength not be allowed to be virtuous", "officials and lords will use their strength", "forbidden eunuchs and show their warriors", in fact, it was a struggle between supporting and opposing the change of law at that time.
The reform and reform faction, represented by Qin Xiaogong and Shang Martin, had to train and promote "cultivators and warriors" in order to oppose the old nobles who advocated "etiquette and rule.". In fact, this is also a means of change centered on the idea of rule of law in Shangmartin. In addition to the reform of "rewarding farming wars", in fact, "moving the capital to Xianyang, establishing a county system, and opening up a strange country" and other law-changing activities laid a very solid foundation for the Qin Dynasty Zhongxing.
Iii. The Relationship between Legalist Thought and the Fall of the Qin Dynasty
The Qin Dynasty prospered and was defeated by the Fa, and the emergence of this phenomenon was both historical accident and, of course, could not escape the inevitability of history. The Qin Dynasty boldly appointed the Shang Martingale Transformation Method during the Qin Xiaogong period, and after the change, the Qin Dynasty began the Zhongxing Road by moving the capital from a weak border state to Xianyang. This also laid the groundwork for the later Qin Shi Huang to "sweep the Liuhe" and establish China's first feudal "great unification" state.
This has to be said to be a perfect combination of the rulers and law changers at that time, and the support of the rulers of the Qin State and the effectiveness of the Shang Martingale Transformation Law were the inevitable results of the Qin Dynasty Zhongxing. After the change of law, not only did the centralized rule be strengthened, but at the same time, the development of agricultural production also reached a certain height.
However, during the qin shi huang period, although he still adhered to the idea of "ruling the country by law". However, due to Qin Shi Huang's personal good and proud personality, coupled with the overly strict laws of the Qin Dynasty at that time, they were actually incompatible with the development of the times at that time. There is nothing wrong with the ideology of "advocating the dharma and opposing the rule of etiquette."
It is just that this kind of Legalistic thought has become anachronistic ruling ideology. The era is constantly changing, and the ruling ideology should also change accordingly, only in this way can it conform to the interests of national development. However, in the era of Qin Shi Huang and Qin II, he blindly adhered to the "rule of law" and did not know how to adapt, which led to the extreme intensification of social contradictions at the end of Qin. In fact, this is also the inevitable road to the demise of the Qin Dynasty after it unified the world and continued to implement the idea of ruling the country by law.
IV. Conclusion
The symbiosis and coexistence of the Qin Dynasty and the Ideas of the Fa, when in line with historical development, will make the Qin Dynasty change from weak to strong. Just as Qin Xiaogong reused the Shang martingale transformation method, the Qin Dynasty embarked on the road of ZTE. However, if we do not judge according to the objective situation, but blindly adhere to the thinking of the Fa, just as after Qin Shi Huang unified the whole country, the situation at this time has changed.
Just as the so-called riding on horseback can fight for the world, but after seizing the world, they still ride on horseback to rule the world, without giving the country and the people of Li the opportunity to recuperate, and the result of this practice can only lead to the collapse of the country. Qin Xiaogong was the lord of Zhongxing in the Qin Dynasty, Qin Shi Huang was a hero of the great unification of the Qin Dynasty, and Qin II was the executioner of the Qin Dynasty towards the abyss of destruction. That is to say, if the country develops along the trend of history, it will be ZTE, and if it goes against the trend of history, it can only kill itself in the end.
【Reference】
Deng Xuezhong, "Historical Merits of shang martingale reform of the weights and measures system"
Wang Zhengxiang's "How did the Shang Martingale Transformation Method achieve victory?" 》
Fan Yunsong,'''Qin King Sweeps Liuhe'' and Unified Weights and Measures
Zhang Huazhong, "Three Major Reforms in Ancient Chinese History"