Preface
Wang Mang was one of the most controversial emperors in Chinese history, and his style of governance contrasted sharply with the context of the times, which led to much speculation about his identity and ideas.
Although there is no conclusive evidence in the historical circles about whether Wang Mang is a time-traveler, this speculation reveals the unique side of his avant-garde thinking and policies. His policies, such as the "equalization of land system" and the "Qingzhou Xinfeng Law," attempted to realize the socialist concept of equality and justice, reduce the burden on the peasants, adjust the distribution of land, and avoid the phenomenon that the rich will always be rich and the poor will always be poor. These policies were incompatible with the feudal society of Wang Mang's time, and were considered to be quite advanced and forward-thinking.
Many people speculate that Wang Mang may be a traverser, and the clothes designed by Wang Mang for his wife seem to confirm this. Is Wang Mang really a traverser? What are the aspects of his avant-garde thoughts?
One
Wang Mang, a controversial political figure in Chinese history. He was born into a prominent family of relatives, but he did not indulge in the absurd life of wealth, but was diligent and studious, and cultivated a noble character. After he came to power, he implemented many avant-garde reforms and showed advanced thinking. But his reforms were also detached from reality, which ultimately led to his defeat.
Wang Mang was born during the reign of Emperor Yuan of the Han Dynasty, and his mother was the granddaughter of Emperor Jing of the Han Dynasty, that is, the aunt of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Wang Mang was born into such a prominent royal family and could have lived a privileged life, but he was not contaminated with the shadow of a humble life.
From an early age, Wang Mang showed a great talent for intelligence, and he was well-read and had a soft spot for classics, especially Confucian classics. He studied diligently every day, studied day and night, and lived in moderation, away from the sound Xi of dogs and horses. This kind of behavior made Wang Mang stand out among the princes and nobles, and was praised by the literati and scholars.
In his youth, Wang Mang was known for his elegance and humility. He often served his elderly mother at home, took care of his widowed sister-in-law, and treated others with courtesy. He also made extensive friends with the Magi, often helping the children of the poor who could not afford to go to school. This kind of virtue made him famous among the government and the opposition, and he was regarded as a model of Confucianism.
At that time, the Han dynasty was declining, the political situation was turbulent, and the powerful landlords annexed the land, resulting in many peasants becoming homeless. Wang Mang saw it in his eyes and was anxious in his heart. He took advantage of the change of people's minds to sway public opinion, establish himself as a saint who can save society, and weaken the legitimacy of the Liu royal family.
In 8 B.C., with the help of various forces, Emperor Chan of Han Ping gave way to Wang Mang, who became the first emperor in Chinese history to be elected by public opinion. Wang Mang was finally able to put his idealistic ideas into practice.
Two
After Wang Mang ascended the throne, he decisively implemented the new policy he had diligently pursued. His first reform target was the rotten agrarian system. Wang Mang ordered the implementation of the so-called "Wang Tian System" nationwide, nationalizing all land and prohibiting the sale and circulation of land.
As a result, many powerful landlords who annexed the land lost their land; Displaced farmers who have nothing can receive 100 acres of land allocated by the government.
Wang Mang also stipulated that if a family has less than eight adult males but occupies more than 900 mu of land, the excess land should be distributed to the clan or other people in the township.
This series of measures has undoubtedly brought tremendous benefits to the vast number of poor peasants. When Wang Mang's new policy spread all over the world, many poor peasants who had become tenant farmers were excited. They turned their heads up, believing that they would finally be able to make a decent living.
Wang Mang's second round of reforms took aim at the economic sector. He implemented a monopoly system of salt, iron, and wine, nationalized mineral resources, and established a government loan system so that people with financial difficulties could borrow money from the imperial court to tide over the difficulties, charging a small or zero interest rate depending on the situation.
In addition, Wang Mang also implemented a system of forced employment, forcing idle homeless people to engage in productive labor, and giving them living allowances.
In the context of the hierarchical society of the time, where the slave trade was prevalent, Wang Mang's most surprising move was his attempt to abolish slavery altogether. He ordered a ban on the slave trade, a freeze on the number of state slaves, and a ban on new slaves. Not only that, but he also forbade the master to make atonement for the life of a slave if he made a mistake.
This is a measure full of humanitarian spirit, and Wang Mang himself has also practiced it. When his second son killed a domestic slave, Wang Mang did not show mercy and forced the son to commit suicide to save his life.
Three
Wang Mang's advanced thinking is not only reflected in the political system, but also in the development of science and technology. It is recorded that in 18 A.D., a capable man invented a flying machine similar to a modern glider, and Wang Mang immediately summoned him to the palace when he learned about it.
Although this invention could not achieve real flight at that time, Wang Mang still attached great importance to it and praised and rewarded this capable man. This kind of enlightened conception of science and technology was rare in ancient times.
Wang Mang himself also has a talent and interest in inventing and creating. He invented a bronze slider that closely resembles a modern vernier caliper. This shows that he also embodies the spirit of science in his simple life, full of curiosity and creativity.
In addition to the political system and technological innovation, Wang Mang's ideas ahead of his time are also reflected in his design for his wife.
Once, when Wang Mang's mother fell ill, many officials and wives went to visit. When they entered the palace, they were greeted by a woman in a short skirt, the hem of which reached only to the knees. In the context of the great emphasis on women's modesty in ancient times, such clothing was tantamount to half-nakedness.
The officials and wives mistakenly thought that she was the maid of the Wang family, but Wang Mang actually explained that this was his wife. Everyone was surprised that Wang Mang actually let his wife wear such a shocking dress.
In this regard, Wang Mang said that this is to carry forward the atmosphere of simplicity and frugality, but perhaps he wants to break the stereotype in his heart and let his wife enjoy fashionable and free clothing. After all, this was a fantasy in the traditional concept at the time.
Four
However, Wang Mang's progressive ideas and prophetic image have not been translated into practical well-being. His series of radical institutional reforms ended in failure.
The main reason is that although Wang Mang's reform was progressive, it was still far from the social reality at that time. He blindly longed for the way of governing the world in ancient times, hoping to restore the old system, but did not take into account the changes of the times.
For example, Wang Mang's original intention to abolish slavery was certainly good, but under the social conditions of the time, the sudden decline in the working population was bound to disrupt the economic order. In addition, his royal land system recovered a large amount of land, resulting in the loss of the means of production of many powerful people, and their opposition can also be imagined.
The people who have lived in traditional rituals for a long time also need a process of adaptation to accept Wang Mang's various unconventional measures. For example, asking his wife to wear a short skirt, under the ancient concept of respecting women's morality, it is easy to attract public opinion.
Unfortunately, Wang Mang did not fully consider the receptivity of all strata, so he rushed to implement the reform in an all-round way, but met with fierce resistance. In 23 AD, uprisings broke out in various places, and Wang Mang's Han Heavenly Kingdom collapsed. Eventually, he was killed, and the reforms came to naught.
Five
On the other hand, looking at Wang Mang's life, I have to say that he is a tragic idealist. He had ideas and visions ahead of his time to create a more just and democratic society. But his ideals were out of touch with reality and not pragmatic enough, which ultimately led to his failure.
However, we cannot deny the progressive significance of Wang Mang's reforms. The abolition of slavery, the equalization of land among the common people, the development of science and technology, and the emancipation of women were all too idealistic at the time. But it inspires future generations, and we should give it historical respect.
Many great ideas need a process to gradually change the deep-rooted traditional concepts and adjust the established social structure before they can finally be realized. Perhaps the lesson of Wang Mang's failure is that progress and stability must be taken into account at the same time, keeping in mind the limitations of the times, and doing what we can, so that our ideals can finally become reality.