Reading Notes Episode 21: Xunzi's Imperial Technique (Part 1)

Editor's note: As a reading note of the Zizhi Tongjian, it will be updated every Monday. The chronological order and selection of materials for the Chinese chapters are based on the author's learning progress and personal superficial understanding and cognition. For a reader who studies international relations and strategy, all international and domestic issues and governance methods seem to be answered in the General Commentary.

Qin Jiyi, King Zhaoxiang, 52 (255 BC)

Xunzi's Imperial Technique (Part 1)

Xunzi's imperial technique is condensed in the "Xunzi Soldiers".

Xun Zi (荀子), courtesy name, ziqing, was a Zhao guo in the late Warring States period, and was honored as Xun Qing when he was honored, and was also known as Sun Qing during the Western Han Dynasty because he avoided the Han Xuan Emperor Liu's inquiry, because the ancient pronunciation of the word "Xun" and "Sun" was common.

At that time, the Chu state chun Shenjun sent Xun Quan as LanLing Ling. Xun zi once debated military affairs with Linwu Jun before Zhao Xiaocheng became king, so there was the famous "Xunzi Soldier".

King Xiaocheng of Zhao raised several questions.

A question: What is the essentials of using soldiers?

Xun Answer: The main point is to care about "one people", that is, to unite the people with themselves. The reason why the benevolent person loves others and the teacher of benevolence and righteousness is invincible is that the core lies in winning the "people's hearts". The so-called heaven and place and what kind of change, first and second are all appearances. "Those who are good at subjugating the people are those who are good at using soldiers", and those who are good at making the people attached are those who are good at using soldiers. The fundamental point of the use of soldiers is whether or not the people can be subordinated to themselves.

Second question: What Dao Technique does the Master of Kings use, and how should he do it?

Xun Answer: There is an essential difference between the king's division and the princes' soldiers, the former can call the king of the world, and the latter can only dominate the princes. The key to the king's teacher is the "king", the monarch's wisdom is more important than anything, whether he can advocate etiquette, value morality, whether he can be close to the people and love the people, and be supported by the people, is the "way" to win, and everything else is "skill".

Three questions: What is the principle of being a general?

Xun Answer: In complex terms, there are "six techniques", "five powers" and "three to", that is, six strategies, five trade-offs, and three supreme principles. Simply put, it is twelve words: "Don't be willing to be stubborn, don't be stubborn" and "Be in awe."

Four Questions: What is the military system of the King's Division?

Xun Answer: We should follow the "three major disciplines and eight points of attention" of the people's army. For example: obey the command of all actions; do not harm the innocent; do not trample on the crops; poor and chasing, do not work too long, and so on. In this way, even the people of the enemy country will be uneasy about their own monarch and hope that the king's master will come to save it.

King Xiaocheng of Zhao expressed great satisfaction with Xunzi's answer, but unfortunately he was satisfied, but he did not really listen to it. Fortunately, Xunzi's students Li Si and Han Fei listened, and one became the prime minister who assisted the Qin dynasty, and the other became an outstanding representative of the Fa, writing a copy of "Han Feizi".

The ideas in the "Xunzi Discussion Soldiers" are magnificent and can be condensed into many "Principles" for the reference of future generations:

For example, emphasizing the importance of "benevolence", holding that when a person of benevolence is in power and the country is becoming more and more prosperous, the princes who go first to submit will be peaceful, those who are late will be dangerous, those who want to oppose him will be weakened, and those who betray him will perish.

For example, emphasizing "stability" is the foundation of a country's strength and prosperity, holding that if a country's leaders are able, the country will be stable; if it is incompetent, it will be chaotic; if leaders advocate etiquette and law and attach importance to morality, the country will be stable, and vice versa. Stable nations are strong, and chaotic countries are weak. Seeing this, we can understand why we say that "stability overrides everything".

For example, generals should talk about the "six techniques," that is, six strategies: First, they should be solemn and dignified in prohibiting them; second, they should make clear distinctions between rewards and punishments and have faith in their deeds; third, they should provide strong logistical support; fourth, they should act safely, steadily, and quickly; fifth, they should know themselves and know each other and attach importance to intelligence work; and sixth, they must make full use of their own advantages and avoid disadvantages in a decisive battle with the enemy. This "six techniques" also apply to CEOs in business wars.

For example, generals should talk about the "five powers," that is, five kinds of trade-offs: First, use people to use talents instead of their own personal likes and dislikes; second, they should not forget to be defeated because of victory and laziness; third, they should not be majestic at home and neglected externally; fourth, they should not be mercenary and disregard harm; fifth, they should be careful in planning things, and they should spend money appropriately and in a measured manner. Does this "five rights" apply to all managers?

For example, the general should talk about the "three to", that is, the three supreme principles of not only the top: if leading troops to fight in the following three situations, they will not accept the monarch's orders: First, they would rather be killed than let their own army be stationed in a place where the garrison is not perfect; second, they would rather be killed than let their own army fight a battle that cannot be won; third, they would rather be killed than let their army bully the common people.

Whoever leads three armies by the king's command, and the three armies are established, and the hundred officials are in order, and the crowd is righteous, then the Lord cannot please him, and the enemy cannot make him angry. Having an opinion in the heart that cannot be shaken by external objects is called the supreme subject, the most powerful general.

For example, benevolence is a tool used to do a good job in domestic politics. If politics is done well, then the people will be close to their monarch, love their monarch, and willing to sacrifice for the monarch. For example, although the four generations of the Qin state have all won victories, they are still often afraid that the countries of the world will unite against themselves, which is what people call the army of the era of decline, and has not yet grasped the fundamental of "benevolence and righteousness".

For example, we must have a reverential heart, and we must not insist on me in all things. Not out of thin air, not arbitrary, not stubborn, not self-righteous. If you are sincere, you can feel the gods and get the protection of the gods.

Xun Zi also pointed out to the point that none of the things that are driven by profit will be sustained and eventually successful. Because whenever you encounter damage to yourself, you will stop doing it.

There are many monarchs who like to use rewards and praises, executions, and scheming to control their subjects. But when the mighty enemy arrives and lets those subjects guard the dangerous cities, they will certainly rebel; if they resist the enemy, they will be defeated; if they are allowed to do laborious and arduous things, they will flee. Therefore, the means of rewarding praise, punishment of executions, and scheming are essentially just a method of hiring people to sell their strength, and they are not enough to unite the masses and make the country beautiful, so the king of the holy Ming will not follow it.

The kings of the Holy Ming guided the people by improving their moral reputation, guided them by showing their moral morality, loving them with all their might, arranging their positions according to the principles of honoring the wise and appointing capable people, inspiring them again and again with titles, dresses, praises, and rewards, arranging their labor according to the seasons, reducing their burdens, and raising them, just as they protected newborn babies. Therefore, if you have the "hearts of the people", you will win without a fight, you will be invincible, and all nations will come to the dynasty.

Writing this, I suddenly remembered the Saddam regime in Iraq, the US military has not yet attacked, and the interior has disintegrated. It's a pity that Lao Sa didn't learn Xunzi's imperial skills!

(To be continued)

In a word, laugh.