As discussed in Part 1, Yanzi was a famous statesman, philosopher, and diplomat of Qi during China’s Spring and Autumn Period. He is known for his great wisdom in handling complex and seemingly impossible situations.
Providing for those who are suffering
A person’s good words and deeds are worthy of praise and encourage others to do greater good deeds. Yanzi even encouraged and praised the monarch for doing good things, thus benefiting many people.
When Duke Jing was visiting the Shou Palace, he saw an elderly man carrying firewood with a hungry look on his face. Duke Jing took pity on him and sighed: “Let the officials provide for him!” Yanzi said: “I heard that liking the capable and pitying the incapable is fundamental to protecting the kingdom. Now the monarch has mercy on the elderly, and grace is all-encompassing, which is the foundation of governing the country!”
Hearing these words, Duke Jing smiled, beaming with joy.
Yanzi also said: “When a sage monarch sees a wise person, he likes the wise person, and when he sees an untalented person, he pities the untalented person. Now please send people to find the elderly and infirm, including widowers and widows without a spouse, who have no one to provide them, and offer them food and clothing according to their circumstances.”
Duke Jing replied: “Okay, I understand this is important.” So the elderly and infirm of Qi were provided for, and even widowers and widows were no longer alone and had new families.
Doing what’s best for the people
Yanzi was not only strategic, but also a noble and virtuous person. He offered counsel tailored to specific events, fearlessly challenging even the monarch’s errors.
In an era where the ruler’s power was paramount, Yanzi’s remarkable courage and wisdom shielded him from severe consequences. His actions safeguarded his position and served the greater good by benefiting the people.
One day, Duke Jing asked Yanzi: “I have been mentally weak recently, and my body is unwell. I want to prepare the jade and livestock for sacrifice and offer them to God and the ancestral temple. I think this sacrifice can bring blessings, right?”
Yanzi responded: “I have learned that ancient monarchs, when seeking blessings, aligned politics with the people’s will and behaved in harmony with the divine plan. They regulated the size and quantity of palace chambers and refrained from extensive deforestation to preserve mountains and forests. They controlled their dietary habits, avoiding excessive hunting and fishing to protect the rivers. This approach reconciled God and the people, enriching the land’s natural resources; both people and nature benefit from this.”
He continued: “Seeking divine assistance in averting calamities is the right way. But your political decisions clash with the people’s will and defy divine intentions. You are expanding palaces, depleting forests, encroaching on mountains, indulging in surplus diets, and engaging in excessive hunting and fishing. Consequently, both God and the people harbor resentment. I believe this contradicts the prayers of sacrificial officials seeking blessings, doesn’t it?”
Duke Jing said: “If I didn’t have you, I wouldn’t have heard these words. Allow me to change my mind and behavior.”
Consequently, Duke Jing refrained from his planned visit to Gongfu. He ceased to have a lavish banquet of seafood, implemented seasonal tree-cutting in the mountains, and imposed quotas on hunting and fishing. During official sacrificial ceremonies, only forgiveness was sought, with no additional requests made.
As a result, the neighboring states admired Qi, and the bond between the people and the monarch grew stronger. However, after Yanzi’s passing, Qi experienced a decline.
Conclusion
The wisdom and integrity of Yanzi continue to resonate to this day, leaving behind a legacy of profound insight and moral rectitude. His dialogue with Duke Jing shows that loyalty is not measured in blind sacrifice but in sage counsel and unwavering dedication to the welfare of the people. Through Yanzi’s teachings, Duke Jing transformed, embracing a more conscientious rule that valued the balance between the ruler, the divine, and the populace.
The transformation of Qi into a harmonious realm in the 5th century BCE, admired by neighboring states, was a testament to this enlightened approach. However, as with all great tales, Yanzi’s mortal journey concluded, and with his passing, Qi saw a gradual decline.
Yet the echoes of his wisdom endured, reminding future generations that authentic leadership lies not in power alone, but in the ability to heed counsel, nurture the people, and respect the delicate harmony between Heaven and Earth.
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