Advisor Cheng Yang 1
Han, Yu (768 A.D.-824 A.D.)
Someone asked me about Advisor Cheng Yang, "Is Advisor Yang a man of high
principle? He studied extensively and was well informed. Practicing ancient
moral doctrines, he did not seek fame. He lived on the border of Shanxi
Province. After being a clerk in a library for six years, he became
knowledgeable. Thousands of people there were edified by his virtue and became
good citizens. In 783 A.D., Court Official Bi Li recommended him to the emperor.
The Emperor appointed Yang to be his advisor. People considered the title of
advisor glorious, but Yang did not show pleasure on his face. He has held the
position for five years. His great character remains the same. He is not a
person who would allow wealth and power to corrupt his character."
I responded to him, "The chapter titled ‘Hen-divination 2' in
The Book of Changes 3 says, 'In a family, a woman should respect
her husband’s opinion by being gentle and silent. However, a man should solve
problems by thinking independently and making wise judgment.' Yang failed to
fulfill his obligation. How can you say that he is man of high principle?
'Gu-divination 4' says, ‘When one does not hold a government
position, one should cultivate his virtue.' 'Jian-divination
5' says,
'When a country is in trouble, a government official should devote himself to
his country rather than his personal gain.' This is because the moral doctrine
one should follow depends on one's circumstance. The statement in Gu-divination
can be interpreted as follows: Even if one does not hold a government position,
he should still serve his community. The statement in Jian-divination can
be interpreted as follows: Those who hold government positions but do not like
to get their hands dirty with work will be ridiculed as officials who neglect
their duties while taking the pay. Their irresponsible practices should not be
followed as examples and their negligence may cause serious consequences. Yang
has held his position as an advisor for a long time. He should be familiar with
the gains and losses of our country by now. Furthermore, the emperor has shown
special favor to him, but he never spoke one word on politics. In fact, his
apathy toward our political gains or losses is similar to that held by the
people in the of State of Yue toward the economic success or failure of the
State of Qin 6. By and by, his apathy has deteriorated to such an
extent that accomplishments will not give him any pleasure and negligence will
not cause him any shame. If one asks him about his job, he will say, 'An
advisor.' If one asks him about his salary, he will say that it is the same as
those of the great officers in the emperor's court. If one asks him about
politics, he will say, 'I don't know.' Are these the characteristics of a man of
high principle?
"I have heard, ‘If one holds a government position, but fails to perform his
duty, then he should resign. If one is responsible for evaluating political
gains and losses, but fails to make any comments, then he should resign.' Has
Yang said what he should as an advisor? For those who have the duty to speak up,
it is wrong to keep silent. So it is for those who hold their position but fail
to perform their duties. Does Yang seek his office simply for financial gain?
People in ancient times said, 'One should not acquire a job simply for financial
gain.' Those who receive a good salary, but fail to perform their duties should
resign and find a lesser position with a smaller salary, such as a doorman or
night-watchman. Confucius used to be a manager in a rice warehouse; later he was
a herdsman. He did not dare to neglect his duty. He would say,
'The accounts must be balanced.' Or
'The cattle and sheep must be well
tended.' It is obvious that both Yang's position and salary are substantial. Is
it right that he receives a good salary without performing his duty?"
Someone said, "No. It is not that way. Yang hates to slander his superiors
and to expose the emperor's faults for his personal gain. Therefore, though he
gives advice to the emperor frequently, he will not tell people that he does so.
The Canon of History says, 'If you have a good idea, then tell the
emperor about it privately. After the idea is executed successfully, you should
go out and ascribe the success to the emperor.' Perhaps this type of humbleness
was what Yang had in mind." I responded to him, "It is really confusing if Yang
acted as you said. Giving advice to the emperor without accepting credit from
the public is the duty of the prime minister, and is not proper behavior for an
advisor. Yang was originally a commoner, living on a wooded mountain in
seclusion. The emperor promoted him to this position due to his virtue. An
advisor is expected to perform his duty by giving advice. Then the entire world
and future generations will understand that there are officials in our
government who can openly criticize its policy even though the criticism may
embarrass their superiors. They will also understand that our emperor has an
open mind that enables him to admit his mistakes and accept good advice. If
talented recluses in caves have heard of this practice, they would admire the
emperor for his virtue. They would wear formal attire and come to the palace to
present their ideas. The utilization of these talented people will promote our
emperor to the rank of great ones such as Yao and Shun, and immortalize his
reputation. The duty that you quoted from The Canon of History is for the
prime minister, and is not proper for an advisor. If what Yang had in mind was
similar to what you said, then he really underestimated the wisdom of our
emperor, and may cause the emperor to start feeling the shame of accepting
advice."
Someone said, "Yang did not seek fame, but people made him famous. Although he
did not seek a high position, the emperor appointed him to the position of
advisor. Although he accepted the offer, he has still adhered to his own moral
codes. How can you reprove him?"
I said, "All great men have not sought fame or important positions since
ancient times. All they have done is lament the upheaval of his time and
empathize pity people's sufferings. A man of high principle dare not attend his
own virtue alone. He must save the entire world at the same time. He will pursue
his goal diligently until his death. Therefore, Yu, who had worked on the
problem of flooding of the Yellow River for eight years, did not enter his house
even though he passed by it three times. Before his seat could become warm,
Confucius had to go to another state to persuade its king to improve people's
lives. Philanthropist Mo had to leave to help people before the flame burned his
stove black. Did these two great men and one good man not know how to enjoy
themselves? It was because they truly feared God's will and sympathized with
people who suffered hardship. When God endows a man great talents, He intends
for him to use his talents to complement other people's insufficiency rather
than enjoy his own life. As for eyes and ears to a body, eyes control vision and
ears control hearing. Only after one sees risks and obstacles and listens to
others' experiences may one make one's body and soul secure. A great man is the
eyes and ears of contemporary people. Contemporary people are the body of a
great man. If Yang lacks talent, he should find a lesser position suitable for
his skills. If Yang is talented, then he should fear God's will, sympathize with
people who suffer hardship, and thus should be busy with work. How can have so
much free time to enjoy his own life?"
Someone said, "I have heard that a gentleman does not consider disclosing
one's faults a virtue. Based on your argument, you are an upright man. But do
you think, perhaps, that you criticize Yang a little too much and that it may
damage your reputation for kindness? Guo-wu 7 loved to point out
other people's faults and hold them accountable. This was the reason why he was
killed in the State of Qi. Have you heard his story?" I said, “When a virtuous
man holds a position, he will fulfill his duty despite the risk to his own life.
If one is not in office he should expound virtue by writing essays. I only use
Yang's story to demonstrate what is right, not to attack him to show how
virtuous I am. Guo-wu was killed because he failed to speak to the right person
and criticized too freely in a corrupt country. An ancient book says, 'Only a
good man can accept straightforward advice.' It means that after a good man
hears of his mistake, he will correct it. You told me that Yang can be a man of
high principle. Although Yang has not yet achieved that level, it does not mean
that Yang can never be a good man. 8"
1 Cheng Yang of the Tang dynasty was a native of Beiping City. Kang-zong was
his other first name.
2 "Hen" means constancy.
3 The Book of Changes discusses the science of divination based on the
Eight Diagrams. Each diagram consists of an arrangement of single lines and
divided lines which are presented in eight groups of three lines each. These
designs are said to have derived by Emperor Fu Xi from the design on the back of
a tortoise.
4 'Gu-divination' is a chapter title in The Book of Changes.
"Gu"
means poison or worms in one's stomach.
5 ‘Jian-divination' is a chapter title in The Book of Changes.
"Jian"
means trouble.
6 Yue and Qin were two states during the Spring-fall period. Yue was located
in Southeastern China, while Qin was located in Northwestern China. These two
states were separated by a long distance and had no connections whatsoever.
7 Zuo was Guo-wu's other first name. King Xiang met Guo-wu. Gu-wu talked
about many people's faults. King Xiang said, "Living in a corrupt state and
loving to find others' faults will incur enmity." As expected, later, Gu-wu was
killed.
8 After Yang read this essay, he corrected his mistakes by giving the emperor
two pieces of advice. It was this essay that drove Yang to be a responsible
advisor.