Great Song Dynasty Writer

Chapter 291 Lu Beigu's "On the Utmost Importance of Benevolent Punishment and Reward" [Seeking Monthly Tickets!]

When Lu Beigu's article, also titled "On the Utmost Importance of Kindness in Punishment and Reward," was posted next to Zhang Hengxiong's article.

Inside and outside the pavilion, the cheers that had arisen from Zhang Heng's writing seemed to be choked by an invisible hand, instantly falling into a strange silence.

"Alas! Those who govern the world are often misled by the fact that the more elaborate the punishments and rewards, the more corrupt the social morality becomes, and the more corrupt the social morality becomes, the more elaborate the punishments and rewards become. This cycle continues endlessly, to what end?"

Lu Beigu's opening question resonated like a thunderclap in everyone's hearts!

Unlike Zhang Heng, who offered a lofty definition of the essence of punishment and reward, he asked a question about a vicious cycle that rulers throughout history have been trapped in!

Why is it that neither punishment nor reward can stop the morals of the world from deteriorating, and even getting worse?

Young Zhang Dun felt a chill run up his spine to the top of his head.

These opening questions, which go straight to the heart and are almost like "punishing the soul," are even more aggressive than his own!
Even Zhang Heng, after reading the first paragraph, couldn't help but subconsciously take a step forward, his gaze fixed on the article, and continue reading attentively.

"In reality, punishment and reward are used to treat the body but not the heart. They can restrain violence when it has already happened, but cannot stop evil from taking root. They can commend good deeds in their appearance, but cannot cultivate virtue at its source. If a country relies solely on these two methods, it is like a doctor using only acupuncture and ointment while neglecting medicine. How can this last long?"

In the second paragraph, Lu Beigu also gave his answer to the question raised in the first paragraph.

At the same time, he completely exposed the fundamental limitations of using punishment and rewards as tools for governing the country!
Zhang Heng's argument that "punishment and reward are secondary, while benevolence is fundamental" is already a very high insight. However, Lu Beigu's statement almost positions punishment and reward as a surgical method similar to acupuncture, rather than a fundamental treatment.

Su Shi suddenly slapped his thigh, as if he had been enlightened.

In Su Shi's view, comparing governing a country to treating a doctor, comparing punishment and reward to "acupuncture," and comparing fundamental governance to "medicine" is not only novel, but also implies a rejection of "relying solely on punishment and reward"!

At this moment, Su Shi vaguely sensed that the subversive power contained in this article far exceeded his imagination.

He seemed to see a giant axe splitting mountains, cleaving the foundation of his thousand-year-old medical techniques!

"The key to understanding the root of a disease lies in comprehending the circumstances and the people's sentiments. In the past, Shang Yang moved a log to demonstrate his trustworthiness, and the law was enforced swiftly. However, he did not investigate the root of the greed and cruelty of the Qin people's customs. He merely used harsh laws to oppress the people. Although he was strong for a time, in the end, the people's hearts were completely alienated. This shows that he knew the law but was ignorant of the root cause, and his loyalty was not genuine."

In the third paragraph, Lu Beigu did not stop at criticism, but precisely analyzed the root cause of the problem, which was the rulers' governing mindset of "not investigating the root cause".

He cited the classic case of Shang Yang moving a log to establish trust and the strict laws that ultimately led to the Qin Dynasty's demise after only two generations. He profoundly pointed out that failing to explore the deep-seated reasons for the people's greed and violence, and only knowing how to use harsh laws and punishments to forcibly suppress them, is a typical example of "knowing the law but not the root cause"!
Zhang Heng also discussed the shortcomings of Qin law in his article, but Lu Beigu's argument shifted the focus of criticism from the "law" itself to the governing mindset of "not investigating the root cause," which was clearly a deeper level of intent.

Lin Xi's face had turned from unpleasant to pale. He realized that his sharp writing style, which he was so proud of, seemed so pale and powerless in the face of Lu Beigu's insightful analysis.

Confucius said, “In hearing lawsuits, I am no different from others. My goal is to eliminate lawsuits altogether. The purpose of punishment and reward is not to be lenient or indulgent, but to apply the right treatment so that strong medicine does not harm the body’s vital energy and mild medicine does not exacerbate chronic diseases. This is the ultimate goal.”

After his sharp critique, Lu Beigu revealed his core viewpoint in the fourth paragraph.

He quoted Confucius's supreme ideal of "making sure there are no lawsuits" and clearly pointed out that the true meaning of "honesty and kindness" is not simply leniency, but "governing in a balanced way".

Just like a good doctor prescribes medicine, strong medicine cannot damage the root cause, and mild medicine cannot nourish a stubborn disease.

This "middle" is not a compromise or reconciliation, but rather a precise grasp of the balance between "fundamentals" and "means," which is the key path to achieving the ideal of "no litigation."

Zhang Heng's theory of "benevolence as the foundation" is the basis, while Lu Beigu's "appropriate treatment" builds a practical bridge to the "ultimate state" on the basis of the foundation, making it more operational and insightful.

Even Han Jiang, who had read it again, couldn't help but nod when he saw this. This argument deeply resonated with his understanding of the Confucian ideals of governance, yet it was even more insightful.

"When Emperor Wen of Han abolished corporal punishment and replaced it with flogging and forced labor, it was not out of leniency. It was because the punishment of severing limbs and mutilating the skin cut off the path to reform, and its harm was greater than the punishment itself. This preserved the dignity of the people and showed great loyalty in its generosity. In the fourth year of Zhenguan, there were only 29 death row inmates. Emperor Taizong released them and they all returned when the appointed time came. This was truly a case of the ruler and his ministers cultivating virtue, the schools flourishing, and the people knowing shame and admonishing themselves." In the fifth paragraph, Lu Beigu used Emperor Wen of Han's abolition of corporal punishment as an example to give "loyalty and generosity" an unprecedented dimension.

—The dignity of ordinary people!
He pointed out that Emperor Wen's actions were by no means an act of leniency towards criminals, but rather a profound understanding that the cruel punishment of corporal punishment itself was more harmful than the crime itself, because it completely cut off the possibility of criminals reforming themselves, and more importantly, it trampled on the basic dignity of being human!

Upholding the dignity of ordinary people is precisely the embodiment of the spirit of "honesty and integrity".

He then cited the story of Emperor Taizong of Tang releasing prisoners as an example, pointing out that the root of his success was not the emperor's benevolence or the prisoners' integrity, but the social moral atmosphere created at that time, where "the emperor and his ministers cultivated virtue and schools flourished," which made the people generally have a "sense of shame."

Lu Beigu views the establishment of a sense of shame as a more fundamental and effective force for social governance than the deterrent effect of punishment.

Zhang Heng also mentioned in his article that the Zhou dynasty “felt ashamed to violate the prohibitions”, but Lu Beigu’s argument regarded “shame” as a positive social force that can be cultivated and relied upon, and listed it alongside “dignity” as a core element of “utmost loyalty and honesty”. The novelty and profundity of his idea can be said to have surpassed Zhang Heng’s once again.

"If the legal system is complex yet treachery and deceit increase, and the penal code is dense yet shame and decency diminish, this is not because the nature of the people is different from that of ancient times, but because the fundamental nature is not firm. Therefore, the utmost loyalty and honesty must focus on the fundamentals, just like the vital energy of the human body. When it is abundant, external evils cannot invade and minor illnesses are easily cured; when it is deficient, the pores are not firm and serious illnesses gradually develop."

The sixth paragraph of this article returns to emphasizing the "origin".

Lu Beigu pointed out sharply that if the laws are more complex, there will be more crimes and the public's sense of shame will become weaker. This is not because the people's nature has become bad, but because the governance is fundamentally unstable.

He also used medicine as an analogy, believing that the fundamental way to be "most honest and kind" lies in cultivating the "vitality" of the nation!
"Now we must ensure that officials are honest and upright, and that systems curb evil, so that schools can educate and schools can cultivate virtue. This is not a case of the sage abolishing the law, but rather a transformation where punishment is no longer necessary, which is sufficient proof of the virtue of 'the supreme ruler is unaware of the existence of the law!'"

In the seventh and final paragraph, Lu Beigu outlines a specific path to cultivate and strengthen "vital energy".

First and foremost, it is essential to rectify official corruption and improve the system. This is the foundation upon which education can be vigorously promoted and good customs can be cultivated.

These are by no means advocating the abolition of the law, but rather pursuing a higher realm.

—By consolidating the foundation, we can ultimately reach a time of supreme virtue where punishments are no longer necessary!

This ultimate vision elevates the pursuit of "utmost loyalty and kindness" from specific punishments and rewards to the grander level of constructing an ideal social form.

Its expansive scope and lofty artistic conception completely surpass the classical ideals of "drawing a circle on the ground as a prison" and "governance by punishment" in Zhang Heng's writings!

Zhang Heng's exemplary and powerful essay now seemed to serve as a perfect reference point.

It represents the near-perfect peak that traditional Confucian principles can achieve in the topic of "punishment and reward based on loyalty and kindness".

However, Lu Beigu's article is like a new, more precipitous and extraordinary mountain rising from the ground next to Zhang Heng's towering peak!

It opens with the thunderous phrase "piercing through the vicious cycle," uses the sharp metaphor of "criticizing without prescribing medicine" to point out the inherent limitations of punishment and reward, accurately traces the historical lessons of "knowing the law but not the essence" to find the root cause, defines the true meaning of "loyalty and kindness" with "appropriate treatment," and unprecedentedly elevates "the dignity of the people" and "cultivating a sense of shame" as the core values ​​of the spirit of "loyalty and kindness." Finally, it takes "strengthening the vital energy" as the fundamental law and looks forward to the supreme world of "no punishment for criminals" and "the supreme being who knows nothing."

Its unique and profound ideas, sharp and insightful reasoning, and broad and far-reaching vision have transcended the limitations of traditional policy theories and directly address the essence of social governance.

Zhang Heng's articles are like the bright moon in the sky, shining with a perfect and clear light, illuminating the existing path, while Lu Beigu's articles are like the rising sun, shining with boundless brilliance, not only illuminating the way forward, but also opening up a brand new intellectual journey to a higher realm with their fervor and power.

Zhang Heng stared at Lu Beigu's article for a long time, the solemnity in his eyes finally turning into an almost inaudible sigh.

And with Zhang Heng's sigh.

No one has any doubts about Han Jiang's assessment of "top-tier"!

(End of this chapter)