Wang Anshi

Wang Anshi. scan from 《社会历史博物馆》 ISBN 7-5347-1397-8. Click here for original source.

I go by Wang Anshi (also known by his courtesy name (zi) Jiefu and Literary name (hao) Banshan) and am known as a poet and prose writer but more famously known as a governmental reformer. I have influenced China from the time I was alive and still today. I was born in Linchuan, Jianxi province, China in 1021 and died in Jiangning (which is now Nanjing) in 1086.

I had a great influence upon the people I surrounded myself with. My ideologies and theories were what I thought to be for the good of the nation but were not always accepted even though they were implemented at one point. I tried to live my life in a way that would help other people. My goal was to make life better and I tried to do that in poetry and prose.

Biography

Being born and raised in Linchuan, Jianxi province I emerged from a rising new group of southern bureaucrats that held a strong utilitarian bent. We challenged the more conservative, large-landholding colleagues from the north. At age 21 I earned the jinshi (advanced scholar) degree in the civil service examinations which allowed me to serve two years as a local administrator in the south.

Jiangxi Linchuan, the birth place of Wang Anshi. By Doctoroftcm, English: The location of Linchuan County in Jiangxi Province 中文（简体）‎: 临川区在江西省的位置 CC license via Wikimedia Commons. Click here for original source.

After serving in influential positions for 20 years I came to the conclusion that the unlimited annexation of land weakened the economy rather than strengthening it. As a result I submitted “Ten Thousand Word Memorial” to emperor Rensong.

Commentary on Biography

Wang Anshi was an ambitious man. He really had the best interest of the people at heart when he was creating his ideologies and theories for his political reform. He had the rare opportunity to be a voice for the people for a time. His influence was so profound that it has even carried an effect to the present day. On October 16, 2012 there was an article published in BBC News, Shanghai titled “Wang Anshi: The reformer beaten by the mandarins.” This article demonstrates how his influence has been carried on over the years and centuries.

Part of the article explains the difficulty and importance of the exams in the Chinese culture.

"There were a series - you have local exams, provincial exams, and then the central imperial exam, so you've got lots of people falling by the wayside at the local exams or the provincial exams, so absolutely the creme de la creme get through to even take the central imperial examinations.”

So to come fourth in the whole of China… think of the size of China. To come fourth out of thousands? Tens of thousands of people? It's absolutely massive." (Gracie, Carrie)

Wang Anshi was a very impressive man. The article continues to discuss the pros and cons of Wang Anshi’s reform. Some of the implications have continued through the centuries. The tests that he took are still in place today but a major difference between then and now is that there are more options for career paths today. There are more opportunities to be influential in society.

(Link to article mentioned above: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19962432)

What is “Ten Thousand Word Memorial”?

This document contained parts of my later policies and political theories. My proposals that were aimed at the bureaucracy were not taken into immediate action. This was mostly because I believed that more officials should be trained and recruited.

”To manage their large empire, Chinese rulers traditionally relied on a strong professional bureaucracy, an elite group of scholar-officials. However, in the 11th century the civil service system declined, and the government suffered. In 1058, Wang Anshi, a local official in a southern province, sent the emperor a list of ideas for reforming the system. Wang argued for improvements in the training, selection, and salary of civil servants. His ideas were ignored until 1069 when Wang became prime minister and could institute the reforms that eventually restrengthened the government. Wang Anshi felt that the greatest problem faced by the government was the lack of capable officials. He believed that the preparation of officials for government positions was often misguided and irrelevant. He also suggested that the government could do better in choosing officials. Selection and promotion were based on literary tests rather than on job performance. Wang also stated that bribery and corruption were the result of the low salaries of the officials.” (World History: Patterns of Interaction)

The Document:

I, your Majesty’s ignorant and incapable servant, have been honoured with your commission to take a part in the administration of one of the circuits. I feel it to be my duty, now that I am called to Court to report on conditions in my district, to bring to your attention certain matters affecting the Government. I presume to do this on the ground of the experience gained during my period of official service, and regardless of my own inability. I shall consider it most fortunate if my suggestions receive your careful attention, and if you can see your way to adopt such as seem in your opinion to be of a reasonable character. To my mind the greatest need of the time is the securing of capable officials. We should ensure that an increasing number of these should be made available for the services of the State, so that from this larger group we shall be able to select a suf- ficient number for our purpose, and secure the possibility of getting men into their right positions. Although the modern Empire is the same as that ruled by the ancients, there is this scarcity of capable men in the government services, while in their day such men were numerous. How are we to account for that? I believe it is due to our not having the right method of producing them. The number of capable men available depends upon the ruler taking such a course as shall develop useful gifts in the people, and on making it possible for such to bring their natural gifts to fruition. By this I mean that a proper method should be devised whereby such men can be trained, maintained, selected and appointed. Firstly, what is the proper method of instructing these men?

The ancient rulers had a graded system of schools ranging from the National University to the district and village schools. For the control and development of these, a considerable number of educational officers and teachers were appointed, who had been selected with the greatest care. The conduct of Court ceremonies, music, and Government administration were all part of the recognized curriculum. So that the model held up before the student, and in which he gradually became well versed, was the example, precept, and fundamental principles of government observed by the ancient rulers. The students trained under this system were found to be of such ability and character as the Government required and could use. . . . This I consider to be the right method of training these men.

It is true that nowadays each “chou” and “hsien” is supposed to have schools. In reality, however, these schools are just so much “bricks and mortar.” For there are no teachers or real training carried on in them. It is true there are instructors in the National University, but these are not selected with any care. Court ceremonies, music and government administration have no place in the curriculum. I admit that the students have a vague idea that these things form part of the responsibility of those in public office, but they do not apprehend that these are the very things with which they ought to make themselves fully acquainted. In the main the instruction they receive consists of explanations of the texts of the Classics, analysed into sections and sentences. That, however, was not the ancient method.

More recently a new method of instructing students to prepare for the official tests by writing essays has come into existence. This method, however, calls for the recitation and memorizing of an enormous amount of literature, and the candidate must devote himself strenuously to this task the whole day long if he is to achieve success. But even if success in this matter is gained, it does not qualify the best student for the ruler’s position, or the less successful for the other public services. So that even if they should go on learning in these schools until their hair turned grey, and give themselves the whole day long to the attempt to conform to the requirements of their superiors, they would have only the vaguest notion of what to do when they were appointed to actual office.

The students of the present day ought to study methods of practical administration. But either no instruction at all is given, or they have to exhaust themselves in strenuous cultivation of the art of essay writing. . . . Further, in the times of the ancient rulers, the students were given instruction in both civil and military subjects. In connection with the Military services, none who had not been specially trained in such matters were given positions, though those who had received such training were all given positions according to their ability. The better qualified were appointed to the chief civil posts during peace, or to the chief military posts in a time of border trouble or war. Those of lesser quali- fications were appointed to the headship of the various civil groups, or to the command of the different military units. In this way the big garrison posts, and the important Circuit positions were all filled by great men, who were at one and the same time both scholars and generals.

Nowadays great emphasis is laid upon the distinction between civil and military matters by the students. The rule is that they confess to knowing nothing about military matters, being solely concerned with the civil services. So it comes about that important military positions are left to those who are termed “military men.” These are often promoted from the hired levies, who in the main are the goodfor-nothings of the country-side. For any who have the ability to maintain themselves alive in their own village are unwilling to offer themselves to the army. But these garrison posts and other military commands are of the most vital importance to the country, and the selection of the right men for these positions ought to have the serious attention of the ruler.

Nowadays, however, this most important responsibility, which should be carried by men selected with the greatest care, is thrust upon the shoulders of “goodfor-nothings” who have been unable to maintain themselves in a bare livelihood in their own villages. That accounts for the fact that we have this constant anxiety about the situation on the borders, and explains why we are so concerned about the reliability of the regular army if the State should be endangered.

The main contributing factor to this is the way in which present-day students regard the carrying of weapons as a disgrace, so amongst them we find none who are able to ride, shoot, or take part in any military manoeuvers. This leaves us with no alternative but to depend upon the hired forces for the protection of the country. Further, the reason why the carrying of arms is regarded as a disgrace by the students, is because no proper instruction in military matters is given in the schools, and because no proper care is given to the selection of men for the military positions. This is an illustration of our not having the right method of instruction.

Ancient Chinese writing. By SHO-EN, VOL.1, No.1, 1937, March, Tokyo. Click here for original source.

Secondly, what is the proper method of maintaining capable men? In a word, they should be given adequate financial provision; they should be taught the restraints of propriety, and controlled by adequate laws and regulations. The rate of salaries paid nowadays to officials is too low. With the exception of the very highly placed officials in the Court circle, all who have large families to support engage either in agriculture or trade to eke out. Those in the lower positions like district officials are at the most in receipt of 8,000 or 9,000 “cash,” while many only get as much as 4,000 or 5,000 a month. When the time during which they have to wait for appointments, and the intervals between appointments are taken into account, say over a period of six or seven years, we find that they only receive the equivalent of three years’ allowances. So that they draw in actual cash an average of less than 4,000 or 5,000 “cash” a month. From this they have to provide the wages of a servant, and make provision for the support of their parents; and funeral and wedding expenses.

It may be urged that a man of superior character will maintain his integrity and good name, even though he should be in very poor circumstances financially. It is also commonly said that a man of inferior moral character will remain mean even though he should become rich. But the mediocre man does not come within these general rules. In this case poverty induces moral degradation, and wealth helps him to maintain his good name. If we consider for a moment the whole of the educated class in the country, not more than one per cent may be classed as either superior or inferior men. Practically all are of the mediocre class, in whom, as I have just said, poverty induces moral degradation, and wealth helps to maintain their good name. With the present scale of salaries, however, it is impossible for the ordinary man to be honest and self-respecting, and it is useless to expect that he should. So we find that the big officials both offer and receive bribes and presents, and carry on private business, thinking nothing of being regarded as “corrupt.” The smaller fry of the official world practice all manner of device for making money, not only engaging in trade and barter, but even descending to begging. Once the officials have earned the reputation of being corrupt, they become negligent, caring for nothing but the holding of their positions. Real earnestness and devotion to the public cause become unknown. With official duties neglected in this fashion, it is of course impossible for government to make any sound progress. . . .

Thirdly, what is the correct method of selecting officials? I propose that those whom you have already found by experience to be of good character and great ability, and to whom you have committed important responsibilities, should be entrusted with the task of selecting men of like qualifications. Also that these should be given an adequate period of probation in official life, after which they too should be allowed to make recommendations to the throne. When this has been done, and when the men recommended have been found to be worthy, rank, emoluments, and promotion should be conferred by way of reward. The present method of selecting officials is as follows:—If a man has a colossal memory, can repeat extensive portions of the classics, and has some skill at composition, he is termed specially brilliant or worthy, and chosen for the highest grades of State ministers. Those who are not possessed of such retentive memories, or of such wide recitative powers, and yet have some skill in composition, showing their gifts of poesy and rhyming, are granted the “Chin Shih” degree, the highest of which are also eligible to be appointed to the high positions. It should need no discussion to show that the knowledge and skill which these men display in no sense of itself fits them for such places of authority and distinction. It is, however, the prevailing opinion, that this method which has been used so long has been proved capable of producing men suitable for these posts. It is then urged that it is quite unnecessary to alter the regulations, or to seek to follow the ancient practice in the matter. That I contend is faulty reasoning. . . .

Fourthly, what is the right method to be adopted regarding the appointment of officials? The ancient rulers were cognizant of the fact that men differ in character, and their ability for actual work. They recognized that they were specially suited for certain definite tasks, and could not be reasonably expected to take up any and every kind of work indiscriminately. They further recognized the fact that it is only after a prolonged period in any one appointment, allowing one’s superior sufficient time to learn of his real capacity and attainments, and for the people under him to become truly subservient and happy under his control, that the really worthy have the chance to display their worth, and on the other hand that the evil-minded may have their wickedness exposed. I have already indicated that the current method of selecting officials is wrong in principle. I have now to add that in the actual appointing of a man to office, no enquiry is made as to his real capability for the particular post to which he is allocated. All that is considered is his year of graduation, or his particular position in the examination lists. Or again instead of investigating his suitability for a certain position, regard is paid only to the number of years he has been engaged in the government service.

On the basis of possessing literary ability a man may be appointed to a financial post, then he may be transferred to a legal position, or again to an office connected with the Board of Rites. One cannot expect anything else than that he finds it difficult to fill any office in any satisfactory manner, seeing that he is required to be ready to fill any position whatsoever. It is only natural in such circumstances to find very few who can fulfil their obligations in any one position. That has led in its turn to their falling into the habit of doing nothing at all. . . . Then I must refer to the current practice of frequent transfer of officials from one place to another. The fact that men are not allowed to remain in one office for any length of time prevents their superiors from getting to know them or their ability in any real sense. Again, those in inferior positions, because they have not had time to learn to respect superiors, are mostly unwilling to obey them. A worthy man has not sufficient time to bring his plans to fruition, and an unworthy man does not remain long enough in any one post for his evil disposition to manifest itself. There are other evils attendant upon this system, such as the burden which devolves upon the local population in the constant receptions of new officials, and the farewells to old occupants of the positions. There are too many defects in accounting and the keeping of records for which these constant changes are responsible. These are among the minor evils attendant upon this system. It ought to be a rule that appointments should be made for a protracted period, relatively longer periods being allowed to those who have control of greater areas, or particularly heavy responsibilities. Only in that case can we expect a man to make some really valuable and constructive contribution to the state. But the current practice is of a contrary type, many officials being transferred after only a few days in one post. . . .

Seeing that all the evils outlined above do exist, even though worthy and able men should find their way into the government service, it is just as if they were unworthy and incapable.

(Link to full document: http://images.classwell.com/mcd_xhtml_ebooks/2005_world_history/pdf/WHS05_12_324_PS.pdf)

Political Career

Ancient Chinese Malitia. By: JoJan scan from 《社会历史博物馆》 ISBN 7-5347-1397-8. Click here for original source.

My political career is the most recognized part of my life history. I entered the central government in 1060 but it wasn’t until the succession of the new emperor, Shenzong, that I achieved a powerful rank close to the throne and gained the trusting imperial ear. In 1069 I was appointed as second privy counselor. It was at this point in my career that my reform (“Ten Thousand Word Memorial”) was launched into action. My ideologies and theories were unconventional by Confucian theories, but I believed that to expand economic growth, a sound state economy required not just measures of economy but also stimulation. This would allow both government and the people to benefit.

My reform measures were directed toward the moral improvement of the people, but in the end the measures strengthened the power and finances of the state. This was the result because of my own personal and political shortcomings, but another large part of this result was the rabid opposition from the conservatives. The conservatives opposed two major measures I instituted: 1) Land survey to reassess property taxes more equitably and 2) A system that made the government an active agent in trade. Officials were allowed to purchase supplies at the cheapest price and in the most convenient market, thus discontinuing the cumbersome tribute system to supply the central government. I created a fund for agricultural loans at interest to farmers who were thereby spared the exorbitant demands of the moneylenders. My ideas, after being implemented, also pumped more currency into the economy.

I also implemented a village of a militia system for local policing and for the buildup of army reserves, the replacement of corvee (unpaid labor) with a hired service system financed by a graduated tax levied on all families, and the creation of both a directorate of weapons for armament development and a horse-breeding program to obviate importation of cavalry mounts. Also in my career I was recognized by the Hanlin Academy (aka the National Academy) which trained expectant bureaucrats; emphasized professional courses in law, medicine, and military science; restructured the civil-service examinations around policy discussions and interpretation of the Five Classics, doing away with the previously required rote recitation of the classics and poetry composition; and, finally, brought government clerks under stricter supervision and provided incentives for promotion.

Decline of Influence/Retirement

With all the unsupportiveness my pride was deeply wounded. In 1074 I bowed to the pressures to resign but I returned the next year with less political power and without imperial cart blanche. Because I was unable to win sufficiently wide cooperation from high-ranking officials and because of unscrupulous or inept men in the lower bureaucracy, my policies were doomed to eventual rebuff.

All of these disappointments along with the death of my son caused me a great depression to the point that I retired in late 1076. After retirement I lived a simple, withdrawn life. I continued my literary endeavors and my scholarly pursuits (which focused on etymological study). My reforms remained intact until the emperor’s death in 1085/86, when, to my great dismay, a virulent antireform clique dismantled the system I created and that was put in place.

Over time I wrote original interpretations of several ancient works and joined the poetry and prose movement lead by Ouyang Xiu. Throughout my lifetime I wrote more than 1,500 poems. My prose was distinguished and earned fame as one of the “Eight Great Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties.”

References

Gracie, Carrie. "Wang Anshi: The reformer beaten by the mandarins." BBC News: 16 October 2012. Website. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19962432.

Worthy, Edmund H.. “Wang Anshi.” Encyclopedia Britannica. Web 2013.

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