An Investigation of the Relationship between Wang Anshi’s Interpretations on Book of Documents and the Xining Reforms

Abstract

During the Xining era of the Northern Song Dynasty, Wang Anshi asserted that a sage king or a wise emperor “did not change his plan because of this outcry, for he considered it correct,” with a view to countering the opposition and reinforcing the determination of Emperor Shenzong for the Reforms. He believed that any political action which benefits people inevitably came with some minor harm and often shortsighted people and the typically treacherous or ignorant scholar-officials tend to question and obstruct the actions conforming to the Way based on these minor harms. Therefore, Emperor Shenzong should not be constrained by the opposition’s rhetoric that claims to represent “public discussion,” but should steadfastly implement the New Policies and severely punish dissenters. Wang Anshi frequently cited and interpreted Book of Documents to substantiate his thoughts and discourse, reflecting the significant and unique role that Book of Documents played in the thoughts and practices regarding Wang Anshi’s Reforms. Meanwhile, the scholar-officials opposing the New Policies adopted different interpretative approaches to express and argue their dissent, leading to numerous conflicts and “dialogues” regarding the interpretations on Book of Documents between the two sides.

Keywords

interpretations on Book of Documents / Wang Anshi / Xining Reforms / Chinese classical studies / political culture

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2024 Higher Education Press