Shang Zi

The Book of Lord Shang, also known as Shangzi, consists of 26 chapters. It is one of the representative works of the Legalist school during the Warring States Period and is a collection of works by Shang Yang, a household name in China, and his followers. The Book of Lord Shang focuses on the theories and specific measures of the reforms implemented by Shang Yang and his school in the Qin State at that time. The Book of Lord Shang discusses a large number of policies to keep the people ignorant and the views of Legalist scholars who deprived the people of their human rights in order to consolidate the emperor's regime. For example, the Book of Lord Shang believes that the relationship between the state and the people is contradictory. If the people are strong, the state will be weak. Therefore, if you want the state to be strong, you must weaken the people. [1] A state that can defeat a strong enemy and dominate the world must subdue its people. [2] Only by making the people ignorant, simple and honest can the people not easily form a strong force to fight against the state and the monarch. Only…