Zi Chan

Zichan (c. 581–522 BCE), also known as Gongsun Qiao, was a Chinese statesman during the late Spring and Autumn period. From 543 BCE until his death in 522 BCE, he served as the chief minister of the State of Zheng. As chief minister, Zichan faced aggression from powerful neighbors and internal political turbulence. He introduced reforms that strengthened the state and met foreign threats, earning respect for his statecraft. His actions and sayings were favorably treated in ancient texts like the Zuo Zhuan and drew commentary from Confucius, Mencius, and Han Fei. Zichan's reforms included agricultural improvements, tax reforms, and the unprecedented publication of Zheng's penal laws on a bronze tripod in 536 BCE, which aimed to inform and guide the people, breaking with the tradition of laws being known only to the elite.