Zichan

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. Zichan's career path to the top position started in 565 BCE, and involved finding his way through the intense social instability, sometimes violent, and foreign threats, that challenged Zheng's aristocratic political class. In 543 BCE, Zichan became first minister of Zheng. Land reforms were started. In 536 BCE, Zichan selectively published Zheng's penal laws. In 522 BCE, Zichan died after an illness of several months. He left his successor You Ji advice on how to run the government of Zheng. Confucius spoke well of Zichan, saying he had four of the characteristics of a superior man: in his conduct of himself, he was humble; in serving his superiors, he was respectful; in nourishing the people, he was kind; in ordering the people, he was just. Mencius referred to Zichan, comparing him to sage king Shun. Shen Buhai's talent in statecraft enabled him to live quite well during the Warring States period. Han Feizi mentioned Zichan's effective method of handling 'litigants' or 'suspects' to get at the truth. Sang Hongyang referred to Zichan's exemplary career as not enough to curb the crimes of unruly clan chiefs. Deng Xi of Zheng, for good or ill, acquired a reputation for provoking social conflict and civic instability. Zichan's career seems largely in keeping with the beneficial social values taught later by Confucius.