Draft:Youyu
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Youyu 由余 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Grand Chancellor of Qin 秦國上卿 | |
| Monarch | Duke Mu of Qin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 687 BCE Xirong 西戎 |
| Died | 623 BCE Qin 秦國 |
| Resting place | Mount Dingjun, Shanxi |
| Spouse | Lady Ji 姬氏 |
Youyu (Chinese: 由余; pinyin: yóu yú; c. 687 BCE – 623 BCE), full name Ji Youyu, was a grand chancellor of the Qin state.[1][2] He helped the Qin state to greatly expand its borders in the west.[1][2] The Chinese surnames You (由) and Yu (余) are possibly derived from his name.
Early life
[edit]Youyu’s ancestors were from Jin state (晋国), they fled to Xirong (西戎) due to political reasons. Youyu could also use the common languages of Jin State.[1]
Youyu occupied a high position in the government of the Xirong King. With Youyu’s help, Xirong was strong and prosper.
Qin’s western campaigns
[edit]After the battles with Jin state, Duke Mu of Qin changed his plan, he started focusing on the traditional policy of expanding Qin's borders in the west.[3] As at the time (626 BCE), the Xirong King sent Youyu to Qin State for a state visit.[1]
Duke Mu showed Youyu the palaces and wealth of the Qin State. Youyu said ‘If you caused spirits to build these, you have mistreated the spirits. If you caused your people to build these, you have mistreated your people.’ Duke Mu was surprised about Youyu’s comments, he said ‘China relies on poetries, calligraphy, rites, music and law to govern the country, but there are still rebellions; Xirong does not have these arts, it is even more difficult to govern the country, isn’t it?’ Youyu replied ‘That’s why China has rebellions. The Yellow Emperor created rites, music, law and he also made himself an example. Even so, he could only maintain a good governance in a certain extent. Unlike the Yellow Emperor, many succeeding emperors were proud and lazy. They simply used the law to oppress the people. People therefore hate the emperors and demand kindness. When people cannot bear any more, rebellions and killings arise. Xirong is different. The kings rely on good virtue to govern the people, the people serve the kings with loyalty. The country is like a person managing its own body parts, this is the governance of a sage (Chinese: 圣人, lit. ‘a person who has wisdom and good virtues’).[1]
Duke Mu asked Youyu ‘I would like to know what makes a country prosper and what makes it decline.’ Youyu replied ‘Thrift makes a country prosper, extravagance makes a country decline.’ Duke Mu said ‘I am humbly asking you the correct way to govern a country, why you said ‘thrift’ is the answer?’ (Duke Mu thought Youyu was trying to fool him). Youyu replied ‘When Emperor Yao ruled China, he used pottery to drink and eat, none of the tribe disobeyed him. When Emperor Shun ruled China, his tablewares were made by timber and printed with colours. Many lords believe that is extravagant, thirteen tribes disobeyed him. When Yu the Great ruled China, his sacrificial utensils were printed with colours and with decorative designs. Thirty-three tribes disobeyed him. When the Shang Dynasty started, the emperors used luxury chariots, tablewares, cups, walls, stairs and mats. This is even more extravagant. Fifty-three tribes disobeyed him. The more they care about decorations, the less tribes obey to them. That’s why I said ‘thrift’ is the correct way to govern a country.’[2] Duke Mu was pleased with Youyu’s replies. He requested Youyu to stay and help Qin State, but his request was rejected by Youyu.[4]
After the meeting with Youyu, Duke Mu summoned his Neishi (Chinese: 内史, lit. 'secretary') Liao and said: ‘I heard there is a sage living in our neighbouring country, the enemy countries worry about him. It is apparent that Youyu is that sage, I am worrying about him. What is your advise?’ Liao replied ‘The Xirong King lives in a rural area, he has never heard our Chinese music. We can send him some Geji (Chinese: 歌妓, lit. 'singing and dancing performers’) to weaken his will. We then, on behalf of Youyu, request to postpone his returning date, so the Xirong King can’t listen to his advices. We should continue retaining Youyu in our state, the Xirong King will be dissatisfied with Youyu. When distrust arises between the Xirong King and Youyu, we may be able to solicit Youyu. The Xirong King loves music, he will surely fall into our trap.’ Duke Mu said ‘I agree.’[1]
Duke Mu instructed Neishi Liao to send sixteen Geji to the Xirong King and request to postpone Youyu’s returning date. The Xirong King agreed and he was happy with the Geji. He drank alcohols and watched the Geji’s performances everyday for a year. He also refused to return the Geji back to Qin State.[1][2][4] Because the Xirong King stopped grazing his cattle, half of the cattle in his country died.[2]
After Duke Mu learned about this, he let Youyu back to Xirong. Youyu repeatedly advised the Xirong King to quit the addiction, but his advices were ignored by the Xirong King. At the same time, Duke Mu sent several envoy to solicit Youyu. Youyu finally decided to leave Xirong and help the Qin State. Duke Mu welcomed Youyu with a great ceremony and appointed him as Shangqin (Chinese: 上卿, lit. 'grand chancellor’). Duke Mu discussed with Youyu the strategies to invade Xirong.[1][2]
In 623 BCE, Qin State launched the western campaigns, invading Xirong. With Youyu’s strategies, Qin State conquered Xirong and captured the Xirong King soon. All the other twelve tribes in Xirong surrendered to Qin State. Qin State therefore greatly expanded its border and dominated the west side of China.[1][2]
Legacy
[edit]Youyu died in 623 BCE in Qin State. Duke Mu shut down the royal court for a day to mourn him. He also built four tombs for Youyu.
In honour of Youyu, Youyu’s descendants use his name as their surnames. Some descendants use You (由) as their surnames, and the others use Yu (余) as their surnames.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i Sima, Qian; Watson, Burton (1993). Records of the grand historian. Han dynasty. Records of civilization, sources and studies (Rev. ed.). Hong Kong ; New York: Columbia University Press. ISBN 978-0-231-08164-1.
- ^ a b c d e f g Watson, Burton (2012). Han Feizi: Basic Writings. Translations from the Asian Classics. New York: Columbia University Press. ISBN 978-0-231-12969-5.
- ^ "Duke Mu of Qin", Wikipedia, 2024-07-12, retrieved 2025-01-08
- ^ a b Sellmann, James D. (2002). Timing and rulership in Master Lu's Spring and Autumn annals =: Lüshi chunqiu. SUNY series in Chinese philosophy and culture. Albany: State University of New York Press. ISBN 978-0-7914-5231-8.