Misconstruction of Benevolence (Ren)

In the early Spring and Autumn Period, the states of Qi and Song were both very strong and prosperous. Duke (Gong) Xiang of Song was determined to dominate the zhuhou but Duke Huan of Qi was already holding the post of Alliance Chief. He had no choice but to swallow the insult. After Duke Huan’s death, a power struggle erupted among his sons and the crown prince had to flee to Song to seek help from Duke Xiang.

Duke Xiang felt this was a good opportunity to fulfill his ambition, so he thought of sending a punitive expedition against Qi. This would enable the crown prince to return to Qi and ascend the throne and would also raise the prestige of Song. When this happened, it was just the right time for him to dominate the zhuhou. When his brother objected to send troops, Duke Xiang elaborated: ‘All along, my first priority is to uphold benevolence (Ren). The crown prince is now a lonely and miserable man. It’s not benevolent (Bu Ren) not to help him restore his kingdom. It is also a betrayal to the trust placed on me by Duke Huan (to take good care of the crown prince).’

In 642 BC, the crown prince with the help of the Song army attacked and captured the capital of Qi. With the support of all civil and military officials, he ascended the throne and became Duke Xiao of Qi.

Thinking that he had rendered an outstanding service, Duke Xiang intended to capitalize on the opportunity to appeal to the zhuhou to make him a hegemon in place of Duke Huan. Since he was afraid the bigger states would not obey his orders, he arranged first with four smaller states and asked them to go to southern Cao for the purpose of forming an alliance. Two of the dukes came punctually. The duke of Teng came late. Duke Xiang ordered him arrested for being late. The fourth duke did not wish to come. Under the threat of the powerful Song army, he had no choice but to rush to the meeting place but he was late by three days. This enraged Duke Xiang considerably. He was advised to kill this duke to make the zhuhou submissive.

Feeling the advice was right, Duke Xiang ordered the execution of the duke. When the Duke of Teng heard of the killing, he was extremely frightened. Duke Xiang released him only after he had spent a large amount of gold and silver.

Many zhuhou from smaller states were not satisfied with what Duke Xiang had done. Some of the states even formed an alliance with Chu which infuriated him tremendously. He thought he could bribe Chu to form an alliance and to make use of Chu’s power to command all the other zhuhou, but he was outwitted by the Duke of Chu time and again. Chu captured Duke Xiang in the second alliance meeting arranged by him and only released him after he agreed to the appointment of the Duke of Chu as the Alliance Chief.

Duke Xiang was furious over the whole matter. His will to hold hegemony failed and he was being made fun of by Chu. In his anger he mounted a punitive expedition against the state of Zheng, a close ally of Chu. He was advised not to proceed but he persisted. In 638 BC he personally led his army and marched on to Zheng in a mighty and spectacular manner. To rescue Zheng, Chu sent her army to attack the state of Song.

When Chu delivered a letter of challenge, Duke Xiang’s general, Gongsun advised him to promise not to attack Zheng and the Chu army will withdraw of its own accord. His general also advised that the Chu army is stronger than Song’s therefore they could not defeat Chu. Duke Xiang expounded: “Chu has more than enough troops but she lacks benevolence. I don’t have sufficient troops but I‘m more than benevolent.” He then accepted the challenge of Chu.

Duke Xiang ordered his men to make a large banner and place it on the back of his carriage. The word ‘BENEVOLENCE’ was inscribed on the banner. The general groaned inwardly. He told a senior official: ‘Duke Xiang talks about benevolence when fighting in a war. I don’t know where benevolence is. We must be prudent.’

The Chu troops began crossing the river after daybreak to fight Song. Gongsun said to Duke Xiang: ‘The fact that the Chu Army crosses the river at daybreak clearly shows that they underestimate us. We should attack them when they are halfway across the river. By the time the entire army has crossed, we cannot defeat them.’ Pointing at the banner, Duke Xiang said: ‘Did you see the word ‘BENEVOLENCE’? This is an imposing array of troops of mine. How can we attack them before they reach the opposite shore?’ Gongsun could do nothing but to moan inwardly.

The Chu army landed on the south bank and began to line up in battle formation. Gongsun told Duke Xiang: ‘The Chu army are now lining up in battle formation. If we attack them before the formation is completed, they will be routed.’

Duke Xiang spat at him and reprimanded him, saying: ‘you covet the benefits of inflicting a blow on the enemy. Why don’t you give a thought to benevolence that has been appreciated one generation after another? This is an imposing array of troops of mine. How can we mount a surprise attack on them before their battle formation is lined up?

Song lost the battle with many troops killed. A large number of soldiers’ families stood outside the imperial Court. They hated Duke Xiang for not heeding General Gongsun’s advice, which resulted in military losses and national humiliation.

Duke Xiang elaborated with a sigh: ‘Ancient people said that those who understand principles would not kill their enemies who were wounded and should not capture old and weak remnant troops. Since I have benevolence at heart in carrying out my military expeditions, how can I attack them when they are in danger?’

When this word spread out, the common folk admonished him and said that he was a muddle-headed fool.
[Selected stories of Eastern Zhou - C. C. Low & Associates]

Comment:
Misconstruing the concept of benevolence by a ruler can lead to many unnecessary deaths of the people. There was nothing benevolent in Duke Xiang’s conduct and his ambition to hold hegemony over the other states. A benevolent ruler does not kill a ruler of another state because he came late for a meeting or was rude. Benevolence is not for show. Depiction of the word in a large banner means nothing if we know not what it really means. Working for such a ruler, even Sunzi can do no better. War is a serious matter of state and not a game.

Just as Gongsun had done, in the Art of War, Sunzi advised: ‘When an advancing enemy crosses water do not meet him at the water’s edge. It is advantageous to allow half his force to cross and then strike.’ (Marches 9.5)

Hopefully, we learn from the past to become a bit wiser.