Mencius’s Insights on Ancient Feudal Systems and Social Equity
Mencius, one of Confucius’s most prominent followers, offers profound insights into the social and political structures of ancient China. In a conversation with Beigong Qi, Mencius delves into the intricacies of the Zhou dynasty’s feudal system, emphasizing the allocation of ranks, land, and salaries. This article explores Mencius’s explanations, shedding light on his perspectives on social equity and governance.
Feudal Hierarchies and Ranks
Mencius begins by outlining the hierarchical structure of the Zhou dynasty, which includes distinct ranks for both nobility and officials:
Noble Ranks:
Tianzi (Son of Heaven): The highest rank, equivalent to an emperor.
Gong (Duke): A significant noble rank.
Hou (Marquis): Another key noble rank.
Bo (Earl): A lower noble rank.
Zi and Nan (Viscount and Baron): The lowest ranks of nobility, often grouped together.
Official Ranks:
Jun (Lord): The highest official rank.
Qing (Minister): Senior officials.
Daifu (Senior Official): Mid-level officials.
Shangshi (Upper Scholar): Higher-ranking scholars and officials.
Zhongshi (Middle Scholar): Mid-level scholars and officials.
Xiashi (Lower Scholar): Lower-ranking scholars and officials.
Land Allocation
The Zhou dynasty’s feudal system also included a well-defined structure for land distribution:
Tianzi: Controlled a territory with a radius of 1,000 li.
Gong and Hou: Each governed an area with a radius of 100 li.
Bo: Held territories with a radius of 70 li.
Zi and Nan: Each controlled areas with a radius of 50 li.
These allocations ensured that each rank had appropriate land to govern, reflecting their status within the feudal hierarchy.
Salaries and Livelihoods
Mencius further elaborates on the salary system, which was designed to reflect the hierarchical structure while ensuring that officials and commoners could sustain themselves:
Large States:
The ruler’s salary was ten times that of a minister.
A minister’s salary was four times that of a senior official.
A senior official’s salary was twice that of an upper scholar.
The salaries continued to decrease proportionately down the hierarchy.
Medium States:
The ruler’s salary was ten times that of a minister.
A minister’s salary was three times that of a senior official.
Salaries decreased accordingly through the ranks.
Small States:
The ruler’s salary was ten times that of a minister.
A minister’s salary was twice that of a senior official.
The salary hierarchy continued similarly.
The structured salary system ensured that officials were compensated adequately to replace the income they would have earned through agriculture, promoting stability and fairness.
The Role of Agriculture
Mencius emphasizes the importance of agriculture in the livelihood of commoners. He provides a detailed account of how much land an average farmer would cultivate and the resulting productivity:
Top-tier farmers: Could support nine people with their produce from 100 mu (approximately 16 acres) of well-fertilized land.
Next-tier farmers: Could support eight people.
Middle-tier farmers: Could support seven people.
Lower middle-tier farmers: Could support six people.
Lowest-tier farmers: Could support five people.
This agricultural productivity ensured that families could sustain themselves while fulfilling their obligations to the state.
Mencius’s Vision of Social Equity
Mencius’s detailed exposition of the Zhou dynasty’s feudal system reveals his deep understanding of social equity and governance. He believes in a system where ranks and salaries are structured to ensure fairness and sustainability. His vision includes several key principles:
Merit-Based Hierarchies: Mencius advocates for a system where individuals are ranked and compensated based on their contributions and capabilities, rather than hereditary privilege alone.
Economic Stability: By ensuring that officials and commoners receive adequate compensation, Mencius’s system promotes economic stability and social harmony.
Agricultural Productivity: Mencius emphasizes the importance of agriculture as the foundation of the economy, ensuring that farmers are productive and adequately rewarded for their labor.
Mencius’s discourse on the Zhou dynasty’s feudal system provides valuable insights into ancient Chinese governance and social equity. His emphasis on structured hierarchies, fair compensation, and agricultural productivity reflects a deep understanding of the principles needed for a stable and harmonious society. These lessons remain relevant today, offering guidance on creating fair and sustainable systems in modern governance and economics.