Guan Zhong was a Chinese philosopher and politician.
25 Facts About Guan Zhong
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Guan Zhong served as chancellor and was a reformer of the State of Qi during the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history.
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Guan Zhong is mainly remembered for his reforms as chancellor under Duke Huan of Qi, as well as his friendship with his colleague Bao Shuya, though his reputation remained controversial among the Confucians, as detailed in the Philosophy and appraisal section.
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Guan Zhong, a descendant of either Shu Xian of Guan or King Mu of Zhou, was born in Yingshang, and became acquainted with Bao Shuya at an early age, when they became business partners.
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The Shiji records that, as partner, Guan Zhong often took more than his share of the profits, in effect cheating Bao Shuya.
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Subsequently, Guan Zhong was appointed tutor to Prince Jiu, the younger brother of the ruling Duke Xiang of Qi.
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On hearing of this, Lu sent Prince Jiu towards Qi, while Guan Zhong intercepted Prince Xiaobai to prevent his return.
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Xiaobai pretended to cough blood and collapse, tricking Guan Zhong into thinking he was mortally wounded.
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Economically, Guan Zhong disbanded the well-field system instituted since the Zhou dynasty; instead, all land was to be taxed according to its productivity.
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Guan Zhong wrote that because taxation would reduce the people's wealth and make them dislike the government, it was better to obtain revenue by monopolizing the sale of salt, iron, forest products, and ore.
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Guan Zhong is said to have indulged in a luxurious lifestyle, and did not equate a ruler's moral purity with his ability to govern.
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Guan Zhong is reported to have advised Duke Huan: 'Summon the wavering with courtesy and cherish the remote with virtuous conduct.
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Guan Zhong brought unity and order to the entire realm so that even today people enjoy his gifts to them.
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The students of Confucius posted a question whether Guan Zhong followed Ren or not.
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Guan Zhong started multiple reforms in the State of Qi.
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Guan Zhong developed a better method for choosing talent to be governors.
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Under Guan Zhong, Qi shifted administrative responsibility from hereditary aristocrats to professional bureaucrats.
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The Zuo Zhuan records that in 660 BC, Guan Zhong urged Duke Huan of Qi to attack the small neighboring State of Xing which was under attack from Quan Rong nomads, a non-Chinese Rong tribes.
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Guan Zhong created a uniform tax code and used state power to encourage the production of salt and iron.
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Guan Zhong believed that monopolizing the nature resources was helpful on improving the government income, with fewer complaints from the public than raising taxes.
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Historians usually credit Guan Zhong for introducing state monopolies controlling salt and iron.
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Guan Zhong then ordered officials to buy arms from State of Hengshan in large quantities.
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One year later, Guan Zhong ordered officials to buy rice from State of Zhao, at a price more than three times higher than normal.
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Guan Zhong composed the Guanzi encyclopedia, officially compiled by the Jixia Academy during the Warring States period.
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Guan Zhong is one of 32 historical personages featured in the Koei game Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI, where he is referred to as Guan Yiwu.