The Decline of Zheng and the Rise of Han

The ancient city of Xinzheng, nestled along the northern banks of the Wei River, bore witness to centuries of shifting power. Once the legendary capital of the Yellow Emperor, it later became the seat of the Zheng State during the Western Zhou Dynasty. Under Duke Huan of Zheng, the state flourished, earning the moniker “Little Hegemon” during Duke Zhuang’s reign. Yet, by the early Warring States period, Zheng had weakened, and in 375 BCE, it was annexed by the rising state of Han.

Han’s rulers moved their capital from Hanyuan to Xinzheng, seeking distance from the aggressive Wei State. However, the relocation did not bring prosperity. By the reign of King Zhao of Han, the kingdom was in decline—its cities languished, its markets grew desolate, and its military strength waned. It was in this atmosphere of stagnation that a radical reformer, Shen Buhai, emerged to reshape Han’s destiny.

Shen Buhai: The Legalist Maverick

Born into a minor official family of the fallen Zheng State, Shen Buhai’s early life was marked by hardship. After Han’s conquest of Zheng, his family was stripped of status, and his parents died in despair. Burning his ancestral home in fury, Shen Buhai embarked on a two-decade journey of self-study, immersing himself in Legalist philosophy. Unlike his contemporaries, he focused on shu (术)—the art of statecraft and bureaucratic control—rather than pure legal codes.

His unorthodox methods earned him both admiration and fear. At the Jixia Academy, he defeated renowned scholars in debates, yet no ruler dared employ him until fate brought him to Han. His encounter with the sage Bai Li in the Shennong Mountains proved pivotal. Bai Li’s advice—”Use law as your foundation, but wield shu as your tool”—shaped Shen Buhai’s approach.

The Coup Against Corruption

Arriving in Han, Shen Buhai found a court mired in nepotism. Nobles like Xia Chen and Gongli Zi monopolized land and private armies, while the corrupt eunuch Han Jialo manipulated the king. At his first court assembly, chaos reigned—ministers arrived late, mocked the proceedings, and openly defied King Zhao.

Shen Buhai struck with ruthless precision. With 3,000 loyal troops, he executed Han Jialo for embezzlement and treason. When the nobles Xia Chen, Gongli Zi, and Duan Xiu threatened rebellion, he beheaded them on the spot, confiscating their lands and disbanding their private armies. The terrified aristocracy capitulated, surrendering illicit wealth and pledging loyalty.

The Reforms and Their Legacy

Shen Buhai’s reforms targeted Han’s systemic rot:
– Centralization: Abolishing feudal privileges, he reclaimed noble estates for the state.
– Military Reform: Privately raised armies were integrated into a national force under his command.
– Administrative Discipline: Officials faced strict accountability, with corruption punishable by death.

For a time, Han thrived. Its treasury swelled, and its military regained strength. Yet Shen Buhai’s reliance on shu—manipulative tactics over institutional law—proved a double-edged sword. His rivalry with Shang Yang, the architect of Qin’s reforms, underscored a philosophical divide: while Shang Yang emphasized codified laws (fa), Shen Buhai prioritized control.

The Unraveling and Historical Reflection

Shen Buhai’s success was short-lived. His methods bred resentment, and after his death, Han slid back into dysfunction. His legacy, however, endured as a case study in Legalist theory. Unlike Shang Yang, whose systems outlasted him, Shen Buhai’s shu depended on personal brilliance—a flaw that ultimately limited his impact.

In the grand tapestry of the Warring States, Shen Buhai remains a controversial figure: a genius who briefly revived Han, yet whose tactics could not sustain lasting change. His story echoes a timeless lesson—reform requires not just shrewdness, but institutions that transcend individuals.