Ancient China · Ruler of Qin

Duke Xiao of Qin 秦孝公

Qín Xiàogōng

First attested BC 361; died BC 338

Passages: 24
Chapters: 5
Histories: 2

Overview

Duke Xiao of Qin was a ruler of Qin.

Life and dates

Death

Died
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 48, passage 164
BC 338 秦孝公卒
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 68, passage 174

Attested activity

BC 361 孝、昭治咸陽
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 129, passage 108
BC 361 to BC 338 孝公
Directly stated · Book of Han 117, passage 243
BC 361 to BC 338 戰國時期
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 48, passage 159
BC 361 to BC 338 秦孝公
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 68, passages 17, 174
BC 338 秦孝公卒
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 68, passage 174
BC 361 to BC 338 秦孝公用商君
Directly stated · Book of Han 26, passage 107

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Parent of King Hui of Qin (秦惠王)
heir 君嗣
crown prince 太子
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 68, passages 89, 174

Key source chapters

Career and standing

sacrificial meat from the Son of Heaven 天子致胙
Received
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 68, passage 103
Duke Xiao of Qin 秦孝公
Held
Directly stated · Book of Han 26, passage 107
Duke Xiao 孝公
Held
Directly stated · Book of Han 117, passage 243

Places and affiliations

Polity Qin 秦 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Book of Han 26, passage 107; Records of the Grand Historian 68, passage 17; Records of the Grand Historian 129, passage 108
Polity Qin 秦 · Relation Ruled
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 117, passage 243
At Xianyang 咸陽 · Relation Governed from
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 129, passage 108

Events and relationships

Employed Shang Yang for reforms
Policy · Ruler
Directly stated · Book of Han 26, passage 107
Held the Xiao Hangu defenses and pursued the conquest of the realm
State building · Ruler
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 48, passages 159-160
edict seeking talented men 下令國中求賢者
Political · Ruler · Sought worthies
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 68, passage 17
Relation Employer of · Person Shang Yang (商鞅)
Directly stated · Book of Han 26, passage 107
Relation Patron of · Person Shang Yang (商鞅)
Directly stated · Book of Han 117, passage 243

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Book of Han 26, passage 107

References in the histories

Search passages

History

24 passages

Book of Han, Chapter 26Volume 24a: Treatise on Trade 1 · 1 passage

及秦孝公用商君，壞井田，開仟伯，急耕戰之賞，雖非古道，猶以務本之故，傾鄰國而雄諸侯。 When Duke Xiao of Qin employed Lord Shang, Shang Yang abolished the well-field system, opened the field boundaries, and offered urgent rewards for farming and war. Though these measures departed from ancient ways, their focus on fundamentals enabled Qin to overwhelm its neighbors and dominate the other lords.

Book of Han, Chapter 117Volume 100a: Afterword and Family History 1 · 1 passage

及至從人合之，衡人散之，亡命漂說，羇旅騁辭，商鞅挾三術以鑽孝公，李斯奮時務而要始皇，彼皆躡風雲之會，履顛沛之勢，據徼乘邪以求一日之富貴，朝為榮華，夕而焦瘁，福不盈眥，禍益於世，凶人且以自悔，況吉士而是賴虖！ Think of the vertical and horizontal strategists and the exiles who peddled their arguments: Shang Yang used three techniques to insinuate himself with Duke Xiao, and Li Si exploited the needs of the age to win over the First Emperor. They caught the winds of opportunity and rode the turmoil of their times, seizing crooked chances to gain a day's wealth and honor. Glorious in the morning, by evening they were ruined; their good fortune did not last a moment, while their calamities burdened the age. Even evil men came to regret this path. How much less should a good man rely on it?

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 48House of Chen She · 2 passages

秦孝公據殽函之固，擁雍州之地，君臣固守，以窺周室。 Duke Xiao of Qin held the strongholds of Xiao and Hangu, commanded the lands of Yongzhou, and with ruler and ministers holding fast, cast his gaze upon the royal house of Zhou.

孝公既沒，惠文王、武王、昭王蒙故業，因遺策，南取漢中，西舉巴蜀，東割膏腴之地，收要害之郡。 After Duke Xiao's death, Kings Huiwen, Wu, and Zhao carried on his legacy and followed his grand strategy. They seized Hanzhong to the south, conquered Ba and Shu to the west, carved away the fertile lands to the east, and secured the strategically vital commanderies.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 68Biography of Lord Shang · 19 passages

公叔既死，公孫鞅聞秦孝公下令國中求賢者，將修繆公之業，東復侵地，乃遂西入秦，因孝公寵臣景監以求見孝公。 After Gongshu's death, Gongsun Yang learned that Duke Xiao of Qin had issued an edict throughout his realm seeking talented men. The duke intended to revive Duke Mu's legacy and recover territories lost to the east. Yang traveled west to Qin and, through the duke's favored minister Jing Jian, sought an audience with Duke Xiao.

孝公既見衛鞅，語事良久，孝公時時睡，弗聽。 Duke Xiao granted an audience to Wei Yang. They discussed state affairs for a long time, but the duke kept nodding off and paid no attention.

罷而孝公怒景監曰：「子之客妄人耳，安足用邪！」 After the audience ended, Duke Xiao angrily rebuked Jing Jian, saying, "Your guest is nothing but a charlatan! How could he possibly be of use?"

鞅復見孝公，益愈，然而未中旨。 Yang met with Duke Xiao again and spoke even more persuasively, but still did not gain his approval.

罷而孝公復讓景監，景監亦讓鞅。 After the audience ended, Duke Xiao again rebuked Jing Jian, who in turn rebuked Yang.

鞅復見孝公，孝公善之而未用也。 Yang met with Duke Xiao once more. The duke was pleased with him but still did not employ him.

孝公謂景監曰：「汝客善，可與語矣。」 Duke Xiao told Jing Jian, "Your guest is impressive—one can actually hold a conversation with him."

衛鞅復見孝公。 Wei Yang was granted another audience with Duke Xiao.

孝公既用衛鞅，鞅欲變法，恐天下議己。 Duke Xiao employed Wei Yang, who wished to change the laws. But Yang feared that the world would criticize him.

孝公曰：「善。」 Duke Xiao replied, "Excellent."

孝公曰：「善。」 Duke Xiao said: 'Excellent.'

居五年，秦人富彊，天子致胙於孝公，諸侯畢賀。 After five years, the Qin people were rich and strong. The Son of Heaven sent sacrificial meat to Duke Xiao; all the feudal lords congratulated him.

其明年，衛鞅說孝公曰：「秦之與魏，譬若人之有腹心疾，非魏并秦，秦即并魏。 The next year, Wei Yang advised Duke Xiao: 'Qin and Wei are like a person with a disease of the abdomen and heart. If Wei does not annex Qin, Qin will annex Wei.

孝公以為然，使衛鞅將而伐魏。 Duke Xiao considered it correct and sent Wei Yang to lead troops and attack Wei.

今君之見秦王也，因嬖人景監以為主，非所以為名也。 Now Your Lordship obtained an audience with the King of Qin through the patronage of the favored minister Jing Jian. That is not the way to establish a name.

則何不歸十五都，灌園於鄙，勸秦王顯巖穴之士，養老存孤，敬父兄，序有功，尊有德，可以少安。 Why then not return the fifteen cities and tend gardens in the countryside? You could urge the King of Qin to bring forward scholars living in seclusion, care for the aged and the orphaned, respect fathers and elder brothers, rank those with merit, and honor those with virtue. This might bring you a little security.

君尚將貪商於之富，寵秦國之教，畜百姓之怨，秦王一旦捐賓客而不立朝，秦國之所以收君者，豈其微哉？ Yet Your Lordship still covets the wealth of Shangyu, favors Qin's teachings, and stores up the resentment of the common people. If the King of Qin one day casts aside his guests and no longer appears at court, will the means by which Qin seizes Your Lordship be slight?

後五月而秦孝公卒，太子立。 After five months, Duke Xiao of Qin died, and the crown prince was established as ruler.

跡其欲干孝公以帝王術，挾持浮說，非其質矣。 If one traces how he first tried to approach Duke Xiao with the arts of emperors and kings, he was clutching at empty arguments; they were not his real substance.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 129Biographies of Money-Makers · 1 passage

（武）［孝］、昭治咸陽，因以漢都，長安諸陵，四方輻湊并至而會，地小人眾，故其民益玩巧而事末也。 Dukes Xiao and Zhao governed from Xianyang, which later became the Han capital. At Chang'an and the surrounding imperial mausoleum towns, people converged from every direction like spokes to a hub. The land was cramped and the population dense, so the people grew ever more devoted to clever craftsmanship and commercial pursuits.