A Deep Exploration of the Way of Sovereign and Minister in 'The Analects: Xian Wen' and the Contingency of Benevolence and Righteousness
This paper focuses on the core political discourse passages in 'The Analects: Xian Wen' concerning figures like Zang Wuzhong, Guan Zhong, and Duke Ling of Wei. It analyzes Confucius's profound insights into the sovereign-minister relationship, the distinction between hegemony and true kingship, and the calibration of benevolence (Ren) and righteousness (Yi), particularly investigating the gap between 'the difficulty of action' and 'the essence of Ren'.
Section 3: "He May Be Called Wen" – The Deeper Meaning of Posthumous Titles
The Master said, "He may be called Wen"—meaning Duke Wenzhi’s posthumous title "Wen" was well-deserved.
What is the meaning of "Wen" in the system of posthumous titles (Shidi)$20
Yizhou Shu, Shidi Jie (though its final compilation date is debated, its core content reflects Pre-Qin customs) lists several meanings for "Wen": "Arranging Heaven and Earth is called Wen; vast in morality and wide in learning is called Wen; diligent in study and fond of questioning is called Wen; compassionate and loving the people is called Wen; pitying the people and cherishing rites is called Wen; granting people noble rank is called Wen."
Among these, "granting people noble rank is called Wen" directly corresponds to Duke Wenzhi’s action of promoting Xian—was this not exactly "granting people noble rank"$21
More broadly, the core meaning of "Wen" is "to educate and transform all things with civilized virtue." A "Wen" person does not hoard all benefits but shares them with others, enabling those around him to advance.
Shijing, Daya, Wen Wang states: "King Wen is on high, shining upon Heaven. Though Zhou is an old state, its Mandate is renewed" (文王在上，于昭于天。周虽旧邦，其命维新). King Wen was called "Wen" precisely because he transformed the people with virtue, governed with rites, did not envy the worthy or slander the capable, and widely recruited talents from all under Heaven—this is the highest model of "promoting the worthy to equal rank."