When people talk about China's excellent traditional culture, they usually think of the story of Yao and Shun's Zen concessions. When future generations talk about them, they always praise them, including Confucius, who also agree with the Zen concession system. So let's take a closer look at this story.
The story took place around 700 BC. At that time, the king was Yao. He was old and wanted to retire, but there was no suitable successor. At this time, someone recommended Shun to him. Yao was indeed a talent. Regardless of whether Shun was just a poor man, he resolutely married his daughter Ehuang and Nu Ying to Shun, and let his nine sons observe his character. Shun did not live up to Yao's expectations. He was upright and good at doing things, and won Yao's trust. In the end, Yao gave up his seat to Shun, and the story ended.
However, is history really so beautiful?
Let's think about it from another perspective. If you were the king, would you be willing to give the position of the king to a stranger? Therefore, some scholars put forward the exact opposite view - there is no concession between Yao and Shun at all, and they came to the throne by usurping the throne. The two statements stand at two extremes. Which is the truth?
The matter of Yao and Shun's sage has basically become a conclusion after being recorded in the official history of Sima Qian's Records of History, coupled with the crazy touch of Confucianism in successive dynasties, and now it is also said in textbooks. In this case, it is easy to ignore the exact opposite records in other history books. For example, it is recorded in the Chronology in bamboo that Yao was imprisoned by Shun, so that Shun obtained the throne. Not only that, Han Feizi and Xunzi also questioned the Zen concession system.
Is Yao really willing to give up the throne to Shun? Where did he go after Zen gave in? Why didn't Zhu Dan, Yao's son, resist? Why is there such a big difference between Chronology in bamboo and Historical Records, by Sima Qian.
The beautiful and happy scene in Sima Qian's imagination is probably just wishful thinking. In fact, there was a fierce power struggle in the tribal alliance at that time. With the development of society, power is further concentrated, and the social class is gradually clarified, and Yao Shunyu and the three are likely to Like all later generations. In the end, They failed to get rid of the temptation of power.
In the vicissitudes of the world, the wheels of history roll forward, and the seemingly perfect Zen system has been replaced by the seemingly imperfect inheritance system. There must be some inevitable reasons for this. We should look at history rationally and learn from history.
