Guan Zhong

Lore & Background

Guan Zhong, a descendant of either Shu Xian of Guan or King Mu of Zhou, was born in Yingshang. He became acquainted with Bao Shuya at an early age, and they were business partners. The Shiji records that Guan Zhong often took more than his share of the profits, but Bao Shuya recognized his impoverished background and was not offended. Guan Zhong later became tutor to Prince Jiu, while Bao Shuya tutored Prince Xiaobai. After Duke Xiang of Qi was murdered in 686 BC, both princes fled with their tutors—Prince Jiu to the State of Lu, Prince Xiaobai to the State of Ju. In 685 BC, after another coup, Qi ministers sought to bring back Prince Xiaobai. Guan Zhong intercepted him and shot an arrow that hit his belt buckle; Xiaobai feigned death. Xiaobai won the race back to Qi and became Duke Huan. Qi forced Lu to execute Prince Jiu and send Guan Zhong back as a prisoner. Duke Huan originally wanted to execute Guan Zhong, but Bao Shuya strongly recommended sparing him and elevating him to chancellor, even though that meant he would outrank Bao himself.

Reader's Guide

Guan Zhong's significance lies in his comprehensive reforms that transformed Qi from a state in turmoil into the dominant power. Administratively, he divided the capital into 21 districts: six of merchants and fifteen of attendants. Outside the capital, 30 households formed one village, 10 villages one troop, 10 troops one district, 3 districts one county, and counties grouped into five regions, with administrators at every level reporting annually. Economically, he disbanded the well-field system and taxed land according to productivity. He expanded fisheries and salt production, and encouraged trade by exempting people bearing goods on foot and empty carriages from tolls. He advocated state monopolies on salt, iron, forest products, and ore to generate revenue without raising taxes. He implemented a price-regulation scheme for grain, with granaries buying in bounty years and releasing in lean years. Coinage was unified. Politically, he shifted administrative responsibility from hereditary aristocrats to professional bureaucrats. He is credited with creating the first official government-sponsored brothel known as "女市" to fund the treasury. His diplomacy and advice helped Duke Huan become the first hegemon. Confucius said of him: "It was due to Guan Zhong that Duke Huan was able to assemble the feudal lords on numerous occasions without resorting to the use of his war chariots... I am afraid that without Guan Zhong we would be folding our lapels right-over-left."

Did You Know?

• Guan Zhong's given name was Yiwu; Zhong was his courtesy name.
• As a business partner, Guan Zhong often took more than his share of the profits, but Bao Shuya was not offended because he recognized Guan's impoverished background.
• Guan Zhong shot an arrow at Prince Xiaobai that hit his belt buckle; Xiaobai pretended to cough blood and collapse, tricking Guan into thinking he was mortally wounded.
• Duke Huan gave Guan Zhong the honorary title of 'Godfather' (仲父), a title later given to Lü Buwei by Prince Zheng, the future Qin Shi Huang.
• Guan Zhong is credited with creating the first official government-sponsored brothel, known as '女市', to fund the government treasury.