Guo Zizhang and His Ideas of Governing Guizhou ❋
Wang Yake❋❋
Abstract: Guo Zizhang, following in Wang Yangming’s footsteps, was renowned for both his outstanding literary and military capacities. He did an excellent job during his tenure as Grand Coordinator of Guizhou. He investigated in person the areas inhabited by different ethnic groups there and gained insight into local development. Not only was Guo a veteran politician, he was also a thoughtful and productive writer. His politico-intellectual work embodied perfectly Wang Yangming’s deep inf l uence in the Ming dynasty. Guo’s experiences in governing Guizhou merit attention.
Keywords: Guo Zizhang, Yangming followers, moral education, governance of Guizhou
Guo Zizhang 郭子章 (a.k.a. Qingluo 青螺, 1543—1618) was a Ming politician from Taihe County in Jiangxi. His master was Hu Zhengfu 胡正甫 (1517—1585), one of Wang Yangming’s 王阳明 (1472—1528) second generation disciples. Inf l uenced deeply by Wang’s teachings, Guo later became a renowned scholar of the Jiangxi Yangming school. Guo was a prolific writer. According to The History of Ming [明史], he produced 25 books consisting of 264 juan, among which the most well-known was the Records of Guizhou [黔记].1 Guo Zizhang 郭子章, Records of Guizhou [黔记], in vol. 1 of Supplement Records of Guizhou Series [续黔南丛书], eds.Sun Xiaozhu 孙晓竹 and Chen Lin 陈琳 (Guiyang: Guizhou People’s Publishing House, 2012). Presentday scholars usually focus on Guo’s ideas on philosophy, geography, literature, and religion.2 See Zhao Pinglüe 赵平略, “Guo Zizhang’s View on Investigating Things” [郭子章的格物观], Journal of Guiyang University (Social Sciences Edition) [贵阳学院学报（社会科学版）], no. 1 (2010): 31—34; Wu Qianhua 吴倩华, “Guo Zizhang, Grand Coordinator of Guizhou in the Late Ming, and His Research into Matteo Ricci’s World Map” [明末贵州巡抚郭子章与利玛窦世界地图研究], Guizhou Social Sciences [贵州社会科学], no. 2 (2012): 116—119 ; Liu Xingliang刘兴亮, “Guo Zizhang’s Achievements in Geography” [郭子章 地理学著述成就述论], Tropical Geography [热带地理], no. 5 (2012): 470—475; Zhu Yi’an 朱易安, “The Ming Scholars’ Studies in Poetry” [明代的诗学文献], Journal of the School of Chinese Language and Culture, Nanjing Normal University [南京师范大学文学院学报], no. 1 (2003):174—183; Pan Qiwei 潘琦巍, “Research of Guo Zizhang’s Yuzhang Poets and Poetry” [郭子章《豫章诗话》研究](master’s thesis, Nanchang University, 2014); and Wang Chuanxing 王传兴, “Guo Zizhang’s Belief and Travel” [郭子章信仰及交游研究] (master’s thesis, Shanghai University, 2014). Only a small number of them touch on Guo’s efforts to suppress rebellions, reform local politics, and promote moral education. This paper explores Guo’s governance of remote regions and the promotion of moral education during his tenure as Grand Coordinator of Guizhou, hoping that new light will be casted on the late Ming social changes.
Putting down the Rebellion [Refer to page 98 for Chinese. Similarly hereinafter]
Bozhou (today’s Zunyi of Guizhou) had been under the rule of the indigenous Yang clan since the reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang (r. 627—649).3 Gu Yingtai 谷应泰, A Themed Adaption of History of Ming [明史纪事本末], vol. 64 (Beijing: Zhonghua Book Company, 1977), 993. In the mid- and late Ming,national finances were almost depleted due to the royal family’s extremely wasteful life and the imperial court’s high military expenditure on border defenses.4 The Ming government greatly increased taxes with a view to easing that financial burden. The Ming government in the Yongle reign (1403—1424) started to collect many precious woods from the southwest,where Guizhou was situated. This had the exacerbated the contradiction between central power and localities.5 Zhang Tingyu 张廷玉 et al., The History of Ming [明史], vol. 82 (Beijing: Zhonghua Book Company, 1974), 1995—1996. Yang Yinglong 杨应龙 (d. 1600), the chieftain of Bozhou’s ruling clan, staged a rebellion under these circumstances.
At this critical moment, the Ming government appointed Guo to put down Yang’s rebellion. Guo and Song Xingzu 宋兴祖 (f l . 1583—1601) penned a memorial to the throne,earnestly urging the imperial court to stabilize the army by paying the soldiers immediately.Moreover, they suggested the central government mobilize both the regular army and local militia. In doing so, the two officials believed, the Ming’s military capability would be substantially increased. Half a year later, the army in Guizhou was well-prepared and wellequipped. Most importantly, local society became increasingly stable.
仙灵骨葆胶囊组：口服仙灵骨葆胶囊（贵州同济堂制药有限公司产品，规格0.50 g/粒，国药准字Z20025337），3粒/次，2次/d，温水送服，治疗6个月。
In the mid-March of 1600, war against the rebels broke out. It lasted for almost three months. Both sides fought fiercely in Wujiangguan, Loushanguan, Baishikou, and Hailongtun.6 Putting down Yang’s rebellion was not an easy job due to the complicated climatic and geographical conditions and unexpected changes in strategy and the military deployment. Finally, Guo crushed the rebels in the Hailongtun campaign. Yang Yinglong,the leading rebel, was forced to hang himself and his son was captured by the Ming army.The rebellion was successfully put down. Pleased by this, Emperor Wanli (r. 1572—1620)appointed Guo the position of vice minister of war.7 Guo Zizhang, Notes Penned in Guizhou [黔草], in book 155 of Collections [集部] of Index to the Complete Library of the Four Treasures [四库全书存目丛书] (Jinan: Shandong Qilu Press, 1996), 234. The local residents thought highly of Guo and even built seven shrines dedicated to him.8 Gu Yongji 古永继, A Punctuated and Proofread Historical Sketch of Yunnan and Guizhou [滇黔志略点校] (Guiyang:Guizhou People’s Publishing House, 2008), 246.
Reforming Regional Politics [100]
The Ming’s founding emperor Zhu Yuanzhang 朱元璋 (r. 1368—1398) discussed the issue of good governance. His discussion reads,
Poor transportation infrastructure seriously impeded Guizhou’s growth. Local people’s life and communications with central powers were both affected badly. In view of this, Guo took practical measures to improve the regional transport systems.
随着机械制造业的迅速发展，大尺寸的板料加工的效率将在一定程度上决定着机械加工整体效率。剪板机的主要作用是用于板料毛胚的下料或者板料的边缘休整。剪板机的效率将决定着板料加工的效率，剪板机能否实现精确的板料加工主要取决于剪板机的控制系统的精确程度[9]。图1为剪板机的工作原理。剪板机主要包括上、下刀架，上、下剪切刀具、刀具调整间隙机构等主要部件。剪板机在执行剪切工作时，上剪切刀固定在上刀架上，下剪切刀固定在下刀座上，剪切动作执行时，通过调整剪切角和刀具间隙实现对被剪切板料的剪切。
The emperor’s edict indicated that there were three dramatic changes involving Guizhou in the wake of the crackdown of the Bozhou rebellion. To be specific, the conventional system of indigenous chieftains, the administrative division and levels were all changed.First, the areas under Guizhou’s jurisdiction were all arranged to be interconnected. This endeavor was conducive not only to the improvement of Guizhou’s administrative and defensive systems but also to the Ming’s border defense mission in the southwest. Second,transformation from the tribal chieftainship system to the standard district administration system made tax collection more efficient. The new bureaucratic system laid a solid foundation for Guizhou’s socio-economic rehabilitation. Third, administrative costs were reduced and administrative efficiency improved due to the overhaul of existing agencies.In a word, in comparison with the old Guizhou under the rule of local chieftains, the new Guizhou had a bright, new look.
Improving People’s Lives [102]
To a great extent, the gaitu guiliu policy was an overhaul of Guizhou’s existing administrative system. It laid the foundation for the implementation of new policies. Guo, as Grand Coordinator of Guizhou, made great efforts to strengthen defenses, select capable officials,better transport conditions, and improve social customs. Remarkable social progress was made in Guizhou as a result of Guo’s efforts.
In addition, Guo cut through mountains and built roads. Take Meitan and Yuqing for example. These two regions were incorporated into Guizhou after the Bozhou rebellion.Guo visited these places in person, finding that the roads in Meitan were too bad for carts to run along. As a result, he ordered the local authorities to repair the roads. In consequence of his actions, there were endless streams of horses and carriages where once there was only difficult travel.11 Guo,Notes Penned in Guizhou , 401.
Convinced by Guo’s suggestion, the emperor issued an edict respecting the gaitu guiliu policy. According to this edict, (1) the regions under the rule of indigenous chieftains were divided into northern and southern parts; (2) the five clan heads below the Bozhou chieftain were replaced with imperial officials; and (3) Guo, then Grand Coordinator of Guizhou,was put in charge of the military and administrative affairs involving four prefectures in the south of Sichuan and Huguang (today’s Hunan and Hubei), holding the posts of Supreme Commander of Sichuan, Huguang, and Guizhou, and Grand Coordinator of Sichuan.
Reinforcing Cities and Stabilizing Society [102]
When it comes to the governance of all under Heaven, what is the most important and what is the less—and least—important? Our empire is just founded. What we need most is food and clothing. Furthermore, teaching the people to be morally good and correct is desperately needed. Given food and clothing, the people can live a stable life. Then,they can be instructed to act in accordance with moral standards. Well-educated and well-disciplined people will improve social customs. The key of living a stable life lies in agriculture. Successful moral education depends on schools. When many schools are set up, morally superior persons must devote themselves to perfecting their virtues.12 The Veritable Records of the Founding Emperor of Ming [明太祖实录] (Taipei: Institute of History and Philology of Academia Sinica, 1962), 387—388.
Building Bridges and Repairing Roads in Guizhou [103]
色彩本身并没有先天的特定意义，它是在自然和人类社会演进和运用过程中形成了它的形态、功能和寓意性的内涵。因此，色彩在雕塑艺术中的运用和发挥是与创作者希望表达或揭示的意涵相互关联的，也是与作品应对的特定时代、场域及特定语境相对应的。犹如我们在古埃及的墓穴彩塑，庞培的装饰壁画或中国的古代的漆器、陶瓷等艺术那样，不同的色彩及相互关系均与其人文理念和美学内涵有着相应的关系。雕塑的材质、表面的色彩等形式元素均与其某种表征性或符号性的涵义相关。
One of these was that Guo built bridges. After investigating the situation in Chong’an,Maha, and Panjiang, all of which were renowned for their steep cliffs, deep water and immediate drowning of travelers, Guo built three floating bridges as advised by the indigenous people.10 Guo, Notes Penned in Guizhou, 406. The improved transport was effective in the alleviation of poverty.
认识了肝肾对我们内分泌系统，乃至整个人体的重要性，就要从日常生活的细节入手，合理调补肝肾。肝肾好，内分泌系统才有可能正常运转，从而起到防治疾病的作用。
Promoting Moral Education [103]
The Bozhou rebellion was the largest southwestern insurgency against the central authorities, and posed a grave threat to the late Ming. After successfully putting down the rebellion, Guo started to restore social order in Guizhou and eliminate the rebellious local chieftains’ inf l uence. It was an urgent mission. Guo suggested the imperial court implement the policy of gaitu guiliu 改土归流 (changing border areas from the tribal chieftainship system to the standard district administration system).9 Zhao Pinglüe and Yin Ning 尹宁, eds., Furthered Interpretations of Chronicle of Events of Records of Guizhou [《黔记·大事记》考释] (Guiyang: Guizhou People’s Publishing House, 2013), 444.
The reason why southwest suffered instability for quite a long time lay in the contradictions between local chieftains and the imperial court. The implementation of gaitu guiliu policy solved this problem. The development of this region, for Guizhou and Yunnan in particular, could thus be unleashed. In order to achieve long-term stability, Guo made great efforts to reinforce city defenses. Not only did his work benefit the crackdown on rebellions, it also contributed to the Ming’s border defenses by improving the quality of military officers and soldiers in general. Take Longli for example. Longli, was a city seriously damaged in the Bozhou rebellion. When the rebels were wiped out, Guo immediately repaired the broken city walls and made Longli sounder and safer.
Guo followed the emperor’s words in his moral education endeavors in Guizhou.
Guo turned his attentions to the farmland used exclusively by schools.13 Guo,Notes Penned in Guizhou , 328. This laid the material foundation of his education mission. Guo enthusiastically advocated the idea that moral education should play quite a significant role in the general educational system. This was directly inspired by Wang Yangming’s theory of extending intuitive knowledge. Guo held that morally superior persons should be venerated in generation after generation.These predecessors, whose own education was based on morality, were worthy of the shrines dedicated to them. Under their inf l uence, the people were taught to be moral and take intuitive knowledge as the criteria of their behaviors.14 Guo Zizhang, Notes of Self-Works [传草], in book 156 of Collections ofIndex to the Complete Library of the Four Treasures , 138. Emulating Wang Yangming’s formulation of theCommunity Convention of South Jiangxi [赣南乡约], Guo produced the practical text Middle Guizhou’s Pact against Rebels [黔中弥盗条约]. This pact played a great role in the work of keeping this region in order.15 Guo,Notes Penned in Guizhou , 311.
Guo spent an entire decade (1599—1609) putting an end to the chaos plaguing Guizhou and leading this remote region into stability and prosperity. The rehabilitation of Guizhou demonstrated convincingly Guo’s outstanding political abilities.
观察患者术后恢复情况，包括手术时间(从麻醉开始到缝合)，术中出血量，住院时间，术后肠胃功能恢复时间，术后并发症，术后6 h IL-6和hs-CRP表达情况，术后随访6～48个月统计并记录两组患者复发情况。
Concluding Remarks [105]
Guo’s works, such as the Records of Guizhou , give us a glimpse of his ideas and practice of governance and the role he played in the rehabilitation of Guizhou. Putting down the Bozhou rebellion, Guo offered a solution to the long-standing contradiction between the southwestern indigenous chieftains and the central authorities. Most importantly, his successful military endeavors put an end to Guizhou’s instability and restored peace and harmony there. Guo went further, improving local people’s livelihood by building bridges and roads and promoting moral education by financing schools with farmland. Guo’s sociopolitico endeavors did help Guizhou rehabilitate itself and exerted deep and far-reaching influence on the governance of Guizhou. After his death, Guo’s image was enshrined in the hall dedicated to the renowned officials who had worked in Guizhou.16 Guiyang Municipal Committee of Local Chronicle Compiling 贵阳市地方志编纂委员办公室, ed., Prefectural Records of Guiyang [贵阳府志] (Guiyang: Guizhou People’s Publishing House, 2004), 1125. Local residents offered seasonal sacrifices to this brilliant governor. Guo’s observation of Guizhou and political practice were indeed successful, and to the present day people can draw on them for reference.
❋ The present paper is one of the research findings of the key project Yangming Culture and Modern Statecraft [阳明文化与现代国家治理研究] (Project No. 14@ZH054), sponsored by the National Social Science Fund of China.
❋❋ Wang Yake is associate professor in the School of History and Politics at Guizhou Normal University. E-mail:wykgeos@126.com
❋ Chi Zhen is associate researcher of Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences.
Translated by Chi Zhen ❋
标签：阳明后学论文; 治黔经验论文; 教化思想论文; 贵州师范大学历史与政治学院论文; Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences论文;