Guan Zhong
Guan Zhong (Chinese: 管仲; Wade–Giles: Kuan Chung; c. 720–645 BC) was a Chinese philosopher and politician. He served as chancellor and was a reformer of the State of Qi during the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history. His given name was Yiwu (Chinese: 夷吾; pinyin: Yíwú). Zhong was his courtesy name. He is mainly remembered for his reforms as chancellor under Duke Huan of Qi, as well as his friendship with his colleague Bao Shuya, though his reputation remained controversial among the Confucians, as detailed in the Philosophy and appraisal section.
Guan Zhong 管仲 | |
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A Portrait of Guan Zhong from a segment of Wu family shrines stone-relief (on the right) | |
| Born | 720 BC Yingshang County, Anhui |
| Died | 645 BC (aged 75) Shandong |
| Other names | Yiwu (夷吾) |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, philosopher |
| Notable work | Guanzi |
| Guan Zhong | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Chinese | 管仲 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Through Guan Zhong's reforms and skilful diplomacy Qi became the most powerful of the feudal states and Duke Huan became the first of the Five Hegemons. Though knowledge of his reforms is limited, in particular he instituted a famous fiscal policy known as "balancing the light and the heavy", associated with salt and iron monopolies. Though otherwise a diverse work, the Guanzi compilation making use of his name makes similar such recommendations.