Chinese Civilization Free Essay Example, 1250 words

In accordance with the established procedures of the Tang Dynasty, Guan Deyu was a staunch supporter of the traditional bureaucratic hierarchy, and opposed the induction of unqualified military upstarts. The contrast in the personalities of Li Si and Guan Deyu makes each of them particularly suited to rise to eminence in their respective periods. The self-made Li Si’s opportunism, duplicity and ruthless pursuit of self-interest were a perfect counterfoil to the suppression of opposition necessary for the establishment of the first sovereign empire in China. Li Si’s advice to the emperor advocating â€Å"bribing those of his enemies who could be bribed and assassinating those who could not† (Goldin, 16), is an example of the traits which made him one of Shi Huangdi’s most trusted advisors. Likewise, the ‘Qin Biblioclasm, ’ or destruction of canonical texts, to combat â€Å"private learning† (Goldin, 20), which Li Si saw as a threat to the authority of the emperor, was an act along the same lines. Li Si’s counsel, although it undoubtedly consolidated the power of the Emperor, also arguably contributed to Shi Huangdi’s unpo pularity and the dissatisfaction of the nobility and intellectuals. We will write a custom essay sample on Chinese Civilization or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now Li Si’s pursuit of self-interest above all other loyalties, even to the nation, lead to his fawning connivance in the misadventures of the Second Emperor, Huhai. The downfall of the short-lived Qin Dynasty was in no way averted by Li Si, whose reliance on rigid dictates, and the suppression of all dissent, could only hold together the empire until Shi Huangdi’s death. On the other hand, Guan Deyu’s personality exhibits a â€Å"completeness† of moral, cultural and political accomplishments (Deblasi, 90), which reflect the highest refinements of Chinese civilization during the Tang Dynasty. As one of â€Å"the towering intellectuals of the day† (Deblasi, 89), Guan Deyu’s moralistic idealism, coupled with a realistic grasp of the economy and politics, makes him a shining embodiment of the best of his times. His literary achievements are a part of the Tang ambience which saw the poetry form develop and flourish, and his text on The Doctrine of the Mean endured as a central text on Neo-Confucianism into the Song Dynasty. Guan Deyu’s love of learning is in marked contrast to Li Si’s abhorrence of independent thought, and shows clear evidence of the cultural differences between the Qin and Tang Dynasties. Likewise, in accordance with his personality, Guan Deyu fearlessly emphasized the â€Å"moral responsibilities of the Emperor† (Deblasi, 89).