Zhang Shi, the Premier Neo-Confucian of the Southern Song: Governance in Yanzhou and the Wisdom of "Winning the People's Hearts"

Brief Introduction

Zhang Shi (1133–1180), courtesy name Jingfu and literary name Nanxuan, was a renowned Neo-Confucian scholar and educator in the Southern Song Dynasty. As a core figure of the Huxiang School of Thought, he is often paired with Zhu Xi under the designation "Zhu and Zhang." His academic ideas had a profound impact on subsequent generations. In the Continued Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Governance (Xu Zizhi Tongjian), Zhang Shi is repeatedly recorded for his political views and memorial submissions. This article focuses on his core argument—made around the time he assumed the position of Magistrate of Yanzhou—that "to recover the Central Plains, one must first win the hearts of the people"—and explores how he integrated Neo-Confucian self-cultivation with political practice to offer a unique governance strategy for the Southern Song's precarious situation.

Core Knowledge Point: Why "Recover the Central Plains" Requires "First Winning the People's Hearts"?

In conventional discussions of military strategy, the recovery of lost territories is often viewed as a purely military undertaking. However, the viewpoint proposed by Zhang Shi around his tenure as Magistrate of Yanzhou broke this mental paradigm. He argued that the Southern Song’s survival in the south, the low morale of the troops, and the lack of public confidence in the court constituted a fundamental internal spiritual disintegration that was the root cause of the failure to resist the Jin.

1. The People's Hearts as the Foundation of Manpower and Logistics: Zhang Shi pointed out that if the people's hearts are scattered, it becomes difficult to collect taxes and insufficient to recruit troops; thus, any military action lacks logistical support. Only when the people recognize the court's legitimacy and justice will they voluntarily contribute to national defense.
2. Moral Cohesion Surmilitary Deterrence: As a Neo-Confucian, Zhang Shi emphasized "internal sagehood and external kingship" (nei sheng wai wang). He believed that rulers and officials must cultivate their character and rectify their minds, inspiring the realm through virtue. Only when domestic politics are clear and corruption in administration is curbed can strong spiritual cohesion be formed, which then transforms into the power for external expansion.
3. Opposing Complacency and Blind Militarism: Zhang Shi criticized the court for either blindly optimistically shouting slogans or desperately seeking peace. He advocated for a grounded approach: first rectifying internal social order and restoring public confidence in the state. He argued this held greater long-term strategic value than merely pursuing border conflicts.

Connection to the Continued Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Governance

The Xu Zizhi Tongjian was compiled by Tan Qian in the Ming Dynasty. Although it is not an official history, it is highly esteemed by later scholars for its rigorous textual research and detailed narrative. In the chapters discussing the reign of Emperor Xiaozong of the Southern Song and the period surrounding the Longxing Expedition, Zhang Shi's image and statements are frequently interspersed.

Relevant passages in the book are typically situated in the context of the failure of the court's military decision-making. At that time, two extremes prevailed among the Southern Song elite: the pro-war faction carelessly launched attacks, leading to the failure of the Longxing Peace, while the pro-peace faction completely abandoned the idea of a northern expedition. Zhang Shi’s memorial submission appeared against this backdrop and was regarded as representative of a "rational middle path." Through recording his submissions, the Xu Zizhi Tongjian aims to reveal the contrast between "empty talk ruining the nation" and "pragmatic fundamental governance" within the Southern Song political ecosystem.

By placing Zhang Shi's experience in Yanzhou and his advocacy for "winning the people's hearts" within the historical framework of the Xu Zizhi Tongjian, readers can clearly see that Southern Song scholar-officials did not lack the determination to recover lost lands. Rather, they deeply realized that political legitimacy and the capacity for social mobilization were the true sources of war potential. This perspective not only enriches the research dimensions of Song political history but also provides a classic case for understanding the application of "he who wins the hearts of the people wins the empire" under specific historical crises.

Conclusion

Zhang Shi’s idea of "first winning the people's hearts" is a unique flower in the politicalization of Southern Song Neo-Confucianism. It reminds us that at the level of national strategy, internal social unity and the sentiments of the people are often more critical than external military deployment. This historical wisdom still holds profound practical implications today.