A Complete Reader of Wang Fuzhi's Yellow Book

The Yellow Book is an important work by Wang Fuzhi, a thinker of the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, completed in 1656. With its distinctive perspective and profound ideas, the work presents Wang Fuzhi's deep insights into crucial issues such as the state, the nation, and politics. It reflects his thoughts on the crises of his era and his hopes for the future.

On the subject of national identity, Wang Fuzhi strongly emphasized distinguishing between the Hua and the Yi. He believed that the Huaxia and the peoples he regarded as barbarians differed fundamentally in culture and customs, and firmly advocated preserving the cultural orthodoxy and national dignity of the Huaxia people. Against the backdrop of the Ming-Qing transition, this idea had great contemporary significance. It aroused national consciousness among the people and played an important role in resisting cultural encroachment by foreign peoples.

In political thought, Wang Fuzhi subjected the traditional political system to deep scrutiny. He opposed autocratic monarchy and proposed the idea of "all under heaven belonging to the people," arguing that the realm was not the private property of one ruler but belonged to the people as a whole. He advocated limiting imperial power and establishing a sound structure of political authority, hoping thereby to make governance fairer and more effective and promote social stability and development.

Economically, Wang Fuzhi valued agricultural production while also recognizing the worth of commerce. He advocated that "farmers, artisans, and merchants should each pursue their own livelihoods," and called on the government to reduce excessive interference in the economy, allowing economic activity to develop naturally and foster prosperity. This idea broke free from the traditional constraint of favoring agriculture while suppressing commerce, and was innovative in its time.