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(Late Spring and Autumn Period, 6th–5th Century BCE)
| Category | Duanmu Ci (Zi Gong, 520–456 BCE) | Fan Li (536–448 BCE) |
|---|---|---|
| Core School | Confucianism (Ruism) | Syncretic: Daoist roots + Jiran School (proto-economics) |
| Human Nature | Confucian moral potential: Commerce must align with ren (仁) and li (礼). | Daoist pragmatism: Human behavior follows natural/market cycles (“Dao of Heaven”). |
| Wealth Ethics | “Just profit” (义利观): Profit is legitimate if ethically constrained by ritual norms. | “Timely profit” (与时逐利): Wealth is amoral; success depends on reading macro-cycles. |
| Methodology | – Diplomatic persuasion (纵横家-style rhetoric) – Market arbitrage (buy low, sell high with moral limits). |
– Mathematical price modeling (“三贵三贱” theory) – Strategic hoarding (“旱则资舟”). |
| Statecraft Role | Embedded merchant: Wealth supports political goals (e.g., funding Confucius’ travels). | Detached strategist: Abandons politics post-success to avoid court intrigues. |
| Key Texts | Analects (as disciple), Records of the Grand Historian (business anecdotes). | (Attributed) Tao Zhu Gong’s Business Methods (likely Han Dynasty compilation). |
| Legacy | Ruist merchant ideal: Balanced ethics and profit (influenced later Scholar-Merchants). | Daoist capitalist archetype: “God of Wealth” icon in Chinese folk religion. |
Structural Contrasts
- Philosophical Anchoring
- Zi Gong: Profit exists within Confucian hierarchy (士农工商); commerce serves moral education.
- Fan Li: Wealth mechanics are autonomous; aligns with Daoist wuwei (无为) in market timing.
- Risk Management
- Zi Gong: Mitigates risk through social capital (e.g., alliances with nobles).
- Fan Li: Systematized risk via economic laws (“贵出如粪土，贱取如珠玉”).
- Exit Strategies
- Zi Gong remained politically engaged; Fan Li famously retreated (“三聚三散” wealth redistribution).
Modern Parallels
- Zi Gong resembles socially responsible investing (ESG criteria).
- Fan Li mirrors quantitative trading (algorithmic cycle exploitation).
This schema highlights how Confucian moral frameworks diverged from Daoist-inspired market realism in early Chinese economic thought.
In addition, the political achievements of the two men were also great, Duanmu saved Lu weak Qi Xing and destroyed Wu Qiangjin and Fan Li helped Yue destroy Wu