The Research About The Implementation Of Wu-de In Western Han Dynasty

The theory of wude-zhongshi which was used by most Chinese dynasties was a very important political theory in Chinese ancient society. In Western Han dynasty, the implementation status of the theory of wude-zhongshi was quite complex. Although there have been some researches from many perspectives, the main concern is the relationship between this theory and others, such as this theory that influenced on ruling ideology, the viewpoint of political history, academic. The shortcoming about these researches does not concern the theory itself.So this article will research two basic questions:the first question is why did use the theory of wude-zhongshi in Western Han dynasty? What was the value for the political rule?——a "why" question; the second question is what was historical status of wu-de (五德) in Western Han dynasty——a" what" or "how" question. Through the former research, we also can insight into some reasones why most chinese dynasties uesd the theory of wude-zhongshi; from the latter study, we also find some characteristics or status about the theory of wude-zhongshi in the traditional policy.This article is divided into two parts to research above two problems. In the first part, we can know the reason that the rulers in Western Han dynasty used the theory of wude-zhongshi was to demonstrate political legitimacy. In chapter one, this article will examine the demonstration mode of the political legitimacy before Western Han dynasty. It had four parts:the mandate of Heaven, the viewpoint of responsibilities, the descent-exploits and the viewpoint of guilt. Chapter two will examine the purpose of wude-zhongshi in the building political legitimacy in Western Han dynasty. It is divided into two sections:the construction of political legitimacy in the early stage and the reconstruction of political legitimacy in the late.In the early stage in Western Han dynasty, the theory of wude-zhongshi was largely used as a demonstration of the mandate of Heaven, because the theory hided the principle of "A unified regime will have the mandate of Heaven ". Since the theory hided this principle, Western Han dynasty should have political power, becanse it unified the whole country. In the late stage in Western Han dynasty, due to the serious political crisis, it was necessary to reconstructe political legitimacy for the rulers in Western Han dynasty. At that time, the persons who demonstrated political legitimacy of Western Han dynasty had constructed two world historical pedigrees, in order to explain that Western Han dynasty was still in the course of history, still had valid rule.In the second part, the article will research the state of implementation about wu-de (五德) in Western Han dynasty. One theory, when it was practiced, sometimes deviated from its original design, so chapter one will discuss theoretical connotation of wude-zhongshi. Chapter two will examine the state of implementation about wu-de (五德) in Qin dynasty. We can find the government implementated wu-de (五德) mainly from three aspects: zheng-shuo (正朔),fu-se (服色), du-shu (度数), so chapter three, chapter four and chapter five will research the state of implementation about wu-de (五德) in Western Han dynasty from above three aspects.Through these researches, we can find that the political operation wu-de (五德) in Western Han dynasty was divided into three types:legal de-yun (德运), wu-de (五德) in the construction of political legitimacy and wu-de (五德) in political system, which made the question of wude-zhongshi in Western Han dynasty become extremely complex. In addition, like in Qin dynasty, the rulers in Western Han dynasty did not pay attention to its original theoretical connotation, but paid more attention to its practicability and the political function.