A Comparative Study Of Two Works Of Essentials Of Calamity Relief Policies By Yao Bi And Wang Zhiyi

Qing Dynasty was the period when Chinese traditional calamity relief policies developed into maturity; numerous existing documents of that time record a good many policies and measures of calamity relief. Among them two books of Essentials of Calamity Relief Policies written by Yaobi during the reign of Emperor Qianlong and by Wang Zhiyi during the reign of Emperor Jiaqing respectively (hereinafter referred to as Yao's work and Wang's work) are important works at the time. A comparative analysis of two works indicates that they are of great significance in studying calamity relief policies.Both books were written under the influence of ideology of applying learning to governing and serving the country which had been prevailing since the reign of Emperor Kangxi and Emperor Qianlong. The books were intended to assist rulers in governing the country and rid people of calamities. They were closely related to the experience of the writers who had participated in implementing calamity relief policies themselves. The books record plenty of calamity relief measures and practical experience and reflect the writers'rich thoughts about calamity relief policies.A comparative study of the content and edition of the two books shows that Wang's work was more widespread than that of Yao. There were only two editions of Yao's work, which were found in Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces. Both books illustrate and analyze experience, methods, advantages and disadvantages of treating natural calamities. They share a lot in common; and the most common characteristic is:providing relief for special group of people. The two books differ in the angle of writing:Wang's work makes a macro study of the calamity relief policies while Yao's work approaches them from a micro perspective.Wang's work cited calamity relief cases and accepted theories of all ages; it supports the common people's efforts to fight natural calamites, stresses the important role of calamity relief talents and advocates development of a harmonious society. While Yao's work is mainly devoted to the analysis of specific calamity relief cases and the solution to problems. It emphasizes getting at the root of problems, guarding against or putting an end to natural calamities. It also records some special cases of calamity relief practice and some specific instances of controlling and exploiting rivers in Zhejiang.A comparative analysis of the value of the two works indicates that Wang's work preserves some parts of the complete Codes of Ministry of Revenue; and it includes a lot of calamity relief measures and experience of famous officials and relief experts of various dynasties. On the other hand, Yao's work records many imperial edicts, usual practice, regulations and officials' suggestions on calamity relief in the reign of Emperor Yongzheng and Emperor Qianlong and some specific cases of calamity relief in certain regions; therefore it has very good historical data value and ideological value. Both works attach importance to people, talents, changes and originality; both stress governing the country in a responsible and cautious manner and being prepared for unexpected eventualities. They reflect the understanding of calamity relief of officials and intellectuals in early Qing Dynasty.Influenced by the prevailing idea of applying learning to governing and serving the country, both works stress careful and dutiful fulfillment of every piece of calamity relief work, which is expected to be practical and beneficial to the common people. They advocate and advise civil salvage, but it should accord with the sentiment and situation of the people. They urge the strict observation of law and discipline, and make it clear that it is more important to guard against damage brought about by people than by natural calamities. Both books value the resources of the people, support production, and emphasize reconstruction after calamity and recovery of production. For these reasons, both works have played an important role in calamity relief activities in Qing Dynasty, and today it is still significant in academic research.It is beyond doubt that there are some drawbacks in both two books. Because of the authors'limited knowledge of the universe, both books exhibit philosophy of idealism and superstition to some extent. Besides, the writers did not make a scientific exploration of the causes of natural calamity, which is more obvious in Wang's work. So they failed to find out the real reasons for the natural calamities. On the other hand, the idea of "interaction between heaven and mankind" advocated in Wang's book can in reality urge people to maintain harmonious relations with the nature, and rulers to implement policy of benevolence.