The Bing-Shen Tai Sui: General Guan Zhong

Sunlight and a clever monkey

Bing is the noon sun, open and bright, revealing hidden problems and letting new ideas grow. Shen is the monkey, quick to find the smartest solution without losing sight of what matters. Together they see the whole picture and the way through it.

General Guan Zhong guards this year. People born in Bing-Shen years often see the big picture, do not sweat small things, and look for the biggest result for the smallest cost.

A chancellor at ease

He wears a plain dark green hat, the choice of someone who cares more about getting things done than being seen. His face is broad and calm, with the easy look of someone who has already worked it all out.

He wears a blue-green robe and a yellow cloak, one hand pointing ahead: "I know where the road is. Follow me."

The arrow and the friend

Guan Zhong was a real statesman of the state of Qi, one of the greatest reformers in Chinese history. At first he served a rival prince, and during the fight for the throne he even shot an arrow at the man who became Duke Huan of Qi.

When Duke Huan took power, he did not take revenge. His friend Bao Shuya told him Guan Zhong was far more capable than himself, and the duke made Guan Zhong his chancellor. The duke's generosity and Bao Shuya's faith in his friend are still famous in China today.

Guan Zhong reformed taxes so that they matched each family's land and means, organized soldiers by neighborhood so they fought beside people they knew, and opened the salt and iron trade. Qi became the richest state of its time.

Full granaries first

His most famous saying goes roughly: "When the granaries are full, people learn manners. When they have enough food and clothes, they learn honor and shame." With his help, Duke Huan became the first great leader of the age. Confucius later said the people were still benefiting from Guan Zhong's work.

Heaven named him the Tai Sui of the Bing-Shen year. A hand pointing far ahead and a wide, wise view: that is his gift to everyone born in the Year of the Monkey.