Lord Shang was a member of the ducal house of Wei, though from a cadet branch. His given name was Yang, his surname Gongsun, and his ancestors had originally borne the surname Ji. In his youth, Yang devoted himself to the study of law and governance, serving under the Wei minister Gongshu Cuo as a mid-ranking official. Gongshu Cuo recognized his abilities but died before he could recommend him to the king.
When Cuo's illness grew grave, King Hui of Wei came in person to inquire after him. "If your illness proves fatal," the king asked, "what will become of the state?" Cuo replied, "Among my household officials is Gongsun Yang, young in years yet possessed of remarkable talent. I beg Your Majesty to entrust him with the governance of the entire realm." The king said nothing. As the king rose to leave, Cuo dismissed everyone and said in confidence, "If Your Majesty does not intend to employ Yang, you must have him killed. Do not let him leave our borders." The king agreed and departed.
Cuo then summoned Yang and said to him, "When the king asked me who might serve as minister, I spoke of you, but the king seemed disinclined. I had to put the state's interests above our personal bond, so I told him that if he would not employ you, he should have you killed. He agreed with me. You must flee at once—otherwise you will be captured."
Yang replied, "Since the king was unable to employ you when you spoke on my behalf, how could he possibly listen to you now and have me executed?" He did not leave.
After the king departed, he said to his attendants, "Gongshu Cuo is gravely ill. How sad—when he wanted me to entrust the entire state to Gongsun Yang, he then immediately counseled me to put him to death. How perverse!"
When Gongshu Cuo died, Yang learned that Duke Xiao of Qin had issued a call throughout the realm for men of talent, seeking to restore the accomplishments of Duke Mu and recover the territories lost to the east. He therefore traveled west into Qin and, at the recommendation of the duke's trusted advisor Jing Jian, secured an audience with Duke Xiao.
Duke Xiao received Yang, and they discussed affairs at great length, but the duke kept dozing off and showed no interest. When the audience concluded, the duke flew into a rage at Jing Jian: "Your guest is nothing but a charlatan. What possible use could he be?"
Jing Jian reproached Yang, who said, "I set forth for the duke the Way of the Former Kings, but his wisdom is not yet ready to receive such truths. Let me see him again in five days."
Yang was granted another audience with the duke. His presentation had improved, yet still failed to satisfy. When the audience concluded, the duke once more rebuked Jing Jian, who in turn reproached Yang. Yang replied, "I have explained the Way of Benevolent Rule to him, but he remains unmoved. Please arrange another meeting."
When Yang saw the duke again, his arguments proved compelling, yet the duke still declined to employ him. The audience ended and Yang withdrew. The duke said to Jing Jian, "Your guest is capable. I can converse with him."
Yang replied, "I have expounded the Way of Despotism to the duke, and now he is inclined to employ me. If you can arrange another meeting, I know precisely what will move him."
When Yang saw the duke once more, the duke found himself leaning forward on his mat, utterly drawn into the conversation. For days on end he never tired of their discussions. Jing Jian asked, "How did you manage to win over our lord? He is delighted with you."
"By seeking glory in his own lifetime, a ruler must abandon the patience required by the Former Kings. A hundred years of virtuous rule before ascending to imperial glory—such virtue is beyond him." Yang therefore proposed the methods of strengthening the state, and Duke Xiao was greatly pleased. Yet this path falls short of the virtue attained by the Shang and Zhou dynasties.