Li Sis Argument Against Expelling Advisers | Generated by AI

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Question: In the “Jian Zhu Ke Shu” (Remonstrance against Expelling Guest Advisers), what is the author’s purpose in listing the treasures, beauties, and music from other states that the King of Qin loves?

A. To cater to the King of Qin’s unique preferences
B. To criticize the King of Qin’s extravagant and indulgent lifestyle
C. To try to move the King of Qin by mentioning treasures, beauties, and music
D. To illustrate that “valuing material things while despising people” is inconsistent with the policy of unification

Your answer: B
Correct answer: D

Answer:

The correct answer is D.

Explanation:

In Li Si’s “Jian Zhu Ke Shu”, one of the most important argumentative strategies is the use of analogy and contrast.

Li Si deliberately lists a large number of precious objects, beautiful women, famous horses, and excellent music that the King of Qin enjoys and retains — all of which come from other states (such as Kunshan jade, Helü swords, famous horses from the Hu area, Zheng and Wei music, etc.).

Then he sharply contrasts this with the policy toward talented guest ministers (客卿 / wandering scholars) from other states: the King is willing to keep foreign objects and pleasures, yet wants to expel foreign people of talent.

This creates a clear logical contradiction:

Through this sharp contrast, Li Si aims to expose the inconsistency and illogic of the “expel guest ministers” policy. He points out that such behavior is a typical case of “重物轻人” (valuing material things while belittling people / putting objects above human talent).

This “valuing things over people” approach is fundamentally incompatible with the great strategy of unifying the world (统一天下的方针), because unifying All-under-Heaven requires attracting and heavily employing talented people from everywhere, rather than expelling them.

Therefore, the purpose of listing those foreign luxuries is not mainly to criticize the king’s extravagance (although the description is indeed luxurious), nor is it simply to pander to or tempt the king. The core aim is to use this contradiction to logically demonstrate that the policy of expelling guest ministers is unwise and runs counter to the goal of unification.

That is why the most accurate answer is D: to show that “valuing objects while despising people” does not align with the unification strategy.

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