To replace the old strings of a musical instrument with new ones to achieve harmony; metaphorically, to reform an old system, policy, or method, or to change a plan to adapt to new circumstances and achieve better results.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Antonym:
Story:
During the Western Han Dynasty, there was a renowned philosopher and master of New Text Confucianism named Dong Zhongshu, who hailed from Guangchuan (today's eastern Zaoqiang, Hebei). He was exceptionally diligent in his studies, dedicating himself to books all day long in his study, so much so that he neglected to even glance at the garden nearby for two or three years.
Later, he specialized in the 'Gongyang Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals' and served as an academician (Boshi), Chancellor of Jiangdu (Jiangdu Xiang), and Chancellor to the King of Jiaoxi (Jiaoxi Wang Xiang). At that time, Emperor Wu of Han invited virtuous and learned individuals to offer suggestions on governance.
Dong Zhongshu stated that the Han Dynasty, succeeding the Qin, found many of Qin's old institutions unsuitable. He likened it to the strings of a zither becoming old and worn, unable to produce harmonious sounds, thus requiring removal and replacement with new strings before the instrument could be played. Policies and systems, he argued, were the same. If they proved ineffective, they must be reformed to achieve positive outcomes. If one should change the strings but fails to do so, even the most skilled musician cannot play a beautiful melody; similarly, if reforms are needed but not implemented, even the wisest statesman cannot achieve satisfactory results.
Dong Zhongshu also advised Emperor Wu of Han: 'All doctrines not belonging to the Six Arts (i.e., The Rites, The Music, The Odes, The Book of Documents, The Book of Changes, and The Spring and Autumn Annals) and the teachings of Confucius should be suppressed, and not allowed to coexist.' These proposals were adopted by Emperor Wu, establishing a precedent for Confucianism to become the orthodox ideology for over two millennia of feudal society.