To uphold justice even if it means punishing one's own kin; to place righteousness above family loyalty.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
During the Spring and Autumn period, Zhou Xu of the State of Wei murdered his elder brother, Duke Huan of Wei, and proclaimed himself ruler. Zhou Xu forced the common people to go to war, which provoked widespread public discontent.
Worried about the instability of his reign, he consulted with his confidant, Shi Hou, about how to consolidate his rule. Shi Hou then went to ask his father, Shi Que, a high-ranking official in Wei, for advice on how to secure Zhou Xu's position.
Shi Que told his son, "When a vassal lord takes the throne, he should obtain permission from the Son of Heaven (the Zhou king); only then can his position be stable."
Shi Hou asked, "Zhou Xu seized the throne by killing his brother. What if the Son of Heaven does not grant permission?" Shi Que replied, "Duke Huan of Chen is highly trusted by the Son of Heaven, and Chen and Wei are friendly neighboring states." Without waiting for his father to finish, Shi Hou eagerly interjected, "Are you suggesting we ask Duke Huan of Chen for help?" Shi Que nodded repeatedly.
Zhou Xu and Shi Hou prepared many gifts, but they were detained by Duke Huan of Chen. It turned out this was Shi Que's arrangement. The State of Wei sent someone to Chen to execute Zhou Xu.
The ministers of Wei felt that Shi Hou, being Shi Que's son, should be treated leniently. However, Shi Que sent his own household retainer to Chen to kill Shi Hou. Historians regarded Shi Que's act of executing his son as "大义灭亲" (placing righteousness above family loyalty).