略论大禹故事对秦汉政治的影响

The Political Influence of the Story of Yuthe Great on Qin and Han Period

作为想象的“故事”,大禹传说深刻影响着秦汉政治。秦武王问鼎与秦始皇捞鼎的行为,是对禹铸九鼎故事的精神继承,体现了再造一统的政治宣示。汉文帝求贤诏将大禹与高祖并列,反映他对大禹故事的极度推崇。而文帝以节俭留美名,应当与效法大禹勤俭故事有关。对大禹故事的认知,不同政治文化流派存在歧异。道家、法家认为大禹勤俭损伤本性、自降权势;对禹世水灾的说法,董仲舒等新儒家则运用阴阳灾异理论为大禹去咎,维护其圣王地位。

As an imaginary precedent,the legend of Yu the Great deeply influences the politics in the Qin and Han period.The fact that King Qin Wu inquired about the tripod and Qin Shi Huang salvaged it demonstrates that they endeavored to spiritually inherit the story that Yu the Great molded the Nine Tripods,reflecting their political declaration of reunifying the country.In the imperial edict,Han Wen Di mentioned Yu the Great in parallel with Emperor Gao Zu,which signifies his extreme respect for Yu the Great;he earned a name of frugality,which should be partly attributed to imitating Yu the Great.Different political and cultural schools hold different opinions regarding the story of Yu the Great:Taoists and legalists believe that Yu’s diligence and frugality damaged his nature and lowered his power,while faced with the story of Yu’s suffering and conquering the floods,Dong Zhongshu and other neo-confucianists used the theory of Yin and Yang to protect him from being reproached so that Yu’s sacred image was therefore maintained.