Lord Shang was descended, through a concubine, from the royal house of Uei. His personal name was Yang, his clan name Gongsun, and his ancestors had been of the royal Ji clan. As a youth he was interested in the study of law and served as clan officer under Gongshu Cao, the prime minister of Wei, who recognized his ability but lacked opportunity to recommend him.
When Gongshu Cao fell ill, King Hui of Wei went in person to inquire after him and asked, “If anything should happen to you, what will become of my state?”
“My clan officer Gongsun Yang, although young, has remarkable gifts,” replied Gongshu Cao. “I hope you will entrust affairs of state to him.”
The king was silent and prepared to leave. The prime minister sent everyone else away and said, “If you do not mean to take my advice and employ him, then have Yang killed. Don't let him leave the county.”
The king agreed to this, and left.
Then Gongshu Cao sent for Yang and told him regretfully, “Today the king asked me to suggest to successor. When I recommended you, I saw disapproval written on his face. So, putting my sovereign’s interest first, I urged him to kill you if he would not use your services, and he agreed to do this. You must leave without delay, or you will be caught.
“If the king ignored your advice to employ me,” said Yang, “why should he take your advice to have me killed?” And he did not leave.
After this interview King Hui told his followers, “I’m afraid the prime minister is in a bad way. He urged me to entrust affairs of state to Gongsun Yang---how absurd!”
After Gongshu’s death, Yang heard that Duke Xiao of Qin was trying to recruit men of talent to continue the achievements of Duke Mu and recover the territory Qin had lost in the east. He went west to Qin and obtained an audience with the duke through the offices of his favorite eunuch Qing. Yang held forth at great length but Duke Xiao did not listen and kept dropping off to sleep. The duke afterwards complained to Qing, “Your friend is a fool. How could I use such a man?”
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