# Wan Zhang I: succession and accounts of people: summary

Uses conversations about Shun and historical figures to examine succession, family and political judgment.

https://sakimyto.com/en/classics/mencius/chapter-09-wan-zhang-i-succession-and-accounts-of-people

## Source and summary

[Mencius · Wan Zhang I: succession and accounts of people](https://zh.wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=%E5%AD%9F%E5%AD%90/%E5%85%A8%E8%A6%BD&oldid=2636978#%E8%90%AC%E7%AB%A0%E4%B8%8A)

> 萬章問曰：「舜往于田，號泣于旻天。何為其號泣也？」

Uses conversations about Shun and historical figures to examine succession, family and political judgment.

## Editorial interpretation

The example below adapts this chapter’s questions to modern work. Evaluate it against the actual purpose and conditions; ancient politics, warfare or ethics do not establish business results.

## Business application

For succession or leadership selection, distinguish reputation from conduct and state role requirements and evidence.

1. Choose one relevant case and record its objective, available resources, verified facts and unknowns.
2. Compare options using this chapter’s perspective; choose a limited trial, owner, deadline and a measure to assess the result.

Deliverable: A comparison using wan zhang i: succession and accounts of people, with conditions for acting or declining.

## Limits

The summary selects main points rather than translating every sentence. The example is not a demonstrated business method; check it against stakeholders’ conditions and actual evidence.

## Validation question

How does this chapter’s perspective change the selected option or priority, and what further evidence could change the decision?

[Mencius: a guide to judgment and responsibility](https://sakimyto.com/en/classics/mencius)

[This material](https://sakimyto.com/classics-data/entries/mencius/chapter-09-wan-zhang-i-succession-and-accounts-of-people.en.md)

Updated: 2026-10-13 · v1.0.0