Abstract

The utilitarian political thought in the Song Dynasty can be divided into two stages: the Northern Song Dynasty and the Southern Song Dynasty, because of different times. Confucian utilitarianism in the Northern Song Dynasty mainly focused on reform issues. The central focus was to solve the problems of redundant officials, redundant soldiers, and redundant fees. The central issue of the dispute was the relationship between enriching the country, strengthening the army, and encouraging Confucian people-oriented values.