Heshang Gong (河上公, “The Old Man on the River”) is a legendary Daoist sage traditionally associated with the early Han dynasty. According to classical accounts, he lived as a hermit on the banks of the Yellow River and was sought out by Emperor Wen of Han (汉文帝, r. 180–157 BCE), who wished to learn the teachings of the Tao Te Ching from him. The sage’s commentary became one of the most influential interpretations of Laozi’s text in the entire Daoist tradition.

The Heshang Gong Commentary (河上公章句) is distinctive for its dual approach: each chapter is interpreted simultaneously on the level of personal self-cultivation and statecraft. The body is treated as a microcosm of the state, and the principles of governing the self are identical to those of governing the realm. This synthesis of inner alchemy and political philosophy made the commentary foundational to both religious Daoism and Huang-Lao thought (黃老道家).

The text was transmitted in the Daoist canon (Daozang 道藏) and has been studied continuously for over two thousand years. English translations and annotations by Paul Peng.