Machine generated contents note: Part I. Introduction: 1. Making the political; 2. Zhang Shizhao and his world; Part II. Founding: 3. The founding paradox; 4. Rule by man and rule by law; 5. Public, private, and the political; Part III. Action: 6. Self-awareness; 7. The self-use of talent; 8. Accommodation; Conclusion: a return to beginnings.