Fa houwang (法后王), as opposed to fa xianwang (法先王), literally means “to follow the examples of recent kings.” It represents a particular attitude towards history and tradition. Houwang (后王) refers to the contemporary monarchs known for noble virtue and remarkable political achievements. The notion of fa houwang is not only about revering the virtue and accomplishments of the recent rulers, but also about obeying their commands and accepting their actions. In this context, the deeds of the recent kings are considered more legitimate and better adapted to the changing times compared to those of ancient kings, as recorded in historical accounts.

Follow the examples of recent kings, unify the institutions, revere rites and righteousness, and diminish the importance of The Book of Songs and The Book of History. (Xunzi)

Why is the notion of “following the examples of recent kings” presented in the classics? It is primarily because the kings are close to us in time, and the customs in their eras are similar to those in ours. Additionally, their ideas are easy to comprehend and put into practice. (Records of the Historian)