Would a ruler who followed Confucian or Daoist ideas have built the Great Wall of China?

The Great Wall of China was actually built by a number of different rulers over the course of many centuries, and the decision to build it was based on a variety of factors, including military, political, and economic considerations. It is difficult to say definitively whether a ruler who followed Confucian or Daoist ideas would have built the Great Wall, as the decision to build the Wall was not solely based on philosophical or religious beliefs.

Confucianism emphasizes the importance of social harmony, respect for authority, and the maintenance of traditional values. While a Confucian ruler might have been hesitant to engage in large-scale construction projects that could disrupt social order or divert resources from other priorities, it is possible that they could have seen the Great Wall as a necessary measure to protect the country from external threats.

Daoism, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of non-interference with the natural world and the pursuit of personal and spiritual cultivation. A Daoist ruler might have been more likely to view the Great Wall as an unnecessary and artificial barrier that would disrupt the natural flow of Qi, or life energy. However, it is also possible that a Daoist ruler could have seen the Great Wall as a way to protect the country from external influences and preserve the traditional Chinese way of life.

Ultimately, whether a ruler who followed Confucian or Daoist ideas would have built the Great Wall of China is a matter of speculation, and there is no clear consensus on this issue.