Since the pre-Qin period, the concept of “De(virtue)” had indicated more than just a ruling strategy centered on moral civilization. During the Western Zhou Dynasty, “De(virtue)” primarily referred to the legitimacy required for rulership, representing an ideal of benevolent governance, built upon which, Confucianism in Eastern Zhou period extend “De(virtue)” to a model of governance. For Confucian, “De(virtue)” meant an ideal model embodying benevolent and good governance. In the Han Dynasty, “De(virtue)” and “Xing(penalty)” still represented two opposing governance modes. Through intellectual debates and political practices in the early Han, Confucian eventually reconciled the idea of Confucianism and Legalism, choosing “De(virtue)” while also incorporating beneficial elements from the doctrine of “rule by punishment” advocated by legalism in Eastern Zhou period. Subsequent Confucian discussions on the relationship between “De(virtue)” and “Xing(penalty)” developed upon the foundation of the Han Dynasty’s “rule by virtue” model, while carefully weighing its merits and drawbacks.