Zi Zhi Tong Jian

Chapter 44
【Translation】

Gaozu was rowing in Haichi at that time. Li Shimin asked Yuchi Jingde to enter the palace as a guard. Yuchi Jingde went straight to the place where Gaozu was, wearing armor and holding a long gift.Gaozu was shocked and asked him, "Who is causing the rebellion today? What's the matter with you here?" Yuchi Jingde replied, "Because the crown prince and the king of Qi conspired to rebel, that's why the king of Qin sent troops to kill them. The king of Qin Fearing that His Majesty would be alarmed, he sent me to serve as a guard." After hearing this, Gao Zu said to Pei Ji and the others: "It is unexpected that such a thing will happen today, what do you think should be done?" Xiao Yu and Chen Shuda replied: "Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji originally did not make any contribution to the conspiracy against the Sui Dynasty, and did not make any contribution to seizing the world. They were jealous of King Qin's outstanding achievements and high reputation, so they planned an evil conspiracy together. Now that King Qin has crusade And killed them, King Qin's exploits shocked the world, and all people with lofty ideals in the world have always surrendered to him. If His Majesty can act decisively, appoint him as the prince, and entrust the state affairs to him, then there will be no more troubles. " Gaozu said: "Good! This is exactly what I have always wanted!" At that time, the soldiers of the Suwei army and the Qin Palace were fighting with the soldiers of the East Palace and the Qi Palace. All the armies obeyed the arrangement of King Qin, and Gao Zu followed his advice.Sima Yuwenshi of Tiance Mansion came out from the gate of Dongshang Pavilion to announce the imperial edict, and everyone immediately settled down.Gaozu sent Pei Ju, the servant of Huangmen, to go to the East Palace to enlighten the soldiers, and the soldiers all resigned and dispersed.Then Gaozu summoned Li Shimin to comfort him and said, "Recently, I almost had the suspicion that my great mother misunderstood Zeng Shen's murder and threw away the weaving and ran away." After hearing this, Li Shimin immediately knelt down and fell on Gaozu's chest. , howled for a while.

On June [-], Li Shimin was crowned crown prince.

[Comment and Analysis]

When he raised troops in Taiyuan, Tang Gaozu Li Yuan was hesitant. Thanks to his second son Li Shimin's firm attitude, he tried to force him into the road of anti-Sui.In the next few years, Li Shimin conquered east and west and made great achievements many times.It can be said that more than half of the world in the Tang Dynasty was brought down by Li Shimin.However, Li Yuan made his eldest son Li Jian the crown prince.Even if Li Shimin is willing, his generals are not willing.Moreover, Li Jiancheng was also afraid of Li Shimin's power, so he tried every means to kill Li Shimin.As a result, the conflict between the two intensified day by day, and finally there was the Xuanwumen Incident, and a generation of famous monarchs stepped onto the stage of history on the blood of their brothers.

Wei Zheng Admonishes
[Original text]

The Second Year of Zhenguan, Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty
Zheng's appearance is not more than that of a middle-aged man, but he is courageous, good at answering people's ideas, and bitterly remonstrates every time he commits a crime;He tasted the tomb, returned it, and said to him: "It is said that your majesty wants to be lucky in Nanshan, and the outside is all strictly installed, but it doesn't work, why?" , so I dropped my ears." I tasted a good harrier, put it in my arms, saw the sign coming, and hid it in my arms; after a long time, the harrier died in my arms.

In the sixth year of Zhenguan, Emperor Taizong's civil and military sage, Da Guangxiao, Princess Changle will be born. She was born to the princess and queen, and she loves her so much.Wei Zheng remonstrated and said: "In the past, Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty wanted to be crowned prince, and said: 'How can my son be compared with the son of the first emperor!' They all ordered Banchu and Huaiyang. Now the gift of the princess is twice that of the eldest master, and it is no different from the meaning of Emperor Ming. Huh!" Shang followed his words and told the queen.After sighing, he said: "My concubine has heard that your majesty praised Wei Zheng, but I don't know why. Now I see him citing etiquette and righteousness to suppress the feelings of the master, and he is a minister who knows the truth of the society! My concubine and your majesty are married, and Qu Chengenli Every time you say something, you must first wait for the color, and dare not lightly offend the majesty; moreover, because of the alienation of the ministers, you can resist the words, and your majesty must follow." Because I asked the envoy to send four hundred coins and four hundred pieces of silk. He gave the levy, and said: "I heard that justice is upright, but I have seen it today, so I reward each other. The public should always uphold this heart, and don't transfer it." After tasting the court, he said angrily: "The meeting must kill this farmer. ’” Then he asked who it was, and he said, “Wei Zheng humiliated me every court.” He stepped back, stood in the court with court clothes, and asked why.Later, he said: "I heard that the lord Mingchen is straight; today Wei Zheng is straight, because of your Majesty's enlightenment, I dare not congratulate you!" Shang Naiyue.

【Translation】

The second year of Zhenguan, Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty (628 A.D.)
Although Wei Zheng's appearance is not amazing, he is very courageous and strategic. He is good at persuading the emperor to withdraw his unreasonable ideas, so he often offends Yan Zhijian.Sometimes when Tang Taizong was angry and angry, he was still calm, and Tang Taizong's supernatural power was restrained.He once asked for leave to go back to pay respects to his ancestors' tombs. When he came back, he said to Tang Taizong: "Everyone said that your Majesty is going to visit Nanshan, and everyone outside is ready to go, but you didn't go in the end. I don't know why?" Tang Taizong laughed Said: "I did plan to do this at the beginning, but I was afraid that Ai Qing would blame me again, so I stopped halfway." Tang Taizong once got a good harpy eagle, put it on his arm to play with, and saw Wei Zheng coming from a distance, He quickly hid it in his bosom; Wei Zheng stood there to play the important affairs of the court, and he didn't finish playing after a long time. In the end, the eagle was smothered to death in Tang Taizong's arms.

In the sixth year of Zhenguan (AD 632), Princess Changle was going to marry the eldest grandson Zhong as his wife. Because she was born to the queen, Tang Taizong loved her very much, and ordered the relevant departments to prepare more dowry items than Huanggu Yongjia eldest princess. double.Wei Zheng remonstrated: "Earlier, Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty planned to entrust the prince's fief, saying: 'How can my son compare with the son of the first emperor?' After that, he ordered that half of the fiefdoms be divided equally between King Chu and King Huaiyang. Now Princess Changle’s dowry is twice as much as that of Princess Changle, isn’t this far from the meaning of Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty?” Tang Taizong felt that his words made sense, so he went to the harem to inform the queen, and the queen said with emotion: “I often listen to your majesty. Praise Wei Zheng, I don't know why, but today I saw him cite the ancient etiquette and righteousness to restrain the king's personal love, and I realized that he is really a pillar of the country assisting His Majesty! I have been married to Your Majesty for many years, and I have received His Majesty's favor and courtesy Every time you speak, you have to watch your words and look carefully, and dare not easily offend your majesty. What's more, the ministers are relatively alienated from your majesty, but Wei Zheng can speak so bluntly and strongly, and your majesty has to listen to his opinions." So the queen asked Tang Taizong to send someone Go to Wei Zheng's house and reward him with four hundred coins and four hundred bolts of silk.And said to him: "I heard that you are upright and selfless, and I can finally see you today, so I reward these. I hope you can always uphold this loyalty and don't change." Once, Tang Taizong returned to the palace after returning to the palace, full of anger Said: "I will find a chance to kill this country bumpkin in the future!" Empress Changsun hurriedly asked who had offended him, Tang Taizong said: "Wei Zheng often humiliated me in the court hall." Tang Taizong was very surprised and asked her why she did this.Empress Changsun said: "I heard that when the monarch is enlightened, the ministers are upright. Now Wei Zheng's admonishment is because of your majesty's enlightenment. How can I not congratulate you?"

[Original text]

The grandson Wuji said: "Wang Gui and Wei Zheng were enemies in the past, so it doesn't mean that we can have the same banquet today." The emperor said: "Zheng and Gui are doing everything with their heart, so I use it. Admonish, I don't obey, I don't agree with what I say, why?" Wei Zheng said to him: "The minister thinks that the matter should not be done, so he advises; if your majesty does not allow the minister to respond, the matter will be carried out, so I dare not respond." Shang said: "If you respond to the remonstrance, what harm will you do?" Confrontation: "Xi Shun warned the ministers: 'You have no face to follow, and there is a later word when you retreat. Yea, Qi Ji and Qi Shi Shun's intentions are evil!" Shang laughed and said, "People say that Wei Zheng's behavior is sloppy, but I find him more charming, and it's because of this!" Zheng Qi, thanked him and said: "Your Majesty opened the minister's envoy. If your Majesty refuses to accept it, why would you dare to offend me!"

In the tenth year of Zhenguan, Wei Wangtai favored him, or said that the third rank and above were more despised than Wei Wang.Shangnu, cited the third grade and above, and said to him: "During the time of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, all the kings below the first grade were stunned. He is not the son of the emperor! But I don't listen to the ears of the princes. I heard that the three grades and above are all despised. If I let it go, wouldn't I be able to humiliate my father!"

【Translation】

Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty held a banquet for his close ministers at the Hall of Danxiao, and Changsun Wuji said: "Wang Gui and Wei Zheng used to be Prince Li Jiancheng's aides and were enemies of His Majesty, how could we expect to have a banquet here today. "Tang Taizong said: "Wei Zheng and Wang Gui serve their original masters wholeheartedly, so I reuse them. However, every time Wei Zheng advises, as long as I don't obey, then I talk to him, and he always doesn't respond. , why is that?" Wei Zheng replied: "I don't think things can be done, so I remonstrate; if your majesty doesn't listen to my remonstrance and I want to answer your majesty's words, then things will be carried out, so I dare not answer." Tang Taizong said: "Answer for the time being and then remonstrate later, what's the harm?" Wei Zheng replied: "In the past, Emperor Shun warned the ministers: 'You should not obey in front of you, but say something else behind your back. .’ If I still agree to His Majesty’s opinion when I know it’s wrong, then I will obey in person. Doesn’t this conform to Ji and Qi’s original intention of serving Emperor Shun!” Tang Taizong laughed and said: “Everyone says that Wei Zheng’s behavior He is rude and arrogant, but the more I look at him, the more charming and cute he is, that’s the reason!" After hearing this, Wei Zheng hurriedly got up and left the table, and thanked Tang Taizong: "It's all because of His Majesty's guidance that I can speak freely and let I can do my best to be honest; if Your Majesty refuses to accept loyal advice, then how dare I speak out and remonstrate repeatedly!"

In the tenth year of Zhenguan (AD 636), Wei Wang Li Tai was always favored by Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty. It was reported that most of the courtiers who were above the third rank despised Wei Wang.Tang Taizong was furious after hearing this, and immediately summoned the ministers above the third rank, and severely reprimanded them: "During the time of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, all the ministers below the first rank were manipulated and humiliated by the princes. Isn't King Wei the son of the emperor? I just don't want to Just let the princes be domineering, I heard that most of the ministers above the third rank despise them, if I also let them go around, can't I humiliate you?"

[Original text]

Fang Xuanling and the others were afraid and sweated to express their thanks.Wei Zhengdu sternly said: "The officials stealing from the current group of officials will never dare to underestimate the king of Wei. In the ceremony, the minister and the son are also one. "Spring and Autumn": Although the king is small, the order is above the princes. All the three ranks and above are public officials, Your Majesty The respected etiquette, if the discipline is too bad, it is irrelevant; if the sage is above, the king of Wei will have no reason to humiliate the officials. Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty was proud of his sons, so that they behaved more rudely, and all the soldiers were wiped out. Shangyue said: "I have to obey the words that are reasonable. I forget righteousness with my selfish love, and I am angry with others. I say that I don't doubt it. Only when I hear the words, I will know the truth. How easy is it for the master to speak? !"

In the 17th year of Zhenguan, Duke Wenzhen of Zheng Wenzhen, Wei Zheng, was sick in bed. He sent envoys to inquire about him, gave them medicine bait, and looked at him.He also sent Zhonglang General Li Anyan to live in his residence to hear the movement.Shangfu and the prince went to the same place, referring to Princess Hengshan, who wanted to marry her son Shuyu.Wuchen, Zhengxi, ordered all officials above the ninth rank to go to the funeral, preach to Yu Bao, and be buried in Zhaoling.His wife, Pei, said: "It is not the wish of the deceased to be buried with a first-class feather ceremony after living a frugal life."Go up to the west building of the garden, watching and crying.On the self-made inscription, and as a book stone.Shangsi was so excited that he said to his courtier, "Using copper as a mirror, people can straighten their clothes; using ancient times as a mirror, they can see the ups and downs; using people as a mirror, they can know the gains and losses; Wei Zheng is gone, and I will die with a mirror!"

【Translation】

Fang Xuanling and others were sweating profusely in fear and fear, and kowtowed to Tang Taizong in apology.Only Wei Zheng said sternly: "In private, I think that today's ministers must not dare to despise King Wei. According to etiquette, ministers and princes are the same. "Spring and Autumn" said: Even if the king of Zhou is humble, Ranked above the vassals. Above the third rank are ministers and ministers, and His Majesty has always respected and treated them with respect. If the discipline is corrupt, of course there is no need to talk about it; if the sage is above, then the king of Wei must have no reason to humiliate the ministers. His sons made them behave rudely and were all killed in the end. Is this worthy of emulation for future generations?" Tang Taizong said happily: "Everything is reasonable, I have to admire it. I have forgotten it because of my personal love. Righteousness, when I was just angry, I felt that I was very reasonable; but after hearing Wei Zheng's words, I realized that I was wronged. How can a monarch say such frivolous and irresponsible words?"

In the 17th year of Zhenguan (AD 643), Wei Zheng, the Duke of Zheng Wenzhen, was ill in bed. Emperor Taizong of Tang sent envoys to visit him and gave him medicine bait, and there was an endless stream of people delivering medicine.Tang Taizong also sent Zhonglang to stay Li Anyan in Wei Zheng's mansion, and report to him immediately if there is any movement.Tang Taizong also went to Wei Zheng's house with the prince, pointing to Princess Hengshan, and planned to marry her to Wei Zheng's son Wei Shuyu as his wife.On the [-]th day of the first lunar month, Wei Zheng passed away. Tang Taizong ordered all civil and military officials above the ninth rank to mourn at Wei Zheng's home, and gave a guard of honor and a drummer holding a feather to be buried with him in Zhaoling.Wei Zheng's wife Pei said: "Wei Zheng was diligent and simple all his life. Now he is decorated with bird feathers and buried according to the etiquette standards of first-rank officials. This is not the wish of the deceased." Buried with a coffin.Tang Taizong boarded the west tower of the Forbidden Garden, looked at Wei Zheng's hearse and wept bitterly, extremely sad.Tang Taizong personally wrote the inscription for Wei Zheng and wrote the tombstone.Tang Taizong never stopped thinking about Wei Zheng. He often said to his close ministers: "Make copper into a mirror, which can be used to arrange clothes and hats; history as a mirror, can be used to examine the rise and fall of successive dynasties; Treat people as a mirror, and you can understand the gains and losses of your actions. Wei Zheng is dead, and my mirror is lost like this!"

[Comment and Analysis]

Wei Zheng was a politician in the early Tang Dynasty. He was originally a former minister of Prince Li Jiancheng, and he once persuaded Li Jiancheng to kill Li Shimin.After Li Shimin came to the throne, regardless of previous suspicions, he was reused.Wei Zheng is one of the few famous ministers in Chinese history who dared to speak out. He and Tang Taizong Li Shimin dared to speak out, and the other was kind, leaving a good story in history.As the saying goes: "Accompanying a king is like accompanying a tiger", if you are not careful, you may lose your head if you rebel against the dragon, stroke the tiger's beard, and annoy the emperor.However, Wei Zheng often expresses his opinions publicly in the court. What he thinks is right, he always speaks directly in front of Li Shimin.Li Shimin also respects his opinion very much.It was with a group of outspoken ministers like Wei Zheng that political clarity emerged in the early Tang Dynasty.Li Shimin's reign name was Zhenguan, and this period was called "the rule of Zhenguan" in history.

Queen Sun
[Original text]

Ten Years of Zhenguan, Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty
Empress Changsun is benevolent, filial and thrifty, good at reading, and often discusses ancient affairs calmly with her superiors, so her devotion will benefit Hongduo.The emperor may condemn the anger of the palace people for innocence, and the queen is also angry with Yang. Please push yourself away and be imprisoned for life.Princess Yuzhang lost her mother early, and later adopted her, her kindness surpassed that of her children.Concubines and concubines below are sick, and their step-in-law caress them, and they stop their own medicinal meals to support them, and everyone in the palace loves them.In training the princes, modesty and frugality are always the first priority. After the prince's nurse, Mrs. Sui'an, tasted the white, she thought that the Eastern Palace utensils were rarely used, so please benefit from it.Later, he refused, saying: "As a prince, the trouble lies in the failure to establish virtue, and the reputation is not well-known, so why worry about using evil without weapons!"

He got sick and didn't heal for many years. He served in the back and never left his side day and night.He often wears poison on his belt, saying: "If you don't hide it, righteousness is not the only one!" Later, he suffered from qi disease. Follow the disease, stop it from left to right, and then say: "The superior is shocked, how can I be at ease!"The prince said later: "The medicine is exhausted, but the disease will not recover. Please forgive the sinners and save them into the Tao, and the common people will be blessed."

(End of this chapter)