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○蘇世長子良嗣
● Su Shichang; his son Liangsi
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韋雲起孫方質
Wei Yunqi; Sun Fangzhi
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孫伏伽張玄素蘇世長蘇世長,雍州武功人也。 祖彤,後魏直散騎常侍。 父振,周宕州刺史、建威縣侯。 周武帝時,世長年十餘歲,上書言事。 武帝以其年小,召問:「讀何書?」 對曰:「讀《孝經》、《論語》。」 武帝曰:「《孝經》、《論語》何所言?」 對曰:「《孝經》云:『為國者不敢侮於鰥寡。』 《論語》云:『為政以德。』」 武帝善其對,令於獸門館讀書。 以其父歿王事,因令襲爵,世長於武帝前擗踴號泣,武帝為之改容。 隋文帝受禪,世長又屢上便宜,頗有補益,超遷長安令。 大業中,為都水少監,使於上江督運。 會江都難作,世長為煬帝發喪慟哭,哀感路人。 王世充僭號,署為太子太保、行台右僕射。 與世充兄子弘烈及將豆盧褒俱鎮襄陽。 時弘烈娶褒女為妻,深相結托。 高祖與褒有舊,璽書諭之,不從,頻斬使者。 武德四年,洛陽平,世長首勸弘烈歸降。 既至京師,高祖誅褒而責世長來晚之故,世長頓顙曰:「自古帝王受命,為逐鹿之喻,一人得之,萬夫斂手。 豈有獲鹿之後,忿同獵之徒,問爭肉之罪也? 陛下應天順人,布德施惠,又安得忘管仲、雍齒之事乎! 且臣武功之士,經涉亂離,死亡略盡,惟臣殘命,得見聖朝,陛下若復殺之,是絕其類也。 實望天恩,使有遺種。」 高祖與之有故,笑而釋之。 尋授玉山屯監。 後於玄武門引見,語及平生,恩意甚厚。 高祖曰:「卿自謂諂佞耶,正直耶?」 對曰:「臣實愚直。」 高祖曰:「卿若直,何為背世充而歸我?」 對曰:「洛陽既平,天下為一,臣智窮力屈,始歸陛下。 向使世充尚在,臣據漢南,天意雖有所歸,人事足為勍敵。」 高祖大笑。 嘗嘲之曰:「名長意短,口正心邪,棄忠貞於鄭國,忘信義於吾家。」 世長對曰:「名長意短,實如聖旨; 口正心邪,未敢奉詔。 昔竇融以河西降漢,十世封侯; 臣以山南歸國,惟蒙屯監。」 即日擢拜諫議大夫。 從幸涇陽校獵,大獲禽獸於旌門。 高祖入御營,顧謂朝臣曰:「今日畋樂乎?」 世長進曰:「陛下遊獵,薄廢萬機,不滿十旬,未為大樂。」 高祖色變,既而笑曰:「狂態發耶?」 世長曰:「為臣私計則狂,為陛下國計則忠矣。」 及突厥入寇,武功郡縣,多失戶口,是後下詔將幸武功校獵。 世長又諫曰:「突厥初入,大為民害,陛下救恤之道猶未發言,乃於其地又縱畋獵,非但仁育之心有所不足,百姓供頓,將何以堪?」 高祖不納。 又嘗引之於披香殿,世長酒酣,奏曰:「此殿隋煬帝所作耶? 是何雕麗之若此也?」 高祖曰:「卿好諫似真,其心實詐。 豈不知此殿是吾所造,何須設詭疑而言煬帝乎?」 對曰:「臣實不知。 但見傾宮鹿台琉璃之瓦,並非受命帝王愛民節用之所為也。 若是陛下作此,誠非所宜。 臣昔在武功,幸常陪侍,見陛下宅宇,才蔽風霜,當此之時,亦以為足。 今因隋之侈,民不堪命,數歸有道,而陛下得之,實謂懲其奢淫,不忘儉約。 今初有天下,而於隋宮之內,又加雕飾,欲撥其亂,寧可得乎?」 高祖深然之。 後歷陝州長史、天策府軍諮祭酒。 秦府初開文學館,引為學士。 與房玄齡等一十八人皆蒙圖畫,令文學褚亮為之贊,曰:「軍諮諧噱,超然辯悟。 正色於庭,匪躬之故。」 貞觀初,聘於突厥,與頡利爭禮,不受賂遺,朝廷稱之。 出為巴州刺史,覆舟溺水而卒。 世長機辯有學,博涉而簡率,嗜酒,無威儀。 初在陝州,部內多犯法,世長莫能禁,乃責躬引咎,自撻於都街。 伍伯嫉其詭,鞭之見血,世長不勝痛,大呼而走,觀者咸以為笑,議者方稱其詐。 子良嗣子良嗣,高宗時遷周王府司馬。 王時年少,舉事不法,良嗣正色匡諫,甚見敬憚。 王府官屬多非其人,良嗣守文檢括,莫敢有犯,深為高宗所稱。 遷荊州大都督府長史。 高宗使宦者緣江采異竹,將於苑中植之。 宦者科舟載竹,所在縱暴。 還過荊州,良嗣囚之,因上疏切諫,稱:「遠方求珍異以疲道路,非聖人抑己愛人之道。 又小人竊弄威福,以虧皇明。」 言甚切直。 疏奏,高宗下制慰勉,遽令棄竹於江中。 永淳中,為雍州長史。 時關中大飢,人相食,盜賊縱橫。 良嗣為政嚴明,盜發三日內無不擒扌適。 則天臨朝,遷工部尚書。 尋代王德真為納言,累封溫國公。 為西京留守,則天賦詩餞送,賞遇甚渥。 時尚方監裴匪躬檢校西苑,將鬻苑中果菜以收其利。 良嗣駁之曰:「昔公儀相魯,猶能拔葵去織,未聞萬乘之主,鬻其果菜以與下人爭利也。」 匪躬遂止。 無幾,追入都,遷文昌左相、同鳳閣鸞台三品。 載初元年春,罷文昌左相,加位特進,仍依舊知政事。 與地官尚書韋方質不協,及方質坐事當誅,辭引良嗣,則天特保明之。 良嗣謝恩拜伏,便不能復起,輿歸其家,詔御醫張文仲、韋慈藏往視疾。 其日薨,年八十五。 則天輟朝三日,舉哀於觀風門,敕百官就宅赴吊。 贈開府儀同三司,益州都督,賜絹布八百段、米粟八百碩,兼降璽書弔祭。 其子踐言,太常丞,尋為酷吏所陷,配流嶺南而死。 追削良嗣官爵,籍沒其家。 景龍元年,追贈良嗣司空。
Sun Fuyi; Zhang Xuansu. Su Shichang was from Wugong in Yongzhou. His grandfather Tong had served the Northern Wei as a Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry. His father Zhen had been Governor of Dangzhou under the Northern Zhou and Marquis of Jianwei. While still a boy of about ten under Emperor Wu of Zhou, Shichang submitted a memorial on affairs of state. The emperor thought him very young and summoned him to ask, "What books have you read? He answered, "The Classic of Filial Piety and the Analects." The emperor asked, "What do those books say?" He replied, "The Classic of Filial Piety says that one who governs a state must not slight widowers and widows. And the Analects says that to govern is to rely on virtue. The emperor was pleased with his answer and had him study at the Beast-Gate Lodge." When he was ordered to inherit his father's title because his father had died in royal service, Shichang beat his breast and wept before the emperor until the emperor's face softened. After Emperor Wen of Sui took the throne, Shichang again submitted many timely memorials that proved useful, and he was promoted ahead of schedule to Magistrate of Chang'an. During the Daye reign he served as Vice Director of Waterways and was dispatched to the upper Yangtze to supervise shipping. When turmoil broke out at Jiangdu, Shichang mourned Emperor Yang with bitter weeping that moved everyone who passed by. Wang Shichong, having seized power, appointed him Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent and Right Vice Director of the Mobile Secretariat. He garrisoned Xiangyang together with Shichong's nephew Honglie and the general Doulu Bao. Honglie had by then married Bao's daughter, and the two men were closely allied. The Founding Emperor, who had known Bao of old, sent sealed instructions, but Bao refused to submit and repeatedly executed the envoys. In Wude year 4, after Luoyang fell, Shichang was the first to urge Honglie to submit. After they reached the capital, the Founding Emperor executed Bao and blamed Shichang for his late submission. Shichang kowtowed and said, "Since antiquity the winning of empire has been likened to a deer hunt: once one man takes the prize, all the rest must stand down. Surely there is no precedent for punishing one's fellow hunters once the deer is already in hand. Your Majesty has answered Heaven and won the people, spreading virtue far and wide—will you not remember how Guan Zhong and Yong Chi were treated? Moreover, I am from Wugong, a place ravaged by war until nearly all my kin are dead; only I survive to see this enlightened reign. If Your Majesty kills me now, you will wipe out what is left of my house. I beg only that Heaven's grace leave some remnant of my line. The Founding Emperor, who knew him of old, laughed and pardoned him. He was soon appointed Supervisor of the Yushan Garrison. Later he was received at the Xuanwu Gate, where they spoke of his whole life with great warmth. The Founding Emperor asked, "Do you take yourself for a flatterer, or for an honest man? He answered, "I am simply dull and blunt, Your Majesty." The emperor said, "If you are so upright, why did you abandon Shichong and come to me?" He replied, "Only after Luoyang fell and the realm was united—when I had exhausted every stratagem and every resource—did I submit to Your Majesty. Had Shichong still lived while I held the Han River southlands, Heaven's favor might still have inclined to you, but on the ground I would have remained a formidable enemy." The emperor laughed aloud. On another occasion the emperor teased him: "Long in name but short in purpose; honest in speech but crooked at heart—you left your loyalty in Zheng and forgot your obligations to us. Shichang replied, "Long in name but short in purpose—that much is exactly as Your Majesty says; but as for honest in speech yet crooked at heart, I dare not accept that part of the edict. In former times Dou Rong surrendered the Hexi region to Han and his house was enfeoffed as marquises for ten generations; yet I, returning from the lands south of the mountains, have received only a garrison supervisor's post." That very day he was promoted to Remonstrating Grand Master. He accompanied the emperor on a hunt at Jingyang, where a great catch of game was driven before the banner gate. The Founding Emperor entered camp and asked the ministers, "Was today's hunt a pleasure? Shichang stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty has set aside the myriad affairs of state for this hunt, and it has not yet lasted even a hundred days—hardly a great pleasure." The emperor's face darkened, then he laughed. "Are you in one of your wild moods again?" Shichang said, "By my private reckoning it may be wild; by the reckoning of Your Majesty's realm it is loyal." When the Turks raided, Wugong and its counties lost many households. Later an edict announced that the emperor would visit Wugong on a hunting excursion. Shichang remonstrated again: "The Turks have only just arrived and are ravaging the people. Your Majesty has not yet spoken a word of relief, yet you would hunt in that very region. This falls short not only of humane governance but of what the people can endure in supplies and labor. The emperor did not heed him. On another occasion he was summoned to the Puxiang Hall. Shichang, well into his cups, asked, "Was this hall built by Emperor Yang of Sui? Why is it carved and adorned to such a degree? The emperor said, "Your remonstrances sound sincere, but your heart is deceitful. Do you not know that I built this hall myself? Why feign ignorance and speak of Emperor Yang?" He answered, "I truly did not know, Your Majesty. I see only tiles worthy of the Tilted Palace and the Deer Terrace—hardly the work of a Mandate-bearing ruler who loves his people and practices frugality. If Your Majesty built this, it is truly not fitting. When I was at Wugong I often attended you and saw your dwelling, barely large enough to keep out wind and frost; even then I thought it ample. The people, crushed under Sui's extravagance, turned again and again to a righteous ruler, and Your Majesty won the throne. I took it that you would punish Sui's excess and never forget thrift. Yet you have only just won the realm and already add ornament within the Sui palaces. How can disorder be dispelled that way?" The emperor was deeply persuaded. He later served as Chief Administrator of Shaanzhou and as Libationer for Military Counsel at the Heavenly Stratagem Princedom. When the Qin Princedom first opened its Literary Academy, he was appointed an academician. He and Fang Xuanling and seventeen others were all painted for the academy portrait gallery, and the literary attendant Chu Liang was commissioned to write their encomia. Of Shichang he wrote: "In military counsel, witty and apt; in debate, transcendent and clear. Upright of bearing in court—for he would not spare himself. Early in the Zhenguan reign he was sent on a mission to the Turks, where he disputed ceremonial precedence with Jieli and refused all bribes and gifts, winning praise at court. He was sent out as Governor of Ba Prefecture, where he capsized a boat, drowned, and died. Shichang was quick-witted and learned, widely read yet plain in manner, fond of wine, and careless of decorum. Early in his tenure at Shaanzhou, lawbreaking was widespread and he could not suppress it. He took the blame on himself and publicly flogged himself in the main street of the prefectural capital. The ward officers, seeing through the performance, flogged him until he bled. Unable to endure the pain, he cried out and fled, to the amusement of the crowd; critics then pronounced the whole affair a sham. His son Liangsi. Under Emperor Gaozong, Liangsi was appointed Chief Commandant of the Zhou King's household. The prince was still young and often acted improperly; Liangsi remonstrated with stern countenance and was both respected and feared. Many of the prince's staff were unfit for their posts, but Liangsi enforced the regulations so strictly that none dared transgress, and Emperor Gaozong spoke highly of him. He was transferred to Chief Administrator of the Jingzhou Superior Area Command. Emperor Gaozong sent eunuchs along the Yangtze to collect exotic bamboo for planting in the imperial park. They requisitioned boats to carry the bamboo and abused their authority wherever they went. On their return they passed through Jingzhou, where Liangsi imprisoned them and submitted a stern memorial: "To scour distant regions for curios and exhaust the highways is not the way of a sage who restrains himself and loves the people. Moreover, petty men are usurping authority, to the detriment of Your Majesty's radiance. His language was blunt and unsparing. When the memorial arrived, Emperor Gaozong issued an edict of praise and immediately ordered the bamboo thrown into the river. During the Yongchun era he served as Chief Administrator of Yongzhou. At that time Guanzhong was in severe famine; people resorted to cannibalism and bandits roamed everywhere. Liangsi governed with strict clarity; no theft reported went uncaptured within three days. When Empress Wu assumed the regency, he was promoted to Minister of Works. He soon replaced Wang Dezhen as Chief Counselor and was enfeoffed as Duke of Wenguo. As Intendant of the Western Capital he was sent off with a poem composed by Empress Wu herself, so generous was her regard for him. At that time Pei Feigong, Director of the Palace Workshops, was supervising the Western Park and planned to sell its produce for profit. Liangsi objected: "When Gongyi served as chancellor of Lu, he uprooted his mallow patch and dismissed his weaving women. I have never heard of a Son of Heaven selling garden produce to compete for profit with his subjects. Feigong abandoned the plan. Before long he was recalled to the capital and appointed Left Chancellor of the Literary Glory Office, Third Rank, with concurrent status at the Phoenix Pavilion and Crane Terrace. In spring of the first Zai'chu year he was relieved as Left Chancellor but advanced to Special Advancement, retaining his role in state affairs. He was on poor terms with Wei Fangzhi, Minister of the Earth Office. When Fangzhi was condemned to death for an offense and implicated Liangsi in his testimony, Empress Wu personally cleared him. Liangsi kowtowed in gratitude but could not rise again and was carried home. The court physicians Zhang Wenchong and Wei Cizang were sent to attend him. He died that same day, at the age of eighty-five. Empress Wu suspended court for three days and led mourning at the Gate for Observing the Winds, ordering all officials to attend the funeral at his home. He was posthumously honored as Grand Master of the Palace with Golden Seal, made Area Commander of Yizhou, and granted eight hundred bolts of silk and eight hundred piculs of grain, together with an imperial letter of condolence. His son Jianyan, Vice Director of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, was soon framed by a cruel official, exiled to Lingnan, and died there. Liangsi's titles were posthumously revoked and his property was confiscated. In Jinglong year 1, Liangsi was posthumously honored as Minister of Works.
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踐言子務玄,襲爵溫國公,開元中,為邠王府長史。 韋雲起韋雲起,雍州萬年人。 伯父澄,武德初國子祭酒、綿州刺史。 雲起,隋開皇中明經舉,授符璽直長。 嘗因奏事,文帝問曰:「外間有不便事,汝可言之。」 時兵部侍郎柳述在帝側,雲起應聲奏曰:「柳述驕豪,未嘗經事,兵機要重,非其所堪,徒以公主之婿,遂居要職。 臣恐物議以陛下官不擇賢,濫以天秩加於私愛,斯亦不便之大者。」 帝甚然其言,顧謂述曰:「雲起之言,汝藥石也,可師友之。」 仁壽初,詔在朝文武舉人,述乃舉雲起,進授通事舍人。 大業初,改為通事謁者。 又上疏奏曰:「今朝廷之內多山東人,而自作門戶,更相剡薦,附下罔上,共為朋黨。 不抑其端,必傾朝政,臣所以痛心扼腕,不能默已。 謹件朋黨人姓名及奸狀如左。」 煬帝令大理推究,於是左丞郎蔚之、司隸別駕郎楚之並坐朋黨,配流漫頭赤水,余免官者九人。 會契丹入抄營州,詔雲起護突厥兵往討契丹部落。 啟民可汗發騎二萬,受其處分。 雲起分為二十營,四道俱引,營相去各一里,不得交雜。 聞鼓聲而行,聞角聲而止,自非公使,勿得走馬。 三令五申之後,擊鼓而發,軍中有犯約者,斬紇幹一人,持首以徇。 於是突厥將帥來入謁之,皆膝行股戰,莫敢仰視。 契丹本事突厥,情無猜忌,雲起既入其界,使突厥詐雲,向柳城郡欲共高麗交易,勿言營中有隋使,敢漏洩者斬之。 契丹不備。 去賊營百里,詐引南度,夜復退還,去營五十里,結陣而宿,契丹弗之知也。 既明,俱發,馳騎襲之,盡獲其男女四萬口,女子及畜產以半賜突厥,余將入朝,男子皆殺之。 煬帝大喜,集百官曰:「雲起用突厥而平契丹,行師奇譎,才兼文武,又立朝謇諤,朕今親自舉之。」 擢為治書御史。 雲起乃奏劾曰:「內史侍郎虞世基,職典樞要,寄任隆重; 御史大夫裴蘊,特蒙殊寵,維持內外。 今四方告變,不為奏聞,賊數實多,或減言少。 陛下既聞賊少,發兵不多,眾寡懸殊,往皆莫克,故使官軍失利,賊黨日滋。 此而不繩,為害將大,請付有司,詰正其罪。」 大理卿鄭善果奏曰:「雲起詆訾名臣,所言不實,非毀朝政,妄作威權。」 由是左遷大理司直。 煬帝幸揚州,雲起告歸長安,屬義旗入關,於長樂宮謁見。 義寧元年,授司農卿,封陽城縣公。 武德元年,加授上開府儀同三司,判農圃監事。 是歲,欲大發兵討王世充,雲起上表諫曰:「國家承喪亂之後,百姓流離,未蒙安養,頻年不熟,關內阻飢。 京邑初平,物情未附,鼠竊狗盜,猶為國憂。 盩厔司竹,余氛未殄; 藍田、谷口,群盜實多。 朝夕伺間,極為國害。 雖京城之內,每夜賊發。 北有師都,連結胡寇,斯乃國家腹心之疾也。 舍此不圖,而窺兵函、洛,若師出之後,內盜乘虛,一旦有變,禍將不小。 臣謂王世充遠隔千里,山川懸絕,無能為害,待有餘力,方可討之。 今內難未弭,且宜弘於度外。 如臣愚見,請暫戢兵,務穡勸農,安人和眾。 關中小盜,自然寧息。 秦川將卒,賈勇有餘,三年之後,一舉便定。 今雖欲速,臣恐未可。」 乃從之。 會突厥入寇,詔雲起總領豳、寧已北九州兵馬,便宜從事。 四年,授西麟州刺史,司農卿如故。 尋代趙郡王孝恭為夔州刺史,轉遂州都督,懷柔夷獠,鹹得眾心。 遷益州行台民部尚書,尋轉行台兵部尚書。 行台僕射竇軌多行殺戮,又妄奏獠反,冀得集兵。 因此作威,肆其凶暴,雲起多執不從。 雲起又營私產,交通生獠,以規其利,軌亦對眾言之,由是構隙,情相猜貳。 隱太子之死也,敕遣軌息馳驛詣益州報軌,軌乃疑雲起弟慶儉、堂弟慶嗣及親族並事東宮,慮其聞狀或將為變,先設備而後告之。 雲起果不信,問曰:「詔書何在?」 軌曰:「公,建成黨也,今不奉詔,同反明矣。」 遂執殺之。 初,雲起年少時,師事太學博士王頗,頗每與之言及時事,甚嘉嘆之,乃謂之曰:「韋生識悟如是,必能自取富貴; 然剛腸嫉惡,終當以此害身。」 竟如頗言。 子師實,垂拱初,官至華州刺史、太子少詹事,封扶陽郡公。
Jianyan's son Wuxuan inherited the title Duke of Wenguo and, during the Kaiyuan reign, served as Chief Administrator of the Bin King's household. Wei Yunqi. Wei Yunqi was from Wannian in Yongzhou. His uncle Cheng, early in the Wude reign, served as Libationer of the Imperial University and Governor of Mianzhou. Yunqi passed the Mingjing examination in the Kaihuang era of Sui and was appointed Direct Attendant of Seals and Credentials. Once, while presenting a memorial, Emperor Wen asked him, "If anything in the realm is amiss, you may speak of it. Liu Shu, Vice Minister of War, stood at the emperor's side. Yunqi spoke up at once: "Liu Shu is arrogant and inexperienced. Military affairs are too weighty for him; he holds a crucial post only because he married the emperor's daughter. I fear the court will say that Your Majesty appoints men without regard to merit, lavishing Heaven's ranks on private favorites—that would be a grave evil indeed." The emperor strongly approved and told Liu Shu, "Yunqi's words are medicine and whetstone to you; treat him as teacher and friend." Early in the Renshou reign, when the court was ordered to recommend talent, Liu Shu recommended Yunqi, who was promoted to Master of Communications. Early in the Daye reign he was made Visitor of Communications. He submitted another memorial: "The court is full of men from east of the mountains who have formed factions, promoting one another and deceiving their superiors—an organized clique. Unless this is checked at the root, it will overturn the government. That is why I cannot remain silent, though it pains me to speak. I respectfully append the names of the clique members and their offenses below. Emperor Yang ordered the Court of Review to investigate. Left Assistant Minister Lang Weizhi and Metropolitan Vice Censor Lang Chuzhi were convicted of clique membership and exiled to Mantou on the Chishui; nine others were dismissed. When the Khitan raided Yingzhou, Yunqi was ordered to lead Turkic troops against the Khitan tribes. Qimin Khan supplied twenty thousand horsemen under Yunqi's command. Yunqi divided the force into twenty camps advancing in four columns, each camp one li apart, with strict orders against mingling. They marched at the drum and halted at the horn; except on official business, no one might gallop. After repeated warnings, the drums sounded and the army moved out. When a man violated the rules, Yunqi beheaded one Göktürk and displayed the head as an example. The Turkic commanders came to pay their respects on their knees, trembling, none daring to look up. The Khitan had long been subject to the Turks and were unsuspecting. Once inside their territory, Yunqi had the Turks pretend they were bound for Liucheng to trade with Goguryeo and forbade mention of a Sui envoy in camp on pain of death. The Khitan were caught unprepared. A hundred li from the enemy camp he feigned a crossing to the south, then withdrew by night; fifty li away he formed ranks and encamped, all unknown to the Khitan. At dawn all attacked by cavalry and captured forty thousand Khitan men and women. Women and livestock were half given to the Turks; the rest were sent to court, and all the men were killed. Emperor Yang was delighted and told the officials, "Yunqi used the Turks to crush the Khitan. His tactics are brilliant, his talent spans civil and military affairs, and in court he speaks without fear. I promote him myself. He was promoted to Imperial Censor for Documents. Yunqi then impeached Vice Director of the Secretariat Yu Shiji, who held crucial responsibilities, and Censor-in-Chief Pei Yun, who enjoyed extraordinary favor and controlled affairs within and without the palace. Rebellions are reported from every quarter, yet they do not inform the throne; rebel numbers are in fact large, yet they report them as small. Because Your Majesty hears that rebels are few, too few troops are sent; the odds are hopeless, government armies fail, and rebel bands grow daily. Unless this is punished, the harm will be great. I ask that they be handed to the proper offices to answer for their crimes. Chief Minister of Justice Zheng Shanguo replied, "Yunqi slanders eminent ministers with false charges; this is not loyal remonstrance but presumptuous abuse of authority." Yunqi was demoted to Direct Clerk of the Court of Review. When Emperor Yang went to Yangzhou, Yunqi took leave to return to Chang'an. The rebel armies were entering the Pass, and he had an audience at Changle Palace. In Yining year 1 he was appointed Minister of Agriculture and enfeoffed as Duke of Yangcheng. In Wude year 1 he was further granted Superlative Opening of the Office with Golden Seal and made concurrent supervisor of the Directorate of Agricultural Parks. That year, as a great campaign against Wang Shichong was planned, Yunqi remonstrated: "The realm has just emerged from chaos. The people are displaced and unrested; harvests have failed for years, and hunger grips the interior. The capital has only just been pacified and hearts are not yet won; petty thieves and bandits still threaten the realm. At Zhouzhi and Sizhu, rebel remnants are not yet destroyed; and at Lantian and Gukou bandits are truly numerous. They watch every moment for an opening and are a grave danger to the state. Even within the capital, robberies occur every night. In the north, Shidu is allied with barbarian raiders—that is the gravest threat to the realm. To ignore this and aim troops at Hangu and Luoyang—once the army marches out, internal bandits will seize their chance. Any upheaval then would bring no small disaster. Wang Shichong lies a thousand li away, cut off by mountains and rivers, and cannot harm us. Wait until strength is to spare, then attack him. Internal troubles are not yet settled; for now Your Majesty should be magnanimous beyond the usual bounds. In my humble view, sheath the sword for now, devote effort to farming, and settle the people. Petty bandits within the Pass will quiet down of themselves. The soldiers of Qinchuan still have courage to spare; in three years one stroke will settle everything. Though speed is desired now, I fear the time is not yet ripe. The emperor accepted his advice. When the Turks invaded, Yunqi was ordered to command the troops of the nine northern prefectures from Bin and Ning northward, with discretionary authority. In year 4 he was appointed Governor of Xilin Prefecture while retaining his post as Minister of Agriculture. He soon replaced Prince Xiaogong of Zhao as Governor of Kuizhou, then became Area Commander of Suizhou, where he won over the Yi and Liao peoples and gained their loyalty. He was transferred to Minister of the People Department of the Yizhou Mobile Secretariat, then to Minister of the Military Department. Vice Director Dou Gui often carried out killings and falsely reported Liao rebellions in hopes of gathering troops. Thus emboldened, Dou indulged his brutality, while Yunqi often refused to go along. Yunqi also pursued private profit by trading with the Liao. Dou denounced this publicly, and from that their mutual suspicion grew into open enmity. When the Hidden Crown Prince died, an urgent dispatch was sent to Dou Gui in Yizhou. Dou suspected Yunqi's brother Qingjian, his cousin Qingsi, and other kinsmen who had served the Eastern Palace, fearing they might rise on hearing the news. He made preparations first, then announced it. Yunqi refused to believe him and asked, "Where is the edict? Dou said, "You are a partisan of Jiancheng. Your refusal to obey the edict proves you mean to rebel." He had Yunqi seized and killed. In his youth Yunqi studied under Imperial University Erudite Wang Po, who often discussed current affairs with him and admired him greatly. Wang told him, "With understanding such as yours, Wei, you will surely win wealth and rank for yourself; but your rigid hatred of evil will in the end destroy you. Events proved Wang Po right. His son Shishi, early in the Chuigong reign, rose to Governor of Huazhou and Junior Household Administrator of the Heir Apparent and was enfeoffed as Duke of Fuyang.
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師實子方質,則天初鸞台侍郎、地官尚書、同鳳閣鸞台平章事。 時改修《垂拱格式》,方質多所損益,甚為時人所稱。 俄而武承嗣、三思當朝用事,諸宰相咸傾附之。 方質疾假,承嗣等詣宅問疾,方質據床不為之禮。 左右云:「踞見權貴,恐招危禍。」 方質曰:「吉凶命也。 大丈夫豈能折節曲事近戚,以求苟免也。」 尋為酷吏周興、來子珣所構,配流儋州,仍籍沒其家。 尋卒。 神龍初雪免。 孫伏伽孫伏伽,貝州武城人。 大業末,自大理寺史累補萬年縣法曹。 武德元年,初以三事上諫。 其一曰:
Shishi's son Fangzhi, early in Empress Wu's reign, served as Vice Director of the Phoenix Terrace, Minister of the Earth Office, and Grand Counselor of the Phoenix Pavilion and Crane Terrace. When the Chuigong Statutes and Formats were revised, Fangzhi made many improvements and won wide praise. Before long Wu Chengsi and Wu Sansi dominated the court, and the chief counselors all courted them. While Fangzhi was on sick leave, Chengsi and the others called at his home. Fangzhi remained seated on his bed and offered them no courtesy. His attendants warned, "To sit informally before such powerful men may bring disaster. Fangzhi said, "Fortune and misfortune are a matter of fate. A true man does not bend his back to court imperial relatives merely to save his skin." Soon he was framed by the cruel officials Zhou Xing and Lai Zixun, exiled to Danzhou, and his property confiscated. He died soon after. Early in the Shenlong reign his name was cleared. Sun Fuyi. Sun Fuyi was from Wucheng in Beizhou. Late in the Daye reign he rose from clerk of the Court of Review to Legal Officer of Wannian County. In Wude year 1 he submitted his first remonstrance on three matters. The first states:
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其二曰:
The second states:
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其三曰:
The third states:
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高祖覽之大悅,下詔曰「秦以不聞其過而亡,典籍豈無先誡? 臣僕諂諛,故弗之覺也。 漢高祖反正,從諫如流。 洎乎文、景繼業,宣、元承緒,不由斯道,孰隆景祚? 周、隋之季,忠臣結舌,一言喪邦,諒足深誡。 永言於此,常深嘆息。 朕每惟寡薄,恭膺寶命,雖不能性與天道,庶思勉力,常冀弼諧,以匡不逮。 而群公卿士,罕進直言,將申虛受之懷,物所未諭。 萬年縣法曹孫伏伽,至誠慷慨,詞義懇切,指陳得失,無所迴避。 非有不次之舉,曷貽利行之益! 伏伽既懷諒直,宜處憲司,可治書侍御史。 仍頒示遠近,知朕意焉。」 兼賜帛三百匹。 時軍國多事,賦斂繁重,伏伽屢奏請改革,高祖並納焉。 二年,高祖謂裴寂曰:「隋末無道,上下相蒙,主則驕矜,臣惟諂佞。 上不聞過,下不盡忠,至使社稷傾危,身死匹夫之手。 朕撥亂反正,志在安人,平亂任武臣,守成委文吏,庶得各展器能,以匡不逮。 比每虛心接待,冀聞讜言。 然惟李綱善盡忠款,孫伏伽可謂誠直,餘人猶踵弊風,俯首而已,豈朕所望哉!」 及平王世充、竇建德,大赦天下,既而責其黨與,並令配遷。 伏伽上表諫曰:
The Founding Emperor read it with great pleasure and issued an edict: "Qin perished because it would not hear its faults—is there no warning in the classics? Its ministers flattered and fawned, so the ruler never perceived his errors. Emperor Gaozu of Han restored order and followed remonstrance as freely as flowing water. From Wen and Jing through Xuan and Yuan—without this Way, who could have exalted the Han fortune? At the fall of Zhou and Sui, loyal ministers fell silent, and a single unheeded word lost the realm—a warning deep enough for any age. Whenever I reflect on this, I sigh deeply. I know how meager my talents are, yet I have reverently received the Mandate. Though I cannot align my nature with Heaven's Way, I strive with all my strength and constantly seek loyal counsel to correct my failings. Yet my ministers rarely speak blunt truth, though I wish to show an open and receptive heart—a wish the world has not understood. Sun Fuyi, Legal Officer of Wannian County, has spoken with utter sincerity and earnestness, setting forth right and wrong without evasion. Without an extraordinary reward, how can the benefit of loyal conduct be shown to the realm! Fuyi, being honest and blunt, belongs in the censorate; appoint him Attending Imperial Censor for Documents. Let this edict be promulgated far and wide, so all may know my intent. He was also granted three hundred bolts of silk. At that time military affairs were pressing and levies heavy. Fuyi repeatedly memorialized for reform, and the Founding Emperor accepted his proposals. In year 2 the Founding Emperor told Pei Ji, "At the end of Sui there was no moral governance. Court and emperor deceived one another—the ruler grew arrogant, and his ministers offered only flattery. The ruler would not hear his faults, and his ministers would not speak loyal truth, until the realm collapsed and the emperor died at the hands of commoners. I have swept away disorder and restored order, aiming to settle the people. I entrust pacification to military men and governance to civil officials, so each may use his talents to correct my failings. I have received them with an open heart, hoping to hear blunt loyal counsel. Yet only Li Gang has shown full loyal sincerity, and Sun Fuyi may be called honest and upright. The rest still follow the old corrupt ways, bowing their heads and nothing more—is this what I hoped for? After Wang Shichong and Dou Jiande were defeated, a general amnesty was proclaimed; afterward their partisans were punished and ordered into exile. Fuyi submitted a memorial of remonstrance:
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又上表請置諫官,高祖皆納焉。
He also memorialized for the establishment of remonstrating officials, and the Founding Emperor accepted every proposal.
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太宗即位,賜爵樂安縣男。 貞觀元年,轉大理少卿。 太宗嘗馬射,伏伽上書諫曰:「臣聞千金之子,坐不垂堂; 百金之子,立不倚衡。 以此言之,天下之主,不可履險乘危明矣。 臣又聞天子之居也,則禁衛九重; 其動也,則出警入蹕。 此非極尊其居處,乃為社稷生靈之大計耳。 故古人云:『一人有慶,兆人賴之。』 臣竊聞陛下猶自走馬射帖,娛悅近臣,此乃無禁乘危,竊為陛下有所不取也。 何者? 一則非光史冊,二則未足顯揚,又非所以導養聖躬,亦不可以垂範後代。 此只是少年諸王之所務,豈得既為天子,今日猶行之乎? 陛下雖欲自輕,其奈社稷天下何! 如臣愚見,竊謂不可。」 太宗覽之大悅。 五年,坐奏囚誤失免官。 尋起為刑部郎中,累遷大理少卿,轉民部侍郎。 十四年,拜大理卿,後出為陝州刺史。 永徽五年,以年老致仕。 顯慶三年卒。 張玄素張玄素,蒲州虞鄉人。 隋末,為景城縣戶曹。 竇建德攻陷景城,玄素被執,將就戮,縣民千餘人號泣請代其命,曰:「此人清慎若是,今倘殺之,乃無天也。 大王將定天下,當深加禮接,以招四方,如何殺之,使善人解體?」 建德遽命釋之,署為治書侍御史,固辭不受。 及江都不守,又召拜黃門侍郎,始應命。 建德平,授景城都督府錄事參軍。 太宗聞其名,及即位,召見,訪以政道。 對曰:「臣觀自古以來,未有如隋室喪亂之甚,豈非其君自專,其法日亂。 向使君虛受於上,臣弼違於下,豈至於此? 且萬乘之重,又欲自專庶務,日斷十事而五條不中,中者信善,其如不中者何? 況一日萬機,己多虧失,以日繼月,乃至累年,乖謬既多,不亡何待! 如其廣任賢良,高居深視,百司奉職,誰敢犯之? 臣又觀隋末沸騰,被於宇縣,所爭天下者不過十數人,余皆保邑全身,思歸有道。 是知人欲背主為亂者鮮矣,但人君不能安之,遂致於亂。 陛下若近覽危亡,日慎一日,堯、舜之道,何以能加!」 太宗善其對,擢拜侍御史,尋遷給事中。 貞觀四年,詔發卒修洛陽宮乾陽殿,以備巡幸。 玄素上書諫曰:
When Emperor Taizong took the throne, Fuyi was granted the title Baron of Le'an. In Zhenguan year 1 he was made Vice Minister of the Court of Review. When Emperor Taizong once shot from horseback, Fuyi remonstrated in writing: "I have heard that the son of a man worth a thousand gold pieces does not sit with his feet over the edge of the hall; and the son of a man worth a hundred gold pieces does not stand leaning on a gate bar. From this it is clear that the ruler of all under Heaven must not court danger. I have also heard that where the Son of Heaven dwells, guards stand ninefold deep; and when he moves, guards go before and road-clearers follow after. This is not merely to exalt his dwelling, but the great plan for the realm and its people. As the ancients said, 'When one man prospers, the myriad people benefit. Yet I hear that Your Majesty still gallops and shoots at targets to amuse favored courtiers. This is to ride peril without restraint, and I beg Your Majesty not to do it. Why? First, it brings no glory to the historical record; second, it displays no true excellence; third, it does not nurture Your Majesty's sacred person; and fourth, it cannot serve as a model for posterity. This is the pastime of young princes—how can the Son of Heaven still practice it today? Though Your Majesty may wish to take risks upon himself, what of the realm and the altars of state! In my humble view, it simply cannot be done. Emperor Taizong read it with great pleasure. In year 5 he was dismissed for an error in a memorial on prisoners. He was soon reappointed Director of the Bureau of Punishments, then promoted to Vice Minister of the Court of Review and Vice Minister of the People Department. In year 14 he was appointed Chief Minister of the Court of Review, and later served as Governor of Shaanzhou. In Yonghui year 5 he retired on account of age. He died in Xianqing year 3. Zhang Xuansu. Zhang Xuansu was from Yuxiang in Puzhou. Late in the Sui he served as Revenue Clerk of Jingcheng County. When Dou Jiande captured Jingcheng, Xuansu was seized for execution. More than a thousand townspeople wept and begged to die in his place, saying, "This man is so upright and careful that to kill him would be to deny Heaven itself. Great King, you are about to settle the realm and should honor such men to win the four quarters. How can you kill him and make the good lose heart? Jiande at once ordered him released and offered him the post of Attending Imperial Censor for Documents, but Xuansu firmly declined. When Jiangdu fell, he was summoned as Vice Director of the Yellow Gate and accepted the appointment. After Jiande was defeated, he was appointed Recording Advisor at the Jingcheng Area Command. Emperor Taizong had heard of him, and on taking the throne summoned him and asked his views on governance. He answered, "In all history I have seen nothing like the ruin of the Sui. Was it not because its ruler monopolized power while its laws fell daily into chaos? Had the ruler been receptive above and his ministers loyal and remonstrant below, how could it have come to this? Moreover, bearing the weight of empire, he still wished to decide every affair himself. If he judged ten matters a day and five were wrong, the five right ones might be good—but what of the five wrong ones? And when ten thousand affairs press upon a single day, how many more errors accumulate! Day after day, month after month, year after year—with so many mistakes, how could the dynasty not perish? Had he broadly entrusted the worthy, dwelt aloft and looked deep, and let the hundred offices fulfill their duties—who would have dared offend? I further observe that at the end of Sui turmoil spread through the realm, yet those contending for empire were no more than a dozen men. The rest guarded their towns and longed to return to righteous rule. Thus few people truly wished to rebel; it was only that their rulers could not settle them, and so disorder followed. If Your Majesty keeps recent ruin in view and grows daily more cautious, what could surpass the way of Yao and Shun! The emperor approved his answer, promoted him to Attending Censor, and soon made him Palace Attendant. In Zhenguan year 4 an edict mobilized laborers to repair the Qianyang Hall of the Luoyang Palace for imperial tours. Xuansu remonstrated in writing:
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太宗曰:「卿謂我不如煬帝,何如桀、紂?」 對曰:「若此殿卒興,所謂同歸於亂。 且陛下初平東都,太上皇敕大殿高門並宜焚燬,陛下以瓦木可用,不宜焚灼,請賜與貧人。 事雖不行,然天下翕然謳歌至德。 今若遵舊制,即是隋役復興。 五六年間,趨舍頓異,何以昭示子孫,光敷四海?」 太宗嘆曰:「我不思量,遂至於此。」 顧謂房玄齡曰:「洛陽土中,朝貢道均,朕故修營,意在便於百姓。 今玄素上表,實亦可依,後必事理須行,露坐亦復何苦,所有作役,宜即停之。 然以卑干尊,古來不易,非其忠直,安能若此? 可賜彩二百匹。」 侍中魏徵嘆曰:「張公論事,遂有回天之力,可謂仁人之言,其利博哉!」 累遷太子少詹事,轉右庶子。
Emperor Taizong said, "You think me no better than Emperor Yang—how then do I compare with Jie and Zhou of old? He answered, "If this hall is suddenly built, we shall share the same end in disorder. When Your Majesty first pacified the Eastern Capital, the Retired Emperor ordered the great halls and high gates burned. Your Majesty said the tiles and timber could still be used and should be given to the poor instead. Though the order was not carried out, all under Heaven sang of your supreme virtue. To follow the old ways now would be to revive the forced labor of Sui. Within five or six years your course has changed so sharply—how can this be shown to posterity or spread your light to the four seas?" Emperor Taizong sighed. "I did not think it through, and came to this." He turned to Fang Xuanling and said, "Luoyang lies at the center of the realm and the tribute routes are even. I meant this repair to benefit the people. Xuansu's memorial can be followed. When the time comes we may build again—even an open-air seat would suffice. Stop all the labor at once. For the lowly to remonstrate with the exalted has never been easy. Without such loyalty and bluntness, who could do as he has done? Grant him two hundred bolts of colored silk." Attendant-in-Chief Wei Zheng sighed and said, "Master Zhang's words have the power to turn Heaven itself around. These are the words of a benevolent man, and their benefit is vast!" He was promoted to Junior Household Administrator of the Heir Apparent, then to Right Vice President of the Heir Apparent's household.
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時承乾居春宮,頗以游畋廢學,玄素上書諫曰:「臣聞皇天無親,惟德是輔,苟違天道,人神同棄。 然古三驅之禮,非欲教殺,將為百姓除害,故湯羅一面,天下歸仁。 今苑中娛獵,雖名異游畋,若行之無常,終虧雅度。 且傅說曰:『學不師古,匪說攸聞。』 然則弘道在於學古,學古必資師訓。 既奉恩詔,令孔穎達侍講,望數存問,以補萬一。 仍博遣有名行學士,兼朝夕侍奉。 覽聖人之遺教,察既行之往事,日知其所不足,月無忘其所能。 此則盡善盡美,夏啟、周誦,焉足言哉! 夫為人上者,未有不求其善,但以性不勝情,耽惑成亂。 耽惑既甚,忠言遂塞,所以臣下苟順,君道漸虧。 古人有言:『勿以小惡而不去,小善而不為。』 故知禍福之來,皆起於漸。 殿下地居儲兩,當須廣樹嘉猷。 既有好畋之淫,何以主斯匕鬯? 慎終如始,猶懼漸衰,始尚不慎,終將安保!」 尋又兼太子少詹事。 十三年,又上書諫曰:「臣聞周公以大聖之材,猶握髮吐飧,引納白屋,而況後之聖賢,敢輕斯道? 是以禮制皇太子入學而行齒胄,欲使太子知君臣、父子、長幼之道。 然君臣之義、父子之親、尊卑之序、長幼之節,用之方寸之內,弘之四海之外,皆因行以遠聞,假言以光被。 伏惟殿下睿質已隆,尚須學文以飾其表。 至如孔穎達、趙弘智等,非惟宿德鴻儒,亦兼達政要,望令數得侍講,開釋物理,覽古諭今,增暉睿德。 而彫蟲小伎之流,只可時命追隨,以代博弈耳。 若其騎射畋游,酣歌戲玩,以悅耳目,終穢心神,漸染既久,必移情性。 古人有言:『心為萬事主,動而無節即亂。』 臣恐殿下敗德之源,在於此矣。」 承乾並不能納。 太宗知玄素在東宮頻有進諫,十四年,擢授銀青光祿大夫,行太子左庶子。 時承乾久不坐朝,玄素諫曰:「宮內止有婦人耳,不知如樊姬之徒,可與弘益聖德者有幾? 若遂無賢哲,便是親嬖倖,遠忠良。 人不見德,何以光敷三善? 且宮儲之寄,於國為重,所以廣置群僚,以輔睿德。 今乃動經時月,不見宮臣,納誨既疏,將何補闕?」 承乾嫉其數諫,遣戶奴夜以馬撾擊之,殆至於死。 承乾又嘗於宮中擊鼓,聲聞於外,玄素叩閣請見,極言切諫,承乾乃出宮內鼓,對玄素毀之。 是歲,太宗嘗對朝問玄素歷官所由,玄素既出自刑部令史,甚以慚恥。 諫議大夫褚遂良上疏曰:「臣聞君子不失言於人,聖主不戲言於臣。 言則史書之,禮成之,樂歌之。 居上能禮其臣,臣始能盡力以奉其上。 近代宋孝武輕言肆口,侮弄朝臣,攻其門戶,乃至狼狽。 良史書之,以為非是。 陛下昨見問張玄素云:『隋任何官?』 奏云:『縣尉。』 又問:『未為縣尉已前?』 奏云:『流外。』 又問:『在何曹司?』 玄素將出閣門,殆不能移步,精爽頓盡,色類死灰。 朝臣見之,多所驚怪。 大唐創歷,任官以才; 卜祝庸保,量能使用。 陛下禮重玄素,頻年任使,擢授三品,翼贊皇儲,自不可更對群臣,窮其門戶,棄昔日之殊恩,成一朝之愧恥。 人君之御臣下也,禮義以導之,惠澤以驅之,使其負戴玄天,罄輸臣節,猶恐德禮不加,人不自勵。 若無故忽略,使其羞慚,鬱結於懷,衷心靡樂,責其伏節死義,其可得乎?」 書奏,太宗謂遂良曰:「朕亦悔此問,今得卿疏,深會我心。」 承乾既敗德日增,玄素又上書諫曰:
While Chenghan dwelt in the Eastern Palace he largely abandoned study for hunting and pleasure. Xuansu remonstrated in writing: "I have heard that High Heaven has no favorites and assists only virtue. Whoever violates Heaven's Way is abandoned by men and spirits alike. The ancient rite of three drives was not meant to teach killing but to remove harm from the people. When Tang left one side of the net open, the realm turned to humaneness. Hunting for pleasure in the park, though called a refined sport, practiced without restraint will in the end diminish your dignity. Fu Yue said, 'Learning without taking antiquity as teacher is something I have never heard of. Thus to enlarge the Way one must study antiquity, and to study antiquity one must rely on teachers. You have already been graced with Kong Yingda as lecturer. I beg you to inquire after him frequently, that he may supply what is lacking. Send also other scholars of renown and integrity to attend you morning and evening. Read the teachings of the sages, examine deeds of the past, daily learn what you lack, and monthly forget not what you have mastered. This is true perfection—what are Xia Qi and Zhou Song beside it! Those who stand above others always wish to do right, but when feeling overcomes nature, indulgence becomes disorder. When indulgence grows extreme, loyal words are shut out, subordinates merely comply, and the ruler's Way daily declines. The ancients said, 'Do not leave a small evil undone because it is small, nor neglect a small good because it is small. Thus fortune and calamity alike arise from gradual change. Your Highness stands in the position of heir—you must broadly plant fine counsel. If you indulge in hunting, how can you preside over the ancestral sacrifices? To be careful at the end as at the beginning still leaves fear of gradual decline. If you are careless at the start, how can the end be secure! He soon also served concurrently as Junior Household Administrator of the Heir Apparent. In year 13 he remonstrated again in writing: "I have heard that the Duke of Zhou, though a great sage, still grasped his disheveled hair and spat out his food to receive men from humble roofs. How much more must later sages honor this Way! Therefore ritual required the heir apparent to enter school and perform the cap ceremony, that he might learn the Way of ruler and minister, father and son, elder and younger. The duties of ruler and minister, the bonds of father and son, the order of rank, the propriety of age—applied within the heart and extended to the four seas—are heard afar through conduct and spread through words. Your Highness's native brilliance is already lofty, yet you still need literary study to adorn it outwardly. Men such as Kong Yingda and Zhao Hongzhi are not only eminent scholars but understand the essentials of governance. I beg that they lecture you frequently, expounding principle, surveying antiquity to instruct the present, and adding luster to your brilliance. Men skilled only in decorative trifles may be summoned occasionally to replace games at chess—that is all. But riding, shooting, hunting, drunken song, and idle play please only the senses and in the end defile the spirit. Long indulgence will surely alter your nature. The ancients said, 'The heart is master of all affairs; movement without restraint is disorder. I fear the source of Your Highness's moral failure lies here. Chenghan would accept none of it. Knowing how often Xuansu had remonstrated in the Eastern Palace, Emperor Taizong in year 14 promoted him to Silver Blue-Gleam Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and acting Left Vice President of the Heir Apparent's household. Chenghan had long ceased to attend court. Xuansu remonstrated: "Within the palace there are only women. How many among them are like Lady Fan Ji, who could enlarge your virtue? If there are no wise women, you draw close to favorites and keep the loyal at a distance. If others do not see your virtue, how can you spread the three excellences of the heir apparent? Moreover, the heir apparent's charge is weighty for the state. That is why many officials are appointed to assist your brilliance. Yet for months on end you do not see your palace officials. Admonition grows sparse—how will your failings be corrected? Chenghan resented his repeated remonstrances and sent a household slave to beat him at night with a horse whip, nearly killing him. Chenghan once beat drums in the palace until the sound carried outside. Xuansu knocked at the gate and remonstrated bluntly. Chenghan brought out the drums and smashed them before Xuansu. That year Emperor Taizong asked Xuansu in court about his career origins. Xuansu, who had begun as a clerk in the Ministry of Punishments, was deeply ashamed. Remonstrating Grand Master Chu Suiliang memorialized: "I have heard that a gentleman does not speak lightly to others, and a sage ruler does not jest with his ministers. His words are recorded by historians, enshrined in ritual, and hymned in music. When the ruler treats his ministers with respect, they can exhaust their strength in his service. In recent times Emperor Xiaowu of Song spoke lightly and insulted his ministers, attacking their family lines even to disgrace. Good historians recorded this and judged it wrong. Yesterday Your Majesty asked Zhang Xuansu what office he held under Sui. He answered, 'County vice-magistrate.' You asked again, 'Before that?' He answered, 'An irregular clerk.' You asked again which bureau he had served in. As Xuansu left the Gate Pavilion he could barely walk; his spirit collapsed and his face turned ashen. The court ministers who saw him were greatly astonished. Since Great Tang established its rule, offices have been filled by talent; even diviners, prayer-officers, and menials are employed according to their capacity. Your Majesty has honored Xuansu with repeated appointments, raised him to the third rank, and set him to assist the heir apparent. You cannot now interrogate his origins before the whole court, casting aside your former favor and turning it into a morning's humiliation. A ruler guides his ministers with ritual and righteousness and drives them with favor and grace, that they may bear Heaven on their backs and pour out loyal service—yet even then he fears that without virtue and ritual they will not strive of themselves. If without cause you slight him to shame, knotting grief in his heart and leaving his loyal spirit joyless, how can you then demand that he die for righteousness? When the memorial was submitted, Emperor Taizong told Suiliang, "I too regret this questioning. Your memorial deeply meets my heart." As Chenghan's moral failures daily increased, Xuansu remonstrated again in writing:
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書入,承乾不納,乃遣刺客將加屠害。 俄屬宮廢,玄素隨例除史。 十八年,起授潮州刺史,轉鄧州刺史。 永徽中,以年老致仕。 龍朔三年,加授銀青光祿大夫。 麟德元年卒。 史臣曰史臣曰:伏伽上疏於高祖,玄素進言於太宗,從疏賤以干至尊,懷切直以明正理,可謂至難矣。 既而並見抽獎,咸蒙顧遇。 自非下情忠到,效匪躬之節,上聽聰明,致如流之美,孰能至於此乎? 《書》曰:「木從繩則正,後從諫則聖。」 斯之謂矣。 世長幼而聰悟,長能規諫; 雲起屏絕朋黨,罔避驕豪。 歷覽言行,咸有可觀。 而雲起吐茹無方,世長終成詭詐,其不令也宜哉! 方諸孫、張二子,知不迨矣。
When the memorial arrived, Chenghan refused it and sent assassins to kill him. When the Eastern Palace was abolished soon after, Xuansu was dismissed according to precedent. In year 18 he was reappointed Governor of Chaozhou, then transferred to Governor of Dengzhou. During the Yonghui reign he retired on account of age. In Longshuo year 3 he was granted Silver Blue-Gleam Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. He died in Linde year 1. The historiographer comments: Sun Fuyi memorialized the Founding Emperor and Zhang Xuansu remonstrated with Emperor Taizong—from humble station to address the throne, with blunt sincerity to clarify right principle—this was the utmost difficulty. Yet both were soon promoted and richly favored. Had loyalty below not been complete, had ministers not spared themselves, and had the ruler above not listened with intelligence and followed remonstrance as flowing water—who could have achieved this? The Book of Documents says, 'Wood follows the plumb line and becomes straight; a ruler follows remonstrance and becomes sage.' This is what was meant. Shichang was clever from youth and grew adept at remonstrance; Yunqi rooted out cliques and never shrank from the arrogant and powerful. Reviewing their words and conduct, all had merit. Yet Yunqi was inconsistent in his judgments, and Shichang ended in deceit—small wonder they did not finish well! Compared with Sun Fuyi and the two Zhangs, they do not measure up.
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贊曰:言為身文,感義忘身。 不有忠膽,安輕逆鱗? 蘇、韋果俊,伽、素忠純。 悟主匡失,猗歟諍臣。
Encomium: Words are the ornament of the person; moved by righteousness, one forgets the self. Without loyal courage, who would lightly touch the dragon's scales? Su and Wei were truly outstanding; Sun and Zhang were loyal and pure. They awakened their lords and corrected their faults—ah, the remonstrating ministers!