1
蘇世長子良嗣
Su Shichang; his son Liangsi
2
韋雲起孫方質
Wei Yunqi; his grandson Fangzhi
3
孫伏伽張玄素
Sun Fujia; Zhang Xuansu
4
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。
Su Shichang was a native of Wugong in Yong Prefecture. His grandfather Tong had served as Regular Attendant-in-Ordinary in the Secretariat under the Northern Wei. His father Zhen had been Governor of Dangzhou under the Northern Zhou and Marquis of Jianwei County. While Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou was on the throne, Shichang, still only in his early teens, submitted a memorial on affairs of state. The emperor, thinking him very young, summoned him and asked, "What books have you read?" He answered, "I have read 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 the state must not slight widowers and widows. And the Analects says that to govern is to practice virtue." The emperor was pleased with his answer and ordered him to study at the Beast Gate Academy." Because his father had died in the state's service, he was ordered to inherit the family title; in the emperor's presence Shichang beat his breast and wailed until the emperor's face softened. After Emperor Wen of Sui took the throne, Shichang again submitted many practical proposals that proved genuinely useful, and he was promoted ahead of schedule to magistrate of Chang'an. During the Daye reign he served as vice director of the Directorate of Waterways and was dispatched to the upper Yangtze to supervise grain transport. When the catastrophe at Jiangdu struck, Shichang held mourning rites for Emperor Yang and wept until passersby were moved by his grief. When Wang Shichong declared himself emperor, he appointed Shichang Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent and right vice director of the mobile secretariat. He was stationed at Xiangyang together with Wang Shichong's nephew Honglie and the general Doulu Bao. Honglie had by then married Bao's daughter, and the two men were bound to each other in a close alliance. Gaozu had known Bao in earlier days and sent sealed imperial letters urging him to submit, but Bao refused and repeatedly put the envoys to death. In the fourth year of Wude, after Luoyang fell, Shichang was the first to urge Honglie to surrender. After they reached the capital, Gaozu executed Bao and rebuked Shichang for arriving too late. Shichang pressed his forehead to the ground and said, "Since antiquity the receiving of Heaven's mandate has been likened to the hunt for the deer: once one man has seized it, all the others must withdraw their hands. Surely there is no precedent for, after the deer has been taken, turning in anger on one's fellow hunters and prosecuting them for quarreling over the meat? Your Majesty has answered Heaven and won the people, spreading virtue and bestowing grace—how could you forget what was done for Guan Zhong and Yong Chi? Moreover, I am a man of Wugong. Our district has passed through rebellion and ruin until almost none of us are left; only my wretched life remains to see this enlightened age. If Your Majesty kills me now, you will extinguish our whole line. I truly beg for Heaven's grace that some of us may be left to carry on the line." Gaozu had known him in earlier days, laughed, and let him go. Before long he was appointed supervisor of the Yushan garrison. Later he was received in audience at the Xuanwu Gate; as they spoke of their whole lives together, the emperor showed him exceptional kindness. Gaozu asked, "Do you take yourself for a flatterer, or for an upright man?" He answered, "I am simply dull and bluntly honest." Gaozu said, "If you are so upright, why did you abandon Shichong and come over to me?" He replied, "Once Luoyang fell and the realm was united, my wits were exhausted and my strength spent—only then did I submit to Your Majesty. Had Shichong still been alive while I held the south of Han, Heaven's intent might already have had its chosen lord, but in human terms I would still have been a formidable enemy." Gaozu laughed aloud. He once teased him, saying, "Long in name but short in purpose, upright of speech but crooked of heart—you abandoned loyalty in Zheng and forgot your obligations to our house." Shichang replied, "Long in name but short in purpose—that much is exactly as Your Majesty says; but as for upright of speech and crooked of heart, I dare not accept that part of the edict. In former times Dou Rong surrendered the Hexi to Han and his line held marquisates for ten generations; I came in from south of the mountains and have received only a garrison supervisorship." That very day he was promoted to remonstrating grand master. He accompanied the emperor on a hunting expedition at Jingyang, where a great haul of game was taken at the Banner Gate. Gaozu entered the imperial camp, turned to the officials, and asked, "Was today's hunt a pleasure?" Shichang stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty's hunting already lightly neglects the myriad affairs of state. In less than a hundred days this will hardly count as great pleasure." Gaozu's face darkened; then he laughed and said, "Has your wild streak come out again?" Shichang said, "By my private reckoning it is wild; by reckoning for Your Majesty's realm it is loyal." When the Turks raided, Wugong and its counties lost many registered households; afterward an edict announced that the emperor would visit Wugong for a hunting expedition. Shichang remonstrated again: "The Turks have only just invaded and done great harm to the people, yet Your Majesty has not yet uttered a word about relief—and now in that very region you propose to hunt again. This falls short not only of humane governance but of what the people can possibly supply. How can they bear it?" Gaozu did not heed him. On another occasion he had him brought to the Puxiang Hall. When Shichang was well into his cups, he said, "Was this hall built by Emperor Yang of Sui? Why is it carved and adorned to such a degree?" Gaozu said, "You love to remonstrate and seem sincere, but your heart is truly deceitful. Do you not know that I built this hall myself? Why must you feign ignorance and speak of Emperor Yang?" He replied, "I truly did not know. I only see the sort of tilted palaces, Deer Terrace, and glazed tiles that no emperor who has received the Mandate builds when he loves the people and practices frugality. If Your Majesty built this, it is truly not fitting. In former days at Wugong I was fortunate enough often to attend you. Your residence then barely kept out wind and frost, yet even then you thought it sufficient. Now, because Sui's extravagance drove the people beyond endurance, the realm repeatedly turned to the righteous way until Your Majesty won it. I truly believed you would punish that luxury and debauchery and never forget thrift. You have only just won the realm, yet within the Sui palaces you add carving and ornament. If you wish to dispel disorder, how can that be achieved?" Gaozu was deeply persuaded. Later he served as chief administrator of Shanzhou and libationer for military counsel in the Prince of Qin's Heavenly Stratagem Office. When the Prince of Qin first opened his Literary Academy, Shichang was brought in as a scholar. He and Fang Xuanling and seventeen others were all granted painted portraits, and the literary scholar Chu Liang was ordered to compose encomia. Of Shichang he wrote, "Military counsel, harmonious and witty, transcendent in debate and insight. Upright of countenance in court—for the sake of not sparing himself." Early in Zhenguan he was sent on a mission to the Turks. He disputed precedence with Jieli and refused bribes and gifts, and the court praised him for it. He was sent out as governor of Bazhou, capsized in a boat, drowned, and died. Shichang was quick-witted and learned, broadly versed yet plain and unceremonious, fond of wine, and without dignified bearing. While he was in Shanzhou, crime within his jurisdiction was rampant and he could not suppress it. He took the blame on himself and had himself flogged in the main street of the prefectural capital. The ward headmen, resenting what they took for a trick, flogged him until the blood showed. Shichang could not bear the pain, cried out, and fled. The onlookers all laughed, and commentators pronounced it a sham.
5
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。
His son Liangsi, under Emperor Gaozong, was appointed chief administrator of the Prince of Zhou's household. The prince was still young and often acted unlawfully. Liangsi remonstrated with stern countenance and was greatly respected and feared. Many of the prince's household officials were unworthy men. Liangsi enforced the regulations strictly, and none dared transgress. Emperor Gaozong praised him highly. He was promoted to chief administrator of the Jingzhou metropolitan area command. Emperor Gaozong sent eunuchs along the Yangtze to gather exotic bamboo for planting in the imperial park. The eunuchs requisitioned boats to carry the bamboo and committed outrages wherever they went. On their return they passed through Jingzhou. Liangsi imprisoned them and submitted a stern memorial, saying, "To seek rare things from afar and exhaust the roads is not the way of a sage who restrains himself and loves others. Moreover, petty men usurp authority and favor, to the detriment of Your Majesty's brilliance." His language was very stern and direct. When the memorial reached him, Emperor Gaozong issued an edict of consolation and encouragement and immediately ordered the bamboo thrown into the river. During the Yongchun era he served as chief administrator of Yong Prefecture. At that time Guanzhong suffered a terrible famine. People ate one another, and bandits were everywhere. Liangsi governed with strict clarity: no theft reported within three days went uncaptured. When Empress Wu held court, he was promoted to minister of works. Before long he replaced Wang Dezhen as chief minister and was enfeoffed in succession as Duke of Wenguo. He was appointed protector-general of the Western Capital. Empress Wu composed a farewell poem for him, and the honors shown him were very generous. At that time Pei Feigong, director of the Palace Workshops, was inspecting the Western Park and intended to sell its fruits and vegetables for profit. Liangsi objected: "In former times, when Gongyi served as chancellor of Lu, he uprooted his melons and removed his weaving looms. One has never heard of a sovereign of ten thousand chariots selling palace fruits and vegetables to compete for profit with his subjects." Feigong then abandoned the plan. Before long he was recalled to the capital and promoted to left chancellor of the Wenchang Office with third rank equal to the Phoenix Pavilion and Phoenix Terrace. In spring of the first year of Zai Chu he was removed as left chancellor of the Wenchang Office, granted the special advancement rank, and still continued to manage state affairs as before. He was on bad terms with Wei Fangzhi, minister of the Department of State Affairs. When Fangzhi was implicated in a capital crime, his testimony implicated Liangsi, but Empress Wu specially protected and cleared him. Liangsi thanked her for the grace and bowed prostrate, but could not rise again. He was carried home in a litter, and an edict ordered the imperial physicians Zhang Wenchong and Wei Cizang to attend him. He died that same day, at the age of eighty-five. Empress Wu suspended court for three days, held mourning at the Gate for Viewing the Wind, and ordered all officials to go to his residence to offer condolences. He was posthumously made grand master with the glory of the palace and area commander of Yizhou, granted eight hundred bolts of silk and eight hundred piculs of grain, and an imperial letter of condolence was also sent down. His son Jianyan was vice director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Before long he was framed by a cruel official, banished to Lingnan, and died in exile. Liangsi's offices and titles were posthumously stripped and his household goods were confiscated. In the first year of Jinglong, Liangsi was posthumously made minister of works.
6
踐言子務玄,襲爵溫國公,開元中,為邠王府長史。
Jianyan's son Wuxuan inherited the title Duke of Wenguo. During the Kaiyuan era he served as chief administrator of the Prince of Bin's household.
7
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。
Wei Yunqi was a native of Wannian in Yong Prefecture. His uncle Cheng had served as director of the Imperial University and governor of Mianzhou at the beginning of Wude. Yunqi passed the Mingjing examination under Sui in the Kaihuang era and was appointed director of seals in the regular office. Once when presenting business at court, Emperor Wen asked him, "If anything outside is amiss, you may speak of it." At that time Vice Minister of War Liu Shu stood at the emperor's side. Yunqi answered at once: "Liu Shu is arrogant and overbearing and has never managed affairs. Military affairs are weighty and beyond his capacity. He holds an important post only because he is the princess's son-in-law. I fear public opinion will say that Your Majesty does not choose the worthy for office but recklessly bestows Heaven's rank out of private affection. That too is a grave inconvenience." The emperor strongly approved and turned to Liu Shu. "Yunqi's words are medicine and whetstone for you. You should take him as teacher and friend." At the beginning of Renshou an edict ordered officials at court to recommend talent. Shu recommended Yunqi, who was promoted to palace envoy for diplomatic reception. At the beginning of Daye he was redesignated visitor for diplomatic reception. He also submitted a memorial: "Today the court is full of men from east of the mountains who form their own factions, slandering and recommending one another, flattering subordinates and deceiving superiors, and banding together in cliques. If this is not checked at the root, the government will surely be overturned. That is why I am heart-stricken and cannot keep silent. I respectfully list the names of clique members and their misconduct below." Emperor Yang ordered the Court of Judicial Review to investigate. Left Assistant Minister Lang Weizhi and Censorate Assistant Lang Chuzhi were both convicted as clique members and banished to Mantou Chishui; nine others were dismissed from office. When the Khitan raided Yingzhou, an edict ordered Yunqi to lead Turkic troops against the Khitan tribes. Qaghan Qimin dispatched twenty thousand horsemen under his command. Yunqi divided them into twenty camps advancing along four routes, each camp a li apart and forbidden to intermingle. At the drum they marched; at the horn they halted. Unless on official business, no one might gallop. After repeated orders, the drums sounded and the army set out. When a man violated the rules, one Turk was beheaded and his head displayed as a warning. Thereupon the Turkic commanders came to pay their respects, crawling on their knees and trembling, not daring to look up. The Khitan had long served the Turks and were without suspicion. Once Yunqi entered their territory, he had the Turks pretend they were heading to Liucheng commandery to trade with Goguryeo and forbid any mention of a Sui envoy in camp—leakers would be beheaded. The Khitan were caught unprepared. A hundred li from the enemy camp they feigned marching south, then returned by night. Fifty li from the camp they formed ranks and encamped, and the Khitan knew nothing of it. At dawn they all set out. Galloping cavalry struck and captured forty thousand men and women in all. Women and livestock were half given to the Turks; the rest were sent to court, and the men were all killed. Emperor Yang was delighted and assembled the officials. "Yunqi used the Turks to pacify the Khitan," he said. "His campaigning was cunning, his talent both civil and military, and at court he speaks bluntly. I now promote him myself." He was promoted to imperial censor. Yunqi then submitted an impeachment: "Vice Director of the Secretariat Yu Shiji holds the pivot of power and bears a weighty commission; Censor-in-Chief Pei Yun has received extraordinary favor and controls affairs within and without the court. Alarms now come from every quarter, yet they do not report them. The rebels are in fact numerous, yet they understate the numbers. Because Your Majesty hears that the rebels are few, you send few troops. When many and few are so mismatched, defeat has always followed, government armies lose, and the rebels grow daily. If this is not punished, the harm will be great. I ask that they be handed to the responsible offices to answer for their crimes." Minister of Justice Zheng Shanguo submitted, "Yunqi slanders eminent ministers. His charges are false. He does not criticize the government but presumptuously wields authority." Thereupon he was demoted to judicial review assessor. When Emperor Yang went to Yangzhou, Yunqi asked leave to return to Chang'an. When the righteous banner entered the pass, he had audience at the Changle Palace. In the first year of Yining he was appointed minister of agriculture and enfeoffed as Duke of Yangcheng County. In the first year of Wude he was additionally granted superlative grand master with the glory of the palace and put in charge of agricultural and park affairs. That year, when a great army was to be raised against Wang Shichong, Yunqi submitted a memorial of remonstrance: "Since the state has endured turmoil, the people are displaced and unreconciled; harvests have failed year after year, and famine grips the interior. The capital has only just been pacified and popular sentiment has not yet settled. Petty theft and banditry still trouble the state. At Zhazhou and Sizhu, lingering unrest has not yet been extinguished; at Lantian and Gukou bandits are in fact numerous. Morning and evening they watch for openings and are extremely harmful to the state. Even within the capital, bandits strike every night. In the north is Shidu, allied with barbarian raiders—this is a disease at the state's very heart. To abandon concern for this and cast troops toward Han and Luo—if after the army marches out internal bandits seize the opening, once trouble arises the disaster will not be small. I hold that Wang Shichong is a thousand li away, cut off by mountains and rivers, and unable to do harm. Wait until there is surplus strength, then attack him. Internal troubles are not yet settled; for now you should practice magnanimity beyond measure. In my humble view, I ask that you temporarily rest the armies, devote yourself to farming, and settle and harmonize the people. Petty bandits within the passes will naturally subside. The generals and soldiers of Qinchuan still have courage to spare. In three years one stroke will settle everything. Though you wish speed now, I fear it cannot yet be done." The emperor accepted his advice. When the Turks invaded, an edict ordered Yunqi to command the military forces of the nine prefectures north of Bin and Ning and act at his discretion. In the fourth year he was appointed governor of Xilinzhou while retaining his post as minister of agriculture. Before long he replaced Prince of Zhao Commandery Li Xiaogong as governor of Kuizhou, then became area commander of Suizhou, where he soothed the Yi and Liao peoples and won all hearts. He was transferred to minister of the people of the Yizhou mobile secretariat, then to minister of war of the same secretariat. Mobile Secretariat Deputy Director Dou Gui often carried out executions and falsely memorialized that the Liao had rebelled, hoping to gather troops. Thereby he tyrannized and indulged his violence, while Yunqi often resisted and refused to follow. Yunqi also amassed private property and dealt with uncivilized Liao for profit. Gui also said this publicly, and from this suspicion arose and mutual distrust grew. At the death of the hidden crown prince, an edict sent Gui's son by fast courier to inform him at Yizhou. Gui suspected Yunqi's younger brother Qingjian, his cousin Qingsi, and other kin who had served the eastern palace, fearing that on hearing the news they might rebel. He made preparations first, then announced the matter. Yunqi did not believe it and asked, "Where is the edict?" Gui said, "You are a partisan of Jiancheng. By refusing the edict now, your rebellion is plain." Thereupon he seized and killed him. In his youth Yunqi studied under Imperial Academy Doctor Wang Po. Whenever Po spoke with him of current affairs he greatly admired him and said, "Student Wei understands so well—you will surely win wealth and honor for yourself; but your unyielding hatred of evil will ultimately destroy you." In the end it happened just as Po had said. His son Shibao, at the beginning of Chuigong, rose to governor of Huazhou and junior steward of the heir apparent, and was enfeoffed as Duke of Fuyang commandery.
8
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。
Shibao's son Fangzhi, at the beginning of Empress Wu's reign, was vice director of the Phoenix Terrace, minister of state affairs, and grand counselor equal to the Phoenix Pavilion and Phoenix Terrace. When the Chuigong statutes and formats were being revised, Fangzhi made many additions and deletions and was widely praised. Before long Wu Chengsi and Wu Sansi held power at court, and all the chief ministers bent to attach themselves to them. Fangzhi was on sick leave. Chengsi and the others came to his house to inquire after his health, but Fangzhi lay on his bed and did not rise to receive them. Those beside him said, "To sit crouched before the powerful—you will invite disaster." Fangzhi said, "Fortune and misfortune are a matter of fate. How can a true man bend his integrity and flatter imperial kin merely to save himself?" Before long he was framed by the cruel officials Zhou Xing and Lai Zixun, banished to Danzhou, and his household goods were confiscated. Before long he died. At the beginning of Shenlong he was posthumously vindicated.
9
臣聞天子有諍臣,雖無道不失其天下; 父有諍子,雖無道不陷於不義。 故云子不可不諍於父,臣不可不諍於君。 以此言之,臣之事君,猶子之事父故也。 隋後主所以失天下者,何也? 止為不聞其過。 當時非無直言之士,由君不受諫,自謂德盛唐堯,功過夏禹,窮侈極欲,以恣其心。 天下之士,肝腦塗地,戶口減耗,盜賊日滋,而不覺知者,皆由朝臣不敢告之也。 向使修嚴父之法,開直言之路,選賢任能,賞罰得中,人人樂業,誰能搖動者乎? 所以前朝好為變更,不師古訓者,止為天誘其咎,將以開今聖唐也。 陛下龍舉晉陽,天下響應,計不旋踵,大位遂隆。 陛下勿以唐得天下之易,不知隋失之不難也。 陛下貴為天子,富有天下,動則左史書之,言則右史書之。 既為竹帛所拘,何可恣情不慎? 凡有搜狩,須順四時,既代天理,安得非時妄動? 陛下二十日龍飛,二十一日有獻鷂雛者,此乃前朝之弊風,少年之事務,何忽今日行之! 又聞相國參軍事盧牟子獻琵琶,長安縣丞張安道獻弓箭,頻蒙賞勞。 但「普天之下,莫非王土; 率土之濱,莫非王臣」,陛下必有所欲,何求而不得? 陛下所少者,豈此物哉! 願陛下察臣愚忠,則天下幸甚。
I have heard that a son of Heaven has remonstrating ministers—even if he is without the Way, he will not lose the realm under Heaven;" a father has remonstrating sons—even if he is without the Way, he will not fall into unrighteousness. Thus it is said that a son must remonstrate with his father and a minister must remonstrate with his lord. In this sense, a minister's service to his lord is like a son's service to his father. Why then did the last emperor of Sui lose the realm? It was only because he never heard of his faults. It was not that there were no straight-speaking men in his day. Because the ruler would not accept remonstrance, he considered his virtue greater than Tang Yao and his merit surpassing Yu the Great, and exhausted every extravagance to indulge his desires. Men under Heaven had their lives destroyed, registered households dwindled, and bandits multiplied daily—yet he remained unaware, all because his ministers dared not tell him. Had he practiced the law of the stern father, opened the road of frank speech, chosen the worthy and employed the able, and kept rewards and punishments fair so that every man delighted in his work—who could have shaken him? That is why the previous dynasty loved change and would not follow ancient instruction: Heaven was drawing out their guilt to open the way for the present sage Tang. Your Majesty rose like a dragon from Jinyang; the realm answered at once; before you could turn on your heel the great throne was yours. Your Majesty must not think that because Tang won the realm easily, Sui lost it with difficulty. Your Majesty is exalted as son of Heaven and possesses the realm. When you move, the left historian records it; when you speak, the right historian records it. Already bound by what will be written on bamboo and silk, how can you indulge your feelings without care? All hunting must follow the four seasons. Having taken Heaven's place in governing, how can you act rashly out of season? On the twentieth day Your Majesty ascended the throne; on the twenty-first someone presented a fledgling hawk. This is a corrupt practice of the previous dynasty, a youthful amusement—why revive it today! I also hear that Military Affairs Aide to the Chief Minister Lu Mouzi presented a pipa and Chang'an County Assistant Zhang Andao presented bow and arrows, and both have repeatedly received rewards. But "All under Heaven, none is not the king's land; "Along the shores of the land, none is not the king's minister." Whatever Your Majesty desires, what could you not obtain? What Your Majesty lacks—is it these trifles! I beg Your Majesty to consider my foolish loyalty, and the realm will be greatly fortunate.
10
其二曰:
The second says:
11
百戲散樂,本非正聲,有隋之末,大見崇用,此謂淫風,不可不改。 近者,太常官司於人間借婦女裙襦五百餘具,以充散妓之服,雲擬五月五日於玄武門遊戲。 臣竊思審,實損皇猷,亦非貽厥子孫謀,為後代法也。 故《書》云:「無以小怨為無傷而弗去。」 恐從小至於大故也。 《論語》云:「放鄭聲,遠佞人。」 又云:「樂則《韶》舞。」 以此言之,散妓定非功成之樂也。 如臣愚見,請並廢之。 則天下不勝幸甚。
Hundred entertainments and scattering music are not proper music. At the end of Sui they were greatly honored. This is lewd custom and cannot go unchanged. Recently the Court of Imperial Sacrifices borrowed more than five hundred women's skirts and robes from the populace for scattering performers' costumes, planning games at the Xuanwu Gate on the fifth day of the fifth month. On reflection I find that this truly harms Your Majesty's grand design. It is neither planning for your descendants nor setting an example for later ages. Thus the Book of Documents says: "Do not treat a small grievance as harmless and fail to remove it. For fear that what is small may grow into something great." The Analects says: "Ban the music of Zheng and keep sycophants at a distance." It also says: "For music, use the Shao dance." By this reasoning, scattering performers are certainly not the music of a successful reign." In my humble view, I ask that they all be abolished. Then the realm will be beyond fortunate.
12
其三曰:
The third says:
13
臣聞性相近而習相遠,以其所好相染也。 故《書》云:「與治同道罔弗興,與亂同事罔弗亡。」 以此言之,興亂其在斯與! 皇太子及諸王等左右群僚,不可不擇而任之也。 如臣愚見,但是無義之人,及先來無賴,家門不能邕睦; 及好奢華馳獵馭射,專作慢游狗馬、聲色歌舞之人,不得使親而近之也。 此等止可悅耳目,備驅馳,至於拾遺補闕,決不能為也。 臣歷窺往古,下觀近代,至於子孫不孝,兄弟離間,莫不為左右亂之也。 願陛下妙選賢才,以為皇太子僚友,如此即克隆盤石,永固維城矣。
I have heard that human natures are alike at birth but diverge through habit, because people are dyed by what they love. Thus the Book of Documents says: "Those who walk the path of order will all prosper; those who share in deeds of chaos will all perish. In this sense, whether order rises or chaos is decided here!" The crown prince and the various princes' attendants and staff must be carefully chosen before they are entrusted with office. In my humble view, all who are without righteousness, former ruffians, and those whose families cannot live in harmony; and those who love luxury, hunting, driving, and archery, who devote themselves to idle roaming, horses and dogs, music, women, and dancing—must not be allowed to draw near. Such men can only please the senses and serve as runners; as for remedying oversights and filling gaps in governance, they are utterly useless. I have surveyed antiquity and observed recent times: unfilial sons and discord among brothers have invariably been caused by attendants sowing disorder. I beg Your Majesty to choose worthy talent as companions for the crown prince; thus you will secure the realm as firmly as bedrock and make the imperial house an everlasting bulwark.
14
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:
Gaozu read it with great delight and issued an edict: "Qin perished because it never heard of its faults—do the classics not contain warnings from antiquity? Its ministers flattered and fawned, and so the ruler never perceived it. Emperor Gaozu of Han restored order and followed remonstrance as readily as flowing water. Down through Wen and Jing continuing the enterprise, and Xuan and Yuan inheriting the mandate—without this Way, who could have elevated the imperial fortune? At the end of Zhou and Sui, loyal ministers sealed their tongues; a single word could lose the state—surely warning enough for deep reflection. Whenever I reflect on this, I sigh deeply. I constantly reflect on my few and meager qualities and reverently bear the precious mandate. Though I cannot match my nature to the Way of Heaven, I hope to strive with all my strength and constantly look to worthy assistance to correct my shortcomings. Yet my ministers and great officers rarely offer frank counsel. I wish to show my willingness to receive it openly, though others have not understood this. Sun Fujia, legal aide of Wannian County, has shown utmost sincerity and generosity. His words are earnest, he points out what is right and wrong, and he evades nothing. Unless he receives extraordinary promotion, how can others be encouraged to act for the public good! Fujia already possesses honesty and forthrightness and should serve in the legal offices. Let him be appointed Deliberating Palace Attendant. Let this be proclaimed far and wide so all may know my intent." He also granted him three hundred bolts of silk. At that time military and state affairs were pressing and taxes and levies were heavy. Fujia repeatedly memorialized requesting reforms, and Gaozu accepted them all. In the second year, Gaozu said to Pei Ji, "At the end of Sui the Way was lost. Above and below deceived one another: the ruler grew arrogant and his ministers only flattered. The ruler never heard of his faults, and his subjects never gave their full loyalty, until the altars of state were overturned and he died at the hands of an ordinary man. I have dispelled chaos and restored order, my aim being to settle the people. In pacifying disorder I rely on martial ministers; in preserving the realm I entrust civil officials, hoping each may display his talents to correct my shortcomings. Lately I have received everyone with an open mind, hoping to hear honest counsel. Yet only Li Gang has fully shown loyal sincerity, and Sun Fujia may be called honest and forthright. The rest still follow the corrupt old ways and merely bow their heads—is this what I hoped for!" After Wang Shichong and Dou Jiande were defeated, a general amnesty was proclaimed for the realm. Then their followers were held accountable and all were ordered banished and relocated. Fujia submitted a memorial of remonstrance, saying:
15
臣聞王言無戲,自古格言; 去食存信,聞諸舊典。 故《書》云:「爾無不信,朕不食言。」 又《論語》雲,一言出口,駟不及舌。 以此而論,言之出口,不可不慎。 伏惟陛下光臨區宇,覆育群生,率土之濱,誰非臣妾。 絲綸一發,取信萬方,使聞之者不疑,見之者不惑。 陛下今月二日發雲雨之制,光被黔黎,無所間然,公私蒙賴。 既雲常赦不免,皆赦除之,此非直赦其有罪,亦是與天下斷當,許其更新。 以此言之,但是赦後,即便無事。 因何王世充及建德部下,赦後乃欲遷之? 此是陛下自違本心,欲遣下人若為取則? 若欲子細推尋,逆城之內,人誰無罪? 故《書》云:「殲厥渠魁,脅從罔治。」 若論渠魁,世充等為首,渠魁尚免,脅從何辜? 且古人云:「蹠狗吠堯,蓋非其主。」 在東都城內及建德部下,乃有與陛下積小故舊,編髮友朋,猶尚有人敗後始至者。 此等豈忘陛下,皆云被壅故也。 以此言之,自外疏者,竊謂無罪。 又《書》云:「非知之艱,行之惟艱。」 上古以來,何代無君,所以只稱堯、舜之善者,何也? 直由為天子者實難,善名難得故也。 往者天下未平,威權須應機而作; 今四方既定,設法須與人共之。 但法者,陛下自作之,還須守之,使天下百姓信而畏之。 今自為無信,欲遣兆人若為信畏? 故《書》云:「無偏無黨,王道蕩蕩; 無黨無偏,王道平平。」 賞罰之行,達乎貴賤,聖人製法,無限親疏。 如臣愚見,世充、建德下偽官,經赦合免責情,欲遷配者,請並放之,則天下幸甚。
I have heard that a ruler's words are not spoken in jest—this has been a maxim since antiquity; and that one may give up food but not faith—this is recorded in the ancient canons. Thus the Book of Documents says: "You must not disbelieve me—I do not eat my words." The Analects also says that once a word leaves the mouth, not even four horses can overtake the tongue. From this it follows that words once spoken cannot be uttered carelessly. I humbly consider that Your Majesty illuminates the realm and nurtures all living beings. Along the shores of the land, who is not your subject? When an imperial edict issues forth, it must win trust throughout the realm, so that those who hear it do not doubt and those who see it are not confused. On the second day of this month Your Majesty issued a general amnesty, spreading its grace over the common people without exception, to the benefit of public and private alike. Having declared that even those normally excluded from amnesty are all pardoned, this is not merely forgiving their crimes but also settling accounts with the realm and permitting them to begin anew. By this reasoning, once the amnesty is proclaimed, all should be settled. Why then do you wish to relocate the followers of Wang Shichong and Dou Jiande after the amnesty? This is Your Majesty going against your own intent. How are your subjects below to know what rule to follow? If you wish to investigate thoroughly, who within the rebel cities is without guilt? Thus the Book of Documents says: "Destroy their chieftains; as for those coerced into following, do not punish them." If we speak of ringleaders, Shichong and the others are the chiefs. If the chiefs are spared, what crime have the coerced committed? Moreover, an ancient said: "When Zhi's dog barks at Yao, it is because Yao is not its master." Within the Eastern Capital and among Jiande's followers there were even men who had old ties with Your Majesty and sworn friends from youth, and some who came only after defeat. How could such men have forgotten Your Majesty? They all say they were cut off from you and had no choice. By this reasoning, I privately hold that those who were distant outsiders are without guilt. The Book of Documents also says: "It is not knowing that is hard, but acting on it that is hard." Since high antiquity, what age has lacked a ruler? Why then are only Yao and Shun praised for their goodness? It is simply because being son of Heaven is truly difficult and a good reputation hard to win. Formerly, when the realm was not yet settled, awesome authority had to be exercised as occasion demanded; now that the four quarters are settled, establishing law must be done in concert with the people. But the law is what Your Majesty yourself established. You must still uphold it so that the people of the realm trust and fear it. If you yourself are faithless now, how can you expect the myriad people to trust and fear you? Thus the Book of Documents says: "Without partiality, without cliques—the kingly Way is vast and ample; without faction or favoritism—the kingly Way is smooth and fair." In the application of rewards and punishments, the sage who made the law drew no distinction between noble and base, near and far. In my humble view, the former officials under Shichong and Jiande who, having been amnestied, ought to be exempt from further punishment but whom you wish to relocate—I ask that they all be released. Then the realm will be greatly fortunate.
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又上表請置諫官,高祖皆納焉。
He also submitted a memorial requesting the establishment of remonstrance officers, and Gaozu accepted all his proposals.
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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。
When Taizong took the throne, Fujia was granted the title Baron of Le'an County. In the first year of Zhenguan he was transferred to vice director of the Court of Judicial Review. Taizong once shot on horseback. Fujia submitted a memorial of remonstrance: "I have heard that the son of a man worth a thousand in gold does not sit beneath a low eave; the son of a man worth a hundred in gold does not stand leaning on a balustrade. From this it follows that the ruler of the realm must not tread danger or court peril—how clear this is! I have also heard that the son of Heaven's dwelling is guarded by ninefold barriers; when he moves, troops go out before him and the imperial guard clears the road. This is not merely to exalt his dwelling to the utmost but is the great plan for the altars of state and the welfare of the people. Therefore an ancient said: 'When one man has cause for celebration, the myriad people rely upon him.' I have heard privately that Your Majesty still personally gallops on horseback to shoot at targets, amusing your close ministers. This is to court danger without restraint, and I privately hold that Your Majesty should not do this. Why so? First, it does not bring glory to the historical records; second, it is insufficient to display your virtue; moreover, it is not how to guide and nurture your sacred person, nor can it serve as a model for later generations. This is only what young princes pursue. How can one who is already son of Heaven still do it today? Though Your Majesty may wish to treat yourself lightly, what of the altars of state and the realm under Heaven! In my humble view, I privately hold that this cannot be done." Taizong read it with great delight. In the fifth year he was dismissed from office for errors in reporting on prisoners. Before long he was restored as director in the Ministry of Justice, was repeatedly promoted to vice director of the Court of Judicial Review, and was transferred to vice minister of the people. In the fourteenth year he was appointed director of the Court of Judicial Review, and later was sent out as governor of Shanzhou. In the fifth year of Yonghui he retired on account of old age. He died in the third year of Xianqing.
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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:
Zhang Xuansu was a native of Yuxiang in Puzhou. At the end of Sui he served as household records clerk of Jingcheng County. Dou Jiande captured Jingcheng. Xuansu was seized and about to be executed. More than a thousand county people wept and begged to die in his place, saying, "This man is so pure and cautious—if you kill him now, Heaven itself will be gone. Great King, as you are about to settle the realm, you should treat such men with deep courtesy to win men from every quarter. How can you kill him and make good men lose heart?" Jiande promptly ordered him released and appointed him imperial censor, but he firmly declined and would not accept. When Jiangdu fell, he was again summoned and appointed vice director of the Yellow Gate, and only then accepted the appointment. When Jiande was defeated, he was appointed record-keeping aide of the Jingcheng area command headquarters. Taizong had heard his name. When he took the throne he summoned Xuansu, received him in audience, and inquired about the way of government. He replied, "I observe that from antiquity until now there has been nothing like the disorder and ruin of the Sui house. Was this not because its ruler acted alone and its laws fell daily into chaos? If only the ruler had received counsel openly above and his ministers had assisted and remonstrated below, how could it have come to this? Moreover, the burden of ruling the realm is immense—yet if you also wish to monopolize every petty affair yourself, deciding ten cases a day while five go wrong, those you get right may indeed be sound, but what of the ones you get wrong? How much more when the myriad affairs of state in a single day already bring many failures—and day by day, month by month, even year after year, the errors mount. With so many mistakes, how can ruin not follow? If you broadly entrust worthy men, hold yourself aloof and observe deeply, and let the hundred offices perform their duties—who would dare transgress? I have also observed that at the end of Sui turmoil surged throughout the realm. Those who contended for the empire were no more than a dozen men; the rest all guarded their towns and preserved themselves, longing to return to the right Way. This shows that few people truly wish to rebel against their lord; it is only that rulers cannot keep them content, and chaos ensues. If Your Majesty closely heeds the lessons of ruin and grows more cautious day by day, how could even the Way of Yao and Shun surpass you!" Taizong approved his reply, promoted him to attendant censor, and shortly transferred him to supervising secretary. In the fourth year of Zhenguan, an edict was issued to mobilize laborers to repair the Qianyang Hall of the Luoyang Palace in preparation for imperial tours. Xuansu submitted a memorial of remonstrance, saying:
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微臣竊思秦始皇之為君也,藉周室之餘、六國之盛,將貽之萬葉,及其子而亡,良由逞嗜奔欲,逆天害人者也。 是知天下不可以力勝,神祇不可以親恃,惟當弘儉約,薄賦斂,慎終如始,可以永固。 方今承百王之末,屬凋弊之餘,必欲節之以禮制,陛下宜以身為先。 東都未有幸期,即何須補葺? 諸王今並出籓,又須營構,興發漸多,豈疲人之所望? 其不可一也。 陛下初平東都之始,層樓廣殿,皆令撤毀,天下翕然,同心欣仰。 豈有初則惡其侈靡,今乃襲其雕麗? 其不可二也。 每承音旨,未即巡幸,此則事不急之務,成虛費之勞。 國無兼年之積,何用兩都之好,勞役過度,怨讟將起。 其不可三也。 百姓承亂離之後,財力凋盡,天恩含育,粗見存立,飢寒猶切,生計未安,三五年間,恐未平復。 奈何營未幸之都,奪疲人之力? 其不可四也。 昔漢高祖將都洛陽,婁敬一言,即日西駕,豈不知地惟土中,貢賦所均,但以形勝不如關內也。 伏惟陛下化凋弊之人,革澆漓之俗,為日尚淺,未甚淳和。 斟酌事宜,詎可東幸? 其不可五也。 臣又嘗見隋室造殿,楹棟宏壯,大木非隨近所有,多從豫章采來。 二千人曳一柱,其下施轂,皆以生鐵為之,若用木輪,便即火出。 鐵轂既生,行一二里即有破壞,仍數百人別齎鐵轂以隨之,終日不過進三二十里。 略計一柱,已用數十萬功,則余費又過於此。 臣聞阿房成,秦人散; 章華就,楚眾離; 及乾陽畢功,隋人解體。 且以陛下今時功力,何如隋日? 役瘡痍之人,襲亡隋之弊,以此言之,恐甚於煬帝。 深願陛下思之,無為由余所笑,則天下幸甚。
Your humble servant reflects that the First Emperor of Qin, as ruler, built on the remnants of the Zhou and the power of the Six States, intending to bequeath his empire for ten thousand generations—yet it fell before his son did, truly because he indulged every craving and desire, defying Heaven and harming his people. This shows that the realm cannot be won by force alone, nor can the spirits be trusted through personal favor—only by promoting frugality, lightening taxes and levies, and remaining as careful at the end as at the beginning can the empire endure. Now you inherit the legacy of a hundred kings and rule over a people exhausted by decline. If you wish to restrain excess through ritual and institutions, Your Majesty should set the example yourself. You have not yet set a date to visit the Eastern Capital—why then need repairs? The princes have all gone out to their fiefs and must build residences there as well. Public works are multiplying—is this what your exhausted people hope for? This is the first reason it cannot be done. When Your Majesty first pacified the Eastern Capital, you ordered tiered towers and vast halls dismantled. The realm was united in joyful admiration. How can you at first have condemned its extravagance and now adopt its ornate splendor? This is the second reason it cannot be done. Each time you receive reports, you do not immediately tour the east. This is not an urgent matter, yet it becomes wasted labor and expense. The state lacks even two years' surplus in its granaries—what need is there to favor two capitals? With corvée labor excessive, resentment and complaint will soon arise. This is the third reason it cannot be done. The people, after years of chaos and separation, have seen their wealth exhausted. Though Heaven's grace has preserved them, hunger and cold still press upon them and their livelihoods are not yet secure. Within three or five years they may not yet recover. How can you build up a capital you have not yet visited and strip the strength from your exhausted people? This is the fourth reason it cannot be done. Formerly Emperor Gaozu of Han was about to establish his capital at Luoyang, but Lou Jing spoke one word and that very day the emperor turned west. Did he not know that Luoyang lies at the center of the realm where tribute is evenly distributed? He knew—but its strategic advantage was inferior to that within the Pass. I humbly consider that Your Majesty is transforming a people exhausted by decline and reforming dissolute customs, but your reign is still young and society not yet fully restored to harmony. Weighing the circumstances, how can you tour east now? This is the fifth reason it cannot be done. I have also seen the Sui build their halls: pillars and beams vast and strong, great timbers not available nearby but gathered from distant Yuzhang. Two thousand men dragged a single pillar; wheels were fitted beneath, all cast of raw iron—for if wooden wheels were used, friction would set them ablaze. The raw iron wheels would break after a mile or two, and several hundred men had to carry spare wheels alongside. In a full day they advanced no more than twenty or thirty li. A single pillar alone consumed several hundred thousand man-days of labor—and the remaining costs exceeded even that. I have heard that when Epang Palace was completed, the Qin people scattered; when Zhanghua Terrace was finished, the Chu people dispersed; and when Qianyang Hall was completed, the Sui dynasty fell apart. Moreover, comparing Your Majesty's present resources with those of the Sui—how do they compare? To employ a people covered in wounds and repeat the abuses that destroyed the Sui—by this reasoning, I fear you may prove worse than Emperor Yang. I deeply urge Your Majesty to reflect on this and not become a laughingstock like You Yu of Qin—then the realm will be greatly fortunate.
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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。
Taizong said, "You say I am no better than Emperor Yang—how do I compare with Jie and Zhou?" He replied, "If this hall is built to completion, we shall all alike return to chaos. Moreover, 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 not be burned, and asked that they be given to the poor. Though the matter was not carried out, the realm was united in singing praise of your supreme virtue. If you now follow the old ways, you will revive the corvée labor of the Sui. Within five or six years your conduct has changed so sharply—how can you show this to your descendants or spread your glory across the four seas?" Taizong sighed and said, "I did not think it through, and so it came to this." He turned to Fang Xuanling and said, "Luoyang lies at the center of the realm where tribute routes converge. I undertook these repairs intending to benefit the people. Xuansu's memorial can truly be followed. When the time comes and the matter must proceed, what hardship is there in sitting in the open air? All construction labor should be stopped at once. Yet for the lowly to remonstrate with the exalted has never been easy. Were it not for his loyal forthrightness, how could he have spoken thus? Grant him two hundred bolts of colored silk." Chief Attendant Wei Zheng sighed and said, "Master Zhang's remonstrance had the power to turn back Heaven itself—truly the words of a benevolent man, and how far-reaching their benefit!" He was repeatedly promoted to junior steward of the heir apparent and transferred to right vice director of the crown prince'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:
At that time Chengqian lived in the Eastern Palace and largely neglected his studies for hunting and pleasure. Xuansu submitted a memorial of remonstrance: "I have heard that August Heaven shows no partiality and assists only the virtuous. Whoever violates the Way of Heaven is abandoned by both men and spirits alike. Yet the ancient ritual of the three drives was not meant to teach killing but to rid the people of pests. Thus when Tang left one side of the net open, the realm submitted to his benevolence. Hunting for pleasure in the park, though called something other than roaming and hunting, if practiced without restraint will in the end diminish your noble bearing. Moreover Fu Yue said, 'Learning without taking antiquity as one's teacher is something I have never heard of.' Thus to spread the Way one must study antiquity, and to study antiquity one must rely on teachers. You have received the gracious edict appointing Kong Yingda to lecture you. I hope you will frequently seek his instruction, to gain even the smallest benefit. Also send broadly men of renowned conduct and learning to attend you morning and evening. Read the teachings left by the sages and examine deeds already done in history—daily recognize what you lack, and monthly forget not what you have mastered. By this you would attain the utmost in goodness and beauty—how then could Xia Qi and King Song of Zhou be worth mentioning! Those who stand above others all wish to do good—but when nature cannot master passion, indulgence and delusion lead to disorder. When indulgence grows extreme, loyal counsel is shut out; ministers merely comply, and the ruler's Way gradually declines. An ancient said, 'Do not commit a small evil because it is small; do not fail to do a small good because it is small.' Thus we know that fortune and calamity alike arise from gradual beginnings. Your Highness, as heir to the throne, must broadly cultivate worthy policies. If you indulge in hunting, how can you preside over the ancestral sacrifices? Even when careful at the end as at the beginning one still fears gradual decline—if you are not careful at the start, how can you be secure at the end!" Before long he also concurrently served as junior steward of the heir apparent. In the thirteenth year he again submitted a memorial of remonstrance: "I have heard that the Duke of Zhou, though possessed of the talent of a great sage, still would grasp his disheveled hair and spit out his food to receive men from humble cottages—how much more should later sages and worthies dare treat this Way lightly? Therefore ritual prescribes that the crown prince enter school and perform the coming-of-age ceremony, so that the heir may learn the ways of ruler and minister, father and son, and elder and younger. The duties between ruler and minister, the bond between father and son, the order of rank, and the propriety between elder and younger—applied in one's inner self and extended beyond the four seas—are all made known through conduct and spread through words. I humbly consider that Your Highness's keen intelligence is already lofty, yet you must still study the classics to adorn your outward bearing. Men such as Kong Yingda and Zhao Hongzhi are not only men of long-standing virtue and great learning but also understand the essentials of government. I hope you will have them lecture you frequently, explain the principles of things, survey antiquity to instruct the present, and add luster to your enlightened virtue. Men skilled only in ornamental arts may be summoned from time to time for amusement, to replace gambling and games. But if you devote yourself to riding, archery, hunting, roaming, drunken song, and play to please the senses, you will in the end corrupt your spirit. Long indulgence will surely alter your character. An ancient said, 'The heart is master of all things; movement without restraint is chaos.' I fear the source of Your Highness's moral decline lies here." Chengqian would accept none of it. Taizong knew that Xuansu in the Eastern Palace had frequently offered remonstrance. In the fourteenth year he was promoted to silver radiance grand master of splendid happiness and appointed acting left vice director of the crown prince's household. At that time Chengqian had long ceased attending court. Xuansu remonstrated, "Within the palace there are only women. One wonders how many like Fan Ji there are who can enlarge and benefit your sagely virtue. If there are no worthy and wise at all, you are drawing close to favorites and keeping the loyal and good at a distance. If men do not see your virtue, how can you spread the light of the three excellences? Moreover the charge of the crown prince is weighty for the state; therefore many officials are appointed to assist your enlightened virtue. Now months pass without your seeing palace officials. Counsel is already sparse—how will you remedy your shortcomings?" Chengqian resented his repeated remonstrance and sent a household slave by night to beat him with a horse whip, nearly killing him. Chengqian also once beat drums within the palace until the sound was heard outside. Xuansu knocked at the gate and requested audience, remonstrating with utmost urgency. Chengqian then brought out the palace drums and destroyed them before Xuansu. That year Taizong once asked Xuansu at court about the course of his official career. Xuansu, having begun as a clerk in the Ministry of Justice, was deeply ashamed. Remonstrance and counsel grandee Chu Suiliang submitted a memorial: "I have heard that a gentleman does not speak lightly to others, and a sage ruler does not jest with his ministers. When he speaks, the historians record it; when ritual is performed, it is enacted; when music is made, it is sung. When the superior can treat his ministers with courtesy, ministers can then exhaust their strength in his service. In recent times Emperor Xiaowu of Song spoke lightly and freely, insulted and toyed with court ministers, and attacked their family backgrounds, even to their utter humiliation. Good historians recorded this and judged it wrong. Yesterday Your Majesty was seen questioning Zhang Xuansu, saying, 'What office did he hold under the Sui?' He answered, 'County vice-magistrate. You asked again, 'Before he became county vice-magistrate? He answered, 'Outside the regular stream. You asked again, 'In what bureau and office? As Xuansu was about to leave the gate of the pavilion, he could barely walk. His spirit was utterly crushed and his face was the color of dead ashes. The court ministers who saw this were mostly startled and astonished. Great Tang founded its dynasty and appoints officials by talent; Diviners, prayer-officers, menials, and guards were appointed according to their abilities. Your Majesty has honored Xuansu with ceremony, employed him repeatedly over the years, promoted him to the third rank, and entrusted him to assist the crown prince. You surely cannot now question him before the whole court, pry into his family background, cast aside your former special favor, and turn a single morning into humiliation. When a ruler governs his ministers, he should guide them with ritual and righteousness and inspire them with favor and grace, so that they bear up the realm and give their full loyalty. Even then he may still fear that without added virtue and courtesy men will not strive of themselves. If without cause you slight him and fill him with shame, so that grief knots in his breast and his loyal heart knows no joy, how can you then demand that he lay down his life in loyal service?" When the memorial was submitted, Taizong said to Suiliang, "I too regret having asked this. Your memorial now reaches the very heart of the matter." As Chengqian's conduct worsened day by day, Xuansu again submitted a memorial of remonstrance, saying:
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臣聞孔子云:「能近取譬,可謂仁之方也已。」 然《書》、《傳》所載,言之或遠,尋覽近事,得失斯存。 至如周武帝平定山東,卑宮菲食,以安海內。 太子贇舉措無端,穢德日著。 烏九軌知其不可,具言於武帝; 武帝慈仁,望其漸改。 及至踐祚,狂暴肆情,區宇崩離,宗祀覆滅,即隋文帝所代是也。 文帝因周衰弱,憑藉女資,雖無大功於天下,然布德行仁,足為萬姓所賴。 勇為太子,不能近遵君父之節儉,而務驕侈,今之山池遺蹟,即殿下所親睹是也。 此時亦恃君親之恩,自謂太山之固,詎知邪臣敢進其說? 向使動靜有常,進退合度,親君子,疏小人,舍浮華,尚恭儉,雖有邪臣間之,何能致慈父之隙? 豈不由積德未弘,令聞不著,讒言一至,遂成其禍? 竊惟皇儲之寄,荷戴殊重,如其積德不弘,何以嗣守成業? 聖上以殿下親則父子,事兼家國,所應用物,不為節限。 恩旨未逾六旬,用物已過七萬,驕奢之極,孰雲過此。 龍樓之下,惟聚工匠; 望苑之內,不睹賢良。 今言孝敬則闕視膳問安之禮,語恭順則違君父慈訓之方,求風聲則無愛學好道之實,觀舉措則有因緣誅戮之罪。 宮臣正士,未嘗在側; 群邪淫巧,暱近深宮。 愛好者皆游手雜色,施與者併圖畫雕鏤。 在外瞻仰,已有此失; 居中隱密,寧可勝計哉! 宣猷禁門,不異阛阓,朝入暮出,穢聲已遠。 臣以德音日損,頻上諫書,自爾已來,縱逸尤甚。 右庶子趙弘智經明行修,當今善士,臣每奏請,望數召進,與之談論,庶廣徽猷。 令旨反有猜嫌,謂臣妄相推引。 從善如流,尚恐不逮; 飾非拒諫,必招敗損。 方崇閉塞之源,不慕欽明之術,雖抱睿哲之資,終罹罔念之咎。 古人云:「苦藥利病,苦言利行。」 伏惟居安思危,日慎一日。
I have heard Confucius say, "If one can draw comparisons from what is near at hand, that may be called the method of humaneness." Yet what the Classics and commentaries record sometimes speaks of distant ages. If we examine recent events, the lessons of success and failure lie before us. Consider Emperor Wu of Zhou, who pacified the east, lived in humble quarters and ate plain food, and thereby brought peace to the realm. His crown prince Yun behaved without restraint, and his debased conduct grew more notorious day by day. Wang Gui saw that this could not continue and spoke frankly to Emperor Wu; Emperor Wu, being kind and benevolent, hoped the prince would gradually reform. But when Yun ascended the throne he grew violent and unrestrained, the realm split apart, and the Zhou house was destroyed—the very dynasty that Emperor Wen of Sui overthrew. Emperor Wen rose when Zhou was weak and relied on his marriage alliance. Though he won no great victories, he spread virtue and practiced benevolence, and the people could rely on him. His son Yong, as crown prince, would not follow his father's frugality but pursued arrogance and luxury. The ruined hills and pools you can still see today are what Your Highness has witnessed with his own eyes. Even then he relied on his father's favor and thought himself as secure as Mount Tai. How could he know that wicked ministers would dare urge him on? If only his conduct had been steady, his comings and goings proper, if he had drawn near to gentlemen and kept petty men at a distance, abandoned showy luxury and honored modest frugality—even if wicked ministers had sown discord, how could they have estranged him from a loving father? Was it not because he had not built up virtue, because his good name was not firmly established, so that when slander came once, disaster followed? I reflect that the burden placed on the crown prince is especially heavy. If he does not build up virtue, how can he inherit and preserve an established realm? Because Your Highness is to the sage lord as son to father, and your affairs touch both family and state, no limit is set on what you may use. In fewer than sixty days since the gracious edict, your expenditures have already exceeded seventy thousand. For arrogance and luxury, who can say it goes further than this? Beneath the Eastern Palace gather only craftsmen; within the pleasure park, no worthy men are to be seen. You speak of filial piety, yet neglect the rites of attending to your father's meals and inquiring after his health. You speak of obedience, yet go against your father's loving instruction. You seek a good reputation, yet show no love of learning or devotion to the Way. As for your conduct, you have been implicated in executions carried out on flimsy grounds. Upright palace officials are never at your side; while a crowd of wicked and crafty men press close within the inner palace. Those you favor are idle fellows and low entertainers; those you reward are painters and artisans of carving and inlay. To those who observe from outside, these faults are already plain; what goes on in secret within—who can even count it! The Xuanyou Gate is no different from a marketplace street. People enter at dawn and leave at dusk, and scandalous rumors already spread far. Because your moral reputation declines daily, I have repeatedly submitted memorials of remonstrance, yet since then your excesses have grown worse still. Zhao Hongzhi, right vice director, is learned in the classics and upright in conduct—a worthy man of our day. I have repeatedly asked that he be summoned to discuss affairs with you, so that your wisdom might be broadened. Your Highness instead grew suspicious and said I was recklessly pushing my own favorites. To follow good counsel as readily as flowing water is hard enough to achieve; to cover faults and reject remonstrance is to invite ruin. You now honor the path of shutting out counsel and do not seek the way of reverent wisdom. Though endowed with keen intelligence, you will in the end suffer for failing to heed good advice. An ancient said, "Bitter medicine cures illness; blunt counsel improves conduct." I humbly beg you to think of danger in times of peace and to grow more cautious day by day.
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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。
When the memorial was delivered, Chengqian would not heed it and sent assassins to kill him. Soon afterward, when the Eastern Palace was abolished, Xuansu was dismissed from office according to precedent. In the eighteenth year he was restored and appointed governor of Chaozhou, then transferred to governor of Dengzhou. During the Yonghui era he retired on account of old age. In the third year of Longshuo he was granted the honorary title of Silver Glory Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. He died in the first year of Linde.
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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。
The historiographer says: Fujia submitted memorials to Gaozu, and Xuansu offered counsel to Taizong. To approach the supreme ruler from humble rank, bearing forthright sincerity to set forth what is right—this may be called the utmost difficulty. Both were then promoted and received imperial favor. Had not their loyalty below been complete, had they not given their utmost in service, and had not the rulers above been wise enough to heed remonstrance as flowing water, who could have achieved this? The Book of Documents says, "Wood that follows the plumb line is made straight; a ruler who follows remonstrance is made sage. This is what is meant." Shichang was clever and perceptive from youth and grew able to remonstrate; Yunqi rejected factional cliques and did not shrink from the proud and powerful. Reviewing their words and conduct, all had much to admire. Yet Yunqi was inconsistent in his dealings, and Shichang in the end proved treacherous. That they did not end well is only fitting. Compared with Sun Fujia and Zhang Xuansu, they plainly 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。
The eulogy says: Words are the ornament of the man; stirred by righteousness, one forgets oneself. Without loyal courage, who would lightly touch the dragon's scales? Su and Wei were men of real talent; Fujia and Xuansu were loyal and pure. They awakened their lords and corrected their faults—how admirable were these remonstrating ministers!