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卷七十五 列傳第二十五: 蘇世長 韋雲起 孫伏伽 張玄素

Volume 75 Biographies 25: Su Shizhang, Wei Yunqi, Sun Fujia, Zhang Xuansu

Chapter 79 of 舊唐書 · Old Book of Tang
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Chapter 79
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1
Su Shichang; his son Liangsi
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Wei Yunqi; his grandson Fangzhi
3
Sun Fujia; Zhang Xuansu
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歿 便 使 使 鹿 鹿忿 使 使 西 滿 殿殿 殿 鹿
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
使 西 西 便輿
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
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
綿 便 婿 便 使 使使 退宿 使 便 便 西
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.
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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
使
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
The second says:
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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.
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The third says:
13
使
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
使
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:
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使 便 使
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.
16
He also submitted a memorial requesting the establishment of remonstrance officers, and Gaozu accepted all his proposals.
17
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.
18
使 使 殿
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:
19
殿 西 殿 便
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.
20
殿 殿 便
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.
21
殿 使 殿 宿 殿 祿 便 使 使 使 使
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:
22
殿 使退 殿
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.
23
祿
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.
24
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.
25
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!
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