1
於志寧高季輔張行成族孫易之昌宗
Yu Zhining, Gao Jifu, and Zhang Xingcheng; their clansmen Yizhi and Changzong.
2
於志寧,雍州高陵人,周太師燕文公謹之曾孫也。 父宣道,隋內史舍人。 志寧,大業末為冠氏縣長,時山東群盜起,乃棄官歸鄉里。 高祖將入關,率群從於長春宮迎接,高祖以其有名於時,甚加禮遇,授銀青光祿大夫。 太宗為渭北道行軍元帥,召補記室,與殷開山等參贊軍謀。 及太宗為秦王、天策上將,志寧累授天策府從事中郎,每侍從征伐,兼文學館學士。 貞觀三年,累遷中書侍郎。 太宗命貴臣內殿宴,怪不見志寧,或奏曰:「敕召三品已上,志寧非三品,所以不來。」 太宗特令預宴,即加授散騎常侍,行太子左庶子。 累封黎陽縣公。 時議者欲立七廟,以涼武昭王為始祖,房玄齡等皆以為然。 志寧獨建議以為武昭遠祖,非王業所因,不可為始祖。 太宗又以功臣為代襲刺史,志寧以今古事殊,恐非久安之道,上疏爭之。 皆從志寧所議。 太宗因謂志寧曰:「古者太子既生,士負之,即置輔弼。 昔成王幼小,周、召為師傅,日聞正道,習以成性。 今皇太子既幼少,卿當輔之以正道,無使邪僻開其心。 勉之無怠,當稱所委,官賞可不次而得也。」 志寧以承乾數虧禮度,志在匡救,撰《諫苑》二十捲諷之。 太宗大悅,賜黃金十斤、絹三百匹。 十四年,兼太子詹事。 明年,以母憂解。 尋起復本官,屢表請終喪禮,太宗遣中書侍郎岑文本就宅敦諭之曰:「忠孝不併,我兒須人輔弼,卿宜抑割,不可徇以私情。」 志寧遂起就職。
Yu Zhining, a native of Gaoling in Yong Province, was the great-grandson of Jin, Duke Wen of Yan and Grand Tutor of Zhou. His father Xuandao had served as a secretary in the Sui inner secretariat. At the end of the Daye reign, Zhining was magistrate of Guanxian County. When bandit armies rose across Shandong, he resigned his post and went home. As Gaozu prepared to enter the Pass, Zhining led his kinsmen to Changchun Palace to welcome him. Gaozu, knowing his reputation, treated him with exceptional courtesy and appointed him Silver-Gleam Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. When Taizong served as commander-in-chief on the Weibei campaign, he appointed Zhining recorder of his staff, and Zhining joined Yin Kaishan and others in advising on military strategy. After Taizong became Prince of Qin and Celestial Stratagem General-in-Chief, Zhining rose through appointments as attendant gentleman of the Celestial Stratagem Bureau. He accompanied every campaign and also held a post as scholar of the Literary Academy. In the third year of Zhenguan (629), he was promoted to vice director of the Secretariat. Taizong summoned eminent ministers to a banquet in the inner hall and wondered why Zhining was absent. Someone reported, "Your summons called for officials of third rank and above. Zhining is below third rank, so he did not come." Taizong ordered him to attend anyway and immediately promoted him to irregular attendant-in-ordinary, with the acting title of left vice director of the crown prince's household. He was enfeoffed in succession as Duke of Liyang County. At the time some officials proposed establishing seven ancestral temples with the Martial and Illustrious King of Liang as the founding ancestor, and Fang Xuanling and others agreed. Zhining alone argued that the Martial and Illustrious King was a remote forebear, not the source of the dynasty's rise, and therefore could not be named founding ancestor. Taizong also planned to make meritorious officials hereditary prefects. Zhining argued that times had changed and that such a policy would not secure lasting peace, and he submitted a memorial objecting to the plan. The emperor adopted Zhining's position on both matters. Taizong then told Zhining, "In antiquity, as soon as a crown prince was born, a scholar would carry him on his back and tutors were appointed immediately. When King Cheng of Zhou was still a child, the Duke of Zhou and the Duke of Shao served as his tutors, so that he heard the right path every day until it became second nature. Our crown prince is still very young. You must guide him along the right path and keep depraved influences from taking root in his mind. Press on without slackening. If you prove worthy of this charge, rank and rewards may come to you out of turn." Because Crown Prince Chengan repeatedly breached ritual propriety, Zhining set out to correct him and wrote twenty scrolls of the Admonitory Garden as an indirect remonstrance. Taizong was greatly pleased and rewarded him with ten catties of gold and three hundred bolts of silk. In the fourteenth year (640) he was additionally appointed steward of the crown prince's household. The following year he left office to observe mourning for his mother. He was soon recalled to his former post, but he repeatedly asked permission to complete the full mourning period. Taizong sent Vice Director Cen Wuben to his home to press him: "Loyalty and filial duty cannot both be fulfilled at once. My son needs a tutor. You must set grief aside and not let private feeling rule you." Zhining then returned to office.
3
時皇太子承乾嘗以盛農之時,營造曲室,累月不止,所為多不法。 志寧上書諫曰:
Around this time Crown Prince Chengan, in the middle of the busy farming season, had been building private chambers for months on end, and much of his conduct was unlawful. Zhining submitted a written remonstrance:
4
臣聞克儉節用,實弘道之源; 崇侈恣情,乃敗德之本。 是以凌雲概日,戎人於是致譏; 峻宇雕牆,《夏書》以之作誡。 昔趙盾匡晉,呂望師周,或勸之以節財,或諫之以厚斂,莫不盡忠以佐國,竭誠以奉君,欲茂實播於無窮,英聲被乎物聽。 咸著簡策,以為美談。 今所居東宮,隋日營建,睹之者尚譏其侈,見之者猶嘆其華。 何容此中更有修造,財帛日費,土木不停,窮斤斧之工,極磨礱之妙? 且丁匠官奴入內,比者曾無伏監。 此等或兄犯國章,或弟罹王法,往來御苑,出入禁闈,鉗鑿緣其身,槌杵在其手。 監門本防非慮,宿衛以備不虞,直長既自不知,千牛又復不見。 爪牙在外,廝役在內,所司何以自安,臣下豈容無懼? 又鄭、衛之樂,古謂淫聲。 昔朝歌之鄉,回車者墨翟; 夾谷之會,揮劍者孔丘。 先聖既以為非,通賢將以為失。 頃聞宮內,屢有鼓聲大樂,伎兒入便不出。 聞之者股慄,言之者心戰。 往年口敕,伏請重尋,聖旨慇勤,明誡懇切。 在於殿下,不可不思,至於微臣,不得無懼。 臣自驅馳宮闕,已積歲年,犬馬尚解識恩,木石猶能知感,所有管見,敢不盡言? 如鑑以丹誠,則臣有生路; 若責其忤旨,則臣是罪人。 但悅意取容,藏孫方之疾疹; 犯顏逆耳,《春秋》比之藥石。 伏望停工匠之作,罷久役之人,絕鄭、衛之音,斥群小之輩,則三善允備,萬國作貞矣。
I have heard that practicing thrift and restraining expenditure are the true foundations of extending the Way; while exalting luxury and indulging every whim are the roots of ruined virtue. That is why halls that touched the clouds drew mockery from the Rong; and lofty halls with carved walls became warnings recorded in the Documents of Xia. In the past Zhao Dun set Jin aright and Lü Wang guided Zhou; one was urged to husband resources, the other warned against heavy levies. Each gave his full loyalty to the state and his full sincerity to his lord, so that solid merit might endure and a noble name reach every ear. Their deeds are all recorded in the histories as models worth praising. The Eastern Palace where Your Highness now lives was built in Sui times. Those who see it still mock its extravagance and sigh at its splendor. How then can it be right to add still more construction inside it, spending wealth day after day, piling up earth and timber without pause, and exhausting every art of the carpenter's trade? Moreover, corvée craftsmen and government slaves have been entering the inner quarters, and lately there has been no proper oversight. Some of these men have brothers who broke state law, or younger brothers condemned under royal statute. Yet they move through the imperial park and in and out of the forbidden inner quarters, still wearing fetters and still bearing mallets in their hands. Gatekeepers exist to guard against the unexpected, and night guards to prepare for emergencies. Yet the duty captain knew nothing of this, and the thousand-ox guards saw nothing either. Armed guards stand outside while convict laborers work inside. How can the responsible offices feel secure? How can your officials not be afraid? The music of Zheng and Wei, moreover, the ancients called licentious sound. When Mozi passed the district of Chaoge, he turned his carriage around; and at the meeting of Jiagu, Confucius drew his sword. The sages of old already condemned such things, and every wise man will judge them faults. I have lately heard that within the palace drums and grand ensembles sound again and again, and that performers enter and do not come out. Those who hear it tremble; those who speak of it do so with fear in their hearts. In years past Your Majesty issued an oral edict on this matter. I beg that it be consulted again. The imperial instruction was earnest and the warning clear. Your Highness cannot fail to reflect on this. As for me, I cannot help but be afraid. I have served at the palace gates for many years. Even dogs and horses know gratitude; even wood and stone can feel obligation. How can I withhold what my limited understanding sees? If Your Highness weighs my sincere heart, I may yet live; if you blame me for opposing your will, then I am a guilty man. Yet to please and win favor is what Zangsun Fang compared to a running sore; while to offend the face and speak against the ear, the Spring and Autumn Annals compared to medicine and stone. I humbly beg that you halt the craftsmen's work, release those long in service, cut off the music of Zheng and Wei, and drive away petty men. Then the three excellences will be complete and the myriad states will have their standard.
5
承乾不納。 承乾又令閹官多在左右,志寧上書諫曰:
Chengan did not heed the advice. Chengan also kept many eunuchs close at hand. Zhining submitted another written remonstrance:
6
臣聞堯稱稽古,功著於搜揚; 舜曰聰明,績彰於去惡。 然開元立極,布政辨方,莫不旌賁英賢,驅除不肖。 理亂之本,咸在於茲。 況閹宦之徒,體非全氣,更蕃階闥,左右宮闈,托親近以立威權,假出納以為禍福。 昔易牙被任,變起齊邦; 張讓執鈞,亂生漢室。 伊戾為詐,宋國受其殃; 趙高作奸,秦氏鐘其弊。 加以弘、石用事,京、賈則連首受誅; 王、曹掌權,何、竇則踵武被戮。 遂使縉紳重足,宰司屏氣。 然順其情者,則榮逮幼沖; 迕其意者,則災及襁褓。 爰暨高齊都鄴,亦弊閹官。 鄧長顒位至侍中,陳德信爵隆開府,外干朝政,內預宴私,宗枝藉其吹噓,重臣仰其鼻息。 罪積山嶽,靡掛於刑書; 功無涓塵,已勒於鐘鼎,富逾金穴,財甚銅山。 是以家起怨嗟,人懷憤嘆。 骨鯁之士,語不見聽; 謇諤之臣,言必被斥。 齊都顛覆,職此之由。 向使任諒直之臣,退佞給之士,據趙、魏之地,擁漳、滏之兵,修德行仁,養政施化,何區區周室而敢窺覦者焉! 然杜漸防萌,古人所以遠禍; 以大喻小,先哲於焉取則。 伏惟殿下道茂重離,德光守器,憲章古始,祖述前修,欲使休譽遠聞,英聲遐暢。 臣竊見寺人一色,未識上心,或輕忽高班,凌轢貴仕,便是品命失序,綱紀不立,取笑通方之人,見譏有識之士。 然典內職掌,唯在門外通傳; 給使主司,但緣階闥供奉。 今乃往來閣內,出入宮中,行路之人,咸以為怪。 伏望狎近君子,屏黜小人,上副聖心,下允眾望。
I have heard that Yao was praised for examining antiquity, his merit shown in searching out and elevating talent; and that Shun was called perspicacious, his achievement manifest in removing the wicked. Yet in founding an age and setting the cardinal directions of rule, every sage ruler honored the worthy and expelled the unworthy. The root of order and disorder lies entirely in this. As for eunuchs, their bodies are incomplete, yet they pass again and again through the gate-towers and wait at your side within the palace. They use intimacy to build power and control access to make or ruin men's fortunes. When Yiya was entrusted with power, upheaval arose in Qi; when Zhang Rang held the scales of power, disorder was born in the Han house. Yili practiced deceit, and Song suffered for it; Zhao Gao wrought treachery, and the house of Qin tolled out its ruin. Under the Han, when Hong and Shi held power, Jing and Jia were beheaded in succession; when Wang and Cao grasped authority, He and Dou followed them to the execution ground. Court officials stood with feet together, and chief ministers held their breath. Those who pleased them won glory even in infancy; those who crossed them brought disaster even on babes in the cradle. When Northern Qi made Ye its capital, eunuchs again became a plague. Deng Changying rose to palace attendant, Chen Dexin to the rank of lord with an open mansion. They meddled in court affairs by day and joined private banquets by night. Imperial clansmen courted their favor, and great ministers watched their every breath. Their crimes piled like mountains, yet none appeared in the penal registers; their merit not a speck of dust was already carved on bells and tripods; their wealth exceeded the fabled golden cave and their property the bronze mountain. Households groaned in resentment, and men sighed in anger. Straight-speaking men were not heard; and frank remonstrators were always turned away. The fall of Qi's capital came chiefly from this. Had they instead employed upright ministers, dismissed fawning flatterers, held the lands of Zhao and Wei, and mustered the armies of the Zhang and Fu rivers, cultivating virtue and practicing benevolence, who would have dared cast a covetous eye on the house of Zhou? Stopping evil while it is still slight is how the ancients kept disaster far away; and using the large to warn the small is a lesson the sages drew from such cases. Your Highness's Way flourishes in the second son, your virtue illumines the heir's vessel. You take antiquity as your statute and former sages as your models, wishing your fine reputation to travel far and your noble name to resound abroad. Yet I see eunuchs of one kind who do not know your mind, who sometimes slight high officials and trample eminent men. Rank and discipline lose their order, and men versed in the Way laugh while men of discernment scorn what they see. By regulation their duties lie only in relaying messages outside the gates; and supply offices are only to attend along the steps and gate-towers. Now they come and go within the pavilions and in and out of the inner palace. Everyone who sees it finds it strange. I humbly beg that you draw near to gentlemen and drive away petty men, matching your father's heart above and the people's hope below.
7
承乾覽書甚不悅。 承乾嘗驅使司馭等,不許分番,又私引突厥達哥支入宮內。 志寧上書諫曰:
Chengan read the memorial and was deeply displeased. Chengan once kept the stable masters and others on continuous duty without rotation, and also privately brought the Turk Dagozhi into the inner palace. Zhining submitted another written remonstrance:
8
臣聞上天蓋高,日月以光其德; 明君至聖,輔佐以贊其功。 是以周誦升儲,見匡毛、畢; 漢盈居震,取資黃、綺。 姬旦抗法於伯禽,賈生陳事於文帝。 莫不慇勤於端士,懇切於正人。 昔鄧禹名臣,方居審諭之任; 疏受宿望,始除輔導之官。 歷代賢君,莫不丁寧於太子者,良以地膺上嗣,位處副君,善則率土沾其恩,惡則海內罹其禍。 近聞僕寺、司馭,爰及駕士、獸醫,始自春初,迄茲夏晚,常居內役,不放分番。 或家有尊親,闕於溫凊; 或室有幼弱,絕於撫養。 春則廢其耕墾,夏又妨其播殖。 事乖存愛,恐致怨嗟。 且突厥達哥支等,人面獸心,豈得以禮教期,不可以仁信待。 心則未識於忠孝,言則莫辯其是非,近之有損於英聲,暱之無益於盛德。 引之入閣,人皆驚駭,豈臣愚識,獨用不安? 臣下為殿下之股肱,殿下為臣下之君父,君父以存撫為務,股肱以匡救為心。 是以苦口之藥以奉身,逆耳之言以安位。 古人樹誹謗之木,以求己愆; 懸敢諫之鼓,以思身過。 由是從諫之主,鼎祚克昌; 愎諫之君,洪業隳墜。
I have heard that Heaven is lofty, and sun and moon display its virtue by their light; the enlightened ruler is supremely sage, and his assistants complete his achievement by their aid. When King Song of Zhou was made heir, he was guided by the Mao and Bi brothers; when Emperor Hui of Han stood in the heir's position, he drew support from the Four Hoaryheads of Mount Shang. The Duke of Zhou upheld the law against Bo Qin; Jia Yi laid out his counsel before Emperor Wen. In every case they were earnest with upright scholars and sincere with correct men. In the past Deng Yu, a famed minister, had just taken the post of examining and instructing the heir; and Shu Shou, a man of long-standing repute, was first appointed to the office of guiding the heir. Worthy rulers of every age have been earnest with the crown prince, for he stands as supreme heir and deputy lord: if he is good, the realm shares his grace; if he is wicked, the realm suffers his calamity. I have lately heard that stewards, stable masters, carriage men, and veterinary physicians have been kept on inner duty from early spring until late summer without rotation. Some have elderly parents at home whom they cannot tend in cold or heat; others have young children at home whom they cannot raise; in spring they miss the plowing season, and in summer they miss the planting season. This runs counter to humane care and may breed resentment. Moreover, the Turk Dagozhi and his kind have human faces but beastly hearts. How can one expect them to learn ritual? They cannot be treated with benevolence and trust. They know neither loyalty nor filial piety in their hearts, nor can they tell right from wrong in speech. Drawing them near will harm your noble reputation; favoring them will not advance your great virtue. Bringing them into the inner quarters has startled everyone. Is it only my foolish understanding that feels uneasy? Your officials are Your Highness's arms and legs; Your Highness is their lord and father. A lord and father must preserve and comfort; arms and legs must set their hearts on correction and rescue. That is why bitter medicine is taken for the body's sake, and unwelcome words are spoken to secure one's position. The ancients set up trees for slander in order to learn their own faults; and hung drums for bold remonstrance in order to reflect on their own errors. Rulers who accepted remonstrance saw their dynasties flourish; while rulers obstinate against remonstrance saw their great enterprise collapse.
9
伏惟陛下情篤功臣,恩隆右戚。 以無忌橫遭誣告,事並是虛,欲戮告人,以明賞罰,一以絕誣告之路,二以慰勳戚之心。 又以所犯是真,無忌便有破家之罪,今告為妄,弘泰宜戮不待時。 且真犯之人,事當罪逆; 誣謀之類,罪唯及身。 以罪較量,明非惡逆,若欲依律,合待秋分。 今時屬陽和,萬物生育,而特行刑罰。 此謂傷春。 竊案《左傳》聲子曰:「賞以春夏,刑以秋冬。」 順天時也。 又《禮記·月令》曰:「孟春之月,無殺孩蟲。 省囹圄,去桎梏,無肆掠,止獄訟。」 又《漢書》董仲舒曰:「王者欲有所為,宜求其端於天道。 天道之大者在陰陽。 陽為德,陰為刑,刑主殺而德主生。 陽常居大夏,而以生育養長為事; 陰常居大冬,而積於空虛不用之處。 以此見天之任德不任刑也。」 伏惟陛下纂聖升祚,繼明御極,追連、胥之絕軌,蹈軒、頊之良規。 欲使舉動順於天時,刑罰依於律令,陰陽為之式序,景宿於是靡差,風雨不愆,雩禜輟祀。 方今太蔟統律,青陽應期,當生長之辰,施肅殺之令,伏願暫回聖慮,察古人言,倘蒙垂納,則生靈幸甚。
Your Majesty's affection runs deep toward meritorious officials, and your grace is great toward the imperial in-laws. Because Zhangsun Wuji was falsely accused and the charges were all groundless, you wish to execute the accuser to make reward and punishment clear—first to cut off false accusations, second to comfort the hearts of meritorious kin. If the charge were true, Wuji would face the crime of ruining his house. But the accusation is false, and Hongtai should be executed without delay. When the accused is truly guilty, the offense may amount to treason; but in cases of false plotting, guilt reaches only the accuser himself. Measured by the crime, this is clearly not abominable treason. If you wish to follow the law, execution should wait until the autumn equinox. Now is the season of yang harmony, when the ten thousand things are being born, yet you would specially carry out executions. This is what is called harming spring. I note that in the Zuo Commentary, Shengzi said, "Rewards in spring and summer, punishments in autumn and winter." This follows Heaven's seasons. The Monthly Ordinances in the Book of Rites also says, "In the first month of spring, do not kill young creatures or insects. Reduce the prisons, remove fetters, forbid wanton plunder, and halt lawsuits. In the Book of Han, Dong Zhongshu also said, "When a king wishes to act, he should seek the root of it in the Way of Heaven. The great principle of the Way of Heaven lies in yin and yang. Yang is virtue, yin is punishment; punishment governs killing, while virtue governs giving life. Yang constantly dwells in great summer and takes nurturing and growth as its task; yin constantly dwells in great winter and accumulates in empty places where it is not used. From this one sees that Heaven relies on virtue and not on punishment." Your Majesty has inherited the sage throne and continues the enlightened rule, pursuing the lost tracks of Emperor Lian and Emperor Xu and treading the fine regulations of the Yellow Emperor and Zhuanxu. You wish every movement to accord with Heaven's seasons, punishments to follow statutes, yin and yang to keep their proper order, the constellations to hold their places, wind and rain to keep their measure, and rain-prayer sacrifices to cease. Now the great bilu pitch-pipe rules and green yang answers the season—it is the time of growth, yet you would issue stern killing orders. I humbly beg that you turn your sage mind for a moment to the words of the ancients. If you accept them, the people will be greatly fortunate.
10
疏奏,帝從之。 是時,衡山公主欲出降長孫氏,議者以時既公除,合行吉禮。 志寧上疏曰:
The memorial was submitted, and the emperor accepted it. At that time Princess Hengshan wished to marry into the Zhangsun clan. Some argued that since the public mourning period had ended, auspicious wedding rites should proceed. Zhining submitted a memorial:
11
臣聞明君馭歷,當俟獻替之臣; 聖主握圖,必資鹽梅之佐。 所以堯詢四岳,景化洽於區中; 舜任五臣,懿德被於無外。 左有記言之史,右立記事之官,大小咸書,善惡俱載。 著懲勸於簡牘,垂褒貶於人倫,為萬古之範圍,作千齡之龜鏡。 伏見衡山公主出降,欲就今秋成禮。 竊按《禮記》云:「女十五而笄,二十而嫁; 有故,二十三而嫁。」 鄭玄云:「有故,謂遭喪也。」 固知須終三年。 《春秋》云:「魯莊公如齊納幣。」 杜預云:「母喪未再期而圖婚,二傳不譏失禮,明故也。」 此即史策具載,是非歷然,斷在聖情,不待問於臣下。 其有議者云:「准制,公除之後,須並從吉。」 此漢文創製其儀,為天下百姓。 至於公主,服是斬縗,縱使服隨例除,無宜情隨例改。 心喪之內,方復成婚,非唯違於禮經,亦是人情不可。 伏惟陛下嗣膺寶位,臨統萬方,理宜繼美羲、軒,齊芳湯、禹,弘獎仁孝之日,敦崇名教之秋。 此事行之苦難,猶須抑而守禮,況行之甚易,何容廢而受譏? 此理有識之所共知,非假愚臣之說也。 伏願遵高宗之令軌,略孝文之權制,國家於法無虧,公主情禮得畢。
I have heard that an enlightened ruler governing the realm should await ministers who offer correction and replacement; and a sage lord holding the realm must rely on assistants like salt and prunus. Yao inquired of the Four Peaks, and radiant transformation spread through the realm; Shun entrusted five ministers, and fine virtue spread beyond all bounds. On the left were historians who recorded words; on the right were officials who recorded affairs. Great and small were all written down, good and evil alike recorded. They set punishment and encouragement down in writing, let praise and blame shape human conduct, and became the compass of ten thousand ages and the mirror of a thousand generations. I see that Princess Hengshan is to marry and that some wish the rites completed this autumn. I note that the Book of Rites says, "A girl receives the hairpin at fifteen and marries at twenty; if there is cause, at twenty-three she marries. Zheng Xuan said, "'If there is cause' means encountering mourning." Thus one knows she must complete the full three-year mourning. The Spring and Autumn Annals says, "Duke Zhuang of Lu went to Qi to present betrothal gifts. Du Yu said, "His mother's mourning had not yet reached two full years when he planned marriage; the two commentaries do not condemn this as a breach of ritual, which shows there was cause." This is fully recorded in the histories, and right and wrong are clear. The decision lies in Your Majesty's sage judgment and need not await inquiry from your subjects. Some argue, "According to the regulations, after public removal of mourning one must altogether follow auspicious rites. This was instituted by Emperor Wen of Han for the common people of the realm. As for a princess, her mourning garment is the severest hemp. Even if the garment may be removed by precedent, her feeling should not change by precedent. To marry again while still in the mourning of the heart violates not only the ritual classics but also what human feeling can bear. Your Majesty has succeeded to the throne and rules the ten thousand directions. By right you should continue the beauty of the sage rulers Xi and Xuan and match the fame of Tang and Yu, in this season of encouraging benevolence and filial piety and honoring the teachings of ritual. If this were hard to do, one would still restrain oneself and keep ritual. How much less when it is easy—how can it be abandoned and invite reproach? Men of discernment know this principle already; it does not depend on my foolish words. I humbly beg that you follow the ordered tracks of Emperor Gaozong and set aside the expedient regulations of Emperor Xiaowen, so that the state suffers no loss in law and the princess's feeling and ritual may both be fulfilled.
12
於是詔公主待三年服闋,然後成禮。 其年,拜尚書左僕射、同中書門下三品。 三年,以本官兼太子少師。
Thereupon an edict ordered the princess to wait until the three-year mourning was complete before completing the wedding rites. That year he was appointed left vice director of the Department of State Affairs and associate with the Secretariat-Chancellery at third rank. In the third year he held his former office while also serving as junior tutor of the crown prince.
13
顯慶元年,遷太子太傅。 嘗與右僕射張行成、中書令高季輔俱蒙賜地,志寧奏曰:「臣居關右,代襲箕裘,周魏以來,基址不墜。 行成等新營莊宅,尚少田園,於臣有餘,乞申私讓。」 帝嘉其意,乃分賜行成及季輔。 四年,表請致仕,聽解尚書左僕射,拜太子太師,仍同中書門下三品。 高宗之將廢王庶人也。 長孫無忌、褚遂良執正不從,而李勣、許敬宗密申勸請,志寧獨無言以持兩端。 及許敬宗推鞫長孫無忌詔獄,因誣構志寧黨附無忌,坐是免職,尋降授榮州刺史。 麟德元年,累轉華州刺史,年老請致仕,許之。 二年,卒於家,年七十八。 贈幽州都督,謚曰定。 上元三年,追復其左光祿大夫、太子太師。 志寧雅愛賓客,接引忘倦,後進文筆之士,無不影附,然亦不能有所薦達,議者以此少之。 前後預撰格式律令、《五經義疏》及修禮、修史等功,賞賜不可勝計。 有集二十捲。 子立政,太僕少卿。 志寧玄孫休烈,休烈子益,自有傳。
In the first year of Xianqing (656) he was transferred to grand tutor of the crown prince. Once he and Right Vice Director Zhang Xingcheng and Director of the Secretariat Gao Jifu were all granted land. Zhining submitted, "I dwell west of the Pass. My family has inherited its estate for generations, and from Zhou and Wei down our foundation has not fallen. Xingcheng and the others have newly built manor houses and still lack fields and gardens. What I have is more than I need, and I beg to offer a private transfer." The emperor praised his intent and divided the grant between Xingcheng and Jifu. In the fourth year he requested retirement. He was permitted to resign as left vice director of the Department of State Affairs, appointed grand tutor of the crown prince, and still associated with the Secretariat-Chancellery at third rank. When Gaozong was about to depose Consort Wang. Zhangsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang held firm and would not agree, while Li Ji and Xu Jingzong secretly urged the move. Zhining alone kept silent, holding to both sides. When Xu Jingzong investigated Zhangsun Wuji in the imperial prison, he falsely framed Zhining as a partisan of Wuji. Zhining was removed from office and soon demoted to prefect of Rongzhou. In the first year of Linde (664) he was transferred to prefect of Huazhou. In old age he requested retirement and was permitted. In the second year he died at home at the age of seventy-eight. He was posthumously appointed regional inspector of Youzhou, with the posthumous name Ding. In the third year of Shangyuan (676) his titles of left grand master of splendid happiness and grand tutor of the crown prince were posthumously restored. Zhining by nature loved guests and received them tirelessly. Young men of literary talent all attached themselves to him like shadows, yet he could not recommend them for advancement, and critics thought less of him for this. He took part in drafting standard formats and statutes, the Meaning and Commentary on the Five Classics, and the revision of ritual and history. The rewards he received were beyond counting. He left a collected works in twenty scrolls. His son Lizheng served as vice director of the Imperial Stud. Zhining's great-great-grandson Xiulie and Xiulie's son Yi have their own biographies.
14
高季輔,德州蓚人也。 祖表,魏安德太守。 父衡,隋萬年令。 季輔少好學,兼習武藝。 居母喪以孝聞。 兄元道,仕隋為汲令。 武德初,縣人翻城從賊,元道被害,季輔率其黨出斗,竟擒殺其兄者,斬之持首以祭墓,甚為士友所稱。 由是群盜多歸附之,眾至數千。 尋與武陟人李厚德率眾來降,授陟州總管府戶曹參軍。 貞觀初,擢拜監察御史,多所彈糾,不避權要。 累轉中書舍人。
Gao Jifu was a native of Gao in Dezhou. His grandfather Biao served as prefect of Ande under Wei. His father Heng served as magistrate of Wannian under the Sui. Jifu loved learning from youth and also practiced martial arts. He became known for filial piety during mourning for his mother. His elder brother Yuandao served the Sui as magistrate of Ji. At the beginning of Wude the county people rebelled and joined the enemy. Yuandao was killed. Jifu led his followers out to fight, captured the man who had killed his brother, beheaded him, and carried the head to sacrifice at his brother's tomb. Scholar friends praised him greatly. Many bandit groups then attached themselves to him, and his following reached several thousand. Soon he and Li Houde of Wuzhi led their followers to surrender and he was appointed registrar of the household section in the Wuzhou regional headquarters. At the beginning of Zhenguan he was promoted to investigating censor. He impeached many officials and did not spare the powerful. He was promoted in succession to secretariat drafter.
15
時太宗數召近臣,令指陳時政損益。 季輔上封事五條:其略曰:
At the time Taizong repeatedly summoned nearby ministers and ordered them to point out what was right and wrong in current government. Jifu submitted a sealed report in five articles. The summary reads:
16
陛下平定九州,富有四海,德超邃古,道高前烈。 時已平矣,功已成矣,然而刑典未措者,何哉? 良由謀猷之臣,不弘簡易之政; 台閣之使,昧於經遠之道。 執憲者以深刻為奉公,當官者以侵下為益國,未有坦平恕之懷,副聖明之旨。 至如設官分職,各有司存。 尚書八座,責成斯在,王者司契,義屬於茲。 伏願隨方訓誘,使各揚其職。 仍須擢溫厚之人,升清潔之吏; 惇樸素,革澆浮,先之以敬讓,示之以好惡,使家識孝慈,人知廉恥。 丑言過行,見嗤於鄉閭; 忘義私暱,取擯於親族。 杜其利慾之心,載以清淨之化。 自然家肥國富,氣和物阜。 禮節於是競興,禍亂何由而作?
Your Majesty has pacified the Nine Provinces and is rich in the Four Seas. Your virtue surpasses remote antiquity and your Way rises above former exemplars. The times are already peaceful and your achievements already complete. Yet why are penal codes still not set aside? Surely it is because planning ministers do not extend simple and easy government; and envoys of the central offices are blind to the Way of lasting governance. Those who uphold the law take severity as serving the public; those who hold office take encroaching on subordinates as benefiting the state. None have the open, level, and forgiving heart that matches your sage intent. As for establishing offices and dividing duties, each has its responsible office. The eight seats of the Department of State Affairs bear the responsibility for fulfillment of duty; the king's keeper of the tally has its meaning here. I humbly hope you will instruct each according to his place and make each perform his duty. You must also promote men of warm and steady character and elevate officials of pure conduct; honor plain simplicity and reform shallow extravagance, lead with reverence and yielding, show them what to love and hate, until households know filial piety and compassion and men know integrity and shame. Ugly words and bad conduct are mocked in the villages; forgetting righteousness for private favor brings rejection from kin. Block their hearts of profit and desire and carry them with pure and clean transformation. Then households will grow rich, the state wealthy, qi will harmonize, and things will flourish. Ritual and propriety will then flourish everywhere. By what path could calamity and disorder arise?
17
又曰:
He also said:
18
竊見聖躬,每存節儉,而凡諸營繕,工徒未息。 正丁正匠,不供驅使,和雇和市,非無勞費。 人主所欲,何事不成? 猶願愛其財而勿殫,惜其力而勿竭。 今畿內數州,實惟邦本,地狹人稠,耕植不博,菽粟雖賤,儲蓄未多,特宜優矜,令得休息。 強本弱枝,自古常事。 關、河之外,徭役全少,帝京、三輔,差科非一; 江南、河北,彌復優閒。 須為差等,均其勞逸。
I see that Your Majesty constantly preserves economy, yet in all construction and repair the workmen have not ceased. Regular corvée laborers and craftsmen are not available for other service, and hired labor and market purchases are not without cost. What the lord of men desires—what matter would not succeed? Still I hope you will love your wealth and not exhaust it, cherish your strength and not drain it. The several prefectures around the capital are truly the root of the state. The land is narrow and the people dense; planting is not extensive. Though grain is cheap, stores are not plentiful. They especially deserve favor and should be allowed to rest. Strengthening the root and weakening the branches has been a constant principle since antiquity. Beyond the Pass and the Yellow River, corvée labor is altogether light; in the imperial capital and the three auxiliaries, levies are many and varied; and south of the Yangzi and north of the Hebei region are still more easy and leisurely. There must be graded distinctions to equalize their labor and ease.
19
又曰:
He also said:
20
今公主之室,封邑足以給資用; 勳貴之家,俸祿足以供器服。 乃慼慼於儉約,汲汲於華侈,放息出舉,追求什一。 公侯尚且求利,黎庶豈覺其非? 錐刀必競,實由於此,有黷朝風,謂宜懲革。
Now princesses' households have enfeoffments sufficient for their needs; and the homes of meritorious nobles have salaries sufficient for vessels and garments. Yet they fret over economy while rushing after splendor, lending at interest and pursuing profits of one in ten. If dukes and marquises still seek profit, how would the common people know it is wrong? The scramble for petty profit comes from this. It profanes court style, and I say it should be punished and reformed.
21
又曰:
He also said:
22
仕以應務代耕,外官卑品,猶未得祿,既離鄉家,理必貧匱。 但妻子之戀,賢達猶累其懷; 飢寒之切,夷、惠罕全其行。 為政之道,期於易從。 若不恤其匱乏,唯欲責其清勤,凡在末品,中庸者多,止恐巡察歲去,輶軒繼軌。 不能肅其侵漁,何以求其政術? 今戶口漸殷,倉廩已實,斟量給祿,使得養親。 然後督以嚴科,責其報效,則庶官畢力,物議斯允。
Office is to respond to affairs in place of farming. Outer officials of low rank still receive no salary. Having left their home districts, they must by nature be poor. Yet longing for wife and children—even the worthy are burdened in their hearts; and the urgency of hunger and cold—men like Bo Yi and Liu Xiahui rarely preserved their conduct intact. The Way of governing should be easy to follow. If you do not relieve their poverty but only demand purity and diligence, most of the lowest ranks are middling men. I fear only that when inspection tours depart each year, light carriages will follow in their tracks. If you cannot stop their encroachment and extortion, how can you seek good government from them? Now households are growing abundant and granaries are full. Weigh and grant salaries so they may support their parents. Then supervise them with strict statutes and demand their service in return. Then officials will give their full strength and public opinion will approve.
23
又曰:
He also said:
24
竊見密王元曉等,俱是懿親,陛下友愛之懷,義高古昔,分以車服,委以籓維,須依禮儀,以副瞻望。 比見帝子拜諸叔,諸叔亦答拜,王爵既同,家人有禮,豈合如此顛倒昭穆? 伏願一垂訓誡,永循彝則。
I see that Prince Mi Yuanxiao and others are all close imperial kin. Your Majesty's heart of friendly love rises above antiquity. You have given them carriages and robes and entrusted them with frontier defense. They must follow ritual to match what the realm expects. Recently I have seen imperial sons bow to their uncles, and the uncles return the bow. Though princely ranks are equal, family ritual still has order. How can zhao and mu be so inverted? I humbly beg that you issue instruction once and forever follow the constant rule.
25
書奏,太宗稱善。 十七年,授太子右庶子,又上疏切諫時政得失,特賜鐘乳一劑,曰:「進藥石之言,故以藥石相報。」 十八年,加銀青光祿大夫,兼吏部侍郎,凡所銓敘,時稱允當。 太宗嘗賜金背鏡一面,以表其清鑑焉。 二十二年,遷中書令,兼檢校吏部尚書、監修國史,賜爵蓚縣公。 永徽二年,授光祿大夫,行侍中,兼太子少保。 以風疾廢於家,乃召其兄虢州刺史季通為宗正少卿視其疾,又屢降中使,觀其進食,問其增損。 尋卒,年五十八。 帝為之舉哀,廢朝三日,贈開府儀同三司、荊州都督,謚曰憲。
The memorial was submitted, and Taizong praised it. In the seventeenth year (643) he was appointed right vice director of the crown prince's household. He again submitted a sharp memorial on current government and was specially granted one dose of stalactite, with the words, "You offered words like medicine and stone, and therefore I repay you with medicine and stone." In the eighteenth year he was given the additional title Silver-Gleam Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and concurrently vice director of the Ministry of Personnel. In all selections and promotions, contemporaries called his judgments fitting. Taizong once bestowed a gold-backed mirror to display his clear judgment. In the twenty-second year (648) he was transferred to director of the Secretariat, concurrently inspecting director of the Ministry of Personnel and supervising compilation of the national history, and enfeoffed as Duke of Gao County. In the second year of Yonghui (651) he was appointed grand master of splendid happiness, acting palace attendant, and concurrently junior protector of the crown prince. Stricken with wind illness, he was disabled at home. The emperor summoned his elder brother Jitong, regional inspector of Guo, as vice director of the Imperial Clan to attend him, and repeatedly sent palace envoys to observe his eating and inquire whether he improved or declined. He soon died at the age of fifty-eight. The emperor mourned for him, suspended court for three days, and posthumously appointed him grand master of the office with equal ceremony to the three excellencies and regional inspector of Jingzhou, with the posthumous name Xian.
26
子正業,仕至中書舍人,坐與上官儀善,配流嶺外。
His son Zhengye rose to secretariat drafter. Because of association with Shangguan Yi he was sentenced and exiled beyond the Ling range.
27
張行成,定州義豐人也。 少師事河間劉炫,勤學不倦,炫謂門人曰:「張子體局方正,廊廟才也。」 大業末,察孝廉,為謁者台散從員外郎。 王世充僭號,以為度支尚書。 世充平,以隋資補宋州谷熟尉。 又應制舉乙科,授雍州富平縣主簿,理有能名。 秩滿,補殿中侍御史。 糾劾不避權戚,太宗以為能,謂房玄齡曰:「觀古今用人,必因媒介,若行成者,朕自舉之,無先容也。」 太宗嘗言及山東、關中人,意有同異,行成正侍宴,跪而奏曰:「臣聞天子以四海為家,不當以東西為限; 若如是,則示人以益狹。」 太宗善其言,賜名馬一匹、錢十萬、衣一襲。 自是每有大政,常預議焉。 累遷給事中。 太宗嘗臨軒謂侍臣曰:「朕所以不能恣情慾,取樂當年,而勵節苦心,卑宮菲食者,正為蒼生耳。 我為人主,兼行將相之事,豈不是奪公等名? 昔漢高祖得蕭、曹、韓、彭,天下寧宴; 舜、禹、湯、武有稷、契、伊、呂,四海乂安。 此事朕並兼之。」 行成退而上書諫曰:「有隋失道,天下沸騰,陛下撥亂反正,拯生人於塗炭,何周、漢君臣之所能擬? 陛下聖德含光,規模弘遠,雖文武之烈,實兼將相,何用臨朝對眾與其較量,以萬乘至尊,共臣下爭功哉? 臣聞『天何言哉,四時行焉』; 又聞『汝惟不矜,天下莫與汝爭能』。 臣備員樞近,非敢知獻替之事,輒陳狂直,伏待菹醢。」 太宗深納之。 轉刑部侍郎、太子少詹事。 太宗東征,皇太子於定州監國,即行成本邑也。 太子謂行成曰:「今者送公衣錦還鄉。」 於是令有司祀其先人墓。 行成因薦鄉人魏唐卿、崔寶權、馬龍駒、張君劼等,皆以學行著聞,太子召見,以其老不任職,皆厚賜而遣之。 太子又使行成詣行在所,太宗見之甚悅,賜馬二匹、縑三百匹。 駕還京,為河南巡察大使。 還,稱旨,以本官兼檢校尚書左丞。 是歲,太宗幸靈州,太子當從,行成上疏曰:「伏承皇太子從幸靈州。 臣愚以為皇太子養德春宮,日月未幾,華夷遠邇,佇聽嘉音。 如因以監國,接對百僚,決斷庶務,明習政理,既為京師重鎮,且示四方盛德。 與其出陪私愛,曷若俯從公道?」 太宗以為忠,進位銀青光祿大夫。 二十三年,遷侍中,兼刑部尚書。 太宗崩,與高季輔侍高宗即位於太極殿梓宮前。 尋封北平縣公,監修國史。 時晉州地連震,有聲如雷,高宗以問行成。 行成對曰:「天,陽也; 地,陰也。 陽,君象; 陰,臣象。 君宜轉動,臣宜安靜。 今晉州地動,彌旬不休。 雖天道玄邈,窺算不測; 而人事較量,昭然作戒。 恐女謁用事,大臣陰謀,修德禳災,在於陛下。 且陛下本封晉也,今地震晉州,下有征應,豈徒然耳。 伏願深思遠慮,以杜未萌。」 二年八月,拜尚書左僕射。 尋加授太子少傅。 四年,自三月不雨至於五月,復抗表請致仕。 高宗手制答曰:「密雲不雨,遂淹旬月,此朕之寡德,非宰臣咎。 實甘萬方之責,用陳六事之過。 策免之科,義乖罪己。 今敕斷表,勿復為辭。」 賜宮女黃金器物。 固請乞骸骨,高宗曰:「公,我之故舊腹心,奈何舍我而去?」 因愴然流涕。 行成不得已,復起視事。 九月,卒於尚書省,時年六十七。 高宗哭之甚哀,輟朝三日,令九品已上就第哭。 比斂,中使三至,賜內衣服,令尚宮宿於家,以視殯斂。 贈開府儀同三司、并州都督。 所司備禮冊命,祭以少牢,賻絹布八百段、米粟八百石,賜東園秘器,謚曰定。 弘道元年,詔以行成配享高宗廟庭。 子洛客嗣,官至雍州渭南令。
Zhang Xingcheng was a native of Yifeng in Dingzhou. In youth he studied under Liu Xuan of Hejian, learning diligently without tiring. Xuan told his disciples, "Master Zhang's frame and bearing are square and upright—he is talent for the hall and temple." At the end of Daye he was examined as filial and incorrupt and became irregular outside attendant of the Visitors Bureau. When Wang Shichong usurped the throne, he was made director of revenue. After Shichong was defeated, on the basis of his Sui credentials he was appointed magistrate of Gushu in Songzhou. He also passed the decree examination in the second class and was appointed chief clerk of Fuping County in Yongzhou, gaining a reputation for ability in governance. When his term ended he was appointed palace censor within the hall. In impeachment he did not spare powerful kin. Taizong considered him capable and said to Fang Xuanling, "In employing men through the ages, one must rely on intermediaries. But as for Xingcheng, I raised him up myself. There was no prior introduction." Taizong once spoke of men from Shandong and from within the Pass with partial intent. Xingcheng was attending a banquet and kneeling submitted, "I have heard that the Son of Heaven takes the Four Seas as his home and should not take east and west as limits; if it is like this, then you show men something ever more narrow." Taizong approved his words and bestowed a famed horse, one hundred thousand in cash, and a suit of clothing. From then on, whenever there was great government, he was often among those who deliberated. He was promoted in succession to attendant within the issuance. Taizong once faced the hall and told attending ministers, "The reason I cannot indulge my desires and take pleasure in my prime years, but instead encourage restraint, toil bitterly, dwell in low palaces, and eat meager food, is precisely for the people. I serve as lord of men yet also perform the affairs of generals and ministers—is this not seizing your fame? Formerly Emperor Gaozu of Han obtained Xiao He, Cao Shen, Han Xin, and Peng Yue, and the realm was peaceful; Shun, Yu, Tang, and Wu had Ji, Qi, Yi Yin, and Lü Shang, and the Four Seas were governed in peace. These matters I perform all together." Xingcheng withdrew and submitted a written remonstrance: "The Sui lost the Way and the realm seethed. Your Majesty set aright disorder and rescued the people from ruin. How could Zhou and Han lords and subjects be compared to this? Your Majesty's sage virtue holds light within and your measure is vast. Though you truly join the splendors of Wen and Wu with the roles of general and minister, what use is it to face court before the multitude and compare with them? With the honor of the ten-thousand-chariot ruler, why contend for achievement with your subjects? I have heard, "Heaven—what does it say? The four seasons proceed." I have also heard, "You only do not boast, and under Heaven none contends ability with you." I fill a post near the pivot and dare not claim knowledge of correction and replacement, yet rashly state wild directness and humbly await punishment." Taizong deeply accepted it. He was transferred to vice director of the Ministry of Justice and junior steward of the crown prince's household. When Taizong campaigned east, the crown prince supervised the state at Dingzhou—Xingcheng's home district. The crown prince said to Xingcheng, "Today I send you home in brocade robes." Thereupon he ordered the responsible offices to sacrifice at the tombs of his forebears. Xingcheng recommended fellow townsmen Wei Tangqing, Cui Baoquan, Ma Longju, Zhang Junjie, and others, all famed for learning and conduct. The crown prince summoned them to audience and, because they were old and unfit for office, richly rewarded them and sent them away. The crown prince also sent Xingcheng to the traveling residence. Taizong was greatly pleased to see him and bestowed two horses and three hundred bolts of thin silk. When the imperial carriage returned to the capital, he became inspection commissioner for Henan. On return, his work matched the intent, and he was concurrently made inspecting left vice director of the Department of State Affairs. That year Taizong visited Lingzhou and the crown prince was to follow. Xingcheng submitted a memorial: "I humbly receive that the crown prince will follow in visiting Lingzhou. I in my folly consider that the crown prince is cultivating virtue in the Eastern Palace. Not much time has passed—far and near, Chinese and barbarian, all stand waiting to hear fine tidings. If instead he supervises the state, meets the hundred officials, decides affairs, and clearly practices governmental principle, he will be both a heavy stronghold for the capital and a display of flourishing virtue to the four directions. Compared with going out to accompany private affection, how is it not better to bow and follow the public Way?" Taizong considered this loyal and advanced him to Silver-Gleam Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. In the twenty-third year (649) he was transferred to palace attendant and concurrently director of the Ministry of Justice. When Taizong died, together with Gao Jifu he attended Gaozong's accession before the spirit coffin in Taiji Hall. He was soon enfeoffed as Duke of Beiping County and supervised compilation of the national history. At the time Jinzhou's earth quaked in succession with a sound like thunder. Gaozong questioned Xingcheng about it. Xingcheng replied, "Heaven is yang; earth is yin. Yang is the image of the ruler; yin is the image of the minister. The ruler should move and turn; the minister should be quiet and still. Now Jinzhou's earth moves and for a full ten days does not cease. Although the Way of Heaven is dark and distant and cannot be measured by calculation; yet in human affairs, when weighed and measured, it clearly serves as warning. I fear women intercessors hold power and great ministers plot in secret. Cultivating virtue to avert disaster lies with Your Majesty. Moreover, Your Majesty was originally enfeoffed as Prince of Jin. Now the earth quakes in Jinzhou—there is a correspondence of signs below. How could it be in vain? I humbly hope you will think deeply and plan far to stop what has not yet sprouted." In the eighth month of the second year he was appointed left vice director of the Department of State Affairs. He was soon additionally appointed junior tutor of the crown prince. In the fourth year, from the third month without rain until the fifth month, he again submitted a memorial requesting retirement. Gaozong personally drafted a reply: "Dense clouds but no rain have lasted a full month—this is my scant virtue, not the fault of chief ministers. I truly accept blame from the realm and use this to state the faults of six affairs. Dismissal by edict departs in meaning from blaming oneself. Now I order your memorial cut off. Do not again make excuses." He bestowed palace women, gold, and vessels. He firmly requested retirement. Gaozong said, "Sir, you are my old friend and trusted heart—how can you leave me and go?" Thereupon he mournfully shed tears. Xingcheng had no choice and returned to office. In the ninth month he died in the Department of State Affairs at the age of sixty-seven. Gaozong wept for him with great grief, suspended court for three days, and ordered officials of ninth rank and above to go to his residence to mourn. As the encoffining drew near, palace envoys came three times, bestowed inner garments, and ordered palace women to lodge at his home to oversee the laying out and encoffining. He was posthumously appointed grand master of the office with equal ceremony to the three excellencies and regional inspector of Bingzhou. The responsible offices prepared ritual documents of appointment. He was sacrificed to with a young bullock and sow. Funeral gifts were eight hundred bolts of silk cloth and eight hundred shi of grain. He was granted the secret vessels of the Eastern Garden, with the posthumous name Ding. In the first year of Hongdao (683) an edict ordered Xingcheng to share sacrifice in Gaozong's temple court. His son Luoke succeeded him and rose to magistrate of Weinan in Yongzhou.
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行成族孫易之、昌宗。 易之父希臧,雍州司戶。 易之初以門廕,累遷為尚乘奉御,年二十餘,白皙美姿容,善音律歌詞。 則天臨朝,通天二年,太平公主薦易之弟昌宗入侍禁中,既而昌宗啟天后曰:「臣兄易之器用過臣,兼工合煉。」 即令召見,甚悅。 由是兄弟俱侍宮中,皆傅粉施硃,衣錦繡服,俱承辟陽之寵。 俄以昌宗為雲麾將軍,行左千牛中郎將; 易之為司衛少卿。 賜第一區、物五百段、奴婢駝馬等。 信宿,加昌宗銀青光祿大夫,賜防閣,同京官朔望朝參。 仍贈希臧襄州刺史,母韋氏阿臧封太夫人,使尚宮至宅問訊,仍詔尚書李迥秀私侍阿臧。 武承嗣、三思、懿宗、宗楚客、宗晉卿候其門庭,爭執鞭轡,呼易之為五郎,昌宗為六郎。 俄加昌宗左散騎常侍。 聖歷二年,置控鶴府官員,以易之為控鶴監、內供奉,余官如故。 久視元年,改控鶴府為奉宸府,又以易之為奉宸令,引辭人閻朝隱、薛稷、員半千並為奉宸供奉。 每因宴集,則令嘲戲公卿以為笑樂。 若內殿曲宴,則二張、諸武侍坐,樗蒲笑謔,賜與無算。 時諛佞者奏雲,昌宗是王子晉後身。 乃令被羽衣,吹簫,乘木鶴,奏樂於庭,如子晉乘空。 辭人皆賦詩以美之,崔融為其絕唱,其句有「昔遇浮丘伯,今同丁令威。 中郎才貌是,藏史姓名非。」 天后令選美少年為左右奉宸供奉,右補闕硃敬則諫曰:「臣聞志不可滿,樂不可極。 嗜欲之情,愚智皆同,賢者能節之不使過度,則前聖格言也。 陛下內寵,已有薛懷義、張易之、昌宗,固應足矣。 近聞上舍奉御柳模自言子良賓潔白美鬚眉,左監門衛長史侯祥雲陽道壯偉,過於薛懷義,專欲自進堪奉宸內供奉。 無禮無儀,溢於朝聽。 臣愚職在諫諍,不敢不奏。」 則天勞之曰:「非卿直言,朕不知此。」 賜彩百段。 以昌宗醜聲聞於外,欲以美事掩其跡,乃詔昌宗撰《三教珠英》於內。 乃引文學之士李嶠、閻朝隱,徐彥伯、張說、宋之問、崔湜、富嘉謨等二十六人,分門撰集。 成一千三百卷,上之。 加昌宗司僕卿,封鄴國公,易之為麟台監,封恆國公,各實封三百戶。 俄改昌宗為春官侍郎。 易之、昌宗皆粗能屬文,如應詔和詩,則宋之問、閻朝隱為之代作。 則天春秋高,政事多委易之兄弟。 中宗為皇太子,太子男邵王重潤及女弟永泰郡主竊言二張專政。 易之訴於則天,付太子自鞫問處置,太子並自縊殺之。 又御史大夫魏元忠嘗奏二張之罪,易之懼不自安,乃誣奏元忠與司禮丞高戩云:「天子老矣,當挾太子為耐久朋。」 則天曰:「汝何以知之?」 易之曰:「鳳閣舍人張說為證。」 翌日,則天召元忠及說廷詰之,皆妄。 則天尚以二張之故,逐元忠為高要尉,張說長流欽州。 長安二年,易之贓賂事發,為御史台所劾下獄,兄司府少卿昌儀、司禮少卿同休皆貶黜。 及則天臥疾長生院,宰臣希得進見,唯易之兄弟侍側,恐禍變及己,乃引用朋黨,陰為之備。 人有榜其事於路,左台御史中丞宋璟請按之。 則天陽許,尋敕宋璟使幽州按都督屈突仲翔,令司禮卿崔神慶鞫之。 神慶希旨雪昌宗兄弟。
Xingcheng's clansmen Yizhi and Changzong. Yizhi's father Xizang served as registrar of households in Yongzhou. Yizhi at first rose through hereditary privilege to attendant for imperial carriages. Over twenty years old, he was fair-skinned with beautiful features and skilled in music and song lyrics. When Zetian held court, in the second year of Tongtian (689) Princess Taiping recommended Yizhi's younger brother Changzong to attend within the inner palace. Soon Changzong told the Celestial Empress, "My elder brother Yizhi's capacity surpasses mine, and he is also skilled in compounding elixirs." She at once ordered him summoned to audience and was greatly pleased. Thereby the brothers both attended within the palace, applying powder and rouge, wearing brocade and embroidered robes, and both receiving the favor of Lord Piyang. Soon Changzong was made general of the cloud banners and acting left thousand-ox central gentleman; Yizhi was made vice director of the office of guards. They were granted a first-rank residence, five hundred bolts of goods, slaves, camels, horses, and the like. After one night, Changzong was additionally given Silver-Gleam Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, granted guard pavilions, and joined capital officials in attending court on the first and fifteenth of each month. Xizang was posthumously appointed regional inspector of Xiangzhou. His mother, Lady Wei Azang, was enfeoffed as grand lady. Palace women were sent to her residence to inquire after her, and Director of the Secretariat Li Huijiu was ordered to attend Azang privately. Wu Chengsi, Sansi, Yizong, Zong Chuke, and Zong Jinqing waited at their gate, vying to hold whip and bridle, calling Yizhi Fifth Lord and Changzong Sixth Lord. Soon Changzong was additionally made left irregular attendant-in-ordinary. In the second year of Shenglu (699) the Crane-Control Office was established. Yizhi was made superintendent of crane control and inner attendant, his other offices remaining as before. In the first year of Jiushi (700) the Crane-Control Office was changed to the Attendant-on-the-Sage Office. Yizhi was made chief of attendants on the sage, and the literary men Yan Chaoyin, Xue Ji, and Yuan Banqian were all brought in as attendants. Whenever there were banquets, they would order mockery of dukes and ministers for laughter and pleasure. At informal banquets in the inner hall, the two Zhangs and the various Wus attended seated, playing games and laughing in jest, with gifts beyond counting. At the time flatterers reported that Changzong was the reincarnation of Prince Zijin. They ordered him clothed in feather garments, playing the vertical flute, riding a wooden crane, and performing music in the courtyard as Zijin had ridden the void. The literary men all composed poems to praise him. Cui Rong wrote its supreme song, with lines such as, "Formerly I met Master Fuqiu; now I am the same as Ding Lingwei. The central gentleman's talent and appearance are real; the archive clerk's name is not." The Celestial Empress ordered selection of beautiful youths as attendants on the sage. Right remonstrator Zhu Jingze remonstrated: "I have heard that ambition cannot be filled and pleasure cannot be exhausted. The feeling of craving desire is the same in fool and sage. The worthy can restrain it and not let it pass excess—this is the admonitory saying of former sages. Your Majesty's inner favorites already include Xue Huaiyi, Zhang Yizhi, and Changzong. This should surely be enough. Recently I have heard that attendant-on-carriages Liu Mo said his son Liangbin was fair-skinned with beautiful beard and brows, and chief clerk Hou Xiang of the left directorate of the gate guards office was said to be robust beyond Xue Huaiyi—they specially wish to advance themselves as fit for inner attendance on the sage. Without ritual and without measure, it overflows into court audience. My duty is remonstrance, and I dare not fail to report." Zetian comforted him: "If not for your direct words, I would not have known this." She bestowed one hundred bolts of colored silk. Because Changzong's ugly reputation was heard outside, wishing to cover his tracks with fine affairs, she ordered Changzong to compile the Pearl Splendors of the Three Teachings within the palace. She brought in literary scholars Li Jiao, Yan Chaoyin, Xu Yanbo, Zhang Yue, Song Zhiwen, Cui Shi, Fu Jiamo, and twenty-six others in all, dividing by category to compile and collect. It was completed in one thousand three hundred scrolls and submitted. Changzong was additionally made director of the palace stables and enfeoffed as Duke of Ye, with a substantive fief of three hundred households. Yizhi was made superintendent of the Forest Terrace and enfeoffed as Duke of Heng, also with a substantive fief of three hundred households. Soon Changzong was changed to vice director of the spring office. Yizhi and Changzong were both roughly able to compose writing. For responding to imperial drafts and harmonizing in verse, Song Zhiwen and Yan Chaoyin composed for them. Zetian was advanced in years and largely entrusted government affairs to the Yizhi brothers. Zhongzong was crown prince. The crown prince's son Prince Shao Chongrun and his younger sister the Princess of Yongtai privately spoke that the two Zhangs monopolized government. Yizhi complained to Zetian. She handed them to the crown prince to interrogate and dispose of himself, and the crown prince had them both strangled. Censor-in-chief Wei Yuanzhong once memorialized the crimes of the two Zhangs. Yizhi feared and was not at ease, and falsely memorialized that Yuanzhong and director of rituals Gao Jian said, "The Son of Heaven is old; he should rely on the crown prince as a long-lasting friend." Zetian said, "How do you know this?" Yizhi said, "Phoenix Pavilion drafter Zhang Yue is witness." The next day Zetian summoned Yuanzhong and Yue to the court to interrogate them. All was false. Zetian still because of the two Zhangs expelled Yuanzhong as commandant of Gaoyao and exiled Zhang Yue for a long term to Qinzhou. In the second year of Chang'an (702) Yizhi's bribery affair broke out. He was impeached by the Censorate and sent to prison. His elder brothers Vice Director Changyi and Vice Director Tongxiu were all demoted. When Zetian lay ill in the Long Life Courtyard, chief ministers rarely gained audience. Only the Yizhi brothers attended at her side. Fearing calamity would reach them, they drew in partisan cliques and secretly made preparations. Someone posted their affairs on the road. Left terrace censor-in-chief Song Jing requested investigation. Zetian outwardly assented, but soon ordered Song Jing to go to Youzhou to investigate regional commander Qu Tuchongxiang, and ordered Director of Rituals Cui Shenqing to interrogate the matter. Shenqing followed the intent and cleared the Changzong brothers.
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史臣曰:於燕公輔導儲皇,高侍中敷陳理行,張北平斥言陰沴,皆人所難言者。 苟非金玉貞度,松筠挺操,安能咈人主之意,獻苦口之忠? 宜其論道岩廊,克終顯盛。 古所謂能以義匡主之失,三君有焉。
The historiographer says: Duke Yan of Yu in assisting and guiding the crown prince, Attendant-in-Chief Gao in spreading principle and conduct, and Beiping Zhang in denouncing yin malignity—all spoke what men find hard to say. If not for gold-and-jade constancy and pine-and-bamboo upright conduct, how could they oppose the ruler's intent and offer bitter loyalty? It is fitting that they discussed the Way in the court gallery and completed their lives in manifest splendor. What the ancients called using righteousness to correct a ruler's faults—these three lords had it.
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贊曰:猗歟於公,獻替兩宮。 前修克繼,嗣德彌隆。 高酬藥劑,張感宸衷。 君臣之義,斯為始終。
The encomium says: How admirable Duke Yu, offering correction to both palaces. Former cultivation well continued, succeeding virtue ever more lofty. Gao repaid with medicine and stone; Zhang moved the imperial heart. The righteousness of ruler and subject—this was its beginning and end.