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卷47 列傳第12 韋世康 柳機

Volume 47 Biographies 12: Wei Shikang, Liu Ji

Chapter 47 of 隋書 · Book of Sui
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Chapter 47
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1
簿
Wei Shikang, of Duling in Jingzhao, came from a family that for generations had ranked among the notable surnames of the Guanzhong region. His grandfather Xu had served as inspector of Southern Youzhou under the Wei. His father Jiong had retired from public life; summoned ten times under both Wei and Zhou, he never accepted appointment and was known as the Duke of Leisure. From childhood Shikang was thoughtful and quick-witted, with natural capacity and bearing. At the age of ten he was recruited by his province as chief clerk. While still young under the Northern Wei he entered the inner guard, was enfeoffed as Duke of Han'an, married Princess Xiangle, daughter of Zhou Emperor Wen, and received the rank of Pillar of State, Third Rank. He later served the Zhou, advancing from lower grand master of sacrifices to governor in turn of Mian and Qia. When Emperor Wu conquered Qi, he was made chief administrator on the staff of the Si Province commissioner-general. The east had only just been pacified and the populace was still unsettled; Shikang reassured them until officials and people alike were content. A year later he was recalled to court as grand master of the ministry of the people, promoted to upper pillar of state, and then transferred to grand master of the department of accounts.
2
祿滿退便
When Yuwen Jiong rose in rebellion, Emperor Gaozu was deeply concerned and told Shikang, "Fen and Jiang were once the border between Zhou and Qi—this uprising may shake the region. I am entrusting it to you now; hold it firmly on my behalf. He then appointed him prefect of Jiang, where his prestige kept the entire territory tranquil and disciplined. By nature Shikang was unassuming and drawn to the classics, unmoved by fortune or misfortune. While serving in the province he once declared his wish to know when enough was enough and wrote to his sons and brothers: "I was born into inherited privilege and have worn office and rank without pause for forty years. I have repeatedly received imperial orders and often held regional posts, striving to clear the three confusions and heed the four knowings—taking integrity as my treasure and remaining uncorrupted amid plenty. Such conduct is widely known in our time. I am not yet truly old, yet my strength has faded—like early frost on the parasol and paulownia, or wind that withers rushes and willows before their time. My sight worsens so I cannot read fine characters; my legs grow weaker so I can no longer hurry about. One need not hoard salary—when the measure is full, step back; one need not wait for old age—when illness comes, retire. Moreover my mother is advanced in years and deserves dutiful care; any failure in daily attendance would be my fault alone. Shimu and Shiwen are both away at war, while Shichong and I again hold distant posts—the longing of one who climbs the hill to look homeward grows keener, and the sorrow of Mount Huan is redoubled. I mean to petition the throne to observe the rites of filial nurture; before asking your views I send you this letter. Speaking from afar I am overcome with longing and can scarcely hold back my tears. His brothers answered that the request would likely fail, and he abandoned the plan.
3
退 滿 退
After several years in post his rule was benevolent; his performance reports ranked first year after year, and he was promoted to minister of rites. Shikang cared little for luxury or power and never looked down on others because of his station. He rejoiced in others' virtues as though they were his own, and never aired others' faults to win praise. He was soon raised to Duke of Shangyong, with his fief enlarged to two thousand five hundred households. That year he became minister of the civil service while retaining his other titles. In the fourth year he resigned to observe mourning for his mother. Before the mourning period ended he was summoned back to duty. Shikang pleaded repeatedly to finish his mourning; the emperor refused. As minister of the civil service his appointments were even-handed and favor-seeking failed. In Kaihuang year seven, as the southern campaign was planned, he was made prefect of Xiang when frontier posts were strengthened. He was removed from office for a transgression. Shortly afterward he was made commissioner-general of An, then of Xin. In year thirteen he returned to court and was again made minister of the civil service. Over more than a decade he promoted many capable men, and the court praised his integrity and fairness. Once during a holiday he told his sons and brothers, "I have heard that when one's work is done one steps aside—that is the ancients' constant way. This year I near sixty and wish to retire—what do you think? His son Fusi replied, "You have purified body and character, your name and office are complete, and the sages prized knowing when one is full. We would gladly follow the example of the two Shu and respectfully obey your wish." Later at court he bowed again and said, "I have achieved no merit whatsoever, yet my rank stands just below the Three Excellencies. My strength is spent and I can no longer serve this enlightened age; I fear I may die before I can answer for my office. I beg leave to resign and make way for the worthy." The emperor replied, "From dawn to dusk I strive and seek talent as though thirsty, hoping to govern the realm with you and bring great peace. Your request goes against my deepest hope; even if your strength fails, I still need you to govern a region from your couch." He was then sent out as commissioner-general of Jing. Only four great commissioner-generals existed in the realm; Bing, Yang, and Yi were ruled by imperial princes, while Jing alone was entrusted to Shikang—a distinction widely admired. Shikang governed with simplicity and calm; the people loved him and lawsuits vanished throughout his jurisdiction. In year seventeen he died in office at the age of sixty-seven. The emperor grieved deeply and granted lavish funeral gifts. He was posthumously made grand general with the temple name Wen.
4
Filial and devoted by nature, he saw his brothers rise to high rank while his youngest brother Shiyue lagged in office; the brothers therefore gave him all their father's land and houses, and contemporaries praised their fairness.
5
便 使 便 綿
His eldest son Fuzi rose to vice director of the imperial secretariat. His second son Fusi became palace secretariat attendant but was later dismissed for an offense. When Yang Xuangan rebelled and besieged the eastern capital, Fusi fought under Wei Xuan north of the city; defeated and captured, he was forced to draft a rebel proclamation in grossly defiant language. He soon deserted Xuangan and returned to the capital, but the emperor never forgave him and had him torn apart by chariots at Gaoyang. His youngest son Fujiang, a communications attendant, was killed fighting Xuangan at the eastern capital. His younger brother Guang, styled Shimu, was resolute and capable and skilled with bow and horse from youth. Under the Zhou he began his career as upper gentleman of the direct attendants. He campaigned repeatedly, rose to pillar of state, and was enfeoffed as Duke of Weiguo with twelve hundred households. When Gaozu was chancellor he followed his uncle Xiaokuan against Yuwen Jiong at Xiangzhou and, for his merit, was made pillar of state and Duke of Xiangyang with two thousand households. When Turks raided the frontier the crown prince camped at Xianyang and sent Guang along the Yuanzhou route; he met the enemy and routed them. He was soon made commissioner-general of Jiangling. Shortly afterward he was recalled when his mother fell ill. He was soon appointed commissioner-general of An. During the conquest of Chen he served as campaign commissioner-general. After Chen fell he became commissioner-general of Jiang and led twenty thousand infantry and cavalry to secure Jiujiang. Xu Yan, Chen's prefect of Yuzhang, hedged his allegiance; Guang sent Lü Ang and Feng Shiji with successive columns. At the city walls Xu Yan pretended to submit, then that night led two thousand men in a night assault on Ang. Ang and Shiji counterattacked, routed the enemy, and captured Xu Yan on the field. Lady Xi of Gaoliang brought her forces to welcome him, and he pressed on into Lingnan. The emperor wrote to Guang: "Your great achievements and high standing lead the army to pacify that region; like wind and lightning all should bow. If war can be avoided and the people live in peace, you will fulfill my dearest wish. At Guangzhou he persuaded Wang Meng, Chen's commissioner of Yu, to surrender, and the entire south was pacified. The emperor was delighted and authorized him to act on his own authority. The twenty-four prefectures he pacified were placed under him as commissioner-general of Guang. A year later the Panyu chieftain Wang Zhongxuan rebelled and besieged him; Guang resisted but was killed by an arrow. He was posthumously made upper pillar of state, granted ten thousand bolts of silk, with the temple name Jing. His son Xie succeeded him.
6
西 滿 貿 使 使 西 西 簿
Xie, styled Qinren, loved learning and possessed refined composure. He began as assistant in the bureau of composition and later became secretariat gentleman. During Kaihuang his father had distinguished himself at Guangzhou; the emperor sent Xie with a commendatory edict, but he arrived too late. Because his father had died in imperial service, the emperor made Xie pillar of state. He later governed Ding, Xi, and Qin in turn, earning a name for competence, and died in office. Guang's younger brother Yi, styled Shiwen, studied in his youth at the imperial academy. Under Zhou Emperor Wu he rose repeatedly through military merit to upper pillar of state and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Xiuwu with eight hundred households. He was appointed lower grand master of the left brigade. He was sent out as prefect of Wei. When Gaozu was chancellor, Yuwen Jiong plotted treason; the court had wind of it and sent Yi's uncle Xiaokuan posthaste to replace him. As Xiaokuan neared Ye he feigned illness at a relay station and asked Jiong for medicine to probe his intentions. Jiong sent Yi to welcome Xiaokuan. Xiaokuan asked what Jiong was up to; Yi, loyal to Jiong, lied. Xiaokuan grew angry and was about to execute him; terrified, Yi revealed Jiong's rebellion. Xiaokuan then fled west with Yi, at every post driving off all relay horses. He also told each station master, "The Duke of Shu is coming—prepare food and drink at once. Jiong sent pursuers; at every station they found feasts but no horses and fell behind, so Xiaokuan and Yi escaped. Out of regard for Xiaokuan, Gaozu did not punish Yi, promoted him to upper pillar of state, and sent him with Xiaokuan against Jiong. He played a major part in defeating Yuwen Dun and pacifying Xiangzhou. For his achievements he was promoted to upper grand general and made Duke of Wuwei with a fief of one thousand households. One son was separately enfeoffed as Marquis of Xiuwu. When Gaozu accepted the throne he was raised to Duke of Weixing. A year later he was appointed prefect of Qi. His administration was clear and simple, and officials and people alike were grateful. After several years he was transferred to commissioner-general of Ying. Yi was striking in appearance; whenever frontier peoples came to audience he arrayed full guard of honor and splendid dress, sitting alone across an entire couch. The tribesmen were awed and dared not meet his gaze. Yet he amassed great estates and traded with northern tribes until his household wealth reached millions, drawing criticism from moralists. In Kaihuang year fifteen he died in office at fifty-eight. His posthumous name was Huai. Yi's younger brother Chong, styled Shichong, entered office under the Zhou as ritual officer in the household of the Duke of Wei. He later followed Yuan Ding across the Yangzi against Chen, was captured, and was ransomed back by Zhou Emperor Wu. The emperor sent him to Chen with a thousand horses to ransom fifty captives including Heba Hua and recover Yuan Ding's coffin. Eloquent as an envoy, he rose to lower imperial bearer grand master with the added rank of upper pillar of state. When the Jiéhu raided repeatedly he volunteered to pacify them and was made prefect of Fen. At Gaozu's accession he was summoned as concurrent regular attendant, made pillar of state, and enfeoffed as Marquis of Angu. A year later more than a thousand southern Fenzhou Hu sent north to build the Great Wall deserted on the march. The emperor asked his counsel; Chong said, "Barbarians are quick to turn treacherous when their overseers are unfit. I can pacify them by just governance without troops. The emperor agreed and sent Chong to win over the deserters. Within a month all returned and went to the wall; the court praised them in edicts. He was soon made prefect of Shi and won the frontier peoples' loyalty. He resigned to mourn his mother. He was soon recalled as commissioner-general of Nanning with credentials to pacify the south. Pillar of State Wang Changshu was sent with troops in support. Chong petitioned firmly to decline. An edict read: "Southwestern tribes repeatedly rebel and slaughter one another; We pity them and have sent troops to pacify the frontier. Your capacity and insight suit military command, and We therefore entrust this mission to you. Though your mourning is recent, custom allows service to resume in wartime. Restrain your grief and obey this order at once. At Nanning the chieftains Cuan Zhen and the western Cuan leaders all came to his headquarters. The emperor was delighted and issued a commendatory edict. His nephew Boren, serving on his staff, seized women and soldiers plundered until the frontier lost faith. The emperor was furious and ordered Prince Xiu of Shu to investigate. Yi region chief administrator Yuan Yan investigated without favor and Chong was dismissed. His brother Shiyue, crown prince libationer, slandered Yan to the heir apparent. The emperor told the crown prince, "The ancients had a wine seller whose stock turned sour because of a biting dog. What use is Shiyue to you now? He will only burden you. Shiyue was struck from the registers. Years later Chong was ordered to inspect Kuozhou. Rebel leaders Tao Ziding and Luo Huifang besieged Wuzhou counties; Chong routed them. He was re-enfeoffed as Marquis of Yifeng and made inspector of Quanzhou. He was soon made commissioner-general of Ying again. Refined in bearing and generous in manner, he won popular loyalty. He soothed the Mohe and Khitan until they would fight to the death for him. The Xi and Xie tribes submitted and sent tribute in succession. When Goguryeo raided he drove them back by force. In Renshou, Gaozu betrothed Chong's daughter to Prince Yang Guang and made him minister of the people. He died soon afterward at sixty-six. His youngest son Ting was the most famous. His paternal cousin Shou, styled Shiling. His father Xiaokuan was Zhou upper pillar of state and Duke of Yun. Under the Zhou the young noble Shou won early renown as right attendant upper gentleman and thousand-ox guard. When Prince Zhao became prefect of Yong he made Shou his chief clerk. He was soon promoted to lower imperial bearer. When Emperor Wu campaigned against the Gao he made Shou metropolitan governor of Jingzhao with charge of the rear. For his father's military merit he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Yong'an with eight hundred households. When Gaozu was chancellor he made Shou pillar of state, third rank, then Duke of Hua with five thousand households for pacifying Jiong. He soon resigned to mourn his father. At the founding of Sui he was recalled to duty, then governed Heng and Mao with distinction. In Kaihuang year ten he was recalled ill and died at home at forty-two. His posthumous name was Ding. In Renshou Gaozu betrothed his daughter to Prince Yang Zhao of Jin. His son Baoluan succeeded him.
7
Shou's younger brother Ji rose to vice minister of imperial sacrifices and Marquis of Anyi. Jin became vice director of the secretariat and concurrently judged civil service affairs.
8
Shikang's paternal cousin Cao, styled Yuanjie, was stern, principled, and imposing. Under the Zhou he rose to upper pillar of state and prefect of Guang. When Gaozu was chancellor he was made pillar of state and Duke of Pingsang for pacifying Jiong, then commissioner-general of Qing and Jing until he died in office. His posthumous name was Jing. Liu Ji, styled Kuangshi, was a native of Jie in Hedong. His father Qing was left vice director of the secretariat under the Wei. Ji had imposing presence and breadth of vision and was well read in the classics and histories. At nineteen, when Zhou Emperor Wu was still Duke of Lu, Ji became his recorder. When the emperor succeeded he rose from secretariat gentleman to lower chamberlain and palace chamberlain of the heir apparent, enfeoffed as Duke of Pingqi. He followed the emperor in pacifying Qi, was made pillar of state, then grand master of the imperial clan. Under Emperor Xuan he became upper grand master of imperial rectification. Seeing the emperor's debauchery and failing to reform him, Ji feared for his life, relied on Zheng Yi, and secured appointment as prefect of Hua. When Gaozu became chancellor he was recalled to the capital. When Zhou ministers urged abdication Ji alone showed open disapproval and made no petition. He was soon made prefect of Wei. At the founding of Sui he was raised to Duke of Jian'an with twenty-four hundred households and made chamberlain. Though refined and respected, he drank heavily, neglected detail, and after years at court returned to Hua as prefect. He was ordered to attend court monthly. He was soon transferred to prefect of Ji. Recalled to court, he gained favor when his son Shu married Princess Lanling.
9
婿 便 使 '殿 殿 ''使 ' 涿 使 祿 西 使 祿 使 西 殿西 西 ' '
In Zhou days he and his kinsman Duke Ang of Wencheng had both held high office. Now Ji and Ang served in the provinces while Yang Su, chamberlain and favorite, jested at court: "Both willows are broken; the lone poplar stands tall. The company laughed; Ji said nothing. He soon returned to his province. As regional governor he was always praised for lenient rule. Years later, recalled ill, he died at home at fifty-six. He was posthumously made grand general and prefect of Qing with the temple name Jian. His son Shu succeeded him. Shu, styled Yelong, was clever, capable, and accomplished in letters. Through his father's privilege he became a close guard of the heir apparent. Marriage to an imperial princess brought him pillar of state with insignia of office and vice director of the secretariat. Among the imperial sons-in-law the emperor favored and respected him above the rest. A year later he was given concurrent charge of the ministry of war. He resigned to observe mourning for his father. He was soon recalled as acting vice director of the yellow gate and inherited the dukedom of Jian'an. During Renshou he was given concurrent charge of the civil service ministry. Though efficient and praised at court, he lacked breadth of vision, bullied subordinates, and grew arrogant on imperial favor. Yang Su then dominated the court, yet Shu repeatedly humiliated him and exposed his faults before the emperor. When Su ordered him to alter a decision Shu refused, telling the messenger, "Tell the Vice Director the Minister will not. Su therefore nursed a grievance against him. Soon Yang Su too fell from favor and neglected his duties. Shu's responsibilities grew; he became minister of war and shared state secrets. Believing he had no merit for such rank, he petitioned to resign. The emperor agreed and had him act as minister of war. When the emperor fell ill at Renshou Palace, Shu attended him with Yang Su and Yuan Yan. Learning the crown prince had insulted Lady Chen, the emperor angrily ordered Shu to summon Prince Yong of Fangling. Shu and Yuan Yan went out to draft the edict; Yang Su conspired with the crown prince, forged orders, and had them arrested. When Emperor Yang succeeded, Shu was dismissed and separated from the princess. He was exiled to Longchuan. The princess asked to share his exile; the emperor refused—the account appears in the 《Biographies of Exemplary Women》. After years in Longchuan he was moved to Ningyue, where miasma killed him at thirty-nine. His younger brother Dan, styled Kuangde, excelled at horsemanship and archery and was well read. He entered service under the Zhou as left attendant upper gentleman and rose to lower grand master of war. When Wang Qian of Yi rebelled he served as campaign chief administrator under Liang Rui and was made pillar of state, third rank. In Kaihuang year one he was made pillar of state, enfeoffed Baron of Xincheng, and given command of the setting pillar of cavalry. He governed Luo, Xi, and Lu in turn, all with a reputation for competence. At the start of Daye he was made prefect of Longchuan. The people lived in mountain caves and raided one another until Dan founded schools and transformed their ways. The emperor praised him in an edict. In year four he was recalled as vice minister of imperial sacrifices and acting vice director of the yellow gate. He died in office at sixty-one. His son Xie rose to administrator of Henei. Dan's younger brother Su, styled Kuangren, was clever and quick in debate from youth. He began under the Zhou as literary scholar to Prince Wen of Qi. Zhou Emperor Wu was impressed and appointed him upper gentleman of the secretariat. When Gaozu became chancellor he was made guest army officer. In early Kaihuang he became crown prince libationer. When the Chen envoy Xie Quan came, Su was ordered to entertain him and was praised for eloquence. He became crown prince inner attendant, then crown prince steward. When the crown prince was deposed he was dismissed to commoner status. In Daye the emperor discussed the deposed heir with Duan Da, who said Liu Su had been greatly slighted in the palace. The emperor asked why. Duan Da answered, "The scholar Liu Zhen once brought Zhang Qiu Taiyi into the palace for sorcery. Su warned, "You are the emperor's heir—beware unfilial conduct, not suspicion." Liu Zhen is a scholar who wags his tongue—do not heed him. The deposed heir was displeased and later demanded of Zhen, "Why did you leak this so Liu Su could rebuke me to my face?" After that his counsel went unheeded." The emperor said, "Su was wrongly dismissed—it was not his fault." He was recalled as vice minister of rites, then works, and greatly trusted. On each Liaodong campaign he left Su as guardian at Zhuo. In year eleven he died at sixty-two. His paternal cousin Xiongliang, styled Xincheng. His father Hui was prefect of Huayang under the Zhou. When Huang Zhongbao rebelled and took Huayang, Hui was killed. Xiongliang was fourteen; his mourning exceeded propriety and he secretly vowed revenge. Later Zhongbao submitted to Chang'an and was generously treated by Emperor Wu. Xiongliang slew Zhongbao in the city and surrendered for punishment; the emperor pardoned him. He served as recorder on the Liang commissioner-general's staff, then magistrate of Hucheng, then secretariat grand master and Viscount of Ruyang. When Sima Xiaonan rebelled, Gaozu sent him to Chen to secure an alliance. On his return Gaozu had taken the throne; he became vice director for merit evaluation, then yellow gate attendant. He often rejected Secretariat memorials and was feared by the ministers. He was soon made acting left heir apparent of the crown prince and raised to earl. When Prince Jun of Qin went to Longyou he served as his chief administrator and south mountain route assistant until he died at fifty-one. He had a son Zan. His nephew Jianzhi, styled Gongzheng. His father Cai'nian was prefect of Shun under the Zhou. Jianzhi stood seven feet five inches, imposing in bearing and graceful in movement. As a boy he met Prince Xian of Qi, who was astonished and recommended him. He entered the imperial academy, passed the classics examination, and became master of the imperial clan. Reading prayers at the Grand Temple with clear, elegant delivery, he drew every eye. The emperor was pleased and made him upper gentleman of the secretariat. When Gaozu became chancellor he became field army officer and registry adviser. In early Kaihuang he was communications attendant, then secretariat attendant, then vice director of war and merit. The court valued his wit and his capacity to drink a stone of wine without disorder, and always sent him to receive Liang and Chen envoys. He was later made vice minister of the imperial household. For more than ten years he helped draft and present memorials. When Tuyuhun submitted, he escorted Princess Guanghua west as concurrent regular attendant. When the Türk Qimin Qaghan sought alliance he escorted Princess Yicheng to the Türks. On both missions he received over a thousand horses and gave everything to his kin, leaving nothing at home. In Renshou he governed Su, then Xi, both with benevolent rule. Two years later he resigned to mourn his mother. When Emperor Yang succeeded he was again made vice minister of the imperial household. In early Daye Qimin pastured near the border; the emperor sent Jianzhi to order him beyond the frontier. His report pleased the emperor and he was made yellow gate vice director. When Crown Prince Yuande died, all expected Prince Qi to succeed. In Daye year three the emperor made him chief administrator to Prince Qi. In full ritual the emperor had Prince Qi stand before the western court hall facing north. Niu Hong, Yang Yue, and Yuwen Shu led Jianzhi to stand before the prince facing west. Niu Hong proclaimed to Prince Qi, "Through imperial favor I was once enfeoffed at Jinyang; when I first went to my fief I was only twelve years old. The former emperor had Gao Feng and others present Prince Xiang to me as companion. He warned me, "You are young—in all matters great or small entrust them to Xiang." Do not favor petty men or distance yourself from Xiang. If you heed this it will benefit the realm and your reputation. If you ignore it, ruin will come swiftly to you and the state. I have kept this counsel ever since. Without Xiang I would not be emperor today. Treat Jianzhi as you would Xiang. He charged Jianzhi, "Serve Qi as Xiang served me—fulfill my hope. If Qi cultivates virtue, your whole house will prosper. If he errs, you will share the guilt." Prince Qi then held favor and his intimates, including Qiao Lingze, ran wild. Jianzhi knew their faults but could not correct them. When Prince Qi fell from favor, Jianzhi was struck from the registers. On the Liaodong campaign the emperor summoned him to oversee Yan commandery. On the return march he was convicted of failing to supply the army and was banished to Lingnan. He died at Kuangkou at the age of sixty. His son was Weiming. His clansman Ang, styled Qianli. His father Min was renowned for propriety, learning, and running his household with official discipline. Under the Zhou he held prominent offices. In early Kaihuang he became crown prince grand tutor. Ang had vision and administrative talent beyond ordinary men. Under Zhou Emperor Wu he was grand secretariat director, Duke of Wencheng, pillar of state, and dominated the court. Under Emperor Xuan he was gradually sidelined but kept his post. When Gaozu became chancellor he allied himself closely with him. Gaozu was delighted and appointed him grand director of the imperial clan. On the day of his appointment he suffered a stroke and could not take up his duties. When Gaozu took the throne Ang recovered, was made upper pillar of state, and appointed prefect of Lu. Seeing the realm at peace, Ang memorialized that learning and ritual should be promoted:
10
使
I have heard that rulers who receive the Mandate establish schools and fix rites to transform old customs and shape new ones. After the Wei declined the land was divided; east and west warred for generations under heavy taxes and harsh law. Men had no leisure but to rescue the realm from fire and flood—it was not their wish that culture should perish. Later ages followed bad precedent until ritual collapsed unless a sage arose. Hence the age remained unsettled and standards decayed. Your Majesty received the Mandate of Heaven and the fortune of a thousand reigns. When the Zhou fell You swept the realm clean and ruled all within the seas. You chose the best of antiquity and did every good thing; and reformed every abuse of past kings. Your ritual code of three hundred and three thousand rules surpasses all former ages. Yet the common people have not yet fully adopted it. In my own province I see how far the people still fall short of ritual. I beg Your Majesty to continue to lead the people toward the Way through frugality. I fear delay will cost years of progress. If rites and learning are urged together, the people will turn like wind and soon arrive. Then every household may know ritual and every person know righteousness.
11
The emperor approved and issued an edict:
12
To establish a state nothing comes before learning; to honor the ruler and shelter the people nothing comes before rites. Since the Wei fell, Zhou and Qi divided the realm and contended for generations. They prized cunning over learning and arms over ritual until the people knew only contention. Court and countryside took craft as teacher and clerks took severity as law until customs were debased. Schools were founded but learning was not honored and the Way was not practiced. A few still studied the classics but were too few to change the age. Yet they alone sustained name and teaching and moral norms. Kings inherit Heaven: with rites come omens, without rites come portents. With rites yin and yang harmonize; without rites men become beasts at heart. To govern the state and establish the person rites are indispensable. We received Heaven's Mandate, ordered the myriad things, ended barbarian disorder, and sought proper customs. We warned against extravagance, lightened burdens, and sought broad relief for the people. Yet old habits remained; gentry and commoners alike violated ritual norms. Law officers seemed deaf; local officials seemed blind. Is this how court transformation is proclaimed? The ancients both plowed and studied. On days free from corvée, if we urge study and ritual, families will turn to the Way. They will know ritual, shame, and filial piety as well. From the capital to every commandery, all should encourage learning and rites.
13
Thereafter every prefecture and county established erudites to teach rites.
14
調調 調 調調 調 調
Ang governed Lu with benevolence and died in office after several years. Ang's son Diao began as secretariat gentleman and became attending censor. Left vice director Yang Su once said to Diao alone, "The willow is weak all through yet sways without wind. Diao replied sternly, "If I am worthless you should not have made me censor; if I am worthy you should not have spoken thus. You stand at the center of power—how can you speak so lightly! Su was greatly impressed. Under Emperor Yang he rose to left department director of the secretariat. When the court was corrupt only Diao remained pure and was praised. Practical administration was not his strength. The historian comments: The Wei of Jingzhao produced outstanding men for generations. Shikang and his brothers enjoyed accumulated blessing; some held central posts, some governed regions—a glory spanning Zhou and Sui. Ji of Jian'an was refined and widely respected. Shu grew arrogant on favor and ended in ruin. Dan governed with benevolence; Su offered sincere remonstrance. Xiongliang was known for integrity; Jianzhi was open and somewhat unrestrained. Ang of Wencheng served two dynasties with honor; his memorial to Gaozu raised schools—the benefit of his words was vast indeed!
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