Zhenguan monarchs and ministers discuss governance (excerpt): 1. Bingwu, went up to discuss with the ministers how to stop theft. Or ask the law to ban it, and say: "The reason why the people are thieves is that the taxes are heavy and the labor is heavy, the officials are greedy, and they are hungry and cold, so they have no time to care about integrity. I should get rid of extravagance, save money, and light the corvee and pay less." , Choose honest officials so that the people have enough food and clothing, and they will not be robbed, and they will pay attention to law and evil!" After a few years, the country has become peaceful, the roads are not picked up, the houses are not closed, and businessmen travel in the wild. He also said to his ministers: "The king depends on the country, and the country depends on the people. Carving out the people to serve the king is like cutting off meat to fill the belly. If the belly is full and the body dies, the king will become rich and the country will perish. Therefore, the troubles of the people and the king do not come from outside. , often comes from the body. If the husband wants to be prosperous, the wealth will be heavy. If the wealth is heavy, the people will be worried. If the people are worried, the country will be in danger. If the country is in danger, the king will be mourned. I often think about this, so I dare not indulge in lust.

Translation: (Bingwu (21st), Taizong discussed the issue of preventing theft with his ministers. Someone asked for severe punishments and laws to prohibit theft. Taizong smiled and replied: "The reason why people become thieves is Because the taxes and servitude are heavy, the officials are greedy for money and ask for bribes, and the people are hungry and cold, so they have no regard for shame. I advocate that we should put an end to extravagance and waste, frivolous corvee and small taxes, and choose honest officials so that the people can have enough food and clothing, and naturally they will not become thieves. Why use harsh punishments?" After a few years, the world was peaceful, no luggage was picked up on the road, the houses were not closed at night, and merchants and travelers could sleep in the wild. Taizong once said to the ministers around him: "The monarch relies on the country, and the country relies on the people to support the monarch. , Just like cutting off the flesh of the body to fill the belly, the body will die when the belly is full, the monarch will become rich and the country will perish. Therefore, the monarch's worries do not come from the outside, but always come from the self. If taxes and servitude are heavy, the people will be miserable. If the people are miserable, the country will be in danger. If the country is in danger, the status of the monarch will not be guaranteed. I often think about this, so I dare not indulge my desires.")

2. The above is a doctor in the Ministry of War. Dai Zhou was loyal and upright, and was promoted to the rank of Shaoqing of Dali. His superiors ordered many of them to surrender themselves, and those who refused to surrender died soon after. The law should flow. "The emperor said angrily: "You want to abide by the law but make me lose faith! He replied: "The edict was issued out of temporary joy and anger, and the Dharma is the reason why the country spreads great faith to the world." Your Majesty is angry at the many deceits in the selection of people, so he wants to kill him. But knowing that he is impossible, he resolutely punishes him according to the law. This is to endure a small anger but maintain a great faith! "He said: "If you can enforce the law, why should I worry? "The Zhou offended the law before and after, and his words were like a spring, and everyone followed them, and there was no unjust prison in the world.

Translation: (Taizong believed that Dai Zhou, a doctor in the Ministry of War, was loyal, upright, and upright, so he promoted him to the rank of Shaoqing of Dali Temple. At that time, many people The candidate officials all faked their qualifications and status, and Taizong ordered them to surrender, otherwise they would be executed. Within a few days, if someone was found to be false, Taizong would kill him and said: "According to the law, he should be exiled." Taizong was furious. He said: "Do you want to abide by the law and make me break my trust in the world?" Dai Zhou replied: "The edict comes from the monarch's temporary joy and anger, and the law is used by the country to show its greatest credibility to the people of the world. Your Majesty is angry with the candidate officials. They are counterfeit, so I want to kill them, but now I know that it is inappropriate to do so, and then decide according to the law. This is to hold back a small moment of anger and preserve a big credit." Taizong said: "If you enforce the law like this, I will still do it! Why worry!" Dai Zhou offended the emperor many times and enforced the law. He was eloquent in his speeches and answers, and Taizong obeyed his opinions. There were no unjust cases in the country.)

3. Order to grant De Yi Ju Xian, who has done nothing for a long time, went up to question him and said, "It's not that I don't do my best, but there is no such thing as a genius! "It said: "A gentleman uses people like weapons, each taking advantage of his or her own strengths. How can those who established governance in ancient times borrow their talents from another generation? You can't know what's wrong with you, so you can frame someone for the rest of your life! "De Yi retreated in shame.

Translation: (Taizong ordered De Yi to recommend talented people, but for a long time no one was recommended. Taizong asked the reason and replied: "It's not that I don't try my best. But there are no geniuses now!" Taizong said: "A gentleman uses people as he uses tools, each with their own strengths. In ancient times, the monarchs who made the country achieve great governance should be blamed for their inability to identify talents? , how can you slander the people of the entire era?" Feng Deyi retreated in shame.)

4. In the first month of the spring of the second year, Wei Zheng said: "Why is the master so bright? Why is he so dark? ?" He said to him: "Listening together will lead to enlightenment, but believing only partially will lead to darkness. In the past, Yao Qing asked the people, so the evil of Miao could be heard above. Shun Ming's four eyes reached the four intelligences, so the eyes, Changing Gun, and Huandou could not cover them. The second generation of Qin favored Zhao Gao, which caused disaster for the foreigners. Emperor Wu of Liang trusted Zhu Yi in order to humiliate Taicheng. Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty favored Yu Shiji, which led to the change of Pengcheng Pavilion. Therefore, if both the friend and the ruler listen and accept each other, the noble ministers will not be blocked, and the feelings of the subordinates will be communicated to the superiors. "Shang said: "Good. "

Translation: In the spring and first month of the second year of Zhenguan, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty asked Wei Zheng: "What should the monarch do wisely? What can you do to be stupid? Wei Zheng replied: "If you listen extensively to opinions from all sides, you will make wise decisions; if you only listen to one-sided opinions, you can only make dull judgments." In the past, Yao listened to people's opinions freely, so Sanmiao's evil deeds were known to him. Shun Guang opened his eyes and ears in all directions, so bad guys like Jiang Gong, Gun and Huan had nowhere to hide. Qin II trusted Zhao Gao without any doubt and brought himself the tragedy of being killed by Zhao Gao in Wangyi Palace. Emperor Wu of Liang listened to Zhu Yi indiscriminately and suffered the humiliation of being starved to death in Taicheng. Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty believed in Yu Shiji one-sidedly and ended up being hanged in Pengcheng Pavilion by his subordinates.

Therefore, if the monarch listens to and absorbs opinions and suggestions widely, the favored ministers cannot blind (Yong, block; blind, blind) the monarch, and the following information will also reach the monarch smoothly. "Tang Taizong said: "That's right! ”

5. In the Jiawu period (summer and April of the third year), I went up to the Taiji Hall and said to the ministers: “Zhongshu, my subordinates, secretaries, and anyone who has any inconvenience with the edict should discuss it.” Recently, I only see obedience and do not hear disobedience. If you just write documents, then no one can do it, so why choose talents? " Fang Xuanling and others all bowed their heads and thanked them. Therefore, for all major military and state affairs, Zhongshu people will take their own opinions and sign their names, which is called "Wuhua Judgment". The Minister of Zhongshu and the Minister of Zhongshu will review it. To Shizhong, the Minister of Huangmen refutes the old system, so it is rarely revealed.

Translation: In the summer of the third year of Zhenguan, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty came to Taiji Hall (beginning, once). , said to the first minister: "Both the Zhongshu Province and the Menxia Province are very important departments (divisions, departments), and they should provide opinions or suggestions on inappropriate edicts. Lately I just go along with my intentions, but I don’t hear different voices. If the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Menxia are only responsible for delivering documents, then who can't do it? Why bother selecting talent? " Fang Xuanling and others immediately kowtowed and apologized. The old practice (convention) was that on all major national affairs, the Zhongshu family members would each put forward their own opinions and sign their names in a mixed manner, which was called "Five Flowers Judgment". Then the Minister of Zhongshu and the Minister of Zhongshu conducted a review, and then the Minister of Zhongshu and Huangmen could refute and correct the opinions of the Minister of Public Affairs. Tang Taizong just reiterated the existing system, and from then on there were few violations of the regulations. p>

6. Yi Chou asked Fang Xuanling and Xiao: "How can Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty be like a master? He said: "Emperor Wen was diligent in governing. Every time he came to court, or at the end of the day, the fifth rank was already on the throne. He would sit down and discuss things, and the guards would pass the meal to him. Although he was not a benevolent person, he was still a master of energy. "Shang said: "The public has obtained one, but does not know the other. Emperor Wen did not understand but liked to observe; if he did not understand, he would not understand things; if he liked to observe, he would be suspicious of things. The world is so vast, and there are so many things happening in one day. Even though we are working hard and suffering, how can we manage them one by one? Since the commander-in-chief knew the idea, he only relied on the decision to be successful. Although he made mistakes, he did not dare to remonstrate and fight. This is why he died in the second generation. Not so with me. Choose the talented people from the world and appoint them to hundreds of officials to make them think about the affairs of the world. The prime ministers will be responsible for them, and they will be settled after they are familiar with them, and then they will be reported to the public. Those who have merit will be rewarded, and those who are guilty will be punished. Who dares to devote all his energy to cultivating his profession, why worry about the world not being cured! "Because of the imperial edict: "From now on, if there is any inconvenience in carrying out the imperial edict, you should all perform it. If you do not get compliance, you will not fulfill your own wishes.

Translation: (Yi Chou (the second day of the Lunar New Year)), Taizong asked Fang Xuanling and Xiao Dao: "How was Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty as a monarch?" He replied: "Emperor Wen was diligent in governing the government, and every time he supervised the government When listening to politics, sometimes when the sun sets, officials of the fifth rank and above sit around to discuss matters, and the guards cannot leave their posts and pass them around. Although their character is not considered kind, they can still be called monarchs who work hard to govern. We know the first, but we don’t know the second. Emperor Wen was not wise and liked to be careful. If he was not wise, he would not be able to understand everything. If he was careful, he would be suspicious of everything. He would decide everything by himself and did not trust the officials in such a big world. , although it is hard on the body and mind, how can everything hit the point! Since the ministers know the opinion of the Lord, they can only unconditionally accept it. Even if the Lord makes mistakes, no one dares to argue and advise. Therefore, in the second generation of the Sui Dynasty, It will perish. I am not like this. I select the wise men of the world and serve as civil and military officials, let them consider the major affairs of the world, gather them together and think carefully, and then report them to me. Those who have merit will be rewarded, and those who are guilty will be punished. If you still dare to perform your duties without doing your best, why worry about the poor governance of the world?" Therefore, he ordered all departments: "From now on, if there is any inappropriateness in the edicts and documents, they should insist on reporting them and not be obedient or not fully express their opinions. . )

7. (Winter and December of the sixth year) The emperor said to Wei Zheng: "When choosing a person for an official, you must not make mistakes. If you use one gentleman, all gentlemen will come. If you use a small person, you will become a small person. "Yes," he said. The world is not yet settled, so we should only select talents and not test their deeds. When chaos and chaos subside, it is impossible to use both talents and abilities. "

Translation; In the winter of December of the sixth year of Zhenguan, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty said to Wei Zheng: "Selecting officials should not be done rashly or hastily. If you appoint a gentleman, all gentlemen will be willing to come; if you appoint a villain, all villains will flock to you. Wei Zheng replied: "That's true." If the country is not unified, then only the talents of talents will be looked at, without weighing character. If the country has been stabilized (mourning, death; chaos, war), then talents who are not both capable and virtuous cannot be used. ”

8. In the spring and February of the thirteenth year, the emperor ordered all the officials of the clan to attack the governor. Yu Zhining, the concubine of the Zuo family, thought that things were different between the past and the present, and feared that this would not lead to long-term peace, so he decided to fight over it. Shi Censor Ma Zhou also wrote in the book, thinking: "The fathers of Yao and Shun still had sons of Zhu and Jun. If a child succeeds to the throne, if he becomes arrogant and foolish, the common people will suffer disaster and the country will suffer defeat. If the desire is to be eliminated, Ziwen's rule will still be there; if the desire is to remain, the evil of Luan Hui will be revealed. Instead of poisoning the existing people, it is better to cut off the favor to one of the dead ministers, that is clear. However, to the so-called loved one is to banish him and hurt him. The minister said that it is appropriate to endow the people with thatched soil to reward their households and towns. They must be talented and capable, and be given officials along with their equipment, so that they can receive great favors and their descendants will be blessed. "

Translation: In the spring and February of the thirteenth year of Zhenguan, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty had issued an edict to allow the clan and some ministers to inherit the position of governor hereditary. Yu Zhining, the concubine of Zuo, believed that the situation in ancient times was different from today's, and that this might not be possible for a long time. stability, so the memorial was against it.

Ma Zhou, the imperial censor, also wrote a memorial. He believed: "The fathers of Yao and Shun also had unfilial sons like Danzhu and Shangjun. If children are allowed to inherit the position, if they are pampered, the people will suffer harm from them. .The country will suffer losses. If they want to cut off their positions, the merits of their elders are still there; if they want to retain their positions, their sins have been obvious. It is better not to benefit the ministers who have made merits. Well, this is a very obvious truth. In this case, the original act of caring for them has just become an act of harming them. I think they should be rewarded with land and population. If they are really talented, they should be rewarded according to their ability (instruments). According to the size of his talents, he was awarded corresponding official positions, so that I would be favored by your majesty and my descendants would also enjoy a superior life." Hui Sikong, Zhaozhou Governor Changsun Wuji and other unwilling countries expressed their gratitude and said: "Thank you for your kindness. Since then, they have been hanging on each other, like walking on the spring ice, and the clan is worried about the dangers, just like the feudal society of the three generations. It is a matter of deep concern. Now, because of the changes in the ministers, there is a fear that future generations of ignorant and dishonest heirs may violate the country's constitution and get rid of the barbarians, and may even be exterminated due to the reward of Yanshi. I am sorry for the misfortune. I wish to stop Huan Khan's decree and give him the grace of life." When Sikong, Zhaozhou Governor Sun Wuji and others were unwilling to accept the hereditary position, they resolutely refused. It is: "Since the edict was issued, I have felt lonely and desolate, as if walking on thin ice in spring; the clan (Zong, clan) and relatives (Qi, relatives) have been worried (Yu, worry), like soup placed on the fire. . Looking back on the past, only three generations implemented the feudal system. The reason was probably that the central government could not control local forces, so the government orders were often not issued by the central dynasty. In the past, princes were abolished and county guards were established. (曩, former) disadvantages, this is very appropriate (harmony, harmony, harmony). Now there are changes due to us, which may disrupt the system of Shengtang, and the future generations who are stupid and useless may violate the national law and bring about their own destruction. It is a pitiful thing to have the reward that lasted for several generations and to be cut off. I beg you to take back the life of your descendants." Wuji also asked his wife, Princess Changle, to ask for help, and said: "I have to go through thorns to serve Your Majesty. Now there is peace in the sea. How can I abandon other states? It is no different from migrating." It said: "Certaining land to ennoble meritorious officials has a common meaning in ancient and modern times. It is intended that the descendants of my descendants will assist me. It is passed down by the emperor." Forever. But the public is still complaining, how can I force the public to use Mao Tuxie! Changsun Wuji made a firm request to Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty through his daughter-in-law Princess Changle. He also said: "I have overcome all difficulties and obstacles to serve His Majesty. Now the world is peaceful, why should I be appointed to another place? This is no different from migration." Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty. Said: "The emperor entrusts land to meritorious ministers. This is a common practice in ancient and modern times. The purpose is to allow your descendants to assist my descendants and pass on the eternal foundation of the Tang Dynasty. But you But you said you can't accept it, how can I force you to accept it?" On Gengzi day, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty issued an edict to stop the system of feuding governors from generation to generation.

9. In the summer of the 16th year of the lunar month, Renzi asked the official Chu Suiliang to admonish him and said: "You still know the annotations for daily life, can the writings be read?" He said to him: "You are a historian. When I speak, I should record the good and evil. I don’t dare to do anything wrong, but I will take it for granted without hearing it.” He said, “If I have any bad deeds, will you remember them?” , I dare not forget it." Liu Jie, the minister of Huangmen, said: "If Suiliang does not remember it, the whole world will also remember it." Translation: Summer 4th, the 16th year of Zhenguan. On Renzi, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty said to Chu Suiliang, the admonishing official: "You are still serving as the living minister. Can I see the daily notes you recorded?" Chu Suiliang replied: "The historian (this refers to the living minister) records the monarch's notes. The words and deeds record the good and bad deeds of the monarch in detail. Probably the monarch does not dare to have bad words and deeds. There is no precedent for the monarch to read the daily notes by himself. "Tang Taizong said: "I have something wrong. Do you want to record everything truthfully?" Chu Suiliang replied: "My job is to record His Majesty's words and deeds truthfully, and I dare not not record the inappropriate things." Huangmen Shilang Liu Ji said, "What if Chu Suiliang doesn't do it? Records will be recorded by everyone in the world. "Tang Taizong said: "It is indeed the case." 10. In the spring of the 17th year, Duke Wei Zheng passed away. The superior thought about Zheng endlessly, and said to his courtiers: "When people use copper as a mirror, they can straighten their clothes. When they use ancient times as a mirror, they can see the ups and downs. When people use people as a mirror, they can know gains and losses. If Wei Zheng is gone, I will be dead as a mirror."

Translation: In the spring of the seventeenth year of Zhenguan, on the first day of the lunar month, Wei Zheng, the Duke of Zheng, passed away (the death of princes is called "died"). Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty often missed him (incessantly, non-stop). He said to the ministers at his side: "People use copper to make mirrors, which can be used to correct their appearance. If you use history as a mirror, you can understand the laws of the rise and fall of the world. The monarch puts As a mirror, I can know my own gains and losses. "When Wei Zheng passed away, I lost a mirror.

11. On the Gengchen day of the fifth month in the summer of the twenty-first year, I went to the Cuiwei Palace of the Imperial Palace and asked the courtiers: "Since ancient times, although the emperors pacified the Zhongxia, they could not submit to the Rong and Di. I am not trying to catch the ancients, but I have succeeded in overcoming them. "Since I don't tell you, I will tell you the truth." All the ministers said: "Your Majesty's merits are as great as those of heaven and earth." He said: "That's not the case." Wu Shi Er. Since ancient times, emperors have always been quick to defeat themselves. I see that others are as good as myself.

Whether a person's behavior can be balanced, I always abandon his shortcomings and take advantage of his strengths. The master often wants to take advantage of others when he advances, and wants to push others away when he is unworthy. When I see the wise, I respect them, and when I see the unworthy, I pity them. Each of the virtuous and unworthy will find his place. The master of the people is evil and upright, and he will punish the evil and show the killing, and there will be no replacement for him. Since I have been in Zuo, upright men have been on par with the dynasty, and I have never deposed anyone. Since ancient times, people have valued the Chinese and despised the barbarians. I only love them like one, so all their descendants rely on me like their parents. These five are the reasons why I am what I am today. Gu said to Chu Suiliang, "Is it true that you are a historian as I said?" He said to him: "Your Majesty's great virtues are unparalleled. He is proud of himself for these five things alone, which reflects his modest ambitions." ”

Translation: In the fifth month of the summer of the twenty-first year of Zhenguan, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty drove to Cuiwei Hall and asked his ministers: “Even if the emperors from ancient times unified the Central Plains, they could not bring back the surrounding ethnic minorities.” Clothes. My talents are not as good as those of the ancients, but my achievements exceed them. I don’t know the specific reasons. Please open your hearts and share your opinions! The ministers all said: "Your Majesty's merits and virtues are as vast as heaven and earth, and we cannot explain them clearly." Tang Taizong said: "Your answer is incorrect (ran, correct)." There are only five reasons why I can do this. Since ancient times, emperors have been jealous of those who are better than themselves, but once I discover the advantages of others, I am as happy as if I possess these advantages (goodness, advantages). For outstanding talents, their character and talents often cannot be combined. I often ignore their shortcomings and use their strengths. When the emperor promoted and appointed talented people, he often wanted to hold them in his arms; when he rejected the incompetent people, he wanted to push them into the ravine. And when I see talented people, I will respect them, and when I meet incompetent people, I will pity them. Both types of people can each find their own place. Monarchs often dislike honest and frank ministers and execute them openly or covertly. This is not the case in any dynasty or generation. Since I came to the throne, all the ministers in the dynasty have been frank and frank, and I have never demoted or reprimanded them. Since ancient times, emperors of all dynasties have valued the Chinese people, but despised the ethnic minorities. Only I can love and care for them equally, so all the surrounding ethnic groups rely on me as they rely on their biological parents. These five aspects are the reasons why I have achieved my career today. Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty turned back to Chu Suiliang and said: "You have served as a historian. Do what I just said are consistent with the actual situation?" Chu Suiliang replied: "Your Majesty's broad and broad virtues have endless records (win, exhaust). But he is only satisfied (and praised) with the above five aspects. His Majesty is really too modest.

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