When he arrived at the Royal Cuiwei Hall, he asked his courtiers, "Although emperors have pacified midsummer since ancient times, they can't serve Rong and Di. I didn't catch the ancients, and I succeeded. I told them the truth because I didn't tell them the reason. " The ministers said, "Your majesty's merits are like heaven and earth, and everything is famous." He said, "Otherwise. I can do this because of five things. Since ancient times, emperors have overcome themselves with many diseases, and I have also seen the goodness of people, if I have it. You can't have your cake and eat it, so I often abandon its shortcomings and take its strengths. People often want to put their hearts on sages, and when they retire, they want to push the valley. I respect sages and pity them. Every sage has his place. There are many evils and righteousness in human beings, which are irreplaceable. Since my practice, upright people have stood side by side with North Korea and never blamed anyone. Since ancient times, China has been attached importance to, and barbarians and Germany have always loved each other, so they all regard me as their parents. These five things have made me who I am today. " Gu said that Chu Suiliang said, "You smell like a historian. Is what I said true? " He said: "Your majesty's great virtue is unparalleled, and he is complacent with these five things alone, covering his humble ears."
Annotation of ancient Chinese prose
Emperor Taizong's theory of governing the country
Go to the Royal Cuiwei Temple (1) and ask the courtiers: "Since ancient times, emperors have been in midsummer, but they can't serve Emperor Rong (2). I didn't catch the ancients, but I succeeded and didn't tell them why. All princes are going to tell the truth. " All the ministers said, "Your majesty's merits are like all things in the world, and you can't be named." The master said, "Otherwise, there are only five reasons why I can achieve this goal: since ancient times, emperors have conquered themselves with many diseases;" I see people's kindness, if I have it. A person's journey can or can't have it both ways. I often abandon its shortcomings and take its strengths. People want sages, want to win people's hearts and retreat, and want to push the valley; I respect the sages, show sincere pity, and give them their proper position. Many people are evil, yin is obvious, and there is no generation; Since my practice, an upright man has always stood side by side with North Korea and never blamed anyone. China has been valued since ancient times, and I love it as always, so it depends on me as a parent. These five things have made me who I am today. "
("Tang Zi XIV")
To annotate ...
① Cuiwei Hall: The main hall of Cuiwei Palace in Tang Dynasty, located at the foot of Zhong Nanshan Mountain in the suburb of Chang 'an, the capital. ② Rongdi: an ancient minority, called Rong in the west and Di in the north. This refers to all ethnic minorities. 3 willingness: at will. 4 disease: spread "jealousy" and jealousy. 5 unscrupulous: bad conduct. 6 practice: enthronement. ⑦ Species: race, tribe.
translate
When Emperor Taizong came to Cuiwei Hall, he asked the courtiers accompanying him: "Although emperors have pacified China in the Central Plains since ancient times, they cannot surrender to the surrounding Rongdi. My talents can't catch up with the ancients, but my achievements surpass them. I don't understand why. Let's talk about it according to our actual ideas. " All the ministers said that "the merits of the emperor are as great as heaven and earth, as many as everything, and it is impossible to find appropriate words to express them." Taizong said, "No! I can achieve this only by the following five aspects: since ancient times, emperors have been more jealous of others than of themselves; I see the advantages of others, as if I have this advantage myself. People's character, ability and incompetence are both, and I tend to abandon their shortcomings and choose their strengths. The monarch often wants to take him into his arms when he enters the sage, and those who reject the sage want to push him into the valley; I respect the wise and pity the wicked. The wise and the wicked can find their proper positions respectively. Monarchs hate honest people, or openly or implicitly kill innocent people, and there is no generation that is not like this; Since I acceded to the throne, upright people have stood side by side in the imperial court and never demoted or punished anyone. Since ancient times, monarchs have been treated lightly by Zhong Hua. I love them without discrimination, so all races and tribes turn to me for help like their parents. These five aspects are the reasons why I have achieved today. "