When I hear the elders asking for wood, I will consolidate their roots; Those who want to flow far away will dig their springs; A man who considers national security will accumulate his morality. The source is not deep, but it flows far. Roots are not solid, but seek the length of wood. If virtue is not thick, the country will be safe. Although I am stupid, I know it is impossible, but it is wise to assess the situation. People should be as heavy as artifacts [1] and as big as their living environment [2]. They should not think about being prepared for danger in times of peace and refrain from extravagance and frugality. They also have to cut off their roots, so that they can flourish, block their source and want a long stream.

Hundreds of heads of state all accept the destiny [3], and those who are good at the beginning will recover, and those who are good at the end will be few. Is it easy to take and difficult to stay? Covered with melancholy [4], you must be single-minded; If you succeed, you will be addicted to pride. Dedicated, the five mountains are one; Proud things, then flesh and blood is the right way. Although Dong Zhi was angered by severe punishment [5], he finally avoided it mercilessly, with a respectful face but unconvinced. There is not much resentment, but people are awesome, and it is advisable to be cautious when traveling by boat.

If you can see what you want, you will quit contentedly; There must be a work [6], and I think of the people of Zhi Zhi; If you are at high risk, you will be modest and self-grazing [7]; If you are afraid of flooding, you will think of rivers and seas; Music disc tour [8], and then think about three drives [9]; If you are worried about slacking off, start cautiously and end with respect; If you care, you will think modestly and accept it; If you are afraid of evil, just think about it; If you add grace, you will think there is no reason to be happy; If you are punished, you will think that there is no abuse of punishment because of anger. A total of ten thoughts, macro nine virtues [10]. Simply do [1 1], choose good and follow it, then the wise will do their best, the brave will do their best, the benevolent will benefit widely, and the believers will be loyal to it. Use the art of civil and military, and rule by hanging down the arch. Why bother thinking hard, not thinking about it!

—— Selected from The Biography of Wei Zhi in Old Tang Dynasty, a punctuation book by Zhonghua Book Company.

To annotate ...

[1] Artifact: Empress.

[2] Habitat size: occupying a large space between heaven and earth. The first part of Laozi: "The Tao is big, the sky is big, the land is big, and the king is big. There are four in the domain, and Wang Juyi is one of them. " In the field between heaven and earth.

[3] Scene: Big.

[4] Yin: deep.

[5] Dong: Governor and Governor.

[6] Work: Constellation, architecture. It means building a palace or something.

[7] Modesty: Modesty. Self-grazing: self-cultivation and self-cultivation.

[8] Disk Tour: Hunting for fun.

[9] Three drives: Hunting three times a year. "Wang Lizhi": "The emperor and the princes have nothing to do, then they are three years old (hunting)."

[10] Nine virtues: loyalty, faithfulness, respect, rigidity, softness, harmony, practicality, restraint and obedience.

In the early days of Emperor Taizong's accession to the throne, because Sui bamboo slips were not far away, he was able to make great efforts to govern. With more and more achievements, life is becoming more and more luxurious. "I like to hear what I want to say" and "I don't like what I hate". This article is one of Wei Zhi's many expositions on this issue. Focusing on the theme of "those who think about the security of the country must accumulate their virtues and be righteous", the full text exhorts Emperor Taizong to be cautious in politics, be humble in coachable and reward and punish justice; When employing people, we should know that people are good at their duties, and Jane can choose good ones; In life, we should advocate thrift, and we should not take people's strength lightly. Although these thoughts were based on the consolidation of the Li and Tang dynasties, they objectively enabled the people to recuperate and were conducive to the prosperity of the early Tang Dynasty. Taking "thinking" as a clue, this paper combines the issues to be discussed into a written text, which is clear in arts and sciences and rigorous in structure. And using rhetorical devices such as metaphor, parallelism and antithesis, it is a good article with thorough reasoning, sonorous phonology and abundant momentum. Translation:

I heard that if trees are required to grow, their roots must be strengthened; If you want the river to flow forever, you must dredge the source; If you want to make the country stable, you must accumulate your own moral integrity. Although I am stupid, I know it is impossible to make the country stable, but I hope that the water will flow forever and the roots will not be firm, but I want to make the country stable, not to mention a wise person. The monarch holds the important power of the emperor and is in the supreme position between heaven and earth. He ignored danger in a comfortable environment, gave up luxury and practiced frugality. It's like breaking the roots and letting the trees flourish, blocking the spring and hoping for long running water!

In ancient times, many monarchs did well at first, but few of them persisted. Is it easy to win the world and difficult to defend it? Probably when they are heartbroken, they will treat their subordinates sincerely. Once you succeed, you will indulge your lust and look down on others. Do your best, then even hostile countries such as Wu and Vietnam can become a whole; If you look down on others, your relatives will be alienated like passers-by. In other words, reprimanding the people with severe punishment and intimidating them with power and prestige can only make them avoid punishment as much as possible, and will not miss the kindness of the monarch. On the surface, they are respectful, but they are not convinced. Resentment is not the size, but the people are terrible. People, like water, can carry a boat or capsize it, so be especially careful.

I can really do it: when I see what I want, I think of contentment to warn myself; When the building is about to be completed, people think that enough is enough to make people peaceful; Considering the danger of being in a high position at any time, I thought of modesty and strengthening self-cultivation; Afraid of complacency, thinking that Jianghai lives in the lower reaches of all rivers; If you like hunting and entertainment, you will think of a limit of three times a year; Worried about slackness of will, always cautious when thinking of doing things; Worried that you will be deceived, you want to accept the opinions of subordinates with an open mind; Afraid of evil, I want to correct myself and repel evil villains; When Garn was in "People", because he was happy at the moment, he thought of not giving improper rewards; When imposing punishment, I didn't think of imposing punishment indiscriminately, because I was angry. If we fully achieve the above ten aspects and expand the cultivation of nine virtues, we will certainly get many benefits. Choose the good and listen to it. Then, smart people will try their best, brave people will try their best, caring people will give alms and honest people will give their loyalty. When all the civilian commanders are appointed, you can hang up your clothes and hand them over, so you can rule safely. Why think hard and be an official.

Emperor Taizong was good at training.

Once, Emperor Taizong humbly asked Wei Zhi, "How can we distinguish a wise king from a fatuous king?" ? Wei Zhi solemnly replied that the monarch is sacred.

Ming, because he can listen to different opinions widely; The monarch is fatuous because he is partial to hearing and partial to believing. After saying this, he cited both positive and negative examples in history.

To prove it. He said that Yao and Shun were sages in ancient times, because they could speak freely and listen to different opinions, so the villain could not deceive him. Like emperors Qin Ershi, Liang Wudi and Yang Di.

These bad kings live in the deep palace, isolating courtiers and alienating the people, and can't hear the real voice of the people. Until the world collapsed and the people betrayed, they were still ignorant. Adopt liegeman's

It is suggested that the voice of the people can be achieved. This wise saying of Wei Zhi is deeply engraved in the heart of Emperor Taizong. From then on, Emperor Taizong paid special attention to coachable's modesty. He doesn't care.

No matter who you are or what your attitude is, as long as your opinion is correct, he can accept it humbly. Here is a true story of "the power to save the sky". At that time, Emperor Taizong

It was ordered that the dilapidated Gan Yuan Temple be decorated for visiting palaces in other places. It is a piece of cake for the emperor to build a small palace.

However, a small official, Zhang, who attended the memorial ceremony, complained that the move was inappropriate. He said that after the completion of Epang Palace, the Qin Dynasty perished; After Zhang Huatai was repaired, the State of Chu was scattered; Xiu Gan Yuan

Temple, Sui Dynasty collapsed. These are all lessons from history. Now in the Tang Dynasty, everything is in ruins. Where is our national strength comparable to that of the Sui Dynasty? Your Majesty continues to serve and suffer for the country's mess.

People suffering from war have spent hundreds of millions of dollars on large-scale construction. Your majesty did not inherit the advantages of the former emperor, but inherited the shortcomings of the hundred emperors. If you look at it from this angle, your majesty's leadership

This loss far exceeds that of Emperor Yang Di. This is a commemoration of hitting the key with a sharp pen. However, Xiao Zhang dared to compare the wise monarch Emperor Taizong to a fatuous tyrant.

Yang Di offended Tianwei. Isn't this throwing eggs at a stone? The man Wu is sweating for him. People are watching the reaction of Emperor Taizong. If it's not Emperor Taizong, it's something else.

When the emperor saw this disrespectful letter, he was furious. He not only threw Zhang's head to the ground, but also implicated nine families. However, Emperor Taizong is Emperor Taizong. Not only did he not blame.

Zhang ignored it and ordered him to be summoned instead. At this time, Emperor Taizong wanted to further test Zhang's courage, so he asked, Qing said I was inferior, so I stayed with Shang and Zhou.

Bobby, what's wrong? You know, Wang Jie in Xia Dynasty and Zhou Wang in Shang Dynasty were notorious tyrants in history. Emperor Taizong asked this question with profound meaning. No, this one is straight.

Answer exactly, if your majesty really built the Gan Yuan Temple, it would be as chaotic as Xia Jie and Shang and Zhou Dynasties. Hearing this answer, Emperor Taizong was not angry, but was deeply moved.

Yes He thought, a small official, dare to die unsatisfied, for what, not just for the country? Therefore, Emperor Taizong withdrew his letters and stopped rebuilding Gan Yuan Palace. Where's the table?

Yang praised Zhang and gave him 500 silks. Wei Zhi, who has been paying attention to this matter, was deeply touched when he heard this happy ending. Zhang Gong said that he has the power to save the world.

Because it was said by a noble gentleman! The true story of "the power to return to heaven" fully illustrates the modesty and eagerness of Emperor Taizong.