Zi Zhi Tong Jian

Chapter 47
In the first year of Diaolu, Sinon Qing Wei Hongji made Suyu, Gaoshan, Shangyang and other palaces, with a magnificent system.Shangyang Palace is adjacent to Luoshui, and it is a long corridor stretching for one mile.Gong Cheng, moved to the imperial court.Shi Yushi Di Renjie impeached Hongji as a luxury, and Hongji was dismissed from office.Zuo Si Langzhong Wang Benli relied on his kindness to do things, and the court feared him.Renjie played the traitor, please pay the judiciary, and went to the special original, Renjie said: "Although the country lacks talents, how can there be no original generation! Your Majesty, why do you cherish the sinners, so as to violate the king's law. If you want to pardon the original establishment, please abandon your ministers. A land without people is a commandment of loyalty to the future!" Ben Li was offended, so the court was in awe.

【Translation】

Tang Gaozongyi Fengyuan Year (676 A.D.)
It was reported in Dali Temple that Quan Shancai, General of Zuoweiwei, and Fan Huaiyi, General of Youjianmen Zhonglang, accidentally chopped down a cypress tree on Zhaoling Mausoleum.Di Renjie, a Taiyuan native of Dali, said: "These two people should not be executed for their crimes." Seeing Tang Gaozong's angry face, he ordered him to go out. He said: "Offending your majesty's majesty, bluntly and strongly admonishing, has been considered difficult since ancient times. But I thought it would be very difficult if you met Jie and Zhou. , but it is easy to do when you meet benevolent monarchs like Yao and Shun. Nowadays, people who should not be executed according to the law, but His Majesty insists on executing them. What will people follow in the future? Zhang Shizhi of the Han Dynasty once said to Emperor Wen: "If someone steals a piece of land from Gaozu Changling, how will your majesty punish him?" If a general is put to death, what will future generations think of His Majesty? The reason why I don’t obey His Majesty’s order is that I fear that His Majesty will fall into a state of incompetence, and also because I am afraid that Wuyan will go to see Zhang Shizhi under the Nine Springs.” Hearing what he said, Tang Gaozong's anger subsided a little, and Quan Shancai and Fan Huaiyi were only removed from their names and exiled to the Lingnan area.A few days later, the imperial court promoted Di Renjie to serve as censor.

At first, Di Renjie served as the Bingzhou Facao, and his colleague Zheng Chongzhi was supposed to go to a distant place.But Zheng Chongzhi's mother was old and sick. Di Renjie said: "His mother's condition is so bad, how can we let her worry about parting thousands of miles!" Then he found Chang Shi Lin Renji and asked him to replace Zheng Chongzhi as the envoy.Lin Renji had always had a estrangement with Sima Li Xiaolian. At this time, the two couldn't help but said to each other: "How can we not feel ashamed of our actions?" Since then, the two have been able to live in harmony.

In the first year of Diaolu (679 A.D.), Wei Hongji, Minister of Agriculture, built Suyu, Gaoshan, Shangyang and other palaces, which were magnificent.Shangyang Palace is close to Luoshui, and has a long corridor that stretches for one mile.After the palace was completed, Tang Gaozong moved there.The censor Shi Di Renjie impeached Wei Hongji for seducing the emperor to extravagance. Wei Hongji was convicted and dismissed from office.Zuo Si Langzhong Wang Benli relied on the emperor's favor and abused his power, so all the officials in the court, Chinese, military and military were afraid of him.Only Di Renjie came forward to expose his treacherous behavior and requested that he be handed over to the judicial department for investigation.Tang Gaozong specifically pardoned him.Di Renjie said: "Although the country lacks outstanding talents, is there a shortage of people like Wang Benli? Why does Your Majesty love sinners and thus damage the king's law? If you must pardon Wang Benli, then please first exile me to the desert In order to punish future loyal ministers." Wang Benli was finally convicted.Since then, the court has been serious and law-abiding.

[Original text]

In the fourth year of Tang Zetian's Shunsheng Empress Chuigong, Di Renjie, Zuo Cheng of Wenchang, was appointed as the governor of Yuzhou.At that time, when the King of Yue ruled with Zhendang, there were six or seven hundred families who were in charge, and five thousand people who were not registered. They were punished and executed.Renjie Mizuo: "They are all rumors and mistakes. If the minister wants to show it, it seems to be an advocacy against people. If you know it but don't speak, you are afraid that your Majesty's benevolent purpose will be violated."Passing through Ningzhou, the elders of Ningzhou greeted Lao Lao and said: "My Di Shijun lives in Ruxie?" We cried together under the stele of virtue and government, and set a fast for three days before leaving.

At that time, Zhang Guangfu was still in Yuzhou, and the officers and men relied on their meritorious deeds and asked for many things, but Renjie did not respond.Guangfu said angrily: "The general of the state underestimated the marshal?" Renjie said: "The one who messed up Henan, the king of Yue, Zhener, is dead today, and Wan Zhen is alive!" There were 30 soldiers, and those who were punished stopped at Yue Wangzhen. The city heard that the officers and soldiers had arrived, and those who came out of the city were surrounded by trails. Slaying the horse sword, put it on the neck of Duke Ming, even if you die!" Guangfu couldn't question him, but he returned, playing Renjie not inferior, and moved left to the governor of Fuzhou.

In the second year of Tang Zetian's Shunsheng Empress Tianshou, the Empress Dowager said Renjie Day: "You are in Runan, and you have a very good government. Do you want to know the name of the person?" ; It’s a blessing for me to know my ministers, and I don’t want to know the names of those who are wrong.” The Queen Mother sighed deeply.

【Translation】

In the fourth year of Empress Chuigong of Tang Zetian (AD 688), the imperial court appointed Wenchang Zuocheng Di Renjie as the governor of Yuzhou.At that time, the imperial court was punishing the henchmen of Li Zhen, King of Yue. According to the law, there were six or seven hundred families who should be convicted, and 5000 people who were not registered in the government and served as slaves. The Sixing Temple urged Yuzhou to execute the judgment.Di Renjie reported to the Empress Dowager: "They are all implicated. I planned to report to the Emperor Ming, but it seemed that I was suspected of defending the rebels; but I didn't say anything because I knew it, and I was afraid of violating Your Majesty's benevolent and compassionate intention. ”The queen mother therefore specially forgave them and exiled them all to Fengzhou.When the group passed by Ningzhou, the local people greeted and comforted them and said, "It was our envoy Di who saved your life!" Then they supported each other and wept bitterly in front of the monument of meritorious deeds set up by the people of Ningzhou for Di Renjie. , fasted for three days before moving on to leave.

At that time, Zhang Guangfu was still in Yuzhou, and all the soldiers relied on their meritorious service to plunder the common people. Di Renjie didn't respond to them.Zhang Guangfu was furious because of this: "How dare the state generals despise the generals of the whole army!" Di Renjie said: "There is only one Yue king Li Zhen who made trouble in Henan. Now one Li Zhen is dead, but there are 1 Li Zhens!" Zhang Guangfu then asked him What does this mean? Di Renjie said: "You command 30 soldiers, and the only one you want to kill is Li Zhen, the king of Yue. The people in the city heard that the army came, and there were many people who came out of Yuecheng to surrender, and all sides were trampled into roads. , but you indulged the soldiers to plunder ferociously, and killed those who had surrendered to repay the merits, and the fields were stained red with blood. Isn’t this 1 Li Zhens? Put it on your neck, even if I die, it will be regarded as going home!" Zhang Guangfu was at a loss for words for a moment, and when he came back, he wrote a memorial saying that Di Renjie was disobedient.Therefore, Di Renjie was quickly relegated as the governor of Fuzhou.

The Empress Dowager said to Di Renjie in the second year of Tang Zetian's Tianshou (AD 691): "When you were in Runan, you were very good at governance and well-known. Don't you want to know who framed you?" Di Renjie thanked the Empress Dowager and said: " Your Majesty thinks that I have made a mistake, so please allow me to correct it; it is my luck to know that I am not at fault, and I don’t want to know who is framing me.” The queen mother was deeply moved and praised him greatly.

[Original text]

Wu Chengsi and Sansi Yingqiu were crowned princes, and many people said that the queen mother said: "Since ancient times, there has been no emperor with a different surname as his heir." The queen mother's intention is still undecided.Every time Di Renjie calmly said to the Queen Mother: "Emperor Wen, weathering the wind and rain, took the lead in front of him, so as to rule the world and pass it on to his descendants. The emperor entrusted his two sons to His Majesty. Your Majesty wants to move another family now. It is God's will! And my uncle and nephew Which one is closer to the mother and the child? If your Majesty establishes a son, it will be eaten in the Taimiao Temple for a long time to come, and the inheritance will be endless; " Renjie said: "The king regards the four seas as his home. Within the four seas, who is not a minister and concubine, and who is not a family affair of your majesty! The king is the head of state, and the ministers are the shares. Huh!" He urged the Queen Mother to call back the King of Luling.Wang Fangqing, Wang Jishan also advised him.The Empress Dowager is a little bit embarrassed.The next day, he also called Renjie and said: "I dreamed that the big parrot's wings were broken, why?" He said to him: "Warrior, your majesty's surname, two wings, and two sons. If your majesty raises two sons, the two wings will vibrate." The queen mother said so. There is no intention of establishing an heir and thinking twice.

Empress Zetian of the Tang Dynasty regarded Di Renjie, the Duke of Wenhui of Liang, as the Empress Dowager of the first year of the first year, who believed in the internal history for a long time.Renjie was so eager to provoke court disputes that the Queen Mother always succumbed to it.Taste the luck of the queen mother, when the wind blows Renjie's scarf, but the horse can't stop being shocked, the queen mother orders the prince to chase him and tie him.

【Translation】

Wu Chengsi and Wu Sansi tried to become the crown prince, and sent people to persuade the queen mother many times, saying: "Since ancient times, the emperor has not had a successor with a different surname." The queen mother was still hesitant, and Di Renjie often said to the queen mother calmly: Emperor Wen braved the wind and rain, braved the swords and arrows, and was able to pacify the world, and passed on this great foundation to future generations. Gaozong entrusted his two sons to His Majesty. Now His Majesty wants to hand over the country to foreigners. Is this in line with the meaning of God? Besides, who is closer than mother and child? Your Majesty makes a son the crown prince, and after thousands of generations, the ancestral temple will be sacrificed and inherited from generation to generation, endlessly; Let’s worship the aunt in the ancestral temple together after the Son of Heaven.” The Empress Dowager said: “This is my family business, so don’t get meddled.” Di Renjie said: “The king should take the four seas as his home, and within the four seas, who is not a concubine? Is there anything that is not your majesty's family business? The monarch is the head of state, and the ministers are the limbs, which means they are like a whole, not to mention that I am still the prime minister, so how can I not participate?" Then he persuaded the queen mother to recall the king of Luling, Wang Fangqing, Wang Ji Shan also persuaded the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager finally realized something.One day, the Empress Dowager said to Di Renjie: "I dreamed that a big parrot's wings were broken. How can this be explained?" Di Renjie replied: "Wu is your majesty's surname, and the two wings are your two sons. With the use of two sons, the two wings will be cheered up." From then on, the Queen Mother dispelled the idea of ​​appointing Wu Chengsi and Wu Sansi as princes.

In the first year of Tang Zetian's long-term vision (AD 700), Empress Wu Zetian trusted and valued Di Renjie, Duke Wenhui of Liang Dynasty, and none of the ministers could compare with him. its name.Di Renjie is also used to speaking out and giving strong advice in court, and Wu Zetian often adopts his suggestions, although he never cares when it goes against his original intention.Once, Di Renjie accompanied Wu Zetian on a tour, and suddenly encountered a strong wind on the way, which blew Di Renjie's turban to the ground, and his mount was also frightened and galloped. and tie it up.

[Original text]

Renjie repeatedly begged for the bones of his old illness, but the Queen Mother refused.When I enter the temple, I often stop worshiping, saying: "Every time I see the public worshiping, I also feel pain in my body." Still avoid him, and warn his colleagues: "Since it is not a military matter, don't bother the public." Xin Chou, 薨, Queen Mother Weeping and saying: "The court is empty!" Since there is a major event in the court, the people may not be able to decide, the queen mother often sighed and said: "Why is it too early to take my country away!"

The queen mother asked Renjie: "I want to get a good man to use it, who can?" Renjie said: "What do you want to use, Your Majesty?" : "The literature is borrowed, so Su Weiwei and Li Qiao are solid choices. If you want to win outstanding talents, there is Zhang Jianzhi, the governor of Jingzhou. Although he is old, he is also the prime minister." The queen mother promoted him to Luozhou. Sima.A few days later, I asked Renjie again, and said to him: "I recommended Cambodia before, but it has not been used yet." The queen mother said: "It has been moved." Qiu Guanshilang; for a long time, he was used as a prime minister.Renjie also recommended dozens of people, including Xia Guanshilang Yao Yuanchong, supervisory censor Qu Ahuanyanfan, and Taizhou governor Jinghui, as famous officials.Or Renjie said: "All the peaches and plums in the world are in the public gate." Renjie said: "Recommending talents for the country is not for selfishness."

【Translation】

Di Renjie had repeatedly asked the Queen Mother to go home for the elderly on the grounds of old age and sickness, but Wu Zetian refused every time.Whenever Di Renjie came to visit the court, Wu Zetian often prevented him from kneeling and prostrating. She said: "Whenever I see Aiqing kneeling and prostrating, my body will ache." On August [-], when Di Renjie passed away, Wu Zetian cried bitterly and said, "The court is empty!" From then on, whenever the imperial court encountered a major event, if the officials could not make a decision, Wu Zetian would sigh and say, "Why did God take away my old man so early?"

Wu Zetian had asked Di Renjie before and said: "I want to get a wise man to entrust him with important tasks. Who do you think is the most suitable?" Di Renjie asked: "I don't know what important tasks Your Majesty intends to entrust to him?" He will be the prime minister." Di Renjie replied: "If what your majesty wants is a talented person with profound knowledge, then Su Weiwei and Li Qiao are the best candidates. If your majesty must find an outstanding talent, it is not Jingzhou governor Shi Zhang Cambodia is none other than him, although he is old, he is indeed a prime minister." Wu Zetian immediately promoted Zhang Jianzhi to be the Sima of Luozhou.A few days later, Wu Zetian asked Di Renjie to recommend talents, and Di Renjie replied: "Zhang Jianzhi, whom I recommended a few days ago, has not yet been appointed by Your Majesty!" Wu Zetian said, "I have already promoted him." Di Renjie said: "The Zhang Jianzhi I recommend is the talent of the prime minister, not the material for Sima." Wu Zetian then appointed Zhang Jianzhi as the servant of the autumn official.After a long time, he was finally promoted to prime minister.Di Renjie also recommended to Wu Zetian dozens of people, including Yao Yuanchong, Xia Guanshilang, Huan Yanfan from Qu'a, the supervisory censor, and Jinghui, the governor of Taizhou. These people all became famous officials in the Tang Dynasty.So someone said to Di Renjie: "The virtuous and good generals who govern the world are all from your disciples." Di Renjie replied: "The introduction of virtuous people is for the benefit of the country, not for my own self-interest."

[Comment and Analysis]

During Wu Zetian's period, Di Renjie paid homage to the prime minister twice, and was highly regarded by Wu Zetian. He was one of the few important ministers under Wu Zetian who died well.When Di Renjie was an official, he attached great importance to the promotion of talents, which can be said to be eclectic, and left many good stories in this regard.Di Renjie has an upright nature and dares to argue with reason. Sometimes he confronts Wu Zetian face to face, and Wu Zetian often accepts his opinions.Di Renjie is also often written into literary works by later generations. Like Bao Zheng in the Song Dynasty, he became the embodiment of an upright official who is discerning, wise and caring.

Dedicated to anti-army
[Original text]

Tang Zetian Shunsheng Empress Guangzhai First Year

At that time, all the martial arts were used, and everyone in the Tang clan was in danger, and everyone was angry.Li Jingye, the governor of Huimeizhou, and his younger brother Ling Jingyou, Zhiqi of the Tang Dynasty, Luo Binwang, the governor of Chang'an, and Du Qiuren, the governor of Zhanshi, were all in charge. King Bin demoted Linhai Cheng, and asked for benevolence to demote Yi Ling.Seeking benevolence, the nephew of Zhenglun.Wei Siwen, Wei Siwen, was the censor and was deposed again.They all met in Yangzhou, and they each complained about their dereliction of duty and plotted to cause chaos, with the excuse of restoring the king of Luling.

(End of this chapter)