Zi Zhi Tong Jian

Chapter 50
Prime Minister of Kaiyuan

[Original text]

Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, the Great Sage of Daoism, Emperor Xiaoming of Ming Dynasty, the second year of Kaiyuan

Wei Zhigu, the supervisor of Huangmen, started out as a small official, and because of Yao Chong's recommendation, he even became a prime minister.If you are respectful and despised, please know the Minister of the Ministry of Officials and the selection of Dongdu, and send Song Jing, the Minister of the Ministry of Officials, to be an official under the door; know the title of the ancient.The second son of Chong was in charge of Dongdu, relying on his father's virtuous knowledge of the ancients, he asked for power;On the other day, the emperor calmly asked Chong: "What is the talent and nature of Qing Zi? Who is the official now?" Chong Tui understood the meaning of the Shang, and said to him: "I have three sons, two of whom are in the eastern capital. They are more eager than cautious, so they must do things. Knowing the ancients in the Wei Dynasty, the ministers have not had the time to ask." At the beginning, Chong must be his son's recluse, and when he heard Chongzuo, he asked happily: "Qing'an knows it?" Confronted: "When you know the ancient times, the minister's egg Yizhi. The minister is foolish, thinking that knowing the ancients will be a virtuous minister, and allowing him to do wrong, so he dares to do his ears." So the superior regards admiration as selfless, but knowing the ancients is negative, and wants to repudiate him.Chonggu asked: "I have no excuses, and if you disturb your majesty's law, your majesty will pardon your crimes. It's a good thing. If you know the past, the world will regard your majesty as private to your ministers, and you will be tired of the holy government." It was promised for a long time.In [-], Zhigu was appointed Minister of the Ministry of Industry.

In the third year of Kaiyuan, Yao Chongchang had a son's funeral, and he told him for more than ten days. Political affairs were accumulated, Huai Shen couldn't make a decision, and he was apprehensive and grateful.Shang said: "I appointed Yao Chong for the affairs of the world, and I used Qing to sit in the elegant and vulgar ears." After Chong came out, the verdicts were all done in a short time, which was quite impressive. Huan didn't agree, Chong said: "What is Guan and Yan?" Huan said: "Although the law of Guan and Yan can't be applied to the future, you can still die. The law of the public can be changed as soon as it is restored. It seems that it is not enough." Chong said "How about it?" Huan said: "Gong can be said to be the ear of saving the time." Chongxi threw a pen and said, "How easy is it to get the man of saving the time!" It is not as good as Chong, and everything is pushed away, and people at that time called it "the prime minister who eats with him."

【Translation】

The second year of Emperor Xuanzong Kaiyuan (714 A.D.)
Huangmen supervisor Wei Zhigu was originally a minor official, and because of Yao Chong's recommendation, he was able to serve as minister in the same dynasty as Yao Chong.Yao Chong despised him a little in his heart, so he only let him act as Minister of the Ministry of Officials, and presided over the selection of officials in Luoyang, the eastern capital. The proposed ministers are below the sixth rank.Because of this, Wei Zhigu was somewhat dissatisfied with Yao Chong.Yao Chong's two sons respectively worked in the central office of the Eastern Capital Luoyang. Relying on their father's kindness to Wei Zhigu, they seized power arbitrarily and secretly asked Wei Zhigu for officials for others; after Wei Zhigu returned to Chang'an , So he reported all these things to Tang Xuanzong.One day, Tang Xuanzong asked Yao Chong quietly, "How is your son's talent and character? What kind of official position is he holding now?" Yao Chong figured out the emperor's intention, and quickly replied: "I have three sons, and two sons. One of them works in Dongdu, they have strong desires by nature, and they are very indiscreet in doing things; now they must secretly ask Wei Zhigu to do things, but I haven't had time to consult them." Tang Xuanzong originally thought that Yao Chong would definitely do things for him. After hearing his answer, Tang Xuanzong happily asked: "How did you know this?" Yao Chong replied: "When Wei Zhigu was in a humble position, I used to be in the I have taken care of him in many ways. My sons are all fools, and I thought that Wei Zhigu would be grateful to me for this, and would tolerate their misbehavior, so I dared to ask him." Tang Xuanzong therefore believed that Yao Chong was loyal and selfless, However, he despised Wei Zhigu's ingratitude and planned to remove him from his post.Yao Chong insisted on pleading with Tang Xuanzong on his behalf: "This matter is all because of the crimes of my two sons, which disturbed your majesty's law. Your majesty pardoned their sins. I feel very honored; if it is because of my minister's But if Wei Zhigu is dismissed, then the common people in the world will definitely think that His Majesty is favoring his ministers, and the reputation of the imperial court will also be affected." Tang Xuanzong pondered for a long time, and finally agreed to his request.On May 714, 5 A.D., Wei Zhigu was dismissed from the position of prime minister and changed to minister of the Ministry of Industry.

In the third year of Kaiyuan (715 A.D.), Yao Chong took more than ten days off for his son's funeral, which piled up government affairs waiting to be dealt with.Unable to make a decision, Lu Huaishen felt terrified, so he went to Tang Xuanzong to apologize.Tang Xuanzong said to him: "I entrust all the affairs of the world to Yao Chong, I just want you to sit down and appease the refined scholars and laymen." All the unresolved matters have been dealt with, and he couldn't help but feel a little smug on his face. He turned his head and said to Qi Han, Ziwei Sheren: "As a prime minister, how can I compare with which prime ministers in history?" Qi Han didn't answer.Yao Chong continued to ask: "How do I compare with Guan Zhong and Yan Ying?" Qi Han replied: "Although the laws and regulations pursued by Guan Zhong and Yan Ying have not been handed down to later generations, at least they can be implemented for life. But the laws and regulations you made can be changed at any time, it seems that they are not as good as them." Yao Chong asked again: "But what kind of prime minister am I?" Qi Han replied: "You can be called a savior. The Prime Minister of Time." Yao Chong was overjoyed after hearing this, and threw the pen in his hand on the table, saying: "The Prime Minister who saves the time is not easy to find!" Lu Huaishen and Yao Chong served as chancellors at the same time. He thought that his talents were inferior to Yao Chong, so whenever he encountered an issue, he would push it to Yao Chong to handle it, so he was called "the prime minister with food" at that time.

[Original text]

The locusts in Shandong, the people may burn incense and worship by the fields and set up sacrifices but dare not kill them. Yao Chongzuo sent the censor to Duzhou County to catch them and kill them.Proponents think that there are so many locusts that they cannot be eliminated;Chong said: "Now the locusts are full of Shandong, and the people in Henan and the north are exiled. How can they sit back and watch the seedlings eat? They have never been rescued! It is better to breed them to cause disasters if they are not exhausted."Lu Huaishen thought that killing too many locusts would hurt harmony.Chong said: "In the past, Zhuang of Chu swallowed leeches and healed his disease. Uncle Sun killed snakes and became blessed. Why can't he bear the locusts and endure the starvation of humans? If killing locusts is a disaster, Chong begs you to do it!"

In the fourth year of Kaiyuan, Yao Chong had no residence and lived in Wangji Temple. He reported his illness and sent envoys to ask about his diet and daily life. He lived for dozens of generations.Yuan Qianyao played the matter or said the purpose, and Shang Zhe said: "This must be Yao Chong's plan." Or not, he said: "Why don't you discuss it with Yao Chong!" Qian Yao often thanked it.Whenever there is a big event, the emperor often asks Qian Yao to ask about it in the temple.Guimao, Qian Yao, please move to the Sifang Pavilion, and still listen to the family members entering the sick; let's make it up.There are books in Chongyi Sifang Pavilion, which are not suitable for the sick, so I insist.Shang said: "Setting up the Sifang Pavilion is for the officials; making the Qing live there is for the community. I wish I could make the Qing live in the middle ear, what a waste of words!"

Chongzi Guanglu Shaoqing Yi, Zongzheng Shaoqing Yi, and many guests were well received, and they were ridiculed by the times.The chief secretary, Zhao Huo, was a trusted confidant of Chong's. He was bribed by the Hu people.Chongfu rescued him, and Shangyu was not happy.Huiqu pardons the capital, and the edict specially marks the name, one hundred sticks, and flows to the south of the Five Ridges.Chongyou is fear, please avoid the phase, and recommend Song Jing, the governor of Guangzhou, to act on his own behalf.

【Translation】

Shandong suffered severe locust plagues. Some victims simply burned incense and offered sacrifices beside the affected fields to pray for blessings, but they dared not start hunting locusts.Yao Chong then asked Tang Xuanzong to send a censor to urge the states and counties to hunt, kill and bury the locusts by themselves.Some people think that there are so many locusts that they cannot be wiped out. Tang Xuanzong also deeply doubts whether this move will work.Yao Chong said: "Nowadays the locusts in Shandong are all over the mountains, and the people on the north and south sides of the Yellow River have all fled. How can we sit back and watch the locusts devour the seedlings without doing anything and do not save ourselves? It is much stronger to cause a greater disaster." Tang Xuanzong immediately granted his request.Lu Huaishen believed that if too many locusts were killed, it might damage the harmony of yin and yang between heaven and earth.Yao Chong said: "In the past, King Zhuang of Chu swallowed leeches, and he was cured of his illness; Sun Shuao killed two snakes, and thus received the blessing of heaven. Why can't you bear to see the locusts being killed but watch helplessly? Are the people starved to death? If killing the locusts will bring disaster, then please let me, Yao Chong, bear the blame alone!"

In the fourth year of Kaiyuan (716 A.D.), Yao Chong did not have his own mansion and lived in Wangji Temple. He asked Tang Xuanzong for leave because of malaria. Tang Xuanzong often sent envoys to inquire about his daily diet and daily life. Up to dozens of times.When Yuan Qianyao made a statement, whenever his answer was in line with Tang Xuanzong's will, Tang Xuanzong would say: "This must be Yao Chong's idea." If sometimes his answer does not meet Tang Xuanzong's will, then Tang Xuanzong Xuanzong would say, "Why didn't you discuss it with Yao Chong in advance?" Yuan Qianyao therefore often apologized to Tang Xuanzong, admitting that this was indeed the case.Whenever there was a major event in the court, Tang Xuanzong would ask Yuan Qianyao to go to Wangji Temple to seek Yao Chong's opinion.Yuan Qianyao asked Tang Xuanzong to let Yao Chong move from Wangji Temple to live in Sifang Pavilion, and allowed his family members to enter the pavilion to take care of his illness. Tang Xuanzong agreed to this request.Yao Chong believed that the Sifang Pavilion contained government documents and was not a suitable place for patients to live, so he resolutely declined.Tang Xuanzong said to him: "The Sifang Pavilion was originally set up to serve officials; I let you live in it for the sake of the country. If it is possible, I would like to let you live in the palace. What else can you refuse?" Woolen cloth?"

Yao Chong's two sons, Guanglu Shaoqing Yao Yi and Zongzheng Shaoqing Yao Yi, usually made friends with friends and amassed a lot of property, which was very criticized by people at that time.The chief secretary, Zhao Huo, had always been close and trusted by Yao Chong. He was accused of accepting bribes from Hu people. Tang Xuanzong tried the case himself. He should have been sentenced to death. Yao Chong came forward to rescue him, which made Tang Xuanzong very unhappy.Just in time for the amnesty of criminals in Beijing due to special circumstances, Tang Xuanzong specially marked Zhao Huo's name in the pardon letter, and sentenced him to a hundred sticks, and exiled him to the south of the Five Ridges.Yao Chong was deeply worried and fearful, so he repeatedly asked Tang Xuanzong to resign as prime minister, and recommended Song Jing, the governor of Guangzhou, to replace him as prime minister.

[Original text]

In December, the general Xing Dongdu took Jing as the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment and stayed behind in Xijing.Jing's demeanor is distant and unpredictable, but Zaitu doesn't talk to Sixu.Sixu is very lucky, return, complain to the above, and sigh for a long time, benefiting from Jing.As the prime minister, Jing's job is to select people and assign them according to their talents, so that all officials can be qualified for their duties; punishments and rewards are selfless, and Yan Zhijian who dares to offend.I respect and fear it, even if it is not satisfactory, I will follow it.Jing and Su Ting got along very well, and Ting gave way to Jing when they were in trouble, and Ting helped him every time Jing talked about things.Jing tasted that people said: "I and Su's father and son live together in the prime minister's house. The servants are generous and honest. They are national treasures, but whether they can be offered or not, and the officials are smart and sensitive, the Huang family surpasses his father." Yao and Song successively. As a prime minister, advocating goodness should be turned into business, Jing Shan abides by the law and upholds integrity; the two have different ambitions, but they work together to help, so that taxes and duties are lenient, punishments are clear, and the people are prosperous.Tang Shixian, formerly known as Fang and Du, later known as Yao and Song, are incomparable to others.Every time the two of them came to see each other, they would go up to get up for it, and when they went, they would be sent off by Linxuan.As for Li Linfu, although he favored Yao and Song more than him, the courteous treatment was extremely humble.Gao Zhongshu, a native of Ziweishe, was familiar with classics, and Qi Huan practiced current affairs. Yao and Song were questioned every time they sat down. carry on."

【Translation】

In December, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty was going to visit Luoyang, the eastern capital, and asked Song Jing to serve as Minister of the Ministry of Punishment and stay behind in Xijing, and sent him to the capital day and night to receive the title.Song Jing's demeanor is dignified and deep, making it hard to guess, he didn't say a word to Yang Sixuan on the way to Beijing.Yang Sixuan had always been favored by Tang Xuanzong. After returning to Beijing, he told Tang Xuanzong about Song Jing's depression. Tang Xuanzong sighed for a long time after hearing this.

As the prime minister, Song Jing puts the focus of his work on the selection of talents. He often bestows them with corresponding official positions according to their individual talents, making all civil and military officials competent; Song Jing never rewards and punishes people for personal gain , Dare to offend Yan Qiang against the emperor.Because of this, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty was in awe of him, and sometimes his memorials were not in line with his will, and Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty was often able to listen to them.

There is a deep friendship between Song Jing and Su Ting. Su Ting always gives in to Song Jing when things happen, and Su Ting will help Song Jing every time he raises an opinion.Song Jing once said to people: "Su Pushe and I have both served as prime ministers together. Su Pushe is tolerant and honest, and he is indeed a pillar of the country. Su Ting is worse than his father."

Yao Chong and Song Jing served as prime ministers one after another. Yao Chong was good at accomplishing tasks with adaptability, while Song Jing was good at following the law and presiding over the righteous way. The two people had different ambitions and sentiments, but they could work together to assist Tang Xuanzong. The taxes and duties are generous, the punishments are clear, and the people are prosperous.Among the many sages in the Tang Dynasty, there were Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui in the Zhenguan Dynasty before, and Yao Chong and Song Jing in the Kaiyuan Dynasty later. Others could not be compared with these four.Every time Yao Chong and Song Jing came to meet, Tang Xuanzong would stand up to greet them in person; when they left, Tang Xuanzong would still come to the hall to see them off in person.Later, when Li Linfu was prime minister, although he was favored and trusted more than Yao Chong and Song Jing, the courtesy he received was very meager.During this period, Gao Zhongshu, a member of Ziweishe, was familiar with classics, and Qi Han was well versed in current affairs. Whenever Yao Chong and Song Jing encountered difficult problems, they would consult Gao Zhongshu and Qi Han for their opinions. After getting a satisfactory answer, they would sigh : "If you want to know about the past, you can ask Gao Jun; if you want to know about today's affairs, you can ask Qi Jun. In this way, you can handle political affairs flawlessly!"

[Comment and Analysis]

Yao Chong served as Prime Minister of Wu Zetian, Tang Ruizong, and Tang Xuanzong, and played a key role in creating the "Kaiyuan Prosperous Age".Yao Chong assisted the government, got rid of the old malpractices, opened up a generation, and promoted social progress. He is a rare "virtuous minister" in the history of our country.Song Jing was upright by nature, knowledgeable and talented, he was an upright and honest official, never attached to the powerful and courtiers, dared to stand up and correct when encountering illegal things, and insisted on his own position.In the early Tang Dynasty, the politics was clear, the people were prosperous, and the society was stable, which had a lot to do with the selection of upright and wise ministers who dared to offend Yan Zhizhi in the early Tang Dynasty.

An Lushan anti
[Original text]

Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty became the great sage of Daoism, the second year of Tianbao, Emperor Xiaoming of Ming Dynasty
In spring, the first month, An Lushan entered the court; the emperor treated him very well, and there was no time to see him.Lushan said: "Last year in Yingzhou, insects eat seedlings, and the minister burned incense and wished Tianyun: 'If the minister is not concerned about righteousness and is not loyal to the king, I would like to make the insects eat the minister's heart; if I do not fail the gods, I would like to make the insects scatter." That is, a group of birds Coming from the north, the insect eaters will be exhausted. Please declare to the historian." Follow it.

In the sixth year of Tang Xuanzong's Tianbao, Wuyin used Fan Yang and Pinlu Jiedu to envoy An Lushan and also served as a doctor of imperial history.Lu Shan's body was full of fat, his belly hung down to his knees, and he claimed to weigh [-] catties.Straightforward on the outside, cunning on the inside.He is often ordered to leave Liu Luogu in the capital as a teacher to deceive the court, and to report all movements and movements.Or if there should be a note table, Luo Gu is the representative.There are captives, miscellaneous livestock, exotic birds, exotic animals, and curios offered every year. The roads are endless, and counties and counties are tired of delivery.

Lu Shan stepped forward, responding to Min Ge with humor.Shangchangxi pointed to his belly and said: "What's in this Hu's belly? It's big!" Confrontation: "There is nothing left, there is a heart ear!" Shangyue.He also tried to meet the prince, but Lushan did not worship him.At the worship of the left and right, Lushan arched and said: "The ministers and Hu people, who don't practice court rituals, and don't know the prince, who is the official?" Shang said: "This prince is also the one who will replace me after I live forever." Lushan said He said: "I am a fool, the one who wants to know only that there is His Majesty, but if I don't know, there is even a prince." As a last resort, I bowed.I believe in it, and I love it.Go up to the Qinzheng building for a banquet, and all the officials sit downstairs. Only for Lushan, a golden rooster barrier is set up in the east of the imperial seat, and a couch is set up to sit in front of it, and the curtain is still ordered to show honor and favor.He ordered Yang Qi, Yang Qi, and the three sisters of the imperial concubine to be brothers with Lu Shanxu.Lushan got out of the ban, because he was a noble concubine.Sit with the imperial concubine on the top, and Lushan pays homage to the imperial concubine first.When I asked why, I said to him: "Hu people come first from their mothers and then from their fathers." Shangyue.

(End of this chapter)