Zi Zhi Tong Jian

Chapter 57: The Later Tang Dynasty: A Generation of Famous Generals (2)
Clever Admonishment to Zhuang Zong
[Original text]

Emperor Zhuangzong of the Later Tang Dynasty, the Holy God of Light, Emperor Min Xiao, the first year of Tongguang

The emperor was young and good at music, so many actors favored him, and he often served him around; sometimes the emperor painted his own ink, and played in the court with excellent people to please Mrs. Liu, so he was called "Li Tianxia" by his excellent name.Because of his superiority, he called himself "Li Tianxia, ​​Li Tianxia".The emperor lost his face, and the group of excellent people was also shocked. Xinmo Xu said: "There is only one person who manages the world, who should call evil!"The emperor tasted crops in Zhongmou and practiced the people's crops. Zhongmou ordered the horse to remonstrate, saying: "Your Majesty is the parents of the people. How can you destroy their food and make them die in a ditch!"Jing Xinmo chased him to the front of the horse, and said to him: "You are a county magistrate, but you don't know that my emperor is good at hunting evil? How can you let the people cultivate so as to hinder my emperor's hiring! You deserve death for your crime!" , the emperor laughed and released it.

All the actors and actresses went in and out of the palace, insulting the gentry, and the officials were jealous, and they dared not vent their anger;In particular, Jing Jin is the leader of those who harm others.Jin Haocailu Yanbi heard the details of the above, and he also wanted to know the outside world, so he entrusted him with his eyes and ears.Every time he played something, he often asked about it on the screen, so he could slander him and interfere in political affairs.Since the generals and ministers are afraid of it, Kong Yan often treats it as a brother.

【Translation】

The first year of Emperor Zhuangzong of the Later Tang Dynasty in Tongguang (923 A.D.)
Emperor Zhuangzong of the later Tang Dynasty was good at temperament since he was a child, so actors were deeply favored by him and often accompanied him.Later Emperor Tang sometimes painted some powder on his face and played around in the court with actors in order to win Mrs. Liu's favor. He even took the stage name "Li Tianxia" for himself.Once when he was acting, he called himself "Li Tianxia, ​​Li Tianxia". At this time, an actor named Jing Xinmo suddenly stepped forward and slapped him.The Empress Tang Emperor's complexion changed drastically, and all the actors were horrified.I just heard Jing Xinmo say slowly: "There is only one person who governs the world, who are you still calling?" The Emperor of Tang Dynasty immediately turned his anger into joy, and rewarded Jing Xinmo generously.The Emperor of Later Tang once hunted in Zhongmu and trampled on the crops of the local people. The magistrate of Zhongmu stood on his horse and remonstrated: "As the parents of the people, how can your majesty destroy their food? Is it because you want them to be killed?" After starving to death, throw the body into the ravine?" After hearing this, the Emperor Tang was furious, and shouted at him to go away, intending to kill him.Jing Xin's sharpened horse caught up with him, and caught him in front of Emperor Tang's horse. He scolded him and said, "As a county magistrate, don't you know that our emperor likes hunting? Why do you still want to indulge the people? Farming, to hinder our emperor from galloping and hunting? You should be executed for the crime you committed.” So he asked the emperor of Tang Dynasty to execute him on the spot and kill him. After hearing this, the emperor of Tang Dynasty smiled and let him go.

Actors often went in and out of the palace, teasing and insulting the scholar-bureaucrats, which aroused the anger and hatred of the ministers, but they dared not speak out; on the contrary, some people attached or entrusted them to seek the favor of the later Tang emperor, and officials from all directions also rushed to bribe them. , To curry favor with actors.Among them, Jing Jin is the leader of those who have poisoned state affairs and harmed the people most seriously.Jing Jin likes to collect some trivial things from the people and tell them to the Emperor of the Later Tang Dynasty. The Emperor of the Later Tang Dynasty also wants to know about the outside world, so he regards Jing Jin as his eyes and ears.Whenever Jing Jin went to report something to the Emperor of the Later Tang Dynasty, the Emperor of the Later Tang Dynasty would hold back first and then ask him. In this way, Jing Jin would take the opportunity to speak ill of others and interfere in the government affairs.Therefore, officials from the general to the minister are very afraid of him, and Kong Yan often treats him as his elder brother.

[Original text]

In the second year of Tongguang, at the beginning of the battle of Huliu, the actor Zhou Zha was acquired by Liang, and the emperor thought about it every time; on the day he entered Bian, he met him in front of the horse, and the emperor was very happy.Zati wept and said: "The reason why I have a good life is because of the power of Chen Jun, the envoy of Liangjiaofang, and the envoy of Neiyuan planting, Chu Deyuan. May your majesty beg two states to repay it." The emperor promised it.Guo Chongtao remonstrated: "The people your majesty will share with and conquer the world are all heroic, loyal and brave men. Now that the great achievements have been made, and the rewards are not as high as one person, if the actor is used as the assassin first, I am afraid that I will lose the hearts of the world." So it can't be done.Over the years, actors have repeatedly thought of their words. The emperor called Chongtao and said: "I have promised Zhou Zai, so that I am ashamed to see these three people. Although the public words are correct, I should obey them." May, Renyin, Yijun He is the governor of Jingzhou, and Deyuan is the governor of Xianzhou.At that time, there were those in the pro-army who had never been assassinated in hundreds of battles from the emperor, and they all lamented.

【Translation】

In the second year of Tongguang (AD 924), during the Battle of Huliu, the actor Zhou Za was captured by Liang Sheng, and the Emperor of Later Tang often missed him; when the army of Later Tang invaded Bianliang, Zhou Za met with Emperor Later Tang in front of his horse Great joy.Zhou Za cried in front of the Emperor of the Later Tang Dynasty: "The reason why I have been able to survive to this day is all thanks to the great help of Chen Jun, envoy of Liangjiaofang, and Chu Deyuan, envoy of Neiyuan planting. I hope that your majesty can award them two states in return. Their kindness to me." Later Emperor Tang immediately agreed to his request.Guo Chongtao persuaded the Emperor Tang from the side: "Your Majesty should reward those who jointly conquered the world with you. These people are all heroes, loyal and brave men. Now that the great achievements have just been completed, none of these people have been rewarded yet, but now they must be appointed first. If an actor serves as the governor, I am afraid that Your Majesty will lose the hearts of the people of the world." So Zhou Za's suggestion was not carried out.A year later, the actor still brought up this incident from time to time, so the emperor of the later Tang Dynasty said to Guo Chongtao: "I have promised Zhou Za, and I feel a little ashamed to meet these three people. What you said is correct, but it should be judged by me. In order to save face, I will carry it out." On the fifth day of May, Emperor Later Tang appointed Chen Jun as governor of Jingzhou, and Chu Deyuan as governor of Xianzhou. This indignant sigh.

[Comment and Analysis]

After Tang Zhuangzong destroyed the Houliang and avenged his father, he was satisfied, thinking that the Central Plains would be stable and the world would be free from worries, so he began to covet enjoyment.Because he liked music since he was a child, he mingled with opera actors all day long, dressed in costumes, and left aside state affairs.Some of those actors who were favored by the emperor became officials, some bullied others, and some slandered and killed heroes.But there are also some who understand world affairs, such as Jing Xinmo, who often used humorous methods to persuade Emperor Zhuangzong of Tang Dynasty.

Gao Yu dies unjustly
[Original text]

Later Tang Mingzong Shengde and Wuqinxiao Emperor Tiancheng four years
In the early days, King Yin of Chu used Gao Yu, the judge of the capital army, as his mastermind. The country relied on prosperity and strength, and the neighboring countries were all sick.When Zhuang Zong entered Luo, Yin sent his son Xifan to pay tribute. Zhuang Zong loved his policeman and said: "It is better to hear that the Ma family should be taken by Gao Yu. Now that there is a son like this, Yu An can get it!" Gao Jixing also spread rumors to Yu Yu Yin, Yin didn't listen; instead, he sent an envoy to leave Jiedu's deputy envoy, Zhizhengshi Xisheng's letter, and he praised Yu's fame and wished to be a brother.The envoy said to Xisheng: "Mr. Gao often said that 'the political affairs of the Ma family are all out of high depression', and this is also a worry for the descendants." Xisheng believed it.

Marching Sima Yang Zhaosui, Xisheng's wife and family, also planned to replace Yu Ren, and he was in Xisheng's favor.Xisheng repeatedly said in Yin, calling Yu extravagant and arrogant, and diplomatic neighbors, please punish him.Yin said: "It is Yu Li who made my achievements; don't you say that!"Yu said to his relatives: "I will go to the west mountain urgently, and I will return to my old age. The son is getting bigger and bigger, and he can be a man." I hope to hear about it, and I am angry. Tomorrow, I will kill Yu Yu's house with Yin's order, and the list will be announced at home and abroad. , False depression and plot to rebel, and punish his clan party.At the end of the day, Yin didn't know yet. It was a day of heavy fog. Yin said to the left and right: "I used to go to the Huai River under Sun Confucianism. Every time I killed innocent people, it was different. Is there any unjust death in Mabuyuan?" Tomorrow, the official Yi Yu At the death notice, Yin Ying was greatly mourned and said: "I am old, and the government is not my own, which makes my Xun old suffer from injustice!" Then he looked around and said, "How can I stay here for a long time!"

【Translation】

Later Tang Mingzong Tiancheng four years (AD 929)
At first, Ma Yin, King of Chu, appointed Gao Yu, a judge of the capital army, as his chief adviser. The country relied on him to become prosperous and powerful, and the neighboring countries hated him very much.After Zhuang Zong entered Luoyang, Ma Yin sent his son Ma Xifan to pay tribute to the later Tang Dynasty. Zhuang Zong liked his quick-wittedness very much, and said to him: "Recently I heard that Ma's power is about to be usurped by Gao Yu. How can Gao Yu take away his son?" Gao Jixing also used rumors to slander Gao Yu in front of Ma Yin, but Ma Yin didn't listen, and then sent an envoy to Ma Xisheng, the deputy envoy of Jiedu and Zhizheng Shi, to send a letter to Gao Yu He greatly appreciated his achievements and reputation, and hoped to become brothers with him.The envoy said to Ma Xisheng: "Gao Gong Gao Jixing often said that 'Ma's political affairs are all based on Gao Yu'. This is a disaster for future generations!" Ma Xisheng believed his words.

Marching Sima Yang Zhaosui was Ma Xisheng's wife's family. He had planned to replace Gao Yu a long time ago, so he would speak ill of Gao Yu to Ma Xisheng every day.Ma Xisheng also said in front of his father Ma Yin many times that Gao Yu was extravagant and deviant, and also made friends with the surrounding feudal towns extensively, begging to kill him.Ma Yin said: "I was able to achieve such a great achievement, all relying on Gao Yu's strength, you must not mention these words again." Ma Xisheng insisted on confiscating Gao Yu's military power, so Gao Yu was demoted For the marching Sima.Gao Yu said to his cronies: "Hurry up and run Xishan, I'm about to retire and return to my hometown. The puppies have gradually grown up and can bite people." After hearing this, Ma Xisheng became even more annoyed. It was falsely reported that Ma Yin ordered Gao Yu to be beheaded in the mansion, and then posted a notice to inform the world, falsely accusing Gao Yu of plotting rebellion, and at the same time killing Gao Yu's family and his accomplices.After dark, Ma Yin still didn't know about it.On this day, when there was heavy fog, Ma Yin said to the people around him: "When I crossed the Huaihe River with Sun Ru before, whenever I killed those innocent people, most of these strange phenomena would appear. Could it be that Ma Buyuan now has Someone who died unjustly?" The next day, the officials told Ma Yin the news of Gao Yu's murder, and Ma Yin rubbed his chest and cried loudly: "I am too old to be useful, and political affairs are no longer mine. I have the final say, which caused my past meritorious ministers to be so wronged." Then he turned around and said to the people around him: "How can I live here for a long time?"

[Comment and Analysis]

"Three people become tigers", loyal people can't get enough trust, Zeng Zi's mother can't fully trust her son, let alone ordinary people?Gao Yu was not trusted by Ma Xisheng, and was eventually murdered unjustly by someone. This is not only Gao Yu's sorrow, but also a tragedy of human nature.

(End of this chapter)