Zi Zhi Tong Jian

Chapter 63 The Later Zhou Dynasty: The Simple Emperor (1)
[Original text]

Later Zhou Taizu Shengshen Gongsu Wenxiao Emperor Guangshun first year
The emperor called Wang Jun and said: "I started in humble beginnings, prepared for hardships, and suffered chaos. Once I become an emperor, how dare I serve myself generously and treat the sick people!" Let it go.The imperial edict said: "What is honored is limited to my bow, and what is damaged is suffered by the gangsters." He also said: "It is useless to accumulate among the ministers." The edict also said: "I grew up in the army and did not care about learning. , I don’t know the way to govern the world, civil and military officials benefit the country and the people, and each has his own affairs to hear, and it is appropriate to write about his affairs directly, without rhetoric.” The emperor bestowed Su Fengji’s title on Wang Jun, and Jun said: “Yes It's auspicious, so it's Li Song's family!" Saying goodbye.

The emperor learned that there were dozens of treasures and jades in the Han Palace, and they were broken in the court. He said: "Anyone who is an emperor can use this thing! I heard that Emperor Yin of the Han Dynasty played with his favorite in the forbidden room every day. The treasures are not far away. It is not far away. It is advisable Take it as a lesson!" Still abstaining from left and right, from now on, no precious and pleasing things can enter the palace.

【Translation】

The first year of Emperor Taizu Guangshun of the Later Zhou Dynasty (951 A.D.)
Later Zhou Taizu said to Wang Jun: "I was born in poverty, experienced hardships and hardships in the world, and encountered strife and turmoil in the times. Now that I have become an emperor, how dare I pamper the people below and let the people below suffer!" Delicious food.On the [-]th, the imperial edict stopped all tribute matters.The edict generally said: "What is enshrined is only for me, but what is damaged is the interests of the people of the whole world." It also said: "The tributes are piled up in the treasury, and most of them become useless things." He also issued an edict saying: "I grew up in the army, I never learned from a teacher myself, and I don't understand the principles of governing the world. If civil and military officials have strategies that benefit the country and the people, please write to me and let me know. They should all report the matter directly. Don’t talk about rhetoric.” Later Zhou Taizu rewarded Su Fengji’s house to Wang Jun, and Wang Jun said: “This house is the reason why Su Fengji killed Li Song’s family!” So ​​he refused to accept it.

Taizu of the Later Zhou Dynasty had all dozens of jewels and jades from the Houhan Palace taken out, smashed them in public in the hall, and said: "Whoever is an emperor, how can they use these things? Ministers, concubines and concubines are playing and playing in the forbidden palace, treasures and antiques are always around, this incident is not far away from now, so we should take it as a warning.” After speaking, he warned the people around him that from now on, those precious, gorgeous and pleasing objects will be No one is allowed to enter the palace.

[Original text]

In the first year of Xiande, there were rumors among the sergeants that the rewards in the suburbs were lower than those in Mingzong's time. The emperor heard about it. At Renwu, he called the generals to the sleeping hall and asked them to say: "Since I came to the throne, I have poor clothes and poor food, and I only want to support the army. The government treasury is accumulated, the Quartet contributes, and there is little profit other than the support of the army. Don't you know it! Today, the murderer is talking, disregarding the owner's diligence and thrift, observing the country's poverty, and receiving rewards without thinking about his own merits. I only know that resentment and hope are safe for you!" They all apologized in fear, retreated, and killed those who failed in their demands, and the rumors died down.

The emperor repeatedly warned the king of Jin and said: "In the past, when I went west, I saw all the Eighteen Tombs of the Tang Dynasty excavated. There is no other, but there are many gold and jade hidden. Don't stay in the palace for a long time; there are useless stones in the middle, and replace them with scorpions; the workers and servants are all hired, so don't bother the people; When repairing the lower palace, do not set up the guardians of the mausoleum, do not make stone sheep, tigers, people, or horses, but carve stones and place them in front of the mausoleum: "Zhou Tianzi was very frugal in his life, and he left orders to use paper clothes and tile coffins. The heirs of the emperor dare not violate them." Also.'You or I violate, I will not bless you!"

【Translation】

In the first year of Xiande (AD 954), there were rumors among the officers and soldiers that the rewards of the suburban priests were not as good as those of Mingzong in the later Tang Dynasty. After hearing about it, the Taizu of the Later Zhou Dynasty summoned all the generals to come to the sleeping hall on the seventh day of the first lunar month. , specifically to ensure sufficient supplies for the army. The savings of the treasury, the contributions of the Quartet, and the supplies and salaries of the army, there are very few leftovers. Don’t you know this! Now they are conniving the vicious people to talk about their lies and completely ignore Thinking of the monarch's diligence and frugality, seeing the country's poverty and deprivation, and not carefully thinking about what merits you have to accept rewards, only complaining and extravagant expectations, how can you bear to do this?" All the generals were panicked. Apologize, after retreating, search all the unsuccessful people in the army and kill them immediately.For a while, the rumors were subsided.

Taizu of the later Zhou Dynasty warned the King of Jin many times: "When I led the army to the west, I saw that there were no eighteen imperial tombs in the Tang Dynasty that were not unearthed. Too much. After I die, I must be clothed with paper clothes and buried in a coffin burnt with earth. Bury me quickly and never stay in the palace for a long time. Don’t use stones to build the tomb, use bricks instead. ;The craftsmen and servants are all hired by the government with money and cannot disturb the common people; after the funeral, [-] households of the common people close to the mausoleum will be recruited, exempted from various taxes and corvees, and let them guard the mausoleum; never build underground palaces, and do not arrange guards. People in the palace of the mausoleum should not make stone sheep, stone tigers, stone men, stone horses, etc., but only carve a stone tablet and stand in front of the mausoleum. The Son of Heaven does not dare to disobey." If you disobey my will slightly, I will not bless you."

[Comment and Analysis]

Later Zhou Taizu Guo Wei was a famous simple emperor in history. His simplicity was not due to his belief in Buddhism like Emperor Wu of Liang Xiao Yan, but a lesson learned from his own personal experience.In the process of marching and fighting, he saw that none of the eighteen imperial tombs of the Tang Dynasty had not been excavated, all of which were due to the abundance of gold, silver and precious jade.With these lessons learned from the past, he told his son that after a hundred years, he would have "paper clothes and tile coffins" and not leave any funeral objects.So far his tomb is still intact, which has a lot to do with it.

Guo Wei Dadu
[Original text]

Later Zhou Taizu Shengshen Gongsu Wenwu Emperor Guangshun two years
The privy envoy Wang Jun is mild-tempered, counts a lot, loves power, likes others to attach himself, and takes the world as his own responsibility.Every time he said something, the emperor would be happy if he followed it, or if the time was not allowed, he would always be stunned and often speak rudely.Because of his past, the emperor has the merit of assisting his life, and he has always known him as a human being, so he always favors him.Jun was older than the emperor, and when the emperor came to the throne, he still called him his brother, or called him by his name, so Jun was proud of it.Zheng Renhui, the deputy envoy, Xiang Xun, the envoy of the imperial city, and Li Chongjin, the envoy of the Enzhou regiment, were all confidantes and assistants of the emperor when he was in Zhenzhen.Junxin is jealous of it, complains of illness, seeks to solve the maintenance, in order to deceive the emperor.The emperor repeatedly sent orders to the left and right, and Jun spoke harshly to the envoys.He also left all the Daoist envoys to ask for guarantees, and all the Daoists offered their books. The emperor was horrified for a long time, and he sent his left and right to comfort him, and ordered him to see things, and said: "If you don't come, I will go by myself."The emperor knew that Chen Guan, a direct scholar of the Privy Council, was close to Jun, and ordered him to tell him, Guan said: "Your Majesty, but he said that he is lucky to be here, and treat him strictly, and Jun will not dare not come." Follow it.Autumn, July, Wuzi, Jun entered the court, and the emperor comforted the order to see things.

【Translation】

Taizu Shengshen Gongsu Wenwu Emperor Guangshun Second Year (AD 952)
Privy envoy Wang Jun was frivolous and impetuous by nature, good at calculating, fond of playing tricks, and liked others to flatter him.He conceitedly believed that only he could take on the important task of governing the world.Whenever he talked about political affairs, he would be happy if Taizu of Later Zhou followed his opinion; sometimes he would get angry if he disagreed with him, and would often speak rudely to Taizu of Later Zhou. Because of his meritorious deeds, and he has always understood his character well, so he is always tolerant and forgiving.Wang Jun was older than Taizu, who ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor, and he still called Wang Jun his elder brother, and sometimes called him by his own name, which made Wang Jun even more arrogant.Zheng Renhui, deputy privy envoy, Xiang Xun, envoy of Huangcheng, and Li Chongjin, envoy of Enzhou regiment, were all confidants of Taizu when he was in the feudal town. After Taizu ascended the throne, he gradually promoted them.Wang Jun was very jealous, so he repeatedly claimed that he was sick and asked to be relieved of government affairs in order to test Taizu's intentions.Taizu sent his attendants to Wang Jun's residence many times to urge and comfort him. Wang Jun replied to the envoy with a very firm tone. At the same time, he wrote letters to various envoys seeking recommendation certificates; Taizu of the Later Zhou Dynasty was horrified for a long time after seeing it, and then sent his attendants to comfort and persuade Wang Jun to come out to govern the government, and said: "If Aiqing doesn't come, I will invite you personally." Wang Jun still did not go imperial court.Taizu knew that Chen Guan, a direct scholar of the Privy Council, had always been close and friendly with Wang Jun, so he asked him to read the edict.Chen Guan said: "Your Majesty only needs to say that he wants to visit his residence in person, and Wang Jun will not dare not come." Later Zhou Taizu followed his advice.In autumn and July, Wang Jun entered the court, and Taizu comforted him and let him accept and handle the affairs of the court.

[Original text]

In the third year of Guangshun, Wang Jungu asked to lead the vassal town, but the emperor had no choice but to use Jun and Pinglu Jiedu envoy.

The privy envoy, Pinlu Jiedu envoy, and Tongping Zhangshi Wang Jun became more manic in the late festival. Please use Yan Yu, a scholar of Duanming Palace, Chen Guandai, Fan Zhi, and Li Gu, a privy direct scholar, as ministers. Don't be in a hurry, I will think about it later." Jun Li argued, his words were impeccable, the sun was setting, the emperor hadn't eaten yet, and Jun was endlessly arguing.The emperor said: "It's cold food today, as soon as the holiday is opened, it's like what you played." Jun Nai retreated.

In Guihai, the emperor urgently summoned the prime minister and the privy envoys to enter, and it was more secluded than other places.When the emperor saw Feng Dao and others, he wept and said: "Wang Junling is too much, and I want to chase all the ministers and cut off my wings. I have only one son, and I am blocked from special duties. I have been temporarily ordered to be absent, and I have resentment. How can I be a cardinal and a prime minister again? , and seek an important town! Looking at his aspirations, he is not full of boredom. No one is like this, who can be worthy of it!" Jiazi, who was demoted to the Sima of Shangzhou, made a brief remark: "After the meat looks at the group, the child caresses me and bows." Emperor Concerned that Yedu would stay in Wang Yin and feel uneasy, he ordered Yin Zishangshi envoy Cheng Hui to visit Yin, and ordered him to offend him.When he arrived in Shangzhou, he got abdominal disease. The emperor still felt sorry for him, and ordered his wife to look at him, and died soon after.

(End of this chapter)