Chapter 8 3. Virtuous people are born in time
The outbreak of the Anshi Rebellion in 755 AD was actually the result of the combined forces of many minor factors.When it comes to factors, we must first start with the prime minister of Datang.
National turmoil depends on the pacification of good generals, and national stability depends on the governance of virtuous ministers. This is the most classic theory of feudal emperors governing the country.The prime minister is the most important position to assist the emperor and lead the officials in handling state affairs. It plays a pivotal role in the entire country.The Tang Dynasty implemented the multi-prime minister system.During the reign of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, special titles such as counseling gains and losses, participating in political affairs, participating in government affairs, Tongzhongshumenxia Pingzhangshi, Tongzhongshumenxia Sanpin, etc., were all prime ministers.After Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty, the ministers, the ministers, the ministers, and the chiefs of the three provinces under the door were all prime ministers.The official positions of other officials plus the titles of the third rank under Tong Zhongshu are also prime ministers.Officials below the fourth grade, as long as they have the name of Jiaping Zhangshi, they are also included in the list of prime ministers, and they jointly participate in state affairs, but their authority is lighter.This system will not be changed throughout the Tang Dynasty. The purpose is to prevent the occurrence of the situation where the power of the prime minister was too heavy and the monarchy was emptied in the early Western Han Dynasty.
In July of the first year of Kaiyuan (713), Xuanzong put down Princess Taiping's conspiracy and began to consider the appointment of a prime minister.The situation at that time was not optimistic: the protracted palace coup greatly hurt the vitality of the court, and the chaos and corruption in the administration of officials needed to be dealt with urgently.Such a situation cannot be cured by non-capable people.At this time, Xuanzong thought of Yao Chong.
Yao Chong, whose real name is Yuan Chong, has a character of Yuanzhi.A native of Xiashi, Shanzhou (now southeast of Sanmenxia, Henan).In order to avoid the taboo of the word "Kaiyuan" during Xuanzong's reign, the name was changed to Chong.Influenced by his father since he was a child, he had the ambition of "Wang Zuo", studied diligently, and was proficient in official affairs.When he grows up, he should "write the pen and write a chapter" to make an examination, and grant Puzhou Sicang to join the army.Almost later, he went to the capital to serve as the chief criminal officer, and participated in the examination and approval of prisons.Empress Wu Zetian moved to be a doctor of Xiaguan (Military Department).When the Khitan invaded Hebei, the military affairs were complicated, but Yao Chong's analysis was streamlined and well organized, which was highly appreciated.In the spring of the third year of the holy calendar (700), Di Renjie recommended Yao Chong to Wu Zetian as Xia Guanshilang (fourth grade).Soon, Yao Chongjin made peace with Fengge Luantai, and then moved to Fengge's servant and political affairs.
Yao Chong had an extremely keen political sense. At that time, Wu Zetian was seriously ill, and he actively participated in the activities of restoring the Tang Dynasty with the Li surname.After the successful restoration, Wu Zetian was forced to move to Shangyang Palace. Everyone cheered, but Yao Chong shed tears of sympathy for Wu Zetian.After all, he had long been loyal to this tough woman.Zhang Jianzhi, the organizer of the Restoration, had a good relationship with Yao Chong, and he specially reminded: "Is this the time to weep today! Fear of public disaster begins here." Yao Chong replied: "The matter of the Yuan Dynasty will last a long time for the Emperor of Heaven. Sadness is unbearable. Before the Yuan Dynasty, it was the righteousness of a minister to be a traitor from the public. Today, it is the righteousness of a minister to say goodbye to the old king. Although he was guilty, he was willing to do so. This is the usual way of a minister, how dare he say meritorious deeds; Those who disobey the old master and weep are also the last day of the courtiers." ("Old Tang Book Volume Ninety-six Yao Chongzhuan")
Because of this matter, Yao Chong was excluded from the core power circle of the new restoration, and became the governor of Bozhou, and later served as the governor of Songzhou, Changzhou, Yuezhou, and Xuzhou.But after Zhongzong was restored, Wu Sansi and other remnants colluded with Empress Wei and made a comeback. Zhang Jianzhi and other people who participated in the restoration were demoted or killed, but Chong survived.This indeed fulfills an old Chinese saying: "When a man loses his horse, he knows what is good and bad." After Ruizong came to the throne, because Yao Chong was pragmatic and good at handling practical affairs, he called Yao Chong to be the Minister of the Ministry of War and the third rank of Tongzhong Shu. Zhongshuling.At that time, Li Longji was still the prince, and Princess Taiping interfered in the government, and the aunt and nephew fought fiercely.Both Yao Chong and Song Jing stood on the prince's side and advised Li Longji, suggesting that Princess Taiping should be invited to live in Luoyang, the eastern capital, to prevent Princess Taiping from rebelling.In order to avoid offending Princess Taiping, Prince Li Longji deposed Yao Chong and Song Jing instead.Yao Chong was still a poor pawn in the chess game and became Li Longji's victim.
However, Yao Chongneng served as Prime Minister of Wu Zetian and Ruizong successively, and he really has extraordinary talents.All important military and state affairs are well understood.He is the prime minister and also the minister of war, and he is "proficient in all the garrison camps and reconnaissance outposts of the army, as well as the number of soldiers' storage equipment" (Li Zhi's "Collection of Books·Wise Minister Yao Chong"). people.Therefore, after Xuanzong eradicated Princess Taiping and fully grasped the situation, he immediately thought of Yao Chong's usefulness.
In October of the first year of Kaiyuan (713), Emperor Xuanzong summoned Yao Chong to the court to discuss state affairs and wanted to make more use of him.Yao Chong talked eloquently and suggested "ten things" to Xuanzong regarding the shortcomings at that time.After Xuanzong listened, he readily accepted.The next day, he was officially worshiped as Shangshu of the Ministry of War and the third rank of Tongzhongshu's sect, named Liang Guogong, and moved to Ziwei (Zhongshu) order.
When Yao Chongchu was prime minister, he once made a statement to Xuanzong, but Xuanzong looked up at the roof of the hall and ignored him.Yao Chong said it several times, but Xuanzong always turned a deaf ear to it.Yao Chong thought he had said something wrong, but he didn't know where he was wrong, so he had to retreat out awkwardly, feeling uneasy.Gao Lishi also felt that Yao Chongting was aggrieved, and advised Xuanzong to say: "Your Majesty will always have a chance, and the minister will play a role, whether you can add it face to face, but why don't you check it?" , important matters should be heard and discussed together, and the low-ranking officials will annoy me one by one!" ("Zi Zhi Tong Jian Volume Volume 210") means that Yao Chong's report is too small, and in the future There is no need to report on such matters, the prime minister can just deal with them directly.Gao Lishi immediately went to Zhongshu Province to convey Xuanzong's will.Yao Chong turned his worry into joy, and while being grateful, he let go of what he did, and ended it immediately.
Yao Chong lived up to Xuanzong's trust.He worked hard, assisted the government, reformed the old, vigorously promoted social reforms, and made advantages and eliminated disadvantages.Starting from rectifying the system, dismissing redundant posts, selecting officials to serve their talents; restraining the power of the royal family and heroes, paying attention to the development of production, and laying a political and economic foundation for the "Kaiyuan Prosperous Age".Therefore, Du Mu praised him as "the first assistant to Xuanzong to start Zhongxingye".
Yao Chong is good at officialdom, and he is sensitive in dealing with affairs.Once, Yao Chong asked Xuanzong to leave for more than ten days due to private affairs, which caused a mountain of government affairs that should be dealt with.Lu Huaishen, the prime minister of the same dynasty, thought that his ability was not as good as that of Yao Chong, and he was not expert in everything.After Yao Chong came back from the full leave, it only took a while to settle the unresolved matters.Therefore, Qi Han from Ziweishe called Yao Chong "the man who saves the time" and Lu Huaishen "the man who accompanied the food".
It's just that the chancellor who saved the time didn't last long.Yao Chong is good at running a country, but not good at running a family.In the fourth year of Kaiyuan (716), Yao Chong's two sons solicited power and bribes, which aroused criticism and had a very bad influence on Yao Chong.Soon, Yao Chong's aide, Zhongshu Provincial Chief Secretary Zhao Huo, was imprisoned for accepting bribes from the Tibetans.Xuanzong interrogated him personally and sentenced him to death.Because Yao Chong was nostalgic, he tried every means to rescue him, which made Xuanzong very dissatisfied.Yao Chong was worried about this and applied for dismissal several times.Xuanzong agreed to his request.Yao Chong dismissed the political affairs as the third division of Kaifu Yitong.
After Yao Chong dismissed as Prime Minister, Xuanzong still ordered him to go to court once every five days.Whenever there are important political affairs, Yao Chong is specially consulted for his opinions, and the treatment is very generous.In the ninth year of Kaiyuan (721), Yao Chong died at the age of 70.In the ancient Chinese society where the political arena was like a battlefield and the flesh and blood were fighting each other, it was really rare for Yao Chongneng to assist the three emperors and the three dynasties.
After the Anshi Rebellion broke out, Xuanzong fled to Chengdu. When he learned that his son Suzong had appointed Fang Guan as prime minister, he sighed and said, "This is not enough to destroy the thieves." He also praised Yao Chong's "great talent and long-term strategy" ("Da Tang Xin Yu Volume 8").Hou Fangguan sent out an army to regain Chang'an, but he was defeated, and almost the whole army was wiped out.
Song Jing, highly recommended by Yao Chong, succeeded Yao Chong as prime minister.Yao Chong has worked with Song Jing for many years and is well aware of his virtues and talents.Yao Chong's recommendation was well received by later historians.Hong Mai of the Song Dynasty said: "Yao Chong avoided the position and recommended the Duke of Song to be his own generation. Only the virtuous and the virtuous are the ones who should be beyond the reach of future generations." (Volume 5 of "Rongzhai Essays")
There are also many interesting stories about Song Jing.
Song Jing is known for his honesty and uprightness.When Wu Zetian was in power, the male favorites Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong were very ambitious.Someone blatantly published a report on Youwei West Street in Chang'an, saying: "Brother Yizhi, Changsun Ji, Pei Anli, etc. conspired against each other."Wu Zetian naturally disagreed, and Song Jing insisted.Wu Zetian was very upset and ordered Song Jing to withdraw.Song Jing said with emotion: "The beauty of the sky is so close, I will listen to the sound of virtue, I will not bother the ministers, and I am good at proclaiming the king's orders." It was only then that Wu Zetian came to her senses, and ordered the Zhang brothers to cooperate with the investigation, and ordered the Zhang brothers to thank Song Jing.Song Jing refused to see him, and asked the envoy to tell the Zhang brothers: "Public affairs should be public, and private opinions are private." official name.Zheng Gao, the servant of the Tianguan, found it strange and asked, "Why does Zhongcheng call Wulang your Qing?" Song Jing replied, "If you use an official rank, you should be the title of Qing; if you are a relative, you should be Zhang Wulang and Liulang. The next step is very important." Zhang’s family boy, what’s his name Wulang or Liulang?” Zheng Gao retreated in embarrassment.See "Datang Xinyu·Volume 2" for details.
After Wu Sansi attached himself to Wei through Shangguan Wan'er, he was again fortunate to Zhongzong.Wei Yuejiang from Jingzhao couldn't bear the anger, and wrote a letter to expose the adultery scandal between Wu Sansi and Queen Wei.Zhongzong refused to listen, and ordered General Wei Yue to be executed.At this time, Song Jing was the servant of the Huangmen, and he thought that he should be punished according to the punishment.After Zhongzong heard about it, he didn't even have time to change his clothes, so he rushed out from the side door, urging Song Jing to behead General Wei Yue as soon as possible, as if he was afraid that more people would know about the rumors of Empress Wei's adultery.Song Jing refused on the spot, saying: "People say that the palace is private and think twice, but your Majesty cut him off without asking. I'm afraid there will be false opinions. So please press and punish later." Zhongzong was furious, but Song Jing was not afraid at all, and his righteousness was awe-inspiring. Said: "Please behead the minister first, otherwise, you will not obey the imperial edict." When encountering such a tough courtier who threatened his life, Zhongzong had no choice but to change the sentence of Wei Yue to exile from Lingnan.But later, Wei Yuejiang was assassinated in Lingnan.See "Datang Xinyu·Volume 2" for details.
During the period when Song Jing was prime minister in the Xuanzong Dynasty, he practiced words and deeds, corrected wrongdoings, and benefited the government a lot. He was called "a talent for government officials" by Xuanzong.Together with Yao Chong, he is known as the virtuous minister of Kaiyuan, and he has the praise of "Chong Shan is adaptable to accomplish affairs, and Jing Shan keeps the text to uphold integrity".Later Song Jing retired on the grounds of old age and lived in seclusion in Luoyang.He died in Luoyang in the twenty-fifth year of Kaiyuan (737), and was moved to the tomb of Shahe the next year.
In ancient times, the function of the prime minister was very important. The quality of national politics and the speed of economic development often depended on whether the prime minister won people.Xuanzong appointed Yao Chong and Song Jing, and the world was in great order.Yao Chong and Song Jing represent an era.In this era, everything is for the consolidation of imperial power, and there is no action that wastes money and people.Just as Bai Juyi said in his poem: "Don't you hear that Song Kaifu, the Prime Minister of the Kaiyuan Dynasty, did not reward frontier meritorious deeds and defend against militarism." As prime ministers, these two were not only outstanding in talent, but also made remarkable achievements in politics, and they were quite successful. "Yao Chong, Song Jing, Su Yu, etc. are all ministers of the bones, and they are quiet. There is stability in the court, and there is no covetousness in the court. The barbarians come and drive them away; the people are rich, and they are taxed" ("Old Tang Book Volume" Nine. Xuanzong Benji II").The two are worthy of the title of prime minister.
In the nearly 300 years of the Tang Dynasty, "Fang (Xuanling) and Du (Ruhui)" and "Yao (Chong) and Song (Jing)" were also known as the Four Great Prime Ministers. The first two made contributions to the rule of Zhenguan, and the later The two played an important role in the Kaiyuan Reign.The dismissal of Yao Chong and Song Jing marked the end of an era.At this time, the world has been in great order, Chang'an, the capital of the Tang Dynasty, is full of vitality, merchants gather, people come and go, bustling, people of all colors are in high spirits.The Tang Dynasty has entered into a legendary and glorious era, the country is peaceful, and the world is peaceful.People all over the world are proud of being born in the prosperous Tang Dynasty, and Xuanzong is also proud of it.The era of restraint is over.
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