Chapter 19 frugal eighteenth

In the first year of Zhenguan, Emperor Taizong said to his courtiers: "Since ancient times, when emperors build buildings, they must respect the material conditions. In the past, Yu Dayu chiseled nine mountains and connected Jiujiang Rivers. The reason is common to everyone. Qin Shihuang built his palace, but many people slandered it. It is because of his own selfish desires that he does not share it with the public. I want to build a palace now, and the materials are already available. Work also. The ancients said: "It is not beneficial to do nothing, but it is beneficial to do nothing." If you are extravagant, you can wait for the time of peril. From princes and princes down, mansions, car clothes, weddings, funerals, and those who are not suitable for use should all be forbidden." During the past twenty years, the customs were simple and the clothes were not beautiful. Wealth and silk are rich, without the disadvantages of hunger and cold.

In the second year of Zhenguan, Gongqing said: "According to the "Rituals", during the summer months, you can live in a terrace. This summer heat has not receded, and the autumn rain is just beginning. The palace is low and damp. Please build a pavilion to live in." Taizong said: "I have a disease of Qi, how can I get wet? If I come to invite you, I will waste a lot of money. In the past, the Han Dynasty will set up a terrace, but I cherish the property of ten families. My virtue is not as good as that of Emperor Han. How can I spend too much on it?" The way to be a parent?" I beg you again and again, but you won't allow it.

In the fourth year of Zhenguan, Emperor Taizong said to his courtiers: "Adorning the palace and enjoying the pools and terraces, what the emperor wants, what the people don't want. What the emperor wants is free, what the people don't want is laborious. Confucius said: "If there is a word that can be practiced for a lifetime, it will be forgiven!"Don't do to others what you don't want. "The matter of labor and abuse should not be imposed on the common people.I am respected as an emperor, rich in the world, free to do everything myself, sincerely able to control myself, and if the people don't want it, they will be able to go with their feelings. "Wei Zheng said:

"Your Majesty has pity for the common people, and obeys them every day. I heard that 'those who want to obey others will prosper, and those who enjoy others will perish.' Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty was insatiable. If you don't agree, you will be severely punished. What you like is bound to be worse, and the competition is infinite, and then you will perish. This is not passed down in books, but it is also seen by your majesty. It has no way, so your majesty is appointed Yes. If Your Majesty thinks it is enough, it is enough for today; if it is not enough, it will be more than ten thousand times more than this, and it will not be enough." Taizong said: "The public's performance is very good. If it is not public, how can I hear this?"

In the sixteenth year of Zhenguan, Emperor Taizong said to his courtiers: "I recently read "The Biography of Liu Cong". Love is so strong, love and anger are solutions, and I am ashamed of it. When people read books, they want to hear and see widely to benefit their ears. I can see this as a deep warning. For example, if you want to build a palace, you still build a heavy pavilion. Today I picked wood in Lantian, and I already had the equipment, and I wanted to do something for a long time, so I stopped doing it." In the eleventh year of Zhenguan, the edict said: "I have heard that the dead end, and the desire for things is against the truth; the burial is hidden, and the desire is hidden from view. In ancient times, the wind was not heard of the tree; in later generations, it is prepared. In the inner and outer coffins. Those who ridicule extravagance do not love their rich expenses; those who are beautiful and frugal are valuable and safe. Therefore, Tang Yao, the holy emperor, said that there are trees in the valley; Qin Mu, the Ming emperor, is the spring There are no hills and long places. Zhongni, a filial son, guards against the tomb but not a grave; Yanling, a loving father, wins, and Bo can be hidden. All of them have infinite worries, and they have become independent and decisive. It is also famous in a hundred generations. Helu violated the etiquette, and the pearls and jade were the wild goose; the first emperor was immodest, and the mercury was the river and the sea; Quick misfortune comes from profit and humiliation. Once the Xuanlu is released, it will be burned like a night platform; the yellow intestine will be opened again, and the same violent corpse will be destroyed in the middle field. Wouldn't it be sad to think about the past? From this point of view, the extravagant can As a warning, those who are frugal can be teachers. I live in the honor of the world, and I have inherited the abuses of hundreds of kings. Most of the families of honored relatives escaped from the customs, and they were often extravagant and cold, and they ended up with a rich burial and a high grave as a filial piety. Therefore, the clothes, quilts and coffins were extremely carved, and the spirits and ghosts were poorly decorated with gold and jade. Those who go beyond the law to uphold each other, the poor who destroy their assets without being arrested will only damage the teachings and do not benefit the spring and soil, and the damage is deep, so it is appropriate to punish them. From now on, those who are not in accordance with the order of the funeral. , the magistrate of Yangzhou prefecture will be prosecuted, and he will be charged with the crime. Those who are above the fifth rank in Beijing and those of Xun Qi's family will still record the news."

Cen's text is the order of Zhongshu, the house is low and damp, and there is no decoration of curtains.Those who persuaded him to start a business, the text sighed and said: "I am a cloth ear in the south of Han Dynasty, but I have no hard work. I only use writing and ink to write the order of the middle school. This is too bad. The weight of the lotus salary is too much to fear. , let’s talk about property?” The speaker sighed and retreated. Dai Zhou, Minister of the Household Department, died. Taizong ordered Yousi to build a temple for him because of his poor residence and no place to worship.

Wen Yanbo was shot by the right servant of Shangshu. His family was poor and he had no bed, and he died, so he was buried in a side room.Taizong sighed when he heard it, and suddenly ordered his company to make it, and he should give it generously and generously. In Wei Zheng's house, there is no main hall.And in case of illness, Emperor Taizong wanted to build a small hall, but he dropped his materials for the construction of the camp, and it was completed in five days.Send the Chinese envoys to give them plain mattresses and quilts, so as to fulfill their expectations.