Chapter 32 The imperial art of grace and majesty

Someone once called management a power control game. From the perspective of the game of interests between people, this statement can be said to be conclusive. The management philosophies of Li Shimin we mentioned above obviously belong to the rules of the game on the surface.So, in addition to these rules, did Li Shimin also use some imperceptible methods in the process of power control? The answer is yes. As a manager, whether it is an ancient emperor or the leader of an organization today, it is inevitable to use some hidden means in the game of power control. This kind of hidden method was called "combining grace and power" in ancient times, and it was a kind of imperial technique.In our words today, it is "carrots and sticks", and in the words of Konosuke Matsushita, the "God of Management" in Japan, it is -- Zhong Kui's sword is tightly held in the hands of a loving mother.

So, how did Li Shimin wield this sharp sword? Look at how Li Shimin handles the relationship with Li Jing, Yuchi Jingde, Li Shiji, Fang Xuanling and other heroes and heroes. The subtleties are worth pondering, and it can also let us fully appreciate Li Shimin's imperial skills. In the spring of the fourth year of Zhenguan, Li Jing pacified the Eastern Turks in one fell swoop and made great contributions to the Tang Empire.On the day of his triumphant return to court, Li Jing, who had been full of pride and ready to accept the award, was suddenly slapped with a book. The person who participated in him was Wen Yanbo, who was the imperial historian at the time. The reason for his impeachment was that "(Li Jing) had no discipline in the army, which caused the rare treasures in the captives to be scattered in the hands of the rebellious soldiers" ("Old Tang Book·Li Jing Biography").

Hearing the news of his impeachment, Li Jing seemed to have fallen into a hole in the ice from the dog days.The joy of victory and triumph has not faded away, but the fear of not being rewarded for great achievements has already struck. "The rare treasures among the captives were scattered in the hands of the rebels"? Li Jing bit the bullet and entered the palace to meet the emperor, while pondering over this inexplicable reason for impeachment. God knows that Wen Yanbo is in the court, with which eye he used to see the rebels thousands of miles away looting the Turkic treasures.Even if what he said is true, since ancient times, once the soldiers who are fighting abroad have won a battle, it is common to take a few trophies at random. Is it worthwhile to go online?What's more, what are those so-called "treasures among captives" compared to the unworldly achievements of pacifying the Turks?

Li Jing shook his head and smiled wryly. This kind of thing is actually big or small.To put it mildly, it means that individual soldiers disobeyed the command of the commander and violated military discipline. At worst, a few of them should be arrested and punished. But when it is more serious, it is the commander who allows his subordinates to take advantage of the opportunity to plunder and fill their pockets, which can not only offset all the credit for the victory , and it is entirely possible that he will go to jail for this and his future will be ruined. Li Jing was terrified.He didn't know if at this very moment, there would be an overturning hand waiting for him on the golden palace.

When seeing Li Shimin, Li Jing's fear almost reached its peak. Because Li Shimin's face was indeed covered with a layer of terrible frost. What happened next seemed to be within Li Jing's expectations.Based on the incidents and reasons mentioned in Wen Yanbo's memorial, Li Shimin reprimanded Li Jing, but he never mentioned the meritorious service of this battle.Li Jing didn't dare to defend himself, let alone ask for credit, so he could only repeatedly kowtow to apologize. "Old Tang Book·Li Jing Biography" records: "Taizong greatly increased the responsibility, and Li Jing thanked him."

In the days that followed, Li Jing was a little restless, always worried that the emperor would find a reason to kill him.One day, Taizong suddenly summoned him into the palace again.Li Jing went to see the emperor with a feeling of going into trouble. Not bad, thank goodness!This time the emperor's face was much calmer. Li Jing heard Emperor Taizong say to him in a earnest tone: "In the past, Shi Wansui, a general of the Sui Dynasty, defeated Datou Khan of the Western Turks, but after returning to the court, he was not rewarded for his meritorious service. He was charged with any crime and killed. These things I believe you are also very clear. But don't worry, I will not do such a thing of killing heroes. After thinking about it, I have decided to pardon your crimes and reward your meritorious deeds!"

After listening to this speech, Li Jing immediately burst into tears of gratitude, and the worry and fear of the past few days were swept away, replaced by a kind of joy and gratitude for being reborn. Afterwards, Li Shimin issued an edict to add the title of Dr. Li Jing Zuo Guanglu, bestow thousands of pieces of silk, and give food to five hundred households in the city (total with the previous one). A few days later, Li Shimin said to Li Jing: "A few days ago someone slandered you and said something unfavorable to you. I have realized this now, so don't mind it!" Two thousand bolts of silk, worshiping Li Jing as the right servant of Shangshu to shoot.

At that moment, Li Jing really had a feeling of ice and fire.A few days ago, I was still worrying about being cooked by a dead dog, but now I have been rewarded frequently, and I have become a general and a minister, and I am an extremely respected minister.Such a situation of ups and downs and sudden ups and downs really made him feel infinitely emotional. In other words, Li Jing has experienced the "gracious power" of the emperor solidly - on the one hand, the mighty grace of the emperor, like the "hand of a loving mother" nurturing all things; people.In addition to being grateful and grateful, Li Jing couldn't help feeling terrified, and from then on, he added a bit of vigilance to the situation for the rest of his life.

Perhaps because of this, when Li Jing once again left Tuyuhun in the ninth year of Zhenguan, but was again falsely accused of treason, he learned the lesson from the previous time, quickly closed the door to thank guests, and behaved in a low-key manner.Although the history books say that Taizong quickly arrested and punished the person who made the false accusation, which proved Li Jing's innocence, Li Jing "closed the door and kept guests away, although relatives were not allowed to enter" ("Old Tang Book·Li Jing Biography"). In a sense, this is not a choice that a courtier who is worried about his achievements will inevitably have in the end under the "special education" given by Li Shimin both kindly and powerfully.

Similar stories to Li Jing also happened to Yuchi Jingde. On a certain day in September of the sixth year of Zhenguan (AD 632), Li Shimin gave a banquet to all officials at Qingshan Palace in Wugong (now Wugong County, Shaanxi Province), his birthplace.At that time, the guests of the barbarians served and Yan An was at home, and the monarchs and ministers were naturally in a good mood, so they played upbeat dances, drank wine and wrote poems at the banquet, in a festive and peaceful manner. Among the interlacing of cups of toasts and laughter, there was a person with an angry expression on his face.

He is Yuchi Jingde. From the moment he entered the table, Yuchi Jingde's anger surged upwards. Because there is a certain general who is not very meritorious, but at this moment the seat is above him, Yuchi Jingde can't swallow this bad breath no matter what. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, so he got mad with alcohol and yelled at the general: "What credit do you have, the seat is actually higher than mine?" The other party was frightened by Yuchi Jingde's aura, and was also afraid of spoiling the atmosphere of the banquet, so he lowered his head and did not dare to speak.Sitting under Yuchi Jingde, Li Daozong, the king of Rencheng, saw that the situation was not good, so he hurried over to smooth things over, and kept trying to persuade him.Unexpectedly, Yuchi Jingde's eyes widened suddenly, the veins on his forehead popped up, and he suddenly threw a punch and hit the prince in the face. Li Daozong was bleeding profusely on the spot, and one eye was almost scrapped. The festive atmosphere in Qingshan Palace froze in an instant.All the officials were stunned, unable to figure out how this scene happened. Taizong Li Shimin Longyan was furious, and immediately stood up and walked away. A well-endowed banquet broke up like this. After the banquet was over, Li Shimin called Yuchi Jingde to him. At this moment, Yuchi Jingde's wine had already sobered up.He was full of fear, and realized that what he was about to hear next might be words that would be unforgettable for him for the rest of his life. Sure enough, Yuchi Jingde heard Li Shimin say: "I used to be very disgusted with Han Gaozu Liu Bang's killing of heroes, so I always wanted to protect wealth and honor with you, and let your children and grandchildren share the glory for generations. But you are an official of the imperial court. , but has repeatedly violated the national law! I only know today that the reason why Han Xin and Peng Yue were chopped into meat sauce was not Liu Bang's fault. The country's discipline is only rewards and punishments; Introspect, do it for yourself, lest it will be too late to regret it!" As a minister, hearing the emperor say these words in person, the shock and fear that Yuchi Jingde felt is self-evident. Even though it was almost late autumn, his whole body was drenched in cold sweat that day. It was from this time that this fierce general who had been on the battlefield for most of his life changed from his previous roughness and boldness, and became cautious and cautious in everything, fearing that he would overdo it by half a step. Because he knew that if he wanted to keep his own head and the prosperity and wealth of the whole family, there was only one best way - to learn self-restraint.Know self-restraint better than anyone. "Old Tang Book Yuchi Jingde Biography" records: "Respecting virtue starts from being afraid and self-defeating." Although Yuchi Jingde learned to be a man with his tail between his legs after this incident, and to be cautious in everything, Li Shimin still didn't forget to beat him at any time. In the thirteenth year of Zhenguan (AD 639), there was another unusual conversation between the monarch and his ministers. Li Shimin first talked about some irrelevant matters with Yuchi Jingde, then suddenly changed the subject and said, "Someone said you were going to rebel, what's going on?" Yuchi Jingde was startled for a moment. But he immediately understood what was going on - the emperor was casting a curse on him! "Yes, I want to rebel!" Yuchi Jingde suddenly raised his voice, and said with inexplicable grief and indignation, "I have followed His Majesty to conquer all directions, and have gone through countless battles. The body left today is just the remnant of the sword's arrow. That's all. Now that the world has been settled, His Majesty actually suspects that the minister is going to rebel?" Before he finished speaking, Yuchi Jingde took off his shirt with a bang—the arrow wounds and knife scars all over his body were exposed in front of Li Shimin. Li Shimin looked at this confidant who followed him through life and death with embarrassment. The shocking scars in front of his eyes seemed to tell the tragedy and hardship of bloody battles and the special friendship between the monarch and his subjects. Li Shimin's eyes were moist. He immediately said to Yuchi Jingde with a pleasant face: "Xian Qing put on your clothes quickly. I told you about this because I don't doubt you, why are you complaining!" The wise emperors are very good at grasping a sense of proportion when using the technique of grace and power. They will neither blindly grant grace nor always show power, but maintain a dynamic balance between the two. Of course Li Shimin is also a master in this area. After this beating, Yuchi Jingde became more low-key and introverted, and Li Shimin was also satisfied with his performance, so he naturally put away the "big stick", and soon gave a "carrot" that was enough to flatter Yuchi Jingde. ". One day, when the monarch and his ministers were still talking, Li Shimin suddenly said, "I plan to betroth my daughter to you. I don't know what you want?" Although this time it was no longer bad news, but a great good thing, the surprise and shock that Yuchi Jingde felt was no less than last time. Because this year, Yuchi Jingde was already fifty-five years old, and Emperor Taizong himself was only forty-one years old, so one can imagine how old his daughter would be.Leaving aside how dignified the emperor's daughter is, people would not dare to climb high. In terms of the age difference alone, the disparity between the two parties is really too big, it's simply outrageous. How could Yuchi Jingde endure such an inconceivable favor? Fortunately, Yuchi Jingde had many years of official career and rich experience. Hearing this, he immediately knelt down and kowtowed, declining the emperor's kindness.He said: "Although the minister's wife comes from a humble background, they have shared the poverty and hardships with the minister for decades; moreover, although the minister is ignorant, he also knows the ancient saying that 'it is not easy to be rich', so marry The matter of the princess is really not what I want." Li Shimin nodded with a smile and said nothing more. That's the end of the matter. In fact, Yuchi Jingde knew very well that the emperor didn't really want to marry his daughter to him.The reason why he sang this without thinking is nothing more than to show his trust and favor to him.Therefore, this kind of thing must not be really promised, but should be politely declined. In other words, the emperor's kindness can only be appreciated, but not actually accepted.If Yuchi doesn't get the hang of it, really climbs up the pole, and foolishly agrees, then what awaits him is probably not the wonderful ending of "carrying a beautiful woman home", but the embarrassing ending of "walking around without eating". Of course Yuchi Jingde did not fail to understand this, so he and Li Shimin cooperated quite tacitly. As an emperor, you must be good at showing your generosity, and you may wish to show extra grace occasionally; as a courtier, you must know how to abide by your duties, and know what it means to be full when you are full, and to be content without humiliation.Everyone said what should be said beautifully, and what should not be said was not said at all.A lot of things come to an end, just take care of yourself. Perhaps, it was in this repeated game between the monarch and his ministers that Yuchi Jingde's anxiety about being prepared for danger in times of peace became more and more intense, so in the seventeenth year of Zhenguan (643 AD), the fifty-nine-year-old Yuchi Jingde continued to Shangshu "begged for bones" (asked for retirement), and then became an official with the honorary title of the third division of Kaifu Yitong. And just a year before he became an official, Yuchi Jingde had already consciously faded out of real politics and settled in the magic of immortals.It is said in history: "In the last years of Jingde's life, he believed in immortal recipes, flew alchemy stones, took mica powder, built pools and terraces, worshiped Luo Qi, played Qing business music for self-support, and did not communicate with outsiders for sixteen years." ("Old Tang Book · Yuchi Jingde Biography") Until Tang Gaozong Xianqing three years (AD 658) died, Yuchi Jingde basically maintained this way of life away from politics.This is exactly the same as the ending of Li Jing's "closing the door and keeping guests away" in his later years. However, compared to the heroes and generals of the past dynasties who "rewarded no rewards" and "cooked rabbits to death", they should really feel lucky.Even compared with their contemporaries, they were far smarter and luckier than Hou Junji, Zhang Liang and others who were later punished for conspiracy. In this sense, perhaps it is precisely because Tang Taizong Li Shimin was able to use the imperial technique of "combining kindness and power" with great proficiency, so as to firmly control the power in his hands, that he was able to live in peace with the vast majority of veterans and generals. As for the emperors of all dynasties, they couldn't wait to slaughter heroes after they got their hands on the country and stabilized their power, so that they left indelible stains and infamy in history.