Yao Chong's Original Works _ Translation and Appreciation

Yao Chong (65 1-72 1), whose real name is Yuan Chong, was born in Shi Xia, Shaanxi Province (now Shanxian County, Henan Province), a famous politician in the Tang Dynasty, and the son of Yao Yi, the secretariat of Yanzhou. Yao Chong was an official in China, Zong Rui and Heaven. He served twice as prime minister and concurrently as minister of war. He participated in the Dragon Coup, but was later demoted as a secretariat because he refused to attach himself to Princess Taiping. After Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty ascended the throne, Yao Chong was appointed Minister of War, Minister of Peace, Secretariat Officer and Liang Guogong. He put forward ten things to say, that is, to implement the New Deal and help Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty to create a prosperous new century, and he was called the Prime Minister of Salvation. Yao Chong reigned for three years, and Fang, Du Ruhui and Song Jing were called the four great sages of the Tang Dynasty. In 72 1 year (the ninth year of kaiyuan), Yao Chong died of illness, and was posthumously presented to Yangzhou viceroy with a document. Yao Chong's early life experience.

When Yao Chong was young, he was free and easy, paid attention to integrity, and studied martial arts diligently to amuse himself by hunting. After the age of 20, he studied hard and entered the official career as a dutiful servant. He was awarded the position of treasurer of Zhou Pu and moved to the Summer Pavilion.

assume office as premier

In 696 (long live the first year), Li and Sun Wanrong, loyal ministers of the Qidan, made an insurrection and captured several states in Hebei. At that time, the military affairs were busy, and Yao Chong handled it properly and methodically, which won the appreciation of Wu Zetian and was promoted to Xia Guan Assistant Minister.

In 698 AD (the first year of the Gregorian calendar), Yao Chong was promoted to Pingzhang and became the Prime Minister together with Fengge and Luantai. Later, he was appointed assistant minister of Fengge and concurrently prime minister of Xiangwangfu.

In 704 (the fourth year of Chang 'an), Yao Chong asked to resign from his official position because his mother was old. Wu Zetian was dismissed from the post of prime minister, but retained the post of prime minister and asked him to support his mother. Soon, Wu Zetian asked Yao Chong to be Xia Guan Shangshu, and together with Feng Ge Luan Tai, she became a Taoist. Yao Chong refused: "Xia Guan is in charge of military power, and I am the minister of Xiang. It is not good for Wang Xiang to be a Xia Guan. " Wu Zetian was deeply impressed, so he was appointed as the Spring Official Shangshu.

At that time, Wu Zetian's Toy Boy Zhang Yizhi wanted to transfer ten monks from Chang 'an Dade Temple to Dingzhou to enrich the private temple, which caused the monks to protest. Yao Chong, despite Zhang Yizhi's repeated intercession, prevented this matter, so he offended Zhang Yizhi and was demoted to the four clean-ups, but he still retained the title of prime minister. In September, Yao Chong left Lingwu Town to serve as the marching manager and appeasement envoy of Lingwu Road, and recommended Zhang Jianzhi, assistant minister of Qiu Guan, as the prime minister.

Be demoted abroad

In 705 (the first year of Shenlong), Zhang Jian, Huan and others staged a coup in Shenlong, claiming the throne and restoring the Tang Dynasty. Yao Chong just returned to Beijing at this time and was able to participate in the coup plot. Because of his work, he gave a real seal of 200 households to Hou of Jueliang County. Soon, Yao Chong was released as the secretariat of Bozhou, and later he was appointed as Songzhou, Changzhou, Yuezhou and Xuzhou.

In 7 10 (the first year of Jing Yun), Tang Ruizong succeeded to the throne. Yao Chong was recalled to North Korea, served as Minister of War, and was promoted to Secretary of War. Yao Chong and Song Jing cooperated with each other to get rid of the bad politics in the Zhongzong period, appointed loyal ministers, exiled evil spirits, made clear rewards and punishments, and put an end to asking for help, so that all statutes could be restored and sorted out. Both the ruling and opposition parties believed that the country had the wind of chastity and the national emblem would last forever.

At that time, Princess Taiping interfered in state affairs and the king held military power, posing a threat to Crown Prince Li Longji. 7 1 1 year (the second year of Jing Yun), Yao Chong and Song Jingmi played Rui Zong, suggesting that Song Wang Li Xian and Qi Wang Li Shouli should be the secretariat, Xue Wang and the generals should be changed to officials of the East Palace, and Princess Taiping moved to the East Capital. Princess Taiping was furious and accused Li Longji. Li Longji had no choice but to say that Yao Chong had alienated the imperial clan. Therefore, Yao Chong was demoted as the secretariat of China, and later served as the secretariat of Yangzhou, the provincial judge of Huainan and the secretariat of Tongzhou. His simple politics and law, clear management for officials, has been praised by the people.

Fuzheng kaiyuan

In July13 (the first year of Kaiyuan), Li Longji, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, staged a congenital coup, killing Princess Taiping's henchmen, and then went to Xinfeng (now northeast of Lintong, Shaanxi) to inspect the army. At that time, Yao Chong was making a secretariat in the same state, which was less than 300 miles away from Xinfeng. According to the regulations, he was going to see the coachman, and Tang Xuanzong also called Yao Chong to come over. After Yao Chong arrived, he discussed world affairs with Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty, and Kan Kan talked tirelessly. Tang Xuanzong intends to appoint him as Prime Minister. Yao Chong went on to put forward ten political propositions:

1. Implement benevolent policies and abolish harsh laws.

2. Stop fighting and ask for no sideline.

3. Follow the law closely and enforce the law fairly.

4. Eunuchs should not interfere in politics.

5. Refuse to contribute capital other than rent.

6. Kinmen and their relatives may not serve as officials of Taiwan Province Province.

7. Treat courtiers with courtesy.

8. Open your heart to training.

9. There are no more Taoist temples and Buddhist temples.

10. Take the authority of the consorts of the Han Dynasty as a warning.

Tang Xuanzong accepted it gladly. The next day, Yao Chong was appointed as the Minister of War, awarded the doctrine of Zhongshu, sealed Liang Guogong, and was later promoted to Wei Zijie.

After worshipping the Prime Minister, Yao assisted in governing the country, got rid of the old and innovated, vigorously promoted social reform, and promoted the advantages and eliminated the disadvantages. He started with rectifying the system, eliminating redundant posts, selecting officials, suppressing imperial power, national interests and heroic forces, and paying attention to developing production, which laid a political and economic foundation for the prosperity of Kaiyuan.

Locust control and disaster relief

In July16 (the fourth year of Kaiyuan), a locust plague occurred in Shandong. The people only know how to set up sacrifices to worship, and dare not kill locusts and let them gnaw at seedlings. Yao Chong said, "The Book of Songs says,' If you catch a thief, you will catch the king first and be burned.' Emperor Guangwu of Han Dynasty once wrote a letter saying,' Obey the current situation and advise Governor Nong Sang. Find moths, cockroaches and thieves. "These are enough to prove that it is necessary to eliminate locusts. Locusts are afraid of people and easy to drive away. All fields have owners, so they will try to save their crops. Burn a fire at night, dig a hole beside it and bury it while burning, so that locusts can be eliminated. There were locusts in ancient times that could not be eliminated, just because they did not try their best. " So he sent the empire to catch locusts and urged all localities to eliminate them.

At that time, there was a heated discussion in North Korea that locusts were not suitable for killing, and Tang Xuanzong hesitated. Yao Chong advised, "A scholar is inflexible. The development of things often goes against the classics and conforms to the trend, and also goes against the trend and conforms to expediency. There was a plague of locusts in ancient times, but because they refused to kill locusts, there was a famine and the people killed each other. Now migratory locusts are everywhere, breeding repeatedly, and there is no food in Henan and Hebei. If there is no harvest, people will be displaced, which concerns national security. Even if it can't be completely destroyed, it must stay and form a disaster! " Tang Xuanzong was deeply impressed by this.

Although Tang Xuanzong was persuaded, officials still had doubts. Lu Huaishen, director of Huangmen Prison, said: "Locusts are natural disasters, and it is impossible for human beings to eliminate them. And too many pesticides will harm the world. " Yao Chong said, "King Hui of Chu swallowed leeches to cure chronic diseases, and Sun Shuai was rewarded for killing snakes. Now the locusts can be driven away. If left unchecked, the food will be eaten up. What will people do then? If there is a disaster in the sky, I will bear it in Yao Chong and will never shirk it to you. " Lu Huaishen was speechless.

Local officials are still opposed to locust control. Ni Ruoshui, the governor of Bianzhou, said: "Natural disasters can only be eliminated, and the former Zhao and Liu Cong failed to eliminate locusts, which is even more harmful." He refused the orders of the censor and the extermination of locusts. Yao Chong wrote a letter blaming: "Liu Cong usurped the monarch, and his virtue surpassed the demon. Your majesty was a sage and the demon surpassed the demon." In ancient times, there were good guards in the state, and locusts were afraid to enter. If Xiu De can dispense with locusts, is it immoral to have locusts? "NiRe water couldn't help it, so we have to cooperate to kill locusts. With Yao Chong's insistence, the plague of locusts was minimized. Although the locust plague lasted for years, it did not cause widespread famine.

Rong chong in his later years

Yao Chong has no residence in Beijing, but lives in Wangji Temple. He is bedridden with malaria. Tang Xuanzong sent dozens of envoys to visit the sick every day. Every time he encountered serious military affairs, he ordered Huangmen prison source to ask for his advice. Later, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty adopted Gan Yuan Yao's suggestion, ordered Yao Chong to move into Sifang Pavilion, and allowed his family to take care of his illness. Yao Chong thought that Sifang Pavilion contained official documents, which was not the place where patients lived, and strongly declined. Tang Xuanzong said: "The purpose of setting up the Sifang Pavilion is to serve officials. For the sake of the country, I arranged for you to live in it. If possible, I can't wait for you to live in the palace. Don't refuse! "

Although Yao Chong is a clever man, he failed to teach his children well. His sons Yao Yi and Yao Yiguang made friends and took bribes, which was criticized by public opinion. Zhao Hui, a master calligrapher in China, accepted a bribe from the Hu people and was sentenced to death by Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty for exposing this matter. Yao Chong also tried his best to rescue him. Xuanzong was very unhappy about this. When he pardoned the prisoners in Beijing, he specially indicated in the memorial that Zhao Hui was exiled to Lingnan. Yao Chong was so worried that he resigned several times and recommended Song Jing, the governor of Guangzhou, to succeed him as prime minister. Soon, Yao Chong was dismissed as prime minister and appointed as the third division of Kaifu Instrument Company.

Although Yao Chong was deposed by Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, he still valued him very much and let him go to court once every five days. Ask him for advice when you encounter major political affairs. In 720 (the eighth year of Kaiyuan), Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty named Yao Chong Prince of Shaobao, but he did not accept it because of illness.

Anecdotes and allusions protection officials.

Wu Zetian once talked with courtiers about Zhou Xing and Lai Junchen presiding over the prison. There were many cases of courtiers' rebellion, and she doubted whether there was unjust imprisonment. Yao Chong urged, "Since the fall of Gongbei, most of the people who were executed for treason were caused by the crimes of Luo Zhi, such as Zhou Xing, so as to win credit for themselves. Your majesty sent a trusted minister to ask. These ministers can't even keep themselves, and they dare to shake their conclusions! If the person being interrogated recants his confession and is afraid of being tortured, it is better to die early. Now that the cruel officials have been punished, I assure your majesty with the lives of one family 100 that there will be no more traitors in the future. If there is a little rebellion, I am willing to bear the guilt of not reporting it. " Wu Zetian was overjoyed and said, "The former prime ministers all obeyed Zhou Xing and others, which made the cruel officials succeed and made me the king of abusive punishment. It is appropriate for me to listen to what you said. " So he gave Yao Chong one thousand two hundred pieces of silver.

Weep and bid farewell to the old Lord

After the Dragon Coup, Wu Zetian moved to Shangyang Palace, and all the officials celebrated the restoration of the Tang Dynasty. Only Yao Chong cried. Zhang Jianzhi said to him: "Is it time to cry today? I am afraid that you will be in big trouble in the future. " Yao Chong said: "I have served Emperor Zetian for a long time, and now I suddenly say goodbye and feel unbearable grief. I'm doing my duty as a courtier, and I cried goodbye to my old Lord today. It is also the moral integrity that a courtier should have. Even if I am found guilty, I am willing. "

Sparse monks and nuns

During the period of Tang Zhongzong, nobles competed to build Buddhist temples and lavished money on monks and nuns. Many rich people also took the opportunity to cut their hair and become monks to escape the corvee. When Yao Chong came to power, he advised, "The Buddha slaughtered the city and Kumarajiva was called a monk, but it couldn't save the demise of the post-Qi Zhao dynasty. Qi Shizong and Liang Wudi believed in Buddhism, but failed to avoid disaster. As long as your majesty can let the people live and work in peace and contentment, it is the Buddha's body. There is no need to shave the heads of treacherous people and let them ruin the Dharma! " Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty adopted his suggestion and ordered officials to screen monks and nuns nationwide. As many as 12000 people were ordered to return to secular life because of fraud.

Deny heroes

After Tang Xuanzong succeeded to the throne, many people who helped him launch a coup were demoted, which also had a lot to do with Yao Chong.

When Yao Chong was the secretariat, he said that he had instigated Zhao to impeach him because of old grievances. After Yao worshiped Xiang, Zhang said that he was afraid and went to the palace of Qi State to sing a secret song. One day, Yao Chong deliberately left behind after going out to Korea, and was asked by Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty that he had foot disease. Xuanzong asked, "Does it hurt?"

Yao Chong replied: "I'm worried that the pain is not in my feet! It's your majesty's beloved brother. It is said that he is an assistant minister in the DPRK. He sneaked in and out of the house, and I was afraid that Zhang would be wrong, so I was worried. "So I demoted Zhang to Xiangzhou.

Wei Zhigu was introduced by Yao Chong in his early years, and later he was in parallel with Yao Chong, and he was slightly despised. Yao Chong excluded Wei Zhigu, made him the official department minister, and presided over the election of Luoyang officials. Wei Zhigu is very dissatisfied. Yao Chong's son took the opportunity to ask Wei Zhigu for help, and Wei Zhigu told Xuanzong. Xuanzong pretended to ask Yao Chong, "What can your son do? Where is it now? " Knowing Xuanzong's thoughts, Yao Chong replied, "I have two sons, both of whom work in Luoyang. They have many desires, but they are not cautious. I was very kind to Wei Zhigu in my early years. They must have taken this opportunity to ask Wei Zhigu. " Tang Xuanzong thought that Yao Chong was impartial, and Wei Zhigu failed Yao Chong and wanted to recall him. Yao Chong said, "My son misbehaved and disturbed public order, but your majesty dismissed Wei Zhigu. People will think that your majesty is partial to me. " Although Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty gave up, he finally called Wei Zhigu the history of the Ministry of Industry.

Liu Youqiu and Zhong Shaojing were also demoted because of Yao Chong's impeachment.

Prime minister of salvation

Yao Chong once asked Qi Huan, a master of Wei Zi, "I am the Prime Minister. Who can I compare with?" ? Can you compare with Guan Zhong and Yan Ying? "Qi Huan said," although the policies of Guan Zhong and Yan Ying cannot be passed down to later generations, they can be maintained during their reign. Your law will change at any time. From this point of view, you seem to be inferior to them. Yao Chong asked again, "What kind of prime minister am I?" ? "Qi Huan said," you are a savior. "mean, Yao Chong is just the prime minister to save the situation. Yao Chong was overjoyed and clapped his legs and said, "It's not easy to save time. "

The ancestral temple is self-destructive

Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty was about to patrol Luoyang when the ancestral temple suddenly collapsed. Song Jian said, "Your Majesty has not been mourned for three years, so he can't go out for sightseeing. Disaster is a warning from heaven. Your Majesty should stop moving eastward. " Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty also asked Yao Chong about the strike. Yao Chong said: "The ancestral temple was originally a palace built in the pre-Qin period, and was later changed into a ancestral temple by Emperor Wendi of Sui Dynasty, which was used by the Tang Dynasty. It has existed for nearly 300 years. A rotten mountain will collapse, not to mention wood. The collapse of the ancestral temple happened to meet your majesty's journey eastward, not because you wanted to go eastward. Your majesty is lucky in Luoyang because of the poor harvest in Guanzhong and the labor of transporting food to the people. This is for the people. Everything in Du Dong is ready for the drivers. If your majesty stops moving eastward, he will not break his promise to the world. In my opinion, your majesty should continue to go east. As for the ancestral hall, let people repair it. " Tang Xuanzong was very happy.

Zhang calculated and said

Father of family members: Yao Yi, governor of Wazhouguan, document number. ..

Mother: Liu, daughter of Liu Zhikui, the secretariat of Xiangzhou, and Mrs. Feng of Pengcheng County.

Brother: Yao, a native.

Son: Yao Yi, official to Guanglu Shao Qing.

Son: Yao Yi, Zhou Fang secretariat.

Mausoleum memorial tomb

Yao Chong's Tomb is located in Xu Ying Village, Pengpo Town, Yichuan County, Henan Province. In 2008, it was listed as the fifth batch of cultural relics protection units in Henan Province.

Commemoration of future generations

During the Kaiyuan period of the Tang Dynasty, people regarded the portrait of Yao Chong as a true god. Many places have built temples for him, hoping that he can bless the people and bring happiness. In Huwei Town, Yunlin County, Taiwan Province Province, there is still the Yaowangye Temple dedicated to Yao Chong.

Yao Chong's poems are covered with smoke at night, and the sky is far away. The ship doesn't make a move, and the cable doesn't pull. Listen to the grass to find the shore, smell the fragrance and know the lotus. Just looking at the lonely sail, it is often like a guest's heart hanging. -Crossing the River at Night by Yao Chong in the Tang Dynasty (Liu Shi) and Crossing the River at Night (Liu Shi)

There is floating smoke at night, and the sky is far away. The ship doesn't make a move, and the cable doesn't pull.

Listen to the grass to find the shore, smell the fragrance and know the lotus. Just looking at the lonely sail, it is often like a guest's heart hanging. When you hear about the emperor's life, you should report it to Ye Ding. It not only helped Cui Quan's life, but also gave birth to a real person. At this time, Hai Shun dived in Longli, and rode around Heyaohe here. There are only goslings in the forepool, which is beneficial to Tianjin. -Tang Yaochong's Dragon Pool of Wind and Life.

When you hear about the emperor's life, you should report it to Ye Ding. Since life with Cui Quan Guangbao is very harmonious,

Return water to be a real person. At this time, Hai Shun dived in Longli, and rode around Heyaohe here.

There are only goslings in the forepool, which is beneficial to Tianjin. The bright moon is full of mirrors, which makes people extremely uneasy. Trees in autumn are late in the morning and cold in the evening. The burning clouds are clean and the grass is bare. What you find fascinating, you look at it alone and sigh. -Yao Chong's "Looking at the Moon at Autumn Night" in the Tang Dynasty

The bright moon is full of mirrors, which makes people extremely uneasy. Trees in autumn are late in the morning and cold in the evening.

The burning clouds are clean and the grass is bare. What you find fascinating, you look at it alone and sigh. See more poems by Yao Chong >>