Small discussion "The Stone of His Mountain"

【Talking about history】

Author: Yang Wenyu

The backbone figures selected by Li Shimin were the 24 heroes on the Ling Yan Pavilion. A historian said it well: "No one can surpass Li Jing in the discussion of using troops to subdue the enemy; no one can be stronger than Wei Zheng in arguing and analyzing right and wrong; on relieving dangers and relieving difficulties, the first priority is to recommend jingde." But these three were all "stones of his mountain" who survived from the knife edge of the Tang Dynasty.

At the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, there were many strong enemies, and after conquering a series of fortifications in succession, Li Shimin "liked to defeat the enemy and win the jun". He has deep vision and lofty ambitions, "The stone of his mountain can attack jade", and when the battle clouds are in full swing, he is thinking about the future growth and development.

Jingde was originally a subordinate general of Liu Wuzhou, and after surrendering to Tang, his accomplices rebelled against Tang, and Tang's generals suspected Jingde, imprisoned him and planned to get rid of him, and were rescued by Li Shimin. Shortly after being rescued, at the critical moment when the enemy camp general Shan Xiongxin raided Li Shimin, Jingde gun picked Shan Xiongxin under the horse; in the change of Xuanwu Gate, Li Yuanji wrapped a bowstring around Li Shimin's neck, and Jingde Lei roared and shot li Yuanji with an arrow. The coup was successful, and Jingde ranked fourth, he was very unconvinced, and he swung his fist to vent his anger at the imperial banquet, almost blinding one of the eyes of Li Daozong, who was advised from the side. Later, Li Shimin asked Jingde, "I heard that people say that you are plotting rebellion, what is going on?" Jingde said, "I was born and died with you, but fortunately I am still alive, and now the only thing left on my body is scars." Do you doubt me now that you have made up your mind? "He said and undressed and fell to the ground, revealing his scars." Li Shimin wept in the face of the scar and hurriedly persuaded: "Get dressed quickly." It is precisely because I do not doubt you that I am kind enough to remind you. "It is rare to be able to transform the blood and fire friendship formed in times of crisis into a relationship between kings and subjects that can be maintained after getting on the dragon chair."

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Li Jing, as a general of the Sui Dynasty, discovered that Li Yuan was going to rebel against the Sui Dynasty and reported to the imperial court, but was arrested by Li Yuan and beheaded, and Li Shimin interceded for it and stayed. After the Li brothers turned against each other, Li Shimin privately borrowed troops from Li Jing, but Li Jing categorically refused. Now that Li Shimin was sitting on the dragon chair and facing Li Jing, who was back to grace, what should he do? When foreign troubles attacked and threatened severely, Li Shimin relied on Li Jing; Li Jing returned to the dynasty in triumph and immediately returned his military power. Meritorious service must be rewarded, and Li Shimin worships Li Jing as a face. Li Jing was courteous and asked for retirement on the grounds of old age and illness. Li Shimin approved his resignation application, but less than half a month later, Tuguhun invaded Liangzhou again, and Li Shimin asked Li Jing to take command again, and it took only half a year to attack Tuguhun. The consideration of Li Jing in detail and the tacit understanding can be described as the monarch's consideration and care for his subordinates, and it also reflects Li Shimin's shrewd and prudent way of employing people.

As for Wei Zheng, he first surrendered the Yuan treasure against Sui, then returned to Li Yuan with Li Mi of Wagangzhai, and was soon captured and served by Dou Jiande, and after Dou failed, he served the crown prince Li Jiancheng. Seeing that the Qin dynasty was thriving and threatening the position of the crown prince, Wei Zheng "planned it early every time he persuaded jian" and killed Li Shimin as soon as possible. After the Coup d'état at Xuanwumen, Li Shimin "summoned the word of duty: 'Ru alienated my brother, why not?'" 'The multitude is in danger. Zheng was generous and calm, and calmly said: "If the crown prince obeys the words of his subjects, there will be no disaster today!" It was such an awe-inspiring and calm scribe that made Li Shimin feel embarrassed and "consult the doctor." Wei Zheng consulted more than two hundred things before and after, and the game between the monarchs and the courtiers was like water and fire, and sometimes he fought with Emperor Taizong. For Wei Zheng, every step was on the blade. Here's an example. In the fifth year of Zhenguan, Yu Shiquan Wanji and Li Renfa were summoned by the emperor many times because they were keen on informing and framing, which made Emperor Taizong angry at every turn, and the courtiers could not help themselves. At this dead silence of the Manchu court, Wei Zheng stepped forward and, after counting the facts that the two courtiers were capable of slander, categorically confessed: "Your Majesty will pay attention and think again." Since the two of them were driven, there has been a benefit, and the subject is willing to axe and suffer the crime of disloyalty! "The righteousness is awe-inspiring, desperate. Fortunately, Li Shimin soberly returned to the dragon and turned around. Li Shimin once expressed it to Wei Zheng: "Although jade has beauty, it lies in the stone, it is not worth good work and pondering, and it is not different from rubble." If you encounter good work, it is the treasure of all generations. Although there is no beauty in the world, it is discussed by the public, and the labor convention is transformed with benevolence and righteousness, and the morality is promoted, so that the merits of the decay have come to this point, and the public is also enough to be a good worker. ”

This is a very subtle metaphor. Good work and stone, in the process of discussion, are mutually causal. When he first entered politics, Wei Zheng, Li Jing, and Jingde were also rough giants, who carved and sharpened under Li Shimin's hands before they left their names in Qingshi with an outstanding image. The ancients are cloudy, the wise do not seek for the fools, and the brave do not die for the cowardly - these "stones of his mountain" that are also wise and courageous can be cherished and used by Li Shimin, which also confirms Li Shimin's unusual embrace and temperament.

Water can carry a boat, it can also overturn a boat, and the monarch is also the relationship between the boat and the water. Li Shimin learned the lessons of the previous dynasty, gathered a large number of wise men, able subjects, and pooled their wisdom and efforts to draw a beautiful and dazzling wave in the long river of history.

In the 37th year of the founding of the Sui Dynasty and the 289th year of the founding of the Tang Dynasty, the difference between the state left by Yang Jian and Li Shimin is still very obvious in terms of chronological comparison.

Guangming Daily (2021-05-28, 16th edition)

Source: Guangming Network - Guangming Daily